Why, when and how of writing a moving review

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Selecting a reputed moving company is probably the biggest decision to make during a move. By writing an honest and factual review of your movers, you’re helping millions of people just like you to choose a better moving company. Whether your review is positive or negative, it should always be genuine valuable information that helps the consumers to make a right decision. Moving review is mutually beneficial to both the consumers and moving companies that work hard service your moves.

Valuable reasons to write moving company’s reviews :

Moving review let you to take informed decision :

A genuine and information packed moving review doesn’t gain anything for the reviewer, but does help others make an informed decision. The best online reviews give you information about the professionalism of the crew and whether or not the packed boxes reached their final destination safely. Moving review let you know what to expect from the movers, since consumers have reasonable expectations regarding the scope of the moving company’s work.

It helps local small business movers :

The well known branded moving companies need not want any advertisements and promotions; they simply get hired based on their credentials. Local and small movers may not get hired, unless they are backed up with plenty of positive reviews. If you’re satisfied with the service of a lesser-known company, you can favor them by writing glowing positive review, so that their dedication and hard work will be rewarded with more business.

You can identify careless workers :

If you come across multiple negative reviews about a moving company, then that company is prone to a culture of carelessness. Keep in mind that there is no use in completing a move, if your belongings are damaged or disappeared during the moving process. Moving review informs you how well the moving company responds to damage and missing items.

Moving review help you get the best quote :

Finding a moving company at a reasonable cost is a daunting task. Moving review helps you in finding a cost efficient mover with excellent sense of customer service. Hiring company based on cost alone, may save you couple of bucks but safety of your belongings is ensured only by good professional moving company.

Moving reviews prevent scams :

If you’re choosing a mover based on their own website then you’re more likely to get scammed. Checking the moving company’s ratings in reputed transportation sites will prevent you from scam movers. You can bring more business to the deserving good moving company with powerful positive feedbacks and drive the bad ones out of business.

How to write a good moving review :

Approximate your information :

Don’t be super specific in giving your personal information, this way you can ensure your personal safety. Include approximate date, time and location of your move.

Mention about customer service :

Give clear idea to the reader about the effectiveness of their service. Do not forget to highlight the special qualities of your movers. Also, mention that whether your movers are courteous, loyal, helpful and answering your questions or gruff and rude.

Special mention to the punctuality :

Moving review should include how your movers handled the unavoidable situations such as traffic and unexpected weather condition, were your belongings shipped on time and do they maintain punctuality for all their appointments including estimate, moving day and delivery.

Notify the extra payment :

Let your readers know whether your move is within the estimated budget or you were subjected to any extra payment. By writing this issue, you can save number of consumers from fake movers. If you encountered any unusual procedure or unexpected elements, mention that also.

Rank your mover :

Assess your moving company based on satisfaction of their job service. Do not hesitate to recommend good moving companies to others.

Write the original fact :

In spite of all positive reviews, if you had a terrible experience with a high end moving company then you need to be bold enough to address it in your review. If you also felt that a dull company with negative reviews changed their state and doing good job, encourage them with positive feedback and suggest them to others.

Avoid derogatory language :

Though you witnessed tough situation with your movers, do not use derogatory language to describe your frustration on them. Resist your urge to use too many exclamation points or using profanity words as this may get you a disrespectful impression, despite of your true facts.

Employ detailed information :

Simply writing “good company” or “did great job” has no effect. Try to give detail information about the moving company’s involvement towards the work. When you’re posting your review, avoid spelling mistakes as the silly spelling and grammatical errors will make your narrative less serious.

Judge the situation :

Before writing anything ill about the movers, first judge whether it was an unavoidable accident or truly caused by moving crew’s neglect and carelessness. Movers have to overcome lot of difficulties and hurdles to gain good name, so it is not fair to judge them based on one single unpleasant event.

Give your own experience :

You can write review, only if you have been the customer of the moving company you are reviewing. Do not post reviews for your friend’s and neighbor’s experience, since you have to take full responsibility for what you’re writing as review content.

Take time :

A customer’s feedback is extremely valuable for a moving company. Their service gets improved based on public opinion only. So, take enough time to write moving review. Make sure that your information is crisp because readers do not engage in reading lengthy paragraphs.

Be forgiving :

If the moving company apologizes for their mistake and offer you reimbursement, accept it and call it a day. In an event of any unfortunate moving experience post your negative review only once; do not tempt to get into any nasty back-and–forth over the online review boards.

The moving review helps you to a greater extent, if you don’t have any personal recommendations for selecting moving companies.

Moving tips for local moves

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Whether you move across a country or across a street, moving is always a daunting task. Even, the Employee Relocation Council reported that relocation is considered to be the third most stressful life event. Lack of proper planning is the prime cause of moving stress. Here are few tips to save money and time when you’re moving locally.
Plan ahead :
Start the moving preparation as far in advance as you can, since it is time consuming and detailed process. In order to make your move ultimately simple and less hectic, activities such as, changing over your utilities, acquiring packing supplies must be done beforehand. Reserve the professional movers as soon as possible because last minute booking will result in unavailability of the movers and also you should pay a pretty steep price.
Concentrate on wise packing :
Spent ample of time in carefully packing your items, keep in mind that it is overwhelming to pack up the entire things in your home or apartment in one or two days, so pack well in advance. Before you start packing quickly sort through your belonging and unload the seldom or never used stuffs. The garage sale will fetch you some instant cash and eliminate the hassle of packing unwanted items. Ask for pre-used boxes from your movers and in case if you are doing the packing by yourself rent the plastic crates and moving supplies, instead of buying new one, this way, the money can be saved to greater extent. The safety of your breakables is ensured by padding it with bubble wraps.
Rental truck :
If you are relocating by DIY approach then you need a rental truck to shift your belongings. The rental truck companies charge you based on the mileage, if your move is short, you may save money by booking trucks that offer you cheaper rental rate. Be aware of the company’s insurance policies and what it actually covers, since, most of the companies offer you reimbursement with high deductibility and only covers certain types of damage. For instance, roof damage is quite common but it is often left out. By reserving the truck far in advance, you can ensure the truck availability and you can also choose your own convenient pick up and drop dates. While loading the items, first load the furniture and then heaviest boxes, thirdly load the breakable items so that during unloading process the breakables are unloaded first without getting damaged. Hire the truck based on the volume of the goods, renting smaller truck and making multiple trips makes you to end up with additional charges.

Label the belongings :
Labeling the boxes informatively helps you to keep track of your stuff. The hassle after the move can be eliminated by simply writing the room names on the boxes with marker so that it is easy for you to unpack the items and place it in appropriate place. Instead of manual labeling, the boxes can be labeled electronically by using mobile inventory software. The home inventory tools mobile app helps you to maintain a detailed database of your stuff. The encoded labeling with QR codes is another useful method. Since, it is annoying to fit the entire inventory on the label and you may also feel discomfort able to expose the content of your box, if it contains expensive items, in such cases the QR code labeling is a decent solution.

Look for helpers :
The moving can be miserable experience if you do it alone. Getting help from friends and neighbors makes the move much easier and faster. If you have enough friends, schedule your friends in shifts and get your work done, do not commit your friends to a full day of physical labor. For a local move, instead of hiring movers, getting help from friends and neighbors is a wise choice. Taking photos of the connections of your home appliances helps you to easily install it in your new home since these photos give you a detailed description about how the wires are connected.

Keep your essentials handy :
During peak season move, you may arrive quickly than your belongings, so keep your essentials such as spare dress, toiletries etc within easy access. In order to ensure the safety of your laptop, it is always advisable to transport it along with you, this way you can minimize the risk of getting it damaged or stolen during the move.

Cut down the boxes :
Trashing the unwanted items makes the packing process easy and it also reduce the number of card board boxes. The professional movers charge by volume of your goods, purging your possessions helps you to save money. Moving is the great time to unload the unneeded furniture, sell it on Craigslist. Do not forget to make a prior visit to your new residence before the move to ensure that the furniture properly fits into your new home to avoid unnecessary frustrations.

Prepare moving checklists :
A stress free moving can be experienced by preparing a checklist that covers every aspect of your move. Check list helps you to carry out the moving process in a well organized manner and the risk of missing things is greatly minimized.

Hire professional movers :
DIY approach or involving friends in moving process may save your money but the safe move is provided only by the professional movers. The unfortunate injuries during the moving process can be eliminated by hiring professional movers because they have undergone rigorous training on moving process and they stick to moving ethics. Do online research and find out the suitable movers, who fits into your budget. The selection process can be made much easier by getting referrals. Before choosing the moving company, get quotes at least from five companies, in this way you can hire a cost effective movers. Once you select your moving company sign a contract with them and the agreement should list all the needed supplies, number of trucks, total cost and the total number of boxes you are loading inside the truck etc. While signing the contract ensure that you sign a filled agreement without any blanks, to avoid the moving scams.

Invaluable moving tips for college students

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The moving experience can be both exciting and stress full for a college student. It is quite challenging for students to leave behind the comforts of home in favor of a cramped dorm room. With organized packing and a support team to help with the move, the hectic moving process can be made simple. Here are few tips that help the students to set up their new living space with minimal stress and hassles.

Do not over pack :

Keep in mind that the dorm room is a small living space and you can’t stuff everything you bring, so keep your packing simple. Pack your belongings in suit cases or sealed cartons, since, it can be moved easily and quickly. To avoid unnecessary frustrations, do not bring loose belongings. During the peak season move, the shipped belongings may not be immediately available, it is wise to pack the essentials in a separate box and bring it with you, instead of shipping. Label your boxes with your name and address both inside and outside, this way you can reduce the possibilities of getting your box missed or mixed up with other’s belongings. If you want to bring some furniture, opt for bean bags and small disassembling type chairs. While packing electronic items, pad it with bubble wrap to protect it from damage. In order to make unpacking easier, pack the similar items together. The over sized boxes are hassle to carry, so don’t get yourself into trouble by over packing.

Shipping of the goods :

Hire reputed shipping agent and insure the goods before shipping, signing contract helps you to avoid the moving scams. Ensure that the company is offering reasonable quote and do not forget to mention it in the contract. Unless you’re moving overseas, the most inexpensive method to get your stuff from home to college dorm room is rental cars. This self serving move is highly cost effective, since, you’re not paying for any movers and you are reducing your work load by getting help from friends and neighbors.

Keep tools handy :

Being prepared with tools and other helpful extras such as screws, screw drivers, hammers, nails etc, will help you to set up loft for your bed or assemble furniture. You can also make simple repairs by using these handy tools. Keep in mind that the comforts of home are not available in dorm room, keeping the useful tools within access will smoothen your move-in process.

Consider the weather :

Before your move be aware of the prevailing weather conditions of your new living space and pack the seasonal clothing accordingly. If you have chosen a late fall move then the climate will be very cool, packing light weight sweaters, long sleeved shirts and jackets helps you to get rid from the feel of shivering.

Toiletries and bedding :

The toiletries are very essential wherever you go, since; you start your day with toiletries such as tooth paste, brush, soap, shampoo etc. your mom is not going to do your laundry anymore, so pack yourself with enough detergents. It is good to pack both toiletries and bedding far in advance. Your day ends with bedding, so it must also be given paramount importance. Accompanying blanket, linens, mattress cover and pillow will give you feel-home comfortable.

Avoid hazardous materials :

Do not pack hazardous materials that are flammable such as kerosene, gas lamps, immersion coils and open coiled appliances. These items catches fire easily, you’re safety is ensured by prohibiting these harmful materials.

First- aid kit :

The first aid kit containing band-aids, pain reliever’s helps you lot when you’re outside your home. Untreated small wounds will end up with severe pain; keeping first aid kit handy favors immediate medication to injuries.

Resist shopping :

Instead of prior shopping, it is best to shop with your roommates after your move. Advance shopping will end up with stocking up on the necessities that you won’t need. When you shop with your roommates, you can split the cost and buy things, which are actually needed. Making prior visit to your dorm room, give you an idea what should be brought and what should not be brought, this way you can save both money and time.

Move-In day :

For a peaceful moving experience, plan your move on mid-week date, avoid weekend move, when everyone else will be moving for a vacation. In order to protect yourself from the scorching heat, opt for early morning or evening move. Your college may offer limited dollies, bringing your own dolly, makes the transport job simple and save you from long waiting times. Since, most of the moving happens in summer, follow a strategy for unloading. Ensure that you load the temperature sensitive items last, so that you can unload it first.

Give preference to utility services :

Setting up the essential utilities such as phone, cable and internet before the moving day, helps you to get rid from unwanted last minute frustrations.

Look for discounts :

Several stationary and grocery shops, moving companies and restaurants offer discounts for students. It is wise to carry your college I.D wherever you go and make use of these offers. Sort out your belongings and find the items that you seldom used and opt for a garage sale or yard sale, which fetch you instant cash. As a student save money whenever and wherever you can, this way you can ensure that your expense do not exceed your planned budget.

Organize your activities :

Once you moved in, first and foremost thing you want to do is decoration. Make sure that you give more preference for arranging your couches, beds and closets, instead of hanging posters and pictures. Develop a floor plan of your apartment or dorm room, before arranging your furniture, so that you need not break your head, to get them rightly placed. Placing the big items in the appropriate place, before the fun stuff goes on walls and shelves, makes your living place clean and tidy.

By following the above guidelines you can eliminate the stress and hassles of moving and make your successful moving experience a memorable one.

Tell us about your moving experience by submitting reviews about moving companies.

10 things to consider before hiring a professional mover

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Much of the stress that comes with moving can be relieved by knowing and understanding your rights, before hiring a professional mover. Even, the moving companies are required by the law to provide their customers with federal publications explaining the moving process, in addition to their rights and responsibilities. Being aware of your rights, helps you to stay away from moving scams and make your moving experience a blissful one.

Ask for proper Estimates :

The moving company provides you with three kinds of estimates:

Binding: The final price of the move may exceed the estimated cost.

Non-binding: The final cost must be exactly the estimated cost.

Guaranteed-not-to-exceed: The final cost must be lower than the amount in the estimate.

You can select your comfortable estimate and make sure that the estimate is in writing, rather than verbal. Insist on on-site estimates and avoid upfront payment of cash. Deal with the moving company that inspect your home and prepare in-home estimates because only scammers tell their estimate over phone and demand extra fees by holding your belongings. As per “Consumer Protection Act”, it is offence to hold customer’s possessions, you can file a complaint against your mover and they will be punished under the section of “paid under protest”.

Consider the contracts :

To protect yourself from getting cheated, make sure that the estimate quoted by the moving company is a part of your contract, so that mover cannot charge you more than the quoted cost. The contract must include mover’s name, permanent address, description of their services, cost of the move, date of delivery, size and value of items that should be moved etc. Under the law of CPA (Consumer Protection Act), the contract must be in writing and it should be signed both by the customers and the movers.

Bill of lading :

The bill of lading is a receipt, which is issued by the movers to the consumer, after loading the items in the trucks. This receipt contains the information about the owner of the goods and all other estimates must be attached to it, before commencing the shipment. The moving company should also give inventory of house hold items, when loading the items in their transportation vehicle.

Reimbursement for your lost or damaged goods :

The moving company takes full responsibility for the damaged and disappeared items, during the move. All the moving companies have three levels of reimbursement options.

Minimal reimbursement: You are paid with 60 cents per pound for the items that is lost or damaged during the move.

Depreciated value: You are paid with the actual value of your goods.

Replacement value: The moving company will be ready to give anything that you declare as replacement.

It is mandatory for the moving company to specify the level of reimbursement for the damaged items in the service agreement, if they do not mention then they are liable to give full replacement value. The moving company is also liable to repair your damaged items, instead of replacing it with new one.

Claim for loss :

If you notice that any of your belongings are missing or damaged, you can file a written claim against your moving company, and the company should provide coverage for your loss, within 30 days. Once they receive your claim, the moving company will send you an acknowledgement receipt within 15 days. If the claim is not filed within 60 days after shipment, the company need not pay for the customer for the damaged goods.

Inquire the moving company :

Don’t hesitate to inquire your moving company about its insurance policies because most of the companies have policies that do not cover the items that you have packed. Ask your movers to show the storage space that they are using to store the items, this way you can ensure the security of your goods and minimize the possibilities of additional charges. Verify the license of your moving company to check its reputation. Dealing with licensed and insured company makes your relocation process easy.

Ask for copies of the documents :

Before signing any agreements, make sure that you read the entire agreement, also check no page is left unwritten. Ask for copies of all the documents you sign, especially bill of lading, which contains the entire details of the transaction and avoid dealing with the companies that refuse to give copies of the documents.

Get written “Order for Service” :

Getting the order for service in writing will save you from charge disputes. If you want to shift the items that are not included in the service agreement, then you can ask your company for “order for service” option, in which they shift the extra items for additional payment. Make sure that the order for service is written, to avoid ending up with doubling of the cost after the move.

File complaint :

The dispute with the company can be solved by writing a complaint letter to the company, explaining the issue, if they are not ready to hear your problem then a complaint can be filed against the moving company in the official website of the transportation department www.puco.ohio.gov. The PUCO (Public Utilities Commission Ohio) will help you in resolving your complaint with the moving company.

Be aware of moving scams :

Do online research and find minimum three professional moving companies in your locality and get multiple bids, so that it is easy for you to choose the right mover, who fits into your budget. Look for companies that have been in moving process for at least ten years. During peak season, scammers come out large in number, so checking the reputation of your moving company is very important. If you suspect your movers, call BBB (Better Business Bureau) and check the rating and the number of complaints your movers has on file. If you’re aware of fake movers and have knowledge about moving scams, then you’re less likely to get scammed.

By knowing your basic rights and responsibilities, you can make your move hassle-free.

Ways to avoid scam movers

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Whether your move is short term or long term, it’s over whelming and usually takes place during a busy time in your life. Now-a-days, the moving industries are much prone to scams. There are many unscrupulous movers, who hold your belongings and demand more cost than the estimated one. Hiring a scam mover is like leaving your home unlocked when you’re on a vacation. Here are some basic guidelines, which helps you to avoid scam movers.

Don’t let the moving company to hold your belongings:

The scammers come out in large numbers during summer, the busiest season for the moving industry. The scam movers do not stick to the quoted cost, they will double the estimated amount with no validation, and if you refuse to pay the extra amount, they hold your belongings. This is similar to “hostage” situation. Insisting on an on-site estimate and choosing a reputable moving company are the best options to get rid from moving scams and charge disputes.

Check the mover’s credentials:

Approach the company after a quick check on the company’s previous moves and licensing policies.

If you hire a moving company for your relocation, it is good to pay a prior visit to their office and meet the movers in person, since many disreputable movers are operating from fake address. Look for a company that offers transport truck for your move, the companies without their own rolling billboard is a definite red flag. During peak season move, you may come across many unlicensed, inefficient, jump-up moving companies, so before hiring, check out the reviews of your movers. In order to protect your items from getting damaged or disappeared, it is recommended to get everything clearly written from the movers, before boarding your belongings on the truck because scam movers refuse to put everything or anything in writing. You can also check the authorization of your moving company by verifying its Pro-Mover certificate, issued by AMSA (American Moving and Storage Association).

Aware of your insurance liability:

The Law says that for damaged or lost goods the movers are required to cover up 60 cents per pound, you can even claim additional amount based on the nature of damage. Sign up for extra insurance for the most valuable possessions. Make sure that your moving company has proper insurance norms by checking in protectyourmove.gov, an official site of the Department of Transportation, which gives information such as moving company’s license number, insurance policies, number of drivers, number of trucks and service ratings. This site helps you to identify the fake movers, who charge upfront for moves and give estimates over phone or on-line.

Ask for references:

Relocation is not a one-man’s affair, so ask your friends and neighbors, who have recently shifted, to refer a reputable movers. Even real estate agents are a great source for finding reputable movers. If you are hiring a moving company found online, ensure that the address published in their website, really exists. Prepare a list of services you need and hire a mover who can accommodate your needs at reasonable cost. Your money can be saved by getting multiple estimates and ensure that the estimate is done at your home.

Double check the moving contract:

Make sure that your agreement is listed with all the details of your transaction that includes delivery date, needed moving supplies, and a complete list of your belongings that you’re going to move and don’t forget to mention the cost quoted by the moving company to avoid unnecessary arguments at the end of your move. It is also mandatory to specify that no additional fee must be charged by drivers as tips or for other allowance. Before you sign a contract, it is important to know your company’s claim process, whether they have their own claim agent or outsource it to a third party. In order to stay away from scammers, never sign contract with blanks, always ensure that the agreement is filled before signing it.

Employ binding estimates:

Look for companies that offer binding estimates, where the final total cost should not exceed the estimate price. The binding estimate, financially safeguard the customers and reduce the addition of multiple fees, after the shipment of the goods.

Be available:

Spent ample of time with the movers and constantly monitor them while hefting your furniture and other valuables. Most of the scam movers abandon your belongings in a private storage facility and fold up shop, while you’re awaiting the delivery. So, being in the premises, will save your possession from getting damaged or disappeared, also be in touch with the movers throughout your move.

Stay away from moving brokers:

When you deal directly with the moving company without any intermediate brokers then you’re less likely to get scammed. Many fake brokers, doing on-line scam by setting up fake slick- looking websites.

Don’t load your goods in unregistered trucks:

The reputed moving companies have their trucks etched with their company logos. The trucks that are left unnamed and movers dressed in un-uniform are the clear indication of scammers. After unloading the goods from the truck, open the box in presence of the movers, to check for obvious damage, if any, you can deduct your moving charge.

Pay for weight not cubic feet:

Make sure that your movers are charging you by considering the weight of your goods, instead of the space occupied by your belongings. When it is charged for weight, we can cross check the cost by measuring the volume of the goods whereas it is difficult to do the same when charged based on the space occupied by the belongings.

Don’t pay cash before the move:

If you settle the deal by paying cash before your move, and if the company does not provide you the receipt, then there is no evidence of the paid transaction, and the moving company can disappear with your possessions, pretending that no transaction ever happened.

You can enjoy hassle free move by being aware about the common scams carried by the movers and by following the above tips you can end up with a secure and sound relocation at reasonable cost.

Moving strategies during peak season

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The peak season is a challenging time for both movers and moving companies. The term “peak season” often implies summer time. When the season gets warmer, families will move for vacation. People often choose to travel in summer, in order to avoid accidents during winter due to slippery roads and snow. During this period the moving companies should compete with each other to provide services to people who are moving for a break. For a hassle-free moving experience, it is good to plan early. With the well organized pre- planning, you can beat the moving rush.

Reasons:

Climatic conditions:

The summer season is preferred by movers because it offers a safe and easy driving experience reducing the risk of accidents that are caused by snow filled roads and frozen hands and feet. It is very difficult to relocate from one place to another in snow storm or freezing temperature, hence summer is the best time for moving.

Seasonal work:

Many people move in summer, in order to find temporary employment. So, to stay close to their work place, they need to relocate. Companies usually shift their employees in warmer months, when the business encounters temporary decline.

End of the academic year:

Summer break gives a good chance for the children to relocate, to find new school near the newly shifted residence.

Real estate:

There are more number of houses for rent in later spring than autumn season, which gives wide choice to choose your appropriate home.

Reduction in moving cost:

In order to attract customers, many moving companies offer excellent discounts during summer, when the number of relocates reaches its peak.

Whale of time available:

Since it is a vacation period, you can spend plenty of time in arranging and organizing your move. The possibility of missing items and making hasty decisions are reduced to a great extent.

Tips to prepare for peak season move:

Early planning:

Booking your move prior with a moving company is the best way to make sure everything will go as planned.

Planning as early as possible is the key for a successful move. If you are going to relocate during the peak season, it is good to book the moving company, a month early. Through early reservation of the moving company, you can set up a convenient pick-up-date. Always keep in mind that the delivery date is not guaranteed during peak season. It is advisable to visit the moving company a week before the agreed date, to ensure everything goes smooth according to the plan. It is also important to confirm the availability of professional moving crew on the prescribed date.

Do conscious packing:

There is great demand for moving supplies during peak season. The packing process can be carried out easily by using the moving materials like packing tape, bubble wrap, padding items, tape dispenser, cardboard boxes, and moving blankets etc. For proper and efficient packing, keep the moving materials handy. Start the packing process a week before the moving day. Spend at least couple of hours every day to pack your valuable possessions, in order to avoid hectic last minute packing. Get lists of non-allowable items that cannot be shipped by your moving company and don’t waste time in packing them.

Choose trustworthy movers:

The moving professionals from a trust worthy and reputed company can reduce the laborious work of relocation process to a great extent. But selecting a trustworthy mover is a great deal. Get quotes from several moving companies in your locality and select the best one that fits into your budget. The business of moving companies, shoots up during the peak season, they are liable to sign up for more jobs. So, ensure that the mover’s trucks and other requirements for moving are appropriate, to avoid unfortunate conditions. During peak season it is possible to get caught into the “moving scam”, so double check the documents of the movers.

Avoid hazardous materials:

When moving in hot summer months, avoid carrying hazardous materials that explode or catch fire easily. For instance, if you’re relocating your gas cylinder in hot summer, it gets overheated and may explode. Don’t pack materials that can melt at high temperature, as it can spoil or warp the container.

Consider the weather:

It is very important to stay cool and hydrated, if you are relocating in hot summer. Keep in mind that the scorching heat is going to accompany you throughout the moving process. So, dress in light –colored and comfortable clothes, on moving day. Consume plenty of water, as it keeps you hydrated. In between the moving process, intake of the wholesome snacks, granola bars and fruits, helps you to retain energy. If you or the movers involved in relocation process feels too hot, placing cold wet towel, on the back of the neck, lowers the body temperature and gives quick relief from heat. Moving in hot sun may cause discomfort to your skin. Protect your skin from sunburns and tanning by using quality sunscreen lotion.

Boost yourself periodically by drinking water or other energy drinks. Avoid aerated drinks while moving.

Prepare essentials box:

During peak season your shipment may be delayed, due to busy roads and limited storage spaces. You may arrive at your new residence before your belongings, so ensure that all your essentials travel with you. Prepare a separate essentials box that includes all the items you require to survive for a week. By doing this, you can survive in your new home immediately, without expecting the arrival of your belongings.

Be self-sufficient with packing materials as during seasonal time these are first to go out of stock!

Mind the documents:

Don’t forget to carry your relevant papers and documents, while moving in high season. Always make sure that your professional movers also carry their license, vehicle registration and insurance papers. Retrieve the medical and school records; notify your change of address to neighbors. So that it is easy for you to access your postal letters, payment bills etc.

Prefer early morning move:

During summer, the heat intensity is too high. So try to load all your possessions in the truck before the sun rise and move as early as possible. It is wise, if you get your truck parked in front of the home the night before you leave so that you can start loading your household items in evening or before the dawn of the sun.

By following the above strategies, your relocation process during seasonal time becomes easy and blissful.

Moving on tight budget – Saving money tips

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The moving process is daunting, especially for those, who are on a tight budget. Shifting all your belongings from a current place into a new location without dropping a ton of cash is a big task. The relocation stress can be avoided by paying special attention to financial aspects of the moving process. Here are few strategies for optimizing the moving expenses and planning a move without breaking the bank.

Plan about your budget prior and make a move

Be calculative about each thing to be carried along. Deduct moving cost as much as possible.

Hire professional movers:
It is an optimal choice to hire professional and reputed movers. There is always a misconception that DIY moving reduces money, rather than hiring movers. The efficient movers can significantly reduce the amount of time that the move takes, which in turn saves money. The fabulous features of movers include speedy service, well-planned, organized and executed move and they are equipped with the basic requirements such as trucks and tools.

How to choose affordable movers:
• Surfing:
Through online, search for the best moving companies in your locality. The Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and the Angie’s list serve you for this purpose.
• Get multiple bids:
In order to save money, ask for bids from at least five companies, so that it is easy for you to compare the rates and choose the suitable one, which fits your budget. Opt for a company that gives you cost reduction offers.
• Consider license:
Most of the moving companies are liable to false insurance and security policies. The probability of loss of your possessions may be limited by considering their license and security policies.

Saving on moving supplies:
The affordable packing supplies can be obtained by doing online shopping. Instead of using bubbled wrap, use crumbled news paper to pad the breakable items. Use your own blankets and linens for padding, since renting those things may burden your expense. The usage of previously used boxes for packing will cut down your moving expense to a great extent. If you’re going to use tape dispenser only for short term, then borrow it from your friend or neighbor, instead of buying a new one.

Save money by purging the possessions:
The moving quotes are calculated depending on the volume of the items that needs to be shifted. It is important to sort through your belongings and get rid of those you do not wish to carry. This activity consumes some time but saves a considerable amount of your money.

Saving on transportation:
You need to rent a truck, if you are moving by yourself. Even though, your move is temporary, if your belongings are more than the space in the truck, then separate storage units are necessary.
• Go for combo deals:
There are some storage companies, which offer storing units along with the trucks and rental vans. Choose those types of companies for cost reduction moves.
• Rental trucks:
Rent a suitable truck, based on the volume of your belongings. Renting a small truck and making multiple trips will gobble your money and slow down your move. Stock the easy to move stuff such as towels, clothes and linens in your own car, so that you can find enough space to load the bulky items in truck. This reduces the number of trucks you’re using to shift your belongings.

Earn from unwanted stuff:

Sell unwanted items at discounted price to raise money for moving !

The items, you have never used can be unloaded while you are moving. The garage sale will fetch you money. Try to sell unwanted papers and books, so that it will reduce the time and hassle of packing unwanted items. Selling old boxes are a great source for money, keep some for packing and sell the rest for reasonable cost. Shifting furniture from one place to another is a great deal. If you’re having enough furniture, make sure that it fits your new home else sell the extra furniture to neighbors and friends. Some house hold utensils are fragile in nature, packing those items by using bubble wrap and card board boxes consume time and cash. Instead of carrying such breakables along with you, selling it for a good cost is always a wise choice.

Cut down trip expenses:
• Plan your departure:
It is advisable to stay in a hotel or motel, the previous night before you depart. If you look for a suit rooms then obviously you’re going to waste money. If space permits, you can unroll the sleeping bag and sleep in your living room itself.
• Food while traveling:
Try to stick with foods that balance your intention of saving money. If you are a health conscious person, avoid junk foods and road side eateries, since these inadmissible foods may harm your health and create discomfort while traveling. The pre-prepared homemade food will reduce your expense. The homemade energy bars, juices and sandwiches makes you feel refreshed at minimal cost.
• Shop in dollar store:
The dollar stores are an excellent place for shopping, if you are on a lean budget. The cleaning supplies and toiletries for your new home can be bought from these simple stores.

Plan ahead:
If you’re relocating to new apartment or home, talk to the landlord, property manager or a real estate agent regarding the facilities such as cable and internet connections. You can even get those services through online booking but consulting them will fetch you these services at much reasonable cost. Make a prior visit to the new home before shifting, to ensure that the furniture fits through the doors and walls of your new residence. If you suspect that it is not possible to fit then remove those doors ahead, to avoid unnecessary questions and charges from the movers.

DIY home repairs:
DIY (do it yourself) strategy will help you to save money. The simple home repairs and installation works, which are carried out by us, will lighten our budget burden. The new home may be structurally sound but to make it livable, it requires a bit of sprucing up. So, it is always advisable to keep the tools handy. By doing a self employed home repair, you can save huge amount of money.

List of best moving apps for a smart move

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Moving apps:

Before the invention of smart phones, it was quite difficult for anyone to relocate from one place to another. Now-a-days smart phones have become an invaluable side kick to explore new things by providing many applications. Among them one of the most useful types of application is moving applications. Theses apps are versatile in providing guidance and relevant information for the user in creating check list, searching for the best moving companies and generate unique bar code that can be attached to the boxes that helps to track the box. With these moving apps it is easy to accomplish the moving process from start to finish. The main purpose of inventing these apps is to lighten the moving work load.

Some of the available moving apps:

Move match:

Move match can run only in android platform. It is available for free of cost, helps in determining the total volume and weight of your shipment and forwards the same to the movers explaining them where to drop the box. The probability of getting items missed is greatly reduced through this app. The relocation process becomes much easier through the detailed and intuitive information provided by this mobile application.

Screenshot of Move Match application showing results of companies sorted by country

Moving planner:

If we do the checking process manually we tend to do mistakes. This mobile application actually acts as a “check list”. Moving planner remains one of the popular applications among other moving apps since it displays numerous household items that are likely to be packed up. It helps in organizing your move in a right way.

Moving guru:

Moving guru is the prescribed app for searching professional movers. It is highly customized from other apps by providing acknowledgement to the users. “We’ve moved” notification is sent to the user which ensures them that their belongings are moved safely. An instructional moving tips video is provided which guides the user on how to shift items in your living room, kitchen, dining room and bed room. It is a good choice for home movers.

Moving day:

Moving day is the top ranking app. The regular process of label making involves entering and scanning the bar code manually which takes enough time, followed that label must be taken print out and then it is attached to the containers. The craze for moving day application has increased due to its unique in-built scanning process.

My move:

My move is developed by World Media Group. It is a free of cost app which helps in calculating the weight of your items and also provides valuable information for choosing suitable movers with proper reviews. Simplified design and quick responsive functionality are the two pillars of this moving organization application. The cool feature it has is the automatic sorting ability for your search criteria, to have easy access to the information you are searching for.

Let’s storage:

Let’s storage is an expert in supplying professional relocation assistance. The usage of this app increased in short span of time. It allows you to estimate the total space required to store the items. The displayed estimated space for the items is very essential for renting a truck. The tracking of the items is also easily done.

Moving van:

Moving van is a user friendly app. The export of the inventory list and the record of exact contents of each box are done easily through this app. Inventory list in PDF form can also be accessed with the help of moving van. This is an appropriate app for those who seek convenient shipment.

I-moving:

The traditionally used moving app is I-moving. While shifting getting an affordable moving company is a big issue. I-moving makes this job easier by offering proper moving quotes, so that it is easy for the user to choose the company which fits into their budget. Make sure that you opt for a proper licensed and insured moving company based on the performance ratings.

SmartStop self storage’s inventory tracker:

The items inside the storage locker can be easily tracked with the help of this I-phone application. The instant information it furnishes renders helping hands in providing safety for your costly possessions but you need to pay for it. If you look for a more practical tool then the unanimous choice is this app. To make your move little smarter, they have a unique feature, QR Code Scanner.

Screenshot of SmartStop inventory Tracker displaying its QR Scanner feature

Move advisor:

The brand new moving app is moving advisor, which has the capability to impress every one with its elegant design and easy to use functionality. The ACTION button is the extremely useful feature it posses. For example, once you tap the ACTION button underneath reserve the truck, you are provided with options of top five truck rental companies. This free app is currently available only in android devices but the manufacturers assure the availability of this moving app in I-phone and I-pad very soon.

Sortly:

This is an “ultimate organized app” that enables the features like creation of custom label and QR label. The valuable possessions are well organized with visual inventories through sortly app. A prior check list is offered so that it is easy for the user to plan what should be done before the moving day.

State farm move tools:

It is a highly interactive and visually appealing moving app launched by an insurance company state farm. The supreme aim of this move tool is to assist an easy home move. The contents of the box can be edited at any time; this feature makes the labeling process much easy. The packing process can be started from wherever you want; all you need to do is just drag the items from the pre-defined inventory list available on the top of the screen.

The above showcased mobile applications will help you to make the tedious relocation process easier. It can be undoubtedly stated that moving apps are crucial in your moving adventure.

Checklist of important things to carry on a moving day

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Getting ready for a move is not an easy task. It involves a series of important issues that needs to be focused. To end up in a successful journey, moving preparation is very vital. Stressful moment of relocation can be avoided by following three things 1.discover the purpose of journey 2.time management 3.carrying the essentials required. Moverrankings helps you to make your move easy by listing out the essentials to carry while moving.

Labeling cartons for ease when unpacking stuffs

Packing supplies:

While moving from one place to another safeguarding our breakable items is a big issue. As some of the household utensils are highly fragile it is recommended to use spare card board boxes accompanied by packing tapes. The color coded packing tapes helps you to find out which box placed to be where. The packing tape dispenser is also very useful in reducing your packing efforts. When your fingers are accidentally stuck with the packing tape this dispenser enables to get rid of it.

Medicines:

It is very important to keep the medicines handy. Do your best to avoid injuries and accidents.

First –aid kit:

When you rush things only for the sake of speed, there are possibilities of meeting with unfortunate situations. Always be prepared for anything because mishaps are not rare occurrences on stressful moments. Your first aid box should contain all the essentials things that can be used to medicate the person as soon as he meets with an injury.

Regular medicines:

Be aware of taking your regular prescribed medicines on the day of travel, so that you can enjoy your trip without any health issues. Don’t forget to take allergy medicines with you because you may come across allergic symptoms while travelling because of consuming unsuitable food items. The regular pain killers should also be given some space in your medicine box because it is equally important while travelling.

Toiletries:

Personal cleanliness is the first and foremost thing. You will never start a day without brushing or bathing. Personal care items makes you feel fresh for the entire day, so paramount importance should be given in accessing these things. Last minute preparation has the possibilities of missing your regular toilet soap, tooth brush, tooth paste etc. We may feel uncomfortable using different brand which we are not used to, so ensure to fit these things in your bag.

Essential electronics:

To stay connected with the movers; carrying laptops, mobile phones and tablets with internet access is very essential. When the power supply is not handy, batteries are the suitable alternative replacement. Capturing the memorable moments is invaluable; camera lends the helping hand for this. Just don’t forget to carry chargers of the essential electronics since you feel frustrated when the battery is down, while you are searching for any important information.

Basic tools:

Swiss army knife:

A multi functional tool always ranks first on the day of travel. The Swiss army knife is a very compact tool and can be carried even in the shirt pocket. It serves you for different purposes.

Scissors:

Many tasks are very difficult without this simple tool. Cutting and wrapping are unavoidable in any type of travel, it is always recommended to carry a pair of scissors.

A flashlight:

Traveling during daytime is not an issue as you have enough amount of brightness which helps you to get clear vision. But if it is a humid day or night, your vision may not be so clear. Therefore, for such situations, a flash light fulfills its sole purpose of providing light.

Can opener and bottle opener:

It is advisable to carry a can opener and a bottle opener as we always opt for soft drinks and energy drinks during travel.

Money:

A travel without money is highly impossible. Don’t rely completely on credit cards since you cannot use it for all the cases. The habit of using liquid cash helps you to grab a quick meal, to pay movers and the transportation company which you are using while your journey.

Documents:

While moving to a different place carrying the personal ID proof documents is very crucial. The other relevant papers to be carried are:

Driving License
Vehicle registration papers
Medical records
Passports and tickets

Kid’s items:

If you are going to accompany your children, their safety and well being should be given great concern and regards. Assign separate person to have keen look at them as you always cannot go behind them. To keep your little ones engaged and to relieve them from stress, carry their favorite pastime items such as comic books, play boards, rhymes CD’S etc. Great care should be taken while accompanying them in order to avoid the probability of getting lost.

Pet’s item:

If you are a pet lover then definitely you will not leave them alone when you’re moving to some other location. Carrying pets along with you is not an easy job they require more care and affection than your children. Things that are mandatory while carrying pets are:

Pet food and bowl
Their cleaning materials
Towel and medicines

Food and drinks:

Usually we feel exhaust and tired during travel. Healthy snacks and energy bars act as the refreshment factor. Be cautious while taking outside foods. To stay healthy, avoid street food and drinks. Bottled water should be taken during summer travel. A homemade sandwich with leafy vegetables helps you to feel energized so that you can carry your work efficiently.

Cleaning equipment:

It is always a good habit to keep the place neat and tidy where ever we go. Throwing things on the floor or road after using, is something that is against the civic sense. Equip yourselves with the cleaning supplies. Trash bags are supplied to fill the garbage and make the place as a litter free zone. The unwanted stains in clothes and other materials must be removed as soon as possible. All purpose cleaning solution serves well for this purpose. A clean surface could be obtained by a simple wipe with this solution. Never forget to take Shoe polish; it plays a dominant role in giving a shining appearance to your shoe.

Check list:

Prepare a self check list that makes you reliable of all your belongings without forgetting it. Double check the required essential things to ensure nothing is left accidentally.

A resolution for hassle free relocation

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Everyone looks for easy relocation but the possibilities of goods getting damaged are hazardous. Of course relocation is a challenging task which includes series of activities like packing, loading, unloading, rearranging etc. Hence, it is always recommended to hand over the task to a professional relocation service provider. There are wide ranges of vivid professionals readily available to handle the entire relocation process, but only an experienced professional team can do it in an efficient manner.

Since majority of the population are immigrating to metropolitan region, the demand for packers and movers companies has increased to greater extent. Arrival of Packers and movers really keeps the consumers away from the stress of relocation. The resolution comes here to meet your requirements.

Things to ensure before hiring a service provider:

Check for long term service provider

It is crucial to find a reliable service provider for assets guarantee and standardized service. Professional movers must apply innovative packing ideas to avoid breakage while loading and unloading. A good packers and movers should take care of all customer requirements.

Hire affordable service

Even though the service is awesome it must be affordable in terms of cost. Perhaps you want to move to a distant location, check whether it contains any additional or hidden price rather than scheduled cost.

Beware of fraudulent

There are plenty of fraudulent service providers in the market that claim high end services without having any previous experience. One might get deceived by them and also there is no guarantee for your valuable belongings. Hence a separate research is required in prior to ignore hazards.

Salient features of services:

Only a professional service provider can make your transit ease and safe. But the question is ‘how to find a genuine service provider?’ There are innumerable service providers in packing and moving industry around the world. You will come to know about their services only if you are really in need of transit.

Professional focus towards goods

Packing materials and styles depends on the size of an asset and the value it carries. Packing team should be wise enough to come up with new and secure packing techniques in order to avoid accidental breakages.

Packing materials and techniques

A good service provider uses modernized equipments for safe loading and unloading of weighted belongings to avoid damage. Moreover, special attention has to be given while packaging fragile goods. Options like bubble wrapping and air-tight containers can be considered for easy and break free transit. Likewise, different packing techniques can be incorporated for different category of goods.

Considering all the above mentioned factors while selecting a professional packing and moving company will lead to a safe and comfortable shift.