Many people want to know exactly how a move goes with long distance moving companies.  Here, we walk you through the most common steps of these companies .

1.       Contact the moving specialist of the long distance moving companies to get an in home estimate.

You tell the specialist about everything that will need to be moved and what services you will need like any help with packing or needing special moving supplies for certain items.  Customers will also need to decide on what type of insurance they want with their move.  Most companies offer several different options.  A specialist will then give you an estimate than be either binding or non-binding depending on what you agree on.  A binding agreement will give you the total cost and be the actual cost you will pay unless additional items or services are needed.  A non-binding agreement is one that is an estimate that could vary on completion of the move.

2.       Movers arrive one or two days prior to the moving date for packing.

If you have decided to let the long distance moving companies movers to help with the packing, they will come a day or two early to begin this process.  They will normally come with all the appropriate moving supplies to help pack your items.  Of course, some people elect to do the packing themselves and may not need help.  If packing themselves one should put together a checklist that can be shared with the moving company.  This checklist is for your protection of your belongings.

3.       Review the Checklist and items are loaded onto moving trucks or vans.

The movers will go over the inventory list with the customer to make sure all the items are listed.  Special time should be taken to ensure that all the items are listed especially items of high value.  This is important in the event of theft or damage.  This is why it is important to make sure high value items like jewelry and heirlooms are labeled as such.  After this process is completed, the items are loaded up and they are driven to your pre-arranged location, usually the new home.  If moving pods are used instead of moving trucks, the moving process is still essential the same here.  The only difference is the company comes pickup the moving container and loads it onto a moving trailer with some type of forklift or lift system and it is transported to your new location.

4.       Customers take possession of the items at the new location.

In most cases, the customers will have the long distance moving companies deliver their belongings to their new home to begin the unloading process.  However, some customers will elect to have the belongings stored in an off-site storage facility to be retrieved at a later date.  For those who do take immediate possession, it is important to go back over the inventory checklist to ensure all items were received and no damage was made.  If any damage exists it should be documented with pictures and addressed with the moving company immediately.  Customers will also pay the bill at this point in time.  Most companies allow customers to pay in a number of different ways from cash, to check, to credit cards.  If additional services were required or additional charges were needed to be assessed, they will be brought up at this point in time.

Although their maybe some variation with this process, this is the normal process for moves with long distance moving companies.