Consolidated / Shared Moving Services
Sharing the cost of your long distance move within Ontario, Canada
The most expensive
part of any long distance move is usually the cost of
travel for the moving crew. The travel cost is the portion
of the overall moving cost that pays for the movers,
truck, fuel, motel, downtime, and any other costs that
the moving company may incur during the trip. Different
moving companies have different ways of passing on this
cost to the customer. With most small and medium-sized
local moving companies, the customer will be charged
a flat rate or by the hour for 'travel time'. Larger
companies, such as van lines and inter-provincial movers
usually incorporate this cost into their overall charge
based on weight. There are a few companies, usually
freight forwarders, that incorporate this cost into
their overall charge based on space used in the truck
(cubic or linear feet).
When paying a flat
rate for travel time, the customer can save money by
sharing the cost with others. If the customer can be
flexible on timing, the moving company can usually manage
to book other moves with similar destinations that can
be loaded on the same truck. Depending on the size of
the other moves and their locations, customers can sometimes
realize substantial savings on their travel charge.
FLAT RATE A
flat rate for travel time is based on distance or estimated
time. When the travel charge is based on a flat rate,
that cost does not change unless the customer changes
the locations involved. No matter how long the crew
is on the road, or what obstacles are encountered, the
cost remains fixed. It is for this reason that customers
are most comfotable with this method. It is the only
method where the travel charge can be 100% guaranteed
before the customer even books the job. However, few
moving companies will offer this option.
HOURLY Billing
an hourly rate for travel usually only occurs with local
moves and local long distance moves. This can be done
by charging for exact time or by fixed time. Billing
by fixed time is the most common of the two as it offers
the customer a firm amount to budget for. Usually moving
companies charge one hour for travel time for any move
that starts and ends within the same city or within
40 to 50 km of their office. In large cities and areas
where traffic congestion is a problem, some moving companies
charge by exact time. Exact time is based on the actual
time the crew spends getting to the job and back to
the office at the end of the job. This can amount to
over two hours during rush hour in some cities. Instead
of billing for travel time, some moving companies just
charge moving time from the time the crew leaves the
office until the time they return to the office after
finishing the job.
WEIGHT When
dealing with larger loads, such as the transport trailers
utilized by the van lines and inter-provincial haulers,
this cost is almost always incorporated into the overall
charge based on weight. With the possibility of a dozen
customers in a trip and many different loading and unloading
points along the way, this is about the only way they
can accurately bill in proportion to the amount the
truck was used for each job. The customer is given an
estimate or quote based on an estimated weight. The
downside to this method is that the customer will never
know the exact charge until the truck has been weighed
at a weigh station which could change the estimate or
quote.
SPACE Consolidated
loads with one city of origin and with one destination
city can sometimes be billed by the amount of space
used on the truck. This can be calculated by volume
(cubic feet) or by the length of the truck box that
they occupy (linear feet). This method is not common
and is usually employed by commercial freight forwarders
as a method of subsidizing the cost of a shipment. They
would pack the residential content on the truck or trailer,
put up a plywood wall and secure it, and then fill the
remainder of the container with commercial goods on
pallets. This service is only usually offered for inter-provincial
and, more commonly, international moves. This method
can save moving customers a lot of money in most cases
but there are drawbacks. These companies are not moving
companies. The customer is responsible for loading and
unloading the truck or hiring movers to do it. There
is usually no padding, protection or straps available
to secure items. As they are not moving companies, their
insurance will usually not cover damage to household
items and will be limited to accident coverage. You
will have to try to convince your homeowners insurance
to let you purchase a rider to cover your belongings
in transport.
Please click here for pricing
or here for an estimate
for your move.
Thank you for considering 1st Rate Movers for your move.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.
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