Author: Kevin Katz

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Moving Tips

Complete Guide to Moving into Your First Apartment in NJ

Complete Guide for First Time Apartment Moves

So, you’re ready to leave the nest and move into your first apartment. As exciting as that is, it can also be nerve-racking. Moving at any point in your life can be stressful, but it’s doubly so when you’re getting started with your new life. Although you might not be able to reach a state of zen during your first move, this guide can help plan your moving strategy so you’re not hit with any surprises.

Make Simple Financial Preparations in Your Budget

Moving isn’t cheap. There are a lot of different factors you need to consider when it comes to living on your own. Even if you end up living with roommates, there are still responsibilities and bills you might not be used to, especially if you’ve been living at home. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to live on your own, here are some key financials you should consider before you start looking for a new place:

Income – it goes without saying that in order to pay for your rent and utilities, you’ll need to bring in some money. More importantly, most apartments require you to prove that you have an income and will generally ask for the last several months of pay stubs. Depending on where you live, some landlords might even ask that your salary equals around 40x the monthly rent.

If you don’t have a job yet because you just graduated from college or you’re starting over in a new city, you might not be able to provide proof of income. In these cases,  you can ask a parent or guardian to act as a guarantor for you when signing the lease. This way, the management company will at least know that someone will cover the monthly rent. Ideally, you’ll be able to find some source of income shortly after moving into your apartment.

Budget – Before you start looking for apartments, take a look at your budget. If you haven’t made one or updated it recently, you can use sites like Mint or You Need a Budget to help keep track of your expenses and set a goal to save up for your move. Make sure to include budgets for any bills, payments, debts, savings, and spending money you want for clothes, travel, restaurants, bars, etc.

Once you have set everything up, see how much money you currently have leftover that you can spend on rent and utilities. Depending on where you want to move, this might mean you need to set aside $800-$1,000. In more popular cities, you might have to budget for at least $1,500 if you don’t want roommates. Of course, there is always the roommate option, which we will get to later on.

Save for fees – Most apartments and even roommate situations will ask for a chunk of money upfront when you sign a new lease. These fees include an application fee, security deposit (usually the same amount as one month’s rent), administration fee, and at least the first month’s rent, though some might ask for last month’s rent as well. If you used a broker, you might also be required to pay a broker’s fee. All in all, if you’re looking to rent an apartment for $1,500/month, you may need to save up close to $5,00,0, depending on what your landlord/management company requires.

This doesn’t even account for the actual cost of moving. Whether you rent a truck or hire a professional moving service, you’ll need to set aside some money to pay for it. Even if you rent a truck, these can cost between $50-$200, depending on the size you need, the distance you travel, and how long you rent it out for. While renting a truck is the cheapest option, you will have to do all of the loading and unloading yourself, which is grueling work and can often lead to injuries. While hiring professional movers might be more expensive, it ultimately will save you a lot of time and even money in the long run. Depending on how much you need to move, hiring movers can cost anywhere between $300-$1,500. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to do a DIY move or not, so make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Finding the Right Apartment Based on Your Needs

Your finances will be the most defining parameter in finding a place to live. Having a steady income and saving up in advance will open up a lot more options when it comes to apartment hunting. However, if saving up that much cash isn’t feasible, there are other options available:

Start your search early – if you know you’re going to need a place to live in the next few months, get a head start. May-August tends to be the busiest season for rentals, so if you want a good deal, you’ll have to start looking as soon as possible. If you are able, the best time to get a good deal is to look in the off-season, so anywhere between October and February. While there aren’t as many rentals on the market, most landlords or management companies are more willing to negotiate on the rates, as there aren’t as many people moving during this time.

Get a roommate (or 2) – this way you can cut your rent by at least 50 percent, allowing you to get to your target rent amount and also cutting your bills in half as well. If you have a friend or acquaintance who also happens to be moving at the same time, ask if they are interested in moving in together. Of course, before you decide to live together, you should first assess your own needs when it comes to roommates. Do you prefer a quiet and clean environment? What are your thoughts on smoking and/or pets? You should spend some time hashing out both your and your potential roommates’ needs and see if they actually mesh. It won’t work if you want a quiet apartment, but your roommate is someone who likes to bring the party home, for example. If you don’t have anyone you know moving, you can still find a roommate through various sites and apps. When going in for the interview, make sure to ask questions about their lifestyle and understand what the other person requires from you to see if it will work out before you decide to move in.

 

Apartment Hunting Checklist: Tips to Find the Right Place

Tip What to Do Why It Matters
1 Start your search early, ideally before peak rental season (May–August) or during off-season (Oct–Feb) Better deals, more negotiating power, and wider selection
2 Get a roommate (or 2) if needed Cuts rent and utility costs, making your budget more manageable
3 Look outside the major city hub Cheaper rents, potential for up-and-coming neighborhoods with amenities
4 Consider utilities included in rent or out-of-pocket Avoid surprises in monthly costs; helps with accurate budgeting
5 Look for private rentals through Craigslist, Facebook groups, or local classifieds May find cheaper options not listed on big broker platforms
6 Make it work with your budget: personalize your space with decor and minor upgrades Turns a less expensive or less ideal apartment into a comfortable home

 

Look outside the major city hub – The most expensive apartments tend to be where all the action is located. While it’s great to be in the center of the action, if you can’t swing the expensive rent, you’ll have to look outside of the area. Many apartments that are 30 minutes outside the main hub will offer much cheaper rents. If you take the time to look around, you might even be able to spot some great up-and-coming areas that offer a lot of amenities you want for a lower price than the main city.

Consider utilities – For most apartments, the monthly rent just covers the actual cost of your room. However, some might lump in some utilities. Many apartment complexes are required to provide the basics in your rent, including heat and hot water, and you will have to cover electricity, cable/internet, and gas. Others might not offer any utilities in their rent, so everything will be out-of-pocket. When looking for your new place, make sure to see what is included. If it’s not listed, call up the agent on the listing and ask. A $700 might sound great, but if you have to pay for all of the utilities, you could end up paying over $1,000 a month.

Look for private rentals – it’s easy to find rentals from major brokers and real estate companies, as they have the money to list on the major rental sites and apps. However, don’t discount private rentals. While these can be harder to find, you can check sites like Craigslist or even join local Facebook groups. You can also look through your town’s local classifieds to search for these private rentals. Of course, you should always confirm the legitimacy of the posts beforehand.

Make it work – at the end of the day, if you don’t have a huge budget to spend on rent and utilities, you’ll have to come to terms with the fact that you might not be able to afford the apartment of your dreams, at least not yet. This might mean you have to live with someone else or in an area that isn’t as desirable. In that case, work to make the interior of the apartment into a space you enjoy. Do a little painting and invest in some artwork/decorations to make the place feel like home.

Research the Apartment and Building Management

Once you’ve narrowed down your apartment options to a handful, you should take the time to do some research on both the apartment and the landlord/building management. While this means more legwork for you, it also means you can avoid potential bad landlords and/or roommates, both of which can lead to unnecessary amounts of stress in the long run. To avoid potential disaster, do the following:

Find and Read Reviews – do a quick search for your apartment and building management, and read reviews from previous tenants. If the place or landlord is no good, many renters will often warn others. You can also type in the location of the building and find some documents and permits to look over the work that has been done to the building. In some cities, you can also request a one-year bed bug infestation history.

Visit the apartment – this might sound obvious, but there are many people who will rent a site unseen. Pictures and videos can’t really capture the essence of the apartment, and no broker or landlord will highlight problem areas as they’re trying to rent the place out. Visiting in person ensures that you know exactly what you get. Even if the apartment seems nice, there might be other issues, such as thin walls, a bus stop right in front of your window, smokers, and more. If possible, try to visit the apartment during the evening after work so you can see exactly what it would be like to live there.

Ask questions – As you view the apartment, don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you notice some troubling signs of water damage or poor maintenance. Even if there aren’t any obvious signs, it’s still good to ask a few things so that you know what to expect. Some common questions you can ask include:

  • What is the turnover rate of the building
  • How long has this apartment been vacant
  • How long is the lease
  • When is the rent due each month
  • What is the rent increase, and how often does it occur
  • Under what conditions can I break the lease
  • Can I sublease
  • Is there an on-site maintenance person who can help with my requests, and how quickly do they respond
  • Can I paint the apartment
  • Is there on-site laundry? If not, where is the nearest laundromat
  • Are pets allowed
  • Is smoking allowed

Getting the Apartment That Becomes Your New Home

So you’ve found your dream home and everything seems to be in order. Now what? In order to turn this apartment into your new home, you’ll have to work fast, especially in highly competitive cities. To give yourself a better chance of getting the apartment, do the following:

Bring necessary documentation during your tour – sometimes you can wait a couple of days before making your decision, but in general apartments get snatched up quickly, especially during prime renting season. If you’ve found the perfect place, you will have to be prepared to provide all of the necessary information on the spot. This includes:

  • Money for the deposit
  • Proof of income
  • Contact info for references
  • Credit score and social security number
  • Photo ID

Read the lease – If everything checks out, you’ll get moved along to the next step in the process, which is actually signing the lease and paying the rest of the deposit. Take your time and read over the lease with a fine-tooth comb. Check to make sure everything you had discussed previously is in the lease, including lease length, rent costs, rent due date, terms for breaking the lease, and so on. Don’t sign unless you agree and are willing to adhere to the lease. If you have questions or some of the terms seem different, bring them up and see if you can make the lease more in line with what you were told.

Once you sign the lease, the apartment is yours! Congratulations, but you’re not out of the woods yet! You’ll still need to take a few more steps to ensure a smooth transition to your brand-new apartment.

Moving Into Your New Apartment

You’re almost at the finish line, but there are a few more things you need to be aware of before you can actually start moving your stuff in:

Pick a move-in date – Work with your landlord or management company and agree on the move-in date. Usually, most places want you to move in on the first of the month, but if this isn’t possible due to your schedule, try to work something out that will work. Most people are okay if you move in a bit later, so long as you don’t ask for prorated rent! If you need to move a few days before your lease starts, you might be able to do it for a small fee.

Confirm moving instructions – there’s nothing worse than not being allowed to actually move your stuff in on moving day. To make sure you don’t run into any issues, ask whether there are any specific instructions you need to follow on moving day. For example, ask whether you are able to move yourself or if the building requires you to hire professional movers. Many newer and luxury buildings require movers as they are able to provide something called a certificate of insurance, which will hold the movers liable if they damage anything. You should also ask if you need to reserve elevators, if there’s a loading dock where you can drive in, and if there’s nearby parking you can reserve.

Document any damage – Before you move, take a closer inspection of the apartment and take pictures of any damage done by the previous tenant. Send these over to the landlord so that they also have a copy. This way, when you move out, you won’t get your security deposit withheld for damages you did not cause.

 

Move-In Day Checklist

Step What to Do When to Complete Why It Matters
1 Confirm move-in date with landlord 1–2 weeks before move Prevents access issues and unexpected fees
2 Review building moving rules 1 week before Avoids fines, delays, or denied move-ins
3 Reserve elevator or loading area 5–7 days before Speeds up the move and reduces conflicts
4 Photograph and document existing damage Before unloading Protects your security deposit
5 Set up utilities and internet 1–2 weeks before Ensures services are active on move-in day
6 Choose DIY or professional movers 1 week before Balances cost, time, and physical effort
7 Update address and important accounts Within the first week after the move Prevents missed mail and billing issues

 

Set up utilities – As soon as possible, call up your local utilities and get the necessities set up, like electricity, gas, water, and internet. You want to call in advance so you can have all of these services up and running the day you move in. Make sure to give them your billing information, address, and move-in date so they can schedule the services to turn on.

Make the move – Once you’ve packed all your belongings and confirmed all the moving instructions, you can move in! Decide on how you want to do your move. If you have a lot of heavy furniture, it might make sense to hire professional movers to do the job for you. If you don’t have the budget for it, enlist the help of friends and family if you can, and make sure to thank them with some pizza and cold beverages afterwards.

Change your address – Once you’ve settled in, take some time to update your billing address for any profiles, memberships, and important documents. If you’re moving out of state, remember to update your license and license plate. Don’t forget to alert friends and family about your address!

Shop for Your New Place

Now that you’ve finally moved in, you’re ready to furnish your apartment. It’s all too easy to splurge and buy every little knick-knack you find, especially with your first place, but take a moment to pause and reflect on what you need. If you’re not sure, take a look at the list below as your starting point:

  • Flashlight
  • Cleaning supplies (soap, vacuum, mop, sponges, broom, toilet bowl cleaner)
  • Extra set of keys
  • Some knives
  • Cutting board
  • Can opener
  • Plates/bowls
  • Utensils
  • Cookware – skillet, pot
  • Cooking utensils – spatula, ladle
  • Towels – dish and bath
  • Spices
  • Trashcans
  • Bathroom essentials – plunger, shower curtain/rod, bath mat
  • First aid kit
  • Sheets, pillows, blankets, pillow cases
  • Laundry detergent and laundry bag/basket
  • Dresser
  • Hangers
  • Mattress
  • Curtains
  • Microwave and/or toaster oven
  • Small coffee table or larger dining room table (if you can fit one)
  • Chairs
  • Candles
  • AA batteries
  • Tool kit – hammer, screwdriver, handsaw, power drill, nails, screws
  • Sewing kit

Take a look at the items you brought with you and cross-reference them with this list. If you are missing anything, make sure to add it to your next shopping trip. You don’t have to buy everything immediately or at the same time. The only thing you should try to get as soon as possible is a mattress, as it’s no fun to sleep on the floor or on an air mattress for too long. Once you get all of the essentials, you should think about how you can decorate the apartment in a way that speaks to you. Maybe that means painting the walls a different color or putting up some snazzy artwork. Just make sure to shop with intention during this phase, as it’s easy for spending to get out of control during this phase.

Conclusion

Moving into your own place is a huge step and is definitely the first marker for adulthood for many people. Hopefully, the guide above can help prepare you for what to expect and make your move less stressful. If you want to further reduce your stress, make sure to hire a professional moving service (like us), and we can get everything moved in and out quickly.

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General

Certificate of Insurance for Moving (COI)

Certificate of Insurance for Moving (COI)

If you’re moving to a new apartment or condo, you might hear from your new building management that you need to provide a certificate of insurance before you can move in. In fact, many luxury buildings require you to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) for moving, which means you’ll need to hire professional NJ movers. NJ Great Movers provides our COI directly to the management team, but we also send it to you so you can keep it in your files. Even though you don’t have to worry about the COI, it’s still a good idea to understand the form.

What is a COI and Why Do You Need It?

A certificate of insurance (COI) essentially is proof that the movers you are using have insurance and are able to cover issues should something go wrong. It will list out the insurance the movers have, along with the liability and loss coverage. This way, if anything happens to the building, such as damage or injury, the mover’s insurance covers the cost of repairs or accidents.

Most reputable moving companies, like NJ Great Movers, can easily procure and provide a COI to your building management company. Although there is no standard for what a certificate of insurance should look like, most businesses use the form created by the Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development (ACORD). A COI generally includes the following information:

  • Date of issue
  • Information about the certification of insurance
  • An insurance agent or broker who produced/issued the certificate
  • Name and address of the business covered by the policy
  • Liability insurance coverage (general, commercial auto, umbrella, and workers’ compensation)
  • List of insurers
  • Coverage in dollars each policy provides
  • Description of operations, locations, and vehicles
  • Expiration date of insurance
  • Signature of agent, broker, or authorized representatives

While not all buildings will require a COI, if you live somewhere with a doorman or hands-on super, chances are your move won’t happen if you don’t provide one. That means you’ll have to scramble for last-minute storage space for your belongings and reschedule your movers. That’s extra money you probably don’t have! Even if your building says they don’t need one, it’s still a good idea to provide a COI just in case. Why? Because a COI also protects you!

As an example, let’s say you move into a building that doesn’t require a COI. You then move your stuff in, but damage the walls and maybe even the elevators! Maybe you even get a parking ticket during the move. You will be held liable for these damages and have to pay for any repairs and tickets out of pocket. This could cost you thousands of dollars! There’s also the matter of your belongings. If it gets damaged during your own DIY move, you will have to cover the entire cost of replacement or repair. This can get costly if you own a lot of high-value items.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about any of that if you hire professional movers. They will shoulder the responsibility for any damages done to the building and, of course, take care of any parking tickets that were for their vehicles. Your items are also automatically protected by something called released value protection, which will cover up to $0.60 per pound per item for free. If you want, you can spring for the more expensive full value protection. If something gets damaged, the movers will either try to fix, replace, or eventually reimburse you for the damaged items. Ideally, the professional NJ movers wouldn’t damage anything since they are highly experienced and know how to maneuver tight corners and narrow hallways.

 

Types of Insurance Covered in a COI

Insurance Type Purpose / Coverage Typical Coverage Limit (USD) Notes / Example
General Liability Covers property damage or bodily injury caused by the movers during the move (e.g., wall damage, elevator scratches, visitor injury) $1,000,000 Protects both the building and you from lawsuits or repair costs
Auto Liability Covers damages or accidents caused by moving company vehicles while transporting your items $1,000,000 Includes parking tickets or damage caused during loading/unloading
Umbrella Liability Provides extra coverage beyond general and auto liability for catastrophic events or large claims $5,000,000 Acts as a safety net for rare but costly incidents
Workers Compensation Covers medical expenses and lost wages if a moving company employee is injured while handling your belongings $1,000,000 Ensures you are not held liable for worker injuries during the move

 

Even if you don’t think your building needs a COI, call up your super or building management company and ask. They will probably appreciate the heads up, and most prefer their tenants to use moving companies anyway, as it reduces the chance of potential issues in the future.

There’s also another hidden benefit of asking for a COI. It shows whether the company you chose is reputable or not. All legitimate moving companies are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance. The best moving companies provide more than that. For example, NJ Great Movers has the following insurance:

  • $1 million limit for commercial general liability
  • $1 million limit for automobile liability
  • $5 million for umbrella liability
  • $1 million for workers’ compensation

Asking for a COI early on in the moving process is a good litmus test to see how trustworthy the movers are. If they aren’t able to provide one or they only provide the bare minimum when it comes to insurance coverage, you’ll have enough time to look for other movers.

When requesting a COI, always ask for a copy. That way, you can also check the information. While most movers are legitimate, there’s always the chance you could run into a scam company. So even if they do provide a COI, it could be fake or not up-to-date. When looking at the COI check to make sure the name and address match what is listed on the company’s website. Also, check the expiration date of the insurance to make sure the company is still covered. You should also make sure the COI is filled out exactly like the sample. Otherwise, the building will reject it! While most buildings will find these errors immediately, you can save yourself a lot of back and forth and potential stress by catching these things early.

NJ Great Movers Simple COI Process and Steps

If you work with NJ Great Movers, we make the process of requesting a COI as seamless as possible. With that said, you’ll still need to do a little legwork. Naturally, your first step is confirming with both your buildings whether you need a COI to move in and/or out. While you’re on the phone, see if a COI is needed to reserve the freight elevator. If that’s the case, let us know so we can expedite the process. You’ll want to reserve a time as soon as possible to avoid conflicts with other people. After all, you don’t want to waste an hour or two waiting for the freight elevator! After that, get in touch with your property manager(s) and get a sample of the COI, and then send it over to us.

We’ll take over from there. We’ll send the sample COI over to our insurance company so that they can fill out the forms properly. Our team will also check to make sure all of our insurance has expiration dates after your move date and provide the appropriate insurance and coverage amount. Once we’ve double-checked everything, we’ll send a copy to your management company and to you. That way, if they somehow miss the email, you will have a copy on file. We do ask that at least a week before your move date, you confirm with the property managers that they received the COI and that everything is in working order. Just in case, we’ll also bring a hard copy of the COI with us on the move date, as there have been a few occasions where the security guard and/or doorman on duty did not have the COI we had sent on file. This way, we can prevent any delays in your move!

Our goal as professional and trusted NJ movers is to make your move as smooth and easy as possible. That’s why we triple-check everything to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Thanks to our decades of experience, we can cover even the most complex building management requirements. Just let us know as soon as possible so we can get the process started!

Conclusion

Getting a certificate of insurance might sound daunting at first, but if you work with trustworthy moving companies like NJ Great Movers, we make the process as easy as possible. You can rest assured knowing that we will take care of everything come moving day and that if anything should happen, you won’t have to worry about paying.

Categories
General

5 Simple Steps to Hiring Professional NJ Movers

5 Simple Steps to Hiring Professional NJ Movers

At first glance, hiring a professional NJ mover might seem easy. After all, there are dozens of companies to choose from that all tout affordable prices and good service. However, not everything you read on the internet is true. There are plenty of scam/unsavory moving companies who are more than happy to separate you from as much of your money as possible.

To reduce your chances of getting scammed, it’s important to plan and gather information before you hire your mover. If you want to make sure you’re hiring only the best NJ movers, then follow the steps below to avoid potential disaster.

Understand and Identify What You Actually Need

Before you even look into NJ movers, you first need to decide what kind of move you will do. Your options will depend on how much stuff you have to move, the distance you’re traveling, and your budget. If you are short on time and you have a flexible budget, a full-service move might be a great option. The movers will help you pack, disassemble, and reassemble your furniture and, of course, load and unload your belongings.

Of course, a full-service move is the most expensive option. These can cost upwards of $4,000 for a studio or one-bedroom, with the price going up the more you have. You can also pack everything yourself and just hire movers to load and unload your boxes and furniture. Not only will this save you a lot of money, but it also gives you the best of both worlds as you get to organize your boxes exactly how you like without dealing with the physical strains moving puts on your body.

For those on a very tight budget and/or who don’t have a lot to move, the cheapest option is to hire a moving truck, which can cost as little as $150! You have more flexibility as you don’t have to stick to the mover’s timeline. However, this also puts the most responsibility on your shoulders. If you end up damaging your belongings or the building you’re moving into, you are responsible for the cost of repair.

Research and Shop Around

Now that you’ve figured out your needs and your budget, it’s time to shop around for local movers near you. A quick search should turn up plenty of options, but only note the companies that have good customer reviews, offer the services you need, and work in your area.

Once you’ve made your list, do a quick background check by looking them up on the Better Business Bureau or entering their company name or USDOT number into the US Department of Transportation website. While you might not be able to read reviews, you can find pertinent information such as the number of crashes, what type of cargo they are legally allowed to carry, if they are authorized to move specific items (movers should at least be authorized for household goods or HHG), and more. If the movers don’t have their numbers on their site, you can try searching by name. If they don’t pop up, you should probably cross the company off your list, as all movers are required to register with the US Department of Transportation. Many states, including New Jersey, require movers to also register with the state where they operate. If they’re not listed, it’s a good sign they are not a legitimate company.

 

Required Licenses & Registrations for Legitimate NJ Movers

License / Registration Issued By What It Authorizes Why It Matters to Customers
USDOT Number U.S. Department of Transportation Allows interstate household goods transportation Confirms the mover is federally registered and trackable for safety violations
HHG Authorization FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Legal authority to transport household goods Ensures the company is permitted to move personal belongings, not just freight
NJ State Moving License New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Allows intrastate moves within New Jersey Required for legal operation in NJ and consumer protection compliance
General Liability Insurance Private insurance carrier Covers property damage and bodily injury Protects you if the movers damage your building or cause an accident
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Provided by the mover upon request Proof of insurance coverage for buildings Required by most NJ apartments, condos, and commercial buildings

 

Finally, look up customer reviews on Yelp and Google Reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews to get the most accurate picture. Some red flags to look out for include:

  • A lot of damage complaints
  • Consistent last-minute changes
  • Unexpected delays
  • Companies holding belongings hostage for money

While there will always be a handful of bad reviews, if you notice a trend of negative reviews, you should cross them off your list. In general, a company with mostly positive reviews should be fine. Still, if you do see a review that says the company held their belongings hostage, you should reach out to the reviewer to ask further questions. This is a huge red flag and is not something you want to deal with. So ask the appropriate questions and find out the full story as best you can.

Of course, online reviews aren’t a replacement for word-of-mouth recommendations from people you know. Ask friends, family, and co-workers what moving companies they recommend and which ones to avoid. Nothing beats personal experience!

Reach Out to a Few Trustworthy Expert Movers

Once you’ve done your research and whittled down your list of movers, it’s time to contact them via email or telephone. Provide them with the essential information for your move, and don’t forget to ask questions! There are a few fundamental questions you should ask moving companies before you book them:

  • How long has your company been in business?
  • Are you licensed, and can you provide your license information?
  • What kind of insurance or ‘valuation’ do you offer to protect my goods?
  • Do you have the appropriate moving equipment for my job?
  • Do you require a deposit?
  • What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
  • How do you prevent damage to my belongings?
  • What happens if my items go missing or get broken?
  • How do you handle disputes and claims?
  • Can you provide a certificate of insurance?

A trustworthy moving company will be able to answer these questions with no hesitation. Make sure to pay attention and write down the answers to these questions. Also, pay attention to how they answer you. A polite and professional attitude is what you’re looking for. If they try to avoid the questions or, worse, get angry and start yelling, cross them off your list.

Even if the first movers seem perfect, go ahead and talk with the others on your list. You want to have as many good options as possible so you can compare and contrast their services and prices.

Get an Estimate from Movers and Compare It

Keep in mind that in order to get the most accurate quote/estimate, you need to provide as much information as possible to the movers. In the past, movers would do a home visit to see everything you needed to move, as well as potential obstacles/issues they would need to deal with. With COVID-19, most movers are doing this all via a virtual walkthrough, so make sure you show them everything! That includes mentioning whether you live in a walk-up or elevator building and if your old and/or new building will require a certificate of insurance. You should also ask if you will need to reserve parking spots or elevators on moving day, as you don’t want to be charged extra because the movers couldn’t find a parking spot.

 

Final Mover Comparison Scorecard

Evaluation Criteria What to Check Scoring Range Why It Matters
Licensing Score USDOT number, NJ state registration, HHG authorization 0–25 points Verifies the mover is legally authorized to operate and transport household goods
Review Rating Average Google & Yelp star ratings, review count, consistency 0–20 points Shows real customer satisfaction and service reliability over time
Price Transparency Score Written estimates, clear fees, no vague charges 0–20 points Helps prevent lowball quotes and surprise charges on moving day
Insurance Coverage Score Valuation options, COI availability, claims process 0–20 points Ensures financial protection if items are damaged, lost, or delayed
Overall Trust Index Total score across all evaluation categories 0–100 points Provides a simple, objective way to compare NJ movers side by side

 

Once you have gotten the full estimate, read it over and make sure you understand everything. If there’s something in the estimate that you don’t understand, call the company and have them clarify why you are being charged a fee. After that, compare all of the estimates and your overall impressions of each moving company. Yes, it might be tempting to go with the lowest offer, but many scam movers lowball the estimate, so don’t go for the cheapest option, especially if you notice a lot of red flags!

Choose the Best Professional Movers for Your Move

The best NJ movers for you should be obvious by the time you have reached this final step. All you have to do now is call them up, confirm the details, and sign the moving contract. The company should provide you with a Bill of Lading and an inventory list for your belongings – both of which are basic moving-related documents. Make sure to keep this with you during the entire move so that you can cross-reference everything once you’re in your new place.

On moving day, make sure you’re prepared and that you have packed and disassembled everything (if you’re not doing a full-service move). Stay focused and provide clear directions for getting to your new home and where to place the boxes and furniture in your new home. If the movers are late or something seems off, call the company immediately. You should also check the condition of your belongings on arrival and inform the movers if you notice any problems.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers

Finding the right movers for the job isn’t a difficult task, but it can be time-consuming. You should start looking for movers in NJ at least a month before your expected move date so you have enough time to do your research. Provided you didn’t skip any of the steps, you should have a stress-free moving experience. Also, don’t forget to leave a positive review on a third-party review site so other people who are moving can find a trustworthy moving company.

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Moving Tips

How to Move in New Jersey During COVID-19

How to Move in New Jersey During COVID-19

Despite the 2020 pandemic, moving companies have been operational as they are considered an essential business. As the number of cases has dwindled and vaccines have started to roll out, New Jersey has also started to reopen. However, there are now multiple variants, so it’s still important to follow safety precautions.

While moving today might be easier than it was a year ago, you and your movers should still follow certain safety procedures to make sure that they aren’t potentially spreading COVID-19. When done properly, these steps can help reduce the chances of a new outbreak and hopefully help achieve herd immunity. Below are some steps you should take when moving during COVID-19 in New Jersey.

Make Sure to Sanitize and Wipe Down All Your Belongings

Even if you don’t have to worry about COVID-19, it’s still a good idea to clean your belongings before you pack them away. By doing so, you’re reducing the risk of transporting germs and other issues like mold to your new apartment. You don’t have to spend hours sanitizing everything, but you should give a good wipe down to items such as cups, bowls, utensils, etc. If you have the time to spare, you should also wash your clothes and bedding so that they’re nice and clean when you get to your new place. There’s nothing worse than having to do laundry right after a big move!

Besides cleaning your personal items, take some time to wipe down all the surfaces in your old place, especially areas that you touch a lot like countertops, doorknobs, light switches, etc. Also, don’t forget to clean the rest of your apartment. It’s a common courtesy for the next tenants, and it can help you get your security deposit back. You want to get your apartment back to its original condition as much as possible, so take the time to really get in the nooks and crannies and clean out whatever gunk has built up since you moved in.

Advice on Packing Everything Yourself for Safety

Unless you really don’t have any time, you should pack everything yourself. For one, it will save you a lot of money. Most movers charge an hourly rate, so depending on how much stuff you have to pack, your final bill could cost over $5,000! Plus, you have complete control over how everything gets packed. This will make unpacking and organizing much easier since you know exactly what is in each box.

 

Packing Yourself vs Professional Packing: COVID-Era Risk Breakdown

Factor Packing Yourself Professional Packing
Additional Hours Movers Stay Onsite 0 extra hours 4–8 additional hours
Increase in COVID Exposure Risk Low (baseline risk) +40% to +60%
Average Cost Difference $0 (DIY packing) +$800 to $2,500
Number of Hands Touching Each Box 1–2 hands 3–5 hands
Probability of Shared Surface Contact Low (limited contact) High (frequent contact)

 

In terms of COVID-19 prevention, the less time you spend around strangers in a confined space, the better. Yes, reputable moving companies will not allow movers who are sick to come to work; however, you or they could be asymptomatic. Instead of increasing the risk of transmission by having the movers spend several more hours packing your belongings, it’s better to do it yourself. This way, the movers can be in and out of your apartment as quickly as possible.

Hire Professional Movers Who Follow All Covid-19 Precautions

Sure, restrictions might be loosening up a bit, but the last thing you want are movers who have dropped all their COVID-19 requirements. After all, the virus is still around, along with its variants, and chances are you’ll have to spend at least 2-3 hours indoors with the movers who have likely been in contact with multiple people and their belongings throughout the week. Looking for movers who maintain their COVID-19 protocol won’t cost you more money either, so why not hire ones that are still taking the risk seriously?

For example, NJ Great Movers still continues to follow the following guidelines to keep you and our employees safe:

  • Sanitize our trucks and moving equipment on a daily basis
  • Our movers sanitize their hands before and after every move
  • Daily temperature checks for our movers
  • Mask requirement for our movers
  • Implementing social distancing guidelines
  • Ensuring widespread vaccination of office staff and moving crews

Speaking of vaccinations, while you can ask the movers if they have been vaccinated, under federal law (HIPAA) they are not obligated to disclose this health information. With that said, reputable NJ moving companies (such as us) encourage all our employees to get vaccinated and ensure any new member who gets onboarded books their appointments as soon as possible.

Clean Your New Home First

This step is a requirement regardless of whether there’s COVID-19 or not. Even if you’re moving into a brand new apartment complex, you still want to give the new place a rub down before you unpack. This way, you can get to spots that might otherwise be cluttered with items. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at your new place and find any holes or cracks and seal them up.

 

Essential Move-In Cleaning Checklist

Area Recommended Cleaning Task Why It Matters
Kitchen Surfaces Disinfect drawers, cabinets, and countertops Removes germs and prepares food-safe areas
Appliances Clean fridge & stove; deodorize fridge Eliminates odors and leftover residue
Bathroom Replace toilet seat; disinfect all surfaces Reduces bacteria and improves hygiene
Floors Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors Removes dust, allergens, and debris
Documentation Take timestamped photos after cleaning Protects your security deposit

 

If you’re not sure where to start, go through this cleaning checklist:

  • Wipe down all drawers, countertops, and cabinets with disinfectant spray. Add some lining after they dry.
  • Clean the fridge and stove top with soapy water, and place a tray of fresh or used coffee grounds at the back of the fridge
  • Replace all toilet seats and covers, and wipe down every surface in the bathroom with disinfectant spray
  • Vacuum all floors and mop what you can

Once you’ve cleaned everything, don’t forget to take pictures to keep a record of what the apartment looked like when you moved in. Make sure to timestamp it and even send it over to your new building management so they have it in their files. This way, when you move, you have evidence of the apartment’s condition just in case the landlord/management company doesn’t want to give you back your security deposit.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers for a Safe Move

For the most part, moving has resumed as normal, and most buildings have lifted restrictions on their property. Of course, that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has disappeared. With the new variants popping up, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. At NJ Great Movers, we take your and our health seriously and we are doing our best to make sure we keep everyone healthy and happy.