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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.

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Packing Hacks and Guides

How to Pack Your Clothes for Moving

6 Hacks to Pack Your Clothes for Moving

Packing is not easy. In fact, it’s the task that most people dread because it takes up so much time and energy. It’s all too easy to forget something since you’re spending time disassembling your furniture, organizing your belongings, and prepping your fragile items so they don’t break during the move. Who has time to think about how to pack clothes?

While it might be tempting to just throw your clothes into a bag or box, this haphazard approach can lead to wasted space and time when unpacking. Plus, it leaves all your clothes wrinkled or, in the worst case scenario, damaged. If you want to make sure your clothes arrive in good condition, the following tips can make that possible.

Declutter Your Old and Unnecessary Clothes

This step might be one of the longest, but there’s no better time to start purging your closet and wardrobe than when you move. While this step might take some time, it’s a lot better to reduce how much you bring with you as you will have less to pack and unpack.

In order to properly declutter  your closet and wardrobe, empty everything so you can see what you have. From there, sort your clothes into three categories: clothes you wear often and want to keep, items you don’t wear but are in good condition, and damaged clothes. Take the time to look carefully at each piece including dressy and seasonal outfits. With dressy items, unless you are constantly going to fancy parties, you can probably get away with one three-piece suit or black dress.

You can choose to donate or sell the lightly worn items you have. If these items are from a brand name, you can probably fetch a good price for them online. Whatever you earn, you can put towards your moving budget. For anything that didn’t sell, donate to a goodwill store.

Wash Dirty Laundry Before Moving to Your New Home

It might be tempting to leave your dirty laundry in a bag and forget about it until you’re in your new house, but the last thing you’ll want to do is a load of laundry while unpacking. More importantly, stained or soiled clothes will only get worse as time goes by and, if some of your clothes are particularly stinky, the smell can spread to the rest of the dirty laundry and suitcase.

It might seem like a waste of time, but do all of your laundry the day before you move. It will make unpacking a lot easier. Plus, you’ll need to wash the clothes you donate anyway, so might as well do another few loads while you’re at it!

Sort Your Clothes

Once you’ve figured out what you’re keeping, the next thing you should do is start sorting your things by season. That way, you can start packing away the clothes you don’t need as early as a month before your move. So if it’s summer, pack away your winter clothes and vice versa.

While you’re at it, sort pieces by type to help you organize your closet better after the move. Put all your pants together, shirts, together, dresses, etc. Just make sure to keep all of these items separate for each person in the house. Then label and identify the various boxes and bags with the name of the person and type of clothes for easier unpacking.

Find the Appropriate Packing Method

Sure, you can throw your clothes into a box, and that might not be the worst idea for more casual items like jeans and t-shirts. However, for items like button-down shirts, dresses, dress pants, etc. you might need to take a different approach. Some options include:

  • Standard cardboard boxes – these are great for folded clothes like your sweaters, t-shirts, etc.
  • Wardrobe boxes – perfect for clothes on hangers! You don’t even need to take the items off the hangers, just put them in these boxes. Many professional moving companies in NJ provide one or two wardrobe boxes for free
  • Suitcases and bags – if you don’t have enough cardboard boxes, these are great alternatives
  • Vacuum bags – perfect if you need to save space and condense clothes like bulky sweaters and jackets. It’s also a great way to store seasonal clothes so it doesn’t take up too much space in your closet once you’re settled into your new home.

Organize Folded Attire for the Move

If you’re someone who has trouble folding the laundry when it comes out of the dryer, you might balk at folding your clothes during your move. There’s no getting around it, folding clothes is a labor-intensive process. You can make it easier on yourself, though. Unless your dresser is in very bad condition, you can leave all your foldable items in the drawers and tape them up tightly. You’ll save money on cardboard boxes and time spent packing. Plus, professional NJ movers know how to carry and maneuver large pieces of furniture.

However, if you’re not keeping any of your furniture, you will have to pack it. There are two methods of folding your clothes that are easy and efficient:

  • Flat fold – these are perfect for your sweaters and jeans and pair well with cardboard boxes and vacuum bags and the most traditional way to fold your clothes. Lay the shirt flat, fold the bottom up a few inches then flip it around. Fold both sleeves toward the center then fold the bottom half of the shirt.
  • KonMari Fold – popularized by Mari Kondo, this method is similar to flat fold, but it allows you to see any designs on the shirts so long as you pack it properly. It’s a fairly straightforward process where you fold one side of a shirt towards the center and repeat on the other side. Then fold the shirt in half lengthwise and then finally fold the shirt in half or this. You will want your shirt to stand upright to maximize space.
  • Military roll – use this method for delicate items like shirts and dresses or if you’re using suitcases or duffle bags. Follow the flat fold method, but instead of folding the bottom half of the shirt, roll from top to the bottom.

Protect and Pack Footwear Like a Pro

Don’t throw all your shoes into a duffle bag! Shoes quickly lose shape and can get damaged during the move. Plus, if you have worn all of your shoes before, you’ll be getting whatever dirt, etc. on all of your shoes.

It’s in your best interest to pack your shoes properly, especially your dressier shoes. Stuff the shoes with some packing paper or socks so they keep their shape and wrap them in paper to prevent scuffing. If you have the original shoebox, place them in there and put everything into a small or medium box. It’s okay if you don’t have the original shoebox, you can place the shoes gently in a cardboard box without it.

And don’t ever pack your shoes with your clothes!

Accessories

Don’t toss these in with your clothes! It’s all too easy to lose small accessories like rings, necklaces, neck ties, etc. Instead, back these separately in a small bag or box. If these items are very valuable, you will want to keep these possessions on your person.

Pack Bag or Suitcase for the Moving Day

Don’t pack away all your clothes in boxes. Unless you are super motivated to unpack immediately when you move into your new place, chances are you’ll take a few days to go through all your boxes and bags. In the meantime, the last thing you want to do is root around your boxes to find your pajamas and a change of clothes. This is doubly true if you moved on the weekend and have to go into work on Monday.

So before you tape up all of your boxes, separate all of your essential items to a suitcase or box. When planning what to pack, consider what you would bring to a 2-3 day hotel stay. Items like socks, underwear, shirts, pants, pajamas, tooth brush, toiletries etc. are all necessary, but you might have to pack other things like bedding, pillows, toilet paper, towels, silver ware, one or two cups, etc. Don’t overload yourself, of course! Remember this should be enough for two to three days not a full month! The hope is that you will be finished unpacking the essentials within that time frame.

Get Ready to Move!

The tips above should help make packing your clothes a lot easier. If all else fails, you could always contact NJ Great Movers and request a partial packing option for your closet and dresser. We’ll handle all the hard work so you don’t have to!

Categories
Seasonal Moving Tips

Important Pros and Cons of Moving During NJ Winters

Pros and Cons of Moving During NJ Winters

Winters in New Jersey aren’t just a great time to go skiing and snowboarding, they’re also good for moving…so long as you plan properly. Relocating when it’s cold, dark, and maybe snowing might not seem like the best idea, but there are a lot of benefits to moving during the winter. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any drawbacks. However, it’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons!

The Most Common Pros of Moving During Winter

Movers Are Free Than Other Time

40 million Americans move every year with around 80 percent of these moves occurring between April and September, with peak months being July, August, and September. With so many people moving at the same time, you’ll have a lot more competition when it comes to hiring professional moving companies. What does that mean for you? You’ll have to start researching and booking your moving company at least a month in advance if you want to find one one your exact move date.

NJ movers are significantly less busy during the winter months and will have more flexibility on dates and times. If you’re making a long-distance move you might find that your belongings will arrive sooner than if you moved during the summer months because moving companies have lighter schedules. You can also expect extra TLC from movers as they’ll have a less hectic schedule and can give you and your move the attention it deserves.

You’ll Move at a Lower Cost

Tying into the first point, since there are fewer moving requests in the winter, many moving companies will offer reduced moving rates to attract customers. In some cases you can save as much as 30 percent from peak prices! Take your time and shop around to see what kind of promotions different movers offer. If they don’t have one, ask them if they can provide some kind of discount. Movers are more willing to negotiate, especially if you already have other offers on hand.

Moving companies aren’t the only things that are cheaper during the winter. Rents and even home prices tend to dip during the colder months as there’s lower demand. Landlords will be more willing to negotiate and even houses tend to sell for less between October through January and February. There is lower supply during these months, but there’s also less competition for the units and houses that are available so you should be able to spend a bit more time finding your new home.

Temperatures Are Cooler

Okay, so that might be a bit of an understatement depending on what month you decide to move. But as long as it isn’t in the single digits, moving in the colder weather is better for you. For one, there’s less chances of you or the movers overheating. Imagine moving boxes and furniture on a 90 degree day with 85 percent humidity and that’s what you would likely be dealing with during the summer months. The lower temperatures also mean you’ll be less prone to dehydration or exhaustion, which means you’ll have more energy to unpack once you get into your new place.

You’re not the only thing that does better in cooler temperatures. Your possessions also won’t have to deal with the summer heat. Things like candles, soap, records, and your precious electronics won’t melt. Wooden furniture also does better in the winter months as the air is drier, leading to less swelling and warping.

Not Too Much Traffic

Unless you decide to move during the holidays, the roads tend to be less packed than during the height of summer travel season. Of course, there will always be people on the road for one reason or another and there are plenty of people who love winter sports, but overall you can expect less congestion. That means faster relocation for you whether you’re doing a DIY move or hiring professionals.

Most Common Disadvantages of Moving During the Winter

Frigid Winter Conditions

This is a no-brainer, but the weather in the winter can be brutal. New Jersey has a continental climate, which means it has moderately cold and snowy winters. Different parts of the state get different amounts of snow with South Jersey averaging around 18 inches while North Jersey gets around 34 inches.

More importantly, winter weather can lead to white outs, icy roads, and generally unsafe driving conditions. Most experienced NJ movers should know how to handle the truck safely during winter weather. However, it might mean your move takes longer as they will need to travel much slower for safety’s sake.

Not Getting Enough Daylight

Moving in the dark is not ideal, but depending on the size and complexity of the move, it might be something you can’t avoid. Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring pro movers, you should plan to start as early in the day as possible. Even if you run into some mishaps, you can hopefully still get everything in your new house before it gets completely dark.

Moving in the dark isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s also a lot more dangerous. Temperatures drop significantly once the sun is gone during the winter, which can lead to ice forming relatively quickly on sidewalks and roads, meaning more chances for accidents. Even without the ice, moving in the dark can cause plenty of accidents as you’re not able to see clearly in front of you.

Absolutely Lowest Temperatures

This should go without saying, but winters tend to be cold. While New Jersey temperatures rarely drop to sub zero temperatures, it doesn’t need to get that cold to have a negative effect on your belongings. Much like some items don’t hold up in high temperatures, there are some items that cannot handle the cold. For example, items like instruments, china, and plants are extremely sensitive to the cold. In order to prevent potential damage, you will want to take the time to provide extra protection. And while electronics do better in cold than heat, very cold temperatures still aren’t good for their lifespan so make sure you pack them properly.

The cold also affects your body! As the temperature drops, the thickness in your joint fluid increases, making your joints feel stiffer and muscles harder to move. This makes it a lot harder to move things quickly. Even professional movers find it difficult to move in the cold. On top of that, you’re likely wearing a bulky jacket, gloves, etc. All of which impede your freedom of movement and, more importantly, hand grip.

Need for Extra Preparation

Sure, the summer months bring sweltering temperatures and summer thunderstorms, but there’s a lot more you need to think about if you move during the winter months. There’s obviously snow and ice to deal with not just outside, but inside your home if you don’t put down some mats or plastic for the movers. And of course you need to make sure you have sturdy enough boxes to withstand getting wet.

On top of that, if you’re moving into a house, you really have to make sure the heat is working properly when you move in. There’s nothing worse than being surrounded by boxes in a freezing house. Plus, depending on the actual temperature, you might have to run the heat to keep the pipes warm so they don’t freeze over.

Ready to Make Your Winter Move?

Moving any time of the year is not easy. However, when you have a reliable moving company, they can help walk you through the process and make sure everything gets delivered without a hitch. If you’re ready to move, make sure to call NJ Great Movers for a free estimate!

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General

Useful Strategies for Packing Your Home Library for Your Next Move

Useful Strategies for Packing Your Home Library for Your Next Move

Moving books might seem simple, after all you just toss them into a box, right? You’re not completely wrong, but there are exceptions to the rule. More importantly, if you pack your books incorrectly it could lead to broken boxes, damaged books, and injured backs. Even if you hire professional movers to haul the boxes for you, you’ll still need to do the packing, which isn’t quite as simple as you might think. For best results, read the strategies below on how to pack and move your home library.

Declutter Your Library

If you’re a bibliophile, the thought of getting rid of some of your precious books can be a heart wrenching. However, it’s in your best interest to lighten the load. After all, the less stuff you have, the cheaper the move will be whether you’re making a local or cross-country move. And who doesn’t want saving money?

Don’t rush this process. Try to start at least a month before your move. That way you will have the time to consider each book carefully. Instead of throwing your books in the trash, consider the following options:

  • Donate to charity – most charities will gladly accept your books so long as they are in good condition. You can also donate directly to libraries, schools, orphanages, etc.
  • Sell them – there’s a fairly large second-hard market for books, so why not make a little extra cash from them? Offer your books at yard sales or sell them online through Amazon or through various online booksellers.
  • Pass them along to friends and/or family members – Ask people you know if they want to take some books off your hands. Chances are there are probably a few you’re getting rid of that someone would be interested in.
  • Recycle – if your books are heavily damaged, your only option would be to recycle it. Avoid throwing your books in the trash if possible! Your old books can enjoy a new life as wrapping paper or paper bags if you recycle.

Organize Your Books the Proper Way

Once you’ve narrowed down your books, it’s time to organize them. Before you move anything though, make sure to take a picture of your current library setup so you can replicate it in your new home. Of course, you might decide you want to try a different organization method later on!

Separate your books into hardcover and paperbacks. If you don’t, the hardcover books could damage your paperbacks. From there, group the books up by size. That way, you can maximize the amount of space the books take in the box. You can go further with your organization and organize your book by genre, author, etc. Whatever is easiest for you to remember and unpack when you get to your new place. After all, there’s nothing quite like relaxing with your favorite book after a stressful moving day!

Choosing the Right Packing Materials

It might be tempting to put all of your books into one or two large boxes, but that’s ultimately an injury waiting to happen. Books are heavy. You might not think about the weight often in your day-to-day life. After all, you’re likely only holding one book at a time. An average hardcover weighs between 1 to 3 pounds while a paperback can weigh between 0.5 to 1 pound. Even if you’re hiring professional NJ movers to help with moving, you still want to keep your boxes to a max of 30 pounds since you might still need to move the boxes yourself from one room to another. More importantly, if you back your box full of heavy books, it can compromise the structural integrity of the box. This could lead to broken boxes and, at worse, a serious injury.

Your best bet is to choose smaller boxes. Sure, it might be tedious to pack dozens of smaller boxes, but it will ultimately be easier to move several small boxes versus one heavy box. Plus, smaller boxes mean better organization so you’re not putting your mystery novels with your romance.

Besides the box, you want to make sure you have other packing materials such as tape, packing paper, and permanent markers. Make sure to label the packed books as heavy so the movers know what to expect.

Need to Pack Your Books Properly

Sure, you can just dump your books into boxes willy-nilly, but it will be easier for you and the movers if you are intentional with your packing. Besides organizing and getting the right materials for the job, the actual packing part can ensure your books arrive in good condition. Before you start packing, line the boxes you plan on using with packing paper. If you have delicate and/or rare books, consider packing these separately or placing cardboard sheets between the books to prevent damage.

When stacking your books, pack your books with the spine down. If you’re stacking the books, pack the lighter books on top of the heavier ones. Try not to squeeze too much into the box. You don’t want the sides or top bulging! Leave a little space on the sides and top and stuff the empty space with packing paper to prevent any shifting during the move. You might also want to get some desiccant to keep your books nice and dry. After all, moisture can ruin books and warp the book shape. Not to mention it can lead to mold and rot.

Ship Your Books Using Media Mail

If you decide to go the DIY route, you might want to consider shipping your books via media mail. That way, you don’t have to worry about lugging the heavy boxes on and off a truck! Even if you’re using professional movers, shipping the books might end up being cheaper, especially if you’re making a long distance move. You can ship giant boxes of books for around $0.45 a pound! You can even schedule a pickup with the USPS so you don’t have to lug the boxes down to the post office.

So, what’s the catch? The USPS reserves the right to open and search the packages to ensure the contents adhere to the service’s standards. That means you can’t sneak in other items into these boxes. You will need to check the media mail website to see what does count. Be forewarned that media mail packages cannot contain advertising and things like comic books do not count. While the USPS won’t check every box, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Move Your Home Library Safely

If you want to make sure you have your favorite books on hand when you move into your new place, then hire professional movers to relocate your home library. Reputable NJ movers have years of experience and have moved pretty much everything you can imagine. And if you need, they can put any extra boxes in storage for you. Just make sure they know you will need a storage solution ahead of time!