11/11/2024
Van and a Man – Furniture Moving Guide
Estimating Load and Unload Times by House Size
Standard Volume to Time Estimate:
• 1-Bedroom House (~10 cubic meters):
o Loading: ~45 mins to 1 hour
• 2-Bedroom House (~20 cubic meters):
o Loading: ~1.5 to 2 hours
• 3-Bedroom House (~30 cubic meters):
o Loading: ~2.5 to 3 hours
• For each additional 10 cubic meters:
o Add ~1 hour of loading time
Unload Time Estimate:
• Unload time is typically between half and two-thirds of the load time.
o Example: If loading a 2-bedroom house takes 2 hours, plan for around 1 to 1 hour and 20 minutes to unload.
Note: These estimates assume standard access, well-packed items, and no special or unusually heavy items.
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Key Factors That Can Affect Load/Unload Times
1. Access and Pathways
o Tight or winding pathways and stairs add time.
o Clear, direct access helps keep the schedule on track.
2. Heavy or Bulky Items
o Items like solid wood bookcases, double-door fridges, and pianos require extra time and often additional help.
o Adjust time estimates for these items accordingly.
3. Quality of Packing
o Well-packed, labelled boxes speed up the process.
o Loose or unpacked items slow down loading/unloading significantly.
4. Quirky or Fragile Items
o Fragile or high-value items require careful handling, which adds time.
o Discuss any unique or delicate items with the customer to set clear expectations.
5. Travel Time and Traffic Delays
o The time between addresses and the distance from our depot can impact the total time required.
o Traffic Delays: Factors like traffic jams, school zone traffic, and peak times (e.g., 9AM or 5PM) may cause unavoidable delays, adding anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes or more. These factors are outside our control, but we strive to account for them in our planning.
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Depot-to-Depot Timing Policy
• Depot Start and End:
o Unless otherwise stipulated (e.g., a fixed-price quote), all jobs are calculated from the time we leave our depot until we return. The clock starts at the depot and stops upon return.
o Depots: Rotherham Street (Nelson), Park Terrace (Blenheim), and Hilton Highway (Timaru).
o Please check your booking confirmation email for any further details on how your job is charged.
• Exclusions from Billable Time:
o We do not charge for breaks (smoko/lunch), refuelling, or any non-job-related activities. These times are automatically deducted from the customer’s billable time at the end of the job.
• Tracking:
o Job timing is accurately tracked with our software, Simpro, while our trucks are monitored via E-Road GPS tracking for precise, transparent billing.
