Business

According to Forbes, The Better Business Bureau receives an average of about 13,000 complaints about moving companies each year. Here are five essential tips to help you avoid moving company scams:

Verify Credentials and Licensing:
• Ensure the moving company is properly licensed and insured. For interstate moves in the U.S., check if they have a valid USDOT number from the Department of Transportation.
• Look for local licenses and verify their legitimacy through official state or federal resources.

Read Reviews and Check References:
• Research the company’s reputation online through reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Ask the company for references and follow up with previous customers to hear about their experiences firsthand.

Obtain Written Estimates:
• Get written estimates from at least three different moving companies.
• Avoid companies that provide significantly lower estimates than others, as this can be a tactic used by scammers.

Avoid Large Upfront Deposits:
• Reputable moving companies typically don’t require large upfront deposits.
• Be wary of companies that ask for cash payments or large deposits before the move.

Check Physical Address and Contact Information:
• Verify the company’s physical address and visit if possible. Ensure they have a legitimate office.
• Be cautious if the company’s contact information is incomplete, or they answer the phone with a generic greeting like “movers” instead of the company name.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from moving company scams and ensure a smoother, safer moving experience.

Moving can be challenging, whether down the street or across the country. Fortunately, with so much technology at our fingertips, there are many tools to help make this process smoother and more manageable.

If you’re looking for ways to relieve moving stress and make your relocation more organized, look no further than these five apps. They can easily be adapted to meet your specific needs. So, grab your smartphone, and let’s get downloading.

Google Keep

Chances are you already have a note-taking app on your phone. However, Google Keep might be better because it offers far more capabilities than just adding text to a note. You can set reminders, add images and graphics, and customize your notes however you like.

This app is excellent for those who feel overwhelmed by all the “to-do” lists that come with moving. Now, you can organize everything in one convenient app and be reminded of when deadlines are approaching. For example, you can get notified when it’s time to set up your new utilities or when you have to sign a contract with a moving company.

MagicPlan

Technically, this app is for contractors, but it can work well for your moving needs too. The premise of MagicPlan is that you can organize your interior space without having to set foot in it. You can create a floor plan of your new home or apartment and populate it with furniture and accessories.

This app is helpful so you can plan how to unpack all of your items after you’ve moved. Plus, you can adjust your layout on the fly, so you don’t have to feel limited by your selection.

Overall, moving digital furniture is much easier than moving real objects. Not only can you save your back, but you can experiment with different layouts that would otherwise be too time-consuming to test.

TaskRabbit

Moving involves many different tasks, and you may only be available to care for some of them. TaskRabbit allows you to outsource these tasks to verified “Taskers.” Whether you need minor home repairs or some errand run, TaskRabbit makes it easy to find assistance.

Plus, Taskers set their own rates, so you can compare and contrast different providers to find one that fits your budget and needs. It’s a win-win!

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has quickly become the go-to option for buying and selling pre-owned items. Similar to the classified section of a modern newspaper, you can put everything up for sale that you want to avoid moving and see if your Facebook friends or other locals are interested in purchasing. Additionally, if you want to buy some affordable used furniture to furnish your new home, it can be helpful. And since Facebook Marketplace is built into the Facebook app, you probably have it already.

Sortly

This app can come in handy when you’re planning a move. Sortly is built for inventorying your belongings. This way, you know what you have and can verify that it made it to your destination intact.

Sortly is ideal for long-distance moves but can also help you stay organized during relocation. Knowing everything in your house can make it easier to understand what to keep and what to get rid of when moving and de-cluttering.

Make Your Move Easier With Us!

Moving can be a headache, but it doesn’t have to be with moving help from us. Our experienced team can assist with everything from packing and sorting to unpacking and moving furniture. Contact us today!

Do you have a nice collection of houseplants? With all the time and effort you put into these plants, you want to avoid seeing them damaged during your residential move. Take a look at a few tips to protect your houseplants during a relocation.

Do a bit of plant maintenance before moving day.

As the weeks before moving day settle in, give your houseplants a little more love and attention than usual. The healthier your plants are during the transition and stress, the more likely they will come through healthily. Better Homes & Gardens offers a good collection of tips to keep in mind that can help, such as:

• Water your plants routinely according to the plant’s specific needs
• Consider fertilizing your houseplants
• Repot any overgrown plants
• Remove any dust from plant leaves
• Do some light pruning and cut away any dormant or dead leaves
• Make sure your plants do not contain any insects
• Get rid of diseased plants that could put other plants at risk during the move

Check with the moving company about restricted items.

All moving companies will have restricted items. In other words, professionals will not transport certain things in a moving truck. In many cases, live plants may fall on the restricted items list. Before packing your plant in a box in preparation for the move, reach out to your chosen movers and make sure they will move live plants.

Pick sturdy cardboard boxes and prepare them for plants.

Cardboard boxes are typically best for moving plants. The boxes are not airtight, which allows some airflow through the container. However, the typical cardboard box may also need some tweaking before it is ready to house plants safely. For example, it can be a good idea to cut a series of holes in the box to encourage more airflow within the box. For exceptionally tall plants, you may also need to amend the box so the top won’t be damaged when you close the lid.

Pack your plants carefully.

Once you have prepared your boxes, place your plants in the box carefully. Use sturdy filler material around the base of the plant’s pot so it does not shift and move during transport. Tightly rolled newspaper or even additional pieces of cardboard can keep the pot stable. For bushier or leafy plants, it can be helpful to wrap the pot in a large portion of paper in a conical shape to keep the foliage bound together a bit. Additionally, bubble wrap works well for protecting cacti and prickly plants.

Nurture plants well after the move.

Once you have transitioned your plants to your new home, they may also need a little extra nourishment. The transition into a new environment can be stressful for some plants. Therefore, do what you can to ensure the plant gets all it needs in terms of fertilizer, sunlight, and water in the first few weeks after the move.

Discuss Your Upcoming Move with the Pros

From the houseplants to the outdoor furniture, you can have many things to contend with during your move. However, transporting your belongings doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders. Reach out to our team for a free quote.