10 best long-distance moving companies in Salisbury, NC

Long-distance or interstate moves differ from local moves in many ways. Many people moving interstate or long-distance come up against concerns such as how to move their car, as well as complicated logistics and higher costs.

Put your mind at ease by picking the right moving professionals for the job. To help ensure you, your family members, and your belongings arrive at your new home without incident, we've created this guide to the highest-rated long-distance movers in Salisbury.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that specialize in long-distance moves differ significantly from those that only assist with local moves. Local moving companies only operate within a specific geographic area and often charge a significantly higher rate for moves beyond their standard service circle if they agree to such requests at all.

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

Local Salisbury moving companies are typically more familiar with moving in your area and offer lower pricing. Long-distance movers bring valuable knowledge and expertise, especially when moving between states. Long-distance movers can be especially valuable for interstate moves. These companies are more likely to have the proper information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of a long-distance move.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Salisbury

When you're choosing a long-distance moving company, the wide variety of options can be overwhelming. Here are some tips for picking a trustworthy long-distance mover in Salisbury.

• Ask about insurance: Interstate moving companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two types of insurance coverage to their clients: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can ask about these or similar insurance options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. In addition to the insurance options provided by your mover, purchasing your own moving insurance will give you complete protection for your possessions. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance choices, we've provided a more detailed discussion below.
• Assess qualifications: Movers performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. Qualified providers will have these qualifications. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for moving companies on its website and enforces regulations such as requiring movers to give clients a written estimate.
• Compare costs: Contact several long-distance moving providers in Salisbury several months before your move and get detailed quotes. Ensure these quotes include prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any additional services you think you’ll need.
• Look at financing options: To help with the financial aspect of your move, plenty of moving companies offer financing plans. You may be able to get a moving or relocation loan to help pay for some of the expenses. Talk with your moving company about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial assistance for your move. We advise researching several options to select the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar online review sites to find out what others think about certain long-distance movers. You should also ask neighbors and family for recommendations.
• 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 get a mover. Salisbury also has a lot of college students living in the area, so June and August may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Be wary of movers that provide “too good to be true” estimates or nonbinding estimates. Reliable moving companies generally won't ask for your complete payment upfront. If a mover has an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. The FMCSA outlines mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A helpful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to schedule your moving company well in advance of your move date. It's best if you plan your move at least 90 days ahead of time. This gives you enough time to hire a moving company. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need more specialized services, like piano or car moving.

Start packing a full four weeks in advance if you plan on packing for your move without professional help. You probably have valuable, sentimental, or fragile items, such as artwork or family heirlooms, that you would prefer to have in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

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

Pack essentials for the first few days of your move, such as extra clothes, medications, and toiletries.

The night before moving day, make sure you get enough rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is essential for long-distance moves because it'll protect you if any of your items are lost or damaged.

All interstate movers need to have two insurance options, according to the FMCSA. The first, Full Value Protection, requires movers to replace, repair, or provide a cash settlement for any items lost or damaged during your move. Some moving companies might not cover very expensive items (usually those worth more than $100 per pound) under this policy. Full Value Protection is more expensive but offers better coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, but it gives less protection. This option requires your moving company to compensate you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for items damaged or lost 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. This usually isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but it may be worth checking your policy.

Sources

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