10 best long-distance moving companies in City of Orange, NJ

Long-distance or interstate moves include unique challenges that set them apart from local moves. If you’re moving interstate or long-distance, you may deal with complicated logistics, higher costs, and challenges like how to move your car.

Choosing the right movers can help lessen your challenges. To help ensure you, your family members, and your belongings get to your new home safely, we've created this guide to the highest-rated long-distance movers in City of Orange.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that specialize in long-distance moves differ from those that only do local moves. Local moving companies generally offer moving services within a designated geographic radius. They either won't work outside that area, or they'll charge a much higher rate to do so.

Long-distance movers are also more likely to charge based on the weight of your belongings, while local moving companies are more likely to charge by time. Some moving companies, however, may use a combination of time and weight to set their final cost, so it's important to check your provider's pricing structure.

Local City of Orange movers may have a more knowledge of your specific area and provide less expensive services, but their experience with interstate moves is probably limited. Choosing a long-distance mover for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the necessary knowledge and experience to handle the logistics and legal requirements, while also saving you time and stress.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in City of Orange

When you're hiring a long-distance moving company, the wide variety of options can be overwhelming. Here are some tips for picking a reliable long-distance moving company in City of Orange.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must provide customers with two insurance coverage types: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Even if your long-distance move doesn't cross state lines, look into the options provided by your mover. To fully protect your possessions during the move, we suggest purchasing personal moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your moving company. You can find more detailed information about long-term moving insurance plans below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate moving companies must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT number. This registration serves as an indication that you're working with a reputable company. The FMCSA publishes movers’ complaint histories on its website and enforces rules such as requiring movers to give clients a written estimate.
• Compare costs: Start getting quotes several months before your move. For a thorough comparison, be sure to request detailed quotes from several long-distance movers in City of Orange. Confirm that these estimates include prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any other services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: Many movers offer financing plans to help you afford your move. You may be eligible for a moving or relocation loan to pay for some of the cost. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. We advise researching several loans to select the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: You can find out what other clients thought about specific long-distance moving companies by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review websites. Neighbors and family can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: If you plan on moving during the summer months, keep in mind that summer is the most popular time of year for moves. This can make it harder and more expensive to get a moving company. Because there are so many college students living in City of Orange, the beginning and end of the summer may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: A moving company giving you a "too good to be true" or nonbinding estimate is a red flag. Reliable moving companies generally won't request your complete payment upfront. If a mover has an extensive history of negative reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. The FMCSA describes mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A key piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to hire your moving company well before of your move date. To ensure a stress-free move, book your movers no less than 90 days before your move date, and possibly even more if you need specialized services, like piano or car moving.

When packing for your move on your own, get started at least a month in advance. When it comes to sentimental, fragile, or valuable items, such as electronics or family heirlooms, you may choose to carry them in your car rather than the mover's truck.

Writing a checklist of all the tasks that need to be done both before and after your move, such as updating your address with the New Jersey DMV, is a great way to stay organized during a long-distance move.

Pack a suitcase with necessities for the first couple of days in your new home, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, extra clothes, and medicine.

The night before moving day, make sure you get a full night’s sleep.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

For long-distance moves, moving insurance is a necessity because it'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to have two insurance options. Under Full Value Protection, movers have to repair, replace, or provide money back for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. This policy may not apply to certain items that are extremely valuable (typically those valued at over $100 per pound), for some moving companies. Full Value Protection costs more but includes better coverage. While Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, it has reduced coverage. With this option, your movers will reimburse you up to 60 cents per pound for damaged or lost belongings.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy after you move. It may be helpful to review your policy, even though they usually don't cover long-distance moves.

Sources

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration