Get Quotes from Top Movers in Columbus, OH

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Columbus?

A moving business must register with the Ohio Secretary of State to operate legally in Columbus or any other city in Ohio. To register with the Secretary of State, the intended moving company must choose a legal business structure that best reflects the moving services they wish to offer. Once determined, the applicant can fill out and submit the relevant application forms and pay applicable fees online or by sending it via mail to:

You can verify if your intended moving company has been duly registered using the search by business name platform provided by the Ohio Secretary of State. For more information regarding business registration in Columbus, contact the Ohio Secretary of State at (877) 767-6446.

Once registered, the moving company must apply to the Internal Revenue Services for an Employer Identification Number. If the moving company is an LLC or Sole Proprietor, they can use their Social Security Number instead of an EIN until they hire their first employee. Moving companies may also need to fulfill other tax requirements like commercial activity tax. Moving companies can register with the Ohio Business Gateway to learn about additional taxes. Contact the state's Business Gateway Help Desk at (866) 644-6468 for technical support.

Household Goods (HHG) moving companies must register as motor carriers with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) Motor Carrier Division. To register a PUCO motor carrier registration account, applicants must sign up with a USDOT number usually issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Applicants who do not have a USDOT number can apply via an online platform provided by FMCSA. Once the applicants acquire their USDOT number, they can complete the online motor carrier application form. If you have any questions or need assistance registering as a motor carrier, contact PUCO at (800) 686-8277.

It is important to note that when hiring a moving company for out-of-state relocation, ensure they are registered with the FMCSA. You can check if the company is registered with the FMCSA using its online search facility.

Generally, individuals driving the moving vehicle are expected to possess a commercial driver's license issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Interested individuals can fill out and submit the relevant BMV application forms and pay the appropriate fees to apply for the relevant commercial license class. You can contact the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles at (844) 644-6268 for further inquiries about commercial licensing and the commercial license class.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Columbus?

Before you hire a moving company in Columbus, it is important that you find out the average cost charged by movers for the services that you need. This will allow you to make an informed decision and avoid paying more than necessary. You can determine the average cost of moving household items and other non-household items in Columbus by getting multiple estimates from moving companies near you.

After receiving multiple estimates from several moving companies in the city, it is essential that you compare their pricing to determine the actual cost of the move. These estimates should typically be submitted after the moving company thoroughly inspects the items you intend to move. Visual inspection of the things you plan to move is carried out to ensure that the estimate is accurate and that the items' size and quantity have all been considered.

Note that the cost of a move in Columbus is calculated by considering various factors such as the moving company's hourly rate, weight or distance fees, or written binding fees. The hourly rate a moving company charges is computed based on the time it takes to move a certain amount of items. The weight/distance rate is also considered to determine the distance the moving company has to cover. On the other hand, written binding fees cover all the expenses of the moving company when completing the work. They are usually required to provide detailed information about the work that they are doing. Before you hire a moving company in Columbus, it is also essential that you thoroughly understand the details of their estimate.

Columbus's transportation and material moving workers earn an average annual wage of $41,260. The list below compares the average hourly wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of Ohio as well as several other major cities in the country:

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Columbus Regulations?

Although no specific permits exist for moving services in Columbus, businesses that provide these services may need a transportation permit to transport certain goods.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) issues these special hauling permits. A copy of the permit should generally be carried in the vehicle to which it applies at all times. DOT issues two types of permits to moving companies in Columbus. These include:

• Single trip- This permit allows an overweight or over-dimensional vehicle to drive on a prescribed road for five days.
• Round trip- This permit is similar to a single trip permit but includes a return to the original point of origin within five days. This type of permit is appropriate when equipment is required at a job site.

To obtain a transportation permit in Columbus, applicants can complete an application and pay the application fee online via the Ohio Hauling Permit System provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Alternatively, applicants can fill out and submit the appropriate application form via mail or in person. The completed application form can be sent to the Department of Transportation's office located at:

After applicants submit their applications, they will be reviewed by the Department of Transportation. Successful applicants will be issued a transportation permit, allowing them to move items of a particular size, width, and dimension.

Although Columbus does not have specific regulations regarding transportation permits, moving companies are required to follow these rules.

• Moving vehicles equipped with a special hauling permit must only use routes listed on the permit.
• Vehicles must not be parked in front of private homes, at intersections, near fire hydrants, or in front of traffic lights.
• A moving vehicle cannot be parked on the road during the day or night except in emergencies.
• Moving vehicles should not be loaded or unloaded inside the highway limits.

In addition to state parking regulations, moving vehicles must adhere to city regulations. For instance, no parking spaces in residential districts are reserved for commercial vehicles. Also, no commercial vehicle can be parked on a residentially zoned lot. However, it can be parked in a residential lot for the short-term purpose of delivering materials or moving furniture to a residential address.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions, including operating on dates or on highways other than assigned, will result in the vehicle's permit being null and void and an arrest for a traffic violation. If you plan on hiring a moving company in Columbus, make sure they are familiar with the regulations related to parking. If you have any questions about the regulations, contact the Ohio Department of Transportation at (614) 466-7170 or complete an online contact form. Similarly, if you have any questions about parking regulations in Columbus, contact the city's Parking Services Department at (614) 645-3111.

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

Before hiring a moving company in Columbus, make sure that they have the necessary skills and equipment to handle the job and provide you with the best possible service. Some of the services offered by moving companies in Columbus include:

• Full service moving,
• Self-service moving
• Local moving,
• Long-distance moving,
• Interstate moving,
• International moving

Full-service moves provide all the necessary services, such as setting up the new apartment. With self-service moves, the company only delivers the moved goods to the desired destination while you unpack. Likewise, local moving services are typically used to move items to a nearby location (usually less than 50 miles), while long-distance moves are used to move items to more than 50 miles away. On the other hand, international and interstate moving refers to moving goods from Columbus to another state in or outside the country.

Before you start working with a moving company, you must know the exact type of moving service they will provide. This will allow you to decide on the moving services contract and whether to proceed with the hire.

Hiring a moving company offering the desired service for the intended moving job will help avoid disagreements between you and the moving company. Also, you must request an estimate before finalizing the work contract.

Listed below are cost estimates for moving services commonly provided by professional moving companies in Columbus:

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Moving companies in Columbus offer various services, such as packaging and moving boxes. However, it is essential to inquire from the moving company about their plans and how they intend to carry out the task. Having a good packing service from a moving company in Columbus can help minimize the chances of making errors during the process. It can also help prevent costly mistakes that can lead to the loss of personal property. There are various types of moving companies that are available in Columbus, and these include:

• Professional box handling and organization,
• Used box pick-up services,
• Full packing services,
• Partial packing services.

Aside from the usual moving services, moving companies can also provide storage services for your items at a secondary location pending moving to their final destination. For instance, if you're planning on moving but may no longer have access to your current home or are planning on moving to an apartment with less space, having storage units at a secondary location can help keep the items you will be moving organized.

Before you start working with a moving company, it is essential that you know the exact cost of the services that you will be billed. This will also help you avoid overcharging. It will allow you to make an informed decision regarding the moving services you need.

In addition, it is important to know what kind of protection will be provided for your items being moved and make sure you verify if the storage facility is secure.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Columbus?

Although tipping is not required in most cases, it is good to acknowledge the exceptional service a moving company in Columbus provides by giving tips. Some of the following reasons why you may tip your hired movers in the city include:

• Your items are well organized and secured
• The movers arrive promptly
• They assist in unpacking your items
• The moving task is carried out swiftly and efficiently
• The movers treat you and your family with respect

In Columbus, the tipping practice for movers is typically 15% to 20% of the total moving fee. However, following this standard practice can be detrimental to your wallet due to the various fees already involved in the move, especially miscellaneous fees that do not include the movers' actual work. It is advisable that you tip the movers for each hour of work to ensure that the amount represents the level of service you received. In most cases, you can tip the movers around $4 to $5 per hour.

Nonetheless, it is still essential to give the moving company a review of their services, especially if you are unsatisfied with the services rendered.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Columbus?

In 2018, the transportation and material moving industries accounted for around 20% of all on-the-job accidents in the United States.

One of the requirements for issuing a special hauling permit by the Ohio Department of Transportation is to ensure that the applicant's financial responsibility has been met. As a special hauling permit holder, a moving company is responsible for the damages caused by their negligence to the road structure or roadway when moving permitted goods. The financial responsibility required by the law can be obtained through liability insurance worth $500,000.

It is important that you hire a moving company with the necessary insurance policies to protect your home and belongings. Doing so can help minimize the risk of property damage and other unforeseen events. Not having the proper insurance coverage can expose you to financial liabilities, like incurring medical expenses for injured workers and property damage. Before signing a contract with a moving company, ensure it has the necessary insurance coverage. You can also check with the insurance company to see if the policy is active.

Note that moving companies with employees must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. You can contact the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation at (800) 644-6292 for more information regarding workers' compensation insurance. You can also contact the Ohio Department of Transportation at (614) 466-7170 to learn more about their insurance requirements.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Columbus?

If you are looking for a reliable moving company in Columbus, you must request a good reference and a letter of recommendation from past clients. These letters and references prove the company can provide the best possible service.

Note that if a moving company does not provide references or letters of reference, be wary about hiring them. This is because such a company may be incompetent or illegitimate. However, where you are provided with references, ensure you contact these references to validate the company's services.