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Moving for Work How to Manage a NJ Job Relocation

Moving for Work How to Manage a NJ Job Relocation

Moving for work can be both exciting and stressful. There are so many details you need to consider especially if you’re moving across state lines. But even if you’re making a local move, the point remains that you want to be as organized as possible. After all, moving for work is different from your standard move where you will likely have more time to pack and unpack. With a job lined up first, your timeline is a lot shorter since you’ll need to find a place before you start at your new job. Whether you have three months or three weeks for your NJ move, the guide below can help make your transition as easy as possible.

Ask Your Company About Relocation Assistance

If you didn’t get a chance to negotiate relocation assistance during your job offer, it’s not too late to do so even after the fact. Simply reach out to the HR representative that you have been talking to and see if they can reimburse you for some moving expenses. While not all companies will offer you something, many will provide between $20,000 to $100,000 to help make your move easier. After all, they are the ones who want you to move to a new location! Even if they say no, you can simply thank them and move on. Your job is still yours!

If you’re still uncomfortable about broaching the topic, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways you can reduce your moving costs. It all depends on how far you’re moving and how much elbow grease you want to put in yourself. While a completely DIY route might end up being cheaper, it will take you longer and could lead to damaged belongings or personal injury. For that reason, you should hire professional NJ movers. While it might cost you more, it will save you a lot of time and reduce your overall stress.

Make a Budget

Whether you get relocation assistance from your company or not, creating a budget for your move is imperative. There are a lot of little things you might need to purchase for a move and it’s all too easy to just put the charges on your credit card and forget it. However, this can lead to a huge sticker shock when you get your statement for the month. Creating a budget gives you the opportunity to really break down the costs and decide what you can afford to buy now or later. Make sure to create line items for every aspect of the move including:

And so on. Get as granular as possible and do your research by going online and finding prices on basic goods at nearby groceries and shops. Once you have your total, add an extra 15-20% on top of that for the first month as there are always things you’ll forget. If you’re moving from overseas, plan a larger bump, around 50 to 100% more than you would for a domestic move.

Make Lists for Everything

Lists are a great way to keep track of everything you need to get done for your move. There are so many large and small tasks you need to complete, you really don’t want to rely on your memory as you’ll definitely forget something. Much like your moving budget, get specific. Break down every task into smaller items. For example, instead of just listing out packing, you can separate it by room. Some other items to include are:

  • Declutter (by room)
  • Send out change of address for post office, financial institutions, health insurance, friends and family, etc.
  • Transfer utilities
  • Fill out transfer request information for kids 
  • Get all necessary health documents for everyone in your family
  • Research and book movers

And so on. A great complement to lists are spreadsheets. For example, an item on your moving checklist might be to turn off all of your utilities at your old house. That could link to a spreadsheet listing out every utility, the appropriate url or phone number to call, and even the billing cycle. On that same spreadsheet, include the same information for your new house to ensure you have everything working when you move into your new place. 

And speaking of spreadsheets, make sure to keep a well-maintained inventory of everything you plan on taking with you. This is especially important if you plan on hiring a NJ moving company as you want to ensure all of your boxes arrive safely. The inventory should include the type of item you are moving, quantity, a brief description including any current damage, and pictures especially of fragile and/or high value items. That way, should anything be damaged or go missing, you have documentation.

Locate the Essentials

The last thing you want to do on your first day of work is be late. So take some time to figure out the best driving route from your home to your new job location. Do a couple dry runs to see what the easiest and fastest options are. If you have public transportation nearby, see if that might be a better option than driving. Don’t depend on just one route to get to work! There might be heavy traffic due to an accident so you find alternative routes that might allow you to avoid potential traffic jams. While you’re driving around, keep your eyes peeled for other essentials like a grocery store, gas station, shopping centers, and so on. 

Speaking of essentials, make sure you can pack moving essentials into a separate box from the rest of your belongings. Pack your essentials bag or box like you would for a two to three day hotel stay. You want things like your toothbrush, clothes, toiletries, etc. easily accessible. If you’re going to work immediately after a move, make sure to have your work clothes in a garment bag to prevent wrinkling.

As well, stock up on staples before your first day in the office. Coffee, milk, eggs, cereal, and lunch items are a great option to have on hand to keep your costs down. And don’t forget to pick up a favorite bottle of wine or beer so you can relax after a long day.

Set Up Necessary Appointments as Early as Possible

Whether you need to go to the DMV to update your license or stop by your child’s school to make sure their enrollment is in order there are plenty of post-moving tasks that will require you to be away from your desk. As much as you can, arrange for these appointments to happen as early as possible and all at once to avoid being out too many days in a row. That way, you can avoid being off the clock too often during your first month. 

Of course, life doesn’t always go as planned and some things may end up getting delayed. As much as possible, give your manager and team a heads up so they know your whereabouts and availability as soon as possible. This will reduce stress on both sides!

Plan Your NJ Move

There’s a lot involved with job related relocation and you don’t always have as much time as you might like. With that said, there are plenty of ways to stay organized and, if you need more help, you can always reach out to NJ Great Movers. We can help you with almost every moving task such as packing, unpacking, and more. Reach out to us and we’ll go over how we can best suit your needs and budget.

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Moving Tips

Useful Advice for an End of Year New Jersey Relocation

Useful Advice for an End of Year New Jersey Relocation

For many people, the end of the year can be exhausting with all of the family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and, of course, preparation for the new year. Planning a move during this time might feel overwhelming on top of everything else, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper planning, making a NJ move during the new year doesn’t have to be stressful. Below are some tips and steps you can take to make the experience as smooth as possible.

Know Your Budget

With the holidays, your budget is probably already stretched thin with all the gifts and travel you might need to do. Adding moving expenses on top of that can throw your budget for a loop. Before you start buying presents or moving supplies, sit down and break down exactly how much you can afford for both. Chances are you’ll probably need to cut down your spending somewhere.

Luckily, there are ways you can save on your end-of-year move. First, try to schedule a midweek move if possible and avoid moving on an actual holiday as most moving companies will be short-staffed. On top of that, try to negotiate a lower price. While there NJ moving companies may have fewer people on staff that’s because there aren’t as many people moving during the winter months. As such, you have more room for negotiation than if you tried to move during the summer. Some may even have active deals available, so don’t forget to ask!

On top of that, you can save money by decluttering your house. After all, the less you move, the less time it will take the movers to load and unload your boxes to your new home. Start this process as soon as possible. Not only will it prevent any mix-ups between the items you are gifting and what you want to get rid of, it also gives you time to sell your stuff. You can host a garage sale for more common items and, for more expensive things like brand name clothes, cameras, etc. you can sell those online for a better price. Whatever money you make from these sales you can put towards your move or your holidays gifts.

Pack Early

The last thing you probably want to do is pack during the holidays. Even if you live in an apartment, you should have some advance notice before you need to move. Use that time to your advantage! It might be tempting to put it off, but commit yourself to packing one room a week. Start with rooms that don’t see a lot of use like a guest room or attic and then go from there. The last places you should pack are your bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

Take your time when packing. The last thing you want to do is throw everything into a box without a plan. Remember, you also need to unpack once you’re in your new home! The more organized you are when packing, the easier it will be to unpack. Besides packing by room, try to pack like items together so they are easy to find. For fragile items, make sure you not only add enough protection in the box, but make sure there are no air gaps to prevent the objects from shifting during transit.

You don’t have to forego decorations just because you’ll be packing. With that said, you should try to minimize the amount you’ll need to pack away afterwards so choose a few favorites and put them up. And don’t forget to save a big box so you can quickly pack the decorations once you’re ready to move.

Plan For the Weather

Since you’re moving during the winter, you need to be aware of the weather during your move. While winters recently have been relatively mild, you never know when you might get hit with icy roads or a blizzard. While you can’t control the weather, there are ways you can mitigate potential issues. For example, you should prepare moving supplies that will stand up to wet and soggy conditions. Make sure to have your snow shovels and or snow blower ready to go to keep your driveway clear.

When it comes to preparing yourself, have some winter gear ready. That includes jackets, gloves, boots, and hats. More importantly, make sure your electricity and heat are turned on in your new house before you arrive. You don’t want to deal with freezing cold temperatures on a moving day. Also, have a mop and cleaning supplies ready for your old and new house. NJ moving companies may put down plastic runners to reduce how much dirt they track, but with snowy conditions, chances are you and they will track plenty of mud inside.

Finally, be careful when it comes to stairs and sidewalks, especially during the winter. It’s all too easy to injure yourself by slipping on a patch of ice.

Consider Temporary Storage

If your move conflicts with holiday plans, it might be worth your while to use temporary storage for some of your things. You can easily store some or all of your items somewhere safe while you’re traveling to visit family. That might mean you have to start your moving plans earlier, but it might be worth it if you don’t have to deal with all the half-packed boxes in your own home. Plus, if you know you’re not going to be around for most of December, you can potentially save some money on utilities by canceling them before you’re hit for another month. Don’t forget to turn them on a day or so before moving into your new house though!

There are plenty of self-storage solutions available, but many NJ moving companies also offer short and long-term storage rentals. The benefit of going through movers is that they will move everything to and from your storage unit. If you use NJ Great Movers for storage, our facilities are 100% climate-controlled and secure with 24/7 surveillance.

Prepare for Your New Year’s Move in NJ

Moving under normal circumstances can be stressful. Add in the holiday period and the winter weather and you have a recipe for exponential stress growth. Luckily, the steps above can help you keep your NJ move on track. To make it even easier on yourself, make sure to hire professional movers like NJ Great Movers. Not only can we help with a basic move, but we also offer other add-ons like packing, unpacking, and more. Reach out and we’ll help you through the process.

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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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Moving Tips

Essential Items You Need to Pack for a Relaxed Move

Essentials You Should Pack for a Stress Free Move

It’s all too easy to forget about the small details when you’re planning your NJ move. After all, there’s a lot to keep track of from finding the perfect NJ movers to making sure your utilities are turned on when you move into your new home. With so much long-term planning, many people forget to plan for the short term. However, remembering these small essentials can make a huge difference on moving day and the days after.

After all, you don’t want to spend hours after your move digging around boxes trying to find your phone charger or toothbrush! Even if you get your movers NJ to pack for you, you should always make sure to pack essentials on your own that will be easy to access.

If you’re not sure what to pack, below is a comprehensive list of essentials you should have on hand to make your stress free move.

Essential Cleaning Supplies You’ll Need After Moving

You don’t need to bring all your cleaning supplies with you, but you should pack away a few items. At the very least, you’ll want to bring an all-purpose cleaner, cleaning rag, and garbage bags. If you have a bit more room you might want to bring:

  • Paper towels
  • Small vacuum
  • Sponges
  • Dish soap
  • Laundry detergent
  • Broom
  • Toilet bowl cleaner

Before you pack these items up in a box, spend a bit of time giving your old home a deep clean so that the new residents won’t have to do too much work when they move in. Once you’re done, put these items in a separate box so you can access them easily once you move to your new place. Many movers will not allow certain cleaning supplies on the truck as it is considered hazardous so make sure to ask beforehand whether they will allow it on the truck or not.

Even if the previous owners of your new home cleaned the place before they left, you’ll probably have to do some light cleaning as you’ll be tracking in dirt during the move. Before you unpack you should spend some time cleaning every room. Sure, cleaning isn’t really the first thing people want to do after a big move, but it will make unpacking a lot easier. While you’re at it, take this time to inspect every inch of your house for any cracks, holes, etc.

Bedding for a Relaxing First Night After Moving

It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget these! Your bedding includes more than just your sheets. It also includes your pillows, pillow case, and some extra blankets if you’re moving during cooler seasons. Before you leave your old house, make sure to wash all your bedding, including your pillows. There’s nothing quite like sleeping on clean sheets in your new home!

You don’t need to pack all your sheets, pillows, and blankets together. In fact, just save one set of each per person. Use the rest to wrap your fragile items such as glassware, vases, mirrors, etc. That way, you’ll save on the amount of bubble wrap you’ll need to use.

Essential Toiletries You’ll Need After Moving

There’s nothing quite like taking a shower after a long day of moving. You get to clean off the dirt and sweat from the day and relax a tad before you have to start the grueling process of unpacking. There’s nothing worse than realizing at 10pm at night that you have to go through all your boxes to find your toothbrush, soap, towels, etc. And let’s not forget the toilet paper!

You don’t need to have every single bathroom item in your toiletries box, but you should include the daily necessities such as:

  • Hand towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Bath towel
  • Shower curtain
  • Contact lens solution and case
  • Medication
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Bath soap
  • Hand soap

If you use any beauty products on a daily basis, pack those away in the same box/bag as well. You want to have these items as easy to access as possible. Remember, you don’t need to put all your spares in the same place, just what you will need while you unpack. Chances are your bathroom will be one of the first rooms you unpack so you won’t go without the other items for too long.

And while this doesn’t fall under toiletries, you should also pack a general first aid kit that includes rubbing alcohol, bandages, gauze, antibiotic cream, and ibuprofen. Accidents can happen and you want to make sure you’re prepared.

Focus on Packing Kitchen Supplies

After the bathroom, the next most important room is the kitchen. Sure, ordering a pizza the night of the move is fine, but you won’t want to do that for a whole week. Plus, what are you going to do for your morning cup of coffee or if you want a bowl of cereal?

You don’t have to pack everything, but you will want to set aside some room on your essentials box(es) for items you’ll want immediately. Of course, that depends on your habits. If you’re okay with ordering takeout, you’ll probably only need to pack a mug, fork, spoon, knife, a sponge, and dish soap. However, if you enjoy cooking, make sure to pack away other essentials like a pot, pan, knife, cutting board, and spatula.

Speaking of the kitchen, you’ll also want to pack away some snacks to have on hand like trail mix, fruit, granola bars, and plenty of water. That way you won’t be starving during or after your move!

On that note, a great way to show your appreciation to those who helped you move, whether your friends or pros, is to provide some food. Pizza is a great option for friends. For pro movers, offer something they can take on the go such as bagels, water, etc. Of course, they also appreciate a cash tip for their hard work and stress free move!

Pack Chargers and Batteries Separately

Smartphones are ubiquitous and most working adults depend on them for almost everything including work, banking, calendaring, and more. With so much important information on your phone, the last thing you want is for it to die on moving day and not be able to find the charger. Along with your phone charger, make sure to pack away other chargers for your laptop, watch, etc. in your essentials box. If you’re really worried, bring a power bank for your devices just in case you’re far away from an outlet.

And what about batteries? While most electronics run on rechargeable lithium ion, your standard remote controls, flashlights, etc. still run off regular batteries. So pack a few AA, Ds and AAA batteries so you can use items that aren’t rechargeable. When packing them up, make sure to take out the batteries and pack them separately from the items you removed them from. Wrap them up in paper, tape it up, and then mark them well so they don’t get thrown out accidentally.

Change Dirty Clothes for Fresh Ones

You don’t want to wear the same dirt moving clothes a few days on end! Instead of rummaging around in your box, put a couple outfits aside for the next few days as well as a pair of pajamas. That way, you can focus on unpacking your boxes without worrying about what you’re going to wear. When packing clothes, don’t forget things like underwear and socks! For families with children, make sure you have a bit more options available to your child in case they get their first outfit dirty.

If you’re not able to take a few days off work and have to go back immediately, make sure to set aside some work clothes as well. For office workers, you might also want to pack away an iron to ensure your clothes are nicely pressed. Don’t forget other important items like hangers and your dress shoes while you’re at it!

How to Stay Organized During Your Move

Organizing a move is a stressful ordeal as you’re juggling numerous priorities. While it’s easy to get caught up in the big ticket items like whether to rent a truck or hire movers NJ, there are plenty of smaller details that fall between the cracks.

Don’t let your essentials box/suitcase/ bag/whatever be one of them! While this should be the last thing you pack, it’s a good idea to create a list of items you know you will want to use immediately after moving in. That can help guide your packing and make the process of unpacking much easier.

FAQ

Should I keep my essentials box/bag with me or put it on the moving truck?

If you’re driving to your new home, it’s better to pack your essentials with you so you have immediate access to them. Otherwise, let the movers handle it and just let them know where you’d like the box to be placed. In general, you’ll want the box in your bedroom or, at the very least, separated from the other boxes so you know which one has all our essentials.

How many boxes should I pack?

You don’t want to have too many essential boxes. In general, it should be 1 box per person and maybe a separate box for kitchen and cleaning items.

Is there anything else I should pack separately?

Yes! You’ll want to have a separate file for your important documents like the bill of lading from the movers, medical records, vet records, school transfer information, etc.