Moving outside the country for family, work or just to have new adventures is exciting but may also be a challenge. In addition to the typical concerns about finding a new place to live and packing your belongings, there may be visa, language and other obstacles. But working with an experienced international moving company keeps your headaches to a minimum. They Understand the Customs Process Sending your belongings into another country when you’re relocating means you’ll need to meet customs requirements. You can count on additional paperwork and extra time for inspections. A reliable international team of movers has processes in place to streamline the process. They Have a Network of International Partners When a company specializes in serving clients across international borders, they quickly gain insight into which of their colleagues in other nations deliver the same kinds of services. A network of partner organizations expands their reach and provides you with a high level of service. They Offer Enhanced Services Depending on the size of the home you’re moving to or how long you’re planning on being there, you may [...]

Deciding to move from one community to another is a big decision, and you might think that hiring movers is just one more level of stress you don’t need. But there’s no reason you need to tackle this project yourself after you discover these three myths about hiring moving services.  Hiring Movers Is Too Expensive A company that specializes in moving generally offers several types of services and is willing to mix and match them to your needs. Maybe you want someone to pack your house or perhaps you need movers to transport your vehicle. Get a custom moving plan by bundling services by what’s important to you.  All Moving Companies Are the Same It’s easy to think that moving companies are interchangeable but a business with a great reputation earns it through hard work and dedication. Giving customers reliability through shipment tracking, taking extra care to protect furniture from damage while in transit and providing a single point of contact for your questions are all signs of a company that takes its commitment to you seriously. Movers Are Unreliable A good [...]

Deciding to move is exciting, whether it’s for a new job, to reunite with loved ones or simply to change your life. Keep that enthusiasm going with these relocation tips to ensure you have a smooth experience with minimal stress.  First, Finalize Your New Living Arrangements Once you have a clear idea of where you’re moving and when you need to be there, you’ll be ready to start the work of finding a moving company to assist you. Your movers will need to know your new address to prepare the most accurate estimate of your costs. Second, Decide On Your Budget Depending on the money you have available for moving expenses, you may decide to add on services like furniture disassembly. Many companies also include the number of boxes you have when determining the costs, so think about whether you can part with some of your belongings to pare down your possessions and the number of cartons that will need to be transported.  Third, Interview Moving Companies and Book Your Move When you speak with representatives at nearby moving companies, ask about [...]

Moving is a pretty straightforward process. But knowing how to pack for a move avoids a lot of the stress that commonly goes along with the experience. These top tips work whether you’re moving locally or internationally.  Use What You’ve Got to Pack With Many moving companies charge by the box. Instead of packing fragile items and soft items such as linens separately, wrap items made of glass in towels, sheets and even clothing to reduce the number of cartons you have to transport. This can help keep your moving costs under control. Label Boxes Clearly Stay organized by using a permanent marker to label each box once you’ve filled it and sealed it. Write which room the box should go into on the sides and the top of the box to make it easier to see the information from every angle. Unloading the truck will go faster, and you can start setting up your new home quicker. Hire a Reliable Mover Moving companies that offer expanded services beyond simply picking up your belongings and dropping them off at your new house [...]

Most people know that a moving company makes it easier to relocate, whether that’s to the other side of town or around the world. But beyond physically carrying your boxes out of the house, loading a truck, and delivering them to your new home, the best moving companies offer additional services designed to improve your experience. From greater security to dedicated assistance, learn what kind of help you can get.  Shipment Tracking There’s a lot of trust that’s required when handing off all of your possessions to virtual strangers and hoping everything makes it to your new home. Get some peace of mind with a company that offers shipment tracking as an added service to customers. You’ll know where your belongings are at all times, and you’ll be able to better plan for their arrival and unpacking at your new house. Take Apart and Reassemble Furniture Avoid the risk of pulling a muscle or damaging your bed frames, tables, dressers and more with expanded assistance with furniture. Ask your movers if they offer disassembly and re-assembly of your furniture. Because of their [...]

Moving can be famously expensive, even if you’re staying in the same city. But with careful planning, there are several ways to minimize your moving costs while still getting prompt and reliable moving and storage services to assist you with relocating. Here are a few tips: Book Your Move During Non-Peak Times When demand for moving services surges, such as when school lets out in June, the price of moving generally increases, too. To avoid this increase in costs, arrange to move during the slower months. If that’s not possible, choose mid-week days that are less in-demand than weekend days usually are.  Bundle Your Services You may be able to save money on moving when you book all your moving services through a single full-service company. This includes packing, moving and storage services, as well as furniture disassembly and reassembly.  Pack Belongings Yourself A moving company’s packing services are certainly convenient. But they also add extra fees to your moving costs. If moving expenses are a concern, consider boxing up your belongings yourself so the movers only need to pick up your [...]

A full-service company that offers moving and storage gives you that extra flexibility to provide peace of mind during the stress of moving. You’ll be prepared if your new home isn’t quite ready for you to move into or if your new home is only a temporary location and too small for all of your belongings. Here’s what to look for when considering moving companies that also offer the option to store your items.  Is it Secure? It’s not enough to have a place to store your boxes and furniture. You want to know your possessions are protected from hazards, too. Find out whether the storage facility has security systems and patrols in place to safeguard it.  Can You Get Custom Solutions? There’s no use paying for more storage space than you need for longer than you want it. Seek out a company that can give you multiple size options and rental terms for short-term or long-term use.  Is it Protected from Weather? Some storage areas aren’t enclosed, and exposure to changing weather conditions can affect your belongings, especially fabrics and wood. [...]

Beyond common-sense measures like getting multiple quotes from moving companies and packing your household belongings yourself, there are several additional ways to save on moving costs to Alaska. Here are three of the most significant ones to think about as you plan your relocation.  Bring Fewer Belongings Many moving companies base their fees on the number and volume of boxes, furniture and other belongings you expect to transport from your old home to your new home. If you can pare down what you own, it will cost you less to move, regardless of whether you are staying in the U.S. or relocating internationally. Consider selling or giving away things you don’t need or use. Pack Creatively and Use What You Have to Save Space Wrap fragile items in soft things such as sheets and towels. It’s a smart and cost-effective way to avoid buying packing materials. Combining your belongings with this method also cuts down on the total number of boxes you have, further reducing your expenses. Be Strategic in Picking Your Moving Dates Most people want to book movers for weekends [...]

Even if you’ve moved several times--locally, nationally or even internationally--it can be stressful to pack up your home and do it again. If you’re worried about staying organized while getting ready to move, using these expert packing tips can help.  Start with Off-Season Items It can be hard to know where to start packing, and that uncertainty may feel overwhelming. A good way to begin is with stored off-season items you know you won’t need, from clothes to sports gear, holiday decorations, seasonal housewares and bedding. Be Smart About Packing Boxes You might be tempted to just start boxing things up, especially if time is growing short, but it will just be a hassle to unpack later. Avoid packing items for multiple rooms in a single box. Place larger and heavier items on the bottom. Avoid using boxes bigger than you can carry comfortably. Ask whether your moving company provides boxes in multiple sizes. Stay Organized with Labels Label every box you pack on all sides with a permanent marker. Write whether it’s fragile and what room it belongs in, or consider [...]