Moving Guide
HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVING GUIDE
To help you better understand the move process, we’ve put together an overview of your move below.
PREPARATION
The first member you will meet from your professional moving team is your Personal Relocation Consultant. This person is responsible for:
- Advising you and your family on every aspect of your move.
- Explaining the many services and service options available from NOR-CAL.
- Performing a survey of everything in your home that will be moved.
- Pointing out items that can’t be moved or will require special attention.
- Providing an estimate of costs.
- Determining the best moving date for your schedule.
- Coordinating your professional packing team (if requested).
- Answering any questions or concerns you may have.
PACKING AND LOADING
Your NOR-CAL Driver and Pack-and-Load Technicians are key members of your moving team, responsible for:
- Taking special precaution to protect your home and its contents on moving day
- Preparing a detailed inventory of items to be moved
- Tagging each carton/item with numbered and color-coded labels
- Loading your goods onto the truck
- Providing a Bill of Lading (a shipping contract) authorizing transport of your possessions
- Delivering your belongings to your new home safe and sound
If your move is to another state, a local Destination Agent will handle the following:
- Completion of all final paperwork
- Arrangements for unpacking and removal of the empty cartons and packing materials (if ordered)
If you cannot be present at the time of loading, you will need to arrange for a responsible person to act as your agent in signing both the bill of lading and the inventory list.
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 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 van line 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
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 with a certified or cashier’s check payable to the van line. Many agents also accept credit cards. Personal checks cannot be accepted. 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 at 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.