Dunmar Moving and Storage - Richmond Movers - FAQ

Moving and Storage FAQs presented by the Movers in Richmond from Dunmar Moving Systems

  • Declutter every room in your house.
  • Unplug, disconnect, remove ink cartridges from all electronics and appliances.
  • Hand or fold all clothes, packers won’t do this.
  • Read the Moving Guides to see what you cannot ship

There are many items that under current DOT regulations moving companies including pro movers in Richmond like Dunmar are not permitted to transport and must be properly disposed of. These include:

  • Liquid Cleaners/ Petroleum Products/ Gasoline/ Kerosene/ Lighter Fluid
  • Lawn Chemicals/ Lighters/Matches/ Opened Fireworks
  • Acids/Solvents/Antifreeze
  • Alcohol/ Ammonia/ Bleach/ Cleaners/ Disinfectants
  • Batteries/ Charcoal Briquettes/ Fire Extinguishers
  • Polishes/ Propane Tanks/Scuba Tanks/ Shellac & Varnishes/Paints/ welding tanks
  • Adhesives of any kind/ Aerosol Cans/ Ammunition

As you pack up your current home, keep in mind that if you have anything that needs to go into storage, you need to let our Richmond movers know about these items before they get started. This will allow them to pack these items and load them separately from the rest of your belongings. Doing this will make it easier for the movers to find them while they are in our storage facility.

Two Days Before Moving Day

This is the time to clear everything from the walls of your home, including any window treatments such as curtains and blinds. Even the most careful packer could inadvertently cause damage as they work at a fast pace.

Keep These Items Where You Can Easily Find Them on Moving Day

  • Mug, plate, fork, knife, spoon for each member of the family
  • First aid kit/Flashlight/candles/matches/ Garbage bags
  • Kitchen knife/ can opener/saucepan/Toaster
  • Breakfast bars, protein bars/ Coffee, coffee filters and coffee maker
  • Dish soap, dish towels, and paper towels/Toilet paper

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 our movers in Richmond 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 the top movers in Richmond, 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.
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