Moving FAQs

Hiring a professional mover delivers exceptional value on a day that can otherwise be very stressful. Moving can be both emotionally and physically draining, and handling delicate or bulky items with care requires specific moving skills. We highly recommend turning to professionals for this, as you would for many of your households needs, such as plumbing and electricity.

With 40 years of experience as a local moving and long distance moving company, we can tackle moves of any size or complexity. We treat every move with the personal care you would expect from friends and family. However, unlike friends and family, we guarantee satisfaction. Click here to request a free moving estimate or talk to one of our experienced sales professionals at 800-442-6863.

We base an estimate for a local move on an hourly rate, which includes the drive time for each leg of the move:
– from the moving company to your original home,
– then to your destination, and
– back again to the moving company.

Pricing for a long distance move is based on a flat rate, fixed price. Once we have taken an inventory of your furniture and other belongings, and identified a timeframe for delivery, we are happy to provide a binding price for your move. If you prefer, we can also price a long distance move by weight.

Moving labor represents the majority of the moving expense. However, you should also budget for packing supplies, such as moving boxes and tape, and for additional valuation (moving insurance) as needed. Gentle Giant takes special precautions with delicate or oversized items, such as flat screen televisions and chandeliers. These items often require a custom wooden crate, which will incur an additional fee.

With nearly four decades of experience, our sales team prides themselves on providing the most accurate moving estimates in the industry. Our proprietary sales system ensures we work closely with every customer to fully understand their moving needs and provide a moving estimate reflecting those needs. Be sure to offer as much information as possible at the time of the estimate; this includes reviewing the inventory for accuracy. Neglecting to mention additional items or difficult areas of access during the estimate almost always results in unexpected costs for the customer.

As with other service industries, you may wish to thank your movers for a job well done by offering a gratuity. While the movers do not expect a set tip amount, we suggest a tip based on your satisfaction with your crew and the overall move; with a broad guideline of $4-6 per mover, per hour.
If you feel that your movers went above and beyond in their efforts, you may want to increase the amount accordingly.

Although Gentle Giant will take every necessary precaution on your move, unexpected damage can occur and it is important to make sure your possessions are protected. We are able to offer valuation to our customers at a very fair price due to the very low number of claims we file.

We recommend scheduling your move as far in advance as possible. The farther out you can plan your move, the greater the availability you will have in choosing a date and time convenient for you. A general rule of thumb is to contact us no later than two weeks in advance of your desired move date. We realize advanced planning is not always possible, and do our best to accommodate last minute customers as well.

Because complex events, such as a home closure or completion of construction, can be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, we don’t recommend scheduling your move for the same day. Save yourself the stress of rescheduling and plan your move date for several days after your closing date.
Demand for moving services is generally at its lowest during the middle of the month and, in particular, the middle of the week. If your schedule allows for a move on one of these days, many movers offer their most competitive rates during those times.

Focus on packing, instead of moving. Smaller items and moving boxes can be moved very quickly by professional movers. Don’t spend time trying to move these items yourself. Rather, focus on packing boxes, so when the movers arrive you will be 100% ready.
For more information on packing and packing supplies check out our Pack like the Pros video series.

Yes! Gentle Giant offers full service storage facilities in addition to our high quality moving services. If your items do not fit in your new home, but you are only living there for a finite period of time and have plans to move to a larger home, use of our storage facilities is a convenient, safe option. Ask your move coordinator for more details about this service.

Choose a simple labeling system (i.e. MBR for Master Bedroom) and make sure all of your boxes are clearly marked. Boxes should be labeled on the top and three sides. Your movers will work closely with you at the destination to make sure everything ends up where you want it.

When the cabinets are made of metal or plastic, two-drawer filing cabinets can be left full. The top two drawers of a 4-drawer cabinet need to be emptied. All lateral file cabinets need to be completely emptied and all drawers need to be emptied in wooden cabinets.

It is generally fine to leave your clothing in your dresser drawers during the move. Be sure to remove anything from the drawers that may roll around or shift during transport, as this can cause damage. If the dresser is particularly large (a triple dresser or part of a large armoire), it is best to at least partially empty it.

You should make certain your dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer are empty. Additionally, movers are not trained electricians or plumbers – you need to arrange for the appropriate professional to disconnect your washer, lighting and chandeliers, and refrigerator from any electric and/or water connection.
Most importantly, movers are not licensed to disconnect gas, which powers many dryers and ovens.

Such items can be moved on local moves if properly packed and prepared, but we cannot guarantee the safe transport of live plants, which can be traumatized by motion or temperature extremes inside the moving truck. We cannot transport live plants on long distance moves.

Gentle Giant, as well as all licensed movers, will not move hazardous or combustible items such as propane tanks, firearms, paint, and aerosols, as the temperature in the truck could cause these items to explode or ignite.

If your moving day is rapidly approaching and it becomes clear that you will not be fully packed, it is critical that you inform your move coordinator as soon as possible. They can work with you to make the best possible “plan b” for packing. This may mean having the movers finish your packing or, if you have the flexibility and we have the availability, pushing back your moving day in order to allow more time to pack. If you have only a small quantity of items left to pack, your movers can often complete this on moving day; however, it is important to understand that this will add time to the job and, therefore, add to the total cost of the move.

Absolutely. When we deliver your items to your new home, the movers will work closely with you to make sure all furniture and boxes arrive in the correct rooms. We are happy to arrange and rearrange the furniture exactly as you would like it.

For your own peace of mind, you may want to consider moving jewelry and other small valuables yourself in your personal vehicle. As for larger items such as art, antiques, musical instruments, special collections, or other items of great personal meaning and value, point these items out to your movers at the start of moving day so they can take the necessary steps to ensure for their proper care.

On moving day, you should let the professional movers handle the job entirely. They are highly trained and the best suited to carry the weight and negotiate the loading of the truck. Generally speaking, having non-professionals work alongside the movers slows things down and costs you more in the long run. Your friends and family can be most helpful in preparing for the move by helping you with packing moving boxes or caring for your pets or children. See tips for moving with kids here.

Unfortunately, there is no safe place in the moving truck for pets to ride. They cannot be transported in the cab of the moving truck for liability reasons and the back of the moving truck is inappropriate due to lack of climate control and the danger posed by potential shifting of heavy objects.

Unfortunately, professional moving companies cannot transport customers in the moving truck for liability reasons. You may wish to arrange a ride with a friend or a cab service on your moving day.

When the movers first arrive, they will do a walk through of your current home, confirming which items are going and which are not.

No, we are not equipped to dispose of trash. However, if you wish to have something transported to a waste disposal location, we are able to transport it at the hourly rate, plus any fee imposed by the disposal facility. If possible, talk to your move coordinator prior to moving day to make these arrangements.

Moving is a physically taxing job, and the movers need time to eat during the day. On a local move, any time the movers spend eating lunch will be deducted from your hourly bill. As for providing lunch, it is not required, as the movers often bring lunch or will find somewhere to eat along the way. However, water and/or sports drinks for the movers are always a welcome (and appreciated) refreshment!

While professional moving companies may vary, at Gentle Giant we clean up any clutter we make during the moving process, but we do not do general house cleaning. We recommend asking your friends, family, and neighbors for a referral for this type of service.

Yes. Our professional movers and moving trucks are prepared to move during rain, sleet, or snow. They come equipped with supplies to keep your belongings safe from the elements. However, in order to keep costs down, we recommend you shovel, rake, or otherwise clear the access ways in preparation for their arrival.