A Buyers Guide to A Successful Relocation

Do I Need A Mover?

If you find yourself asking “do I need a mover?”, consider these financial aspects when looking at professional movers to hire: How much does it cost to have someone move you?

• The cost to hire a mover varies based on the inventory of your move and its weight. 
• Movers also charge an hourly fee for labor, which includes their travel time.

Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage offers free quotes for our services. Fill out our form today to get an estimate for your move.

How much does packing cost?

• According to HomeAdvisor, the cost to pack a home varies between $270 and $2,200, with the average being $1,000. 
• If you’re hiring a pro to pack and unpack, the cost can run from $370 to $3,600.

Do I need insurance for my move?

• When you’ve decided on hiring Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage, our moving representative will be happy to speak with you about valuation coverage. While it’s not mandatory, we recommend insuring some of your high-value items, especially if you’re making a long-distance move.

What Kind Of Mover Do I Need?

If you’re looking to downsize or rightsize your office, or you’re simply changing homes, we have moving and storage services ranging from local and long distance to office and corporate relocation that depend on:

1. The distance of your move.
2. The number of rooms you need to move.
3. If there are items that require special handling including high-value and/or fragile possessions.
4. If there are any pieces of furniture that require disassembly or reassembly.

Choosing the “Best Moving Company” for You

Get quotes in writing.

• Eliminate confusion and miscommunication.

Talk to 2-3 companies

• Compare what they have to offer and at what price.
• Do this about six weeks ahead of time, or sooner if you’re moving during the summer.

Are they licensed and insured?

• Make sure you’re covered in the event of an accident.
• Ask for license and insurance carrier.

Are they family-owned and operated?

• If there is a problem, talking to the owner is best.

How long have they been in business?

• Experience makes a difference.

Read reviews.

• Don’t look just at the five-star recommendations. Also look to see the common complaints people reported and how the company offered to rectify them. 

Types of Moves Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage Can Complete

Full-Service Move Full-service moving offers packing/unpacking options as well as furniture disassembly/reassembly. Just like the name says, it’s full service. That means that the customer doesn’t need to lift a finger. DIY Move This includes packing, lifting and transporting your own items. You’ll have to find and purchase your own packing supplies such as:

• Boxes
• Tape
• Packing paper
• Moving blankets
• You’ll also have to rent trucks and dollies for the heavier items

Labor Only Move Hire movers for a few hours to help load/unload your goods. Labor only is a time and energy saving move if you don’t mind packing your own items.

Hiring Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage

What information to have ready before calling Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage:

• Date and times of your move
• What services you require
• If you have any items that require special handling
• Ballpark on how much you’re willing to spend

Fill out an online quote form

• Most moving companies will have an opportunity to fill out a free moving estimate form on their website. Once you narrow down the movers you are interested in using, fill out their online quote forms to get a quote on your moving cost.

Make An Accurate Inventory of Your Belongings

• Start with a binder or folder
• Create a new inventory sheet for each room
• Put all sheets together in the folder/binder where you can also store receipts and paperwork from Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage.
• Go through each room and note:
  • Any furniture that needs disassembly/reassembly
  • Items that will be boxed and the shape of the box
  • Possessions that require special handling
  • Put all sheets together in a moving binder, where you can also store receipts and paperwork from the moving company

Questions to Ask Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage

Do they provide boxes or totes?

• Whether they provide moving containers or not, you should ensure the ones you’re provided (or purchasing) are durable.

What types of moving supplies do they offer (wardrobe boxes, moving blankets, dish boxes, mattress bags, flat-screen TV boxes)?

•  Can wardrobe boxes be rented instead of purchased? 

Do I have to unpack my dresser drawers?

• If it’s a sturdy, well-made dresser being moved from home to home, you can leave clothes in the drawers. 
• Flimsy dressers should be emptied. 
• If you’re moving it to storage, the drawers must be empty. 

Are there any items that Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage prohibits from transporting?

• Combustible liquids (rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, cleaning materials)
• Corrosive liquids (acid, bleach)
• Explosives (fireworks, ammunition, dynamite)
• Flammables (aerosol cans, gasoline, kerosene, ammonia, propane, scuba tanks)
• Food items (nothing perishable, subject to freezing, or sold in a bag or box) 
• Plants (no live plants or soil) 

Which items Should I move myself?

• Any of the items listed above, if it is safe and legal to do so
• Important documents:
  • Birth certificates
  • Passports
  • Mortgage papers and contracts
• Laptop computer
• Medications
• Jewelry
• Money and coins
• Pets
• Emergency kit
• Moving company contract 

Can Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage move my car?

• If you have a collector car or a spare car in storage, you can discuss auto transport options with them during the initial quote consultation.

Questions Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage Will Need To Know

How many floors is your home/office?

• We’ll make sure to bring the right tools and equipment and the correct number of crewmembers
• Stairs may add overall time to the move
• If your building has elevators, reserve one in advance.

Do you have a flat-screen TV?

• We can build/provide a box for you if you don’t have the original.

Do you have antiques?

• We will outline valuation coverage and discuss how to pack or crate your fragile antique items.

Do you want someone to help you pack?

• We offer full-service packing and partial packing, based on your needs.

Do you want additional insurance coverage? 

• Valuation coverage is an optional added liability insurance.

Is your location accessible by our truck?

• If your location is on a hill or in a hilly area, they will need to prepare. 
• For inaccessible locations, we may need to arrange for a shuttle service to load items into a smaller vehicle for the destination.

Is there a place to park in front?

• Where will the movers park in relation to your front door?
• Will they need a permit for street parking?

Are there any items you don’t want packed?

• Label the items you don’t want loaded and/or designate a room for these things.
• Be upfront with the mover about all of your items, so we can establish an accurate inventory and estimate

Call Yolo Transfer Moving & Storage

Once you have received your quotes, you should be able to choose a mover that meets your needs and your budget.

Moving Day: What to Do

On moving day, you’ll need:

1. To be present for questions and direct the movers where to go
2. Review documents
3. Create and review your own inventory checklist
4. Sign the driver’s inventory list
5. Provide payment

New Location: What to Do

Set up cable, phone, Wi-Fi and yard maintenance

• Talk to the cable installers and other utility-related services for your new home four weeks ahead of the move to arrange for connection
• Have utilities turned on a day before your move
• Arrange to have utilities turned off at your old home a day after you move out

Do you need a cleaning service?

• The best time to deep clean a house is before you move in
• Consider scheduling a cleaning crew a day or two ahead of the move 

Do you need people to unpack?

• We offer unpacking services to help you move in quickly
• We can place your items on a counter for you to put away or place them in the cupboards and closets
• We can haul away and recycle empty boxes

Post-Move Tips

For broken/missing items:

• File a claim by contacting us on our site or calling us at (530) 668-1007
• Consider filing a claim with the moving company.
• Have any proof of your items, such as photos from the move or your inventory list.

Here are some pro tips when it comes to preparing for a claim:

• Be sure to keep your broken items.
• Don’t throw them away, but set them aside in case the damage must be inspected for your claim. Submit claims as soon as possible in order to expedite the process.
• If you notice a missing or broken item on the day of the move, be sure to say something to your movers right then to protect your rights. If you don’t it’s hard to prove who is at fault.

How much will I recover as compensation?

• Don’t expect to get the full value back for your lost or damaged item. The moving company may ask how much you paid for the item or what the condition was like before. You may be able to negotiate how much you receive back, but this is up to the moving company itself.
• Full or partial valuation: if you opted to pay for full valuation for your moving company, you will receive more compensation for your item. Valuation is typically dependant on the weight of your items and can be as low as receiving back $0.60/pound of your item.
• Movers are able to limit their liability coverage on more expensive items. However, the exact cost of value protection varies by the mover, so it is beneficial to ask your mover about their plans and have a clear understanding of your rights before signing the paperwork.

Let the company know if you are not happy. Or leave a positive review online.

• Bad experience? Contact the moving company. More than likely, they will have policies and procedures set in place. 
• Good experience? Leave a review for them on Google or Yelp to let others know they are a great company to work with. Informing the moving company about your experience also helps them to better serve their customers by informing them what they did right and what they can do better.

 

Moving Glossary

Moving is a specialized industry and you’re likely to come across terms you’re unfamiliar with. We’re here to break down commonly used moving terms and what you need to know:

• • Accessorial/Additional Charge: Charges for additional services, such as packing/unpacking.
    •  These charges may show up for unexpected issues during your move, such as having to use a shuttle service.
  • Bill of Lading: This is your receipt or contract with your mover.
    • Read the bill of lading before you accept it.
    • Ask your moving company questions if you don’t understand something.
    • By signing this bill of lading, you are entrusting all of your belongings to the mover for transportation.
  • Binding/Non-Binding Estimate: this is what is provided before the move as an estimation of how much the move will cost. The full charge amount will be given after the move is completed.
    • Binding: The mover quotes a flat price based upon a given inventory. No matter how long the job takes, the flat price is always paid. It is given only when an onsite estimate is performed
    • Non-Binding: These estimates are based upon the movers’ previous experience of jobs similar to yours. As the name suggests, these estimates are subject to change
  • Carrier: the mover or company you’re working with.
  • C.O.D.: stands for “cash on delivery.”
    • Payment is required at time of delivery (before the move),
    • Some movers take cash, cashier’s checks or money orders. 
    • Be sure to discuss payment options with your mover before your moving date. 
  • High-Value Article: an item valued at about $100 per pound.
    • You might need to fill out an inventory form for each article valued as a high-value article.
  • Interstate Move: Any move that crosses state boundaries regardless of miles.
  • Intrastate Move: A move within the state.
  • Moving Counselor: A moving professional assigned by a moving company who provides guidance during the moving process.
  • Order for Service: The document that authorizes the moving company to move your items.
  • Order Number: The number used to identify and track your shipment. It will be found on your order for service and the bill of lading.
  • Shuttle Service: When a smaller vehicle is used to transport your shipment to its destination. This usually happens when a road is too narrow or there isn’t enough parking to get the moving truck to its destination.
  • Storage In Transit (S.I.T.): Temporary storage for your belongings if your new home isn’t ready.
    • The time in storage may not exceed more than 180 days. 
    • Note that you will be charged for storage fees.
  • Valuation: This is not insurance, but a specific amount a moving company agrees to pay if the item is damaged or lost by the mover.
    • Options for minimum or full coverage 
    • Federally regulated
    • Often determined by weight of goods

Now, you’re fully armed with all the knowledge you need to make a successful move. You know what to look for in movers, what to pack, and some frequently used terms to help you navigate your moving contract. You are at an advantage–you’re going into this process knowing more than the average Joe. Moving is stressful. But you’ve got this!