Gearharts Moving FAQs
Answers to Your Most Common Moving Questions
Pricing & Estimates
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Moving costs depend on the distance of your move and the services you choose. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Local Moves (less than 40 miles):
Local moves are billed hourly based on the number of movers and trucks needed. There are also two small flat fees that cover fuel and travel time to and from your home.Long-Distance Moves (more than 40 miles or out of state):
Long-distance moves are priced based on the weight of your belongings and the distance traveled, using standardized Pennsylvania moving rates. Most interstate moves are completed through our trusted national partner, United Van Lines, to ensure reliable, professional service across state lines.Packing Services:
Packing is priced based on the number and type of boxes and materials required, along with the time it takes to pack your items. All packing rates follow standardized Pennsylvania guidelines, so you receive consistent, transparent pricing. -
Your final price may change if additional items or packing services are requested that were not included in the original estimate.
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Our flat rate includes the truck, professional movers, padding and protective materials, standard disassembly and reassembly of furniture, fuel, mileage, and basic valuation coverage—so there are no hidden fees for these essential services.
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There are no hidden fees.
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No deposit is required to reserve your move.
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For interstate moves handled through United Van Lines, payment must be made by cashier’s check or credit/debit card. For all other moves, we accept cash, credit/debit card, or personal check.
Booking & Scheduling
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We recommend booking your move 1–2 weeks in advance during our slower season (mid-September through mid-May).
During the busy season (mid-May through mid-September), it’s best to schedule 3–4 weeks ahead to ensure availability on your preferred date.
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You can reschedule your move to align with your new closing date; however, availability may be limited depending on the time of year and our schedule.
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Yes, we can often accommodate last-minute moves, especially during our slower season. During the busy season, availability is more limited, so it depends on our schedule at that time.
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Most moves begin between 7:00 and 9:00 AM. We’ll contact you about 24 hours in advance to provide a more specific arrival window so you know exactly when to expect your crew.
Packing & Preparation
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Yes, we offer full packing, partial packing, and fragile-only packing services. Whether you’d like us to pack your entire home, just a few rooms, or only delicate items like dishes and glassware, we can tailor the service to your needs.
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Yes
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If you’re packing yourself, please have everything packed and clearly labeled before moving day (if we’re packing for you, we’ll take care of this). Clear walkways inside and outside your home, disconnect appliances, and keep pets safely contained away from the moving areas.
Be sure to empty items from drawers, cabinets, and furniture, and set aside anything you plan to transport personally. If you have fragile or especially important items, let your movers know in advance so they can take extra care.
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Yes
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Yes
Protection & Liability
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Yes. We are fully licensed and insured, and our USDOT registration number is 120912, which authorizes us to operate legally and safely under federal transportation regulations.
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Please notify us as soon as possible. We’ll provide a claim form and, if we’re responsible, we’ll cover the damage or arrange and pay for professional repair services.
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We include Full Value Protection, which means if an item is lost or damaged, we will repair it, replace it, or compensate you for its current value. This provides the highest level of coverage and peace of mind for your move.
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We use protective floor runners, padding, and doorway guards to help prevent damage to your floors, walls, furniture, and doorways throughout the moving process.
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All of our movers are trained, experienced employees—not subcontractors—so you can expect consistent, professional service from our team.
The Moving Day Process
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On moving day, your crew will begin with a walkthrough to review your items and plan the move. They’ll then protect your home, carefully load the truck, and transport your belongings to the new location.
Once there, they’ll unload and place items where you’d like them, complete a final walkthrough with you to ensure everything is in order, and then review the closing paperwork and payment.
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The length of your move depends on several factors, including the size of your home, the amount of furniture and boxes, whether packing services are needed, and the distance to your new location. We can provide a more accurate time estimate once we learn the details of your move.
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We recommend that you’re present at the beginning and the end of the move to complete the initial and final walkthroughs, communicate any instructions, and handle the closing paperwork and payment.
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Yes
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If we’re unable to park directly at your home, we’ll park as close as possible and carry your items to and from the truck. If needed, we can also use a smaller shuttle truck to transport your belongings between your home and the larger moving truck.
Moving Specialty Items
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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For safety and legal reasons, we cannot transport hazardous or flammable items, including propane tanks, paint, aerosols, gasoline, chemicals, and other combustible or liquid materials. These items should be safely disposed of or transported separately.
Storage
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We offer both.
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Our storage is not climate-controlled, but it is securely protected with a government-approved alarm system and professional pest control, ensuring your belongings remain safe while in storage.
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Yes, you can access your items while they’re in storage. We simply ask for about one week’s notice so we can schedule and prepare your items for access.
Cancellation & Policies
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There are no cancellation fees, but we appreciate as much notice as possible so we can adjust our schedule and accommodate other customers.
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If severe weather makes moving unsafe, we’ll work with you to reschedule your move for the next available date when conditions improve. Your safety and the protection of your belongings are our top priority.