Frequently Asked Questions

We are Chicago movers who offer convenient and reliable services to our customers all throughout the Chicagoland area. Call us today!

The process of moving is unfamiliar to most people. Inevitably, many questions will arise. Below is a list of common questions and answers concerning moving. Click on any of them to take you directly to the answer.

What services do you offer?

We offer a full range of packing, moving and storage services. This includes: local moves, long distance moves, short-term or long-term storage and full packing services. If you are packing yourself we can provide boxes for you to use. In short, we can perform any type of move that you may need.

What credentials should I look for in a moving company?

Moving companies are regulated by the government. In Illinois, the Illinois Commerce Commission is the body that licenses moving companies. Golan’s license number with the ICC is 93712. We acquired this license in 1990, and have held it since then without interruption.

For inter-state moves, the US Department of Transportation regulates moving companies. Our DOT number is 504435. We have held this inter-state authority since 1990.

As part of these licenses, we are required to carry general liability, auto liability, and workers compensation insurance. Further, all movers must display their license numbers on any advertising. Unfortunately, it is common that rogue movers make claims of legitimacy, when in fact they lack the creditials mentioned here.

When should I call a moving company?

We are able to accomdate any reservation. For local moves it is recommended that you contact us at least a week before your move. For long distance moves, we recommend that you contact us two weeks before the plannned pick-up date. (Reminder: For LD moves, making an early reservation can ensure quicker turnaround of your goods to the destination.)

Do I need an estimate?

Yes. For small moves, you can get an estimate over the phone from one of our relocation consultant. For larger moves, upon request, a Golan’s representative will give you a written “Estimated Cost of Services” after a visual survey of the goods to be moved. There is no charge for the estimate.

What exactly is ‘travel time’?

In local move, travel time is the time it takes us to get to and from the job site(s). It is charged as a flat time based on the location of the job site(s).

When is the best time to move?

There is no “best time” to move because everyone is different in what they need, however, the summer season is always the busiest time of the year. Golan’s charges a small premium for local moves on certain days at the end of every month. You can save money by moving outside of these dates, but whatever works best for you is still the “best time” to move. Please contact a sales representative to learn about peak versus off-peak local rates.

How long does it take to move?

This depends on many factors, including the time of year, weather conditions, size of your shipment, size of the elevator, time required to load and unload, and the direction and distance your shipment is traveling.

How big are your trucks?

Our local moving vans are known as “26 foot box trucks.” Specifially, we operate Mitubushi Fuso trucks that are 36 feet long bumper to bumper. The ‘box’ portion of the truck measures approximately 26′ long by 8′ high and 7′ across. The interior of the the box has custom e-track rails used for proper cargo bracking and tie down. Most of our vehicles are equipped with a lift gate. In addtion, we equip each truck with moving blankets, dollies, masonite boards, and other equipment necessary to make each move efficient and effective.

How and when will I pay?

We accept any combination of cash, cashiers checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. (As of 12-1-16, we do not accept American Express.) For local moves payment is due at the conclusion of the work, each day of service. For long distance moves, we will seek a small deposit upon booking (typically 10%), approximately 50% of the total at pick-up, and the final balance at the delivery, before unloading. If using a credit card for long distance moves, we charge a 2.5% convenience fee.

Can I pack clothes in my dresser drawers?

In general, we recommend that you empty items from all bureaus, desks, dressers, chests, armoires, etc. Lightweight clothing-sweaters, shirts, blouses, lingerie-may be left in light dressers. Do not fill drawers with heavy items, which can damage the piece of furniture during transit.

Am I protected against loss or damage?

Yes. There is a basic valuation that is included with all moves, as well as a few options for increasing this. Please click here for more information on local valuation, or click here for long distance valuation.

How should I pack my belongings if I am doing it myself?

If you choose to do some or all of your own packing in preparation for your relocation, it’s especially important that you be familiar with the techniques that will best protect your possessions. Boxes should be packed tightly with padding after items are inside to prevent shifting during transportation. You can use anything like newspaper, blankets or linens to pack these boxes tight. We’ve prepared Packing Guide Page to share with you those methods which our professional packers use every day.

There is no loading area at my building. Is this going to be a problem?

We can park on the street based on availability. We do have the option of getting you a parking permit through the city of Chicago for a small fee. This allows us to have a parking spot sectioned off for us on the day of your move.

Is my building going to want to know anything about my move?

Most buildings with elevators are going to require that you get authorization for a specific time that you can use them for your move. You should look into this immediately to make sure you can get the time you want. Additionally, most buildings managers are going to want to see a “Certificate of Liability”. At your request we can have this sent to them.

Is there an additional charge for elevators or long hallways?

No. Golan’s charges the same rates whether you live in a house of on the top floor of a high rise.

Can my possessions be stored temporarily?

If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence, your belongings can be stored at reasonable cost in our local state of the art warehouse.

Should I move jewelry and other valuables myself?

While Golan’s can move valuables such as money, jewelry, or other items of extraordinary value, we recommend that you carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you.

It is raining/snowing today, is this going to be a problem?

No. All of your furniture is going to be wrapped in padding or shrink wrap so you do not need to worry about them getting wet. Additionally, we have carpet film and plastic floor covering that we use to protect any flooring from damage.

Can I ride to along on the truck?

We cannot allow people other than movers to ride in the truck because for liability purposes.

Will you unpack my belongings and clean up after?

On a local move we can unpack your boxes. You will not be charged additionally, but rather just on the time it takes to complete. We will always clean up after ourselves.

Am I supposed to tip the movers?

Tipping is not required, but many people do. You should decide based on the quality of the move that you receive. Those that do tip tend to give either a small percentage of the entire move, or a small dollar amount per mover per hour. In the end, you should only tip an amount you are comfortable with.

Unfortunately one of my items was damaged or lost, what should I do?

We are sorry that there was a problem with your move. Unfortunately it can happen in a service industry. Give us a call and we will inform you as to what you should do.

You did a great job, is there somewhere I can leave positive feedback?

We always love to hear about the great jobs our movers do. Feel free to click here to take a brief survey. It won’t take more than 2 minutes.

What People Say About Us?

The four men who did my move were courteous, professional, good humored, and SO strong. They did an outstanding job. This is the second time I’ve used Golan and I wouldn’t hesitate to call upon them for any future moves. I’ve recommended Golan’s to both family and friends.

Jenny D.

Skokie, IL

Your guys are great. The foreman I had was actually the foreman I had when I originally moved into my place. The level of service was just as good as the first time. The team was, in fact, early. They made the whole experience enjoyable.

Alcott C.

Chicago, IL

Golan’s always does a fantastic job with my moves. The team is professional and friendly, and makes my move as stress free as possible. I will absolutely use Golan in the future and am constantly recommending them to my friends.

Jillian B.

Evanston, IL