Moving Insider
Expert advice and insider tips to make your next move smooth, efficient, and stress-free.
Before You Pack a Single Box
- •Get at least 3 written quotes from licensed movers — not phone estimates.
- •Verify your mover holds a current USDOT and operating authority on the FMCSA SAFER site.
- •Take photos of high-value items before packing — they double as a claims record.
- •Notify your landlord, HOA, or building manager about elevator/loading dock reservations.
Packing Smarter, Not Harder
- •Pack heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes — easier on your crew, less risk of dropped boxes.
- •Use towels, blankets, and clothing to wrap fragile items instead of buying bubble wrap.
- •Label boxes by destination room AND a one-line content summary, not just "Misc."
- •Pack a "first night" box with toiletries, medications, chargers, sheets, and a change of clothes.
Moving Day Logistics
- •Reserve parking for the truck the night before — paper signs in the spot work.
- •Walk the crew through the home before they start: fragile rooms, "do not move" items, and where the BOL gets signed.
- •Keep payment ready in the form your mover accepts — most expect card or bank transfer at delivery.
- •Tip in cash if the crew did good work — $20-$40 per crew member is standard.
Long-Distance & Interstate Moves
- •Get a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing — not a non-binding ballpark.
- •Confirm the delivery window before signing the BOL. Long-haul carriers operate on a 1-14 day window, not a fixed date.
- •Ask whether your mover uses their own crews on both ends or hires labor at destination.
- •Verify cargo insurance limits — the FMCSA-required minimum is just $0.60/lb of released-value coverage.
After You Move In
- •Inspect every item against your inventory list within 9 months — interstate claims have a 9-month statute.
- •Update your address with USPS, DMV, banks, insurance, and subscriptions in the first week.
- •Schedule utility transfers before you arrive so the lights are on day one.
- •If anything was damaged, photograph it BEFORE unpacking further and file a claim through your mover.
Avoiding Moving Scams
- •Walk away if a mover asks for a deposit larger than 25% of the estimate.
- •A blank, unsigned BOL is a red flag — never sign one to "speed things up."
- •A mover that does not have a physical address, USDOT, or local references is not licensed.
- •Hostage-load schemes (price jumps at delivery) are illegal — file with the FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move.
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