United Movers Transportation

Moving FAQ — United Movers Transportation

Straight pricing and scheduling questions Tacoma customers ask before they book, answered plainly

Straight answers
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The questions our Tacoma office hears most, answered straight.
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How much does a move with United Movers Transportation cost?

It depends on the size of the move, how far it’s going, and whether you want us to pack. Local Pierce County moves are typically priced by crew size and hours; long-distance runs are priced by weight and distance. We’ll walk through your specifics on the quote page and give you a real number, not a range that turns into something else on moving day.

Do you require a deposit?

For most local moves, no deposit is needed — you pay when the job’s done. Long-distance moves and larger jobs (full-home packing, multi-day interim storage) usually require a deposit to hold your date, especially during our busy summer months. Our office will tell you the exact amount before you commit to anything.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. We hold a household-goods carrier permit for in-state moves and carry the required federal authority for interstate runs, and we’re insured with $1M in cargo coverage. Ask our office for details if you’d like to see our authority on file before booking.

Do you offer storage if my move dates don’t line up?

Yes — see our interim storage page. It’s common in Tacoma’s rental market for a move-out date and move-in date to miss each other by a week or two. We can hold your belongings for a short stretch and deliver on your new schedule.

What areas do you actually cover?

Tacoma and the rest of Pierce County, including Lakewood, Puyallup, Federal Way, University Place, and Gig Harbor. See the full breakdown on our service areas page.

What happens on moving day?

Our crew arrives in the window we confirmed the day before, walks the property with you, and gets to work — furniture wrapped, boxes labeled and loaded in an order that makes sense for unloading. You don’t need to hover over us, but we’ll always ask before we make a judgment call on something fragile or unusual.

Can you pack everything, or just move boxes I’ve already packed?

Both. Our full-home packing service covers the entire house if you’d rather not spend a weekend wrapping glassware. Plenty of customers pack the basics themselves and let us handle the breakables and furniture — either way works.

Do you move pianos and gun safes?

Yes, that’s a specialty for us. Our piano moving and safe and heavy-item moving pages cover it in more detail — these jobs need specific equipment and a crew that’s done it before, not just extra hands.

How far in advance should I book?

For local moves, a few days’ notice is usually enough, though summer weekends fill fast. Long-distance moves and full-pack jobs benefit from two to three weeks’ lead time so we can lock in a truck and crew. If you’re in a bind, call our Tacoma office anyway — we can often work something in.

What’s not covered by your cargo insurance?

Our $1M cargo policy covers standard household goods in transit. Extremely high-value items (fine art, collectibles, large cash or jewelry) may need separate coverage — ask our office and we’ll walk you through what makes sense for your situation.

Is United Movers Transportation a licensed and insured mover?
Yes. We hold a Washington household-goods carrier permit, and we carry US DOT and MC authority for interstate runs. Every job also carries $1M in cargo coverage.
How is your pricing structured?
Local hourly jobs are priced by crew size and time, with a flat not-to-exceed option available. Long-distance runs are priced by weight and distance, with a written quote before you book.
Do you provide a written flat-rate quote?
Yes. We walk your inventory by phone or video, then send a written number before booking — the figure on the quote is the figure on the invoice.
Can you clear my building certificate-of-insurance paperwork before move day?
Yes. Priya Anand handles certificate of insurance requests directly with your building management and gets it cleared before crew day, not the morning of.
Do you book freight elevators in advance?
Yes. Tomas Reyes confirms the freight-elevator window with your building manager and schedules the crew straight to that slot.
Do you handle walk-up buildings?
Regularly. Walk-ups without an elevator are common around downtown Tacoma and the Stadium District, and our crews are built for stair carries, not just elevators.
Do you offer storage if my closing date shifts?
Yes. We hold your load in climate-controlled storage on a month-to-month basis with no long-term commitment required.
How much is the deposit to book?
A flat deposit secures your date and crew size for larger or long-distance jobs, and it applies directly to your final invoice. Most local moves need no deposit at all.
What areas do you cover for long-distance moves?
We run Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Boise, and San Francisco regularly, plus other corridors on request, all on our own federal authority.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours’ notice and your deposit carries forward to a new date at no charge.
Do you move pianos and gun safes?
Yes. Wyatt Sorensen’s crew specializes in both, using skid boards and rigging gear built for stairwells and tight turns.
Is tipping expected?
It’s appreciated but never required or added to your invoice. Many customers tip crew leads directly for a job well done.
Do you move on weekends?
Yes, our crews work Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm, including busy end-of-month weekends.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks is typical, though we can often accommodate shorter notice — call our Tacoma office to check crew availability for your date.

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