FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At Windy City Movers, we offer reliable and efficient moving services with a focus on care and customer satisfaction. With over 40 years of experience, our team is well-equipped to handle all types of moves, from small apartments to large homes. We are fully licensed and insured, backed by 700+ reviews, and trusted by more than 200,000 customers across the Chicagoland area.

We primarily serve Chicago, including surrounding neighborhoods and cities throughout the Chicagoland area. We also cover all of Illinois, including downstate and long-distance moves. If you're unsure whether we serve your location, feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to check availability.

We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for local moves and even earlier for long-distance moves. Locking in your date in advance helps you secure your preferred time, especially during peak moving season.

Yes! We are available 7 days a week to accommodate your schedule. Our team is ready to assist you on weekends and most holidays. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific date.

The duration of a move depends on several factors, including the size of your home, the number of items, distance, and any additional services such as packing. A small apartment move may take 2-3 hours, while a larger home could take a full day. We'll give you a more accurate time estimate when you request a quote.

We strongly recommend being present at both the pickup and delivery locations to guide our movers and ensure everything is placed exactly where you want it. If you cannot be present, please arrange for a trusted representative to be there on your behalf.

Yes. We sell moving supplies including boxes, packing tape, shrink wrap, and packing paper. We also provide TV boxes, wardrobe boxes, moving blankets, and a home protection kit free to use on moving day, at no additional charge, to keep your belongings safe and your home protected (wardrobe and TV boxes are also available to purchase if you'd like to keep them). You can also choose our full packing service, where we take care of everything for you.

Yes, we have experience handling specialty items such as pianos, antiques, fine art, safes, pool tables, and other delicate or high-value belongings. Our team is trained to properly pack, secure, and transport these items with extra care. Please let us know in advance if you have specialty items so we can plan accordingly.

Yes, we offer short-term storage solutions to accommodate your needs during a transition. Your belongings are blanket-wrapped and kept in a secure, temperature-controlled warehouse with security cameras. Whether you need a few days between closings or a few weeks, we can help. Contact us for details on availability and pricing.

We recommend keeping the following items with you during your move: important documents (ID, passport, moving contract/estimate), valuables and jewelry, medications and personal care items, phone chargers and electronics you'll need immediately, keys to your new home, and any items needed for children or pets during the move.

The cost of your move is determined by several factors, including: the distance of the move (local or long-distance), the size of your inventory (number of items and weight), the time required to complete the move including packing and unloading, any additional services such as full packing, storage, or specialty item handling, and access factors such as stairs, elevators, or long carries. We provide free estimates so you know the cost upfront.

Yes, we have a minimum charge for all moves. Typically, this is based on a 2-hour labor minimum plus a 1-hour travel fee for local moves. This ensures we can allocate the proper resources for your move. For larger or more complex moves, the total cost may be higher, but we'll provide an accurate estimate before the move begins.

For local moves billed by the hour, stairs and long carries usually just add to the time rather than a separate fee. A separate charge only applies in extreme cases, such as many flights of stairs or an unusually long carry, and we always disclose it upfront in your estimate so there are no surprises.

Yes, we offer free, non-binding estimates to help you understand the cost of your move. Our team will assess your inventory, the distance, and any additional services you may need to provide an accurate estimate. We're happy to answer any questions and adjust the estimate if your needs change.

Tipping is not included in your moving quote. While tipping is completely at your discretion, if you are fully satisfied with your moving crew's performance, we recommend tipping 15-20% of the move total.

We accept a variety of payment methods to make the process as convenient as possible: credit and debit cards, cash, and electronic transfers (e.g., Zelle). All payments are due upon completion of your move unless otherwise arranged. There is no deposit required to book and no card surcharge. Contact us if you have any questions about payment.

While we take great care in handling your items, accidents can sometimes happen. If your belongings are damaged during the move, we offer the following options: Standard Valuation Coverage, which covers $0.60 per pound per item at no cost, and Full Value Protection for more comprehensive coverage based on the actual value of your items. If damage occurs, please report it to us as soon as possible so we can guide you through the claims process (claims can be filed within 90 days of your move date).

Our standard liability coverage provides basic protection at a rate of $0.60 per pound per item, as required by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). This means that if any of your belongings are damaged during the move, you'll be compensated based on the weight of the item, not its replacement value. For fuller coverage, you can upgrade to Full Value Protection.

It depends on the value of your items and the level of protection you're comfortable with. Our standard liability coverage is included and required by the ICC. However, if you have valuable or delicate items, we recommend our Full Value Protection for coverage based on your items' actual value. We're happy to help you explore your options.

Yes! We protect your floors, doors, and surfaces with our full home protection kit, including floor runners, door-jamb protectors, and stair coverings. We also offer carpet protection when your floors call for it. Our team uses high-quality materials throughout the move to prevent damage to your home, at no extra charge.

Yes, your belongings are protected during transit. All furniture and sensitive items are carefully wrapped in moving blankets and shrink wrap to prevent damage. Our professional movers ensure everything is securely stacked and strapped in the truck, minimizing the risk of movement and damage during transport.

If your building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI), we typically issue it the same day once we have your building's specific requirements, and it's always free. The main variable is how quickly your building's management sends over their requirements, so please share them as early as possible. If you're on a tight deadline, let us know and we'll do our best to expedite.

Yes, we offer disassembly and reassembly services for furniture as part of our moving services. Our experienced movers will carefully take apart items such as bed frames, tables, and large furniture pieces, then reassemble them at your new location. We bag and label the hardware so nothing goes missing. Just let us know in advance and we'll include it in your moving plan.

Yes! You are welcome to guide our movers in placing furniture and other items exactly where you'd like them in your new home. To save time and money, you can also disassemble, wrap, and pack your own belongings before moving day. For safety and insurance reasons, we do ask that you leave the heavy lifting and truck loading to our crew. If you'd prefer to have us handle everything, ask about our full packing service.

For safety and to minimize stress, we recommend keeping pets and young children away from the active moving environment. For pets, arrange for a family member, friend, or pet sitter to care for them during the move, or set them up in a quiet, secure room with a clear sign on the door. For young children, having a trusted caregiver look after them will allow the move to proceed smoothly and safely.

Yes, you can add or remove items on moving day, but please note that changes may affect the overall cost and timing of your move. Because local moves are billed hourly, adding items adds time while removing items lowers it. Please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the right crew and truck and ensure a smooth process.

There are certain items that moving companies cannot transport due to safety, legal, or liability reasons. These include hazardous materials such as gasoline, paint, propane tanks, chemicals, and cleaning supplies; perishable food items; plants (for long-distance moves); firearms and ammunition; and irreplaceable personal documents or extremely high-value items. Motorized items such as motorcycles, mowers, or generators are handled case by case and must be drained of fuel, so please call us. We recommend making separate arrangements for restricted items.

Yes. We remove the moving debris from our own packing, such as boxes, paper, and shrink wrap, after unloading, at no charge, to leave your space clean and tidy. If you have unwanted furniture, appliances, or your own leftover packing materials you'd like gone, we can haul those away for an additional fee. Just let us know ahead of time so we can plan for it.

We understand that plans can change. There is no cancellation fee if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled move date. If you cancel within 24 hours of your move, a late-cancellation fee applies, due to the crew and truck already committed to your date.

Yes, you can reschedule your move at any time with no fee. We understand that plans can change, and we're happy to accommodate a new date. The earlier you let us know, the better, so we can ensure the availability of our crew and trucks. Please contact us as soon as possible and we'll work with you to find a convenient new date.

While we strive to ensure everything goes according to schedule, we understand that unforeseen circumstances such as weather or traffic can arise. If we're running late, you're not billed for it, and we'll keep you informed with an updated arrival time. If the delay is on your end, our hourly crew stays productive while we wait, and there's never a surge or penalty rate. Our goal is to minimize disruption and complete your move as efficiently as possible.

We don't charge booking fees or deposits, and there's no cancellation fee if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled move date, so there's typically nothing to refund. You pay only when your move is complete. If you cancel within 24 hours of the move, a late-cancellation fee applies.

If any of your items are damaged or missing during the move, please file within 90 days of your move date and follow these steps: (1) Notify us immediately: contact us by phone or email as soon as possible after the move. (2) Document the damage: take clear photos of any damaged items and provide a description of missing items. (3) Submit a claim: once we receive your report, we'll guide you through the claims process, which may include a claim form and supporting documentation. (4) Review and resolution: we'll review your claim and work with you to resolve it as quickly and fairly as possible.