To get your preferred moving date, it is best to book your move as soon as you know the date.  Here are things to consider:

• Peak Season & Cross Country Moves - Peak moving season is from about April to October. Booking at least 4-6 weeks is advisable. Likewise, if you are moving across the country, it is better to book in advance. We can work with you to find a date. 
• Off-Peak Season - Booking 1-3 weeks in advance usually is sufficient but occasionally, people call the same week and we can fit them on the schedule.
• Flexibility - If you are flexible on your dates, let us know. Consider moving at times other than the end/beginning of the month as those times tend to book more quickly.
• Closing Date - Unless you have agreed otherwise, your home needs to be empty at the closing appointment. Consider scheduling your move on a date prior to your closing. 

While these are guidelines, things change often in the moving industry.  Feel free to ask and we will work your specific needs. 

There are many factors that determine the cost of moving, including things such as:

• Distance of the Move - Local versus long distance and the driving time between locations factor into costs.
• Volume & Weight of your Belongings - This helps determine the number of movers needed.
• Specialty Items - Moving valuable artwork, a motorcycle, grand piano or other specialty items? These can incur additional charges.
• Accessibility - We consider the amount of stairs or levels to your home, long carrying distances, and truck accessibility at your origin or destination to determine the amount of time it will take for your move.
• Time of Year - Summer is the peak season for moving.
• Additional Stops for pick up and/or delivery will incur a small cost to cover our time and fuel costs.

You are not required to pay a deposit to schedule your move. 

INTERSTATE MOVES - Our Move Manager will arrange your payment terms. We require one of the following:

• Payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) to our office at least 24 hours prior to the pack/load date, with a 3% credit card fee.
• Wire transfer that must show in our account at last 24 hours prior to the pack/load date.
• Personal Check 10 days prior to load day.

LOCAL MOVES - Cash, Check, or credit card (with a 3% fee)

EMPLOYEE RELOCATIONS - If your employer is paying for your move, we must have a letter of authorization and credit approval through the corporate office before delivery or this type of payment will be denied. 

Saunier Moving, an agent of North American Van Lines, does offer guaranteed rates (also called "Binding Estimates") so you will not have any surprises on move day. 

• A visit to your home is required. We are able to see the amount of your belongings, the layout of your home, and any particulars we need to be aware of.
• Guaranteed rates are for a specific time period and not indefinite. 
• The precise cost of moving  is based on the services requested or deemed necessary at the time of the estimate. If additional moving services are requested or required at either origin or destination, then the total cost will increase. (NAVL wording) 

For interstate moves, you will be given a time range for your delivery, typically 3-7 days. We are usually able to narrow this as we get closer to your move. 

This allows drivers flexibility for weather and interstate conditions, along with compliance for Department of Transportation and driving regulations.

Your will have your driver's phone number and can commincate with them during the delivery window. They will let you know the exact delivery time in advance so you can prepare.

(This is taken from the North American Van Lines Website). 

Interstate Moves

The amount of protection you have and its cost to you depends upon the valuation coverage you selected. This can be one of the most confusing aspects to moving but it is important that you understand what is being provided to you.

The valuation option you choose determines the basis upon which any claim will be adjusted and the maximum liability of the carrier. The liability of a carrier for loss or damage is based upon the carrier's tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations that have certain limitations and exclusions. Valuation is not insurance. This is important to understand. It is the liability of the moving company. 

Check with the provider of your homeowner's insurance to find out if you are covered for moving. Often you will find that you are.

Released Value – This is the most economical as there is no additional cost, as required by law. However, this option provides only minimal protection and is not sufficient coverage for most shipments. It will pay you $.60 per pound per article if lost or damaged while moving. That means a piece of furniture weighing 75 lbs would receive a settlement of $45.00. You will be asked to initial the bill of lading if you select this coverage. The only place this is applicable is if your insurance policy covers your goods for their entire value and this would be considered supplemental coverage for your move.

Full Maximum Value Protection – This is your most comprehensive coverage. You may hear it referred to as "full replacement value" as well as "full value protection” by other van lines. If you elect to purchase full value protection, articles that are lost, damaged, or destroyed will be either repaired or replaced with like items, or a cash settlement will be made for the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged item. Depreciation of the lost or damaged item is not a factor in determining replacement value when the shipment is moved under full value protection.

The cost of full value protection may be subject to various deductible levels of liability that may reduce your cost.

For additional information, click here. 

If your move needs to be rescheduled or canceled, simply call and let us know, preferably no less than 24 hours. 

The majority of the time, there are no charges unless we have incurred them (labor if you didn't cancel in advance, specialty boxes made, etc.).  

The decision to tip your moving crew is a personal one, but it's a gesture that is often appreciated for their hard work and service. 

If your moving crew provided exceptional service, handled your belongings with care, and demonstrated professionalism, the crew would be grateful for a tip. You can choose to tip each team member individually or provide a lump sum to be divided among them. 

We often get asked about beverages, snacks, or lunch.  Offering refreshments during the move is another way to express your gratitude but also your personal choice.

Interstate Moves - Moving companies often (but not always) consolidate shipments to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. Belongings are separated within the truck so nothing get mingled.  

An inventory of your items is done before we load them on our trucks. As we unload, those items are also inventoried to ensure you have everything. 

If this is an important factor to you, please let us know and we will tell you if you have a combined shipment. You may also pay additional funds to ensure your belongings are 

Local Moves - If you are moving locally, your belongings are the only things on the truck.

You can leave a normal amount of CLOTHING in your dresser drawers if the dresser is not going up or down stairs. Otherwise, we suggest packing the contents of your drawers in case the dresser needs to be tilted. 

Consult your appliance manuals/manufacturers for best preparation methods. Saunier can recommend people to help with any of the following items. 

Most importantly, all appliances need to be thoroughly dry. It is best to stop using them a few days before the move, leave the doors open, and give them plenty of time to completely dry.  

You will need to disconnect all hoses and wires. Taping the cords to the appliances is helpful.

Refrigerator - All glass shelves need to be removed and packed. Remove bins. Scrub all inside surfaces and consider bleach to prevent mildew. You can leave an unopened box of baking soda inside to absorb any extra moisture. If you are moving in the winter, we suggest you remove the water filter from the refrigerator so it does not freeze and crack the holding area.

Stoves - Thoroughly clean and remove all racks.

Freezers - Unplug and allow to defrost. Dry the inside completely and consider wiping down with bleach to prevent and mold/mildew. 

Washing Machine - Turn off water supply. Disconnect hoses and allow them to dry. Ensure that there is no water left in the washing machine. 

Front Loading Washing Machine & Dryer - You will need transit bolts to secure the drum of the unit. They may have come with it or you can purchase them at a hardware store.

Saunier does offer unpacking services as part of our comprehensive moving solutions. 

Sometimes, people need a few extra days between the closing of one house to another. As long as we have truck space available, we are able to hold your furnishing on the truck until you need it delivered. 

If you need storage for a longer period of time, we offer both short-term and long-term storage in our warehouses. Long term storage options include both regular warehouse space and wooden crating of your items. 

Our storage options are competitive with mini storage facilities. There are two main differences. With our storage, we keep your furniture pad wrapped and secure when it is stored. For security purposes of others housed in the warehouse, you will not have access to your things as you would in a mini-storage facility. 

Our skilled crew is equipped to disassemble beds and simple furniture as needed for transportation. 

This includes any necessary disassembly to navigate through doorways or optimize space in the moving truck. 

Upon reaching your new home, we'll reassemble your beds and any furniture that we have taken apart to facilitate the move. 

If you have items in another home, office, or mini-storage that needs to be picked up, we can do so. 

We can also deliver to additional locations for a minimal fee. 

Our team does not remove things from the walls, including TV's or artwork. We can suggest people to help with these things if you need it. 

If you do not have the original carton for your television, we suggest (and can help) you have specialty cartons made for this. We also offer 3rd party services to come and remove your televisions from the wall and pack it for you. 

It is often easiest to move your TV's in your own vehicle if you can and this will save you a little bit of money. 

Pets tend to get anxious when all of their furnishings are disappearing. Doors stay open and allow pets easy access for a quick disappearing act themselves.

Kennel them in a room or (even better!) have someone watch them for the day. We love your pets and want to make sure they go to your new home safely!

As much as possible, we suggest these go in your vehicle because passenger vehicles are a much smoother ride than trucks.   

This article has some great tips about packing your plants. 

• Read the emails and documents from your moving company. While there is a lot of information, taking the 15-20 minutes to read all of the information will help you be set for success on moving day.
• Pack your medications, pet items, garage remotes, keys, and any other items you will need to take with you separately and place them in a secure location.
• Place all items you will be moving yourself into your vehicle, a closet, or a specific room so that nothing accidentally gets loaded on the moving truck.
• Tape your boxes well.  Simply folding them together is not enough to keep them sturdy.
• Make yourself a snack/beverage bag. Moving is hard work and you might want to grab something quickly. You can take this along to your new home and have it for unloading also. 
• Don't forget to grab a roll of toilet paper for the new house.  
• Label your bedding well so that on the first night in your new home, you can easily find it and get some rest.