Our process
How a white glove move works
Every Elite move follows the same six steps, whether it is a condo, an estate, an office or an event, so you always know what happens next, when, and who is responsible.
The six steps
From first call to follow-up
- 012 to 6 weeks out
Private walkthrough
We walk the home or office with you, in person or by video, and note every piece that needs special handling.
- 02Within days of the walkthrough
Written inventory and plan
You receive an itemized inventory, a crating list for art and fragile pieces, a crew and truck plan, and a written estimate.
- 03The week before
Building and HOA coordination
We handle certificates of insurance, loading dock and elevator reservations, gate access and any street parking permits the move needs.
- 04Move day, or the days before
Protection and packing
Floors, doorways and railings are protected first. Furniture is wrapped, fragile pieces are packed with the right materials, crates are built for pieces that need them, and every box is labeled by room.
- 05Delivery day
Placement to plan
Furniture is placed to your floor plan, beds are assembled, art is staged by the wall it belongs on, and packing debris leaves with the crew.
- 06After the move
Follow-up
We check in once you have settled, to handle anything that needs adjusting, hanging or returning to storage.
Step by step
What you receive, and what we need from you
- 01
Private walkthrough
2 to 6 weeks out
We walk the home or office with you, in person or by video, and note every piece that needs special handling.
You receive
- A first look at every room, route and access point
- A list of pieces that need crating or special handling
- Honest advice on timing, storage and access
We need from you
- An hour in person, or a video call room by room
- Your move date or window
- Anything that is not going: sold, donated or staying
- 02
Written inventory and plan
Within days of the walkthrough
You receive an itemized inventory, a crating list for art and fragile pieces, a crew and truck plan, and a written estimate.
You receive
- An itemized inventory
- A crating list with dimensions
- A crew and truck plan
- A written estimate
We need from you
- Your floor plan for the new home, even a sketch
- Which pieces are high value, so they are listed
- Building or HOA contacts at both ends
- 03
Building and HOA coordination
The week before
We handle certificates of insurance, loading dock and elevator reservations, gate access and any street parking permits the move needs.
You receive
- Certificates of insurance issued to buildings and associations
- Elevator, dock and gate times booked
- Street parking permits where a city requires them
We need from you
- Building and HOA rules or contacts
- Gate codes or guard instructions
- Access for any crate measurements we still need
- 04
Protection and packing
Move day, or the days before
Floors, doorways and railings are protected first. Furniture is wrapped, fragile pieces are packed with the right materials, crates are built for pieces that need them, and every box is labeled by room.
You receive
- Floors, doorways and railings protected at both homes
- Crates built for art, stone and glass that need them
- Every box labeled by room
We need from you
- Valuables, documents and medications set aside to travel with you
- A decision on anything that should not be packed
- 05
Placement to plan
Delivery day
Furniture is placed to your floor plan, beds are assembled, art is staged by the wall it belongs on, and packing debris leaves with the crew.
You receive
- Furniture placed to your floor plan
- Beds assembled and rugs laid first
- Art staged by the wall it belongs on
- Packing debris removed
We need from you
- Someone on site to confirm placement
- Your wishes for unpacking: full, partial or none
- 06
Follow-up
After the move
We check in once you have settled, to handle anything that needs adjusting, hanging or returning to storage.
You receive
- A check-in from our team
- Help with anything that needs adjusting, hanging or returning to storage
We need from you
- Two minutes to tell us how it went
Discretion is part of the plan
Moving a home means seeing how people live. Crews are briefed on house rules before arrival, keep to the rooms and entrances agreed in the plan, and do not photograph or post the homes they work in. If your household needs a specific protocol, it goes into the written plan at the walkthrough.
How to verify any mover
Every household mover in California needs a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, shown as a CAL-T number. Look it up before you book, ask for a written estimate, and never pay a large cash deposit to a mover you have not met.
Why do you insist on a walkthrough before quoting?
Because the price of a white glove move depends on things a phone call cannot see: how many pieces need crates, how far the truck is from the door, whether there is a hillside, an elevator or a gate, and how much packing there is. A walkthrough turns those into a written inventory and estimate, so the number does not change on move day.
Can the walkthrough be done by video?
For smaller homes and offices, and for the far end of a long distance move, a room-by-room video call can work. California requires every written estimate to follow a visual inspection of the goods, and the Bureau of Household Goods and Services recommends inspecting in person, so for estates, collections and tricky access we walk the home in person, measure the crates and walk the route from door to truck.
How are my belongings protected if something is damaged?
California sets a mover's basic liability at 60 cents per pound per article, which rarely covers fine furniture or art. Before move day we explain the higher valuation options available for your move in writing, and high-value pieces are listed on the inventory so everyone knows exactly what is in the truck.
Do you handle building and HOA paperwork?
Yes. Most buildings and gated communities ask for a certificate of insurance, a reserved elevator or dock time and set move hours. We collect the rules for both addresses, issues the certificates and books the times, and arranges street parking permits where a city requires them.
How do I check that a moving company is legitimate in California?
Every household mover in California needs a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services, shown as a CAL-T number in its advertising. Ask for the number and look it up at bhgs.dca.ca.gov before you book. Be wary of any mover that quotes without seeing your home or asks for a large cash deposit.
Request a quote
Book the first step: a private walkthrough
Tell us what is moving and when. We will arrange a walkthrough, in person or by video, and send a written plan and estimate.