Your Virtual Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is my estimate calculated?

  For local moves, our estimates are based on the total amount of time and materials used for your move. For long distance moves, they're calculated based on the total volume of the items you're moving. There are a lot of other factors that also go into it, and those will be itemized for you to review. If you have any questions about your estimate, don't hesitate to give our office a call!

• Is my estimate adjustable?

  You can update your inventory list at any time prior to your move so we can give you a more accurate idea of what to expect on your move day.

  For local moves, we will always adjust your final amount to reflect only the time and material that you actually use. For long distance moves, your inventory list, which is the bulk of your estimate cost, is final once our truck leaves the lot, but we can still adjust material costs if there are any changes. For any specific questions always check with your moving coordinator!

• Why can't I just give you a list of the things I'm moving?

  With larger homes or in situations that require packing services, we understand that it can be difficult to remember every little thing you have in your house, as well as to communicate the size of each item and how that translates into space on a truck. Your virtual estimator is here to do that work for you and get you the most accurate estimate we can! Also, this gives them an opportunity to ask about special finishes, sizes, special care instructions, etc, as well as answer any questions you have. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk your move through with another person, too!

• What can I do to prepare for my appointment?

  While preparation isn't crucial, it can be helpful! Here are some things that may help your appointment go more smoothly:

  -If you've already started packing, count how many completed boxes you have, separating them out by size if you can (small, medium, large).

  -Determine as best you can what pieces are or are not going in your move so your surveyor can put together as accurate an inventory list as possible for your moving coordinator.

  -Have the dimensions of any art or specialty items that require crating. There's no need to have dimensions for everything.

  -Have the dimensions of any storage units (either on- or off-site) with contents that need to be picked up during your move.

  -Make a mental note of any other special or unusual items in your home so you can point them out to your surveyor. Those items include but are not limited to: sleeper and adjustable sofas, memory foam/Tempurpedic or adjustable mattresses, storage bed frames, granite/stone/glass/marble tops, and any crating needs.

• Customers with iPhones have FaceTime, but what app do you use to video chat with Androids?

  We have found that Google Duo is the most reliable video chat program for Androids and works across multiple platforms. It's available for free through your app store and is very simple to set-up. (Please see our video about setting up Google Duo if you have any questions.) A nice feature of Duo is the ability to expand your screen! If you tap the thumbnail with your face, it will expand to fill the screen, making it easier to see exactly where you're pointing your surveyor!

• What's the best way for me to show you around my home?

  We suggest that you use headphones to cut down on extra noise and to hear any questions your surveyor may have along the way. They will ask you to flip your camera so both of you can see what is on the screen, so make sure your finger isn't blocking the camera or microphone! Start at one end of the residence and work systematically through each room as you come to it. Be sure to talk your surveyor through each item in each room, even if it's just to tell them that a particular item won't be part of the move. For your estimator to accurately gauge furniture sizes and packing needs, show them an entire room in the same frame without getting too close to anything. During the walk-through, make sure to let your surveyor know of any special handling requests, notes, or directions so they can make a note of that in your file for your movers.

• Do you record our video chat?

  We understand your privacy is important, so we do not record any part of our video chats. Your surveyor may request to take a screenshot of any specialty items that would require extra attention by our movers, but no additional recordings will be taken.

• What if my Wifi doesn't work in certain areas of my home and the call drops?

  If this happens to you (as it does to many of our customers), first try disconnecting from your network and using cellular data. That usually fixes the problem, and you can continue with the walk-through. If that still doesn't work, it's okay! We recommend taking photos/video of areas with bad reception (basements, garages, crawl spaces, outdoor spaces, etc) ahead of time so you can go over them with your estimator, and they can ask any questions they may have. You can also send them the photos/video after your walk-through in case you have any questions about sharing those with us. And remember: If a call drops, your surveyor will always call you back!

• I forgot to show you something! What should I do?

  That happens all the time! If it's something larger or hard to explain, you can text or email a photo of the item to your estimator. Otherwise, a call/email into the office is fine too! Anyone will be able to adjust your inventory list for you.

• What do you mean by "packing services"?

  When we ask if you're interested in packing services, we're specifically referring to box packing services. The time and materials it takes for our movers to wrap and protect your furniture is included in every estimate already, whether or not we're packing your boxes too.

• If I'm packing all my boxes, do you still need to see in all my closets and cabinets?

  Your virtual surveyor is trained to estimate how many boxes they think you'll have on move day based on what they see during your virtual appointment. They will ask to go into your closets and cabinets to estimate the total box volume as well as inventory any larger items and shelving units that will be loaded onto our truck. If you are 100% sure you'll have all your boxes out of the house by move day, you can let them know at the start of your appointment. However, if there's a chance that you'll run out of time to move all the boxes yourself, your surveyor can provide you with a worst-case scenario estimate by including those boxes on your inventory list. We will always adjust your total on move day to reflect only the amount of time and materials you actually use, but this way you have the time, man-power, and truck size you might need reserved for you.

• Okay, but do I really have to show you in all my closets and cabinets?

  You may or may not realize, but our closets and cabinets are some of the larger box count areas in our homes! We're here to help you account for that volumeand even estimate about how many boxes you should buy if you're packing yourself. We aim to provide you with an estimate that encompasses all the details, not just a low-ball estimate. We know our customers don't like surprises and neither do we! This way you can be armed with all the details, situations, and pricing for your move.

• Do I need to empty dresser drawers and cabinets?

  It always seems like a good idea to leave everything neatly packed in your drawers, but what is often overlooked is the damage to the furniture or loss that can occur when movers transport full dressers. We require all drawers be emptied before move day and everything to be in its own box. This ensures a few things:
  1. Nothing slips out of your drawers en route.
  2. Your drawers won't bottom out during the move.
  3. No damage will occur to any drawer contents or the furniture piece itself due to extra weight from drawer contents. We're here to keep your belongings safe and sound!

• What if I just want help packing a part of my home, like my kitchen or garage?

  We can get together any type of estimate you need with as much or as little help as you require. This includes packing just one or two rooms in your home if that's what you want! Just let your surveyor know at the beginning of the call, and they can separate out each type of estimate to reflect the various levels of packing assistance in which you're interested. Not quite sure how much help you want? We can always estimate you for a full pack as well as estimate a scenario where you pack all your own boxes so you can compare prices.

• It took me 3 hours to assemble my furniture piece. Will the movers disassemble and reassemble it for me?

  All disassembly and reassembly is done on the labor clock. While this is fine with simple items, for any pieces that will need extensive work, we highly recommend taking care of them ahead of time. If you require help, contact a licensed professional, or please ensure that you have all directions and any required specialty tools for the movers on hand to expedite the process. We don't want you paying an arm and a leg just trying to get your furniture out of the house!

• The last time I moved we had to lift the couch up and over the second floor balcony to get it inside. Will you be able to help with that?

  We have specialized hoist crews that will be sent out to accommodate your hoisting request. If you think any furniture may need to be lifted through anywhere other than a ground floor door, please let your surveyor know so they can talk you through the process and get additional information from you. The more info we are armed with for your move, the better experience everyone will have! If you have any large furniture that you are unsure if it will fit through any doors or staircases, measure the item and the passageways to ensure you have the right crew and tools sent for your job.

• I have some nicer artwork and pieces I'd like to have crated. Is this a service you provide?

  We offer a full range of crating services for any of your more delicate items. Estimates for crates are based on size, so be sure to have dimensions of your items handy for your surveyor to pass along to your moving coordinator.

• We just had our floors done! Will the movers take any precautions?

  Our movers are trained professionals, but occasionally things can happen. They cannot wear booties while coming in and out of the home, so we recommend purchasing floor protection for your move. We can provide these materials for you, or you can purchase them yourself at a home repair store.
  
  Hardwood
  To guard against any minor scuffing, denting, scratching, or dirt on your hardwood, we will bring a thick brown craft paper that your movers will secure in place with painters tape. All newly refinished hardwood flooring must set for a total of 7 days or more to ensure a proper cure time before we can apply this protection. Please check with your contractor or flooring specialist if you have any specific questions regarding cure times and floor protection.
  
  Carpet
  For carpeting, we provide a thin plastic sheeting that adheres to the carpet to guard against any dirt or mud. We definitely recommend this if it is a rainy or snowy day.
  
  Other
  Some specialty flooring materials will require specific protection, so please check with your flooring manufacturer or installer to see if it requires anything beyond the basic protections.

• Is there anything your company can't move that I should take care of on my own?

  Yes -- here are some of the most common items:
  -Any flammable substances: propane, gasoline, nail polish remover, etc.
  -Plants over 5ft tall -Perishable foods (we don't want you to lose a gallon of milk in a box somewhere!)
  -Motorized vehicles: motorcycles, mopeds, cars, etc
  -Weapons and firearms
  -Anything packed in garbage bags

• I have a wall mounted TV or shelf. Will you take the mount or shelf out and reinstall it in my new home?

  Our movers can lift anything off of a mount for you, but they are prohibited from uninstalling or reinstalling anything that is screwed into your wall. We want to make sure that any work being done to your home is performed by a licensed professional or the homeowner. There are a number of local professional services that can help you with any of your mounting needs.

• I've got some large appliances that need to be moved. Can you take care of those for me?

  Definitely! When moving large appliances, some preparation is required ahead of your move day to get them ready for transit. Here are some tips, but always refer to your original owners manual for specific directions for your model. If you need help with any of the harder stuff, we recommend hiring a local handyperson.

  In general:

  -All appliances need to be disconnected from any and all utility connections. That includes gas lines, water lines, and electrical lines.

  -Measure the appliance and any doorways the item will be moving through to ensure that they can easily be removed from the home. If any doors or other parts of the house or appliances need to be removed or adjusted, please be sure to take care of that before your movers arrive.

  Refrigerators and freezers:

  -Please be sure they're emptied, completely de-iced, and disconnected from all electrical sources. Adding a moisture absorbent substance like activated charcoal inside the unit will help prevent odors from building up during the move or storage.

  Washers and dryers:

  -The drum inside your washing machine is the part that spins during the wash cycle. To keep it in place during the move, you'll need to secure it with shipping bolts.

  -First, for safety purposes, power down the washer and dryer. Make sure all electricity running to the appliances have been completely shut down by switching off the corresponding switch on your home's main electrical panel. Once the electricity has been turned off, unplug the washer and dryer from the wall. Wrap and bundle electrical cords up with a twist-tie and throw inside the washer or tape them to the side. For dryers, if it is powered by gas, you'll need to shut off the gas valve on the dryer and disconnect the gas line completely. Unless you have experience, we recommend bringing in a professional to handle this part of the job.

  -Next, shut off the water to the washer. To do so, locate the valves behind the washer and turn them off. Once they've been turned off, remove the cold and hot water hoses from the wall and drain them. You may need a wrench or pliers to loosen and remove the hoses. Empty any leftover water inside the hoses into a nearby bucket. Put them inside the washer so you do not misplace them during your move.

• I have a pool table I need to move! What do I need to know?

  Pool tables are specialty sporting equipment that require a licensed professional to perform any disassembly and reassembly. We are only able to move these if they have been disassembled ahead of move day, and we cannot reassemble them upon delivery. We recommend the professionals at D. Jaburek Billiards (https://www.pooltablenow.com/) for all your pool table assembly, disassembly, and moving needs.

• I have some Ikea furniture that I would like to move. What do you suggest?

  Ikea and other press-board/particle board manufactured furniture are designed to be flat packed and shipped. The delicate nature of this furniture requires us to have it disassembled or you can sign a waiver releasing liability if we move it whole. We cannot guarantee the structural integrity of such furniture in the same way as solid wood furniture. Also, please ensure that if the item was built in the room and will not be disassembled that we can get it out through the door. Wardrobes, bunk beds, and large bookcases are the most common pieces that don't fit through doorways. If you're not sure, measure the piece and all doors that it will pass through on the way to our truck to ensure that we are able to move it for you.