TapMove, across town or across the country.

The 8 Top Movers moving team. After you send the form, the team calls to go over your move, then sends your written estimates. It gets rates from the licensed movers in its network, so you can compare more than one written price side by side.

You choose a mover, or none at all. Nothing is booked or scheduled until you agree to a move with the mover you pick and sign its paperwork.

No. Our moving team gets rates from the licensed movers in our network and brings their written estimates to you. You compare them and choose a mover, or none at all. Nothing is booked until you agree to a move with the mover you pick and sign its paperwork.

You never pay us, and using 8 Top Movers does not raise your price. If your plans change or you decide to move yourself, you do not owe anyone anything for having asked.

Yes. TapMove is the brand name, and Movexus LLC is the legal name on its federal record with the FMCSA. Many movers trade under a brand, so seeing two names is normal.

What you should check is that they line up. Your estimate, order for service and bill of lading should name Movexus LLC or TapMove and carry the same USDOT number as the FMCSA record. If a document names a company you have never heard of, ask why before you sign anything.

No. A move that starts and ends inside California is an intrastate move, and California’s rules for household movers apply instead of the federal FMCSA rules. The paperwork and the consumer protections are set by the state.

Ask the mover for its California permit, get the estimate in writing, and ask how it prices a move of that distance. The federal rules, including the 110 percent limit on a non-binding estimate, apply once your move crosses a state line, for example to Reno, Portland or Phoenix.

For a move across state lines, a binding estimate is a set price for the services it lists. You pay that amount, plus only services you add later. A non-binding estimate is the mover’s estimate of the cost, and the final bill is based on the actual weight and services.

On a non-binding estimate, federal rules say the mover cannot make you pay more than 110 percent of the estimate at delivery to get your belongings. Anything above that is billed afterwards, and you get at least 30 days to pay it. Local moves inside one state follow that state’s rules instead.

Interstate movers must give you a written estimate. If you live within 50 miles of the mover or its agent, federal rules also require a physical survey of your belongings unless you waive it in writing, and many movers now offer a survey by video instead.

A useful estimate names the mover and its USDOT number, says whether it is binding or non-binding, and lists every service and charge: packing, stairs, long carries, a shuttle truck, storage. It should also show the dates. Walk the surveyor through every room, closet and garage, because what they do not see is not in the price.

Interstate movers offer two levels of liability. Released Value costs nothing extra, but the mover is liable for only 60 cents per pound per article, so a 10-pound laptop is covered for about six dollars.

Full Value Protection costs more. Under it, the mover must repair the item, replace it, or pay its current replacement value. Movers can limit this for items worth more than 100 dollars per pound, such as jewelry or art, unless you list them in writing. Ask for the price of each option on the estimate and choose before moving day.

Be careful with a mover that gives a firm price over the phone without seeing your belongings, asks for a large deposit or cash before the move, or wants you to sign blank or incomplete paperwork. Other warning signs are no written estimate, no copy of the federal booklet, and a company name on the paperwork that differs from the one you called.

An estimate far below the others is not a bargain if the final bill grows at delivery. Compare what each estimate includes, not only the total.