Month: May 2023

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Storage

4 Reasons You Should Consider a Storage Solution for Your Next Move

4 Reasons You Should Consider a Storage Solution for Your Next Move

Regardless of the size of your house, if you have lived there for several years you have accumulated a lot of stuff. Most people don’t realize how much they have until they need to move, that’s why downsizing is such a huge part of the moving process. However, it’s not always easy to let go of items you’ve had for a long time. Doubly so if you’re moving to a much smaller space or just don’t have the time to go through everything you own. You don’t want to accidentally throw out your late grandmother’s quilt!

While you can find your own storage units, many moving companies (like Great Movers) provide storage options for customers. The best part is that the movers will help bring your belongings to your storage unit and then to your new home once you’re ready, saving you a lot of time. There are many reasons a storage unit can be beneficial to the moving process so it might be worth it to consider it for the future.

Declutter Your House

Once you’ve decided to move out of your house, you will want to attract as many buyers as possible. For best results, you should declutter your house as much as possible as a tidy home will showcase the space in the best possible light. Even if your house is large, a cluttered garage, full closet, or large stack of boxes strewn about the house can turn off potential buyers.

While it might be easier to start packing up when you know your closing date, it’s not always possible. In many cases, even if you do know the closing date, your move-out and move-in dates might not overlap.

Whatever the case is, the idea is to get as much non-essential stuff out of your house and somewhere else. If you’re not able to move into your new place yet, you will have to put your boxes into storage for a few months. Luckily, most reputable movers offer safe and secure short-term storage solutions. Plus, they don’t necessarily need to have exact dates. When you’re ready to move your boxes into your new place, all you need to do is give them a call and let them know your plans. They’ll deliver the items to you with zero hassle.

Plus, putting your stuff in storage early on allows you to also take a second look at what you own. With so much going on from finding a new house, closing on the new house, finding a buyer, packing, and all the dozens of other tasks you’ll probably be overwhelmed. Chances are you might throw out something accidentally and/or bring too many items to your new place that you don’t need. You might even bring bulky items like furniture that won’t even fit in your new place!

With everything in storage, you can spend a bit more time sorting through your belongings. If you can, wait to declutter the storage unit until after you’ve moved in. There’s nothing quite like living in a new place to give you a clearer picture of where you want to put things and whether your old aesthetic matches your new house. Plus, you’ll have a clean, empty space when you move so you can easily paint the walls without worrying about dirtying up your stuff.

Reduce Moving Costs

It might sound counterintuitive, but renting a storage unit could save you moving costs. The smaller units can often cost as little as $100 and many places offer a discount on the first month. Many CT moving companies might even offer discounts on your move if you also use their storage solutions. Of course, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll get these discounts so make sure that you ask about any promotions when you talk to the movers over the phone.

Even if you don’t get a discount, moving might still be cheaper if you put some things in storage. With less stuff to load and unload, the movers will take less time, which means a lower price tag. Of course, it also means you will need to move your own boxes into and out of storage yourself for maximum cost savings.

Alleviate Stress

While you can reduce stress by planning ahead, sometimes you’ll still run into some hiccups. Maybe your new house isn’t ready in time or maybe the people who want to purchase your home need to move in faster than expected. There are so many things that can happen that it can be overwhelming. The last thing you need is not having a safe place to store your belongings.

Even if everything goes according to plan, it can still be tricky to try and pack and move everything in a short amount of time. Thai is especially true if you’re making a long-distance move. That’s why renting a storage unit can be a great option. You can start packing even before you put your house on the market and store your stuff as early as possible. Plus, you can keep adding to the unit as the selling and buying process gets underway.

Find the Right Buyer for Items

Yard sales might be great for selling the basic knick knacks you don’t want to bring with you, but they might not be the best for more valuable items. Of course, anything could be considered ‘valuable’ so it really comes down to your knowledge of what you own and how well you know the pricing. Things that can sell for a lot include:

  • Collectible toys
  • Comic books
  • Trading cards
  • Camera lenses
  • Vintage clothes
  • Designer purses and shoes
  • Scientific equipment

Of course, to make money on things like collectibles, they need to be in almost pristine condition. For toys, most are only worth money if they are still in the box so make sure to do some research and price accordingly. There are a lot of places online where you can list your items for sale, but the most popular remains eBay. Depending on the quality and rarity of the item you’re selling, you might even be able to sell it at a profit. In order to do this, you can’t have a deadline where you need to get rid of your items. That’s why a storage unit is so useful. You can simply pack them away and spend some time doing your research and finding the right buyer.

Consider Storage Solutions for Your Next Move

Moving is both an exciting and stressful endeavor, but you can lighten the burden by adding on either long or short term storage options. That way, you will have most of your things packed already weeks before your move. And if worse comes to worst and you have to move out before you can move into your new place, you will already have your belongings in storage. It’s a win win.

If you are interested in storage solutions, make sure to ask the professional movers what they offer.

Categories
Moving Company

How to Find Reliable Moving Companies in CT

How to Find Reliable Moving Companies in CT

Thanks to the internet, you can find dozens of movers in Connecticut in a couple of seconds. However, there are almost too many companies to choose from and, more importantly, there are more scammers out there than ever before. In some ways, finding a trustworthy CT moving company is harder than ever as you will have to spend time researching each potential company. Still, you’ll be happy that you performed your due diligence once all of your belongings are safely in your new home.

If you don’t know where to start when looking for CT movers, the steps below should help you weed out any potential low-quality movers and scammers.

Ask Friends and Family

Sure, the internet is great, but there’s nothing better than having your friends and/or family members provide you with recommendations. Nowadays, even online reviews aren’t necessarily trustworthy as companies can easily pay people to write good reviews. What they can’t do is pay off people you already know. If you know someone who used a professional CT movers, ask them about their experience. Some good questions to ask include:

  • Were the movers on-time?
  • Was the moving crew professional?
  • Did anything get damaged during the move and how did the company respond?
  • Did the final moving cost match the initial quote? If not, was it because you forgot to include something or did they try to up charge you?
  • What additional services, if any, from the movers did you use? How do you rate that service?

Ask as many questions as you can think of! Your friends and family should be more than happy to answer them and give insight into the good and bad of the company they used. If their report sounds good to you, then make sure to add that moving company to the list.

You might not know anyone who has moved recently, so your next best bet is to read online reviews. No company has 100% customer satisfaction. If you notice thousands of reviews but zero complaints, the company might have deleted some of the more critical ones. You should also filter by lower ratings and see what the issues were. It’s up to you to decide if these negative reviews are warranted or not.

Shop Around

Yes, even if your friends or family members gave glowing reviews for the same moving company, it’s in your best interest to find at least two other options. There are a few reasons for this:

Choosing a moving day that works around your schedule

While most movers should have availability during the time frame that might not always be the case if you’re moving during peak season (May-September) or making a last-minute move. If your move falls into either category you definitely want to have some backup options in case the one you really want falls through.

Ensuring a company offers all of the services you need

All moving companies offer basic loading and unloading, but not all offer the same extra services. Many don’t even offer the same quality of service for their basic moves! Highly-rated movers in CT will include free services with the basic move such as disassembling and reassembling basic furniture, wardrobe boxes, dismounting TVs, etc.

If you require something besides basic moving, such as packing/unpacking, storage, etc., mention that in your initial call. You don’t want any surprises on the day of the move!

Negotiating a better rate

You likely won’t see huge fluctuations in the estimate for your move so long as you are in contact with professional moving companies. If one estimate seems significantly cheaper than the others, don’t book them. Chances are the company is trying to scam you!

With that said, you can see if the company has any active deals going on especially if you’re moving during off-peak season. You can often leverage the quote from another company to negotiate a better rate with the movers you prefer.

Verify Their Legitimacy

All reputable moving companies have a unique number that is provided by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) when they register as a moving company. All movers must provide this number on their website and in their advertising. In addition, they must also have a carrier number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you don’t see the number anywhere on their site, consider that a red flag. You can always call and ask for it, but the information is supposed to be readily available so you can do your research before calling. If they cannot provide a number, do not book them!

To check a USDOT number go to the FMCSA site and search for the moving company you are using. You can check if there are any complaints, crashes, safety issues, etc. While you’re on the search result, you should check the following:

  • Basic information – make sure the company name, address, and phone number on the site matches what you see on the website
  • State carrier ID – not all states require a USDOT. If that’s the case, you can look up their state carrier ID that verifies they can make local moves
  • Operating status – make sure it says active! Avoid any companies that are inactive, out-of-service, or not authorized.

In order for moving companies to get their DOT number, they have to prove they have the appropriate insurance. In general, professional movers should have general and automobile liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation and property insurance. That way, should anything happen during the move, nothing comes out of your pocket. That means, if the movers damage your old or new home, their insurance will handle the cost of repair. It also means that if one of the moving crews gets injured on the job, the moving company will handle it.

Look Out for Other Red Flags

It’s not always easy to spot a scammer and with a high stress event like moving, it can be easy to get pressured into signing a contract, especially if you’re short on time. If you have a bad feeling about the company, trust your gut. With that said, here are some common red flags:

  • Asking for a large deposit up front- Most moving companies might ask for a small deposit to reserve your date, but if they are asking for a large cash deposit, it likely means they are scammers.
  • Avoiding your questions – reputable moving companies will always be happy to answer any questions you have as they want to provide you with the best experience possible. If the person on the phone dodges your questions or simply can’t answer them, it’s not a good sign.
  • Using high pressure tactics – most scammers want to put you into a situation where you feel like you don’t have any choices but to work with them whether that’s because a ‘deal’ is running out or that their slots are booking quickly. If you feel like the person on the phone is really trying to get you to sign paperwork on the initial call, find another company.
  • Significantly cheaper than the competition – everyone wants to save money, but most professional moving companies have relatively similar pricing. If you find a deal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Many scam companies will provide only the flat rate in their initial quote. It isn’t until moving day that they will add on all the extra fees they didn’t mention.

If you do end up being a victim of a moving scam, report it as soon as possible to the Better Business Bureau and FMCSA. You might not be able to get your money back (unless you want to go to small claims court, which can take even more money), but you can at least warn others and inform the proper authorities.

Find the Right Movers for You

Hiring movers might make moving day a breeze, but it comes with its own set of challenges. In order to find the best movers, you should start planning your move at least a month in advance. That way, you will have plenty of time to do your research and find the perfect CT movers.

Categories
General

Useful Strategies for Packing Your Home Library for Your Next Move

Useful Strategies for Packing Your Home Library for Your Next Move

Moving books might seem simple, after all you just toss them into a box, right? You’re not completely wrong, but there are exceptions to the rule. More importantly, if you pack your books incorrectly it could lead to broken boxes, damaged books, and injured backs. Even if you hire professional movers to haul the boxes for you, you’ll still need to do the packing, which isn’t quite as simple as you might think. For best results, read the strategies below on how to pack and move your home library.

Declutter Your Library

If you’re a bibliophile, the thought of getting rid of some of your precious books can be a heart wrenching. However, it’s in your best interest to lighten the load. After all, the less stuff you have, the cheaper the move will be whether you’re making a local or cross-country move. And who doesn’t want saving money?

Don’t rush this process. Try to start at least a month before your move. That way you will have the time to consider each book carefully. Instead of throwing your books in the trash, consider the following options:

  • Donate to charity – most charities will gladly accept your books so long as they are in good condition. You can also donate directly to libraries, schools, orphanages, etc.
  • Sell them – there’s a fairly large second-hard market for books, so why not make a little extra cash from them? Offer your books at yard sales or sell them online through Amazon or through various online booksellers.
  • Pass them along to friends and/or family members – Ask people you know if they want to take some books off your hands. Chances are there are probably a few you’re getting rid of that someone would be interested in.
  • Recycle – if your books are heavily damaged, your only option would be to recycle it. Avoid throwing your books in the trash if possible! Your old books can enjoy a new life as wrapping paper or paper bags if you recycle.

Organize Your Books the Proper Way

Once you’ve narrowed down your books, it’s time to organize them. Before you move anything though, make sure to take a picture of your current library setup so you can replicate it in your new home. Of course, you might decide you want to try a different organization method later on!

Separate your books into hardcover and paperbacks. If you don’t, the hardcover books could damage your paperbacks. From there, group the books up by size. That way, you can maximize the amount of space the books take in the box. You can go further with your organization and organize your book by genre, author, etc. Whatever is easiest for you to remember and unpack when you get to your new place. After all, there’s nothing quite like relaxing with your favorite book after a stressful moving day!

Choosing the Right Packing Materials

It might be tempting to put all of your books into one or two large boxes, but that’s ultimately an injury waiting to happen. Books are heavy. You might not think about the weight often in your day-to-day life. After all, you’re likely only holding one book at a time. An average hardcover weighs between 1 to 3 pounds while a paperback can weigh between 0.5 to 1 pound. Even if you’re hiring professional NJ movers to help with moving, you still want to keep your boxes to a max of 30 pounds since you might still need to move the boxes yourself from one room to another. More importantly, if you back your box full of heavy books, it can compromise the structural integrity of the box. This could lead to broken boxes and, at worse, a serious injury.

Your best bet is to choose smaller boxes. Sure, it might be tedious to pack dozens of smaller boxes, but it will ultimately be easier to move several small boxes versus one heavy box. Plus, smaller boxes mean better organization so you’re not putting your mystery novels with your romance.

Besides the box, you want to make sure you have other packing materials such as tape, packing paper, and permanent markers. Make sure to label the packed books as heavy so the movers know what to expect.

Need to Pack Your Books Properly

Sure, you can just dump your books into boxes willy-nilly, but it will be easier for you and the movers if you are intentional with your packing. Besides organizing and getting the right materials for the job, the actual packing part can ensure your books arrive in good condition. Before you start packing, line the boxes you plan on using with packing paper. If you have delicate and/or rare books, consider packing these separately or placing cardboard sheets between the books to prevent damage.

When stacking your books, pack your books with the spine down. If you’re stacking the books, pack the lighter books on top of the heavier ones. Try not to squeeze too much into the box. You don’t want the sides or top bulging! Leave a little space on the sides and top and stuff the empty space with packing paper to prevent any shifting during the move. You might also want to get some desiccant to keep your books nice and dry. After all, moisture can ruin books and warp the book shape. Not to mention it can lead to mold and rot.

Ship Your Books Using Media Mail

If you decide to go the DIY route, you might want to consider shipping your books via media mail. That way, you don’t have to worry about lugging the heavy boxes on and off a truck! Even if you’re using professional movers, shipping the books might end up being cheaper, especially if you’re making a long distance move. You can ship giant boxes of books for around $0.45 a pound! You can even schedule a pickup with the USPS so you don’t have to lug the boxes down to the post office.

So, what’s the catch? The USPS reserves the right to open and search the packages to ensure the contents adhere to the service’s standards. That means you can’t sneak in other items into these boxes. You will need to check the media mail website to see what does count. Be forewarned that media mail packages cannot contain advertising and things like comic books do not count. While the USPS won’t check every box, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Move Your Home Library Safely

If you want to make sure you have your favorite books on hand when you move into your new place, then hire professional movers to relocate your home library. Reputable NJ movers have years of experience and have moved pretty much everything you can imagine. And if you need, they can put any extra boxes in storage for you. Just make sure they know you will need a storage solution ahead of time!

Categories
General

The Best NJ Towns for NYC Commuters

5 Best NJ Towns for NYC Commuters

Around 973,000 workers commute daily into NYC with New Jersey accounting for 42% of that total. That number is projected to increase by 10 percent by 2030 as more people are leaving the city due to higher cost of living and the desire for more space. Of course, with more people moving to New Jersey, the cost of homes have skyrocketed. Luckily, even with the higher costs, you’ll still be getting more space for the money that you do end up paying. Plus, there are plenty of other benefits to living in New Jersey such as lower income taxes and sales tax, more access to nature, excellent public schools, and close proximity to both NYC and Philadelphia.

If you are looking to make a move to NJ, but aren’t sure where to go, then hopefully this guide will help you choose your next home.

Madison: The Best Town in NJ

While certainly not as close as some of the other locations on this list, Madison, NJ is considered one of the best towns in New Jersey for several years running. It’s an easy drive to NYC, but you can also take the train to Penn Station, which will take around 50 minutes. Home to Florham Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison is a college town in the best way as you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. The town even boasts a community theater where you can enjoy stage plays, live music, and more!

Unsurprisingly, Madison has some of the best public schools in the state and is also incredibly safe, making it a perfect place if you have a family or plan on starting one soon. Home prices tend to be on the more expensive side, though and you can expect to pay at least $600,000 for an actual home. Still, the idea is that you’ll be living there for years to come, so it is well worth the investment.

Hackensack: A Great Option to Live in NJ

If you still want a slightly urban feel while still having a bit of space from your neighbors, then Hackensack is a great option. And even if Hackensack doesn’t offer everything you want, you’re only 12 miles northwest of Manhattan. You can easily drive to the city or take the NJ Transit bus, which should take around 40 minutes depending on traffic.

With a population of around 46,000 people, it is the most populous city in Bergen County. It also houses the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, which focuses on business and professional majors. Thanks to both the college and its proximity to NYC, Hackensack has diverse neighborhoods with almost 39 percent of the population being immigrants. For foodies, the diversity means a wider range of cuisines to choose from!

As you might expect, the proximity to NYC means Hackensack tends to have a higher cost of living, but it is still significantly lower than if you lived in NYC proper. In fact, you can buy a house for around $400,000, making it more affordable than Madison, NJ.

Teaneck: Full of Nature and Charm in NJ

For those who want a bit more nature, Teaneck is an amazing option as it is home to the 46-acre Teaneck Creek Conservancy. This gorgeous park provides a variety of programs throughout the year for adults and children alike and also doubles as a eco-art gallery as it has numerous permanent and temporary exhibits. More importantly, you can get to NYC easily by car or public transportation in about 30-40 minutes! It also has some of the best schools in the state, making it a highly desired place to live for people with children. As you might expect, home prices are on the higher end with the average around $500,000.

It is home to around 41,000 people, making it the second most populous town in Bergen County behind Hackensack. With that said, it has more of a suburban feel than Hackensack though it does have a quaint downtown with plenty of options for eating and shopping. For history buffs, Teaneck is a treasure trove of history being a key location during the Revolutionary War due to its location near the center of the original thirteen colonies. In fact, around 100 battles were fought in Teaneck!

Union City: A Perfect Fit for Young Professionals in NJ”

While not as close as Hoboken, Union City is still only 15 minutes away from NYC via public transportation. In fact, if you end up in a luxury apartment, you can probably see NYC from your window! Despite its close proximity to NYC, it’s still relatively affordable in comparison to other locations such as Hoboken. Due to the pandemic, more people have discovered this gem so prices are going up. Still, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to rent a one bedroom apartment.

Union City is perfect for young professionals as it provides everything you would expect of a city. There are plenty of options when it comes to nightlife, food, entertainment, and more. It’s also very pedestrian-friendly so you can often leave your car at home if you just want to grab something quick to eat or drink. And while it might not have waterfront views or a multi-acreage park, there are still plenty of neighborhood parks where you can enjoy nature.

Montclair, Most Quick Move City in NJ

If you’re looking for that picturesque suburban life, then Montclair, NJ should be at the top of your list. There are numerous public transportation options that can easily get you to NYC in 45-50 minutes. Despite being a suburban town, Montclair is very walkable, making it a favorite location for out-of-towners. Unlike Union City, Montclair is fairly well known and seems to attract media employees from outlets such as the New York Times, Newsweek, and more. Most residents are commuters to New York City and the Metro Area. Housing prices are not cheap and average around $600,000. Average rent is also around $2,000 for a one bedroom.

What sets Montclair apart from other towns in NJ is its focus on the arts. Enjoy a play at Whole Theatre or Wellmont Theater and then check out the Montclair Art Museum or one of the several smaller galleries around town. If movies are more your thing, then watch some indie films at the Claridge Cinema. You can also catch some live music playing in one of the many small theaters dotting the town.

Make Your NJ Move Relaxed

Of course, NJ is home to many other towns and cities, but the ones listed provide different options for people looking to move away from NYC. If you’re ready to make the move, make sure to get in touch with professional NJ movers, like us! Just give us a call and we can provide an estimate and answer any questions you might have about your move.