When it comes to moving companies, it’s tempting to think they’re pretty much all the same. But there are some key things that stand out among the ones that really earn those 5-star reviews from satisfied customers. Knowing what they are helps make your choice much easier. Helpful Service A good mover does more than just give you an estimate and show up on the big day. Companies that really put their customers first offer a range of guidelines, checklists and even recommended timelines to make the experience less stressful for you. Look for a company that offers a moving concierge who can work with you directly throughout the moving process for greater peace of mind. Custom Packing, Handling & Storage Solutions If you have special concerns about high-value, fragile or oversized items, top movers can accommodate that without a problem. You should be able to get packing help tailored to your needs, including features like climate-controlled storage.  Respectful & Professional Team Great movers handle your possessions with care, as if they were moving their own families from one home to another. [...]

If this will be your first relocation or it has been a long time since you’ve moved, you may be wondering how to pack for a move. You probably already know the basics but these tips, which are well-known by the best movers, can help make the entire process quicker and easier.  Reduce How Much You Plan on Moving Chances are good that your family has accumulated more possessions than you need to take with you. It could be toys, sports equipment, tools or even furniture you don’t need. This is the perfect time to pare down--plus, it can help reduce your moving costs, which are usually calculated by weight or number of boxes. Keep Important Papers Together Set aside a folder or box to hold all your moving-related paperwork. This includes your movers’ contract, packing lists, and to-do lists. This way, you can refer to any documents that are related to your move quickly.  Organize Your Move by Room As you pack up your current home, stack and label your boxes according to which room they correspond to in your new [...]

Hiring an out of state moving company is not the time to take risks. After all, you’re counting on these movers to carry your belongings from your old home to your new home, and take good care of them along the way. If you have a major relocation coming up, check out these tips for choosing the best moving company. Get Recommendations The best recommendations come from friends and family who have made similar relocations. Ask about reliability, communication and conflict resolution. You want to feel like a priority to the moving company. As an alternative, check out online reviews or ask your moving company for references. Review Estimates Carefully Ask for written estimates from the movers you’re considering. Look for extra costs, whether they’re all evaluating your belongings the same way (usually by weight), and the cost per mile to ensure your needs and expectations are met. Seek Out Movers Who Are Licensed & Insured Interstate movers need a federal license to operate legally, so that’s something to ask about as you interview moving company representatives. It’s also wise to ask [...]

Many people already know the value of getting estimates from a few moving companies before signing a contract. But you may not know about the importance of having a moving company rep visit your home to give you a quote for their services. If you’re going to need interstate movers soon, here’s what you need to know. It’s the Law With some exceptions, moving companies that accept interstate customers have to send an estimator to see what you’re moving before giving you a written quote for their services. Because this is a federal law, it applies regardless of your residence. Avoid Unexpected Costs Your moving company will arrange for a truck and team of helpers according to the size of your belongings. An on-site estimate ensures that both you and your mover are clear on what exactly is going into the truck so there are no surprises--and added costs--later. Getting a bigger truck at the last minute may not be possible, and if it is, you’ll probably pay extra.  Discuss the Details of Moving High-Value Items Whether it’s heirloom furniture or priceless [...]

When you’re relocating far away from your current home, you don’t usually have the luxury of moving many of your possessions yourself: you have to count on the assistance of a moving company for help. Interviewing moving companies can feel stressful, but knowing what to look for helps you hire the best long-distance movers for your needs. Dedicated Client Service Representative Enjoy peace of mind when working with the same customer service representative every step of the way. That kind of continuity gives you confidence in the reliability of the company you’ve hired to manage your move.  Responsive to Your Questions Regardless of whether you have a single customer care representative assigned to your account, you should always receive a quick response to your questions about your move, every step of the way. The best long-distance movers will be attentive to every concern you have. Clear and Transparent Contract Terms There are enough surprises that come with the process of moving, you don’t need any more from your moving company. Ideally, your contract with the movers will be easy to understand and [...]

If you’re planning a move, one of the things you could be stressing about is how to get your vehicle from your old home to your new home. Moving companies often offer moving a car as a service, and it’s one you might be wise to consider. Limit Your Car’s Mileage Making a long-distance drive across the country or even across the state may add significantly to your car’s overall mileage. Sending it separately on a trailer gets your car to you without any extra wear and tear on engine parts or tires. Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe Chances are good that you need to be in your new home by a certain date, and if you hit traffic or bad weather while making an extended drive, your travel time could be delayed. If you’re tempted to make up time driving, you could be at a greater risk for a collision. Vehicle transport takes relocating your car off your plate.  Make Your Moving Budget Go Farther While vehicle transportation is an added fee, it’s still often less than what it would [...]

When you've already decided to hire a moving company to help you get all of your belongings from your old home to your new home, the next step is to find the right movers. And while you have many choices, hiring one with nationwide service offers multiple benefits, even if you're only moving across the state. Here's why. Network of Service to Anywhere You're Going Some movers specialize in serving a particular geographic area, and anything beyond that is contracted out to a third party. You don't want to hand off your belongings to a team of movers you don't know! Extensive Range of Available Services With so many people working from home, packing up a home office for moving is often more complicated than just boxing it all up and sending it along with the rest of your belongings. A nationwide company may offer you important add-on services like tracking and climate-controlled handling so you can get right back to work as quickly as possible upon your arrival at your new home. Well-Earned Reputation for Excellence Companies earn their reputation by [...]

When you've already decided to hire a moving company to help you get all of your belongings from your old home to your new home, the next step is to find the right movers. And while you have many choices, hiring one with nationwide service offers multiple benefits, even if you're only moving across the state. Here's why. Network of Service to Anywhere You're Going Some movers specialize in serving a particular geographic area, and anything beyond that is contracted out to a third party. You don't want to hand off your belongings to a team of movers you don't know! Extensive Range of Available Services With so many people working from home, packing up a home office for moving is often more complicated than just boxing it all up and sending it along with the rest of your belongings. A nationwide company may offer you important add-on services like tracking and climate-controlled handling so you can get right back to work as quickly as possible upon your arrival at your new home. Well-Earned Reputation for Excellence Companies earn their reputation by [...]

Moving furniture, whether within your home, across town or across the state, can be a tough job. Fortunately, your local movers are ready to assist you, whether you're buying new or new-to-you furniture, picking it up from a  friend or relative's house, or moving your whole household to another home. Here's how calling movers makes your life easier when you need help moving furniture. Schedule a Time That Works for You You're probably already trying to juggle dozens of responsibilities, and moving furniture is just another stressor. Instead, hire a team of local movers to help you. Book an appointment that's convenient for you, and all you'll need to do is direct the movers to where the furniture should go. Get Reliable Assistance Trying to arrange friends, family and neighbors to assist you with moving big items is tempting but often a challenge. Everyone's schedules are different, and when something comes up at the last minute, it's not uncommon for at least one person to bail out of your plans, leaving you with not enough people to complete the furniture move easily. [...]

It’s easy to think that moving across town or across the county is more simple than an interstate or international move. But even though the distance may be short, the list of to-do’s is just as long. Hiring short distance movers make all the difference in having a positive moving experience. Here’s how. Save Your Back Boxing up your belongings and packing your furniture into a moving truck is hard work, and if you’re not careful, can really damage your body. Moving into your new home while nursing a strained back makes it difficult to unpack and get settled. Hiring movers protects your health. Avoid Driving an Unfamiliar Truck Even with features like lower decks and automatic transmissions, renting a moving truck and driving it yourself is stressful. Unless you pay extra for insurance, you’re responsible for every ding, dent or bit of damage the rental company finds upon return. Skip the hassle and leave driving the moving truck to the pros. Minimize Interruptions to Your Routine A nearby move means you can keep up with your work schedule, social activities and [...]