Do I Need to Request a Certificate of Insurance for My Move?

Posted on June 20, 2014August 4, 2020 by olympiamoving

It’s not uncommon that Olympia Moving & Storage has to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for our clients’ moves. But what exactly is a certificate of insurance, and do you need one for your move?

Do I need a Certificate of Insurance?

This is a document that usually applies to moves in an urban city, so it comes up a lot in our hometowns of Boston, MA and Washington, DC. If you are moving in or out of an apartment building, high rise, or a property with building managers, there’s a good chance that the managers of the property require a certificate of insurance for any moving company that works on the premises. Simply ask your building’s management if this is a document they require from moving companies, and don’t forget to ask the management of the property you’re moving into as well!

What exactly is a Certificate of Insurance?

This is a document from the moving company’s insurance company. The document a) verifies that the moving company is insured and b) specifies conditions that the insurance will be used. In other words, the building management wants this document because they know that it is the nature of moving that sometimes property damage occurs. Therefore, if the moving company does damage the building, the management already has documentation to know that the moving company is insured and can pay for the damages if necessary.

How do I get a Certificate of Insurance from Olympia Moving & Storage?

All you have to do is ask! Your sales rep or moving coordinator will ask for the contact information for your building management. We’ll coordinate directly with them, and you don’t have to worry about a thing! Basically, Olympia needs to ask the building management for their fax number, the certificate holder and certificate holder address, and the additionally insured that the building wants on the document. Olympia then asks our insurance company to produce a Certificate of Insurance with this information and the insurance company faxes it over to your building’s management.

What happens if I don’t request a necessary certificate of insurance when I book my move?

You should always ask your building management whether a moving company certificate of insurance is needed at least several days before the move. Ideally, Olympia should know whether a certificate of insurance is needed at the time of booking, that way they can square away all your move details right away, and you’ll have nothing to worry about leading up to move day!

If Olympia is not made aware that a certificate of insurance is necessary, the consequences can be costly. The crew may show up on move day and your building management will not let us in! The crew then has to wait around for the building, moving company, and insurance company to sort out the certificate of insurance so they can come inside and begin the work. Not only does this delay your move, but all this wasted time is included in the crew’s chargeable hours, which are charged to you.

Extra moving tip

Even if you don’t actually need a certificate of insurance, it’s not a bad idea to ask moving companies whether they can provide one. If a moving company can’t provide a certificate of insurance, that means that they’re not insured! That would definitely be a red flag that you are not dealing with a professional moving company!

Also check out:
Olympia Apartment Moving
Moving in Apartment Buildings
Liability Information

5 Tips for Appreciating Your Moving Crew

Posted on May 28, 2014 by olympiamoving

Our policy at Olympia Moving & Storage is to do everything in our power to make your move as smooth and easy as possible. Our crew will always work hard for you through rain, heat, and 4th floor walkups. However, we do sometimes have clients ask what they can do for our hard-working guys.

Our crews are there to do a job and never expect anything more, but if you want to go above and beyond, these are the five little things the crew say they appreciate the most on moving day:

1. Keep them hydrated.

Keeping cold water or Gatorade available is a lifesaver, especially on hot days.

2. Plan ahead.

You can cut down the crew’s heavy lifting if you know where the items will be placed in your new home. Label your boxes and make a floor plan for the furniture. Moving the sofa from room to room to decide where it looks best is tiring for the crew & adds time and money to your moving bill.

3. Provide lunch.

If the crew is with you for the entire day, it’s always a nice gesture to order pizza or sandwiches for their lunch break.

4. Tip for a job well done.

Though not necessary, if you feel your crew did a great job, a tip is always appreciated. Click here to learn what’s customary for tipping moving crews.

5. Pass on the praise.

When you move with Olympia, you’ll receive and e-mail survey asking for your feedback. Any specific comments about the crew get passed to their supervisors, so they can reward good work and improve training. You can also support your crew by posting on online review of their work on Google+ Local, Yelp, Angie’s List, and more. Click here to view all the links to our online review profiles.

Also check out:

Videos of our Moving Crew in Action
How to Prep and Protect Furniture For Moving
Tips for Moving With Kids

4 Moving Mistakes to Avoid During National Moving Month

Posted on May 9, 2014 by olympiamoving

Happy National Moving Month from Olympia Moving & Storage! May kicks off the busiest moving season. Relocating can be tricky enough, but moving during the most popular season can add some complications.

Moving isn’t something most of our clients do very often, so it’s understandable why families sometimes make mistakes that can add stress to the relocation.

Here are the four most common moving mistakes we see, and how you can avoid them:

1. Scheduling moving dates too late.

Risk: The most popular summer moving dates can fill up a month or more in advance! If you procrastinate to call movers, you could lose your preferred date. That could complicate your closing or other relocation plans.
Olympia increases capacity every summer to accommodate as many of our clients as possible, but we encourage clients to contact us 4 weeks prior to move day to ensure availability. Check out our moving planning calendars to stay on track!

2. Hiring a “rogue” mover.

Risk: An unlicensed, uninsured company may have a lower price, but may result in a costly moving horror story. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard about movers sending untrained crews, hiking prices prior to delivery without reason or holding shipments hostage. This is all easily avoided by just checking for a few warning signs.
Olympia is a licensed, insured, full-service mover, a member of the American Moving & Storage Association, and was Wheaton World Wide’s 2013 Mover of the Year among other awards and recognitions.

3. Packing procrastination.

Risk: If you’re packing yourself, not finishing packing by move day leads to disorganization and stress. If a crew arrives a home expecting everything to be packed, they may not have enough extra supplies to finish the job for you. Worse, now that the crew has to finish your packing it could lead to your move going over estimate, as the estimator based his quote on a fully packed home.
Olympia checks in on clients’ packing progress the week prior to the move. We also provide full or partial packing services customized to our clients’ needs and budget. Use our free printable moving box labels to keep organized.

4. Not communicating with your moving company.

Risk: Planning a successful move takes time! Not filling in your mover on details or changes to your move (such as changes to your inventory, access to your home, or the addition of extra stops) results in an unprepared crew.
Olympia assigns each client a dedicated move coordinator. The coordinator stays in constant communication to ensure that both Olympia and our clients are fully prepared for move day.

Now that you know which mistakes to avoid, let Olympia deliver a smooth move for you! Request a free moving estimate, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Also check out:

Choosing a Mover: Making My Decision Easier
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
Change of Address Checklist

Materials Movers Use to Protect Furniture & Your Home

Posted on October 30, 2013 by olympiamoving

The best defense for a damage-free move is hiring trained professionals, like those at Olympia Moving & Storage. The second best defense is properly protecting your furniture and home.

Our crew always comes equipped with the right materials to protect your property. Just like how you would want to use paper and bubble wrap to pack your fragiles in a box, it’s always a good idea to have your crew “pack” your furniture and home.

Here’s the materials professional movers use to protect your furniture and home:

Roll Up Floor Protection

Whether you’re trying to keep the origin in tip top shape for the new owners or keeping your new home as perfect as it was when you got the keys, we know it’s essential to protect your floors. This protection shields carpets to keep even the whitest carpets clear of dirt. This material rolls on easily and cleans up quickly.

Masonite

Masonite sheets are laid onto hardwood floors to keep them scratch-free from moving furniture, boots, and dollies.

Door Jamb Protection

Cushioning to protect door jambs from scrapes during your move, even when the movers are getting the largest pieces out the door.

Wall Protection

Made of corrugated plastic that will not rip or tear, the crew will often put this on the walls of tight spaces to avoid nicks and bumps on the wall, especially since many clients freshly paint their home!

Plastic Wrap

The crew will quickly wrap upholstered furniture to keep it clean throughout the move. Wrapping furniture with drawers is also handy for keeping those drawers shut during transit.

Furniture pads

Essential for keeping furniture scratch-free, the crew will wrap the furniture in these padded blankets then secure them with tape.

Item labels

For items going into interstate or into storage, a detailed, numbered inventory will be made. The crew will also put stickers with the corresponding inventory number on the boxes and furniture to keep everything organized and avoid loss. While packing, we also recommend clients use our free, downloadable box labels. These color-coded labels help the crew identify what’s going into each room, expediting the delivery.

More Moving Tips in our Moving Resource Center

Watch our crew use these materials on real moves in these videos!

What Equipment Do Professional Movers Use?

Posted on October 15, 2013August 3, 2021 by olympiamoving

The Best Mover Supplies For The Job

Besides our strong, highly trained crew members, there’s a reason why you’d want to hire a professional for your move. The truck you borrowed from a friend simply doesn’t come with all the equipment necessary to get your move done right.

Whether you’re moving to an urban apartment or a big home in the suburbs, each move comes with its unique challenges. Olympia Moving & Storage is equipped to handle them. Without the best mover supplies, your move can be time consuming and more difficult than it has to be. Below we detail the mover supplies we use to make your move the most efficient it can be:

Two-Wheel Dolly

This basic dolly is lightweight This critical mover supply is the first on the list whenever a move is needed. It makes loading and unloading of boxes, furniture and bulky items much faster.

Hoisting Straps

When a large piece like an armoire or mattress just won’t fit through the front door, hope isn’t lost. Our crew can wrap the piece then manually hoist it through the window, using just their strength and these straps! Our crew commonly hoists pieces to the 2nd or 3rd floor with ease! Check out a furniture hoist in action here.

Four-Wheel Dolly, Crates, and Bins

Commonly used on moves with a long walk or elevator, the crew can fill bins or crates with boxes and small pieces, then transport the load on a 4-wheel dolly. This allows the crew to move more items than they can carry and minimize the number of needed trips. This is one of the more inventive mover supplies, while basic in nature, it provides a tremendous amount of capability and flexibility.

Appliance Dolly

This more specific dolly allows the crew to easily wheel out big, heavy appliances like refrigerators and stoves more quickly and securely.

Ramps

Do you have stairs or a stoop leading to your door? The crew can set up a small ramp over the stairs, which allows them to use wheel dollies. Of course, the crew also always sets up a ramp that leads into the truck to ensure smooth footing while the crew is carrying your possessions.

Pallet Jack

Some trucks come equipped with a pallet jack, which is used to move only the very heaviest items onto the truck, such as a safe or small machinery.

Piano Board

This piece of equipment is used to safely carry a piano. The end and board support the piano. The board also has slots for straps to keep the piano secure and handles to help carry the piece.

Tool Kit

When clients need us to take apart furniture like beds, dining room tables, and more, our crew is prepared with a tool kit to ensure that basic assembly and disassembly is taken care of. One of the most important mover supplies we have, these tools allow us to tackle any complexity we find within your move.

Trucks

Who can forget our most important piece of equipment, our trucks! Olympia has cube trucks, straight trucks, and tractor trailers in our fleet to accommodate any size move. All our trucks are equipped with the above equipment along with a few extra boxes and moving materials to ensure that our crew is ready for anything!

That’s only the beginning! We have even more specialized equipment for our commercial moving projects.

More Moving Tips in our Moving Resource Center

Watch our crew use this equipment on real moves in these videos!

Learn About Our Hoisting & Craning Services

How to Move Appliances & Special Furniture

Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

Posted on May 1, 2013October 10, 2023 by olympiamoving

Unfortunately, moving can be pretty bad for the environment. Between the fuel, boxes, and materials used, moving day can take a toll on your carbon footprint. According to mymove.com, the average move uses 60 boxes, the equivalent of more than half a one-ton pine tree!

However, there are are few steps you can take to make your move a little greener.

Less is More

Moving is the perfect time to re-evaluate your possessions. Not only will you have less items to move, but owning less allows you to buy and maintain a smaller home. Getting into the “less is more” mindset also helps curb wasteful consumerism.

Before you start packing, identify which belongings aren’t going to make it onto the truck. Challenge yourself to let go. If you haven’t used that item in the past year, then it might not be worth keeping.

Don’t Toss, Donate

Instead of sending unwanted items to the landfill, give it a second life and donate or sell these things instead. Check out our articles on cleaning out belongings before a move and selling unwanted items. For the items that can’t be re-used, be sure you’re recycling everything you can. Even electronics can be recycled.

Pack Smart

Packing materials are the biggest reason moving can be so Earth-unfriendly. Avoid any non-biodegradable packing materials such as styrofoam and plastic. Use paper, packing peanuts made from cornstarch, or other possessions like blankets to protect your move instead.

Instead of buying boxes new, pack as much as you can in used boxes. If you foresee a move in the near future, start saving boxes from deliveries. Ask friends who have recently moved if their boxes are still around, they’ll be grateful to get rid of them! You can also sometimes get free used boxes from grocery stores and other retailers. Don’t forget to ask your moving company if they sell used boxes as well.

There are also services that allow you to rent plastic crates for moving. This is probably the most eco-friendly packing option. Many businesses offer these crates, including Rent a Green Box, WeGoBox, ZippGo, and Better Than Boxes.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

When you’re finished unpacking, be sure to recycle all your boxes and packing materials. You can find the recycling center in your new neighborhood by visiting earth911.com

New House, New Lifestyle

A new house is the perfect opportunity to jump start a greener home. Maybe your new yard is perfect for a compost bin, or the abundance of sun on the rooftop can be utilized with solar panels. Inside, install energy saving light bulbs. Even small changes, like switching to eco-safe cleaning products, can make a big difference.

Olympia’s Eco-Responsible Initiatives

Here at Olympia, we do our part to make your move a little greener:

Instead of wasting paper, we are ready to provide electronic estimates, invoices, and moving resources
Use Olympia’s debris rehttp://www.olympiamoving.com/residential-moving/request-an-estimate/moval service to pick up your empty boxes for recycling
We recycle all our uhttp://www.olympiamoving.com/residential-moving/request-an-estimate/sed cardboard and materials
All our moving cartons and packing materials are made from recycled product
Olympia’s trucks meet the latest Federal Emission Standards
We save fuel on interstate moves by carrying multiple households on each truck

The great news is that an eco-friendly move is also a cost-efficient move!

Stylish Moving / Change of Address Cards

Warning Signs of a Bad Mover

How to Pack Video Series

Who’s My Interstate Moving Company Again?

Posted on April 25, 2013 by olympiamoving

April marks the one year anniversary of Wheaton World Wide Moving’s acquisition of Bekins Van Lines. This growing partnership created the fourth-largest household goods carrier in the country.

So what does that mean for you, the Olympia Moving & Storage customer?

There is sometimes confusion around the relationship between Olympia Moving & Storage and these two van lines.

A large number of reputable moving companies are an agent for an interstate van line. Olympia Moving & Storage became an agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving in 1996. This means that Olympia has access to Wheaton resources and hundreds of agents around the country to help us perform quality and affordable interstate moves for our customers. However, Olympia is still an independently owned and operated company, and gives every customer the personal attention their move deserves.

Last year Wheaton World Wide acquired Bekins Van Lines. This expansion added over one hundred additional dependable agents to their network. Though these van lines operate as two brands, they are all part of one integrated system of moving agents that lend each other resources, drivers, and crew members. Olympia Moving & Storage is just one agent in this great organization, and is part of the Wheaton brand.

Here’s how the Wheaton | Bekins network impacts your move:

If you book an interstate move with Olympia, our in-house coordination staff manages every move to ensure that all parties are working together to provide a smooth relocation. We are your contact and advocate throughout the entire process.

If the distance of your move is under 600 miles, it’s classified as a short haul. In this case, your driver will most likely be an Olympia driver and your crew in Massachusetts or Virginia will be an Olympia crew. Since you are moving across state lines, you may be moving to or from an area without on Olympia office. Therefore, we will use the Wheaton network’s help if we need crews or services at your home in another part of the country.

If the distance of your move is over 600 miles, it’s classified as a long haul. In this case, there is a chance that your driver will be an Olympia driver, but it could also very likely be a Wheaton or Bekins driver. Your crew will still be Olympia employees in Massachusetts or Virginia, but your crew in another part of the country will come from other Wheaton or Bekins agents. The Olympia coordination staff also works with the coordination staff at Wheaton headquarters to manage your move.

If you’re moving locally (within state lines), then it’s simple: your coordination staff, drivers, and movers are all in-house Olympia employees.

Regardless of where you’re moving, Olympia employees will always be intimately involved in planning and managing your move to ensure your relocation is up to our high standards.

At Olympia Moving & Storage, we consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a wide network of moving professionals. It allows us to ensure that every step of the move will be handled by highly trained, quality employees no matter where you’re going.

Other common questions on interstate moving:

What is a Moving Shuttle?

When is the Delivery Date of My Interstate Move?

How Do I Read an Interstate Moving Estimate?

What is a Moving Shuttle?

Posted on March 27, 2013 by olympiamoving

There’s usually a few components to interstate moves that are industry standards, but unfamiliar to moving newbies. One such component is a moving shuttle. Below are some of our frequently asked questions and answers around shuttles to help our customers understand why they’re a necessary element to many interstate moves.

What is a shuttle?

A shuttle service allows us to serve customers who are moving into or out of homes that are difficult to access with a tractor trailer truck. The shuttle is a smaller truck that the customer’s goods are loaded onto at their home. A shuttle truck allows the driver and crew to bring the vehicle close to the residence and load or unload your possessions as safely and efficiently as possible. A shuttle is sometimes also called an auxiliary service.

How does it work?

Before the pick up or delivery occurs, the moving consultant or driver will scope out the residence to determine if a shuttle is needed. If it is determined that the tractor trailer cannot access the home, the driver will rent a smaller truck. He will leave his tractor trailer in a safe location (usually at a fellow Wheaton agent’s secure warehouse), and bring the small truck to the residence to expertly move the household goods out. The driver then drives the loaded shuttle truck back to his tractor trailer, and offloads everything onto the tractor trailer truck. Now that the customer’s items are safely loaded onto his truck, the driver can hit the road and make his way to the customer’s destination. The process is the same but reverse if the shuttle occurs at the destination address.

What are situations in which a shuttle would be used?

Movers need to use shuttles in any situation where the tractor trailer cannot access the home. Most shuttles are needed for urban residences due to the narrow streets, lack of parking, and limited space to maneuver in cities. Some neighborhoods and apartment complexes do not allow tractor trailers on the premises. However, sometimes shuttles are also needed in even the most rural areas due to unpaved driveways with wet or loose ground, access that is too steep or includes a tight bend, or clearance problems due to tree branches or power lines.

Why are there extra costs associated with shuttles? If I don’t use it, do I get charged?

Yes, using a shuttle adds additional costs to the price of the move, the cost is based on a per hundred rate and dependent on the size (weight) of your move. Shuttles cost money because it’s almost like adding a local move on top of your interstate move, renting the truck and the additional time and labor to transfer everything from the small truck to the tractor trailer can all be costly. For this reason, drivers like to avoid using shuttles unless they are absolutely necessary, shuttles are not profitable for drivers, and the extra time slows down their trip. It is ultimately up to a driver whether or not a shuttle will be used. Even if your moving consultant includes a shuttle charge on your estimate, you will only be charged if the shuttle actually occurs.

Why doesn’t the driver use a smaller truck for the move instead?

In order to make interstate moving cost effective for both customers and moving companies, an interstate driver and moving truck almost always has multiple customers’ shipments on his truck at the same time. If the driver used a smaller truck, he could only bring one customer’s shipment from Massachusetts to Florida. With a large tractor trailer, he can also services several other customers along that route, making moving much more inexpensive for everyone.

If you have any other questions about shuttles, reach out to your moving coordinator.

Now that you have a better understanding of shuttles, request your free estimate for your interstate move.

Other great tips for Interstate Moving

Moving Tips in our Resource Center

When is the Delivery Date For My Interstate Move?

Moving Appliances & Special Furniture

Posted on February 6, 2013October 18, 2023 by olympiamoving

Some appliances and furniture need a little extra TLC in transit. Olympia can either service and prep these special pieces, or we can bring in one of our experts to make sure these items are 100% ready to be safely moved to your new home.

If you have any of the appliances or furniture called out below, be sure to bring them to the attention of your moving consultant during your in-home survey.

If you’re looking to save some money, here are some things you can do yourself to prep these items:

Refrigerator & Freezer

First, remove all the contents and either pack them in a cooler to bring to your new home or throw the perishables away. Unplug the fridge and freezer and let the freezer defrost over night. If your freezer has an ice maker, turn off the water supply, disconnect the water line, and turn the ice maker off. Wipe the fridge and freezer down in the morning and remove and pack all the interior shelves. You can see our video on how to pack a refrigerator here. The moving crew will properly wrap the fridge before they move it.

Washer & Dryer

For the washer, turn off the water hook-up, unhook the hoses, and unplug the washer and drain hose. Be careful of excess water. For the dryer, remove the metallic hose, unplug the dryer (electric), or turn off the gas then remove the hose (gas). If you have a front load washer, then you will need to use transit bolts in order to lock the washer for damage-free movement. If you do not have these bolts from when you purchased the appliance, ask your mover to bring in an expert to prepare the washer for the move.

Grandfather Clocks

The pendulum and weights must be detached from the clock before it can be moved. Additionally, we highly recommend crating this fragile piece before moving in order to avoid damage. Because grandfather clocks are so complex, it’s probably best to ask your moving company to bring in a clock expert to prep the timepiece, but you can also learn how to move your grandfather clock yourself.

Waterbeds

Your waterbed should be completely drained, the heater should be unhooked, and the mattress should be properly rolled or folded before moving. Then, disassemble your bed. Read about how to drain and move or store your waterbed.

Televisions

Use a special TV box to move flat screen and plasma TVs without incident. You can find detailed instructions on how to pack a television for moving in our guide to packing and moving electronics.

Pool tables

The pool table will need to be completely disassembled before it can be transitioned to your new home. This includes removing the bumpers, felt, slate, and legs from the table. Since pool tables can be both complex and heavy, we highly recommend not moving it yourself, but you can learn more about the steps to moving a pool table.

Pianos

Only the bravest would attempt to move a piano without professional help. Fortunately, our vanline is the official mover of Steinway and Sons, so we’re experts! Check out our essential guide to piano moving. Again, we highly recommend hiring movers, but you can learn more about how piano moving is done on your own.

6 Essential Tips for Packing Fragile Items

Our How To Pack Video Series

How to Prep and Protect Furniture for Moving

Posted on January 9, 2013May 18, 2017 by olympiamoving

A new Olympia crew member in training to learn the right way to wrap furniture

Before you start bringing your furniture out to the truck: stop! There’s still a few steps you need to take to make sure your home and furniture will get through the move damage-free. Here are some precautions the professionals at Olympia Moving take every time to prep and protect furniture for moving. You can adopt these tips like a pro if you’re moving yourself, or you can make your life much easier and get an estimate for full-service moving.

– The first step is to make sure you have the right materials. You can purchase shrink wrap, bubble kraft, disposable furniture pads, and tape from many moving companies. You can find the order form for free materials delivery from Olympia Moving here.

– Disassemble as much furniture as possible, including beds, futons, and dining sets. This will make your furniture less bulky and easier to move. Keep organized by putting all the corresponding bolts and screws in a plastic baggie and tape it to the furniture piece.

– Shrink wrap your furniture. Not only is this a cheap way to keep your furniture clean in the truck, but it keeps drawers shut in transit. Alternatively, tape drawers shut so they don’t fall open.

– For fragile items and furniture with sharp corners, wrap the furniture in old blankets or furniture pads. This prevents damage to the piece and protects your new or former home if the furniture bumps into floors and walls on its way out.

– Also consider taping furniture pads to walls and railings inside your home. This is especially relevant in tight spaces like stairwells where furniture can scratch or gouge the walls as you move it through. Maybe you can get your security deposit back!

– Once your furniture is in the truck, prevent large pieces from shifting in transit with straps and bungee cords. Some rental trucks already come with these supplies, or you can request them.

Also be sure to check out these articles to prep for your move:

Tips on Packing Pictures and Mirrors

6 Essential Tips for Packing Fragile Items