You should get an estimate from various moving companies. You learned in our last post the questions they'll ask you; in this post you will find some questions you should be sure and get answers to.
Are your crews insured? If it is a company you are not familiar with, request to see a copy of their declarations page for the business insurance policy. Get their damages policy in writing, so that if something breaks you understand what the movers will pay for the loss.
Is the hourly rate per man or for the crew? What about additional men? Most companies will provide an hourly rate for a two or three-man crew. You may think three is unnecessary, but it is worth the money since that third or even fourth crewmember helps things go a whole lot faster when sharp turns or bulky and heavy things are in the mix. You can have a couple of people disassembling things and boxing or packing while others do the heavy lifting; the local moving crew are guys who work together every day and they are used to each having a specific job on the move, 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 might need two trucks anyway, so seriously consider the extra men to get it done in one day.
Do you charge for travel time? Is the crew off the clock for lunches and breaks? Companies differ with the drive charges. Usually, once they arrive at your house, the clock is running. Frequently they will stop at a fast food restaurant and eat lunch on the way to the new home, so there isn't much down time.
What if I just want packing help? that is fine, most companies will give you an a la carte pricing quote--you can buy everything from boxes only to a six-man crew that will box your golf clubs if you want them to. The prices for packing typically include supplies--tape, bubble wrap, newsprint paper (the unprinted and clean kind), packing peanuts, and a wide variety of box sizes. Expect an hourly rate for a packing team as a basic estimate. Just be sure and read through the verbiage on the estimate so that you understand exactly what is and is not included.
What if I just want moving help? Some folks like to pack together as they purge and sort, and so hiring people for that is just not constructive. Moving companies are happy to load, drive, and unload on moving day, just be sure you know their policies for what they can and cannot put on the truck. For instance, anything flammable or toxic cannot be put 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’ll have to open any safes so that the movers know what is inside of them.
Movers Cost More Than Your Extended Family, but They Are Insured
Reliable movers are not inexpensive, 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 do not know the correct way to lift heavy objects.
