Long Distance Moving Guide

“Long Distance Moving”, otherwise known as, Interstate moving, means that your new residence is located in another state.

How do I determine the cost of a Long Distance Move?
Established moving companies use a base rate book published by the Household Goods Carriers Bureau.  The book, Tariff 400-M, includes estimates for all long distance moving transactions based on the weight of your shipment and on the distance its is moved, plus the amount of packing and other services that you may need.  The weight is found by measuring the truck before (the “empty weight”) and after adding your goods at a scale usually located at the nearest truck stop.  You are allowed to accompany the driver to the scale during the weigh-in to guarantee that everything is in order. Make sure that your mover provides you with an "empty weight" receipt.

Which Moving Company is Right for My Long Distance Move?
Moving everything you own across the country can become a nerve-racking experience.  Utilize these few steps to finding a dependable moving company and a little peace of mind.

1. Talk with people you know for personal experiences, recommendations, and warnings.
2. Searching on the Internet?  If so, make sure you DO NOT USE A BROKER. Consumer protection laws related to the movement of household goods DO NOT apply to Household Goods Brokers. Once a broker sells you, he sells the job to the highest bidder, and he loses all responsibility for you. Brokers are not licensed to do the actual moves. With a broker you have no certainty as to who is going to show up on moving day.  On top of that, they will usually charge you a lot more than you were originally quoted by the broker. Always ask, “Are you a broker?”
3. Spend some time talking with each moving company.  If they take the time to understand your specific moving needs it is a good sign. Ask questions. If the company representative isn't considerate and knowledgeable on the phone, call someone else.
4. Don’t let a moving company hook you with low quote. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Most honest professional movers are competitive, and their prices will fluctuate but be within a reasonable range. If a mover provides an estimate way below all the others, that should be a red flag to examine the basis of the estimate before accepting it.
5. Ask the moving company about their claims policy.  Occasionally, no matter how careful a moving company is, an item may be damaged.
6. Check to ensure they are a Good Standing Member of your Local Better Business Bureau.
7. Verify that the moving company is licensed and regulated. An interstate (for example moving from New York City to Florida) moving company must be licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the federal agency that regulates moving companies. A moving company that holds a proper license is subject to all of the consumer and other regulations administered by the DOT.  

• Call the moving company's office and ask for their DOT number. Then click here and go to the FMCSA's Web Site, input their DOT number and click search.
• If you get a message: “No record found, please try different search parameters. This moving company is not licensed and it is highly recommended you do not use their services.
• In the next screen: Click on HTML and then check under the column "Authority Type" to make sure your moving company has at least "Common" marked as active. If the columns "Application Pending" or "Revocation Pending" do not say "NO" for common authority, then you should be aware that something might be wrong.
• Under the column Property check under “Household Goods” and make sure its marked “YES”. If its marked NO your moving company does not have the authority to move your personal belongings.
• Then scroll down to “Insurance Type” to make sure your moving company has the insurance required for moving companies. A long distance moving company is required to have BIPD ($750,000 minimum) and cargo insurance filed with the FMCSA, so if your moving company does not have either one of these insurances, you should be looking for a different moving company.

8. One additional way to check your moving company is to call the FMCSA's Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline at 888-368-7238 and ask about the complaint history of your moving company.

Warnings:
You may have seen recent news stories about the proliferation of scam movers who have been abusing customers across the U.S. Usually; they come in with an estimate that is much lower than legitimate movers. However, once these scam movers take possession of your personal property, they greatly increase the price and refuse to unload your goods until you succumb to the higher price, typically in cash.
Here are some ways to protect yourself from these rogue movers:

• When the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Honest professional movers tend to be competitive, and their prices will differ but be within a realistic range. If a mover comes in with an estimate way below all the others, that should be a red flag to check out the basis of the estimate before agreeing to it.
• Legitimate movers normally don't require a large deposit before moving you, and if they do it is a good faith deposit. Conversely, scam movers frequently require large deposits even for the most basic and cheaper moves.
• DO NOT USE A BROKER A lot of Internet moving sites are hosted by household goods brokers whose names sound like real movers, but they are not. These brokers turn over your shipment to a mover, which are frequently rogue movers instead of professionals. Make sure to ask if your shipment is being brokered.
• The principle governing industry tariff indicates that interstate household goods rates (prices) are to be based on the weight of your shipment (which should be determined on an official state agency certified scale). If your potential mover tells you that he is going to base your charges on the number of cubic feet in your shipment (which means there is no way for you to validate the amount you will be billed), you may want to consider using another mover.

What can I do to keep costs down during my move?
If you've elected the help of professional movers, you should mention your cost concerns during your first communications with a sales person. Just like airlines or hotels, most moving companies have a sliding scale of prices that are based on supply and demand on a particular day. Normally, the summer months are the busiest. Saturdays and the beginning and end of each month are busy year-round. The less busy times tend to be Monday through Thursday in the middle weeks of the month. If you are flexible with your move date-an overlap between when you need to be out of your old home and are able to get into your new home helps- you're certain to get the best value. Furthermore, a professional moving company will take the time to provide you advice on other cost-saving measures, including resourceful preparation before moving day.

Can I keep costs down by having family or friends help with the move?
Having your friends move you in a rented truck may appear to be the cheapest cost option but it may turn out to be a costly disaster. Back injuries, friends who back out at the last minute, damages, nicks and scratches and other uncertainties can make it a very tense moving day. Ask anyone who moved themselves and most will tell you that they wish they had hired a moving company. When you pick the right moving company you’ll be pleased you did.

You Rights and Responsibilities
If you are moving from one state to another, you should read and understand all of the information you will receive from your mover. In addition to brochures explaining their various services, interstate moving companies are required by law to give you a copy of a consumer booklet titled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and information regarding the mover's required participation in a Dispute Settlement (Arbitration) Program.

Be sure you understand:

• The rates and fees that will apply.
• The mover's liability for your property.
• Estimating requirements.
• Pickup and delivery procedures.
• What claims protection you have.

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