It's this time of the year, you have already explored everything in your neighborhood, and the person downstairs would not stop fixing his kitchen, drilling walls, and having parties. Thoughts about having your backyard keep you up at night. With a quick online search, you found a fantastic house with a spacious kitchen and the backyard you always wanted. It's available and move-in ready. Things couldn't get better until you realize that you need Movers. So you made a few calls, and it feels like you know less now than before. You have all these questions like, how many movers do I needHow big is the truckDo I need to tip the movers? What are all these fees? What is Double Drive Time?

Finding answers to these questions is proven to be difficult, sometimes because of dishonest businesses, but most of the time is a simple lack of knowledge. But don't worry. In this post, you will find the answers you are looking for! In this post, we will finally explain What Double Drive Time is.

Qshark Moving Employee showing off his packing skills of a dresser and flexing muscles during a local move in Orange County. Double Drive Time Specialists
Knowledge is power! Muscles are overrated

The Wild West Of Moving or Why We Need Double Drive Time

Let's go back to the wild times in the moving industry before the regulations, licenses, required insurance, online reviews, and endless ways for unethical companies to thrive. As soon as your hard-earned items end up in the moving van, it's time for the moving company to turn evil and demand every possible fee they can come up with. But what can you do, you want your items back? The answer is nothing but paying off the thieves and trying to forget this nightmare.


One of these shady fees was the Drive Time from your unloading location back to the movers' office. They claim it took them two hours to drive five miles when this morning it only took them 15 minutes. Crazy? While it sounds outrageous, it would happen daily, and more and more people would fall victim to these scams.

Creation Of The DDT

Moving became such a big part of our lives that lawmakers had to create rules and regulations to protect consumers from "moving thieves." Double Drive Time was born to regulate the drive time between locations and minimize the room for scams. It's a simple idea but a big difference-maker regarding your bill. Movers are only allowed to charge you for the time it takes them to drive from your pick-up location ( point A ) to your second location ( point B ). To get paid for the time it takes to go back; they can only double the time from point A to point B. Still sounds confusing? Don't worry we have examples!

Example number one ( the wild west of moving )

John is moving 30 minutes from his parent's house to a new apartment in the city. You can't be a village boy forever. Dad recommended a local moving company he had used in the past, so without further research, John hired them. Everything is going great. The tv and couches are in the truck. A few hours later, before unloading the final ( and most expensive items ), the foreman comes up to John to take care of the final bill. Something doesn't add up. John keeps checking the hours. " Where these two additional hours came from?" John is suspicious. Foreman replies: " It's time for us to drive back." But it only took 30 minutes to drive here. I'm not paying for two additional hours! " - John screams, quietly letting go of his dreams of buying a new DVD player. " We won't unload the rest until you do."
And you got the idea. John would end up paying to get the rest of his items back. So sad and unfair, but it was the reality back then.

Example number two ( current Qshark Moving Company )

It's been 20 years since John moved, he swore to himself never to do it again, but his family of five can no longer fit in this tiny apartment. The new house is exactly 30 minutes away, just like the first move. Ready to relieve his old horrors, John picked a company he found online. He didn't believe when they said there were no additional fees or their five-star reputation.
Finally, moving day is here. Everything is going very well, but John is still skeptical. " Looks like everything is unloaded, and it's time to pay your bill. " John could feel the old feelings of anger coming back even after all this time. " But where is additional time to drive back? " John is surprised. The foreman shows him the Double Drive Time field and explains: " It took us 30 minutes to drive between point A and point B, so it will be doubled to 1 hour" It's that simple.
By the way, because of the extra money John budgeted, he could buy a brand new TV.

Double Drive Time Is Your Friend

We hope this paragraph helped you understand what Double Drive Time is. Our team of specialists is always happy to assist you with any questions. We recommend visiting Government Website to learn more about moving fees and licensed companies. As a special thank you for reading this entire post, we will offer $25 off if you mention " Double Drive Time Post" when you contact our company

Qshark Movers loading our company truck, to deliver items to customer's self-storage facility
Qshark Movers loading the truck

Moving office can be an incredibly stressful process. Luckily, there is an easy way to ease the burden and make the process streamlined and relatively painless. Here is why self-storage is an essential partner when moving office. Together we came up with these Self-Storage Tips!

Moving office made easy with a self-storage unit

Any move is stressful. It is said that moving home is one of life's most stressful events. I would argue that moving office is even more so! Moving office can be a logistical nightmare and has the added burden of making sure the disruption is kept to an absolute minimum to ensure the loss of business is negligible.

This is why anything that helps the process is a huge boon. Here are the top 5 self-storage tips that can help with an office move.

  1. Allows you to move in stages

Rather than the entire move happening all at once, a self-storage unit allows you the flexibility to move at a more leisurely pace. This is especially relevant if you don't have early access to the new premises.

A self-storage unit can be used to store non-essential items like archived documents, excess furniture etc., in advance. This means that come moving day, it is only essential and mission-critical items that need to be moved. A self-storage unit can be rented for short periods, so you only need to rent it for the period you need.

  1. Lets you organize without the clutter

Moving the contents of an entire office takes time, but so does getting everything organized in your new office. This can be time-consuming and stressful and is even more so if the office is full of packing boxes and clutter.

A self-storage unit lets you store everything in a clean, dry, and secure environment for as long as you need. This allows you to get organized in stages and streamlines the whole process.

  1. The perfect solution if you are downsizing

With businesses facing rising costs on every front, many firms are looking to downsize premises to help cut costs. This presents a problem with how to create space to accommodate the contents of a larger office.

Self-storage can come to the rescue. A storage unit allows you to store non-essentials that you previously had space for. You can even book a "locker" storage unit for archived documents and ease the space burden on your new premises.

Another problem with downsizing is what to do with excess furniture and equipment. Some of this can be valuable, and getting rid of it in a hurry can mean losing money on it. A self-storage unit can give you the time to decide how best to dispose of it.

It also allows you the time to ensure that you don't dispose of furniture or equipment that you subsequently discover you need.

  1. Peace of mind

With soaring stress levels, anything that can give you some peace of mind has got to be a good thing!

Self-storage units are safe, dry, and convenient. You can relax knowing you're your belongings in interim (or long-term) storage are protected by multi-layered security and are safe in a dry and clean environment.

  1. Cuts the costs of moving

Rather than being seen as just another moving expense, self-storage units can actually save money.

Firstly, self-storage units are available in a wide range of sizes, so you only pay for the storage you need, for the time you need it. This makes them an extremely cost-effective storage solution.

When this benefit is paired with the overall smoothing of the moving process, it greatly reduces a business's downtime at a minimum cost.

They also provide a cost-effective way of renting extra space without many of the associated costs. This allows businesses to move to premises that otherwise would have been too small. With heating and power bills soaring, this can help to dramatically cut overheads.

Conclusion

If you are planning an office move, then a self-storage unit should be at the very top of your to-do list! Self-storage units can save you money, make a move go far smoother, and greatly reduce the stress of moving. Check out our pricing for storage by requesting a moving quote here! More moving and self-storage tips are coming soon!

We couldn't be more thrilled to announce we are the proud recipient of a Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics! This solidifies our place among the best moving companies near you. The Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics recognizes companies with outstanding ethics and integrity in all of their business dealings. So these companies generate a high level of trust among their employees, customers, and communities.

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, Winner and Finalist


We were thrilled when we were nominated for the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics earlier this year. From the beginning, our top priority was making customers happy and building trust. After all, letting people ( you don't know ) inside your house and take your furniture is not easy. Eventually, as Qshark grew, we focused more and more on customer satisfaction. Being recognized for our efforts shows that we are on the right path.

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics Category 2 16-50 employees

We will keep working on improving our service and helping our community. This is the greatest honor to serve people and be trusted with very personal items.

"I hope our example will show that anything is possible, and as long as you respect your employees and customers, good things will come to your business. We plan to promote and empower other small businesses in the area so our community can grow. So I wanted to thank the Ceremony organizations for creating this fantastic event." - Qshark Moving Company CEO Uladzislau Kandybovich.

Our CEO giving a speech during the ceremony during Better Business Bureau Torch Award
Our CEO giving a speech during the ceremony

Thank you to our customers and employees who helped make this incredible opportunity a reality. Additionally, you can learn more about the award ceremony on our Instagram page.

It doesn’t matter if you’re moving for the fifth time or a first-time homebuyer. The moving process can be incredibly stressful. There’s the time investment, the fear of valuable belongings breaking, and, of course, all those cardboard boxes. You may be asking yourself, “How many boxes do I need to move?” The short answer: it depends. While there is no concrete rule or formula to determine exactly how many moving boxes you’ll need, there are a few ways to estimate that number. Whether you’re moving out of a house in Denver or a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, we’ll help you unpack how many boxes you’ll need.

Large sized moving boxes
Moving Boxes

What you’ll need to begin packing

In addition to lots (and lots) of cardboard boxes, you’ll need several other supplies to ensure that your belongings are packed properly and kept safe on the way to your new home. Here are some packing materials you will need:

Packing tape: It’s easy to overlook something as mundane as the type of tape you choose, but using the proper tape will ensure that your belongings remain safe. Opt for packing tape instead of regular office tape, as it tends to be wider and provides a more reliable seal on cardboard boxes.

Bubble wrap: If you’re dealing with glass, dishes. or other fragile items, keep plenty of bubble wrap on hand to protect against potential impacts such as drops.

Packing paper: This is an additional tool at your disposal to protect your belongings. Packing paper takes up less room in boxes and is also recyclable.

Don’t cut corners with your supplies

Ensuring that you have the right packing supplies on hand will make your move go smoothly and prevent your belongings from breaking. Skimping on supplies to save money can backfire in the long run.

Types of packing boxes

Packing for a move is not a one-size-fits-all affair. There are many different types of boxes needed to store certain items properly. Here is a rundown of what you’ll need to store your personal belongings.

  • Small packing boxes/book boxes have dimensions of 16″ x 12″ x 12″, making them the smallest size typically used for moving. They are ideal for small items such as books or kitchen utensils.
  • Medium packing boxes have dimensions of 18″ x 16″ x 18″ and are perfect for items such as towels and decorative items such as sculptures or art.
  • Large packing boxes have dimensions of 18″ x 18″ x 24″ and can store small appliances, bedding, and smaller pillows.
  • Extra-large packing boxes have dimensions of 24″ x 20″ x 24″ and can hold large, light items like comforters, sports gear, and pillows.

Specialty boxes you’ll need

Household items come in all shapes and sizes, and conventional cardboard boxes won’t always get the job done. Luckily, there are many special boxes made to fit any number of oddly-shaped items.

  • Wardrobe boxes include a metal rod across the top of the box and are designed specifically for hanging clothes. You can store items such as belts or shoes at the bottom of a wardrobe box.
  • Dish barrel boxes are about the same size as medium boxes (18″ x 18″ x 28 or 18″ x 18″ x 18″) and feature extra-thick walls. The double-wall feature protects fragile items like glass, plates, bowls, and cups that are particularly prone to breaking during moving.
  • Mirror and picture boxes are flat and designed to fit items like artwork, mirrors, and framed photos. You can adjust these to the required size.
  • TV boxes, as the name implies, can store flat-screen TVs. They can be adjusted to fit a screen up to 70 inches.
  • Lamp boxes are ideal for tall, narrow items such as lamps or fans.
Different sized moving boxes
Moving Boxes

How many boxes do I need to move?

So, how do you know how many boxes you need?  There’s no magic formula to calculate the ideal number of boxes, but the next few sections should give you a general idea.

Calculating how many boxes you need in advance saves you time and money; avoid running out multiple times to get more boxes or spending money on boxes you don’t need. Generally, the longer you have lived in your home, the more stuff you will have accumulated. If you’re a packrat, now’s the time to own it.

Factors that determine how many moving boxes you need to move

Number of rooms

The type of home you live in and the number of rooms your home has can serve as the simplest indicator of how many boxes you need to prepare for a move. A studio apartment might only require a dozen or so boxes. On the other hand, a four-bedroom house will likely call for north of 100. If you find the packing process overwhelming, this is a simple way to estimate the number of boxes to buy.

Breakdown by number of rooms

Home typeStudio apt1 bedroom apt2 bedroom apt2 bedroom housethree bedroom house4 bedroom house5+ bedroom house
# of boxes10-2020-4040-6060-8080-100100-120120+

Square footage

It probably comes as no surprise that moving out of a larger home generally means having more stuff to move. The square footage of your space is a decent indicator of how many moving boxes you will need to relocate all of your belongings. For example, moving out of a small apartment (500 square feet) might only require 25 boxes. On the other hand, a larger house (2,000 square feet) might need up to 130. The size of your home is not the sole determining factor in figuring out how many boxes you’re going to need, but it can provide you with a good benchmark.

Room type

Another way to estimate how many packing boxes you’ll need to move is by considering the types of rooms in your home. This is a slightly more specific way to approximate the number of boxes required to move all your things successfully. Here’s a room-by-room breakdown of how many boxes you need based on room type.

Breakdown by room type:

Room type# of small boxes# of medium boxes# of large boxes# of extra-large boxes# wardrobe boxes# of dish packs
Kitchen2-45-64204-6
Dining room1-21-20002-4
Bathroom210000
Master bedroom1-35-65-804-60
Other bedrooms1-23-503-52-40
Living room2-43-42-41-200

As you can see, the kitchen and the master bedroom tend to use the most boxes. One thing to consider is that the number of boxes used for bedrooms can vary widely based on who’s using those rooms, especially if you’re moving with kids. A toddler is unlikely to have as many personal belongings as a teenager, and the total box count will reflect this.

How many boxes do I need to move based on my lifestyle?

Lifestyle is an important factor to consider, as two houses with the same dimensions or rooms can have very different needs regarding the number of boxes needed to move. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a large house with a walk-in closet, your lifestyle will significantly affect how many moving boxes you’ll need. Whether you enjoy skiing, pottery, painting, or any other hobby, those additional items will also need to move.

Tips for a successful move

Don’t overfill your boxes

It can seem intuitive to cut costs on boxes by filling them to the max. In reality, this is often counterproductive because it leaves less of a cushion between the box’s contents and the environment on the outside. Remember to leave room in the box for packing paper or bubble wrap for adequate protection. Remember that a few extra boxes won’t outweigh the cost of replacing your fine china if it breaks.

Buy more boxes than you think you’ll need

On a similar note, there’s no need to be stingy when buying boxes. Cardboard boxes are relatively cheap, and having to buy more at the last minute only increases the stress of moving.

Take the opportunity to declutter

If you’re wary of taking too much stuff to your new place, take the opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need. 

Plan ahead and stay organized

With any large undertaking, preparation is key, and this certainly applies to moving. Give yourself plenty of time before moving day to strategize. Be sure to clearly label each box with its contents and where it needs to go. This will make the unpacking process go much smoother.

Although there is no hard and fast rule when packing for a move, these tips and guidelines will help you find out how many boxes you need for a successful move.

Chose a right moving company

If you feel tired after reading this, maybe the best answer is to hire movers and make your life a little bit easier.

We love working with our residential and commercial customers! Over the years we've worked with a lot of different businesses and built strong relationships. We wanted to make this post to show our application to all our loyal customers and partners. We are proud to be partners with Tom's Truck Center

Contact us today at 866-925-5012 or via email at qsharksmoving@gmail.com for your residential or commercial move, local or out of state!

Dear customers, We do everything possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our clients and our movers. That's why our movers must always wear masks during the moving process. If any of our crew members aren't wearing a mask, please report it to the office (866)925-5012 immediately. This is our masks policy at Qshark - Moving Company

If you have any questions or any concerns please call us or email at qsharksmoving@gmail.com

Stay Safe

To keep our customers and employees safe we implemented Masks Policy At Qshark - Moving Company. Learn how we protect our clients here

In the moving industry, few things are considered oversized or need special attention to them. So let's start by clarifying what those items are! And how to move oversized items

  • The first one, and probably the most common one, will be a Piano ( including Uprights, Baby Grands, and Grand Pianos ). They are considerably harder to move because of their weight, largeness, fragileness, and price. It's crucial to mention your piano when you are getting a moving quote because it can change your price. Every company has a different policy about moving a piano. Some companies even specialize in moving just pianos. Still, at Qshark, we wanted to make it easy so we won't charge you extra to move a piano. However, we will require to have a certain number of movers. It will depend on the type of your piano and it's location. For example, moving a regular Upright piano from a garage to first-floor house would only require 2 movers. When moving a Baby Grand piano, we will need 4 movers.
Qshark Movers in Orange County are moving piano, also protect it to make sure nothgin is damaged. This show you how to move oversized item
  • The second most common item would be Safe. They are pretty easy to move but at the same time, it can get really complicated as they can be very heavy and may even damage the hardwood floor or stairway. So, when you want to get a quote it's always good to clarify the weight and the location of the safe, and the moving company you chose can come prepared. Most of the time safes over 300lbs require a special dolly designed to move heavy items. At Qshark we won't charge you extra for this addition but if you don't mention your safe, it can cause problems during the move.
Qshark Movers in San Diego are moving a 400lbs safe up the stairs. Safe is a oversized item we can move for you
  • And finally, the third most common item is a pool table. It's quite difficult to move because it requires disassembling and assembling. Most of the pieces are very heavy and can be damaged easily. The pool table needs the most preparation and a specialized crew that knows exactly how to handle your model of a pool table. We will also need specific tools. Most of the companies will have the same policies about moving a pool table which will include extra charges. It's very important to clarify that you need to move a pool table.

To sum everything up, everything can be moved. You need to find the right specialist to help you move Oversized Items.

Many of us have this giant piece of furniture we love so much, and it looks so good in the upstairs room. It makes our life a little better, but when it's time to move, we all want to throw this thing away so we don't have to deal with it. You don't have to worry anymore, because we move everything! Qshark Moving

Finding professionals to move it safely can be an issue, and here are a few things you have to consider:

  • You want the item to be insured because the possibility of damages is very high
  • Not every company will do it
  • Some companies will charge you a high premium to move it
  • You need movers that you can trust

At Qshark, we get you and want to help to safe your giant awkward friend and here is what you can expect by choosing us

  • Trained movers that will make you and your furniture comfortable
  • Most of the time, we include these extra things in the hourly rates ( so no extras )
  • Basic coverage is always included ( we also provide additional insurance options )
  • Nothing is too heavy or too big for Qsharks!

Please call us for your specific item and we will be happy to work with you and get that thing moved!

At Qshark Moving Company, we aim to provide full service and help you with anything you need. That's why We Move Everything!
During this move, no one ( including the couch ) was hurt!

During this crisis, the safety of our global community is our top priority.
As an essential business, we will remain open to providing moving services. We are taking all the necessary steps to insurance our movers and customer are safe. We are happy to say that We are Open During Lockdown. Here is more information about what we are doing:

According to The Red Cross recommendations, Qshark is following common-sense steps to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus. ( Qshark has NO one infected)

* Qshark daily checks employee's temperature to prevent spreading the virus.

* Qshark Performs routine environmental cleaning:

* Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. Disinfect commonly used equipment and surfaces daily.

* Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees) :

* Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Qshark Moving trucks are ready to help with your moving service in California

This is a difficult moment for the world and our hearts go out to all those affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. During this crisis, the safety of our global community is our top priority.

At Qshark, we are taking precautionary measures to do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), we have implemented increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures at our facilities, trucks, and equipment.

We will continue to operate with your safety and well-being in mind and provide the highest quality of service.

Looking for a moving service in your area? Well, Qshark is open for moving service near you, and we look forward to working with you!