The Moving Planner Blog

I was moving from Miami to ny. I’m a very busy person so i was looking for a moving company that does it all, a company that would do the move for me without me having to intervene. I was basically looking for a company that by many people doesn’t exist. I wanted to move without moving. Ive had to move many times over the past few years because of my job, so i have a basic idea of what a good moving company has to be like and what it shouldn’t be like.Ive had different experiences with different companies some were good and some were not.

But this time i didn’t want to bother with the move I wanted it to go as smoothly as possible. About a month before my move I called up a friend of mine nd asked him if he knows any luxury/elite moving companies, that would do the job well, so well that i wont even feel that I’m moving. To my surprise his answer was positive. He immediately said Flatrate moving. I asked him how do u know about them so he told me h used their services a few times, and every time he came out even more satisfied than the last time, he said they were fabulous.

The next day I called them, I asked if they I can make my move on a certain day they said before we talk about that lets have a meeting on this day and set up all the details of your move. During that meeting they took care of everything, we talked about everything to do with the move, and they even thought about questions tht didnt even come to my mind @ all. I thought it was amazing how they had it all figured out by the end of the day.

The day of the move came by and it was like every other day… I went to work they did everything. I came home at the end of the day and everything was done, it was amazing! When i came into my new apartment everything was there, nothing was damaged, nothing missing it was all great just like my buddy told me. Overall i think Flatrate moving is a great company, they did everything they were supposed to in less time with a great service.

Storage companies will generally provide an estimate on request. Before accepting your goods for storage the storage company must provide you with a written estimate which is usually free of charge although in some states a maximum nominal fee can be applied. It is important to stress that the choice of company should not be based solely on price. Remember the cheapest estimate may have the worst service and the last thing you need is to take your important business documents, office furniture or home furnishings out of storage after a period of time and find they have been damaged due to poor service. The estimate a warehouse will give you differs from an estimate a mover can give you in the sense that no extra charges can be applied without being agreed to by the customer.

The storage facilities reputation must always be considered. Ask family and friends and business colleagues for referrals and check with the better business bureau on any complaints they have on file on a particular warehouse you may be looking in to and how these were resolved. It is highly recommended that you obtain at least three estimates before making a final decision. All estimates must be based on the warehouse operator physically inspecting the items to be stored in person and you should always receive a written copy of the estimate. If you are offered an estimate over the phone do not accept this and think twice about using this company.

Here is a guide on what to expect in an estimate.

• Name, address and telephone number of company
• Address of actual storage location (this may be different from the office location, especially in larger companies)
• Warehouse storage rate per unit
• Minimum monthly storage charges
• Minimum number of month’s storage
• Any applicable charges for storage preparation, padding or packing
• Any charges applied for transportation if this service is available and accepted
• Other charges the warehouse may apply

The cost of storage can vary depending on the options you decide to accept. The basic cost will cover items such as light, electricity, insurance, security and pest control. In order to calculate the actual costs it is important to think through the storage options you NEED. I stress the word need because if your goods do not require conditioned storage to remain in good condition it is probably not worth paying for it, however if your goods do need special storage conditions it is advisable to pay for it as it will be worth it in the end. For example, paper products going in to storage should be stored in rooms that have humidity control. You will pay extra for environmentally controlled rooms such as temperature and humidity control and you will also pay extra for non standard insurance.
A warehouse must insure goods against loss or damage for a minimum of about $0.30 per pound per article up to $2,000. The figure may vary slightly depending on the state. If your antiques china set weighing 10 pounds and valued at $1,500 is broken in the warehouse you would be entitled to the tidy sum of $3.00. You may want to take out additional insurance and the warehouse operator is required to inform you that additional insurance is available. Be sure you understand what the insurance covers in the unlikely event any goods become damaged. For example if you take out $3,000 worth of insurance on $12,000 worth of goods, i.e. ¼ of the value, if there is $4,000 worth of damage you would be covered for only $1,000 of the loss.
Source: http://www.newyorkmovers.org/storage-estimates.htm

Citysearch Winner Flatrate Moving Gives Insider Insight

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Moving can be a stressful time –
especially for urban dwellers at the height of the Summer crunch. The good
news? The right preparations — and mover — can alleviate that stress. To
help people everywhere to make an easier Summer move, nationally acclaimed
moving company Flatrate Moving (http://www.Flatrate.com) has released some superb
tips that will help people prepare for their best move ever — and if they
do it with Flatrate, they’re assured of great service and a guaranteed,
flat-rate price.
  Flatrate’s 20 tips:

* Don’t wait: Start packing 3 to 4 weeks before your move.
  * Start by packing the things you use least, such as books, seasonal
  clothing or sports equipment, and knickknacks.
  * When packing for a Summer move, bag items that may soften in the heat,
  such as candles, soaps, etc.
  * Use the opportunity to organize, getting rid of outdated items you
  don’t use.
  * Use strong cardboard boxes — small boxes for heavier items, large
  boxes for lighter items. Don’t overpack.
  * Don’t scrimp on Packing Tape (and always buy more than you think
  you’ll need).
  * Pack your books flat, alternating bindings so they stack evenly.
  * To stay neat, concentrate on packing one room at a time, stacking
  finished boxes against one wall.
  * Use your computer to print out labels indicating each box’s source
  room, and attach to each completed box (also saving valuable unpacking
  time).
  * Pack alarm clocks, medication, valuables, urgent items in a separate,
  clearly marked box or bag. Make copies of important documents such as
  wills, contracts, and passports.
  * Always wrap nuts and bolts in a clearly labeled plastic bag.
  * Empty dressers completely (furniture tends to break more easily if not
  emptied first).
  * Beware of hidden costs from less scrupulous movers. To avoid
  additional charges on moving day, (1) provide movers with a copy of
  your inventory list before quote, and (2) get a guaranteed,
  all-inclusive price in writing, before the move.
  * A good mover should quilt and secure furniture and large items, and
  help to pack and unpack major electronics. They should also provide
  wardrobe boxes on moving day.
  * One less-known item: Most movers will not reassemble Baby Cribs, for
  important safety reasons, so make sure to have a knowledgeable person
  ready to do so.
  * Keep a complete inventory list of everything to be moved. Jot down
  serial numbers on all electronic equipment.
  * Wrap dishware and glasses individually. Bundle flatware in groups of
  three, then wrap. Separate dishware with packing paper (newspaper may
  leave ink stains).
  * Do not pack flammables like aerosol cans, paints, or gasoline.
  Carefully dispose of gasoline and oil from machinery beforehand.
  Don’t pack perishables like frozen foods, produce, or plants –
  transport these yourself.
  * Don’t place soaps, sprays, polishes, and medicine in the same box as
  food. Don’t pack heavy items with dishware.
  * Take care of your moving team in the Summer heat. Keep chilled water
  or soda available so they don’t dehydrate. If you’re delighted with
  your move, don’t forget to tip upon completion.
  Flatrate Moving was recently voted New York’s “Best Mover 2006″ by
Citysearch. Visit them on the web at http://www.Flatrate.com or
http://www.Flatratemoving.com.
  This press release distributed by PRWEB (http://www.prwebdirect.com), a
service of eMediaWire.

I was moving from my university apartment into my tempopermanent apartment. I knew it was going to be soon, but I didn’t know how soon. I had to go through the many steps every avarage person must go through before he moves. These steps are simple things, like finding a relaiable good quality moving company. So I turn to my friend John kul for help. He sent me an email stating this: “Do not use “The Move’ers company” (fake name for obvious reasons), I used them and the service was horrible”.

In my experience, I learned that there are a few steps to moving.

The Moving Steps

1. Start packing by getting the right boxes,ones that suit all your needs.For example: customized boxes for clothing, that will have the option of hanging cloth in it. Heavy duty boxes, to contain fragile things such as China & Glassware. Remember these boxes must have a “fragile” sign.

Source:boxshop.ca

Source:CasaMia Kitchens

2. When packing China and Glassware wrap everything with enough paper so that when the box is lifted the vessels shifting in it will not crack other vessels in the box.

The same should be done with anything fragile that has the potential of being damaged in the moving process.

3. The main step in the moving process that should be done is choosing the right moving company, if you choose a good moving company that does everything like it should you are lucky.