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Moving Tips

Useful Advice for an End of Year New Jersey Relocation

Useful Advice for an End of Year New Jersey Relocation

For many people, the end of the year can be exhausting with all of the family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and, of course, preparation for the new year. Planning a move during this time might feel overwhelming on top of everything else, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper planning, making a NJ move during the new year doesn’t have to be stressful. Below are some tips and steps you can take to make the experience as smooth as possible.

Know Your Budget

With the holidays, your budget is probably already stretched thin with all the gifts and travel you might need to do. Adding moving expenses on top of that can throw your budget for a loop. Before you start buying presents or moving supplies, sit down and break down exactly how much you can afford for both. Chances are you’ll probably need to cut down your spending somewhere.

Luckily, there are ways you can save on your end-of-year move. First, try to schedule a midweek move if possible and avoid moving on an actual holiday as most moving companies will be short-staffed. On top of that, try to negotiate a lower price. While there NJ moving companies may have fewer people on staff that’s because there aren’t as many people moving during the winter months. As such, you have more room for negotiation than if you tried to move during the summer. Some may even have active deals available, so don’t forget to ask!

On top of that, you can save money by decluttering your house. After all, the less you move, the less time it will take the movers to load and unload your boxes to your new home. Start this process as soon as possible. Not only will it prevent any mix-ups between the items you are gifting and what you want to get rid of, it also gives you time to sell your stuff. You can host a garage sale for more common items and, for more expensive things like brand name clothes, cameras, etc. you can sell those online for a better price. Whatever money you make from these sales you can put towards your move or your holidays gifts.

Pack Early

The last thing you probably want to do is pack during the holidays. Even if you live in an apartment, you should have some advance notice before you need to move. Use that time to your advantage! It might be tempting to put it off, but commit yourself to packing one room a week. Start with rooms that don’t see a lot of use like a guest room or attic and then go from there. The last places you should pack are your bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

Take your time when packing. The last thing you want to do is throw everything into a box without a plan. Remember, you also need to unpack once you’re in your new home! The more organized you are when packing, the easier it will be to unpack. Besides packing by room, try to pack like items together so they are easy to find. For fragile items, make sure you not only add enough protection in the box, but make sure there are no air gaps to prevent the objects from shifting during transit.

You don’t have to forego decorations just because you’ll be packing. With that said, you should try to minimize the amount you’ll need to pack away afterwards so choose a few favorites and put them up. And don’t forget to save a big box so you can quickly pack the decorations once you’re ready to move.

Plan For the Weather

Since you’re moving during the winter, you need to be aware of the weather during your move. While winters recently have been relatively mild, you never know when you might get hit with icy roads or a blizzard. While you can’t control the weather, there are ways you can mitigate potential issues. For example, you should prepare moving supplies that will stand up to wet and soggy conditions. Make sure to have your snow shovels and or snow blower ready to go to keep your driveway clear.

When it comes to preparing yourself, have some winter gear ready. That includes jackets, gloves, boots, and hats. More importantly, make sure your electricity and heat are turned on in your new house before you arrive. You don’t want to deal with freezing cold temperatures on a moving day. Also, have a mop and cleaning supplies ready for your old and new house. NJ moving companies may put down plastic runners to reduce how much dirt they track, but with snowy conditions, chances are you and they will track plenty of mud inside.

Finally, be careful when it comes to stairs and sidewalks, especially during the winter. It’s all too easy to injure yourself by slipping on a patch of ice.

Consider Temporary Storage

If your move conflicts with holiday plans, it might be worth your while to use temporary storage for some of your things. You can easily store some or all of your items somewhere safe while you’re traveling to visit family. That might mean you have to start your moving plans earlier, but it might be worth it if you don’t have to deal with all the half-packed boxes in your own home. Plus, if you know you’re not going to be around for most of December, you can potentially save some money on utilities by canceling them before you’re hit for another month. Don’t forget to turn them on a day or so before moving into your new house though!

There are plenty of self-storage solutions available, but many NJ moving companies also offer short and long-term storage rentals. The benefit of going through movers is that they will move everything to and from your storage unit. If you use NJ Great Movers for storage, our facilities are 100% climate-controlled and secure with 24/7 surveillance.

Prepare for Your New Year’s Move in NJ

Moving under normal circumstances can be stressful. Add in the holiday period and the winter weather and you have a recipe for exponential stress growth. Luckily, the steps above can help you keep your NJ move on track. To make it even easier on yourself, make sure to hire professional movers like NJ Great Movers. Not only can we help with a basic move, but we also offer other add-ons like packing, unpacking, and more. Reach out and we’ll help you through the process.

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How To

How to Choose the Best Moving Company in NJ

best moving company in nj

Are you planning on moving to a new place in New Jersey? A cursory Google search will turn up dozens of options which can lead to analysis paralysis. The more options you have, the harder it can be for you to decide which one to choose. While this might not be an issue for non-pressing purchases, choosing a reliable NJ moving company is crucial if you want a seamless transition to your new home. After all, you’re trusting them with your belongings! In order to find the best moving companies in NJ, it’s important to set aside some time to do proper research and vetting if you want to avoid potential issues and scams down the line. Not sure how to start? This handy guide walks you through how to choose the best NJ movers.

Ask People You Know

Word-of-mouth is still king. Before you even look online for NJ moving company reviews, ask your friends, family, and coworkers for their first-hand experience. White you don’t need to give them the third degree, you should ask them about what it was like working with the moving company. Were they communicative, on time, and professional? Did they damage anything and if they did, how did they resolve the issue? Did their initial quote match the final bill? All of these can help you narrow down your choices before you start doing your own online research.

Of course, just because one of your friends had a good experience doesn’t mean that other people felt the same way. Even bad moving companies can get it right sometimes! But asking for referrals is a good start so you can narrow down your choices.

Check for Licenses and Insurance

All professional NJ moving companies must have the appropriate licenses and insurance in order to legally operate within the state. These include mandatory registration with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to receive a USDOT number, a unique identifier that allows the government and consumers to Current and new address

  • Estimated size of move it or access the company’s compliance, inspections, crashes, etc. In order to receive the USDOT number, companies must have proof of up-to-date insurance. On top of this, NJ movers must be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs, which supplies standards that companies must abide by including minimum insurance coverage, fitness standards, contract requirements, and claims procedures.

Most reputable NJ companies will display their USDOT number on their website so you can easily look them up. If they don’t have the information, you can call them up and ask or you can call the NJDOT or New Jersey Warehouse and Movers Association for updated details on the company.

Hire Local Movers

Experienced NJ movers can make the process seem easy. They will know exactly how to navigate the crazy New Jersey traffic as well as all the laws for parking and moving into apartment buildings and/or homes. Need to deal with a flight of stairs? The best NJ moving companies have got you covered. More importantly, hiring local movers means you’ll be less likely to be tricked into a scam. On top of that, if you can find something local to either your new or old address, you’ll also save money. Local moves charge by the hour and they start charging you the minute they leave their warehouse and will stop the clock once their trucks are back on site. That means the further away they need to drive in either direction, the more you will need to pay and the more chances there will be for the movers to run into traffic or other issues. Narrowing your search to more local companies can save you a hundred dollars or more!

Do Your Research!

Even if you get recommendations from other people you still need to do your due diligence. Luckily, you can perform most of this online by looking at various online review sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. If a company has been in business for a long time, they will have hundreds of reviews from satisfied and not-so-satisfied customers. Read as many as you can and pay special attention to the negative reviews to see if there is a trend in the complaints. If a lot of people are complaining about poor service, damaged belongings, or surprise fees you might want to move on to the next company.

In addition to online review sites, check out the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has a report. Check out the letter grade and read any complaints, reviews, and government actions. You can also review the company’s complaint history on the USDOT website by entering the USDOT number in the search bar.

Call the Company

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to three options, give them a call to discuss their services and rates. Do NOT send them an email as the purpose of the call is to assess their professionalism and communication skills. Pay close attention to how they answer their phone when they pick up. They should say the company name, not their name. From there, walk them through what you need for the move including things like:

  • Moving date and time
  • Additional services
  • Bulky furniture/times
  • Flights of stairs they will need to walk up
  • Your budget

The more information you can provide the more accurate the mover’s estimate will be. While talking to them, don’t forget to ask questions! This could be from terms they use that you aren’t familiar with to the types of services they provide including providing packing materials, plastic bin rentals, and so on. Trustworthy NJ movers will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and will work with you to find a way to match your needs and budget. If the person on the other end seems annoyed, avoids your questions, and/or tries to pressure you into handing over your credit card information, move on. It’s a clear sign that the company is not professional.

Book Your NJ Movers

Finding a moving company can be daunting, but with these tips you should be able to narrow down your search. Always get an estimate from each of the companies to compare the prices and services they offer. If one seems significantly cheaper than the others, chances are you’ll be hit with a lot of hidden fees at the end. Most companies should be around the same price give or take a few dollars. If it’s still out of your budget, ask if they can provide some kind of discount. This is especially effective if you’re moving between October through April as fewer people move during this period. Once you’re happy with your research and the estimate, make sure to book as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your preferred date and time.

If you’re looking for a reputable company, give NJ Great Movers a call! We have an almost 5-star rating on all review platforms. Our crew will work with you to make your move as easy as possible.

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General

Local vs. Long Distance Moves – What to Expect

Local vs. Long Distance Moves - What to Expect

If you’ve worked with professional NJ movers at all, you’ve probably heard the term local or long distance moves. While the words might seem obvious, there’s a bit of nuance to it when it comes to the moving industry. More importantly, a local and long-distance move can change a lot in terms of pricing, consumer protection laws, moving crew, and more. So what makes a move local or long distance? Below is a breakdown of their differences.

Distance

The main difference between a local and long-distance move is the distance between your old home and new home. Local moves typically are within a 50 mile radius and anything over that would be considered long-distance. Of course, some moving companies are happy to make a concession if the move is just outside the local range and some even consider any move within the state to be local. Before you sign any paperwork, make sure to know how the NJ movers qualify a local move. Since New Jersey is 166 miles long and 65 miles wide at its widest point, some companies might consider a move from North New Jersey to South Jersey a long-distance move.

And what about interstate moves? While it might seem obvious that moving to another state would be considered a long-distance move, that’s not always the case. For example, if you’re moving from Brooklyn to Hoboken, most NJ moving companies would consider that a local move. Similarly, a move from Stamford, CT to Jersey City might also be a local move. Not all local moving companies work between states, so you should always ask beforehand.

Pricing

In general, most local NJ moves will be charged based on the number of hours it takes to complete the move. This includes loading, transportation, and unloading. For the most part, you can expect to pay for at least 4 hours of work depending on how much stuff you have to move and whether you decide to add-on a packing and/or unpacking service. The hourly rate starts when the crew leaves headquarters and ends when they bring the truck back to the parking lot. That means any delays due to weather or traffic during this time will be added to the final bill so you could end up paying more than you expect. However, the benefit of an hourly rate is that you can include a couple extra boxes or items without significantly changing the final bill.

Long-distance moves, on the other hand, are typically priced based on the weight of your belongings and the distance of the move. The more you have, the more expensive your move will be. To reduce your financial burden, get rid of as much stuff as you can, especially heavy items like furniture. Only keep items that are in good condition and you know will survive the long trip. And remember, any additional boxes or items that you bring with you after the quote will increase the price of your move so triple-check you have included everything you plan on bringing with you. You don’t want to be surprised by a much higher bill at the end of your move.

Speaking of saving money, if you have a tight budget opt for consolidated shipping. As the name suggests, you will be sharing space on the truck with other clients. It’s a perfect option if you don’t mind getting your items delivered between a time range of 6-10 days. Just make sure to look over your inventory carefully to make sure there are no boxes missing once the long distance movers deliver your belongings.

Packing

You can get a local move done in a few hours, which means your belongings are only in a truck for a short time. While you shouldn’t just toss items into a box, you don’t need to be super vigilant when it comes to packing. Of course, you should make sure to protect fragile items during your move as any little bump could lead to broken glassware or plates. 

However, with long distance moving to NJ, your boxes will be in the truck for several days or even weeks. That means more opportunities for your boxes to get jostled and its contents to suffer from damages. To avoid that, you should definitely take your time and pack everything with the utmost care. Invest in higher quality packing materials like boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. Or, better yet, see if the NJ movers you hire offer packing services. If they do and you have the money for it, hire them. 

The benefit of having professionals pack for you, besides saving you time, is that if your belongings are damaged during transit it will be covered by the valuation coverage you choose. Our suggestion – spring for the full valuation option. It will cost you money, but if an item is lost or damaged, the movers will have to pay to repair, replace, or pay a cash settlement for the current market value of that item. If you pack yourself, the movers are not liable for any damages unless you can prove that they were negligent in the handling of your boxes.

Planning

Moving requires a whole lot of planning and organization. Even for a local move you have to stay on top of a lot of little tasks like scheduling and transferring your utilities, planning your travel arrangements to get to your new place, getting your kids and pets ready for the move, packing, changing your mailing address for all your bills, updating your IDs and so on. If your kids are changing schools, you also have to notify the schools of the move and transfer their records. It can be overwhelming, which is why it’s a good idea to schedule some time to get all of these little things done. Set aside 30-40 minutes every day in the lead up to the move to check off one or two items on your list. By the time moving day rolls around, you should have everything moved over to your new address.

A lot of the same principles apply to moving long distance moves, just with double or triple the amount of tasks you need to do. In addition to everything mentioned above, you also have to change your driver’s license to a new state, transfer any professional licenses, cancel or transfer all your memberships, and more. Getting everything in place might take longer so make sure to set aside at least a month and a half to get through everything.

Moving to New Jersey

Whether you’re making a local or long distance relocation to New Jersey you’ll want to hire professional NJ movers. NJ Great Movers can help you with every aspect of your move whether that’s providing you with high quality boxes or packing and unpacking your possessions. Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you! Reach out to us once you’re ready to make your NJ Move.

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How To Moving Tips

Tips on How to Relocate Your Small NJ Business

Tips on How to Relocate Your Small NJ Business

As much as you might love your current business location, you might need to change it for a variety of reasons. Maybe your company is growing and you need more space for your employees, or perhaps you are downsizing your office space as more of your employees are working remotely. Whatever the case, you need to move your NJ business to a new location. A commercial move requires careful balancing of each step to avoid potential issues and/or downtime. After all, in the business world, time is money! Below are some effective ways you can minimize the impact to your business during this transition.

Is Your Business Ready to Move

Before you go through the entire moving process, you should first figure out if you’re actually ready to move. Are you planning to expand or contract your business significantly in the coming months? Moving might seem like the best option, but remember that signing a new lease can incur costs, especially if your previous lease has not ended yet. You may have to pay a fee to break the prior lease on top of the money you’ll need to spend to secure your new place.

Moving is also very disruptive so you should double check to make sure you and your team are prepared for the inconvenience of moving. After all, it means packing up supplies, including things like computers, printers, servers, etc. Chances are everyone will have to work from home for a few days while things get set up. And if you run a retail business, you might have to wait a week or so to reopen in a new location. Do you have the savings and capability to weather the few days of working from home or being closed?

Plan Ahead

It pays to be proactive in the business world and relocating your business is no different. While you do want to consider the economic impact of moving, you should also keep an eye out on how much space you currently have. If your employees are too cramped and can’t find a quiet place to meet, you’ve waited too long to move. At that point, it will be hard to manage a transition to a new place.

Keep an eye on your space needs, so you can figure out what to do ahead of time, not when tight spaces start disrupting your business.

Analyze Your Space

Consider how many people you will be hiring in the next ten years. In general, you should have about 100-175 square feet of space per person who works in the office depending on your layout. And don’t forget that you’ll need some meeting spaces, too! Before you start looking for a new office or retail space, look at your current location and see where there might be some inefficiencies in the setup. A better layout could free up a ton of space and save you money. If you need help, there are efficiency experts you can hire who will help you out.

Of course, sometimes you just need more space. To avoid moving too often, make sure you have a little breathing room in your new location to account for additional growth. The same is true if you’re downsizing because you’re opting for a more hybrid office approach. You should still consider the max number of people who you think will be in the office at any time and then calculate your space needs from there.

Make a Budget

Once you’ve decided how much space you need, it’s time to figure out how much you can pay so you can start narrowing down your options. While rent will take up a significant amount of the budget, don’t forget to include other monthly expenses like utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs. You’ll also have to add-on one-time fees for renovation/construction and hiring professional NJ commercial movers. And, of course, there are the other ongoing costs like payroll, office supplies, and so on. Make sure you calculate everything carefully so you don’t end up in the red after moving to your new place!

Research Locations

Once you’ve got your budget drawn up, it’s time to take a look at all the available locations that fit your budget and space needs. On top of these two factors, you also need to consider the following when choosing your new place:

  • Accessibility for clients and suppliers
  • Parking and/or public transit
  • Zoning
  • Room to grow
  • Average commute for employees
  • Nearby amenities like restaurants, etc.

Get feedback from staff on the different locations that match your needs. You should appoint a few to the moving committee so they can go with you to look at the prospective sites before you sign the lease. The more involved they are, the better they will feel about the move.

Don’t Forget to Negotiate

A lease and/or purchase agreement isn’t set in stone. There’s also some room for negotiation even if the broker doesn’t budget on the price. For a lease, always make sure to carefully read all the legal paperwork and review incidentals costs, responsibilities, and so on. If you’re moving during off-peak season, you can often negotiate a free month or even a slightly lowered rental price. If you buy, make sure to do your due diligence including getting environmental and building assessments, an appraisal, a title search, and reviewing necessary documents.

Create a Timeline

Once you’ve found your new place, create a timeline for the transition with the employees on the moving committee and IT. While you’ll of course set aside time for typical moving day tasks like packing, unpacking, and actually getting everything in the office hooked up properly, you shouldn’t forget things like renovations, setting up phones and Internet, buying new equipment, and so on. All of these could take longer than you expect so make sure to give yourself extra time especially if you are doing any kind of construction. 

Oh, and during the moving process, you’ll also need to contact some agencies before you move to update your address. Here are the authorities you should reach out to to update your address:

  • IRS – complete form 8822 Change of Address
  • Secretary of State – reach out for next steps. The documents you amend will depend on the entity you incorporated as
  • City and/or county – if you have a specific business license and permit for your operation, make sure to contact your local officials to alert them about your change of address and cancel previous licenses and permits

Communicate

Before you make the big move, make sure to let everyone in your contacts know about your new business location. Send out emails to clients with the new address. You can even schedule a postcard or letter to be sent out to your mailing list to make sure they don’t miss the new information. If you are a retailer, make sure your customers also know about the upcoming move by putting the information in the shop window and start handing out new business cards and promo items! 

You’ll also need to communicate with your current building owner. Let them know as soon as possible and make sure to ask if there are any procedures you need to follow to make sure the transition is as easy as possible. And don’t forget to call the utilities to get your name taken off to avoid double paying.

Choose Reputable Movers

There are a lot of commercial moving options, but the last thing you want to do is hire movers who don’t know what they’re doing. Take some time out of your day and do a bit of research on potential NJ movers and make sure they list commercial moves as one of their services. After all, a commercial move is different from a residential move in a lot of ways since they will be dealing with larger pieces of furniture, heavy equipment like printers, and delicate tech. Professional commercial movers will work with you, IT, and the designated moving committee to ensure all of the details are right.

At NJ Great Movers, we’ve moved tons of NJ businesses to their new offices with ease. We work with you to create a custom moving plan that matches your needs and budget. So give us a call and we’ll walk you through the process.