New year’s resolutions are usually helpful like losing weight, or quitting smoking, but our list of 3 moving resolutions (for people who are relocating this year) can be time-saving and stress relieving.  Our New Year’s resolutions break up into 3 areas; identify, organize, and discard. 

Identify

Identify is the first step in the process.  Identify means go to an area of the house like a storage area, etc and decide whether items are keep, donate, or throw away.  Make sure all members of your household buy into and participate in the program.  Put items into 3 piles.  The “throwing away” is easiest.  These items you don’t need.  The “donate pile” should be combined with other “donate” items and the “keep items” should move on to the next organize step.

Organize

Organize means anything you are going to keep should be logically stored.  Whether in boxes, tubs, on shelves, or in cabinets, an efficient system should be put into place at this time.  Make sure anything you pack into a box or tub is clearly marked with tags facing out to avoid confusion.  Use the concept of items that are seldom or never used are packed away the farthest and items that need to be accessed more often are easier to get to.  This system will help you use your space more efficiently.

Discard

Discard is the final step of the program and whether it’s throwing items in the garbage, donating to a charity, or giving away to friends or family, this step will help declutter your house and help streamline your future move.

One nice thing about the New Year’s Resolution program of identify, organize, and discard is that it lessens the load of work you will need to do when it comes to moving time.  Hope these help get you off on the right foot.

When you move into a new community, neighborhood, or building, it’s a good idea to get to know who your neighbors are.  Knowing your neighbors, and being familiar with your surroundings can provide a safer environment for you and your family besides building some new relationships that can last a lifetime.

There are many different ways to get to know your neighbors, the first one is as direct as it gets, and that is personally going over to them and introducing yourself.  It’s always a nice idea to bring a small token (cookies, candy, jam, bread, etc) to break the ice.  You don’t need to do the whole neighborhood in one day, but pick a day during the week (for maybe your first month) and get to know everyone.

Another way to meet your neighbors is host an open house, host a house party, or back yard party.  Have everyone bring a dish, or bring a drink;  keep it casual.  You can also do this at a local park, if you don’t want to do it in your home; it’s an easy way to get to know everyone around you.

The other way is less direct, but it also helps you observe your surroundings, and slowly get to know your neighbors by spending more time outside in the front yard versus your back yard.  You can get to know what time your neighbors leave, come home, who has kids, who doesn’t, etc.  Make sure to wave hello , goodbye, and when you are ready to have a conversation, try not to approach your neighbor if they are just coming home or leaving-they too have an agenda, so choose your time wisely.

When meeting new neighbors, some general rules of thumb, don’t approach them when they are coming or going. 

Keep the conversation short-do not give them your whole life in one sitting. 

Be polite, if you find you have nothing in common, talk about the block, neighborhood, shake a hand and walk away.

By getting to know your surroundings, you will know who you can turn to in case of emergency, and maybe find a friend with some common ground.

An open house or housewarming party is always a perfect way to meet neighbors, and welcome friends and family into your new home.  You are busy and have a lot going on, so keeping it simple is important.

Don’t spend months planning, you probably have a million other things to do.  If you do an afternoon gathering, it’s generally a little more casual.  If you want something more formal, then do a dinner and evening get together (you will probably end up spending more money this way too)!.

PLAN YOUR MENU 

Feel free to serve appetizers, deserts, cakes, cookies, and tea.  It doesn’t have to be a 3 course dinner, unless you are going the formal route.  If you want to have some type of heavier food served, food stations are a good option.  Having pasta and one other dish, and a couple appetizers is sufficient.  Keep your drink options limited (soda, beer, wine).  You don’t need to serve mixed drinks or have a full bar, it is a housewarming party, not a wedding.

Keep your invites either verbal, by walking over to your neighbors and telling them in person, and calling your family or friends.  You can also do flyers and drop them off.  If you don’t request a RSVP, it will keep it more casual.

COUPLE DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY

A couple of days before your party, get your house clean.  Make sure you have enough seating for everyone.  Make sure to have plates, plastic cups, paper plates, ice, and all of your food in order.  Disposable will save you from having to do 100’s of dishes at the end of the party.  If your house isn’t decorated, fresh flowers, and candles can warm up the mood in your home and have it more welcoming.

DAY OF THE PARTY

Set up tables, set up food, have deserts  ready, have ice.  Put out fresh flowers, light candles, etc.

Wait for your guests to arrive, and enjoy your party, it’s always a nice way to end the party by having a little favor for them when they leave (whether having a basket of cookies, or candy at the door); your guests can grab before they leave.

There are many myths out there about moving.  These will help identify some of the misconceptions out there, so your moving experience can be better planned, saving you time, and money in the long run.

ALL CONTAINERS ARE THE SAME FOR MOVING:

Moving boxes are specifically made for packing, carrying, and holding the weight of heavy items.  You should always use quality boxes to make sure your items are protected.  Many moving/storage companies will sell moving kits, and many online box companies sell them too. ( and will ship directly to your home)

I DON’T NEED TO PURCHASE MOVING INSURANCE:

“If the movers drop it, it will be covered” is definitely far from the truth.  All states have standard movers liability for each moving company whether it is a local move, or long distance move.  If you do not purchase additional coverage, depending on the state, your goods are released at $.30 cents or $.60 cents per lb, for local (depreciated value), and interstate (replacement value)usually with a deductible).  Make sure you know your coverage options, otherwise your remedy may be limited.  Also with electronics, if the mover did not drop it, it is considered mechanical condition unknown (not proven if it worked before it was moved, and most moving companies will not test electronics).

MOVERS WILL REPLACE ITEMS IN BOX IF BROKEN AND THEY MOVE IT:

If the moving company did not pack it, and there is no damage to box, it will most likely not be covered (packed by owner or PBO).  If the box is still intact, there is no way to determine if the box was packed properly, (if not professional packed).

LABELING AND INVENTORYING ITEMS ARE A WASTE OF TIME:

While this may take you more time in your initial packing and sorting, this will save you hours and hours when it comes to looking for items, especially if you need something right away.

I DON’T HAVE TO PAY MOVERS UNTIL  ALL THE BOXES ARE UNPACKED:

Most moving companies are C.O.D, unless, a corporate account.  Some companies will collect payment before the truck is completely unloaded, or upon arrival at destination to ensure payment is made.

EXPECT ITEMS TO BE BROKEN:

This is not true, especially if you hire a reputable professional moving company.  Accidents do happen, but most reputable companies do background checks, and know who they are sending to your home.  That is why it is always a good idea to make sure you check references, get referrals.  The companies are there to make sure your items arrive in the manner they were picked up.

 MOVES CANNOT BE PLANNED:

It is always best to plan your move well in advance, and don’t wait till last-minute to hire your mover.  Do your research, eliminate items, get quotes, get references, pack ahead of time.  Waiting till the last day can make your day disastrous because you never know what could lie ahead of your day.

GETTING QUOTES IS A WASTE OF TIME:

Every moving company is different, and may have different rates and different services offered.  Don’t assume everyone does the same thing.  Make sure you know what you should expect to pay, and what services you will be receiving if hiring a professional moving company.  Remember cheapest is not always the best option.

ALL MOVERS ARE THE SAME:

WRONG! This couldn’t be farther from the truth, there are reputable moving companies, and there are “rogue” moving companies out there.  Always make sure to check better business bureau ratings (and # of complaints), get references, and referrals from friends and family.

Tis the season to be jolly, but having to move or relocate during the holidays can be very stressful.  Here are some helpful tips that can make your holiday a little more enjoyable for you and your family!

Scheduling Professional Movers: 

This is a good time especially (if you can afford it), to hire a professional mover.  This will save you time, help avoid an emergency room trip from throwing out your back before the holiday.  Make sure to start shopping for your mover in advance, many professional moving companies will shut down for the holidays, but you will have more options to choose from as the winter season is generally a slower time for moving companies.  The end of the month, however, is still usually busy for movers, so make sure to do your research, in choosing a reputable moving company earlier rather than later.

Packing in Advance:

As soon as you know you will be relocating, make sure to start packing.  This may be a good time to have a family member or friends host Christmas Dinner, New Years Dinner, etc.  If you plan on having the holidays in your own home, (or have children), make sure you leave your china, dishes, party favors  last for packing.  Start with areas ike out of season items, garages, basements, items that won’t necessarily be used for a while.  Make sure to mark your holiday items if you are going to be moving before the holiday, like Christmas Ornaments, Stockings, etc,.  Make sure you either put these sentimental items in your car, or know where they are so when you are at your new location, you can have these items up for your family to keep the holiday spirit.  You can read “When to Pack Before Your Move” for more tips.

Your New Home:

Once you have relocated, make sure to get your holiday decorations up.  Stick with normal traditions especially when it comes with little ones, the less change that children have in their routines, the more natural their holiday will seem!  Have an open house, host a dinner, make cookies, try to stay relaxed through the moving process.  This will keep yours and your family’s mood (and sanity) intact.

Mickey Mouse “The Moving Day”
This is one of my favorites of all times. Mickey and Donald battle the uncooperative furniture and angry sheriff on moving day.

Popeye Moving Aweigh
Popeye has some interesting moving techniques in this animated classic.

Popeye “A Haul In One”
Popeye and Bluto are hilarious movers trying to impress Olive.

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Sesame Street “Moving Day Classic”
Sesame Street has an original spin on moving day and the havoc it can have on a childs’ emotions.

Mr. Bean and The Piano Movers
Mr. Bean gives his piano movers quite the workout in this moving day classic.

Betty Boop and Grampy
Betty Boop runs into some careless piano movers in this classic black and white.

 Moving companies provide a variety of services for a range of fees.  It is a good idea to talk with different movers to compare their services.  Ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences with the movers that they have used.  After you have collected a few names of movers, check and see if they are members of any national or state moving associations (such as the American Moving and Storage Association).  You should also check with any consumer organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), in your local area.

Yellow Pages Ads – Anyone can advertise in the Yellow Pages, it does not mean that they are licensed or insured – so, don’t believe everything that you read.  If a mover includes his license (DOT or ICC) number in his ad, check it out first.  For interstate movers, you can find out this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at their www.protectyourmove.gov Web site.

The Internet – Just like yellow pages advertising, when a mover or a broker has a Web site, it does not mean that the mover or broker is licensed or insured; it only means that they had enough money to pay for the site  – so, don’t believe everything that you read.  If a mover includes its license (DOT or ICC) number in its ad, check it out first.  For interstate movers, you can find out this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at their www.protectyourmove.gov Web site.   Some movers even display the logo of the BBB or other associations even though they are not members of those organizations – so check first.  You can verify AMSA membership by contacting their Membership Department at 703-683-7410. 

Moving Brokers – Most brokers (especially those that operate on the Internet) do not own trucks or warehouses like traditional movers.  Instead, they operate by collecting a deposit or a fee from you and then arranging for your move to be handled by one of their affiliated movers. 

Depending on the caliber of the broker, some of their affiliated movers may not be licensed.  By law, brokers are required to provide their customers with their DOT Permit Number, a copy of the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move brochure, a list of movers that they are affiliated with and a clear statement advising that they are a broker of moving services and not a moving company.  Think carefully about doing business with a broker who does not provide this information to you and who does not provide you with the identity of the mover that will be used to move your goods.

The deposit or fee that the broker collects will be based on their guess of how much you are going to move based on a telephone or Internet survey that you provide.  (If the mover will not come to your home to survey your furnishings before preparing your estimate, be prepared for an unpleasant surprise when the final charge turns out to be much higher than the original estimate provided over the phone or the Internet.)  Usually you will not have the same consumer protection when you use a broker as with a traditional moving company.  Also, after the broker collects its deposit or fee, you may find it difficult to get them interested in helping you in the event of a claim or dispute with the mover that they have arranged for you.

Referral Companies and Lead Agencies – When you use an Internet-based referral company or lead agency, you will generally not be asked to pay a fee or deposit because their fee is generated from the mover who is provided with your lead or referral information.  When the referral company recommends movers, check to make sure that the movers are licensed by the FMCSA, that they have a satisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and that they are members of a recognized national association, such as the American Moving and Storage Association or a State moving association.

1. Get a written estimate or onsite estimate if possible:  Don’t hire a company without getting your quote in writing.  You should find out if your move is hourly or priced by weight and distance, depending on state regulations, and whether your move is local or going out of state.  It is a good idea to have an onsite survey/estimate, there are many scams out there from “on the go movers”, this will help you get a good feel of the company you are dealing with, and the company can get an accurate idea of what your move entails (whether its truck size, materials, equipment, tools, etc to ensure a safe move for your items.)  However, there are some exceptions, for instance, the state of Ohio does not require a written estimate if the move is under $500, or booked within 5 days of the move.
2. Don’t let price be the only criteria for choosing a mover:  Going for the cheapest mover is not always the best choice.  It is a good idea to get at least 3 quotes so you can compare and see what each company has to offer. Is the moving company experienced?  “Are they special movers”?  This is the question to ask.  If a company is offering a lot of freebies, this is a RED FLAG, and you need to investigate a little further.
3. Don’t hire a company that does not have moving authority/license/insurance: Every state has its regulations on moving companies whether it is a local move or interstate move.  Some movers are not required to be licensed in certain states.  This is something to investigate with your state representatives, or the federal motors carrier safety administration (www.protectyourmove.org) to check licensure for local and interstate movers.  Make sure the company you choose has insurance (liability and workmen’s compensation insurance also).  This does not mean your items are insured, make sure you ask about the companies options for coverage.
4. Try to avoid scheduling last minute moves: Summer time is usually a busy time of the year for most moving companies.  Be smart!  Plan ahead.   Allow enough time to get your written or onsite estimate, that way you can hire the “amazing movers” you are searching for.
5. Be careful of a company who only takes cash: Reminds you of someone who does not want a paper trail.  Most reputable companies will take credit cards, certified funds, or cash as an option to you.
6. Make sure the company has a physical address:
7. Avoid a company who doesn’t use their own employees: Be careful of companies who use day labor or temporary labor from an agency.  If they are not employees, chances are they don’t have a lot of moving experience, and you want to protect yourself from damage, theft, etc.
8. Avoid a company whose trucks and equipment are not their own or old and dilapidated: Make sure the company you use has the proper licensing on their trucks, equipment, drivers, etc.  Finding out the size of vehicle that will be used, make, model and age does not hurt either.
9. Avoid using a company that gives you a price without getting any detailed information: Information you should be providing to the mover is a detailed list of furniture, misc items, approximate # of boxes, access to your origin and destination, flights of stairs/elevators.  If a company gives you a quote without this information, most likely they are not very concerned on how your move will turn out.
10. Avoid a company who wants to be paid upfront: Some companies do require a deposit.  In most states payment for local moves is collected at the end of the move.  Long distance moves before the mover unloads at your destination.  If moving out of state, get a binding estimate.
11. Avoid a company who has a lot of complaints: Protect yourself and choose the right mover.  A good idea is to use a company; you know someone else has had a good experience with.  Check with your state representatives.  Other resources are www.bbb.org (if a company has a low number of complaints with the better business bureau, this is a good sign), www.angieslist.com, www.yelp.com,   www.protectyourmove.com, and www.movingscam.com .

Choosing a mover does not need to be a stressful task.  Do your homework and you should be ok at the end.

1. Choose a licensed mover and check their record.  Each state has a governing body like the Illinois Commerce Commission in Illinois.  A quick phone call to the agency can serve 2 purposes.  First confirmation that the moving company in question has a license and the length of time they have had it.  Second, if there are any complaints lodged against the mover and if there have ever been any license suspensions or revocations.  Also check with your states attorney general’s office to check for complaints.  Verify their workmen’s compensation licensing and general liability, but know that most states require proof of insurance to obtain a moving license.
2. Check with Moving Associations.  There are many states that having moving and warehousemens associations, and they can also be used as a good reference with laws, regulations, and steps to finding a reputable mover in your state, and any other moving related questions you may have.  For instance in the state of Illinois, the Illinois Movers’ and Warehosemen’s Association would be a great reference tool, www.imawa.com.
3. Check as many organizations or internet resources as possible for a reference.  The Better business Bureau can be useful to see how many complaints a mover has had in the last 36 months.  (www.bbb.org, go to the USA site, or if outside the US the other site, then click check out a business/charity, type in the company’s name-you must type the companies name and city exactly to view their profile)  Remember 2 things about the BBB.  New companies are not eligible to join for the first 12 months they are in existence.  Just because a company is a member of the BBB does not mean that they have a good rating.  If a mover has a small number of complaints like 2 or 3, this isn’t necessarily a reason to disqualify them.  See what the complaint is about and discuss it with the potential mover.  If they do hundreds or thousands of moves per year it can mean an approval rate of 99.9%.  Find out how many moves they do in a year.  For example 20 complaints in 300-400 moves are very high.  Internet sites like www.yelp.com, or www.angieslist.com, can give you some more information on your moving company.  Sometimes a pattern can be observed when visiting websites.  Check local realtors to see if they have a preferred vendor list.  Last but not least, see if your state has a moving organization like the IMAWA, Illinois Movers and Warehouseman’s Association to see if your potential mover is a member and if they are in good standing and have positive reviews.
4. Ask relatives, friends, coworker, etc. if they have positive or negative reviews of any movers they have used or are familiar with.  Ask as many people as possible but try and find people that have had the same type of move as you are in need of.  For example is it an apartment, house move, local or interstate, self pack or carrier pack, etc.  Find a mover that excels in your specific needs.  If you get a good reference that seems promising go to # 1 and #2 for due diligence.  You can also ask a mover for references, but remember everybody has somebody that likes them.

These 4 areas are a good start when trying to locate a good household or home mover.