Tag: DC Moving

DC Moving Company Sponsors Dulles Day Plane Pull

Posted on by olympiamoving

Olympia and Plane PullOn Saturday, Olympia Moving & Storage, a premier Washington, DC moving company, will sponsor the Dulles Day Plane Pull. This is Olympia Moving’s third year as the official logistics sponsor for this event to benefit Special Olympics Virginia.

During the week leading up to the Plane Pull, Olympia Moving has been busy receiving event supplies, managing pick ups and deliveries of event equipment, and assisting with set up and break down. All these services are donated free of charge to Special Olympics Virginia. This year, the moving company will be running a fundraising game “Are You Stronger Than an Olympia Mover?” Event attendees and children will have the chance to hit the bell on a high striker and win a prize. All proceeds from the game will benefit Special Olympics Virginia.

The Olympia Moving crew will also be participating in the Plane Pull and will pull a 164,000+ pound Airbus 12 feet in support of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The crew will be looking to beat last year’s pull time of 7.01 seconds. Olympia Moving & Storage has been fundraising for the Plane Pull over the past month, and would like to thank their following partners for their generous donations to their campaign:

The Olympia Moving crew has even been pulling their trucks in their yard to practice for pulling the plane!

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The Dulles Day Plane Pull is a popular event for Northern Virginia families and continues to grow.  Last year over 30,000 people attend the Plane Pull, and for the first time the 2015 Plane Pull will feature 2 planes for teams to attempt pulling!

It’s not too late to donate to team Olympia Moving! Click here to donate and fund competitions, sports training, and health programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

Olympia Moving & Storage has been a charitable partner to Special Olympics Virginia and Massachusetts since 2013. Last year the Washington, DC moving company’s in-kind and monetary donations to Special Olympics organizations totaled almost $50,000. Earlier this year, Olympia Moving & Storage also sponsored Special Olympics athlete Amanda Church’s trip to World Games in Los Angeles. There she competed and won silver and bronze medals in aquatics. Visit olympiamoving.com/specialolympics to learn more about our sponsorship.

Resources for Moving Senior Citizens

Posted on by olympiamoving

Resources for Seniors Moving

Olympia Moving relocates hundreds of senior citizens every year.  Whether our clients are moving interstate to their retirement destination or downsizing locally, arranging a seamless move for seniors has its own unique challenges.  Our move consultant Ben Knowlton discusses some of these challenges in this video.  When Olympia Moving works with senior citizens moving we adjust our process to work patiently with the client and stay in constant contact to reduce worry and stress.

We’re always exchanging ideas with other thought leaders in the relocation industry.  Bill Mulholland is the Founder and CEO of one of Olympia Moving’s partners, American Relocation Connections.  ARC works with top service providers like Olympia Moving to deliver corporate and individual relocation from top to bottom.  As an expert in relationship-based relocation,  Bill shares his tips for relocating seniors:

By Bill Mulholland, Founder and CEO of American Relocation Connections

Are you or a loved one moving homes as a senior citizen? The moving process can feel overwhelming and exciting, and there’s a lot of work to be done. All moves take careful planning and execution, but luckily, with the proper foresight and resources, you can make your relocation smooth and painless.

Use this five-step resources guide to help you tackle that big To-Do list.

1. Arrange for support throughout the move

Do you have an adult child who will help you with the moving process from beginning to end? Moving as a senior citizen can be complex because adult children may be too tied up with jobs or obligations from thousands of miles away.

If this is the case, never fear – you can always hire a “senior move manager”, or a professional who will take you through the steps of moving from packing the first box, up until making sure the phone lines at your new home are connected!

To find a senior move manager in your area, check with the National Association of Senior Move Managers.

2. Economically dispose of your unwanted items

Chances are, if you have been living in the same home for many years, you have accumulated treasure and junk alike. When you relocate, make this an opportunity to clean away the stuff you don’t really need. Be selective when choosing what to take with you to your new home – the more you decide to bring, the more it will cost you in time, money and valuable space. Rather than throw everything out, you can sell goods to antique vendors, tag sales or auctions, or even recycle some items for cash back!

To find an estate sale near you, look on EstateSales.net, where you can find a company to sell your items for you, or you can hold your own yard sale and advertise on the site. If you’re not sure how to price your goods, check out this infographic for some basic tips to holding a successful yard sale.

3. Pre-arrange your new floorplans

Now that you have thrown away your unwanted items, you can start to plan how you want everything to look in your new home. If you have hired a senior move manager, they will happily sit down with you to discuss how furniture will be arranged in your new home. The benefit of pre-arranging your floorplan is that you can arrive at your home and happily find everything already where you expect it to be.

For free online software to help you plan your new arrangements, consult these recommendations by Apartment Therapy. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the detailed aspects of the software, you can always draw a floorplan out by hand and show this to your moving team.

4. Organize travel plans and travel partners

If you are relocating across town, getting to your new home could be as short as a 20-minute drive on the freeway. However, if you are moving across the country, you might be flying out to your home – or even taking a train all that way. It may be helpful to consider if you would like someone to travel with you.

When you are planning your move, be sure to ask your travel partner far in advance so they can block out their schedule. You might choose your child or a close friend to accompany you to your new home. Senior moving managers can also travel with their clients from the old house to the new to make sure the trip goes smoothly.

If you would rather hoof it yourself, be sure to check a few travel tips so you can be as prepared as possible for your trip.

5. Unpacking and settling down

Don’t forget to plan for what comes after the unpacking! Do a bit of research about your new home. What are some nearby community events? If you are moving to be closer to your family, arrange a pre-set schedule to spend time together, whether that is every Tuesday or every other weekend – whatever you need to feel at ease in your new home.

If you will not have a car, look for travel arrangements. Most public transportation systems have senior discounts, and if you prefer to use a taxi system, research which cab companies are the cheapest and most reliable. There are also specific transportation services for senior citizens available. Find a transportation program in your new city with Eldercare’s service locator.

Moving as a senior citizen can sound like a tiring process, but it doesn’t have to be. Plan ahead and don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help; that’s what they are there for!

Use the resources in this guide and look for services that you can utilize to make the moving process easier on yourself. Oftentimes, if you simply ask your moving company for their tips and insight, they will have some great advice for you. Before you know it, you’ll have moved into your new home and all settled in!

Bill Mulholland has been in the relocation industry for 15 years and is the founder and owner of American Relocations Connections (ARC), an innovative third-party relocation company operating both domestically and globally.

If you need a relocation partner in everything from real estate to moving to mortgage contact American Relocation Connections to get started.  Are you a senior citizen moving soon, or are you ready to assist a loved one with their relocation?  Call 800.222.4744 for a free moving estimate from Olympia Moving & Storage, or request an estimate online.

More resources for seniors:

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Guide To Moving Wine

Posted on by olympiamoving

moving wineAre you a wine enthusiast preparing for a relocation? Have you considered how to move a wine collection you have been amassing over the years?

Wine bottles are unique items to relocate because they are fragile, often extremely valuable, and the contents are very volatile.

Methods of Moving Wine

Move it Yourself: This is a good option if you have a small, valuable collection. We often tell families to move the items that are most valuable to them in their own cars if possible. This allows you to have complete control and peace of mind. Just be sure to follow our wine packing and moving tips below. You can also opt to have the moving company pack the wine, but move it yourself.

Trust to a Moving Company: This option is better for local moves than for interstate moves. You can include wine in your move along with your other household goods. This probably the best option if your wine collection is not valuable, or if it is the spring or fall seasons, when the temperatures are not extreme. If the moving company is relocating your wine, ask your consultant or coordinator if the company has wine moving experience and their method for packing and moving the wine. Some moving companies may even be able to refrigerate your wine throughout the relocation. If your wine is valuable and you select to have the moving company relocate your collection, be absolutely sure that you fill our a High Value Inventory for your collection.

Hire a Wine Relocation Professional: There are some companies that specialize in only moving wine. This option can be pricey, but it is the best choice if you have a valuable collection and you are moving over a long distance. Your moving company will have a recommendation or can coordinate the service for you. Some wine relocation companies include:

Considerations For Your Transport Decision

When you are trying to choose the best method for your wine relocation, consider the following:

Am I moving local or interstate? For local moves, a better option is moving the wine yourself or with the moving company. For interstate moves, the better option is hiring a specialized company.

How long will your items be on the truck? If your wine is valuable and the move takes multiple days, the more your wine will be exposed to temperature fluctuations. There longer the transport time, the more you should consider moving the wine on your own or with a specialist.

How extensive is your wine collection? A larger collection should be moved with a moving company or wine specialist.

How valuable is your wine collection? If your collection is valuable, you should definitely choose a refrigerated, specialized option.

What is the weather like around you move date? When the temperatures are extreme in the summer and winter, it’s more important to ensure that your collection is in controlled refrigeration during the relocation.

How to Pack Wine Bottles for Moving

Appraise your wine before you move: This is important because if there is any damage to your collection during the relocation, you will have the documentation to obtain the full value in your claim. You can often ask your local wine vendor for a recommendation for an appraiser.

Fill out a high value inventory: If a company is relocating your wine, be sure it is listed on a high value inventory. This will ensure the company keeps a special eye on it, and it will help ensure that you receive the full value in the case of a claim.

Pack wine with care: Purchase specialized wine boxes like this one. Be sure to pack wine on its side to keep the corks wet. Never pack and move an open bottle of wine.

Keep the temperature stable: To maintain the best taste and prevent the bottle from corking, keep the wine around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Allow the wine to rest: Due to the movement, do not open your wine for 7 days after the relocation.

Check customs laws: Some states or countries do not allow you to relocate wine across their borders.

 

Are you ready to move your wine the rest of your belongings?  Call 800.222.4744 for a free moving estimate from Olympia Moving & Storage, or request an estimate online.

Also check out:

Olympia Moving Named 2014 Top 20 Total Quality Commitment Award Winner

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Olympia Moving & Storage Total Quality Commitment AwardOlympia Moving & Storage works hard to provide exceptional interstate moving services. Our vanline, Wheaton World Wide, agrees! We are proud to announce that the Olympia Moving & Storage Alexandria, VA branch has been named a 2014 Top 20 Total Quality Commitment moving company! Olympia Moving & Storage won this award by earning one of the 20 best interstate moving quality scores out of the 340 moving companies in the Wheaton World Wide | Bekins Van Lines network.

The Total Quality Commitment scores are based on the most important drivers of customer satisfaction: claims frequencies and dollar averages, safety, estimate accuracy, and customer ratings.

This is the 11th year that Olympia Moving & Storage has earned a Total Quality Commitment award. Olympia has also earned several other awards from Wheaton World Wide, including the their Agent of the Year award in 2007 and 2014.

Olympia Moving & Storage will officially receive the award at the upcoming regional meeting. The Alexandria, VA staff, drivers, and crew will be congratulated for their excellent work with a celebratory lunch.

Olympia plans to continue to raise the standards for interstate moving quality in 2015. This year the Alexandria, VA moving company has been conducting extensive customer service training with their movers and rolling out new driver communication tools.

Happy Holidays! Holiday Playlist Mix from Olympia Moving & Storage!

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Happy Holidays Olympia Moving & StorageHappy Holidays from Olympia Moving & Storage! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished in 2014:

We’re looking forward to a quick break over the holidays before getting to work to make 2015 the best year in Olympia’s history!

Olympia’s staff compiled this holiday playlist mix as a thank you to all our clients, referral sources, and business partners for a great year! You can take a listen here on Spotify.

Holiday Playlist 2014 by Olympia Moving & Storage

Holiday Playlist 2014 Tracks

Looking for more music? Be sure to check out our Songs for Moving Playlist

Decluttering for your Washington DC Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Washington DC

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Furniture Donation PickupIf you are trying to declutter your home prior to a Washington, DC move, consider donating your old furniture instead of selling or trashing it. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is a chance to do some good. Donating furniture is easy with our list of organizations that offer furniture donation pickup in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate furniture prior to your move, including:

  • Saving money: the less items you have to move, the more inexpensive your move will be
  • Streamline the move: some of your furniture may not fit through the doorways or stairways of your new home, get rid of those items before move day to reduce stress
  • Redecorating: a new home is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old to make way for a new home decor aesthetic
  • Simplifying: some studies show that less stuff equals greater happiness

These Washington DC area organizations make it easy with furniture donation pickup. If you live in the greater Boston area, don’t miss our list of organizations that will pickup furniture donations in Boston.

Charity-Net in support of Special Olympics Virginia

As proud supporters of Special Olympics Virginia, we recommend using Charity-Net to schedule a pickup of your gently used clothes, housewares, media, and furniture. Your items will go to Savers and Value Village Thrift Stores, and a portion of their sales will support the athletic programs and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can book your pickup online. Just enter your zip code, and you’ll be presented with a list of possible pickup dates.

A Wider Circle

This non-profit provides basic need items, education, and long-term support for those in need. They accept furniture, linens, baby items, and professional attire. All your donations will be used by someone in need within days! Fill out this form to schedule a pick up or you can drop off at their office in Silver Spring.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Your donations got to their ReStores which raise money for the organization. They are in need of furniture, housewares, appliances, building supplies, and more. Fill out this online form to schedule a weekday pickup from your curb, driveway, or garage. You can also drop items at their Alexandria or Chantilly store Monday – Saturday.

Alive! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically)

This non-profit is a collaboration of religious congregations in Alexandria, VA to provide a safety net for the needy in Alexandria. If you live in Alexandria, they will send a volunteer to pick up your furniture on Saturday mornings. Call 703-837-9300 x3 to schedule the pickup. Alive! also accepts housewares.

Support Our Veterans

This organization sells your donations and uses the funds for programs for veterans. Use their online form to schedule a pickup of your furniture, housewares, clothes, and more. Then just leave your items on your porch by 8 AM on your schedule pickup day.

Still have leftover furniture? You can also check out this furniture disposal directory from Wayfair.

For more packing tips, be sure to check out:
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
How to Pack Video Series
Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

Olympia Moving Pulls a Plane for Special Olympics Virginia

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The Olympia Moving & Storage Plane Pull Team
The Olympia Moving & Storage Plane Pull Team
On Saturday the Olympia Moving & Storage Virginia branch came together for a great purpose: to pull a plane to support Special Olympics Virginia.

Team Olympia pulled a 164K lbs airplane to raise money for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Their pull time clocked in at 7.01 seconds.

Olympia Moving & Storage is an official sponsor of the Dulles Day Plane Pull. We provided free logistics support for the event including receiving and delivery services for supplies and event set-up and break down.

Says Ellen Head, Director of Development for Special Olympics Virginia: “Thank you! The guys are GREAT! Victor and Adrian are the absolute best. We are packed and event READY!”

Olympia also exhibited at the event, which saw 30,000 attendees and participation from 70 teams. It was a great day to raise money and bring awareness to the wonderful programs Special Olympics provides for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Special thanks to the following who contributed to our fundraising campaign:

Union Street Media
Shelle Design
Ian M.

Check out the pictures and video from the event below! We can’t wait to beat our pull time in 2015!

In 2013, Olympia Moving contributed over $45,000 in monetary and in-kind donations for Special Olympics. Through our work with this organization, we’re inspired by athletes with intellectual disabilities, and see how competing in sports give these athletes confidence, determination, power, and joy. You can learn more about Olympia’s sponsorship of Special Olympics at www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

The Olympia Crew is In It to Win for Special Olympics – Plane Pull 2014!

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Plane Pull 2014They carry sofas and pianos all day long, but on September 20th the Olympia Moving & Storage crew will prove that they’re the strongest around – and raise money for a terrific cause.

The Olympia Moving Crew will pull a 164K pound airplane to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia!

Olympia placed 9th out of 66 teams last year. This year, we are in it to win it! Check out the video of our 2013 Plane Pull

We would greatly appreciate your help raising money to provide programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA

  • Olympia Moving has already kicked off the fundraising by donating $500.
  • We will publicly thank each contributor on both Olympia’s website and Facebook page.
  • If the Olympia crew pulls the plane the fastest and places 1st, Olympia will 1-to-1 match all other contributions made on the Olympia plane pull donation page.

Plane Pull is also a great family event; and includes car shows, aircraft displays and a kids zone. Come see Team Olympia pull the plane: Saturday, September 20th, 11 AM – 4 PM, Dulles Airport. In addition to our fundraising, we are also donating logistics support for the event and exhibiting one of our trucks.

In 2013, Olympia Moving contributed over $45,000 in monetary and in-kind donations for Special Olympics. Through our work with this organization, we’re inspired by athletes with intellectual disabilities, and see how competing in sports give these athletes confidence, determination, power, and joy. You can learn more about Olympia’s sponsorship of Special Olympics at www.olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Every donation helps! Thank you for your support of Special Olympics Virginia!

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

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Apartment Building MovingIt’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

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Olympia Moving CrewOur 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