If you’re trying to set up a consultation or an appointment with a mover during the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure to use digital tools to avoid exposure. When searching for movers online, ask if they’d be willing to do a video chat to assess the size of your move. This will be in place of the typical “walk-through” they perform, and they may be able to give you a price quote. You can also discuss safe strategies for completing the job during your call or video chat.

Your local city or state’s government website is a great resource if you’re trying to figure out whether a mover is considered an essential service provider during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For a source of national guidelines, visit the CISA website’s Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19. On this page, you’ll find 16 categories of critical infrastructure sectors. But note that some -- not all --  jurisdictions follow CISA’s definitions of critical infrastructure. 

If you decide to hire a mover, consider making adjustments to accommodate current guidelines. This may involve staying outside while the mover works inside your home or letting the mover handle only parts of the move.

It’s important to follow social distancing guidelines while performing any service work. For example, do not make physical contact with the movers, maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you at all times, and use digital payments instead of cash or a check.

A mover will likely need to enter your home -- unless you’ve placed all of your belongings outside beforehand. To stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might to consider keeping all (or most) of the work outside and/or having at-risk individuals leave the house while the movers work. 

You can minimize exposure by doing a preliminary walk-through by video call instead of in person. Discuss your options with the top movers near you before hiring one.

Most local moving companies are likely to accept some form of digital payment. Particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic, more companies are likely to conduct transactions through platforms like PayPal, Zelle, Square Cash, Venmo, Google Pay and more. 

To ensure the mover accepts a platform you can use, you can peruse the mover’s online profile and see what is listed there. You can also ask the mover about payment policies during a consultation call.

Movers generally need to be present to do their job. But if you come across a mover’s profile that states they’re offering remote services, you can contact them to see what those services include. 

The estimated cost of Fort Worth’s top movers ranges from $45 to $95 per hour. But keep in mind moving rates will vary depending on the distance and complexity of your move. The time of the year when you’re moving, how many valuables you have and the distance of your move are just a few of the several factors that can impact the cost of your move.

Take the time to thoroughly research and compare Fort Worth’s top moving companies. When comparing movers, read through the reviews and see which Fort Worth movers tend to show up on time, offer fair prices and communicate effectively. Moving companies should also be prepared for unexpected weather such as heavy rain, and should plan ahead to comply with Fort Worth’s parking regulations.

Choose more quickly and ensure a positive experience by following Thumbtack’s smart hiring guide, as well as looking for the Top Pro badge on movers’ profiles.

Selecting the best long-distance movers in Fort Worth involves finding ones with the experience needed to navigate the long, open roads of Texas. Moving companies should be used to the monotonous, extended driving. They should also be licensed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

You can begin your search online. Compare long-distance movers’ profiles, and identify the companies that have high ratings and positive reviews from past customers. Read a few reviews to get a sense of how good and reputable the movers are. For example, do they show up on time? Did they complete the move in a timely manner? And have they caused any damage to customers’ belongings or furniture?

Create a shortlist of the top movers in your area, and ask all of them to send you estimates.

A parking permit can temporarily authorize you to park in a public right-of-way in Fort Worth, including a curbside, sidewalk or metered parking spot. Depending on your situation, a permit could be worth it and help you avoid a costly parking ticket. Contact Fort Worth’s Department of Transportation and Public Works to see if you should apply for a permit. To make the job easy, consider hiring local movers in Fort Worth who might be able to help streamline the process for you.