Tag: NJ moving company

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How To Moving Tips

How to Make a Small NJ Move

How to Make a Small NJ Move

Not all moves are the same. Regardless of the size of your move, you still need to put in the time and effort if you want to reduce your stress. Of course, hiring a professional NJ moving company can make the process that much easier. But before you put down a deposit, make sure you know exactly what a small move entails.

What is a Small Move?

As the name suggests a small move means you are relocating fewer boxes and other household items than your typical move. Usually, it’s associated with one or two-room apartments or smaller homes and the items, but it can also include moving one large item like a piano or dining room set. 

In general, small moves do not require the use of a full-size moving truck and can usually be completed by two professional movers. A move can also be labeled small even if it’s long-distance or cross country. The word small describes the amount of stuff you’re moving, not the distance.

Just because you’re not moving as much stuff doesn’t mean a small move is a simple process. You still need to take into consideration things like decluttering your belongings, packing, finding a mover, and more. Even moving a single large item can be a hassle if you don’t do the appropriate legwork like making sure the item not only fits in the house but through the doorways and halls. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Small Move

It doesn’t matter how much stuff you’re moving, it’s going to be a process. Still, there are a lot of benefits to a small move versus a large one:

  • Affordable – smaller moves means less boxes and furniture. Regardless of whether you’re paying a flat or hourly rate, fewer stuff means lower prices. Heck, with the money you save you might even be able to afford other services like packing and unpacking.
  • Flexible – Depending on the distance of your move, a small move means more flexibility on the date and time of your move. It’s even easy to find last minute movers since you likely need one truck or even a small van.
  • Simple – organizing and packing for a small move is a lot easier if you have fewer belongings. Even if you live in a larger house, you should do your best to reduce the amount of items you’re bringing with you to your new home. The goal should be to declutter as much as possible. Not only does it make packing easier, it also makes the unpacking process go that much faster.

Of course, there are some downsides to a small move. Not all moving companies are willing to cater to small moves as it often won’t be worth their time. For those that do provide the service, they may charge a minimum fee so you may end up paying the same amount of money for a few boxes as you would for a larger move. In that case, it might be worth your time to add on the additional packing and unpacking service or plan a DIY move if you’re truly only moving a handful of boxes. 

Planning a Small Move

Whether you already don’t own a lot of things or plan on reducing how much you bring to your new home, you need a plan and time to get everything done. Your first order of business is to declutter. Yes, even if you’re already living in a small home, chances are you still have plenty of things that are unnecessary. Separate your belongings into two to three separate piles: keep, sell/donate, trash and sort accordingly. If you’re not sure whether you should keep or sell something, think about the last time you used said item. If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you don’t really need it. Trash anything that’s broken or in very bad condition.

Once you’ve sorted everything, get packing! Hopefully, you only have a handful of boxes to pack which should only take you less than a day to put everything away. Remember, you don’t need to pack everything into boxes. Leave your clothes in their dresser and just wrap the drawers tightly with plastic wrap. Instead of buying bubble wrap or packing paper, use towels and scrap paper to protect your fragile items. Make sure to keep a detailed inventory of all your items and include photos of everything so if something gets damaged, you have proof.

After decluttering, make sure to spend some time researching and reaching out to multiple moving companies. Again, not all movers will handle a small move so be upfront about your needs. That includes if you need additional services like storage and full or partial packing. And don’t forget to include important details like whether the movers will need to go up and down any flights of stairs. All of these will increase the cost of your move. When talking to movers, pay attention to how they answer or don’t answer your questions. If they seem to dodge your questions or get annoyed, it could be a red flag that they’re scamming your or just not professionals.

Small Moves Don’t Need to be Stressful

At NJ Great Movers, we can help with your move regardless of the size. And if you need any other help, we offer plenty of useful services. We can even provide moving materials in case you don’t want to make multiple trips to pick up all the necessities. So whether you just need to move a few boxes or you’re moving a jacuzzi, we’re here to help.

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Moving Tips

7 Steps to Take Before Your NJ Movers Arrive

7 Steps to Take Before Your NJ Movers Arrive

When it comes to moving, you’ve probably heard more stressful stories than trouble-free ones. It always seems inevitable for there to be last minute hiccups or issues that seem completely unpreventable. But is that truly the case? You might not be able to plan for every contingency, but there are some predictable issues that can crop up during a move like misplaced boxes, damaged belongings, narrow doors and halls, and so on. By planning ahead, you can speed up the entire moving process and minimize potential risks.

Not sure where to start? Below are some useful steps to take before the movers arrive on your doorstep.

Declutter Your Home

Your very first step is to organize and declutter all of your belongings. Yes, even tiny items like hair ties, pens, and so on. The less stuff you bring with you, the less you’ll need to pack and unpack. Take a hard look at everything you own and separate it into three piles – keep, sell/donate, and trash. If you want some extra cash for your moving budget, consider holding a yard or garage sale to get rid of unwanted items and then donate whatever is left over. Depending on how much you’re getting rid of, you could make a couple hundred dollars.

Make an Inventory

While you’re decluttering, it’s a good idea to organize all of the items you plan on bringing with you. Your first order of business is to create a detailed inventory. Take pictures of everything as this will serve as proof of the contents and condition of your belongings. For electronics and appliances, list the serial number, brand, and type. Store the inventory and pictures in the cloud but also make sure to have a hard copy on hand during the move. That way if anything goes missing, you’ll have physical evidence.

Once your inventory is complete, share it with the NJ moving company and anyone else involved in the move. Make sure to send out an updated version if you add or remove anything.

Get Organized

Making an inventory is great, but you still need to organize and pack everything so that they are protected and easy to find. It might seem tedious, but you should set some time to:

  • Pre-pack small items in a sealable bag. This is great for items like desk organizers, jewelry, small decorations, etc.
  • Label your boxes – use color-codes or simply write what items are in the box. Make sure to write Fragile on boxes you want handled with extra care.
  • Separate items – there are some items you want to have access to immediately and/or definitely don’t want lost like personal documents, valuables, your essentials like clothes, toiletries, medication, pet food, and small electronic devices. Keep these away from the other boxes so the movers don’t get confused

You should also measure all doors and hallways to make sure the boxes and furniture you have will fit comfortably through any and all entryways. You don’t want to back a big box and not be able to get it through the front door of your new home, do you?

Get Insurance

When you hire professional movers your belongings are automatically covered by the basic valuation coverage which covers you for $0.60 per pound per item. While this might be fine for basic things like your clothes, it doesn’t really provide much help for items that are expensive, but light like cameras, TVs, jewelry, etc. If you own a lot of high value items, consider springing for the full valuation from your NJ moving company. You will need to alert the movers of anything that is valued at over $100/pound, otherwise they cannot be held liable if it is damaged but not claimed.

You can also spring for third-party moving insurance. Your premium is based on the value and weight of the total items you want to insure, so it’s in your best interest to only cover the very expensive or irreplaceable items. Be forewarned that if you pack the items yourself and it gets damaged during the move, the moving company and/or insurance won’t pay out unless there’s obvious evidence of improper handling during the move.

Plan for Your Pets and Kids

Depending on how old your child is, it might be beneficial to have a friend or relative watch them during the moving process. You want them to stay away from all the commotion and tension that comes with moving day so that you and the NJ moving crew can focus on the task at hand. If you can’t find someone to help out, look for a babysitter or see if you might be able to have them wait in a separate room. 

For your pets, put them in a kennel or cage away from all the noise. Many people lose their pets during a move since dogs and cats are prone to running away from unfamiliar people and loud noises. Keep them safe by putting them somewhere they can’t escape. Include their favorite toy or cushion as something familiar can help soothe their anxiety. And don’t forget to pack some weewee pads in case they end up urinating or defecating in their cage.

Prepare Your House for Movers

Sure, most moving companies will put down some supplies to prevent damage to your house, but it’s up to you to make sure your old and new house are clean and undamaged. This is especially true if you are moving between NJ apartments since you’ll have to worry about getting back your security deposit. Some small steps you can take include:

  • Putting down doormats and plastic coverings over floors and carpets to prevent dirt buildup
  • Wrapping banisters and corners with some bubble wrap or blankets. 
  • Cover stairs with anti-slip coating
  • Protect door frames with foam pad dings or remove doors from hinges if necessary. Don’t forget to put the doors back up!
  • Remove paintings, mirrors, and clocks from walls

 Don’t forget to take pictures of your old place before the movers arrive. You want proof of the condition your apartment or home was in during move out so in case something gets damaged, you can show that you were not responsible. Don’t forget to do this when you move into your new place, too!

Think of the Moving Crew

Not all moves are strenuous, but if your move is expected to take more than four hours and/or you have a lot of bulky and heavy items to move, consider getting some snacks and water to replenish the movers’ energy levels. This is especially important if you’re moving during the summer! You should also make sure to leave some soap and disposable hand towels in your old and new home just in case someone needs to use it.

And don’t forget to take out some cash for tips. While tipping isn’t required, it’s always a good idea to show appreciation for a job well done, especially for something like moving. Add some extra dollars if the crew had to move very heavy items, walk up stairs, or navigate tight corridors.

Have a Stress-Free Moving Experience

While no move is easy, you can reduce potential issues by preparing in advance. Once you’re ready to move, make sure to give NJ Great Movers a call. We can help walk you through the process and provide a customized moving plan that fits your needs and budget.

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DIY Moving Projects How To

How to Hire the Right Movers for Your NJ Move

How to Hire The Right Movers for Your NJ Move

Doing a DIY move when you’re young isn’t so bad. You’re still in decent shape and you likely have some nearby friends and family who are available to help out. However, as you get older moving everything yourself can put a serious toll on your mind and body. Not to mention most of your friends and family are probably too busy with their own life to help out (and maybe they also just don’t want to get hurt helping you move).

Whatever the case, you now need to hire right movers. Even if you’ve gone through the process in the past, it can still be a daunting task. After all, there are so many companies to choose from and not all of them will fit your needs. In order to find the right one moving company for you, you’ll need to do some planning. Luckily, the following guide will help walk you through the process.

Need to Calculate Your Moving Cost

Before hiring NJ professional movers onboard, you first need to figure out if you even have enough money. In order to do that, you need to figure out how much they cost. While there aren’t any universal rates, most movers tend to offer similar prices. If you don’t want to guess how much movers will cost, you can simply reach out to a few that offer the service you need and get a quote. So long as you provide accurate information and include any additional services you might want to include, the quote should be fairly accurate.

Your best bet is to reach out to a minimum of three NJ moving companies, ideally more. You should be suspicious if an estimate is significantly lower than the others as it might be a sign of a scam. And while it used to be a red flag if movers don’t do an in-home visit, thanks to COVID-19, many can provide estimates if you send them pictures and/or video.

Check All the Important Documents

Whether you’re making a local move or long distance move it’s important that you make sure the company you hire is licensed and insured. The US Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) requires all professional moving companies to have a U.S. DOT number. In order to receive this number, the movers must enroll in an 18-month education program to learn about carrier safety and hazardous material regulations. During this time, the company must maintain safe operations and pass a safety audit. To maintain their number, movers must comply with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety regulations.

Some states, like New Jersey, also require registration with the state’s Department of Transportation for additional security. Moving companies are required to post both their state and federal DOT numbers in an easy to find location on their website. You can then check the moving company’s numbers on the FMCSA website to ensure their numbers are still valid.

In addition to having the appropriate registration with the state and federal DOT, you also want to make sure the moving company is properly insured. You can ask for a certificate of insurance (COI), which is a form that shows all of the necessary insurance the movers have including umbrella, general liability, automotive, worker’s compensation, and more. When you look over the document, pay close attention to the expiration dates for the insurance as well as the name and address listed for the business. You want to make sure the insurance is still valid up to the date of your move and that the name and address matches what is listed on the company website.

Read Reviews Online

Thanks to the beauty of the internet, you can now easily find reviews on almost everything, including NJ moving companies. Don’t let this resource go to waste! Simply search the name of the company and you’ll be able to pull up reviews from multiple sources including Yelp and Google. You can always arrange reviews by the most recent and even drill down to see specific ratings like one-star reviews. From there, you can determine whether the negative and/or positive reviews are a good representative sample.

In addition to customer reviews, you should also check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the company has a report. You can check out the letter grade the BBB has assigned to the mover and read any complaints, reviews, and government actions. Besides the BBB, you can also review the company’s complaint history on the DOT website.

You shouldn’t always trust online reviews though as some companies will pay people to post positive reviews. If you know people who have used a moving company you are considering, ask them questions on the cost, professionalism, etc. See if they have any complaints and see if it matches up with the online reviews.

Ask Questions About What You Want to Know

Once you’ve narrowed down your NJ moving company search, you should take some time to ask them questions. You don’t want to go in there without any preparation, so make a list of questions beforehand. Below are some questions you should ask:

  • Can you provide a certificate of insurance? You want to make sure the movers the insurance is up-to-date and that they have enough coverage. Usually, insurance should go be at least $2-5 million
  • Are you a broker or carrier? Brokers outsource their services to other companies while carriers handle all moving services in house
  • What coverage option do you offer? All moving companies must offer partial liability coverage for free. This only insures your items for $0.60 per pound per item. Professional moving companies are required to have full value protection, but you will need to pay extra for this
  • What services do you offer? Not all movers are created equal. If you need additional services like packing and unpacking or storage, make sure you ask if they offer these options.
  • How do you calculate prices? Most companies charge customers on several factors including weight, distance, season, and hourly rates. If you’re moving locally, most movers stick with a flat hourly rate, but that’s not always the case so it’s important to ask.
  • What about cancellation fees? There are plenty of reasons why you might need to cancel or reschedule your move. Some companies will let you cancel free of charge so long as you do it far enough in advance. Others might charge you a fee on top of your deposit so make sure you ask!

Hire Right Movers NJ

Once you’ve done your research and found the right movers for you, make sure you book them! Ideally, you’ll want to reserve your movers at least a month beforehand, but you might be able to get in a last-minute move if you’re lucky. Still, the more lead time you have, the better as you’ll be able to start the moving process in advance.

Looking for some movers in NJ, then reach out to NJ Great Movers for a quote!

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Moving Tips

Sustainable Moving: 7 Tips for an Eco-Friendly NJ Relocation

Sustainable Moving 7 Tips for an Eco-Friendly NJ Relocation

Moving to your new NJ home might be exciting, but there’s also a lot of waste that goes into the process. You’ll often purchase one-time use items and, considering the average American moves 11.7 times in their life, that ends up being a lot of waste. Even if you manage to recycle things like boxes or bubble wrap, it’s not always the best option for the environment. If you remember the three R’s initiative, recycle is the last R with reduce and reuse before it.

Luckily, it’s fairly simple to reduce your carbon footprint for your next NJ move. Just follow the eco-friendly tips below!

Use Your Own Containers Instead of Buying New Ones

Sure, you’ll probably need to buy some boxes, but chances are you have plenty of potential containers you can use on hand. If you’re hiring professional NJ movers, you will have to properly pack everything you own either in boxes or plastic bins. However, if you’re going the DIY route you have more flexibility when it comes to types of containers. Some options include:

  • Plastic bins
  • Suitcases
  • Gym or duffel bags
  • Trash bags
  • Reusable grocery totes

And more. If you can fit multiple items inside of it then use it! Of course, you don’t want to just throw any and everything into random containers. You should still keep your belongings organized and pack up items by room and use. So if you’re packing up your bathroom, you can use a small grocery bag or tote to store all the items under your sink. Have small containers for your food? Use these to hold small items like hair accessories, jewelry, makeup brushes, etc. The more of your own containers you can use, the more you can avoid purchasing boxes.

Don’t Buy New Cardboard Boxes

Online shopping has replaced in-person shopping for a lot of people. While it’s not the most sustainable shopping option, it’s perfect if you have an impending move. After all, your shipped items will likely come in boxes, which you can then reuse for your move. Of course, you don’t want to hold onto boxes forever so only start collecting once you have firmed up your move date. One of the benefits of cardboard boxes over plastic bins is that you can easily break them down for easy storage around your house or apartment.

You don’t need to keep every box. Obviously get rid of any that are ripped or in bad condition. From there, keep the ones that will hold a decent amount of items. Yes, you can keep the smaller boxes if you like, but it might be more trouble than it’s worth to properly pack everything and tape these up.

If you’re not able to save enough boxes on your own, don’t buy new ones! Instead, look for used ones. Ask friends, family, and coworkers if they saved any from previous moves or packages. Did any neighbors move in recently? See if they have any leftover boxes. The worst they can say is no! You should also reach out to your local grocery and liquor stores as they will often have leftover boxes from their shipments. The best part is that those boxes are meant to handle heavy items so they’re sturdier than your standard online shopping boxes.

Once your move is complete, pass the favor forward and see if there’s anywhere in your new neighborhood that needs boxes. If no one takes you up on the offer, make sure to recycle!

Use Plastic Bins That Are Reusable

Don’t want to deal with assembling and breaking down cardboard boxes? Then why not rent plastic bins? Ask your moving company if they offer this service. If they do, then consider renting some out to fill in the gaps for whatever items you might still need to pack. It’s not the cheapest option, but it is eco-friendly. After all, the plastic bins can be reused for many years to come so long as they don’t get damaged. On top of that, the bins come with a hard plastic snap top, which means you don’t need to worry about tape. Plus, the plastic construction also means it is water and dust proof!

Before you decide to pack everything into these rented plastic bins, you should consider the downsides:

  • It’s expensive – the price goes up the more bins you rent out and the longer you rent it
  • You can’t pack your items until the bins are delivered – most moving companies will deliver the pins 2-3 days before the day of the move so you’ll have to rush to pack
  • You have to return the bins – it should go without saying, but renting a bin means you need to return them to the NJ moving company you used. While the movers will pick it up themselves, this means that you have to unpack your items ASAP so you don’t get charged additional fees

Still, plastic bins are a great option if you only need a few boxes to fit your remaining belongings. And while they might be plastic, it can be reused hundreds if not thousands of times.

Take Only What You Need

The easiest way to make your NJ move greener is to move less stuff. Fewer belongings means less weight in the moving truck AND less moving supplies you need to get. Plus, why bring a bunch of stuff you don’t use to your new home? You’re starting in a new home so why not get rid of items that no longer fit your needs.

Decluttering might sound simple, but it’s not always easy especially if you’re someone who tends to hang onto things “just in case.” But ask yourself, how often do those situations actually happen? Put aside a few days a month or so before your move to go through every single item you own. That includes little things like pens, hair clips, etc. Separate into three piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, Throw out. Your throw out pile should be the easiest to start with as you can get rid of broken and/or severely damaged items.

When it comes to deciding what to keep and what to donate, it’s a bit harder. Ideally, you should donate anything that you haven’t used in the past year that is still in good condition. Of course, things like holiday decorations or family heirlooms may fall into this column, but you’re better off leaving sentimental items for last. Instead, focus on things like clothes, shoes, appliances, and so on. Do you really need that many shoes and ties? If you’re able to whittle down your belongings by half, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and energy packing. Plus, you can sell any items that are in good condition at a garage sale for some quick and easy cash.

Find Out Creative and Interesting Ideas with Packing Materials

You don’t always want to skimp on packing materials, especially for things like tape and bubble wrap for expensive, delicate items. However, you can get away with using household items for almost everything else.

  • Glassware – fill the inside with paper and wrap the outside in clean socks
  • Plates and bowls – wrap these with old newspapers, pillowcases, or magazines
  • Knives – if you don’t have a knife block, you can use old newspapers or pieces of cardboard taped together to protect the blade. After that, you can wrap with an additional layer of a dishcloth or old t-shirt
  • Beauty products – put them away in a small plastic container or plastic bag. For things like lotion, tape the lids shut so they don’t accidentally open during the move.

In order to pack your boxes properly, you will also need to fill in any gaps/empty spaces to prevent jostling during your move. So if you have half-filled boxes, fill up the space with dishrags, bedding, towels, etc.

Focus on Choosing Eco-Friendly Packing Supplies

As more people express concern for the environment, more companies are offering sustainable options and that goes for the packing industry. Obviously, cardboard boxes are recyclable, but did you know you can also get eco-friendly versions of almost every supply out there? The issue, of course, is cost. Sustainable options tend to be much more expensive than your standard options. Still, if having an eco-friendly relocation is important to you, then the extra cost might be worth it for your own peace of mind.

Almost everything nowadays can be replaced by greener products including:

  • Packing peanuts – you can look for biodegradable options made from corn, wheat, or potato starch. They dissolve in water so you can even throw them into the compost pile after you are done and they are non-toxic to pets and humans
  • Bubble wrap – opt for paper bubble wrap instead of plastic. Paper options are recyclable and biodegradable making it a perfect option. There is also plastic bubble wrap made from recycled materials and is, of course, 100% recyclable.
  • Packing tape – your standard plastic tape is not only not recyclable, you will have to remove it from all of your boxes in order to recycle the boxes. There are luckily paper-based tapes available on the market that uses a natural water-activated adhesive. Plus, it’s recyclable!

Find an Eco-Friendly New Jersey Moving Company

If you’re hiring professional movers to do the work for you, you can still make your move a green one. Even if they don’t have an electric fleet, professional movers are much more efficient than the average person. Not only can they quickly load and unload all of our belongings, they also know the fastest route between your two homes, especially if you’re hiring local movers. That means less gas wasted in traffic or trying to find a parking spot. And if you hire them to pack your stuff, they also know how to pack more efficiently. After all, they do this on a daily basis and receive training! You can also ask potential moving companies during your research phase what their sustainable practices are, if any.

If you plan on renting a truck or van, research its emissions rating. Some companies even rent out electric trucks and vans as part of their fleet. Obviously, the range of an EV vehicle will be limited, so it’s more suited to moves in the same neighborhood rather than 3-4 hours away.

Make Your NJ Move a Green One!

A sustainable move doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does require some planning and coordination. And being eco-friendly doesn’t stop at the move! If you’re trying to lead a more sustainable life, think of ways you can make your new house more eco-friendly. That might mean investing in energy efficient appliances, installing LED lights, sealing any air cracks, getting curtains for your rooms, and more. All of these little things can help the environment and your wallet.

If you need some help finding the right materials or suggestions on packing, make sure to give NJ Great Movers a call. We’ll provide guidance every step of the way.