Durham North Carolina Moving Company

• There are two types of cargo that we handle, household goods, and office and industrial (commercial) goods. Household moves are regulated by federal and state governments. Commercial moves are generally not regulated.
• There are four types of household moves:
  • Local move – In North Carolina if the origin is within 35 miles of the destination the move is a local move.
  • North Carolina long distance (NCLD) move – When the origin and destination are both in North Carolina and they are more than 35 miles apart the move is an NCLD.
  • Interstate move – When the origin and destination are in different states the move is an interstate move. 
  • International move – When the origin and destination are in different countries the move is an international move.

There are three types of estimates, non-binding, not-to-exceed and guaranteed. When you are very certain of the items to be moved and levels of service that you need, like packing, we offer not-to-exceed and guaranteed prices. When there is uncertainty about the items being moved we provide a non-binding estimate. On these moves we charge for the actual time the move takes for local moves, or the actual weight moved on long distance moves.

• We accept personal checks secured by a credit card, bank transfers, credit and debit cards (with a signed authorization form), and certified checks.
• We charge a 3% service fee on any amount paid by credit/debit card, and we accept all major credit/debit cards. 
• Our preferred method of payment is same day bank transfer or check.

Yes we are container moving experts. We have several different types and sizes of containers. For storage we use “warehouse containers.” These are large all wood containers that we bring to your site inside one of our moving vans. For interstate moves we have specially designed “long distance containers.” These also fit inside our moving vans and are loaded and unloaded at your locations. For international moves we use custom sized containers for small moves and 20 and 40 foot steel ocean containers for larger moves.

Most definitely. We make certain the crew always has more pads than they need.  Proper padding is a key to a damage free move. We are very thorough at pad wrapping your items, and there is no extra charge for the use of these pads.

We do not charge sales tax, and all of our charges are discussed with you up front. Your estimate letter includes all the charges that apply for the services you have requested. If you change the services, like needing storage at the last minute, there will likely be new charges for the new services. However, if your requirements stay the same there will not be any surprise charges.

• Yes. Just let us know what you need disassembled and reassembled and we will include the service in your move price. 
• There are some exceptions. We recommend the customer take apart and reassemble any cribs. Items like home gyms, pool tables, and play sets can provide unique challenges, and in some cases we will recommend a “third party” service for those items.
• Also, please be aware that our movers only reassemble items that they disassembled. 

Absolutely. Please decide in advance where the furniture will be placed. Our guys are happy to put it exactly where you want, but to keep the move on schedule they only want to place each piece one time. 

• It is very rare that rain will actually stop us from completing a move. The crew has cloth pads, and will keep the furniture covered and carpets protected. This allows us to continue moving in moderate to light rain.
• In a hard downpour, the crew will try to take a lunch break until the rain slows down or stops. If the crew must wait on the job site for the rain to lighten up, that wait time is charged at 1/2 the hourly rate – we just want to cover the cost of the movers during this time.

There is no set amount of gratuity expected, like in a restaurant, but if you feel they did an excellent job, you should feel free to tip them accordingly.

Cargo protection is an insurance coverage option that Truckin’ Movers Corporation offers to protect your belongings during the moving process. We provide two levels of protection for your peace of mind:

Option 1: “Minimal Value” Protection

• Included at no additional cost
• Covers damage to premises up to $100 per occurrence
• Covers damage to household goods at $0.60 per pound per item
• The compensation is based on the weight of damaged items or repair cost, whichever is less
• No deductible ($0.00)

Option 3: “Replacement Value” Protection

• Pays the full cost of repairing or replacing any lost or damaged items up to the current market price for comparable new replacements
• Provides complete coverage for damage to premises
• $250.00 deductible

We recommend carefully considering which protection option best suits your needs before your move. Our team is available to answer any questions about these coverage options.

• A move is a local move when the distance between the origin and the destination is less than 35 miles. Local moving must be charged by the hour and hourly rates may not exceed the maximum set by the NCUC.
• A minimum of one hour for “travel time” must be charged on all local moves. Travel time covers the time spent preparing the truck, briefing the crew, getting the crew to the origin, getting them back from your destination and completing the check in procedure back at our office. We charge additional travel time if the distance to the origin and back from the destination is more than 50 miles.
• The time starts when our crew pulls up in front of your origin location and stops when they pull away from your final destination. We charge to the nearest tenth of an hour. Short breaks of 5-10 minutes every two to three hours are included in the billable time. Longer breaks for meals are not included in the billable time.

NCLD moves are regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). The move is an NCLD when the origin and destination are both in North Carolina and they are more than 35 miles apart. NCLD moves must be charged based on shipment weight and distance traveled.

Our movers are very experienced, well trained and very careful – so we keep damages to a minimum. However, damages can occur. The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) regulates how damages must be covered on local and NCLD moves (see types of moves above). The NCUC says we must offer two levels of coverage called minimum value and replacement value. The first level is offered on all moves at no additional charge.  To increase the coverage to replacement value, we are required to follow valuation and charge rules that are specified in the NCUC tariff. Click on this link to see the details of this coverage and the rates for each.

• We have three sizes of trucks in our fleet, 16’ box trucks, 26’ box trucks, and tractor trailers.
• The 26’ box trucks are the largest trucks you can get with just two axles. They are like the largest sized U-haul truck, only a little longer and taller.
  We have semi trailers that vary in length from 24’ to 53’.

• Minimum charges for local moves vary from 3-4 hours depending on the time of the year.
• The minimum for NCLD moves depends on the distance traveled, and the level of service provided, like exclusive use of a vehicle with exact moving dates.

• On Interstate moves we offer three levels of coverage, minimum, depreciated and replacement. 
• The minimum coverage is included at no charge. There is an additional charge to increase the coverage to option two (depreciated) or option three (full value). Please click this link to see the details and rates for this coverage.

• We have computerized tracking and direct cell phone links to our shipments. 
• All shipments are tracked at least once a day by our operations department. 

• We give exact dates for all long distance moves traveling within the continental United States. As far as we know we are the only mover in the country that does this. Our unique express moving system and long distance container service make this possible. 
• Please call us for more details, and a free estimate.

• We have computerized tracking and direct cell phone links to our shipments. 
• All shipments are tracked at least once a day by our operations department. 

• We use several different sized straight trucks and tractor trailers.
• Common sizes are 16’ box trucks, 26’ box trucks, and trailers with lengths ranging from 24’ to 53’.

• We do not have a minimum, and we can move your small shipment on an exact schedule anywhere in the continental United States. This makes us an excellent choice for small shipments! 

• We offer two levels of cargo coverage on all international moves called minimum value and replacement value. 
• The first level is offered on all moves at no additional charge. There is a charge to increase the coverage to replacement value. Click on this link to see the details of this coverage and the rates for each. 

• For small moves we use long distance containers. These containers hold about one room of furniture and are brought to your location inside one of our 26’ straight trucks. 
• These trucks are a little longer and taller than the largest sized U-haul truck.
• For larger shipments we use 20’ and 40’ steel ocean containers. We are able to bring these containers close to most locations for loading or unloading.

• We prepare all customs documents that are needed for leaving the country. 
• Once the shipment has departed the U.S. we email you the “ocean bill of lading” and instructions for clearing customs at the destination. 

Yes, the minimum volume for an international shipment is 40 cubic feet.

• The largest commercial move we have done so far was relocating the U.S. headquarters for CBC America from Long Island, NY to two locations in central NC. This move took two weeks and required 118 tractor trailer loads. 

Yes, and we use special rolling bins and rolling shelf units to minimize the packing needed. For example, we blanket wrap computer equipment and move it safely in “speed pack” bins. We also have rolling shelf units called “library carts” that allow us to move inventory items, or collections of books and files without having to box them.

• We have warehouse containers that are stored inside our warehouse. They come in two sizes, medium which is 5’x7’x7.5’, and large which is 5’x8’x8.5’
• We have outdoor storage units.
• We also store items on semi trailers, and have covered parking for trucks and trailers.

• Yes, our warehouse is climate controlled, and we use “warehouse containers” for this service.
• The outdoor containers and trailer storage units are not climate controlled.

• Storage charges begin on the day the items arrive at the warehouse and end on the day they leave the warehouse.
• There is a one month minimum charge.
• Storage charges are prorated for the first month and last month of storage.

• There is a 1 month minimum storage charge
• There is a 1.0 hour minimum for warehouse labor to open and provide access to containers. 

• The cargo coverage you purchase for your move also covers your items for the first 90 days they are in storage.
• After a 90 day storage period coverage is available for a monthly charge. When coverage is continuously maintained it extends to all delivery services. When it is not continuously maintained it must be purchased again to cover delivery services.
• Click on this link to see the rates and details of this coverage.

• You will need to make an appointment to access your items. 
• Depending on the type of container(s) used to store your items, warehouse handling charges and minimum warehouse labor rates (see above) may apply.

• Truckin’ Movers personnel provide the packing services, and our movers are excellent packers. 
• We offer full packing and unpacking services, partial packing services, or you can do all of the packing yourself.
• With our software we can quickly provide packing and unpacking options for you to consider. For example, we can pack all the breakable items and you can pack the non-breakable items. Or, we can pack just the large breakable items that are too big to fit in standard size cartons, and you can pack everything else. 
• Based on those estimates, you decide on the amount of packing and unpacking service that we provide.
• Depending on the size of your move, packing will be done on the day of your move, or the day before. 
• We offer unpacking services to help you quickly settle in.

• Standard size mover cartons are best, and we have a large supply of these, both new and used.
• Mover cartons make the loading easier because they come in standard sizes. When many different size boxes are involved, the loading gets harder.
• Mover cartons are also stronger than those sold by the “big box” stores and better protect contents during a move.

Heavy items like books always go in small cartons. Moderate weight items (for example, counter top appliances, boxed food and shoes) go in medium size boxes, and light and bulky items (like pillows, blankets, children’s toys, and plastic items) go in large cartons. The rule of thumb is you should be able to easily move any box you pack, and no box should weigh more than 50 lbs. Please do not fill large boxes or plastic totes with heavy items.

• Truckin’ Movers is your best choice for sturdy high quality packing material. We also sell used boxes at a significant discount. 
• You can purchase them at our facility or we will bring them to you for a small delivery fee. 

• That depends. Large, light weight, non-breakable items may stay in the drawers (like clothes). All breakable items and all dense items (like files, books, magazines, bed sheets, cd’s and dvd’s) must be removed and packed.
• Also all small loose items (like pens, pencils, paperclips, coins and jewelry) must be secured. You can put them in zip lock bags and leave them in the drawers, or remove and pack them. Do this with all the drawers including night-stands, end tables, dressers and desks.

• We do not move flammable or combustible items like paint, fuel, ammunition, fireworks, aerosol cans or propane tanks.
• We also do not move house paint, bleach, fire extinguishers, firewood or vehicle batteries.

• We pack alcohol – both open and unopened containers
• We pack live plants – yes we pack and move live plants (ask your estimator about this service).
• Cleaning supplies – both open and unopened containers
• Pantry items, including liquids like cooking oils and solids like rice, and grains – both open and unopened containers.
• Batteries used in flashlights and small appliances

• First be sure they have lids that are secure and tight.

• Next wrap them in newsprint paper and load them right side up in the box, the same way you stand them up in a cabinet.

• Then draw arrows pointing up on all four sides of the outside of the box, this tells the movers to always keep this box right side up. 

Carefully packing items into the proper type of cardboard carton is adequate protection for most items. However, if the item is high value and irreplaceable a wood crate is the best option because it provides more protection. Ask one of our moving consultants for more details about crating options and costs.

All cartons must be securely taped shut top and bottom. We do not move open top containers with loose items (like shopping bags or open top boxes).

The destination room name needs to be written on the top center of each box – right on the tape strip.

A brief description of the contents can come next. This makes it easier to find “first things” at the new home

When our movers pack the box they will also put their initials in a corner on the top, and they will add the code “CP” which stands for “carrier packed”, and means the box was packed by Truckin’ Movers..

• All items that are smaller than a plastic milk crate, which is about 12″ x12″ x12″ or one cubic foot, need to be packed into a carton. It is inefficient and slows the movers down if they are asked to carry very small items.
• Other items that need to be packed include; flat breakable items that do not have protective frames (like glass table tops, glass shelves, glass front pictures, and marble), oil paintings without protective glass fronts, all lampshades and breakable lamps, floor lamps where the lamp pole unscrews in two or more sections, stereo and computer equipment and flat TVs.
• Speakers that are larger than one cubic foot do not have to be packed, they are wrapped and moved like furniture.
• The following items do not need to be packed on a local move; Flat breakable items that have protective frames (like pictures and mirrors – these will be blanket wrapped and moved carefully standing upright), mattresses and box-springs (these will be moved standing on edge on top of a clean moving pad), non-breakable lamps, floor lamps with poles that are one piece, and tube type televisions that are larger than one cubic foot.

The packing rules for NCLD moves are the same as they are for local moves (see above).

• Everything that must be packed on a local move, plus; all flat breakable items that have protective frames (like pictures and mirrors), mattresses and box-springs, and all table lamps.
• Sturdy pole lamps, where the pole is just one section, tube type televisions and speakers that are larger than one cubic foot do not have to be packed.

International pack rules are the same as interstate pack rules (see above).

Storage pack rules are the same as interstate pack rules (see above).

• Be sure to have all the items you do not want packed (like pet food, baby supplies, checkbooks and working papers) in a location marked “no go.” Do the same thing on move day – clearly mark all “no go” items.
• If you pack any boxes be sure to fill them to the top before you tape them shut. This way they are less likely to crush when we stack another box on top of them.
• File cabinets – only the bottom two drawers may be moved full. If the cabinet has more than two drawers the drawers above the bottom two must be empty. When more than two drawers are full the cabinet may be a “heavy carry” (which means that it weighs more than 300 lbs.) There is an extra charge for moving heavy carry items.
• When you pack fragile items in a box and you want that box to always stay right side up, please draw arrows pointing up on all sides of the box.