Best Moving Blog Best Blog In the Moving Industry

28Oct/090

Moving Guides

Do you want help with packing, want to hire/buy packing materials or simply want to pack up yourself?

It also means that somebody is with your possessions most of the time for added security.You must make sure that they not only explain your quote to you but that you get a full copy that includes any relevant terms and conditions, bills of lading etc.DO ask them about their insurance cover and claims protection and how far it extends (and doesn't!You should NEVER choose a moving company that doesn't have adequate insurance.You can even ask them for referrals from previous satisfied customers.The easiest way to do this is to mentally go through every room in your house, list the big items and then work out how many boxes it'll take to remove the rest of the stuff in the room.This is one of the times in your life when it really does pay to read the small print.If someone you know has had a good experience then copy it!If in doubt ask a couple of the moving companies for advice on how to estimate.How much stuff do you have?It's also important to get a quote in writing and to make sure that you completely understand how the quotation works.Don't just look at price but look at what they'll offer you for the cost.Examples include: * Your preferred moving dates * Are you looking to move locally, long-distance or, even internationally?For example, some moving companies won't cover you for damage if you pack goods yourself unless they play an obvious role in damaging them.You'll be surprised at how helpful they'll be - many will happily send estimators to your home to put together a quotation, especially if they price by weight.Many of us will simply pick a moving company from a Yellow Pages type directory or from an Internet search.Talk to your realtors or estate agents - they should be able to give experienced and knowledgeable recommendations.When you've drawn up a shortlist of potential moving companies you need to start the negotiation process.It's also good to ask how many people will be assigned to your move - the more there are, the quicker it'll go.But you should still beware - if you are at all suspicious, check out their membership.Some of us will simply choose a known name - i.

It's wise to draw up a quick list before you start talking to people, as you don't really want to be thinking on your feet here.You'll see the vehicles of certain movers time and time again and you can take some comfort from the fact that they are busy.How much insurance will you need?Don't worry about it being exactly right - the moving companies don't expect it.Talk to them about how long it will take to move you.You don't have to follow up on this but, if the company seem less than keen to let you talk to people they've dealt with in the past, then you need to start thinking hard about whether they're right for you.But it won't suit either of you if you get it completely wrong and they send a mini-sized vehicle for a juggernaut-sized job!Write down how many rooms you have, list big items of furniture and try to estimate how many boxes you'll be packing.Do you just want to hire a vehicle to move yourself?Don't forget to think about garden furniture and the contents of your garage!Do you need storage facilities?If a local moving company successfully moved your mother-in-law across town, they won't necessarily have the skills, resources and experience to move you internationally, for example.You can assume from this that they take themselves seriously and you can probably do the same too.You'll find a wide variety of costs and services out there and various types of pricing.Will you need the moving company to transport valuable or fragile items?Most people generally find that 3 is an ideal number - this gives you 2 people to do most of the loading/unloading and 1 to sort out the vehicle.It may be more cost effective to pay a little more to get more services.Some companies will charge you on an hourly rate, some by estimated volume based on the rooms of your current property, some by estimating what types of furniture and goods you need to move and others by the estimated weight of your load.In all cases, it's especially wise to choose companies that have taken the time and trouble to become accredited members of a moving association or trade body.If you're looking to move relatively close to home then a quick and easy way to spot local companies is to keep your eyes peeled on the street as soon as you start thinking about moving.Don't be afraid to ask them about how long they've been in business, their experience or for customer referrals.You do still need to be careful, however.The best way to find a reliable moving company is by recommendation or reputation.This list will help you get the best quotes, as you'll be able to be very exact about your needs.They will probably have to adhere to certain standards and you'll have recourse to action if you do have problems.When it comes to costs, you should be looking to get at least 2-3 quotes before you make a decision.

  • Share/Bookmark
28Oct/090

find the best moving company?

A salesperson from the moving company will walk through your home, making note of large furniture, breakable items like china and how much furniture needs to be broken down.You pay a certain amount, usually $4 to $9 for every $1,000 of your items’ value.

Anyone who’s ever used a moving company will have strong opinions about whether it was good or not.Most moving companies will offer a few options for insurance to cover items that are broken, damaged or lost.Movers aren’t perfect, so insurance is probably a good way to go.Even tackling a few boxes every weekend is worth saving the money.So after several weeks of researching companies and gathering estimates, here are my tips on shopping for a moving company: * As soon as your house hits the market, you’ll start getting promotional cards in the mail and phone calls.Get recommendations from friends and family.The rates go up on three-day holiday weekends, especially those that fall at the end of the month.I’ve even heard of people having packing parties where they get a few friends together for food and drinks and some packing.If not, choose an insurance plan based on the type of items the company will be moving.Look through them for interesting deals.Once you get a few estimates, figure out who your favorite is and ask if they can tweak their estimate to compete with the others.

All the moving companies I spoke to said they would consider bringing down the price to match estimates from similar businesses.Some of the best moving companies get business only through word of mouth, so you won’t hear about them through promotions or advertising.If you have lots of sentimental movers" class="kblinker" title="More about antique »">antiques, more coverage may be the best way to go.The last time my husband and I moved, we hired three guys who were recommended by a neighbor.Having a moving company pack your belongings will double the price of the move.Pack your own stuff, especially if your moving date is a few weeks down the road.My agent was able to get me a 10 percent discount with a large local moving company.We have grown-up furniture and a lot more of it.Get several in-home estimates.Things are a little different now with our second move.It was a little sketchy, but in the end our stuff arrived at our new house in pretty good condition.No company will be able to give you an accurate figure over the phone of how much it will cost to move your stuff.They showed up in an unmarked truck covered in graffiti to move our pitiful collection of furniture.Don’t forget to show them the attic, garage and basement.If you’re working with a local real estate agent, ask if they have any discounts or coupons with moving companies.But check with your own insurance policies to see if you already have coverage for moving damages.Research some of the names and see how they fare on consumer review services like Angie’s List.Moving companies kept telling me that my attic would be the most expensive part of the move because of how much stuff we have stored there.Don’t plan your move for a holiday weekend like Memorial Day or Labor Day.

  • Share/Bookmark
28Oct/090

Local Moving Services

Make sure the estimate is in writing and that its terms are understood, and check the small print for such things as responsibility for damages if the owner has packed the boxes.Moving from a small apartment with no major appliances or other heavy, bulky items would encourage services-help" class="kblinker" title="More about self »">self-moving, while a move across the country would likely merit hiring a moving company.Moving during slower times, such as Mondays, may qualify for a discount, so ask about receiving one.Moving a short distance is more likely to encourage a do-it-yourself approach rather than a move across the country, but local moving services have a lot to offer, depending on finances, time, and the amount of difficulty involved.

Even if the cost of doing it yourself is less than having it done by one of the local moving services, when your time, the expenses, and the inconvenience for yourself, family and friends is factored into the equation, self- moving might not seem like such a bargain.Also, if items are damaged during the move, the movers are responsible, whereas if your fine china is dropped and broken by your cousin you may not have any recourse.Undoubtedly, one of the advantages of professional movers is the saving of time and effort, but another advantage is the expertise that experienced movers bring to the job of moving your belongings.Doing a cost comparison is a good place to begin.When undertaking a local move consumers are likely to wonder if it would be better to hire one of the local moving services or do it themselves.The movers should be selected at least 4-8 weeks before the day you plan to move to ensure that the movers you want will be available.Before deciding on one mover, two or three quotes should be obtained; look at what is being offered for the price.Busy times for movers are at the end of the month, Fridays or weekends, and some companies charge more for moves at these times.If one of the local moving services is to be hired, finding a reliable company is important.

Calculate the cost of gas to transport household items, cost to rent a vehicle to carry loads if no suitable truck is available, time spent loading and unloading, and the need to recruit family members or friends to help with the heavy lifting, and hiring the work done may seem like a viable idea.The lowest price might not be the best value.Before contacting local moving services for estimates, it is necessary to list everything the mover is to do or provide, as well as information such as moving dates, type of move, whether the company is to pack and provide materials, what is to be done with very expensive or fragile items, and how much insurance will be needed.The Better Business Bureau can be consulted for information about the business, as well as referrals from family and friends, and references should be requested.

  • Share/Bookmark
27Oct/090

Moving Services

How to Find Them There are hundreds of different moving companies out there, and thus, finding the one that is right for your move can be rather confusing.There are a few simple things that you need to keep in mind if you want to get an estimate that is as close as possible to what the actual cost is going to be.Moving is a huge undertaking that can take a lot of time and effort.Are you ready to take this first step?

Make sure that the final estimate you receive from the company is binding.Getting Started Don't be afraid to ask a company for a more information.Getting an Accurate Estimate In order to make sure you budget enough for your move, it is important to get an accurate moving quote.Give the movers exact addresses rather than just cities.While the moving quote process only gives you a glimpse of a company, first impressions are always important.

Most good movers are happy to provide this service free of charge.In fact, this single event can quickly become one of the biggest events in your entire life.This estimate will enable you to see if the company is competitive in pricing and willing to provide services that you need.This way they will not be able to quote you a low price and charge you a much higher one.By following these simple steps, you can ensure that you are starting the relocation process on the right foot.Relay this information to the company representative.Take a careful inventory of all furniture and estimate how many boxes will be needed to pack your other goods.This will enable them to calculate the exact distance between your current home and your new one.Because there is so much going on, it is important that you make sure of the choices you are making.The easiest way to do this is to start with a long list of companies that function in your area.Remember, if a company is not willing to take the time to provide you with this free service, then they probably wont be willing to provide you with the relocation services you need either.What is this?From here, request a relocation estimate from each of these companies.It is important to keep notes regarding the dealings that you have had with each of the companies as well, as you do not want to trust your things to a company that gave you a bad impression.These quotes can range anywhere from very accurate to a simple ballpark figure.Moving quotes are simply a statement from a company letting you know how much your move will cost.While some companies will just give you a quote based on the distance of the move and the number of rooms in your current home, other companies are happy to send a representative out to your home in order to see exactly what needs to be moved.Choosing the right company to move your things is vital, and getting moving quotes can be the only thing that stands between you and disaster.Request a representative come out to your home to see what goods you actually have.Simply fill out our two step form in order to receive multiple moving quotes today, and get on the right track for a pleasant move today!As a potential customer, you should always come first.Different companies prepare their estimates in different ways.Using Relocation Estimates Once you have received multiple estimates from the companies that you are interested in, you will be able to eliminate some of the companies from the list.


  • Share/Bookmark
27Oct/090

Moving your Office

With a business, it is vital that all employees know what to expect.You can use color coded labels in order to instruct the movers in what items and boxes go where.Avoiding these problems can save the business both time and money, thus allowing a business to get back on track as soon as possible.Make sure that you have someone on hand that is knowledgeable in the field.Clean Out Before You Move There is no reason to take things with you that you don't need.Preparations Planning out your move when you are moving a business can help you to avoid many problems that might occur.If employees are in charge of their own workspace, then they need to have office dimensions so that they can plan out a way to organize their new space.Take measurements of your new office.This plan will show each individual employee the locations of furniture, plants, or other objects before they actually move.Make sure that every employee knows what the plan is and post a copy of the plan where all employees can view it at any time.This means that everyone involved needs to be let in on every little detail.Due to different layouts or sizes, you may find yourself moving people or things around so that everything fits in the best manner possible.Make sure that there are working elevators in your building or warn the movers that things will have to be moved via the stairs.Contents of desks, cabinets, and shelving all need to be packed in boxes.Moving experts often recommend giving yourself at least three months to plan, and conduct your moves" class="kblinker" title="More about corporate »">corporate move.Create a floor plan.Communication is Everything When it comes to any move, communication is the one aspect that can make or break it.I there are items that are not going to be moved, it is vital that you place labels alerting the movers to this fact.Cost efficiency is the number one goal when you want to move your business.

Movers are not responsible for lost or broken items in most cases, especially those of a personal nature.Moving Computers Since computers are always an important and expensive part of your office, it is vital that they are moved correctly.Following these simple tips will ensure that you are back up and running after a move in no time at all.Give your employees time to ask questions and get the answers that they need.There are so many more aspects involved when you move a business, and you should always provide ample time to complete everything that you need to complete.Make sure you note any difference between your new office and your current one.Moving also provides a great opportunity for an office overhaul.Moving your Office While moving your family can be a very stressful and difficult time, moving your business from one place to another can be exponentially so.Things tend to pile up when you get used to working in a certain space, but moving will provide your office with the chance to get rid of extra scratch papers, packaging materials, books, notepads, pens, furniture, or any other items that have become broken, or unused.One of the most popular methods is labeling.

Communicating with the Movers Communication is not only important within the office structure, but with the movers as well.It is vital to make sure that there is enough open space in which to move your furniture out of your current office and into the moving truck .This process can save a lot of time on the day of the move, and the more time you save, the more money you stand to save as well.This will allow you to see how all of the officer furniture will fit in your new space.Moving Non-Furniture Items Most furniture is large enough to be moved without packing it, but everything else in your office needs to be packed securely in boxes for the move.Make this Move Stress Free If you are careful, you communicate, and you create a plan of attack, this business move does not have to be stressful at all.Make sure that there is nothing in any of the furniture that you are moving.Any personal items that are going to be moved need to be taken by the person who owns them.In order to guarantee the most cost and time efficient move, we have compiled a few tips that you can use to plan out your next corporate move.It is also very important to communicate with your mover as to the details of your physical offices.You should always make sure that any labels you use are highly visible to those who will be moving your things.There are various methods that you can use in order to get what you need out of the movers.This will make sure that your machines are taken apart, moved, and reassembled in the correct manner.


  • Share/Bookmark