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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Moving Insider — Tips, Guides & Expert Advice | Professional Moving Services