Thinking About Using A Professional Mover?

Trying to decide if you want your household goods relocated by a professional mover?
You should obtain a ballpark estimate or have an actual survey done of your house, to see what the cost would be to have a professional mover handle your relocation. This process can be started before you even have move dates. Planning ahead helps with the success of your move.

Contacting the moving company   
You will want to contact the mover as soon as you have decided to move.   Remember, the busiest time for the mover is in the summer months. They need as much notice as you can provide to make your move a success.   Planning ahead and getting an estimate in the beginning allows you to budget. Not to mention, it gives the mover a head start. 

The van line is then prepared for when it is time to schedule your move dates.  The estimate you receive can always be adjusted if changes are needed. Just communicate the changes to your mover.

When selecting a mover, make sure that you are contacting a professional carrier that is certified and licensed.  An AMSA Certified Move Van Line is an interstate carrier that moves household goods under it own authority.  They are allowed to do this with permission of the Federal Highway Administration.   An AMSA Certified mover or van line has guaranteed to conduct their business to the applied code of conduct.

Meeting with the van line estimator? 
 The estimator has arrived at your residence to do a visual survey of your household goods.  The estimator will calculate the weight, packing cost and other related fees to your move. You want to inform the estimator of all the items you will be moving. It is important to include everything – you do not want to receive an under-estimated survey. Discuss with your surveyor what services are mandatory, optional and available. A professional van line can transport your household goods safely and securely at your convenience.

How much does a professional move cost?   
Once the survey is complete on your household goods you will receive an estimate of what the cost is.  A binding estimate generally provides the cost of moving your household goods, weight, mileage of the relocation and packing materials – this is all based on a tariff created by the government. There could be additional services listed on the estimate depending on the accessibility to your residence, packing and unpacking fees, crating, extra stop, extra labor, valuation coverage, storage and weight additive or bulky item fee.    There are certain items that are not binding in the estimate. Since your destination location has not been visually seen if there are accessible issues, a shuttle, stair carry or long carry charge could be added.  As a result, if you think there may be accessible issues at your destination location you will want to tell your van line so they can provide an accurate estimate.  Also, if you purchase additional furniture or other items that will add weight, there could be extra charges.  Please advise your van line if items are to be moved in addition to what was listed on the survey.

• Crating – When certain items require a third party company to come to your residence and pack them in a crate. This is done to ensure the items are handled properly during the move. Example – A glass table or large mirror would need to be crated.
• Extra Labor – An hourly labor charge for performing any requested services for the customer that are considered above and beyond normal services. Example – You have asked the mover to remove items in attics or crawlspaces.
• Extra Stop – An extra stop is when the mover picks up or delivers household goods to a place other than your residence.  Example – You have some item picked up at a local storage unit.
• Long Carry – An additional fee for carrying items excessive distance between the residence and the moving van.   Example - You live in an apartment, in the center of the complex and the van has to park a distance from your door.
• Packing Fee - The full-service packing rates include cartons and packing labor. The full-service unpacking rates include the unpacking of carrier packed cartons and the removal of such debris.  These services are optional.  You can request a partial pack.
• Shuttle - A smaller truck used to bring household good items to and from the residence when the move van is too large to gain access to the home.  Example – You live in a gated community and the truck cannot get through the gate.
• Stair Carry or Flight Charge – An extra charge for carrying items up and down flights of stairs.  Example - You live in a 2nd story apartment.
• Storage – Warehouse storage of your household goods.  The cost to store your items include: storage delivery fee, a daily storage rate and the final delivery charge.    Example - You cannot move directly from your old home to the new home.  So, you need to put your items in storage for 30 days.
• Valuation – A tariff-based coverage for a customer's household goods while they are in the care, custody and control of the carrier.   There are different levels of valuation that your van line can discuss with you.
• Weight Additive or Bulky Item – An item that is comparatively light and occupies space in the van that is not proportionate with their weight. The tariff provides a schedule of additional weights for such articles.  Example – Items such as camper shells, boats, canoes.

You have decided to use a professional van line.  After receiving your estimate, you have chosen to have your household goods professionally moved.   As a result, when you have a move date immediately contact your mover.   Keep in mind summertime is extremely busy. To receive your requested move dates you will want to give as much notice as possible.  Ideally providing a four week notice would be great.   In most cases this will not be problem because your estimate is already completed by the time you receive the closing date on the sale of your home.

Tips for Packing
If you decide to pack your own household goods, you will want to make sure that all items are packed securely so they can arrive at the destination safely.

Materials

• Materials can be purchased from the mover or a packing supply company.
• Marker
• Pen or pencil and notebook for listing the contents of the cartons
• Labels to mark boxes
• Packing tape
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap, tissue paper or paper towels for fragile items
• Sturdy boxes or cartons – it is best to purchase boxes / cartons from a professional supplier. You will receive the proper type of box for the different items you are moving.

 What not to pack

• Perishable food items
• Plants                  
• Propane/Propane Tanks
• Kerosene
• Gasoline
• Lamp oil
• Sterno
• Aerosols
• Cleaning supplies
• Poison
• Pesticides
• Fertilizer
• Charcoal
• Lighter fluid
• Bleach
• Paint or paint thinner
• Ammunition
• Pool chemicals
• Car batteries
• Fireworks
• Collections – coin, stamp & etc.
• Financial documents - certificates or deposit / stocks / bonds / IRAs
• Cash / credit cards
• Checkbooks
• Deeds / car titles
• Jewelry
• School records
• Health records
• Personal Files
• Wedding albums – family photos
• Personal video tapes
• Address books
• Car keys
• Cell phones
• Furs

How to Pack

• Start with the items you use the least or that are out of season.
• Try not to pack boxes that weigh over 50 pounds.
• Keep items together.  Try not to mix items from various rooms so that it will make it easier to unpack.
• Use sturdy boxes that can be properly sealed shut.
• Label each box and indicate the following: (a) which room it should go in, (b) whether it is fragile, (c) if it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.  Write the contents of the box in your notebook.
• Densely pack items to prevent rattling, shifting, outward bulging or inward collapsing.  Use plenty of padding so items are not disturbed by movement.
• Use towels and lightweight blankets as cushion material.
• Pre-move preparation is required for many major appliances. Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment or ask your van line to send someone out who is authorized to perform this service.  It is a good idea to unplug the refrigerator and freezer 24 hours before shipping so all moisture can be removed.   You should also unplug all electronic equipment 24 hours in advance to let them cool and not allow for condensation.
• If possible, pack electronics in their original boxes, label cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from.
• Disassemble items such as tables.  Wrap and label all pieces for easier reassembling. Put all hardware in bags and mark the bags accordingly and then place all hardware into one box that is clearly marked.
• Place cushioning material in the bottom of each box.
• Wrap all pieces of china and glassware individually in several sheets of clean paper.
• Remember heavy items on the bottom.  Example larger china and glass plates, platters and other flat pieces should be in the bottom of the box.
• Place tissue paper or a paper towel inside all bowls, cups, or fragile items that have an open space before wrapping the object.
• Small mirrors, plaques and pictures should be wrapped individually in tissue paper. A bath towel or small blanket make a perfect outer wrapping and padding for glass.
• Clothing left on hangers and placed in wardrobe cartons used by moving companies will arrive at destination wrinkle-free.
• It's best to consult with your mover about high value items.  Artwork and antiques are examples of high value items. Your mover needs to know of these items prior to move day so they are packed or crated correctly.  Also a high value items need to be noted so that you have proper coverage.
• Pack all loose items in drawers.
• Pack books either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton.

Moving Out Day

• You or someone representing you needs to available to the mover the day(s) that are scheduled to pack and load your household goods.  
• Make sure pets are secure and out of the way – if possible at a neighbors.
• Children should be out of the way – if possible they should be spending time with a friend or family member.
• You will be contacted the day before to receive the schedule time the driver and crew will arrive.
• If you packed yourself, make sure everything is packed and ready to be loaded. 
• If the crew will be packing, be prepared to answer any questions or point out any concerns you may have.  
• They will pack everything in sight so anything you do not want packed, place in a clearly marked area.
• It is always appreciated if you have refreshments available for the crew.  It is a labor intensive job.
• Be sure to check all closets, storage areas, attics, crawlspaces, sheds, playhouses and the yard for any remaining items.   Then you and the driver will do a final walk through to ensure that all items are loaded on to the truck.  Also, make sure there has been no damage to the property.  Please notify the driver if there are any nicks or scratches to the walls or woodwork. 
• You will have to sign an inventory which states the details of all items loaded.  The crew will note any preexisting damage to items on this form.  Each item loaded will have an inventory sticker on it.  The sticker represents the number listed on the inventory sheet.
• Confirm with the driver your delivery spread and delivery location.  Make sure he has your contact numbers at destination so the delivery can be confirmed 24 hours in advance.

Moving In Day

• The driver of your household goods will contact you at least 24 hours before his arrival at destination.
• Again you or someone representing you will need to be present for the unloading.
• Make sure pets are secure and out of the way – if possible at a neighbors.
• Children should be out of the way – if possible they should be spending time with a friend or family member.
• Have a plan – since the new home is not exactly like your old home think of where you want all the boxes and furniture to go.
• You will need to check off each item listed on the inventory sheet that comes off the truck.  If there is a missing item notify the driver.
• If you request unpacking services, the crew will unpack the boxes and place items on a flat surface.  They do not put the items away. The boxes and debris will then be removed.
• If you packed yourself, once the unpacking is complete you can contact the move company for a debris pick up.  There is a fee for this service.  All boxes must be dry and only contain packing material, no trash.
• Claim– if you have a claim for damage you’ll need to contact your moving representative.  They will take you through the process.  DO NOT throw away any damaged item.   All claim items will need to be examined. It is best to leave the item in the original packing box.  If it is a furniture item, just set it aside.