The Moving Planner Blog

FlatRate Moving was recently written up by GreatStartups.com, despite usually being focused on startups they recognized a great company and couldn’t help but share it with their readers.  Below is an excerpt of the article, for the entire article click here.

Founded in 1991 on the foundation of enacting a unique, flat-rate pricing method, FlatRate has catapulted itself to the forefront of the moving industry. FlatRate provides customers with a single all-inclusive price for any and every type of move, which eliminates the questionable pricing methods that are inherent in the nature of other moving companies. After coming to personally look at all that they would be moving, FlatRate calculates a set cost that will not change during any point during the moving process.

Building upon its success as New York’s largest moving company, FlatRate also offers its hassle-free, customer focused services to the New Jersey, Washington D.C., Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles areas. The company is committed to integrity and to earning the goodwill of its customers by being able to meet the needs of any move, from residential to commercial, and from local to cross-country or even overseas moves.

FlatRate has revolutionized the moving industry by creating careers for their employees. Amenities for movers include marble bathrooms, health benefits and immaculate working facilities. Not exactly the typical workplace environment for so-called movers. More: http://www.flatrate.com/new-york-about-us-job-opportunities.html

The company also has recently launched an elite service – much like a 1st class flight – ensuring every last detail is taken care of for the customer. There are no boxes to pack or unpack, fine wine and art moved under climate control, and electronics, computers and TVs connected upon one’s arrival home.

FlatRate has won critical acclaim, loyal customers and several awards, including multiple CitySearch “Best of Citysearch” (BOC) Awards in 2006 and 2007.  In 2007, FlatRate was the honored recipient of the prestigious Forbes Enterprise Award.  Recognized as an outstanding business, having demonstrated visionary practices, standards and achievements, FlatRate Moving remains committed to achieving excellence as today’s leading mover of choice.

FlatRate owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of approximately 55 trucks. An on-site repair shop, managed by the fleet manager, allows for the close supervision and care of all vehicles.

To accommodate every type of move, they have several different sized trucks, including a trailer for long distance relocation. Each truck is equipped with GPS and stocked with well-maintained equipment, including a toolbox and dollies. Their “Elite” trucks are outfitted with lift gates.

You can get a detailed price quote right online. So if you move is due to downsizing, growth or just a desire for new digs, Flat Rate Moving is the company to handle your move.

We have talked in the past about the best ways to pack your goods for storage, but what about choosing the right storage facility? In this post we offer some tips to help you make that decision.

Know Your Options
There are two types of personal storage, with conventional storage you rent a room of a particular size and it is up to you whether or not the space is filled. FlatRate Moving offers another possibility. You pay per item for storage and to top it off your boxes are picked up and delivered by our courteous and professional movers.

Things to Consider
Consider facility conditions, ease of access, and hours of operation when choosing a storage facility. If possible, visit the premises to examine the cleanliness, organization, and location of available units. You can also ask for recent photographs of the facility. It is important you feel comfortable with leaving your possessions in their care.

Questions to Ask
•   Are they listed with the Better Business Bureau?
•   When can you access your possessions?
•   What kind of security systems do they have in place? (The issues are not just about your possessions, but your personal safety.)
•   Is there adequate fire and flood protection?
•   Is there air conditioning / climate control?
•   Have they had break-ins?
•   How long is the commitment period when moving in or vacating a space?
•   How much deposit is required?
•   How many elevators/loading bays do they have?
•   What do available units cost and how long are the rates guaranteed?

When preparing for a move one of the best ways to save money and defray the cost of moving is decluttering a.k.a the pre-move purge. Use moving as an opportunity to purge things that you no longer need or desire in your new home. At FlatRate Moving we will gladly help you donate your items to a local charity, but what are your options if you would like to receive money for your unwanted goods?

Holding a garage sale before your move is one option another way is selling your goods online. Selling online is an easy and fast way to get rid of stuff and earn some money to buy new things for your new digs. Check out these sites for selling unwanted items:

BlueRectangle.com – Buys used books and DVD’s, you enter the ISBN number or email them the title of the DVD; they confirm if they are buying and how much they will pay if so. They pay for shipping too. Payments are made via PayPal or check.

Cash4Books.net - Buys books in good condition. You enter the ISBN number; they tell you if they are buying and, if so, how much they will pay. And they pay for shipping too. Payments are made via PayPal.

SecondSpin.com – Buys used DVD’s, CD’s and video games in bulk too. Through an online form they tell you how much they will buy the item for. Shipping is the sellers responsibility. Payments are made via PayPal, check, or store credit.

Gazelle.com - Buys some electronics, mostly newer items. They pay for shipping (if it’s something they are buying). Payments made via PayPal, check or Amazon e-giftcard.

BuyBackMadness.com – Buys old DVDs, video games and CDs. They pay via PayPal or check.

Smashion.com – Sell your lightly (or never) worn, yet still fashionable clothing, footwear, and accessories online. Create a custom storefront and begin selling your items, with no transaction fees.

Craigslist.com - Allows you to place free ads to sell items. Potential buyers email you and you arrange pickup and payment. Sellers beware though: there are some scammers out there, so if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

eBay.com - Charges nominal fees to sell items in an online auction. Use headlines with exact brands and/or model numbers, since those are the keywords that potential buyers search with.

I have searched the web and dictionaries for misspelled words of moving companies. This is the list I found:

1. mving companies

2. moing companies

3. moving companys

4. moving comanies

5. moving comapnies

6. moving copanies

7. mooving companies

8. moving compamies

9. moving compaines

10. moveing companies

11. mvoers

12. mover’s

We recently shared some of the steps we take to protect your belonging during a move. As movers we are constantly encountering unusual and irreplaceable items that not only have a significant personal value but are priceless too. Here are a few irreplaceable items that we encounter and how we insure a safe and secure transport to your new home.

Fine Art & Antiques Handling:

• All special art and antique items are noted, photographed and carefully packed.
• Custom crates are designed and built to protect each item through out the move.
• Art and Antique storage is provided where needed during the move, via highly secured, protected and climate-controlled storage facilities.

Wine Collections:

• Our skilled moving specialists will secure your wine collections in individually padded custom wine boxes.
• Wine transport on special temperature- controlled trucks is available at your request.
• If storage is required, your collection will be stored in a secure and climate-controlled room to keep your special vintages safe until arrival.

Piano Moving and Setup:

• Our experienced team can easily move any type of piano, from upright, to Baby Grand, or Grand Piano
• We’ll pad, protect and relocate your piano to your new home in pristine condition, using precisely engineered hoisting services wherever necessary.
• We also offer climate controlled transport and storage.

At FlatRate Moving we understand that when relocating customers are intrusting us with an unparalleled responsibility – - your life possessions. This is why we treat your home and possessions as if it were our own, using unparalleled caution and consideration

Our skilled packing teams utilize an exclusive packing and labeling system in which each box is meticulously inventoried, photographed, and packed. The same team to pack your things will then unpack for you upon arrival, replacing everything carefully where it belongs.

Special packing materials such as plate and glass dividers are used to separate and protect delicate items. Furniture protection, from wrapping to padding to a host of other protective measures, helps to keep your furniture safe throughout the relocation process.

We make sure that your current and new residences are protected and cared for throughout the move, including protections for floors, wall corners, doors and doorways, with special protection for carpets and wood floors.

In-house carpenters also create custom-made crates, as needed, to ensure a safe transport of your special pieces or furnishings.

These are just some of the ways we insure your belongings arrive at your new home the same way they left your old home…untouched.

Check back soon to hear how we move priceless items like wine collections and fine art collections.

Even if you want to move, no one likes to move. Along with laborious tasks like packing, unpacking and, of course, lifting heavy boxes, there are also concerns about more fragile items, such as artwork or antiques. That’s why FlatRate Moving has developed a new upscale service called Elite — for those who do not want to worry about the gritty details. With this premier service you’ll be able to leave for work from your old home and return to your new home in the evening, everything already in place.

Here’s how it works:

Elite Liaison

An experienced and knowledgeable Elite Liaison will assist you throughout moving day, to provide any support you may require and can even help to oversee your move in your absence, if preferred. Your Liaison can also run errands, organize, help you to update your new address with all of your utilities, and more.

Packing & Unpacking, Labeling and Inventory

Our skilled packing teams employ a precise and proprietary packing and labeling system, in which each box is meticulously inventoried, photographed and packed. Thanks to this unique system, the contents of every packed box can be reviewed without opening.  You’ll also be provided with a detailed list of your entire transferred inventory on the day of the move.  The same team to pack your belongings will then unpack for you upon arrival, as well, replacing everything carefully where it belongs.

Elite Carpenter

The carpenter will build custom crates for your belongings where required, and also handles disassembly and reassembly of furnishings or items as well.

Handyman Service

A handyman will be at your service, available for all those little tasks to help make your new residence a home — from hanging pictures, to installing shelves, light fixtures, and more.

Hoisting and Heavy Items Handling

We provide expert hoisting, as needed, for any unusually heavy or oversized items. Whether it’s an oversized piece of furniture or a piano, we’ll get it done safely and skillfully.

Cleaning

Our excellent cleaning service will make sure both residences — old and new — are sparkling and clean for the transition.

Car Service

For your convenience on moving day, Elite will provide you with car service to take you to your new home.

IT Professional

Elite’s IT professional means you can skip the tedium and frustration of electronics and computer setup and let us handle it for you. Our experienced IT person will be at your service on move-in to easily install and set up everything from your computers and networks, to televisions, surround-sound or other electronic components, and more.

Locksmith

Elite will provide you with a dedicated locksmith, so that you can change your locks to your specifications before move-in, for your convenience and peace of mind.