Frequently Asked Questions

How much? When? Can I? How long? There are many uncertainties about moving. SelfMoves USA will assist you by providing the answers and solutions to your concerns. Following are questions which frequently are heard as families and individuals begin the moving process. You can also call and speak with one of our move coordinators at 1-888-530-5899.

 

IS SELFMOVES USA A MEMBER OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU?
SelfMoves USA is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. You may get a report of SelfMoves USA current standing by visiting the BBB Online. To see what our existing customers have to say about our service, please visit our testimonials page.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO MOVE?
When using services arranged by SelfMoves USA, there are no restrictions or bad time of month or year. We have enhanced the idea of flexibility so that you can have peace of mind and sanity. You choose the day and your quoted price will remain the same – no matter what time of month.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MOVE?
Depending on the mileage length of your move, SelfMoves USA can usually arrange completion of your move within 3-7 business days; however, transit times are not guaranteed. …. In the event you are unable to take delivery within 2 business days after the trailer arrives at the destination terminal, a storage fee of $100 per day will be assessed – unless other arrangements have been in approved in advance and in writing by SelfMoves USA.

IS SELFMOVES USA A HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOTOR CARRIER OR VAN LINE?
No! SelfMoves USA is licensed & bonded with the United States Department of Transportation - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as a Household Goods Moving Broker (MC #450353) - with the means to arrange all aspects of your move in the most cost effective, safest and timely manner possible. SelfMoves USA - through our alliances with America's largest carriers - maintains a vast network of commercial freight trailers which are available in all 48 states.

WILL YOU RENT ME A TRUCK?
No. Our self-service moving process is to arrange for space in a commercial trailer. You can rent a portion or the entire trailer - whatever your moving needs may require.

WHAT SIZE ARE THE "PUP" TRAILERS?
The pup trailers are commercial, Class A 28 feet long semi-trailers with inside dimensions of 8 feet wide and 9 feet tall - which is equivalent in size to a 26' rental truck plus another 10' rental truck. A whole trailer will hold over 2000 cubic feet and 24,000 pounds. Your shipment will be loaded in the front of the trailer and any space left will be used for commercial freight.

WHERE CAN SELFMOVES USA TRANSPORT MY HOUSEHOLD SHIPMENT?
SelfMoves USA can arrange to move your household items between any 2 states (commonly referred to as "Interstate Moves"). SelfMoves USA does not arrange local moves, moves under 250 miles, or moves within the same state (Intrastate Moves).

WHEN SHOULD I CALL SELFMOVES USA TO SCHEDULE MY MOVE?
The earlier you can schedule, the better it is for you and us. We generally require at least 5 business days notice in order to properly complete all the paperwork and to make sure the proper equipment will be available for your use in your origin city.

We would generally require at least 5 business days notice in order to properly complete all paperwork and to make sure a bulkhead will be available for your use in your origin city. But we can work with less time if you are able to complete all paperwork via fax or overnight express. (We are proud to say that we have even completed a reservation with less than 8 hours notice .... Not to say we would like them all to be that way -- but it can be done. )

IS MY SHIPMENT INSURED?
SelfMoves USA has one of the lowest claims ratio in the self service moving industry. In calendar year 2008, 99.2% of SelfMoves USA shipments were handled claim free.

Since this is a self service move and you, as the customer, are responsible for packing and loading of your shipment, SelfMoves USA is only responsible for damage or loss caused by our negligence. Our $15,000 named perils hazard insurance policy is already included in your quote and at no additional cost to you. For further information, please review our insurance liability statement.

HOW MUCH WILL MY MOVE COST?
Transportation charges will depend solely on the amount of space you use in the trailer. The price in your contract is an ALL-INCLUSIVE RATE and covers ALL TRANSPORTATION COSTS for your self-service move including: requested trailer space, normal drop-off and pickup of the trailer, taxes, gas, oil, $15,000 worth of name-perils insurance, the driver, tolls and fuel surcharges. You, as the customer, are only responsible for loading and unloading your household shipment.

WILL SELFMOVES USA PROVIDE A RAMP, DOLLIES, PADS OR PACKING MATERIALS?
SelfMoves USA will only arrange the transportation of the household goods and provide the load bars for your bulkhead wall. Ramps do not come with the trailers but are a rental option in many of our terminals. Ask your sales representative for further details.

You will be responsible for nay boxes, blankets/pads or any other loading equipment to pack and load your shipment. A good option for blankets and/or pads is to visit your local Goodwill/Thrift store and purchase a large quantity of them (usually for $1 or less for each). Once your move is completed, donate the blankets back to the Goodwill/Thrift store in your new location and take the tax write-off for the donation.

If a ramp is not available in your area, Many local equipment rental stores offers ramps and dollies for rent on a daily basis.

WHERE CAN SELFMOVES USA PARK MY TRAILER?
Our professional, uniformed, licensed and insured driver can park the trailer either in your driveway or on the street in front of your house. The trailer requires a 14 foot height clearance (make sure there are no low hanging wires or tree limbs). It is your responsibility to ensure that it’s a clear path to getting a trailer down your street - and – and that parking a trailer in your neighborhood is not against city or local ordinances. If the trailer is ticketed or towed for any parking violations, the fee will be added to your freight bill.

WHAT TIME OF DAY WILL MY TRAILER BE DELIVERED OR PICKED UP?
Appointments for delivery and pick up of the trailers are usually scheduled for a window of time and SelfMoves USA will provide you with the estimated window of time one [1] business day before your move. This window of time is only an estimate – based on trailer and driver availability on the day of your move. A trailer will be provided on the date you choose, but the time is estimated and not guaranteed.

WHAT IF I DON'T USE THE CONTRACTED SPACE OR NEED ADDITIONAL SPACE?
You only pay for the space you actually use on the trailer (unless you decide to sign a "volume" or "full-pup" exclusive trailer contract). If you find you need additional space on the day of loading - no problem. Go ahead and use whatever extra space you need on the trailer and SelfMoves USA will bill you for the additional space (based on the per foot fee listed in your contract).

If you find that you used less space than originally contracted for - SelfMoves USA will gladly adjust the price and charge you only for the space used. NOTE: Not all shipments have a refund policy provided for less space used on trailer. Be sure to read your contract to see if you are eligible.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL SELFMOVES USA ALLOW FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING?
You are typically allowed 2-3 business days at both the origin and destination to load/unload your household shipment. The weekends are free and not counted in the 2-3 day limit. If you should find yourself needing more time, let your SelfMoves USA sales representative know, and it will be arranged with the local terminal.

WILL THERE BE OTHER HOUSEHOLD SHIPMENTS ON MY TRAILER?
Your shipment will be the only household goods on the trailer. With any space that is left on the trailer, the terminal will be loading commercial freight behind your shipment - which will be done at the local terminal while under 24-hour supervision of the terminal personnel.

ONCE MY SHIPMENT IS UNDERWAY, HOW DO I TRACE IT?
You will have two options available for you. The first option is you may call our office during normal business hours and any sales representative will be happy to trace your shipment in a matter of seconds. The second option is you may trace the shipment online. SelfMoves USA will send you an email the day after your trailer is picked up in you loading city with the Internet address and shipping number (commonly referred to as PRO number) which will allow you to trace your shipment 24 hours per day – at your convenience.

DOES SELFMOVES USA SHIP OR TOW CARS?
SelfMoves USA does not directly handle cars on the same trailer as your household goods. If you are interested in shipping a car, please refer to our Auto Quote page to receive a free, instant quote from one our auto transportation affiliates

HOW AND WHEN SHOULD I PAY FOR THE MOVE?
Our normal company policy is that your move be paid in full (via credit card or cashiers check, money order or direct deposit into our bank) prior to delivery of your trailer at your new destination drop-off address.

DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
Unlike other companies, we normally DO NOT require a deposit. The exception to this policy is if you are scheduling a move with less than 5 business days notice. In that case, we require a non-refundable deposit of $200 (via credit card or bank deposit) to hold your reservation. This deposit is applied to your final bill.

For all other contracts, a cancellation fee of $100 will apply if you cancel your move within 5 business days of your move date. A cancellation fee of $200 will apply if you cancel the day before or on the actual day of your move. There is no fee to move the loading date of your shipment.

CAN SELFMOVES USA PROVIDE SERVICES FOR LARGE HOUSEHOLD MOVES?
SelfMoves USA can arrange service for any size move you may have - whether is be a single room or 20 rooms in your house. If your shipment will not fit in the standard 28' pup trailer, we can arrange to provide two (2) pup trailers (for a total of 56' of space) that will hold up to 40,000 pounds and provides over 4000 cubic feet of space.

CAN SELFMOVES USA PROVIDE LOADING OR UNLOADING SERVICES?
At the present time, SelfMoves USA does not directly provide loading or unloading services, but we have affiliated with Moving-Staffers to provide you top-notch professional loading and/or unloading services. To obtain a free rate, please refer to our Moving Labor page.

For more information please visit our moving blog, or our question and answer section.