Choosing a mover matters more than picking a truck size. The right questions before you book tell you how a company actually operates, not just what their website says. Here is what to ask, and what a straight answer should sound like.
Is the Company Licensed and Insured?
Start here. In California, a moving company needs a CAL-T PUC number for in-state moves. Any company crossing state lines needs a US DOT number and FMCSA registration too.
Ask for the numbers directly. A company that hesitates or cannot produce them is not one to hire.
Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (AQMS) holds CAL-T PUC # 188503 for California moves and US DOT # 125563 and ICC MC # 2934 for interstate moves. Insurance on file is $1,000,000, well above the $750,000 legal minimum. Every number is verifiable through the California Public Utilities Commission or the FMCSA lookup.
How Long Have They Been Operating, and Who Do They Serve?
Longevity is a real signal. A company that has handled thousands of moves across decades has already worked through the problems a newer outfit has not run into yet.
Ask how long they have been in business, and whether they handle your type of move regularly. Some companies focus mostly on small apartments. Others handle full homes, offices, and long-distance relocations as a matter of routine.
AQMS has operated in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1996, under the ownership of Casey and Kelly Kirkman since 2006. The crews handle local moves in Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, and Castaic, along with long-distance, international, and commercial moves.
What Is Actually Included in the Price?
Ask how pricing is calculated before you agree to anything, and get it in writing. Stairs, long carries, and heavy or oversized items can all affect the final number, so find out upfront which of those apply to your move.
A phone quote without anyone seeing your home is a guess. Ask instead for an in-home walkthrough and a written estimate based on what is actually being moved.
AQMS provides a free in-home estimate for every job, local or long-distance. No hidden fees are added after the fact, and multiple customers on Google and Movers.com have noted their final cost came in at or under the original estimate.
What Happens If Something Gets Damaged?
Ask directly how claims are handled and how long the process usually takes. A company with a clear answer here has clearly dealt with this before, which is a good sign, not a bad one.
Also ask what coverage is included by default and whether additional protection is available for high-value items.
AQMS crews are trained through the American Moving and Storage Association’s Certified Packer Loaders Program (CPL), covering fragile item handling, load sequencing, and proper wrapping technique. Carpet shield and wall protection are standard on every job, and custom crating is available for pianos, artwork, and other high-value pieces.
How Do They Handle Scheduling and Delays?
Moving dates fill up fast, especially in summer. Ask about availability early, and find out how long your specific move is expected to take.
Also ask what happens if weather or traffic pushes things back. A company that has a plan for delays is one that has dealt with them before.
Can They Handle a Long-Distance or International Move?
If you are moving out of state or overseas, ask whether the company has its own interstate authority or works through a van line agent network. A local company without either legally cannot handle the move.
AQMS is an authorized agent for National Van Lines, giving Santa Clarita customers access to a national logistics network and insurance backing for long-distance and international moves, while keeping a local point of contact throughout.
One customer, Don T., wrote on Google: “This is my second move cross country with National. Like my first trip, this move was painless, professional, and practically perfect.”
What Do Past Customers Actually Say?
Skip the star count and read what people actually wrote. Look for named crew members, specifics about the move, and whether the same names come up more than once.
AQMS has 368+ reviews on Yelp, with named crew members cited repeatedly across Google and Angi, including Barry, Aaron, and General Manager Ben Strength. One reviewer wrote: “I can’t say enough great things about AQMS, Ben Strength, and his team. Everyone was kind, humble, and truly professional.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a mover’s license in California? Search the CAL-T PUC number through the California Public Utilities Commission website, and check any US DOT number through the FMCSA lookup at ai.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Does AQMS offer packing and storage, or just transport? AQMS handles the full move: packing, transport, unloading, unpacking, and in-house storage with 24-hour surveillance if there is a gap between move-out and move-in.
How far in advance should I book a moving company in Santa Clarita? 4 to 6 weeks for local moves, 6 to 8 weeks for long-distance moves, especially during the summer.
Is a written estimate the same as a final price? Only if it is a binding estimate. Ask which type you are getting, and get it in writing before moving day.
Get a Straight Answer, Not a Guess
The right questions take five minutes and save a lot of stress later. AQMS answers all of them the same way every time: licensed, insured, in-home estimate, no hidden fees, AMSA-certified crew.
Call (661) 622-2636 for a free in-home estimate, or visit aqmsnationalmoving.com.
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