You need to get an estimate from several moving companies. You learned in our last post the questions they will ask you; read on for a few questions you should ask.
Are your crews insured? If it's a company you are not familiar with, ask 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 are prepared for 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 might believe three is unnecessary, but it's worth the expense since that third or even fourth laborer helps things go a whole lot faster when stairs or cumbersome 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 movers are guys who work together every day and they're a team, and they get the job done much quicker. It's not uncommon to have a quote for a two-man crew, and with an upcharge for an extra man, if requested. If your house has four or five bedrooms or you have a big garage, you may 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 vary with the drive charges. Usually, once they get to your house, the clock is running. Most times they will stop at a drive through and eat lunch in route to the new house, so there isn't much down time.
What if I just want packing help? that is fine, most companies will supply you an a la carte pricing quote--you can get everything from tape guns only to a six-man crew that will crate 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 variety of box sizes. Anticipate an hourly price for a packing crew as a basic estimate. Just be sure and glance through the verbiage on the estimate so that you are aware of specifically what is and is not included.
What if I just want moving help? Some people like to pack at the same time as they purge and sort, and so hiring people for that is just not constructive. Moving companies are glad to load, drive, and unload on moving day, just be sure you understand their policies for what they can and can't put on the truck. For starters, anything flammable or toxic can't go on the trucks. Nail polish remover is on the prohibited list, as are most cleaning supplies, household chemicals, and paint. Firearms might 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 Costly Than Your Extended Family, but They Are Insured
Reliable movers are not cheap, but your poker buddies or family will not pay a claim if something is broken in the move. And, they're much more likely to hurt their backs or knees if they do not know the right way to lift heavy things.
