10 Sep 2012 · MoveAdvisor
4.0 out of 54.0
I was very careful selecting a moving company this time after my disastrous relocation from LA to Virginia in 2010. I spent a few nights reading reviews, checking the BBB records and talking on the phone with various agents and representatives. I used two different web-based quick-quote brokers to get a feel of the prices. Finally, I selected Sterling Van Lines of Sterling, VA (not to be confused with their namesake in LA, CA), which was not associated with any of the internet brokers. And I did it right. Basically, there are rip-off companies out there, which would low-ball you on something like $75-80 per hour for a crew of three men on a local move, and give you a lot of trouble once the contract is signed, and there are well-reputed movers in the area (the Mighty Men, Georgetown, etc.) which will take $150/hour plus extra, but will do thier job honestly. Now Sterling Van Lines is an honest business with normal people doing their hard job right, but somewhat more affordable than the popular guys. My move was a short one, about 10 miles from McLean VA to Reston VA, with a pretty limited volume of household. We did practically all the packing with my wife ourselves. I called Steve Zupan and he came personally to give me a fairly accurate, written estimation with a "not to exceed" price. The moving crew worked fast, efficiently and were polite. They charged after unloading the last item, less than the upper estimate, and accepted a personal check without any problem. Generally, here is one positive experience in this murky and dangerous area.
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