Thank you for your interest in University Movers! We have quickly evolved into one of the city’s largest and trusted relocation companies. Our community focused mission is to provide our clients with an exceptional skilled and courteous service of the most educated professionals in our field while continually striving to provide the highest possible value for the fees that you pay. We offer a premium quality of service be deploying well maintained, late model trucks; and assurance of damage free delivery by application of the most meticulous preparation and loading standards; and by staffing only the most motivated and qualified team members to care for your household property. Our company was developed in response to the desire for an improved approach to moving. We have answered this call by questioning, refining and redesigning every accepted practice in the household relocation industry. We have sought to cultivate a company whose standards are more akin to the hospitality industry rather than what is typically rougher around the edges. Over these four years, we have interviewed countless residents, business owners and property managers asking, “What is your ideal moving company?” Our services are devoted to those who have asked for more. As a continuously evolving association of relocation professionals, we have devoted our lives to providing you with the highest standards available in the moving industry. The primary focus of our company mission is to provide services that pleasantly exceed your expected results. All members of the University Movers team have extensively trained in the skillful accomplishment of the myriad steps in your relocation process and continuously update their knowledge base with the up to date technology available. In the moving industry, there are vast differences in company values. We set ourselves apart as a community focused organization. In this spirit, we offer a personalized service itinerary that is flexible and tailored to your individual needs as our patron. As an association of dedicated professionals, we only hire the most qualified candidates. They all enthusiastically participate in a principled, health conscious, drug free lifestyle and go through a rigorous interview and training process. Company officers are available at all times to handle any of you questions or concerns. You are always welcome to contact us before, during, and after your move to discuss any matter. University Movers remains an organization of closely knit professionals because we have decided to favor quality over quantity in our work commitments. Through our service, we presently lead our industry on the relentless pursuit of perfection.
Preparation Management: We strive for a damage frequency of 0%. Your furniture will be well padded and shrink wrapped in your home before we take custody for transportation. This process will demand a nominal time investment, but the protection that such measures offer is well worth the few extra minutes. If necessary, we will provide supplies for your more fragile items along with other appropriate concerns. It may be a little extra in cost but when it comes to protecting your valuables you will find it is well worth it.
As your moving partner, our chief concern is to assure your property’s absolute protection throughout the move!
We will arrive tooled and prepared to perform any necessary dis/assembly of your household appliances and furniture. Although we move with speed and intensity, we also take extraordinary care to assure a courteous and enjoyable service experience. We recommend that you complete all packing concerns prior to our arrival in order to allow for the most rapid completion time.
Packing: It is a general rule that most damage occurs to property due to improper packing techniques. We recommend that you contact with us to care for this phase of your move as well. When you order packing services we take full responsibility for the safety of your property throughout shipment. We offer full service packing and furniture preparation for local, interstate and overseas shipping. A separate estimate may be requested for these services if you have an interest.
Packing tips: If you are completing your own packing, we offer 3 suggestions. First, seek to consolidate as much of your property into boxes as possible. Second, we recommend that you place all of your belongings into new boxes. Third, label your boxes by the room and then by the general content. Be sure to mark fragile items. These 3 precautions will help us save you time on the job and much more importantly will prevent the possibility of damage.
By boxing all of your property, you provide us with the foundation upon which we work. Stacking is necessary when loading our vans and we are able to practice our techniques most effectively when we are provided with uniform “building blocks”. New boxes allow for a more solid structure for us to work with while we load and unload. Used boxes may collapse and pose a safety issue for your property and for us. Boxes are an excellent investment. With assured safety to your cargo, your satisfaction is guaranteed. In addition, our goals are more quickly accomplished when such measures are taken. We use our equipment to great advantage and we load our vehicles up to 50% more quickly when you are adequately packed into new, uniform boxes. Please note, your estimated cost of services presupposes that you belongings are adequately prepared for us prepared for us upon arrival. Improper packing is the most common cause for extended work periods that exceed the estimator’s calculations.
Quicker completion time equates to lower labor fees
Should you require additional packing supplies, we offer free delivery of many different specialty items. Contact our office at your convenience so that we may assist you in placing an order. (805) 618-1618
Information Booklet: As a state licensed carrier, we are required to provide you with enclosed booklet, “important information for Persons Moving Household Goods.” Please review to acquaint yourself with the regulations of our industry. This booklet will thoroughly outline your rights and responsibilities as a client of any duly licensed Household Good Carrier.
Damage Protection: You may already possess coverage for “moving damage” through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Verify this possibility with your agent prior to the move date. Movers are not licensed to offer insurance protection in the state of California. There are, however a number of limited damage protection options available as an extension of a company’s cargo policy carrier. These policy protections cover certain damages in the event of company negligence or accident. Please review terms and conditions, general disclosures and “what is valuation” along with the reverse side of your service contract for a complete outline of moving industry provisions and limitations of liability. All California licensed moving companies and their clients are bound by these terms. For a brief explanation of available valuation coverage options, please view pages 6-9 within the enclosed information booklet, “important Information for persons moving Household Goods.” Prior to the day of your move, a Project Manager will verify which plan you prefer on the Freight Bill.
Inventory: If you wish, your service crew will compile an inventory list as the truck is loaded. We offer this service to assure your protection from any possibility of loss during transit. This procedure is offered at a nominal charge of $25.00 and adds a slight increase in your time investment to the project. Your peace of mind however is guaranteed by verifying delivery of every item in your household. It is your best interest to order an inventory report because we can then accept full responsibility for delivery. Please note, our cargo insurance policy will only honor “loss claims” when a comprehensive inventory has been conducted by a company representative prior to shipment. This serves as your receipt and is the sole means of sustaining such a claim.
Furniture (Dis)assembly: The moving van is a turbulent environment and such constant movement can weaken or possibly damage many unstable items. This is especially true in regard to particle board furniture. Please notify us beforehand if you are aware of any such issues with your furniture. We will exercise every measure of due diligence in preparing your furniture for shipment and we recommend that all furniture be disassembled to its basic components prior to loading our vans. You may either complete such (dis)assembly before we arrive or you may allow for us to complete this task before loading our trucks. We recognize that many of our clients travel short distances or are working with a limited budget and wish to keep such furniture intact. This is fine, however, we ask that you release us from any such liability prior to shipping. Our company’s damage liability policy limits your protection to structural damages that are incurred due to our negligence and will not account for preexisting weaknesses.
Comparing Estimates and Hourly Rates: All movers are not created equal. In the moving industry, you get what you pay for. There are vast differences in the quality of service that you will receive by the various companies in Santa Barbara. Each company uses differing qualification and training criteria for its staff and you are advised to thoroughly interview as many people as possible before making a decision. Reputable companies will provide you with courteous completely informed staff members who have extensive professional level of experience. Their vehicles and equipment will be of first rate quality. Reputation is everything to this type of company and your satisfaction is an especially important issue to the management. The cheaper movers in the business have to cut many corners in order to offer a lesser hourly rate for their services. This type of company typically employs lower paid staff members who are usually less qualified than otherwise. The vehicles that these “discount” type companies use are much older and often in questionable mechanical condition. You will span the full range of quality when choosing a mover. References are an important resource in your qualification process. An excellent third party reference is the Better Business Bureau. Through this organization you can check the service records of all accredited moving companies in the area. Other reference points are the Chamber of Commerce and the California Moving and Storage Association. University Movers is an active member in the local business community and we are proud of our membership in all three of these organizations. As young professionals, we invest considerable time and energy into our civic responsibilities and can volunteer an extensive reference list should you require.
Estimated costs of service are usually based upon an hourly rate set for an approximate time frame. When evaluating the estimated time of completion submitted by company representatives, it is prudent to compare the results. As a general rule, there are variables of approximately 20% in the time efficiently of the slowest and the quickest companies. Stated plainly, every company is going to complete the project within a similar time frame.
It is your responsibility to compare these estimates. Hold suspect unreasonably “optimistic” figures. Regrettably, our industry standards are diminished by those who offer inaccurate estimates of completion times and then expect you to pay additional fees for the “unexpected” time investment at the end. By researching the figures submitted, you will generate your own education perspectives on the project and will thereby assure satisfaction with the fees you end up paying.
Estimated Cost of Services: Generated estimates are based upon the information you provide to company logistics specialists. In cases where extraordinary conditions such as stairways, elevators, extensive walking distances, or appliance servicing were not noted in the estimate, additional charges may apply. If such logistical challenges extend the requirements of our contract, a “Change Order” will be filled out on site which will change the scope of work and price of the move. You will be billed for the remaining balance. In most cases such billing is assessed at the standard hourly rate for services. Your quoted service plan includes credit for loading, unloading, and driving time to your destination. You will be billed at the industry standard rate for our services. Your estimate has been based primarily upon the information that you have provided our company representatives and partially on the standard industry measurements for similar projects. Our estimates consistently determine an accurate final bill. If a difference does accrue, there are various logistical factors that may come into play when the actual work is set into motion. Your packing style and individual requirements may change the defined procedures involved. Regardless, as a premium quality contractor, we are fully committed to addressing every aspect of you relocation that falls within our scope of service.
Our Commitment: We are here to serve you in whatever fashion suits the needs of you relocation. Regardless of any unforeseen logistical conditions, your project will be completed in the most efficient and economical manner possible! An important principle that we must agree on is that you will honor your responsibility to completely compensate us in accord with the terms of our contract. As a community focused organization, our aim is to provide our client with the most satisfying value in the moving industry by offering an uncommon commitment to intensely focused attention and extraordinary courtesy. We use high quality vehicles and equipment to assure a first class experience. We provide this quality of service at our expense rather than yours. We appreciate that some of our clients are constrained by budgetary concerns. If you have a limit as to how much you can afford to pay, please discuss the matter with us before the job begins. If we monitor the time that is spent on your project, appropriately expedient delivery options will be arranged. Ultimately, you are the project manager and you are legally responsible for the final bill. Please use our services responsibly.
Gratuity: Your billing does not include gratuity. We prefer leaving such matters where they belong. If you are happy with our quality of service, please feel free to tip your service crew in whatever fashion you feel is most appropriate. Your tip is a gracious way of acknowledging your efforts at providing an extraordinary level of convenience, courtesy and value to our patrons. Your generosity will play an essential role in assuring that the most qualified and able gentleman avail themselves for the next client who uses our services.
Final Payment Conditions: You may provide COD payment at the delivery point. Transportation industry regulations require that we receive full payment upon unloading of the van.
Hourly Rate and Local Moves within Santa Barbara: The final bill is calculated as (Loading Time +2 X Driving Time + Unloading Time). Movers within Santa Barbara are billed for 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after this equation to account for our drive tome to and from the depot.
Long Distance Moves: Secured deposit for estimated cost of services is required before your move-out appointment. You may pay in advance by personal check if funds clear prior to your appointment. On the day of your move, we will accept cash, money order, cashier’s check, or credit card.
Payment Options: Cash, Check, Credit Card. We offer processing through Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. For check and charge payment, please be prepared to provide positive identification. We require this for your protection and to secure your payment.
Preparation: We have developed a checklist to assist you in preparing for your appointment. Please remember, a well planned move ensures a well executed move. We suggest that you begin preparing well in advance in order to minimize the stress involved with this event and to assure that we can offer you the best value for our talents. By diligently accomplishing small tasks on a day by day basis, you will render a most peaceful completion to this project.
We look forward to serving as your preferred carrier. Please feel free to contact us at the office Monday-Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM if you have any additional questions or concerns.
It is a pleasure to be of service!
Best regards,
The University Movers Team