Moving requires attention to dozens of details, but one that is often overlooked is how far in advance should you reserve a moving company? With a definite move in date for your destination, the next priority should be ensuring you can find a reputable and professional Houston moving company to accommodate your timeline. If you do not secure your preferred moving company early enough, you may end up entrusting your personal belongings to a less credible business with a higher damage rate.

If you have moved before, you can vouch for just how many details are involved in the process, from securing the professionals to packing to unpacking, and everything in between. So, the answer to how far in advance should you reserve a moving company can be something that all other details will flow from. Once the movers are confirmed, it allows you to focus on other details that are typically less time sensitive.

How Far in Advance Should You Reserve a Houston Moving Company?

The best answer to how far in advance you should reserve a moving company is as soon as possible. Acting early can give you the luxury of enlisting the help of a company you trust and like, which can make the overall process much smoother.

Some of the things to take into consideration when deciding how far in advance to reserve a moving company include:

• Distance of the move. There are multiple levels of preparation required for moving, and typically the more miles away a move is, the more important it is to secure the moving date in advance. This allows for the intense and detailed preparation that long distance and abroad relocations require. For long distance moves, it can be smart to lock in a date up to two months or more in advance. Those that are local generally require three weeks or more advance booking.
• Preferred moving month. The summer months can be the most popular time of the year for people to move. This means that you may need to make a reservation with the professional moving company of choice even earlier than planned in order to get the company and accommodations that you want. The fall and mid to late spring months are typically the next most popular because the weather across much of the nation is still conducive to moving, but they tend to be less busy than the summer months. The winter months are usually not as popular due to the challenge of weather. The season in which you move can dictate additional requirements of how far in advance you should reserve a moving company.
• Preferred moving date. Once you have an idea of which month you will need to move, give careful thought to the exact date that you book. Try to avoid moving on holidays, weekends, or at the beginning or end of the month when many leases turnover.
• Number of items. It is also a good idea to inventory the items you will be taking with you to the new destination. The number of belongings in a one-bedroom apartment versus a two-story house can be significant. The more items there are, the longer a move can take, which makes it important to get on the books with your company of choice as soon as possible.

5 Benefits of Reserving a Houston Moving Company Early

Aside from securing your Houston moving company of choice, the benefits of making a reservation with professionals early on can potentially include:

1. More options. A move that gets pushed down to the wire generally allows for less options in terms of availability. Because so many people choose to book early, those who wait until the last minute may find that their first, second, and third choices of moving professionals may already be booked. This is not where you want to find yourself with an important life transition ahead.
2. Better deals. While appointments marked in advance may not necessarily be discounted, they can often be cheaper than those moves that are scheduled at the last minute and that charge basically for inconvenience. Particularly in busy seasons such as summer, booking the movers early could even earn you a special promotion.
3. The right equipment. People who have specialty items such as a grandfather clock or grand piano may require special moving equipment. By making your reservation early, it can also help ensure you are at the top of the list for the necessary equipment of which there are usually limited quantities.
4. Freedom to focus on the details. With the experts secured, they can then come out and give you an in-home moving quote. This is generally considered the most accurate way to receive a moving quote as it allows trained professionals to go through the home room by room to properly estimate how many boxes and pieces of furniture will need to be transported to the destination. Once this step is completed, packing can begin.
5. Less stress. Most people find that with every item they check off on their moving to-do list, they feel a little less stress and more of a sense of accomplishment. When embarking on a move, less stress is one of the best gifts you can allow yourself.

When wondering how far in advance you should reserve a Houston moving company, the best answer is as soon as possible. Doing so can remove many of the unknowns and make planning for the remainder of the process much more straightforward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With June, July, and August just around the corner and more than half of annual moves made during these months, 15 tips for residential moves in the summer should make the process easier. Moving tips can be helpful anytime of year but are even more so during the summer when professional moving companies are experiencing their busiest time of year. Planning ahead can make the moving process smoother from start to finish.

15 Tips for Residential Moves in the Summer

While this list is not exhaustive, it will be useful for those planning a move in the summertime:

1. If you are a renter and already know the exact date your lease is up, take advantage of this knowledge and book the movers as early as possible. Although summer is already busy, many leases expire at the first or last of the month, making those times even more sought after for those hiring a moving company.
2. Homeowners would be wise to contact a moving company the day their home closes escrow, however this arrangement is more beneficial if they work with the realtor to negotiate a date for that day that is more advantageous for them. Because weekends are often the busiest days of the week for moving, try to schedule yours on a weekday, if possible, for increased availability.
3. Avoid moves on holidays and holiday weekends. Although it may be tempting to move on a three-day weekend due to a summer holiday, do not schedule your move then. A moving company’s availability is typically slimmer during these dates and the cost may be even higher than it would be on a non-holiday weekend.
4. Choose the earliest available moving slot for the day. Once you know the day of your move, it can be more beneficial to choose the earliest slot of the day in an effort to get things done before the heat really cranks up. Although it may require getting up a little earlier than you might like, it is well worth it when the moving van is already packed and the intense afternoon heat sets in.
5. Get an in-home quote. Be sure to have the moving companies you are considering hiring come out to the house to provide an in-home quote. These professionals are trained in doing inventory for a space and making an educated guess on the proper number of boxes that will be needed. By also factoring in the pieces of furniture that must also be transported, they will know what size moving van will be required. This has the potential to cut down on common mishaps such as having considerably more boxes than originally expected on moving day, or needing special equipment for particularly large or heavy items such as a safe or a piano.
6. Start packing early. Summer has a reputation for being a time when we feel more comfortable throwing caution to the wind and putting off our responsibilities for a quick afternoon dip in the pool or a trip to the ice cream shop. Be ready for these temptations and still be able to partake in them by starting to pack as early as possible and doing a little bit of packing every day. If your timeline for packing is particularly tight and you have doubts on whether or not it can be done on time, think about enlisting the professional moving company’s packing services.
7. Pack with the heat in mind. In the haste to efficiently pack up room by room and label the boxes accordingly, many individuals include heat sensitive objects such as candles or even shrink-wrapped items. While this can make sense for organizational purposes, it is wiser to keep heat sensitive items like these with you in an air-conditioned vehicle so that they are not subjected to long periods of intense heat that could melt or damage the objects.
8. Remember to keep perishable food in ice chests rather than in a box. Some people may choose to simply use up their perishable items prior to a move to have less to worry about. However, if you do choose to bring some of these items with you, keep them with you and be sure to put them in a cooler with enough ice so that they do not spoil in transit.
9. Give special thought to how electronics will fare in the heat. The intense humidity and heat of summer can be damaging for some electrical items. When it comes to laptops, smart phones, tablets, and possibly even televisions, it can be a good idea to evaluate how long these items would be in the moving van and if they might be better protected if they stayed with you in an air-conditioned vehicle.
10. Verify the details of your move again a week or two out. You would be surprised how many people run into scheduling issues because they did not do something they really thought they did. Avoid this problem by checking in with your movers a couple of weeks before the move to ensure everything is all set and ready to go for the big day. This is also a good time to communicate any changes to the company such as an additional stop, extra boxes, etc. Doing so should help moving day run much smoother.
11. Dress accordingly for moving day. Even with the professionals doing the heavy lifting, it can still get quite warm in the house with the flurry of movement and open doors. Make sure you are dressed in light colored clothes made of breathable fabric so your body does not have to work so hard to stay cool amidst the heat. It is also highly recommended for individuals to wear closed-toed, non-slip shoes for added protection. It may also be wise to keep some sunscreen on hand and apply as needed.
12. Arrange for the kids and pets to be out of the house when the movers come. Your home will likely be overrun by boxes and people on move-out day, making it a minefield of sorts for children, dogs, and even the workers, and this could inadvertently increase the odds for someone to accidentally get hurt. Think about getting a friend to watch the kids and pets while the movers are at the house to better ensure everyone’s safety.
13. Do not schedule your utilities to be turned off in your current home until the day after move-out. This is critical to keeping yourselves and your movers cool as they are packing up the moving van. Having the utilities go off early would make the house quite warm and could put the workers at risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses, which would in turn delay the move. This also enables you to come back and run the vacuum or anything else that needs to be finished up.
14. Respect the seriousness of summer heat and how it affects you and the movers. With the doors propped open to allow traffic in and out of the house, plus the physical rigor of picking up heavy boxes and transporting them to the moving van, the heat can quickly become a dangerous problem. Plan ahead and have plenty of cold water and drinks in an ice chest along with some damp cloths so that you and the movers can stay hydrated and cool. Have a couple fans going will also help by circulating the air.
15. Arrange to have the utilities turned on in your new home the day before you are scheduled to arrive. This is instrumental in cooling down the home so that it is a comfortable temperature when you and the movers arrive and begin the hard work of unloading and unpacking dozens of boxes.

By following these 15 tips for residential moves in the summer, you can be prepared to make moving day successful and comfortable for you and the moving company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before every move is a flurry of packing, and for many families this is the most difficult part of the process. It’s certainly the most time and energy-consuming, but there are ways to streamline packing and gain back some of that precious time.

If you’re about to move and are already dreading packing, we’ve got six packing tips to help you box up your belongings like a pro.

1) Take Special Precautions for Those Tricky Items

Benefit: Avoid damaging expensive, fragile belongings.

While most of your stuff can go in general moving boxes, some things need a bit more consideration. Here are a few examples:

• Dishware and glassware – Dishware breaks easily if it isn’t packed properly. Wrap each dish or glass in paper or padding. When placing dishes in a box, pack them on their sides, as they tolerate weight and pressure better in this position. Fill up the box with packing material to provide extra padding. And consider using a dish barrel box, as this provides each glass with its own compartment, which means they won’t bang together.
• Refrigerator – Your refrigerator will need some prepping in advance of moving day. The goal is to thoroughly defrost it before loading it on the truck. If the ice melts during transit, it’s going to make a mess.

First, remove all food and store that separately. Then, unplug the fridge or set it to defrost (if it’s manual). At this point, you can be hands off – resist the urge to scrap ice off of anything, as this can damage the fridge.

Although most refrigerators will be defrosted within 12 hours, it can take up to 24 hours in some cases. Plan ahead and make sure there are towels around the appliance to soak up water.

• Fine art – The trick with moving paintings and other fine art is to handle them as little as possible. Even a little skin oil is enough to leave a lasting smudge, and if the canvas presses against any edge or point, it can leave a dent or a tear.

Wrap the frame in bubble wrap or foam and place the artwork in a cardboard box that’s marked fragile. Load the artwork so that it’s standing up and secure it in a place where nothing can move.

All artwork should be unloaded and kept in a climate controlled space as soon as possible to avoid damage from excess heat or humidity.

• A television – The best way to move a television is to use the box and padding that it came in. If that’s not available, place the TV in a box slightly larger than the television itself and fill the rest of the space with packing material. Ideally, this box would be placed inside another, slightly larger box for extra protection.

Televisions may sustain damage if they are laid down flat, so make sure yours is upright during transit.

2) Utilize Things at Home to Pack

Benefit: Save money on packing supplies while keeping fragile items safe.

You’ll likely need to invest in some quality packing materials to ensure a smooth move, but some of what you’ll need can be found around the house. For example, blankets and linens are excellent box padding options. Towels can work in the same way. Hand towels and washcloths can be used to wrap up knives (the sharp end) and then those can be banded together with a couple hair bands or rubber bands.

3) Coordinate Your Packing by Room

Benefit: Simplify the unpacking process and minimize confusion.

Chances are, you’ll have even less energy for unpacking. To minimize unpacking-related frustration and make the process as painless as possible, pack everything according to what room it will go into. When it’s time to unload, you can start by sorting everything by room, which will make the job a lot less intimidating.

Label each box for easy visual reference. The classic approach is to write out the room that the box goes to. You can also use color-coordinated packing tape as an alternative – so you don’t have to scramble for markers – or you can use colored stickers.

4) Establish an Area Just for Packing Purposes

Benefit: Save time and energy by organizing your packing efforts.

Designate a room, or at least part of a room, for packing purposes only. As things need to be packed, they can be brought to the room and sorted for orderly boxing. If you’ve got an entire family on the job, one or two people can do the boxing and taping while everyone else collects things for packing.

5) Know How to Fill a Moving Box Properly

Benefit: Ensure everything on the truck stays put.

During transit, the goal is to minimize movement inside the truck. This starts with proper packing technique, which means placing the heaviest items at the bottom of the box. Lighter items go on top, and be sure to leave a little space at the top so everything remains balanced.

When the box is full, create a tight seal by first taping down the seams, then taping the edges. The best way to do this is by lightly pinching the tape (from the non-adhesive side) and forming a triangle as the tape is placed over the edges. This is the way the professionals tape shut moving boxes, as it prevents anything from getting into the box.

6) Get the Right Equipment and Supplies Beforehand

Benefit: Avoid delays while boxing and loading everything.

Appliance dollies, specialty moving boxes and packing materials will all make the job go faster and easier. Make sure those are included with your moving resources.

While there are opportunities to grab free boxes all over the place, scrap boxes aren’t as durable as proper moving containers. They tend to be smaller, Houston moving companies offer an array of quality moving and packing supplies worth considering, and if you stock up and pack early, you’ll have time to make a second trip to pick up more supplies if needed.

7) Bring In The Professionals If The Job Seems Too Much

Benefit: Guarantee the job is done efficiently, safely, and professionally.

Packing takes a lot of time, so it’s common for families to rush through the job. Rush the packing process, though, and you’ll likely have some broken items once you arrive at your new place.

If you know time and energy will be short, consider hiring an experienced mover to handle the packing. Experienced movers are trained in proper packing and loading techniques, so they know how to avoid damaging goods while packing them efficiently. With a professional crew helping, it takes hours to do what would normally take days or even weeks.

 

Americans consider moving to be one of the most challenging experiences that everyone faces at some point. Packing is a big reason for that, and it can be tedious. However, it’s a lot less tedious with the right packing processes and materials in place.

If you have any hesitation about packing up the home on time for moving day, a reputable Houston moving crew can tackle the job for you and ensure your move stays on time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For many homeowners, the most difficult part of the moving process isn’t the move itself – it’s the packing that needs to be completed before moving day. For packing purposes, the recommendation is to reserve a day for every room – that’s more than a week for most single-family homes.

For families that don’t have a week to spare or any interest in handling the packing themselves, many professional Houston moving companies offer packing services as a time and stress-saving alternative.

Reputable Moving Companies Provide a Full Range of Services, Including Professional Packing Services

Some movers only move, but experienced, reputable Houston companies can oversee every part of the moving process, including the following:

• Packing and unpacking – Professional movers are also professional packers. They can provide all needed packing materials, including materials designed to keep your items safe while in transit. Also, professional packers are trained in the art of safe and efficient boxing and storage. That means minimal risk to the client’s belongings and maximum convenience when unpacking.

Speaking of which, professional Houston movers can also unpack everything on the other end of the move, so there’s no need for the client to touch a single box.

• Lifting and loading – Once everything is boxed up, the moving team will get it loaded on the truck. Professional movers are also trained to load for efficiency and safety, so your furniture and belongings make it to the new destination intact. And, of course, the moving team will also unload all boxes and furniture at the new home.
• Transport – Reputable movers have an extensive fleet of moving trucks they can rely on. As such, they can provide the perfect-sized truck for the job and handle the driving. If some of your things need to go to storage instead, a reputable mover will transport them to the storage facility as well.
• Furniture disassembly and assembly – Professional movers also have experience in breaking down furniture for moving or storage. For some movers, this includes office furniture and equipment. These movers can also provide the packing and moving muscle for commercial moving jobs.
• Storage – Some reputable moving professionals also have storage facilities on hand, and these can be used as a backup option, in case there’s not enough room for everything in the new home. This also a valuable option if the new house won’t be ready in time.

A reputable Houston mover can provide all of the above, essentially handling the job from start to finish.

Four Reasons to Consider Packing Services Through a Moving Company

Why should families consider packing, specifically? There are several reasons why someone may require professional packing services. For example:

• There’s not enough time to do the job without help – Again, packing a single-family house can take more than a week. For larger homes, the time cost can be significantly higher. And let’s be honest, most people don’t start packing until a week or two before the move (if that).

For families that are under a time crunch, professional movers can greatly expedite the process. Professionals have a deep reservoir of manpower and supplies to draw from, so no matter how big the job or how short the deadline, a reputable packing service can ensure everything is ready for moving day.

• The family needs to relocate in advance of a move – Life moves fast these days and it’s becoming more common for families to relocate on short notice. Sometimes, notice is so short that the family doesn’t have time to organize a proper move for their belongings. Whether it’s for a new job or to be closer to other family members, families may have to relocate well ahead of their personal belongings.

When this is the case, a professional moving and packing service can handle the packing, moving and transport without the clients needing to be present. Trust and communication are essential to make this work, which is why it’s best left to proven moving companies.

• Health problems or disability make packing difficult – If medical issues or chronic pain interfere with physical activity, professional packers can provide the muscle. Professionals can also disassemble, reassemble, and move furniture, which can be particularly difficult for people with chronic pain.
• There are fragile or valuable items that need special care – Most general household items can be packed and moved without professional assistance. However, some items need special care. Artwork, wine collections, safes, and pianos are some examples, and there are specialized moving services that focus on items just like these. With a professional packer helping out, any challenging belongings can be packed and transported without fear of damage.

It’s worth pointing out that professional Houston movers can be flexible with their packing services. For example, families can box the easy stuff (linens, clothing, etc.) and leave everything else for the professionals. This is one way to save money while still getting the benefits of professional packing assistance.

Professional Packing Services Can Take the Stress Out of Your Move

Packing is one of the most time and labor-intensive parts of any move, and rushing it isn’t recommended. When items are damaged or misplaced, it’s often due to poor packing practices. By working with a reputable Houston moving company that offers packing services, families know that their belongings are taken care of—before, during, and following the move.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are preparing to move in the near future, start thinking about the advantages of hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move ahead of time. One option allows you to delegate much of the packing, unpacking, and everything in between to professionals while the other requires you to do it on your own.

In many ways, knowing where you are moving to can be the easy part. How simple the remainder of the process will be can depend largely on the choices you make regarding who will do your packing and moving. Before making this decision, weigh your options thoroughly to make the best choice for your specific situation.

Considerations for Hiring a Houston Moving Company vs. a DIY Move

Your move is coming up and you need to decide whether to hire professionals or do it yourself, but you can’t decide which. The real question is, how do you actually make that decision? For those that are riding the fence on which option is best, it is highly recommended to keep the following considerations for hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move in mind:

• Your organization skills and attention to detail. Moving your entire household of belongings and furniture from one location to another works best when it is organized. If organization is not your strength and taking care of dozens of little details gives you a headache just thinking about them, taking this on yourself might not be the best option.
• Time savings. Evaluate your timeline for moving. Do you have to be out in a couple of days? Do you have only a small window of time to move from one location to the next? How much time do you have to devote to boxing up personal belongings and loading them into a rental truck? Knowing how much time you have to devote to the move can play a large role in deciding whether a DIY or professional move is best.
• Second floor or higher locations. While moving to and from one-story locations may not present major challenges, if either location is on a second floor or higher things can get complicated quickly and often require special equipment. A reputable moving company should already have access to this equipment, but if you go the DIY route it should include finding a place to rent similar equipment for multi-story moves.
• Distance of move. While moving to a nearby neighborhood that is less than 20 miles away might be doable with multiple car trips, it is worth considering whether you want that hassle. For moves that are across hundreds of miles or across state lines, a professional moving company may be more beneficial.
• Number of personal belongings and furniture. Take inventory of how many items you have to transport. Evaluate how many boxes it will take to contain them all and how many stand-alone pieces of furniture you have. Then think about how much work it will take to load and unload the boxes and furniture, and whether you’d prefer to let the professionals handle it.
• Specialty items. Some individuals may own more cumbersome or specialty items such as a priceless painting, an antique grandfather clock, a bulky and heavy safe, or even a piano. These things may require customized packing or crating, or special equipment and dollies to handle safely.

Take some time to go through these considerations one by one and then take a look at your answers. Collectively, they should clearly point to either hiring a Houston moving company or doing a DIY move.

The Pros of Hiring a Houston Moving Company vs. a DIY Move

For many people, the convenience and streamlined method of hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move wins out. With all of the details included in a move, it can be freeing to delegate some of the less glamorous tasks like packing and transporting your belongings.

Seven of the pros of hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move include:

1. Customize your moving package for only the services you need. Most companies will offer a variety of services including providing packing supplies, packing up your contents, labeling the boxes, transporting items, and even unpacking them if you’d like. Reputable providers will also have the capacity to move specialty items via special equipment or crating. The ability to choose only the services you need allows most people to still be able to use professional movers even when on a budget.
2. Accurately gauging the number of boxes to be transported as well as the size of the vehicle needed. One of the most frustrating things in a move can be realizing there are almost twice the number of boxes you originally estimated…and on moving day. This impacts both the time it will take to load the truck and if the mode of transportation has sufficient room to accommodate these extra boxes. Fortunately, by enlisting a professional moving company, they can assist in estimating the number of boxes an individual will have on moving day by walking from room to room and providing an in-person quote well before the big day. This key step in preparation can ensure things run much more smoothly from start to finish.
3. Providing packing supplies. When the professionals are in charge of packing up a home, they typically bring packing supplies with them. This can save the person moving valuable time that would have otherwise been spent running around town to collect all the necessary supplies themselves.
4. Knowing how to balance boxes. Unbalanced boxes can be harder to carry and more prone to tipping over in transit. Boxes that are packed with uneven weight can even raise the damage rate of items during a move. Having the experts pack boxes is more than just a time saver.
5. Moving in the rain. Professional movers typically have experience in moving clients in sunshine, rain, and even snow. Some of these weather conditions can present unique challenges, but it should not be anything a quality moving company has not already handled.
6. Servicing transport vehicles. When working with a trustworthy company, people can check ahead of time to verify that they have serviced the transport vehicle recently to ensure it is in reasonably good working condition. This is not necessarily available when renting a trailer or truck from somewhere other than a moving company.
7. Having insurance. Professional moving companies should have insurance that helps protect themselves and their customers. Do not work with movers that do not have insurance.

Things to Remember If Doing a DIY Move

The main attraction to doing a DIY move is that it may save some money. And for those people who have a month or more to get ready, the DIY option may be valid for them. However, there will be sacrifices in other areas such as correctly estimating the number of boxes needed, time spent gathering packing supplies, finding friends to help you load up the boxes, owning or renting the right vehicles to move your belongings, and so on.

The more organized and detailed a person is in terms of preparation and implementation of a move, the smoother the transition and even unpacking will be.

Drawbacks of doing a DIY move can be that it will likely take longer to pack and load vehicles. If you underestimate how many boxes you need to move it may require additional packing supplies and an extra vehicle, and it may be harder to move in inclement weather without previous experience in doing so. Although the help of family and friends can be practical, if one or more is unable to attend or becomes sick on the day of the move, you will likely be down a person that you do not have a ready replacement for.

It is a big step to decide whether hiring a Houston moving company vs. a DIY move is best for you. But, by taking the above considerations into account, you can make a more educated decision on which is best for your specific situation, and then focus on the adventure ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When families sign a moving contract, they are trusting that moving crew with treasured belongings and memories. That’s a big responsibility to place in someone’s hands, and you’ll want a reputable professional to manage the job.

Every year, the Better Business Bureau receives thousands of complaints from consumers wronged by a moving service. Some of those complaints are due to moving scams – and a moving scam can cost a family everything they own.

To avoid a similar fate, it’s important to hire a reputable moving company with a solid reputation.

What Makes a Professional Moving Company Reputable?

But what makes a mover reputable? The same characteristics you’d see in any other type of business. That includes experience, an impressive client history, and a customer-first approach.

If you’re searching for a moving company, customer reviews are a good starting point. There are also certification programs, such as American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) ProMover certification. The ATA is the leading industry organization for truckers and motor carriers, and part of its mission is to improve the industry’s overall quality of service.

To attain ProMover certification, the ATA must first review the mover’s business practices, operations, and complaint history. If the mover passes this check, they must sign an agreement confirming their commitment to upholding ethical practices and the Department of Transportation’s (DoT) regulations. Checking for ProMover certification is an effective way to separate reputable moving companies from the rest.

While searching for a mover, you can also use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) database to do a quick background check. This database is available online and to the public but requires the mover’s DoT license number for reference. This number provides access to the mover’s FMCSA profile. This profile includes the company’s age, fleet size, certifications, and any previous infractions or traffic violations. It’s another piece of information to add to your search.

That’s what a reputable mover looks like, and some useful tips on how to find one. The question is – what’s the value of working with a reputable moving company? There are several advantages, including:

1) Reputable movers ensure the entire process is transparent

The moving process relies on clear communication from the outset. When people are scammed by a rogue moving company, it’s usually because they didn’t have time to think about what they were signing, or about who they were working with. Rogue operators take advantage of speeding through the opening stages, so they can hurry and get your things on their truck.

A reputable moving company is in no such rush. They provide an in-person or virtual inspection, answer any questions that the client may have, provide (and explain) all necessary paperwork, and give the client time to look over all fees and contract stipulations.

This isn’t just good business – it’s required by the FMCSA. The FMCSA’s new regulations require movers to provide necessary paperwork at least three days in advance of the move. The most important piece of this paperwork is the bill of lading, which provides a detailed assessment of everything that will be moved, as well as the fee and time estimate.

In the past, the bill of lading wouldn’t usually be provided until everything was loaded on the truck. Now, consumers have three days to verify the bill’s details and raise any concerns. Consumers also have the right to terminate the moving contract if they do not approve the bill of lading.

This is a valuable piece of consumer protection, and one that a rogue operator won’t address when they’re selling you on their crew. A reputable service, though, will follow all regulations and ethical practices to ensure their clients are completely informed about the move.

2) Reputable moving companies are licensed and insured

Reputable moving services strive to minimize risk for their clients. In practice, this means being licensed and insured. Why is this important?

• Licensing means that the mover has attained the necessary education and skill to perform moving services with the state’s approval.
• Insurance protects the client should an accident or injury occur during the job.

Licensing and insurance equal client security, and providing this security is something reputable companies do to emphasize their client-first philosophy.

3) A reputable mover has the resources for large-scale jobs

Rogue operators have little reason to scale their operations, as they aren’t focusing on expanding their reach or capabilities. You don’t need to be a big company to run a moving scam, in other words.

For reputable businesses, growth is the natural by-product of doing their job right. And with that growth comes additional equipment, manpower, and technology resources. These can then be applied to bigger and bigger jobs, which makes these professionals especially useful for complex projects like commercial moves.

If you have a large-scale moving job, or just want your job handled with maximum efficiency and accuracy, a well-resourced moving service offers important advantages. And most well-resourced moving firms are reputable moving firms.

4) Reputable professionals prioritize client satisfaction

Experienced, reputable movers know the stress that families endure during the moving process. They head this stress off by remaining in contact during every step and being proactive with communication if obstacles do arise. A reputable mover is friendly, willing to answer any questions, and can work with their clients if needs change.

This client-first mentality makes sense when you consider that moving companies are businesses enmeshed in their communities. Sustaining a moving business means sustaining a positive reputation, and that means going the extra mile (sometimes literally), to ensure every customer walks away happy.

Reputable Houston Movers are Efficient, Capable and Ethical

To an established moving company, reputation is everything. It takes years to build a good one and only a couple of bad client experiences to potentially destroy it.

That’s why reputable Houston movers work harder to earn their clients’ trust. That’s why they offer a wider set of services and ensure they always have trucks and manpower on hand. That’s also why they adhere to the industry’s code of ethics. In short, a reputable Houston moving company is motivated to ensure your move goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your business is growing and now it’s time to grow your space. An experienced Houston commercial mover can provide the manpower, equipment, and expertise, but there’s plenty to do before moving day. In this guide, we’ll go over some steps your company can take to ensure the move goes smoothly and quickly.

Step 1: Plan the timeline and budget

Commercial moves are complex jobs and require significant planning to execute. Your plan should be developed as you near the moving date and include the following:

• The employees responsible for managing the move
• The move’s expected timeline
• The moving services that will be required
• The move’s budget
• All clients and vendors that will need to be notified

As your business gets closer to the move, you’ll add more details to this plan, including inventories and floor plans.

Step 2: Get a quote from a mover you trust

Commercial moves are best handled by commercial movers, given the complexity involved. But before you hire a mover, it’s best to get a few quotes for comparison’s sake. Look for experienced movers with a strong customer service history – you can check customer reviews and the Better Business Bureau for this type of information.

To provide an accurate estimate, the moving company will first need to inspect your property and assess what items, and how many of them, need to be moved. It’s critical that this inspection be done in person – in fact, the FMCSA now requires it. Don’t settle for e-mail or phone estimates, as these cannot be used to provide an accurate estimate.

Step 3: Put together a floor plan for the new office’s layout

It’s actually a good idea to develop floor plans for both spaces – your existing location and the new building. With your current floor plan, you can detail what things need to be moved and where they are located. This resource will be valuable for the moving team.

A floor plan of the new building will also be valuable. With it, businesses can visualize where all equipment, desks, cubicles, workstations, and everything else will go. As the moving crew sets things up in your new office, the floor plan can be used as a supporting reference for the job’s progress.

Step 4: Schedule utilities for your current and new locations

The sooner you communicate your intentions to your utility partners, the better. Give them early notice of your moving plan, and double check your cutoff and startup dates before moving day. There’s nothing worse than showing up to an unpowered office space.

Step 5: Inventory and tag everything going to the new location

A commercial move may involve thousands of assets, including expensive technology that your organization can’t afford to lose. To ensure everything arrives at your new place intact, put together a detailed inventory. This inventory should include every item to be moved, its condition and its estimated value. Some businesses also detail which department or facility each item is attached to.

Prior to moving day, tag everything according to where it will go in your new facility. Color coding your tags is a good idea and will help movers execute your moving strategy down to the exact spot where everything will go.

Step 6: Come up with a plan for furniture and equipment setup

If you’re moving a lot of furniture and office equipment, someone will need to assemble and install it. You might leave this to your employees, but many companies have their professional movers do the job. Experienced commercial movers are specialized in carrying, transporting and setting up office equipment, and can provide this service to their clients.

Step 7: Get all the packing supplies you’ll need

Your commercial mover can either handle the packing or provide your business with packing supplies. If your employees will pack their own workstations, make sure they have enough boxes, padding and packing tape to work with.

It’s also a good idea to stock up on protective materials, such as moving blankets and surface protectors. This will prevent damage to your sensitive technology and to the building as things are carried out.

Step 8: Back up all critical data

Keep a backup copy of all your organization’s information and documentation, and ensure this backup is locked away and protected from unauthorized access. Companies that still rely on paper documentation can store those documents in lockable file cabinets when it’s time to transition to the new building.

Step 9: Do a quick survey of your new location

Before showing up to your new location with a truck full of equipment, take the opportunity to walk through the new space and verify that everything is in proper working order. If there’s a dead outlet or water leak somewhere, it’s better to spot it before everything is moved in.

Step 10: Make sure access to the old location is shut off

On moving day, gather up all access keys, cards, and parking passes and make sure they are deactivated from use. Large businesses should consider auditing their access items weeks before the move. This list will provide an easy reference when it’s time to gather and dispose of the items.

Step 11: Communicate your change of address

Communication with your clients and partners is essential during the moving process. Alert them weeks ahead of time of your company’s moving plans – they’ll appreciate the advance notice. Send out another communication a week before the move as a reminder, and as soon as you’re up and running, let them know you’re open for business.

With an experienced commercial mover, you’ve got a professional team every step of the way

Commercial moves take a lot of people and resources to manage. And for large-scale projects, the move may be completed in stages. It’s a complex job, so most businesses trust the process to an experienced Houston moving company.

With an experienced Houston crew supporting your move, the process can be broken down into manageable steps so that your organization can quickly transition to its new space. That saves your business time and money and lets you get back to doing business as quickly as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding a moving quote is one of the most crucial aspects of moving, regardless of whether it is just down the street or across the country. Almost everything about the move itself hinges on this one document. For this reason, there is simply no room for costly confusion. Lack of clarity can lead to headaches like steep overcharges or even unexpected costs that can quickly ruin the moving experience.

The best way for home and business owners to protect themselves is by working with a professional and industry respected moving company and by understanding a moving quote. When taken together, these steps have the capacity to streamline the process, potentially with less unwelcome developments on moving day.

What to Know About Moving Quotes

The purpose of a moving quote is to estimate the anticipated cost of moving from one location to another. Its intent is clear, but it is the details of the quote or lack thereof that make or break the overall experience.

When considering this, it is highly recommended to receive an in-person moving quote from an official company representative. While moving quotes given over the phone and online may initially seem like a welcome convenience, they might end up being wildly inaccurate due to faulty estimations of the number of boxes and pieces of furniture needing to be handled.

There are three main types of estimates used by Houston moving companies, including:

1. Binding. A binding estimate essentially says the quote the company gives you must be guaranteed. These types of quotes are not necessarily bad but do require vigilance on the part of the customer as if the company ends up overshooting the price, the customer must still honor it. Should the company underestimate the price, the Houston moving company takes the hit rather than the customer.
2. Binding not to exceed. A moving quote that is binding not to exceed is generally the most preferred by individuals because it basically lets them know the maximum amount they would be expected to pay for a move. In this scenario, if the contents being moved or shipped are more than what the company quoted, the customer is not expected to pay that extra amount. On the flip side, should the contents weigh less than the quote estimated for, the customer is only responsible for paying that amount rather than what the quote was originally for.
3. Non-binding. In general, it is recommended that home and business owners avoid non-binding estimates if possible. This arrangement is based on a general estimate by the mover and is often inaccurate. This means that any boxes or items over the amount estimated can be billed to the customer at a potentially different and higher rate. Some companies may quote a low price in the estimate knowing they are underestimating the number of items to be moved so that they can then charge a more profitable amount for the extra items. A non-binding agreement should at the very least be a last resort for customers.

On average, it is less important for customers to focus on how the weight of the items being moved is measured, as long as they are entering into a binding not to exceed or binding agreement. With higher confidence in the type of moving estimate, customers should not have to fear unexpected charges.

Understanding a Moving Quote

One of the first steps in understanding a moving quote is knowing what types of things it should include. In general, some of the basics line items that should be covered in a moving quote include the following:

• date of move out
• date of move-in
• individual’s current address
• estimated number of items to be moved including boxes, pieces of furniture, etc.
• estimated weight of the items being moved
• packing costs (for supplies or packing and unpacking services)
• the destination address
• number of miles between the original and final destinations
• company estimates for move personnel, vehicles, fuel, and travel time
• insurance
• terms of payment

While these components should find their way into a moving quote offered by a respected Houston moving company, the verbiage will likely look quite different. Some of the contract terms customers should familiarize themselves with include:

• Bill of Lading. This is basically the official contract. Before signing anything, it is essential to review the document to ensure that the terms of the agreement are accurate and is what was agreed upon. This document is foundational for the moving process, so take the time to carefully review it before signing.
• Inventory. Before items are packed up, it is vital to take inventory. For customers who will have movers packing them, it is important to list each item that is being moved along with the current state of the item. Taking pictures of items may help speed this process along. For those packing themselves, it may be prudent to do the same and list on each box what it contains. Regardless of who packs the boxes, this is critical to documenting damage to items and ensure all items are accounted for once moved.
• Valuation. This term represents what the movers say the items being moved are worth and the total amount the company will accept liability for. The valuation is usually based on the weight of the items to be handled.
• Standard Coverage. By law, movers should list a minimum amount of insurance for the items being moved in the moving quote. While this is a required line item, customers should be aware that the amount of coverage is only a small percentage that often yields only cents per pound in the event that an item is damaged. As a result, those who hope to recoup more money for damaged items are encouraged to purchase additional insurance.
• Packed By Owner. Boxes that are PBO, or packed by owner, should be labeled as such. This can be key for individuals who have some boxes packed by themselves and some by the movers. It enables the boxes marked with PBO to not be charged like those packed by the movers.
• Carrier Packed. CP is the acronym for this term indicating that an item was packed by the movers. Boxes packed by the movers will often be labeled with a prominent CP label. Carrier packed boxes typically have an extra packing cost.
• Cube Sheet. The cube sheet is a method for referencing a dedicated document that monitors the weight of the cargo. This is helpful in determining the number of cubic feet an individual’s belongings will take up in a truck. The cube sheet helps form the groundwork for the quote provided by the moving company.
• Preferred Arrival Date. This term is much as it sounds and identifies the PAD, or preferred arrival date of items to their destination.
• Flight Charge. This term is often confusing to customers when their items are not being flown anywhere. Instead, a flight charge references the number of flights of stairs a move will require. The terminology should still be present on quotes that do not require the navigation of stairs but should be listed as zero.
• Cash on Delivery. Often abbreviated to COD, cash on delivery indicates there will be a payment due once items in a shipment arrive at their destination. When reviewing information for COD, be sure to verify accepted forms of payments and always ask for a receipt.

Things to Know About Interstate Moves

Although there are many similarities between in state and interstate moves, there are also a few notable differences. One of the primary differences has to deal with the weight of the items being moved.

Interstate moves use complicated calculations to determine the mileage and weight involved. The driver of the moving truck will likely weigh and then reweigh the truck on a certified scale for optimum accuracy.

Customers should beware of moving companies that want to charge them per hour of work for an interstate move. This can quickly add up, especially for those moving hours away. Instead, movers should offer customers a quote based on a flat labor rate plus a price per container.

How Timing May Affect the Cost of Your Move

In addition to the above, there are other external factors that could affect the price of your move, with one of them being the time of the year. Understanding a moving quote means realizing the price of moving to a new home during peak moving season may cost more thanks to an increase in demand.

On average, peak season for moving is generally considered to be from May to September. This is a popular time of year in large part due to the number of children and teachers who are off from school during these months, which can help logistically facilitate the move of families.

But the summer holiday is not the only occurrence of peak season prices. Moving prices may also experience hikes on holidays as well as Saturdays and Sundays because many people are off of work and available during these times.

The best policy is to move during a weekday if you are able. This could help keep the price of your moving quote down.

Comprehensively understanding a moving quote and ensuring the right terms are included tends to become easier when an individual enlists the help of a reputable and industry respected professional Houston moving company.

Many of these companies have been in the moving business for decades or more and have a wide range of experience to pull from. These businesses also typically go the extra mile in hiring their own employees rather than relying on contract workers. This means that background checks and drug screenings are more likely to be required for employees.

 

Understanding a moving quote is critical to protecting yourself and your belongings as you prepare for a move. Commit to doing the legwork and research that is required up front and it should provide you with more peace of mind for the move itself. If moving is in your near future, start looking for a professional Houston moving company today.

Thousands of families are scammed every year by rogue operators posing as moving companies. Some of these scams cost families all of their belongings – along with the memories associated with them.

If you’re about to move, avoiding scammers should be a top priority. Fortunately, if you know what signs to look for, you’ll be able to spot a moving scam well in advance.

What Are Some Common Types of Moving Scams?

There are a few ways that rogue operators deploy their scams, so you’ll need to be vigilant before and after your move. Here are some of the most common scamming tactics to look out for:

• The “no show” – This scam is simple. The rogue operator schedules the move and promises to show up on the specified date. They then ask for a deposit, to secure your spot, they may claim.

Then, when moving day arrives, the movers don’t. They may make excuses, like not having an available truck. They may promise to show up on another day. Then, when that day arrives, they fail to show up again. The victim often never gets their deposit back.

• The ransom – Ransom scams are a bit more involved. To pull one off, the rogue moving company usually opens up with a too-good-to-be-true estimate, provided over e-mail or phone. On moving day, they show up and load everything on their truck. Once everything is loaded and driven away, the moving crew pulls the scam. They inform the client that their belongings weigh much more than originally estimated, and that an additional fee (sometimes thousands of dollars more) is required.

The rogue operator will then hold the family’s belongings “hostage” until these fraudulent charges are paid.

• The change-of-address scam – Some rogue operators execute their scams by thieving their customers’ identities. Change-of-address scams are the most common moving scams because they only require your full name and address to pull off – both of which the rogue operator has access to.

With this information, the scammer submits a change of address to the U.S. Postal Service. The goal is to intercept anything headed for the customer, which may include sensitive financial information. This information can be used to commit devastating levels of identity theft.

Choose a Reputable Moving Houston Professional and You’ll Avoid Moving Scams

You can avoid the above by selecting a reputable Houston moving company. Reputable moving services put the client first, with friendly communication, transparency, and a commitment to ethical practices.
The best thing families can do to protect themselves is to work with a well-regarded moving company. Here’s what to look for during your mover search:

• Experience – Experience, especially 10+ years of experience, is a good sign for a professional Houston mover. Scammers tend to be fly-by-night operations that don’t have a history of customer service. An experienced moving company has not only built up a reputation – it has proven that its operations and processes are effective.
• Positive, detailed customer reviews – Positive customer reviews are always a good sign for a professional mover, but it’s better if those customer reviews contain certain details. For example, is the mover’s punctuality or communication style receiving praise? Did they work with their client to resolve challenges that came up during the job? These details can reveal the marks of a reputable mover.
• Industry certifications – Like most industries, there are numerous trade organizations associated with the moving industry. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is chief among them and offers the coveted ProMover designation. To attain ProMover certification, the moving company’s customer history and operations are verified. The company must also sign onto a code of ethics and agree to the ATA’s and FMCSA’s complaint resolution processes.
• Good standing with the Department of Transportation (DoT) – The DoT and FMCSA are responsible for regulating motor carriers, including professional movers. They maintain a file on every registered mover and track critical information about each mover, including the size of their truck fleet, how long they’ve been in business, what they’re certified to move, and whether they’ve committed any recent traffic violations or infractions. This information can help families pick out the best-performing movers from the rest.

Some Signs That a Mover May Be Trying to Pull a Scam

In most cases, there are signs that a moving scam is developing before the trap is sprung. Some of those signs include:

• The moving company won’t accept credit cards, and demands cash only.
• The moving company doesn’t provide a copy of “Your rights and Responsibilities When You Move” – a consumer protection publication that movers must hand out prior to a job.
• The moving company doesn’t provide necessary paperwork, like a bill of lading, or the paperwork is blank where fees or contact information should be.
• The moving company is either unregistered with the FMCSA, or in poor standing.
• The moving company’s truck and uniforms don’t contain a company logo or contact information.
• The moving company won’t provide in-person moving estimates.
• The moving company has no online reviews, or only negative reviews.

Following your move, it’s a good idea to monitor your bank account for any charges associated with an address change. Also, if you receive a change-of-address confirmation in the mail or start receiving much less mail than normal, these could be signs of change-of-address fraud. Follow up with the U.S. postal service to verify that a change-of-address request has been made.

In the end, your instincts are your best defense. If you feel like the mover isn’t communicating well, or if you feel like you aren’t on the same page with the mover, take a step back and consider the risks involved. Consumers have the right to back out of moving contracts that aren’t handled according to the DoT’s regulations.

Moving Scams Will Victimize Thousands of Families This Year – Don’t Be One of Them

Moving scams can cost families everything they own – but they’re easy to avoid if you take the right precautions. Hiring an established, reputable Houston moving company is a proven way to avoid scams, and there are many signs to look for that could indicate potential fraud. Keep an eye on those signs, and you’ll steer clear of rogue moving companies.

Why Interior Designers Should Partner with a Reputable Moving Company

Interior designers are experts in aesthetics, but materials are what they work with. Storing those materials, keeping track of them, transporting them, and ensuring they are ready for display places a significant logistical load on interior designers.

An experienced moving and storage company can help manage those processes, so designers can focus on every client and every project.

A Respected Houston Moving Company Can Help an Interior Designer Acquire New Clients

Successful interior decorators tend to be effective networkers, and this network is more effective if extended to a reputable moving service. Experienced moving professionals spend a lot of time providing customer service, and that provides plenty of opportunities to recommend partnered businesses.

This includes interior decorators, who frequently work with the same clients that decorators do, like architects and contractors. By partnering with a moving company, an interior decorator can grow their clientele without actively marketing.

Three Services Moving Professionals Can Provide to Interior Decorators

In addition to building a mutually beneficial professional relationship, moving companies can also provide several services that are of particular benefit to interior decorators. They include:

• Warehousing and inspection – Some moving professionals are able to provide warehousing on top of their moving services. Warehousing is a B2B service, designed for companies that need space for their products or materials. It’s like storage for commercial clients, only scaled up and packaged with other services.

With warehousing, interior designers have space to store their decorative items, furniture, and artwork. A warehousing provider can scale your space needs up or down as needed, so as your business grows, so does your storage room. Warehousing also makes it easy for decorators to keep their materials organized and ready to go.

A warehousing provider will keep a crew on hand at the storage facility, ready to handle anything that’s brought in or taken out. At this time, the warehousing crew will inspect everything for damage, missing components or missing hardware. If any issues are spotted, they’re reported to the interior decorator so a decision can be made. In this way, having a warehousing partner is like putting a quality check process in place.

• Assembly – Many interior decorators do a lot of their work with furniture, which must be assembled prior to delivery and placement. Interior decorators often don’t have the time for putting furniture together, but moving companies do. A reputable moving crew has the manpower and experience to quickly assemble any kind of furniture, so it can be quickly utilized for client projects.
• Delivery – Moving companies are a natural provider of delivery services, given their manpower and fleet of trucks. They can use these resources to deliver everything an interior decorator needs for a project, whether it’s bulky stuff like furniture or fragile items like artwork. Reputable warehousing providers can respond quickly to delivery requests, so if you need to quickly stage a property, you can get everything there in time.

What Does a Reputable Houston Moving Company Look Like?

There are hundreds of moving professionals in the Houston area alone, but only a small number offer a reputation worth attaching your name to. For interior decorators, then, the goal is finding a respected moving company to work with. To make the search easier, here are a few things to look for:

• Experience – Experience is critical for moving professionals. Most of the finer points of moving and warehousing can only be learned through experience. Partnering with an experienced moving team means interior decorators can benefit from this experience, with faster, more reliable service than a less experienced moving company could provide.

Also, moving companies that do their job poorly don’t last in the industry long. You can think of experience as a vote of confidence from previous customers, then.

• A customer-service mindset – Some moving companies make professionalism a priority and strive to leave a good impression on the customers they work with. That customer service first mindset will go a long way when the moving company recommends their partnered interior decorator.

The mover’s history of customer reviews is a valuable data point in this regard. A long list of satisfied clients is a good sign, as is a mover who responds promptly to any complaints. A communicative mover is the kind of mover you’ll want recommending your services.

• Proper licensing – Moving companies are regulated by the Department of Transportation. The DoT uses licensing to track moving companies, their safety record, and their work history. If a moving service fails to observe best practice during a job, they can lose their standing with the department. A reputable moving company will happily provide their DoT license number on request, as this can be used to verify that the business is legitimate and in good standing with the DoT.
• Adequate resources – Warehousing is a labor-intensive service and may require powered equipment to efficiently transport furniture and other heavy objects. Interior decorators that handle a lot of furniture or large quantities of heavy items will need a moving partner with plenty of power, whether it’s muscle or mechanical.
  It’s difficult for moving companies to stick in the industry, given the degree of skill and organization required. If you’re planning on establishing a partnership with a moving service, prioritizing the above traits will ensure your partnership is a long-term one.

Need Logistical Support? A Reputable Moving Company Can Streamline Your Interior Design Processes

Most interior decorators have their hands full acquiring new clients and providing service to existing ones. For these busy professionals, dealing with logistics as well is often one task too many.

That’s where a reputable moving company can help. By partnering with an experienced moving and warehousing service, interior decorators can secure their storage and delivery logistics, and add to their professional network at the same time. In Houston, a busy moving company will work with hundreds of clients over the course of a year. That’s a large potential client pool for interior decorators.

The trick is finding a Houston moving company that’s reputable and well respected. To do that, look for an experienced, licensed crew that also has a passion for exceeding their clients’ needs.