2 Man + Truck or 3 Man + Truck - Which One Suits You?
When and why to use 2 Man + Truck
1.Small to Medium size household furniture removal - ie 1, 2 or 3 bedroom house. Having more than 2 removal men will be overkill as an efficient 2 man crew can comfortably handle the volume of furniture and / or boxes within the day. Basically international moving standards for 2 removal men suggests that for every bedroom removalists should allow 10m3 (10 cubic metres) of space and also allow for 1 hr to load and 1 hr to unload the contents (plus traveling time) - based on ground floor and good access.
2.Small office relocation - 1 - 5 staff moving. Two qualified office removalists with the correct trollies and tools to disassemble and reassemble the desks will be able to move up to 5 office staff moving within the day. Always remember that it is your responsibility to book the lifts for the removalists which will intern save you on costs as locking the lift will be much more efficient. Computer relocations, particular servers and large standalone photocopiers are best handled by the copier and computer IT professionals.
3.Good Access at all locations - Removalists don't have to walk a long way or up and down too many steps. Ensure that you place cars or bins to suit the loading and the unloading of the furniture trucks. The further the removalist walk the more the removal will cost you. It is in your interest to pre-plan where the truck will park and you may even need to let your neighbors know too. Consider looking into parking permits with your local council or perhaps ask the removalists to use Google maps whilst they are on the phone with you so they can help find the correct solution for your move.
4.You are prepared to assist with moving smaller items to / from the removal truck. If you are planning on assisting the removalists on the day without getting in their way and also listening to the team leaders instructions on what to bring to and from the truck then this will help you save costs and justify not needing a third removal man. It is important to note that for occupational health and safety reasons you will not be able to enter the back of the furniture truck (or ride in the cabin) but can place the items close to the truck or on the tailboard.
When and why to use 3 Man + Truck
1.Large to Very Large Move - 4, 5 or 6 Bedroom House with Garage or Shed. Three removal men will always be more efficient on large moves than 2 removal men as typically the loader will remain inside the truck whilst the other two removalist bring goods out to the truck. You gain significantly on efficiency when working this way and typically this method will save you on your overall costs then if you had 2 removal men. On larger house moves, it is also possible that 2 removalists may go into the night time to unload and may be getting tied hence increasing the possibility of damages to your furniture.
2.Upright Piano - Pianos are heavy items (as are billiard tables and spa baths) and because there is a need for a specialized piano trolley a third man is highly recommended. Upright pianos have two handles on the back and when tipped on one end requires the third removalists to safely place the piano trolley correct underneath it. If there is even one step in the move then the 3rd removal man becomes even more helpful.
3.Small / Medium Size Office Moves - 6-10 Office Staff. Provided that the volume of the office move can easily fit within a medium size rigid truck (6-8 Tonne or 30 to 40m3) and there is good access then 3 qualified office removalists with dolly, furniture trollies and tools should be able to handle the size of office move. If you can save time by noting what furniture is to stay and what is to move then it will save the team leader asking you each time they go to pick something up.
4.Access Difficulties - When booking a job with a removalist always tell them as it is because it is worse if they don't turn up with a 3rd man because of your communication when booking. Walking distance to / from the truck of greater than 30 meters and / or stairs involved should have a 3rd removalists involved unless you only have a few items or as stated above (refer when to use 2 Man + Truck).
5.Settlement Times - If you have to settle or drop keys off early in the morning 11am - 12pm then using a 3 removal team starting at 8am or 9am (depending on the size of your move) will help you meet your exit time. Using 3 removal men doesn't mean that you pay more at the end of the day, infact in most instances it costs you less to move as efficiency is greatly improved. It should take a 3 man removal team atleast 33% less time to relocate you than a 2 man removal team.
7.Transit Vehicle - Many high rise apartments require the need to use a Ute or a transit van to ferry the furniture to and from the truck. In this case a minimum of 3 removal men is recommended as the first removalist will drive the transit vehicle and the other two will help load and unload the van and the removal truck. There are many case when four removalists are needed for these circumstances.
Thank you
John Christoforidis
Transcorp Removals & Storage
2008, 09,10 & 11 Removal & Storage Company of the Year.
1300 466 838 / 03 9314 1700