Moving Companies in Washington, DC: How to Pick the Right One for Your Neighborhood
By Ade, Founder & CEO of FECH Moving & Cleaning | Updated October 13, 2026 | 1,598 moves completed across Maryland, DC and Virginia
The best moving companies in Washington, DC give you a written estimate, show proof of insurance, and plan for the curb before move day. That means a DDOT parking permit, posted No Parking signs and a reserved building elevator. Moving to Maryland? Even a short hop across the line is an interstate move, so your mover needs a USDOT number. FECH Moving & Cleaning has a DC office on K Street and serves every neighborhood below.
Key Takeaways
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I'm Ade, the founder of FECH. Our crews work from offices on K Street in DC and Columbia Pike in Silver Spring, and we've handled 1,598 moves across the DMV. This guide covers what we've learned about moving in upper Northwest and northern DC.
DC had an estimated 693,645 residents in 2025. Source: [DC Office of Planning, 2026] Plenty of them move every year: renters leaving leases, families buying their first house, and federal workers relocating in and out of the region.
Below you'll find DC's moving services, a profile of each neighborhood, the DC permit rules most guides skip, real hourly rates, and a moving-day checklist.
Moving Services Available in Washington, DC
Moving services in Washington, DC range from a two-person apartment move to a multi-day relocation out of state. Pick the service that fits your move, not the biggest package. See the full list on our moving services page.
Local Moving
Local moves stay within DC or the nearby DMV. Crews bill by the hour, so a packed, labeled home saves money.
Long-Distance Moving
Out-of-state moves are priced by distance, volume and delivery window. Our long-distance moving service covers the details. Get the delivery window in writing.
Residential Moving
Houses and rowhouses mean more rooms, more furniture and more stairs. Crews protect floors, wrap furniture and take beds apart. Learn more about residential moving.
Apartment and Condo Moving
Apartments add elevator bookings, dock hours and certificates of insurance. Ask your management office for its move rules early.
Office and Commercial Moving
Offices need a plan for desks, IT and downtime. Weekend and after-hours slots keep your team working. See commercial moving and our guide to vetting commercial movers.
Packing and Unpacking
Packing takes longer than most people expect. Handing it off protects fragile items and shortens move day.
Furniture and Heavy-Item Moving
Sectionals, armoires and pianos need the right crew, straps and floor protection. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Loading and Unloading Only
Rented your own truck? FECH's two-mover, no-truck package is built for loading and unloading.
Same-Day and Emergency Moving
Same-day moves depend on availability, and FECH takes calls 24/7. Read how same-day moving works.
Junk Removal and Move-Out Cleaning
Clear what you don't want with junk removal, then book move-out cleaning for your deposit. Here's why one company for both saves time.
DC Neighborhood Moving Profiles at a Glance
Each neighborhood has its own housing mix and access problems. Use this table to see what your move will likely need, then read your neighborhood's section below.
Neighborhood | Typical Homes | Main Access Challenge | Typical Crew |
Friendship Heights | High-rise condos, detached homes | COI, freight elevator, Wisconsin Ave curb | 2-3 movers + truck |
Chevy Chase, DC | Detached homes, Connecticut Ave apartments | Basements, attics, tree-lined streets | 3-4 movers + truck |
Woodley Park | Rowhouses, pre-war apartments | Small elevators, steep steps, zoo traffic | 2-3 movers + truck |
Takoma | Victorians, bungalows, new apartments | Porch steps, limited street parking | 2-3 movers + truck |
Shepherd Park | Larger detached homes | Big inventories, basements, garages | 3-4 movers + truck |
Fort Totten | Mid-rise apartments, townhouses | Dock windows, freight elevator booking | 2-3 movers + truck |
Crew sizes are FECH's rule of thumb for a typical two- to three-bedroom move, not a quote.
Moving Companies in Washington, DC: The Citywide Picture
Washington, DC moves have one thing in common: the curb. Rowhouse blocks, apartment-lined avenues and busy commercial streets all compete for the same few feet of parking. A truck that parks a block away can add an hour or more to a three-hour job.
Most DC moves fall into three types. Apartment and condo moves depend on elevators and docks. Rowhouse moves depend on stairs, narrow halls and front steps. Detached-house moves in upper Northwest depend on crew size and driveway access. FECH's DC office is at 1629 K St NW, and our crews work all eight wards.
Moving Companies in Friendship Heights, DC
Friendship Heights sits on the DC-Maryland line along Wisconsin Avenue, around the Red Line station. Moves here are mostly high-rise apartments and condos, plus detached homes on the side streets toward Tenleytown and AU Park.
Wisconsin Avenue is busy, so curb space near building entrances needs a DDOT permit and posted signs. Many towers want a certificate of insurance and a reserved freight elevator. Moving across Western Avenue to the Maryland side? That short trip is an interstate move under federal rules. Ask your mover for its USDOT number.
Friendship Heights tip: confirm which side of Western Avenue your address is on. It changes the paperwork, not just the zip code.
Moving Companies in Chevy Chase, DC
Chevy Chase, DC is a leafy neighborhood of detached colonials, Tudors and bungalows. Larger apartment buildings line Connecticut Avenue. Houses here often have basements, attics and long front walks, so a three- or four-mover crew usually fits better than two.
Mature trees and parked cars on side streets can keep a full-size truck from pulling up close. Send your mover photos of the street and driveway. Many people mix up Chevy Chase, DC and Chevy Chase, MD. If you're moving to the Maryland side, read our Montgomery County moving guide too.
Chevy Chase tip: book packing for books, china and art. Older homes collect a lot of both.
Moving Companies in Woodley Park
Woodley Park sits along Connecticut Avenue next to Rock Creek Park, with a Red Line station at its center. Moves here are a mix of rowhouses and large pre-war apartment buildings. Pre-war buildings often have small elevators, narrow halls and strict move-in hours.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo draws weekend traffic along Connecticut Avenue. A weekday morning slot usually means easier parking and a faster load. For rowhouses, measure the front steps and stair turns before move day. Big sofas and box springs often won't make the turn.
Woodley Park tip: ask your building how big the elevator is. A small cab can double the number of trips.
Moving Companies in Takoma, DC
Takoma, DC sits at the northern tip of the city around the Takoma Red Line station. It's known for Victorian houses, Craftsman bungalows and wide front porches, plus newer apartments near the station. Porches mean steps, and steps mean extra time.
Takoma, DC borders Takoma Park, MD, and plenty of residents move across that line. That makes it an interstate move, even if it's only a few blocks. Street parking is limited near the Metro and the Carroll Street shops, so post DDOT signs early. Our packing services guide covers fragile items on narrow stairs.
Takoma tip: pull porch furniture and planters inside before the crew arrives. It clears the carry path.
Moving Companies in Shepherd Park
Shepherd Park is DC's northernmost neighborhood, near 16th Street and Georgia Avenue. It's mostly larger detached homes on quiet, tree-lined streets, with new housing at the former Walter Reed campus nearby. Big homes mean big inventories. Plan for a full day with three or four movers.
Many homes have finished basements and detached garages. Walk your mover through every level, or send a video, so the estimate covers it all. Shepherd Park sits right next to Silver Spring, a short drive from FECH's Columbia Pike office. That helps when you need a crew on short notice.
Shepherd Park tip: flag pianos, safes and gym equipment up front. They change crew size and price.
Moving Companies in Fort Totten
Fort Totten is a Metro transfer hub where the Red and Green lines meet. Most moves here are in newer mid-rise and large apartment buildings near the station. You'll also find single-family homes and townhouses on the streets around Fort Totten Park.
New apartment buildings usually have loading docks and freight elevators, but you have to book them. Ask for your dock window in writing and share it with your mover. Late arrivals can lose the slot. Leaving the DMV entirely? Our long-distance movers guide for DC families explains delivery windows and pricing.
Fort Totten tip: reserve the dock for at least an hour longer than you think you need.
DC Moving Truck Permits: The Rule Most Movers Don't Explain
To park a moving truck on a DC street or in an alley, you need a public space permit from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Without one, your truck may end up double-parked, ticketed or a block away. Here's how it works, based on DDOT's Moving Trucks on Public Space FAQ:
DDOT Rule | What It Means for You |
Permit fee: $50 | Plus a meter fee if the truck parks at metered spaces. |
Up to 2 days per permit | Enough for most local moves. Longer jobs need planning. |
Signs 72 hours ahead (unmetered) | Residential streets in Takoma, Shepherd Park and Chevy Chase usually fall here. |
Signs 24 hours ahead (metered) | Commercial strips like Wisconsin Ave and Connecticut Ave usually fall here. |
Review can take up to 2 weeks | Apply about three weeks before move day to be safe. |
Alleys need a permit too | No driving across or blocking a sidewalk with the truck. |
Posted rush-hour rules still apply | A permit doesn't override rush-hour or street-sweeping limits. |
You apply online through DDOT's Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS). Ask your mover upfront who handles the permit and the signs, and get the answer in writing.
Moving Between DC and Maryland? It's an Interstate Move
Many DC neighborhoods on this page touch the Maryland line: Friendship Heights, Chevy Chase, Takoma and Shepherd Park. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines an interstate move as transport "between a state and a place outside of that state." Source: [FMCSA] A two-mile move from Takoma, DC to Takoma Park, MD crosses that line.
For any interstate move, check three things:
The mover has an active USDOT number. Look it up with FMCSA's Protect Your Move search tool.
You receive the "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet before the move.
Your estimate explains how the final price is figured if the load grows.
How to Choose a Moving Company in Washington, DC
Choosing a mover comes down to proof: insurance, a written estimate, the right federal number for cross-border moves, and honest reviews. Work through these checks and you'll avoid most problems.
Check the Service Area
Confirm the company works your neighborhood and your destination. A mover based far away may bill travel time to reach you.
Ask Who Handles the DDOT Permit
Some movers pull the permit and post signs. Others leave it to you. Know which before you sign.
Get a Written Estimate
It should list crew size, hourly rate or flat total, truck, and what's included.
Ask About Extra Fees
Long carries, stairs, heavy items, waiting time and cancellations can add up. Ask about each one by name.
Confirm Insurance and a COI
Ask for a certificate of insurance. Most DC apartment buildings need one naming the building. FECH is insured and bonded.
Verify the USDOT Number for MD or VA Moves
Any move across the DC line is interstate. No USDOT number, no deal.
Read Recent Reviews
Check Google, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. One bad review is noise. Five with the same complaint is a signal.
Confirm Date, Arrival Window and Crew
Get all three in writing. Ask what happens if the crew runs late and misses a dock window.
Expert Insight: From Practice In DC, the truck's parking spot decides how long your move takes. When the crew has to carry every box and sofa half a block, a two-bedroom move can run an hour or more longer. The furniture isn't the problem. The curb is. Post your DDOT signs, reserve your elevator, and tell your mover about every stair and long carry when you ask for the estimate. That one habit prevents most billing surprises. - Ade, Founder, FECH |
How Much Do Movers Cost in Washington, DC?
Mover costs in Washington, DC depend on hours, crew size and access, so no honest company can quote without details. A price given over the phone in ten seconds is a guess.
The biggest cost factors are crew size, hours, home size, stairs, elevators, parking distance, heavy furniture, packing needs, distance and your move date.
Local Moving Rates
Local moves are usually billed by the hour. FECH's published rates, checked in October 2026:
Package | Movers | Truck | Listed Hourly Rate |
2 Men Only | 2 | No | $100 |
2 Men & a Truck | 2 | Yes | $120 |
3 Men & a Truck | 3 | Yes | $145 |
4 Men & a Truck | 4 | Yes | $170 |
Example: a Woodley Park one-bedroom with a reserved elevator might take four hours with two movers and a truck: 4 x $120 = $480 at the listed rate, before extras. A Shepherd Park four-bedroom might take eight hours with four movers: 8 x $170 = $1,360. These are illustrations, not quotes. Run your own numbers with the moving price estimate calculator.
The DC Curb Check Give yourself one point for each: (1) no DDOT permit or signs yet, (2) stairs or no reserved elevator, (3) truck can't park within 50 feet of the door, (4) a very heavy item like a piano or safe, (5) packing not finished. 0-1 points: a standard crew. 2-3 points: plan on extra time. 4-5 points: add a mover and ask for a walkthrough. This is our rule of thumb, not a formula. |
Long-Distance Moving Cost Factors
Long-distance pricing follows distance, the volume of your belongings, the delivery window and the season. Packing, stairs at both ends and coverage options change the total. Ask how the estimate turns into a final price if your load grows.
Your 3-Week DC Moving Timeline
DC moves need more lead time than most because of permits and building rules. Here's the order we recommend.
When | What to Do |
3 weeks out | Book your mover. Apply for the DDOT permit on TOPS. Ask your building for move rules and a COI request form. |
2 weeks out | Reserve the freight elevator or loading dock. Send the COI request to your mover. Start decluttering and book junk removal if needed. |
1 week out | Confirm crew size, arrival window and permit status. Pack non-essentials and label every box by room. |
3-4 days out | Post Emergency No Parking signs at least 72 hours ahead on unmetered streets (24 hours at meters). |
Day before | Confirm the arrival window. Pack your essentials box. Clear porches, hallways and paths. |
Move day | Walk the crew through, point out fragile items, and do a final check of every room and the truck. |
What to Expect on Moving Day
Moving day follows a predictable order. Knowing it keeps you in control.
Confirm the appointment. Check the arrival window, crew size and contact number the day before.
Check the curb. Make sure your signs are still posted and the space is clear.
Movers arrive and review the job. Walk them through the home and point out fragile items.
Protect the building. Crews pad elevators, cover floors and protect door frames.
Furniture and boxes are loaded. Big pieces are wrapped and disassembled when needed.
Items are transported. Ask for a text when the truck leaves.
Belongings are unloaded. Direct each box to its room using your labels.
Furniture is placed and reassembled. Decide where big pieces go before the crew arrives.
Final walkthrough. Check every room, closet and the truck before you sign off.
How to Prepare for a Move in Washington, DC
Preparation is where you save the most money. Start three weeks out. More checklists live on the FECH moving blog.
Declutter Before You Pack
Fewer items mean fewer hours. Donate or toss anything you wouldn't buy again.
Label Every Box
Write the room and a short contents note on two sides of each box.
Pack an Essentials Box
Chargers, toiletries, medications, tools and a change of clothes. Keep it with you.
Measure Tight Spots
Rowhouse stairs, pre-war elevators and old doorways can stop a sofa cold. Measure, then tell your mover.
Keep Valuables and Documents With You
Jewelry, cash, passports, leases and school records travel in your own bag.
Send Building Rules to Your Mover
Move hours, elevator padding and COI requirements belong in your mover's inbox a week ahead.
Full-Service Movers vs. App-Based Help vs. Labor-Only
DC residents have more options than a traditional moving company. Here's how they compare.
Option | Best For | Watch Out For |
Full-service moving company | Whole-home moves, packing, apartments needing a COI | Book early. Confirm who handles the DDOT permit. |
On-demand moving apps | One or two items, store pickups, small studio moves | Per-minute or per-mile pricing adds up on full moves. |
Labor-only movers | You've rented a truck and need loading help | You handle the truck, driving and parking permit. |
Washington, DC Moving Service Areas
Every neighborhood below has its own section on this page. We also serve the rest of DC, plus Maryland and Virginia. See our areas we serve page or read our main DC moving service guide for Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Navy Yard.
Neighborhoods | ||
Washington, DC | Friendship Heights | Chevy Chase, DC |
Woodley Park | Takoma | Shepherd Park |
Fort Totten |
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Companies in Washington, DC
Do I need a parking permit for a moving truck in Washington, DC?
Yes, if the truck will park on the street or in an alley. DDOT issues the permit through its online TOPS system. The fee is $50, plus a meter fee at metered spaces. Permits last no longer than 2 days. Ask your mover whether they apply for it or you do.
How far ahead must Emergency No Parking signs go up in DC?
At least 72 hours before the truck arrives on unmetered residential streets, and at least 24 hours before at metered spaces. If your application isn't approved automatically, review can take up to 2 weeks. Apply about three weeks before move day.
Is a move from Washington, DC to Chevy Chase, MD or Takoma Park, MD an interstate move?
Yes. Federal rules treat any move between a state and a place outside it as interstate. That covers a two-mile hop from Friendship Heights, DC to Friendship Heights, MD. The mover should have a USDOT number and give you FMCSA's "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.
How much do movers cost in Washington, DC?
Local moves are usually billed by the hour. FECH lists rates from $100 per hour for two movers without a truck to $170 per hour for four movers with a truck. A two-bedroom apartment with an elevator often takes four to six hours with three movers. Get a written estimate for your exact job.
How far in advance should I book movers in DC?
Book three to four weeks ahead so there's time for the DDOT permit and any building elevator reservation. Book earlier for month-end, summer and weekend dates. Same-day moves are sometimes possible, but you may have to work without reserved curb space.
Can movers handle apartment and condo moves in DC buildings?
Yes. Most DC buildings need a reserved freight elevator or loading dock, set move hours and a certificate of insurance (COI) naming the building. Ask your management office for its move-in rules, then send them to your mover at least a week ahead.
Do DC movers provide packing services?
Many do, including FECH. You can book full packing, fragile-only packing, or unpacking at the new home. Packing in rowhouses and older homes with tight stairs protects your things and shortens move day.
Do moving companies offer same-day moves in Washington, DC?
Some do. FECH takes calls 24/7 and offers same-day moves depending on availability. Call early in the day with both addresses, the floor or elevator details and a rough inventory.
How do I get a moving estimate in DC?
Share both addresses, your move date, home size, stairs or elevators, parking situation and any heavy items. Photos or a video walkthrough make the estimate more accurate. FECH offers an online estimate calculator and a phone line at (301) 900-6637.
More questions? Visit our FAQ page.
Get Help With Your Washington, DC Move
Request a Written Moving Estimate FECH Moving & Cleaning serves Washington, DC from our office at 1629 K St NW, Suite 300, with backup crews in Silver Spring. We offer local and long-distance moving, apartment and residential moves, commercial moves, packing, furniture moving, junk removal and move-out cleaning. Call: (301) 900-6637 (24/7) Email: info@fechco.com Book your move online, contact our team, or get a number fast with the estimate calculator. |
About the Author
Ade is the founder and CEO of FECH Moving & Cleaning, serving Maryland, DC, Virginia and New York. Ade holds a background in Communication and Psychology from Washington Adventist University and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Learn more about FECH or connect on LinkedIn.
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