You should get an estimate from a couple moving companies. You learned in our last post the questions they will ask you; in this post you will find several questions you should ask.
Are your crews insured? If it's a company you're not familiar with, ask to see a copy of their declarations page for the business insurance policy. Ask for their damages policy in writing, so that if something breaks you are prepared for the claim process.
Is the hourly rate per man or for the crew? What about extra men? Most companies will provide an hourly rate for a two or three-man crew. You could believe three is excessive, but it is worth the expense since that third or even fourth laborer makes things go a whole lot faster when stairs or cumbersome and heavy things are a factor. You can have a couple of people taking things apart and boxing or packing while others do the heavy lifting; these are guys who work together every day and they're like a well-oiled machine, and they get the job done diligently. It's not uncommon to have a quote for a two-man crew, and with a charge for an additional man, if requested. If your house has four or five bedrooms or you have a big garage, you may need more than one truck anyway, so think about getting the extra men to get it accomplished in one day.
Do you charge for drive time? Is the crew off the clock for lunches and breaks? Companies differ with the drive charges. Usually, once they get to your house, the clock is running. Many times they will stop at a drive through and eat lunch in route to the new residence, so there is not really any down time.
What if I only want packing help? that is fine, most companies will give you an a la carte pricing quote--you can buy everything from shrink wrap only to a six-man crew that will box your lawn mower if you ask. 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 rate quote for a packing team as a basic estimate. Just make sure and go through the verbiage on the estimate so that you understand specifically what is and isn’t included.
What if I just want moving help? Some folks like to pack while they purge and sort, and so hiring people for that is just not practical. Moving companies are glad to load, drive, and unload on moving day, but be sure you understand their policies for what they can and can't move. For instance, anything flammable or toxic cannot 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 know what is inside of them.
Movers Are More Expensive Than Your Garden Club Group, but They Are Insured
Professional movers are not cheap, but your poker buddies or family won't pay a claim if something is broken in the move. And, they are much more likely to hurt their backs or knees if they don't know the right way to lift heavy furniture.
