Checklist: Define the Work Before Requesting Prices
□ Record the complete origin and destination addresses. □ State whether the move stays within North Carolina or crosses a state line. □ List the preferred date and any acceptable alternatives. □ Create an inventory by room, noting approximate box counts. □ Identify heavy, fragile, oversized, or unusually shaped belongings. □ Specify whether you need packing, unpacking, materials, disassembly, reassembly, loading, unloading, or storage. □ Document stairs, elevators, long carrying distances, narrow entrances, and restricted loading areas at both properties. □ Ask each building about permitted move hours, elevator reservations, floor protection, and certificate-of-insurance requirements. A consistent scope makes estimates easier to compare. If one quote assumes packed boxes and curbside access while another includes packing and a long carry, the totals do not represent equivalent work.
Understand What May Affect the Total
Ask how the mover calculates charges and what the written estimate includes. Relevant details may include labor time or another applicable rate basis, minimum billable time, travel charges, packing materials, storage, valuation options, stairs, elevator delays, long carries, bulky-item handling, and schedule changes. Do not assume an estimate is binding: confirm whether it is binding, non-binding, or governed by an hourly tariff, and ask what circumstances can change the final amount. Valuation is not necessarily ordinary property insurance. For an interstate move, FMCSA requires the mover to provide Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, which explains consumer protections and federal valuation disclosures. Review coverage limits, exclusions, claim procedures, and deadlines before signing. For a broader explanation of estimate inputs, see the Raleigh moving cost factors guide at /resources/raleigh-moving-cost-factors/ and compare general planning considerations at /cost-guide/.
Account for Raleigh Conditions
□ Confirm whether the truck may legally use the intended loading space. The City of Raleigh administers parking permits and related curb-use rules, so check the specific location rather than assuming a truck can occupy the curb. □ Review DriveNC before the move for incidents, construction, and road conditions that could affect travel timing. □ Prepare for heat and rain. National Weather Service climate information for Raleigh-Durham shows hot, humid summers and measurable precipitation throughout the year; discuss water protection, floor coverings, hydration, and weather delays. □ Dispose of unwanted belongings before finalizing the inventory. Wake County publishes waste and recycling guidance, but accepted materials and site rules vary. These details can affect labor time, equipment needs, access, or scheduling. Report them before the estimate is prepared instead of waiting until move day.
Questions to Confirm Before Scheduling
□ Is the company authorized for this move? For a move entirely within North Carolina, verify operating authority with the North Carolina Utilities Commission. For an interstate move, check USDOT registration and federal consumer resources through FMCSA Protect Your Move. □ What rate method applies, and is the estimate binding or non-binding? □ What work, materials, travel time, and minimums are included? □ Which access or specialty-item charges could apply? □ What valuation options are available, and how do claims work? □ What could cause the price or schedule to change? □ What are the cancellation, rescheduling, and payment terms? □ Who handles parking permission, elevator reservations, and building documents? Keep the estimate, inventory, valuation selection, and agreed terms together. When comparing options, evaluate the same scope and verify authorization rather than choosing solely by the lowest total.