The CPUC household goods permit
Movers that move household goods within California must hold a CPUC household goods carrier permit. You can look up any mover's permit on the CPUC website, by company name or permit number, and confirm that it is active.
Check that the company name on the permit matches the company you are talking to. If the names do not match, ask why before you book.
The CPUC moving booklet
Before a move within California, the mover must give you the CPUC booklet called "Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods (within California)". It explains your rights, how estimates work, what valuation means and how claims are handled. Read it before moving day, not after.
Insurance and valuation are different
Valuation is the mover's liability for loss or damage during the move. California movers must offer valuation options, from a basic level to full value protection. Insurance for your belongings may come separately, from your own homeowner's or renter's policy. Ask your insurer whether it covers items in transit.
Questions to ask any mover
Whose crew and truck will do the move? Is the estimate in writing, and what does it include? How is the price calculated: by the hour, or by weight and distance? What valuation options are offered, and what does each cost? Who do I contact if something goes wrong?
Red flags
No physical presence or a company name that keeps changing, a price far below everyone else, a large cash deposit, a refusal to put the estimate in writing, or a company that will not say who will actually do the move. Any of these is a reason to keep looking.
Read before you sign
Before the crew starts, you should see the paperwork for your move, including the rate, the valuation option you chose and any additional services. Ask about anything you do not understand before you sign.
Reviews and references
Online reviews help, but read them for detail rather than stars. Look for reviews that mention the same kind of move as yours, such as an apartment with an elevator or a hillside home, and how the company handled problems. A few detailed, recent reviews tell you more than many short ones.
Keep your paperwork
Keep copies of the estimate, the CPUC booklet, the valuation choice and the final paperwork until well after the move. If a question comes up later, having everything in one place makes it simple to resolve.
Out-of-area companies
Some companies advertise locally but are based far away and send whoever is available. Ask where the crew is based and whether the company has worked in your area before. Local knowledge of buildings, parking and traffic makes a real difference on the day.
When something does not add up
If a company cannot answer basic questions, such as who will do the move, how the price is calculated and what valuation is offered, take that as a signal. A reliable mover answers these questions clearly and puts them in writing.
Ask for everything in writing
Ask for the estimate, the valuation options and any special arrangements in writing. A mover who is comfortable putting it on paper is usually comfortable standing behind it on the day.