Tag: moving

How To Add Value To Your House For Selling

Posted on by cclark

When you’re moving, you may hesitate to put more money into your soon-to-be old home. This mistake will cut into your bottom-line, or even prevent your home from selling at all. Considering these 6 upgrades that are sure to sell your home and Follow these tips to upgrade your home and your listing price.

1. Decluttering!

First things first, to upgrade your home you need to get rid of all the junk hanging around the house. Clearer spaces make rooms look larger. Say goodbye to the old sports equipment and dried out art supplies. Start with the goal of cutting your stuff in half. Olympia Moving & Storage has a free storage promotion to help, learn more.

2. Give some TLC to your Kitchen counters

Redoing your kitchen counters is a game-changer. Making your kitchen look as clean and new as possible is essential to selling your home. Who wants to buy an old, crumb-riddled kitchen? An upgraded kitchen allows buyers to focus on the home’s real features, not the peeling linoleum counter tops.

3. Upgrade the Bathroom

Another upgrade to sell your home is a modern bathroom. Installing new, clean utilities can make a world of difference. At the very least, replacing the shower curtain and toilet seat can change how people view your home. Potential buyers will be admiring the bathroom upgrades, not a dirty, well-used restroom.

4. Lather up a Fresh Coat of Paint

To brighten your whole house, invest in a new coat of paint for the walls and trim. Choose a neutral color like white to give the buyers a blank canvas, or choose another neutral like cream or a light taupe to make the rooms seem bigger and more open. If you’re looking for something more colorful, check out these tips from Business Insider.

5. Install New Hardware on Cabinets

There is nothing like shiny silver hardware to light up a room. Remove dull and worn out hardware and head over to a hardware store to stock up on handles and knobs to upgrade your cabinets. The new installations will brighten up the room and create a new, finished perspective for your home.

6. Landscaping

Last but certainly not least, you must landscape your yard space. The exterior of the home is a buyer’s first impression, so it is important to impress. Mulch the gardens, mow the lawn, trim bushes, and edge the walkways. Do everything in your power to make your yard appear taken care of and welcoming – you want to invite buyers into your home, not scare them away with unruly plants and spotty grass.

 

If you don’t think you’ll be able to complete this by yourself, it is worth researching professionals who can help complete these upgrades that will sell your home. The more you put into your property, the higher you can list your house for!

Once you sell your home, give us a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!

Protecting Furniture When Moving

Posted on by cclark

Making sure nothing gets damaged is one of the most stressful parts of a move. It’s easy to think that solid items like tables and couches could not possibly break, but it’s important not to overlook protecting furniture when moving.

What You Need to Wrap and Protect Furniture

Before you get started, make sure you have these key materials. You can usually purchase these items from your local moving company, Uhaul, or hardware store:

  • Moving blankets
  • Rolls of shrink wrap
  • Many rolls of packing tape
  • Basic tool kit
  • Mattress bags

Protecting Tables and Chairs

To move a dining room or kitchen table, remove any leaves from the table top and wrap them separately.

The legs are the part of large furniture that damage the most! Avoid this by unscrewing and removing the legs. Make sure to keep all the screws safe in a plastic bag taped to the bottom of the table. If the legs fit well  together, wrap them in one blanket. If they are carved wood or have any detailing on them, wrap them separately for good measure.

To move chairs, set them on top of a moving blanket and fold the sides up onto the seat of the chair. Then fold the top over the chair back and the bottom up, securing the whole thing with tape.

Wrapping Upholstered Furniture

To move upholstered furniture, it is important to protect them from rip, tears, and stains. Use large pads or moving blankets to fully wrap a chair or couch. If the legs are detachable, you should detach them and wrap them safely into the chair so they stay together. Use packing tape to secure the pads around the chair or couch. If you hire professional movers, they will do this for you and supply all the pads needed to get all your furniture from point A to point B safely.

To pack a mattress you should wrap it in a plastic mattress bag if possible, and close the openings with packing tape. The plastic will keep bugs and dirt off of your mattress while it’s in transport and protect it from tears. Again, movers should have special bags for all your mattresses when they arrive to load the truck.

Protecting the Bedroom Furniture

Deconstruct wooden bed frames as much as possible, with the panels individually wrapped. Metal bed frames should be taken apart unless they are soldered together. If this is the case, wrap the frame in moving blankets so it doesn’t scratch or dent anything it comes in touch with in the truck or storage unit.

Wrap dressers with their drawers inside to avoid internal damage. Firmly secure all the drawers in place with moving blankets and tape. If its not too heavy, you can leave clothes folded in the dresser. Filling it will keep it from bumping around.

Protecting Furniture is Important!

If you are protecting furniture when moving, make sure to spend the time to do it right. It is easy to overlook, but not protecting the furniture is the cause of stress after the move. If you want to avoid broken parts and scratched table tops, spend some careful and quality time wrapping and padding your furniture.

When you hire Olympia Moving & Storage, you don’t need to worry about any of this. Wrapping and protecting furniture is part of every one of our moves. We provide all the pads, plastic wrap, and tape. We also have partial and full packing options available to add on to your move.

If you’re ready to hire a moving company, give us a call toll-free at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form online for a free estimate.

What We Learned From TV Episodes & Movies About Moving

Posted on by cclark

Are you stressed about your move? Here are some tips and tricks learned the hard way by our favorite movie and TV show characters. Moving doesn’t have to be as difficult for you as it was in these TV episodes and movies about moving.

“Friends,” The One With The Cop (1999)

Ross, Chandler and Rachel take on the impossible task of moving a giant couch up a tiny stair case. The frustration that ensues is enough to make you reconsider moving without a moving crew! Professional movers are trained on how to move heavy furniture in and out of tight spaces without damage. After watching this episode, you will agree that hiring movers will prove to be more effective than struggling by yourself! To get a free moving estimate, fill out our online form!

Sex and the City (2008)

 

When Carrie is struggling with packing her apartment, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha surprise her by coming over to help her pack. Once they get to the closet, an impromptu fashion show begins! Watch the scene from the movie to see how going through your clothes before packing will save time and space. You’ll also learn that having friends help you pack (and some wine if that’s your thing!) can lighten your day. For more on de-cluttering clothes and more before your move, see our blog.

Toy Story (1995)

 

Make sure you don’t leave anything behind! In this Disney movie, Woody and Buzz get separated from the rest of Andy’s toys and miss getting packed into the moving van. Make sure you start packing early enough so that you can be sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Prior to the movers departing the home, do a walk through to ensure everything made it on to the truck. Open all closet doors and cupboards. Only the absolute essentials; clothes for the remaining days, toiletries, and bed linens, should be packed last minute. See more tips about organizing a pack to move.

Inside Out (2015)

 

This is one of the best movies about moving for kids, about a family moving from Minnesota to California. Riley and her parents end up arriving at their new house to the news that their moving truck won’t be arriving on the day they thought. All sorts of things can happen when you’re moving, but especially when moving long distances.

First, research your moving company’s reviews before you hire them to see if they have a good track record of delivering when promised. Second, make sure you understand your interstate moving delivery spread. You can read our blog post on this topic to learn more. Third, make sure you pack enough in your car to keep with you, just so that if your moving truck arrives late, you’ll be prepared. You’ll want to take into consideration the window of time given by your moving company, and tack on a few days just in case.

This way you can feel “Joy” not “Anger” during your move!

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

 

When Tom and Kate Baker tell their 12 children that they will all be moving across the state, it is met with immediate rejection. Once they hear more about it, though, they begin to come around.

If your family is having a hard time accepting that they will be moving, just like the Bakers, try to frame it in a positive light. Focus on the fun and cool things that will be able to happen once at the new home. Make sure to reassure them that they will be able to keep in touch with their old friends back home. Soon enough, the new place will become home, and they are all sure to make new friends.

Here is some more advice for moving with kids.

Mean Girls (2004)

 

Moving to a new school can be tough, especially if you don’t have time before school starts to make new friends. Cady in Mean Girls was taken by surprise by the clique culture at her new High School in Illinois. Moving into a new school is less intimidating when you have already made some friends to go into school with. To help transition, try moving into the new area as early in the summer as possible. This way, kids can meet people in the neighborhood and around town, and they’ll have a handful of friends by the first day of school.

Follow our 9 week check list for a smooth relocation.

Now that you’ve watched some TV episodes & movies about moving, you’re ready to start planning your own relocation! Call us for a free moving estimate at 800-222-4744 or request an estimate online.

Guide To Moving a Washer and Dryer

Posted on by cclark

Moving a washer and dryer is a complicated process, and we often overlook specifics. Before you sell your home, decide whether you will be moving your appliances and make a plan. Often, sellers will decide to lump these large appliances into their closing instead. If you’re bringing your washer and dryer from your old house to your new home, follow these tips to safely and correctly prepare for moving a washer and dryer. Also keep in mind when moving a washer, it is an extremely heavy appliance and requires multiple people. However, depending on how accessible the appliance is, moving a dryer is much simpler as it weighs much less.

Steps to prepare moving a washing machine

Make sure you clean and safely pack your washer. Upack.com has great step-by-step instructions.  The most important detail is following the owner’s manual to secure the drum in place. It is very important to keep the drum stable, or else it will get destroyed on the moving truck. If the drum becomes compromised, your washer is as good as useless until you pay for an expensive repair. If you do not want to handle the drum yourself, a professional moving company can arrange this service for you.

To finish preparing the unit, safely disconnect the power and water. The water tubes may still have water in them, so be mindful for spills.  Place all the tubes inside the washer so they do not get lost. Duct tape the door shut as well as any openings or areas that need to be secured. Protect the unit by wrapping it with moving blankets or paper padding and strapping everything in place. Again, ask your moving company in advance if you need assistance with this process.

moving a washer and dryer

Steps to prepare moving a dryer

When moving a dryer, disconnect the power and gas if applicable, and disconnect the vent pipe. Secure all the cords to the dryer by wrapping the unit in shrink wrap.  If you are moving a dryer that is electric, it’s easy enough to unplug it from the wall, disconnect the vent and wrap and secure it to the body of the dryer.  If you have a gas dryer, you will need to contact a licensed plumber or work through your moving company as it can be extremely dangerous. In that case, ask your mover to plan this service for you. For step by step directions from Dolly.com, check out How to (Safely) Move a Washer and Dryer.

Other considerations for moving appliances

When planning,  consider the locations where you will be moving the washer/dryer in your new home. Will you have you lift it up or down a flight of stairs? Are you able to lift the machine? If there are doubts in your mind about being physically able to move them, you may want to enlist help from professions: moving a  washer and dryer is no small task.

At Olympia, we can manage this for you. If you’d like to avoid the added stress of prepping your washer and dryer unit, let your Olympia Move Coordinator know you will need help with these specialty items.

If you need to help moving a washer and dryer and/or the rest of your home, request a free moving estimate.

 

Moving In Together: Combining Two Spaces Into One

Posted on by cclark

Moving In Together

So you and your partner are moving in together, but now have the tough task of combining your two differently-styled places into one new shared space. How do you do this, and what do you do with your extra stuff?

Prepare!

You each have things you don’t use, clothing you don’t wear, and old broken furniture you forgot was in the closet. Go through everything and decide whether or not you need it. Will it get used in your new life together? If not, make the break and get rid of it. Whether it is clothing or dining room chairs, decide what you will keep, toss, donate, or sell. Remember that selling prolongs the time it will take to finish going through everything. If you want to sell most of the items you’re getting rid of, make a deadline of when they have to sell by. If it doesn’t sell by then, donate it! The more you keep, the more you have to both pack and move.

See our tips for moving your bed and larger furniture items.

 

Decide On A Style For Your New Place

By deciding together what you want your new space to look like, you can identify some easy packing guidelines. If an item fits the vibe you decided on, it can be packed up. If not, it’s an easy way to put it aside to donate, sell, or get rid of.
Choosing between a modern, sleek, or cozy look might be challenging. If you can’t decide on one overarching theme, decide on different looks for each room, or decide which of your items go best with those of your partner.

 

 

Mixing Styles When You Move In

Each of you will have different tastes in what looks good, different opinions on throw pillows, and a different idea on how to mix patterns. Try your best to mix and match your things with theirs, but if compromise is not in the near future, consider buying something new together. If you’re interested in unique and high quality home furnishings, Arhaus is a great place to start for stylish pieces, which have the added benefit of being made from recycled natural materials. New furniture is a huge investment, so be sure to do your research to find pieces that will last a long time and also appeal to both of your design tastes. Check out the Arhaus Instagram Page for some inspiration for designing your new home. Moving in together is a big step that will come with it’s own conflicts, so don’t spend too much time arguing over whose lamp works best in the living room. If buying new things will minimize conflict, try to shop together instead.

Dealing With Duplicates

Now that you’ve gotten rid of all the things you won’t need in your new place, you both need to decide which bed you’re going to keep and which TV is best.

First, each pick a small amount of things that you can’t live without and bring those to the new place, no questions asked.  Make compromises about whose furniture will be kept and who will get rid of what. Look at your furniture logically- have you had the same, ratty, hand-me-down couch since college? Is it worth moving that rickety dining room table? Make choices with the future in mind, and choose to keep the item that will last longer and serve you better. Decide what combination of couches, beds, coffee tables and chairs best fit the space you’re moving into. Keep the better quality kitchen appliances, plates, silverware, and glasses.

If you and your partner have similar interests, you’ll also most likely end up with two sets of the same books, movies, games, and sports equipment.
· If you have two sets of the same book series, keep the more valuable one. If you don’t read them or use them anymore, throw your old, dusty books away or bring them to your local used book store.
· If Netflix has become your primary source of on-screen entertainment, throw away the DVDs you haven’t watched in years.
· If your Monopoly set is missing pieces, or you don’t have all the letters to your box of scrabble, toss it. If you both have the same game, make sure you have one full set between the two of you, and keep the best looking board.
· Lastly, if both of you have masses of sports equipment or yard games, sort through it all together and only keep what you’ll actually use in your new space. If you still have multiple pairs of soccer cleats from club soccer in college, pick one and toss the rest. If you both have a bucket  of tennis balls, golf balls, or baseballs, trash all the dirty, ripped, or water-logged ones, and cut the amount you have in half.

After The Move

You still might have too much stuff for the space. Decluttering doesn’t stop once you move in, so be ready to continue getting rid of things and needing to buy completely new things. A new space is a big investment, but remember that you’re creating a new space for your new future living with your partner.

Once you’re both ready to move, contact us at  800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!

Olympia Moving & Storage Acquires Austin Moving Company

Posted on by olympiamoving
American Relocation and Storage’s warehouse located in Austin, TX

For Immediate Release:

AUSTIN, TX – Olympia Moving & Storage, a rapidly growing company headquartered in Boston, MA, added its fourth location by acquiring Austin-based American Relocation & Storage Systems on March 1st.

American Relocation, an interstate agent for Wheaton Van Lines, has been relocating families and businesses for nearly six decades. The company, located in North Austin, will transition to the Olympia Moving & Storage brand, making Olympia the largest Wheaton Van Lines agent. Olympia will offer Austin families local, interstate, and international moving services. The company also plans to expand their commercial division in Austin.

“We are really excited about this acquisition,” says Michael Gilmartin, Founder & CEO of Olympia Moving & Storage. “There was already a great team in place, and with our investment and support, I am confident we can be successful in this market.”  Gilmartin believes, based upon the company’s history, that Olympia will add 15-20 jobs in 2018.

Olympia is a leading provider of moving services in the Northeast and has tripled in size in the past 8 years.  In 2017 the company relocated 8,000 families.

“Olympia keeps growing because we are committed to getting it right. There is no secret algorithm, it is all about understanding our customer’s needs, being accountable, and holding ourselves to a higher standard. Our team understands this and it is reflected in our performance,” says Gilmartin.

Olympia’s success is based on a 25-year history and an impressive service record that includes an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and recognition as an Angie’s List Super Service Award recipient. The company places a premium on hiring, training, and technology with the goal of providing the same high level of service across their entire footprint.

“Last year 95% of our customers said they would move with us again, the result of really listening to our clients and focusing on every detail. This is a great reflection of what we are capable of,” says Gilmartin. “My goal is to redefine the moving industry, and I am looking forward to showing Austin that there’s a better way to move.”

About Olympia Moving & Storage

Olympia Moving & Storage is a full-service moving company in Boston MA, Washington DC, Philadelphia PA, and Austin TX. Since its inception in 1993, Olympia has built an unparalleled reputation for delivering exceptional local moving, interstate moving and international moving services. In addition to residential moves, Olympia offers specialized services for companies preparing for an office or commercial move. Olympia Moving is the preferred mover for numerous universities, law firms and real estate organizations. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our 95% customer satisfaction rate and our numerous awards. For more information, visit http://www.olympiamoving.com or call 800-222-4744.

Media Contact:

Rachael Lyons | 617.231.1290 | [email protected]

Countdown Checklist For Your Pre-Move Garage Sale

Posted on by Nicole Longo

When it’s time to move to a new home, that could also mean its time to slim down on what you have in your home before the relocation.  A garage sale is the perfect way to do it & make some money while you’re at it! Here is a countdown checklist on how to execute the perfect garage sale!

One Month Before Garage Sale:

  • Get A Date in Mind. Once you have a target date, it will help you remain organized and work towards your goals for the big day.
  • Trash the Trash! As you begin to go through the things you no longer want, separate in to three piles. “Keep, Throw, Sell”
  • Look in to City Requirements & Regulations. Make sure your town or city does not have any specific restrictions that prohibit posting signs around town.
  • Do a some research. Do a little basic research, pricing on antique items and one of a kind pieces. The things you have could have more value than you expect them to!
  • Ask neighbors and friends for grocery bags. Also start to collect folding tables to display the items on.

Two Weeks Before the Garage Sale:

  • Go through the items in your “keep” pile, make sure you still want to keep them in your possession, if not move them over to the sell.
  • Begin to clean and organize your “sell” items – The better condition they are in, the more money they will be worth!
  • Start thinking about pricing – Buy pricing materials & stickers and start a tentative pricing list for the items.

One Week Before the Garage Sale:

  • Begin to distribute ads around town. Post on local town pages & Facebook. Let your friends and family know.
  • Finalize your pricing. Take the list you made a few weeks prior and begin to label all of your items.
  • Go to the bank. Make sure you have plenty of change, all size bills and coins should be in  your possession for the day of the sale.
  • Watch the weather. If rain looks like it could be a factor maybe make alternative plans
  • Have all your sales materials in order. Bags, change, newspaper wrapping, calculator & pens.

One Day Before the Garage Sale:

  • Make sure you have enough signs around town, the day before is the most important day for advertising!
  • Mark off things around the site of the sale as “Not for Sale” – you don’t want anyone trying to buy you potted plants!
  • Check the weather, again – make sure you are good to go for the next day!

The Day of the Garage Sale!

  • Wake up well before the start time of the sale to get everything arranged outside, put the small valuable things close to you so you can keep any eye on them.
  • Organize your items by category so it is easy for customers to browse your sale
  • Lock your home. When you’re busy selling you don’t want to have to worry about your home. Safety precaution!

The idea of a garage sale can be extremely overwhelming. When you break it down by week it can make the day of worry free! Once you know what you would like to move to your new home. We promise to provide you with exceptional service.

For more yard and garage tips, be sure to check out our other blog: Creating the Most Successful Yard Sale Possible

Done decluttering and ready to start moving? Request a free moving estimate online or give Olympia Moving & Storage a call at 800-222-4744

After the Move: Getting Started in Your New Home

Posted on by Nicole Longo

When the movers leave and it’s just you and your family in the new home, it can be overwhelming. It’s time to pick a starting point and start tackling, unpacking, and organizing. We hope with these simple suggestions will help you start making your new house into a home.

Time to pull out that first night box! Something that might have seemed silly a few weeks ago is now essential. Bottled water, snacks, clean clothes & a tooth brush are simple first steps to making your first night in your house feel like a home. Check out the blog on the first night kit  linked here to make sure you have the essentials at your fingertips when they’re needed.

Make sure all the essential services are set up. Double check that the appliances that the movers installed work properly. Make sure the electricity works and you have hot water for a shower. If not, call to get these things addressed.

Boston

Electricity

Water

Internet/ Cable

Washington DC

Electricity

Water

Internet/Cable

Pennsylvania 

Electricity

Water

Internet/Cable

Google “Best take out around me” and celebrate! Make the first day in your new home a memorable one – you’ve worked hard to get to this point and you deserve it! Treat yourself to delicious take-out from your new neighborhood and pop a bottle of champagne. After a full move-in day the last thing you will want to do is worry about unpacking boxes to find pots and pans to cook with, or a trip to the grocery store. Make an indoor picnic, open up a moving pad, and dive in to your first meal in your new home.

Begin to plan out each room. Because all of the moving boxes are labeled and brought in to the designated rooms it will be easy to attack them one by one. A plan will make the unpacking process less stressful. When you are beginning to get settled, it’s apparent that some rooms take priority over others. A simple bedroom set up is essential in the first few days, some clean sheets and hung up clothes will have you feeling refreshed the next day. Nothing is worse than waking up in a new space with nothing familiar around you. That goes for the kids rooms as well, the sooner they get in to a solid routine in the new home, the better. Plus, if you get the kids set up in their rooms it will keep them preoccupied when you set up the rest of the home. After the bedrooms, we suggest getting the kitchen in order. While you might enjoy some take out for the first few nights, nothing gets you settled in a new house like a home cooked meal. 

Safety. Safety. Safety. Make sure that all fire alarms are wired correctly and working. Confirm that the home is child proof as needed. If the new home has a pool, make plans to fence it in.

Change Locks. It is important to change your locks on your new home because you never know who has copies of the keys. It’s an important safety precaution that can be easily over looked!

Manuals & Remotes: When you’re unpacking and unwrapping new things it is easy to throw away or lose track of user manuals and remote controls. Make a designated area for these. You will need them! (Even if you think you know how to work the new fancy washer and dryer)

Schedule a Debris Pick Up. If you find yourself in a pile of empty boxes as you continue to unpack, give Olympia a call to pick up the pieces for you. Also, check out our blog on how to use some of the leftover boxes for the kids entertainment when you unpack!

The most important thing to remember is, the small details can wait. Don’t stress to get everything unpacked and organized in one day! It will all get done, and your home will look great.

Epic Moving Fails Are Why You Should Hire a Boston Moving Company

Posted on by Nicole Longo

“DIY” projects are all the rage these days. There are a number of things you can do yourself, and might even do them better, but….. moving is not one of those things. We’ve compiled some major moving fails for your entertainment between packing and we can assure you that if you move with Olympia Moving & Storage, you can avoid the situations illustrated below!

Yes… we do suggest you take your valuable electronics with you, but by that we mean smart phones and tablets, not your 40 inch flat screen! Let us take care of that!

Innovation at it’s finest we will say. We’re curious how he tied the two carts together and then attached them to the scooter. How is he pulling all that weight? Impressive for sure. Effective, not so much. (:

Home service to a whole new level- but not a level anyone wants to reach!! We promise to park as close as we can, OUTSIDE of your home.

Something above does not belong. Can you guess what? Pups don’t belong in the couch! Take the fluffy ones with you when you go, and we’ll take the couch.

 All hands and feet inside the car at all times…. AND BOXES! When you’re moving, safety is at the top of our list and nothing about having boxes hanging out of your car while driving is safe!

I think these “DIY” movers are going to need more than a gas fill up!

You know those situations that just are a disaster waiting to happen? This is one for sure. Dresser vs. two men. We’re betting on the dresser.

Excuse me sir….. This is Olympia, is your refrigerator running?

We hope we provided you with a good laugh and consider leaving it to us to take care of all your relocation needs. Call us today at 800-222-4744 to request an estimate, or request one online.

Olympia does not own any of the photos in this post.

Moving Scam Red Flags

Posted on by Nicole Longo

When it’s time to move, it often does not occur to families that a moving company might scam them. Unfortunately, due to the low barriers of entry to the industry, there are disreputable and illegal movers out there, and even a few trying to actively cheat customers. When selecting a mover, there are a few things that you need to be vigilant of. Keep an eye out for these red flags and you should be able to find a mover you can trust & love!

Unprofessional customer service, or phone etiquette.

This is a red flag from the moment you call. When you call a prospective moving company and the customer service is anything but professional it might be time to do some more research. Customer service is the corner stone to a wonderful move. It starts and ends with customer service representatives.  If there is no answer when you call, and there is no professional voicemail, this could raise concern as well.

No interest in on-site survey inspections or written estimates.

Professional movers will be able to gage if they need to come onsite to see your home to give you the most accurate estimate they possibly can. When the customer service representative speaks with you they will determine the best course of action. Sometimes for smaller moves an over the phone survey will suffice, but in a larger move a professional mover should always come out to survey the property.  Even if the survey is over the phone, it is a red flag if the representative isn’t reviewing an inventory with you or asking detailed questions. Movers that quote a price over the phone without any interest in learning more about what you’re moving should be avoided. You should only choose a mover if they will provide you with a written estimate.

The website isn’t professionally made or doesn’t have a lot of information

A proper moving website should provide you with an abundance of information on the services they provide. A good mover is well aware that the customer will do a great deal of research before selecting a mover. With that being said, a proper moving company will provide you with information on contacts, locations, addresses of their offices and warehouses, and reviews from their customers. The contact information for the moving company should be plastered everywhere on the website, a good moving company will want you to call!

If the mover wants a large down payment before services or only allows cash

When moving companies want cash upfront before they provide any services a red flag should be raised. It is not likely a legitimate mover will ask for more than a deposit upfront when booking a move. When it comes to form of payment, if the mover only allows cash, this is also a signal that their operation might not be completely licensed and legal.

Negative news articles

A simple google search of the company can be quite revealing. If the results are littered with negative press, news and government investigations, and consumer complaint websites, this is definitely a company to avoid.

Need a moving estimate from a company you can trust? Get started by requesting a free estimate online, or give us a call at 800-222-4744.