Frequently asked questions
We now have an FAQ list that we hope will help you answer some of the more common ones.
With so many moving parts involved in the relocation process, there are bound to be a number of questions that come up at any point on the timeline. At Box&Move, we’ve compiled and organized many of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to moving in the hopes that you can find the answers you’re looking for whenever any of these questions come into the mix.
From Pre-Move inquiries to Paperwork and Insurance Coverage, we’ve done our best to cover as many common topics and potential questions as possible so that you can avoid the wait for an answer when your time to ask comes.
1. How do moving companies calculate costs?
How are moving costs calculated? The two main factors in determining the cost of a move are the weight of the load and the distance between locations.
The average cost to move a 3 bedroom house between neighbourhoods in Pretoria is between R3500 and R4500.
Other factors that can also affect the price is your moving date and additional services like insurance and packing.
For accurate pricing on your next move contact Box&Move to get your Free onsite assessment & quotation.
2. How long does it take to move a house?
When moving house there are a few factors that will determine the time, it will take to move your house. How long it will take to move a house can be calculated by using the following formula:
Time = (Access X # of items) + Drive time + Prep/Packing + Placement Decisions.
Here is the average time it will take to move a house in Gauteng
Flat/1 Bedroom (60sqm) | 2-3hrs |
2 Bedrooms (80sqm) | 3-5hrs |
3 Bedrooms (130sqm) | 4-6hrs (2-3 movers) |
4 Bedrooms (180sqm) | 6-8hrs (3-4 movers) |
5 Bedrooms (200+sqm) | 8-12hrs (4-5 movers) |
So how long will it take to move a 4 bedroom house?
If you’ve hired professional movers like Box&Move and all the loose belongings have been packed in boxes a team of three or four experienced professionals will complete the task in about 8 hours for a 4 bedroom house.
Other factors that can also have an impact on moving time includes:
- Access – How close can the truck park to the pickup/end location.
- Type of building and how many flights of stairs.
- How much furniture.
- How many boxes.
- How many odds and ends (unpacked items).
- Size of the elevator.
- Distance between locations.
- Additional pickups and stops.
- How many items need to be disassembled and reassembled.
3. Will Movers Assemble & Disassemble Furniture?
This is one of the more common question asked by customers and sometimes it is unavoidable to disassemble furniture to get it out or into a new property. Desks, beds, cabinets, wall units, and exercise equipment are usually items that require disassembly and then assembly in your new home. So..
Will movers assemble and disassemble furniture?
Yes, if disassembly is possible an experienced moving team will disassemble and assemble your furniture. There might be a cost to this service depending on the time it takes to be completed.
Do movers disassemble beds?
Yes, movers will disassemble & assemble beds if it is oversized or large and will not fit through doorways or up a narrow stairwell. Contact Box&Move for more detail.
Some times it is also better to disassemble certain items to ensure it travels safely and arrive at the end destination undamaged.
4. Do I have to empty drawers for movers?
This is also a very common question asked by customers when moving, “Should I empty drawers before moving a dresser?” Most often it can be moved without emptying the drawers but the following applies:
Should I empty the drawers before moving my dresser?
No, Don’t empty drawers if the following applies:
- If the dresser is solid, sturdy and in good condition;
- Drawers contain clothes, linens and light weight soft items;
- If the dress won’t have to be turned, flipped or angeled to fit through doors;
Yes, Empty drawers if:
- If the dresser is flimsy or an antique;
- Drawers contain books, glass, valuables or heavy items;
- If dresser needs to be flipped or moved upstairs
- If dresser is to heavy for two people to lift
5. How do I prepare my house for moving?
Keeping track of all the things you need to accomplish when moving can be overwhelming. It is best to create a time-based checklist.
Have a look at our moving checklist that will help you plan effectively and make your move a success
Download Now: Ultimate Moving Checklist
Top Moving Tips
- The earlier you start the less overwhelming moving feels;
- Carry valuables like jewellery, watches and cash with you on move day;
- Order your boxes & packaging from our shop a week or two before the move so you have plenty of time to pack;
- If you are packed and ready to move the day go quicker and the move costs less;
- Only ever use proper moving boxes to protect your goods.
6. What items Cannot be moved by movers?
Movers won’t move
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- Plants. One of the things that long-distance movers won’t move is plants.
- Hazardous materials. You may not stop to consider them as hazardous, but paint, aerosol cans, paint thinner, batteries, fire extinguishers and other such items. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t ship it or dispose of it in your regular trash collection, your movers probably won’t be able to move it. The best plan is to use up such items before you move and dispose properly of the ones that are leftover.
- Perishable food. It just makes sense; movers won’t move anything that will spoil, such as perishable food, frozen food or open containers. It’s best to consume what you can before the move and/or move your frozen food in a cooler yourself.
- Explosives. Of course! It’s a given that movers won’t move ammunition, black powder, primers, propellants, or even souvenir explosives you may have collected.
- Pets. Do we really have to say this? Take your pet(s) in the car or the plane with you. Pets are just another of the things movers won’t move.
- Flammable items. These are also hazardous materials, so use up or discard appropriately any kerosene, charcoal, lighter fluid, paint remover and the like before the move.
- Corrosives. Items such as muriatic acid, nitric acid and batteries with acid, are items that movers won’t move. If moving any batteries make sure they are the non-spillable gel-type.
- Valuables. Valuables, such as cash, important documents, jewellery and stock certificates have no place in a moving van. While these items aren’t technically among the things movers won’t move, it just doesn’t make sense to risk losing them amid your other possessions during the move.
- Power Equipment with Fuel. The list of things movers won’t move also includes power equipment with fuel in the tank. This includes motorcycles, lawnmowers, weed eaters, and so forth. Before movers will move these items, you must drain the fuel or run the item(s) until the fuel reserve is completely empty. Be sure to do this at least 24 hours before loading.
- Special Items. Some movers decline to move extremely heavy items, such as grand pianos, pool tables and hot tubs. Box&Move is a full-service household goods mover that can move just about anything, including your car, piano, pool table and so forth.
7. How do you move office furniture?
Empty the desk, packing small items inboxes. Wrap breakable items individually in plain newsprint, tissue paper, or bubble wrap. Pack heavier items on the bottom, then mid-weight items, with lighter or fragile items on top. Remember to label the box with a permanent marker.
If the desk has a keyboard tray, remove it. Pack the keyboard tray and its hardware with the rest of your desk items.
Wrap the desk completely in moving blankets, securing the blankets with packing tape. Make sure the tape doesn’t touch the furniture’s finish, where it could leave sticky residue or even peel the paint.
8. Can you move a full filing cabinet?
Standard-Vertical (narrow type) file cabinets can be moved with their contents intact if it doesn’t need to go up or down any stairs. Securely tighten the file holder in the back of each drawer to prevent the contents from slipping.
Lateral-Horizontal (wide type) file cabinets: Due to their light construction (and tremendous weight when full) these wide type file cabinets must be emptied with the contents packed into cartons. Failure to do so may result in damage to the cabinet, your facility, or injury to a mover or one of your employees.
9. When is the best time to move?
There are two answers to this question.
○ If you want the best weather and full comfort for your move, summer is definitely the time when you should move.
○ If you want the best price for your move, then the off-peak season is the recommended time for your move. For moving, the off-peak season is winter.
10. Do you tip moving guys?
Most movers don’t expect a tip but when they get one, it’s greatly appreciated. You may feel like you‘re already paying the moving company a fortune and that tipping movers is excessive, but few people in the service industry work as hard as movers do.