FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many packers and unpackers will be assigned to my move?

A: The number of staff assigned to your move depends on several factors. The most important variable is the number and type of articles being packed or unpacked, but there are other considerations as well. Generally speaking, four people working three hours each will accomplish the same amount as two people working six hours each. Your bill is the same in either scenario.

Q: You provided an estimate. Is that what my final bill will be?

A: Your final bill may or may not be the same as your estimate. Most people plan to do considerable sorting, selling or discarding prior to the move. But it’s not uncommon for clients to accomplish less than they had hoped. Sometimes clients plan to do some packing on their own, and later decide to have us do it. Some clients ask us to pack items going to family members. Given all of these variables, we use our “hands on” experience to provide you with an average cost or range for similar moves to similar sized apartments. It is not a binding estimate. Our hourly rates, material charges and other fees are specified in our contract letter which you are asked to sign and return. Approximately 80% of our final invoices are within $100 of the initial estimate.

Q: Who reassembles beds, lighted wall units and china closets,etc?"

A: Generally speaking, movers are responsible for reassembling anything they have disassembled. Make sure movers put together anything they have taken apart before they leave.

If furniture remains unassembled after the movers leave, Caring Transitions Inc. personnel can arrange for the reassembly. However, time spent on such tasks was not included in the original estimate and will be scheduled and billed separately.

Q: When will the Caring Transitions Inc. staff arrive to unpack?

A: This depends. Most people like us to be present as items are unloaded so we can assist with furniture and box placement. Early starts mean that your new home is settled as quickly as possible.

We schedule our staff to arrive when we expect the movers to be unloading. To time this appropriately, we take into consideration what time the movers plan to arrive, what size crew they are sending, elevator size and restrictions, length of hallways, access to loading docks, additional stops, travel distance between residences, and the overall number of items being loaded. Usually, our arrival coincides closely with that of the movers. However, any of the following events could occur, delaying when the unload begins:

1. The mover may arrive late or send fewer men than anticipated;
   
2. access to the loading dock or freight elevator may be delayed due to other deliveries;
   
3. one or more elevators may not be operational;
   
4. movers may have difficulty moving or disassembling a particular piece of furniture;
   
5. movers may be delayed by traffic or get lost between destinations.

Conversely, movers may arrive at the load earlier than expected, with extra staff, or work very quickly, resulting in an unload that begins sooner than anticipated.

When our office is notified of such events, we attempt to contact our staff to delay or speed their arrival, as appropriate. However, they are often en route or unreachable. In short, in spite of our best efforts, the arrival of Caring Transitions Inc. staff may not coincide with that of the movers. Billing begins when our staff arrives, even if the mover is delayed.