I've been in the moving business since 2013. In that time I've heard every horror story - movers who showed up three hours late, companies that held belongings hostage until the customer paid more, crews that damaged furniture and disappeared. I started Castle Express because I was tired of watching people get burned.
So if you're trying to figure out how to choose a moving company in Connecticut, here's what I'd actually look for.
1. Check the USDOT number first
Every legitimate moving company operating in Connecticut is required to have a USDOT number. Castle Express is USDOT 2307446. You can look up any company at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and see their license status, insurance, and complaint history. If a company can't give you a USDOT number, stop the conversation.
2. Get an in-home or video estimate, not just a number over the phone
Any mover who gives you a firm price without seeing your stuff is guessing. And when they're guessing, you're usually the one who pays for it on move day. A legitimate company will do a walkthrough - either in person or over video - before they give you a number. We do every estimate this way.
3. Ask what happens if something gets damaged
This question tells you everything. A good moving company will explain their liability coverage clearly and give you options. A bad one will get vague or defensive. Connecticut has specific rules about mover liability, and any company worth hiring will know them.
4. Read the reviews, but read them carefully
A 4.9 rating with 200 reviews is meaningful. A 5.0 rating with 11 reviews could be family members. Look for reviews that mention specific names, specific moves, specific situations. That's the stuff you can trust.
5. Make sure they're actually local
There are national brokers who buy Google Ads in Connecticut, take your deposit, and then dispatch whoever picks up the job. You have no idea who's showing up at your door. Castle Express runs its own crews out of our Enfield facility. The guys moving you work for me directly - I know them, I've worked with them for years, and they represent my name.
6. Trust your gut on the phone call
When you call for a quote, how do they treat you? Are they rushing you? Do they answer your questions clearly? The way a company handles a phone call is exactly how they'll handle your move. We pick up the phone and we get back to people the same day. That's not complicated - it's just the standard.
If you're moving in Connecticut or Western Massachusetts and want a straight answer on what your move will cost, get in touch with us. No pressure, no games.
- Joe Caronna, Owner, Castle Express Moving & Storage