Square Cow Movers

Worst moving experience I have ever had! I was in the hospital for an organ transplant, but my lease was ending and i had to move. I contacted Square Cow and they were GREAT on the phone. I explained that I needed my entire house packed up and moved on a precise day. They said that was no problem and they would take special care given the fact that I was hospitalized.

2 days before the scheduled move, they call my wife and tell her that they have a scheduling problem and they are coming THAT DAY. She explains that she isn't ready for them and they tell here that if they can't come that day, the deal is off. It is too late to schedule anyone else, so we have to let them come and start packing.

They arrive, and right when one of the packers comes through our door he yells, "Aw F* C& no!" which did not give my wife much confidence. She called the company to talk to them about this and was told once again, if you don't like it, call someone else.

They threw everything in boxes with no regard for safety or fragile items.

Most of my tools were stolen.

So many things were broken, we almost couldn't count them all. Their breakage sheet allows for three items. We were told we could not create our own claim sheet beyond what theirs allowed for.

We ended up losing $18,000 worth of our stuff to theft and breakage and were told that's too bad.

They did not put any boxes in the rooms they were labeled for. 80% just got stuck in the garage. My wife was left to move them into the house by herself.

I cannot warn you enough DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! They are terrible and they realize that they are in control if you absolutely have to move on a certain day. They completely took advantage of us and stole so many of our valuables.

STAY AWAY!!!

Move size: 4 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6200

Knowing that things can go wrong with contractors and servicing companies, we researched and obtained 5 different quotes. Square Cow had a good number of positive reviews and the second highest quote, but we wanted to ensure a smooth move, so we went with them. Should any unfortunate events arise, we assumed it would be handled professionally and amicably based on the reviews we read. Our experience with this company has been one nightmare after another.

We provided Square Cow a full list of items we needed moved, which included our refrigerator, bedroom furniture, and a few other items (we left most of our furniture to stage our old home). Square Cow quoted us a 3-5 hour job. It sounded a bit too fast at first, but the salesperson assured us they do this all of the time and that they would send three experienced men.

Square cow sent one experienced mover (he was the lead), the other two movers were neither efficient nor effective. It was noticeable the three movers had not worked together previously. One mover admitted he had just started working for the company - he had to be shown and instructed every step of the way. The other mover said he was running on fumes with only three hours of sleep from the night before. The move took almost 12 hours to complete partly because they left behind our bed frame, which we had made a point to mention before they left for the new house. Due to their lack of experience, they had a hard time moving certain furniture items. Like our son’s toy shelf that had cubbies inside. At first they could not figure out how to carry the item up and said it was not possible. Then we suggested they take out cubbies, and then it was moved upstairs easily.

The following are examples of their careless actions that lead to the damages our new home sustained (I have included a few photos with this review):
1) The movers proceeded to forcibly push our refrigerator through the front hallway without paying attention to the walls and baseboards. They managed to cause severe indentations, deep scraps, and nicks on the drywall, baseboards, and several dents on the refrigerator. When placing the refrigerator on the dolly, the movers took many attempts to make it work which caused large indentations and deep scratches on the hardwood floors. The newbie had the dolly turned the wrong way and had a hard time coordinating with the other mover. The refrigerator was leaned on one side many times and left indentations and scratches on the hardwood floors.

2) As they moved larger pieces of furniture they would lose their balance and/or gripping which resulted in the items being placed down abruptly and unevenly or rested against the walls - this left nicks in the hardwood floors and black smudges/scrapes along the walls.

3) They would hit large furniture pieces against the walls as they were moving through the house - this left scratches, nicks, and damages in the walls throughout our home.

4) Furniture was not properly wrapped, padded, and secured properly which resulted in dents, missing chunks of woods, and scratches/scraps.

We contacted Michael, Square Cow Manager, immediately after the move. Michael instructed us to complete the claim paperwork (which we did). We provided over 30 photos of proof of damage. Michael dodged our phone calls and texts for a week. When we were finally able to get a hold of him we inquired about the who, what, and when in regards to the repairs. He said it would be best to hire our own contractor and we would be reimbursed thereafter.

After receiving a quote from a reputable company we put down a deposit to start the process, but Michael was dodging us again (each time we would schedule a sit down, he would cancel at the last minute). We had to show up at the office to get answers and that’s where we met the area manager, Chris. Chris came to our home a week later with a furniture repair person to assess the damages. Unexpectedly, Chris needed to come a second time with a different repair person for a second opinion. Three weeks go by with no resolution; finally they send a person out to repair the furniture only. As for the major damages to the walls, baseboards, doors, and hardwood floors, we were shoved a settlement check for a tenth of what it cost to repair on our original contractor’s repair quote to escape responsibility. Chris and Square Cow conveniently blamed the high repairs on pre-existing damages. We knew they would pull a fast one like this so we had all the areas damaged by Square Cow blue taped and asked the contractor to only assess these areas. To justify the quote our original contractor gave, we obtained several more quotes from other contractors – and these quotes are around the same price range and all the contractors said the same thing - our new home is a custom home and the materials used were of high quality. The lowball settlement offer from Square Cow is not enough to properly repair the damages sustained.

For them to deny those damages were caused by their movers is very upsetting. On the day of the move, we were in contact with Michael and brought the damages to his attention right after it happened. Michael spoke with the lead mover who confirmed what we already told him. He apologized for the bad job their movers did, their poor planning and offered us a discounted rate on our move as we were originally quoted 3-5 hours. Michael told us to file a claim and that their company would pay for the repairs. Square Cow is now weaseling their way out of responsibility with an unfair settlement and responding with low integrity throughout this process. If you use this company and damages occur, be ready to spend a lot of time and a lot of money to cover their failures.

We are trying to be reasonable and have given them ample opportunity to rectify the situation but now it has been 8 weeks and we are unable to repair the damages their movers caused and finish unpacking.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $775

This company does not care about their customers. The damage that was done to our home and furniture was extensive. A sconce was ripped off the wall, floors were left with gaping hole in them, a bannister was destroyed. Glass coffee tables were shattered. Wooden furniture arrived with gaping holes all over. They make you go to court and they refuse to take responsibility for their horrible blunders. The managers are dishonest and outright liars. The promises they make are blatant lies. The “settlement” they offered is a joke. Square Cow does not care about you nor your property. Do not consider using them. You will be sorry.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $9500

This company, from  Nic taking the first call for information, and Chuck and Jack as movers, was outstanding.  They were prompt, efficient, careful, easy to work with, and very polite.  We would use them again for any further move.  They completed the work in the estimated time, cleaned up after themselves, and placed objects where we requested.  They were careful to place furniture in the truck with least amount of movement possible and used wraps when needed.  They also had given good instructions from the beginning about how to prepare boxes, etc., and we had forgotten to wrap drawers on two objects and did with ease and no comment. Once again, this company was truly service oriented.

Service cost: $420

Aside from the usual scrapes and dents on my furniture that I've come to expect when I move simply because the movers just aren't careful enough, I had a worse than normal experience in this case. First, they dropped a piece of heavy furniture down the stairwell and it punched holes in 2 walls. Then, they dropped my Big Green Egg, shattering the porcelain smoker. After filing a claim for the damages: $200 to fix the holes in the wall, and $97.50 for the Egg (based on their standard liability of $0.60/pound) I received a check for exactly $50. I had to go through several more back and forth calls with them, telling them I refused to accept this amount and what amount I expected to receive. Finally I got a check for the correct amount. I understand accidents happen. But it just shouldn't be that hard to get reimbursement.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $1500

I hired Square Cow Movers to move me back to Houston after having had a wonderful experience with them moving to Missouri over 4 years ago. This move was the extreme opposite of my previous experience. Within less than an hour of arriving the driver was telling me my things wouldn’t fit in the truck, that I’d need to start deciding what went and what didn’t – something that both movers said happens a LOT in Houston, but getting a second truck is “easier” in Houston. He called his manager (O***** ) who informed me that they had based this move on my PREVIOUS move – from a 2-bedroom condo to a 3 bedroom house-information that was unavailable! If that were the case, then that alone leaves everything that happened after SQUARELY on their shoulders. Despite saying repeatedly in my booking call to error on over estimating needed space, I was left with 25% of my home left to move and had to hire another truck at an additional cost of $3581.53 over the $7950. Because my stuff is in storage I won’t know what damage is waiting inside the crushed boxes shoved into storage – and was told my another mover I called that to ensure I have resolution at that point I would have to hire them AGAIN.

I was told during my call when I booked the move that my information wasn’t in the system (system change/upgrade), so had to give it to the young lady all over again; no problem at that point. We did an inventory of my house, she reminded me of patio chairs/side table I hadn’t remembered, explained it was a 3 bedroom house, but not 3 bedrooms of bedroom furniture – but lots and lots of boxes related to my studio and repeatedly stated that we should over estimate rather than underestimate the size of the move. As the loading progressed, the mover was continually on the phone with O***** and the story began to change that I said I was moving TO a 2 bedroom apartment (moving to a one bedroom apartment while awaiting completion of a home here, the rest to storage), still not true and never happened. He repeated that they had based this move on the previous – again, if that were true, the error is entirely on Square Cow Movers. I was so distraught my brother called to speak with O***** who told him he’d call back “with good news.” O***** called me back and said I’d have to get a U-haul, which they would load, but my 79 year old mother or I would have to drive (I’m not physically able to drive long distance). With about 25% of my things still sitting in my house they said the truck was full. He also told me that the patio chairs in the garage were not included – false, 2 patio chairs were listed on the original inventory list of the first move and had been discussed on the call he repeatedly reference. I had paid about 50% more than first move – gas prices and larger space made perfect sense, but they are telling me they based the truck space/number on 4 year old information that is either a lie or a monumental mistake on their end as I wasn't in the system when I booked second move. I had to hire friends to get another truck to drive the 860 miles to bring the remainder of my belongings to me – at an additional cost of $3581.53. When we got to Houston the movers stuffed things into my storage unit – I could see already that furniture was scratched, dinged but no way of knowing what damage exists to the crushed boxes until I move to my home in December. I had planned to use them again for that move, but not after this disastrous experience. I spoke with another mover today and, to add insult to injury, the only way I’d have any recourse on damage lurking inside the storage unit is to REHIRE the company that has caused me so much emotional anguish and cost me so much more money for bungling the move from start to finish.

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $7950

This is the biggest BAIT AND SWITCH RIP OPP I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED

I was misled and rudely talked to by the movers that actually walked off of the job. When the truck was less than 3/4 full they said that can't get another thing on. I told them their manager and booker said that can take this move in one move- they aid they had to wait for the manager... so that sat down and waited for about an hour! I walked up the ramp, 2 of them were chain-smoking (vaping/oil and pot? )some smoked cigarettes - THE LAZY WIMP HE YELLED IM DONE AND walked off the job to smoke again!

This crew was very slow and one man kept saying he has stress problems and heart problems he stood there and WATCHED the other ones I asked him to come and help and he said he looked at the other crew and said he was busy doing something else. HE JUST STOOD THERE

The original quote for 1 truck - I complained and got a discount for $1500, but no receipt! I NEVER NEVER GOT A RECEIPT FOR THE $1,500 PAID ON MY DISCOVER CARD- Tommy said he will resend it-I looked in all email folders - STILL NO RECEIPT!

Girl/Lady in office CONFIRMED THAT they will be here on 8th to "FINISH THE JOB" THAT THEY STARTED

The 1st move was never complete. The manager had to show up, I was moving out of town, I was quoted that this entire move can be made in ONE MOVE and now- they changed the price on me again~!

The 2nd move was final and the crew was FANTASTIC and polite. I told the manager Thomas that I will pay up to $600 on the $977 bill that was given to me,

I was NEVER GIVEN A QUOTE for an estimated $977 But was given a 2nd quote for about $250. The second crew told my son in Austin they can get this moved for around $350 from there to Austin

I was agreeable to pay $500 to $600 and Thomas said all or he will call the police and have this listed as "theft of funds"

I WAS MISLED, GOODS OR SERVICES ARE NOT AS PROMISED, PRICES AND AGREEMENTS CHANGED, AND THE FIRST MOVE LEFT ME OUT OF TOWN MOVE AND NOT EVEN FINISHED

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $2500