Full Service Movers Marketplace

Archive for February, 2010

Moving equipment and products for your D.I.Y. moving project

No Comments

Moving can definitely be a strain on your pocket and also your body. There are probably some of you out there who are probably still recuperating from your recent do-it-yourself moving project which saw you lifting and moving just about everything with the help from friends. If you want to spend the first few weeks basking in your new home rather than in bed riddled with pain, here are a few reasonably priced products that you can invest in.

Shoulder Straps
One of the best investments that you would ever make when thinking about a do-it-yourself move is purchasing a shoulder strap. Shoulder straps are designed to take the load off your shoulder especially when you are moving large furniture in your home. Most shoulder straps double as a dolly and are able to move everything from a large screen television to a washing machine. They are inexpensive and can move items up and down the stairs which make things much easier on your body when moving. When using the shoulder straps for moving, you should first get some assistance from a friend or two in order to make this moving process go smoother. The friends who are willing to assist you should also have shoulder straps on moving day as well.

It’s quite simple to use a shoulder strap but your lifting method could be detrimental to your body if you are not doing it right. If you have to move a large item like say a dryer for instance the best way to do so is to place the item between you and your friend. Don’t worry too much about the weight of the dryer because the shoulder strap would take on most of the weight as it can take on close to 800 pounds. What the shoulder strap would do is to elevate the dryer so that it is never touching the floor when moving. This is a good thing since you don’t have to worry about it destroying your floor especially if you have tiles.

Hand Trucks
Hand trucks work exceptionally well when you have to relocate your furniture and appliances on moving day. Not only is it designed to save you time when moving but it also allows you to move these heavy items without putting your back out. Without a hand truck one can easily have lower back injuries even if they are only lifting a moving box. Most hand trucks are made from steel or aluminum or even durable pipe frames. You can fit close to 600lbs on a hand truck which is also on wheels.

Back Brace
Finally, you would also want to invest in a back brace to assist with your moving project. Back brace can really save you some money at the chiropractor after moving day as it reduces the discomfort on the lower back when lifting heavy items and it also tapers abdominal support panels. It’s easy to wear as there are adjustable clips that would allow you to slide in and out of it well and it also comes with elastic suspenders.

Bookmark and Share

Reasons why you should move

No Comments

You have a strong desire to move from your current location. Are you doing so for the right reasons? With job loss being a current trend and the economy being what it is today, you should keep in mind the old adage that says “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” when thinking about moving. In other words, it is best to stay where you currently live unless you are faced with the following situations and can financially afford to do otherwise.

One of the main reasons why people move is because of the lack of space. You may have welcomed a new member into the family equation and so this may turn out to be a congested situation especially if you already have three other children in the mix. With four children plus mommy and daddy, there is no way they can all feel that comfortable in a two bedroom home. Moving into a four bedroom is what you should aspire to especially if you want all the kids to have their own room and of course to have your space back with your spouse for entertaining guests or just recouping that “we time”.

Another good reason to move with kids to another city is to be able to get your children in better school than they currently attend. Since school placement is based on where you live your child may be selected to go to a school that you do not necessarily approve of or which may have a low success rating. Even before you move you should check out the schools in your new neighborhood and its success rate and standard of education that is offered.

Next on the list of reasons why a person should move is the issue of commuting to and from work. Jobs may be hard to find in your current city and you may have gotten lucky with your dream job which may be an hour away. Since no one enjoys a long commute to and from their job the best thing to do is to move closer to your new workplace. Before moving, ensure that you are over your probationary period and in permanent status at the job to avoid having to lose your job in the middle of organizing to move.

Bookmark and Share

The pros and cons of online moving brokerage

No Comments

One of the more convenient ways to move from your current location to the next is if you were to do so through an Internet moving broker. Whether you are moving small or large items, the broker website makes it extremely easy for you to move. Instead of having to do all the hard work in finding a licensed mover, the moving company comes to you.

With a quick register at one of the online brokerage website, you can put up the dimensions and weight of the items that you wish to move along with information on the pick up and drop off points. You also get to tell the broker how much you are willing to spend and how soon you wish to receive your items. Mere minutes after filling out the online form you can expect for your phone to be ringing off the hook with notification from bidding companies who are ready and willing to move your items. For those who are too busy to shop around for a moving company and need to move as soon as possible, this would be a great option. But like everything else one has to be careful since as convenient as this may be, consumer reports have suggested that if you use this service, you are doing so at your own risk.

The thing with these websites is that it is easy for one to think that they are dealing directly with a moving service providers when in fact they are dealing with the middle-man or in this case, the broker. As much as there may be professional movers on the website, there are also a lot of scam movers there as well. And since the broker cannot decipher which company is legitimate or not this could be a huge problem for you. Since no one wants this to happen to them, it’s best that you take precautions before you begin such a transaction. One of the first steps to take is to get more information about the company from the Better Business Bureau. You would also be better off if you ask for referrals from past customers, friends and even those in the real estate business.

Also, be aware that the hourly moving rates that you were quoted by the broker on the phone may not likely be what you would end up paying by the time the movers get to your home. The only way this can happen is if you were inaccurate about your items’ size and weight. In scenarios such as these, the moving company would more than likely increase the prices on your items at a moment’s notice.

Bookmark and Share

Thinking about moving? Explore these top cities

No Comments

Moving can be a beautiful thing since it allows you to start life anew in another city, perhaps another state. For those who are contemplating moving to another city, we have a few suggestions about the top best cities to live in. Leading the pack for best cities is lovely New York. Truly the city that never sleeps, New York is bursting at its seams with lots to see and do. On any given night you can find a variety of bars or restaurants where you can visit to relax and unwind with friends or perhaps you may choose to see a stage play on Broadway or spend your evening snapping your fingers to music from a live jazz band at one of the many jazz cafes. If you decide to move to New York be prepared for an influx of tourists who are also fascinated with this big city. The rentals on apartments or houses are expensive and so too are the prices on homes that you buy there.

Nevertheless those who have rented or purchased a home in New York would attest to the fact that it is truly worth it. Like no other state, New York has one of the highest multi-ethnic populations so no matter your race or nationality you would always find yourself fitting in. This diversity is also evident in the restaurants and the food served there as well. Whether you choose to live in the city on in the suburbs you are always sure to be within close proximity to public transportation. New York is famous for limited parking space, narrow elevators and many stairwells in the apartment buildings so make sure you choose a moving company that would be prepared to handle the aforementioned challenges.

Another great city to move to is Austin, Texas. As an Austin resident you will enjoy the breathtaking beauty as the city is abound with rivers, lakes and rolling hills. Scenic views aside, Austin is also big on entertainment. You can head out to hear live music or visit an art museum among other things. Jobs are easy to obtain here and the cost of living is relatively low. In addition it is easier to own your own home in Austin as there are many reasonably priced houses here. The weather here is predominant sunshine for those who hate the cold winter weather but look out for congested traffic on a daily basis.

Other cities that are great to relocate include Nashville, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon and Dallas, Texas. And cities such as Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Providence, Rhode Island, Hartford, Connecticut and Salt Lake City, Utah have all been identified as the romantic cities to live in. No matter the city you choose to move, if you are doing so with children, make sure that you enroll them into schools that will suit their needs. The Internet is quite resourceful in determining which schools are best as you are able to get feedback from parents as well as you can also get an insight on the school’s success rating.

Bookmark and Share

Color your move green

No Comments

Much concern for the planet and the environment has caused a lot of people to do their part to conserve the environment. If you have never given thought to the ways in which you can also help to protect the planet, maybe you can start when you plan your next home move. These days everything is eco-friendly and moving house is no exception. There are several ways in which you can put a “green” move into effect and we can tell you how.

One of the first things that you can do is to find a green mover. Eco-friendly movers are few and far between but it is worth it to go that extra mile to find them. Perhaps you can perform a web search for a few green movers in your neighborhood and when you find that eco-friendly local moving company ask them a lot of questions just to make sure that you both are on the same page. To ensure that they are a genuine environmentally friendly moving company you can ask them about the ways in which they are prepared to make your move an eco-friendly one. There are actually some moving trucks that utilize bio-diesel and even some with hybrid engines.

Also moving experts would tell you that if you were to lighten up your moving load, you would be transporting fewer items which will ultimately save on fuel in the moving truck. So it would wise to either throw out the things that you do not use anymore, have a garage sale or simply give them away. That would help to cut down on the clutter. Use recycled boxes to pack your items in as well as eco-friendly plastic containers if you can get them.

After you have moved, if you do not have any uses for the containers and the boxes, then feel free to pay it forward and pass it on to someone who can use it. As you pack your boxes or containers a good way to bolster the items within would be to use items such as sheets, rugs and even towels. And when it comes to packaging your fragile items, your best bet would be to get a few liquor boxes which have dividers. In the end not only would you have done your part to make the environment a better place to dwell in you would also be saving money too while you are at it.

Bookmark and Share