WE PICKED A MOVER....

We met with 5 moving companies and all of the companies were able to provide us with a quote the same day, except for one company said that we would receive the quote via email the next day.  We never received the quote and so we assumed that the company is too small to handle our demand, so we just let it go. 

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

To save some money, we plan to pack as much as we can; however, we still  may need them to help with the packing.  Please note: If you pack it, the moving company is not responsible for any damages to the items within the container.  If the moving company packs it, then the moving company is responsible for any damages to the items within the container. 

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
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