What is Full-Service Moving and Why It Matters

Full service relocation is a comprehensive moving solution where a single professional team handles every aspect of your move. Unlike a DIY move where you do everything, or partial service where movers only load and transport, a full-service team manages the entire process from start to finish.

Here’s what full service relocation typically includes:

• Professional packing and unpacking with high-quality materials
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Loading and unloading with proper equipment
• Transportation in well-maintained trucks
• Specialty item handling for pianos, artwork, and antiques
• Storage solutions for misaligned move-in dates
• New home setup, including furniture placement and debris removal

For families relocating from Chicago, this all-in-one service is invaluable. It eliminates the physical stress of packing and heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on work transitions and other personal logistics. Professional movers complete relocations in a fraction of the time it takes to DIY, with a significantly lower risk of injury or damaged belongings.

I’m Mina Georgalas, and for nearly 30 years, I’ve led Bernard Movers in perfecting full service relocation for families and businesses across Chicago, Melrose Park, and Illinois. We’ve helped thousands of clients transition smoothly, handling everything from high-rise apartments to cross-country moves.

Full service relocation definitions:

• best places to pack up and move
• packers and movers within city

The Comprehensive Guide to Full-Service Relocation

Moving, whether across Chicago or from Illinois, is often one of life’s most stressful events. At Bernard Movers, our mission is to provide a seamless transition with our full service relocation offerings. We manage every detail with precision, providing a “white-glove service” that treats your belongings with the utmost respect. This is especially valuable in Chicago, where our experienced teams are equipped to handle the challenges of high-rises and dense urban environments, letting you focus on your new life.

What’s Included in a Full-Service Package?

A full service relocation package is designed to be a complete solution. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

• Professional Packing and Unpacking: Our trained professionals use high-quality materials—including specialized dish packs, wardrobe boxes, and bubble wrap—to carefully pack every item. Each box is meticulously labeled by room and content for easy identification. Upon arrival, we can unpack and place items in their designated rooms, making your new house feel like home immediately. Learn more about our packing and unpacking services.

• Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly: We expertly disassemble large or complex items like beds, modular sofas, and dining tables for safe transport. Our team arrives with the right tools and expertise to ensure everything is reassembled correctly and securely in your new home, preventing damage or instability.

• Specialty Item Handling: Our teams have specialized expertise for delicate or oversized items. We are equipped to move pianos, antiques, and artwork using custom crating, specialized padding, and proper equipment like piano boards. We also handle the safe disconnection and reconnection of heavy appliances, ensuring they are ready for use.

• Loading and Unloading: Our movers handle all heavy lifting, strategically loading and securing items in the truck to prevent shifting and damage during transit. At your destination, we unload everything with care and place it according to your direction, protecting floors and walls in the process.

• Transportation: We use a fleet of modern, clean, and well-maintained moving trucks equipped with GPS tracking. This ensures the safe and timely delivery of your belongings, giving you peace of mind throughout the journey.

• Storage Solutions: If your moving dates don’t align or you need to declutter, we offer flexible and secure short-term or long-term storage. Our climate-controlled facilities protect sensitive items from temperature fluctuations and are monitored for security.

• Debris and Junk Removal: A true full-service move includes removing all moving-related debris, like empty boxes and packing paper. We can also assist with the responsible, eco-friendly disposal of unwanted items, which is especially helpful for downsizing or estate clear-outs.

• New Home Setup: Beyond just placing boxes, we can help arrange furniture according to your floor plan. This service ensures your new home is comfortable, organized, and functional from the moment you walk in.

The A-to-Z Process: From Quote to Unpacking

The journey of a full service relocation is transparent and customized to your needs.

1. Initial Consultation and Quote: The process starts with a thorough consultation to understand your specific needs, timeline, and budget. We conduct a virtual or in-home survey to accurately assess the volume of your belongings and provide a detailed moving estimate with transparent, easy-to-understand pricing.

2. Booking and Dedicated Move Coordinator: After booking, you’re assigned a dedicated move coordinator who will be your single point of contact. They are responsible for managing all logistics, answering your questions, and ensuring your move plan is executed flawlessly from start to finish.

3. Pre-Move Planning: Your coordinator helps create a detailed moving plan and timeline, including coordinating with building management for elevator reservations or parking permits. We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during peak season, but can often accommodate urgent requests.

4. Move Day Execution: On move day, our uniformed, professional team arrives on time with all necessary materials. We begin by protecting your home, using floor runners, door jamb protectors, and padding. We then systematically pack, label, disassemble furniture, and load the truck efficiently.

5. Transportation Logistics: Your items are loaded onto our modern, GPS-tracked trucks. Our experienced, licensed drivers navigate the best routes to ensure safe and timely transit, whether you’re moving across Chicago or embarking on a long-distance journey from Illinois.

6. Unpacking and Setup: At your new home, we unload, reassemble furniture, and place everything in the correct rooms. If you’ve opted for unpacking services, we will unpack boxes as instructed and remove the debris, helping to make your new space functional immediately.

7. Technology Improvements: We leverage technology like virtual surveys to provide faster, more accurate estimates. The industry is also adopting tools like move management apps to simplify planning and communication, and we embrace these efficiencies to improve your overall experience and provide real-time updates.

Key Benefits of a Full-Service Relocation

Opting for a full service relocation offers numerous advantages over a DIY approach, especially for moves within Chicago or from Illinois.

• Stress Reduction: The primary benefit is a dramatic reduction in stress. We handle the packing, heavy lifting, and logistics, freeing you to focus on the personal aspects of your move.

• Time Savings: Our trained teams can pack and move your household in a fraction of the time a DIY move would take, saving you weeks of effort.

• Superior Safety and Security: Our professional packers use high-quality materials to protect your belongings. Our trained movers handle heavy items safely, reducing the risk of personal injury. As a fully licensed and insured moving company, we provide a layer of security that DIY moves lack.

• Efficiency for Long-Distance Moves: For long-distance moves from Illinois, we simplify the complex logistics. We handle all aspects of transport, from route planning to regulations, ensuring a smooth cross-country transition.

• Minimizing Business Downtime: For commercial and office moves in Chicago or Melrose Park, our efficiency minimizes downtime, allowing your business to resume operations quickly.

• Professionalism and Reliability: A reputable mover is defined by experience and reliability. Look for strong customer reviews, which indicate a track record of successful moves and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Understanding the Costs of a Full-Service Move

While a full service relocation is an investment, the value it provides in convenience and safety is often immeasurable.

How Fees Are Typically Structured:

• Hourly Rate: Local moves within Chicago are often billed at an hourly rate that covers labor, the truck, and fuel, with transparent pricing.
• Flat-Rate: Long-distance moves typically use a flat rate, providing a guaranteed price for budget predictability.

Factors Influencing Cost:

Costs are influenced by the volume of items, move distance, accessibility (stairs, elevators), and any additional services like packing or storage. Moving during off-peak times (mid-week, mid-month) can also be more cost-effective.

Customizing a Plan to Meet Your Needs and Budget:

A key advantage of full-service moving is its flexibility. You can customize a plan by selecting only the services you need, such as packing for fragile items only. Be open with your move coordinator about your budget so we can find the most cost-effective solutions. We provide a comprehensive full service moving cost estimate that breaks down all charges, so you know exactly what to expect.

Make Your Next Chicago Move Your Easiest Yet

Moving is a significant life event, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. At Bernard Movers, our commitment is to provide an unparalleled full service relocation experience. By choosing us for your move from Chicago, Melrose Park, or anywhere in Illinois, you’re investing in convenience, time savings, and the safety of your belongings. We handle every detail with professionalism, from the initial quote to the final furniture placement, so you can focus on settling into your new home.

As your trusted Chicago movers, we are dedicated to exceeding your expectations. We’re proud to offer a special advantage: a 20% additional discount on moves to Georgia and Florida booked for delivery by March 15, 2025. This is our way of making your long-distance transition even more accessible.

Let us handle the details. Experience the peace of mind that comes with a truly full-service move. Contact our team of professional packers and movers today for your personalized moving estimate and find how easy your next move can be.