Regardless if this is your first time using local movers, or you already moved before, it is not a bad thing to learn how to communicate with your professional movers the right way. The more you know, the more you will be sure that your moving day goes by smoothly and seamlessly. That is why we gathered the moving dictionary with the most important terms local movers are using. This should make your life easier when getting a moving quote, and when moving day arrives. Good communication is half of a smooth move, so let’s start with learning.
- Apartment moving
In case you need your local movers to help you with apartment moving, you should know a bit more about it. When it comes to this type of relocation, it is not enough just to organize professional movers, but you will have to coordinate between your building management and them in order to find a suitable solution that will meet everyone’s requirements. Apartment moving can be even more complex and more difficult than a house move because there are many stairs involved, building management, long hallways, and similar.
- Blankets
Moving blankets are a part of the equipment local movers are using to protect your belongings. Furniture movers usually have one goal, and that is to relocate your belongings in the safest way possible. With blankets used to wrap up your furniture, that is guaranteed. This is an additional layer of protection, and combined with plastic wrap will ensure your items are safe and sound when handled by local movers.
- Certificate of insurance
A certificate of insurance is a document that local movers should provide to your building management. It is usual for the apartment moving or office relocations. In case you need this document, your local movers will provide it to you free of charge, you just need to send out your building requirements. And you can get those by contacting your building management. If you are moving out or into the apartment building, always check if your local movers should submit any additional paperwork. By certificate of insurance, your furniture movers are confirming that they will be responsible for any damage to the building or elevators caused by them. Also, it is used to protect local movers’ rights.
- Disassembly
Another step of preparation of your furniture for departure is disassembly by specialized tools local movers are using. This was, everything will be able to fit inside of a moving truck, and it will be safer to carry around since it would be lighter. Disassembly is a usual practice that professional movers always have included in their service.
- Double drive time fee
This is a charge that is regulated by Californian law, and it is there to protect the rights of local movers. However, some moving companies don’t charge it, while some furniture movers might think that you are aware of this charge and they might not even mention it on the phone. If you are not sure whether the double drive time fee exists, you should ask your local movers about this fee. There are also different types of fees that local movers can charge, based on their own company’s policy. There can be fuel fees, service charges, truck fees, etc. The only important thing is that your local movers are transparent no matter what charge is involved.
- Flat rate
One way local movers can charge for their services is by having flat rates. This means that you will know the price for the whole move ahead of time. Flat rate is calculated based on the size of your move, or inventory list, heavy items, stairs info, and similar.
- Guaranteed price
Once you decide to book the services with local movers, the price should be guaranteed. Meaning that professional movers cannot change the price in the middle of the process. Some local movers may even have a guaranteed price from the moment you get a free moving quote and that guaranteed price might be valid for the next 24 or 48 hours if you decide to make a reservation.
- Hourly rate
Now, the more usual way local movers are charging their customers is by hourly rates. This is the usual practice of local movers because they are not taking an inventory list for most of the cases. How does this work? There is usually 3 hours minimum that is there to ensure that local movers are protected and their cost is covered. And you are paying for the time they spend at your location. Some furniture movers have the price that is divided into 15 or 30 minutes increments after the minimum expires.
- Hoisting
In case some pieces of your furniture cannot go through the doors or hallways, local movers will have to hoist them over the window or balcony. This is the service that professional movers are not happy to do because the chance something will get damaged is high. But if needed, they will be happy to help if you are meeting their requirements when it comes to hoisting.
- Insurance
Moving insurance is something that you should be very careful about. There are numerous packers and movers working without the license, and therefore without any kind of insurance. You want your local movers to offer at least basic coverage insurance, in case something gets damaged, so you can have some sort of guarantee that you will get help from your professional movers.
- Inventory list
For some local relocations, your furniture movers might ask you for an inventory list or the list of items. This is the usual practice when you are planning some extraordinary type of move, such as downsizing, or moving just a part of the belongings, or office moves, and similar. This way, your local movers will be able to determine what is the right number of movers who can safely perform your move.
- Local movers
Now we got to the main point – local movers. These are professional movers who are performing short-distance moves within the same state. Usually, they don’t have the license to cross the state borders, and they do have some limitations when it comes to the mileage.
- Long-distance movers
On the other hand, long-distance professional movers are the ones you should hire when planning a cross-country or out of the state move.
- Licensed movers
We already mentioned licensed local movers, and that is the only type of company you should hire to have the peace of mind that you deserve.
- Moving dollies
Local movers are using moving dollies when there are some heavy furniture pieces involved in your relocation. This way they will keep your items safe and protected because they won’t carry them around, but using the dollies to move them safely.
- Office move
Known as well as commercial move, an office move is any relocation where you are not moving your home, but any type of business. Local movers can assist with this as well, and it is usually better if you hire someone professional to help you with this.
- Plastic wrap
Together with moving blankets, local movers are using plastic wrap to wrap up and protect your furniture pieces. This is an additional layer of safety, but it is always the best if both are combined because that is a trusted combination.
- Packing assistance
Local movers are not there to help you with heavy lifting only, they can also assist with packing. No matter if you don’t have time, energy, or nerves to pack up your entire home, you can always hire packers and movers to help you out. This is not a part of the standard service local movers are offering, so you will have to request it additionally. This will affect your budget slightly, so make sure you know everything that is included or not included in the price. Usually, you will have to pay for moving boxes additionally or to purchase them elsewhere. This is a great way to have a completely stress-free relocation, because you will only have to open the door for the movers, and they will take care of everything else for you. Not to mention, how much time packers and movers will save you since they will perform the whole service in a day or two.
- Partial packing
Partial packing is not that well-known option, and it is offered by most of the local movers. You can split the packing process, and have local movers pack the most fragile items, such as dishes, china, and similar. On the other hand, you will be responsible for packing the rest of the belongings. This way you will make sure that the most delicate items are handled by professional movers, while the items that are not breakable are handled by you. It will be within your budget, and it will stay safe.
- Quote
Moving quote is the price you will get from local movers on the phone or via email, whatever you prefer. This quote should include not only the price, but also services that are included, additional charges if any, and everything that is important for you to know before you decide if you even want to schedule local movers.
- Reassembly
Once you and your local movers get to your new location, they will reassemble back your furniture and place it where it should be – in the appropriate rooms. It is another part of the standard service that professional movers are offering.
- Residential moving
Residential moving is any type of move where you are moving your home. It is the most usual service that local movers are providing, and therefore you can be confident your items are in safe hands when having them help you with your residential move.
- Straps
Another piece of equipment local movers are using for handly heavy furniture are straps. These are also suitable to keep your items safe when it comes to moving, and local movers are using them often.
- Storage in and out moving
The reasons why you might need storage during your move are numerous – from downsizing to not having your home close the sale at the same time. Whatever the reason might be, local movers can help you move in or out of a storage unit.
- Truck
Local movers are usually coming with their moving truck that is equipped with everything needed during the relocation process. On the other hand, there are some types of local moves where the truck is not needed, such as labor moves. In that case, you are the one who is renting a moving truck, U-haul, or pod, and local movers are there to help you with loading or unloading. There are other types of labor moves as well, such as rearranging the furniture inside the home or clearing the area for a party or an event.
- Wardrobe boxes
Local movers will bring wardrobe boxes where you can put all of your hanging clothes on hangers, without having to pack them ahead of time. Each wardrobe box can fit between 20 to 25 hangers, and most of the local movers can bring up to 10. This is probably enough for anyone who is moving to put everything inside of them, regardless of the home size.
- Weight limit
Local movers have their weight limit when it comes to particular items, so they might even refuse to move something they are not sure they can move safely. This is what professional movers should rather do than jeopardize the safety of your belongings.
And if you are in need of local movers that can help you relocate your home, office, storage, or someone to help you with the labor moving project, you are in the right place. Hacienda Heights Movers is a licensed and insured moving company that can assist with any type of local move that you are planning, and we will help you do it properly. In order to get a free moving quote from us, you should either give us a call, or request the quote on our website, and our agents will guide you through the whole booking and moving project. We are looking forward to working with you!