• The best way to prepare for moving is to learn your rights and responsibilities and liabilities of the moving companies.
• Learn which materials are not allowed to transport with movers.
• Interview 2 or more reputable companies. Get written estimates and choose the company with the best reputation and a reasonable offer.
• Make sure to be very thorough at describing services you require. And to compare companies costs make sure that companies have same understanding of your requirements.
• Customer can require the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
• Long distance moves have different methods of deliveries: exclusive use of a truck/straight delivery, or consolidated relocation.
• Have movers explain the differences of protection programs.
• Make sure to understand if you are dealing with:

1. mover - household mover's ordinary course of business is providing transportation of customers belongings and is liable for the shipment,
2. mover's agent - is liable for the shipment and works with mover and uses mover's tariff,
3. broker - responsible to find an authorized mover, but will not be responsible for loss or damage.

• Ask your mover of their schedule of fees, pertaining to your move (local/long distance). Local for the size of your residence or industrial facility, if long distance by size and the distance. Some movers have discounts for the size of relocation.
• Get a copy of bill of lading (contract) from your mover and get familiar with the definitions used by movers and the "small print" inside the contract.
• Get in writing from mover acceptable forms of payment.
• Find out what happens if you are not ready to accept shipment and need short term storage.
• Find out the process of how to file a claim in case of loss or damage.

Agent - a small, local company authorized to act on behalf of a larger national company.

Accessorial (additional) services - such services:

• packing and unpacking,
• disassembley and reassembly of furniture,
• appliance services (connecting, reconnecting),
• long walks (from truck to front door, over 75'),
• shuttle,
• storage. Charges for these services will be extra to those of regular transportation costs.

Advanced charges - services performed by someone other than the mover. Mover pays for them and then adds the cost to its contact.

Bill of Lading - the contract for the transportation.

Cash on Delivery (COD) - the means of payment required at the delivery.

Certified Scale - Any scale authorized to weigh motor vehicles, including trailers, and certified by scale inspection.

Estimate - a written agreement between the mover and the shipper to perform specific services for specific price.

Expedited Service - agreement with the mover to receive shipment on guaranteed dates, for higher tariff or higher minimum weight. Similar to Exclusive use of a truck, which is a more expansive.

Flight charges - charges for carrying items up or down stairs.

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery service - an additional service for promising specific dates and provide reimbursement to customer for being late.

High Value Article (Article of Extraordinary Value) - these items included in the shipment valued at more than $100/lb. Must have a specific list and provided to mover.

Impracticle Operations - refers to services that makes it physically impossible to make pickups or deliveries by mover due to the accessibility of the location. These services should be described on the movers contract. 

Inventory - detailed, descriptive list of house hold goods showing the conditions of items at pickup and after delivery.

Long Carry - charges for carrying articles excessive distance from truck to front door. 

Order for Service - a document authorizing your mover to transport your goods.

Peak of season rates - higher charges applicable during summer months.

Pickup and Delivery charges - separate transportation charges for transporting customers goods between SIT.

Reasonable Dispatch - transportation during the period of time, agreed upon between mover and shipper, on Order for Service/Bill of Lading. For example, if mover deliberately withholds any shipment from delivery after customer offers to pay the estimate plus 110% of charges, plus any any charges for additional services customer required, or permissible charges for impracticable operations (shuttle) that were not included in the estimate. In this case mover has NOT transported with reasonable dispatch. The term "reasonable dispatch" excludes transportation provided under mover's tariff provisions requiring guaranteed service dates. The mover will have an excuse of "force majeure: i.e. contract can not be performed due to causes outside the control of the parties and could not be avoided by exercise of due care.

Shuttle service - a use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences not accessible to mover's normal truck.

Storage in Transit (SIT) - the temporary storage at a warehouse pending further transportation, with or with out notification to customer. If customer can not accept delivery within agreed upon dates time period, mover will place items into a warehouse SIT. In those circumstances the mover will charge for storage handling and re delivery charges.

Tariff - an issuance of rates, rules, regulations, classifications and other provisions.

Valuation - the degree of worth of customers shipment.

Warehouse handling - a charge every time SIT is provided. This charge compensates mover for moving articles with in warehouse and delivery.

Generally, mover is liable for damages or losses happened during performance of any services associated with moving.

The mover is liable to the extand provided by current Surface Transportation's Board.

There are different levels of liability.

Most out of state movers offer 2 levels of liability under the terms of their tariff.

Full Value Protection (FVP) - most comprehensive option for protection of goods. This shipment will be transported under Full Replacement Value levels of liability. If any damage accures while shipment is covered by FVP, the shipper will get:

1. Repaired article to normal working condition;

2. Replacement of the article with an article of like kind;

3. Payment for the replacement of the article.

The mover first figures out a minimum value of customer's shipment - $25,000 minimum unless your shipment weighs over 5,000 lbs.

Example: Shipment weighs 9,000 lbs (3 bedroom house) times $5 (multiple) = $45,000 minimum value of shipment. Customer can request a higher amount, but not lower that $5/100 lb. A cost of premium is 45,000 x $1.4 = $630.00 cost of this coverage. This amount will be included in the contract (bill of lading) it has to be purchased prior to movers commencement of the job.

Release Value (Basic Valuation) - at 60cents per pound per article. There is no extra charge for this level of protection, however if an article is damaged the mover's liability is based on the weight not on its value. Example: stereo system damaged that weighs 20 lbs. The mover is liable for $12.00. only.

Local moves in California are governed by CA PUC, Public Utilities Commission.

PUC requires, 3 levels of protection of shipment.

1. Basic Value - 60 cents per pound. Free option, same as with long distance Federal contracts.

2. Actual Cash Value (ACV) - protection of the acutal totday's market value of the article. The cost of this protection will be indicated on contract. Example: $30,000 x $.90/$100 = $270 cost of this protection (the cost will vary by company).

3. Full Replacement Value - customer will receive a recovery of full value up to the total amount of protection. (See how to file claims).

With this protetion mover can offer different levels of deductibles. Deductables of $250 and $500. In that case the mover will pay full amount of replacement of article less the deducltible. The higher the deductible the lower the cost of protection.

Example: $30,000 x $1.35/$100 = $405.00. 

The multiples will vary by mover, but they have to be disclosed to customers when asked or on the contract on the day of the move.

California PUC's regulations state that any move over 100 miles is considered long distance and has to be calculated by weight.

A company that offers anything else is breaking the law. However, there is a way to choose a lowest cost to customer. The tariff is figured by the state to protect customer from any overcharges associated with double drive time, especially in Southern California trafic conditions.

 A-Z Moving and Storage estimators will calculate and present customer with both tariffs houly and weight. On the day of the move the truck will be weighed. After movers complete the move they will show customers both rates and calculations, again. They will choose the lowest one, and on the contract will show long distance calculations in any case. If long distance calculations are the lowest cost it will stay that way. In case local/hourly rates come out cheaper, our movers will apply a discount to the long distance  calculations, and the cost will be the lowest of the two.

This way company didn't violate any laws and customer receives the lowest price.

Local move/good friends/fun day Vs. Full service mover. 

If you are in good physical condition and are up to the task of packing and driving a truck down the small streets of a residential neighborhood and then unloading everything to the new location, then you are quite possibly looking at renting a truck or trailer or both to begin your Self Move. 

The definite pro's are the savings on the cost of labor. Let's look at the costs associated with "do it yourself" option for a local move going 25 miles from place of origin to new residence, relocating 1 bedroom apartment (average size):

Truck rental - rental cost + miles + fuel

Daily rental of a small 14' truck - $39.00 plus ($0.89/mile)

If you drove 25 mile one way plus 25 miles for delivery total miles driven - 50 x .89 = $44.50

Cost of fuel: truck burns 8 miles to a gallon - 50/8 = 6.25 gallons of diesel at $4.50 = $28.00

Rental of moving pads: $15.00 and dollies: $10.00 = $25.00

Rental insurance, optional but is highly recommended to those not familiar with bigger trucks, it will cover the deductible portion of insurance: $12.50

Total truck, fuel and equipment - $149.00

• Materials: Small boxes 10, Medium boxes 5, Large boxes 8.
• Small $1.75 x 10 = 17.50
• Medium $2.25 x 5 = $11.25
• Large $3.10 x 8 = $24.80
• 5 rolls of tape x $1.50 = $7.50
• Total cost of materials = $61.05

Grand total of truck and materials $149.00 + $61.05 = $210.05

The labor: you and a couple of your very good friends (who are nice enough to help you carry your furniture, appliances and boxes) will be around 4-6 hours, for loading, driving and unloading. Taking to considerations no stairs, or elevators, just straight shot from truck to front door.

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Now let's look at the cost of full service mover (licensed and bonded reputable)

If you prepack your boxes so that movers have to just, protect furniture with moving pads, load the truck, drive it and then off load it. This process should take 3-4 hours.

Average hourly rate of a reputable mover $69/hour (includes truck, fuel and mileage, and labor)

4 x 69 = $276.00 plus materials, tape and shrink $25.00

Grand total cost $301.00

Basically, savings of $90.95.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know if we can be of help.

There is table of hours for local moves with apropriate teams of full service movers. Additional services are:

• Packing/Unpacking
• Disassembly/Reassembly of furniture
• Crating large and fragile items
• Stairs
• Long Carries
• Shuttle
• Double drive time is only at 15 minutes x2 = 30 minutes (minimum).

• Type of Dwelling	Sq. Feet	No. of Movers	Hours of Loading	Hours of Driving	Hours of Unloading	Approx. Total Hours
  Studio	450	2	1.5	1/2	1/2	2-4
  1 Bedroom Apartment	700	2	2.5	1/2	1.5	3-5
  2 Bedroom Apartment	900	3	2.5	1/2	1.5	4-6
  2 Bedroom House	1,100	3	3.5	1/2	2	5-7
  3 Bedroom House	1,750	4	4.5	1/2	3	6-9
  Larger	5,000+	6+	6+	1/2+	3.5+	8-12+

There is a table of weights for residential moves. To get an exact number call us to schedule onsite estimate.

There is a table of approximate storage sizes for the types of residences.

A-Z Moving and Storage provides customers with written binding estimates. To get such an estimate an estimator will be sent to customers residence. Estimator will take detailed invetory of items, apply them to the table of measurements computer program. This program with in minutes will calculate the size of the shipment. Based on the size the movers will determine the right size team and the truck needed for relocation. And the cost for local or long distance move, including any extra services requested by customer.

There is a list of hazardous materials that movers can not transport:

Begin preparation by finding the right mover, however there are number of things you must do to make sure you are ready to move.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Sorted through basement, loft and garage?
• Resolved what to do with prohibited items?
• Made proper provision for pets?
• Decided whether or not you are taking your car?
• Disposed of the things you don't want to take?
• Started to prepare your mailing list of people who need your change of address?
• Notified banks, savings accounts, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions?
• Started to round up passports, birth/marriage certificates and other family documentation?
• Applied for any necessary visas?
• Checked that electrical goods will work in your new home?
• Separated favorite toys?
• Made sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date?
• Arranged for mail to be forwarded?
• Decided whether or not to buy any new household goods - check tax refunds?
• Decided which clothes travel with you?
• Started to dismantle climbing frames/garden furniture?
• Agreed an insurance value and terms with your mover?
• Made arrangements of connection of services at your new home?
• Returning library books?
• Canceled milk, newspapers, subscriptions?
• Found new homes for your plants?

A Week Prior to Move Day:

• Defrosted the refrigerator/freezer?
• Planned simple meals for moving day to avoid having fast food?
• Separated luggage items you need for personal travel?
• Cleaned garden tools, bicycles and any other gardening equipment?
• Emptied the tanks of powered tools such as mowers?
• Checked you have enough medication for at least two weeks, and ensure you have copies of any necessary prescriptions for use at destination?
• Collected travelers checks or local currency?
• Arranged for someone to look after the children on moving day?

On Move Day:

• Stay with movers to make sure all items get registered in the inventory form.
• Make sure both you and the mover sign inventory and you get copies of it.

A-Z Moving trains movers to take detailed inventory of all items and their condition on the inventory forms.

We strongly recommend to take care of items of extraordinary value, and take them with you. Don't pack them with your regular furniture.

For lost or damaged items a customer must file an official claim.

Here is a page out of a PUC booklet...

Here are a few proper steps...

Movers have limited liability over following items, from California Booklet