10 best long-distance moving companies in Burke, VA

Long-distance or interstate moves present unique challenges that set them apart from local moves. When you're moving between states, you may encounter complicated logistics, higher costs, and concerns like how to move your car.

Ease your worries by selecting the right moving professionals for the job. To help ensure you, your loved ones, and your belongings get to your new home without incident, we've compiled this overview of the leading long-distance movers in Burke.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance movers are different in several ways. 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 moving companies are also more likely to charge by weight, while local movers are more likely to charge by time. Some moving companies may use a mix of time and weight when calculating their final cost, so make sure to discuss pricing with your specific provider.

Local Burke moving companies may have a more knowledge of your specific city and provide more affordable services, but their experience with interstate moves is most likely limited. Long-distance moving companies can save you time and stress because they're more likely to have the proper information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Burke

Picking the right long-distance moving company is important, and the options may feel overwhelming. Below, we offer some tips on how to pick a licensed and trustworthy long-distance moving company in Burke.

• Ask about insurance: Interstate moving companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two types of options for insurance coverage to their customers: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can ask about these or other options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. We also recommend purchasing your own moving insurance to better protect your belongings. We discuss long-distance moving insurance coverage in more detail below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. Trustworthy providers will have these qualifications. The FMCSA enforces certain rules, such as requiring movers to give clients a written estimate, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Contact several long-distance moving companies in Burke several months before your move and request detailed quotes. Confirm that these estimates include costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any other services you think you’ll use.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers have financing plans to help you afford your move. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a good strategy to help cover cost. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. You should compare multiple options to make sure you select the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: You can see what other customers thought about certain long-distance moving companies by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar online review websites. You should also ask friends and relatives for recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year to move, which means moving companies may be harder to hire and more expensive if you’re moving between May and September. Since Burke is home to so many college students, the beginning and end of the school year may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Be suspicious of movers that offer “too good to be true” estimates or nonbinding prices. You should also be cautious of a mover that asks for your entire payment before the move. If a mover has a 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

Booking your moving company far enough ahead of time is extremely important when planning a long-distance move. It's best if you book your move at least three months beforehand. This gives you enough time to hire movers. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need more specialized services, like piano or car moving.

When packing for your move by yourself, get started at least four weeks in advance. You might prefer to keep certain valuable, fragile, or sentimental items, such as artwork and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than in the moving truck.

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

Pack a bag of essentials for the first few days, such as medicine, extra clothes, and toiletries.

Finally, make sure to get enough rest the night before your big move.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

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

The FMCSA requires that all interstate movers must provide two insurance options. Under Full Value Protection, movers have to replace, repair, or provide money back for any belongings lost or damaged while moving. Some moving companies might not cover very expensive belongings (usually those worth more than $100 per pound) under this policy. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but in the long-run you'll get better coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection is offered at no additional cost, but it has less coverage. This plan requires your moving company to compensate you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for possessions damaged or lost during the move.

If you carry over your same homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy when you move, it may cover some of your belongings during your move. While this typically doesn't apply to long-distance moves, it might be a good idea to check your policy.

Sources

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