November 2011 | Olympia Moving & Storage

Moving Tip: Small Shipment Options

Posted on November 24, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

A small shipment is sometimes difficult for moving companies to accommodate. On a local move, most companies maintain a minimum number of hours, and on an interstate move, a minimum weight. As logic would suggest, this is simply because many of the underlying costs are fixed; whether you are transporting 300lbs or 1500lbs.

Small Shipment Options

So what are your options if you have only a small shipment?

a) Small Shipment Local Move: On a local move, identify a company (like Olympia Moving) that does not maintain a “minimum” number of hours.
b) Small Shipment on Interstate Move: On an interstate move, generally speaking, the more flexibility that you have in terms of timing, the easier it is for a moving company to make adjustments. The justification is that, if you are able to provide a 2 week window for pickup and a 3 week window for delivery, it will be easier to consolidate your shipment with other comparable loads.
c) Small Shipment Rental Truck: Consider moving these items on your own with a rental truck. Although a big time commitment, this is sometimes the most economical approach.
d) Small Load Specialist: If your shipment is not time sensitive, consider working with a small load specialist. These are companies that have carved out a market niche working exclusively with small shipments. The basic business model is that they pickup your goods and store them until such time as they have enough volume to warrant sending a truck into your market. Provided that there are no firm delivery dates, this is a good option to explore.

Essential Moving Tips: What About Your Car?

Posted on November 17, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

If your car represents just one portion of the total move, then your moving company should be able to assist you with transporting your car. If you are only moving a car; then it is usually more economical to work directly through an auto transport service.

Four Methods for Transporting a Car

There are four different methods for transporting a car as outlined below. What option is best for you depends entirely upon your specific needs, the condition of your vehicle, and how much you are willing to pay.

Transporting Your Car: Moving Truck

A moving trailer is equipped to be able to transport up to two cars (plus household goods). The benefits of this approach are that your car arrives at the same time as the rest of your property. The drawback is that you are paying for the weight of the car and that sometimes this approach can be the most expensive option.

Transporting Your Car: Enclosed Care Carrier

This is a specialized car carrier service provided by companies such as Horseless Carriage or Plycar. Cars are covered for the duration of the trip and are never exposed to the elements. This option is typically used for higher-end or antique vehicles, and is more expensive than a traditional car carrier.

Transporting Your Car: Open Carrier Transport

This is how most new and used cars are shipped in the US and entails an exposed trailer that holds anywhere from 1 to 10 vehicles. Out of the three options listed above, this is the most economical approach; however the drawbacks are that the vehicle is exposed to the elements. Furthermore, it is imperative that you clarify exactly what is and what is not covered from an insurance standpoint; as sometimes non-factory components are not covered. If you are interested in getting a quote for this service, we suggest American Auto Transport.

Transporting Your Car: Driveaway

This is the least expensive option and entails paying someone to drive your car to the new destination. From an insurance perspective, you are better served to set this up through an agency than to post an ad on Craig’s List. One such agency that offers these services is Auto Driveaway. The drawbacks are that you are adding miles to the car, and that you have no control over how the car is handled during the journey.

How To Start Packing For a Move

Posted on November 10, 2011February 23, 2022 by olympiamoving

Improper packing is far and away the leading cause of damages during a move. Packing is somewhat of an art form and Olympia Moving spends hundreds of hours training our crews on best practices on an annual basis. Obviously, if you choose to pack yourself, you will need to get up to speed as fast as possible; so the following suggestions should serve as a quick primer.

Tips to Packing For Your Move

1) Leave yourself enough time to organize and pack. Packing and preparing for a move always takes longer than anticipated. If you find that you are running out of time, contact your relocation coordinator and request assistance.

2) Organize your space before initiating the packing process. This will save you a lot of time.

3) Setup a “packing workstation” with a flat surface upon which you can lay your packing paper.

4) Place empty boxes that you are in the process of packing on top of a full carton so that you don’t have to bend down to pack the box. This is both a faster approach and will protect you from back injuries.

Packing Materials

5) The best packing material is plain white newsprint (packing paper), which can be supplied by any moving company. It is the right consistency and, unlike newsprint, will not leave ink stains on the items you are trying to protect.

6) Be generous in your use of paper. Packing paper is not cheap; but it is much less expensive than damaged goods.

7) In the vast majority of cases, paper is preferable to bubble wrap. In addition, paper is considerably less expensive and it more environmentally sound.

Organize Your Packing Items

8) Pack in tiers. If you are packing breakable items, put a “cushion” of crumpled up paper on the bottom of each box. Then individually wrap each item and place it gently and securely in the box. Make sure that everything is packed tightly together and then add another tier of cushioning.

9) Pack “like items” together; such as “pots and pans” or “dishes”. This makes the unpacking process smoother.

10) Label carefully on the top and two adjacent sides of each box. The labels should include your last name, the room that the items came out of, and a few words about the contents of the box. This will help the movers to know where to place the carton in your new residence.

11) Do not leave any extra space in your containers. The strength and integrity of the box is largely determined by what is inside the box. The rule of thumb is that if you gently shake the box and hear any movement, you need to add paper.

12) When taping the box shut, use proper moving tape. Tape securely along each seam of the box and then run your hand over the tape to make sure that it has adhered to the cardboard.

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Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

Posted on November 3, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

One of the biggest challenges for Olympia’s move consultants is to provide an accurate estimate when the client indicates that they are going to sell a significant portion of their goods prior to the move. In this scenario, the best of intentions are often eclipsed by the practical time constraints of preparing for your move. Typically this means that clients end up relocating numerous unwanted items to the new residence. Here are some quick tips to help you avoid moving more than you really need to.

Tips to Getting Rid of Items Before Moving

1) While it is reassuring to see a low number on your estimate, keep in mind that the estimate is based upon the “articles and services” listed. Underestimating the number of items to be transported can translate into an inaccurate quotation. When presenting the items to be relocated to your move consultant, be realistic and as inclusive as possible.

2) Do not assume that items will be quickly and easily disposed of at a yard sale. Leave as much time as possible between the yard sale and your move date.

3) Post items on Ebay and/or Craig’s List.

4) Consider making a donation of furniture, clothing or canned food to the Salvation Army or a local food bank. Not only will you benefit from the applicable tax deduction, but donations like these make a huge difference in our communities.

Be Prepared Before Your Move

Above all, be protective of your time and don’t try to do too much in the limited window leading up to your moving date. The single biggest determinant of a successful relocation is how prepared you are on the day of your move. Failure to be fully packed can lead to significant delays and cost overruns. If you need assistance with packing, please contact your relocation consultant.

Customer Rights and Responsibilities

Posted on November 1, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

As a moving customer, you have certain protected rights and responsibilities. It’s important to Olympia Moving & Storage that we’re on the same page with you. We want to ensure that every person we move understands the process and feels comfortable with our company.

We encourage you to download and read the handbook below, which was carefully prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and furnished by our Interstate Moving Partner, Wheaton World Wide Moving.

Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move Handbook

Still have questions about your rights as a moving company customer? Feel free to contact our team and speak to a moving professional.