10 best long-distance moving companies in Matthews, NC

Long-distance or interstate moves are different from local moves in a variety of ways. When you're moving long-distance, you may be dealing with complicated logistics, higher costs, and challenges like how to move your car.

The right moving company can help put your mind at ease. We've made this list of the best long-distance movers in Matthews so you, your family, and your belongings get to your new home without any problems.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance movers are distinct in many ways. Local movers only offer services within a specific geographic area and frequently charge a significantly higher rate for moves beyond their standard service area if they agree to such requests at all.

Another benefit of choosing a long-distance mover is that they typically charge based on the weight of your items, while local movers are more likely to set fees based on time. However, some providers use a mix of time and weight to set their prices, so be sure to talk to your specific provider about its prices.

Local Matthews moving companies are generally more familiar with moving in your area and offer lower pricing. Long-distance movers offer valuable knowledge and experience, especially when moving between states. Long-distance movers can save you time and stress because they're more likely to have the right information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Matthews

With so many long-distance moving companies to choose from, the choices can be overwhelming, making it challenging to select the right one for you. Here are some tips for finding a legitimate, reliable long-distance mover in Matthews.

• Ask about insurance: Interstate moving companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two kinds of options for insurance coverage to their customers: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can look into these or similar options for long-distance moves inside one state. To completely protect your belongings during the move, we recommend purchasing your own moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your mover. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance coverage, we've provided a more detailed discussion below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. This registration serves as an indication that you're working with a qualified mover. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for moving companies on its website and enforces rules such as mandating that movers provide clients with a written estimate.
• Compare costs: Contact several long-distance movers in Matthews several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. Ensure these estimates include costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you’ll use.
• Look at financing options: Many movers offer financing options to help you afford your move. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong strategy to help with expenses. Talk with your moving company about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. You should compare several options to make sure you get the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Check online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other platforms to learn what previous customers say about certain long-distance moving companies. Also, ask for recommendations from your neighbors and relatives.
• Think about timing: If you plan on moving between May and September, keep in mind that summer is the most popular time of year for moves. This can make it harder and more expensive to hire a moving company. Matthews also has a lot of college students living in the area, so the beginning and end of the school year may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: Be wary of movers that provide “too good to be true” estimates or nonbinding prices. Additionally, reputable moving companies shouldn’t demand the full payment before the move. If a moving company has an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. The FMCSA details mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

An important tip for long-distance moves is to reserve your movers far enough ahead of time. It's best if you book your move at least 90 days in advance. This gives you enough time to hire a moving company. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need unique services, like piano or car moving.

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

To stay organized, prepare a detailed list of all the necessary tasks before and after your move, such as notifying the North Carolina DMV of your new address.

Make sure you're not without essentials in the first few days of your move by packing a suitcase with items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, extra clothes, and medicine.

The night before your move, make sure you get a full night’s sleep.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is crucial for long-distance moves. It'll pay you back if any of your possessions are lost or damagedin the move.

The FMCSA mandates that all interstate movers must have two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. Some movers may exclude certain possessions that are extremely valuable (generally those valued at over $100 per pound) from this policy. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but in the long-run you'll get greater coverage. While Released Value Protection is offered at no additional cost, it gives you less protection. This option requires your moving company to pay you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for possessions lost or damaged during the move.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy when you move. While this usually doesn't apply to long-distance moves, checking your policy could be beneficial.

Sources

North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration