Movers in Arlington

Every household goods mover operating within Texas, from van lines to a local crew with a trailer, needs an active TxDMV certificate number. Moving goods for pay without one is a Class C misdemeanor.

• Look the company up on TxDMV's Truck Stop. "Active" means licensed.
• Call TxDMV's Enforcement Division at 1-888-368-4689 for the mover's complaint history.
• Check the truck: the company name and TxDMV number must be on both sides. TxDMV calls unmarked or rental trucks a warning sign.
• Check the ad or website: print ads must show a "TxDMV No." and a Texas street address.
• Ask for the USDOT number too. Texas-registered movers must also hold a federal identification number.

Unlicensed movers, TxDMV warns, often quote very low prices and raise them once your goods are on the truck.

TxDMV doesn't set moving prices, so quotes vary and it suggests shopping around. HomeGuide's national figures (November 2025):

• Local move under 50 miles, 2- to 3-bedroom home: $900 to $2,800
• Hourly: $50 to $100+ per mover, with a 3- to 5-hour minimum
• Long distance, 2- to 3-bedroom: $1,300 to $9,500

A move from Arlington to Fort Worth, Dallas or anywhere else in Texas is regulated by TxDMV. Cross a state line and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration takes over; its consumer site is protectyourmove.gov. The Texas movers guide breaks down pricing further.

Before loading, a licensed Texas mover must give you TxDMV's "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas" and a written proposal with the maximum you could be required to pay. The proposal is either binding (an exact price) or not-to-exceed (a ceiling). For it to hold, list every item and tell the mover about stairs, elevators and long carries.

Then comes the contract. A licensed mover won't add charges after you sign unless you both agree in writing. Be ready to pay the maximum shown at delivery.

Coverage for an Arlington move

Liability is agreed in writing. TxDMV's own example: a mover liable at 60 cents per pound per item owes $30 for a lost 50-pound TV. Transit insurance, bought from the mover or another insurer, covers more, and you need proof of the policy before loading. Claims for damage or overcharges must be filed in writing within 90 days of delivery. TxDMV offers free mediation of fee or damage disputes; the request must arrive within 35 days of the mover's unsatisfactory answer, or after 90 days with no response. The mover has 23 days to acknowledge your claim, 30 days to inspect the damage and 90 days to pay, deny or make a written offer.

Inventory fees on an Arlington move

A mover may charge for a descriptive inventory only if you agreed to it. If the crew writes one up for its own use, it can't bill you for it.

A January 2024 city notice set Arlington's weekly collection at up to two cubic yards of bulky items on your collection day, plus up to two cubic yards of bundled brush or bagged leaves; confirm the current limit with the city. If you're clearing out a garage, start a few weeks early so the curb pile stays under the limit each week.

For electricity at a new Arlington address, Oncor, which lists Arlington among its cities, sends customers starting service to PowerToChoose.org to pick a retail provider. A few edge addresses may be on a co-op, so check by ZIP.

Renters can book a move-out cleaning in Arlington; a Texas landlord must refund your deposit within 30 days of move-out, once you give a written forwarding address. For a move to Grand Prairie, the same TxDMV checks apply. More on the city at the Arlington local services page.