What Should I Do About My Valuable Items?

Ask your moving team for a “High-Value” items inventory sheet. Use it to list anything worth $1000 or more. If you have items of extreme value, be sure to have them appraised and provide our driver with a copy of the appraisal. This will make filing a claim for loss or damage easier and lets the packers and movers know you have items of value that must be carefully packed. If a different team is unloading your belongings in your new home be sure they also have a copy of the inventory. This way should anything come up missing or damaged, the detailed inventory will make it far easier for your Richmond movers to try and locate the items or pay for their repair or replacement.

There Are Any Items That Your Protection Policy Does Not Cover?

Coin/ stamp/ card collections/ currency/ money. Appraisals/ Deeds/ Legal Documents/ Manuscripts/ Passports. Computer Backup Disks/ Software Licenses. Negotiable Instruments/ Receipts/ Stocks/ Bonds/ Tax Records. Jewelry/ Precious Stones/ Medications.

Are There Things We Can Do to Help Keep Our Moving Costs Down?

Decluttering, if you don’t use it or its broken get rid of it.Heavy furniture like pool tables and pianos should be sold, offered as part of your home sale, or offered to the new owner. Check to see if you can get a refund on any unused portion of your homeowners’ insurance or see if the balance can be transferred to your new house.Use garages sales, family, friends, and charities to dispose of usable items.Never ship things like lumber, wood, lawn and garden supplies, paints, any types of chemicals, or gasoline. Most are on the Do Not Ship list and the rest are just more dead weight. If it won’t fit in your new home, why ship it and pay for storage. Copy CDs/DVDs onto your computers and sell them. Don’t ship heavy garage/shop furniture. Use large planters to pack small things. Any deposits you are owed should be collected before you move. Same for any club memberships or dues.

Can I Deduct the Cost of Moving On My Taxes?

As your Richmond movers, we recommend you talk to a tax accountant or specialist to confirm what you may or may not be able to deduct. However, there are a few common costs that can be deducted in most instances such as: Packing, shipping/transportation, and unpacking. Shipping your car. Hotel expenses during the trip to your new home. Moving your pets. Many other deductions will be based on the reason you are moving, including: You are moving to start a new job. You will be employed full-time for at least 39 weeks during your first year in your new home. Moving because you are in the military or you are moving to another country because of work. Self-employed must work at least 39 weeks of year one and a total of 72 weeks during the first two years. Your new job must be at least fifty miles away from your old home and closer to your new one.

Are There Things I Need to Take Care of Before Moving Day Arrives?

Unhook and disconnect all appliances and electronics, mark cables for ease of reassembly. Clean and dry dishes to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Remove ink/toner cartridges to prevent leaks (this type of damage is not covered). Backup your computer files onto discs, the cloud, or an external hard drive. Clean and dry all appliances, water can freeze and cause serious damage. Remove any CDs or DVDs from electronics to prevent warpage that can lead to damage. Hang and fold your clothes, the packers won’t do this.

Are There Any Reservations I Need to Make?

If you are moving out of an apartment building, you may need to: Make sure there is room in the parking lot as many local moving companies use a truck that measures 75 feet long. If parking permits are needed, you may need to be the one to secure them. Reserving the freight elevator if there is one, or the main one if not to make things easier for the movers.

What Should I Leave Until the Last Minute Before My Richmond Movers Arrive?

Clean all perishables from the fridge and freezer, your grill, garbage cans, and unhook garden hoses. Get rid of anything you don’t plan to ship so you are paying to ship these items. Remove bedding from all mattresses. Remove loose items, liquids, and anything fragile from dresser drawers. Strip the walls of paintings, photos, mirrors, and window treatments. Pack your travel suitcases and keep them in a separate place to avoid the local moving companies putting them in boxes and on the truck. Leave all boxes you have packed unsealed for the movers to verify you aren’t shipping anything you shouldn’t be.

Virginia Moving Permits & Regulations

Posted on: Thursday, April 9th, 2026

Most residential moves in Virginia do not require a permit. The licensing requirements apply to the moving companies performing the work, not the individuals hiring them. Working with a licensed moving company that holds the correct credentials for your specific move type protects you under both state and federal regulatory frameworks.

Understanding how that system works helps you verify that the company you hire is operating legally before you sign anything. Here is what you need to know.

Do You Need a Permit to Move in Virginia?

As an individual, you generally do not need a permit to move within Virginia. The licensing obligations fall on the moving company, not the customer.

If you are moving into a building with restricted access, such as a high-rise or a property governed by an HOA, the building or association may require a certificate of insurance from the moving company before allowing access on move day. Confirm this with your building management or HOA before scheduling,g so there are no delays.

What Licensing Does a Moving Company Need in Virginia?

Any moving company operating commercially in Virginia must hold specific credentials depending on the type of move being performed. For intrastate moves that begin and end within Virginia, the company needs a Virginia intrastate authority filed with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and must comply with the Virginia Movers and Warehousemen Association tariff, which governs how intrastate moves are priced.

For interstate moves that cross state lines, the company needs a US DOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Interstate Motor Carrier Authority, known as an MC number, which is separate from the DOT number. A company operating without these credentials is not legally permitted to perform the work. You can verify any carrier’s credentials at the FMCSA SaferSys database.

What Is the Virginia Movers and Warehousemen Association Tariff?

The Virginia Movers and Warehousemen Association tariff is a filed rate schedule that governs how intrastate moves are priced in Virginia. An intrastate move is one that originates and ends within the state but travels more than 30 miles.

Under the tariff, intrastate moves are priced based on the weight of the shipment and the distance traveled. This rate structure is filed with the Virginia DMV, meaning it is not arbitrary. A licensed carrier operating intrastate in Virginia must follow this tariff on every qualifying move.

What Is the Difference Between a Local, Intrastate, and Interstate Move in Virginia?

A local move covers under 30 miles from the origin, is priced hourly based on crew size, and is governed by the terms of the moving contract. An intrastate move covers more than 30 miles but stays within Virginia, is priced by weight and distance under the VMWA tariff, and requires Virginia intrastate authority.

An interstate move crosses state lines, is priced by weight and mileage, and is governed by federal FMCSA regulations requiring an active MC number. Knowing which category your move falls into tells you which regulations apply, what pricing method to expect, and what estimate type protects you.

How to Verify a Moving Company Is Licensed in Virginia

Before booking any company, look up the US DOT number at FMCSA SaferSys and confirm they have trucks registered and an active license. Ask whether the company holds Virginia intrastate authority if the move stays within the state. Verify the company has a physical warehouse address rather than just a mailing address or office suite.

Ask directly whether the company is a carrier or a broker. A licensed carrier performs the move with their own crew and equipment, while a broker sells the job to a third party. Dunmar Moving Systems holds US DOT No. 076235 and operates as an authorized Allied Van Lines agent with MC 15735. Virginia intrastate authority has been held since the company’s founding in 1970, and credentials are verifiable directly at FMCSA SaferSys.

What Happens If a Mover Operates Without Proper Licensing?

An unlicensed mover has no regulatory obligation to honor the estimate they gave you. If items are damaged, options for recourse are limited because the company is not accountable to the federal and state frameworks that govern licensed carriers.

The FMCSA consumer resource at protectyourmove.gov covers your rights when hiring a mover for any interstate job and provides guidance on how to file a complaint if something goes wrong.

Parking and Access Considerations for Moving Trucks in Virginia

Moving trucks parked on public streets in Richmond and other Virginia cities are subject to local parking regulations. In some neighborhoods or during scheduled community events, a parking permit or reserved space may be needed to hold a spot for the truck on move day.

Coordination with local parking and building access requirements is handled as part of the move planning process at Dunmar Moving Systems. If the origin or destination has any parking restrictions, flagging this during the estimate allows for proper planning before move day.

Getting Started with a Licensed Move in Virginia

Whether you are moving across Richmond or across the state, the first step is a written estimate from a licensed carrier. Dunmar Moving Systems sends a move consultant to conduct an in-home or virtual visual survey before issuing any pricing, and a dedicated coordinator is assigned to manage every job from estimate through delivery. Request a free estimate,e and the applicable regulations for your move will be confirmed based on origin, destination, and distance.

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