What To Ask Before You Hire Movers in Eugene
Looking For Moving Companies in Eugene, Oregon?
Hiring a moving company is a big decision — you’re trusting someone else to handle your belongings, manage logistics, and reduce stress on moving day. Whether you’re relocating across town, to Springfield, or across the state, these 10 questions will help you identify a reliable, professional mover in Eugene, Oregon.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Oregon?
This is the most important question to ask. In Oregon, household goods movers must be licensed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to operate legally. Licensed companies must follow strict regulations, including tariff filings, insurance requirements, and consumer protection laws.
Ask the moving company for their ODOT number and verify it through the ODOT website. Ours is ODOT 029716. All legal moving companies in the state are listed on that website. If a company refuses to provide this number, it’s a red flag that they may be operating illegally. This means that if there is damage or issues with the move, you will not have the recourse you do with a legal company. It also means they are less skilled as movers, their crews are likely not covered by worker’s comp, and their workers are not background checked.
2. Do You Have Experience With Local and Long-Distance Moves?
A company might be great at apartment moves but fall short when handling multi-day interstate relocations. Always ask about the company’s range of service, years in operation, and familiarity with the type of move you need.
Cascade Moving & Logistics has experience with everything from local residential moves in Eugene neighborhoods like Friendly Street and South Hills to long-distance relocations across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We know the roads, the weather patterns, and how to plan efficiently.
3. Can You Provide a Written, Itemized Estimate?
Never settle for a vague phone quote, especially when hiring long-distance movers in Eugene. Moving companies doing moves within 50-air miles of Eugene are not required to do a visual inspection and can be quoted over the phone, but for long distance moving, a trustworthy mover will visit your home (or conduct a virtual walkthrough), ask detailed questions, and provide a written estimate with a breakdown of charges — including hourly labor, fuel, supplies, and any additional fees like stairs or long carries.
We believe in complete transparency. Cascade provides itemized digital quotes with a full explanation of every charge, so there are no surprises on moving day.
4. What Is Your Minimum Hourly Requirement?
Most movers in Eugene charge by the hour with a 1- to 5-hour minimum. If you only have a small apartment, a storage unit, or a handful of large items, you don’t want to pay for more time than you need.
We offer minimums as low as one hour for smaller jobs during the week, especially for students, seniors, or customers doing a DIY pack. Whether it’s a quick in-town load or a half-day furniture shuffle, we’ll structure our quote around your needs. Moving during the week, when possible, often leads to lower minimums and cheaper costs.
5. Are Your Movers Employees or Subcontractors?
Some moving companies in Eugene use subcontracted labor or day workers who may not be trained, insured, or held to the company’s standards. Employee-based companies tend to have better accountability, consistency, and customer service.
At Cascade Moving & Logistics, our movers are fully employed, trained, and background-checked professionals. They wear company uniforms, follow clear protocols, and take pride in their work — because they’re part of our team.
Subcontractors or off the books movers often do not have any insurance or worker’s comp, meaning if they are injured on your property, you may actually be liable and can potentially be sued.
6. Do You Have Local References or Reviews?
Customer reviews and referrals are one of the best ways to gauge a company’s reputation. A legitimate mover will be happy to share recent customer experiences and have plenty of 5-star reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Moving companies are highly competitive, and often the difference between a 4.5 star rated company and a 5 star rated company can be massive. We do not recommend using any moving company in Eugene or Springfield with less than a 4.9 star rating. Anything below that means there are likely quality control and/or management issues within the company.
We’re proud to be one of the highest-rated moving companies in Eugene, with over 350 five-star reviews on multiple platforms. Our customers consistently mention our friendly crews, careful handling, and responsive service.
7. What Equipment Do You Use on Moving Day?
Professional movers should show up with clean, well-maintained trucks with their ODOT and DOT numbers, proper dollies, moving blankets, shrink wrap, tie-down straps, and tools for furniture disassembly. The right gear minimizes damage and improves efficiency.
Cascade’s moving crews come prepared with everything needed to protect your home and belongings, including floor runners, door jamb protectors, and more. We treat your property like it’s our own.
8. Do You Offer Packing Services and Supplies?
Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of any move. Some customers prefer to pack on their own, while others want help with kitchens, fragile items, or full-service packing.
We offer a full range of packing options — from basic box delivery to complete home packing — along with professional-grade supplies like heavy-duty boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. If you need to pack quickly or reduce stress, our trained packers can help you get it done right.
9. What Happens if Something Gets Damaged?
Even with the best movers, accidents can happen. Ask about their claims process and whether they offer valuation coverage or can refer you to a third-party insurance option.
At Cascade, we stand behind our work. If damage occurs, we respond quickly and fairly. We include basic valuation coverage with every move and offer access to full-value replacement protection if needed. Customer satisfaction is our top priority.
10. Why Should I Choose Your Company Over Others?
This is where a great company will stand out. Look for movers who emphasize local knowledge, consistent crews, responsive communication, and honest pricing — not just the lowest hourly rate.
Cascade Moving & Logistics is proudly locally owned and operated right here in Eugene. We know the area, we care about our community, and we’ve built our business on reliability, integrity, and service. When you choose us, you’re not just hiring movers — you’re hiring a local team that wants your move to go right.
Final Thoughts
Don’t trust your move to just anyone. Asking these 10 questions will help you weed out unreliable companies and find experienced professionals who care about your move as much as you do.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy moving company in Eugene, Oregon, contact Cascade Moving & Logistics today. We’ll answer your questions, give you a clear quote, and help you plan a stress-free move from start to finish.
moving made simple
frequently asked questions
Pricing depends on distance, home size, and services. We offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, detailed in your quote.
We offer local and long-distance moving, packing, labor-only assistance, junk removal, and white glove service. Comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs.
Declutter and pack early, label boxes, and ensure essentials are easily accessible.
Yes, we provide professional packing and unpacking services as an add-on or standalone option to simplify your move.
Report damage within 48 hours. We offer basic and additional coverage options for extra protection.
We don't move hazardous materials, perishables, pets, jewelry, cash, or valuable documents for safety and legal reasons. We do not move baby grand pianos, grand pianos, slate pool tables, and hot tubs
