Get Quotes from Top Movers in Charlotte, NC

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Charlotte?

Individuals or businesses that wish to transport household goods and items into, within, or out of Charlotte for compensation must obtain a state-issued certificate from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) before they can do so. Interested parties that wish to obtain this certificate may do so by completing an Application for Certificate of Exemption to Transport Household Goods Form and subsequently submitting the original completed form and two additional copies to:

Applicants are typically required to pay a stipulated application fee, provide proof of insurance coverage, undergo a criminal history background check, and comply with any other relevant requirements that the commission may have at the time of the application. Moving companies that fail to undergo proper certification with the NCUC before offering their services to residents of Charlotte can face fines of up to $1,000 and other statutory and administrative penalties. Inquiries concerning the application process can be directed to the commission at (919) 733-4036.

It is always in your best interest to ensure that your intended movers have been duly certified by the NCUC before you conclude any negotiations with them. You can do this by assessing the List of Certified Carriers that the commission makes available to members of the public. Note that this list is updated monthly, and new-issued certificates, as well as canceled or suspended certificates, are typically not reflected until the list is updated. Nonetheless, you can subsequently confirm the current certification status of your intended mover by calling (919) 733-4036 or (919) 733-7766.

Note that moving companies that wish to provide interstate relocation services must register at the federal level with the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration. Thus, if you want to relocate outside the State of North Carolina, it is a good idea to confirm that your mover is authorized to provide this service by utilizing this agency's online search portal. Likewise, even though moving companies operating in Charlotte are primarily regulated at the state level, they must meet certain local-level requirements before conducting business in the city. These typically include:

• Contacting the city's Zoning Department to ensure that they conform with all necessary zoning regulations for their intended business location
• Registering their business with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds or with the North Carolina Secretary of State if they intend to operate as a corporation, a limited liability company, or a limited liability partnership
• Obtaining a Federal Tax Identification Number from the IRS as well as a Sales Tax Number from the North Carolina Department of Revenue

Additional information concerning local business requirements for operating a moving company in Charlotte can be obtained by contacting the city's Economic Development Department at (704) 432-1397 or via email. Inquiries can also be directed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center at 311 for callers within Mecklenburg County or (704) 336-7600 for callers outside the county.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Charlotte?

Finding out how much your preferred movers charge for their services is a necessary step to take in determining their suitability for your relocation activities. Movers in Charlotte typically utilize hourly or weight/distance billing methods when calculating their charges, and the billing method that will be used is primarily dependent on the distance of the move:

• Hourly Rates: this method is used for moves that are 35 miles or less and is influenced by the number of movers involved and the total time it takes to complete the move. Hours typically start counting as soon as the mover arrives at your home, and the time is usually rounded up to the nearest quarter-hour.
• Weight/Distance Rates: this method is used for moves that are 36 miles or more and is influenced by the total weight of the items being moved and the distance between points A and B. This distance is usually calculated using a current state-issued official map or state-approved software.

To ensure that you get the best possible rates for your move, it is always a good idea to get and compare estimates from several movers in the city before making your hiring choice. Certain factors may affect your total moving costs, regardless of the billing method used to calculate these charges. These factors include:

• The inclusion of extra services like packing and unpacking, appliance disconnection and reconnection, and bulky item loading and unloading
• The volume of items being moved
• The urgency of the move

While movers in the city may provide quotes online or over the phone, it is always in your best interest to request written estimates. These written estimates generally come in three forms, namely:

• Non-binding Estimates: this shows approximate charges for the move, and actual costs for the services provided are determined after the move is completed
• Binding Guaranteed Estimates: this estimate is binding to both you and the mover. If you request any additional services after the estimate is provided, you will be required to sign an addendum to the estimate that acknowledges these changes and the additional charges that you may incur.
• Binding Not-to-Exceed Estimates: this type of estimate provides the guaranteed maximum charges that will apply to your move, provided that you do not request any additional services

It is important to note that the North Carolina Utilities Commission provides maximum rate tariffs that moving companies in Charlotte may charge for intrastate moves, and any estimates that your preferred movers give you must not exceed these rates.

Charlotte's transportation and material moving workers earn an average annual wage of $40,630. The list below compares the hourly average wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of the State of North Carolina as well as several other major cities in the country:

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Charlotte Regulations?

Parties that wish to move loads within Charlotte that are more than 60 inches long, 8.5 inches wide, 13.5 inches high, or weigh more than 80,000 pounds are statutorily required to obtain an Oversize Load Permit before doing so. The Charlotte Department of Transportation issues these permits, and they can be obtained by completing an Oversize Permit Application Form and submitting the completed application to the department via email. The completed application form must be submitted at least 10 working days before the proposed move date. Inquiries concerning the oversize permit application process can be directed to the department via phone number (704) 975-1392.

It is important to note that certain areas of the city are designated Residential Parking Permit Locations, and parking in these areas is usually restricted during specified hours. Thus, homeowners who wish to move to or from these locations may be required to obtain guest or temporary parking permits for the moving vehicles that will be used for their relocation activities. These permits can be obtained via the city's online permit portal. Additional information on residential parking permits and the requirements for obtaining these permits can be directed to the Charlotte Department of Transportation's Park It Program at:

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

When hiring moving companies in Charlotte, you should always confirm the types of moving services they offer before reaching any final arrangements with them. Doing this ensures that you hire a company that can satisfactorily deliver the specific moving service you require. Professional moving companies in the city typically offer several types of services, and these services can be grouped into two categories, namely:

• Local/Intrastate Moving Services
• Long-distance/Interstate Moving Services

Local/intrastate moving services typically involve moves that occur within Charlotte as well as moves out of the city to another location within the State of North Carolina. On the other hand, long-distance/interstate moves generally involve moves from Charlotte to a location outside North Carolina. Some moving companies may also offer additional services such as special item/bulky item moving, appliance connection and disconnection, furniture assembly and disassembly, packing and unpacking services, and storage services.

In addition to confirming that your preferred moving company offers the types of moving services you require, you should also get quotes and estimates of these services before signing any contracts with them. Estimates for some moving services that are commonly requested in Charlotte are provided below:

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Many moving companies in Charlotte offer packing options to homeowners looking to outsource aspects of their relocation activities, like organizing belongings, cleaning out closets, and purchasing packing supplies. These packing services generally include:

• Full-Service Packing/Unpacking: this involves packing and unpacking all items in your home
• Select Items Packing/Unpacking: this involves packing and unpacking only items that you designate
• Single Item Packing/Unpacking: this involves packing and unpacking fragile or specialty items like antique furniture, artwork, and family heirlooms

In addition, some homeowners may also require that their items be stored in a secondary location before being moved to their new residences. This is usually common in situations where the new home is not ready yet or the homeowner is moving to a smaller place. Moving companies in Charlotte generally offer three types of storage options to interested parties, namely:

• Storage-in-Transit: this option is generally offered for short-term storage that will not exceed 180 days. Items stored under this option must be housed in a warehouse belonging to the moving company or a public warehouse for which they have a long-term lease agreement specifically for storage. Charges for this type of storage are typically calculated in 30-day increments, and these charges are subject to the North Carolina Utilities Commission's maximum rate tariffs.
• Permanent Storage: this option is used for storage exceeding 180 days. The charges for these types of storage are not subject to state-mandated maximum rate tariffs.
• Customer-controlled Storage: this option involves the moving company delivering the items to a self-storage facility that will be completely under the customer's control. In this type of storage, the moving company is not liable for any damages that occur after the items have been moved into the storage facility.

It is always a good idea to hire the same company to handle all aspects of your relocation activities, including the actual moving and the packing, unpacking, and storage of your items where necessary. Not all moving companies in Charlotte also offer packing and storage services, so you should always get confirmation from your intended movers if you require these services. In situations where you need storage services, you should always find out where your items will be stored and make sure that the storage facility is suitable for the types of things you intend to store in it.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Charlotte?

Moving is a labor-intensive activity, and many homeowners in Charlotte tip their movers to show appreciation when they perform their jobs professionally and satisfactorily. While there is no set amount for these tips, homeowners in the city commonly offer $15 -$25 per mover for small and relatively simple moves and $30 - $50 per mover for more complex jobs. Some homeowners in the city also utilize a percentage system where they tip the movers 10% - 20% of the total cost of their moving charges. However, this is not usually a good idea for large jobs, as the amount involved can be quite hefty.

Alternatively, you can find out from your hired moving company what they consider an appropriate tip for the movers they send to handle your job. Be aware that you are not obligated to follow the company's recommendation, nor is it mandatory to tip your movers. Nonetheless, if you decide to offer tips to your movers, you should consider certain criteria when calculating these tips. These criteria include:

• The quality of work that the movers do
• The movers' politeness and overall demeanor
• Specific or unique requests that you make during the move and how well the movers execute these requests

Note that you should always take an inventory of your items after they have been delivered and make sure that they are in the same condition they were in before the move. Always inform your moving company if any of your items are damaged during the move or if you are unsatisfied with the work done by the movers.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Charlotte?

Road accidents in the United States cost Americans at least $380 million in direct medical expenses annually. According to data published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1,200 fatal and 205,500 non-fatal work-related injuries were recorded amongst transportation and material moving workers in 2020. As such, in addition to ensuring that your preferred moving company is certified and offers your required moving services, you should also ensure that they have proper insurance coverage. Doing this protects you from out-of-pocket expenses and possible legal liabilities if an accident occurs or if your property happens to get damaged during your move.

Per the provisions of Chapter 2, Article 7 of the North Carolina Utilities Commission's Rules and Regulations, all moving companies that wish to operate in Charlotte must comply with the following minimum insurance requirements:

• They must carry a minimum amount of $50,000 for cargo insurance
• They must carry a minimum amount of $50,000 for general liability insurance
• They must carry a minimum amount of $750,000 for public liability and property damage insurance for any vehicles that move items weighing 26,001 pounds or more.

Note that while homeowners' and renters' insurance policies typically cover the cost of damages to items in your home, this coverage is nullified once the items are being moved to a new location. Therefore, before finalizing any hiring arrangements with any mover in the city, make sure that you request copies of their insurance certificates and contact the appropriate insurance providers to authenticate these certificates. Find out the scope of the mover's insurance coverage and ensure it is enough to cover the items you will be moving.

You can get additional information on the insurance requirements for Charlotte moving companies by contacting the North Carolina Utilities Commission at (919) 733-7328 or (919) 733-7766.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Charlotte?

It is always in your best interest to request references or letters of recommendation from past clients before concluding hiring arrangements with any moving company in Charlotte. This is a good way to determine the company's reliability and service delivery, and professional moving companies in the city will not hesitate to provide you with this information. Thus, you should be wary of any moving company that cannot provide you with at least three verifiable references, as this usually means that they are not reliable or service-oriented. Also, you should always contact any references that you are offered to get first-hand reviews on the moving company's services.