Moving Company Recommendations For Local Move

[jdbst56]

So far South Hills Movers seems to have beaten the other options (Allways, Steel City, Two Men, Prime) by about $300-$400 but I'm a little skeptical because they are quoting 4 men for 4 hours plus 1 hour transit time. Steel City quoted 3 men for 6 hours plus 2 hours travel. Two Men quoted 4 men for 5.5 to 6.5 hours with 1 hour travel. Allways quoted 3 men for 7 hours plus 2 hours travel. Prime quoted 4 men at 7 hours with no separate travel time fee.

Is South Hills lowballing the quote to win the job? I just hate these non-binding estimates that appear to mean nothing from my research. It seems like there is nothing stopping any of these companies from jacking up the rate once you have them onsite and performing the work. Allways and South Hills were the only two to come out in person to quote.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by jdbst56

So far South Hills Movers seems to have beaten the other options (Allways, Steel City, Two Men, Prime) by about $300-$400 but I'm a little skeptical because they are quoting 4 men for 4 hours plus 1 hour transit time. Steel City quoted 3 men for 6 hours plus 2 hours travel. Two Men quoted 4 men for 5.5 to 6.5 hours with 1 hour travel. Allways quoted 3 men for 7 hours plus 2 hours travel. Prime quoted 4 men at 7 hours with no separate travel time fee.

Is South Hills lowballing the quote to win the job? I just hate these non-binding estimates that appear to mean nothing from my research. It seems like there is nothing stopping any of these companies from jacking up the rate once you have them onsite and performing the work. Allways and South Hills were the only two to come out in person to quote.

South hills estimaters are very good, they have been doing it a long time. South hills has never had a reputation for bait and switching estimates like don farr does. Have you tried Gardner? They would be my first choice.

[jdbst56]

Originally Posted by guy2073

South hills estimaters are very good, they have been doing it a long time. South hills has never had a reputation for bait and switching estimates like don farr does. Have you tried Gardner? They would be my first choice.

Thanks guy. We're awaiting a quote from Gardner. We just got another quote from Make Moves LLC that was slightly below South Hills. They quoted 4 men at 4.5 hours and 1 hour of travel time.

[jdbst56]

So Gardner got back to us today. They came in slightly under South Hills, around the same price as Make Moves. They quoted 3 men for 5-5.5 hours and 1 hour of travel time.

So which is a more realistic estimate? 4 men for 4-4.5 hours or 3 men for 5-5.5 hours?

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by jdbst56

So Gardner got back to us today. They came in slightly under South Hills, around the same price as Make Moves. They quoted 3 men for 5-5.5 hours and 1 hour of travel time.

So which is a more realistic estimate? 4 men for 4-4.5 hours or 3 men for 5-5.5 hours?

Sometimes 3 men are more efficient than 4 with a move, 4 men can start getting into each other's way, clogging up stairwells and entry ways and ramps. My dad always ran a 3 man crew, one man in the truck and 2 loading. When we went out of town it was a 2 man crew.

One reason that I recommend Gardner and south hills is they have crews that have been moving furniture as a career, while some of the newer companies that sprung up after deregulation of the moving industry have part time and unskilled workers.