Make arrangements for movers well in advance of your move date to make sure you can schedule one.

Call at least two movers and get written bids (movers call them estimates, but in fact you can hold the mover to the estimate unless something clearly unexpected happens—like, for example, you not showing the estimator the antique furniture in the attic).

Local and long distance movers do things slightly differently. Be aware.

Local movers (generally a less than a 100 mile trip) give fixed price estimates after looking at the house and the contents that have to be moved.

Long distance movers generally give a bid per pound. They calculate pounds by weighing the truck before and after it is loaded. A typical house may have 10,000 to 15,000 pounds; per pound charges are running $.70-$1.00 per pound. So the cost is thousands of dollars.

Movers may verbally discuss various extras or cost guarantees they are willing to offer as part of a bid. For example, you may ask about packing some stuff yourself to save money; or you may ask about top limits on the total price. Or you may want to know if the mover is to supply all boxes. Or the estimator may offer various extras as an inducement to get you to sign up. Agreements on anything like this must be written on the estimate for you to be sure the company will honor it. You might also ask for references to use as you evaluate bids.

When the movers show up to pack and label boxes, be there to watch that they do not make labeling errors. Take valuables with you separately. If you see damage occurring (a worst case) document it with your camera.

On the day of the move, be there. Tips are optional. If you do decide to tip, tip each member of the crew individually—not the driver alone. Many drivers and crews have not met before the job, so drivers don’t always share. Tipping is most effective if people know they will earn a tip by doing a good job. If you can find a way to let the crew know your intentions, do it. Drinks and some food may be a good idea to get that extra effort from the crew.

Local movers we know have been good are:

Sunday Movers 703-404-9562
Knicely & Sons 703-281-5726

Ask these companies or others you get bids from about long distance movers.

All movers have storage capacity of one kind or another—either their own warehouse or public storage lockers. So you can easily plan to move, go to storage, and move again.

For some downsizing persons or long distance relocations, it is not only moving—it is finding a way to hold garage sales, get items that need to be discarded to appropriate charities, or simply get “stuff” to the dump.

The Kit Britton Team offers logistics/staging advice as part of our package of services to assist you to plan and execute this complex and time-consuming job.

You will hear more about this service during the initial listing appointment.