Moving FAQs: Costs, Timing, Packing & More
Whether you're moving across town or across the country, we’re here to make the process simple and stress-free.
Pricing and Quotes
Moving costs are based on several factors: the distance of your move, the total weight or volume of your belongings, the number of movers and hours required, and any specialty services such as packing, storage, or handling of large items. Local moves are typically billed hourly, while long-distance moves are priced by weight and mileage. We provide a detailed, transparent quote so you know exactly what to expect.
We offer both binding estimates and non-binding estimates. A binding estimate locks in the price regardless of actual weight, as long as your inventory doesn’t change. A non-binding estimate reflects expected costs but may adjust if the actual weight differs significantly. We always walk you through which type of estimate you’re receiving so there are no surprises on moving day.
We pride ourselves on transparent pricing. Common additional charges — such as long carry fees (if movers must travel a significant distance from the truck to your door), stair fees, elevator fees, or shuttle fees for areas inaccessible to a large truck — will always be disclosed upfront in your estimate. We encourage you to share all relevant details about your home during the quoting process to ensure accuracy.
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, cashier’s checks, and money orders. Personal checks may be accepted for certain local moves with prior approval. Payment terms vary by move type — your moving coordinator will confirm acceptable payment methods and due dates when you book your move.
Planning Your Move
For local moves, we recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance. For long-distance or interstate moves, aim for 4–8 weeks ahead. If you’re moving during peak season (May through September) or at the end/beginning of a month, earlier is always better as availability fills quickly. That said, we’ll always do our best to accommodate last-minute requests.
Generally, mid-week moves (Tuesday–Thursday) and moves in the middle of the month tend to be less in demand, which can mean better availability and potentially lower rates. Winter months (October through April) are also typically less busy than the summer peak season. Moving in the morning can also save time since movers are fresh and traffic is often lighter.
To help things go smoothly: defrost your refrigerator at least 24 hours ahead, disassemble any furniture you plan to handle yourself, disconnect electronics and label their cords, clear pathways through hallways and doorways, and set aside items you’ll transport yourself (valuables, medications, documents). Having boxes clearly labeled with their destination room makes the unloading process much faster.
Yes, it is required that you or a trusted representative be present at both the pickup and delivery locations. You’ll need to sign the bill of lading at pickup, approve the inventory, and direct movers at delivery. If you absolutely cannot be present, you can designate someone else in writing — just let your coordinator know in advance.
Moving Day
You will be given a scheduled arrival window (typically a 2-hour window) when you confirm your booking. Your moving crew will call or text you 30–60 minutes before arrival with a more precise ETA. Traffic, weather, and prior job completion times can affect arrival, and we appreciate your flexibility on the margins.
The duration depends on the size of your home, volume of belongings, distance, and any special circumstances. As a general rule of thumb: a studio or 1-bedroom apartment takes 2–4 hours; a 2–3 bedroom home takes 5–8 hours; larger homes can take a full day or more. Your coordinator can give you a more specific estimate based on your individual inventory and situation.
For liability and insurance reasons, customers are not permitted to ride in the moving truck. You’ll need to arrange your own transportation to your new home. For long-distance moves, your coordinator can advise on the estimated arrival window so you can plan your travel accordingly.
Tipping is entirely optional but always appreciated. A common guideline is $20–$50 per mover for a local move, and $50–$100 per mover for a long-distance move, depending on the difficulty and quality of service. Cash tips given directly to each crew member are preferred. If your crew went above and beyond, a positive online review is also a wonderful way to show your appreciation.
Packing & Special Items
Yes! We offer full-service packing (our team packs everything), partial packing (we pack specific rooms or items), and unpacking services at your new home. Our professional packers use high-quality materials and proven techniques to protect your belongings. Packing services are priced separately from the move itself — ask your coordinator for a packing quote.
For safety and regulatory reasons, we cannot transport hazardous materials including propane tanks, paints, flammable liquids, ammunition, fireworks, or certain cleaning chemicals. We also recommend personally transporting irreplaceable items such as jewelry, important documents, medications, cash, and sentimental keepsakes. A full list of non-allowable items will be provided in your moving agreement.
Yes — we have experience with specialty item moving including upright and grand pianos, gun safes, large aquariums, antiques, and fine art. These items may require additional equipment, extra crew members, or special crating, and will be quoted accordingly. Please disclose all specialty items during your initial quote so we can plan appropriately and ensure their safety.
If items aren’t packed when movers arrive, the crew can assist — but this will add time and cost to your move, and items packed in a hurry may not receive the same level of protection. For hourly moves, unpacked items mean additional billable hours. We strongly recommend being fully packed and ready to go before your crew’s arrival window begins.
Storage
Yes, we offer both short-term and long-term storage in our secure, climate-controlled facilities. Whether you need a few days between moves or several months of storage during a transition, we can accommodate you. Your belongings are stored in a locked, monitored environment with inventory tracking so you always know what’s there.
We use a vault storage system where your belongings are loaded into your own dedicated wooden vault(s), sealed, and stored in our warehouse. This keeps your items separate from other customers’ belongings and makes retrieval more efficient. Each vault is inventoried so we know exactly what you have stored.
Access policies vary by facility. Generally, advance notice (24–48 hours) is required to access stored items because your vault may be stacked within the warehouse. Frequent access requests may incur additional handling fees. If you anticipate needing regular access to stored items, let us know upfront so we can recommend the best storage solution for your needs.
Claims & Insurance
First, note any damage on the Bill of Lading before signing at delivery. Then, contact our claims department as soon as possible. We will guide you through the claims process, which involves documenting the damage, filing the claim, and determining resolution based on your selected coverage level. We take damage claims seriously and aim to resolve them fairly and promptly.
Federal law requires us to offer two levels of liability coverage. Released Value Protection is included at no charge but provides minimal coverage (60 cents per pound per article). Full Value Protection covers repair, replacement, or a cash settlement at current market value — this option has an additional cost. We strongly recommend Full Value Protection for peace of mind. You can also purchase supplemental insurance through a third-party provider.
For interstate moves, federal regulations require that claims be filed within 9 months of delivery. For local moves, the window may differ by state. We recommend filing as soon as you discover any damage and taking photos immediately to document the condition of items. The sooner you file, the smoother the resolution process.
Commercial Moving
Absolutely. We specialize in office moves, retail relocations, warehouse transfers, and corporate campus moves of all sizes — from a small professional office to a multi-floor enterprise relocation. Our commercial moving team is experienced with the logistical complexity, tight timelines, and minimal-disruption requirements that business moves demand.
Yes — this is one of the most common requests we receive from commercial clients. We offer after-hours, weekend, and holiday moving options specifically designed to keep your business operational with zero downtime. Our team will work around your schedule, including overnight moves, so your employees walk into a fully set-up office on Monday morning.
We treat technology assets with the utmost care. Our team uses anti-static padding, custom crating, and proper handling protocols for servers, workstations, monitors, and networking equipment. We recommend coordinating with your IT department to back up data and disconnect systems before the move. We can also work directly alongside your IT team for a seamless transition.
Yes. Every commercial move is assigned a dedicated project coordinator who serves as your single point of contact from planning through final delivery. They’ll arrange for a site survey if needed, develop a detailed move plan, coordinate with building management at both locations, and be on-site during the move itself to ensure everything runs on schedule.
Yes — we offer full furniture disassembly and reassembly as well as modular workstation and cubicle installation. Whether you’re reconfiguring your existing layout or setting up a brand-new office floor plan, our team can execute your space plan drawings so your workspace is move-in ready. Just share your floor plan with your coordinator during the planning phase.
Confidentiality is a top priority on every commercial move. We use sealed, labeled file boxes with chain-of-custody tracking for document-heavy moves. Our crew members are background-checked and trained in handling sensitive materials. For high-security requirements, we can coordinate locked container transport and provide certificates of insurance and confidentiality agreements upon request.
Yes. We have experience relocating medical practices, dental offices, laboratories, and clinics, including the handling of exam tables, medical equipment, and HIPAA-sensitive records. These moves require careful coordination with facility management and often involve strict compliance considerations — our team is well-versed in navigating these requirements.
Have more questions? Contact us at any time — we’re happy to help.
Get A Free Quote Today
Decades of Experience
BBB Rated A+
Meticulous Care
True Attention to Detail
Fully Licensed & Insured
Ready To Schedule Your Move?
Get A FREE QUOTE Today!
