Experts explain the differences between white-glove and standard moving companies and where the term comes from.
Getty Images / Oscar Wong
If youre anticipating a move, youre likely dreading the process.
You cant escape even with thebest of planning.
Credit:Getty Images / Oscar Wong
So say goodbye to renting moving vans and paying back your friends with pizza.
Theres a full-service answer to your moving woes.
What Does White-Glove Service Mean?
The term evokes a high level of attention, care, and professionalism.
Clients can expect to have their belongings moved without lifting a finger.
White-glove movers then set up homes according to specific instructions on where every object will be placed.
She says white-glove services can cost double, triple, or quadruple what a traditionalmover costs.
Its like taking a Jaguar to the Toyota service department, she says.
What Do White-Glove Movers Do?
White-glove services pack up your belongings, move them, and then unpack them for you.
But thats not all.
This could involve wall-mounting a TV or installing home exercise equipment.
Theres more to these services than moving your belongings without any physical work on your part.
White-glove moving services also handle much of the behind-the-scenes stress of a move.
When you pay a premium for white-glove service, that problem is solved.
Traditional moving services follow more standardized procedures with less flexibility for delivery customization.
Typically white-glove moving packages includeout-of-townor out-of-the-country pickup and delivery.
These services include extensive logistical and administrative support sometimes navigating customs and international delivery, Martirena says.
We also set up utilities, Wi-Fi, etc.
The goal is for clients to lose no time and have little disruption to their lives.
To us, its all about the small details, Martirena says.
We learn about them through the home-buying process and attempt to personalize their moves and customize the experience.
They tend to be better trained and more experienced, brokerArlene Reedof Coldwell Banker Warburg says of these workers.
They are more knowledgeable about what they are handling and how they handle it.
They know how to protect your most valuable assets.
Antiques, art, and other collectibles are handled carefully and crated.
Should You Go With a White-Glove Moving Service?
We jump in and help when that happens.
Trust is involved in letting strangers have access to your home and life.
Perhaps youre moving to a new home or apartment a few miles away.
In these instances, a white-glove service could be overkill.
As with most things, you get what you pay for, Reed says.
If you are facing a particularly complicated move, a white-glove service could be perfect for you.
Moving is one of the most stressful events in someones life, Martirena says.
