Start with the move boundaries
Record the full origin and destination addresses, requested date, preferred arrival window and whether the move stays within North Carolina or crosses state lines. Then create an inventory by room, noting approximate quantities and identifying appliances, unusually heavy pieces, fragile belongings and anything that may need disassembly. Separate items that will not be moved, donated, recycled or disposed of; Wake County publishes disposal and recycling guidance, but accepted materials and site rules vary (Wake County — Waste and Recycling: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling).
Choose which tasks belong in the scope
Use this checklist to distinguish mover responsibilities from customer responsibilities: • Inventory: Identify every room, storage area, garage, patio and off-site unit included. • Packing: Specify full packing, selected-room packing, fragile-only help or customer-packed boxes. • Materials: State who supplies cartons, tape, padding and specialty containers. • Furniture: List pieces requiring disassembly, assembly, wrapping or special handling. • Loading: Note whether help is needed for loading, unloading or both. • Transport: Confirm whether transportation is part of the requested work; labor-only help is a different scope. • Storage: Document pickup, storage and final-delivery needs as separate stages. • Placement: Explain whether items should be left in labeled rooms or positioned and assembled. • Exclusions: List valuables, hazardous materials, mounted fixtures or other items not included. A room-by-room inventory and photos can help clarify the request, but the written quote should remain the reference for included tasks and terms.
Add Raleigh access and timing conditions
Scope is not only a list of belongings. Record stairs at both addresses, elevator availability and reservations, walking distance from the truck to each entrance, narrow doors, gated access, loading-dock rules and required floor or hallway protection. Ask each property manager about permitted move hours and certificate-of-insurance requirements. For curbside loading, confirm whether the truck can legally occupy the intended area; the City of Raleigh administers parking permits and related curb-use rules (City of Raleigh — Parking Permits: https://raleighnc.gov/parking/services/parking-permits). Check DriveNC near move day for official Raleigh-area incident, construction and road-condition information (NCDOT — DriveNC: https://drivenc.gov/). Heat and precipitation can also affect crew access and protection plans, so identify shaded breaks, water availability, covered staging space and a rain plan rather than leaving weather procedures undefined.
Confirm the written scope before scheduling
Ask these questions before accepting a date: • Which addresses, rooms, items and tasks are included? • Is packing, unpacking, disassembly or assembly included? • Who supplies materials, and how are additional materials handled? • Are stairs, elevators, long carries, parking constraints or shuttle needs reflected? • What items will not be handled? • Is storage involved, and who controls each transfer? • What could change the quoted amount or schedule? • What valuation or liability option applies, and what are the claim procedures? • Who is responsible for reservations, permits and building documentation? • How must scope changes be approved in writing? For broader sequencing, use the planning move checklist at /resources/planning-move-checklist/. To understand how these details affect an estimate, see Raleigh moving cost factors at /resources/raleigh-moving-cost-factors/. When comparing options, browse the relevant moving choices at /services/ without assuming availability until it is confirmed in writing.