10 best long-distance moving companies in Graham, WA

There are importantfactors that differentiate long-distance or interstate moves 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.

Alleviate your concerns by selecting the right moving professionals for the job. That’s why we’ve created this list of the top long-distance movers in Graham to help you, your family, and your belongings arrive safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance movers differ in a few ways. Local movers generally provide moving services within a designated geographic location. 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 movers are more likely to set fees based on how long a job takes. However, some providers use a combination of time and weight to set their prices, so be sure to check with your specific provider about its prices.

When faced with a long-distance move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local moving companies. While local movers may have a better grasp of your specific city and potentially offer more affordable rates, the knowledge and experience that long-distance movers have in taking on interstate moves is invaluable. Hiring a long-distance moving company for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the critical 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 Graham

When you're choosing a long-distance mover, the wide variety of choices can feel overwhelming. To help you navigate the process of finding a licensed and reliable long-distance moving company in Graham, we've put together some recommendations below.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must offer customers two insurance coverage choices: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can inquire about these or other insurance options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. To completely protect your belongings during the move, we recommend getting your own moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your mover. You can find more detailed information on long-term moving insurance options below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate moving companies must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT number. This registration serves as an assurance that you're working with a qualified mover. The FMCSA publishes movers’ complaint histories on its website and enforces regulations such as requiring movers to provide clients with a written estimate.
• Compare costs: Start collecting quotes several months ahead of your move. Contact multiple long-distance moving providers in Graham and ask for itemized quotes. Make sure these estimates include prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you’ll use.
• Look at financing options: Many movers provide financing plans as a way to help customers afford their moving expenses. You may be able to take out a moving or relocation loan to help cover expenses. Ask your mover about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial help with your move. We suggest researching several options to select the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: You can see what other clients thought about specific long-distance movers by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar online review websites. Also, ask for recommendations from your neighbors and loved ones.
• Think about timing: Because summer is the most common season for moves, it can be challenging and more expensive to book a moving company. Because there are so many college students living in Graham, the beginning and end of the semesters may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: Moving companies that offer nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" prices should make you suspicious. Reliable movers generally won't request your complete payment upfront. Steer clear of movers that have an extensive history of negative reviews or BBB complaints. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A key piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to secure your moving company well in advance of your move date. We advise hiring movers at least 90 days before your move date, or even farther ahead if you need unique moving services, like piano or car moving.

When packing for your move on your own, get started at least four weeks in advance. You might prefer to keep certain sentimental, valuable, or fragile items, such as electronics and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than packed 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 Washington 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 medications, extra clothes, and toothbrushes.

Finally, make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before moving day.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is essential for long-distance moves because it'll pay you back if any of your items are lost or damagedby your movers.

The FMCSA requires that all interstate movers must offer two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any belongings 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 is pricier but provides better coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered for free, but it provides less coverage. With this option, your moving company will pay you up to 60 cents per pound for damaged or lost possessions.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy. Checking your policy might be worthwhile, even though they typically don't cover long-distance moves.

Sources

Washington State Department of Licensing U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration