Tag: Declutter Before Moving

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How To

How to Plan a Successful Small Move in New Jersey

How to Make a Small NJ Move

While most people might hire professional NJ movers to handle a full house relocation, that doesn’t mean you can’t hire them if you only have a few boxes and some furniture. Sure, you could rent a truck and go the DIY route, but that means you have to deal with everything that comes with it, including lifting and carrying heavy items and driving a large truck through New Jersey traffic. It might save you money, but you could end up hurting yourself or even getting in an accident because you’re not used to driving a large vehicle.

Luckily, plenty of NJ moving companies do provide small move services. So before you decide to rent a van or truck, consider hiring a reliable NJ moving company to do the work for you. Whether you’re making a local or long-distance move, working with an experienced moving company will definitely make things a lot easier for you.

What Qualifies A Small Move

Generally speaking, a small move means you’re relocating fewer household items than what you might typically associate with a full house move. Typically, it means you’re moving less than 2,000 pounds or the contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Of course, a small move can also mean that you’re moving a few pieces of furniture or appliances. Either way, you will probably only need one trip in a moving truck to relocate all of your things.

A small move isn’t just for local relocation. It can still be labeled one even for a long-distance move or cross-country move since the term is based on the amount that you’re moving, not necessarily the distance. Regardless of how small your move is, you should still perform due diligence on the NJ movers you hire to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. Make sure you also get a quote beforehand to ensure the price is within your budget.

When Would You Make a Small Move

Outside of moving from a small apartment, there may be other reasons you would need to make a small move. This includes:

  • Moving temporarily due to business or personal requirements
  • Moving from or to a dorm room
  • Relocating large items like furniture or appliances
  • Transferring items from a storage unit to your new home
  • Leaving a shared house situation

If you don’t feel like packing, you can always ask the moving company you hire if they provide that service. It will cost extra money so be prepared to increase your budget if that’s something you need help with.

Planning Your Small Move

Just because you’re not moving a lot of stuff doesn’t mean you can skimp on the preparation. Sure, you might not be dealing with as many items, but you’ll still need to complete all of the tasks like packing, researching NJ moving companies, transferring your utilities, and so on. Like regular moves, you should try to start the process at least a month before your move-out date so you’re not scrambling a few days before. Nothing is more stressful than having to do a last-minute move, even if it’s small.

When planning your move, take into consideration the distance as well. Local moves require less planning and fewer resources than longer ones. You’ll also want to pack your boxes a bit differently to make sure they will survive long transit times. 

To make your small NJ move easier, make sure to follow the steps below:

  1. Declutter – before packing, sort through everything you own and determine if you want to bring it with you to your new home. The less you have the faster and cheaper your move will be
  2. Pack – pack room by room and category to make unpacking easier. Use good-quality boxes and other materials to ensure the boxes don’t collapse while being loaded and unloaded
  3. Hire professionals – hiring a moving company will make everything a lot easier as you won’t have to deal with the logistics of driving, parking, figuring out traffic, loading and unloading the truck, and so on.
  4. Transfer all necessary information, which includes things like utilities, credit card billing, pet information, child’s transcripts, etc.

Cost of a Small Move

How much a move costs depends on a few factors, but the important ones are distance and how much you are moving. You are typically charged an hourly rate for local moves, and many companies will have at least a two-hour minimum. Naturally, the more stuff you need to move, the longer it will take to load and unload the truck. Still, if you have a couple of extra boxes, it won’t affect your final bill.

On the other hand, if you are making a long-distance move, you will be charged based on the volume and weight of what you are moving. So when you get the actual estimate, it means that the price is exactly what you should be paying at the end. There tends to be a bit of wiggle room when it comes to weight differences, so you can always have a little more or less than without changing the cost. It’s only if you add several boxes or a piece of furniture that the price will change.

Besides that, additional services will increase the cost of your move. That means if you want packing, unpacking, storage, or anything else, you will incur an extra fee on top of the standard move price. It’s a great option if it’s something you can afford and/or need, as you can go through the moving company for everything.

Hire Professional NJ Movers for Your Small Move

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. Reach out to NJ Great Movers for all your small moving needs. Our team of dedicated movers provides excellent service at affordable rates. No job is too small for us! When you work with us, you can be sure your belongings will reach their destination with no issues.

FAQ

Do I need to pack everything in boxes for a small move?

Any loose items should be placed in boxes. However, you can get creative and avoid using boxes for everything. For example, leave your clothes in a dresser and use plastic wrap to prevent the drawers from opening during a move. You can do the same for anything with drawers, like cabinets, desks, and entertainment centers.

Is a small move a special service I need to request?

No, a small move is not a special service; it is just a descriptor for the type of move and will largely inform the movers on how many people need to help and the size of the truck they need to bring.

 

 

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Moving Tips

Moving to NJ From Out-of-State Checklist and Tips

Moving to NJ From Out-of-State Checklist and Tips

Many people find a small local move challenging and plan a few weeks in advance. Moving to New Jersey from another state requires even more preparation and planning even if you’re coming from the next state over. That doesn’t mean your out-of-state move has to be stressful or difficult. There are plenty of steps you can take to make your NJ relocation a walk in the park.

Visit the Area

Ideally, you’ll be able to physically visit your future home so you can get a good feel for the neighborhood, nearby amenities, and so on. Unfortunately, traveling out-of-state isn’t always affordable. However, if you can squeeze it into your moving budget, seeing the location first hand is always a great idea.

If you can’t physically visit your new home, the next best thing is to find digital resources. Your new town or city might have its own social media account. If not, they will at least have their own website where you can check out the calendar of events, announcements, and so on. You can also “walk” the neighborhood with Google Maps to find the nearest park, grocery store, library, and whatever else is important to you. The more you research, the more  you will feel comfortable when you actually make the move.

Prepare a Moving Calendar

While you might only need 2-3 weeks for a small, local move, you should start preparing for your interstate move at least a month in advance, if not longer. The best way to make sure you get all your tasks done is to first figure out your move date and then count backwards at least 4-6 weeks. If you know you’re going to be busy with work or travel during that timespan, make sure to give yourself even more breathing room. Find and circle the date on the calendar – that’s the day you start with your moving tasks!

Don’t just fill in the calendar haphazardly. First, create a list of all the tasks you need to complete. For example, hiring professional movers, packing, shutting off utilities, purchasing packing supplies, changing your address, etc. Make sure to personalize these tasks to match your needs and prioritize them based on how many days you have until moving day. If you plan on hiring a moving company, you should book them at least a month before your move date, especially if you plan on relocating between May through September.

Create a Budget

Moving out of state isn’t cheap. The average cost of hiring professional movers for a long-distance relocation is close to $5,000. Unlike local moves that charge you an hourly rate, out-of-state movers generally offer a flat rate fee based on the distance, weight, and volume of your move. Ultimately, it means the further you move and the more stuff you have, the higher your final bill. The price only goes up if you include additional services like storage, packing, unpacking, and buying packing supplies. 

Even if you decide to do a DIY move, you’ll still need to pay money for a truck or container, moving supplies, and other expenses like gas, tolls, parking, and more. Plus, you’ll have to load and unload the truck yourself. At best, you’ll be sore for the next few days from lift and carrying heavy boxes and furniture, but at worst you could seriously injure yourself.

Speaking of budget, don’t forget to include costs outside of the actual moving process like some takeout food for the day or two after you move into your new NJ home, new decorations, and even new furniture. 

Choose a Professional Moving Company

If you can spare the money in your budget, hiring a moving company can make your transition to your new New Jersey home a lot easier. Every move is unique, which is why the most reputable New Jersey movers will walk you through the entire process and come up with personalized moving plans based on your needs and budget. Before you call, figure out what you might need as part of your moving plan. Most movers offer services like packing, storage, and more. If you need a full-service experience where movers do the packing for you, make sure to mention it!

Always do your research before hiring the company. Look up online reviews on a variety of sites including Yelp, Google Business, and the Better Business Bureau. Licensed and insured movers also provide their Department of Transportation number, which allows you to search the number to make sure they are up-to-date with their licenses.

Create a Moving File

Filing all documents related to your move is one of the best ways to stay organized and sane. Sure, it’s not fun and is just another thing you have to remember, but you’ll be grateful you have everything in one place. Documents you should store here include:

  • Moving related documents like your estimate, bill of lading, inventory 
  • All personal documents related to you, your child(ren), and/or pets. This includes birth certificate, school records, pet-related documents (vet records, etc)
  • All related bills and utilities that you will need to call to either cancel or update your address

While you can access many of these documents online, it’s still a good idea to have a hard copy version just in case something happens, especially for places like your doctor’s office. If they don’t have a digital portal, call to get a copy of your health records emailed to and print it out. When you find a new doctor, you can hand over your health history on the first day.

Declutter

The less stuff you have, the cheaper your move! Take a look at everything you own and filter out anything that you have used in the past year. Chances are, you won’t miss it! After that, try out the 3-second rule, where you must decide in three seconds if you’ll keep an item in your hand or not and you can’t change your mind after. 

If you end up with a lot of things to get rid of, consider hosting a garage sale. Not only will it help get rid of our unwanted items, it’s also a great way to pad your moving budget. Donate whatever leftover items you have that are in good condition. If you still have a few things left after all that, post it on a local buy nothing group.

Pack Early!

Packing is by far the most time-consuming task. Don’t leave the packing to the last minute. If you want to ensure all of your belongings get to your new home in one piece, you’ll want to set aside a few weeks to pack properly. That includes some prep time to ensure you have all the materials you need including boxes of various sizes, packing tape, padding for fragile items, and packing paper to fill up any gaps in the box.

Split up the packing by section or room and start with the location with the least essential items. That might mean your garage, attic, basement, or guest room. Make sure to label each box appropriately with the room the box should go into as well as basic details on what is inside the box. If you have any fragile items in the box, make sure to write FRAGILE so the movers know to handle them with care.

Don’t forget to pack an essentials bag while you’re at it. Think of this bag/box as what you would take to a two night stay at a hotel and include all these items. The last thing you want to do after you have moved into your new home is dig through boxes to find your toothbrush.

Make all Necessary Travel Arrangements

Moving long distances means figuring out how you’ll get from your old place to your new one. And no, you can’t hitch a ride with the movers. Depending on how far you’re moving and whether you are moving with kids or pets will determine your travel strategy. If you’re relatively close to your new location (a couple hours out), you can simply drive to your new location with no issues. For anything further, you might want to plan out meals, bathroom, and other breaks, especially if you’re moving with young children.

For those who live cross country, a flight will be the fastest and easiest option. However, if you prefer driving, don’t forget to make hotel reservations and plan an itinerary to see some cool things along the way during your road trip. This might not be the best option if you have kids or pets, but it’s great if you’re single.

Move to New Jersey with NJ Great Movers!

If you’re ready to make your move to the Garden State, NJ Great Movers can provide all the information and help you might need. We provide standard long distance moving services along with other add-ons like packing, unpacking, storage, and more. Reach out to us and we’ll walk you through the process.