apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I just moved this weekend. We used the same movers that we used last year. They are punctual, and reliable. Except for scratch here and there, no issues at all. 80$ an hour, 3 hr min, and one hour for travel time.
universal moving & transportation
7033487269
www.universalmovingllc.com

Shawn was recommended to me earlier this year. I wound up using friends, but his rate was extremely reasonable: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/lbs/859306325.html.

ha. i just had a very similar experience this weekend in brooklyn... so frustrating!!

i have no recommendation except i think the bad movers talked about in the post should be revealed. we should know who they are so that others don't fall prey to their horrible tactics.

I agree with *heather leaf.*

I have a friend who just moved with Get Up and Go Movers (getupandgomovers.com) and said they were awesome. They are not full service; you pack everything up yourself and supply the truck, but they provide all the heavy lifting and moving. She was very pleased with them and will definitely be using them again.

There is a website: www.movingscam.com which has a Black List of Bad Movers.

Agree with heather leaf that the baddies should be "out-ed" to prevent their preying upon others...

Does anyone know whether this topic has been discussed for the New York, Northern NJ area?

For the BEST move I have ever had I used Two Men and a Truck. I don't know if they are in DC, but I would sure find out.

I used them for a move in AZ. I got an accurate estimate. The guys showed up on time and had my stuff loaded and then unloaded just as expediently as you could wish for. They did a fantastic job. They even helped me get some stuff out of my car and into my apt.

The person at their office which I made the arrangements through did a follow-up call to make sure everything went alright. Their prices were very reasonable.

It was the best move I have ever had and I would recommend and use them again without hesitation.

I used Beltway Movers for a move from Annapolis to DC--and they were FANTASTIC. All told, I think they took 2 hours. This was, of course, including the 1/2 hour drive. This was about 3 years ago, and I think I spent about $1100 total to move my 1 BR, which I think was around the going rate compared with other companies. They had 3 guys, and they really hustled. I was amazed. Seriously. One of the reasons I went with them was because I had friends who had used them AND I heard they pay their workers well, including good benefit packages. I don't know how true that is, but they certainly worked as if they were happy. I would use them again! Good luck!!!

When I moved, my mom recommended Starving Students, since she used them when she moved from NJ to CA. I had no problems at all with them.

My boyfriend, however, wasn't too lucky, one of the movers wasn't able to lift much - but after a call to the company to complain, the manager came out to help free of charge.

Their rates were pretty reasonable, and the only ones I found last minute that could do it on a Saturday.

-Ruth

I used All Star Movers in Northern Virginia and they also were paid by the hour and moved VERY, VERY slow. $150 an hour and 3 men. They disappeared for 2 hours and I paid them for it anyway. I just wanted the whole thing over and the guys out of my house!!! All Star Movers: expensive and slow. The insurance was also a rip! They wouldn't let me claim any damaged pieces.

I have used Great Scott movers twice and have been very happy (the last time was more than 10 years ago, though)

I used Great Scott in July. I couldn't have been happier. They were punctual, treated my stuff with great care, and were just good guys. The estimate was dead on.

I've not used this service, but heard about it from a friend: http://www.mymovingquote.com/ If you submit your project multiple area moving companies will contact you with quotes.

Might help with trying to find someone in the area, and give you options to compare.

Good luck with the move!

I used Two Men and a Truck to move from Eastern Market over to near RFK and there was a lot of damage to furniture and walls. The two guys did not disassemble some of the things that could have been taken apart to get through the doorways of the 1933 building I moved into.

Several weeks ago, I moved 285 feet. Rather than burdening my friends and loved ones with the affair, I hired these guys: http://www.bookstoremovers.com. I found them fast, efficient and charming. Even better, they're using the money earned by their operation to purchase a bookstore. Great movers, great cause.

I have used Big Green movers for two moves in DC and I love them. Reasonable price, speedy, and the guys who moved us last time were incredibly nice and even kind of "fun." Who would have thought that movers could be fun? Careful, professional, quick. Couldn't ask for more. Some friends of our also used them and had a similarly positive experience. http://www.biggreenmoving.com/

I used Gallaghers and had a Horrid experience much like the one listed above.

I've heard Beltway movers are one of the best.

I've used Gulliver's twice now in the last three years and was impressed both times by thier professionalism and the care with which they handled our furniture.

ON the first move, I thought their two hour minimum charge was a joke, figured it would take four or five hours at least...Came with three guys and a huge truck and were loaded, moved, unloaded in like 1hr 58...In and out. Second move was a trickier as we had stuff in two locations and more stuff = longer move, but still pleasant to work with...I recommend them...

Like others, I've used Great Scott twice and been very happy and so have the friends I've referred them too.

Be sure to ask questions about extra charges, insurance, fee if there is no elevator, or if there is an elevator, charge for stairs, if they have to box anything, if they charge for the packing materials, and always read the fine print!

i highly recommend the following things. I have moved 4 times in the last couple of years and used different movers....pretty much i had success with all of them.

1. be straightforward in the initial call to the moving company-explain how many pieces of furniture you have, type of building you live in and how much you are willing to spend.

2. get involved. while it may feel weird to watch the movers, you have to! i would check in with all the movers, make sure the one outside was working and keep an eye on their speed. they don't have to run but a break during the first hour is unreasonable and inappropriate.

3. have the manager's number programmed in your phone. make mention of the manger's name so that the actual movers know that you mean busy. its business NOT personal.

4. pack up your stuff before they get there and keep things organized. no packing should be done as this can delay the move.

I moved last year and for the first time used a professional moving service. I used Gulliver's Movers and had a great experience. http://www.gulliversmovers.com/
I had heavy furniture including a sofa bed, many, many books (really - a lot of books) and odd angles on the doors of my apartment. Gulliver's was the only moving service that asked to look at my stuff before giving me an estimate! I had a lot more confidence in their estimate than other services that barely listened to me explain the potential difficulties. Gulliver's were on time, fast, professional and extremely careful with all of my things. It was worth the extra money and I will definitely use them again!

I've used these Los Angeles movers - Executive Moving Systems carried out a move of my lab from one building to another last November. I must say I was concerned beforehand about having non-scientists move such expensive equipment. However, I decided to use Executive and was very pleased afterwards that I did. Overall, in terms of efficiency, care with the items moved, cost and being anxious to satisfy the customer, I was most pleased with Executive Moving. I recommend them with great enthusiasm.

Used Arnoff Moving & Storage (New York movers) - The crew were most accomdating and understood fully the nature and importance of my requests no matter how small or large they were. The personal attention to detail and involvement in this process was also much appreciated, our regular conversations made sure nothing was overlooked.

I've had myriad bad moving experiences in DC, Minneapolis, and DC. And having had my first pleasant one, I thought I should effuse a bit.

Adept, efficient, with dialogue from a N Coward play. I remained unfrazzled and unfrayed. These guys were from Bookstore Movers, which is a collective of movers saving to buy a used bookstore near Eastern Market. I've stopped by the store also and it's worth saving.
site: bookstoremovers.com