Moving FAQ Chicago:
31 Answers You Need Before Your Move

We recommend booking at least 30 days in advance — or more, if you can — especially during warm season and/or if you are planning to move at the end of the month. We will book moves with short notice, as long as we have availability.

• Submit the form on our main page, including your list of items.
• We will send you a quote via email within approximately 24 business hours or less.
• Open the email and click "VIEW ESTIMATE."
• Read the Terms and Conditions and click "ACCEPT."
• Review the estimate and, if you would like to proceed, click "ACCEPT" and sign it.

We understand that things can change. As a courtesy, please notify us 72 hours ahead of time if you need to cancel or reschedule your move.

We accept: Cash, Cashier's Check, Money Order, and QuickPay/Zelle.

Yes. You will receive a Bill of Lading (BOL) signed by both you and your foreman. The BOL is the legal contract and receipt for the services provided.

No. Illinois state law requires that we charge according to our tariffs filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission. All our rates are the same — there are no lower rates during the week or on weekends.

Yes. The minimum is 2 hours. After 2 hours we prorate in 15-minute increments.

If your move is within the city of Chicago or less than 15 miles from the pickup location, there is no travel fee. If your move is more than 15 miles away, a travel fee may apply.

What is a Travel Fee?

Travel time is the time it takes us to get to your first location and back to the warehouse after dropping off your load — not the travel between your two locations.

The rate varies based on:

• Number of movers the job requires
• Floor numbers at all locations
• Number of trucks needed

The best way to get an accurate quote is to submit the form on our home page.

No. The estimate is not a binding price. Illinois law requires actual charges to be based on the number of hours the job takes.

• If our estimate is too high, you only pay the actual charges.
• If the estimate was too low, on move day you must pay the estimated cost plus 10% to release your goods; you remain responsible for the balance within 30 days.

Gratuity is not required (and should never be requested), but it is common for customers to tip their movers. The amount is entirely up to you based on the service you received. The average tip is $5–$10 per hour per mover for great service.

Some customers also provide lunch and cold drinks (water, soft drinks), which is very much appreciated by the crew and can help speed up the move.

Yes. We are licensed and insured by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC License 216055 MC). We can provide your building with a certificate of insurance once your move is booked with us.

The client is responsible for providing parking for the truck(s). If there is no loading area, "No Parking" street signs can be purchased through our office for an additional fee — at least 4 business days in advance. Lyons Moving will order the permits from the City of Chicago; the signs will be posted by the City.

Yes. You or someone you trust should be present during the entire move.

We love both children and pets, but for their own safety, please make arrangements for someone to watch them closely during the move.

You should personally transport the following:

• Flammable items: paint, paint thinner, nail polish remover, propane tanks, etc.
• Firearms
• Important papers, medicines, money, coin collections, jewelry, and similar valuables

These items should remain in your safekeeping and be transported in your car. Lyons Moving and its movers are not responsible for any lost or damaged items in this category.

For liability purposes, you cannot move items alongside our crew. We prefer you let our professionals handle the move, but you can get everything ready before they arrive to help speed things up.

Yes. You are expected to have walkways clear of all obstructions before we arrive, to ensure safety and save time. If you cannot do this, please let us know in advance so we can prepare accordingly.

• Donate unwanted items — you will make someone happy and save time and money on your move.
• Pack one separate box with things you need for the next 24 hours.
• Properly mark each box for the specific area of your home and write FRAGILE on any box containing breakable items.

Pack boxes tightly with padding (packing paper, blankets, towels, or linens) to prevent shifting. The top of each box should be firm with no empty space inside. Do not pack boxes too heavy — books should go in smaller cartons.

If we pack the boxes, we are liable for any loss or damage. If you pack them yourself, we are only liable if there is obvious external damage to the box (such as crushed corners).

Plates should be wrapped in paper and stood on their edge (not stacked flat) to minimize stress and reduce the risk of breakage.

The more packed you are, the faster the move will go. Anything small enough to fit in a box should be packed. If you are not completely packed when we arrive, the job may take longer than estimated, or we might have to leave unpacked items behind if we are behind schedule — unless you scheduled packing services in advance.

Yes. Please empty all drawers to minimize the risk of damage to the dresser during transportation.

Most electronic items are best transported when safely packed in cartons. If you no longer have the original packaging for your flat screen TV, we offer TV protection boxes for rent.

No. We do not disconnect or connect appliances. We can help take your TV off the wall when possible, but we will not mount it back. TVs must be inspected before and after the move.

Yes, we can help with disassembling and assembling furniture. However, if our movers did not disassemble an item originally, we will not be able to reassemble it for safety reasons.

We do move pianos — there is a separate handling fee in addition to the hourly rate.

Depending on availability, we can store your belongings on our trucks for a maximum of 5 nights, for an additional cost per night per truck.

At this time we do not provide long-term storage. However, we can move your belongings to a public storage facility of your choice, and then bring everything back when your new place is ready.

Please contact us within 90 days after your move was completed. Unless extra coverage was purchased, your item will be covered per Illinois law at 30 cents per pound per article. Liability coverage is based on weight, not the monetary value of your items.

Under Illinois law, your move is not automatically fully insured. You must choose one of the following options before moving day:

After your move: keep your Bill of Lading copy, note any damage on it at delivery, and file a written claim within 90 days. We are required to acknowledge claims within 30 days and settle within 120 days.