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GOOD GUYS
Our greatest asset: a small team of conscious, reliable, and hardworking drivers and helpers that are well trained to get the job done right. Most of our workers are students from the neighboring universities.
PRICE
Complex pricing is probably the most important single factor that gives the industry bad reputation. Moving and commercial transportation companies do not like to disclose their prices. Just check a few sites around, and you will
notice that there is hardly anything on the rates/charges, and even if there is just a few lines, it is only to meet the min. DPU requirements.
Before Interstate trucking was deregulated in 1980, most moving companies
charged the same basic rates. Most of the major moving companies used the same rate book to calculate moving cost; it's called "Tariff 400-M" which is published by the Household Goods Carriers Bureau. Tariff 400-M, which
is still being published but no longer enforced, contains the charges for transportation, packing, storage, etc. These charges are essentially the same for all of the moving companies (if each has the same weight and mileage
estimate). This being true, if you were to clone your move and ship your goods with each of the movers you would find that, while you may have had four vastly different estimates, in the end each mover was just about the same cost.
Now prices are all over the place. Estimates for moving the contents of a three-room home from Boston to New York, for instance, run anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. You need at least three estimates to get an accurate idea
of what movers are charging. Whatever you do, beware the lowest bidder. Some movers lowball the bid to get your business, then demand more money on your new doorstep. Common ploys: claiming that "unloading" fees weren't
included in the estimate, or insisting that you had more possessions hidden away in the garage, adding to the total weight of the move. Often unregistered movers offer hourly rates as low as one-fifth of the rates charged by
licensed movers, they routinely pad the bill by working slowly and adding hidden costs. Interstate movers use two kinds of estimates. Binding estimates, for which many companies charge a fee, ensure that you'll pay no more than the
estimate. General estimates, on the other hand, allow a mover to charge up to 10% more. These are a good idea only if you plan to sell or leave behind many large items and expect the total weight of your move to decrease.
A
phone call will get you closer to the specifics, and we highly recommend that you call at least three companies before choosing to do business with any one of them. However: WATCH OUT: on the phone you'll be dealing with a PRO.
These are people professionally trained to sell, sell, and sell. You will notice very complicated pricing techniques, long glossary of extra charges and series of tricky questions, intended to get a feel of what is the lowest
estimate to get your business. And this is only to get the estimate. Chances are, your final cost will be higher. We suggest that you request also the upper limit of the estimate. Always, always, get it in writing. Never accept an
estimate over the telephone - a practice that in some states is illegal. You will have no written proof to back you up if your mover tries to charge you more.
WeHaul.com instant fixed binding price quote is calculated based
on all the information supplied by you. This is the price charged as long as the information supplied is accurate. While confirming your order over the phone, we will make sure we address all the line items on you order, as well as
any other concerns you might have. It's that simple. We are so confident in our prices, that you may cancel by phone, with an e-mail or fax confirmation prior to dispatching the driver and there's no charge. If the driver is
dispatched and already in route, the published rate applies.
CONVENIENCE
Evaluating Your Costs for "Self Haul" Movers
Any one considering a self move, especially an interstate move, should ask
a lot of questions and compute the actual costs of self moving before signing a rental agreement with a truck rental company. This worksheet helps you calculate self move costs and gives a basis of comparison when evaluating the
price and value of professional moving.
Explanation of Charges
Rental Charge
For an interstate move, one needs to provide the origin and destination cities and the month, day and year of the move to the truck
rental company. Depending on equipment availability in a certain location, prices may vary. Peak season runs from the end of May until the end of September, so truck rental rates may be higher during that time of year. Most people
move at the
beginning of a month or the end of the month, so supply may exceed demand during the first or last week of any month. The rental charge you are quoted includes a rental deposit that may be refunded depending on the condition of the vehicle upon its return, and a certain number of free miles (approximately 10% greater than the estimated actual mileage). This does not include state taxes. Any other charges are additional. You'll need a day to pack and another to unpack, so be sure you're quote includes two days plus driving days. Make sure you rent the right size truck! Remember, efficiently loading a truck is an art, not a science. After a long, hard day of loading all of your worldly possessions into the back of moving van, the last thing you need to discover is that you have run out of space but not out of furniture.
Automobiles
How many cars do you have? Are you going to
drive or tow the vehicle(s)? A trailer package from a rental company may cost an additional $200, plus another $50 for insurance depending on how many days you are renting the truck for. If you are driving your own vehicle, you'll
need to factor in wear and tear on your vehicle (.30 cents a mile was the standard mileage rate in 1995 according to the IRS).
Insurance Charges
It may cost an additional $10 a day for insurance on the rental truck.
The daily charge includes vehicle damage, cargo damage up to a certain dollar value, and medical and life insurance. (Reminder: Cargo damage insurance provides protection for your household goods from damages incurred during a
vehicular accident. Any other types of damages are not covered!)
truck theft is also a problem if you are leaving the fully loaded vehicle unattended while you spend the night at a hotel.
Pads
You need pads so you
do not scratch your furniture. Pads run $10 a dozen, with a 26 foot truck(four bedroom house) you will need at least 2 dozen pads @$20.
Dollies
An appliance dolly, a utility dolly or a furniture dolly may be needed
to help move heavy furniture. Each dolly may cost an additional $5 to $10 per rental.
Per Move Value of Time
Who is going to do the packing and unpacking? Who will pick-up, load, drive and unload the rental truck?
Who will drive the automobile? If you are doing this yourself it takes a lot of time. Figure out your average hourly wage and multiply it times the total number of hours you estimate it will take to pack, pick-up truck, load,
drive, unload, etc. for you and your spouse/family.
This is your per move value of time.
Packing and Loading the Truck
You might be able to collect free boxes in anticipation of the move, but to minimize damages
especially for an interstate move, it is highly recommended that you purchase specialized boxes like wardrobe, dish pack, or mattress containers. You'll need tape to secure the boxes and paper padding to secure the contents of the
containers when they are loaded on the truck. The cost of packing materials may vary by state and state taxes will also apply. The average total cost of packing containers is approximately $125 for a 2 bedroom home and $200 for a 3
bedroom home (Source AMC's 1994 transportation Fact Book.)
Mileage Charges
Are usually included in the rental agreement but may be limited; an additional mileage charge may be accessed at an average cost per mile,
usually around .40 cents a mile for each additional mile over the limit.
Gasoline Charges
When you pick up your truck the vehicle is full of gas. You must return the vehicle full of gas or the rental company will
normally charge a higher than average price per gallon to fill the vehicle. You'll need to calculate the cost of gas used while driving the rental vehicle. A 26 foot, 5 speed diesel truck that is fully loaded will average about 10
miles per gallon. If you travel approximately 500 miles/10 miles a gallon, you will consume 50 gallons of gasoline. At an average diesel price of $1.79 cents a gallon x 50 gallons of gasoline equals $89.)
Appliance Charges
Refrigerators, grandfather clocks, washing machines, gas stoves, etc. all may require special care before they can be properly moved. You may need to hire several specialists to ensure proper handling of your possessions.
These appliance service charges will increase the cost of your self move.
Destination
Is your destination residence available for occupancy? If not, where will you store your possessions? You may need to secure a
warehouse and unload all your household goods into storage. The only storage facilities available for the self mover are mini warehouse storage units. While functional, these units often provide less than adequate protection for
your belongings. Security is minimal, usually a manager sleeping on the premise, no insurance coverage, and no protection from fire or smoke damage incurred at the warehouse. When your new residence becomes available you will need
to rent another truck, load all your possessions from the warehouse, deliver the goods to the final destination, and unload everything one last time.
Other Hidden Additional Costs for "Self Haul" Movers
1. Good friends to help you move will add additional expenses like pizza and beer.
2. Do you have children, and are they too young to care for themselves? If you are doing everything yourself you may have child care
expenses.
3. Back injuries can occur when moving heavy articles like furniture. You may want to purchase a back brace to reduce lower back strain.
4. Can you drive to the new destination in one day, or will you be required
to spend one or more nights in a hotel? Who will watch the truck while you sleep? Security may also be a concern.
5. Tolls for bridges and/or highways may also be applicable.
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