Before you hire movers
The questions worth asking any moving company — and our answers. Read these before you compare quotes, because two prices are only comparable when you know what each one includes.
National van lines bring scale, standardized protocols and strong valuation options, but usually cost more and feel less personal. A local company is typically more affordable on short hauls, more flexible on dates and knows local buildings and regulations — though quality varies, so check reviews and credentials. Get quotes from both and compare what is included, not just the total.
The FMCSA regulates interstate carriers. A legitimate mover publishes its USDOT and MC numbers and you can look up their status in the FMCSA database. Ours are USDOT 3332133 and MC 1062034. Licensing does not guarantee a fair price, but it does mean you are dealing with a real, registered carrier.
Blanket-pad wrapping to protect furniture in transit, basic disassembly and reassembly of large pieces, floor and doorway protection, loading and unloading with room placement, basic valuation protection at 60 cents per pound per article, and up to 30 days of storage while goods are in transit.
Non-reusable packing materials (tape, cartons, mattress covers, shrink wrap, crates), extra flights of stairs beyond the first, long carries beyond the first 75 feet, elevator handling on long-distance jobs, shuttle service when a full-size truck cannot reach the door, bulky handling for pianos, safes, jacuzzis, mowers and toolboxes, and additional valuation coverage. Each one appears as its own line in your quote.
Basic protection is included by federal regulation at 60 cents per pound per article, which rarely reflects replacement value. Even with careful packing, accidents, weather and road vibration are real risks. You can extend your homeowner's or renter's policy, or buy coverage from a third-party insurer, before move day.
Summer, month-end and holiday windows carry the highest demand and the highest prices. If your dates can move, book off-peak. If they cannot, reserve early and keep a day or two of flexibility on delivery so we can place you on scheduled capacity instead of a rush run.
Start planning as early as you can. Go room by room and get rid of what you do not want to pay to move — worn furniture often costs more to transport than to replace. Keep documents, medication, valuables and a few days of clothing with you. Label anything that must be unpacked first.
It depends on your home and your timeline. Fragile-only packing is enough for many households; a full pack makes sense when you are short on time. Add storage when your closing date is uncertain, a shuttle when a big truck cannot reach your door, and specialty handling for pianos, art or safes. Our quote asks about each of these so nothing is discovered on move day.
The first flight and the first 75 feet are included. Anything beyond that is quoted as its own line before you approve the price, never added afterwards.
Yes, subject to availability. Tell your coordinator as early as you can and we re-book you against open capacity on the corridor.
Yes. You can pack your own boxes, or we supply the cartons, paper, mattress covers and crates and pack for you — priced per item in your quote.
Enter your ZIP codes, build your inventory and answer the access questions. The flat rate appears on screen with every line item shown.
