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How to pack your glass when moving

Changing homes can be an intimidating task. With the constant barrage of stressful situations, moving your glassware and expensive China should be something that you are confident in. Here are a few tips to help you find that confidence.

The first things you are going to need are supplies. This may consist of a plethora of things but the basics are boxes, tape, and some sort of cushioning. Now when it comes to padding, different strokes for different folks. Bubble wrap is pretty good; wax paper as well, but if you do not have any lying around, newspaper works just fine.
For the packing itself, the devil is in the details; Set up is key. If your boxes are of the collapsible variety, make sure you put them together, and tape the bottom well. Next, tear off strips of tape and have them at the ready. Now you are ready to pack.
Wrapping
For this example we will use newspaper. Use a flat surface; a table, the floor, what have you. Lay your newspaper on the surface and put your glassware near the edge of one of the corners. Fold the corner of the newspaper into your glassware and use one of the strips of tape to secure it. Carefully fold your glassware a few times until you reach the middle point of the newspaper. Fold the side pieces, one at a time, use pieces of tape to secure both ends over your glassware. Last, fold the glass the last few times until your newspaper is completely gone. Use one more piece of tape to secure it.
Packing
Putting your dishes into a box may seem an easy task to complete, and there may be several ways to do it, but as with everything else, technique is the key. Put the first row of dishes into the bottom of the box, the first layer. Once the whole bottom is filled, wedge dishes in, one by one. Wedge, meaning use the bottom layer of dishes and the sides of the box. Where you have gaps between dishes, use crumpled up newspaper as your filler. This will limit the movement of dishes during the transition of your move. Repeat the process until the box is filled. Use one last layer of wadded newspaper to fill the topmost part of the box. Tape it shut. Repeat the process until you have filled all your boxes. Lastly, try to number your boxes on a 1-10 scale, 10 being the heaviest and 1 being the lightest.
Truck packing
With the truck completely filled, make sure you pack your dishes last. You do not want your glassware underneath anything, and you also want to limit putting these boxes on top of other furniture; it is always a bumpy ride and the last thing you will want is to have carefully packed all your dishes only to be foiled by a speedbump. Ask your movers to leave a space at the end of the truck for your fragile boxes. If you are going to allow the movers to pack these for you; supervise. Make sure all your tens, or heavy boxes are at the bottom, and all your ones, or light boxes are at the top.
Moving can be challenging, but by following these guidelines, you can at least put to rest any fears that your mother will yell at you for breaking the tea set she gave you for Christmas.

Things To Consider When Comparing Long Distance Moving Companies

Moving across the state or across the country is made easier with the help of long distance moving companies. Many people decide that from the moment they know they are going to move, they are going to handle every aspect of their move on their own. The logic behind most people thinking this way is strictly to save money by doing it all themselves. The reality is, if you sit back and calculate what everything involved in a move costs, you might be surprised to find you may not be saving any money doing it on your own at all.

Local moves are quite different from long distance moves. You may be able to load up a rental truck yourself, maybe even with the help of some friends, and save some money that way. However, if you are moving farther away, consider using the help of long distance moving companies. They may just save you time and money. So take a few moments to weigh your options thoroughly.

For example, if you need to take time off work or from other things going on in your life to do things like pack, unpack, and load the moving truck, it will probably cost you money. If you plan to take your car with you across the country, imagine the wear and tear, mileage, gas, and tolls you will need to deal with handling the transport yourself. Figure in lodging too. That is of course, if you plan to get any sleep during your travels. If you add up all these expenses alone, you can get a clear picture of what it will cost moving yourself versus using long distance moving companies.

Not all long distance moving companies are the same however. You will need to get quotes from several of them to get an idea of where you stand. Most long distance movers handle almost every single aspect of a move and know how to handle long distance moves. Besides, this is their specialty. It is fair to say that no long distance moving companies are created equal, and some of the companies will not offer the same moving services as others.

For instance, if you are interested in having the moving company handle your packing, loading and unloading, unpacking, and furniture set-up, you will need to find long distance moving companies that offer full-service moves. Remember, these are not basic services and may cost you more in addition to your transport.

You also want to make sure any long distance moving companies you are considering handle auto transport if you want to take your car with you. Some movers simply do not offer this service. The last thing you want to check into is storage. If for some reason, you know you are not going to be in your new home on time or when the moving truck gets there, inquire about getting your valuables stored. Many of the larger long distance moving companies offer storage-in-transit services. They will store your furniture and belongings in their storage facility until you are ready to pick them up. If you know you will not be able to take possession of your belongings within a 90-day period, this is a good option to take.

If you know right away that you will need to store your belongings for longer than 90-days, make sure to inquire about long-term storage options with any potential long distance moving companies you are considering. Again, not all long distance moving companies are going to offer the same services, so it is important to make sure you do your homework and pick ones that do.

10 Reasons To Get Instant Moving Quotes

Moving is a part of life we all will experience at least once in our lifetime. Getting moving quotes online can ease the burden of going through days or even weeks of research trying to find the right company to handle your move. Keep reading this article for some other good reasons to get instant moving quotes.

You save time.
When you get instant moving quotes online from our site, you will get quotes from some of the leading moving companies out today. We only work with movers that are pre-screened, hold valid insurance, and are fully capable of handling any type of move. You do not need to worry about doing your research and sifting through the many different movers and services out there—we’ve done all the work for you already.

It is convenient.
You do not have to sit hours on end looking through the phone book to find moving companies to call for estimates. You can get instant moving quotes from several top moving companies with just a couple of clicks of a mouse.

Helps you plan your move.
Once you know you are moving, you can log onto your computer and get instant moving quotes to help plan your move. You can start playing around with moving dates, services, and other options to see how it will affect your pricing and get a better idea of where you stand with your move.

Eases the stress of moving.
Moving can be a stressful time. Picking a mover is just one of the many things you will need to do when it comes time to move. By getting instant moving quotes online, from the convenience of your home, you can eliminate the stress of actually finding the right mover.

Helps you budget for your move.
When you get instant moving quotes, you can get an idea of what your move is going to cost you. If you start planning your move sooner, rather than later, you can start budgeting for it.

Makes it easier to compare.
Getting online quotes by multiple moving companies can make it easier for you to compare pricing and services offered. Quotes can vary by company, so it is nice to have all quotes from each moving company in front of you to compare back and forth.

It is free.
Getting multiple moving quotes online is easy, and best of all it will not cost you a thing. There are many professional movers competing for your business. Take advantage of the free moving quotes that each mover has to offer.

Takes the guesswork out of finding the “right” mover.
If you choose to get moving quotes from any movers listed on our site, you can be assured that a reputable and trusted moving company will handle your move. We only work with the best of the best that have a proven track record of exceptional customer service and quality moves.

Learn about new services.
By getting quotes online for your move, you will be exposed to services that you may not have known existed. For instance, did you know that movers could handle almost any aspect of your move such as providing moving materials, packing and unpacking, furniture set-up, and more?

Get familiar with the many different types of moving companies out today.
If you do not move often, chances are you do not know many of the names of some of the top moving companies. By getting moving quotes from several movers, you will learn more about the movers and the services that they provide.

Choosing Between Moving Van Lines

With so many moving van lines to choose from, how do you know which one to pick? By going over this simple checklist, you can know what to look for in a good moving van line and what questions you should ask when interviewing them.

The first thing you should do before you begin to get estimates from any of the leading van lines, is to get recommendations. Ask family, friends, co-workers, or even your neighbors if they have used the services of companies such as Bekins, Allied, Wheaton Worldwide Moving, or North American Van Lines. Since these are some of the top names in the moving business, chances are that someone you know has used their services. If you can’t get any recommendations from the ones you know, look to the internet for help. There is no doubt you will find reviews on these moving van lines by people who have used their services firsthand—whether the experiences are good or bad. Look for the companies that have the least amount of complaints and put them on your list as a potential van line to use.

Listed below are some of the questions you should ask any potential van lines you are considering using for your next move.

Is the company licensed and bonded?

This is the first question you should ask any van lines that you are interviewing. If they are not licensed and bonded—do not do business with them. If you are unsure if your mover has the proper credentials, you can easily look them up online or consult the Better Business Bureau for more specific information. Most van lines will happily provide you with proof of their credentials and will supply you their USDOT # upon request. This number should also be displayed on the company trucks. If any company gives you a hard time for asking this information, or there is no USDOT # listed on any of the trucks in the fleet—move on to the next company. If you are completing an interstate move, make sure your company has a Motor Carrier number (MC Number)as well. Any moving company that crosses State lines is required to have an MC #.

How long has the company been in business?

When you start getting estimates from the different van lines, you will find that many of the top companies have been around for decades. This is a good sign that the company is a strong company and offers customer satisfaction; otherwise, they would’ve never made it this long in the business. To give you an example of just how long some of these van lines have been in business, Allied Van Lines has been in business since 1928 and Wheaton Van Lines has been in business since 1945.

Does the company offer loss/damage coverage?

Your valuables are important to you; it would be devastating if something were to happen to them. But let’s face it, accidents happen. Choosing van lines that offer extensive coverage for loss/damage will not only protect your valuables should an accident occur, but just knowing the option is there will give you added peace of mind.

Can the company provide references if needed?

Sometimes you can do all the research and get recommendations and that may still not be enough to help you make your final decision. In this case, ask for references. Any reputable van lines will be happy you asked and will kindly provide you with them.

Save time and money by taking a few short moments to fill out some basic information right here on our site. By doing so, we can get you connected with our network of some of the top van lines around today.

How to Read Moving Estimates

Whether you are moving 100 miles away or 1000 miles away, getting moving estimates is going to be an essential part of your move. If you have never employed the services of a moving company before, you will need to familiarize yourself with the basic knowledge on how moving companies work and how their services will benefit you. Before you start to get quotes for your move, take a few moments to understand what services are being offered and compare them to the services that you need. That way when you do get moving estimates, you will understand what you are reading and can then compare pricing.

Moving estimates can vary greatly by company. That is why it is so important to do your research before you even begin to get quotes. First, take inventory of what you plan on moving with you to your new home. If you have items such as furniture, toys, or clothing that your family does not need or want anymore—sell them or donate them before the move. There is no use moving unwanted items to your new home, and there is certainly no reason to pay to transport them either. After you have made an inventory list of everything you are taking—you will be able to get accurate moving estimates.

Next order of business you should handle before getting your moving estimates is figuring out if your move is considered a local move, interstate move, or intrastate move. Listed below is a summary of what each move is considered to be.

Local Move: A local move is considered a move within a 100-mile radius, but within the same state.

Interstate Move: An interstate move is a move from one state to another. A move from New York to Florida is considered an interstate move.

Intrastate Move: A move that is over 100 miles away, but still within the same state—you never cross state lines.

Knowing the different types of moves can make a big difference when it comes to getting moving estimates. While local moves are pretty straight forward, the other moves can get complicated. Estimates for local moves are usually calculated hourly with a flat-rate fee charged per hour. Long distance moves get a little trickier. Longer distance moves are generally calculated by miles traveled, weight of your shipment, and any other moving services that you may choose. Some of the service charges that you may see on your moving estimates are:

-Packing/Unpacking Charges
-Insurance Surcharges
-Fuel Surcharges
-Transportation Charges
-Valuation Charges

These are just a few of the different charges you may see on your moving estimates, and again will vary by company. Moving companies offer many other services, in fact, too many services to list. Some of these services such as furniture moving, packing and unpacking, auto transport, storage, and more; are not only convenient, but they are offered to take some of the stress out of your move.

The internet is probably the easiest way to get multiple moving estimates, and it will not cost you a thing. Sites such as this one you are reading now can get you in touch with some of the top movers in the business that are all competing to give you the best prices and service. It is advised that you get at least 3 to 4 moving estimates to get the best deal, and by filling out a simple form here on this site—we can help you get up to 7 quotes all in a matter of minutes.

Guide To Understanding Moving Company Quotes

Moving companies can take a huge load off your shoulders when it comes to planning and executing your move. Simply put, movers can handle the whole move for you so that you will not have to lift a finger during the whole moving process. On the other hand, if you are someone who likes to be involved in your move, there are services that can be done by you, and then completed by a mover. The choice is yours.

The first thing you want to do once you know for sure you are moving, is obtain several moving company quotes. Gone are the days where you need to sit with a phone and phone book in hand to do it. The internet will allow you to get moving company quotes and compare pricing and services all in one shot. It really is that easy.

Once you get several moving company quotes, you will need to compare pricing and services. If you are a person that has never used a professional moving company before, looking at the moving quotes may seem overwhelming at first. It is normal to feel confused looking at phrases and services you have never seen before. You will not be the first person confused when reading the term “bill of lading” for the first time, nor will you be the last. When you get a better understanding of what the basic terms are, moving quotes are not that confusing. A bill of lading by the way is a receipt and contract that is provided by the moving company that you will sign for the transportation of your goods. This comes way after you get your moving company quotes.

When you get moving company quotes online, you are getting an estimate of what your move will cost you. Naturally, a local move will cost less than a long-distance move or an international move. Whether you choose to have additional services added to the move will also be factored in. For example, if you want the movers to pack and unpack your belongings, there will be an extra charge. There are also other additional services such as furniture set-up, storage, auto transport, and more. These services were created to help make the move more convenient for homeowners, but will cost extra to have done.

When you move will play a big role in what your moving company quotes will be. For instance, if you move during the summertime, you can expect to pay more for your move than if you moved any other time during the year. This is because the summertime is considered the peak season for movers. If you can move during the fall, you will find it will be cheaper to do so.

Local moves are usually charged hourly, while long-distance moves are typically charged by weight of the shipment. When obtaining moving company quotes, make sure you indicate what type of move you will need. If you feel as though you will need the use of storage facilities as well, try to find a moving company that offers storage services. This will be a huge convenience to you and may help you save money by arranging for storage upfront rather than at the last minute.

After you obtain your moving company quotes and pick out a moving company that suits your needs, you have completed the hardest part of your move. As you can see, getting moving company quotes isn’t so bad after all.