Move Locally - Moving Within the State
Moving across town or within the state? You can depend on Mover Services and Atlas Van Lines to provide clear expectations and the highest standards of quality and professionalism to help you through the stress of moving. Atlas Van Lines consists of 400 strategically located offices throughout the country that can assist in servicing the needs of our customers. We coordinate the logistics of each move and provide services to our customers such as packing, moving supplies, local storage, qualified labor and relocation. At Mover Services we have worked hard to build the reputation as one of the most reliable and honest movers in Southern California. In fact, the majority of our business consists of repeat customers.
At Mover Services we believe that a successful move is the result of careful planning and coordination. With this in mind, we have in place a customer service staff dedicated to managing our customers relocations. Our staff, utilizing the latest tools and technologies is comprised of highly experienced trained individuals. Each customer is assigned a single coordinator to handle his or her move. Since moving is such a personal experience, we find that having a single coordinator assigned to the move makes each individual feel that they are being treated as a VIP as well as providing a consistent point of contact if any complications may arise. At Mover Services we understand that there is more to relocating than just moving you’re belonging from one place to another. Let us help take some of the burden off your shoulders.
Local Moves-What to expect
Your first contact with Mover Service will be with one of our customer service representative. At this time you can either set an appointment with one of our relocation consultants to come to your house or request an “over the phone” estimate. It is our recommendation that you set an appointment with one of our relocation consultants to come to your house in order to provide you with the most accurate estimate. However, if you choose an over the phone estimate it is important to provide a detailed description of what items are being moved as well as any access issues there might be at either residence (narrow streets, stairs, ect). It has been our experience that many individuals seeking over the phone estimates quite often underestimate the amount of their belongings to be move as well as time involved. As a result the move takes more time than expected and those customers are faced bill that is higher than they expected. It is our goal to make sure that your experience with our company is a positive one.
If you choose to set an appointment with one of our relocation consultants it is important to allow enough time for a complete review of what is being moved (generally an hour is sufficient for most residences). The relocation consultant will then perform a detailed survey of everything in your home that will be moved and point out things along the way that can't be moved (such as cans of paint, for example) as well as those items that may require special attention (such as crating for a slate-top pool table). At that time you will receive an estimate of weight and labor costs involved in your relocation as well as advice on how to plan your move efficiently. Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns you might have regarding your move with your consultant Remember, we are here to help.
On the day of the move the movers will arrive at the time designated. It is important to inform the driver any concerns, high value items or point out any delicate items you may be moving. In most household moves the driver functions as the van foreman, as we in the moving industry call them, since their role in your move encompasses so much more than just driving. They are in charge of the physical moving process. The van foreman is responsible for loading your goods at origin, driving the van, and delivering your belongings safe and sound into your new home. Generally, they will be assisted in the loading and unloading processes by “moving helpers”.
If you cannot be present at the time of loading, you'll need to arrange for a responsible person to act as your agent in signing both the bill of lading and if applicable any paperwork for high value insurance items.
Most furniture is wrapped with specially constructed cloth pads or "blankets" to protect it from scratches, dents, dirt, etc. Even items such as gardening tools are padded to prevent them from scratching or soiling other items in the shipment. Tightly loaded tiers with heavy articles loaded on the bottom will be constructed inside the van to avoid jarring or shifting while on the road.
The vans themselves, in addition to being quite spacious, are specially designed and equipped to accommodate the safe transportation of household goods. Specifically, trailer walls and doors are lined with logistical tracks, enabling shipments to be secured further with heavy nylon straps. After everything has been loaded in the van, it's a good idea for you and the van foreman to take one last walk through your house to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
Paperwork
The driver will ask you to sign a bill of lading. This is the contract by which you authorize Mover Services to transport your possessions and agree to pay for those services. The bill of lading serves to confirm the services performed, pickup and delivery schedules, and the valuation and protection plan that you've selected.
Delivery of Your Possessions
When your shipment arrives, you can help expedite the unloading process by having a room-by-room floor plan in mind, and by letting the driver know where you want things placed as they're unloaded and brought into your home. It is a good practice to have each room labeled (post-it note) to correspond to the labels on your boxes. This will save you time and in turn money on your move.
The driver and crew will reassemble any items that they disassembled at origin. If an item appears to have been damaged during the move or is missing, make a note on the paperwork including the driver's copies and notify your move coordinator.
Payment
Unless approved billing or credit arrangements have been made in advance, the driver is required to collect payment for your move after your shipment is unloaded. If your shipment is placed in storage, charges up to that point are due at that time. Payment must be made in cash or by certified or cashier's check, travelers' checks, money order, credit card or personal checks backed with credit card. A copy of the bill of lading signed by the driver will be your receipt.
Unpacking
If you have requested and paid for unpacking services, your move coordinator will arrange to unpack cartons after delivery and will remove used packing materials. Should you choose to unpack your cartons yourself, you'll be responsible for disposing of empty cartons and used materials.
Move Interstate - Moving Out of the State
Whether you are moving to a neighboring state, across the country or around the globe, you can depend on Mover Services and Atlas Van Lines to provide clear expectations, the highest standards of quality, ethics and professionalism to help you through the stress of moving. We are able to provide quality moving services on a nationwide basis because we are part of a system that has committed itself to excellence in moving. Atlas Van Lines consists of more than 400 strategically located offices throughout the country that can assist in servicing the needs of our customers. These Atlas agents serve as our eyes and ears to assist in planning and implementing individual moves. As we coordinate the logistics of each move your local Atlas agents are able to provide additional services in terms of packing, local storage, providing qualified labor for loading and unloading of shipments as well as destination services to assist our customers in settling into their new home.
As an Atlas agent, we are in the unique position of having an unrestricted self-haul, self-pack policy. This means we have the freedom to assign our own hand picked crew to any move, start to finish any where in the country. This policy has always promoted individual accountability, which results in a level of customer satisfaction that is unmatched in the moving industry.
At Mover Services we believe that a successful move is the result of careful planning and coordination. With this in mind, we have in place a customer service staff dedicated to managing your successful relocation. Our staff, utilizing the latest tools and technologies (including on line shipment tracking) is comprised of highly experienced, extensively trained individuals. Each customer is assigned a single coordinator to handle his or her account. Since moving is such a personal experience, we find that having a single coordinator assigned to the move makes each individual feel that they are being treated as a VIP as well as providing a consistent point of contact if any issues should arise. At Mover Services Inc we understand that there is more to relocating than just moving you’re belonging from one place to another. Let us help take some of the burden off your shoulders.
Your first contact with a Mover Services will be with a relocation consultant. Advising the family on every aspect of a well-planned move is the primary responsibility of this professional.
The relocation consultant will come to your home to explain to you and your family the many services that our company offers. Having done that, the relocation consultant will perform a survey of everything in your home that will be moved and they will probably point out things along the way that can't be moved (flammables such as cans of paint for example) and items that may require special attention (crating for a slate-top pool table perhaps).
This survey allows the consultant to provide you with an estimate of costs and various pricing options you may choose. Once you've selected a mover, you'll be asked to sign an Order for Service at which point your relocation consultant will register your move with the Atlas Van Lines.
If you ordered packing, a team of specially-trained packers will be sent to your home either on the morning of your scheduled loading day or before (depending on how much packing needs to be done).
The next professionals assigned to service your shipment is the driver or van foreman, as we call them in the moving industry, since their role in your move encompasses so much more than just driving. They are in charge of the physical moving process. The van foreman is responsible for loading your goods at origin, driving the van, and delivering your belongings safe and sound into your new home. Generally, they will be assisted in the loading and unloading processes by one to three helpers.
Before loading begins, the driver will take special precautions to protect your home, as well as its contents. This may include laying down "floor runners" to protect carpets and flooring in entryways, hallways, and other high-traffic areas, as well as padding banisters and doorways to avoid marring walls and woodwork.
If you cannot be present at the time of loading, you'll need to arrange for a responsible person to act as your agent in signing both the bill of lading and the inventory list.
Most furniture is wrapped with specially constructed cloth pads or "blankets" to protect it from scratches, dents, dirt, etc. Even items such as gardening tools are padded to prevent them from scratching or soiling other items in the shipment. Tightly loaded tiers with heavy articles loaded on the bottom will be constructed inside the van to avoid jarring or shifting while on the road.
The vans themselves, in addition to being quite spacious, are specially designed and equipped to accommodate the safe transportation of household goods. Specifically, trailer walls and doors are lined with logistical tracks, enabling shipments to be secured further with heavy nylon straps.
After everything has been loaded in the van, it is a good idea for you and the van foreman to take one last walk through your house to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
Inventory/Paperwork
Your driver will prepare a detailed Inventory & Condition Report of the items to be moved. In addition to tagging every individual carton or piece of furniture with numbered and color-coded labels, they will record each item and a description of any existing damage on the inventory form. You should accompany the driver as they prepare the inventory, pointing out any special concerns or handling considerations you might have along the way.
You'll be asked to sign the inventory as your acknowledgment that the pieces indicated were loaded and as verification of their condition prior to the move. Then, the driver will sign the form as well and present you with a copy. Keep this inventory with you for use at your new home.
The driver also will ask you to sign a bill of lading. This is the contract by which you authorize the Atlas Van Lines to transport your possessions and agree to pay for those services. The bill of lading serves to confirm the services performed, pickup and delivery schedules as well as the valuation and protection plan that you've selected.
Delivery of Your Possessions
It's extremely important for you to contact your move coordinator as soon as you arrive in your new hometown so that final delivery arrangements can be made. The driver will contact you 24 hours prior to their expected arrival time to confirm the delivery window.
When your shipment arrives, you can help expedite the unloading process by having a room-by-room floor plan in mind, and by letting the driver know where you want things placed as they're unloaded and brought into your home.
The driver and crew will reassemble any items they disassembled at origin. Check items off the Customer Check-Off Sheet as they're brought in, noting their condition. If an item appears to have been damaged during the move or is missing, make a note on the inventory including the driver's copies and notify your move coordinator.
Payment
Unless approved billing or credit arrangements have been made in advance, the driver is required by law to collect payment for your move before your shipment can be unloaded. If your shipment is placed in storage, charges up to that point are due at that time. Payment must be made in cash or by certified Funds payable to the Atlas line. Credit cards and personal checks approved by Atlas prior to the move are also accepted (notify your consultant in advance). A copy of the bill of lading signed by the driver will be your receipt.
Unpacking
If you have requested and paid for unpacking services, your move coordinator will arrange to unpack cartons after the time of delivery and will remove used packing materials. Should you choose to unpack your cartons yourself, you'll be responsible for disposing of empty cartons and used materials.
