Moving Tips Premier Moving Services

Step one: The most important part of your move is to take the time and go through your entire house and identify ‘any’ items that are no longer used or of value to you and sell them via a garage sale, second hand store or classifieds. A common rule of thumb to follow is anything that has not been used within the past twelve months should be sold or discarded. Take that newfound money and hire a moving company before cluttering your beautiful new home with things that haven’t been used in 12 months. Think of it as a fresh start.

Step two: Finding a reputable moving service. The first place to look is the Better Business Bureau. Companies voluntarily subscribe to be a BBB member and that usually indicates a higher standard of customer satisfaction. Decide whether you need a Full service provider, which will pack and move your valuables or a self-service provider, which moves and you pack. My personal preference is self-service. It’s less expensive and you ensure family heirlooms and fragile items are packed properly. Regardless of insurance policies, sentimental valuables just can’t be replaced.

Step three: Hiring a reputable moving service. Remember, It’s Always your Move! Interview three companies within your area. Try and keep a balance between your budget and the quality of service the company will provide versus the cheapest rates…caveat emptor. Overhead expenses for this industry can be expensive so a company that offers cheaper rates may have to cut costs in places like labor, equipment or their vehicles. These variables have a direct effect on your move. If the cost of labor is low then chances are the labor skills and productivity may be low. The same goes for the equipment or vehicles used. What happens if the truck doesn’t show or breaks down in the middle of the move? It may not cost you more but will cause a great deal of stress, as arrangements are made for another truck to transfer your valuables, which may take a few more days and more stress on your furniture.

How old are their trucks and are they clean inside and out. Most companies buy rental returns (pre 1990) and have difficulties arriving on time if at all.
Are their crews well groomed, uniformed and professional? A company that lacks pride in the appearance of their own crews and trucks will more than likely lack pride in handling your valuables.
Do their trucks have lift gates? It is much safer for crews to use a lift gate and can reduce stress on your furniture versus being bounced up/down a narrow ramp. Most companies will cut costs by eliminating this important piece of equipment.

Hidden Charges:

It is typical in this industry to hear of a travel fee, which is usually the hourly rate and helps companies recoup maintenance and fuel expenses.

Questions you should ask:

How much are they insured for customer loss and will they provide a copy of their policy

Do they offer flat rates

Will they provide a free 'written' estimate

Will they provide a set start time or a 4-hour window

Are their hourly rates inclusive of all materials used, such as:

o Shrink wrap (can be additional $5 per item)

o Stairs (can be additional 10-25% per flight)

o Weekends (can be additional 30%)

o Big Screen TVs (can be additional $40-$60)

Now you may get ‘Yes’ to all your answers over the phone and be unpleasantly surprised when the actual movers show up. So, it is very important to have everything you request in writing and don’t be afraid to dismiss the movers before or during your move.

Step four: Packing. Now you are heading down the home stretch. By reducing your overall household contents you have saved even more by reducing the number of boxes to purchase. Yes, purchase new boxes. Remember, you are only taking what is important to you so why place them in discarded beer boxes, used boxes from work or ones that are found behind grocery stores and may fall apart or be crushed. New boxes will secure your valuables, sustain being stacked and can always be resold to recover at least half of the original cost.

To help expedite your move and inevitably save more money:

Don’t pack boxes too heavy. The weight should not exceed 45 pounds and might incur an additional charge by some companies. In the long run it slows down the move by requiring two people to lift them and they are hard to stack in the truck.

Remember, every moving company has the right to refuse to lift anything that is too heavy or unsafe. If you wouldn't or couldn't lift it yourself then repack it.

Use newspaper, sheets and pillows to cushion fragile items

Label each box with new destination (kitchen, bedroom-1, bathroom) and clearly label all boxes that contain fragile items. This helps movers expedite the loading and unloading process. A reputable moving provider will always acknowledge fragile labels and load them on top of other boxes.

Moving Service vs. Do-it-yourself:

After looking at all a reputable moving service provides it is financially and emotionally sound to hire one versus doing it your self. Even if you haven’t raised money by selling some unused items your money will go further with a moving service. Here are a few items to think about for each option.

Do It Your Self

Most rental trucks are diesel and gas is at an all time high

Most rental trucks use ramps, which can be dangerous and hard on furniture

Most rental trucks have a mileage fee between .35 and .45 cents

Your time to rent a truck, fill it with gas, return the truck and get a ride home

Most rental trucks charge extra for blankets, shrink wrap, appliance dollies

What happens when friends put holes in walls or damage furniture

Chess Moving Company

Inclusive pricing

Proper equipment to efficiently do the job

Insurance in case of damage

No physical or emotional stress with lifting or renting/driving/returning a truck

What takes you two-days can be done in less than 8 hours

Everything is put where it belongs and not all in the garage

I wish you happiness and the best of luck in your new home.


	Moving Tips Congratulations! The house sold in less than a week and its time to move into the new one. So how can this be any fun and how much is it going to cost? The information provided will help you plan your move, find and select a reputable moving company, how to expedite your move with helpful packing tips and why hiring a reputable moving company is financially and emotionally better. Planning, Planning, Planning. It is evident that the Valley Real Estate market is booming. There are waiting lists and lotteries for new homes and resale homes are being sold in one day. This doesn’t leave much time to think about all the variables involved in moving so have a plan before you list your home. Step one: The most important part of your move is to take the time and go through your entire house and identify ‘any’ items that are no longer used or of value to you and sell them via a garage sale, second hand store or classifieds. A common rule of thumb to follow is anything that has not been used within the past twelve months should be sold or discarded. Take that newfound money and hire a moving company before cluttering your beautiful new home with things that haven’t been used in 12 months. Think of it as a fresh start. Step two: Finding a reputable moving service. The first place to look is the Better Business Bureau. Companies voluntarily subscribe to be a BBB member and that usually indicates a higher standard of customer satisfaction. Decide whether you need a Full service provider, which will pack and move your valuables or a self-service provider, which moves and you pack. My personal preference is self-service. It’s less expensive and you ensure family heirlooms and fragile items are packed properly. Regardless of insurance policies, sentimental valuables just can’t be replaced. Step three: Hiring a reputable moving service. Remember, It’s Always your Move! Interview three companies within your area. Try and keep a balance between your budget and the quality of service the company will provide versus the cheapest rates…caveat emptor. Overhead expenses for this industry can be expensive so a company that offers cheaper rates may have to cut costs in places like labor, equipment or their vehicles. These variables have a direct effect on your move. If the cost of labor is low then chances are the labor skills and productivity may be low. The same goes for the equipment or vehicles used. What happens if the truck doesn’t show or breaks down in the middle of the move? It may not cost you more but will cause a great deal of stress, as arrangements are made for another truck to transfer your valuables, which may take a few more days and more stress on your furniture. Things to look for in a moving provider: How old are their trucks and are they clean inside and out. Most companies buy rental returns (pre 1990) and have difficulties arriving on time if at all. Are their crews well groomed, uniformed and professional? A company that lacks pride in the appearance of their own crews and trucks will more than likely lack pride in handling your valuables. Do their trucks have lift gates? It is much safer for crews to use a lift gate and can reduce stress on your furniture versus being bounced up/down a narrow ramp. Most companies will cut costs by eliminating this important piece of equipment. Hidden Charges: It is typical in this industry to hear of a travel fee, which is usually the hourly rate and helps companies recoup maintenance and fuel expenses. Questions you should ask: How much are they insured for customer loss and will they provide a copy of their policy Do they offer flat rates Will they provide a free 'written' estimate Will they provide a set start time or a 4-hour window Are their hourly rates inclusive of all materials used, such as: o Shrink wrap (can be additional $5 per item) o Stairs (can be additional 10-25% per flight) o Weekends (can be additional 30%) o Big Screen TVs (can be additional $40-$60) Now you may get ‘Yes’ to all your answers over the phone and be unpleasantly surprised when the actual movers show up. So, it is very important to have everything you request in writing and don’t be afraid to dismiss the movers before or during your move. Step four: Packing. Now you are heading down the home stretch. By reducing your overall household contents you have saved even more by reducing the number of boxes to purchase. Yes, purchase new boxes. Remember, you are only taking what is important to you so why place them in discarded beer boxes, used boxes from work or ones that are found behind grocery stores and may fall apart or be crushed. New boxes will secure your valuables, sustain being stacked and can always be resold to recover at least half of the original cost. To help expedite your move and inevitably save more money: Don’t pack boxes too heavy. The weight should not exceed 45 pounds and might incur an additional charge by some companies. In the long run it slows down the move by requiring two people to lift them and they are hard to stack in the truck. Remember, every moving company has the right to refuse to lift anything that is too heavy or unsafe. If you wouldn't or couldn't lift it yourself then repack it. Use newspaper, sheets and pillows to cushion fragile items Label each box with new destination (kitchen, bedroom-1, bathroom) and clearly label all boxes that contain fragile items. This helps movers expedite the loading and unloading process. A reputable moving provider will always acknowledge fragile labels and load them on top of other boxes. Moving Service vs. Do-it-yourself: After looking at all a reputable moving service provides it is financially and emotionally sound to hire one versus doing it your self. Even if you haven’t raised money by selling some unused items your money will go further with a moving service. Here are a few items to think about for each option. Do It Your Self Most rental trucks are diesel and gas is at an all time high Most rental trucks use ramps, which can be dangerous and hard on furniture Most rental trucks have a mileage fee between .35 and .45 cents Your time to rent a truck, fill it with gas, return the truck and get a ride home Most rental trucks charge extra for blankets, shrink wrap, appliance dollies What happens when friends put holes in walls or damage furniture Chess Moving Company Inclusive pricing Proper equipment to efficiently do the job Insurance in case of damage No physical or emotional stress with lifting or renting/driving/returning a truck What takes you two-days can be done in less than 8 hours Everything is put where it belongs and not all in the garage I wish you happiness and the best of luck in your new home.
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