An Overview of Your Move
Preparation |  |
Your first contact with Allied will be with a relocation consultant or salesperson from a local Allied agency, who will advise you on every aspect of a well-planned move.
The relocation consultant will come to your home to explain the many services offered by the van line and to perform a survey of everything in your home that will be moved. You will be informed at this point of any items that cannot be moved (flammables such as cans of paint) or that may require special attention (such as crating for a slate-top pool table or grandfather clock).
This survey allows the relocation consultant to provide you with an estimate of costs for the move and for various additional service options you may choose from. 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 van line.
Packing and Loading | |
Packing of our household goods is one of the services offered by Allied and its agents, but must be booked specifically through your relocation consultant. Packing services can be arranged any time following the booking. 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 the day before, depending on how much packing needs to be done.
Next up among the professionals assigned to service your shipment is the driver or van foreman. The van foreman’s role encompasses so much more than just driving: they are 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 all the necessary precautions to protect your home and contents, including 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. Furniture is wrapped with specially constructed cloth pads or "blankets" to protect against damage. Even items such as gardening tools are padded to prevent them from scratching or soiling other items in the shipment.
Once on the van, articles are loaded in tightly stacked tiers to prevent jarring or shifting while on the road. The vans themselves 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 further secured 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.
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. The driver will then sign the form 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 relocation consultant 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 relocation consultant.
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 has been 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, or money order 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 packing materials.
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