Note that with ALL moving companies, you pay immediately for the move, no matter how happy or unhappy you are with the move….you settle ALL disputes AFTER you pay….this isn't just Fireman's, that is the industry practice...
The Good - Let me start off by saying the moving guys were really solid. Nice men who did good work. They were courteous, contentious, and tried to ensure that everything was as the customer wanted. The guys are pro’s and they deserve a ton of credit….
The Bad – Estimated move quote was $700 – Says one truck four guys. I am told (after the move) that the rate for four guys is $165. Given they have a $100 flat fee for the move, that leaves $600 divided by $165 or 3.64 hours (although drive time is charged too so don’t forget to deduct that from working time and/or add it to your estimate)
The final billing sheet noted that the estimate time was 4 to 6 hours.
4 hours * $165 = $660 + $100 = $760
6 hours * $165 = $990 + $100 = $1090
In either case, higher than the $700 quote…
Any way you slice it, the owner low bid the job to get the work. My spouse and he dispute the work requirements. Facts are simple, in no way can a 4 bedroom, 4,250 square foot home get moved in a 24 foot truck with one trip. He was sent a link of the home so he could see what was being moved. There is a dispute that he couldn’t view the link, it is my understanding that there was no contact to say the contents couldn’t be viewed from the link. He says he offered two trucks. I wasn’t part of the conversation, but I would be interested if he then quoted the difference in price for 2 trucks as opposed to one? Anyway one cuts it, no chance that a move on a 4 bedroom home happens for such a low price. More importantly, however, is that no matter what, I don’t believe a home of most any size gets moved in less than 4 hours and given the rate of $165 an hour for 4 guys and the $100 fee, the math proves that it would leave less than 4 hours. Even with 3 employees, given drive time, it can hardly happen then either…..
As I note, the bill was $1,586.25 for 3 guys, one truck and 9 ½ hours of work . The start drive time was 20 min with 25 min return creating the 10.25 hours times $145 for 3 guys = 1,486.25 plus the $100 fee created $1,586.25. If you got that as your fee, would you be happy with an estimate of less than ½ of that?? I wasn't and that is why the 1 star
If you feel that rate is fair and you feel that you can control the time of the guys who work your job, they do VERY GOOD work. As far as the rate versus the job, I would suggest you OVER estimate your time to ensure you have appropriately budget $$$ for the move, etc. With a flat rate of $100 and drive time added, you can expect to start with a fee of roughly $175 to $200 before you have them move a box or item....It is fair, however, important for an homeowner to understand ....
Given the nasty conversation the owner had with my spouse, expect a fiery response....