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Posts Tagged ‘moving companies’

How to handle problems after the move

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Just when you think that all your stress is over after you have moved in, you realize that you still have some loose ends to tie up with your movers. One of the first things that you may want to dispute is the price that you have paid for the moving service especially if it turns out to be higher than what was originally quoted. Price hikes can happen if you signed up for a non-binding quote which would give the movers permission to increase the price as they see fit even after your first quote.

A moving company can increase their prices for several reasons. You may have to pay a few more hundreds of dollars if say you have moving restrictions at your new home or apartment such as a non-working elevator which would have the movers climbing several flights of stairs to deliver your household items. In addition, in the case of a long distance move, the moving company may not have access to certain roadways and this too can incur extra charges. Of course in worse case scenarios the acts of God are also considered reasons to increase the price. There is really nothing that you can do at this stage but to pay what you owe; on the next move you can go for a binding quote or a not to exceed quote which means that the movers are bound by the initial price that they quote you no matter the circumstances that follow.

Also, after the move make sure that you properly inspect your household items to ensure that there aren’t any damages. If you do find damages to your goods, inform the moving company after you have taken photos of the damage. Have the moving company send out a representative to check your damaged items; you could be compensated if the damaged items are not in the boxes that you package. Should the moving company be responsible for the damage, they would more than likely try to repair your items rather than purchase new ones. For items that were shipped from one state to another and got damaged in the process then you can file a dispute with the moving carrier or provide a written arbitration request. In that request you must provide information about the carrier as regards to their motor carrier number, the date that shipment was made, destination and the value of the claim as well.

Remember arbitration should be the final step when both the carrier and moving companies deny your damage claims. For those reading this who are scheduled to move soon, try to also take photos of your household items even before you move so that if there are any damages after the move you can show the court the before and after photos which would be considered strong evidence that would be hard to beat.

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Saving for your move

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There is no easy way to say it but moving is indeed an expensive project that we all must undertake at some point in our lives. There are some of us who can afford it and there are those who cannot. For those who cannot afford it they may be tempted to max out their credit card in order to pay off their bills. But just think how much more debt you would be putting yourself in if you had to add that convenient credit card expense to the rest of your already grim financial picture.

You can avoid extra expenses for your move if you are able to save money towards it. If you are planning to rent a home, your moving costs may include getting the first and last month’s rent plus you may also want to replace some old furniture in your current home a well. If you have a projected month that you wish to move, then it would be a good thing to start saving your money some nine months in advance. In the months leading up to your move try to put aside at least 50 dollars to 100 dollars a month in a bank account that you rarely use. Even if you don’t have an account to spare, you should think about opening up a new account just for moving expenses. Ask the bank teller about opening an account that would reward you with a high interest rate. If you think you may be tempted to touch the money that you have set aside for the moving company then ask the bank teller about getting an account that would prevent you from withdrawing your money too early.

While you are building your savings, try not to spend unnecessary money elsewhere. For instance, you may have a sofa that you’ve owned for over 10 years and you may be thinking about purchasing a new set. If wear and tear is the only problem that you have with the sofa then you should hold off on the new purchase and opt for either reupholstering or purchasing a few slipcovers for the sofa instead.

And if the furniture is uncomfortable to sit on and you must get a replacement, then shop at a few garage sales in your neighborhood where you are always guaranteed to get a good deal. There are a few furniture stores out there that even have great prices on their items as well but you really need to shop around so that you can lock in to a price that would suit your pocket. As you save for your moving expenses, you and your family would also have to cut back on a lot of things including taking family vacations, eating out etc. Remember that your situation would not last forever and it’s worth it if you can move into a new home after you have paid your moving company in cash. Just think how fulfilling would feel to be able to move into your new home without having a large bill looming over your head to repay.

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

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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.

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The pros and cons of online moving brokerage

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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.

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Thinking about moving? Explore these top cities

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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.

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