Flat Rate Long Distance Movers
Moving is already stressful as it is, having a Boston moving company that makes moving easier if very necessary. If you are moving a long-distance this only adds to your stress. You’ll have some big decisions to make when it comes to choosing the right Boston flat rate movers, whether to use a flat rate or hourly service is one of them. There are times when you should choose a flat rate over hourly service and each have their own pros and cons.
The difference between flat rate and hourly
Long-distance movers Boston are licensed to move your belongings from one state to another. They can offer to transport your things thousands of miles away. The moving company will either charge you one fee that covers every facet of your move or they will charge you an hourly rate for their working hours while they move your things. Most mover’s charge an hourly rate and prices vary from one state to another state. When you hire an hourly mover you are on a time clock, the clock begins when the movers arrive at your home and end when your move is complete. This included driving from one destination to the next so if you run into traffic the clock does not stop it keeps ticking.
When you hire a flat rate mover they’ll want to meet with you first to access the items they’ll move plus the distance you’ll want to travel. For an accurate flat rate long distance quote, the moving company may have to calculate your total after they’ve returned to their office and researched the number of miles to your final destination. You are then quoted a price guarantee sometimes referred to as a “price point.” It’s the moving companies guarantee that your move will not exceed the amount quoted.
For example: Moving company A has quoted that they can move you for $100 per hour, and Moving company B ha quoted a flat rate moving fee of $5000; if it takes 4 hours to move you with company A you would only pay $4000 and if you choose company B you would have overpaid by $1000.
When to choose a flat rate
There are certain instances when going with a flat rate company will make more sense than choosing an hourly rate moving company. If it will be difficult for movers to access your home then you may want to choose a flat-rate Boston moving company. Some common issues when trying to access a home include stair, difficulty parking, and extremely long driveway. These difficulties can add fees to your moving expenses. Another common reason to choose flat-rate over an hourly rate would be if you have an item that is particularly difficult to move.
Large heavy furniture like pianos, armoire, or even heavy dressers can take longer to move and can be very hard to move. Also, items that a mover needs to take special precautions to move because it has glass parts like china cabinets can increase the cost to move. When you need help packing or you are moving long distance you should always choose a flat rate over hourly rate simply because this task can take an entire day or longer. Sometimes it’s easier to just know how much you will be charged. Knowing the exact amount you will be charged is better than trying to estimate the cost later.
The estimate
The estimator will first determine the amount of miles that they will need to drive. The next step will be to estimate the approximate weight of your items based on the size of your home, for instance, a studio, 1 or 2 bedroom apartment or a 3 or 4 bedroom house. Your estimate will also include whether the movers will have to stay overnight. It may also include an additional fuel cost. While the mover is there getting the estimate make sure you ask specific questions about the moving process so you can make an informed decision. Here is a list of questions that should help you decide if their flat-rate estimate is a good quote:
- Is the quote a binding moving price? – If your quote is a binding moving quote you will get it in writing and the company is bound to charge you that price. It may also contain extra concessions on how things beyond the scope of the agreed price will be handled.
- Does my total include…? – You’ll want to find out about any hidden cost that may not be covered in the flat rate cost. For instance there an extra charge for bad weather, waiting time (example waiting to turn in keys), space used in the truck, extra items not calculated in the weight, etc.
- Will the estimate include insurance for your things? – Having moving insurance in case things get broken or damaged during the move is essential. Accidents happen but you shouldn’t have to cover the cost alone. Many times the bare minimum insurance won’t pay you a fraction of what you owe. Having additional insurance to cover your belongings is essential.
- Are rates lower if I move on the weekend or weekday, beginning, middle, or end of the month etc? If you can pick and choose your day to move and you have enough time to plan ahead you may be able to save money on your move by knowing when moving is the cheapest.
- Is there an additional charge to pack my items? Some companies charge additional fees for packing your thing and moving supplies. You may be able to find some companies that are running specials that include packing.
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Companies that don’t have the proper paperwork are untrustworthy and you should not do business with them. There are special regulations for companies that are licensed that including running a background check on their employees.
- Have you ever moved … before? – When you have unusual objects or particularly large items you want to make sure that the company has the expertise to move the item.
If you are moving locally it’s perfectly fine to hire an hourly mover. Most movers charge by the hour and you won’t have any problems locating one that can move you. When there are unexpected mishaps like when the movers are sitting in traffic on the freeway or they get lost; then you end of paying an hourly rate when the company hasn’t performed any extra duties on your behalf. Hourly rate movers normally tack on additional fees because they have not surveyed where you are moving from or to.
When you choose a reputable Boston flat rate long distance mover you know what to expect in terms of pricing because they will prepare an estimate based on their visit with you. You won’t get charged a lot of unnecessary extras because they are already calculated in the cost. If the movers get stuck on traffic, if they get lost, or any additional time is spent moving your items than what the company expects you won’t be charged any additional cost. This makes using a flat rate mover more cost effective when you are moving from Boston to another state.
