Your Guide to a Stress-Free Move
Residential relocation services are professional solutions for moving your household belongings. These services range from core offerings like loading, transportation, and unloading to optional add-ons such as professional packing, short- or long-term storage, and specialty item handling for things like pianos or antiques. Whether you’re undertaking a local move in Chicago, a long-distance relocation from Illinois to Florida, or a specialty move into a high-rise, the right services can turn a chaotic process into a smooth transition.
Moving can be stressful, often requiring quick decisions. As one expert noted, “You need a moving team who can provide friendly and competent support” for your valuables. The cost varies, with local moves averaging around $1,250 and interstate moves near $4,300, depending on distance, weight, and chosen services. Companies offer everything from basic transport to full-service packages that handle every detail.
I’m Mina Georgalas, owner of Bernard Movers. Since 1972, our family-owned company has provided residential relocation services in Chicagoland and beyond. With nearly 30 years of industry leadership, I’ve guided countless families through moves of all sizes, from small apartments to large cross-country relocations.
Learn more about residential relocation services:
Understanding the Spectrum of Residential Relocation Services
Every move is unique, from a Chicago apartment to a suburban Glenview home. Professional residential relocation services offer a spectrum of options to fit any need, distance, or budget. We can simply transport your belongings or handle every detail to make your move seamless.
Types of Residential Moves: Local, Long-Distance, and Specialty
Understanding move types helps you choose the right services.
Local Moving
A local move is a short-distance relocation, typically within 100 miles. For clients in Chicago, Melrose Park, and Evanston, our Local Movers Chicago provide efficient service, navigating city traffic and building rules with expertise.
Long-Distance Moving
An interstate move from Illinois to states like Georgia or Florida is a long-distance move. These require meticulous planning and adherence to transport regulations. We are experts in Out of State Moving and are currently offering a 20% discount on moves to GA and FL for delivery by March 15, 2026.
Specialty Moves
We also handle moves based on residence type:
- Apartment, Condo, & High-Rise Moving: Our teams expertly manage tight spaces, elevators, and building rules in Chicago and suburban communities. Learn about our Apartment Moving services.
- Single-Family Home Moves: These larger-scale moves require more staff and equipment to relocate an entire household.
Core vs. Add-On Services: Customizing Your Residential Relocation Package
Professional residential relocation services allow you to tailor your moving package.
Core Services
- Loading and Unloading: Our movers handle all the heavy lifting.
- Transportation: We safely transport your items in our well-maintained fleet.
Add-On Services
- Packing and Unpacking: Let our team pack your entire home. We can also unpack and remove all debris. See our Packing and Unpacking Services.
- Storage Solutions: We offer secure, Affordable Moving and Storage for short or long-term needs.
- Specialty Item Moving: We have the expertise to move pianos, artwork, and other fragile items.
- Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly: We can take apart and reassemble large furniture.
A Full Service Moving package covers nearly everything, letting you focus on your new home.
The Professional Advantage: Why Hiring Movers Beats DIY
While DIY moving seems cheap, hiring professional residential relocation services provides greater value and a smoother experience.
Why hire professionals?
- Stress Reduction: We handle the logistics and heavy lifting so you can focus on settling in.
- Efficiency: Our trained movers pack and load your home far faster than you could alone.
- Safety: We use proper techniques and equipment to prevent injuries and damage, protecting your home with floor runners and pads.
- Proper Equipment: We bring all the necessary dollies, blankets, and the right-sized truck.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Factoring in truck rental, supplies, and potential damages, professional services are often the smarter financial choice.
- Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing your belongings are handled by Licensed Insured Movers.
Your Blueprint for a Successful Move: From Quote to Unpacking
A well-executed move, whether across Evanston or to Georgia, requires careful planning and reliable execution. We provide a clear blueprint for your move, guiding you from the first call to the last unpacked box.
Choosing the Right Mover: Key Factors for Your Residential Relocation Services
Selecting the right moving company is the most critical decision. Trust is built on several key factors:
- Reputation and Experience: Look for movers with a solid track record. We’ve provided residential relocation services since 1972, bringing decades of experience to every job.
- Licensing and Insurance: This is non-negotiable. A reputable mover must be licensed, bonded, and insured to protect you and your belongings. You can verify a mover’s federal registration through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database.
- Customer Reviews: Check online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. We’re proud of our Customer Reviews from clients in Chicago and beyond.
- Transparent Estimates: A trustworthy mover provides a detailed Moving Estimate. We perform an item-by-item survey to ensure our pricing is as accurate as possible.
- Local Expertise: For local moves, knowledge of the area is invaluable. Our Chicago Movers know the city’s traffic, regulations, and neighborhoods, ensuring an efficient move.
Before hiring, ask about their licensing, included services, pricing structure, and how they handle fragile items and protect your home.
The Residential Relocation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Our process is structured for clarity and efficiency. Here’s what to expect with our residential relocation services:
- Consultation & Survey: We start with a discussion of your needs, followed by an in-home or virtual survey to assess the volume of your belongings.
- Receiving Your Estimate: We provide a detailed estimate based on the survey. We offer binding and non-binding options and guarantee our estimated weight will not be exceeded by more than 10% (if no items are added).
- Booking and Planning: Once you approve the estimate, we’ll schedule your move and assign a move coordinator as your point of contact.
- Packing Day (if applicable): If you choose packing services, our team will arrive with materials to carefully pack and label your belongings.
- Moving Day: Our crew will arrive, protect your home’s surfaces, pad and wrap your furniture, and securely load everything onto the truck.
- Transportation: Your belongings are safely transported to your new home, whether it’s across Chicago or to Georgia or Florida.
- Delivery and Unloading: We unload your items, place furniture where you want it, and reassemble beds.
- Unpacking Day (if applicable): If selected, we will unpack all boxes we packed and remove the debris, leaving your new space organized.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition: Safety, Costs, and Communication
A successful move hinges on safety, transparent costs, and clear communication.
Safety and Security
Your belongings’ safety is our priority. We use expert packing techniques, protective padding for furniture and floors, and secure loading methods. Our professional, background-checked crews ensure your possessions are handled with care from start to finish.
Understanding Costs
The cost of residential relocation services depends on several factors:
- Distance: Local moves are typically priced differently than long-distance ones.
- Volume/Weight: The more you move, the higher the cost. An in-home survey provides an accurate estimate.
- Services Chosen: Full-service options like packing and storage will add to the base price.
- Timing and Accessibility: Peak season and access challenges (stairs, long carries) can affect the cost.
For a detailed breakdown, see How much do movers cost in Chicago?. And don’t forget our 20% discount on moves from Illinois to Georgia or Florida with delivery by March 15, 2026.
Communication
Clear communication is key. You’ll have a dedicated move coordinator as your single point of contact to answer questions and provide updates. We keep you informed every step of the way to ensure your Residential Moving experience is seamless and stress-free.
