If you have never hired professional movers before, or it has been a while since your last move, the process can feel unclear. What happens after you request a quote? How does the estimate work? What does moving day actually look like – and what is your role in it?
Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect when hiring movers for a local move in Chicago, from the first phone call through the last box.
Step 1: The Estimate
The estimate is the foundation of the entire move. A good moving company will not give you a price over the phone based on a quick description. They will want to see your home – either in person or via a video walkthrough – before quoting a number.
During an in-home or video estimate, the moving consultant will walk through every room, every level, every closet, and every storage area. They are looking at the total volume of items to be moved, the number and type of specialty items (pianos, artwork, antiques, safes, large electronics), the access conditions (stairs, narrow hallways, long carries from the door to the truck, elevator availability), and the distance between your current home and your new one. Expect the walkthrough to take 20 to 30 minutes for a typical household.
For local moves in Chicago, most reputable companies price by the hour. The rate includes a specified crew size (typically two to four movers) and a truck. There will usually be a minimum charge – often two to three hours – and additional charges may apply for stairs, exceptionally long carries, or packing materials used on site. Travel time from the company’s facility to your home and from your old home to your new one may also be billed.
Ask the estimator to explain exactly what is included in the hourly rate and what would trigger an additional charge. A clear estimate eliminates the most common source of moving day disputes: a final bill that does not match what the customer expected.
You should receive the estimate in writing before you commit to a date. If the company will not put the price in writing, that is a reason to look elsewhere.
Step 2: Booking and Preparation
Once you accept the estimate, the company will confirm your moving date, the crew size, the truck size, and the arrival window. You should receive a written confirmation – either by email or through the company’s booking system – that restates all of these details.
When to book: During Chicago’s peak moving season from May through September, book at least four to six weeks in advance. End-of-month dates fill up fastest because most leases turn over on the first of the month, concentrating demand on the last few days of each month. During the off-peak months from October through April, two to three weeks of lead time is usually sufficient. For more detailed guidance, see our article on how far in advance to book movers.
What the company should provide before moving day: A written confirmation with the date, arrival window, crew size, truck size, and pricing terms. Contact information for your move coordinator or the dispatcher. Any materials you need to prepare (packing instructions, box supplies if ordering through the company, parking permit guidance).
Your preparation before moving day: Declutter what you do not want to move – every item you eliminate saves time and cost on moving day. Label your boxes by room so the crew knows where each one goes at the destination. Set aside a personal essentials bag with medications, chargers, documents, a change of clothes, and anything you do not want loaded on the truck. Confirm access at both the origin and destination – if either location requires special arrangements, take care of those now, not on moving day.
Chicago-specific preparation: If you are moving from or into a high-rise or condo building, reserve the freight elevator in advance and provide a certificate of insurance (COI) to the building management naming them as an additional insured. Your moving company should generate this COI for you – just give them the building management’s name and address. If your move involves a residential street where the truck will park at the curb, apply for a City of Chicago temporary “No Parking” permit and post the signs at least 24 hours before the move to reserve the space.
Hollander walks every customer through these Chicago-specific requirements during the pre-move planning process so nothing is missed.
Step 3: Moving Day - What to Expect
Crew arrival and walkthrough. The crew will arrive within the confirmed time window, typically a two-hour window in the morning. Before they start loading, the crew leader will do a quick walkthrough of your home with you. This is your opportunity to point out any items that need special care, flag anything that is not going on the truck, and confirm room labeling so the crew knows the delivery plan at the new address.
Protection. A professional crew protects your home before they start moving items. This means laying floor runners on hardwood and tile surfaces in the path from each room to the front door, installing door jamb protectors on the main entry and any interior doorways the crew will pass through, and wrapping all furniture in padded blankets before carrying or dollying it. Mattresses go into mattress bags. Mirrors, glass tabletops, and flat-screen TVs get custom padding or boxed protection.
Loading. The crew will load the truck in a specific order designed to maximize space and minimize shifting during transport. Heavy items – appliances, dressers, bookcases, and large furniture – go on first and are secured against the truck walls. Boxes and lighter items fill the gaps and are stacked to prevent crushing. This is an area where experienced movers make a significant difference: a well-loaded truck means fewer trips and less risk of damage in transit.
How long it takes. The duration of a local Chicago move depends on the size of the household, the number of stairs, the distance between locations, and the access conditions at both ends. As a general guide:
A studio or one-bedroom apartment typically takes two to four hours. A two-bedroom home or apartment usually takes four to six hours. A three-bedroom home or larger may take six to eight hours or more, especially if it includes a full basement, attic, and garage.
Walk-up apartments add time because every item must be carried down stairs rather than dollied on flat ground. High-rise moves can also take longer if the elevator is shared with other residents or subject to time restrictions.
Your role. You do not need to carry anything. The crew handles all lifting, carrying, wrapping, and loading. Your job on moving day is to be available to answer questions (where does this go? is this box going or staying?), direct the crew on any last-minute changes, and do a final walkthrough of your old home before the truck leaves to make sure nothing was left behind. Check closets, cabinets, the top of the refrigerator, the garage, and the basement.
Step 4: Delivery and Unloading
At your new home, the crew will unload the truck and place items in the rooms you specify. This is where your box labeling pays off – clearly marked boxes go directly to the right room without you needing to redirect each one.
Furniture that was disassembled at the origin (bed frames, sectional sofas, dining tables, shelving units) should be reassembled by the crew at the destination. Confirm with your moving company during the estimate whether reassembly is included in the hourly rate or treated as an additional service.
As items come off the truck, inspect them. Look for any visible damage to furniture, boxes, or fragile items before the crew leaves. If you notice damage, document it with photos and note it on the bill of lading or inventory sheet before signing. This protects your ability to file a claim later.
Once everything is inside and placed, the crew leader will present the final paperwork – typically a bill of lading showing the hours worked, services provided, and final charges. Review it against your estimate, ask about anything that seems different, and sign when you are satisfied.
Step 5: After the Move
Tipping. Tipping movers in Chicago is not mandatory, but it is customary and appreciated. The standard range is 10 to 20 percent of the total move cost, or $20 to $50 per mover for a standard local move. A particularly difficult move – lots of stairs, heavy items, extreme weather – may warrant the higher end of that range. Tips are typically given in cash directly to each crew member at the end of the job. For more detail, see our guide on how to tip your movers.
If something was damaged. If you discover damage to your belongings after the move, contact the moving company as soon as possible to initiate a claim. Under federal regulations, the company is required to acknowledge your claim within 30 days and resolve it within 120 days. Having photos, the bill of lading, and the inventory sheet will support your claim.
Leave a review. If the move went well, a review helps the crew and the company. If it did not, a review helps the next customer. Either way, honest reviews are the most valuable signal in the moving industry.
Plan Your Local Chicago Move with Hollander
Hollander International Storage & Moving has been walking Chicago families through this process since 1888. From the first estimate through the final box, we handle local moves across every Chicago neighborhood and suburb – including the walk-ups, the high-rises, the bungalows, the historic homes, and everything in between.
Our crews arrive on time, protect your home and your belongings, load efficiently, and deliver with care. We provide written estimates with no hidden fees, full licensing (DOT# 77949, MC# 8668), and Full Value Protection options on every move.
If you also need packing services, storage, or help with a small move, we handle all of it under one roof.
Request your free estimate or call us at (847) 439-2140. And if you are still in the planning stages, our guide on how to prepare for a local move and our breakdown of how much movers cost in Chicago will help you get organized.
