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Bellhop can work for short local moves and labor-only jobs booked well ahead, but the BBB gives it an F with 85 complaints in three years, damage coverage defaults to 60 cents a pound, and late cancellations cost $200 locally or $700 long distance plus your deposit. It is a real company, Bellhop, Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, registered with FMCSA as a household goods broker, and it books movers and moving labor in dozens of cities through its site at getbellhops.com. The key thing to understand is that its terms say it is not a mover: independent crews and carriers do the work, and you may not get the consumer protections you'd have with a household goods mover.
- What it is
- A property broker and booking service that matches you with independent movers and carriers; its terms say Bellhop does not provide moving services2
- FMCSA registration
- Bellhop Inc, USDOT 2878240, MC-965964, authorized as a broker of household goods; affiliate Bellhops Moving LLC (USDOT 3296538) is an intrastate carrier10
- Services
- Local full-service moves, long distance moves, hourly labor-only help, packing, last-minute and commercial moves1
- Pricing
- Not published; local moves use prorated hourly pricing billed by the minute, long distance moves use a flat rate9
- Minimums
- 3 hours for local full-service moves, 2 hours for labor only at one location, 3 hours for labor at several locations5
- Deposit
- 10% of the estimate, charged 48 hours after booking, plus a hold for the rest before move day4
- Cancellation
- Free until 72 hours before; later, local moves forfeit the deposit plus a $200 fee and long distance moves forfeit the deposit plus a $700 truck fee3
- Damage coverage
- 60 cents per pound by default, capped at $2,000 per order under the terms; claims due within 5 business days in most states6
Pros
- Book online without an in-home estimate
- Labor-only option for loading your own truck or container
- Billing by the minute on hourly local moves
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours before
- Long distance moves priced at a flat rate
Cons
- Broker, not a mover: independent crews do the work
- F rating from the BBB with 85 complaints in three years
- Default damage coverage of 60 cents a pound, capped at $2,000 per order
- Late cancellation fees of $200 or $700 plus your deposit
- Claims due within 5 business days in most states
Best for: Short local moves or labor-only jobs, like loading a rental truck or container, that you can book more than 72 hours ahead.
Skip it if: You're moving valuable furniture or a whole household long distance and want the company that does the work to be the one you hired.
Bellhop vs. competitors
| Company | FMCSA role | How you get a price | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellhop | Household goods broker (USDOT 2878240) | Online quote; hourly local, flat long distance | F, not accredited |
| United Van Lines | Carrier, broker and freight forwarder with agent network | In-home or virtual survey, then binding quote | A+, not accredited |
| Allied Van Lines | Household goods carrier (USDOT 076235) | Online quote range or survey | A+, accredited |
| Mayflower | Household goods carrier (USDOT 125563) | In-home or virtual survey; online quote form | Corporate profile not rated; parent UniGroup A+, accredited |
Bellhop pricing at a glance
Bellhop fees and policies, as listed October 20263
| Item | Local moves | Long distance moves |
|---|---|---|
| How you're charged | Prorated hourly, by the minute | Flat rate agreed at booking |
| Minimum | 3 hours full service; 2 hours labor only | Not published |
| Deposit | 10% of estimate, charged 48 hours after booking | 10% of estimate |
| Free cancellation | Up to 72 hours before (3 hours for rush bookings) | Up to 72 hours before |
| Late cancellation | Lose deposit plus $200 | Lose deposit plus $700 truck fee |
| Damage coverage | 60 cents per pound; extra valuation in some states | 60 cents per pound unless you buy more |
Bellhop doesn't publish hourly rates; you see your price when you book. Rush bookings within 72 hours are charged the 10% deposit and a hold for the full amount at booking.
Bellhop, step by step
Get a quote online or by phone
Enter your addresses, date and inventory; Bellhop says it can match you with a team in under 15 minutes. Long distance requests go to a booking agent.
Pay the deposit
A 10% deposit is charged 48 hours after booking, and a hold for the rest goes on your card 2 days (local) or 3 days (long distance) before the move.
Sign the moving agreement
Review the pre-move agreement and add extra valuation coverage if it's offered in your state.
Move day
Independent movers scan your QR code to start and stop the clock on hourly moves.
Final charge and claims
The final amount is charged after the move. File any damage claim within 5 business days in most states.
Bellhop legitimacy and licensing
Bellhop is a real business. Bellhop, Inc. was founded in 2011, is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is registered with FMCSA (USDOT 2878240, MC-965964) as a broker of household goods. It says it has completed more than 300,000 moves. Its website is now getbellhops.com; the older getbellhop.com address points to a domain-for-sale page, so make sure you book on the right site.
The catch is what Bellhop is. Its terms say it is not a mover and does not provide moving services. It’s a broker and booking service that matches you with independent crews and carriers, and it warns you may not get the same consumer protections you’d get from a household goods mover. The BBB rates it F and it isn’t accredited.
FMCSA also lists a broker registration from April 2026 for Kahana LLC doing business as Bellhop, at Bellhop’s Chattanooga office address. Bellhop hasn’t published what that registration means for customers, and its terms still name Bellhop, Inc., so check which company is named on your agreement.
How much Bellhop costs
Bellhop doesn’t publish rates. You see a price when you book. Local full-service and labor-only moves use prorated hourly pricing billed by the minute, with a 3-hour minimum for a truck and crew and a 2-hour minimum for labor at one location. If the move runs long, you pay for the extra time. Long distance moves are a flat rate agreed at booking.
You pay a 10% deposit 48 hours after booking, and Bellhop places a hold for the remaining estimate 2 days before a local move or 3 days before a long distance move. The final charge comes after the move. Its terms say the number of movers who show up can differ from the quote, and your rate is adjusted if it does.
How Bellhop works
You book online or at 1-888-836-3939, choose local, long distance, labor-only, packing or storage help, and Bellhop matches you with a team. You get updates and photos of your crew before move day. The crew scans a QR code to start and end the clock. Bellhop operates in cities across many states; for a location it doesn’t serve, you can book labor at the end it does serve.
What customers say about Bellhop
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Easy online booking with upfront quotes
- Friendly, careful movers when the crew is a good one
- Fast, efficient local moves
Common complaints
- Crews arriving late, short-staffed or without proper equipment
- Final bills higher than quotes and minimum-hour charges
- Damage claims that are slow or pay little
- Hard to reach support, and surprise that movers are subcontracted
Damage coverage and claims
Bellhop’s standard coverage pays 60 cents per pound for damaged items, based on weight, not value. A 75-pound headboard is worth $45 under that policy, and its terms cap Bellhop’s liability at $2,000 per order. In some states you can buy extra valuation coverage up to the day before your move; elsewhere, Bellhop suggests third-party insurance. It excludes particleboard furniture, minor scratches, pre-existing damage and some natural stone items. In most states you must file a claim within 5 business days after the move, and disputes go to individual arbitration.
Bellhop complaints and how to avoid them
The BBB lists 85 complaints in three years. Trustpilot’s older reviews are mostly positive, but recent negative reviews describe late or short-staffed crews, bills above the quote, damage claims that pay little, and support that’s hard to reach. Bellhop hasn’t replied to negative Trustpilot reviews.
- Book more than 72 hours ahead so you can cancel free if plans change.
- Give a complete inventory so the hourly estimate is realistic.
- Take photos of furniture and walls before the crew starts.
- Buy extra valuation or insurance for anything worth more than 60 cents a pound.
- File claims in writing within 5 business days.
Cancelling a Bellhop move
Local moves can be cancelled free up to 72 hours before. After that you lose the 10% deposit and pay a $200 late cancellation fee. Rush bookings made within 72 hours can be cancelled free up to 3 hours before the start. Long distance moves cancelled within 72 hours lose the deposit plus a $700 truck cancellation fee. Changes to your order can also change the price.
Who should look elsewhere
For long distance household moves, a household goods carrier you hire directly gives you a single company responsible for your goods and federal mover protections. If you’re moving antiques, art or expensive furniture, the 60 cents a pound default coverage is too low unless you buy more.
Alternatives to Bellhop
- Rent a truck and hire local labor For a small local move, a rental truck plus a few hours of help is often cheaper and keeps you in control of timing.
- A licensed local mover Booking a mover directly means the company doing the work is the one responsible; check its state license or USDOT number first.
- PODS A container you pack yourself while PODS moves it, useful for long distance moves on your schedule. Read review
- United Van Lines A full-service van line with binding quotes after a survey, for larger long distance moves. Read review
Bellhop reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Can you trust Bellhop?
Yes, it's a real company: Bellhop, Inc. of Chattanooga, registered with FMCSA as a household goods broker. It isn't a mover itself; independent crews and carriers do the work.
Is Bellhop still in business?
Yes. It was taking bookings at getbellhops.com as of October 12, 2026. The older getbellhop.com domain now shows a domain-for-sale page.
Does Bellhop use its own movers?
No. Its terms say Bellhop is a broker and booking service that matches you with independent third-party movers and carriers.
How much does Bellhop cost?
Bellhop doesn't publish rates. Local moves are billed hourly by the minute with a 2 or 3-hour minimum, and long distance moves are a flat rate.
What is Bellhop's cancellation policy?
Free up to 72 hours before your move. Later, local moves lose the 10% deposit and pay $200; long distance moves lose the deposit and pay a $700 truck fee.
Does Bellhop require a deposit?
Yes, 10% of your estimate, charged 48 hours after booking, plus a hold for the rest a few days before the move.
What happens if Bellhop damages my stuff?
Standard coverage pays 60 cents per pound, capped at $2,000 per order. File within 5 business days in most states, and consider extra valuation or insurance for valuable items.
What is Bellhop's BBB rating?
F, not accredited, with 85 complaints in the last three years as of October 12, 2026.
Does Bellhop do long distance moves?
Yes, through its long distance booking team, using truck, storage container or labor-only options at a flat rate.
What is the minimum for a Bellhop move?
3 hours for local full-service moves with a truck, 2 hours for labor only at one location and 3 hours for labor at multiple locations.
Sources (15)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Bellhop: Home page (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop: Terms of Service (last modified 2/28/2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: Can I cancel my move? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: When do I pay for my move? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: What are your service minimums? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: What is Bellhop's Damage Protection Policy? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: How long do I have to file a damage claim? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: Can I still add valuation coverage? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop Help Center: What if my move runs longer than expected? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: Bellhop Inc company snapshot (USDOT 2878240, MC-965964) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: Bellhops Moving LLC (dba Bellhop Moving) company snapshot (USDOT 3296538) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: Kahana LLC (dba Bellhop) company snapshot (USDOT 4562932) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Bellhop, Inc., Chattanooga, TN (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Bellhop reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bellhop: Is there anything Bellhop's policy doesn't cover? (accessed October 12, 2026)
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