Northern Virginia Moving and Storage Buyer's Guide

Who This Guide Is For

This practical guide helps Northern Virginia homeowners, renters, and office managers plan a safe, efficient move. It explains how moves are classified, what paperwork and protection options to expect, when permits are required, and how pricing works. You will also find direct paths to plan a move with our local home moving services, add support from packing and unpacking services, compare move valuation options, or start an estimate on the contact page. Office managers can review our office relocation services.

Quick Contacts and Service Areas

Campbell Moving & Storage
101 International Dr, Suite 120, Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435 2242
Monday to Friday 8 00 AM to 5 30 PM, Saturday and Sunday closed

We serve Sterling, Ashburn, Herndon, Leesburg, Reston, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and nearby DC corridors. See county coverage and city examples in areas we serve. When you are ready, send details through contact our team.

Local vs Long Distance, How Moves Are Classified

How your move is classified changes your paperwork, pricing rules, and rights.

Intrastate vs interstate

A move that starts and ends inside Virginia is intrastate. The Code of Virginia household goods carriers article outlines certificates, estimates, and tariffs.
Any shipment that crosses a state line is interstate and follows federal consumer rules. The FMCSA booklet, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, explains estimates, valuation, delivery windows, and claims.

What this changes for you

Paperwork and estimates, for intrastate moves your written estimate should align with the mover’s filed tariff. For interstate shipments, follow the FMCSA guidance in the federal booklet.
Verification, confirm Campbell’s credentials on our licensing information page and keep the FMCSA booklet handy for your rights and claims steps.

Mini checklist to decide your move type

Will your shipment cross a state line
If yes, download the FMCSA rights and responsibilities booklet
If no, bookmark the Virginia code article for household goods carriers
Note access details, elevators, loading distance, stairs, and parking rules
Save links to local home moving services and contact our team

What Licensed Movers Must Provide in Virginia

Virginia regulates intrastate household goods carriers. Here is what to expect and what to ask.

Filed tariffs

A Virginia mover operates under a tariff that lists rates, fees, and rules, filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. For a plain language overview, scan Tariffs for Household Goods Carriers, then see the statute on tariffs showing rates and charges.

Estimates and transparency

Ask how your written estimate maps to the tariff. Clarify what triggers changes, such as access, overtime, long carry, or extra packing. When you are ready to compare quotes, send inventory details through the contact page.

Valuation options, not insurance

Most people choose between released value at 60 cents per pound per article and full value protection. The FMCSA explains both in the rights and responsibilities booklet. Compare how coverage works on our move valuation options page.

Quick actions

Ask which tariff items apply, travel time, packing, bulky article, storage in transit
Request the estimate in writing and confirm how changes are handled
Choose your valuation level and list any high value items in writing
File your estimate, inventory, and valuation election together for easy reference

Permits and Parking in NOVA and DC

Staging a moving truck safely and legally is essential. Rules vary by jurisdiction, and building rules may add requirements like a certificate of insurance.

Washington DC, reserving curbside space

Apply for a Temporary Occupancy Permit through DDOT’s permit applications portal. After approval, follow instructions for printing and posting signs.

Loudoun County, neighborhood restrictions

If your street is inside a Residential Permit Parking District, visitor passes or timing rules may affect your truck. Review the county’s Residential Permit Parking Districts page.

Town of Leesburg, meter bags and downtown parking

Moves near downtown often require coordination. See the Finance department’s parking and meter bags page.

Practical steps

DC apartments or rowhouses, request the DDOT permit early, then post signs per the permit
Loudoun HOA streets, confirm any RPPD rules and communicate loading times with your HOA
Downtown cores such as Leesburg, check meter bag rules and loading zones before booking elevator time
Note building requirements, COI, elevator holds, floor protection, and time windows
Share permit numbers and sign posting timelines with your crew the day before load in

If you want a coordinator to confirm truck clearance and timing, reach us through contact our team. For county specific planning, review local home moving services.

Pricing Basics and What Drives Cost

For intrastate work in Virginia, movers price according to their filed tariff. Typical drivers include inventory size, access conditions, packing time and materials, crew size, valuation choice, travel time, and seasonality. To understand what a tariff must include, see the DMV guide on tariffs for household goods carriers. Use a room by room inventory and clear access notes to request an apples to apples estimate. If packing will add hours, consider booking packing and unpacking services to protect fragile items and control the schedule. When you are ready, share details and timelines on the contact page.

Packing, Specialty, and Storage Playbooks

Start early with a room by room plan

Create a simple inventory, note fragile zones, and set a donate or discard box in each room. If time is tight, add professional help through packing and unpacking services.

Use the right materials

Mix small, medium, and wardrobe cartons. Add dish barrels for china and double wall boxes for books. If you are buying supplies yourself, see the quick list on packing supplies and materials.

Protect high value items in writing

List art, instruments, and collectibles on a high value form. Decide coverage on move valuation options before load day.

Label clearly so your crew can stage fast

Write destination room on the top and two sides. Add “open first” on everyday kitchen and bedding boxes. Place hardware in a small bag taped to the furniture.

What not to pack

Do not box flammables, aerosols, propane, bleach, or opened liquids. Set aside a small tote for medications, chargers, and daily essentials.

Specialty handling, pianos and oversized items

Large or delicate pieces may need extra prep and equipment. For safes, gym equipment, or grandfather clocks, review options on large item moving.

Storage without double handling

If you need short or long term storage, consider vaulting that moves items directly from home into crates, then to secure storage, and back to your residence. See how this works on storage solutions.

Mini checklist for pack week

Confirm elevator times, loading dock rules, and certificate of insurance details with management
Stage a clear path from door to rooms, remove trip hazards
Photograph cable setups and shelf layouts before disconnecting
Keep tools and a trash bag handy for disassembly and cleanup
Place valuables, documents, and the daily essentials tote in your car

Office Relocation Steps and Timeline

8 to 10 weeks out

Appoint a project lead and build a contact sheet for landlord, building security, IT, and vendors
Map floor plan, label furniture, and note any low voltage or power changes
Request building rules, COI requirements, and loading dock schedules

6 to 8 weeks out

Audit hardware, copiers, and servers, then coordinate IT move windows
Tag items by destination area, department, or workstation
Decide what to decommission, liquidate, donate, or recycle

3 to 4 weeks out

Share a move day playbook and RACI list with stakeholders
Order carts, labels, crates, and any special packing
Schedule elevator holds and security escorts if required

Move week

Walk the old and new space with the foreman to confirm placement zones
Stage crates and carts by department, color code if helpful
Keep one change control owner for any layout tweaks

For a ready to use framework, start with office relocation services. If swing space is tight, pair your plan with secure storage solutions.

City Micro Guides, Sterling, Ashburn, Herndon, Leesburg, Reston

Sterling

Many neighborhoods are within minutes of the company’s Sterling headquarters, which shortens dispatch and site checks.
If you are transferring electric service, use Dominion Energy’s online process for transfer service.
Townhome clusters often have limited truck staging. Ask your HOA where staging is allowed and reserve extra time for long carries.

Ashburn

Newer communities can have active construction areas. Confirm street access and hours for staging.
High density neighborhoods may require early morning elevator windows. Share any building access codes with your coordinator.

Herndon

Many apartment communities schedule moves in blocks. Book an elevator and request floor protection guidelines from management.
Narrow streets can slow load out. Park the truck first, then bring the crew to the unit to save steps.

Leesburg

Moves near downtown should plan for metered curb space. The Town’s Finance page explains parking and meter bags.
Some streets are tight for large trucks. Consider a smaller shuttle on narrow blocks to keep things moving.

Reston

Many addresses are in associations that manage shared parking. Verify any tow or boot rules in advance.
If you are starting or stopping water service, manage it through the Fairfax Water Customer Portal. If you need setup help, see the registration FAQ.

More local rules to know

Washington DC often requires reserving curb space for a truck. Apply through DDOT’s permit applications portal and post signs as instructed.
Some Loudoun streets are part of a Residential Permit Parking District. Check the county’s RPPD overview and, if needed, the online RPPD portal.
Arlington neighborhoods use a county permit program. See the residential permit parking page for details.
In Alexandria, many curb reservations run through Transportation and Environmental Services. Review how to obtain temporary reserved parking.

Checklist Library and Downloads

Week by week move plan, see the printable moving timeline.
Fast packing refresher, scan quick packing tips.
Protection choices in plain language, compare options on move valuation options.
Building rules cheat sheet, gather COI wording, elevator windows, and any floor protection notes in one document.
Utility handoff list, set electric through Dominion’s transfer service and manage water accounts via the Fairfax Water Customer Portal. If you have not enrolled yet, follow the registration FAQ.
Final walk checklist, open first box, keys and remotes, meter photos, thermostat settings, and a clean sweep of cabinets.

How Campbell is Licensed and Insured

Campbell Moving & Storage lists operating authorities and identifiers on the site. You can review permit and certificate details on the company’s licensing information page. The footer shows the service NAP and identifiers, including USDOT 2294507 and MC 783481. For quotes or scheduling, share your details on the contact page.

FAQ

How far in advance should I book a move in peak season?
Four to six weeks is common for weekends and month end. For flexible dates, two to three weeks often works.
What is the difference between a non binding and binding estimate?
A non binding estimate is an educated projection based on the inventory and access notes. A binding estimate fixes the price for the described work. For interstate moves, definitions come from the FMCSA booklet.
Do I need to buy extra insurance?
Movers provide valuation, not insurance. You choose released value or full value protection. Review options on the site’s move valuation page and decide before load day.
How much help should I book for packing?
If you have a three bedroom home and limited time, a partial pack for fragile rooms, kitchen and decor, plus day of help for bedding, is a common plan.
Can the crew move safes, pianos, or gym equipment?
Yes with the right equipment and planning. Share weights, dimensions, and access photos. See large item options on the site.
How do truck permits work in DC?
You request a Temporary Occupancy Permit, then post signs per the permit window. Plan a few business days ahead.
What if my building requires a certificate of insurance?
Ask management for sample wording and limits. Send it to your coordinator at least three business days before move day.
How do I handle utilities during a local move?
Transfer electric through Dominion Energy and start water through Fairfax Water where applicable.
What if my closing date shifts?
Ask about storage in transit. Short term vaulting keeps items secure until keys are in hand.
Who do I contact to start an estimate?
Share your inventory, addresses, preferred dates, and any building rules on the company’s contact page.