- By NJ Great Movers
- In General
Common Moving Services for NJ Movers
It doesn’t matter how many times you move, the process is often overwhelming and stressful. For many, hiring professional movers to take over some tasks can be a huge relief, but not all movers are the same. Even within New Jersey there some moving companies offer more options than others. That’s why it’s so important for you to figure out what you want to do yourself and what you want to hire NJ movers for. If you’re curious not sure what services movers might offer, the list below can help you plan your next NJ move.
Local Moves
Perhaps the most common moving service requested of NJ movers. As the name suggests, residential moves help regular people move their belongings from their old house to their new one. In its most basic form, residential moving only includes loading and unloading of boxes and furniture from your old house to your new one. Some moving companies might provide other free services including:
- Basic disassembly/reassembly of furniture
- Wardrobe boxes
- Some light packing of items such as lamps, paintings, etc.
- Uninstallation of AC units and dismounting of TVs
Not all movers will offer these options though so unless you have confirmed this with the company directly, don’t assume they will do this for you! Even if they do offer these services, it might be better for you to do the disassembly, uninstalling, and dismounting of your furniture. It will reduce the overall time the movers need to spend, which can reduce your overall costs. Of course, most movers charge a minimum for their services so if you think that you won’t go over that amount with the additional work, then you might as well take advantage of these free services.
Packing/Unpacking
Next to lugging your boxes and furniture on and off a truck, the next task most people hate when moving is packing everything and then unpacking. It’s a huge time commitment and improper packing techniques can lead to broken items. And no one wants to see broken glass when they open up a packed box. Not all NJ movers provide packing and unpacking services, but there are many who do.
Of course, adding on this service will cost extra money so make sure you have the budget for it. With that said, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have your items packed. Many moving companies have a partial packing option. All you need to do is let them know what rooms you need help with and then you can pack the rest of your house. This option allows you to save money and still organize your boxes and belongings for the majority of your house without issue. If you don’t want to deal with packing at all, you can choose a full packing service. As the name suggests, the movers will pack everything up for you and, of course, provide the appropriate packing materials.
In addition to packing, you can also hire movers to unpack your boxes. It’s a great option if you have the money as you can immediately get settled into your new home. With that said, the downside to having others unpack is that they won’t necessarily put everything where you want it so you might have to spend some time after to organize properly.
Regardless of whether you choose full service or partial, you’ll need to provide an inventory of the items you want packed not just for the movers, but for yourself. That way if anything ends up missing, you have a record of every item that should have arrived at your new home. Reputable movers will have basic coverage for lost and/or damaged items of $0.60 per pound per item. Make sure to let them know immediately when you notice something has gone missing. The best companies might even reimburse you more than the baseline amount as an apology.
Storage
Although not as common as the other two services, many movers in NJ do offer some storage options. There are many reasons why you might need storage:
- Can’t move into your new home yet
- Moving from a larger to a smaller space
- Long-term travel (1+ month)
And so on. Whatever your reason, you need a place to securely store your belongings. While there are plenty of third-party options available in NJ and beyond, one of the benefits of booking storage with a moving company is that you get an all-in-one service. Not only will they bring your items to storage, when you’re ready to move to your new place, they will bring everything to you at no charge.
If you need storage, make sure to ask the movers about their facilities. Not all companies offer the same amenities. Some might have simple outdoor lockers while others have climate-controlled options. While basic outdoor storage isn’t horrible, there’s no guarantee that your items will be safe during extreme weather events. If you want to make sure your belongings don’t suffer any potential damage from weather or temperature related issues, always opt for climate-controlled storage. You should also ask about the security of their facilities. Some might have a guard on-duty but no security cameras. Finally, ask about their rental length. Not all companies offer long-term storage so if you need something for longer than that time, make sure to ask.
Moving Boxes and Plastic Bins
Sure, you can get cardboard boxes for free, but that means you need to spend time looking for them and then lugging them back to your home. Not everyone has the time or interest in spending weeks looking for boxes. Plus, used boxes might already suffer from some damage and could fall apart during your move. You can buy new boxes from the home supply store, but you’re not guaranteed high quality materials.
If you want to make sure your belongings are safe, you should purchase directly from movers. Not only do they source their boxes from high quality vendors, they also have a variety of sizes to choose from so you’re not stuck with comically large or small boxes. These boxes can withstand the moving process and you can always save them for later or donate them to someone else in need. For those looking to be more environmentally friendly, you can rent plastic bins from moving companies. These bins are a great option as they are easily stackable and water-resistant so they won’t break down in even the heaviest downpour. Plus, since they’re rented they don’t take up any unnecessary room in your new home. Just call up the movers and they will pick them up.
What Service is Right for Your NJ Move?
There are a lot of options available so it can be overwhelming. Your best bet is to figure out your needs as well as your budget. From there, you can decide what options make the most sense for your move. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask! Reliable movers NJ will work with you to create a personalized moving experience that works within your budget.
FAQ
What is included in the NJ Movers basic packing service?
We suggest leaving the bulky and/or fragile items to us like TVs, lamps, glass coffee tables, etc. We’ll pack these up for free but you will be charged a nominal materials fee for the boxes and other packing supplies.
What do I do if I need to move specialty items like a piano?
Not all moving companies deal with these items so make sure to mention it before you book your movers. Even if the customer rep says they have experience, ask them how often they move these items and for references so you can follow up.
What happens if I don’t have everything packed on moving day?
Most moving companies will have extra boxes and materials with them so they will pack your items for you. This will incur extra fees such as materials charge and additional man hours, which could significantly increase the final total.
