Moving Company

[Conway733]

Happy Easter! Yesterday we had our house go under contract, finally. So, now we are scrambling trying to get everything done. Does anyone have any idea of an approxmiate cost for hiring movers? We plan on packing everything ourselves, and it will be a local move. We just really don't have any extended family to help us out with moving, like we had in the past. We are moving from a small 3 bedroom home, but we are not taking any of the appliances.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

How about one of those POD things?

The company puts it in your driveway, you fill it up and then they take it to your new house and you unload it.
I don't know anyone who has used them - just saw the ad on TV.

 

[Tink-aholic]

I have moved lots of times and always hire day laborers. You could easily do it for both ends of the move, particularly if you'll be moving in the same city. There are many people looking for work now. I always get a big container of coffee and doughnuts for them in the morning and sandwiches for the afternoon (if the work lasts that long). Several men have told me that would be the only thing they would eat that day.

Much cheaper than traditional "movers" and you are doing a service to the community.

Good luck!

 

[ancestry]

When we moved from PA to ME about 7 years ago DH's employer paid for the movers. We had to get bids and his company went with the cheapest bid. The cost was around $15,000 and that was the cheapest.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It really depends on if you pack yourself and what you are having them do.

Years ago, we packed ourselves and then hired a local moving company to move from a 2BR loft apartment. It was around $500.

Our interstate move from FL to VA last year, was about $8000. That was 3 days of packing and loading (not including what I thought was a lot of packing ahead of time), 1000 or so miles and an unload.

Each mover is different--but they do compete.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Be sure you investigate any moving company you plan to use very carefully. The industry is filled with scammers.

Here are some useful links:

http://www.moving-company-guide.com/

http://www.epinions.com/content_2311037060

http://www.mymovingreviews.com/

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/10-things-your-moving-company-wont-tell-you-14291/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...r-scams-9-07/cheap-tricks/0709_scam_first.htm

 

[dex08]

Sounds like you're doing a local move? Your best bet is to call several local companies to get an estimate. When I've moved locally in the past (11 miles) I called some places and they asked about my furniture pieces, square footage, how many floors they'd have to climb, etc and gave me a ballpark estimate. Some also work by the hour or by the entire job, so keep that in mind as well.

Just be sure whatever company you get be sure they are insured. Day laborers aren't and you don't want that kind of liability on you if one of them gets hurt on your property. Also, get references from them and call plus google reviews for them.

GL!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) For such a short move, try a nice franchised company.
2) That way, you don't get ripped off.
3) Remember, there are VERY FEW protections for local moves.
4) Most protections are on inter-state moves.
5) I would go with "Two Men and a Truck".
6) The franchise agreement adds some extra protection.
7) They would not want to loose their franchise fees !!!

 

[angierae]

For an intown move with no packing needed, I'd go with Two Men and a Truck. Depending on area they run about $75 an hour for a 2 hour minimum, and I've never had to pay for more than 3 hours, they are FAST.

 

[Tink-aholic]

Sounds like you're doing a local move? Your best bet is to call several local companies to get an estimate. When I've moved locally in the past (11 miles) I called some places and they asked about my furniture pieces, square footage, how many floors they'd have to climb, etc and gave me a ballpark estimate. Some also work by the hour or by the entire job, so keep that in mind as well.

Just be sure whatever company you get be sure they are insured. Day laborers aren't and you don't want that kind of liability on you if one of them gets hurt on your property. Also, get references from them and call plus google reviews for them.

GL!

Of course day laborers are insured through Workers Compensation, if hired through a reputable company (as I have always done). Works out to about $15 per hour per person, plus the coffee/bagels/sandwiches.

 

[MomToOne]

Be sure to check out any company you are considering with the Better Business Bureau. A few resolved complaints is no big deal. But if they have a lot of complaints, esp. if some are unresolved, that is a big red flag.

The best mover I ever hired told me when he came to do the estimate how upset he was that he had one resolved issue on his record with the BBB (I had mentioned I had already checked him out along with everyone else I was getting quotes from). The fact that he was so upset at that one resolved complaint showed me that he REALLY cared about his reputation and wanted to do what was right.

 

[THERESA522]

My moving bill was just under $1,000 for a 35 mile move - there were a total of 4 men. They were insured and from a reputable company. They also came with a very large truck. The move started at 8:30 am and ended about 4:00 pm.

 

[hopemax]

When we moved into our house, we moved the boxes and smaller furniture items ourselves. We hired movers to move the large furniture pieces. We had 2 guys for about 2 hours and it was $275. There was a "hourly" fee and then a move fee (I don't remember what this was for), and a fuel fee. We used Student Movers, but we called 2 Guys and Truck and a couple other places, and they all ended up quoting about the same price. We went with Student Movers because we had some recommendations from a couple different people for them. This is in Denver.

EDIT: I looked back at old emails. This was from Nov 2009, Denver

Student Movers was: $150 dispatch/move fee, $104 per hour, $15 fuel charge
2 Men and a Truck: $130 dispatch/move fee, $116 per hour, don't know about a fuel charge

Also when the clock started and stopped was different for each. Some it started when they got to you and when they left. Others it was from when they left their terminal, etc.

 

[Conway733]

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I have two people coming out to give quotes next week...and checked into Two Men and a Truck. Unfortunately, there are none around our area. Bummer!! Yes, it is a local move, so I am hoping not to have to shell out too much.

 

[kas004]

Congrats on the sale.
Thought this might be helpful...
Movers Ball Park Estimator

It might help with the quotes you get next week to at least know a ball park figure. Always good to have an advantage when trying to negotiate a price.

K.

 

[Conway733]

Congrats on the sale.
Thought this might be helpful...
Movers Ball Park Estimator

It might help with the quotes you get next week to at least know a ball park figure. Always good to have an advantage when trying to negotiate a price.

K.

Wow, thanks! Very helpful!

 

[winterman]

Two men and a truck is our recommendation. We have used them twice.

Side note: Last time after they loaded the truck, they asked where to. We responded, look thru the woods at the blue house 50 yards away, that is the destination.

Congratulations on your home sale.

 

[mrspaha]

It's been a long time for us, but when we moved locally, we hired a local moving company. It was a family-owned type company that had been in the area for several years. They estimated a price up front and we had the option of having a 2- or 3-man crew. We were told the hourly rate, the price for the truck, the price per mile, etc. They were FULLY BONDED AND INSURED, which is extremely important.

Out of work day-laborers generally are NOT. Same with college students. If they hurt their backs or are somehow injured, they could sue you, so beware of that.

Even though we had relatives in the area, we did not want them to move us. Most of them were 40+ yrs old, and I would never forgive myself if one of them got injured trying to help us move.

I referred this same company to a few other friends over the years, and everyone has been very satisfied. These guys know how to lift heavy furniture, take apart large pieces as well as bed frames; they work quickly and they set things back up for us.