--- title: What Is a Household Goods Carrier? | O'Brien's Moving url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/household-goods-carrier/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Household goods carrier # What is a household goods carrier? A household goods motor carrier is a for-hire mover that, in the ordinary course of business, offers some or all of four services at private homes: binding and nonbinding estimates, inventorying, protective packing and unpacking, and loading and unloading. That is the definition in 49 CFR 375.103. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Not every truck that carries furniture is a household goods carrier in the legal sense. The label matters because the full set of consumer protections in Part 375 attaches to it. ## The four services in the definition Section 375.103 lists them in order: binding and nonbinding estimates; inventorying; protective packing and unpacking of individual items at personal residences; and loading and unloading at personal residences. A mover offering some or all of these in its normal business is a household goods motor carrier. Each one has its own rules in the same part, such as the written estimate rule in 375.401 and the inventory rule in 375.503. ## What the definition leaves out Two kinds of operators fall outside it. One is a carrier that moves containers or trailers loaded and unloaded entirely by the customer or someone other than the carrier's employees or agents. The other is a delivery service that moves furniture or appliances between a store or factory and a home. Those operations are regulated differently, so the protections you read about here are written for full household moving. ## How O'Brien's fits O'Brien's Moving & Storage is a household goods carrier with U.S. DOT No. 30611 and MC-109375 for interstate moves and Nevada CPCN 1070 for moves within Nevada. The free in-home estimate is itemized and in writing, packing can be full, partial or box packing only, and the crew loads, unloads and delivers. Before packing begins you receive an itemized inventory and condition report. ## Protections that come with the label - A written estimate based on a physical survey - An inventory and a bill of lading - Weighing rules with the right to observe - Delivery and delay notice rules - Required consumer booklets from FMCSA The booklet named [your rights and responsibilities](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/your-rights-and-responsibilities/) explains each of them in plain English. ## How to use the definition When you compare estimates, check that each company actually offers the services in the definition: a written estimate from a survey, an inventory, packing and loading at your home. A company that delivers boxes you load yourself is a different kind of business, and the protections in Part 375 are written for the first kind. Asking which kind of company you are talking to takes one sentence and clears up a lot. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.103 (definitions)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-A/section-375.103) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Moving broker](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/moving-broker/) - [Your rights and responsibilities when you move (FMCSA)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/your-rights-and-responsibilities/) - [Licenses and operating authority: USDOT 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Moving broker](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/moving-broker/) - [Dish pack](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/dish-pack/) - [Crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/crating/) - [Vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/vault-storage/) - [Personally procured move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/personally-procured-move/) - [Non temporary storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/non-temporary-storage/) - [Expedited service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/expedited-service/) - [Guaranteed pickup and delivery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/guaranteed-pickup-and-delivery/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is a broker a household goods carrier? No. A broker arranges transportation by an authorized carrier for compensation, and it is defined separately in 49 CFR 371.2. ### Does the definition apply to commercial moves? The definition speaks of personal residences and individual shippers. Office and commercial moves follow their own agreements and are handled through O'Brien's commercial team. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) J Jennifer C. August 3, 2023 Customer service, packers, and loaders were very responsive, professional, and did an overall great job. C Christy R. March 25, 2023 All of the above! Have used o'briens several times in the past and always had great timely service! ### Owner's reply Christy thank you so much, not just for the 5 star review but also for continuing to stay a O'Brien's Customer. We appreciate your repeat business and you know we love talking with you anytime! You know where to find us when you need us! J Jessica D. February 14, 2023 I have always had a really good experience with Obriens delivery service. I've been a girl scout volunteer for 6 years now and they are always very friendly and helpful. Thank you for all you do!! ### Owner's reply Jessica, thank you so much for the kind words. We love the Girl Scout cookie distribution time. It gives us the chance to interact with you ladies that are out there making a difference in our community every day! Thank you for everything you do. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070