Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Service Questions

Billing and Pricing Questions

Surcharges

Policies

Online Reservation & Quote Questions

General Questions

How much does moving labor cost?

Rates and pricing will vary depending on your location and specific needs. Our published price and package options can be found by visiting our moving labor section. You may also request a quote for your move by contacting Customer Support at (888) 354-8303 or by completing our online quote request.

How far in advance do I need to reserve service?

Typically we recommend a minimum of 7 days notice, however, the amount of notice required often varies depending on when the move will take place (e.g. Summer or Winter) and the flexibility of the customer. There are times where we can provide service with just 24-48 hours notice and others where we would need 5-10 days. You should always provide as much notice as possible, especially if you have specific time limitations (e.g. such as a reserved elevator) or if your move date falls at the end/beginning of the month. You will also want to take the busy season into consideration. The beginning/end of May, June, July and August tend to be the most demanded moving dates and will require advance notice.

How are you different from traditional moving companies?

We specialize in the labor aspect of the moving industry and we work closely with most major mobile storage, freight, self storage and truck rental companies. We do not own our own trucks and we do not provide storage, we simply provide licensed and insured movers to load, unload, pack and move furniture. Please feel free to read our informative guide "How We Differ From Full Service Movers"

Why would I need movers without the truck?

Our movers service the growing segment known as self service moving, also known as do-it-yourself moving. It can cost thousands of dollars less to rent a truck, reserve freight or use mobile storage versus the traditional method of hiring full service movers. For consumers who select a self service move option, we provide the skilled movers to load, unload and pack. Moving can be very difficult and it is important not just to have the muscle to move your items, but also the skill and expertise to ensure than nothing gets damaged and you make the most use of your space.

Can you help me choose a transportation provider?

Absolutely! Self moving (i.e. do-it-yourself relocation) is our passion and we love to provide helpful information. If you are unfamiliar with the options available for your moving situation (e.g. local or long distance move) you will first want to visit our moving services section. Here we provide helpful guides to common self moving situations, notably the different transport and storage options available to you. If you have already decided how you plan on transporting or storing your items but have not yet selected a specific company you will want to visit our estimates section. Here we list brand name specific information, comparisons and discounts. You can also read through our blog for additional moving tips and guides.

How do I know the movers will show up?

Sadly, unreliability is often synonymous with moving companies. Fortunately, Elite Moving LaborTM is not your typical moving company and reliability is a top priority. Unlike other movers, we only hire the best of the best to work for us. That doesn't just mean friendly, polite and clean cut - it also means that our movers have strong ethics and morals. It's these positive characteristics that allow us to ensure your crew will show up on moving day.

What is the inclement weather policy?

Everyone hopes for good weather conditions on their moving day, unfortunately inclement weather is always a possibility. We currently have two variations to our weather policy, both have been outlined below.

Less than Ideal Weather: For situations that are not considered severe, such as rain, the customer has the option to reschedule their move. It is important to take into account the potential for damage to the home and/or household items as a result of moving in bad weather. Please remember that reschedules are based on availability and we cannot guarantee service will be available on the following day. Additionally, reschedule requests must still be made within a reasonable time period to avoid being charged a 'No Show Fee'. If you believe that inclement weather is a possibility on your move day we recommend rescheduling at least one day prior to your scheduled date to avoid additional fees.

Severe Weather: In more sever situations, such lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes and tropical storms, the decision to reschedule a move is at the discretion of our local project manager. We have no desire to inconvenience anyone, but if the weather is severe enough to create dangerous conditions (e.g. slip and fall, lightning, etc) then it is not reasonable to move, even at the customers request. In severe weather situations we will work quickly to reschedule every move based on availability and the customers preferences.

What if I am making the reservation but will not be on site?

This is a common situation and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. When scheduling service please make your representative aware of the situation. If you have already scheduled service please contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303 or complete our contact form.

Do you have any deals or special promotions?

Yes! For our everyday, regional and partner promotions visit our discounts section.

Do you provide complete nationwide coverage?

We sure do! At this time we service 97% of the U.S. population, including every major metropolitan, most secondary markets and many tertiary (small) markets. To learn more about the areas we service contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303, submit a quote request or view a current list of our service areas.

Do you charge travel fees?

We do our best to avoid travel fees whenever possible, however, there are some locations that we cannot service without one. If a travel charge is required you can trust that the following criteria will be met:

  • The price will be fair and affordable.
  • You will be notified before scheduling service.
  • The amount quoted will not change.

Travel charges are often added when a location is outside of a metropolitan area, typically requiring the movers to drive more than 25 miles each way. A travel charge or surcharge may also be added in large metropolitan areas, like the Washington D.C. area and the San Francisco Bay area. These areas may require a fee to offset toll costs or the extensive amount of time the movers will have to sit in traffic.

You can find out if a travel fee is required for your location by contacting Customer Support at (888) 354-8303 or by requesting a quote.

Booking online or ordering service after hours? Rest assured that if your service request requires a travel fee we will not process your order until we have your approval. If you do not approve of the charge you will incur no costs or fees.

When does the billable time start?

The clock begins when we arrive at your location and ends when we complete the move. Unlike most moving companies, we do not consider drive time billable. Customers in outlying areas may be assessed a travel charge (as discussed above), but billing will still begin when we arrive at your location.

Moves that require multiple stops as part of the same order, such as local moves, will be billed for all time from the origin to destination. For example, if we load a moving truck in Washington DC and then unload the truck in Fairfax, VA the billable time would include the drive time from DC to VA. Billing would begin on arrival at your first location and end when the unload is complete at your destination.

How do I pack an LCD, Plasma or other flat screen TV?

Whenever possible, it is in your best interest to use the original box and materials that your TV came with. When that is not possible, your safest bet is to have the TV crated or to purchase a flat screen TV box.

A flat screen TV box typically costs between $30-$50, depending on the size. Our online supply store currently has three different sizes of flat screen TV boxes and each purchase includes free shipping!

Another option to consider is transporting the flat screen TV in your personal vehicle. If you are using a rental truck and towing your car, the back seat is an ideal place for most flat screen TV's.

There are insurance and liability restrictions on flat panel televisions if they are not prepared correctly. Please take a moment to review "Your Rights and Responsibilities".

How do the start times work and are the movers ever late?

Many factors, including your location, availability on your requested date, crew size and type of move play into what times are available for scheduling. When placing an order we will establish a two hour arrival window for our operations team to work with. Based on your specific needs we can generally establish a preferred time within that window.

Our movers operate daily beginning with the first available arrival window of 7am-9am and continuing in one hour increments (e.g. 8am-10am, 9am-11am, etc) until the final arrival window of 6pm-Later. Our 6pm-Later arrival window is typically defined as 6pm-8pm, however, due to the nature of the last slot the arrival time could be after 8pm. Late afternoon and evening start times will vary by the time of year due to sunlight. During the summer months we may be able to begin your move as late as 7-8pm while during the winter months the final slot may be reduced to 5-6pm.

As we have already reviewed, we will always make every effort possible to be to every scheduled move at or before the scheduled start time. Due to the nature of the moving business and the considerable amount of opportunities for delay we can never guarantee any specific start time. Weather, traffic, previous orders on the same day and customer readiness are just a few of the many variables that can create delays. Similar to airlines, once a delay occurs it generally ripples through the schedule and ultimately will impact several moves. We do guarantee that if we are going to be late we will be in contact to communicate the delay, the reason for the delay and provide an anticipated arrival time.

What if I have a reserved elevator or other time constraint?

If you have a specific time constraint, such as a reserved elevator, we will make every effort to accommodate the request by establishing a firm start time or a reduced arrival window. During the quoting or reservation process please make your representative aware of your situation. The representative is required to go through an approval process before a firm start time or reduced arrival window can be authorized.

For more information about scheduling movers with a firm or reduced start time please contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303.

Do I need a parking permit for my rental truck, portable storage unit or freight truck?

There are many jurisdictions around the country that require parking permits for rental trucks, PODS and freight trailers. Unfortunately many of these cities and counties do not provide enough information on the requirements of these permits, however that still does not exempt you from getting one if it is required.

When available we do make an effort to provide information about local permit policies on our blog as well as local city pages. San Francisco for example, does require a permit for moving vans and PODS. Many cities in Northern Virginia as well as Washington D.C. also require permits. Permits are issued by local municipalities and the need for one varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction; when in doubt always check with your city or county for more information.

My building requires a certificate of insurance, how do I request one?

Many apartment buildings and high rises in large cities will request that the movers provide a certificate of insurance prior to your move-in or move-out, this is typically referred to as a COI. We can provide a certificate of insurance for your building assuming the following criteria is met:

  • Sufficient Notice: Certificate requests must be sent to our insurer before being sent to your building, this process can take time. We require a minimum of five (5) business days to process certificates. If sufficient notice is not provided we cannot guarantee that your building will receive the insurance certificate before your move date.
  • COI Request: Buildings that require a COI usually have a sample document which outlines what they require. This document includes the exact wording for the 'Additional Insured' area as well as the name and contact information of the primary building contact. We cannot process a certificate request until we have a copy of the COI request from the building.

Insurance certificate requests should be faxed to (888) 901-4464 for processing.

What if I need help at multiple locations?

This FAQ is intended for individuals who will require moving assistance at multiple locations in the same local area.

If you are moving long distance and require loading in one city and unloading in another you will simply create two orders, one for each location.

Let's assume that you are arriving in Washington D.C. and need movers to unload your truck. Instead of unloading at one location you will need to unload in two locations, first at your home and then at your storage unit. There is no additional fee for this service, we simply meet you at the first unload location (origin) and then follow you to the second stop (destination) and complete the unload. If you are ordering online please be sure to enter the origin location first, you may then provide details about the additional stop in the "Special Instructions" box.

There is no limit to the number of additional stops as long as they are in the same local area, usually no more than 25 miles apart. If you require assistance at multiple locations greater than 25 miles apart but still in the local area you may be assessed a small fuel charge.

How do I reserve more than the minimum hours?

It's safe to assume that most customers will need additional time beyond the minimum hours. Instead of forcing you to decide ahead of time if additional hours are needed, we allot a certain amount of time based on the details you have provided us with. It is important to remember that you are not required to use any additional hours unless you need them, regardless of how much time we allot internally. For example, if you hired our 2-Man Crew / 3-Hour service to load a 26' truck we would normally estimate five hours for service.

Although we can typically provide additional hours for most moves, there are times when we are limited to the minimum hours. This typically occurs in the peak summer season when we have multiple moves lined up throughout the day. To avoid not having enough time to complete your move, we recommend providing us with the most accurate information available about your home type, access conditions and truck/unit size.

Service Questions

Is moving equipment provided with my order?

Yes! All of our moving teams come equipped with the items listed below. Additionally, moving supplies and protection material, such as shrink wrap, tape and rope may be provided at an additional cost. If you require these items please notify us before your move to make arrangements. (View an image of the equipment listed.)

  • Moving Dollies: (1) movers dolly and (1) floor dolly.
  • Standard tools for assembly and dis-assembly. We define standard tools as screw drivers and allen wrenches, the most commonly used tools on a move. The movers may have additional tools as well, however, they are only required to provide standard tools.

Items or equipment we do not provide:

  • Furniture pads, quilts or blankets.
  • Appliance dolly.
  • Tie downs or rope.
  • Shrink wrap or other protection material. (Unless you have made arrangements with us to provide these items)

For a more in-depth look at this topic please review our moving guide, "What Supplies or Equipment Should I Provide for my Self Move?"

Do you assemble/dis-assemble furniture?

Standard tools are provided on every site for basic assembly and dis-assembly. The most common items we assemble/dis-assemble are beds, mirrors from dressers and dining room tables. Our movers can provide this service for basic household items, however, if an item requires special knowledge or tools we cannot service it. Please note that we provide assembly services as a courtesy. Our movers are not specially trained for advanced assembly/dis-assembly and may not be able to provide this service for all items.

Due to liability concerns we cannot provide assembly or dis-assembly for baby cribs, water beds, tanning beds, gas appliances, pool tables or pianos. Additionally, we cannot wall mount flat screen TV's or remove TV's from the wall mount. If you have questions about a specific furniture item please contact us.

Who is responsible for furniture pads?

It is the responsibility of the customer to obtain furniture padding. Most major companies involved in transport will rent furniture pads to you. If your transportation provider does not rent furniture pads we recommend that you review our additional options.

My POD/freight company has given me a delivery window, how do I coordinate with the movers?

This is an incredibly common situation and the approach varies by the transportation provider. The general rule of thumb is to always schedule conservatively. If you know the date of delivery but are unsure of the time you should schedule our movers for the mid-late afternoon or, if your situation allows, the following day. Never assume that your POD or freight trailer will be delivered within the time window they quoted and always add a buffer between their expected delivery and when you schedule our movers.

PODS / Portable Storage: Most POD companies will provide you with an accurate date for delivery but will likely provide you with a four hour window, the most common is 8am-12pm. In this situation your best scheduling option for our moving services is our 1pm-3pm arrival window. Although less common, some customers may be given an 8am-5pm delivery window. In this situation you should schedule our movers for the following day.

'You Load, We Drive' Trucks: These services are typically much more difficult to accurately estimate delivery. If you are using ABF U-Pack there are a couple or core rules to remember: Delivery timeframes are normally 3-5 days depending on the distance, they do not count the day the trailer is picked up and they don't count weekends or holidays.

What is considered a "local" move and can I use the same crew for both the load and unload?

A local move is generally defined as the same city or metropolitan area. When moving locally you may continue to use the same crew from beginning to end, the drive time from the origin to destination will be billed as part of the move.

Do you provide moving supplies?

Yes! To ensure that we have the types and quantities of supplies necessary for your move we typically request at least 24 hours notice. Learn more about the moving supplies we offer or order from our online supply store and get free shipping!

What if I am moving in the same regional area, but not locally, on the same day?

If you're not moving locally within the same metropolitan area but are moving within the same region, approximately 100-350 miles, you may arrange services for the same day. To do this we will schedule moving labor to load for a morning start and the unload for a late afternoon start. We will then create a system task to have the unload area manager contact you 3-5 hours before your expected arrival to confirm if you are on schedule. If not, the start time will be adjusted around your new arrival time and the availability for that afternoon.

Can I help the movers load or unload?

The quick and easy answer is yes. However, numerous factors play into whether or not it is a good idea for customers to help with the moving process. The majority of the time the customer may interfere with the process and the move will take longer. It is recommended that you speak with your site supervisor about actively participating.

When unloading do the movers place my items in the correct rooms?

Absolutely! This question has always baffled us, isn't that one of the main reasons you hired movers in the first place? When we provide unload services we will place your household items in their designated rooms.

Billing and Payment Questions

Are there any hidden fees?

No Way! We believe in honest, up front pricing with no surprises. Hire Elite Moving Labor and you will never find a rush or short notice fee, reschedule fee, stair charges or piano fees. Learn more about pricing for our moving services or request a free quote.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and cash. Our moving teams carry credit card authorizations on their work orders so you can pay with a credit card at the completion of your move or you can complete our Pre Order Authorization for billing security. Your deposit amount at the time of booking must be paid for with a credit card.

Check acceptance varies by location, notably due to local and state laws. If you would like to complete your balance payment by check please confirm the local acceptance policy with your project manager before your move date.

What are the details of the Pre-Order Authorization program?

Elite Moving Labor accepts credit cards on site as a payment method, however you will be required to input your credit card information onto our work order for processing. To address security and privacy concerns, we have created the Pre-Order Authorization feature which will allow you to complete an order authorization before your move so you will not have to enter your credit card information on your move date.

To take advantage of this feature, simply complete the Pre-Order Authorization form and return it to Elite Moving Labor. The document will stay securely on file until the completion of your move, at which time we will charge the balance due to the card indicated on the form.

This method of payment is preferred for consumers concerned about privacy or credit card security. We offer this service for free to all of our customers.

Surcharges

New York City Surcharge

Due to the rising costs associated with servicing the five NYC boroughs we have instituted a mandatory service charge of $25. It has been established to help offset the rising costs of tolls and parking that our movers must pay for. This fee is in addition to our standard moving labor pricing and will affect customers in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. For information about pricing and services in please review our New York City details.

Grand Junction, Colorado Surcharge

A $50 surcharge will apply to any location within 50 miles of Grand Junction, Colorado. This fee has been established to better match our pricing with the standards of the local area. Learn more about pricing and services in Grand Junction.

Reno, Nevada Surcharge

A $25 surcharge will apply to any location within 75 miles of Reno, Nevada, including Sparks, Carson City and Lake Tahoe. This fee has been established to better match our pricing with the standards of the local area. Learn more about pricing and services in Reno.

Policies

What is your cancellation policy?

We have several cancellation policies that vary based on when the cancellation is placed. The policies have been outlined below for your reference.

If you need to cancel your order but plan to reschedule for an unknown date in the future please review our "Pending" policy for additional options.

Standard Order Cancellation: A $50 cancellation fee per order is required for all orders that are booked and confirmed, regardless of when the order is canceled. Cancellation requests submitted within 24 hours of scheduled service are responsible for the 'No Show Fee' in addition to the $50 cancellation fee.. The $50.00 fee will be subtracted from your original deposit amount and the remaining balance will be payed to you by check within 7-10 business days.

"Pending" Status - Short Term Cancel: If your situation has changed and you are no longer sure of your moving dates or destination you may opt to move your reservation to pending status. This will cancel your current order(s) and allow them to be rescheduled at any time within twelve months without penalty. Orders can be rescheduled at any location in the country, it is not tied to your original location. For example, if you originally scheduled your moving crew for Richmond, Virginia but instead decide to move to Houston, Texas you may still utilize the same order.

Same Day Cancellation: See "No Show Fee" below.

No Show Fee: Cancellation requests submitted within 24 hours of your scheduled service are responsible for a $150.00 'No Show Fee' in addition to the $50 cancellation fee. This fee will be charged to your credit card on file per our terms and conditions.

What is your reschedule policy?

We will gladly reschedule reservations, however reschedules are subject to time and date availability. There are no fees for rescheduling assuming the request is received in a reasonable time period, this is generally considered 24 hours. We have outlined our cancellation and rescheduling options above for special situations. (See Cancellation Policy).

If your relocation plans have changed we offer the ability to place your active reservation into pending status. Pending status provides you with up to one year to reschedule your reservation without any fees.

If you have a freight trailer or mobile storage unit that has a delivery window we will work with you to accommodate the unknown delivery window. Read More

What is your short notice/last minute policy?

Our goal is to provide professional moving services to all of our customers, regardless of when they book. We do not have an additional surcharge for short notice moves, however, we request as much notice as possible. If your requested service date is within 48 hours it is recommended that you contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303.

To help avoid the need for movers at the last minute check out our short notice moving tips.

What is your piano policy?

We have no additional fees to move pianos, however, we do have crew size requirements and restrictions. Please ensure that you select the appropriate crew size based on your type of piano.

Electric Piano: Most electric pianos are smaller and weigh less than traditional pianos, therefore we usually do not require a 3-Man Crew to move them. However, if the electric piano exceeds 250lbs or must be moved down multiple flights of stairs the upright piano policy (detailed below) would apply.

Standard Upright/Spinet/Console: Although heavy, a small upright piano generally does not weigh more than 350lbs. For these pianos we require a minimum of 3 Movers and allow up to 2 entry steps. However, if more than 2 steps/stairs are involved we require a minimum of 4 Movers.

Over-Sized Upright Piano: Larger versions of upright pianos, generally referred to as "over-sized", require 4 Movers for ground floor movement. If stairs are involved please contact us so we can assess your specific situation.

The best way to determine if you have a standard upright piano or over-sized is to measure the height. If your piano height measures 43" or less you have a standard upright.

Baby Grand and Grand Pianos: Because we are not a piano moving company we typically do not move baby grand or grand pianos. We will make an exception for these piano types if the piano has been broken down and crated prior to our arrival. Depending on the weight and location of each crate we will likely still require a minimum of three or four movers. If your piano has not been dis-assembled and crated we recommend hiring a piano moving company. We can provide a quote for this service if you complete our specialty service request. Quoted services through this program are performed by companies that specialize in baby grand and grand piano movement.

Please remember to consider all variables of your move. Account for long carries, stairwell landings, narrow doors, etc when making your crew selection.

What are the details of your insurance?

We have created an in depth review of the coverage provided by our company called "Your Rights and Responsibilities". We highly recommend reviewing this segment in its entirety.

Will the movers drive my rental truck?

If you are moving locally (within the same city or metropolitan area), we can drive your rental truck for no additional charge. However, the following criteria must be met:

  1. Customer must purchase the liability and physical damage coverage from the truck rental provider.
  2. Our mover must be added to the contract as an authorized driver. This means that our movers must meet you at the truck rental location.

The requirements outlined are necessary to ensure that the insurance waivers are valid. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your purchased coverage becoming invalid.
It is important to note that the billable time for your move does begin on our arrival at the truck rental location. If you need a driver for your local move please let us know ahead of time so we can staff the order correctly.

What if I have items over 250lbs?

When an individual item exceeds 250lbs we typically require a minimum of three movers. If the item is excessively heavy and exceeds 400lbs we require a minimum of four movers. Your on site access conditions, such as stairs and long carries, are also factors that we take into consideration. If you have a piano please review our piano policy. If you are unsure if your item is considered heavy please review the FAQ below, submit a quote request or contact us to inquire.

If you have an existing reservation and need to add additional movers to accommodate heavy items please contact us.

How do I know if my items are over 250lbs?

There are several items that are almost always over 250lbs, such as pianos, pool tables, gun safes and side-by-side refrigerators. However, there are many other furniture items that can easily exceed 250lbs. Furniture made of dense wood, such as oak and maple, can make almost any piece of furniture heavy. Newer items, with the exception of washers and dryers, tend to be lighter than their outdated counterparts. For example, flat screen TV's are much lighter than traditional tube and projection televisions.

Other items that are typically considered heavy include gym equipment, over-sized armoires, executive desks, marble top furniture and granite top furniture. When in doubt we highly recommend researching the weight by the item model number or manufacturer. If you cannot determine the weight we recommend opting for a 3-Man or 4-Man Crew. A larger crew will prevent delays on your move date if the item is not movable by two movers and will ensure that your items are moved safely and without damage.

Do you provide washer and dryer hookup and are there any limitations?

Yes, Elite Moving Labor will provide service for washers and dryers however we do have a few limitations. All appliances must be electric, we will not provide this service to any gas appliances. Request a quote for gas appliance connecting or disconnecting through our specialty move program.

Front load washers must have four transit bolts which came with the appliance, these bolts are necessary for proper movement and transit. A front load washer with the transit bolts installed will look like this.

Can I keep clothes in my dresser drawers?

Yes, you can leave your clothes in your dresser drawers to conserve space. Depending on the weight and stability of the dresser it may be necessary to remove the drawers before moving the dresser and then replace them once the dresser is on the truck or storage unit.

What if my truck breaks down or my truck/unit doesn't arrive on time?

From time to time we see issues with truck rentals breaking down, freight trucks being delayed or storage units not being delivered on time. There are many variables that go into how we handle these situations, the most important is when you notify us. If you provide notification within a reasonable time period (generally five hours or more), then we will simply reschedule the order (See our Reschedule Policy).

If notification of the breakdown or delay is received after the crew has been dispatched the customer is still responsible for the No Show Fee in addition to the cancellation fee, assuming the order is not rescheduled.

We understand that the delay may be completely out of your control however we still must pay our movers for these scheduled orders. You may want to inquire with the transportation company about reimbursement for the fees charged if the delay was solely their fault.

Can I reserve one mover?

Due to insurance limitations we cannot staff a single mover. At this time the smallest crew size we offer is two movers.


Online Reservation & Quote Questions

When I place my order online, how much is charged?

Based on the selections you made, your card will be charged the deposit amount for your crew selection. If you reserved more than one crew then the charge will be the sum of both deposits. Deposit amounts are subtracted from the total amount due, your confirmation email will outline the rates, deposit amount and total balance that remains.

Deposit amounts by crew size:

2 Movers / 2-Hour Minimum: $49 Deposit
2 Movers / 3-Hour Minimum: $69 Deposit
3 Movers / 2-Hour Minimum: $95 Deposit
3 Movers / 3-Hour Minimum: $99 Deposit
4 Movers / 2-Hour Minimum: $100 Deposit
4 Movers / 3-Hour Minimum: $99 Deposit

How do I use promotional codes when booking online?

To use a promotional code simply enter the applicable code in the "Billing" section marked "Promotional Code". Our system will not automatically recognize discount codes but it will be verified before processing your order and applied to your rate.

Some of our promotional codes apply to very specific geographic regions, please make sure that the code you use is applicable to your service area.

When is my card charged?

Our current online order form is not a live transaction, this means that your card is not charged when you submit your order. Upon receipt of your order we will verify crew availability and if your location requires a travel fee. In most cases we will have a crew available and you will not be required to pay a travel fee. When this occurs we will then charge your card for the deposit amount, process your order and provide you with a confirmation email.

If we do not have availability for your requested date/time or if your order requires a travel fee, we will contact you immediately to provide you with this information. If a travel fee is required your approval will be required before processing your order. In the event that we cannot accommodate your availability request or you do not approve of the travel charge your card will not be charged and you will not incur any fees.

What if I do not know some of the required information?

If you are missing items that are required by our online form simply enter the word "Unknown" and continue with the form. Some fields will require numeric entries (e.g. Zip Code), for those entries you can enter "0".

Please note in the comments section why you have skipped the required data and when you will provide it to us.

Can I use a different payment method for the balance?

Absolutely. The card entered during the order process is only used for the deposit amount and is not billed for the balance of the move. At the completion of your move you will have the option of using the same card by completing a credit card authorization form. You can also use a different card or pay by cash and check.

Is the order form secure?

Yes, our online order form is SSL secure. If you do not see a blue highlight or lock on your address bar simply type "https://www.elitemovinglabor.com/reserve". The "https" constitutes a secure connection and your web address bar should confirm the connection.

What if I do not have an email address?

Our online order form requires an email for several reasons, notably to provide you with a confirmation as well as to prevent spam. If you would like to reserve service online without an email, enter a generic address into the email field. For example, " This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " would work, since our order form will see that the email entered is in a valid format. Make sure you put a comment into the "Special Instructions" area regarding how you would like to receive a confirmation. We can provide one by fax, phone or postal mail.

I received an error that my email address is not valid

Our online reservation form validates your email through a syntax, basically looking for the correct email format, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Although uncommon, we have experienced errors with emails such as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have received an error but your email is formatted correctly please do the following:

  • Enter a simple but false email address to allow you to move forward with the booking. If the error occured using a similar email as listed above, shorten it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  • On the second page of the booking process, locate the "Special Instructions" box and enter your correct email.
  • Upon your order submission, we will override the initial entry and add your correct email address.
I have an existing quote, can I reserve service online?

Absolutely. It's important to note, however, that our quoting system and reservation system are not yet fully integrated so your existing quote data will not populate when completing an online reservation. Yes, we know this can be confusing and we are working diligently to integrate the two systems (we promise!).

Although you will be required to provide information we already have, rest assured that your online reservation and existing quote will be matched up by our very capable (and good looking, I might add) staff. If necessary your reservation will be adjusted to match the rates you were quoted.

Need help? Contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303 for assistance with making your reservation.

What move method should I choose?

Our software is designed to ask you follow up questions based on some of your selections, therefore, it is important that you choose the correct move method when making a reservation. To help you make the correct decision we have defined the most common move methods below. You can learn more about each option by clicking the appropriate link.

Truck Rental: A rented moving truck typically from a national rental company. The three largest and most common rental truck agencies are Penske, Budget and U-Haul. Rental trucks sizes vary from company to company, but the smallest rental truck size is 10' while the largest is 26'.

Portable Storage: Often referred to as a "pod", portable storage units are typically delivered to your home for loading and then stored or moved by the portable storage company. There are many portable storage companies, each with their own unit sizes. However, the most common storage unit sizes are 8', 12' and 16'.

Freight: Almost always used for long distance moves, the term "freight" typically refers to a 'You Load, We Drive' service. These services provide transportation only and allow you to reserve a specific amount of space based on your needs.

International Container: Used for international moves and sometimes also referred to as a sea container. These containers only come in two sizes, 20' and 40'.

U-Haul Trailer: A tow-behind trailer for small moves. U-Haul is currently the only company that provides these types of trailers nationwide.

Cargo Van: An enclosed van made specifically for very small moves. A cargo van is not a box truck, therefore you should select "Truck Rental" if you have a 10' or larger moving van.

Other: If your transportation method does not fall into one of our listed categories you should select this option. "Other" is commonly used as a selection when the move method is a personal vehicle or trailer.

Undecided: If you have not yet determined which move method you plan to use select this option. To help us get an idea of the size of your move please indicate how many feet you would anticipate using in either a truck rental or freight trailer.

Not Applicable: Select this option if you do not have a transportation method. This would be the correct selection for someone completing an on-site move, furniture move or packing.

What moving service(s) should I choose?

Loading: This service is for customers needing assistance moving their items into a truck, portable storage unit, freight trailer, etc. The items are already packed and ready to be loaded by our movers.

Unloading: Movers will unload (remove) all your items from your rental truck, portable storage unit, etc. We place your items into your home in the correct rooms.

Packing: Movers pack boxes and help you prepare for your actual move.

On-Site Move: Moves completed within the same apartment complex or moving into another floor/unit within the same building. No truck is needed due to the proximity of the locations.

Furniture Movement: Furniture moved to another floor or room in the existing home or office. This service would include staging, rearranging of furniture, and moving items into your garage or basement.

What is a local move?

A move is considered to be local if the following criteria are met:

  • The move begins (origin) and ends (destination) within the same metropolitan area. There should be no more than 50 miles between the two locations.
  • Both locations will be serviced on the same day by the same crew.
  • The move is continuously billed from beginning to end.
What location type should I choose?

Single Family: A detached home typically with at least two floors, few (if any) entry steps and often times a garage.

Town Home: A tall, narrow home built within a group of other town homes. Town homes generally have three or more floors.

Ranch: A single level detached home with few (if any) internal stairs. A ranch home may or may not have a basement.

Duplex: An apartments with separate entrances for two or more families. Duplexes commonly have four or less individual apartments and rarely exceed two levels.

Apartment: A single residential unit within a larger complex or building. In terms of access, a condo is also considered an apartment.
If you choose "Apartment" you will be prompted with additional questions about the access conditions. Be sure to accurately indicate if your location is accessible by stairs or elevator.

Self Storage: A traditional storage location such as Public Storage.

Office: A commercial or retail location.

Other: A location which does not apply to the predefined options.

I made a reservation but have not received a confirmation email, what do I do?

Our system automatically generates a confirmation email for each scheduled reservation once it has been processed. There are three possible reasons why you may not have received a confirmation email, each reason is explained below.

Spam/Junk Folder: Although we have several advanced features in place to prevent this from happening, some email programs and ISP's can mistake important messages for junk mail and automatically put them in your bulk or junk folder. To ensure the e-mails you've requested are delivered to your inbox, add our e-mail address to your address book or safe list. Email correspondence from us will usually be sent from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Reservation is in Queue: All reservations submitted online are immediately queued for review and scheduling by EML staff. If a reservation is placed after hours it will not be processed until the next business day. A confirmation email will only be sent once the reservation has been processed.

Incorrect Email: From time to time we find that email addresses are incorrectly entered, this will cause the confirmation email to fail. It is imperative to double check the email address you enter when making a reservation online.

If you believe that you should have received a confirmation email or would like to confirm the spelling of your email address please contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303.

Which option best describes your move needs?

Our intuitive quote form is designed to ask questions based on your selections. Because of this it is imperative that you accurately answer each question.

I am moving and need help packing, loading, and/or unloading: Select this option if you are moving to/from any location that is not within your existing home or building. Follow up questions will allow you to enter information for local and long distance scenarios as well as a single location. You should always select this option if you have any type of transportation method (e.g. truck rental, portable storage, etc).

I need help moving furniture or other items within my existing home or office: This option should be selected if you are completing an on-site move within your existing complex or building. You will also select this option if you are moving furniture within your existing home.

I need help with an event setup or have other special moving labor needs: Select this option if you have a special event or require moving labor services for a situation that is unique and not otherwise covered by the previous two selections.

Do you provide a visual survey before issuing a quote?

No, this is typically not necessary for moving labor services. A visual survey is most commonly provided by a full service moving company before issuing a quote for a long distance move. A visual survey is completed in these situations to help the estimator gather necessary information for the quote, notably the weight of the shipment.

Because Elite Moving Labor does not engage in transporting and does not provide the moving truck it is not necessary for us to inspect the premises first. Additionally, our services are billed hourly whereas full service movers may be required to quote a flat rate for a long distance move.