FAQ's

This is the most frequently asked question and it has no definite answer. The cost of a move is based on many factors: weight, distance, length of time and the manpower involved. Local moves that are under 30 miles are based on an hourly rate, long distance moves are based on weight. The best option is to contact your local Lile branch and request a free estimate. To request an estimate go here.

When making the important decision of moving, it may seem as though doing it yourself is the most budget friendly option. However, after all factors are considered, hiring professional movers may be the more cost-effective solution. During a self-move, you are responsible for not only the cost of the rental moving truck, but for gas, tolls, lodging, food and other expenses. If it works out that the two moving options are comparably priced, or if professional movers are more expensive, consider what is gained by hiring a moving company.

Hiring professional movers saves you time, stress and effort. Also, the moving services are entrusted to highly trained professionals who can efficiently pack, load, unload and unpack your things. Heavy appliances, large furniture and fragile items are difficult to load securely and unload without incurring damage. Skilled professional movers have the expertise to handle these more difficult belongings. Also, if any damage is incurred during moving, or if the items are lost in transit, the moving company bears the responsibility. If you self-move, any repairs or replacements are borne by you.

Other moving services are also made available by a moving company such as valuation protection and disassembly/assembly. With options ranging from self-service to white glove moving services, professional movers are the smartest option. The stress, planning and physical exertion involved with moving is taxing on the mind and body. By delegating your move to professional movers, you can have more time and energy to put into acclimating yourself and your family to your new environment.

Packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. It is recommended that you have the proper moving boxes. The ones you can get from supermarkets may be free but they're not nearly as strong or padded. Lile offers three options for packing: full-service packing, fragile-only packing and self-pack. If self-pack is chosen, we can provide you with the necessary moving supplies such as moving boxes, barrels and stretchwrap. Other moving services offered by Lile include disassembly and/or assembly of furniture and appliances. If you want your moving boxes unpacked as part of your long distance moving plan, just let us know. Your Lile representative can also arrange for debris removal, storage, installation and assembly assistance. 

Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies do not cover your belongings while they are in transit. Your Lile representative can help you with Free Basic Liability Protection and Maximum Value Protection (programs that provide protection for your goods during a move) – yet another reason to make Lile your moving company of choice.

Sometimes, even local moving services must include storage. Although you may be relocating a short distance, storage may still be needed – whether it is for a few extra boxes of summer clothes or an entire furniture set. Your Lile representative can help you with many storage options as part of our moving services.

If you are moving locally, we recommend that you arrange for a pet sitter on the day of your move since moving can be stressful for pets. For interstate, intrastate or international moves, Lile can arrange for transportation services for your pets so that they arrive safely in your new home through our partner, Pet Express. Pet Express provides professional, safe pet transport services anywhere in the world.

The Relocation Consultant will arrive at your home to complete the visual survey of your items. Once this is completed, the Relocation Consultant will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charge related to your move. Remember that the Relocation Consultant must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate. Crawl spaces, attics, and cluttered closets can be deceiving, so organize your house before the Relocation Consultant arrives.

Don't be alarmed if the Relocation Consultant goes through all your cabinets and closets or looks under beds and on top of cabinets. He or she must be able to see what is moving and possibly needs packing. If you know of items that are out of view, be certain to point them out to the Relocation Consultant. If there are items you will be eliminating, be sure to point them out.

Tariff provisions require that all moving charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at the destination. Payments can be made using cash, certified check, or money order. Other payment options such as a credit card can be arranged with your professional moving service provider. Discuss these options with the Relocation Consultant and/or the Customer Service Representative assigned to your shipment. In the event that your employer is paying for the move, the employer may pre-arrange to be billed via invoice. Whatever works for you is great. Just be sure to have this all worked out prior to packing and loading. If the method of payment is not established prior to load day, it can cause you problems on delivery day.

There are two types of estimates. A binding estimate is a contract that specifies, in advance, the precise cost of moving based on the services requested or deemed necessary at the time of the estimate. If additional moving services are requested or required at either origin or destination, the total cost will increase. 

A non-binding estimate charges you according to the actual weight of your shipment and the actual cost of the moving services that are performed. You will still go though the estimating process to determine what your shipment may cost.

To verify the weight of your shipment, the driver will weigh his trailer prior to loading your shipment. Once your shipment is on board, the driver will weigh his trailer again. All other moving charges will be calculated at your origin address. If there are any additional charges that are incurred during the delivery process, the driver will provide you with the additional cost. This is a rare event, but it may occur.

Lile is not able to move your plants. The stress and heat of being inside the moving trailer usually causes them to die. Many states do not allow the entry of plants while other states will admit plants under certain conditions. There are some states that have no regulations at all. Your Lile representative will be able to advise you on your state's regulations prior to moving the plants in your own vehicle.

There are combustible items that we can not by law transport. And there are also solvents and chemicals that we won’t carry because of practical or safety concerns. They can leak or explode in transit – damaging your belongings.  See our Hazardous Items list  for a complete list of items that may not be transported.

Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques, and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided that you notify your Lile moving representative of these items before packing and moving day. It is strongly recommended that you carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you or make other arrangements for their transport. Items such as cash or currency, valuable collections such as coins or baseball cards, check books, deeds, jewelry or precious stones, important documents and manuscripts, medications and passports can also be shipped through a bonded carrier service.

In the moving industry, items worth more than $100 per pound are considered to be articles of "extraordinary" value. To be assured that a claim involving these articles is not limited to minimal liability, complete and sign your mover's version of a high-value inventory form. Also be sure to sign the "Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading.

The government requires all items be packed by the carrier. Your electronic items may be packed in the original factory cartons; however, will be inspected by the carrier and sealed with security seals before they are placed into the overseas container.

The shipper is responsible for dissembling all outside items, including draining hot tubs, spas etc.

The shipper is responsible for dissembling all electronics, appliances, draining waterbeds, and defrosting, unplugging the refrigerator and defrosting it, removing item from the attic and crawl space.

They will pack canned food and item that will not spoil. Open containers or item that might spoil dispose of.

The regulations now allow the spouse to have a pro gear allowance. If you and your spouse have a pro gear the spouse’s pro gear must be declared during counseling. The member is allowed to doing during the pack out. All “Pro Gear” will be weighted during the packing process or 40# per cubic foot will be allowed in no scale is available. The weight will be annotated on the inventory.

It is the shipper’s responsibility to drain the gas, disconnect the battery from the vehicle, and secure the cables. Proof of ownership such as, registration is required.

Separate the items you will be taking with you and place them in either a room or area of the house and indicate these items do not go.

Yes, during counseling my your request. Depending on the items either the packers or the driver will make up a separate inventory for those items.

Yes, contact the carrier and they will be able to tell you where the driver
is and give you an ETA.

Lile offers both national and international distribution services for all product types. We can pick single or multiple products from your inventory, pack them, apply packing slips and shipping labels, and ship your orders. Your products can be tracked by customer or carrier, which allows clients to check the status of orders during the distribution process – ensuring customer satisfaction and timely deliveries. We can process and ship orders to facilities and customers throughout the world. As a distributor, we can provide you and your customers with efficient and affordable delivery. We also provide returns processing systems for products we manage, including all steps from receiving to restocking. We have the warehousing space necessary to handle any size project.

With 10 locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, Lile has significant warehouse storage space available. We offer flexible options based on your storage needs - whether short or long term. We also offer transportation services to pick up and deliver your inventory one time or on a scheduled basis.

We can classify items as large, medium and small as well as by pallet, crate or container. We can calculate storage and handling by varying methods. For example, we can do so on unit rate basis, by the pallet, by weight or cubic feet. We also calculate units handled and shipped per month.

Our warehouse facilities are outfitted with the latest in inventory management technology. When assets are received at any of our locations, it is bar-coded and entered into our tracking system. Our customers have online access to check the status of their inventory. Detailed reports can also be generated on demand and customized to your specifications.

We offer full-service warehousing, order fulfillment and distribution, as well as specialized packaging and direct marketing support. We will fulfill and ship your order, and whether it’s single item distribution or bulk skid distribution, we can handle every step of the process. With Lile, you will be working with seasoned professionals who are using the latest equipment and technology in the fulfillment services industry. We can store your product in any of our warehouse locations, pick it off the warehouse shelf, pack it, and ship it directly to your customers. Our dedicated distribution department is experienced and up-to-date on the latest technology to meet both your schedule and your budget.

Lile International currently provides real-time inventory management using a secure in-house system tailored specifically to asset management and the needs of our commercial storage and distribution customers. In addition to providing access to inventory levels and status 24 hours a day, location transfers and outbound shipments can be accessed remotely at our customer’s convenience. Featuring fully integrated warehouse, transportation and order management systems, this solution offers Lile’s commercial customers a host of services and supply chain integration opportunities.

From our secure, in-house WMS, Lile provides a web-based portal that enables our commercial storage and distribution customers to get up-to-the-minute information on their inventory stored at the Lile facilities. Some of our more popular reports include Item Summary, Inventory Summary, Inventory Activity, Inventory Aging, and Order Summary. Lile is also able to provide customized reporting services to fit specific customer requirements. For additional information on Lile’s WMS reporting services, see need link to WMS Reporting Overview.

The planning, execution and control of the movement and placement of people and/or goods and of the supporting activities related to such movement and placement within a system organized to achieve specific objectives. The procurement and physical transmission of material through the supply chain, from suppliers to customers.

The process of tracking items which are returned from customers and accounting for them in inventory; also includes resolving customer credit lines, automating return policies, curbing unauthorized returns, and arranging for disposal or recycling.

Our warehouse facilities are outfitted with the latest in inventory management technology. When assets are received at any of our locations, it is bar-coded and entered into our tracking system. Our customers have online access to check the status of their inventory. Detailed reports can also be generated on demand and customized to your specifications.

With 10 locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, Lile has significant warehouse storage space available. We offer flexible options based on your storage needs – whether short or long term. We also offer transportation services to pick up and deliver your inventory one time or on a scheduled basis.

STI (Specialized Transportation Inc.) is an asset-based transportation and logistics company with dedicated facilities, drivers, and specialized equipment focused solely on environmentally conscious, high-touch, high-value transportation, on-site services, storage, and handling services. Lile International Companies is an equity partner in STI. STI is dedicated to providing unique service requirements for industries that include computer, telecommunications, robotics, medical equipment, office equipment, industrial equipment, fine art, trade shows, commercial relocations, exercise equipment, home delivery, and store fixtures.

Our Warehousing & Distribution operation can provide a full range of product fulfillment and distribution services. Lile offers "pick, pack and ship" fulfillment, which would most likely be a perfect fit for this type of project; which can include customizing each packet based on the recipient's profile. The end product is shipped via the service of your choice (i.e., FedEx, UPS, Postal Service). Detailed management reports are also available. Please contact us for more information.

“Fulfillment” means helping you send your products to customers – from start to finish. We handle everything: warehousing, order processing, packaging, shipping and tracking.

We offer both national and international shipping services for all product types. As a distributor, we have negotiated discount rates with all major shipping companies.

Your products can be tracked by customer or carrier, which allows you to check the status of orders during the shipping process.

Orders received before 12 p.m. (PST, M-F) will be shipped out that day. All others will be shipped the next business day.

It’s never too early to start planning for a well-organized and cost-efficient office relocation. Establishing space requirements, furniture needs, voice and data modifications, not to mention budgeting for all your requirements, are just a few of the beginning steps in order to get prepared for the move.

We can handle all kinds of moves of any size, including offices, warehouses, medical facilities, manufacturing sites, and just about any other kind of commercial move.

We can provide all the packing materials for your move. We employ a reusable mobile crate system, tapeless moving cartons, library and inventory carts, and other specialty packing materials.

We offer complete packing and unpacking services with specially trained movers tailored for any commercial relocation depending on your needs.

We have skilled systems furniture installation specialists with the right tools and equipment who can disassemble and reassemble any type of systems furniture.

We use special technology-handling carts, which are equipped with anti-static sensitive padding and stretch-wrap to provide safe and low impact moving. We also provide proprietary flat screen monitor protectors, and computer bags for ancillary components.

Generally any vertical file can remain loaded during the move. Lateral files should have any drawer above the 2nd level packed for safe transport.

We provide moving services any day, and at any time, depending upon your requirements.

Yes, we can place masonite or carpet runners on the floors, corner protection on door frames, cardboard along walls, and we also can pad elevators.

We carry comprehensive building liability coverage for all moves. We also can provide in transit cargo coverage for the total value of your items, but first check with your own risk management provider. You may already be covered on your policy.

As far in advance as possible, especially during the busy moving season from May 15 – Sept. 15. Six weeks from the move date is not too early.  Try to provide a five-day window .

Lile can develop a relocation policy, or review an existing one to evaluate potential improvements, through our partner SIRVA Relocation.

Yes. We can provide options for selling a home, finding a mortgage, locating temporary housing, going on real estate tours in the new location, and other services.

Not at all. In fact, Lile Relocation can provide a moving package with a market competitive price, free valuation/cargo protection, guaranteed pickup and delivery dates and other benefits. We try to make a move
as simple as possible for the company and the relocating employee. There is already enough complexity and stress associated with a move.

A guaranteed price provides a known cost for the move, as long as services requested are not increased at origin or destination. Whether
the shipment weighs more or less than estimated does not matter. A non-guaranteed price is based solely on actual weight and transportation charges. The price may go up or down if the shipment weighs more or less than estimated. A third option is a guaranteed-not-to-exceed price.  Here, charges will decrease if the weight is less than estimated, but will not go up if the shipment weighs more than estimated. In the end, it is a matter of choice as to which type you prefer, although a not-to-exceed price offers the best protection.

Certainly. Everything from what the moving process entails, what they cannot ship, protecting valuables like jewelry, servicing appliances, transporting boxes they packed, to whether food and plants may be
put in the moving van.