Author: justin

You’re gearing up for a move and trying to budget wisely. A major factor in your moving cost is whether you’re making a local move or venturing far away. These two types of moves are priced differently, and understanding how can help you understand the moving quotes you receive. Let’s dive into the specifics.

What Constitutes a Local Move?

A local move typically covers a distance of up to 50-100 miles, varying by the moving company. These moves are generally within the same city or nearby areas. Because of the interstate transport rules, moves across state lines may be considered long-distance even if they are relatively short distances. Because the distance is shorter, pricing is primarily based on the amount of time it takes to complete the move.

Local Move Pricing

For local moves, moving companies usually charge by the hour. This includes the time it takes to load your belongings, transport them, and unload at the new location. Here’s a breakdown of the common costs involved:

• Hourly rates: The local labor rate which depends on demand in your area and the season.
• Truck:  The truck price will be included in your quote. 
• Additional services: Packing services, special handling for delicate items, and furniture assembly/disassembly can elevate your costs.

Since local rates are primarily based on time, the more detailed the item list is, the more accurate the time estimate will be. Any changes you make to the items being moved or services will affect the cost, and if done on move day, such changes may cause the move not to happen on time and cost more. 

Decoding Long Distance Moves

Unlike local moves, long distance moves usually cover over 100 miles and often cross state lines. Executing such a move involves more complexities like logistics, fuel, tolls, and legal regulations.

Long Distance Move Pricing

Long distance moves are typically priced based on the weight of your shipment and the distance traveled. Here are the primary factors that contribute to the costs:

• Weight of items: Companies usually charge per pound, making it crucial to downsize before a big move.
• Distance: The further you move, the higher the cost due to fuel, tolls, and driver hours.
• Labor and additional fees: Special services, including packing materials and extra stops, add to your total bill.

Extra Considerations

For both local and long distance moves, being aware of extra costs can help you budget better:

• Damage Coverage: Basic mover’s damage coverage is included, but you might want to invest in full-value coverage for valuable items. 
• Storage fees: If your new place isn’t ready, storage services may be necessary, which come at an additional cost.
• Timing: Moving during peak season (typically summer) can be more expensive due to high demand.

Make Your Move Smooth and Affordable!

The more you know, the better you can manage your moving expenses. Whether you’re moving across town or the country, understanding the pricing structure of local and long-distance moves can help you make smart decisions. Consider all factors, choose a reputable moving company, and plan meticulously to turn a usually stressful event into a smooth experience.

If you are ready for either a long distance or a local move, contact us for a fast, free move quote.

Moving to a new home can be challenging, especially when it involves transporting valuable antique furniture. To ensure your cherished pieces arrive safely and in one piece, careful planning and specific packing techniques are essential. Here are some practical steps to help you prepare your antique furniture for a move.

1. Assess Each Item’s Condition

Before you start packing, carefully examine each piece of antique furniture. Note any existing damage, loose parts, or fragile components. Documenting the current condition with photos and written descriptions can be incredibly helpful for both your peace of mind and insurance purposes. 

2. Gather Quality Packing Materials

Investing in high-quality packing materials is crucial. You’ll need bubble wrap, moving blankets, packing tape, and sturdy boxes. For extra protection, consider getting corner protectors, stretch wrap, and furniture pads.  When moving mirrors, painting or other items with unique dimensions, look for moving boxes specifically designed to transport them. These materials and boxes will safeguard your antiques against scratches, dings, and other potential damage during transit.

3. Disassemble When Possible

If your antique furniture can be safely disassembled, take the time to do so. Remove any knobs, legs, or other detachable parts and pack them separately. Label each part clearly and keep all screws and small pieces in a labeled bag with the furniture. This will make the pieces easier to transport and minimize the risk of damage.

4. Wrap and Pad Thoroughly

Start by wrapping each piece in bubble wrap, making sure to cover all surfaces fully. Use moving blankets to add an extra layer of cushioning. Secure the blankets with packing tape, but be careful not to apply tape directly to the furniture’s surface as it might damage the finish. For more delicate parts, such as glass or mirrors, add extra padding and use specialty boxes. For any boxed item, label the box clearly with the content, add “Fragile” in large letters, and mark the box’s “up” orientation. 

5. Load with Care

When it comes to loading your antiques into the moving truck, placement is key. Position the heaviest items on the bottom and make sure everything is securely anchored to prevent shifting during transit. Use ropes or straps to tie down larger pieces, and avoid stacking heavy boxes on top of delicate items. Unlike when moving most household items, our goal is not to pack as much as possible. It is to pack as safely as possible for the items. So, take as much room as needed to ensure they transport without damaging other items.

6. Handle with Caution

Moving antique furniture requires a gentle touch. Enlist the help of friends or professional movers who understand the value and fragility of your pieces. Make sure everyone involved in the move is briefed on the special care instructions for your antiques.

Antique Moving? Leave It to the Experts!

Preparing your valuable antique furniture for a move involves careful planning, the right materials, and conscientious handling. While it can be a daunting task, following these steps will help ensure your treasured pieces arrive safely at their new home. If in doubt, consider hiring professional movers specializing in transporting antique furniture. It’s an investment in peace of mind and preserving your beloved items.

Contact us for a free move quote.

Amidst the chaos of packing boxes and saying your goodbyes, planning your utility arrangements is a crucial step that you should consider. Properly managing your utilities can save you from unnecessary stress and expenses. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you handle your utilities efficiently when planning a residential move.

Create a Utility Checklist

Approximately six weeks before your move, create a comprehensive list of all your utility services. This will help ensure that you remember all critical services. Standard utilities to consider include:

• Electricity
• Natural gas, propane, or oil
• Water and sewer services
• Waste removal
• Internet, television, and telephone services
• Cellphone service
• Subscription services (e.g., medication, meal prep, newspaper deliveries)

Reviewing your bank statements, credit card statements, and recent bills can help you identify all your current services. This may also be an excellent time to review the necessity of specific utilities. Does your mobile phone replace the landline, or are streaming services replacing cable for you? You may not have to replace all your utilities in your new home.

Disconnecting Utilities in Your Current Home

One month before moving, begin contacting your service providers to either cancel, transfer, or shut off utilities. Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help:

• Prepare a list with all your utility services and account details.
• Log into your utility accounts online or schedule calls as needed.
• Ensure you have account numbers, the account holder’s name, and the intended move-out date ready.
• Settle any outstanding balances to avoid disruptions.
• Return any rented equipment, such as a cable box or modem.
• Notify utility companies of your new address so they can receive the final bills.
• Confirm all cancellations or transfers through email or service confirmations.

It is critical to close these accounts properly to avoid continued billing, which can lead to unnecessary expenses and potential impacts on your credit score.

Setting Up Utilities in Your New Home

Nobody wants to move into a new home only to find no electricity or internet. To ensure that utilities are ready at your new residence, follow these steps approximately a month before your move:

• Research and identify the utility providers serving your new location.
• Compare prices and service plans among different providers if you can choose.
• Check if your current utility providers offer services to facilitate a simple transfer in your new area.
• If you have a landlord or HOA, inquire about any utility fees included in your rent or HOA dues.
• Schedule the activation of your new utilities to coincide with your move-in date.

At your new home, verify that all utilities are functioning as planned. Keep contact information for each provider handy in case any issues arise.

Simplifying Your Move

Relocating can be stressful, but properly managing your utilities can make the transition much smoother. Hiring a professional moving service can help significantly if the process feels overwhelming. Professional movers not only handle physical transportation but can also offer valuable advice on managing your move. Contact us today for a free quote and make your move seamless.

Moving to a new home is a significant and exciting milestone, but the process leading up to it can be stressful. One critical step to ensuring a smooth and efficient residential move is eliminating clutter. It’s too easy to accumulate unnecessary items, making your moving process more cumbersome. By decluttering before your big move, you’ll lighten your load and start fresh in your new home.

Start Early

Decluttering can often seem overwhelming, but starting early can make a difference. Be sure to begin the purge before the last minute. The earlier you start, the more time you have to carefully sort through your belongings and decide what to keep and discard. Early preparation prevents the last-minute rush and the resulting stress.

Tackle One Room at a Time

Attempting to declutter your entire home at once is overwhelming and counterproductive. A more effective strategy is to tackle one room at a time. Begin with the less frequently used rooms, such as guest bedrooms or storage areas. These spaces often contain items you may no longer need, and clearing them out first can give you a sense of accomplishment that will motivate you to address more challenging areas.

Let Go of Sentimental Attachments

It’s natural to have sentimental attachments to certain items, but such attachments can hinder your decluttering efforts. While keeping items with significant emotional value is essential, try to be practical about the rest. Ask yourself if the item truly enhances your life or merely takes up space. If you find it difficult to decide, consider taking a photo of the item as a keepsake before letting it go.

Organize by Categories

To stay organized during decluttering, create specific piles for different categories: trash/recycling, shred (for personal documents), donate, or sell. This approach keeps you focused and ensures that items are appropriately managed. Once you have a sizable pile, take action to dispose of or redistribute these items as planned. Be firm with your decisions, and avoid pulling items back from these piles.

Dispose of Expired and Unusable Items

One of the simplest yet most effective decluttering strategy is removing expired and unusable items. Go through your pantry and remove any food past its expiration date. Next, check your bathroom for expired makeup, toiletries, and medications. Expired items not only clutter your space but can also pose health risks. Eliminating these items is a quick win in your decluttering journey.

Celebrate Small Victories

Decluttering can be daunting, so it’s important to celebrate your progress along the way. Each room or category you successfully declutter is a step toward a smoother move. Recognizing and appreciating these small victories can keep you motivated and focused on your goal.

Preparing for a move doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. By systematically eliminating clutter, you’ll find the process more manageable and rewarding. You will reduce the volume of items you need to move and create a more organized and serene living environment in your new home. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact professional movers who can help make your transition seamless.Ready to begin your move? Contact us for a free quote.

Moving to a new home is exciting but has significant financial responsibilities. Proper budgeting ensures you don’t encounter unexpected expenses that stress your move. Here’s a guide on effectively budgeting for your household move.

Assess Your Moving Needs

Understanding the specifics of your move is the first step in creating an accurate budget:

• Distance: Determine if your move is local, long-distance, or international. Costs vary greatly depending on the distance.
• Volume of Items: Inventory your belongings to estimate your moving items. More items typically mean higher costs.
• Time of Year: Moving costs can vary by season. Summer is peak moving season, so prices may be higher than in winter or fall.

Research Moving Companies and Services

Get quotes and compare services from several moving companies. Consider the following options:

• Full-Service Movers: These movers handle packing, loading, transporting, and unpacking. This option is the most expensive but offers the most convenience.
• Partial Service: You handle packing while movers handle loading, transporting, and unloading. This is a mid-range cost option.
• DIY Move: Renting a truck and relocating belongings is cost-effective but labor-intensive.

Calculate Packing Supplies and Materials

Packing materials is a necessary expense that can add up quickly:

• Boxes: Purchase sturdy boxes of various sizes. You can get these from moving companies or home improvement stores.
• Packing Paper and Bubble Wrap: These materials protect your fragile items.
• Tape and Markers: Use packing tape to secure your boxes and markers to label them.
• Specialty Boxes: For items like mirrors, artwork, or electronics, consider specialty boxes for added protection.

Factor in Transportation Costs

Transportation costs depend on several factors: 

• Fuel: Calculate the cost of fuel based on the distance of your move.
• Truck Rental: If you’re doing a DIY move, budget for a moving truck rental.
• Tolls and Permits: Consider any tolls or permits you may need to pay during transit, especially for long-distance moves.

Account for Travel Expenses

If your move involves a long-distance relocation, consider travel expenses:

• Accommodation: If you must stay overnight during your move, factor in hotel costs.
• Meals: Budget for meals during your trip, especially if it spans multiple days.
• Pet Care: If you have pets, consider boarding or pet-sitting costs during the move.

Miscellaneous Costs

There are often unexpected expenses that arise during a move:

• Cleaning Supplies: You may need to clean your old home after moving out and your new home before moving in.
• Utility Deposits and Connection Fees: Include costs for connecting utilities like electricity, water, gas, and internet in your new home.
• Insurance: Consider buying moving insurance to safeguard your possessions while in transit.

Create a Contingency Fund

Create a contingency fund to cover unanticipated costs. As a general guideline, you should set aside an extra 10% to 15% of your total budget for unforeseen expenses. This can help cover any last-minute issues or additional services you might need.

Track Your Expenses

Throughout the moving process, keep a thorough log of all your costs. Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to monitor your spending and ensure you stay within your budget. Regularly update your budget as new costs arise to avoid any financial surprises.

Making Your Move

You can enjoy the thrill of moving into your new home more fully if you take the time to create a detailed budget beforehand.We can help simplify your move. Contact us today for a quote.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life, even if it’s just a short distance away. You may think you can easily handle a local move without professional help to save some money. However, there are numerous compelling reasons why hiring professional movers for a local residential move is a wise decision.

1. Ensuring Safety and Preventing Injuries

Even a short-distance move involves heavy lifting and transporting bulky furniture and numerous boxes. This demanding physical labor can also be dangerous for those not trained. Back injuries, pulled muscles, and other injuries are common during moves.

Professional movers are skilled in handling such tasks safely. They have the necessary equipment and expertise to move heavy items without harming themselves or your belongings. By hiring professional movers, you significantly reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.

2. Protection for Your Belongings

Your furniture and other personal items are valuable, both sentimentally and monetarily. Professional movers are trained to handle items carefully, ensuring they are properly packed, loaded, and transported. They use specialized equipment to move delicate items and know how to maneuver bulky furniture without causing damage.

3. Efficiency and Time-Saving

Time is money, and moving is a time-consuming process. The hours quickly add up from packing to loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking. Professional movers offer a significant time-saving advantage. Their experience allows them to complete tasks faster than untrained people.

Hiring movers frees up your time handling other essential tasks, such as transferring utilities, updating your address, and adapting to a new neighborhood. By delegating the physical aspects of moving, you can focus on settling into your new home smoothly.

4. Stress Reduction

Moving is inherently stressful, involving many tasks that can feel overwhelming. With professional movers, a significant portion of this stress is alleviated. They handle the logistic details and heavy lifting, leaving you more relaxed and less frazzled.

Moreover, the likelihood of encountering unforeseen problems, such as difficulty moving a large piece of furniture through tight spaces or driving a moving truck, is significantly reduced. Professional movers handle such challenges seamlessly, ensuring a stress-free move for you.

5. Cost Considerations

At first glance, the cost of hiring professional movers may seem high. However, the benefits become apparent when considering the risks and costs associated with DIY moving—such as potential injuries, damaged items, rental truck fees, fuel costs, and more. Hiring movers can be cost-effective in the long run, particularly when factoring in the time and effort saved.

Request Your Local Move Quote Today

Ultimately, the benefits of hiring professional movers for a local move far outweigh the costs. Professional movers offer invaluable support during a challenging time, from ensuring safety and protecting your belongings to saving time and reducing stress.Are you set for a smooth and stress-free move? Contact us today for a quote. Our experienced staff is prepared to handle your upcoming relocation.