We had each moving company provide a quote based on them packing and moving the items within our house (all except the grandfather clock, which a special clock company is moving for us; and some valuables and our 2 cats, which we will move on our own); as well as moving the items in our 10x10 storage unit.
Each quote consisted of the following:
- Labor charge - this includes # vans, # men, # of hours
- Confirm if on the day of the move is there a minimum # of hours or overtime rates that apply if the movers go beyond a certain time of day.
- Travel time charge
- Fuel surcharge charge
- Materials, Packing, Unpacking charge - this is where the price varied between companies; make sure it is realistic because some quotes will reflect a low # to get you to select them and the day of the move you may find out that the total cost doubled because the original quote was underestimated. Also, ask for the cost on special packing requests, such as big screen TV should be crated and will cost more.
- Insurance - PA movers are required to offer basic liability coverage at no additional charge; which provides repair, replacement, or reimbursement up to $0.60 per pound, per item, maximum. For example, if damage would occur to a coffee table that weighs 100 pounds, the claim settlement would be $60 (100 x 0.06).
- Additional Insurance - optional and costly
TIP: Ask if the company can provide you with boxes at no cost. Some companies are willing to give you boxes, especially to get your business. Otherwise, don't purchase your boxes from the moving company, it is much cheaper to purchase the boxes at Home Depot or Lowes. Also, after you move some companies will pick up the unpacked boxes, so you don't have to worry about getting rid of them and the company will either reuse or recycles them, which is friendly to the environment.
After 2 weeks of meeting with moving companies, we finally picked one, Stark Van Lines, Inc. One downfall is that it will take 2 days to move the items within the house and the storage unit.
Packing Day: September 6th - moving company will pack up the house and prepare it for moving day
Moving Day 1: September 7th - move all items within the house, except for some mattresses because we plan to stay at the house one final night
Moving Day 2: September 8th - move the remainder of the items from the house and move the items within the storage unit. Also, the clock movers will move the grandfather clock.
Let the packing begin. Now if we could just get someone to buy our current house....so very frustrating.
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RESOURCES:
Pennsylvania Moving and Storage Association
Pennsylvania PUC - PUC Reminds Consumers to Use Certified Movers
Pennsylvania PUC - Information for Shippers
US DOT - The Household Goods Program
Search Company Status/Complaint History by State
5 comments:
Here's another TIP: If possible get them to give you a "Not to Exceed" quote...meaning this is the price and it won't go over that. If they will give you a quote like that then you can be pretty sure it is pretty accurate...otherwise they could be coming in low trying to get the business. How close were the quotes? Also, let them know that you are interviewing and getting quotes from multiple sources...you will get a more honest quote that way.
OMG HW!! We've got the movers scheduled for Sept 7 too! Perhaps we can have simultaneous internet breakdowns together on the 6th (my birthday!).
This was a great post - we met with a moving company my BF has used several times before. For my 1100 square foot townhouse plus a 5x15 storage area, they estimated between $1200-1400. Flat rate of $125 an hour for 3 guys and a truck and an estimate time of 9-11.5 hours. Its more than I thought it would be - 11 hours for this tiny place and a new house 15 minutes away? We also got a flat rate quote from another company, but believe its a bait and switch, since they didn't come out to the house to look at the loot.
Good advice too BD.
Our current house is almost 3500 square feet and full of 20 years of stuff. The carrier estimated the total weight at 16000 lbs. Since this is a local move (40 miles or less), the charge is based on an hourly rate; otherwise, it would be based on weight and mileage.
For labor, we accepted a quote for $155 for 5 men for 14 hours (7 hours/day). And this was about the average hourly rate. We hope it doesn't take the movers as long on the 2nd day, which will help decrease the actual amount a litte.
@BD - We are not sure if you can do "Not to Exceed" in PA. It is our understanding that we have to pay for what is actually moved.
@RR - We will be thinking about you as we move. We already have the wine/beer chillin for after we move.
Thank God and we hope that this is our last move. The plan is...in 20 years, we buy a RV, sell all of our stuff, and never have another address.
You are not nervous about strangers packing and unpacking your stuff? My parents used a mover who just CARRIED our stuff and a set of Transformers (Bruticus btw) turned up permanently missing. I hate thieves. I would be watching them like a hawk.
@Lt General Castanets - No we are not worried at all. The moving company is required to provide inventory of everything they pack and if something ends up missing, we will be able to file a claim. We chose a very well known and reputable company, so we don't forsee there to be any problems.
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