Stretching

Moving is a hassle, whether it is a residential move or commercial moving. It usually involves taking time off, packing up boxes, renting a moving van and paying for the gas yourself, and unpacking once you get to your final destination. Whether your move is across town or across the country, in most cases it is prudent to hire the services of a professional moving company. It saves a lot of time and it is usually more cost-efficient to let a mover do the work for you. However, whether you move everything yourself or hire a professional mover, there are things you can do to decrease the costs involved in the move. And let’s face it, regardless of your particular financial situation, saving money is always a good thing. Below are a few tips that will help reduce the costs of your next move. Use Movers During Off-peak Seasons Like many companies, professional New York moving companies have peak times when a large number of clients are hiring them to help them move. This includes early or late in the month and on weekends, when most people choose to use a mover. If your move can take place in the middle of the month and during the week, you may be able to save some money. When you first meet with the moving company’s representative, ask him if this will make a difference, and have him give you two quotes so that you can see the difference. In many cases, moving during off-peak times will help save a little money. Get Rid of Some of the Items in Your Home Before your move takes place is an excellent time to go through your home room by room and get rid of anything you no longer need or want. Old clothes, furniture, appliances and even dishes are excellent items to start with. You can box up these items and donate them to charity, or have a garage sale and make a little extra money for your move. Either way, having fewer items to move will cost you less in the long run, because there will be fewer boxes and packing materials to purchase. Fewer boxes equals less money spent on the move. Moreover, if you donate some of your items to charity, you may be able to save money on your income taxes if they allow this type of deduction. Pack Up Your Boxes the Cheap Way Even if you use a professional mover, you will likely be charged for each box that is used. Therefore, ask your friends and neighbors – and even grocery stores and discount centers – for any extra boxes they might be able to give you, so that you will not have to purchase more expensive new boxes. In addition, you can use materials from around your home as packing materials. For example, use thick towels, sheets, blankets, and newspapers as padding, since these items need to be packed anyway. It will save on other packing materials, such as bubble wrap and brown wrapping paper. Pay Attention to Shut-off Dates for Your Utilities Often, depending on how your billing cycle runs, you can save money by having your utilities, water, and cable services cut off at the right time. Try to have them cut off before a billing cycle begins, especially for services such as cable TV and Internet, which are not absolutely necessary. This will save you money and also increase the chances of getting your deposit back, which will put even more money in your pocket. Use an Alternative Shipper for Some of Your Items When it comes to items like books, which can be extremely heavy, it can be less expensive to use either the United States postal service, or even UPS or other shipping services. A 20-pound box of books may cost under $12 to ship. Even though it may take these items longer to get to their final destination, and may even arrive later than you do, the long-term savings will be worth it. Moving Costs May Be Deductible In certain circumstances, moving costs can be deducted from your income tax. When you move, keep every single receipt you receive, so that each item can be broken down and perhaps deducted. Naturally, you will need to check with your accountant or tax preparer before automatically listing a deduction on your income tax; however, it is possible to deduct some of your moving expenses in certain situations, so keeping all receipts is a smart idea. Don’t Cut Corners with Everything When you are tempted to handle the entire move yourself, be careful. If something breaks during the move and you’ve used a professional mover, you will be able to get some financial compensation for the item. If you move yourself and something breaks, you will have to replace or repair the item yourself. Although many things can be done to save money here and there, you must also look at the entire picture before making a final decision. Saving money is good, but if you take too many corners you may be paying a higher price later on. Always weigh all of your options so that regardless of which choice you make, it will be a cost-effective move to make. Some Final Thoughts Moving can be stressful, but the stress level during a move can be lowered somewhat if you do certain things that save both money and time. Whether you use a professional mover or not, you can save money on your move by following certain rules and by researching every one of your options. In addition, starting ahead is an excellent idea also, as it allows you the time you need to make sure that every “t” is crossed and every “i” is dotted. Don’t let your upcoming move ruin your life. Start your planning early, research all of your options, and do whatever you can to reduce the costs involved with your move. The more prepared you are, the more

Moving can be a stressful event, but your stress level can be significantly lowered if you take certain steps to prepare yourself for moving day. This includes making sure that some items are never handled by a moving company, even a professional mover, due to being delicate in nature or simply too important for other people to handle. This is not to say that movers cannot be trusted to take care of these items. Movers are professionals that have the knowledge and experience to move just about anything. However, there are always items that are best left in the hands of the homeowner. When deciding whether or not to allow a professional mover to have access to certain items, ask yourself the following questions: Do these items have high monetary value, such as electronics, gems, or artwork? Do these items have sentimental value, such as photos of deceased loved ones, baby books, or heirlooms? Is this item something I will need on the first night in my new location? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” it is highly likely you should carry these items yourself to your next destination. Below are examples of a few items that you should pack separately and carry with you to your new home. Expensive Electronic Equipment and Devices Computers, digital cameras, and smartphones are just a few of the devices you should probably take with you to your new place. This is not only because they tend to be expensive, but also because these are items you tend to use on a daily basis. When you move, you may not have access to all of your belongings from day one as it can take some time to unpack your boxes. Therefore, with electronic devices it is always best to take them with you so you can use them immediately after moving in. Family Heirlooms This one is obvious, as most people have family heirlooms that have great sentimental value. This can include jewelry, furniture, or even antique items like clothing or sewing machines. Family heirlooms cannot be replaced, so if they get misplaced, lost, or broken in the process of being moved it can be heart-breaking. Save yourself the stress and take these items with you when you leave, don’t leave them for the movers. Artwork, Collectors’ Items and Antiques Anything with a high monetary value should be carried with you to your next location. Items like autographed memorabilia, rare artwork, and other collectibles may get lost or become damaged during the move, which would cause both financial and emotional loss, so it is best to take care of these items yourself. Documents You Consider Important Always personally carry your legal documents, as well as documents such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, passports, drivers’ licenses, medical records, mortgage papers, bank statements, and any type of written contract, including contracts related to the move itself. Place all documents and paperwork in a small safe, lockbox, or even in a locked briefcase, and place it in your car before you move to your new place. Jewelry Jewelry pieces are often small and intricate, and gems and precious stones are very valuable. Rings and brooches are especially easy to lose or misplace, and because they tend to have both sentimental and financial value, they need to be taken by hand to your new location. An added tip, place necklaces through regular drinking straws to keep them from getting tangled up during the move, and place thicker bracelets and necklaces into empty toilet paper rolls before placing them in delicate tissue paper or empty plastic bags. This process will keep your jewelry safe and in one piece for the journey ahead. The most important thing to remember about moving is that many items are valuable to you both financially and sentimentally, so you’ll want to keep them as protected as possible and move the items yourself. Although most professional movers are reputable and experienced enough to move your belongings properly and without incident, accidents do occasionally happen so it is always best to prepare for them ahead of time. You should also check with the individual moving company and make sure there are no rules regarding other items, such as live plants, which they may not be allowed to carry with them in the moving van. This is a last-minute step to take that, when taken with the above recommendations, can help assure that you protect your valuable items during that all-important move.

When you are moving from one location to another, whether it is moving across country or across NYC, one of the main decisions to make is whether or not to use a professional NYC Movers. Most people assume that a do-it-yourself (DIY) move is going to be less expensive; however, that is often not the case. While moving yourself may appear to be cheaper, more often than not, it saves both time and money when you choose a professional mover. In fact, choosing professional movers over a doing it yourself move offers many advantages, some of which are listed below. HIRING A PROFESSIONAL VS. DO-IT-YOURSELF MOVING Settling into a new home can be an exciting time and bring a fresh start in life.  Moving into that new home can be another matter.  Dealing with change, the unfamiliar, and hassles of moving can be challenging for many people. Whether you are planning a local move in the Greater New York area or a cross country long distance move, you start with two choices:  Do it yourself or spend some money upfront and hire a professional.  In many cases, the benefits of hiring a pro far outweigh the costs but there are situations where it is most practical to do it yourself.  Let’s looks at both sides. THE DIY MOVE By definition, the DIY move means doing everything yourself.  This includes buying packing supplies, arranging a moving van, and packing, finding people to help you and loading and unloading your possessions.  If you absolutely can’t afford a mover, then your decision is made.  If you don’t have a lot to move, it may also be best to DIY.  Examples of this would be a student moving into a first apartment with nothing but a futon, an Ikea bookcase and a few book boxes, or an executive moving between furnished apartments.  Once you move into the grey area of owning furniture and appliances, and having more than 20 boxes to move, then you need to weigh your options.  It’s important to look at what a professional move really costs vs. a DIY move. There is more than meets the eye in planning and executing a successful move, and the differences in cost can be less than they first appear. VALUATION INSURANCE What is your peace of mind worth?  All reputable movers have valuation insurance that will cover the cost of damage to your belongings up to a certain point, and can arrange additional coverage if deemed necessary.  Valuation insurance is specialized insurance carried by professional movers so if any of your items are damaged or broken, they will be replaced or repaired, no questions asked. If you move yourself and something breaks, you’re on your own. ACCESS TO STORAGE FACILITIES Things happen – this is called ‘Life in the Big City’.  If you reach your destination late, the previous residents haven’t left, access is denied or there are any other unforeseen circumstances preventing your belongings being unloaded into your new home, professional movers will have access to storage facilities and the calm heads of seasoned professionals to deal with whatever issue has arisen.  You may incur additional charges for the storage but at least your things will be safe.  A professionally planned and organized move minimizes the chances of problems, and the team at New York Local Movers is there to deal with anything that does crop up. PERSONAL SAFETY Responsible moving requires skill, equipment and technique – it’s more than a matter of muscle. There are techniques to packing, loading, unloading, and carrying heavy and awkward items. Disassembling and reassembling furniture, connecting appliances to electricity or gas also requires some know-how.  Professional movers are accustomed to lifting and carrying heavy furniture on a daily basis.  They know how to navigate narrow and awkward spaces, steep stairwells, and slippery steps in bad weather. Furthermore, they have specialized equipment like straps, dollies, and ramps and they know how to use them to keep themselves safe. A U-Haul or your friend’s van is not properly equipped to safely transport your goods or for amateurs to load and unload book boxes, sofas or pool tables. Your antique mirror will certainly be much happier bouncing over potholes in a state-of-the-art truck with air ride cushions. Lifting weights at the gym is not the same as carrying a refrigerator up a flight of stairs, and medical costs for an injury to an uninsured amateur can be astronomical.  Hiring professional movers is not just for the safety of your stuff, it’s for you! COST EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Professional Movers know what supplies you need and how much and they buy large volume at much lower costs.  If you “Do It Yourself” you can run short of tape or boxes at the last minute causing yourself unnecessary stress, or on the other hand, have excess that wastes money and ends up in the garbage.  This is not a problem with professional movers.  They have everything they need and anything extra gets used on another job…crates, wardrobes, boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and clean newsprint for wrapping fragile items (instead of dirty old newspapers). PREDICTABLE COSTS If you’ve done your homework and chosen a reputable moving company then you will benefit from straightforward quotes with no surprises.   On the other hand, if you like surprises, then go for it with a do-it-yourself move!  The potential hidden expenses are endless and they can quickly add up.  Think about it…gas, additional insurance, packing supplies, renting the truck, parking the truck, feeding your friends pizza and beer, damage costs an amateur can incur banging up an entrance way, hallway or elevator…the list goes on and on.  Save the surprises for your birthday and hire professionals.  All things considered, it could end up costing you a lot less than a DIY move. PACKING IS DONE PROFESSIONALLY New York Local Movers, like all established moving companies, offer clients the option of professional packing services. Everything gets done in one day, saving you enormous