Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you’re moving on a public street in Chicago, you’ll likely need a temporary moving truck parking permit. These permits must be requested at least 4 business days in advance through the City of Chicago. We can help coordinate this process for you, or you can apply directly through the city. The permit typically costs around $25-30 and reserves parking space for the moving truck.

Most high-rise buildings and condo associations require elevator reservations for moves. Contact your building management at least 1-2 weeks before your move to reserve the elevator and loading dock. Many buildings offer 2-hour time slots and require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your moving company. We can provide all necessary documentation.

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document that proves our moving company has proper liability insurance. Many Chicago buildings, especially high-rises and condos, require this before allowing movers to work. Yes, we provide COIs to building management upon request at no additional charge.

Absolutely! We’re familiar with the moving requirements for most major Chicago buildings. We’ll coordinate with your building management, provide necessary insurance certificates, and ensure we follow all building rules including elevator reservations, loading dock usage, and protective padding requirements.

We serve all Chicago neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Lakeview, West Loop, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Logan Square, Old Town, West Town, South Loop, Andersonville, Wrigleyville, Uptown, Roscoe Village, Pilsen, Rogers Park, Avondale, South Shore, Irving Park, and Edgewater. We also service nearby suburbs like Evanston and Oak Park.

We recommend booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during peak moving season (May-September) and on weekends. However, we also offer last-minute and emergency moving services when availability allows. For the best selection of time slots, book as early as possible.

For morning moves, our crews typically arrive between 8:00-9:00 AM. If you book an afternoon move, arrival times vary based on the previous move’s completion. We always call ahead to confirm our arrival time and keep you updated throughout the day.

Move duration varies based on several factors: size of home, amount of belongings, stairs/elevator, distance, and packing needs. A studio typically takes 2-4 hours, 1-bedroom takes 3-5 hours, 2-bedroom takes 4-7 hours, and 3+ bedrooms can take 6-10 hours or more.

Yes! We provide moving services seven days a week, including weekends and most holidays. However, weekends and end-of-month dates book up quickly, so we recommend scheduling as early as possible.

Yes, we move year-round in Chicago! While winter moves require extra precautions due to snow and ice, our experienced crews handle cold-weather moves safely. We take care to protect your belongings from the elements and ensure safe transport even in harsh conditions.

Yes! We offer last-minute and emergency moving services when our schedule permits. Call us at (312) 210-0259 to check availability. While we can’t always accommodate same-day requests, we’ll do our best to help you in a moving emergency.

Stairs and elevator access are factored into your initial quote when you provide details about your move. We ask about stairs and floors during the booking process to give you an accurate estimate. There are no hidden fees – what we quote is what you pay.

Our experienced Chicago movers are skilled at navigating tight spaces, narrow hallways, and challenging stairways. We use furniture sliders, protective padding, and proper techniques to move items safely through difficult access points without damage to your belongings or the building.

Yes! We use floor runners, wall padding, and door jamb protectors to safeguard your property and the building during the move. This is especially important for high-rise buildings and condos with strict damage prevention requirements.

A long carry occurs when movers must carry items more than 75-100 feet from the truck to your door due to parking restrictions or building layout. If applicable, this is discussed during your quote to ensure transparent pricing.

It depends on your location and local parking regulations. In residential neighborhoods, we often need a parking permit. In busy downtown areas, we may need to use loading zones or coordinate with building management for loading dock access. We’ll assess your situation during the quote process.

Our full-service moves include professional movers, a moving truck, furniture pads, moving blankets, shrink wrap, dollies, straps, and all necessary equipment to protect your belongings. We handle the loading, transportation, and unloading. You can also opt for labor-only services if you have your own truck.

Most customers pack their own boxes to save money, and we focus on the furniture and heavy lifting. However, we do offer professional packing services if you need help. We can pack everything, just fragile items, or specific rooms – whatever you prefer.

We bring furniture pads, shrink wrap, and moving blankets for protecting your furniture. If you need boxes, tape, or packing paper, let us know in advance and we can provide these materials for an additional fee or direct you to affordable suppliers.

Yes! We disassemble beds, tables, and other large furniture items that need to be taken apart for safe transport. We’ll also reassemble everything at your new home. All hardware is kept in labeled bags and attached to the corresponding furniture piece.

Yes, we have experience moving heavy and specialty items including pianos, safes, pool tables, and large appliances. Let us know about any specialty items when you book so we can bring the right equipment and plan accordingly.

Yes, we can move plants, though we recommend not watering them heavily right before the move. Please note that plants can be sensitive during transport, especially in extreme temperatures, and we cannot guarantee they’ll arrive in perfect condition due to the nature of living things.

We recommend emptying dressers to make them lighter and prevent items from shifting during the move. However, you can leave lightweight clothing in dresser drawers. Remove all fragile items, liquids, and heavy contents.

We accept cash, all major credit cards, debit cards, Venmo, and Zelle. Payment is typically due upon completion of the move.

No hidden fees! We pride ourselves on transparent pricing. Your quote includes all standard services. We’ll discuss any additional services upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Tipping is optional but always appreciated if you’re happy with our service. For standard local moves, many customers tip $40-$60 per mover. For complex or full-day moves, tips of $100-$150 per mover are common. For large or multi-day moves, customers often tip $150-$200+ per mover. Cash tips given directly to each mover are most appreciated.

We understand that plans change. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule. We’ll work with you to find a new date that fits your schedule. Our cancellation and rescheduling policies will be explained when you book.

You can get a free quote by filling out the form on our website, calling us at (312) 210-0259, or emailing info@affordablecitymovers.com. We’ll need details about your move size, addresses, stairs/elevator access, and any specialty items to provide an accurate estimate.

Yes! We provide commercial and office moving services throughout Chicago. We can move during off-hours or weekends to minimize business disruption and handle everything from desks and file cabinets to computers and equipment.

No problem! We’re flexible. If your inventory changes significantly from your initial estimate, let us know as soon as possible so we can adjust the crew size and truck needed. Your final cost will be based on the actual items moved.

Absolutely! We’ll move items from all areas of your home including garages, basements, attics, storage sheds, and outdoor areas. Just let us know about these spaces when getting your quote so we can plan accordingly.

We recommend you or a designated representative be present at both locations to answer questions, provide access, and sign off on the completed move. If you must leave, make sure someone trustworthy is there to oversee the process.