Month: January 2024

Categories
DIY Moving Projects How To

How to Hire the Right Movers for Your NJ Move

How to Hire The Right Movers for Your NJ Move

Doing a DIY move when you’re young isn’t so bad. You’re still in decent shape, and you likely have some nearby friends and family who are available to help out. However, as you get older, moving everything yourself can put a serious toll on your mind and body. Not to mention most of your friends and family are probably too busy with their own lives to help out (and maybe they also just don’t want to get hurt helping you move).

Whatever the case, you now need to hire the right movers. Even if you’ve gone through the process in the past, it can still be a daunting task. After all, there are so many companies to choose from and not all of them will fit your needs. In order to find the right moving company for you, you’ll need to do some planning. Luckily, the following guide will help walk you through the process.

Need to Calculate Your Moving Cost

Before hiring NJ professional movers, you first need to figure out if you even have enough money. In order to do that, you need to figure out how much they cost. While there aren’t any universal rates, most movers tend to offer similar prices. If you don’t want to guess how much movers will cost, you can simply reach out to a few that offer the service you need and get a quote. So long as you provide accurate information and include any additional services you might want to include, the quote should be fairly accurate.

 

NJ Moving Cost Estimates by Home Size

Home Type Estimated Weight (lbs) Local Move Cost ($) Long-Distance Cost ($) Notes
Studio / 1-Bedroom 1,000–2,000 $300–$600 $800–$1,500 Includes standard packing
2-Bedroom 2,000–4,000 $600–$1,200 $1,500–$3,000 May include small appliances
3-Bedroom 4,000–6,000 $1,200–$1,800 $3,000–$5,000 Larger furniture, extra boxes
4+ Bedroom 6,000–8,000 $1,800–$2,500 $5,000–$8,000 Full-service move recommended

 

Your best bet is to reach out to a minimum of three NJ moving companies, ideally more. You should be suspicious if an estimate is significantly lower than the others, as it might be a sign of a scam. And while it used to be a red flag if movers didn’t do an in-home visit, thanks to COVID-19, many can provide estimates if you send them pictures and/or video.

Check All the Important Documents

Whether you’re making a local move or long distance move, it’s important that you make sure the company you hire is licensed and insured. The US Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) requires all professional moving companies to have a U.S. DOT number. In order to receive this number, the movers must enrol in an 18-month education program to learn about carrier safety and hazardous material regulations. During this time, the company must maintain safe operations and pass a safety audit. To maintain their number, movers must comply with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety regulations.

Some states, like New Jersey, also require registration with the state’s Department of Transportation for additional security. Moving companies are required to post both their state and federal DOT numbers in an easy-to-find location on their website. You can then check the moving company’s numbers on the FMCSA website to ensure their numbers are still valid.

In addition to having the appropriate registration with the state and federal DOT, you also want to make sure the moving company is properly insured. You can ask for a certificate of insurance (COI), which is a form that shows all of the necessary insurance the movers have, including umbrella, general liability, automotive, workers’ compensation, and more. When you look over the document, pay close attention to the expiration dates for the insurance as well as the name and address listed for the business. You want to make sure the insurance is still valid up to the date of your move and that the name and address match what is listed on the company website.

Read Reviews Online

Thanks to the beauty of the internet, you can now easily find reviews on almost everything, including NJ moving companies. Don’t let this resource go to waste! Simply search the name of the company, and you’ll be able to pull up reviews from multiple sources, including Yelp and Google. You can always arrange reviews by the most recent and even drill down to see specific ratings, like one-star reviews. From there, you can determine whether the negative and/or positive reviews are a good representative sample.

In addition to customer reviews, you should also check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the company has a report. You can check out the letter grade the BBB has assigned to the mover and read any complaints, reviews, and government actions. Besides the BBB, you can also review the company’s complaint history on the DOT website.

 

NJ Movers Licensing & Verification Checklist

Verification Item What to Check Required? Where to Verify
USDOT Number Must be valid, active, and assigned to the company Yes FMCSA Lookup
NJ State License (NJ DOT) The company must be registered to operate within NJ Yes NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Check liability, cargo, and workers’ comp coverage Yes Provided by Movers
Business Address Must have a real physical office, not a PO box Yes Google Maps / Website
FMCSA Complaint History Look for patterns of scams or safety violations Recommended FMCSA Database
Better Business Bureau Rating Check complaints, reviews & accreditation Recommended BBB.org
Written Estimate Must be detailed, itemised, and in writing Yes Provided by Movers
Binding / Non-Binding Options Clarify if the price can change on moving day Important Estimate Document

 

You shouldn’t always trust online reviews, though, as some companies will pay people to post positive reviews. If you know people who have used a moving company you are considering, ask them questions about the cost, professionalism, etc. See if they have any complaints, and see if it matches up with the online reviews.

Ask Questions About What You Want to Know

Once you’ve narrowed down your NJ moving company search, you should take some time to ask them questions. You don’t want to go in there without any preparation, so make a list of questions beforehand. Below are some questions you should ask:

  • Can you provide a certificate of insurance? You want to make sure the movers have the insurance up-to-date and that they have enough coverage. Usually, insurance should be at least $2-5 million
  • Are you a broker or carrier? Brokers outsource their services to other companies, while carriers handle all moving services in-house
  • What coverage option do you offer? All moving companies must offer partial liability coverage for free. This only insures your items for $0.60 per pound per item. Professional moving companies are required to have full value protection, but you will need to pay extra for this
  • What services do you offer? Not all movers are created equal. If you need additional services like packing and unpacking or storage, make sure you ask if they offer these options.
  • How do you calculate prices? Most companies charge customers on several factors, including weight, distance, season, and hourly rates. If you’re moving locally, most movers stick with a fixed hourly rate, but that’s not always the case, so it’s important to ask.
  • What about cancellation fees? There are plenty of reasons why you might need to cancel or reschedule your move. Some companies will let you cancel free of charge so long as you do it far enough in advance. Others might charge you a fee on top of your deposit so make sure you ask!

Hire Right Movers NJ

Once you’ve done your research and found the right movers for you, make sure you book them! Ideally, you’ll want to reserve your movers at least a month beforehand, but you might be able to get in a last-minute move if you’re lucky. Still, the more lead time you have, the better as you’ll be able to start the moving process in advance.

Looking for some movers in NJ? Then reach out to NJ Great Movers for a quote!

FAQ

What is considered local for an NJ move?

Local moves tend to be categorized as within 50 miles of the point of origin. So if you’re moving from Southern NJ to Northern NJ, it might be considered a long-distance move.

Will I need to deal with hidden fees?

So long as you provide all the information, you shouldn’t get hit with any surprise fees. Some common things people get charged for include:

  • Stair fees
  • Packing and material fee
  • Long carry fees

Always make sure to provide as much information as possible to the movers and make sure to pack everything up before moving day.

Are movers cheaper during the winter months?

It depends on the movers. Some might offer discounts during off-peak season, while others might be more open to negotiations on rates during these times. It never hurts to ask!

Categories
General

Best Places to Live in New Jersey in 2024

Best Places to Live in New Jersey 2024

The new year brings with it new opportunities including a chance to find a new home. While many New Yorkers like to make fun of New Jersey, the state itself has a lot to offer from national parks to amazing beaches. If you’re in the market for a new home this year, moving to New Jersey might be in the cards. Not only can you get more space for the money you would spend on apartments in New York City, but you also aren’t too far away from the city life.

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in New Jersey. You’re also dealing with high taxes, expensive homes, insane traffic, lots of landfills, and a lot of people (NJ is actually the most densely populated state with 9.3 million residents residing within the 7,354 square miles that make up the state). However, if you know where to look you can find some amazing places where you can experience all of the benefits with very few negatives. Below are some of the best places to live in New Jersey.

Princeton – A Popular University City

As the name suggests, this town is home to the prestigious Ivy League university of the same name. However, it boasts more than just an amazing university. The town is home to 31,000 residents including many young families and professionals. Thanks to the presence of the university, the town boasts a more urban feel and has a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, local retail shops, and cultural attractions. There’s also plenty of green spaces for you to enjoy during those warm summer days either at Morven Museum & Garden or Princeton Battlefield State Park.

While Princeton might be most known for the university, the emphasis on education is apparent at all levels. In fact, Princeton has some of the best public schools in the entire state. You can easily start a family, living in Princeton and have them attend excellent schools from kindergarten to college. Besides offering world-class education, Princeton University also has some excellent college lacrosse and basketball teams. So don the school colors (orange and black) and cheer with your neighbors.

Chatham: A Great Location for Families and Professionals

Located less than 25 miles away from Manhattan, Chatham offers all the charm of a quiet neighborhood while still being close enough to the bustle of a large city. It’s a great location for families and professionals as the downtown offers a great selection of restaurants and local stores to shop from. It’s also commuter-friendly and you can easily get around the town without a car. Of course, if you do want to travel outside of the town you have access to well-maintained roads and public transportation thanks to the NJ Transit.

Chatham is a great place for families. It’s safe and has plenty of family-friendly recreational locations to choose from. It’s located close to the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, which preserves Thomas Edison’s lab and residence where you can check out his inventions and tour the grounds. There’s also Liberty Hall Museum and Arboretum where you and your children can explore the mansion that hosted many distinguished guests such as George Washington, William Howard Taft, and Benjamin Franklin. Chatham is also home to some amazing public schools that are rated some of the best in New Jersey.

Elizabeth: One of the Largest Cities in New Jersey

If you’re still working in New York City, then Elizabeth might be a great option for you as it has two train stations and is close to both the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. With a population of 128,000, Elizabeth is the fourth largest city in New Jersey. While housing prices aren’t cheap, you could potentially find a decent place for around $400,000. When compared to places like Princeton or Chatham, that price tag doesn’t look so bad!

One of the greatest strengths of Elizabeth is its diversity as it is home to 37 different languages and residents from 50 different countries. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be happy to find cuisine from around the world whether you’re looking for Columbian, Indian, Japanese, or Portuguese. There’s definitely something for everyone and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. Of course, if you want to, Elizabeth is very pedestrian-friendly and thanks to the two train stations, you probably don’t need a car unless you plan on visiting other areas of New Jersey.

Thanks to its large size, it’s also relatively to find a job in Elizabeth and the city even offers incentives to business owners to bring commerce to the community. If you’re an entrepreneur, this could be a great place to start.

Ho-Ho-Kus: A Small Community for Peaceful Living

If you’re looking for a more small-town feel, then Ho-Ho-Kus might be the place you’re looking for. This quaint town is home to around 4,000 people and, as you would imagine, is a very tight-knit community. Despite that, the residents are welcoming so you don’t have to worry about feeling iced out by your neighbors when you move in. While many of the residents have spent their entire lives in the area, many still are transplants who wanted a quieter lifestyle with more nature.

Despite its small population, Ho-Ho-Kus offers a cute downtown lined with shops and restaurants as well as a commercial center and train station. If you’re looking for a bit more nature, you just need to travel a short distance and you’ll find yourself walking along Saddle River or Brewster Pond. The area does have an elementary and middle school, though kids will have to go outside the town for high school. Due to its attractive amenities and picturesque scenery, houses are not cheap in Ho-Ho-Kus, but if you can afford it, it’s a wonderful place to live.

Springdale: The Best Suburb in New Jersey

If you prefer being closer to Philadelphia than New York City, then Springdale might be the perfect option. Located just over 45 miles from Philadelphia, Springdale is a neighborhood of Cherry Hill, NJ, and offers quiet suburban living with city life just under an hour away so you get to enjoy both the quiet and peaceful streets and small-town vibe without sacrificing the delights of a big city. Compared to some of the places on this list, Springdale is on the more affordable end when it comes to home prices.

With a population of under 14,000 Springdale offers a sparse suburban feel. While there is a downtown, you’ll mostly find big-box retailers and chain stores. If you want an active nightlife scene, this might not be the best option as Springdale is home mainly to families and retirees. With that said, the restaurants are quite good and there are other amenities such as local gyms, pools, and close proximity to some green areas such as Pennypacker Park and Wharton State Park. As it is a neighborhood in Cherry Hill, you also have access to top-tier public and private schools. In 2021, Springdale was ranked in the top ten of best suburbs to live in New Jersey.

Moving to NJ

Once you’re ready to make your NJ move, why not give trusted professional movers a call to help make your transition smoother? NJ Great Movers offers plenty of moving services and we can cater to your needs and budget. We also know New Jersey like the back of our hand and can get you moved into your new place with no issues. As a trusted NJ moving company, our goal is to make your move as stress and hassle-free as possible. So give us a call and we’ll get you started on the moving process.

FAQ

Is living in New Jersey expensive?

It depends on where you live. Some areas are more expensive than others. With that said, New Jersey does have high taxes and home prices so you’ll want to keep that in mind when making your NJ move.

How safe is New Jersey?

Like other states, there are some areas of New Jersey that are safer than others. In general, the larger the population, the more crime there will be. Smaller suburbs and towns tend to be safer.

Will I need a car?

New Jersey offers some excellent public transportation in the form of trains, buses, and even ferries. Depending on where you live, you might not need a car at all. With that said, if you want to discover everything the Garden State has to offer, a car can provide you with more freedom and flexibility.

Categories
Packing Hacks and Guides

How to Pack Your Clothes for Moving

6 Hacks to Pack Your Clothes for Moving

Packing is not easy. In fact, it’s the task that most people dread because it takes up so much time and energy. It’s all too easy to forget something since you’re spending time disassembling your furniture, organizing your belongings, and prepping your fragile items so they don’t break during the move. Who has time to think about how to pack clothes?

While it might be tempting to just throw your clothes into a bag or box, this haphazard approach can lead to wasted space and time when unpacking. Plus, it leaves all your clothes wrinkled or, in the worst-case scenario, damaged. If you want to make sure your clothes arrive in good condition, the following tips can make that possible.

Declutter Your Old and Unnecessary Clothes

This step might be one of the longest, but there’s no better time to start purging your closet and wardrobe than when you move. While this step might take some time, it’s a lot better to reduce how much you bring with you, as you will have less to pack and unpack.

In order to properly declutter your closet and wardrobe, empty everything so you can see what you have. From there, sort your clothes into three categories: clothes you wear often and want to keep, items you don’t wear but are in good condition, and damaged clothes. Take the time to look carefully at each piece, including dressy and seasonal outfits. With dressy items, unless you are constantly going to fancy parties, you can probably get away with one three-piece suit or black dress.

 

Clothing Decluttering Checklist (Item Counts)

Clothing Type Typical Closet Count Recommended Keep Donate / Sell
T-Shirts 20–30 10–15 10–15
Jeans 8–12 4–6 4–6
Sweaters 6–10 3–5 3–5
Dresses 6–12 3–6 3–6
Coats / Jackets 5–8 2–4 3–4
Shoes 10–15 5–7 5–8
Formal Wear 4–6 2–3 2–3
Workout Clothes 6–10 4–6 2–4
Seasonal Items 5–10 3–5 2–5

 

You can choose to donate or sell the lightly worn items you have. If these items are from a brand name, you can probably fetch a good price for them online. Whatever you earn, you can put towards your moving budget. For anything that didn’t sell, donate to a Goodwill store.

Wash Dirty Laundry Before Moving to Your New Home

It might be tempting to leave your dirty laundry in a bag and forget about it until you’re in your new house, but the last thing you’ll want to do is do a load of laundry while unpacking. More importantly, stained or soiled clothes will only get worse as time goes by, and if some of your clothes are particularly stinky, the smell can spread to the rest of the dirty laundry and suitcase.

It might seem like a waste of time, but do all of your laundry the day before you move. It will make unpacking a lot easier. Plus, you’ll need to wash the clothes you donate anyway, so you might as well do another few loads while you’re at it!

Sort Your Clothes

Once you’ve figured out what you’re keeping, the next thing you should do is start sorting your things by season. That way, you can start packing away the clothes you don’t need as early as a month before your move. So if it’s summer, pack away your winter clothes and vice versa.

While you’re at it, sort pieces by type to help you organize your closet better after the move. Put all your pants together, shirts together, dresses, etc. Just make sure to keep all of these items separate for each person in the house. Then label and identify the various boxes and bags with the name of the person and the type of clothes for easier unpacking.

Find the Appropriate Packing Method

Sure, you can throw your clothes into a box, and that might not be the worst idea for more casual items like jeans and t-shirts. However, for items like button-down shirts, dresses, dress pants, etc., you might need to take a different approach. Some options include:

  • Standard cardboard boxes – these are great for folded clothes like your sweaters, t-shirts, etc.
  • Wardrobe boxes – perfect for clothes on hangers! You don’t even need to take the items off the hangers, just put them in these boxes. Many professional moving companies in NJ provide one or two wardrobe boxes for free
  • Suitcases and bags – if you don’t have enough cardboard boxes, these are great alternatives
  • Vacuum bags – perfect if you need to save space and condense clothes like bulky sweaters and jackets. It’s also a great way to store seasonal clothes, so it doesn’t take up too much space in your closet once you’re settled into your new home.

Organize Folded Attire for the Move

If you’re someone who has trouble folding the laundry when it comes out of the dryer, you might balk at folding your clothes during your move. There’s no getting around it, folding clothes is a labor-intensive process. You can make it easier on yourself, though. Unless your dresser is in very bad condition, you can leave all your foldable items in the drawers and tape them up tightly. You’ll save money on cardboard boxes and time spent packing. Plus, professional NJ movers know how to carry and maneuver large pieces of furniture.

 

Folding vs. Rolling vs. Vacuum Bag Space Comparison

Method Space Saved Best For Pros Cons
Flat Fold 20–25% space saved Shirts, pants, sweaters Prevents wrinkles; simple Not the most space-efficient
KonMari Fold 30–40% space saved T-shirts, activewear Maximizes visibility; good structure Takes more time to fold correctly
Military Roll 40–60% space saved T-shirts, leggings, light items Very compact; reduces wrinkles Not ideal for bulky clothing
Vacuum Bags 70–80% space saved Coats, sweaters, bedding Maximum compression; great for bulky items Can wrinkle clothes; requires sealing

 

However, if you’re not keeping any of your furniture, you will have to pack it. There are two methods of folding your clothes that are easy and efficient:

  • Flat fold – these are perfect for your sweaters and jeans, and pair well with cardboard boxes and vacuum bags, and are the most traditional way to fold your clothes. Lay the shirt flat, fold the bottom up a few inches, then flip it around. Fold both sleeves toward the center, then fold the bottom half of the shirt.
  • KonMari Fold – popularized by Mari Kondo, this method is similar to flat fold, but it allows you to see any designs on the shirts, so long as you pack them properly. It’s a fairly straightforward process where you fold one side of a shirt towards the center and repeat on the other side. Then fold the shirt in half lengthwise, and finally fold the shirt in half. You will want your shirt to stand upright to maximize space.
  • Military roll – use this method for delicate items like shirts and dresses, or if you’re using suitcases or duffel bags. Follow the flat fold method, but instead of folding the bottom half of the shirt, roll from top to bottom.

Protect and Pack Footwear Like a Pro

Don’t throw all your shoes into a duffel bag! Shoes quickly lose shape and can get damaged during the move. Plus, if you have worn all of your shoes before, you’ll be getting whatever dirt, etc., on all of your shoes.

It’s in your best interest to pack your shoes properly, especially your dressier shoes. Stuff the shoes with some packing paper or socks so they keep their shape and wrap them in paper to prevent scuffing. If you have the original shoebox, place it in there and put everything into a small or medium box. It’s okay if you don’t have the original shoebox; you can place the shoes gently in a cardboard box without it.

And don’t ever pack your shoes with your clothes!

Accessories

Don’t toss these in with your clothes! It’s all too easy to lose small accessories like rings, necklaces, neck ties, etc. Instead, back these separately in a small bag or box. If these items are very valuable, you will want to keep these possessions on your person.

Pack a Bag or Suitcase for Moving Day

Don’t pack away all your clothes in boxes. Unless you are super motivated to unpack immediately when you move into your new place, chances are you’ll take a few days to go through all your boxes and bags. In the meantime, the last thing you want to do is root around your boxes to find your pajamas and a change of clothes. This is doubly true if you moved on the weekend and have to go to work on Monday.

So before you tape up all of your boxes, separate all of your essential items into a suitcase or box. When planning what to pack, consider what you would bring to a 2-3 3-day hotel stay. Items like socks, underwear, shirts, pants, pajamas, tooth brush, toiletries, etc. are all necessary, but you might have to pack other things like bedding, pillows, toilet paper, towels, silverware, one or two cups, etc. Don’t overload yourself, of course! Remember, this should be enough for two to three days, not a full month! The hope is that you will be finished unpacking the essentials within that time frame.

Get Ready to Move!

The tips above should help make packing your clothes a lot easier. If all else fails, you could always contact NJ Great Movers and request a partial packing option for your closet and dresser. We’ll handle all the hard work so you don’t have to!

FAQ

Can I pack clothes in plastic bins?

Of course, and it might even be a better option as plastic bins are sturdier than cardboard boxes and weather resistant so you don’t have to worry about your clothes getting wet if it’s raining or snowing during moving day.

What packing materials do I need to pack my clothes?

You should have tape, packing paper, and boxes for starters.

When should I start packing my clothes?

You can start packing your off season and/or dressy clothes as early as a month before your move date! For everything else, start packing your clothes no more than a week or two beforehand.