You will want to get an estimate from various moving companies. You learned in our last post the questions they will ask you; read on for some questions you should be sure and get answers to.
Are your crews insured? If it's a company you are not familiar with, inquire to see a copy of their declarations page for the business insurance policy. Request their damages policy in writing, so that if something breaks you know the claim process.
Is the hourly rate per man or for the crew? What about additional men? Most companies will quote an hourly rate for a two or three-man crew. You may feel three is unnecessary, but it's worth the money since that third or even fourth crewmember can make things go a whole lot faster when narrow hallways or cumbersome and heavy things are a factor. You can have a couple of people taking things apart and crating or packing while others do the heavy lifting; the movers are guys who work together every day and they're like a well-oiled machine, and they get the job done much faster. It's not uncommon to have a quote for a two-man crew, and with an upcharge for an extra man, if needed. If your house has four or five bedrooms or you have a big garage, you could need two trucks anyway, so spring for the extra men to get it finished in one day.
Do you charge for travel time? Is the crew off the clock for lunches and breaks? Companies fluctuate with the drive charges. Usually, once they get to your house, the clock is running. Frequently they will stop at a fast food restaurant and eat lunch in route to the new residence, so there is not much down time.
What if I just want packing help? that is fine, most companies will provide you an a la carte pricing quote--you can buy everything from tape guns only to a six-man crew that will box your lawn mower if you tell them to. The rates for packing commonly include supplies--tape, bubble wrap, newsprint paper (the unprinted and clean kind), packing peanuts, and a wide array of box sizes. Anticipate an hourly price for a packing crew as a basic estimate. Just be sure and read through the verbiage on the estimate so that you know specifically what is and isn’t included.
What if I just want moving help? Some folks like to pack at the same time as they purge and sort, and so hiring people for that is just not useful. Moving companies are willing to load, drive, and unload on moving day, just be sure you understand their policies for what they can and can't load. For starters, anything hazardous or toxic can't be loaded on the trucks. Nail polish remover is on the prohibited list, as are most cleaning supplies, household chemicals, and paint. Firearms may not be permitted on moving trucks, so you will likely have to open any safes so that the movers are aware what is inside of them.
Movers Are More Expensive Than Your Garden Club Group, but They Are Insured
Reliable movers are not cheap, but your poker buddies or family will not pay a claim if something is damaged in the move. And, they're much more likely to hurt their backs or knees if they don't know the correct way to lift heavy objects.
