FAQ

Is your company licensed and insured?

Yes, we are fully licensed under the Department of Transportation (DOT# 2005212) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (MC# 707471). Many other companies in this industry are not. You can check here.

We are also fully insured general liability, cargo, auto, workers compensation, and a general umbrella policy. Note that there are some limits on coverage. See our Policies page for more details.

If your building requires adding them to our insurance policy as an “Additional Insured”, please let us know at least 2 weeks ahead of the move date. Most buildings do not require this.

Do you have a minimum?

Yes, we do. Please note that for the vast majority of our jobs we have to charge a minimum. This is noted in the estimates we initially send our clients. This allows us to take on a certain number of moves each day and do them carefully and efficiently and this also helps the movers earn a living wage.

What is your pricing structure and what can I expect to pay?

To get the exact rate we’d charge for your move, as well as a custom estimate of the time it’d take, please fill out our free estimate form. We generally respond back within just a few hours, often a few minutes. We’re pretty obsessive about it.

We keep it simple by charging a flat hourly rate for our services. Anything beyond the move minimum is billed in prorated 15 minute increments to make it as cost effective as possible.

We also charge a truck fee for all moves. This will be noted in your estimate. We work hard to give our clients transparent estimates and no surprise costs.


We consider our rates very fair and competitive. You’ll find some companies out there that charge a lower hourly rate, but not many that also 1. are fully insured and licensed, 2. don’t tack on additional fees (for things like walking distances, flights of stairs) and 3. use a well-experienced and fairly compensated moving crew.

The typical one bedroom apartment takes about 3 hours, however there’s a substantial range, depending on the client’s possessions, how well those possessions are packed up, the length of the walk from apartment to truck, the number of stairs to climb, and more.

During our estimating process (or possibly on moving day if there are unexpected furniture pieces, additional boxes, or unlisted flights of stairs), we’ll also let you know if any other charges would apply. A fairly comprehensive list of extras that might apply is below:

– Extra mover: $30 – 40 per hour, typically (subject to availability, typically happens on moving day)

– Mirror/glass box (30x40) 2 piece: $4 each = $8 total
– Mirror/glass box (40x60) 4 piece: $5 each = $20 total

– TV Box, custom built on moving day: FREE 🙂

– Mattress Bag: $10 to buy

– Plastic shrink wrap $25/roll (typically 1 roll can cover about 3 pieces of furniture)
– Truck Fee (always shown in your original price estimate)


If we’re packing your loose items ahead of a move and you would like us to provide boxes, see our supplies costs below:

– Tape : $4 per roll
– Small box (16x12x12): $4 each
– Medium box (18x18x16): $5 each
– Large box (18x18x24): $6 each

– Dishpack (18x18x28): $9 each

– Ink free newsprint packing paper: $30/bundle

– Thick, protective paper pads: $3/pad
– Wardrobe box (24x24x36): $7 to rent for the move, $20 to buy outright
– TV box (built to fit your tv): Free 🙂


Note: We’ll bring supplies the day of the packing in a 16' truck that will require parking. We do not offer advance deliveries of supplies. We do not offer unpacking of boxes or box removal service. We can offer the name of a professional organizer to help though!

Again, we’ll do our best to let you know if these apply before the time of the move. We work very hard to ensure there are never any surprise fees.

Lastly, in general (except in very extenuating circumstances) we start the clock when we arrive at your starting location, and stop it when the job is done. We bill in quarter-hour increments.

Is there a truck or travel fee?

All labor, packing, and moving jobs will include a truck fee.

We typically charge a truck fee on all jobs (even for labor and packing jobs as the still crew needs a way to get to/from your location with their equipment and materials). This fee helps cover wear, tear and maintenance on our trucks, fuel, and a myriad of other expenses. For locations outside of DC, the truck fee is a bit higher in order to cover the truck and crew traveling out and/or back from locations outside our immediate service area. That cost is unrelated to the time between your “To” and “From” locations, which falls under our hourly rate. Please note that the truck fee for labor jobs has been greatly reduced from the full fee price reflecting the fact that the truck isn't being used as a part of that particular job.

How do you calculate the minimum time and any time beyond it?

Our clock starts when we arrive at your first location and stops when we’re done at your final location. For any time beyond the minimum, we prorate in 15 minute increments.

Do you use temporary day laborers?

Never. We only use full-time, well experienced, and well skilled employees. Many of our movers have done over a thousand moves by now and we consider them the best in the business. Also, all new employees undergo a comprehensive background check and training regimen.

Do the movers work fast, or do they stall to pad the clock?

Our movers work very fast. They are strong and execute efficiently. There is no padding of the clock ever, period.

Will the price in my estimate change on moving day if there are extra stairs, more boxes or longer walks than I thought when I filled out the form?

Our estimate and booking process involves a lot of specific questions to try to get these details as accurate as possible from the beginning. We always handle moves as efficiently as possible, but arriving on moving day to longer walks than anticipated, additional stairs, increased inventory or other challenges such as an unreserved parking space or elevator will add time to the move which can increase the total cost. But any time beyond the move minimum is always prorated in 15 minute increments, and there are no hidden fees for extras like walking distances, number of stairs or boxes.

Do you offer packing services?

Yes, we do offer packing services to clients also scheduling a move with us. When filling out the estimate form let us know you are interested and we’ll provide more information about setting up the service.

I have some things like my antique desk, couch, and a few paintings and mirrors that I want wrapped up for the move. Do I need to schedule packing services for this?

Packing services can be set up when you need our help packing your belongings into boxes. This typically includes items such as cookware, dishware, books, office supplies, clothes, shoes, linens and toiletries, and we would schedule this service on a day prior to your move. Packing services do not include perishable, flammable, or illegal items. But if you just need help wrapping large or delicate items in order to have them transported safely, this is something that is included in our moving services and that your crew can handle on moving day. We have plenty of moving pads and blankets, and also offer some optional materials to offer a little extra protection where you think it's needed.

Do you provide labor-only (no truck) services?

Absolutely — we provide labor-only crews to help with POD and truck load and unloads as well as internal moves within the same building or home. Just select the labor option when filling out your estimate form.

Do you do long distance moves?

Sorry, at this time we are limited to moves within the greater D.C. metro area only. But even if we can’t do your move personally, if you shoot us an email we’d be happy to recommend some other quality long-distance moving companies for you. Having us load a POD or truck for you is also an option.

The areas we serve most often are Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Falls Church, VA; Mclean, VA; Silver Spring, MD; College Park, MD; Takoma Park, MD; Rockville ,MD; and Bethesda, MD. We stay within about a 50 mile radius of Hyattsville, MD.

Can you move my piano?

We try to help with your piano moving needs whenever we can! If you don't have stairs to navigate we can typically help with an upright piano. There is an extra fee for this service, since it is a specialty item that requires expertise and special equipment to safely wrap and transport. If your piano does need to go up or down stairs, or is a piano other than an upright piano, we are happy to refer you to some reputable area companies that specialize in piano moving

I live in a rowhouse with a narrow staircase, and some of my furniture would actually need to be hoisted onto the back deck to get it upstairs. Can you help with this?

For safety and liability reasons, we do not hoist items under any circumstances. We understand that a lot of houses in this area have very tight spaces to navigate and we are very good at carefully maneuvering in these challenging areas with large items! But if it's not possible to get your items up an internal stairwell, we can refer you to companies that specialize in hoisting.

I think it would be easier to tape up my dresser with the clothes still inside so they don't have to be boxed separately. Is it ok to do this?

We always recommend emptying out furniture such as dressers, armoires and filing cabinets. Most furniture pieces aren't designed to be carried while full so it can damage the item. It also makes it easier and safer for the movers to handle, particularly on stairs. Sometimes pieces are able to be carried while full without incident, but generally, emptying furniture works out the best.

All of our beds need to be dis-assembled and then put back together at the new place. Can you help with this?

We can typically help with the dis/reassembly of beds and other furniture items that may need it as part of a move, although we do not offer this a separate service. Some pieces can be quite complex, such as platform or bunk beds, which can make the task pretty time consuming. Letting us know your needs when filling out the estimate form helps us to provide the appropriate time estimate and to ensure we have enough movers assigned for the job.

What about my flat screen TV? Can you take it off the wall mount for me? And it's fragile, so how will you make sure it's protected in the truck?

Although we are not experts, we can handle removing a TV from a wall mount but we are not liable for any damage to the wall, and we do not ever mount a TV. If you don't have the original box for us to pack it in, we typically wrap TV's with moving blankets for transport and tightly secure them in the truck, but if you want extra protection we also have TV boxes (can accommodate up to 80') that we can build for the move at no extra cost.

I need two different pick up locations for my move since some of my boxes and furniture are at my current house and some are in a storage unit. Can you do this for me?

We know that there are many different circumstances that can make it necessary to have multiple stops within the same move, and we can usually accommodate an extra stop as long as the locations are within our service area. Be sure to include all the addresses for the stops you need when filling out the estimate form so we can let you know the cost and our availability to handle this for you.

What types of payments do you accept? Do you require a deposit?

We accept checks, credit cards, and cash. Payment is due at the completion of your move. There is no deposit to book or additional transaction fees to use a credit card!

Do you accept tips?

We do, and they are always very appreciated. There are myriad expenses involved in providing a licensed and insured moving truck and crew, so movers rely on tips as a significant portion of their take-home pay. If you appreciated their work, let them know. Cash is the preferred method for tipping (cash apps are not ideal). Tips added to a credit card or check go 100% to the movers.

Do you have a cancellation fee?

Standard Cancellation Fee Policy!

We wish we didn’t have to, but when clients cancel on short notice it can be difficult to find a replacement move for our crews.

If you cancel or reschedule:

  • within one week, we charge 1 hour’s fee, based on your hourly rate
  • within 48 hours, we charge a 2 hour fee
  • after close of business the night before your move or on the day of your job, we charge the full quoted minimum

All adjustments to your reservation, either rescheduling or canceling, must be requested via email; we absolutely do not accept cancellations via telephone. So please try to do everything in your power to not cancel your move! One thing to check is that your buildings don’t have any move date/time restrictions, or elevator restrictions. These fees do not apply if the rescheduling is due to an Act of God (blizzard, terrorism, collapsed bridges)

How do I book a move with Bookstore Movers?

We thought you’d never ask. Please fill out our free estimate form here!

It’s a good idea to book your move well in advance to ensure you get your desired slot. Weekends at the turn of the month, especially during the warmer months, are very popular. This is especially important if you have limited date/time flexibility.