Tag: long distance moves

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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.

Categories
Moving Tips

Ultimate Packing Tips for a Smooth Cross Country Move

Ultimate Packing Tips for a Smooth Cross Country Move

Whether you’re making a cross country move to or from Connecticut, you’re not alone. Thanks to shifting economies and the rise of remote work, more and more people are relocating to places that are affordable and offer more space. If you’re also planning a cross country move, you probably want to make sure all your belongings get to your new home in one piece.

Packing for long distance moves isn’t as easy as tossing your things into a box haphazardly. What you might have been able to get away with for local moves won’t cut if for longer distances. So before you start packing, read the tips below to make your next move across the country a little less painful.

Declutter

Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of stuff you no longer use or need. In order to declutter successfully, you should set aside a good chunk of time to go through everything you own. And we mean everything. Depending on the size of your home and how much you own, this step could take you a few days or even a week! The biggest mistake you can make is trying to rush this step. Take it slow and be deliberate when choosing what items you take with you. Some of the more obvious items to get rid of are things that are broken or tattered clothes. As well, try to use up as many consumable items as possible. That includes:

  • Food
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toiletries
  • Condiments
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Bath and beauty supplies

But that’s not all you should get rid of. While going through everything you own, consider the last time you’ve used an object. If you haven’t used it in the past 6 months or so, you probably don’t need to take it with you. For more seasonal items, you should think back to the last year. Separate everything into piles: keep, donate/sell, trash. You’ll need to be ruthless during this process, but it will be worth it. Sell items that are in good conditions at a garage sale to boost your moving budget. If you have expensive things like camera or sound gear, sell these on eBay to get the best deal. Chances are you won’t be able to sell everything, so whatever is left over donate to your local goodwill store.

When done well, decluttering can save time and money. After all, you’ll have less stuff to pack which also means less moving supplies you’ll need. It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but you’ll be happy to have decluttered. After all, you’ll have to pack and unpack less stuff!

Plan Your Packing Process

Most people don’t really like packing. So unless you’re one of the few people who enjoy it, chances are you’d prefer leaving this part of the moving process to the last minute. However, that’s the worst thing you can do! Even if you live in a studio apartment, you want to set aside at least a few days dedicated to packing. When you don’t feel rushed, you’ll have more time to actually pack everything properly. This, in turn, means your belongings will have more protection for the long road ahead.

The very first thing you should do when planning is to choose color labels for your rooms and/or items. For example, you can assign orange to the living room, blue to the bedroom, and pink for the kitchen. Once you’ve come up with a labeling scheme, stick with it. You can always add extra colors to denote different things. For example, you can use red to also mark fragile items or maybe purple for things like seasonal items. The clearer you are with labeling, the easier unpacking will be.

For long distance moves, you don’t want to cheap out on things like packing materials and boxes. After all, your stuff will be in a moving vehicle for miles on end, which means constant vibrations and the occasional pot holes. With that said, if you have a tight budget, only buy the premium supplies for your expensive and/or fragile items. For non-breakable items try to reuse any old boxes you might have on hand or ask your friends, neighbors, family members, etc. if they have any they no longer need. While you’re at it, see if they have any packing tape. You don’t want to use duct tape or masking tape as both won’t properly stick onto cardboard boxes.

If you want something sturdier than boxes, consider getting heavy-duty plastic bins. Not only can they handle more stress, they are also easy to stack and you can see the contents inside if you use clear bins. Plus, you don’t need to mess around with tape. They’re also reusable and you can use them as storage containers around your new house. If you don’t want to buy plastic bins, many CT moving companies offer plastic bin rentals.

Keep a Detailed Inventory

When you’re moving long distance, there’s a greater chance of your items getting damaged or even lost in transit. While you can reduce the chances of your belongings being delivered to the wrong place by springing for the exclusive express long distance service, this option tends to cost a lot of money. That’s why many people go with the cheaper option – consolidated shipping – where multiple people share a single truck. While proper labeling can prevent potential mix-ups, there’s still a possibility it can happen.

A good inventory provides a comprehensive breakdown of everything in your home, what room they come from, their value, and even their condition. You can even add a column for the box number and color label you’re using when packing. That way, you can quickly see if a box is missing when the movers deliver your belongings.

It might seem tedious, but make sure to keep track of every single item and take pictures from every angle. You want to have a record of what everything looked like before the move. If anything gets damaged, you have visual proof that it was damaged in the move. Speaking of pictures, take some of your home entertainment system and home office setup before you start dismantling it. It can take up to 10 days for your belongings to arrive at your new home. By then, you might have forgotten what wires go where so you’ll be grateful that you had the foresight to take a picture.

Avoid Unnecessary Packing

Not everything needs to go in a box. Depending on what other storage items you own and how much stuff you have, you might be able to get away with fewer boxes than you think. For example, if you already have a lot of clothes in a dresser, don’t pack them into a separate box. Instead, shrink wrap the dresser tightly so the drawers don’t open during transport. For hanging clothes, keep the clothes on the hanger! Many moving companies provide 2-3 wardrobe boxes for free so take advantage of them.

If you have suitcases and backpacks, use them for essentials that you’ll need on day one such as change of clothes, toiletries, bedding and pillows, pet supplies (if you have any), kitchen supplies, and so on. The last thing you want to do after a big move is to rummage through a bunch of boxes to find what you need.

Most importantly, try to keep related items together. For example, keep all power cables, chargers, and peripherals together with the correct electronic device. That might mean putting all of the charging components in a bag and taping it to the device. If you disassemble your furniture, keep all the nuts, bolts, screws, etc. in a plastic bag and tape it securely to the largest piece. You’ll also want to tape the legs together and attach it to the piece of furniture. The same goes for anything else that requires reassembly at your home. Avoid packing related items separately as you don’t want to sift through all the boxes to find the right screws.

Hire Professional Packers

Not everyone has the time or ability to pack. If you have the money, many professional movers also offer packing services. You can work directly with the moving company to figure out your needs and choose the option that’s right for you. For example, if you have already started packing, but need extra help, you can choose the partial packing service and specify which rooms you need help with. Or you can go for the full-service option. It’s up to you!

There are several benefits of hiring professionals to pack for you:

  • They use quality moving supplies so you know your belongings will be safe during transport
  • They have years of experience and can pack quickly and efficiently
  • They know all the secrets to packing fragile items so they don’t get damaged during a move

Plus, if something that the packing crew packed gets damaged during the move, the insurance claim process will be that much faster. Of course, not everyone can afford this service, but if you can it can be a huge stress reliever. You can also hire the crew to unpack your belongings as well so you can get settled into your new home.

Get Ready for Your Cross Country Move

Making a cross country move can be anxiety-inducing, but it also can open you up to new experiences and adventure. If you’re ready to make the move, you’ll want to have a trusted moving company by your side. That’s where we come in! We are the movers CT residents trust and recommend as evidenced by our almost 5-star reviews on Yelp and Google. So give us a call or email us and we’ll walk you through the entire process.