Residential Quick Links:
Local Moves | Moving Costs | Planning Your Move | Moving Day | Moving Tips
Residential FAQ's
Local Moves
Admiral Moving & Storage's commitment to excellence is evident throughout the move process. Outstanding performance begins with driver and packer training. Each employee is schooled in packing, wrapping and loading techniques as well as customer communication skills. All employees are recognized through company award programs, 401k, and profit sharing.
All Admiral Moving & Storage drivers, packers and van helpers are required to wear uniforms. Furniture is wrapped inside the residence before loading onto the van to prevent damage. Floors, banisters and entranceways are covered to prevent floors and walls from being soiled and damaged.
The Same Service Team concept initiative was developed to provide the same crew to the transferee from packing to final delivery and unpacking.
Communications are maintained on a daily basis with all van operators. Many operators now utilize Van Star satellite tracking technology or telephones on-board their trucks.
Dispatching, customer service and finance functions are computerized and integrated to provide timely, accurate and consistent information.
All operating equipment is subject to daily inspections for safety and appearance to guarantee that the vehicle that arrives at residence will measure up to customer expectations.
The emphasis on professionalism and attention to detail is evident in every step of the move process.
Moving Costs
The Cost of Your Move
How much your move will cost is determined by the weight of your shipment and the distance it must be transported plus any additional services you may require, such as packing, appliance service or special handling needs.
The price is based on the Household Goods Commercial Tariff. All interstate moving companies must adhere to the rates in the tariff, although most will offer some type of discount, based upon various criteria of your move. For example, large moves will likely receive a larger discount than smaller moves. And, moves scheduled during peak periods (usually the end and beginning of the summer months) will not be as highly discounted as those which occur during the off-season.
To save on the cost of your move, you should carefully evaluate "what" you will be moving, "when" you will be moving and which "special services" you will need.
Getting an Estimate
Admiral Moving & Storage will gladly provide you with a free on-site survey to estimate the actual cost of your move--at absolutely no obligation.
While weight and distance are the main factors, other costs also need to be identified. These might include packing and unpacking, appliance preparation, custom crating and storage services.
Unrealistically low estimates lead to unpleasant surprises and ultimately dissatisfaction. That's why we believe the only good estimate is an accurate one.
To schedule an on-site survey OR to receive a "ballpark" estimate based upon information you supply, complete our Detailed Quote Request Form.
Paying for Your Move
You can pay for your move at the time of delivery with cash, money order, traveler's check, certified check or cashier's check.
Protecting Your Goods
All household goods carriers are required to assume some level of liability for your shipment while in their care. Admiral offers three levels of shipment protection coverage:
- Basic Liability
- Full Value
- Replacement Value
ADMIRAL ADVANTAGES:
- Nearly 47 years of experience in household goods moves
- Trained, experienced Admiral crews - we don't subcontract our labor
- Over 30 years international export packing experience
- Quality, customer oriented attitude
Planning Your Move
To help organize your move, print this page, keep it handy, and check it off as you go.
If possible, allow up to 30 days to plan your move and schedule any activities you want to complete before moving day.
Avoid peak periods for moving, if possible: the first few days and the last few days of the month are times when everyone wants to move.
Start planning early, and you'll be surprised how smoothly things can go.
The following checklist is designed to help you plan.
4 to 6 Weeks Before Your Move:
- Conduct an inventory. Decide what to move and what not to move. Make arrangements for your trip (hotel/airline reservations, drive routing, etc.).
- Schedule a moving sale for items you won't move. Donate other items to charitable organizations (ask for a receipt for tax records).
- Arrange for packing. Admiral Moving & Storage can make these arrangements and provide special packing cartons.
- Gather your personal records: medical, dental, school, birth, baptism, marriage, etc. Send transcripts of your school records in advance to the new school.
- Close local department store and other local charge accounts.
- Arrange with employer to forward tax withholding forms.
Make arrangements to discontinue (and make arrangements to start these services in your new location):
- Newspaper delivery
- Water softener service
- Electricity (check for refund)
- Water service Gas service (check for refund)
- Fuel or oil delivery
- Garbage collection
- Diaper service
- Lawn/pool service
- Other household services
- Mail change of address cards to:
Post office Social Security office Insurance companies Credit cards Magazines Friends and Relatives Mail order accounts.
2 to 3 Weeks Before Your Move:
- Fill, transfer and pack prescriptions for family and pets.
- Arrange for shipments of plants and pets.
- Get immunization records for pets.
Safely dispose of or give away all flammables (paints, paint removers, etc.) as they will be impossible to move.
Before The Big Day
The Week Before Your Move:
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer, plus allow air-drying to prevent mildew.
- Arrange for disposal of frozen foods (sell, give away, or eat).
- Clean oven.
- Transfer/close checking and savings accounts.
- Drain fuel and oil from lawnmowers and other power equipment.
- Drain garden hoses.
- Pack items to be carried in car. Label "Do Not Move."
- Gather valuables from safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases, personal records and pack safely to take with you.
- Send clothing, draperies, curtains, rugs out for cleaning and leave in wrapping.
- Take down curtain rods, shelves, TV antenna.
- Have car serviced for trip and have proof of insurance in car.
Moving Day
- Remember to pack a box of the basics you'll need on move-in day (tools, paper products, all-purpose household cleaners, etc.). Be sure to have it loaded last so that it will be first off at your new home.
- Pack suitcases for trip.
- Remove all bed linens.
- Be available to check items on inventory sheet.
- Conduct a last minute walk through with your van operator.
Make sure windows are closed, closets empty, lights out and doors locked.
Moving Tips
Non-Transportable Items
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Antifreeze Compounds
- Disinfectants
- Corrosive Liquids
- Acids
- Rust Preventative Compounds
- Bleach
- Black Powder
- Dynamite, Plastic or Similar Explosives
- Small Arms Ammunition
- Flammables
- Adhesives (Glues, Cements)
- Ammonia
- Matches
- Explosives
- Cleaning Fluids
- Weed Killer
- Gasoline
- Hand Signal Flares
- Oil-Based Paint Removers
- Aerosol Cans
- Engine Starting Fluids Kerosene
- Stain, Lacquer, Varnish
- Fireworks
- Thinners
- Liquid Polishes
- Gases, Compressed
- Any Type of Combustible Cleaning Material
- Gases Used in Welding Lighter Fluids
- Scuba Diving Tanks (Unpurged)
- Propane Tanks (Unpurged)
- Combustible Liquids
It is recommended that all food items, whether they be fresh, frozen, dried or canned, be considered as perishables and excluded from storage. Please note that your carrier is not liable for loss or damage to documents, currency, money, jewelry, coin collections, stamp collections, or collections of any type. It is recommended that you make other arrangements to transport these articles.
Moving Computers
A personal computer represents an investment - whether you use it to plan your family's budget, as a word processor, to monitor your investments, or simply to enjoy video games. Naturally, you wish to safeguard it from damage at the time of a move.
A professional mover is best qualified to properly pack your home computer. If you choose to pack yourself, your computer should be packed in its original cartons and packing material when possible. If you have discarded them, choose a sturdy box large enough to permit you to surround the computer with packing material (crumpled blank newsprint and plastic bubble pack are best).
The floppy or hard disks which contain your programming and stored data should preferably be moved with you. These pieces are sensitive to heat and cold, and warping could occur with the extreme heat or cold that can build up in a moving van. As a precaution, you may wish to duplicate all of your stored material onto backup disks and send these to your destination via insured mail or other secure means.
The disk drive must be handled with care. This unit, which consists of several mechanized parts, is especially sensitive to jarring. Use a large enough box to accommodate the disk drive and plenty of packing material on all four sides.
The reminder of your computer (the keyboard and display screen) consists of solid state circuitry, much like that of a television set. Place crumpled newsprint in the bottom of the box and pack as you would the other components.
Moving Your Pets
Because pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, pet owners want to help them adjust quickly.
Pre-planning is the key to an easier transfer, regardless of the mode of transportation chosen. Travel arrangements should be completed as far in advance of moving day as practical, keeping departure day tasks to a minimum. One person in the family should assume responsibility for the pet.
Pets can not be moved on the moving van. Nor, except for Seeing-Eye dogs accompanying blind persons, are they permitted on trains or buses. So, ways of pet transport are limited to two - by air, with the pet either accompanying you, or in an appropriate container traveling as air freight, or travel by your personal motor vehicle.
Prior to making any travel arrangements, you should do the following:
- Take pet to veterinarian for check-up and health documents - apply for entry permit if one is needed; inquire about sedation for pet; obtain pet's health record; schedule second visit to vet if necessary; ask vet to recommend a colleague in the new city.
- Obtain travel identification tag.
- Check destination state's pet entry regulations. Nearly every state has laws applicable to the entry of dogs, cats, horses, exotic birds and other pets. Tropical fish are the only exception. It is important that you comply with the laws of the state to which you are moving; otherwise, you may be subject to prosecution. Atlas Van Lines suggests contacting the State Veterinarian in the capital city of your new home state well in advance of your move for specific laws concerning entry of your pet.
Atlas Van Lines has a complete brochure available on How To Move Pets. Feel free to contact us to request your copy today!
Moving Antiques
Your antiques are prized and valuable possessions. Naturally you want to protect them from any possible damage.
Any item you own that is of extraordinary value should be appraised by a qualified individual; you may even wish to obtain more than one appraisal. Obtaining an appraisal may also be necessary for the transfer of your homeowners insurance policy to verify the value of your personal property. The best way to locate an appraiser is through a recommendation by an attorney, insurance agent, or look in the Yellow Pages under "appraisers." You can request the "Directory of Certified Professional Property Appraisers." Which is a state-by-state referral list. To receive the most current issue, contact the American Society of Appraisers, P.O. Box 17265, Washington D.C. 20041, or call 1-800-ASA-VALU. Most appraisers either charge a flat fee or an hourly rate for their services.
In addition to obtaining an appraisal, make certain you have clear photographs or videos of your antiques. Additionally, you should make a note of any signatures, serial numbers or manufacturer marks on all objects and carry this note with you.
Before your belongings are packed, you may wish to check antique items for any special cleaning that may be required. Check your local hardware, furniture store or antique dealer for cleaning products for fine pieces.
Avoid the use of any type of oil or wax product on wood pieces immediately before you move, especially if these items will be going into storage. Some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from the furniture pads. If you are uncertain about the care of a particular piece, the local historical society or library may have books on the subject. An antique dealer may have helpful hints as well.
Packing
Most people prefer to have their belongings packed professionally to avoid risk of damage. Your Admiral Moving & Storage representative will be happy to discuss costs, materials and unpacking services.
PACK IT YOURSELFERS:
If you decide to do the packing yourself, you automatically assume a major portion of the responsibility for the success of the move - including that of having everything properly packed and ready for loading when the moving van arrives. All packing must be completed by the evening before moving day...only the things you will need that night and the next morning should be left for last minute packing.
In addition, your packing will be expected to meet specific standards. This means complying with the principles of good packing as outlined here, as well as following the suggestions relative to items that should not be included in the shipment.
Good packing means...
- Wrapping items carefully.
- Using sturdy cartons that close.
- Making sure of a firm pack that will not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.
HOW TO PACK:
China & Glassware:
Place cushioning material in bottom of carton. Then wrap each piece individually using several sheets of paper. Start from the corner, wrapping diagonally, continuously tucking in overlapping edges. After wrapping each piece individually, then wrap four to six in a bundle with a double layer of newspaper. Place these bundled items in the carton in a row on edge.
The larger china and glass plates, platters, and other flat pieces are excellent as the lowest layer in the box.
Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls could make up a second layer. Wrap and pack in the same way as larger items, making sure to rest them in the box upright, using sufficient cushioning.
Surround each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave no unfilled spaces. Add two or three inches of crushed paper on top of the bundles to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier. Always remember, the heavier pieces go on the bottom!
Cups and glassware should be wrapped in a double layer of paper and place them upside down on rims in a row on an upper layer within the box with all the handles facing in the same direction.
Silverware:
Loose flatware may be wrapped either individually or in sets, in clear plastic or tissue. If the silverware is in a chest, you still may want to wrap the pieces individually and replace in the chest, or fill in all empty spaces in the chest with tissue paper or paper toweling.
Books:
Because books are heavy, be sure to use small cartons. Pack on edge, alternating bound edge to open edge. Pack books of same general size together.
Lamps:
After removing the light bulb, wrap the base, harp and bulb separately, in newsprint, and place together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper. Never wrap the lamp shade in newspaper. Carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of fresh tissue paper, a pillow case or large lightweight towel.
Clothing:
Footwear may be left in shoe boxes and placed into large cartons. Or, wrap each shoe individually, then in pairs. Footwear should be cushioned to avoid damage occurring to high heals or ornaments. Do not pack heavy items on top of shoes.
Clothing may be left on hangers and transported in Wardrobe cartons, which can be purchased from Admiral Moving & Storage, or a local packing company. If wardrobes are not used, each garment should be removed from the hanger, folded and placed in a suitcase or a carton lined with clean paper. Some lightweight clothing such as hose, lingerie and sweaters may be left in dresser drawers.
Linen and Bedding:
Because they are lightweight, these items can be folded and packed in larger cartons. Place in cartons, lined with clean paper, and label appropriately.
Draperies, Curtains and Rugs:
Draperies and curtains may also be folded and packed in larger cartons, lined with clean paper. Leave rugs on the floor for the moving company to handle. Carpets will be rolled and secured, prior to placing them on the moving van.
Small Appliances:
Small clocks, radios and similar items can be packed in the same carton, or in with the linens. These items should be wrapped individually, using several pieces of paper, and should be placed in the packed carton with plenty of crushed paper.
Food:
Open boxes of dried or powdered foods such as rice, macaroni and cereals should be sealed with tape. Small containers of herbs and spices, condiments, gelatin, flavorings, etc. should be placed together in a small box before packing into a larger container. Cover holes of shaker type containers and seal with tape.
Since canned goods are heavy, the amount placed in one carton should be limited. It is good practice to place these canned items on the bottom of a box containing several other light items.
Take only those items you are sure will travel well. Do not take anything perishable. In the winter months, do not take anything subject to freezing, i.e. spaghetti sauce in glass jars.
Residential FAQs
To help you answer questions about your move, print this page and keep it handy.
Q: What's the best way to prepare children for a move?
A: While there are probably as many answers to this question as there are children, here are some helpful tips:
- Talk freely to your children about what the move will mean.
- Keep to your normal routine as much as possible.
- Keep familiar items (toys, books, blankets, teddy bears, etc.) out in the open and readily available (and don't pack the blanket).
- If possible, take your children to your new community before the move to acquaint them with their new surroundings.
- Above all, listen to what your children have to say, and keep the lines of communication open and honest.
Q: Why do movers sometimes put more than one household shipment on a trailer?
A: In order to keep your costs down; the average trailer holds from 18,000 to 24,000 pounds; the equivalent of three to four household shipments.
Q: Can a mover transport our plants and pets to our new home?
A: Plants, perhaps. Pets, no. Federal regulations allow a mover to transport plants if the trip is fewer than 150 miles and under 24 hours. However, some states may want to quarantine them anyway. In the event that this should happen, your mover won't be able to ensure their proper care. Federal regulations prohibit moving companies from shipping animals in moving vans. If your pets and plants can't travel with you, ask us to help you make arrangements to safely transport them to your new home. Ideally, pets and plants travel best in your own car.
Q: What about perishable food items?
A: Perishable food items cannot be safely shipped in moving vans. Please dispose of or give away perishable foods before the move.
Q: What's the best way to prepare a PC for safe transport?
A: When packing a personal computer, these steps will help you prepare it for safe transport. To pack your computer, we strongly recommend that you use the computer's original carton and packing materials. If they're not available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold the computer, and pack it with unprinted newspaper. For more advice, your local computer dealer can answer other questions. Other things to consider:
- Back up your software and data files. These should be taken with you or sent to your destination via insured mail.
- Park the hard drive (if applicable). See your computer's instruction manual for special steps to take. With newer computers, simply turning the power off initiates this safety feature.
- Insert cardboard or old disk(s) into disk drive(s).
- Unhook all cables and power cords, indicating their positions for ease in set-up. Pack cords separately with manuals and software.
- Use only static-free packing materials like clean, wadded unprinted newsprint (not standard bubble wrap or packing peanuts).
- Create a base layer of wadded unprinted newsprint and place computer on top of layer. Then surround sides and top with more wadded unprinted newsprint until firmly packed, and seal carton with packing tape.
- Remove all ink cartridges from the printer.
Q: What should I do with gas in the lawnmower, leftover paint, turpentine, etc.?
A: It's against the law for us to transport flammable and combustible materials. Safely drain or dispose of all combustible and corrosive materials, including: household paints, bleaches, propane tanks, gas cans, and fuel in power equipment.
Q: What are accessorial services?
A: Accessorial services are any services provided to you in addition to the linehaul transportation. Your agent can fully explain the total range of services available, including: crating, packing, unpacking, appliance services, or shuttle service if access to your residence is limited and a second, smaller truck is necessary.
Q: What are inventory exceptions?
A: For your protection, when your household goods are delivered to your new home, your van operator will ask you to check off items as they are removed from the van and sign the inventory of household goods. If any items or cartons are missing or damaged, you must note this on the inventory sheet at the time of delivery. This is known as an "inventory exception."
Q: Am I allowed to pack my own belongings?
A: You can pack your own items and save money, if you wish. However, we cannot be responsible for items you pack yourself.
|
