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Costs
What can I do to keep costs down during my
move?
How is the cost estimate determined on a
local move?
Is labour the only moving cost I will
experience?
Are there any "unexpected" costs I
should be aware of?
How accurate will the cost estimate for my
move be?
Should I tip my movers?
Safety
Can the kids "hang out" and watch the
move?
Can the movers transport my pets?
Can I ride in the cab of the moving truck with my
movers?
Preparation
What should I do with my household plants and
garden shrubs?
What should I do with hazardous
items?
I have some items I'd like to keep, but they
won't fit in my new home. Should I store them?
I want to do some packing and moving of small
items before the movers arrive. What areas would be most
helpful?
I'm on a limited budget, and can only afford to
hire professional movers for a portion of my move. What should I
ask them to do?
What can I do to ensure that my belongings end
up in the correct room?
What items should I pack, and what should
I leave for the "professionals"?
I've got a lot of paperwork in my home office.
Do I need to empty out my filing cabinets?
What do I need to do to prepare my
appliances for the move?
Moving Day
How will the movers know what items to take and
what to leave behind?
What should I do with last-minute kitchen
items?
What should I do with the food in my refrigerator
and other perishables?
Can the crew members arrange the furniture to
my liking in my new home?
I've got a few prized possessions that I
want treated with special care. How can I guarantee this?
If I have items that I absolutely need on move day,
should I point them out to my crew?
Miscellaneous
I'm scaling down to a smaller home. I know my
furniture will fit. Does that mean I'm all set?
Can the moving company dispose of excess
trash?
Is it possible to move during inclement
weather?
Q:What can I do to keep costs down during my
move?
A:
If you're engaging professional movers, you should mention your
cost concerns during your initial call with a sales person. Similar
to airlines or hotels, most moving companies have a sliding scale
of prices that reflect supply and demand on a particular day.
Generally, the summer months are the busiest. Saturdays and the
beginning and end of each month are busy year-round. The less busy
times tend to be Monday through Thursday in the middle weeks of the
month. If you are flexible with your move date-an overlap between
when you need to be out of your old home and are able to get into
your new home helps- you're certain to get the best value.
Additionally, your sales person can provide advice on other
cost-saving measures, including efficient preparation in advance of
moving day.
Back to Costs
Q: How is the cost estimate
determined on a local move?
A:
Most moving companies base their estimates for local moves on an
hourly rate, which includes drive time from the moving company to
your original home to your destination and back again to the moving
company's home base. Some customers are surprised by the extent of
the drive time costs, which result from the fact that moving trucks
can not travel as fast as passenger cars on the highway, and are
often excluded from non-truck routes, resulting in longer trip
mileage and travel time.
Back to Costs
Q: Is labour the only moving cost I will
experience?
A:
Labour represents the majority of the moving expense. However, you
should also budget for packing supplies-boxes, tape, bubble wrap,
pads, etc. Generally speaking, moving supplies can run
approximately 20% of your labour costs.
Back to Costs
Q: Are there any
"unexpected" costs I should be aware of?
A:
Generally, unexpected costs result from a breakdown in
communication between the customer and the moving company. Do not
be in a rush when you are booking your move. Taking the time up
front to talk to your sales person will make both parties better
aware of the situation they will encounter on moving day. For
example, have you remodeled your house since you moved in? If so,
some of the furniture that went in originally may not come out the
same way. Have you purchased any furniture that had to be assembled
in your home?
Back to Costs
Q: How accurate will the cost
estimate for my move be?
A:
Most moving companies' estimates are non-binding. This means the
actual cost may vary a little or a lot from the original estimate.
The best way to ensure that your move comes in on-target with your
estimate is to offer as much information as possible at the time of
the estimate. Since costs are projected based on an hourly rate,
neglecting to mention an ancillary piece of the move at the time of
the estimate does not mean that your move will cost less, but
rather that your moving crew will be less prepared to do it. They
may show up with fewer movers or trucks or equipment than they
would have brought had they known up front what the situation would
require, which may in the end escalate costs. Because you're paying
by the hour, if the move takes less time than was estimated, your
actual bill will be reduced accordingly.
Back to Costs
Q: Should I tip my
movers?
A:
Moving is a service industry. While there is not a set amount of
gratuity expected by movers as there is by servers in restaurants,
for example, if you feel that the job was done efficiently and
effectively, you should feel free to tip your movers
accordingly.
Back to Costs
Q: Can the kids "hang out" and watch the
move?
A:
We recognize that children of a certain age are fascinated by the
moving process, but for their own safety, we recommend that they
stay with neighbours or friends on moving day. If you would really
like to expose them to the excitement and frenzy of the moving
process, be prepared to supervise them carefully to ensure that
their safety is not compromised.
Back to Safety
Q: Can the movers transport my
pets?
A:
Unfortunately, there is no safe place in the moving truck for pets
to ride. They cannot be transported in the cab for insurance
reasons, and the box of the truck is inappropriate due to lack of
climate control and the danger posed by potential shifting of heavy
objects. Generally speaking, moving day is traumatic for most pets.
The best way to ensure their physical and emotional safety during
the move is to secure them at a neighbour or friend's home, or in a
professional kennel if necessary.
Back to Safety
Q: Can I ride in the cab of the moving
truck with my movers?
A:
Unfortunately, most professional moving companies cannot transport
customers for insurance reasons.
Back to Safety
Q:What should I do with my household
plants and garden shrubs?
A:
Such items can be moved if properly packed, but professional movers
will not insure live plants, which can be traumatized by motion,
temperature extremes, or transport time in the moving truck. And of
course, plants cannot be stored. Additionally, if you're moving
overseas, most countries do not allow the import of agriculture
items.
Back to Preparation
Q: What should I do with hazardous
items?
A:
Even professional movers do not move items such as propane tanks,
firearms and aerosols. It may be better to dispose of such
dangerous items than to try and move them to your new home.
Alternatively, you may wish to simply secure them in a safe place
on moving day. Additionally, make certain to empty the gas out of
any gas-operated items (lawnmower, weed wacker, etc.) prior to
moving.
Back to Preparation
Q: I have some items I'd like to keep,
but they won't fit in my new home. Should I store
them?
A:If
your items don't fit in your new home but you're only living there
only for a finite period and then have plans to move to a larger
home, storage may be appropriate. Or, if your items are high-value,
you may wish to store them. If your items are older or less
valuable, consider the monthly cost of storage versus the
replacement cost of the items. Which option is more
cost-effective?
Back to Preparation
Q: I want to do some packing and moving of
small items before the movers arrive. What areas would be most
helpful?
A:
Focus on packing, not moving. Don't waste time trying to move these
items yourself. Rather, focus on packing boxes so when the help
arrives, you're ready. You should prioritize your preparation into
three areas:
- Sorting and
disposing of unneeded items through garage sales, donations to
charitable organizations, or gifts to friends and
family.
- Pack non-breakables
and areas you don't use often, such as basements, garages and
attics.
- If you have time
remaining to move some items yourself, focus on pets, plants,
pictures, collectibles and highly sentimental
items.
Back to Preparation
Q: I'm on a limited budget, and can only
afford to hire professional movers for a portion of my move.
What should I ask them to do?
A:
Have your moving crew pack the dining room, the kitchen, any art
you may have, and other fragile collectibles. And of course you'll
want their help carrying heavier, larger items such as bureaus,
desks, and sofas.
Back to Preparation
Q: What can I do to ensure that my
belongings end up in the correct
room?
A:
Pick a labeling system and use it consistently. You can either
color code your belongings based on the rooms at your
destination-bedroom: red; living room: blue, etc.-or label the
boxes with some consistent shorthand to denote their location (DR
for dining room, MBR for master bedroom, etc.) If possible, boxes
should be labeled on 3 sides.
Back to Preparation
Q: What items should I pack, and what
should I leave for the "professionals"?
A:
Many people feel that they should move their breakables and
heirlooms themselves. However, if you've chosen to hire
professionals, let them do what they do best, including assuming
the liabilities associated with heavy lifting, negotiating stairs,
and maneuvering fragile items. The moving crew has experience day
in and day out packing delicate items such as crystal and
collectibles.
Back to Preparation
Q: I've got a lot of paperwork in my
home office. Do I need to empty out my filing
cabinets?
A:
When the cabinets are made of metal, 2-drawer filing cabinets can
be left full. The top two drawers of a 4-drawer cabinet need to be
emptied. All lateral file cabinets need to be completely emptied.
With wood cabinets, all drawers need to be emptied
entirely.
Back to Preparation
Q: What do I need to do to
prepare my appliances for the move?
A:
The moving crew will prepare these items for the move. However, you
should make certain that your dishwasher, microwave, and washing
machine are empty. Additionally, movers are not electricians or
plumbers-you need to arrange for the appropriate professional to
disconnect your washer, chandeliers, refrigerator with water
connection, etc. Most importantly, movers are not licensed to
disconnect gas.
Back to Preparation
Q: How will the movers know what items
to take and what to leave behind?
A:
Keeping the lines of communication open with your moving crew is
critical during both the packing and moving process. If you have
some items that should stay behind at your old home and some that
go to your new home, you must clearly mark which is which. In order
to avoid inadvertently leaving something behind or discarding a
valuable item, your moving crew will move ALL items in your home,
unless instructed otherwise. It is your responsibility to walk
through your old home and do a final check for any overlooked items
before the moving truck departs for your new home.
Back to Moving Day
Q: What should I do with last-minute kitchen
items?
A:
If you are hiring movers, you probably don't want to pay them to
wash up dishes. Decide up front with your sales person if you or
the movers will be packing your kitchen. Based on the agreement you
have arranged, either have your kitchen packed before their
arrival, or have items neatly stored in cabinets if the crew is
packing for you. This may necessitate eating off paper plates or
dining out for the final few days leading up to your
move.
Back to Moving Day
Q: What should I do with the food in my
refrigerator and other perishables?
A:
Arrange for a cooler to transport such items. Your refrigerator can
not be moved with food in it.
Back to Moving Day
Q: Can the crew members arrange the furniture
to my liking in my new home?
A:
Absolutely. However, please remember that you are charged by the
hour, so a significant amount of time spent rearranging the
furniture will add to the total cost of the move. Having a plan in
mind before arriving at your new home will save a lot of time and
money.
Back to Moving Day
Q: I've got a few prized
possessions that I want treated with extra-special care. How
can I guarantee this?
A:
For your own peace of mind, you should consider moving jewelry and
other small valuables yourself in your personal vehicle. As for
larger valuables, point these items out to your moving crew.
Awareness breeds care, and you should feel confident that your
movers will pay special attention to any items you have designated
as having high monetary or sentimental value.
Back to Moving Day
Q: If I have items that I absolutely
need on move day, should I point them out to my
crew?
A:
With essentials such as medication, cosmetics, toiletries, a change
of clothing, bed linens, towels, and toilet paper that will be
needed immediately upon arrival at your new home, you may wish to
transport them yourself in your personal vehicle. Alternatively,
mark these boxes and draw them to the crew's attention, giving them
specific instructions as to where to place the boxes in your new
home.
Back to Moving Day
Q: I'm scaling down to a smaller home. I know
my furniture will fit. Does that mean I'm all
set?
A:
Unfortunately, possibly not. Many people overlook the space that
smaller items such as knickknacks, photos, CD collections, books,
spare clothes, etc. will take up. If in doubt, you may wish to
consult with an interior decorator or other professional with
experience in evaluating space.
Additionally, moves
tend to get more complex the more destinations there are. If you're
sending items to storage, shipping items to family across the
country, or making multiple stops on moving day between your old
and new home, you may experience challenging logistics. Ask a sales
associate at a moving company, and talk to friends who have made
similar moves. Both parties can be great sources of information. In
order to simplify the logistics, you may conclude that it is
simpler to address each destination as a separate move, scheduling
them for different days, rather than trying to tackle multiple
moves in one day.
Back to
Miscellaneous
Q: Can the moving company dispose of
excess trash?
A:
Yes, but there is a charge for items taken to the dump, both for
labour involved in driving to and from the dump, as well as a
disposal fee imposed by the management of the waste disposal
location.
Back to
Miscellaneous
Q: Is it possible to move during inclement
weather?
A:
While it may be more pleasurable to move on a warm, sunny day,
professional movers are prepared to move during rain, sleet, or
snow. They come equipped with supplies to keep your belongings safe
from the elements. However, in an effort to keep costs down, you
may wish to shovel or rake or otherwise clear the access in
preparation for their arrival rather than paying your moving crew
their hourly rate to remove such obstacles.
Back to
Miscellaneous
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