A careful courteous reasonable reliable moving service.
My name is Jonathan Lathrop. I have been providing local moving services
in the Washington Metropolitan Area since 1981. I have a 16 foot truck, dollies,
pads and tools. I generally bring one helper. More are available as needed.
RATES: The labor rate is $50/hr for myself and one helper. Additional
helpers are $20/hr each. The Truck is $2/mile. The time and mileage are
from when we arrive at the job until when we finish. I have a two hour
minimum. This means if a job takes less than two hours I still charge for
two hours. For each 15 miles away from Riverdale MD, add an hour to the minimum.
YOUR ESTIMATE
The following are rule of thumb estimates for various size households based
on no long walks and a few miles drive to the new place:
A typical efficiency apartment generally has 12 items of furniture
and 20 other things including boxes and takes 3 hours to move with two men for
an approximate price of $160.
A typical one bedroom apartment generally has 18 items of furniture
and 30 other things including boxes and takes 4 hours to move with two men for
an approximate price of $210
A typical two bedroom apartment generally has 24 items of furniture
and 50 other things including boxes and takes 6 hours to move with two men for
an approximate price of $310
A typical three bedroom house generally has 35 items of furniture
and 75 other things including boxes and takes 6 hours to move with three men
and two trips for an approximate price of $430.
A typical four bedroom house generally has 50 items of furniture
and 100 other things including boxes and takes 7 hours to move with four men
and two trips for an approximate price of $640.
The way to figure out if your place fits in to the above categories is to
count the number of items of furniture. Count dining room chairs, coffee
tables, end tables, and anything larger. Do not count Boxes, bags, suitcases,
TV sets, microwave ovens, lamps, pictures, etc. These all count as boxes.
Each 25 items in a normal distribution of large and small items along with
50 boxes makes a truck full. Each truck full takes 3-4 hours with 3 men or
5-6 hours with 2 men. Generally add one hour for each 60-80 walking steps.
In all cases I work by the hour and the mile. NO FLAT RATES.
I try very hard to make all moves damage free. However if things are damaged
I do not provide insurance on the goods, for my prices it would be impossible.
If you wish that kind of service you should deal with a formal mover. Their
rates are roughly double mine.
MOVING TIPS:
Boxes... Pack boxes 30-50 pounds. When a box is full close
the lid and seal it. Do not over fill them. Put books in SMALL boxes. Large
boxes are for light things.
A local company called Greenbelt Paper carries boxes at 1/2
the price of other places and they deliver. Call them at (301) 345-9472.
Dressers... Chests and dressers are best emptied. However it
is only necessary to empty drawers if a piece is heavy. If you can not budge
one end of a dresser by pressing against it with your hip please empty it.
Generally drawers do not make good boxes it is best to leave them in place.
If a piece is light it is OK to leave things in the drawers as long as they
are not breakable or spill able.
Desks... Office desks are always best emptied. Bedroom desks
are OK left full.
Clothes... For fancy clothes nothing can beat a wardrobe box,
but they are expensive and waste space. Plastic Trash bags work well. Put
the sealed end on the bottom and tie the open end around the hangers.
Phone... You can ask the phone company to turn off the phone
at your old place the day after you move and turn on the phone at your new
place the day before you move. That way you have working phones at both places
during your move.
Parking ... If you live in a densely populated area such as
Adams Morgan, Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria then it would be great if
you could get Emergency No ParkingSigns from your local police
precinct. You must ask for themfour or more days in advance. Three
days in advance is too late to get them. Even if you don't get the signs
it is helpful if you can park your car in the space closest to your door
so we can put the truck there. Remember the back of the truck wants
to be nearest to the door.
The Last Box... Leave one open box for critical items which
might be needed during the move. Things to place in the box include: hammer,
pliers, screwdriver, scissors, knife, paper cups, toilet paper, paper towels,
packing tape, plastic trash bags, etc. all things useful while loading and
unloading. This box goes into the truck last and comes off first
Plan ahead at your new place. It is most efficient to move
each item only once. Plan where to place each piece ahead of time and we
will place each item exactly where it goes. I don't mind moving things around
repeatedly, but remember it takes time to do that. Mark boxes with their
destination so we can put them where they go.
The more thoroughly everything is packed and sealed in moderate weight
boxes, the quicker and easier the job will go.
To arrange your move call me at home before 9:30 AM or after 7:00 PM or on the
cell phone during the day.
Jonathan Lathrop Phone (301)779-7190 Cell (202)352-8549 (mnemonic = 202 flat liz)
