Everything You Need to Know Before Booking Your Move
Every move comes with questions — whether you’re relocating a home, transitioning between apartments, or moving a business. This FAQ page gives clear and honest answers to the most common questions we receive across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. At Envelop by McClain, we operate with a premium service model, fully licensed and insured crews, and a commitment to delivering a stress-free moving experience from start to finish. If you don’t see your question here, our team is always available to help you plan with confidence.
General Questions
This section covers the core details most customers want to understand first: where we operate, the type of moves we handle, and how our company is structured from a licensing and compliance standpoint. These questions help set expectations before moving into the specifics of pricing and scheduling.
1. What areas do you service?
We provide local moving services throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, along with long-distance moving anywhere in the continental United States. Local moves are typically completed same-day, while long-distance moves involve advance planning to coordinate timing, routing, and the resources needed to complete the job safely and efficiently. You can view a detailed list of our service coverage on our Service Areas page.
2. Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We operate under USDOT 4446747 and MC 1751721, and we maintain general liability, cargo insurance, commercial auto coverage, workers’ compensation, and umbrella protection. This ensures that your move is performed within federal and state regulations and that your property is handled under proper coverage from start to finish.
3. Do you provide commercial or office moving services?
Yes. We handle a wide range of commercial moves, including office relocations, small business transitions, and equipment moves. These jobs often involve additional planning—such as coordinating with building management, scheduling around business hours, and managing elevators or loading docks—so we gather the necessary details in advance to keep the process organized. Our goal is to complete the move efficiently while minimizing disruption to your operations. More information is available on our Commercial Moving page.
Pricing & Estimates
Pricing is one of the most common areas customers want clarity on. This section explains how our rates work for local and long-distance moves, why estimates are structured the way they are, and what factors influence the final cost. The goal is to make our tariff-driven pricing easy to understand.
How do you price local moves?
Local moves are billed using a straightforward hourly structure based on crew size. A standard crew includes two professional movers and a fully equipped moving truck at $175 per hour, with a 2-hour minimum. Additional movers can be added for $75 per hour, which often improves efficiency and reduces overall job time.
All local moves include protective materials such as blankets and shrink wrap, basic disassembly/reassembly, and the equipment needed to move items safely. Billing is calculated in 30-minute increments after the minimum, so you only pay for the actual time required.
A travel fee may apply depending on the distance from our dispatch location to your pickup address (round-trip mileage). Moves within 30 miles round trip have no travel fee. Beyond that, tiered travel fees or mileage charges apply.
You can review our complete structure on our Local Moving pricing page.
How do you price long-distance moves?
Interstate moves are priced using a weight-and-distance formula, supported by tiered minimums to ensure predictable, transparent pricing. Whenever possible, shipment weight is verified using certified scale tickets; otherwise, constructive weight is calculated using industry standards. Mileage is measured one-way using the most direct, truck-accessible route.
Your final price is based on:
Shipment weight (actual or calculated)
One-way mileage between pickup and delivery
The tier your move falls into, which sets the minimum charge
Any additional stops, specialty items, or required access services
This structure allows us to quote accurately while ensuring your move has the crew, equipment, and time it requires for safe transport.
More details are available on our Long-Distance Moving page.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes we require a deposit for all moves. Standard Moves or moves booked within 72 hours or more in advance require a 25% deposit. Emergency or last minute moves booked within 48 hours or less in advance require a 50% deposit.
Why do you provide a range instead of a single price for estimates?
A range is more accurate before a walkthrough. It accounts for variables such as access conditions, staircases, elevators, furniture volume, and packing requirements. Your final estimate becomes precise after a virtual or in-person walkthrough to ensure the plan is accurate and predictable.
What’s Included
Here we outline the materials, equipment, and services that come standard with every move. Knowing what’s included helps customers plan their packing, prepare their home, and avoid unexpected costs. It also clarifies how we protect and handle items throughout the job.
What protective materials are included in your standard rate?
We provide moving blankets, shrink wrap, mattress covers for larger beds, dollies, straps, and the tools required to protect and transport your items safely. These materials are applied before anything is moved or loaded.
You can see a detailed outline of included services on our What’s Included page.
Do you handle disassembly and reassembly?
Yes. Standard furniture such as beds, tables, and mirrors can be disassembled and reassembled as part of the hourly rate. Any special tools or unique hardware needs are confirmed during the walkthrough so the crew arrives prepared.
Are packing supplies included?
Boxes and other packing materials are not automatically included but can be provided upon request. For details on packing options, visit our Packing Services page.
Scheduling & Move Day
This section explains how arrival windows are set, what customers can do to prepare, and how communication works on the day of the move. Understanding these details helps ensure the move stays organized, efficient, and predictable from start to finish.
How should I prepare for moving day?
Packing loose items, labeling boxes, clearing pathways, and confirming parking or elevator access helps the crew work steadily and stay on schedule. We provide a simple preparation guide as well as helpful moving articles on our Resources page.
Do I need to be present during the move?
Yes. You or a designated representative should be available to provide access, confirm inventory, and answer questions as needed. This helps avoid delays and ensures decisions can be made immediately when necessary.
What if my building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
We can provide a COI upon request. Many apartment and commercial buildings require one prior to move day. You can request a COI when discussing your move with a representative.
How does scheduling work?
We schedule moves using a 1–2 hour arrival window, based on availability and your preferred move date. Once your move is confirmed, we keep you updated throughout the day as your window approaches. On the day of your move, you’ll receive a notification when the crew is on the way, along with an exact ETA so you know precisely when to expect them.
Valuation, Damages & Claims
Valuation determines how items are covered during a move. This section breaks down the available options, how coverage works, and what to expect if something needs to be documented or reviewed. It gives customers a clear understanding of how claims are handled.
What if something is damaged during the move?
All moves include standard valuation at $0.60 per pound per item, which is the industry minimum. Premium valuation is available for customers who want broader protection, billed at $25 per $1,000 of declared value with a $150 minimum.
Visit our Official Tariff for more details on coverage and valuation.
How are claims handled?
Claims are processed through MovingClaims.net, an independent arbitration provider. This ensures fairness and compliance with federal regulations.
Specialty Items
Some items require additional planning, equipment, or handling. This section outlines what qualifies as a specialty item and how these items are priced. The goal is to help customers understand when additional fees apply and what information we need in advance.
Do you move gun safes or other heavy items?
Yes. Safes under 300 lbs are billed at $185, and safes between 300–500 lbs are billed at $400. These items require advance notice so we can prepare the proper equipment. Additional details are on our Specialty Items page.
Do you move large appliances?
Yes. We move standard appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers. These items have a $115 handling fee each. We do not disconnect gas or water lines. More information can be found on our
Do you move televisions or fragile items?
Yes. Televisions over 60 inches have a $75 handling fee due to their size and sensitivity. Fragile or high-value items needing additional preparation are reviewed during the walkthrough.
Payments & Policies
This section explains accepted payment methods, when payment is due, and how deposits and cancellations work. Clear policies help prevent misunderstandings and ensure customers know what to expect before booking.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, and invoice links.
When is payment due?
A deposit is required upon scheduling and the balance is due upon completion of the move unless alternative arrangements are made in advance.
What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
Deposit requirements depend on how far in advance the move is scheduled:
Standard Bookings: A 25% deposit is required. If the move is canceled more than 72 hours in advance, the deposit is refundable minus a 10% processing fee.
Short-Notice Bookings (within 48 hours): A 50% deposit is required and is non-refundable due to the limited scheduling window.
Same-Day Cancellations or No-Shows: The fee is $250 or 10% of the move total, whichever is greater. This helps cover the reserved crew time and the loss of the booking slot.
Final Note
If you have additional questions or need clarification, our team is available to help you plan your move and review any details in advance