Tag: Packing and unpacking

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Packing Hacks and Guides

Top 5 Reasons to Hire Packers For Your NJ Move

Top 5 Reasons to Hire Packers For Your NJ Move

Whether you live in a studio apartment or a three bedroom house, packing your belongings is a time consuming process. The DIY route requires plenty of planning and prep. You need to purchase all of the packing materials ahead of time, create an inventory of what you are taking with you, and then pack everything. Sure, you could throw everything into some boxes, but then you’ll be faced with a huge mess when it comes time to unpack. More importantly, haphazard packing could lead to damaged items.

If you want to make sure your belongings get packed in an orderly manner, consider hiring professional NJ packers to help with your move. While it will cost you more money than a basic moving package, it’s well worth the money if you can spare it! Below are reasons why hiring a professional packing service might be the right move for you.

It Saves Time

Moving into a new home is exciting, but it’s also a lot of hard work. Regardless of whether you’re making a long-distance or local move, you need to organize the logistics of getting your family from your old place to your new one. Packing is one of the main tasks when it comes to moving but it’s a time consuming process. Many people leave it to the last minute, but that leads to more stress since you need to organize, declutter, create an inventory, and then pack everything. Even if you start a few weeks in advance, that’s weeks of having your home in a partially packed state.

When you hire NJ packers, they can pack everything in your house in a day or less. After all, it’s what they do every day so it’s no surprise that they’re efficient. Not only that, but they will bring their own supplies so you don’t have to worry about buying boxes. They’ll handle everything for you and pack everything in an organized manner and label each box. That way when you have to unpack, you know exactly where everything is.

Less Stress

Packing for a move affects your schedule and can seriously affect your mental health. No one likes being in a half-packed house with partially filled boxes everywhere. It’s distracting and dangerous as you could easily trip over a box or accidentally knock one over. But not everyone can dedicate hours to packing. Some people might just be able to spend an hour or less putting things away. 

Hiring packers can help reduce moving clutter and gives you the opportunity to focus on other moving related tasks. And if you need to immediately get to work after your move, consider adding on an unpacking service so you can jump into your daily routine immediately.

Your Belongings are Protected

All professional movers and packers have to have the appropriate licenses and insurance. Believe it or not, professional NJ packers are very careful with your belongings. In fact, they might be more careful than you! On top of that, they all have the appropriate training and years of experience so they know how to pack your things safely and efficiently. That leads to fewer mistakes and issues. 

In order to be a registered professional mover, all moving companies need to provide free partial valuation which covers your belongings up to $0.60 per pound per item for free. They also need to offer full valuation coverage though this is a paid service. The catch here is that you will only receive compensation if the damaged items were packed by the movers. Boxes packed by you will not be reimbursed unless you can prove that the damages were the fault of the movers. So if you have a lot of fragile and expensive items, definitely hire packers to handle them.

It Can Save Money

It might seem counterintuitive, but hiring packers can actually save you money. You might think that you can find enough free boxes from friends and family, but chances are you’ll still need to go out and buy them. Plus, old boxes aren’t sturdy enough to hold your valuable items either! And remember, if there’s an issue with your packing or if your boxes fall apart during the move then the movers can contest any claims you might put in for the valuation as they did not pack your items.

Besides boxes, you’ll also need to purchase other supplies like packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and so on. This can easily bump your budget up a few hundred dollars. While hiring professional packers might cost you more than a couple hundred bucks, the amount of time and stress you’ll save yourself is well worth the money. And, again, your valuables are protected should anything happen during the move.

Partial Packing

If a full service packing option is too much for your budget, then ask the moving company if they offer partial packing services. It’s a more affordable option that still takes a lot of the stress off your hands because you don’t have to pack everything yourself. Instead, you’ll be responsible only for the things you want to pack while the pros handle everything else. You can break the service down by room or area or even items. Whatever you decide, let the movers know and they’ll provide you with a quote. Naturally, you’ll have to pack the rest yourself so make sure you have all the necessary boxes and materials.

Hire Pro NJ Packers

Getting pros to pack your things doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, many people are surprised at how affordable it can be, especially for the partial packing option. Plus, you get more time to relax and focus on other aspects of moving. Let NJ Great Movers take care of your next move. We offer full and partial packing services for both local and long-distance moves. Give us a call and let us know what you need.

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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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General Moving Tips

What to Expect from Full Service NJ Movers

What to Expect from Full Service NJ Movers

Moving to a new home is both an exciting and stressful experience. There are so many steps involved in the moving process that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you’re planning a long-distance or local NJ move, professional moving companies can help you with almost every step of the process. If you want to save yourself some time and potential heartache, consider a full-service move.

What Does a Full-Service Move Entail?

As the name suggests, full service NJ movers will do everything associated with a move. That includes:

    • Providing all packing materials and supplies – no need to save up boxes or purchase packing tape, bubble wrap, or anything else. The movers will provide everything your move needs, that includes things like furniture blankets and additional padding to keep your belongings and walls safe!
    • Packing everything – no one enjoys packing and it is generally the most time consuming part of a move. With a full service move, the packers will pack everything for you in a fraction of the time it would take you. The highly trained crew knows exactly how to pack boxes in an efficient and safe manner for transport and, of course, know how to handle fragile and valuable items. Plus, if the movers pack items themselves, your belongings are protected should anything get damaged.
  • Furniture disassembly – while many movers provide basic disassembly service of your furniture, full service movers will provide more thorough disassembly and, in many cases, reassembly upon reaching the destination.
  • Truck loading and unloading  +- there’s no need for you to carry anything except your essentials bag and whatever items the movers cannot put inside their truck. Otherwise, leave the rest to the professionals.
  • Transport – This should go without saying, but included in all moving packages (even the basic one), the movers will use their own truck to transport your belongings from one location to another. They’ll even manage things like parking.
  • Unpacking – Full service NJ movers don’t just pack your house, they also unpack. While they movers will have labeled the boxes according to the room they were in, make sure to provide some direction on where items should go so you don’t have to do too much redecorating.
  • Disposal of packing materials – say goodbye to cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap. Full service movers will remove all packing materials and supplies once they have unpacked and unloaded everything. That means you don’t have to spend time breaking down boxes and separating recycling.

Of course, you shouldn’t assume all of these are included in a full service move. Always ask beforehand to make sure they are offering you what you need.

How Much Does it Cost?

As you might expect, a full service move will cost you significantly more than a basic move where you do the packing and disassembling yourself. Costs vary based on the size of your move, the distance they need to travel, time of year, and more. Always get an estimate from several full service moving companies so you can compare prices and make an informed decision. Don’t forget to ask if they have any promotional sales going on at the moment or if discounts if you belong to a certain group like a student, senior citizen, or veteran.

How Long Will it Take?

Packing and moving yourself can take days or sometimes even weeks. When you hire a full-service mover, they can finish in a few hours depending on the size of your move. In order to provide you with an accurate time frame, the movers will need to do an in-person or virtual tour of your home to take stock of your belongings. Unless you have a lot to move, most full service movers can pack everything up in a three bedroom home in under 4 hours. 

After that, the rest of the time will be spent loading and unloading the truck and unpacking. And, of course, don’t forget the time it will take to get to your new home. For local moves, a full service move might take 8-10 hours. The less you move, the quicker the move will be so make sure to declutter beforehand. Even if you’re not doing the hard work, there’s always something nice about having a few hours to relax after a move.

If you’re not able to move into your new house immediately, you might need to request short-term storage solutions. Many NJ movers have their own secure storage units, but renting one is an additional cost on top of the full service move. Make sure you know how long you will need to rent out the unit and incorporate the cost into your moving budget. While you can find self-storage solutions, the benefit of using storage directly from the movers is that they will handle all the loading and unloading and travel to and from your homes.

How to Find a Reputable Full Service NJ Mover?

There are plenty of NJ movers to choose from and while most of them are legitimate, not all of them have your best interests in mind. When looking for a NJ mover, make sure to check that they are licensed and insured by looking for the Department of Transportation (DOT) number on their website. You can then go to the DOT website and enter the number to make sure they are up to date on their licenses and check for any complaints or accidents. 

You should also ask friends and families for suggestions or feedback if you know they have moved recently. Otherwise look up online reviews on Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (if they are listed). You want to look for any negative reviews that have the same or similar complaints.

After that, listen to how the movers talk on the phone. Are they professional? Do they answer your questions in a straightforward manner? If you notice that the movers are evading questions and/or trying to pressure you into signing a contract with them, thank them for their time and move on to another company. You should also avoid movers who have estimates that are wildly cheaper than others or who ask for a large upfront deposit. These are all signs of a scam.

Ready to Move?

If you want to make your next NJ move easy, make sure to reach out to NJ Great Movers. We have years of experience and can provide you with a comprehensive full service move tailored to your budget and needs. Of course, we also provide other services like storage, last-minute moves, and more! 

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How To

How to Find a Reliable Moving Company: 4 Questions to Ask

How to Find a Reliable Moving Company 4 Questions to Ask

The Better Business Bureau receives an average of 13,000 complaints and negative reviews on movers every year,  and moving scams themselves have cost Americans a total of around $2.1 million a year. Not surprisingly, the amount of moving scams increased during the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the amount of scams have decreased since then, you still need to stay on your toes when dealing with movers. 

While most moving companies are reliable and reputable, it’s still important to do your research. That includes asking questions when you speak to each moving company. The below questions will help you avoid scam companies and find a professional moving company that meets your requirements.

Question 1: What is your company’s experience with moving?

When it comes to moving, it’s essential to hire a professional moving company with years of experience. Moving can be a complex process that involves various tasks, such as packing, loading, and transporting your belongings to a new location. An experienced moving company can handle these tasks with ease and efficiency, ensuring that your move is as stress-free as possible. They have the knowledge and expertise to handle any challenges that may arise during the moving process, such as navigating narrow hallways or dealing with fragile items. 

On top of that, moving companies that have been around for several years have likely moved pretty much everything including items like pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, antiques, and more so if you plan on moving any of these items, you know you’ll get a better moving experience when you hire reliable movers.

Finally, movers with years of experience have the necessary equipment and tools to handle your items with care and can provide additional services such as packing and unpacking, which can save you time and effort. Additionally, experienced movers are familiar with the local area and can easily navigate through notoriously tricky city and back streets without any issues. Hiring an experienced moving company is a wise investment that can save you time, money, and stress.

Question 2: Are you licensed and insured?

One of the biggest red flags for a moving company is if they are not licensed or insured. All professional moving companies have to register with the US Department of Transportation. Some states, such as New Jersey and New York, also require movers to register with the state’s Department of Transportation. All registered businesses receive a unique USDOT number (and state DOT number) that can be used to look up the company’s safety information, which includes crash investigations, inspections, and more. Licensed moving companies generally list their USDOT number on their website or provide it upon request. You can then use the number to look up information on the company including registration status, fleet size, and compliance information. Make sure the company is also “Authorized for HHG” (Household Goods), as that will confirm they are licensed for residential moves.

In addition to being licensed, you want to make sure you’re hiring insured movers. In order to receive their USDOT number, moving companies must provide proof of insurance. The most common policies include:

  • General liability – protects the company from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury
  • Workers Compensation – provide benefits and/or medical care to moving crew in case they are injured on the job
  • Commercial Auto Insurance – protects commercial fleet in case of accidents

Some movers go a step further and add on Umbrella Liability. This supplemental policy offers protection for settlements, legal costs, and judgements. Many apartment buildings require movers to have Umbrella Insurance, so it’s not necessarily a red flag if you hire movers who don’t have it. Just asking if the company has insurance isn’t necessarily enough. You should ask them for a certificate of insurance, a form that lists all of the insurance policies they have, to make sure they have everything. Make sure to check the name and address listed on the form matches what listed on their website.

Finally, all moving companies must provide some form of cargo insurance in the form of released value protection and full value protection. The released value protection is completely free, but will only provide $0.60 per pound per each item that is damaged or lost in transit. Full value protection will provide one of the three options:

  1. Repair your damaged item
  2. Replace it with an item of equal current market value
  3. Provide a cash payout based on the market value of the item

You can also purchase moving insurance from a third-party if you happen to own a lot of valuable items.

Question 3: What services do you offer?

Hiring professionals for your move isn’t cheap, so it’s important to choose one that can meet all your needs. Outside of shipping your belongings, the best companies offer a variety of moving services. In some cases, some of these services might even be included in your basic moving such as disassembling and reassembling basic furniture, uninstalling window AC units, dismounting TVs, and more.

So what additional services can you ask for? The most common include:

  • Packing and unpacking – you can choose to hire movers to pack up certain rooms or areas or hire them for your entire house. For an additional fee, the crew can unpack your boxes and place everything in closets and cabinets the way you want.
  • Storage solutions – if you’re not planning to move into your new home immediately after your move then you can ask the movers to store your stuff for you. Most companies have storage units available for short and long term rentals.
  • Packing materials – while you can certainly find free boxes for your move, the materials you purchase from a moving company are the same ones that they use professionally when they pack and seal up your boxes. That means you can rest easy knowing the boxes won’t fall apart in the middle of transit.

There are other services you can request such as managing bulky or specialty items like pianos and asking for additional stops in case you have some things in storage. Some movers might also be able to help you with cleaning. In either case, you should be clear on your needs and then ask the movers if they are able to meet them before deciding who to hire. And remember, all of these services will cost you extra money so be sure you have room in your budget for them.

Question 4: How much will a move cost?

Cost is usually the first thing that comes to mind when considering a move. While affordable movers do exist, even on the lower end you can expect to pay at least a couple hundred dollars for a small one-bedroom apartment. As the size of your house increases, so too does the cost.

The most important thing to notice when you ask this question is whether there is transparent pricing or not. Are you getting the runaround? Do the prices seem too low in comparison to other movers you have called? Both cases are red flags that the movers are trying to scam you. Reputable movers will provide an itemized bill that lists all charges including ‘hidden’ charges such as:

  • Transportation cost
  • Stair fees
  • Materials
  • Gas

And of course the actual moving fee. Local moves tend to charge an hourly rate for moves. In comparison, long-distance moves will charge by volume and/or weight. So long as you are upfront about what you need and any services you want to include, the final bill shouldn’t be a surprise.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Trustworthy movers are more than happy to field any questions you have and will provide detailed and informative answers. Be wary of anyone who tries to argue with you or pressure you into hiring them. Their prices might seem like a steal, but that’s because they’re planning to scam you out of more money. If you encounter an aggressive customer service agent, simply end the conversation and move onto the next company on your list. Hiring bad movers could lead to huge issues such as damaged or lost/stolen goods and potentially losing thousands of dollars.

If you’re ready to make your next move, make sure to hire NJ Great Movers! We provide local and long-distance moves and can provide you with all the necessary paperwork and information to put your mind at ease.