Get Quotes from Top Movers in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Houston?

Per the provisions of Chapter 643 of the Texas Transportation Code, moving companies that wish to operate in Houston are required to register as motor carriers at the state level with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) before doing so. Moving companies that fail to comply with this registration requirement can face administrative penalties of up to $30,000 in fines.

The motor carrier registration process can be completed online via the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' eLINC platform. Applications are typically reviewed within 24 - 48 business hours, following which the applicants are sent an email with further instructions. Once applications have been approved, the applicants are issued a Unique Identifier Number, which they must then provide to their respective insurance companies so that these companies can file their required insurance obligations.

Once the insurance requirements have been met, the applicants are sent another email asking them to log in to a separate MCCS platform and pay the stipulated registration fees to complete the registration process. After this step is completed, the applicant's Unique Identifier Number is converted to a TxDMV Certificate Number, and the applicant is then legally authorized to provide moving services to interested parties in Houston and across the State of Texas.

Inquiries concerning the motor carrier registration process can be directed to the TxDMV at (800) 299-1700. Applicants can also check the status of their registration applications by calling the aforementioned number and selecting options 3-4-3.

In addition to completing a statutorily mandated state-level registration process, moving companies that wish to operate in Houston must also meet certain local business requirements before they can legally conduct business in the city. These requirements include:

• Registering their businesses with the Harris County Clerk's Office, the Fort Bend County Clerk's Office, or the Montogomery County Clerk's Office. Note that moving companies that wish to operate as Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Incorporations will be required to register their businesses with the Texas Secretary of State
• Obtaining a Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Texas State Comptroller's Office
• Obtaining a Federal Tax Identification Number from the IRS

You can get additional information on the business registration requirements for moving companies that wish to operate in Houston by contacting the city's Office of Business Opportunity at:

Queries can also be directed to the Houston Office of Economic Development by calling (832) 393-0937 and (832) 393-0981.

Confirming that the TxDMV has duly registered the moving company you intend to hire is an important step in ensuring that you end up with legitimate and competent movers. You can do this by utilizing the Texas Truck Stop online search platform the department provides and maintains for this purpose. In situations where you wish to move out of the State of Texas, it is a good idea also to confirm whether your intended moving company has been authorized to provide interstate moving services by accessing the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration's online search portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Houston?

Several factors come into play when moving costs are calculated in Houston, and these factors include:

• The distance between points A and B
• The size and weight of items that are being moved
• The layout and accessibility of the move locations
• The date and time of the move
• Additional services, such as packing and storage

While moving companies in the city typically utilize hourly or weight/distance rates when calculating their charges, these rates must not exceed the maximum rates and charges provided by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. You should always get and compare estimates for your move from at least three moving companies before selecting the mover with rates that best suit your budget. However, it is essential to note that the lowest estimate is not always the best deal. This is because many fraudulent movers typically offer very low estimates to get unsuspecting homeowners to retain their services, after which they load up the items on the truck, hold them hostage, and then force the homeowner to pay additional fees.

Houston's transportation and material moving workers earn an average annual wage of $42,700. The list below compares the hourly average wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of the State of Texas as well as several other major cities in the country:

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Houston Regulations?

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) establishes legal size and weight limits for all vehicles that ply roads and bridges across Texas. To this end, any moving company that utilizes vehicles or carries loads that exceed these limits must obtain an Oversize/Overweight Permit from the department before doing so. This department provides several permit options, and first-time applicants are advised to call (800) 299-1700 to get assistance in determining the right permit option for their specific vehicles or loads. This assistance can also be obtained by logging in to the department's TxPROS online permitting system and selecting the Permit Wizard option. Note that the creation of a user account is required to access this system.

Once the proper permit option has been determined, applications can be submitted online via the TxPROS permitting system or by completing and mailing an appropriate permit application form to the mailing address provided on the form. Note that a fee is typically required before the requested permits are issued. Also, once permits are issued, permittees must comply with all applicable permit restrictions for the routes and areas they will be taking. Examples of some permit restrictions that currently apply to Houston include:

• Permittees with vehicles that are 17'6'' or more must send a copy of their permits to the Houston District Signal Shop via email between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays, at least 48 hours before entering the district.
• Permittees must contact city officials at (832) 394-8851 during business hours on Mondays to Fridays or via email to obtain additional city-issued oversize/overweight permits before traveling on Houston city streets.

Queries concerning TXDMV-issued oversize/overweight permits and permit restrictions can be directed to the department via toll-free number 1-800-299-1700 between 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

In addition to possessing state-issued oversize/overweight permits, city-issued parking permits may also be required for your moving activities. These permits can be obtained by completing and submitting an appropriate parking permit application form to:

You can inquire about the best parking permit option for your move or get additional information on city-issued parking permits by contacting the Houston Parking Management Division at the above address between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. This division can also be contacted via email or by calling (832) 393-8690.

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

When looking to undertake relocation activities in Houston, you must confirm that your preferred moving company provides the specific types of moving services you require. Moving companies in the city provide a wide range of services, and these services can generally be grouped into the following categories:

• Local moving services: this involves relocation activities that occur entirely within the city
• Long-distance moving services: this involves moving from Houston to another city, either within or outside the State of Texas. Some moving companies that provide this service also offer international moving services to interested parties that wish to relocate to a different country.
• Specialized moving services: this involves services like piano moving, artwork crating and uncrating, and furniture rearranging

Finding out the exact types of services that a moving company offers and making sure that these services meet your specific moving requirements greatly reduces the probability of disagreements and misunderstandings with your movers during your move. To this end, you should always provide your preferred moving company with a clear idea of the scope of your intended move and get confirmation from them that they are equipped to meet your expectations. It is also a good idea to inspect the moving company's vehicles and facilities and get an estimate of their charges before reaching any final agreements with them. Cost estimates for moving services that are commonly offered by professional moving companies in Houston are listed below:

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Moving to a new residence within or outside Houston can be a strenuous ordeal, and many homeowners in the city reduce the stress of these activities by hiring a moving company that also provides packing services. A major advantage of hiring the same company to pack, move, and unpack your items is that it simplifies your relocation experience by giving you a single point of contact for your moving activities.

Nonetheless, you should always confirm that your intended moving company also offers packing services as well as the type of packing services they offer. Moving companies in Houston typically offer either full packing and unpacking services or partial/customized packing and unpacking services, and some of them also provide customers with the option of using their own packing materials. In some situations, you may also require storage services to ensure that your items are warehoused safely and securely before they are moved to your new residence. Some common instances where storage services are typically required during relocation activities include:

• Your new home is undergoing renovations.
• You are moving from a large family home to a smaller residence
• You need to move on short notice, and you have not fully sorted out your new living situation
• You wish to settle into your new home before moving your items in

As with packing services, it is equally a good idea to hire a moving company that also provides storage options if you require these services. Ensure that the company describes how your items will be packed and stored, and check out their storage facilities to ensure that they are appropriate for the items you need to be stored. You should also make sure that you and the company agree on how and when you can access the storage location. Finally, find out if these packing and storage services will be included in your moving cost estimates or if you will be charged separately.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Houston?

Movers generally perform backbreaking jobs, and it is usually common for homeowners to tip them when they do these jobs with professionalism and a good demeanor. While there is no specified standard for tipping movers in Houston, many homeowners typically tip their movers $4 - $10 per hour of work done. Other common methods used for calculating tips in the city include tipping movers $15 for every 1,000 pounds of items moved or tipping a total amount of 10% - 15% of the transportation charges for the move.

Regardless of how you decide to tip your movers, you should take certain factors into consideration when determining the right amount for the tip. These factors include:

• The difficulty and duration of the job
• The general behavior of the movers
• The handling of your items

It is a good idea to find out from your intended moving company what they consider a fair tip for their movers before you finalize any hiring arrangements with them. However, it is important to note that tipping is not mandatory; thus, you are not obligated to do so. If your movers demand a tip, or if you are unsatisfied with the way they perform their duties, you should always report this to the moving company as soon as possible.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Houston?

Per Rule 218.16 of the Texas Administrative Code, moving companies that wish to operate in Houston are statutorily required to meet and maintain certain insurance minimums before doing so. These minimum insurance requirements include:

• Carrying minimum cargo insurance of $5,000 for loss or damage to total cargo carried by one vehicle or $10,000 for aggregate loss or damage to multiple shipper cargoes carried on one vehicle
• Carrying a minimum automobile liability insurance of $300,000 when moving items with a gross weight that is less than 26,000 pounds
• Carrying a minimum automobile liability insurance of $500,000 when moving items with a gross weight that is more than 26,000 pounds
• Carrying a minimum accidental or workers' compensation insurance coverage of $300,000 for medical expenses and $100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment

You should always confirm that any moving company you hire in the city has satisfied these requirements, as failing to do so can expose you to legal and financial liabilities if accidents or injuries occur during your move. To this end, ensure that you request a copy of your intended mover's insurance certificate and contact the relevant insurance provider to verify its validity. Note that homeowners' or renters' insurance policies do not cover property damages that occur during moves. As such, it is also a good idea to determine the scope of the mover's coverage when you contact their insurance provider.

You can reach out to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at (800) 299-1700 to make inquiries or get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for moving companies in Houston.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Houston?

Requesting references is a good way to determine the professionalism and reliability of a moving company, and many reputable movers in Houston do not hesitate to provide this information. If your intended moving company seems hesitant to provide you with references of past clients who can vouch for their services, then you should take this as a sign that something is wrong. In situations like this, you should strongly consider taking your business to another moving company.

Note that you should not only request references but also check these references out personally to get their first-hand reviews of the moving company's services. You can also go a step further by looking up reviews and testimonials on the moving company online.