Moving & Storage FAQ · USDOT 3006268
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions our customers ask most often before booking a long-distance move – pricing, timing, licensing, insurance, packing, and what to expect on move day.
How much does a long-distance move cost?
How is a long-distance move priced?
Long-distance moves are priced primarily on shipment weight and distance, with adjustments for packing services, storage, specialty items, stair carries, long carries, shuttle service, and seasonal demand. We always provide binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimates after a survey – so the price you see is the price you pay.
Do you charge by the hour or by weight?
Long-distance and interstate moves are charged by weight (and the route distance), not by the hour. Hourly billing is for local moves only. The federal regulations governing interstate moves require weight-based pricing, which keeps the cost predictable.
What is a binding estimate?
A binding estimate locks in the price up front. If your shipment comes in heavier than estimated, you still pay the binding price. A binding-not-to-exceed estimate goes one step further: if it weighs less, you pay less; if it weighs more, you still pay no more than the original. We default to binding-not-to-exceed whenever possible.
Are there hidden fees?
No. Every potential cost – packing, storage-in-transit, shuttle service, long carries, stairs, specialty items – is identified at the survey and itemized in your estimate. Move day is execution, not pricing.
How long does an interstate move take?
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (May-August), book 4-6 weeks ahead. For off-peak (October-March), 2-3 weeks is usually sufficient. The earlier you book, the more flexibility on pickup dates and the better your driver assignment options.
How long does delivery take from pickup?
Delivery windows depend on distance and route consolidation. Florida-to-Northeast: 5-9 business days. Florida-to-Texas: 4-7 business days. Cross-country (Florida-to-California): 10-14 business days. Your move coordinator confirms the delivery window 24-48 hours before the truck arrives.
Can you do a same-week pickup?
Sometimes – it depends on truck availability in your origin metro and the season. Off-peak, we can often do same-week pickups for smaller shipments. Peak season requires more lead time. Call us and we’ll quote the soonest realistic date.
Are you licensed and insured?
What is your USDOT and MC number?
USDOT 3006268 and MC 00026730. Both are active and verifiable at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov – the FMCSA’s free public lookup. Always verify any interstate carrier before booking.
Are you accredited by the Better Business Bureau?
Yes – we hold an A+ rating with the BBB. We’ve maintained that accreditation by handling complaints transparently and quickly when they do come up.
What insurance options do I have?
By default, federal regulations include Released Value Protection ($0.60 per pound per item, free) – this is the minimum. We strongly recommend Full Value Protection, which covers replacement or repair at full value for an additional fee. We can also coordinate third-party valuation coverage if requested.
Packing, storage, and specialty items
Do you pack everything for me?
Yes – full-service packing is available. We pack everything in proper boxes with proper materials, label by room, and document by inventory. You can also do partial packing (we handle fragile + specialty, you handle the rest) or full self-pack.
Do you offer storage between pickup and delivery?
Yes – storage-in-transit (SIT) is available for up to 90 days at our facilities or our partner facilities. Useful when your destination home isn’t ready, you’re between leases, or you’ve been delayed by weather, evacuation, or closing complications.
Can you move pianos, art, antiques, or pool tables?
Yes. Specialty handling is part of our standard service – upright pianos, baby grands, fine art, antique furniture, pool tables, gun safes, and similar items get specialty packing materials, dedicated handling, and (where appropriate) crating. These are flagged at the survey so they’re priced in upfront.
What happens on move day?
What time will the truck arrive?
You receive a 2-hour arrival window the day before. The crew foreman calls 30 minutes before arrival. Once on site, the foreman walks the home with you, confirms the inventory, and the team begins loading.
How do I know my shipment is safe in transit?
Every shipment is sealed at pickup with a numbered seal recorded on your bill of lading. Your dedicated move coordinator tracks the load and shares ETA updates as the truck moves toward delivery. The seal is broken in front of you at delivery.
What if something is damaged?
Note any damage on the inventory at delivery and contact your move coordinator within 9 months. Released Value claims are handled per the federal $0.60-per-pound formula; Full Value Protection claims are handled per the elected coverage level. We resolve claims through our claims department, not through the moving crew.
Still have questions?
Our move coordinators answer the phones Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET. We can usually quote a binding estimate within 1-2 business days of a survey.
Popular long-distance moving routes
Binding quotes on our most-requested cross-country lanes — no surprise fees.