Carrier vs. Broker: What You Need to Know Before You Book Your Move
- info147393
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
When it comes to planning your move, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right type of company. In the moving industry, you’ll typically encounter carriers, brokers, and companies that fall somewhere in between. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed choice.
What Is a Broker?
Brokers are companies licensed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to arrange moves—not perform them. They don’t own trucks, hire movers, or operate warehouses. Instead, they sell your move to a third-party carrier (an actual moving company).
This means:
You won’t know who’s moving you until moving day.
The broker doesn’t control the quality of the movers they hire to complete your job.
The person who helps you book your move might not even know who will show up.
Once the third-party carrier arrives, they often bring their own pricing, terms, and conditions, which may be very different from what the broker originally promised.
Because brokers aren't responsible for executing the move, they tend to skip important details during the quoting process—like stairs, parking restrictions, or how your items are packed. This leads to basic, unrealistic estimates that often sound “too good to be true.” Spoiler alert: they usually are.
How to Spot a Broker
Look out for these red flags:
DOT License: Their DOT number will show a “Broker” license when checked in the FMCSA database.
High Deposits: Often more than 20% and sometimes non-refundable.
Too-Good Deals: Frequent deep discounts or willingness to drop the price significantly without hesitation.
Overpromising: They’ll say “yes” to everything without discussing the real logistics—because they’re not doing the move.
Transparency: The honest ones may tell you upfront they’re brokers—but not all do.
What Is a Carrier?
Carriers are the actual moving companies. When you hire a carrier:
They own the trucks.
They hire the movers.
They are responsible for your move from start to finish.
You deal with one company, under one contract, with clear, consistent terms. The quote you receive is binding, meaning it won’t change on moving day. You’ll have a single point of contact for everything—planning, questions, and delivery tracking.
We’re a carrier. You’re welcome to look up our DOT license—it’s listed as a carrier license, as it should be.
What About the In-Betweens?
Some companies hold a dual license, meaning they operate their own trucks and broker moves to other companies. These are the “in-betweeners.”
It can be difficult to tell whether they’ll handle your move themselves or outsource it. While they are legally allowed to do both, the uncertainty adds risk.
The Bottom Line
Whenever possible, book directly with a carrier. Your move will be safer, more predictable, and handled by the company you actually hired.
Put your money in the hands of the people doing the work. It's money for sweat. As simple as that.
