{"id":1440,"date":"2025-08-22T08:39:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T13:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/?p=1440"},"modified":"2025-12-12T10:04:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T15:04:47","slug":"hiring-reliable-long-distance-movers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/hiring-reliable-long-distance-movers\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips for Hiring Reliable Long-Distance Movers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Planning an interstate relocation is a huge life event. In addition to uprooting your life to move to a new city or state, you have to find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/interstate-movers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reliable long-distance movers<\/a>\u2014and that can seem daunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you have a smooth move to and from anywhere across the United States, follow these interstate moving tips so you recognize the signs of a good moving company, avoid moving scams, and learn how to hire long-distance movers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read Online Reviews<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A long list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?ei=cuqFWuK_E8S1gge3jI-AAQ&amp;q=move-tastic&amp;oq=move-tastic&amp;gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39k1j0i67k1j0i30k1l4j0i8i30k1.2524.2524.0.3045.1.1.0.0.0.0.90.90.1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.1.89....0.YUgKSG9j3Oc&amp;sei=fyWmaOriKsPJp84Pi9zuwAs#lrd=0x880fcc3ae67318b9:0x6e61ff372cffff7f,1,,,,\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">positive online reviews<\/a> is one of the telltale signs of a good moving company. Check out what customers are saying about some of the movers you\u2019re thinking of working with. Places like their Google profile, Reddit, and Consumer Reports are great websites to read about their clients\u2019 previous experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay attention to both the quantity and quality of the reviews. If a lot of customers have found them to be reliable long-distance movers, chances are you will too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Only Contact Legitimate Long-Distance Movers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another important part of finding reliable long-distance movers is checking their legitimacy. Not all moving companies are fully licensed and insured, or even registered with the local and federal governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few steps you can take to find legit movers and avoid moving scams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Review their website to see if it\u2019s up-to-date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure the company has a physical address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call their office and request documentation of their credentials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask your friends and family for their referrals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, you&#8217;ll need to know the difference between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/protect-your-move\/movers-vs-brokers\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/protect-your-move\/movers-vs-brokers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">brokers and carriers<\/a>. Carriers are almost always the best bet since they&#8217;re actual moving companies who will provide the services for your move. Brokers, on the other hand, are essentially sales companies who find a third-party mover to handle the actual services. If you go with a broker, you won&#8217;t be sure exactly who will show up on your move day, and many of these companies re-estimate your move when they arrive at your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it\u2019s time to obtain pricing from the moving company, they should provide a formal written estimate. If they instead try to do business over the phone, chances are they\u2019re not a legitimate business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Request Multiple Estimates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Long-distance moving can be rather expensive, and you want to make sure you\u2019re getting great value for every dollar you spend. Send your home\u2019s inventory, your old and new addresses, and your preferred move dates to at least three different interstate movers so you can compare their estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have a few different estimates, take a look at their line items. Compare the rates per cubic foot and the total amount of truck space listed on each estimate. You should also review their fuel surcharges to ensure you&#8217;re getting the best value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will have questions on these estimates, and that\u2019s ok! Call or email each moving company to ask about their pricing, timeline, and anything else you\u2019re unsure of. You\u2019ll know a company is reliable if its team covers all the bases and happily answers all of your questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read All the Fine Print<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving estimates contain a lot of information, and there will almost certainly be some fine print. It\u2019ll take some time, but it\u2019s crucial that you read every word to make sure you\u2019re not going to be surprised by hidden fees or unexpected costs come moving day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: your moving company is there to serve you and to put your mind at ease about your upcoming relocation. Don\u2019t be afraid to call and ask them questions about their terms of service. In other words, let them prove to you that they\u2019re reliable long-distance movers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a List of Questions to Ask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people aren\u2019t well-versed in long-distance moving, which means not everyone knows the right questions to ask. You\u2019ll likely come up with specific questions about the estimates you receive, but here are a few examples of common questions to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Can I save money if I move in the middle of the month instead of the end of the month?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you offer packing and unpacking services?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What materials will be used to protect my belongings?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will my shipment be tracked in transit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What happens if I\u2019m delayed on the road and the movers arrive at my new home before I do?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will the movers reassemble my furniture at my new home?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The more questions you ask, the more your mind will be at ease that your prized possessions are in the right movers\u2019 hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pick the Right Moving Insurance or Coverage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Any home relocation\u2014across the street or across the country\u2014requires choosing the right coverage to protect your belongings in case any items are damaged or lost. Picking the right option requires understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/what-does-moving-insurance-cover-and-cost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">what moving insurance covers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, you\u2019ll have three different coverage options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Released value protection.<\/em><\/strong> Movers are required by law to include this at no extra cost to their customers. This is moving coverage instead of insurance, and dictates that the mover is liable for $0.60 per pound per lost or damaged item.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Full value protection.<\/em><\/strong> Your moving company will offer this as an option, and you can purchase this coverage for an additional fee. It\u2019s not actual insurance, but the mover will repair or replace the lost or damaged item, or give you a cash settlement based on the item\u2019s market value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Third-party moving insurance.<\/em><\/strong> Moving companies don\u2019t offer true insurance policies, but you can contact a third party like your homeowners\u2019 or renters\u2019 insurance for a new policy during your interstate move.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be tough to determine which coverage is right for your move. If you have antiques or items of extraordinary value, it\u2019s probably best to get a third-party policy since movers don\u2019t cover those articles. And if you have questions about coverage, just contact your moving company\u2019s customer service team, and they\u2019ll outline your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start Your Prep and Pack Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Interstate moves\u2014including finding reliable long-distance movers\u2014require a <em>lot<\/em> of planning. If possible, start the process at least three or four months before your move date. This will give you time to not only find the right movers but also to budget for your relocation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/decluttering-before-moving-11716973\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">declutter your home<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s never too early to start packing for a move. Try to chip away at boxing up your home\u2019s contents over the weeks and months leading up to the big day. Ask your friends, neighbors, and local businesses for boxes and source <a href=\"https:\/\/boxbeaters.com\/2025\/06\/20\/your-zero-waste-moving-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eco-friendly packing and moving supplies<\/a>. The more you spread out the packing process, the less stressed you\u2019ll be as your move date approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose Move-tastic! as Your Reliable Long-Distance Movers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve been Chicago\u2019s favorite moving company for a long time. If you\u2019re heading into town from out of state or leaving the Windy City for a new chapter in your life, we\u2019re your go-to crew of reliable long-distance movers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get in touch with us<\/a> today for a free estimate!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning an interstate relocation is a huge life event. In addition to uprooting your life to move to a new city or state, you have to find reliable long-distance movers\u2014and that can seem daunting. To help you have a smooth move to and from anywhere across the United States, follow these interstate moving tips so [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":1441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[269,184,6],"tags":[271,270,8,24],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1440"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1440"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1440\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1451,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1440\/revisions\/1451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}