IGX

It's been a long few months away from the family, but it appears my house in IL finally sold. I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible, but I think hiring (at least the majority) of the move is our best option. Having me in MT, and the pregnant wife in IL makes it errmmm, problematic…

Anybody here moved in the last few years could recommend a solid company? I *may* be able to go back for a full week before and do some of the packing, etc., myself, just not sure at this point.

Thanks.

My kid works for Corrigan. Says they are pretty conscientous about stuff.

I'll add them to the list. Thanks.

U-Haul's out of the question?

emac437 wrote:It's been a long few months away from the family, but it appears my house in IL finally sold. I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible, but I think hiring (at least the majority) of the move is our best option. Having me in MT, and the pregnant wife in IL makes it errmmm, problematic…

Anybody here moved in the last few years could recommend a solid company? I *may* be able to go back for a full week before and do some of the packing, etc., myself, just not sure at this point.

Thanks.

While you're calling around, something to think about: my last company paid to have the movers actually come in and wrap/pack the stuff. It made a stressful situation so much more manageable. My wife still did our valuables and photos-but they did the vast majority. I know you're trying to save money-but you may want to have them quote that as an option.

This is long but hopefully useful.

I used to sell for and manage an Allied Van Lines agency MANY moons ago so this advice should be updated to today's conditions. My personal experience was that most of the movers were like airlines. If the flight was great, the company was great. If the flight sucked, the company sucked. The truth is that most of them are great much of the time and all of them suck some of the time.

1) Get multiple estimates from some large reputable movers and maybe a smaller local mover for comparison purposes.

2) Is the price guaranteed or based on weight/volume? If it's not a fully guaranteed price, make sure that the estimates are in the same weight/volume range or you're likely to get fucked once the truck hits the scale.

3) Don't bring shit you said you wouldn't bring like the firewood and the pallet of concrete blocks you have lying around if the move is weight based. It can fuck you royally.

4) They will try to sell you moving insurance. Check with your homeowners policy to see what, if anything, you need.

5) Your stuff needs to be properly packed. Don't make the mistake that many do of shoving stuff like lampshades in a garbage bag and thinking that will fly. You'll end up paying for the mover's boxes and for them to pack it. That stuff can add up dramatically. Excellent packing on your part can save you a ton of misery at your destination and lots of $$$$. Label what room the boxes go into at destination!

6) Are they going to move your stuff with their own truck or will it be one of the agency's van lines that's passing through your area? If you can get a trusted local to move you the whole way, you're probably better off. Otherwise, it's the luck of the draw though most of the drivers for the major movers used to be good. Where are they getting their helpers, from the local agency or from the truck stop?

7) Inspect your boxes for external damage upon delivery otherwise your claims will be more difficult to prove.

8) Expect some kind of fuck up such as the truck arriving at pick up or destination a day or two late...or stuff they insist on packing...or stuff you think is missing (though maybe it is and maybe you'll find it in an unexpected box in a week).

9) If something unexpected happens with your house closing at your destination, drill down into their storage policies. The devil is in the details here and the costs can be substantial.

10) A moving estimator is going to look at all your stuff to get an idea of how much to charge you. He/she will probably look in every room. So, if your wife's pocket rocket is on the bed or your portable sex dungeon is set up in the basement, or your ultra valuable stamp collection is in your office, some stranger is going to see it. Find out how experienced the estimator is. There are a lot of new guys on the job in the spring/summer.

11) Fully appraise the mover of the situation at your destination. Things like an exterior flight of stairs, long carries from the street, and a narrow driveway or low tree limbs that might mandate transferring your goods from the long distance van to a local bobtail can all add up.

12) Lastly, if you're moving in the summertime, so is most everyone else. Expect related complications.

Seahill

Uhaul not out of contention yet but not certain he much time off I can take.

Donk

Thanks for all that, lot to digest. I will tell wife to pack up sex dungeon.

Thanks again folks.

Pay for the movers if you can swing it financially. I've moved myself via U-Haul a couple of time (I just did it this last weekend into a house I just purchased) and it's a back breaker. When I moved from CA to WA I used a moving company and I'm glad I did.

Have a garage sale or give to charity anything you don't want or is too much of a pain in the ass to move. If you are the hoarder in the family, let the wife dispose of the house hold junk etc. Like Donkey love alluded to, people move all sorts of stupid shit and they end up paying big time.

Probably why my clients that are moving to California next month are giving me their Kettlebells.

Moved 17 times on 23 years to date, so some minor experience here. My thoughts:

1. Mom and Pop packers frequently pack and load for the big companies. Watch them closely. Little Johnnie doesn't care about your shit and may treat that valuable item like a basketball if no one is paying attention... or your washer like a step stool in the truck.

2. Insurance doesn't always pay for what you think it does. Make sure you understand what full replacement coverage is versus appraised value. Get the right coverage for you.

3. Inventories are a must. Make sure you see and account for every number going out on every item and that the written inventory catalogs not only the item, but condition. Make the driver explain the abbreviations and shows you the specifics. Take pictures of your shit on the front end with a date time stamp to document. Verify arrival of all items on the back end using this same inventory.

4. You can save some $$ if you pack yourself and let the mover haul only. May be worth looking into.

5. Make sure you get rid of your trash before pack up or it will meet you (stinking worse) on the other end. Keep the crap you DON'T want them to pack in a bathroom with a "Do Not Pack" on the door. Get all the stuff you do want them to pack out first of course.

6. Buy the packers and movers lunch. It doesn't have to be gourmet, but having these people think you are less than a jackass makes a difference on how they will handle your stuff.

Just some pointers

Call Steve Maxwell.

The Crawdaddy wrote:Moved 17 times on 23 years to date, so some minor experience here. My thoughts:
6. Buy the packers and movers lunch. It doesn't have to be gourmet, but having these people think you are less than a jackass makes a difference on how they will handle your stuff.

This is a very good point. If they see you friendly and generous up front, they'll not only think you're a decent human, they'll see you're generous and will possibly be a good tipper. Nobody you encounter is making a ton of money - especially the helpers who work their asses off for very little. A little tipping can go a long way.

There are also companies that will drop off packing containers at your home. You load them and they move them. Not sure how good they are.

Regarding do it your self moving, the last time I rented a long distance U Haul its poor suspension could have killed me. I've had better luck with Ryder.

Mickey O'neil wrote:Call Steve Maxwell.

After careful consideration this is what I'm going with.

And the part that would've been the biggest bitch: my lifting stuff.

The kid that bought the house included my gym in his offer....huge relief. Only part of it im taking is the ironmind squat stand/safety bars.

company moved us, it would have been a fucking nightmare otherwise.

The Crawdaddy wrote:Moved 17 times on 23 years to date, so some minor experience here. My thoughts:

6. Buy the packers and movers lunch. It doesn't have to be gourmet, but having these people think you are less than a jackass makes a difference on how they will handle your stuff.

Just some pointers

Having done some moving, this is a damn good idea (and is about expected) and I will make a big suggestion here. DO NOT BUY PIZZA! MOVERS HATE THIS! #1 because so many people default to getting pizza, so they get sick of it and when it's hot, and you are humping furniture and boxes that's the last thing you want to have in your belly.

Moving is an all day workout, remember that.

Haven been in the rigging and moving business 42 years. Very few van lines aren't douchebags.

Usually the bigger ones are like having a national pest control company (Terminex, Ortho) do your termite work. You are paying for all the advertising that got your attention in the first place.

Check around with folks who have moved. You need real recommendations, not something provided by the company.

Good advice so far. Me, I wouldn't touch a thing. Let the poor guys who get our move, deal with my wife.

Donkey and Crawdaddy have already covered the basics with solid information. I managed a moving company for a few years in my not-so-distant youth. If you are looking to do the move as cost effective as humanly possible, I have a few other suggestions:

1) Pack your self. Get a couple buddies and just get to it. You'll save $30-40 per hour for a small crew to spend a weekend doing the same thing. At LEAST pack all your breakables/valuables yourself. You can have the movers do the rest in 1/2 to 1/3 of the time.

2) Call around and check references for the best local company. Hire them to load a Ryder for you. NOT A U-HAUL - I wouldn't let my worst enemy hire U-Haul. Drive the truck yourself, then hire a local moving crew to help you unload it. If you do this during the week and/or in the middle of a month, local companies will be more willing to send you good movers rather than needing them for their own moves.

And when the movers come, you watch and learn.

YIHB

This is likely how I'm going to do it. Thanks on midweek suggestion.

I got into a time suck with that thread. It lead to other searches and may have ultimately led to program ADD but then I remembered I have no gym, and no access to one, so I'm forced to stick with my current xfit inspired plan: gin and nachos.