Movin' and (we hope) Groovin'

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

'tis the moving season, and I've just looked back through about three weeks of entries hoping to find an existing thread on local movers. Does anyone have any tips to offer?

I've thought about movers that used to be based in Somerville some years ago, Nick's, but realized it's been awhile since I last saw their trucks.

A friend suggested I try Craig's List--if anybody knows any reputable non-licensed local people to recommend, I'd be interested. We don't have any valuables to speak of. I'd say the job would fill a medium sized van: a couple of armchairs, six large bookcases and 2 small ones, a futon sofa, some mattresses, a dining room table, and lots of boxes of books, discs and tapes.

Many thanks for any help y'all can give!

Comments

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Nick's Moving is aweosme, and definitely still around. In fact, my company is using them today!

[rxrfrx.livejournal.com]

I like http://www.paulsmoving.com/

[concrete.livejournal.com]

Me and other people used and highly recommend Precision Moving (http://precisionmoving.com/), a local company. They were affordable, fast, reliable, accommodating and nice. By all accounts they should not be in business any more, right?

[derekp.livejournal.com]

Based on recommendations in a thread ike this a couple of months back, I hired precision to move us from a 2nd story 2 Bedroom to a 1st story 3 bedroom, both in Somerville about 1.5 miles apart. They gave us a window of arrival from 1-2PM and showed up right at 2PM. At this point I had already moved every box we had down to the driveway so they just had the furniture left. Couple of couches, some bookcases, the bed, 2 small dressers, televsion... you know the stuff a couple in their mid 20's has.

The good news was that they took care of our stuff. The bad news was that they just weren't very quick about it. Once they got a couple of the items down, one of them took to loading the truck while the other continued bringing items down. Noticing this was going pretty slow, my wife and I chipped in to help. With just a few items remaining, one of the movers asked to use the bathroom. He was in there for 10-15 minutes. I had planned on cleaning the bathroom right after they left, but scratched that idea!

When they got to the new place, the unloading went much, much quicker. In part because unloading usually does, but mostly because we just told them to put basically everything in one spot. All in all, it took about 3 hours to move. Basically, what I could have done with a couple of friends and a truck. The good part was that I didn't have to ask my friends. That was about the only advantage I could see.

They did take good care of our stuff. Though their rates were pretty cheap, it probably came out in the wash as they were a little slower than I've seen others (Gentle Giant). I liked supporting a local business, and they weren't *bad* but not good enough for me to recommend.

[agreeleyo.livejournal.com]

I just hired stairhoppers.com for later this month. Super-fantastic rates. I'll update after the experience.

[agreeleyo.livejournal.com]

http://www.stairhoppers.com/indexFlash.htm and they are based in Somerville.

[librarybrandy.livejournal.com]

I just booked them for early September. How did they work out for you?

[agreeleyo.livejournal.com]

Stairhoppers were excellent! They were about 10 minutes late but finished 15 minutes early (So fast, it was only 1hr 45 minutes but I had to pay the 2 hour minimum). They honored the low hourly rate I was quoted via phone & email and no problems moving from 2nd floor apt to 2nd floor apartment. They came in a big truck with a driver and three movers. They wrapped anything that might get scratched and knew how to get around tight corners. They worked quickly but did not rush. When we arrived at the new place they maneuvered the truck down the small one-way street and even parked carefully to avoid damaging overhanging branches of a large tree out front. Friendly, professional, and affordable. I'd recommend them to anyone. It's a great somerville company!

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

I saw a Nick's truck rolling along yesterday while on my way to work.

[protogeek.livejournal.com]

We just booked with Precision Movers, who came very highly rated by Angie's List. They came out for an estimate and seemed very professional and polite.

[bucosmogirl.livejournal.com]

I second Precision. I used them based on livejournal recommendations (i asked this question back in may) and they were amazing.
fast, on time, and very affordable. i paid about $300 less than my former roommate did using a different company. Good luck!

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

So far, Precision Movers has by far the most recommendations in their court. Thanks for the tip!

Seeking Moving Advice

[sueb226.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you started this topic!

I have some additional questions for ppl in the greater Davis Sq area.

I am moving to a 3rd floor 2 bed unit, and it has been suggested to me that we hire movers and a crane. And although at first a crane sounds a bit much, we do have some pieces that are kind of heavy and bulky, and I would hate to have anyone drag them up narrow stairs in August heat. (shudder)

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of move? Can they recommend a company?

Thanks!

Re: Seeking Moving Advice

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Hi there, it's interesting you mention this because my new landlady was telling me that this is a common practice in Amsterdam where stairs tend to be *very* twisty and narrow. She mentioned that they stick a thick blank out the appropriate upper-storey window and use it as a staging area.

There's moving firm called, I believe, Deathwish Piano Movers that move everything (despite the name). I think they specialise in handling stuff that is big and clunky. Probably what you need to do is call a mover and have them come out to do an estimate. You might have to take them over to your new rental property.

If your furniture is large, a session with a tape-measure at the new property can help forestall headaches on moving day. Sometimes you can get large pieces up stairs by taking doors off hinges. Of course this will add to the time factor--movers charge by the hour.

I actually put an heirloom desk I had been given some years back out on the sidewalk the last time I moved because we were moving ourselves and I just couldn't imagine how we would deal with it.