What Should I Look For In Movers And Packers?

What is included when movers and packers move your possessions?  There are basic services provided by any transportation and relocation company. All relocation specialists will load possessions into a truck, van or shipping carrier, transport them, and then unload them. Packing services are usually an additional service that costs extra. Hiring a company to professionally box and create your belongings takes much of the stress and hassle out of relocating. Professional loaders will know exactly how to load items efficiently and safely, while minimizing potential damage. Some companies include packing materials – boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc. – in their quote, but it is recommended to get everything in writing.  

Should the movers and packers you hire be insured, bonded, or both? What is the difference? These two terms are both used to refer to protection against financial losses. All businesses require insurance to operate. Insurance covers most categories of loss; whereas bonds ensure that a particular business and its employees will complete all contractual agreements and guard against theft. Only certain companies are bonded – relocation specialists are one of those businesses. Bonds do not protect against property damage or personal injury, which is why additional insurance is crucial. The relocation specialists you contract with should be insured and bonded to protect against financial loss due to property damage. 

How can you tell if the movers and packers are a legitimate company? Relocating is both a time of excitement and stress, so finding a reputable company to assist you is an essential element to a successful relocation. Here are some guidelines to screening a relocation and transportation company:

• Are they licensed, insured, and bonded? A relocation and transportation company should be licensed by their state’s Department of Transportation, Bureau of Consumer Affairs, or Public Utilities Commission – it is easy to verify this information by a simple check online. If the company operates nationally, they should also be licensed by the Federal Department of Transportation. The company should also have their license numbers prominently display on their vehicles. An honest company will readily provide their insurance certificate and surety bond information.
• Do they list their physical business address on their website, documents, etc.? If a company is hesitant to provide their address, they are more than likely untrustworthy. They will not treat possessions with care, and it will be more difficult to track them down to lodge and follow up on a complaint. A reputable company will always supply their physical location, phone numbers, and other pertinent contact information.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). How is their rating? What about complaints? A company not accredited by the BBB is not necessarily a bad company, but accreditation means they are a transparent and responsive company that advertises and operates honestly. All companies will have complaints – even successful ones. The BBB keeps track of how a company responds and resolves them.  
• Are they a member of any moving and storage associations in their state or the country? Membership to these organizations also ensures a company is operating under stringent guidelines and adheres to best practices.
• Do they give estimates in-person, over the phone, or by online form? Companies that offer quotes solely based on a quick phone call or by you filling out a form online will deliberately underestimate the quote to secure your business. After the relocation, you will find hidden charges and other fees that were not included in the original quote. Reputable companies will perform an estimate in person to physically inspect the dimensions of your possessions and give you an accurate quote. The relocation specialist will sit down and go over the estimate in detail and explain all services included in the quote and any additional ones that they provide.

Moving is a life-altering event. Finding a company you can trust can be difficult, but by doing your homework and following the above guidelines, you will find a company that will treat you and your belongings with care and will help alleviate the stress.

We are careful while packing heavy furniture!

Being Prepared When Searching For Corporate Relocation Companies

Corporate Relocation companies are in the business of helping corporations move. It goes unspoken that most want this transition to be quick and seamless, without much loss to the business financially.  In order to make the move successful, the company should research relocation services to make sure they have valid licenses and insurance to operate.  Checking with the Better Business Bureau will also help ensure the moving company is running a legitimate business.  Word of mouth and referrals are always a good way to find out about a business.

All moving services should provide a written estimate or proposal for the cost.  The moving service should also give the client an estimate as to how long the move should take.

Moving a business can include moving inventory, office furniture, machinery and I.T. equipment, and even appliances.  Any company considered should be equipped to handle all aspects of the move so different companies don’t have to be hired to handle different aspects of the relocation.

Corporate relocation companies such as Johnnie T. Melia, which is based out of Houston, Texas, are capable of handling corporate moves.  They are able to handle all aspects the job at hand, from moving the office furniture to providing storage on a short or long term basis for the client. Johnnie T. Melia will disassemble and assemble all parts of the office space, including the filing system used by the client.

If a business requires an international move, the moving service should also be well versed with export documentation, customs clearance and water and air freight.
Having the appropriate moving company in place for the transfer will make all the difference in the success and timeliness of the relocation.

Finding Affordable Moving For Relocating

Affordable moving services can be challenging to find nowadays, yet when equipped with the right information relocations do not have to break the bank. While some believe the best route is the do-it-yourself approach, there are still many hours of labor, added expenses, and more stress than is necessary. For individuals and families alike, opting to hire a professional can be a valuable choice.

When the customer is remaining local or within 100 miles from the point of origin, rates are typically based on the volume of items to be transported. The amount of property involved will impact the amount and size of the trucks, the number of employees necessary, and the time frame the process entails. Additional fees may apply for large items, packing supplies, and challenging locations at either point. On average a full service company currently charges $150-170 to handle the contents of a 4 bedroom home.

Those facing long distance relocations are usually charged according to the weight or cubic feet of items being moved. Each case varies from the next, yet the average apartment has 2200 to 3200 pounds of contents, while a 4 bedroom home may be closer to 12,000 pounds. A more precise estimate and binding agreement can be achieved when the company does an on-site inspection. Decreasing the amount of property to transport by way of sales and donations, and locating free packing materials can play a role in a more affordable moving experience.

With so many other expenses that come along with relocations it is imperative to maximize the savings when hiring a professional, affordable moving service. To meet any budget and time constraints a comprehensive online search and multiple estimates will prove to be beneficial. Working with a reputable company can help ensure the usually daunting process will be a reasonably priced success.

The Importance Of Bubble Wrap When Relocating

It’s a great protector of fragile items, it’s affordable, it’s bubble wrap. Symmetrically raised compartments of air lined together on a sheet of plastic is great for moving day, and has a variety of uses after the moving day has passed. No need to come up with unique ways to obtain free newspapers, because this product is downright affordable and is easily obtained.

How is it better than newspaper?

It is more than effective; it excels at protecting fragile objects. The barrier of air has more flexibility than paper, so it moves and bends with pressure. Porcelain, glass, and other fragile materials are safe when secured with the air pockets. Plus it is easy to add more protection by simply wrapping more layers onto the item. A little bit of packing tape and the item is ready to be transported without worry of breakage.

It adds a high level of insulating protection to the move. Fragile items may be sensitive to extremes in temperature changes. Going through a carwash on a hot day can crack windows and windshields, and the same hold true for fragile materials. It’s possible to protect items from changing temperatures by using bubble wrap.

It is clean and doesn’t leave any residue on the skin or the belongings. Newspaper has ink on it that transfers easily to other objects. Valuables take special care, and washing ink off a valuable belonging can take quite a bit of elbow grease.

Driving from one store to the next in an attempt to obtain a bunch of free newspapers takes a lot of gas and time. Yes, it is free, but the real cost can add up once the price of gas and time are put into the equation. Bubble wrap is cost effective and is purchasable at just about any hardware store or shipping store. Stick with the product that works.