Real Moving Company Versus Move Broker: What’s the Difference?

When you start planning a move and investigating all the costs and services involved, you may visit move-related websites that ask for top-level information about where you’re moving to and from, the approximate timing of your move, the size of your home and your contact information. You hit “send” and within just a few minutes, you start getting phone calls from unfamiliar numbers, texts begin popping up, and your email is suddenly filled with inquiries from different “movers” competing for a chance to win your business.  

Welcome to Moving’s “New Normal” 

First, don’t be alarmed. Pause, take a deep breath and welcome yourself to what’s now one of the “new normals” of today’s move experience. While many of these calls, texts and emails are perfectly legitimate, what’s often not clear is exactly the type of moving service provider you might be dealing with. While we may be oversimplifying things a bit, it’s safe to assume it’s an eclectic combination of traditional full-service moving companies like Mayflower and companies that often pose as movers to get your business but are actually moving brokers.  

Each choice offers unique advantages and potential drawbacks that need to be carefully thought through. Let’s take a deep dive into the pros and cons of hiring a real moving company versus using a move broker, so you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision. 

The Pros of Using a Real Moving Company 

Control and Accountability 

When you hire a reputable moving company, you’ll be dealing directly with the actual company and, often, even the team that will be handling your belongings. You’ll receive that mover’s actual pricing and have more control over your move.  

A traditional moving company like Mayflower will want to schedule an in-person or virtual survey to have the most information available about your move and follow this up with a moving quote based on that information. This is because all reputable full-service movers are accountable for the entire moving process, start to finish. They’ll work to establish a direct line of communication and mutual understanding about what your particular needs are, along with any costs associated with them.  

If you’re paying for your own interstate move, traditional movers are also subject to applicable federal moving consumer protection regulations. These regulations provide you with extra levels of safeguards that may not be available if you hire your mover through a broker. 

Comprehensive Moving Services 

Most long-distance movers offer a wide range of services designed to make your relocation smooth and worry-free.  

With Mayflower these services include: 

• Full-service moving 
• Packing and unpacking 
• In-transit storage 
• Car shipping 
• Specialized services for handling delicate or high-value items like pianos, major electronics, artwork and antiques  

You’ll also be assigned a move coordinator who serves as a single point of contact throughout your move journey. This all-inclusive approach is intended to significantly reduce the stress and physical labor involved in moving, allowing you the flexibility to focus on your loved ones, your job and other things important in your life.  

Loss and Damage Claims 

Traditional moving companies are required to offer you at least two liability options before your move commences — a minimum liability option at no additional cost, where the mover will only assume a very minimal liability in the event of loss or damage occurring during transit, and a ‘full value’ option, where the mover assumes a much higher liability for such claims. These protection options can be crucial in case of accidents or unforeseen circumstances.  

Every first quote from Mayflower automatically includes the Full Value protection option, which can be waived in favor of the minimum liability option if you choose to do so. 

The Cons of Using a Traditional Moving Company 

Appearance of Higher Moving Costs 

While hiring a professional moving company offers customization and convenience, it often may initially appear to come with a higher price tag. Quotes from full-service movers will be based on the movers’ actual rates and charges, which might typically charge based on factors like distance, the weight of your possessions and any specialized services you requested. As noted below, quotes received from brokers may not be based on traditional movers’ actual rates and charges, so they may artificially appear to cost less. 

Less Flexibility 

Professional movers operate on strict schedules and follow irregular, indirect routes which may not always align with your preferred timeline, especially during the peak moving season which runs from May through mid-September. This can be inconvenient, especially if you need to coordinate with other aspects of your relocation, such as starting a new job or closing on a house. That’s why Mayflower always encourages you to schedule your move as far as possible in advance to lock in a move date that works best for you. You may find this article about how a move works to be helpful and informative. 

The Pros of Using a Move Broker 

Price and Scheduling Flexibility 

The advantage most move brokers — no matter what they call themselves (i.e., “platform,” “dispatch service,” or other names) — have over full-service movers usually comes down to the “big two”: time and money. Move brokers are intermediaries (i.e., “middlemen”) that do not provide moving services or take any responsibility to you for your move. Instead, brokers connect you with one or more moving companies to ostensibly help you find the most competitive rates. Responsible move brokers comply with applicable federal regulations that require them to enter contracts with all their network of full-service movers. For you, this not only means more scheduling flexibility but might also save you time and effort researching and contacting traditional movers individually. 

The Cons of Using a Move Broker

Using a move broker comes with risks. For example, if you’re currently being inundated with move-related calls, you may notice that many — or even most — of them originate from the Sunshine State. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Florida is home to more brokers than anywhere else in the U.S. What’s more, the Federal Department of Transportation (USDOT) revealed that half of all moving scam-related complaints submitted in 2023 came out of Florida.  

Check out tips to avoid common moving scams.  

Limited Accountability 

Since brokers don’t own moving equipment, vehicles or have actual packers and movers, they don’t perform the actual move and don’t have to take any responsibility for it. If any issues arise, you may find yourself caught between the broker and the moving company. Also, some brokers may prioritize finding the cheapest option over quality service to maximize their profit, potentially leading to subpar (and unlicensed) movers handling your precious possessions. Brokers that try to escape regulation often provide quotes not based on the actual movers’ rates and charges, which could also lead to artificially low and misleading quotes.  

Potential for Hidden Fees 

Some less scrupulous move brokers might not base their quotes on the actual full-service mover’s rates and charges, meaning you might later face unexpected charges from the actual mover for packing materials, stair fees, or long carry charges, to name a few. That’s why it’s important to carefully review your quotes and contracts and to ask whether they’re directly from the actual move early on to avoid unpleasant surprises later. Traditional movers do not ask for deposits, so you should also ask whether any deposit you pay to the broker will be passed on to the actual mover. 

Unexpected Complications  

While brokers may appear to offer cost savings and convenience, they also add another layer to the move process that can make any problems you encounter much harder to resolve. Also be aware that most brokers’ quotes only include a minimum value liability option, which can be as low as $0.60 per pound.  

Before booking a move through a broker, it’s important to do your research. Verify their FMCSA licensing and request a list of the actual movers they use and have contracts with. Also, ask the actual mover to provide a copy of its tariff and re-confirm the quote, as well as the actual mover’s proof of liability and call their insurer to confirm the policy is active. We strongly recommend leveraging resources such as the Better Business Bureau’s website and online customer reviews to get a clear picture of both the broker’s and the mover’s reputation. You can also contact FMCSA directly at (800) 832-5660 for information on registered brokers nationwide.  

Moving Broker vs. Moving Companies and Mayflower®

Feature	Move Broker	Traditional Moving Companies	Mayflower®
Services Offered	It depends on the third-party mover. Generally, less comprehensive than offered by moving companies.	Often offer a wide range of services which vary by moving company.	Services include packing, unpacking, debris removal, auto transportation, storage and more.
Service Customization	A third-party mover may have limited customization capabilities.	Often have customizable options which will vary by company.	Offers a full line of customizable moving services for moves of any size.
Pricing	Sometimes based on ballpark estimates. Costs may escalate with hidden fees during and after the move.	Based on the services provided and many other factors of a move.	Transparent estimate which can be adjusted as move schedules or other parameters change.
Customer Support	Brokers will probably not have a single point of contact. Customers may not know who best to reach out to.	Varies by moving company, although many will have a coordinator overseeing a move.	Nearly 100 years of exceptional customer service, with a dedicated move coordinator for each move, a digital Move Portal and a claims support team.

Ready to move with a professional moving company? Let Mayflower help you. Get a quote today. 

Whether you decide to use a full-service moving company like Mayflower or go through a broker, you’ll still find the content we have available on subjects like packing your belongings and settling into your new neighborhood  to be helpful and highly engaging. Also be sure to check out our guides to states, cities and more. And our digital magazine, Welcome HOME, is a must-read for any savvy mover!