Category: Movers

MOVING CHECKLIST: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

There is a lot to do when it comes to moving. That’s why we have created this complete moving checklist for you to use when preparing for your upcoming relocation. Read it over, print it out, and get started. You have some work to do. Remember, if you need any help, have any questions

4 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

Tour your house and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity.

Consider hosting a moving sale.

Start researching moving companies and schedule an in-home moving quote.

Before you get your moving estimate, decide which items you will pack and transport and which items you would like the moving company to pack and transport.

Create a ‘Moving Binder’ to keep track of all of the moving information, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you will be moving.

Call your family doctors and dentists and get copies of renewable prescriptions and request medical and dental records.

Arrange for the transfer of school records.

If you are making an international move make sure that your passport is up to date as they can take as long as 4-6 weeks to process.

Transfer medical/dental insurance records.

Check your homeowners insurance and see if moving is covered.

Transfer your fire, theft, and other personal property insurance to your new home.

If you are moving from an apartment, notify your landlord and request your deposit back.

3 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

Be aware of the items that cannot be moved. Try to use, or give away, all of your perishable food, aerosols, bottled gasoline, and ammunition before your move date.

Notify important parties of your new address, including your employer’s HR department, magazines and newspapers you subscribe to, and your credit card companies.

Begin packing the things that you use the most infrequently, such as your waffle iron, volleyball net, and golf shoes.

Notify the post office of your change of address. Remember you must do this for each person receiving mail at your home.

Take care of routine checkups for your family. It may be a while before you find a good doctor, dentist, optometrist in your new area.

If you are driving to your new home, get your car tuned up in preparation for the trip.

Separate your valuables and place them in a lock box that you will transport with you personally.

If you are doing your own packing, start buying the moving supplies you will need including boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and box labels.

Schedule your moving date and time.

2 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

Return any library books, neighbors shovel, and any other things you’ve borrowed.

Collect the things you have loaned out, sent to the dry-cleaners, layaway, storage, and safety deposit box.

Schedule to be off work on your move out day.

Plan on how you are going to move your plants.

Take your pets to the vet and make sure that they have the proper required health certificates since each state has different regulations.

Get an appraisal of your valuable items or antiques to verify value.

Plan out meals with whatever is left in your cupboards so that you use the rest of your food and don’t have to throw it away.

Send any rugs and draperies out for cleaning. Leave them in the plastic wrap upon return so they are ready to be packed up for the move.

Arrange for the connection of utilities to your new home.

Clean out your locker at the gym, bowling alley, and golf club.

If you are moving pets, ensure that you have a plan to relocate them successfully. If you need to board them or leave them with friends you should confirm this now.

1 WEEK BEFORE MOVING

Transfer your bank accounts and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records to your new city.

Set aside any maps, games, snacks, flashlights, medicines, important papers, and anything else that you will be taking with you in your car.

Make a “clean out closet” that includes all of the things you will need for the final cleaning of your home after your items are all moved out.

Arrange for your new phone, internet, and cable services to be installed at your new home.

Make sure that all of your appliances are properly serviced for shipping.

Pack a “first night box” with everything you will need for the first night in your new home. Pack it last so it can be unpacked first.

Drain the water from all of your garden hoses, water beds and spa.

Drain gasoline and oil from all of your yard and power equipment.

Refill your prescriptions.

Make arrangements to pay your mover if you haven’t already. Understand what type of payments that they will accept and bring cash if you want to tip the movers.

Cancel your security, pest control, cleaning help, lawn maintenance and any other services that you receive.

Backup your computer’s memory and have a plan for checking emails while in transit.

Arrange for your satellite dish or cable disconnection.

Contact your moving company to confirm your moving arrangements.

Encourage your children to make an address book of friends.

1 DAY BEFORE MOVING

Put non-combustible cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other items you will need first in special boxes to be loaded last and unloaded first.

Defrost, clean, and dry refrigerator and freezer.

Dispose of any remaining flammables, fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, ammunition, poisons, or anything else listed on the non-allowable list.

Visit the ATM and get enough cash to tide you over.

Clearly label, and be sure to point out, any extra fragile items that may need special care.

Give your new contact information to friends, family, and important businesses.

Gather all keys, alarm codes, and garage door openers and place them into a folder so you are prepared to hand them to the new owner or real estate agent.

Pack pet food and pet litter.

Unplug all electrical devices so that they are at room temperature when it comes time for the move.

Notify the police in your town if your old home will be uninhabited for a long period of time.

Mow your lawn one last time, especially if the house will not be occupied quickly.

Leave a note for the new occupants with your new address so that they can forward any mail that happens to come for you after you’re gone.

Moving advice

Whether there’s a family, professional or personal reason for a move, it can be challenging. That’s why it’s a good idea to take the necessary steps to ease stress and protect your property during the moving process. In a good move, all of the bases are covered. From the minute your belongings leave your home until they arrive at their destination, all of the necessary moving expertise, along with insurance and worker protection, is in place. You’ll have peace of mind and know that you got value for money and quality customer service. No surprises, no extra fees, no losses and no missed deadlines.

Choose a reputable mover

Choosing a reputable moving company is the first—and probably most important—step in the moving process. Seek a mover with reliable evidence of great customer service, truth in advertising and sound business practices.

When shopping around for a mover, it’s important to:

get estimates from at least three reputable movers

check references and find out if the mover has been certified

find out how the company will manage your move and protect your property

read the mover’s website content and printed information carefully

find out if they have a local presence and can be found in the event of a problem

Find out if the mover uses a subcontractor

Check if the company has their own equipment or whether they will use a subcontractor or another company to provide the service. If so, make sure you have information about their certification and track record. Determine if the mover is responsible for all services from end to end—including those provided by subcontractors

Get a quote in writing from the mover

Before you commit, get the costs, as well as terms and conditions, of your move in writing.

You should also:

make sure that the mover sees all items that must be moved while preparing the quote

give the mover all of the information they need for your quote (e.g., existing and future addresses, and a list of obstacles, like stairs or escalators, that may require special navigation)

ask about additional costs you may incur if you need to add items on the day of the move

get the quote on a company letterhead and signed by a company representative

check that the quote includes the number of boxes to be moved, the size and value of items, the costing (by hour, flat rate, or by weight), terms of payment, and the timing of services

make sure the quote includes commitments about the delivery date and special care items

ask if you must pay a deposit up front and if it is refundable or held as a penalty to cover the costs for cancellation

verify the form of payment the mover will accept and if any fees or deposits are payable upfront

a mover can legally ask for payment in advance of delivery. In most situations, this payment will not exceed the estimate by more than 10%

look over the quote carefully and make sure you understand all of the details—including the final cost as well as the terms and conditions

Moving Guide

Moving is a very overwhelming and daunting event. Whether you are moving with us or have made other arrangements developed a Moving Guide that can be accessed at any time on your mobile device to answer questions and guide you through the moving process.

extensively trains every mover to conduct your move with care. Our uniformed moving team will arrive promptly in a clean, well-equipped truck. We also communicate throughout the day to ensure that your step is a success.

MORNING ARRIVAL​

If you have scheduled your move for the morning, your move team typically arrives at your first location between 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM unless you have arranged particular start time. The moving crew will give you between 30 minutes and one hour of notice before arrival.

AFTERNOON ARRIVAL

Afternoon moves typically start between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you’ve arranged your move for the afternoon, the team will contact you on the day of the plan to let you know when they will arrive. Again, the moving crew will give you between 30 minutes and one hour of notice before arrival.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Upon arriving at your first location, your team will introduce themselves and then get the lay of the land completing a walkthrough. There are specific steps that the team must complete while protecting your property, and the team is accountable for these steps. At the end of the walkthrough, you will sign off to confirm that your designated moving team has completed all the steps. After this process is complete, the team will position the truck or trailer and start moving items.

SERVICE PROCEDURES

Throughout the day, we will ask you to sign off each phase of your move, indicating that you are satisfied with your team’s performance. Also, if there are any Change Orders or Waivers discovered by the moving crew, they will communicate this discovery before taking any action without permission. (see Change Orders and Waivers) The Team Leader will enter the arrival, departure, and break times in our app.

The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Reduce your stress by planning ahead

It’s no surprise that the entire process of moving contains a lot of stress. There are so many details to manage from the day you decide to look for a new place until that final box gets unpacked.

Staying organized and positive can help ease you through each step, but you’ll most likely feel pressure from the amount of time and money you’ll invest in the move. This is why it’s important to go into your move prepared for what’s ahead. Keep track of everything that has to get done to help you avoid any costly moving mistakes.

What are your moving options?

Those who are moving usually do it themselves, have full-service movers or a hybrid of the two. Each variation will require a different amount of energy, money, time and attention to detail.

Do-it-yourself move

This version is usually the cheapest option but can be more time-consuming. You rent your own truck or borrow a friend’s. You pack it up and drive yourself to your new home. Once you get to the new place, you unload and unpack your belongings.

Hiring movers

If you decide to hire movers, they will be responsible for packing the truck, driving to the new location and unpacking your belongings. This makes your move easier and quicker but can end up costing more.

Hybrid move

If you’d like an option that’s in between, you can hire help to just load and unload your truck. This hybrid option will be a medium price while still being efficient.

HOW TO MOVE GUIDES

Every day is moving day for Atlas. As your family gets ready to go new places, Atlas is ready with the know-how and tools to move you safely and easily. The packers and movers bring best practices to ensure your belongings travel safely as well.

Gather your Supplies.

Select an area large enough to handle your biggest boxes (Where can you get boxes for moving? Your can provide them!).

A strong table with a protective cover offers a good work surface. (We don’t recommend using your good dining room table.) Have your markers, tape and scissors nearby. Spread a generous amount of neatly stacked packing paper flat on your table.

Pack Room by Room.

Pack a couple of boxes a day, starting well ahead of the move. Pack one room at a time; this will make it easier to stay organized.

Label Everything.

Mark all boxes with room and a box number. Record these in a box identification log that shows the number of boxes packed per room and the total number of boxes packed

Fill Boxes Safely.

Use plenty of filling material in boxes; when in doubt, use more.

Improper packing is the most common cause of breakage and damage during moving.

Check Box Bottoms.

Make sure bottoms of boxes are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.

Keep it under 50 lbs.

Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top.

Do not exceed 50 pounds per box; it makes moving them a lot easier.

Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box you should use.

Moving Help Service Providers

What is Moving Help?

give you the option to search for local labor providers in your area by their overall performance, the lowest cost or movers with the most completed jobs. Customize the service for your move from Moving Help by selecting the hours, services and crew size you’ll need. Find movers who can help you move out in a few hours or at a price you have to see to believe.

Search

Select where you need moving help and instantly find out what you’re paying. No hidden costs or fees.

Schedule

Find a mover based on your needs. Each service provider is unique, giving you complete control of your move

Move

Book instantly online and pay after the job is complete and only if you’re satisfied with the service.

Benefits of Using Moving Help:

No cancellation or rescheduling fees

Get a quote instantly

Over 1.5 million Moving Helper reviews to help you choose

Your payment code serves as your insurance

Payment is not given to the mover until you are satisfied with the job

OVING BOXES & TOOLS TO MAKE YOUR MOVE EASIER

The Definitive Guide to Moving Boxes and Tools

When you’re handling a move by yourself, there are a lot of things you need to be aware of. You need to make sure you’ve got a truck lined up, you need to make sure you have all your paperwork finalized, and most important, you need to make sure you’ve got all the tools required to move. Even if you’ve been through multiple moves before, you might be shocked to find out just what all you were missing previously.

And even if you’re hiring a professional moving company to help you out, some of these tools are incredibly useful throughout your lifetime. After all, how many times have you wanted to rearrange your living room, kitchen, den, or bedroom? By getting ahold of some of these moving tools, you’ll make each and every scenario that much easier. You might just want to keep the fact that you own these tools under wraps, or you’ll be THE go-to person when your friends and family need help moving!

The number of moving boxes and tools available is pretty impressive. These tools help you with everything from moving large pieces of furniture to effectively sealing a box or crate. Let’s trek through them. We’ll start our expedition with tools you need to move heavy furniture, moving boxes, and other burdensome items.

Forearm Forklift. This is one of the cooler moving tools we’ve seen. With this pair of straps strategically placed under the item you need to move, you can alleviate up to 66% of the weight by putting physics to good use! Each pair of straps can easily help you and your helper to lift up to 800 pounds without the need of any other large moving tools. The fact that you can easily fold them up, wrap them up, or hang them in the garage also helps by letting you keep more of your precious storage space for other things!

Hi-Craft Lift-and-Carry Panel Mover. If you have a large mirror or a lot of bigger pictures, this is the perfect tool for you. Designed primarily for construction work, this panel carrier is designed specifically to haul heavy, flat things around. It’s a bit of a niche tool, but if you have large mirrors or other big, flat items, you’ll fall in love with it very quickly.

The Local Moving Company You Deserve

Local moves are our bread and butter. Whether you’re moving a handful of items or a six-bedroom house, you’ll be in good hands

do local moves a bit differently than most companies. treat them very similar to how we would a cross-country move. Every piece of furniture you have will be wrapped in premium, high-quality moving pads. Upholstered couches and armchairs get fully wrapped in shrink wrap. Items with drawers are secured using either professional moving rubber bands or shrink wrap over the moving pad. Any furniture that you have with glass will be protected with a piece of cardboard or removed and packed by professional moving crews. Your carpets will be protected with neoprene floor runners. Your door will be protected with a moving pad. Your railings and door jambs will be protected with a spring loaded moving pad that snaps onto the railing or door jamb to prevent scratches and damage. Entryways will be protected with cardboard. Hardwood floors will be protected with Masonite hardboard.

experienced crews will arrive in a clean 26 foot moving van. The van comes equipped with 90 moving blankets, extra cartons, a top-of-the-line professional moving dolly for every crew member, a 5.5 foot walk board and curb ramp to make loading and unloading safer and more efficient, a four-wheel furniture dolly, floor protection, tape, shrink wrap, mattress bags, and all the basic tools you would ever need to quickly disassemble and reassemble furniture. leave no stone unturned. You will never have to worry about a lack of preparation when you hire our company.

You can expect a friendly, well-trained, well-groomed crew to arrive on time and ready to work. Prior to loading, our crew will conduct a walk-through with you. Let them know about any items you have that may not be going or any items that you are concerned about. They will be sure to take special care of them for you. After the walk-through, your crew will begin planning the load and prepping the house. Afterward, they will start with pad wrapping all of your furniture and shrink wrapping couches. Every item is protected before it leaves the house and the pad doesn’t come off until it’s delivered at destination. provide the highest quality mattress bags for a small fee. Once the loading starts, all you need to do is sit back and watch the magic happen!

Once your goods are loaded the crew will drive directly to your destination. They will then prep your new home and begin unloading. At this point, all you need to do is grab a chair and be prepared to direct the team as they bring in your items. Your crew will fully assemble any items that they may have disassembled during the load. Once everything is off the truck and put together, the crew leader will conduct a final walk-through with you to make sure all of your items are in the place that you want.

TIPS FOR AN EASY MOVE

Let’s face it: Unless you’re a minimalist, moving is one of the biggest household tasks there is and it can be extremely overwhelming. But if you can get a head start and stay organized, you should make it through this mammoth process unscathed and ready to enjoy your new abode.

Get organized early

Avoid leaving anything until the last minute. Unless you have to pack up and leave in a hurry, chances are you have between 30 and 60 days to make a plan and ensure that moving day runs smoothly. Create a countdown list and itemize everything you need to accomplish week by week

Figure out your move strategy

How are you going to get from point A to point B on moving day? For shorter moves, you’ll either need to assemble some very nice friends with trucks or consider renting a truck for the day. If you have a big family to move or you’ll be moving a long distance, you’ll want to price out moving companies.

Keep your movers in the loop

Boxes are one thing, but when you get to the big, heavy stuff, it’s important to let your movers know what to expect. “Communicate with your moving company and explain all the requirements and expectations prior to booking,” advises Andrew Ludzeneks. “Your mover has to be aware of all those minor details in order to estimate your total move time and cost, and have proper equipment available.” That includes informing the company about any overweight items (i.e. a piano or fridge), access restrictions (small elevator, walk-up only, narrow driveway) and whether you’ll need help with disassembly or assembly of furniture.

Pick the right transportation

If you’re moving a short distance, you may be able to get away with making more than one trip. But if you don’t have that luxury, you’ll need to make sure you have the right size of truck to cart your belongings in one go. “Choosing the right size is particularly important when moving farther away, as making several trips could be a problem,” says Andrew, who recommends using the following guidelines when determining the size of your truck:

•    In general, the contents of bachelor and one-bedroom apartments will fit in a 16′ cube truck available at your local rental company.

•    Two to three fully furnished bedrooms will require a 24′-26′ truck to ensure your move is completed in one load.

•    The contents of most houses can be moved in the same 24′ truck with one or two trips.

THE Moving Checklist: What to Check Off When You’re Moving

understand that moving can be equal parts celebration and panic. Sure, moving might seem like a daunting task at first, but, with a little advanced planning, moving day can go from stressful to almost—dare we say it?—enjoyable.

60 Days Before Your Moving Day

OK, so it’s 60 days until you’re moving, you’ve got plenty of time, right? The truth is yes, but this is your chance to get ahead of the game and set yourself up for the easiest move ever. These quick tips will help you save time and avoid headaches on your moving day.

Make a moving folder.

It’s easy to lose important documents in the shuffle of boxes and papers. So save yourself the stress and keep them all together in a folder. This can be a cheap folder from around your home, a binder, or a digital folder on your computer. But be sure to store all of your important documents inside like moving quotes, insurance records, and your lease, if applicable. You’ll want these moving receipts to use as a tax deduction come April.

Copy and secure important documents.

If you’re moving between rentals, it’s helpful to have a copy of your old and new lease and photos that show the condition of your apartment when you left it

Know the size of your move

Determine what type of move you want. Are you a do-it-yourselfer and plan to tackle it on your own? Or do you want other people to do the heavy lifting? It’s also helpful to decide beforehand if you’ll need to rent a truck or use a pod.

Methods of Freight Shipping via Ground

Most freight is transported via ground freight. The three most common ground freight shipping methods are:

1. Truckload (TL)
   Also referred to as Full Truckload, TL shipping is used when the load is too large for LTL shipping, when the shipment is too unwieldy to share space with other cargo or when a specialty vehicle such as a flatbed or drop deck truck is required.
   
   TL shipping is very straightforward and much less complicated than LTL shipping. Since truckloads do not accommodate more than one shipper’s cargo, the load can frequently be picked up by the truck that will immediately deliver it to its destination.
2. Less-than-Truckload (LTL)
   As the name suggests, LTL shipping is for freight shipments that do not require an entire truck. Instead of one shipper using an entire truck, multiple shipper’s share the same truck, thereby reducing costs for all of them. The biggest benefit of LTL shipping is price. LTL shipping is the most popular mode of shipping in the United States.
   
   There are several processes involved with LTL shipping. Freight gets picked up from each shipper’s location by local trucks that deliver these shipments to a terminal or hub. From there, all freight is placed on a truck that carries it for the long haul to the destination terminal. At the destination terminal, the shipments are unloaded, reorganized, loaded onto local delivery trucks and sent out to the destination location.
3. Partial Truckload
   Partial truckload could be considered a hybrid between LTL and TL shipping. It’s used for six to 18 pallets of freight with a weight range of 8,000-27,000 pounds. Advantages to using partial truckload can include faster delivery and a lower price.
   
   The downside to partial truckload service is there is very limited capacity for it. Ask your freight agent whether it’s better for your load to ship as a partial truckload or as two LTL shipments.
4. Intermodal Rail Freight
   Intermodal railway freight shipping involves the combination of freight shipping by rail and truck. Almost always, a rail shipment will need the help of a truck. The truck takes the freight from the rail hub to its final destination.

What can I ship using PTL?

PTL stands for partial truckload. It can be considered an option under very specific circumstances. For instance, if a shipper needs significant space inside the truck but without filling it entirely, PTL becomes a suitable option.

Finding a PTL carrier is ideal if you require more volume than you would normally need for LTL shipping but still not enough for a full truckload. PTL freight companies use the same truck for the pick-up and the delivery of the shipment, thus making the transportation faster than LTL shipping.

Advantages

• Shipments are being picked-up and delivered by the same truck
• No need to declare the class of your shipment

Disadvantages

• Not all shipping companies offer partial truckload services

Best use

• Suitable for small-medium businesses

When To Use a Combination of LTL and TL Shipping

There are other situations where you can actually blend an LTL shipment into TL.

Typically, your decision on whether to use LTL or TL will be based on an individual shipment. For example, if you have a few different pallets each going to different destinations, LTL will be your best option. But advancements in freight consolidation are now making it possible to somewhat mold LTL into TL for non-recurring, long-haul shipments.

Sometimes, it may be best for a company to order a full truck to ship a lot of product to a single destination. Long-term TL shipping may not make sense if the destinations of delivery will evolve, which would make shipping more expensive. In these instances, the shipper can use freight consolidation through TL shipping to get their products sent along the same route to the various distribution centers along the way.

Once things reach this point, you can typically transition from consolidated TL to LTL shipping, which allows shippers to operate in local markets. You will have to do your homework here to make sure you’re doing what makes sense for your budget and needs, but as the needs of your company change, it may be a good option for added flexibility. This is another reason that using third-party logistics can save you some real headache when it comes to choosing your shipping method.

Breaking down common Shipping Types

To understand the differences between LTL and PTL shipping, it’s paramount that we outline the three main types of shipping in so that you understand the terminology, and why a certain type is typically chosen.

TL

Full truckload shipping is a type of freighting which means a single truck is filled with a single company’s shipment. Not only the costliest type of shipping, but it’s typically the most efficient. The reason is that the transit time is less, and the shipment isn’t unloaded before its destination, being that there are no other unloading stops. This type of shipping is typically utilized by established companies that require a hefty amount of shipping. They tend to use TL if they’re shipping 20,000 pounds or more and don’t mind paying the extra cost for faster delivery time.

LTL

Geared towards smaller-medium sized business, less than truckload shipping is a type of freighting that fills a truck with multiple shipments. The weight is usually somewhere from 0 to 10,000 pounds per shipment and LTL isn’t keen to onboarding cargo with pour dimensional weight (when the package is voluminous but the contents themselves on the lighter side). By filling a truck with different shipments all heading to the same destination, carriers are able to save shippers money by offering a reduced price. The downside is that—taking into account all the stops, onboarding, and unloading—the contents have a higher propensity for damage because they pass through multiple hands. Then, the multiple stops are a time drain, and they tend to increase the total transit time.
Still, LTL shipping is commonly the go-to for smaller-medium sized businesses because it’s cost-efficient, flexible, and offered by most freight carriers.

PTL

Partial truckload shipping is a different type of freight altogether, being something of a hybrid between LTL and TL. It’s only considered an option if a shipper needs a truck for 8,000 to 27,000 pounds, or somewhere between 5-22 pallets. This very specific prerequisite is why it’s not a common type of shipping. However, PTL is usually a straight shot, meaning the same truck which picks up a shipment is the same one that’s going to deliver it. This means that with PTL shipping the cargo has less of a propensity for damage. Additionally, being that it’s one truck and there aren’t any connections, the transit time is typically smaller.

The key differences between parcel and LTL.

Parcel shipping and LTL shipping have some clear differences. 

Here’s a look at some of the major differences between these shipping types:

1. Damage risk and loss prevention

Each option comes with risks and benefits. With parcel shipping, the chance that a package will become lost or damaged is higher than with LTL. An LTL shipment is often secured by pallets and placed in a space that is designed to prevent damage to the freight. 

Parcel shipments are smaller, therefore able to be packed in higher volumes. While this is a nice advantage, it could absolutely lead to a greater risk of loss or damage.

2. Ease of tracking and checkpoints

Another key difference between parcel shipping and LTL shipping is ease of tracking. Parcel packages go through several different checkpoints, so parcel carriers are updated with shipment location more frequently than LTL shipments. On the other hand, fewer checkpoints allow for greater security with LTL. 

LTL also allows for zone skipping, the process of bypassing a parcel carrier’s zones, letting the shipper evade charges from crossing multiple zones in a single trip. Essentially, the fewer checkpoints and transfers a shipment has to go through, the safer that shipment will be. 

3. Cost advantage

The cost advantage of parcel shipping comes from the higher volume it offers. Since LTL packages are larger, they take up more space and result in a slightly higher price.

This is not always an advantage of parcel shipping. Parcel carriers have their own set of additional charges. Things like correcting an address to a Saturday delivery could cost you extra with parcel shipping, whereas LTL carriers could hit you with charges for not having a loading dock.

Why is Moving House So Stressful?

If you have a preconceived idea from the majority of negative articles that moving house is going to be stressful, then it will. There will inevitably be a psychological effect of moving house as you’re uprooting your life, leaving behind important relationships and going through a physically strenuous process. However, if you’re worried, then first identify the areas of the process that have the potential to bring on anxiety.

Reasons you might feel stressed when moving:

• Change of routine
• Thought of packing
• Fear of the unknown
• Leaving friends and family
• Feeling unprepared
• Physical labour 

Research has previously shown that it can affect not only adults but also children too. It was discovered that children showed “poorer mental health in periods following a residential move” than those who were stable and not constantly moving house. Clearly, moving house can have a huge impact on families and people’s mental health, proving that it is a stressful event to go through. 

So, what can we do to prevent any moving house stress? With planning, sensible choices and our 9 top tips then you should be able to stay on top of the moving stress.

Tips for Minimizing the Stress and Cost of Your Move

Stress and costs; wouldn’t it be great if we could limit them both? Of course it would!  Moving is commonly associated with being a costly and stressful event, even though it doesn’t have to be. In the following post, we will outline three tips for reducing your stress and your moving cost and keeping them to a minimum.

Answer Two Important Questions

“Can my moving company get in and out?” and “will my furniture and appliances fit?” Whether you’re moving from one permanent residence to another – and especially if you’ll be occupying temporary housing for a few months such as an apartment or condo – there are two things you want to keep in mind:

Vehicular Access

Take the area in the immediate vicinity of your new residence into consideration; is there room enough for a 53-foot moving van to maneuver safely? If not, the driver will have to park the moving van as close to the residence as he or she can get and rent a smaller truck and shuttle your goods to your residence. Finding this out at the last moment is a nasty surprise that can cause you more than a little stress. Access can also be a problem if you’re moving into a permanent home. Gated communities are a prime example of a situation where a shuttle needs to be used.  Granted these environments shouldn’t deter you from purchasing the home you want, but knowing the circumstances in advance will mean less stress and better enable you to budget for the added moving expense.

Furniture and Appliances

From time to time the furniture and appliances that fit so perfectly in your old home can be tricky to fit into your new residence. Stevens personnel see it more frequently than we would like to admit. For example, that big armoire is too big to fit in the upstairs bedroom. If you are bound and determined to make it fit, the only way is to hoist it up over a balcony and through a larger entryway offered by a sliding door at significant added expense. Exercise equipment can also cause problems for moving crews. In many cases this equipment needs to be taken apart before it can eve moved. It’s just one more headache you don’t need.

Make specific plans with your old friends to see them in the future.

It’s always difficult to say goodbye. And when people move, they usually have very good intentions of staying in touch and visiting. But let’s face it — sometimes life gets in the way and you don’t get around to making those plans. So put the get-togethers and reunions on your calendar before you leave. That way, you’re more likely to follow through.

Introduce yourself to your new neighbors.

Even if this is out of your comfort zone, it is always helpful to know your neighbors. Whether you need to borrow a cup of sugar, have someone keep an eye on the house when you’re traveling, or simply to make new friends, it is definitely worth it to go out of your way to get to know the people who live near you.

Establish new routines.

Let’s face it — everything has probably changed for you. And that includes your routines. Maybe your route to work is a lot longer, so now you can’t get up early to do your morning workout. Try to figure out ways that you can still do the things you love, but with different routines.

Find as many free boxes as possible before moving

Moving boxes aren’t cheap! Before you start packing, seek out free moving supplies from various stores, online marketplaces, community groups and friends. Not only is the process of finding free boxes easy, but it’s also a surefire way to save hundreds of dollars on moving expenses. You can find potential moving boxes on Craigslist, Freecycle, U-Haul Box Exchange, Nextdoor.com and local Facebook groups. If you’re looking to take the search offline, check out local liquor stores, big box chains, offices, grocery stores, recycling drop-off points, and schools. Of course, you can always ask friends, family and neighbors for any extra moving boxes they may have lying around.

Choose a cheaper date and time to move

One of the easiest ways to save money during a move is to simply choose the right moving date. When hiring a professional moving company, the date and time of your move can make all the difference when it comes to the ease of your relocation and the size of your bank account. First, avoid moving during the “peak moving season” from May to August. Instead, opt for a mid-week, mid-month moving date between the months of September and April. Demand is typically lowest during the mid-week and mid-month days. Therefore, your costs will likely be lower as well. Of course, many of us don’t have the option to move during the most ideal time of the year. If this is the case for you (and you’re looking to save money), I suggest considering a DIY move instead.

Pack everything yourself

While hiring professional packers can certainly speed up the moving process, it can also weigh it down in terms of cost. Hiring professional packers can get expensive – costing upwards of several hundred dollars. Of course, packing rates vary from moving company to moving company. So make sure to ask how much they charge per hour per mover and how long those packing services typically take.

Hire professional movers.

No one really likes packing and lugging around furniture. So if your budget allows for it, hire a dependable moving company like Allied. When I have moved, I have done it both ways — done it myself (along with friends and family members who helped out), and I have hired movers. Trust me, having movers do all the work took away so much of my stress, and it was definitely worth it.

Questions to ask your movers before hiring them

When moving locally or long distance, you are pursuing not only a reasonable price but also a good quality of services. In order to get a good moving service and a good price, you might need to negotiate with a moving company. The rule of thumb – do not sacrifice quality for low-cost services when choosing a moving company. Here are some questions you’ll need to ask your movers before hiring them:

• What are the services you can get?
• How much will the move cost?
• How much time will your moving take?
• Will you get insurance for all of your belongings?
• Do you pay extra for the packing supplies?
• What does a full-moving service imply?
• Are there any additional fees you should count on?

By asking all of these questions to a moving crew, you will make sure to prepare for any inconveniences. In case your movers don’t seem to speak openly about their services, you might want to avoid them and look for others.

Tips for Choosing the best Load Board

As an owner-operator, you know you need to find loads to haul. Your business is based on running as many loaded miles as you can in order to maximize your profits and mileage. One great way to find loads is through online freight matching services, also known as load boards. These websites can save you a lot of time hunting down work, so you can spend your time earning money.

Low cost

Make sure you find a freight matching service that fits within your budget. A good load board will pay for itself after a few loads.

User-friendly interface

Is the load board user-friendly? Look for an intuitive interface, so you don’t waste time searching for loads, posting your truck or using other value-added features.

Free trial

Look for a load board that offers a free trial, so you can test it to see if it suits your needs. Be weary of a load board that does not offer a free trial.

Mobile apps

When you’re on the go, you need a freight match service that offers the same access on your phone or tablet as what you can see on your computer.

Ways to Find the Loads that are Right for You and Your Trucking Business

Anyone can go to a load board and find a load, but how do you find the loads that are right for you and your trucking business? And what actions can you take so that you aren’t always worried about finding the next load?

Decide who you want to work with.

Before you do anything, figure out who you want to be in business with. Figuring out what kind of customers you want to focus on will help you find them. It also means you can better narrow in on your business goals.

Use a good load board.

A good load board is the best tool you can have at your disposal. Use one that provides enough flexibility to support your unique business needs. Make sure it has plenty of volume so you have the freedom to work with who you want, when you want, with the ability to move what you want. (Truckstop.com’s Load Board has hundreds of thousands of loads to choose from!) It should offer the features you need to make the right decisions for your business. Look for options like sorting by rate, origin, and broker rating which will help you find the loads that work best for you. The best load boards will offer tons of features like the ability to create multiple stops so you can plan ahead or the ability to book loads instantly (no negotiations required), as well as heat maps so you know where the best-paying loads are.

Focus on broker relationships.

It might be hard to hear it, but focusing on having good relationships with brokers can help your wallet later down the road. If it’s a lane you like to run because it gets you close to home or pays well, make sure the broker knows that, then provide the best service you can so they want to go to you in the future. If you’re reliable, provide excellent customer service, and they know you’re interested, they will call you directly instead of posting a load to the board, and that saves both of you time and resources. Brokers also have the ability to add you to their preferred carrier list on Truckstop.com, offering you access to exclusive Book It Now loads that save you time and get you paid quickly.

Search for more than one type of trailer.

Including more than one trailer type will produce better search results. If you focus too closely on one kind of trailer, you may miss loads that can go on various types of trailers. If you have a reefer, you can also run it as a dry van. If you’re only looking for full truckloads, you’re missing less-than-load (LTL) options. This obviously doesn’t work for everything (you can’t haul ice cream on a flatbed), but consider giving it a try when you’re in a pinch. You rely on your instincts every day, so go into situations knowing there is always a way to make it work for you.

Moving Loading Services

Loading seems simple, but it’s essential to having a good moving experience. For starters, tightly loading the truck helps ensure less shifting during transit, which means fewer scratches or dings. Proper loading also ensures that you’ll only need to use as much of the truck as estimated.

How it works

If you pack your own stuff, you want to have everything ready to go when the truck arives so you have plenty of time. With a professional move, a two to five man crew will load your things on moving day depending on the size of your residence and the amount of items you are moving.

Pricing

Pricing depends on the type and amount of stuff that needs to be loaded.

How to Choose the Right Crane and Reduce Risk When Buying a Used One

With advancements in technology, lifting cranes have become a lot more common. Almost all construction and demolition projects, as well as transport or shipping of heavy materials, require powerful lifting cranes. However, the success of your project depends on choosing the right one. Doing so will also prevent potential accidents and damages, saving your time, money, and improving your reputation as a safe workplace

Check the Load Weight to Be Lifted.

One of the first things you need to consider is the weight of the load to be lifted or moved using the crane. Naturally, you need a crane with a suitable lifting capacity to move the load. If you use a high-capacity crane for a small load, you will most likely end up wasting time, labor, and money. On the other hand, a low-capacity crane can lead to fatal accidents and cause damage to the load.

Know the Lift Height.

The height of the lifting load is as critical as the load capacity of the crane. The length of the crane’s boom will depend on how high the loading material needs to go. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer boom length

Find the Moving Distance (Horizontal).

Just like the vertical distance, the crane also will need to travel some horizontal distance to pick up the load. If you need the crane to transport the equipment from one spot to the other, you will need to get a mobile crane with wheels. If there is a fixed path of movement, you can use a crane with rails.

Evaluate the On-Site Terrain.

All types of cranes require a support structure to hold them firmly to the ground. It is the most crucial element that stabilizes the crane and the load. So you will need to choose a suitable crane depending on the terrain.

Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business

Choosing the right forklift is important for your business. It affects everything from operation costs, productivity, employee morale and stock management.

Environment

Your business environment will influence the type of forklift, tyre selection and fuel type

Load Size / Capacity

It would be a big mistake to choose a forklift with a maximum lift capacity that is below your requirements

The type of load also matters as there are specific forklift attachments that can enhance a standard forklift and help you move the load more efficiently. There are many types of attachments available: appliance clamps, carton clamps, paper roll clamps, etc.

Fuel type

There are three types of fuel options – electric, gas or diesel