| 1 | Current Operating Authority | Confirm that the mover has the required authority for the type of interstate or intrastate transport being offered. | A current registration or authority number that can be checked through the relevant transportation regulator. | A valid operating authority helps show that the business is legally permitted to provide the stated transportation service. |
| 2 | Commercial Insurance | Check whether commercial auto liability and other required coverage are active and appropriate for the move. | A certificate of insurance issued by the insurer or insurance broker, with policy dates and coverage types. | Insurance can help address third-party property damage, vehicle accidents, and other covered losses. |
| 3 | Cargo and Property Protection | Ask how damage to the tiny house, detachable components, fixtures, and personal contents will be handled. | Written cargo terms, valuation options, exclusions, deductibles, and the claims procedure. | Standard carrier liability may be limited, so the contract should clearly explain the available protection. |
| 4 | Tiny House Transport Experience | Look for demonstrated experience with oversize loads, trailer connections, lifting, escort coordination, and route restrictions. | An itemized method statement, anonymized project examples, equipment details, and crew qualifications. | Tiny houses can involve unusual dimensions, low clearances, utility disconnection, and specialized loading requirements. |
| 5 | Route and Permit Planning | Verify that the proposed route accounts for dimensions, weight, bridge limits, road restrictions, permits, and escorts where required. | A written route plan showing responsible parties for permits, traffic control, utility clearance, and weather delays. | Poor route planning can cause delays, extra fees, infrastructure damage, or an unsafe move. |
| 6 | Verified Customer Reviews | Compare recent reviews across independent platforms and look for detailed comments about communication, damage, timing, and billing. | Several recent review sources, complaint responses, references from comparable projects, and an explanation of recurring issues. | A consistent pattern across independent sources is more useful than a single rating or testimonial. |
| 7 | Written Itemized Estimate | Require separate line items for mileage, loading, unloading, permits, escorts, equipment, labor, storage, taxes, and possible access charges. | A dated estimate identifying assumptions, included services, exclusions, payment milestones, and change-order rules. | Itemization makes competing quotes easier to compare and reduces unexpected charges. |
| 8 | Transparent Pricing and Payment Terms | Check whether the price is binding, non-binding, or subject to documented changes, and review deposits and cancellation terms. | A signed contract, accepted payment methods, refund policy, cancellation schedule, and no-pressure payment instructions. | Clear commercial terms help distinguish a competitive quote from an artificially low preliminary price. |
| 9 | Pre-Move Inspection and Documentation | Confirm that dimensions, weight, structural condition, access points, utilities, and pre-existing damage will be documented before loading. | Inspection checklist, dated photographs, weight information, signed condition report, and loading requirements. | Accurate pre-move records support safe planning and make later damage or dispute reviews more objective. |
| 10 | Professional Contract and Claims Process | Review delivery deadlines, responsibilities, dispute procedures, damage reporting, and contact information for escalation. | A complete contract naming the legal contracting party, service scope, claims deadline, governing terms, and customer support contact. | A formal process provides accountability if the schedule changes, property is damaged, or the final invoice differs from the estimate. |
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