Moving on and off Hilton Head Island
A move on Hilton Head has a few things most local moves don't. Trucks come and go over the bridges to the mainland, many neighborhoods sit behind gates with their own rules, and the weather runs from steamy summers to a storm season that can disrupt plans with little warning. A little planning around each of these keeps move day on schedule.
Check the mover's state certificate
Under South Carolina Code Section 58-23-40, a motor carrier must obtain a certificate from the Office of Regulatory Staff and pay the required license fee before it may transport household goods for compensation on any improved public highway in the state, or advertise that it does. Ask any mover for its certificate details and write them on your agreement. A crew with a rented truck and no certificate isn't a like-for-like price.
Gates, HOAs and access
Many island communities control access at a gate and set rules for contractors and trucks: hours, parking, sometimes advance registration. Before you book:
- ask your community, and the one you're moving to, what a moving truck needs to get in;
- ask whether there are size limits or restricted hours;
- find out where the truck can park and how far the crew will carry;
- tell the mover about long walks, elevators or stairs.
Long carries and extra time at the gate are the most common reasons a move costs more than the quote.
The bridge and traffic
Traffic on and off the island builds at peak times, especially in summer and on change-over days for rentals. Ask the mover how it plans its route and timing, and whether its price is by the hour. If it is, a mid-morning start may cost less than one that sits in traffic.
Humid move days
The nearest NOAA station, at Beaufort, counts about 1,966 hours a year with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F. In that air:
- start early in summer;
- wrap wood furniture in breathable pads rather than sealing it in plastic for long periods;
- don't leave electronics, artwork or documents in a closed truck or storage unit in the heat;
- run the air conditioning in the new house before the furniture arrives, so it isn't moving into a closed, humid space.
Storm season
Beaufort's NOAA data lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 120 mph, and during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 the National Weather Service found storm surge reached more than 500 feet inland from the harbor at Harbour Town. If you're moving between June and November:
- ask the mover what happens to your date if a storm is forecast or the island is evacuated;
- get the reschedule terms in writing;
- don't leave belongings in a truck or a ground-level storage unit in a low-lying area when a storm is coming.
Getting a fair quote
- Ask for an in-home or video survey, not a phone guess.
- Get the quote in writing, with the crew size, truck size, hourly rate or flat price, and any charges for stairs, long carries, packing or materials.
- Ask how damage claims are handled and what coverage the mover offers.
- Make sure the agreement shows the mover's certificate details.