Moving FAQs

Professional Moving at Light Speed

Types of Moves

What is a California local move?

All moves within California are considered INTRASTATE moves.  A typical move within CA under 100 miles MUST BE billed by the hour. If you are moving more than 100 miles but are still within California, you are completing an INTRASTATE move which MUST BE billed as a FLAT RATE or FIXED PRICE move based on weight/volume. Any move across state lines is a long-distance INTERSTATE move. We do NOT do out of state (INTERSTATE) moves.  We only move customers within CA.

What is a long-distance move?
A long-distance move is typically any move that crosses state lines. It can also be referred to as an interstate move. We do not do these types of moves. We are only licensed to move within CA.
What is a California intrastate move?
An intrastate move happens within California. Intrastate moves cannot occur in any other state. Knowing your move distance will determine whether you are billed by the hour or at a flat rate based on weight.
What is an international move?

An international move is any move crossing country boundaries or borders, such as the USA to Canada. We do NOT do international moves.

What is a commercial/office move?

A commercial or office move involves moving a business, which can include any of the following:

  • Moving an office with or without cubicles
  • Moving specific facilities
  • Moving departments
  • Anything a company might need to be moved, be it furniture, files, or equipment.

Whatever is unique about your business, Quantum Moving can accommodate it. We ensure that everything related to your business is handled with care and arrives ready for you to set up and return to work. Our goal is to make your move seamless, so you minimize the downtime for your business.

What is a celebrity move?
Working with high-profile clients, we accommodate your needs and work to maintain your privacy at every stage of the move. With years of experience in moving high-profile clients, our team is ready to customize your move to meet your unique needs and provide you with a quality relocation experience.

Pricing

Do you offer free on-site estimates?

YES.  All our on-site estimates are always free.  We can also offer free video estimates either by Zoom, Facetime or WhatsApp.  Please call today to make a no obligation appointment.

How do you charge for local moves versus long-distance moves?

The cost for local moves under 100 miles is based on the number of movers needed, the time it takes to move your belongings, and the double driving time between your old and new residence. We can give you a NOT TO EXCEED price with a visual estimate. We cannot go over this price, but we can only provide this if we see your inventory.

Long-distance moves depend on the distance you are moving and the weight/volume of your shipment. To determine the weight of your shipment, we will schedule a free in-home estimate in-person or by video and one of our trained estimators will evaluate the size/weight of your shipment and give you a FIXED price. You also have the option to request a weight ticket. We will weigh our truck(s) without your shipment, then load your shipment and reweigh the truck(s). The difference between the two weights is your actual shipment weight. There will be a small fee for the weight tickets from the scale.

We always use dedicated trucks for your move and never consolidate loads as this can lead to damages and lost or mixed-up items.

What does “not-to-exceed price” mean?

This type of pricing is only used on local moves less than 100 miles billed by the hour. A not-to-exceed price is a contract where we give you the Maximum not to exceed price in writing and guarantee that your move will not cost more than this amount, as specified in the contract. Sometimes, your move will cost less than this not-to-exceed price. After the first 3 hour minimum, we pro-rate and bill in 15-minute increments so you are only charged for the time you need. If the cost exceeds the contract price, you do not have to pay the difference as long as you have not added any items or extra packing to your move. If you request additional items to be moved or additional packing, the not to exceed price will be voided and extra charges will apply.

Do you charge extra for stairs/elevators?

If you are moving locally, we do not charge for stairs/elevators. Long-distance moves do have charges that apply but these charges will be included in your FLAT RATE PRICE. Local mover are charged by the hour, so when we have to navigate stairs/elevators, that takes longer and is incorporated into your final not to exceed price. We are allowed to charge extra on moves over 100 miles for stairs, long carries and elevators but these charges are usually included in your FLAR RATE FIXED PRICE quote. If you have not previously informed us of anything that keeps the truck away from the door, such as stairs, elevators, extra-long driveways, or walkways, there may be additional charges. To avoid additional charges, please let us know about your access at both locations before the move date.

Am I charged for movers taking breaks?

No, you will not be charged for your movers’ break time.

Is gratuity included in the price?

No, gratuity is not included, but is customary but not required. Customary guide for tipping movers is $5-$10 per man per hour. Tips should be earned. If you decide not to tip, it won’t affect the quality of your move or the care we take of your belongings.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AmEx or cash for local moves. We charge a 3% convenience fee surcharge on all credit card charges. Sorry, but no personal or business checks will be accepted for any type of move. We offer a 3% discount for seniors and military.

Moving Logistics

Do you move on holidays or weekends?
We move all year round, 7 days a week. We are closed on all major holidays like Christmas, New Year, 4th of July and Thanksgiving. Call our office for specific dates of closure.
Can I ride with the movers?
For liability reasons, clients are not allowed to ride in our trucks with the movers.
Are my items insured with you?

We provide valuation protection for goods, but that is not full-coverage insurance. Valuation refers to how much a moving company pays for belongings that are damaged or lost during the move. The state government regulates this for local Intrastate moves.

The basic valuation is $.60 per pound per item in California. Valuation is based on how much an item weighs in pounds times $0.60. If you have very valuable items, you may want to purchase additional full coverage insurance to protect your belongings during your move. Please contact www.MovingInsurance.com to get a quote for additional insurance. Let them know you are working with Quantum Moving for a discounted rate. Call your sales rep for assistance.

Why don’t you tell me the exact number of hours it’s going to take for a local move?
The law also forbids us and any other reputable moving company from giving exact quotes over the phone. Instead, the law requires us to give you rates based on the information you provide regarding the amount of furniture, boxes, travel distance and more. While we can give you a reasonable idea of the costs based on our experience, the truth is that every move is unique, so your final cost will reflect that. We can give you a ballpark range for the cost of a local hourly rate move but to get a more accurate NOT TO EXCEED price, you will need to schedule a FREE visual walkthrough estimate in person or by video.
Unlike most other moving companies, will you give me a specific date and time of delivery?

For all long distance moves over 100 miles within CA, our goal is to give you a specific delivery date and time. However, long-distance moves are subject to variables outside our control, such as weather, road conditions, truck breakdowns and distance. Please keep in mind that these factors can sometimes delay a delivery, but this is very rare. Our team tracks all shipments, and if there is going to be a delay, we will notify you immediately and keep you posted on the revised delivery date and time.

Packing and Boxes

What things should I be doing before moving day?

A variety of tasks will need to be handled as you prepare to move, from transferring school records to changing internet and utilities to making sure your address is changed. Of course, your biggest chore is packing up. Please pace your packing to reflect the space in your home and how far away your actual move date is. Call to schedule or confirm if your mover is packing any portion of your goods.

Do you offer packing services?

YES, we are a full-service moving company, and we can provide as much or as little packing assistance as you need. How much you pack or unpack is up to you. When you schedule your move, let’s discuss the packing/unpacking so we can discuss a plan for your moving day. Please ask your sales representative for a FREE packing price quote.

What do you provide FREE with every move?

Floor protection with floor runners at both locations
Furniture wrapping with blanket pads, shrink wrap and tape
Disassembly and reassembly of Beds, Desks and Tables, etc., as needed
Mattress bags (New and unlimited) & Wardrobe boxes to borrow (6 per truck)

Do you have mobile storage units?

NO, but we can help you to get a quote from PODS. We recommend Public Storage for short or long-term storage. Please call our team to discuss your storage needs.

What We Do and Don’t Move

Do you move pianos?
Yes, we can move upright and Baby Grand Pianos but not Grand pianos. Our professionally trained movers can assist in moving your piano. Contact us today to plan your piano move. We also recommend Tom’s Piano moving for local piano moves. Expensive pianos should have additional insurance coverage for full replacement value.
Do you move plants?
Yes, we do but they are not covered under the basic insurance valuation. Sometimes pots and branches can break. We ask that you do not water the plants for a few days prior to your move date so that they are dry.
Do you handle antiques/artwork?
We can assist in moving your artwork and antiques. Expensive pieces should be additionally insured for full replacement value. All packing is charged extra depending on the size of the item. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs.
What do you NOT move?

Liquids of any kind – oil, wine, soy sauce, pickle jars, cleaning products, etc.

Trash bags – they tear and are too flimsy. Boxes, bins or suitcases only please.

Explosives – guns, ammo, fireworks

Flammables – Propane tanks, butane canisters, or gas cans even if empty.

Hazardous Materials – Paint, paint thinner, fertilizer, etc.

Full dressers or cabinets – All dresser & desk drawers and cabinets must be empty please.

Gun safes over 800 lbs

Large sheds

Lawnmowers, scooters, motorcycles or leaf blowers that have gas – gas must be drained.

TV mounts – We can unmount and remount TVs but we do not move the TV mounts.

Freezers, fridges that are full – these must be empty and drained.

Gas dryers – we do not perform any gas connections – please check with PG&E for assistance.

Do you move pool tables?

Yes, we recommend THE POOL TABLE PROS who will remove the felt and slate top and disassemble and pack your pool table to make it ready to move. They will also replace the felt and slate top and level the table for you at the delivery. Please call our sales representative for assistance and pricing.