Harder's Movers is the best moving service to go with for many, many reasons. First, let's just talk about Houston. My parents moved there in 1982 when they were in their 50's--at exactly the time the bust of the 80's hit. Their economic history there is one of highs and lows and, as they aged, getting ripped off by conmen who took advantage of an environment where a lot of people come and go. So I was scared to death to be sitting in Ohio and trying to work out a reasonable deal with a person who wouldn't rip me off. Jonathan was up front about his costs, his prices, and what my money was actually covering. The list of items we worked out was personalized so that he wasn't just estimating a price by "one room," "two rooms," etc. He even came to the house to review the list I had emailed him and did a walk through with my fragile stepfather before we scheduled the move. It was easy to get on the same page with him. Other movers that I called were lazy- trying to maximize their own profit and not being fair about what was actually being moved. I did most of the actual packing except for expensive glassware, lamps, and the paintings because Jonathan has insurance. (That's another reason to go with him and have him pack the things you really care about--if something goes wrong there is a back up).
Next, let's talk about the environment Jonathan and Will walked into. My parents are in their mid 80's. My mother's body is failing her, but her mind is ok. My step father's body is ok, but he is more likely to make slips. For ten years we have been trying to get them to move to GA, where my sister lives, but they have waited to the point where the move was too much for them, quite a common story these days. My step father has been the house keeper for a few years now, and since he didn't even know how to run the microwave when he first started in his new role, you can imagine what kind of house keeper he was. Plus, the house was full of fleas. Rather than judging, Jonathan recognized the need to get them packed up with options quickly. Jonathan and Will's interpersonal skills and understanding of human nature made them the perfect people for this difficult move. While Will did not make it all the way to Ohio, the other young man he brought with him (cannot remember his name!) was just as personable and polite as Will and Jonathan.
Third, Jonathan is organized. We were a good match because I was able to organize my end so that we were ready. All he had to do was walk in, pack up the fancy stuff, and start loading. That holding up my end was also very important to a successful move. I cannot imagine being as organized as Jonathan is, then showing up to some frazzled person who hasn't done a thing to get read, but I am willing to bet if that ever happens, he is a gentleman.
Fourth, I have never seen anyone work in such a focused and efficient manner in my life. They got to my parents' house at 8:30 am (after meeting up at 4:30 am) and worked steadily without a break until 3:30. Within a few days, they unloaded ¾ of the contents in the truck in GA, and a day later, then brought the final part of the load up to me. He did not drop a ball along the way. He did not waste time or dawdle.
Futhermore, he is creative-minded and flexible enough to work with you. We had a situation that did not fit into a box, and he adapted to our needs. As you can imagine, moving elderly and fragile parents and packing up a home of 30+ years is traumatic and complicated. His willingness to see us as people and not commodities allowed us as a family to do the best we could under difficult circumstances.
Finally, you can count on him for the future. The addition my sister is putting on her home in GA won't be ready till August, but my parents are now pretty much ready to walk out the door. We have about a small truckload of things they are still using now and which will they will transport with them to their new home. I have already asked Jonathan if they will help us load up, and he agreed. Thank God. read more
