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TIPS FOR MOVERS

Buying A House

One of the most helpful things you can do when buying a home is to get pre-qualified. This way, you can really focus on the place you want to live in and can afford, instead of worrying about mortgage rates. It is important to have a clean credit record when you are going into buying a new place to live because you can save thousands. Try to limit the number of debt by paying off credit cards and the number of mistakes in your credit by monitoring your credit. Get your credit report from all of the three credit bureaus and cross reference them for accuracy. You may not know this but you are eligible for a free credit report at least once a year, also every time you apply for a credit card you can request a copy for your review. There are numerous books available on this topic. All of this is important because a good credit can save you thousands of dollars on your loan.

Finally, take full advantage of real-estate agent if you hired one, as they are professionals.

Car Transportation Companies

Just like with any other moving service you need, the more you plan ahead your auto transport and the more time you have to put in, the easier it will be. Make sure to clear all items out of the car ahead of time. If you live on a small street, auto transport may be difficult and pickup somewhere else may be arranged. Always ask about pricing for a particular date, location of pick up and drop off, and insurance coverage. You will obtain a car transport quote from every car shipper that you look through. Also, you should also get an approximate pick up date for your vehicle, with a window of no more than a couple of days. Get detailed information on the condition of your car for liability purposes in case a situation arises.

It is very important to know your auto transport service. Check their license and their insurance. Once again, previous experiences and recommendations will come in handy. Remember to try to work with them to settle minor conflict and ask them questions if you feel uncomfortable about a certain aspect of the auto transport. After the vehicle is shipped, look over it in detail immediately. It is critical that you look over it n the spot and file any complaints you may have against the auto transport service as soon as possible.

Changing Your Address

Changing your address is a seemingly simple process, however, as in all other aspects of moving, there are certain details that one must watch out for. The change is usually done by filling out a post office form either on location at an office or online, with less hassle. Include your own name and all other names of people that are moving. To keep receiving bills, you must notify them of your changed address in the specific sections provided. Besides this, you must also send change of address cards to keep receiving mail from businesses. Make sure you are organized during the process, as you can lose track of who you have and have not given your address to and leave out some very important people and organizations and end up paying for it later. Please note that if you are attending a college or university and are moving from there, the policies regarding changing your address might be slightly different, and it is a much safer bet to find out exactly what you need to do in this situation by inquiring with the campus.

The Different Types of Moving

When choosing one of many moving companies, it may be hard to distinguish which one is right for you. This bit of information will help you see the differences between the moving companies and help you to choose the right one.

First, we have do-it-yourself moving, in which you are responsible for packing up all of your items and moving them, as the name suggests, all by yourself. This can be very cost efficient if you have the time to spend and the people to help you with the process. At the other end, we have the full service moving companies. They are the most expensive kind of moving companies, and they also do the most for you, letting you get on with your life faster. Every detail of your move will be supervised and handled by them. They are recommended for larger and more elaborate moves, and also for those who have a budget that allows for them. Finally, we have the self-service movers, who are right in between the previous two. In this kind of moving, you share the work about equally with the moving companies. You are responsible for packing up all of your items and the moving company then transports them for you. Choose the company that bests suits your budget and your needs.

Moving an Office

Office relocation differs greatly from moving from home to home, and most people have no idea how to go about the process. Like in almost every other process that is synonymous with moving, preparation in advance is a key. Make sure you are fully aware of the surroundings that you are relocating to and how to get all of your furniture into your new office. Always check with the building management for their insurance requirements and availability. Keep in mind that many office buildings have specific elevator times for moving in or out. Finding a professional moving company is a must if you want your move to go smoothly and you want to start your running your business right away.

Working with professionals will save time, and thus money since almost every corporate relocation service charges a fixed price per hour. Watch for lose items and make sure that all parts of cabinets and other furniture are well secured; you wouldn't want anything to come apart while moving.

Organization is very important in corporate relocation. When going through office moving, know exactly how, where, and who is moving everything. Many large electric devices in your office must be handled with care or in certain ways that will prevent damage for them. Do not hesitate to do all the research necessary. Also, to be this organized, use labels and keep track of everything that is going down. Take inventory and keep accurate records. Smaller and more personal and valuable items cam be packed separately and taken with you. If your office building is fairly large, you might want to consider having a dumpster outside, as the moving process can get very messy.

Moving and Your Budget

When moving, you must keep in mind to watch your budget. This starts by determining how much you are willing to spend on the move. How many things are you bringing or what you can leave behind to cot the costs? How far are you moving? Where is your most comfortable and affordable area? Make sure that your plan includes all storage as well as moving. How much work are you willing to do? Remember that a large amount of the money you spend will be the hired labor to move your belongings to your new house. After considering your options you may alter your original decision; sometimes by spending a little extra money to begin with you may save more in the long run i.e. if you let a professional moving company handle your move, you'll recover faster, will be able to work sooner and get on with your everyday life.

Be sure to keep in mind, however, that your budget will consist of some more spending, so leave a little cushion when you are planning everything out.

Moving Furniture

Transporting furniture is often a tedious task requiring lots of labor. However, it is a necessity, as chances are slim that you can afford to simply replace your furniture. Make sure, once again, that you prepare everything and plan out everything that you plan on doing. Look over all paperwork and make sure that the agreement with the moving services is clear on all fronts.

Pianos. Transporting a piano is a complicated task, and without guidance is also an extremely tedious and frustrating one. The best way to move your piano is the simplest but not the most cost efficient; hire a professional Piano Mover! Trying the task yourself may result in physical injury and/or inadvertent damage to the piano. This is also the only guaranteed way of making sure your piano safely gets from where you are moving from to where you are moving to. Prepare the piano first by making sure it is surrounded by secure padding that will protect the surface, and be slow when you are moving it. Both of these precautions will help your piano to arrive at your new destination in the same shape it was when you began. When you are ready to move, try your best to get wheel support to help you for as much of the move as possible. Before you pick your piano mover make sure that you understand the extent of their insurance coverage. Often times, their insurance will not fully cover your instrument, and it is highly suggested that you do purchase additional insurance just in case. These hints should help make the painstaking task of moving your piano easier. Often you'll need to have your piano adjusted after the move if you want the instrument to sound correctly.

Prior to hiring a moving company inspect all of your furniture for any damage to make sure that if anything happens you know where and when it happened. Always check if the furniture can be dismantled; ask your mover if they offer disassembling and reassembling services as well as do they have all the necessary tools and experience. Inquire about moving equipment (dollies, carts, trucks etc.) make sure to ask about usage costs if there are any.

Ask about padding materials and their costs, it's always recommended to spend a little extra money on protecting your furniture and walls versus replacing or fixing them!

Measure your doorways, hallways or staircases to make sure that everything fits through, if it doesn't don't panic, consult with a professional moving company they may offer a solution!

Moving Insurance

No matter how you plan on moving, how much help you get, or how professional your moving companies are, you must make sure that your items are fully insured before you move. It is a good idea to photograph your valuable possessions before you move so that you know in what condition they were. Keep in mind that the basic coverage by your moving companies will almost always NOT insure your belongings fully! The extent of the liabilities of the moving companies is usually determined by you and the mover.

The price of your insurance depends on the kind of policy you chose (full coverage, actual value, amount of deductible etc) as well as the weight of your items. Two major types of insurance that will help you save a lot of money are homeowner insurance and transit insurance. If items get lost, you are to make a claim within 9 months of the event. The moving company will then respond within a month, and will issue a statement as to deny the claim or accept charges within 2 months.

There is also an option of choosing a Moving Insurance company, these are the companies that offer moving insurance and there are numerous options available on the internet today.

Moving Your Pets

If you plan on moving and have pets, you must be careful and make sure that the right preparation goes into successfully moving your pet to your new dwelling. Make sure your pet is healthy (have it checked up at the vet if necessary) and that you are aware of your buildings pet policies. This is extremely important, as you don't want to end up in a bad situation because of your lack of knowledge.

Before you leave, make sure you have food, water, toys and treats, your pet's I.D. tag with a phone number and/or address, and a leash for your pet with you. You are moving your pets a short distance, it is almost a given that you transport them in your car with you. Be prepared to make several stops along the way as some pets respond extremely erratically to moving. If you are moving your pets a farther distance, then make the necessary preparations. Are you going to stop anywhere? Is the trip overnight? Does the hotel you registered at have a pet friendly policy?

If your pet is large and/or hard to transfer, then you might consider using a pet moving service. They will give you good tips on how to successfully move your pet and what specific details you should watch out for.

Moving Your Plants

Packing up your plants is a process that needs to be done right. You must begin approximately 5-7 days before you move. Place your plants in a plastic bag and make sure that there are no pests that can harm your plant trapped inside. 2 days before you move, place the plants in the cardboard box that you are planning to move them in (make sure that there are air holes in the cardboard box). It may also be necessary to put padding around the leaves, such as soft tissue paper. Don't water your plants to much, not only it may cause them to leak water in the moving van; it can also damage the plant itself. Make sure that the plants are the first thing that you unpack when you move, and don't overload them on light immediately. It may take a few days until you can safely fully expose the plant to light again. Remember to bring the necessary tools and plant food. And of course, as always, research your new place to make sure that the conditions can accommodate your plant.

Check with the moving company of your choice if they have any guidelines for moving plants and if they have any suggestions and/or solutions. If you cannot take possession of your new place right away and need to store your plants, you need to consider your options. Inquire with your friends or relatives (if you have any at the new location) if they wouldn't mind to aid in this situation, or ask your mover they may be able to help.

Moving Timeline

Here is just a general timeline recommended for your move, actual time required will differ based on your particular circumstances.

A month or so, prior to moving, you should be researching the general area of your new place of living and looking into moving companies. You should also be planning on moving your plants and pets if you have any. If you want your items to be better insured, take inventory of everything, make pictures of valuables and research your insurance options. While tedious, this may actually help you a lot in the overall process. Also, legally change your address; the earlier the better. A few weeks before you move, you should have all your reservations confirmed and everything planned out. Pets, plants, and children should be taken care of. You should know full well how you are going to go about getting your furniture into your house. Make sure that all of your insurance is set; this part is usually not stressed enough but is nonetheless extremely important. A few days before you move, make sure that all your appliances are ready and that all the valuable items you are bringing with you are ready as well.

After you move, make sure to familiarize yourself with the area as soon as possible. Unpack all the necessary items (food, closing, phones etc) right away. It's recommended to have your movers help you unpack (chances are you'll have enough on your plate without it) and place the items according to your specification. In order to achieve this you should check with your mover prior to moving and make all the necessary arrangements.

Moving Your Vehicle

While the process itself is not particularly complicated, it is the work you put in previous to the transportation in getting your automobile ready before you turn it in to a car transport service that proves to be a detailed process that must be done right. You must be ready to spend the amount of money that corresponds with your vehicle's size and kind (bigger vehicles and convertibles cost more to move then for example sedans). You should remove all of the loose items from the interior of the vehicle and the trunk to avoid the risk of stuff flying around and damaging the car or creating a hazardous condition. Also many car transporting companies make this procedure a requirement.

After you remove objects from the inside of your car so that they do not bounce around and damage the inside of the car, It is also recommended in your best interest to make sure your car is clean and to take careful note of the appearance of the surface, so that it may be easier to spot damage that is the fault of the car shipper. Make sure the ceiling is up and the windows are closed. Accidents are not too rare, so it is also imperative to check for the car to be in good working order, and as a further precaution, get in touch and with the driver who will be transporting it or get a tracking number (generally larger companies provide them) to keep track of the progress. Make sure you know whose hands your car is in, and put yourself in a situation so that you can contact them if a problem arises. Following this procedure and these precautions ensures safe transportation of your automobile to your new address.

Packing Efficiently

Packing is arguably the most tedious part of moving. However, there are several things that you can do to make it much less of a chore then it already is. Start as early as you possibly can; if anything you will just end up with some leftover time. Make sure you have enough boxes, wrap, and markers or sharpies that you can label with. Begin by wrapping your items and make sure they are padded. More valuable items obviously need a thicker protection. Small bags like grocery bags and even Ziplocs can be used for small lose items. Stack the items that you need closer to the top for easier access. When packing carpets and rugs, roll them up and tape them.

Throughout the entire process, make sure that you are labeling the boxes by room so that finding necessary items is easier; also mark the heavier boxes and boxes with more durable items (books, bedding and linens etc.) to be placed on the bottom. Always fully pack your boxes so after stacking them on top of each other they wouldn't collapse under their own weight. When purchasing the boxes try to get the majority of them to be the same size for easier placement in side the moving van and to save space.

As for moving your furniture, it's always a good idea to let your professional moving company handle that. However if you've decided to move yourself make sure that the parts are all together tightly and wrap all your furniture in a cloth of some kind or moving blankets. Disassemble the items that can be disassembled to save space and avoid damaging them. Try to make sure that empty spaces (such as in drawers) are padded with soft material. Be careful with hazardous items such as knives, sharp tools, and especially gasoline and oil (which you need to empty out of all machinery) to prevent the chance of combustion.

Quick Note on Moving Companies

Here are is a quick note that will help you pick out the right moving company. The companies must be licensed and insured. Keep in mind that the licenses have to be renewed periodically and that they can be suspended and revoked from the moving companies. Make sure to ask about insurance. Always ask companies about any hidden fees or extra costs that may be involved to avoid any surprises during the move. If you have any inquiries you can always check your mover's registration with the state or federal authority.

Self Moving Services

Most of the time self moving is a more cost efficient option in moving which requires you to do most of the physical labor yourself or with the help of family and friends. The process begins with you locating one of many self moving companies, which is similar to finding a regular moving company or real estate broker. Many of these companies are well known and service the entire country; make sure that the references are decent and the licenses are in tact, and you should be fine. The company will drop off a crate, or couple, of desired size at your house, and you will put everything in there yourself (getting some friends to help with you with the physical labor can cut the time you spend into fractions). After everything is ready, the crate is loaded into the moving vehicles and they take it to your new house or a warehouse for safe keeping until you are ready. Self Moving Company would usually provide you with the only key and sometimes you can track your container on company's website. This way, you not only save money on labor and insurance but also control the entire process yourself.

Self Storage

Self storage, as the name suggests, involves you doing most of the work. First, purchase all your supplies, including Styrofoam, cardboard boxes, tissue paper, and tape, and buy a little more then what you think you need. Put Styrofoam at the bottom of the boxes and wrap all your items. During the self storage, keep in mind that certain kinds of wrap might have chemicals that may prove harmful to your items. When packing, make sure to separate the items that weigh more towards the bottom of the boxes or in separate boxes entirely. Make sure that you fill up all the boxes as much as you can, but be wary of overfilling them to the point where they break. Also, pack all the expensive and fragile items separately, to prevent them from getting damaged.

As for the larger appliances and furniture that is divided into compartments, make sure that they are clean and that the doors are sealed shut. Your refrigerator should be defrosted and washer should be free of water. Make all your furniture as compact as possible to make the self storage more efficient. Remember to label all your boxes, especially the ones that you need to be extra careful with. Feel free to ask the warehouse personnel any questions you might have regarding their policy or advice they can give to help you make the most out of your self storage.

Storing Your Items

When you hire moving companies to move your stuff, moving storage is generally not included, so you are going to have to pay for a self storage space. These self storage buildings are small warehouse type places that you can find almost everywhere, and while the job on the whole may seem simple and self explanatory, there are precautions involved in preparing your items for storage.

As with all searches, begin by looking in the location that you would like your self storage space to be in. Keep in mind how often you are going to need access to your items in relation to the location. Don't overpay for unnecessary space, but make sure all of your items are comfortably situated. Make sure that whatever you are keeping in the self storage area can withstand the temperature inside; if you have items of greater value don't take any risks and ask about a separate self storage space with an altered temperature.

The self storage process itself has a few kinks you should watch out for as well. Make sure that you stack the boxes neatly to prevent them from falling, and make sure you stack them in such a fashion that you can get to any given box at any moment if the situation arises you can achieve this by leaving spaces(walkways) in between your items. For liability purposes, keep all of your valuables in harder to reach places or even better in a separate location (friends house, safety deposit box etc).

Tips For Your Local Move

Before we begin, you may be asking, "what specifically qualifies a move to be local?" A "local move" is a term used to describe moves where you travel to your destination while staying in the same state and traveling no more then 99 miles. After choosing narrowing down your search to few Moving Companies, ask representatives to give you free moving quotes before the transaction is to be made, and these quotes will usually be divided up into sections. The moving quote that will be given to you should end up being very close to the price that you will end up paying, or even in some states such as California, might be required to be the exact price that you are to pay on the day of moving.

Because you are likely to be paying a fixed price for the move, try to limit the number of trips you make to your new destination, even if it means getting bigger moving vehicles and/or increasing the quantity of them. Also, make sure that the driver spends as little time as possible to get to your new destination. You may also feel the need to have the moving company pack some of your items, which is a good idea if you are not an experienced packer and is also a good way to make sure your items are insured. Keep in mind that as with hiring a real estate agent, it is very important to get to know the people that will be handling your furniture. Phone the company in advance if you need to, but keep in mind that it is vital that you are on a familiar basis with all the movers.

Finally, make sure you are familiar with your new building so that there are no surprises. Plan out how you wish to get all of your items into your apartment or house, and notify the movers if there are any obstacles or stairs to climb or anything of the like. Also, make sure you are aware of your building's moving policy, as many do have certain times during which you can or cannot move.

Tips For Your Long Distance Move

A "long distance move" is a term used to describe moves where you travel to your destination more than 99 miles or cross the state border. After choosing narrowing down your search to few Moving Companies, ask representatives to give you free moving quotes before the transaction is to be made. Having an on-site estimate is always a good idea because both you and the mover will be on the same page after such estimate is performed. The best quote for that matter is a written estimate, because it is the most accurate one and usually moving companies would obey by them. Make sure that every company you interview is provided the same information, i.e. amount of items, delivery dates, stairs, bulky articles etc., this way you'll be comparing apples to apples.

Long distance moving is usually more expensive kind of relocation compared to a local move. So naturally many people may want to cut the costs, there are a few suggestions available:

· Get rid of unnecessary and unused items! Usually long distance moves are charged based on the weight or the volume of the shipment, therefore the fewer items you have the less weight/volume you'll have to pay for.
· Pack and organize as much as you can, leaving less work for the movers would lead to a cheaper total.
· Dismantle the items that can be dismantled to save on volume and to avoid damage.
· Check your moving to area to make sure that moving truck can fit there if not you may need a shuttle service.
· Remember to check with your mover about their policies before making any important adjustment.

Following the above tips should make your long distance move pain free.

Unpacking

Unpacking usually signifies the end of a move; however, you must keep staying organized and focused. Start by unpacking the necessities then go on with the larger items and work your way to the smaller ones as your energy depletes. Expend the time frame for unpacking; don't forget you still need to perform your everyday tasks. Remember to stay focused the whole time, and if the process takes more then a day, then get a lot of rest and continue on. After you carefully take the items out of the boxes and take the padding out, do not let all of the trash collect on the floor and make your new house resemble a dumpster. Make sure that instead you dispose of all the boxes as you are unpacking; this will save you a lot of time and hassle later.

As you unpack, try to spend too much time in a certain area. Periodically move to different areas of the house so that you can stay focused and not get too bored. Remember to rest periodically, as this is an extremely tedious task. You will be rewarded at the end.

If you've used a professional mover you could arrange for help in unpacking as well. Remember that the best way to successful unpacking is organized and efficient packing!

Working with Moving Companies

It should be clear to you that the best way to tackle moving companies is preparation! While there may still be some setbacks and things going wrong, the preparation you put in will help you limit the number of these unnecessary setbacks. Always get to know the moving companies you are looking at; look at their references, see if there are any complaints from past customers, etc. Make sure you are very well insured as well.

After you pick one of many moving companies and it is the day of the move, you should get as much ready as possible. However, you may want to consider bringing your priceless and irreplaceable items with you. Keep the atmosphere as friendly and as light as possible, and never hesitate to perform nice gestures for the movers; a good move is worth the extra effort. Likewise, if you have any concerns, address the moving companies as soon as you can so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

If you have decided to help movers load or pack, make sure to ask in advance if the company you have chosen allows for this cooperation, also coordinate your tasks with movers not to be in each others way. Inform the representative of that moving company if you have any unusual furniture or access problems in your locations.

Your rights and responsibilities when you move

Tariff inspection and Incorporation notice

Federal law requires that moving companies advise shippers that they may inspect the tariffs that govern your shipment. Carriers' tariffs, by this reference, are made a part of the contract of carriage (bill of lading) between you and the carrier and may be inspected at carrier's facility, or, on request, carrier will furnish a copy of any tariff provision containing carrier's rates, rules or charges governing your shipment, the terms of which cannot be varied.

Incorporated tariff provisions include but are not limited to those: (1.) establishing limitation of carrier's liability, the principal features of which are described in the valuation declaration section of the bill of lading; (2.) setting the time periods for filing claims, the principal features of which are described in Section 6 of the bill of lading; and, (3.) reserving the carrier's right to assess additional charges for additional services performed and, on non-binding estimates, to base charges upon the exact weight of the goods transported.

Purpose of this guide

The Federal Motor Carrier safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations protect consumers on interstate moves and define the rights and responsibilities of consumers and household goods carriers (movers).

The mover gives you this pamphlet to provide information about your rights and responsibilities as a shipper of household goods. You should talk to your moving company representative if you have further questions. The mover will also furnish you with a pamphlet describing its procedures for handling your questions and complaints. The pamphlet will include a number you can call to obtain additional information about your move.

What are the most important points I should remember?

1. Moving Companies must give written estimates.
2. Movers may give binding estimates.
3. Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.
4. If your mover provides you with any partially complete document for your signature, you should verify the document is as complete as possible before singing it. Make sure the document contains all relevant shipping information; accept the actual shipment weight and any other information necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
5. You may request from your mover the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
6. Be sure you understand the mover's responsibilities for lost and damage, and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
7. You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.
8. You may request a reweigh of your shipment.
9. If you are agree to move under non-binding estimate, you should confirm with Moving Company representative-in writing-the method of payment at delivery as cash, certify check, casher's check, money order, or credit card.
10. Moving Company must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of setting loss or damage claims. Ask your mover for details.
11. You may request complaint information about Moving Company from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You may be assessed a fee to obtain this information.
12. You should seek estimates from at least three different Moving Companies. You should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors, as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.

Paul Noury - RE/MAX REALTY GROUP : 495 Central Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 : PHONE (508)-567-9727
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