Local Mover

I provide a careful, courteous, reasonable and reliable moving service.

My name is Jonathan Lathrop. I have been providing local moving services in the Washington Metropolitan Area since 1981. I have a 16-foot truck, dollies, pads and tools. I generally bring one helper. More are available as needed.

Rates:

The labor rate is $50/hour for myself and one helper. Additional helpers are $20/hour each. The truck is $2/mile.

The time and mileage are from the time when we arrive at the job until the time when we finish. I have a two-hour minimum. This means that if a job takes less than two hours, I still charge for two hours. For each 15 miles away from Riverdale, MD (near College Park, MD), add an hour to the minimum. So, DC is a two-hour minimum, Falls Church is three hours and Herndon is four hours.

Your estimate:

The following are rule-of-thumb estimates for various size households based on short walks, a few miles drive to the new place, and no complications:

* A typical efficient apartment (400 sq. feet) generally has 12 items of furniture and 20 other things, including boxes, and takes 3 hours to move with two men for an approximate price of $160.

* A typical one-bedroom apartment (600 sq. feet) generally has 18 items of furniture and 30 other things, including boxes, and takes 4 hours to move with two men for an approximate price of $210.

* A typical two-bedroom apartment (800 sq. feet) generally has 24 items of furniture and 50 other things, including boxes, and takes 6 hours to move with two men for an approximate price of $310.

* A typical three-bedroom house (1200 sq. feet) generally has 35 items of furniture and 75 other things, including boxes, and takes 6 hours to move with three men and two trips for an approximate price of $430.

* A typical four-bedroom house (2000 sq. feet) generally has 50 items of furniture and 100 other things, including boxes, and takes 7 hours to move with four men and two trips for an approximate price of $640.

The way to figure out if your place fits in to the above categories is to count the number of items of furniture. Count dining room chairs, coffee tables, end tables, and anything larger. Do not count boxes, bags, suitcases, TV sets, microwave ovens, lamps, pictures, etc. These all count as boxes.

Each 25 items in a normal distribution of large and small items along with 50 boxes make a truck full. Each truck full takes 3-4 hours with 3 men or 5-6 hours with 2 men. Generally add one hour for each 60-80 walking steps.

In all cases, I work by the hour and the mile. There are no flat rates.

I try very hard to make all moves damage-free. However, if things are damaged, I do not provide insurance on the goods. Because of my prices, it is impossible. If you wish that kind of service, you should deal with a formal mover. Their rates are roughly double than mine.

I always try to fix more things than I break. I always carry glue and screws, and often tighten things up as I am moving them.

Moving tips:

* Boxes - Pack boxes 30-50 pounds. When a box is full, close the lid and seal it. Do not overfill them. Put books in small boxes. Large boxes are for light things.

* A local company called Greenbelt Paper carries boxes at 1/2 the price of other places, and they deliver. Ask me for their phone number.

* Dressers - Chests and dressers are best emptied. However, it is only necessary to empty drawers if a piece is heavy. If you can not budge one end of a dresser by pressing against it with your hip, please empty it. Generally, drawers do not make good boxes. It is best to leave them in place.

If a piece is light, it is okay to leave things in the drawers as long as they are not breakable or spillable.

* Desks - Office desks are always best emptied. Bedroom desks are okay if left full.

* Clothes - For fancy clothes, nothing can beat a wardrobe box, but they are expensive and waste space. For ordinary clothes, plastic trash bags work well. Put the sealed end on the bottom and tie the open end around the hangers.

* Phone - You can ask the phone company to turn off the phone at your old place the day after you move and turn on the phone at your new place the day before you move. That way, you have working phones at both places during your move.

* Parking - If you live in a densely populated area such as Adams Morgan, Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria, then it would be great if you could get emergency no parking signs from your local police precinct or DC DOT. DC now charges $34 for them.

You must get them four or more days in advance. Three days in advance is too late. Even if you don't get the signs, it is helpful if you can park your car in the space closest to your door so we can put the truck there. The truck plus ramp requires 40' or two regular spaces. Remember that the back of the truck has to be nearest to the door.

* The Last Box - Leave one open box for critical items which might be needed during the move. Things to place in the box include hammer, pliers, screwdriver, scissors, knife, paper cups, toilet paper, paper towels, packing tape, plastic trash bags, and all things useful while loading and unloading. This box goes into the truck last and comes off first.

* Plan ahead at your new place. It is most efficient to move each item only once. Plan where to place each piece ahead of time, and we will place each item exactly where it goes. I don't mind moving things around repeatedly, but remember that it takes time to do that. Mark boxes with their destination so we can put them where they should go.

* The more everything is packed thoroughly and sealed in moderate weight boxes, the quicker and easier the job will go.

Reviews

• March 26, 2010

  

  My name is Phil Callison. I am a 45 yr. old Army veteran, Father of four, Grandfather of eight, who resides in North Carolina. I was one of John Lathrops first employees in 1981, before I left to enter the Army. John is one of the most intelligent, honest, detail oriented, and careful people I have ever met. Working with John actually prepared me for many things in life where honesty and work ethic are concerned. I strongly recommend this man for any and all of your moving needs.

  – Philip

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