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Monster Movers ® is the premier moving and storage franchise in the United States.
Movers

What is the Average Cost of a Move?

What is the Average Cost of a Move

It’s almost impossible to come up with an average cost of a move.  There are so many variables which I will outline below.  However, for the point of conversation – an average local move cost from trustworthy, licensed movers is approximately $1085.  The average long distance moving cost is approximately $4800.  What do these totals actually mean to the average consumer?  I will discuss below:

Average Cost of a Move
Average Cost of a Move

 

Average Cost of a Local Move

The average cost of a local move will depend on a few key factors ( and a few minor ones):

  1.  Size of residence – This one is pretty obvious.  The average local moving cost takes into account all size  homes/townhouses/condos/apartments.
  2. How far you are moving – All moving companies will charge to drive from the old residence to the new one.  An in-state move will be charged at an hourly rate.
  3. How packed you are – If your residence is heavily furnished, you will have more boxes and hence, more items and it takes longer to load/unload.  If your movers are packing for you this will increase your average moving cost.  For the purposes of the average local moving rate of $1085 – we only included moves that did not require more than one hour of packing.  If your movers are packing for you the average packing charge for a move is $655.
  4. Quality of movers – This average total was taken from Monster Movers which is a high quality mover.
  5. Additional Items – There are many additional smaller factors that effect the average local moving costs.  They are: stairs, long haul, overall layout of  your residence.
    1. Stairs/Elevator – If your residence is up/down stairs or an elevator the average moving fee will increase.
    2. Long Haul – Some condos and apartments have long hallways as well some homes have a longer trip to get from residence to the truck.
    3. Overall Layout – If your residence is in an older home that has smaller doorways and tighter spaces to move in/out, expect your move fee to increase.

 

Average Cost of Long Distance Move

The average cost of a long distance move is much more complicated mostly because of the distances traveled.  Here are a few of the considerations included in the cost of an average long distance move.

  1. Rate Per Pound – This is probably the most important factor when considering the average cost of a long distance move.  This is essentially the rate per pound that you are paying for your items to be shipped.  This rate changes depending on it’s own set of details:
    1. Destination City
    2. Origin City
    3. Distance Between the Destination and Origin
    4. Demand – The demand for shipments going from Boston to DC is going to be higher than Boston to Norther Maine.  Therefore, the average long distance moving rates will be more going from Boston to Maine.
  2. Price of Fuel – Many long distance movers add a fuel surcharge onto their long distance moving costs.  As the fuel fee decreases, the fuel surcharge should decrease.  Some movers incorporate the fuel surcharge into their rate per pound ( recommended).
  3. Guaranteed Dates – If a guaranteed pick up date and/or delivery date is required, the average cost of a long distance move will change drastically.

Overall, the average cost of moving services depend  on many different factors.

Office Movers

5 Steps to Completing a Successful Long Distance Commercial Move

5 Steps to Completing a Successful Long Distance Commercial Move

A long distance commercial move, whether a large office, an industrial warehouse, or a retail space can be a daunting task.  It is imperative to plan a long distance commercial move as efficiently as possible – or it could mean lost revenue for you as the process extends.  If you happen to be the person in charge of your office relocation – this is for you.

STEP 1: Writing the Plan

Your office plan should include a number of different factors.  Even if you work for a small company – this part of your commercial move is crucial to the orderliness of your move.  Your plan should include a list of employees – and what department they are in.  Each employee office should have an inventory of what furniture/electronics/etc is located in each office.  I highly suggest getting a blueprint of the new office to determine where each employee will be.  Usually, when performing a long distance office or commercial move, we usually only move a portion of the office – for example one department moves.  A complete inventory of what is going and staying is crucial to the success of a long distance commercial move.

STEP 2: Hiring a Long Distance Commercial Mover

There are a lot of moving companies that offer commercial moving services.  However, few are actually trained office movers.  Monster Movers is a long distance commercial mover that incorporates office and commercial education into the initial training that our movers receive before going on any job.  Monster Movers is a trusted commercial mover that is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and everyone in between.  Long distance commercial moves are extremely time sensitive – you need to hire a commercial mover that guarantees delivery dates.

commercial movers
Long Distance Commercial Movers

 

STEP 3: Coordinate and Evaluate

About 2 months before your long distance commercial movers arrive, you should give each employee a small folder that includes:

  1. Orientation Sheet – this will let the office staff know where they are going and where their new office will be
  2. Commercial Relocation Stickers – these stickers should already have the floor/office number that the employee will be occupying
  3. Box Location – I suggest giving employees the boxes at a short meeting or you can let the staff know where to get them
  4. Important Dates

You should also coordinated any computer installation companies, elevator usage, phone services, and utilities services.  Your long distance movers should be notified of elevator days/times in the new location.  Long distance commercial moving is extremely time-sensitive so your movers need this information well in advance.

STEP 4: Make Special Moving Arrangements

With most office moves, there are some pieces of furniture that won’t be going and new furniture that will.  You can call a removal company ( or your commercial mover may be able to do this) to pick up old office furniture for donation.  Contact your office movers and make them aware of any special moving arrangements or last minute moving services.

STEP 5: Label

I have attended some office relocations where the labeling of furnishings, cartons, boxes has been inconsistent and leads to hours of “who’s mousepad and pictures are these.”  Label everything – twice.  Label offices, make signs for your long distance commercial move and employees.

Interstate Moving

How To Save Time and Money on an Interstate Move

HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY  ON AN INTERSTATE MOVE

Everyone likes to save money on moving – everybody.  Saving $20-$30 on a local in-state move is great but this how to guide could save you thousands on an interstate move – and hopefully many hours  as well. First off, this guide is for interstate ( or out-of-state) moves only.

Interstate Moving
Interstate Moving

Saving Money on Your Interstate Move

 

Saving Money on Packing for Your Interstate Move

  1. When you are moving state-to-state, your shipment is priced by the pound.  So, essentially you should find out how much “per pound” your shipment will cost.  Here are a few averages:

Movers Boston to FL or FL to MA $.75 per pound

Movers Boston to DC or DC to MA $.50 pp

Movers NYC to CA or CA to NYC $1.30 pp

Movers CT to FL or FL to CT $.70pp

Movers MA to TX or TX to MA $1.10pp

Now Having a slight idea of how interstate movers charge – you can go through all of your stuff and determine if  it’s worth keeping.  For example, if you have a statue that is 100 lbs it will cost about $100 to move from MA to IL.  Is the statue worth it?

2. Unless your interstate move is last minute, you should have a yard sale or donate everything you are not taking.  Use Craigslist for furniture.  Unless you have actual junk, there is no need to pay for a removal company to pick up your furniture, etc.  Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity will do this for free in most areas.  If you do have trash while moving, I suggest picking up a trash bag at Home Depot – they are like mini dumpsters that you can keep at your house until you call to get it picked up.

3.  If you don’t want to pack everything on your own, I will have to suggest hiring movers to pack ONLY the breakables.  Hiring an interstate mover that will pack by hour+materials is highly suggested over one that pays per box.  It will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Saving Money on Interstate Movers

When most people are starting their interstate moving company search – they likely go online and start filling out quote forms.  Most quote forms will be sent to as many as 10 moving companies who will compete for your move.  You will be inundated with hundreds of calls, emails, etc from movers offering prices.  I suggest staying away from these sites as the movers involved are not the best choice for saving time and money.  Here’s what you need to know:

  1. You need to find out what your shipment will weigh.  Here is a moving calculator that will do that for you.  It is really important to be as detailed as possible when you are filling this out to get an accurate weight
  2. Next, you will need to compare moving services.  If you want to save money in hotels, extra fees, damage etc on your move, you need to find a private moving company that will guarantee delivery and pick-up dates – also one that provides flat rates.
  3. Make sure your interstate movers offer full replacement coverage.
  4.  Your interstate movers should definitely give you a delivery day – staying in a hotel while you wait for your movers is likely to drive you crazy and can rack up your bills during your interstate move.

 

Saving Time On Your Interstate Move

  1.  Having a guide to help you compare movers is a great way to save time.  This list has a few quick but important questions for you to ask to swiftly eliminate poor interstate movers.
  2. Having movers pack your breakables will save a lot of time.  It usually takes a crew of 2 less than 2 hours to pack a large kitchen.
  3. Finding efficient movers that can have your shipment at its destination in a timely manner is key.  Nobody wants to be living out of a hotel ( or worse a family’s house) while waiting for furniture to arrive.
  4. Check your interstate moving company reviews!  If there are reviews of people having to wait for their shipment – it’s not a good hire.
  5. Label boxes.  The last thing you want to do when you arrive in your new state is search through boxes to find something you need.
  6. Make a necessity bin – TP, towels, paper towels, cleaning supplies, blanket, etc. so you can access these items immediately upon your move in.

 

Interstate Moving

Not So Quick Tips for Long Distance Moving and Storage

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Long Distance Moving and Storage

My top tips for long distance and moving and storage – this is a complete list of what you need to consider during your long distance move that requires storage.  If you don’t need storage – you are in the wrong place – try this

long distance moving and storage
Long Distance Moving and Storage

Long distance moving when you need storage sucks.  Sorry, but anyone who tells you different is most likely an extreme optimist ( do those still exist? ) or fibbing you so they don’t have to help you.  Okay, so now that you understand that LDMandS is a pain, here are some tips to help you get through it:

  1. There is greater chance that your things will be missing/damaged when you need long distance moving and storage in the interim.  Here is why – most movers buy/sell/transfer your move and there are so many hands that touch your shipment.  Let me put it this way – it would be really hard to prove where your things ended up missing/damaged. What can you do to protect your items?  Hire a long distance mover who doesn’t sell/trade/buy shipments. Also the best long distance movers will make sure the same crew that loaded your shipment delivers after storage.
  2. Do your research.  I really hate this cliche – like you don’t already know – check reviews blah blah blah…  Here is the insight I can provide about long distance moving and storage research.  You have to feel comfortable with them.  A nice voice on the phone isn’t the only reason to book with your mover.  And a FYI – BBB, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List are all PAID services.  I suggest finding long distance moving company reviews that are from third -party, verified sites like customer lobby.
  3. Make sure you store your items in the state you are moving to.  A lot of customers store items in their pick-up state they are moving from.  This gives the customer absolutely no leverage if the first move stinks.  Also, the price could change drastically – especially when using containerized storage. Hire long distance movers with flat rate long distance moving fees.
  4. Don’t use containerized storage for long distance moving and storage . First of all, per month storage fees are very high and the units are/can: easy to break into, fall apart, a nice home for insects/rodents, notorious for uncharges, billing issues, and in general horrible customer service.
  5. If you are using long distance moving and storage to move to a new climate say – from NY to FL – you should consider opting for humidity controlled storage unit or FL to NY – heated storage.  This isn’t for everyone… if the most expensive piece of furniture you own is a desk from IKEA – any type of storage should do fine.
  6. Pro-rated storage for your long distance move can save you hundreds.  Most van lines and larger moving operations will charge you for a full month of storage even if you move out on the 5th of the month.
  7. If you are moving long distance and need storage for six months or more – you will need to sign storage documents every six months and if you fail to – your coverage may be voided.  This should be the responsibility of your move to remind you of but it’s always good to be aware.

You can find the best long distance moving and storage operations along the east coast by doing a search for your local Monster Movers.

Movers DC

Monster Movers DC

Monster Movers DC

Are you moving to from or in DC?  I am sure you have heard the crazy moving stories from the media and neighbors about the horrendous moving and storage companies in DC that have been scamming the locals for many years.  Monster Movers DC is a mover that you can trust and will guarantee 100% customer satisfaction on your move to from or within DC.

Movers DC
Movers DC

Our DC moving crews are CORI-checked, full time, licensed crew members.  Our DC moving crews deliver outstanding full service local moves in DC as well as long distance movers to DC and from DC to NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, MA, RI, CT, NC, SC, GA, TX, IL, NYC, CA

Our long distance moving team will give you guaranteed flat rate prices for all long distance movers DC and we also guaranteed pick-up and delivery dates to the states above.  For the other states we offer a 2-3 day delivery window.

Currently, Monster Movers operates in metro-DC, Arlington-VA and Bethesda-MD.  Our current 2016 moving rates in these areas are

2 men and 1 truck $118/hour

3 men and 1 truck $159/hour

4 men and 2 trucks $279/hour

Any time we feel your move will require more than 4 men and 2 trucks, we need to do an on-site estimate.

You can call our call center at 877-470-1247 to request an estimate or visit our free moving estimate page for a virtually instant moving estimate based on your inventory.  The first page of the DC moving estimate is where you will input basic information.  The second page will be a comprehensive inventory where you simply select what you have and we generate a guaranteed moving quote to from or within DC .

Interstate Moving

How Much Does Moving Cross Country Cost?

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How Much Does Moving Cross Country Cost ?

Moving cross country can be a daunting task to undertake.  Packing up everything you own and carting all of your boxes and furniture across multiple states to a new and intimidating city.  Easy Peasy – when you hire a great cross country moving company that is.  The first thing to consider during your cross country moving process is the actual cost of moving cross country.

Moving Cross Country Costs will be dependent on a few factors:

  • Time of Year You are Moving Cross Country  – Traditionally the least expensive months of the year to move cross country are January, February, March and April.  May – November – expect at least a 15% increase in cross country moving company costs.
  • The Weight of Your Cross Country Moving Shipment – Moving shipments are charged by weight.  There are times when your cross country move can be less money the more it weighs!  Ask your mover if they have weight categories.  For example, if your cross country moving company charges 40 cents per pound for 2000-3000lbs but $.38/lb for anything over 3000.
  • The Pick-Up/Delivery Dates for your Move – If you need your shipment picked up and delivered on specific days, this could cost more.  Van lines do not offer guaranteed dates on cross country shipments so, if you do need guaranteed dates it is best to hire a private cross country moving company.
  • Miles You are Moving – The more miles you are moving – the more expensive your cross country move will cost.
  • Additional Cross Country Moving Services ( aka. if you need full packing, hoisting, crating, etc) – Don’t be confused by additional cross country moving services ( packing, full replacement coverage and piano fees) and junk cross country moving fees that you should never be charged for ( mileage fee, shuttle fee, fuel surcharge, taxes, tolls, energy charge, etc).
  • Quality of Cross Country Moving Service – The best long distance movers may be more expensive than an unestablished moving company that you cannot trust.
  • Where You are Moving To and From – If you are moving from Connecticut to Florida, it will generally be more expensive than moving from FL to CT.  The main reasoning for this is because more people move from CT to FL than the other way around.
Cross Country Moving
Cross Country Moving

Cross country moving costs vary drastically and are contingent on the type of moving company you choose.  The easiest way to get guaranteed, flat rate cross country moving estimate is to fill out a moving request on the best cross country moving companies website.

Being a Mover

Think You Are Cut Out to be a Mover? Find Out Here

Think You Are Cut Out to be a Mover?  Find Out Here

mover
Moving Furniture isn’t about Muscle

 

Every spring moving companies receive calls from college student athletes requesting employment opportunities.  One by one, the students come in and shortly ( usually after a week or two of “moving” ), they leave.  Don’t get me wrong – there are those few crew members that stick it out – those that handle the everyday precarious positions that moving twists, turns, bends, squeezes, rotates, wrenches, and distorts your body.

  1.  Its not about muscle.  Being strong is of course an important  characteristic of being a mover but not the most crucial.  Many mover wannabees who are “jacked” don’t understand how they cannot hang with other movers.  The answer is:
  2. ENDURANCE is #1.   Twelve hours, up and down flights of stairs.  This is not easy – period, let alone carrying boxes, couches, mattresses, desks, safes, appliances, etc.  Then, when you think you can take a break – get up the next morning and do it again.
  3. Spacial Recognition is key.  Some great movers have excellent space recognition skills and can negotiate objects easily.  Think a huge game of 3D Tetris with really heavy things.
  4. Kindness and Compassion above all else.  Moving is extremely personal.  Essentially, movers are coming into someones home and taking everything they own.  You can only begin to imagine the intense feelings that sometimes accompany this difficult job of a mover.  Being kind and compassionate, treating the furniture like it belongs to your grandmother – this is what a great mover can do.

The best moving companies hire movers who frankly just love to move.  They love the daily challenge that moving a person’s household goods comes with.  Those are the movers I would want to move my home.

moving help, Uncategorized

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers

I must say, I have been patiently waiting to write this post on the worst advice we’ve heard about movers for a long time.  Having been in the moving and storage industry for over 20 years, we have come across our fair share of horrible advice when it comes to movers.  Here is our all time crappy advice list:

moving advice
Movers
  1.  Use a Van Line for Long Distance Moves – Just. Don’t.  I cannot believe the moving and storage industry is so out-of-touch with current business practices.  Millennials, baby boomers and those in-between have grown accustomed to getting anything they want – fast.  Long gone are the days of a van line sticking your stuff on a truck and delivering it 14-21 days later!  This just doesn’t make sense anymore.  There are innovative moving companies applying tech and big data to their systems making long distance movers ultra-efficient.
  2. Trust Moving Reviews.  Okay – this one you can take with a grain of salt because some moving review sites work, like moving company reviews from customer lobby.  Others, like yelp and bbb are actually paid sites.  Movers will have to pay to post reviews on yelp and pay to become “accredited bbb movers.”   Now researching the BBB isn’t a bad thing – this outlet gives a rating and if you see a big fat F or even a E or D – stay away.  BBB “paid members” always have A ratings even if  the reviews are horrible so… I would suggest the best movers have a ratings without being accredited which means they didn’t pay for their A
  3. You Don’t Need Insurance.   It is more likely that your things will be damaged in transit than sitting at your house.  If you do have homeowners/renters insurance, I would always suggest purchasing additional coverage.  All movers in the USA are liable for $.60/pound/article which doesn’t equate to much.  Find movers that offer additional coverage for a reasonable rate – this should be around $200 for a 2-3 bedroom home or up to $750 for a 5000 + sq. foot home.
  4.  The Best Movers Rank High on Search Engines.  The “internet of things” tends to rank national sites like yelp and van lines over smaller niche markets which seem to rank movers instead of a higher quality move.  Searching with the term movers near me will give some great local results – you can even search at www.moversnearme.com . The best movers are active in their state/community and have a long history.  You can do a corporation search to see how long your movers have been in business.
  5. You can move yourself.  LOL, No ROFL.  Please, hire movers!  The damage you can do to your vehicle, back, friend’s backs, furniture, dishes, etc.  is not worth the amount you save.  Trust me, hire professional movers – they do this everyday and are experts!  Moving is so hard if you aren’t properly trained.  And, if your friend, etc. gets hurt you could get sued!

I hope this article on the worst advice about movers has helped you in your search and shed light on some of the “good advice” you have heard!

Uncategorized

7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies

7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies

Moving Companies have a notorious history of scamming consumers.  Even movers with stellar customer reviews have been known to take advantage of customers.  This handy-dandy article will guide you through 14 of the most common misconceptions about moving companies so you can protect yourself.

  1. All movers that operate are licensed.  Licensing of moving companies requires the movers to have insurance as well as a drivers license, etc.  Make sure your mover is licensed and check the numbers!  There are estimates of approximately 25% of movers are not licensed, which usually means the company in uninsured
  2. All moving companies do background checks on their employees. A simple CORI check is so easy these days – find a mover who, at least, checks to make sure employees are not felons.
  3. All long distance movers are created equal.  Long distance movers need a specialized license awarded by the DOT.  Find  a long distance mover that gives a flat-rate price and guaranteed moving dates, trust me.
  4. The movers are responsible for any damage.  Moving companies are responsible, by law, for $.60/lb/article.  Essentially if you have a table that weighs 100 lbs – you mover is responsible for $60.  The best moving company offers full replacement value coverage as well – you know you are getting great movers or they would not offer this option.
  5. All movers are shady.  Some untrustworthy moving companies have really ruined this industry’s reputation.  Truthfully, most moving companies are going to do a great job for you but consumers expect there to be an issue.  Relax, hire Monster Movers.
  6. Moving companies are disorganized.  These days, movers have updated systems like truck tracking, moving company software and advanced logistical systems that make the industry much more smooth and organized.
  7. Moving companies are too expensive.  Whether you have a small studio moving in-state or a large home going across the nation – moving companies are always the better option.
movers
Movers
Interstate Moving

Moving From State to State

Moving From State to State

It is common knowledge that moving from state to state can be taxing.  When looking for an out of state mover, this simple advice can shave hours off of your search as well as keep some dollars in your pocket.

1.  Below is a simple state to state relocation pattern – granted this is for 2011 but similar trends are said to continue for the next 10-15 years.    The moving flow into a state  means more people are moving there.  If you are moving from a state where many move out of and to a state where a lot of people are moving to – expect to pay higher rates per pound.  I am sure you remember this “supply/demand” concept from your middle/high school economics course.  To put this into perspective:

moving from state to state
Moving From State to State

 

Moving from Boston to Florida is a very popular for those moving from state to state.  Therefore, you can expect to spend a little more money for your state to state relocation.

On the flip side, if you are moving from Florida to Rhode Island – not as popular, and not as expensive per pound.

2.  Long Distance Moving is least expensive during off peak times of the year.  If you can plan your state to state move in say February or March, this will greatly reduce your moving fees by up to 20%!

3.  Another kernel of advice is figure out if all of your furniture is “worth” the out of state moving fees.  Sure, some items are sentimental and can’t be given a declared value per se.   You can expect on average of $.50/lb for an interstate move.  So, you have an ikea table that you have had for 3 years – scratched.  At $.50/lb x the tables weight say 150lbs. That equates to $75.  You have to decide if the table is actually worth $75.  Thanks to various outlets like craigslist and the Salvation Army, donating furniture is easier and may be a better option than moving everything from state to state.

4.  Packing for your state to state move is extremely important.  Here are some state to state packing tips.  Remember to ask you long distance mover if they provide complimentary materials to help you start packing.

5.  Finding the best moving company for your state to state move starts with comparing movers.  This is a quick link to a printable spreadsheet to compare movers for your state to state move.

6.  Organizing your state to state move is incredibly important.  A helpful tool is a moving state to state checklist to assist in the organization.  Of course, everyone will have their specifics to add to this list but it is a great start.