1. Check the licenses
- Moves within Pennsylvania require a certificate from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Apollo's PA PUC number is A-00095719.
- Interstate moves require US DOT and motor carrier authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Apollo operates under US DOT 2334280 as an agent for Allied Van Lines.
- Look the numbers up yourself on the FMCSA and PA PUC websites. A legitimate mover will give you their numbers without hesitation.
2. Mover or broker?
A broker sells your move to a carrier you've never heard of, often after you've paid a deposit. The crew that shows up may have no connection to the company you spoke with. A carrier like Apollo owns its trucks, employs its crews and is responsible for your shipment from start to finish. Ask directly: "Are you the company that will actually move me?"
3. Insist on a survey before an estimate
A reputable mover surveys your home — in person or by video — before quoting. An estimate based on a phone call and a guess about "a three-bedroom house" is how moving-day price surprises happen. Get every estimate in writing, and make sure it lists the services included.
4. Ask the right questions
- How long have you been in business, and where is your warehouse? (You should be able to visit it. Ours is at 3014 New Butler Rd., New Castle, PA 16101.)
- Are your crews employees? Are they trained and background-checked?
- What valuation options do you offer, and what does each one cost?
- Do you subcontract any part of the move?
- What is your claims process?
- Can you provide references or recent reviews? (See ours on our reviews page.)
5. Know the red flags
- A large cash deposit required up front
- No physical address, or a website with no license numbers
- An estimate that seems far lower than everyone else's
- A blank or incomplete contract
- Trucks with no company name, or a company name that keeps changing
- Pressure to sign immediately
6. Read the paperwork
For interstate moves, federal rules require the mover to give you a written estimate, the "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and a bill of lading. Read them. Ask questions. A good mover will welcome them.
Why families choose an Allied agent
Allied Van Lines agents are independent, local companies that meet Allied's standards for training, equipment and service and can tap the Allied network for long-distance moves. You get a local company you can hold accountable with a national van line behind it. That's exactly what Apollo Moving & Storage has been in New Castle for decades.