10 best long-distance moving companies in Spanaway, WA

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

The right moving professionals can help put your mind at ease. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the top long-distance movers in Spanaway to help you, your family, and your belongings make it safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

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

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

When faced with an interstate move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local moving companies. Although local movers may have a better grasp of your specific city and potentially offer less expensive rates, the expertise that long-distance movers have in taking on interstate moves is indispensable. Long-distance movers can save you time and headaches 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 Spanaway

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the choices can be overwhelming, making it difficult to pick the right one for your move. To help you navigate the process of choosing a legitimate and reliable long-distance mover in Spanaway, we've compiled some advice below.

• Ask about insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires interstate movers to provide two kinds of insurance coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. For long-distance moves within the same state, asking about these or similar insurance options is a good idea. To better protect your belongings during the move, we recommend obtaining personal moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your moving company. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance plans, 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. Qualified providers will have these qualifications. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for moving companies on its website and enforces policies such as requiring movers to give clients a written estimate.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance movers in Spanaway several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. Make sure these quotes include prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you’ll need.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers offer financing options to help you pay for your move. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong strategy to help pay for some of the cost. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. You should compare multiple loans to make sure you pick the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Read online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other platforms to learn what other customers say about specific long-distance moving companies. Also, get recommendations from your neighbors and relatives.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year for moving, which means movers may be harder to book and more expensive if you’re moving during the summer months. Spanaway also has a lot of college students living in the area, so the beginning and end of the summer may be particularly busy due to students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Movers that offer nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" estimates should make you wary. Legitimate movers generally won't ask for your complete payment before the move. Steer clear of movers that have an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A helpful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to book your moving company well in advance of your move date. It's best if you book your move at least three months 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 unique services, like piano moving or car moving.

Start packing a full four weeks in advance if you plan on packing for your move on your own. When it comes to sentimental, fragile, or valuable items, such as artwork or family heirlooms, you may choose to carry them in your car rather than the mover's truck.

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

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

Lastly, on 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 vital since it'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to offer two insurance options. The first, Full Value Protection, requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any possessions lost or damaged during your move. Some moving companies might not cover belongings that are very expensive (usually those worth more than $100 per pound) under this policy. Full Value Protection costs more but provides greater coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, but it gives less coverage. This insurance requires your moving company to pay you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for possessions damaged or lost during the move.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might partially cover your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy during your move. This typically isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but it may be worth checking your policy.

Sources

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