Moving Services – Relax While the Professionals Do the Moving for You:

Feeling like you’re ready for a change? Tired of looking out the same window every day, or maybe just thinking about switching your career path? There are many reasons people decide to move. All it takes is the looming terror of packing to convince you that staying put is preferable to the uncertainty that lies ahead in the face of relocation. Thankfully there are professionals out there who provide the moving services you need to make your experience easier and, dare we say, enjoyable.

Packing

Sometimes you don’t realize how much thought needs to go into packing, until you’re neck-deep in it. Once you realize you’ve made mistakes you have no choice but to live with mistakes or start from scratch. To avoid such frustrations, your movers bring all their experience into the picture. They’re simply better equipped to know the most effective ways of packing.

They can supply you with packing materials, as well as unpack your belongings and distribute them wherever you want inside your new home. Additionally, they will ensure there is always a method to the madness, with strategies that make sense at the other end. Tips like packing your breakables in conjunction with your kitchenware, separating your “donation” pile from your “to sell” and “to move” piles, and filling a suitcase with items you’ll need for immediate use after you move, come from experience.

Using moving services lowers risk

Moving services include ensuring that your items remain intact as they’re transported, and in case they don’t, compensation for your loss. You can decide on two optional kinds of insurance coverage, which a moving specialist will walk you through. Also, using professionals helps prevent the risk of injury from heavy lifting. They’re trained to handle the taxing physical demands in a way that not every layperson is equipped to do.

Dismantling furniture

When making a list of enjoyable Sunday afternoon activities, you’re probably not going to add dismantling or assembling furniture to the list (and you’d be right!). But thankfully you don’t have to think too much about it. Experienced professionals know how to keep your large furniture items safe while transforming them into transportable-sized pieces. At the very least, this may save you the headache of tracking down old Ikea furniture assembly instruction manuals. But, larger furniture pieces are also more prone to nicks and dents when attempting to maneuver around narrow doorways and halls. Breaking the pieces down actually makes it easier to correctly wrap and move pieces that may be valuable or have sentimental value.

Corporate Moving

Moving a business isn’t quite the same thing as relocating a family, but could prove to be equally as necessary and stressful. For example, companies who want to lower the cost of doing business, may move their company headquarters to region with lower rent and taxes. Likewise, some businesses move to cater to a clientele that isn’t as reachable in the current surroundings.

But a business move can come with its own headaches. Federal tax issues, juggling staff, acquiring new business licenses, and other issues may arise. Professional movers have a wealth of information on these topic as well as relevant experience necessary to guide you through it. So if you’re thinking about relocating your company, hiring professionals is the right way to go.

Cleaning

The last thing anyone wants to think about is the aftermath of the chaos that inevitably surrounds moving. Instead of tidying up yourself after a move, your available moving services can double as your cleaning crew. This is another example of how, from start to finish, your movers are with you every step of the way to reduce stress and take care of your needs.

Moving Advice

No matter what the subject is, professionals usually know best. Aside from the standard moving services professional movers offer, good old fashioned advice can be a part of the package as well. From packing tips, as mentioned above, to laying out a general timeline of what to expect during the entire moving process, your movers will reassure you and keep you informed at every step of the journey.

It’s important to remember that no matter what happens, professional movers have your back. The combination of moving services they provide, along with their expertise, will ensure you have yourself a pleasant and efficient moving experience. If you’re thinking about moving, call your professional movers today and get a quote!

From Bartender to Moving CEO: Building a Business on ‘Happy’:

Business advice is interesting. We like it when we come across someone who has risen from humble beginnings to reach an admirable level of success. We like to read about them. We like to learn what they learned so we can do what they’ve done.

Recently, the moving world was introduced to Ross Sapir, an immigrant from Israel who took his experience as a hotel bartender and started a moving company that did a million dollars their first year. It wasn’t a direct road, though. It was his time working as a salesman for someone else’s company in between that got him wondering why moving made people so unhappy, and how he might be able to change that.

What the heck did he do differently?

“Happy” is a word that can be empty or full of meaning. For Sapir, it was the foundation of his business. In this Alister and Paine interview, he lays out a few of the ideas that got him and his company moving up fast. I’ll lay them out for you, along with some tidbits of my own.

1. “We don’t just move stuff. We move people.”

Ross Sapir

This wasn’t just a quick phrase Sapir read on Twitter, but it was his experience working for a hotel was what taught him that. “When you go to a hotel, you don’t just sleep in a bed,” he says. “You go because of the experience.” He adds that if hotels were just about sleeping, you’d go to a Motel 6. (Of course, considering there are over 1,400 Motel 6 locations in the US, we can assume there are people who really just want a cheap place to sleep. But I digress.)

Put this in the context of a moving company. Sure, a customer may just want their stuff moved from Point A to Point B for a few hundred dollars, but if there’s a positive experience built into the process that customer becomes, as Sapir puts it, “a fan for life.”

That fan will tell other people about you and will call you again the next time they need to move. And that fan may have a lot more stuff the second time around, making their move a several thousand dollar deal. Some of you probably know how cool it is to have return customers. I definitely know I do.

2. “We don’t hide behind limited liability.”

Sapir says if a TV is broken during a move, instead of giving the customer sixty cents per pound, he’ll buy that customer a new TV – maybe even something better than the one they had. This turns an ugly situation into a great one and an unhappy customer into another fan for life.

That advice said, we don’t advocate replacing every item that gets dinged, scratched or marred. Happy customers are good; bankruptcy is not. Rather, this unwritten, over-the-top policy of replacing an item that gets destroyed regardless of what is legally required should be the exception, not the rule, and it is the general mindset that you should highly consider adopting.

3. “We read books.”

And we aren’t just talking about how-to guides and user’s manuals. We mean books by successful people in all areas of business and even beyond. Sapir mentions Delivering Happiness by a guy who sold his shoe company, Zappos, for over one billion dollars. (Yup, that’s billion with a ‘b’.) “I wanted my company to be built on that book,” says Sapir.

Whether you’re looking to build your bottom line, improve your company culture, become a better boss or just increase your level of satisfaction, there are tons of books out there to choose from.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People is a timeless classic for business and personal growth.
• Start With Why is a straightforward approach to finding the soul of your business – and expands on one of the author’s many YouTube videos.
• And while I hesitate to suggest a book I haven’t read yet, The New One-Minute Manager, written for the challenges of a quickly-changing world (sounds a lot like our industry, doesn’t it?), uses a scientific foundation to build your version of success.

And by the way…

Sapir tosses in a couple of other tidbits that are well worth heeding, including ideas that have nothing to do with moving furniture but everything to do with building a great moving company.

One, get negative and small-minded people out of your life. They’ll only keep you from reaching your goals.

And two? You have to work your butts off. In case we didn’t already know that!

MOVING INTO A HOUSE FROM AN APARTMENT:

Moving into a house from an apartment for the first time is one of the most exciting, yet stressful experiences in someone’s life. For those who have never lived in a home before, the idea of owning one can seem difficult and strange. Fortunately, many of us have blazed this trail already, and can provide insight on turning a house into a home. Since we at Oz Moving & Storage have helped move so many before us make their big move into their first house, we hope that we can make this process easier for you with these nuggets of advice:

THE HOUSE FEELS “EMPTY”

The sensation that comes over a new homeowner after the joy secedes may be a bit of shock. All who have lived in one should know that “apartments” are usually smaller than “houses”, but many might not realize the gulf in functional space. A would-be interior decorator may feel that a “minimalist” vibe is a worthy aim, and that this space serves a purpose in establishing an aura in the home. For most others, though, the empty space of the home will dispel a feeling of emptiness, a void that needs to be filled by decoration, whether it furniture or just “stuff.” 
A new home is a huge opportunity for creativity, especially when one considers this additional space. Think of it as a canvas; an opportunity for artistry and creativity. Take the floor-plans and dream a little bit. The dregs of packing takes up a bit of time in the preparation phase of moving into a new house, but there will be time where the (more fun) hypothetical interior decorating can be done. Explore our new homeowner/mover discounts to get started with your ideas!

THINK OF THE COSTS

There are several additional costs a homeowner can over an apartment renter or owner. Certain expenses like heat, electricity, gas, etc. can become more expensive, but additional costs arise as well. Yard Work becomes a big factor, with a garden needing to maintained with various tools and products that have to be bought regularly. Tools are needed to clear windows, gutters, and other elements on and adjacent to the house’s exterior.As our sales VP Nimrod Sheinberg says, “There are many costs that you don’t even think about, mainly in everything around the living space; the roof, the yard, taking care of the driveway, heating, cooling, water heater, etc.”
New tasks to keep you busy come along with these costs, too. Maintaining a home takes even more time and energy than maintaining an apartment. The time really adds up if any work needs to be done on the house, like painting, renovating, or even simple things that can build-up like changing the locks. You can get this time back if you hire professionals to handle these tasks for you - but then the bills pile even higher. 


Keep a Maintenance Schedule

Houses, as a general rule, have much more to take care of within than apartments. Without structure, and reminders that these tasks can be completed, a lot can fall between the cracks. Set a cleaning schedule for your whole house. Remember to clean commonly used rooms frequently (scrub down the bathroom and vacuum in the living room at least once a week, for example.) Less commonly used or thought about areas need regular attention also (vents and light fixtures could use a dust-off about every month or so. For a full guide on how often to clean everything in your house, check out this guide from Good Housekeeping.

Other tasks in your home will require attention, also. Your smoke detector’s batteries should be checked regularly. The lawn needs to be mowed and watered. The roof should be checked for leakage every three months, or so. Depending on the unique parts of your own home, what work it regularly requires may vary. Having a good idea of what needs checking and how often it needs you to do something makes sleeping at night (in your new larger bed!) much easier.

Best Places to Live: Guide to Great Neighborhoods:

You don't just move to a new city now – you move to a neighborhood. Every urban area is composed of cities, suburbs, and even neighborhoods. The differences between them all, within even 10 miles, can be vast. Don't leave it to chance to find your next, great neighborhood. Moving.com's guide will take you to four neighborhoods in each of 20 cities so you can find out what makes them great. Click on a city on the map and learn more about the best places to live there.

Neighborhood Finder – Find the Best Place to Live

Our neighborhood finder tool is easy to use and delivers insight into the history and culture of 20 different U.S. cities and their neighborhoods. Just scroll across the map to each city and click the dot next to its name. You'll be able to read more about each city and then read about the specifics of its neighborhoods such as cost of living, accompanying school districts, entertainment in town, and transportation.

Explore More Neighborhoods

Want to discover more great neighborhoods? REALTOR.com®'s Find a Neighborhood tool lets you learn about any neighborhood in the country.

• Search by zip code
• Learn about history and demographics
• View current real-estate listings

Tools

Moving Cost Calculator

Move Planner

Connect Home Services

Compare Cities

More Moving Guides

We know that looking at neighborhoods is just one step in finding the perfect place to call your new home. Check out our other guides and tools to get more insight into cities and neighborhoods across the country. Research economic and demographic profiles of cities and their respective states with our city profiles and compare cities tools, and discover the top public and private schools in the nation through our school ratings reports.

5 Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier:

Moving to another city, state or country is always challenging and stressful. However, we live in times when mobility is one of the greatest virtues a human being may have. So, if you want to be successful in life you better learn to cope with this ordeal, for you are going to deal with it at least from time to time, otherwise you will miss out on a lot of opportunities.

This article gives you some useful tips on how to deal with moving without going mad in the process.

1. Packing

First of all, you have to pack your belongings. But even before that you should look carefully at each thing you have in your household and ask yourself: do I really need it? When was the last time I actually used it? If it’s been more than a month it is probably time to say goodbye to it: carry out a garage sale or simply give the unnecessary things to those who need them.

Start collecting boxes in advance: plenty may be found at stores, at your place of work,or simply by asking around. Begin packing with non-essentials, things you don’t need every day. Don’t forget to label every box: what is inside, what is fragile and should be handled with care. Use clothes, pillows and suchlike to keep breakables from damage.

2. Drawing up a Plan

Be sure to draw up a careful plan of what and when you are going to do prior to moving. Plan your last trip for groceries to be two weeks before moving, so that you don’t have to empty your fridge in a hurry. If you have some things that you want to get rid of but which are too valuable to be given away or sold at a garage sale, start selling them via eBay, Etsy or Craigslist at least a couple of months prior to moving. About two weeks before moving you should change your address for utilities, credit cards, Amazon and suchlike. In other words, plan ahead so that there is nothing to surprise you.

ADVERTISING

3. Tips about Logistics

It isn’t enough to pack things; you should do it in a way that allows you to easily find what you need afterwards. In addition to simply labeling your boxes, try color-coding them – for example, everything belonging to the bathroom has orange labels on it. If you have any containers (baskets, suitcases, laundry bins, etc.), use them before you go out looking for boxes. Use vacuum sealing to minimize the space taken by clothes. All in all, you should do everything to make sure your things take as little space as possible.

4. Using Moving Companies

Moving companies may be of great help, especially in state to state moving. It saves you a lot of trouble, because the company takes it upon itself to organize everything, and if you have a lot of things to take with you it may be very difficult to do on your own. But even if you move to another flat within the same city it may be worth a try – professional movers are much better at dealing with breakables than your friends.

5. Preparing the New Flat

Try to visit your new flat a couple of days before you are going to move in to pre-clean bathroom and kitchen. It is also a good idea to stock them up with all the essentials: clean towels, shower curtains, toilet paper, and some basic food. After a long and arduous day of moving you will be dying for a hot shower, so it is better to be prepared.

ADVERTISING

Moving to a new place really can be a refreshing, energizing experience – if you approach it correctly. Think over and organize the whole thing carefully and it won’t be long till your housewarming party!

Preparing Your Appliances for Moving Day:

Most moving companies, like Master Movers, do not disconnect or reconnect any power or water lines to your appliances. Preparing appliances for moving, such as your washer, dryer and refrigerator, falls on homeowners, who can do it themselves or hire a professional. Once you have gotten your appliances ready properly, Master Movers will transport them carefully and safely to your new home. Read on for tips on preparing your appliances for moving.

Preparing Your Appliances for Moving

Master Movers is happy to move your appliances with the utmost care to ensure they reach your new home safely. We ask that certain preparations get done prior to our moving them to ensure nothing becomes damaged.  As movers, we are not licensed to perform plumbing or electrical type tasks.  Hiring a plumber exists as an alternative if you do not want to disconnect and/or reconnect any power or water lines yourself.  As you get ready to move, there may be several appliances that need disconnecting or have recommended prep performed before we move them. We’ve included some tips below.

We encourage you to start thinking about preparing your appliances for moving a few weeks before moving day, in case you need time to order parts or have trouble finding the owner’s manual.

It’s recommended that you reference your owner’s manual to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for a move. If you don’t have the printed version of the owner’s manual, you can usually find it online with the name of your brand, model and the words “owner’s manual.” The manufacturer, Manuals Online and local appliance repair shops are also good resources.

Additionally, before getting started, we suggest you gather supplies you might need, such as:

• Bleach or vinegar
• Bucket or large bowl
• Slip-joint pliers
• Household cleaner
• Washer shipping bolt kit or foam, depending on whether you load laundry in the front or the top (check your owner’s manual)

 Steps for Moving a Washer

The following directions apply to both top-loader and front-loader washing machines. Follow these steps unless the owner’s manual gives you other instructions. Begin preparing your appliances for moving at least one day before the moving company arrives. Remember, you can always hire a plumber or appliance technician to disconnect and drain your washer.

1. Clean it. Run an empty machine through a normal wash cycle using hot water. Add bleach or white vinegar to help clean the drum and drain lines. Leave the door open at least 24 hours to dry.
2. Shut off water supply. These valves can usually be found behind the washer on the wall.
3. Turn off the power. Shut off the washer on your home’s electrical panel.
4. Unplug the washing machine from the outlet.
5. Disconnect the hoses for the water supply. Use slip-joint pliers to remove the hot and cold water hose connectors one at a time from the valves on the wall. Keep the hoses upright over a bucket or other large container to keep the water from spilling on the flooring.
6. Disconnect water hoses from the washing machine side using slip-joint pliers. Wrap the hoses thoroughly in a towel and place them inside the machine to avoid damage from the metal ends.
7. Keep the drain hose attached. The moving crew will secure the drain and keep it from leaking while in transit.
8. Clean the outside of the machine with any household cleaner.
9. Secure the drum on your washer. For front-loaders install washer shipping bolts, also known as washer locks that cost as little as $10 depending on the brand of washer you own. You typically insert shipping bolts in the rear of the washer to secure the drum. For top-loaders, wedge foam or cardboard between the drum and the case. This is important because moving companies cannot assume liability for the drum and its ability to function after the rigors of moving.

 Steps for Moving a Dryer

1. If the dryer drum appears discolored, clean it with a mild liquid household cleaner or a paste of laundry detergent and warm water. Rub the area until its clean and wipe it dry. Run a load of old rags to remove any remaining cleaning residue.
2. Once you complete this, turn off power to the dryer from the electrical panel and unplug it.
3. For a dryer connected to natural gas, please check with a qualified professional about how to safely disconnect it.
4. Remove any debris from the lint screen and remove dust from the interior with a damp sponge.
5. Carefully pull the dryer from the wall and disconnect the vent pipe by removing the clamp.
6. Clean the outside of the machine with any household cleaner.

 Steps for Moving a Refrigerator or Freezer

1. Empty your refrigerator and freezer of all food.
2. Turn off the water and disconnect the water line, if you have a water dispenser or automatic ice maker. Additionally, empty the water reservoir.
3. Turn off the power and unplug your refrigerator.
4. Defrost the freezer on your refrigerator. Refer to the owner’s manual to find out how long this will take.
5. Clean and dry it.
6. If you have an older model, you may need to have the motor or compressor bolted down. Most modern refrigerators are sealed units and do not require this.
7. After moving, refer to your owner’s manual on how long you should wait to allow oil time to settle to prevent possible damage to the compressor.

 Hire Master Movers Today!

After preparing your appliances for moving, put Master Movers 25 years of experience to use!  Our careful reliable service will deliver your appliances to their new home in top condition and ready for installation. Call us today to help with your move!

Get An Estimate Now

Helpful Tips for Summertime Moving:

Summertime moving when children are out of school, graduates are relocating to their new jobs and professionals are making changes is common. Up to 13% of people and families move over the summer months whereas the rest of the year less than 8% move. Here are a few tips that should make your upcoming move easier.

Setting a timeline will ensure everything’s done well in advance. With a month before your trip call the moving or the moving van company to schedule the pickup and drop off dates. Take photos of each room so set-up goes more quickly once you arrive. The familiarity of the set up will also help children adjust more quickly to their new home. Collect copies of the children’s records from school and put them in a special box you’ll take with you along with other important documents like copies of health records, vehicle titles, etc.

With 3 weeks to go, begin weeding through things to decide what you need to take and discard things you no longer need. If you haven’t used something in over a year, put it in a donation bag. A cupboard full of butter tubs can go in a recycle bin. And things that are broken or no longer work should be trashed. Be sure and designate a spot for packed boxes.

2 weeks before the move confirm your reservation with the moving company and find out what they don’t allow so you can dispose of it. If you have pets, you should book stays at pet-friendly hotels. Create a package of activities for children that will keep them busy as well. Also, remember that summertime moving is especially stressful for children so reassurance that everything will turn out great may be required frequently. Finally, be sure and schedule any cleaning services you’ll need.

With 1 week left separate the things you’ll take from those that go in the van. Make sure everything is prepaid and eat meals that don’t require a lot of cleaning such as frozen dinners, sandwiches and cereal. Make sure you take an “open first” box in your vehicle that will contain pots and pans, silverware and anything else you’ll need to get started. Finally, be sure to check in with water, power and trash companies to cancel service and put in a change of address with the post office.

When moving day arrives you should be set. If you’re moving yourself make sure you have sufficient help. The last thing you need is to try to set everything up immediately upon arrival. By following these simple tips summertime moving should be much less stressful. Consider using All Reasons Moving & Storage to ease your next move and save you the hassle and strain of doing it yourself.

PCS AND THE IMPACT ON MILITARY FAMILIES:

As a parent, you know that moving from location to location has a great effect on children. Although we know that kids will bounce back and find adventure in a new home, new friends, and a new school, they still have to transition and experience the real “impact” of moving.

Permanent Change of Station, or better known as PCS, is the official relocation of an active duty military member — along with any family members living with him or her — to a new duty location, such as a military base.

Military Moves Impact on Kids

Currently, there are 2,000,000 military-connected children in America. Military families move on an average of every 2 and 3 years, which means that about 500,000 military children change schools annually. Every school district in the US has military-connected children. Now let’s look at the real impact of changing a duty station for children.

One Move Equals the Following:

— a change of address

— a change of school

— a change of teachers

— a change of friends

— a change in schedules

— a change in routines

— a change in neighborhood

— a change in activities

— a change in housing

A Study by the Health Behavior News Service Journal of Adolescent Health

This study discovered that children in military families who experience PCS have an increase in the following mental health problem:attention-deficit, conduct disorders, self-injury, and suicidal behaviors. 

The study indicated that geographical moves are reported to have an adverse effect on the children’s mental health. Since PCS is typical in military families, the results were somewhat surprising.

Moving Can Cause Children Stressors

R. Scott Benson, M.D., a child psychiatrist in Pensacola, FL and a former speaker of the American Psychiatric Association Assembly, said, “it showed that these children experience these moves as stressors.” Parents should weigh in on the effects of a move on their children and give consideration to their developmental needs, Benson explained.

While PCS isn’t associated to mental health problems for all children, it’s important for parents and teachers to acclimate children during and after PCS. Wondering what you can do?

There are Some Great Resources Out There

As a veteran-owned company, we know the impact on the kids first-hand and found some great resources for all the Military Parents out there. Below are some great resources we have found for military parents!

1. Here you will find real life stories and resources to help you navigate your military life: https://blog.militaryfamily.org 

2. This resource provides PCS relocation information, job opportunities for family members, coupons, and more valuable resources for military families: http://militaryoneclick.com/tag/pcs-and-relocation/ 

3. This resource focuses on 24/7 online support for military parents and children. You can find educational programs for children, health and wellness tips, financial and legal advice, and more: http://www.militaryonesource.mil

What’s the Best Time of Year to Search for an Apartment?

t Rent.com, we often get asked the question, “What is the best time of year to rent an apartment?” It’s a tough question because there are a lot of factors that come into play. However, there are some general rules to follow.

Assuming you have the flexibility to pick a time of the year to move, the first thing you need to decide is what is more important to you: saving as much money as possible or having a lot of options to choose from.

Looking for Options: May – September

Most Americans move between May and September. This is not surprising when you think about the fact that young people start or graduate from college during this time, younger kids are out of school on summer break, and the weather is generally more accommodating to moving your household from one location to another.

Because of this, there is more turnover in rental units during this time of the year as compared to most any other time of the year–which means you may have a wider selection of units to choose from than at other times of the year.

The flip side is that there may also be greater demand from renters vying for those rental units during the summer than at other times of the year. This may mean that you have to act more quickly in making a decision about a rental so as not to lose it to another interested renter.

Looking to Save Money: October – April

If you’re looking for a deal on an apartment, winter is generally the best time to find a new placeto live. Apartment turnover is much slower during the winter months, so while you may have fewer units to choose from, property managers may be more likely to cut you a deal to fill their vacancies.

In addition to doing your apartment search during the off-season, you’ll generally get a better deal on an apartment in markets that have greater supply than demand. Try to get a feel for the vacancy rates in the area and look for neighborhoods with new apartment construction. Neighborhoods with higher vacancy rates and new supply are a good place to start looking for an apartment for rent.