If you know your destination city, the best time to schedule to call your mover to give you an estimate is about four weeks prior to your move out date. The estimator will arrive and ask you several questions to get a better idea of the scope of the move. Some of these questions would be:
- Will you be doing the packing yourself, some of the packing, or the movers will to do the packing.
- The estimator will gather information about access at destination such as quantity of stairs, long carries, elevator, shuttle
- The estimator will go through each room asking you what items will go and what items stay.
- If there are paintings or sculptures that need to be moved, will they need to be crated or packed in mirror cartons and/or boxes.
- Our estimator will then go over his estimate and explain how he came up with the weight of your shipment.
- The value of your shipment will be the next item to discuss. Basic coverage is based on .60 cents per pound and Extra Care Protection is based on the value of your shipment.
- The last thing to discuss is setting dates for packing, loading, and delivery to best meet everyone’s schedule. During the busy summer months, it is harder to accommodate dates because of the shortage of drivers and trucks. The Van Lines are at their max during late June, July, August, and early September. The 1st and last days of the months are also very busy.
If you are doing your own packing, our estimator will provide his packing 101 Quick Tips. He will hand out a moving guide, point out the packing section. He will go over all the packing materials that we sell at our office in Aspen or Eagle. Our estimator will stress how it can save money if you are ready for your movers the day of the move. For example: if you have done your own packing, you have packed all items and the boxes are taped and have been tagged as to what room they need to go into when the truck arrives at your new house. If the movers are going to do all the packing, our estimator will ask that you have all sorting done before the packers arrive. Having 5 guys standing around while deciding to take this item or that tiem will cost you money and time. Other items that our estimator will tell you that are important to know are the following.
- We cannot move flammable liquor, aerosols. Wine and cooking oils are the exception but they must be unopened.
- We can move firearms with an individual inventory with make, model, and serial number
- We do not disconnect washers, dryers, or icemakers.
- We do not remove hardwired electrical devices.
- Anything attached to the wall with nails or screws will need to be taken down by others.
- Keeping walks and driveway clear of snow and ice the day of the move is your responsibility.
Moving can be a trying experience. All of us at Columbine Moving and Storage in Aspen and Eagle, Colorado will try to make your move go as smooth as possible. Don’t ever hestitate to call on us for questions. If one of us doesn’t know the answer, we will find someone that does.