Which Moving Structure is Right for You

Moving is a theoretically simple task with a single goal: safely moving your belongings from one place to another. Unfortunately, a move can be more difficult without the right understanding of the variety of moving services. Before talking about each category, it’s important to also understand the difference between a partial service and full-service moving company.

Full service moving companies take care of everything from start to finish. This includes packing, loading, transporting, unloading, set-up, and reassembly of your items. Partial service moving companies provide moving services but will break up their services into packages. Examples of this include moving, packing, pickup and delivery, storage, etc. A partial service moving company can be a great way to save money if, for example, you want to pack all of your items and just have a company load and transport your goods. Make sure to speak with your company though since most companies will not be able to accept liability for boxes they did not pack themselves. For this reason, it is beneficial to have the company pack your belongings in order to preserve any value protection you might select to have in your contract.

Local Move

Moving locally is the most common moving service. Typically, a local move is classified as any move totaling less that 100 miles that does not cross state lines. In California, companies are regulated by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services. You can verify whether the company you are planning to use is a legal entity by referencing business names at https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=203:35:0::NO:RP. We will create a blog post in the near future outlining the difference between licensed and unlicensed movers. The licensing process is meant to protect the consumer and their valuables from individuals not carrying proper insurance or bound by the rules set by the regulatory bureau.

Despite the shorter distance, it is still just as important to take inventory, packing, loading, and transportation of your valuables seriously. Though your items will not be in transit for an extended duration of time, you will still need to ensure they are packaged and transported safely and effectively. Utilizing a moving company will provide you that protection and peace of mind to know that your valuables are professionally handled. Depending on your individual needs, make sure to check with your moving company to understand any additional services they provide.

Long-Distance Move

For the purposes of this discussion, a long-distance move is a move totaling greater than 100 miles remaining within the same state or crossing state lines. These moves can get tricky for a few reasons. First, like the short distance move, there is a likelihood of valuables breaking in transit if they are not secured and packed properly. Second, as a customer of moving services, you should ask how the company will charge you for the “drive time”. The California Public Utilities Commission requires that all moving companies use “Double Drive Time” when charging an hourly rate. This means that the time from the point of origin (your first home) to the end destination (your new home) is doubled and charged at the hourly moving rate agreed upon in your contract. Therefore, you will not be charged for any drive time outside of the primary driving route.

Commercial Move

Business relocation can be as simple as moving a small office or as difficult as moving an entire business complex or hospital. These moves require many moving staff, specialized equipment, and often specialized packing techniques unique to the industry. These moves are often very customized and complex. The cost structure of a move like this varies and can include total weight estimated using a cube sheet, complexity, specialized services required, etc. Due to the complexity and size of these moves, expect costs to be much higher than an average household or apartment move.

International Move

Like commercial moves, international moves bring their own complexities with the main being paperwork! When moving internationally, it is important to consider the customs rules set by the country for which you are leaving and especially entering. It is for this main reason that working with a moving company specializing in international moves would be a good idea! The costs of these moves will almost always be estimated using a cube sheet, a tool to estimate size of items in cubic feet.