Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

QUICK ANSWERS ON YOUR MOVING & STORAGE QUESTIONS

General:

• Why should I choose NJ Movers?

  NJ Movers is a trusted moving and storage company in New Jersey. We have almost a five-star rating on Yelp and our customers love that we are professional, punctual, and affordable.

• What is the best day of the week to move?

  We don’t charge extra regardless of whether it’s during the workday or weekend unlike other moving companies so it really depends on what you want. In general, the best time to move is on a Sunday as there’s less traffic. However, many doorman buildings do not allow weekend moves. In these cases, you should try to aim for the middle of the week as many people do not move on these days, thus giving you more options for elevator times. Plus, if anything goes wrong it will be easy to contact our offices during the work week!

• How far in advance should I plan and book my move?

  We work on a first come, first serve basis so the earlier you book, the better! We recommend booking at least a month in advance. With that said, if you do have a last-minute move don’t hesitate to reach out to us as we might have availability. And don’t worry, we won’t charge extra for last-minute moves!

• How do moving companies safely move furniture if it rains?

  Moving in the rain is always a challenge. This is doubly so when you have to worry about moving furniture as you have to worry about it getting wet. Our movers will wrap up your furniture in cling wrap to ensure they don’t get waterlogged. We also work hard to keep our hands nice and dry to avoid slippage.

• What is a full-service move?

  A full-service move is just what it sounds like. You get everything from packing to disassembling to the actual moving. Naturally, this will cost you more as the movers have to spend more time doing everything for you! However, if you don’t have the time to pack yourself and you have the money, it’s a great option as you’ll know everything is being packed properly. You can also add unpacking services to the move so you truly don’t have to lift a finger!

• How should I plan my move?

  The most important part of planning a move is to start putting together your checklist and everything else at least a month before your actual move. This way you can really spread out your organizing and packing in smaller pieces so you’re not as stressed when your move date arrives. Some things you should plan for include:

  • Decluttering your belongings and spending time selling, donating, or throwing away items you don’t need
  • Properly packing everything
  • Gathering all the necessary packing materials like boxes, tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, etc.
  • Getting in touch with your doctors, vets, child’s school, etc. to make sure you have paperwork for your new location
  • Getting the paperwork for your new and old place and filling out any information
  • Researching and hiring movers
  • Unpacking!

Pricing:

• How much does it cost to hire a moving company?

  The cost will depend on what moving company you hire. Some moving companies will charge by weight, making your final cost a moving target. In the case of NJ Movers, we charge an hourly rate for local moves and will send you a detailed quote with all the fees beforehand so that you know exactly what you are getting into.

  For long distance moves, we do charge on a weight/volume basis so the less stuff you have to move, the more affordable it will be. We have different long distance moving options which will affect the costs. For a more affordable option, you can choose consolidated shipping, where your items will be packed in the same truck as other clients. If you want your items to arrive quickly, you can choose Exclusive Express shipping, where you have full control of the drop-off date and full access to the moving truck.

  Outside of unforeseen circumstances or wildly off target information on what you need to move, our final bill will generally be the same as the quote you receive.

• Do you provide a flat rate or are your rates hourly?

  NJ movers provide an hourly rate for local moves that is broken up into 30-minute increments. So if your move takes 2 hours and 45 minutes we will charge you for 3 hours. Our price quote that we provide is our minimum charge and is not the actual cost of the move. The minimum price will always be charged even if we complete the move faster than the estimated hours.

• What is included in my move?

  We provide basic disassembly/assembly of furniture items such as bed frames and dining tables. We do not disassemble/assemble items such as murphy beds, IKEA furniture, couches, and other pieces of furniture that require specialized tools.

  We will wrap all of your furniture in blanks to prevent damage, dismount your tv. Uninstall your AC unit, cover your mattress, and provide three wardrobe boxes to you on a rental basis. We also provide necessary materials like tape, tools, and dollies. Any packing materials outside of what is listed will incur an extra charge.

• Do you charge extra for going up and down stairs?

  We generally charge between $10-20 stair fee per flight of stairs

• Where can I get free or cheap boxes?

  If you have a lot of items to box, it can be expensive to buy brand new ones. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can get cheap or affordable boxes:

  • Ask friends and family members if they have any unused boxes you can take
  • Reach out to your local liquor or clothing store to see if they have any boxes. These boxes tend to be very sturdy so they’re great for moving!
  • Check online in Facebook groups or Craigslist for listings!

• How accurate is the quote that I receive?

  As professional movers who have been in the business for over a decade, our quotes tend to be very accurate in over 90 percent of our moves. Even if you have a few boxes over what you expected, it won’t change the quote. The only times the quote will be significantly different are during the following:

  • We provide additional services such as packing, unpacking, or storage.
  • You make additional stops during the move
  • There are significantly more boxes/items than was agreed upon during the estimation process

• Should I hire professional movers or do a DIY move?

  That depends on your needs. If you don’t have a lot to move then you could potentially get away with renting a truck or van and moving yourself. However, if you have a lot of boxes and/or heavy items to move it’s probably best to hire professional movers like NJ Movers. Our reliable movers are trained in the best way to move heavy items and load up the truck to reduce the chances of fragile items getting broken. We do our very best to make sure your belongings arrive at their final destination in the same condition as when we packed it.

• What payments do you accept?

  We accept cash or credit cards. We do not accept Venmo, PayPal, or checks. Please note that paying by credit card will result in a 5% merchant fee that will be added to your final bill.

• Do I have to pay a deposit?

  Yes, in order to lock down the detailed quote and your move date you will need to confirm the date and pay a $100 deposit.

• When will I be charged for the move?

  Once you have paid the deposit, you will be charged the remaining balance after the move has been completed

• Do I need to tip the movers?

  Yes! The tip is not included in the final quote. While tips are not mandatory, if you feel as though the movers did a good job it is customary to tip around $20 for a half-day move per person and $40 per person for a full day move. Anything longer should increase accordingly.

• Do you move pianos and other large pieces of furniture?

  Yes, we are expert movers and are able to move any large and bulky items. You should make sure to let us know that you have these items so we can properly prepare.

• What if I need to cancel or reschedule my move?

  Please cancel or reschedule at least 3 days before the scheduled date of the move. If you cancel, we will refund your deposit. Anything rescheduled or cancelled less than 3 days before the move will incur a 100% penalty as per the estimate.

• Can I purchase packing materials from NJ Great Movers?

  Yes, we can provide you with different sized boxes for your moving needs. The boxes you purchase from us are the same ones we use when we pack your belongings so you know they are meant to handle the rigors of moving.

  If you don’t want to deal with boxes after unpacking, consider renting plastic bins. They are a great way to make your move eco-friendly and also keep your belongings safe as the bins are water and dust resistant.

Protection & Insurance:

• What kind of moving insurance do you offer?

  We offer the basic coverage where we will reimburse you $0.60 per pound if an item is damaged or lost. Of course, this amount isn’t great for light but expensive items like TVs, cameras, etc. If you have a lot of expensive belongings, you should spring for the full value protection option we offer. In general, this will automatically cover any items with a worth of $6 per pound. If you have anything worth more than that, please note that in your inventory, otherwise our insurance will reject any claims for high value items if they were not given prior information.

• Do I need a COI?

  Not all buildings require a COI (certificate of insurance). However if you need one, please let us know so we can prepare it for you in advance of the move and send it to the appropriate building managers. We charge $50 for a single building and $80 for two buildings.

• How do I spot fake movers?

  It can sometimes be hard to spot fake movers, but generally speaking they will be very cagey when you start asking too many questions. This is especially true if you ask for their Department of Transportation number and/or insurance information. Many will also try to pressure you into paying a large deposit upfront. If you notice these red flags, run!

• How will you protect my furniture?

  We will wrap your furniture in moving blankets to avoid damage. We also put up blankets on the walls of your buildings to protect both your furniture and the building.

• What happens if you damage the buildings when you move?

  Our foreman will contact the building management to let them know and then work out a payment.

• How will you protect my fragile items?

  We highly suggest you label any boxes or items as fragile so that we know to handle them with care. We will then make sure to load it properly in our truck to ensure nothing gets crushed.

• How do I pack my boxes so nothing gets damaged?

  You can check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist for a more detailed guide, but here are a few guidelines:

  • Keep similar items in the same box
  • Pack by room and mark boxes so you and the movers know where they should be placed
  • Use small boxes for heavy items like books
  • Use medium boxes for fragile items and electronics
  • Use large boxes for linens, sheets, and clothes
  • Your box weight should not exceed 50 pounds
  • Fill any empty gaps/space in the box with packing paper, shirts, etc. to prevent the contents of the box from being jostled during the move

• What happens if your company gets a parking ticket during the move?

  We will take care of the parking ticket issued to our vehicle. If you receive a ticket for your car we are not held liable for payment.

During & After The Move:

• What is a delivery window?

  It’s a window of time when we will move all of your belongings from your old place to your new one and is dependent on the size and distance of your move.

• Should I leave anything for the movers to pack?

  You should avoid packing odd-shaped items like lamps, glass tabletops, marble tops, etc. We will pack these for you though this will add a material charge to your final bill.

• Who should I contact if any problems arise during the move?

  You an contact us directly at 732-384-1602

• What should I do if my belongings are damaged?

  Call us directly (732-384-1602) and let us know. We will also reach out to you a day or two after your move to get feedback on your experience.

• How do I prepare for my move?

  You can see our full moving checklist here. For a smooth move, you should do the following:

  • Start early to avoid packing at the last minute
  • Reduce the amount of stuff you have by donating, selling, or throwing out items you no longer use
  • Contact your building management to get all the information on the move in and move out process
  • Pack your belongings and disassemble any furniture
  • Research and then hire professional movers
  • Schedule the date to turn off utilities in your old home and turn it on in your new home

• How do I know if I am hiring quality movers?

  There are, unfortunately, a lot of scammers out there who pretend to be moving companies as well as just bad moving companies. If you want to make sure your only hiring the best there are a few things you should do:

  • Check to make sure they provide a Department of Transportation license. Some states also require additional licenses for movers.
  • Look up reviews on Yelp and the Better Business Bureau
  • Contact the movers directly and ask questions like if they have insurance (if so, can they provide a copy of their COI), if they are licensed, etc. If they can’t provide answers, move on!
  • Ask for references and call them to make sure the company provided them with professional service.

• What is involved in the moving process?

  When it comes to hiring professional movers, the first step is taking an inventory of everything you are moving and requesting a quote. From there, we will contact you and then provide more details and answer any of your questions as well as confirm the date and time of your move and request a $100 deposit. After that, the movers will arrive on the assigned date and load and unload the truck at the specified location. We will then ask that you sign off on the final invoice and pay via cash or credit card.

• Can I ride with the movers?

  No, you will have to travel to the new location in your own car or via public transportation for safety and liability reason

• Do you provide storage options?

  Yes, we offer affordable and secure storage for your belongings for as long as you need. We will move the items to your facilities and, when you are able to move into your new home, we will bring your belongings to you!

Local Moves:

• What parts of New Jersey do you provide your services in?

  We service the entire state as well as the NY-NJ-CT area.

• What about moves to other states on the east coast?

  We are able to move you across the East Coast generally within the same day.

• Do I need to stay with the movers while they work?

  You or someone on your behalf (provide their name and contact information to us before the move) has to be there to meet the foreman and go over the details. We recommend that you or your representative stay with the crew the entire move.

• Will NJ Movers organize parking permits?

  No, you will have to organize parking permits. However, if it is your first time we can help guide you.

• What time will the movers arrive?

  This will be determined by the customer service/dispatch department. We will let you know when the movers will arrive at least 48 hours prior to the move date.

Long Distance:

• How do I move cross-country?

  Moving cross-country requires a lot more planning and foresight than a standard local move. When hiring professional moving services, always check to make sure they are licensed by the Department of Transportation and look them up on Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. After that, follow these steps:

  • Keep a detailed inventory of all of your items
  • Prioritize the items that you need when you just move into your new home
  • Properly label all boxes and include your name
  • Pack all boxes even more securely (doubly so for fragile items) as the longer it’s on the road, the higher the risk of damage.

• How long does it take for my items to arrive?

  It depends on the length of the trip. We try to get everything delivered ASAP and within your delivery window.