B&W Moving : How will movers protect furniture against damage?

In most cases the main reasons why people opt for #moving companies instead of taking on the burden of moving themselves is because of the safety issues. Moving companies have a variety of tools and materials that a regular homeowner doesn’t: several types of dollies and ramps for loading, a line of packing supplies, and the man power to move pounds’ worth of belongings in a great amount of time.

It’s important to know what steps a moving company will take to protect your furniture and home. This is often mistaken as movers aiming to run up the clock on your move.  What is expected?

• Shrink Wrap– This is large sheet of plastic wrap that go around a piece a furniture or appliance to protect the surface and keep doors closed.
• Moving Blankets– Material covered in plastic isn’t going to be able breath, something to consider if your items may sit in storage for a while. Moving blankets provide both a cushion as well as a protective layer.
• Ramps and Dollies- Hand truck dollies, appliance dollies make it easy and safe to transport large items.
• Tie Downs: Once the furniture is loaded on the truck, hooks and tie downs will be used to hold large items in place. This prevents shifting during transit.

B&W MOVING Tips for Loading a Moving Truck.

Loading a truck  is quite easy considering you pre-plan your load. Before you start carrying boxes to your truck, there are a few things you’ll need to have.

Supplies you will need:

• Moving blankets – this is considered padding protection
• Stretch wrap – secures the blanket
• Mattress Covers
• Packing tape – If you use the stretch a little amount of tape will be needed
• Moving Straps-  Tie off each tier to keep load in place during transit.
• Small step ladder
• Work gloves

Designate one or two people to remain on the truck while others are carrying the items. Their job will be to stack and load everything tightly.

Begin by working into the front of the truck (where the cab is located).  You will then work you way back.

Stack items from floor to ceiling, putting heaviest items (furniture) on the bottom and lighter items on the top.

Create 2-3 tiers as you load, tie off using straps/rope, etc.

All space should be filled to avoid shifting in transit.

B&W Moving 2 Packing Tips

B&W Moving weekly moving/packing tips

1. Pack an overnight bag: There is a great chance you’ll be too tired to unpack your items.  Include things like a change of clothes, your toiletries, laptop, snacks, etc.
2. Pack the items you need first in a clear plastic bin: This would include paper towels, tissue, silver ware, trash bags, select cookware,  cable box, power cords, phone chargers, sheets, comforter, etc. The clear bin gives you a more visual and separate itself from your cardboard boxes.

Ila Stancil

www.bnwmovingservices.com

info@bnwmove.com

 

“Don’t Leave Your Customers in the Dark.”

Moving companies have an opportunity to reduce customers’ anxiety by educating as much as possible. The initial phone call is a great way to seize the moment. When booking a move, company should discuss:

• Sq. ft of home, although you may offer the largest box truck size 26ft, the move could have a larger capacity. 26 ft hold 4 bedrooms but often time customer may have tons of stuff. This is important to ask, for it reduce several trips and long hours. Costing the customer time and money. You may have to offer two 26 ft trucks or turn the job done and suggest customer find companies such as ABF.

• Ask about heavy items: pianos, safe, gun safe, anything that weighs over 250 lbs. It’s not good to discover this on move day. Some moving companies charge extra for heavy lifting.This could be a headache for a customer to hear more charges incurred. One reason moving companies have to charge: a hand truck will not work rolling,  it will damage the dolly. Company will need to bring out the big boys, your appliance dolly. Another reason, more man power needed.

• Travel time vs. Drive time: Many moving companies will bill for both drive time and travel fee.  Travel fee a one-time fee designed to offset the cost of movers traveling to customer 1st location and the return back to warehouse. Drive time actual time that it takes for movers to drive to and from your location. This is in reference to when does the billable time begin? The clock begins when moving company arrive at your first location and ends when they complete the move.

• Educate customer on your valuation options vs. insurance.

I only named a few but they are very important pieces to the puzzle to having a stress-free move.

Free & Fast Moving Quotes: www.bnwmovingservices.com

Moving Company Valuation

What is valuation?

Valuation is NOT insurance. Valuation is the amount of liability a moving company will accept for the value of your goods if damaged or lost while in their possession. Valuation is limited to the moving company’s own coverage, and in many cases is as low as $0.60 per lb. per item.

Important:

• Please note insurance provides a Full Replacement Value coverage, meaning it will compensate for the replacement value of the damaged or lost item. Valuation will pay the Actual Cash Value of the item, meaning, the depreciated value only. Valuation programs offer limited coverage and will not provide full compensation.
• When you purchase valuation, you purchase it from the vendor which provides you with the moving service.

Be prepared to make this decision on move day, don’t wait till the day of and regret it. Protect your valuables.

Free Quotes on all your moving needs: www.bnwmovingservices.com

Long Distance Moving Cost

How much does it cost to move state to state?

The average move for an local move is estimated to be around $1,150 while the average long distance moving price is about $5,000. Keep in mind professional movers tend to charge by the mileage rather than the time. Variables used in long distance moves:

1. Mileage
2. Shipment weight
3. Rates
4. Valuation and Insurance
5. Add on service

Ex: Mark is relocating to Fort Lauderdale,Florida from Raleigh, NC. He has a 2 bed room apartment. The selected long distance moving company will take the tare weight and minus the weight of your shipment(at a weigh station). This determines shipment weight. Mark’s shipment weighs 4,500 lbs.  The distance between the two states are 781 mi.

Let’s say the moving company choose to charge $76.80 per mile. 781 x 76.80= $3, 456.

Currently mileage rates for gas $0.65 x 1,562= $1,015.30 (this is fuel incurred leaving and returning back to company origin).

Total estimated cost: $4,471.30

This is only an estimate.

 

Three Estimates for Long Distance Moving & Interstate Moves.

Every legal moving company that transport your household, have three types of estimates. Before picking the type of estimate you want to receive,  you will want to know the different types and how they will affect the final price of your move.

Non-binding estimates:

After evaluating your goods, your Long Distance Moving company will provide you with the estimated cost of the move.

Certainly, the movers aim to give you the best estimate possible, the mover won’t be able to tell you the actual cost of the move until everything is weighed on your moving day. Once your shipment is weighed, your movers will adjust the price. Actual charge shall be determined after all services have been completed. Depending on whether the shipment is more or less than what was estimated, the cost will either increase or decrease.

Binding And  Guaranteed:

A binding estimate, the mover will assess your goods and give you an estimate for the move. This estimate is final and will not change depending on the actual weight of the shipment. It’s important to know if shipment is below the estimate, you still have to pay the agreed-upon price.

Binding And Not-To- Exceed:

A binding not-to-exceed estimate, the cost of your move will never go above the estimated price. At the same time, if the total weight of the shipment is actually lower than what is estimated, the price will be lowered.

Get Quotes.

Day Before Move ~Check Prep List

Day before moving day

• Identify any extra-fragile items needing special attention. If certain items should not be packed or moved, mark them appropriately.
• Label any items or boxes you will want first when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re doing your own packing, please make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. Be sure boxes have plenty of cushion.  Upon arrival, team lead will check to see if boxes have been properly pack. Boxes must be taped closed, movers will not move miscellaneous items (dvd,  remote, cable box, etc.). Movers are not responsible for pack by owner boxes, if damages occur.
• If B&W Moving is packing your items, collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys and place in separate groups.
• Furniture: Dressers/Chest of drawers, you may keep your clothes in them. However, if the furniture is a heavy type dresser, movers may request that you lighten up the load and remove items.
• Furniture: Kitchen tables, we usually remove the legs and tape screws to table. If you have another option to keep screws, please have them handy and label. This goes for bedding, dresser mirrors, etc.
• It will be helpful you have names for each room. When movers  perform blanket/shrink wrapping services they can pencil in name on tape.
• Unplug all electronics,  appliances in advance of a move, so they can be a room temperature on moving day.
• Movers will not reconnect any appliance (due to liability purposes), have tools on standby or you can borrow tools from movers.

Ila Stancil

info@bnwmove.com

How to Find Licensed Movers

Make sure you select licensed and insured companies for your moving quotes. Moving companies without license, insurance, trucks, facilities, etc give customers super low prices because they are not real companies. They don’t “pay the cost” of doing business ethically, and in turn damage the entire industry for legitimate businesses.

Before hiring a mover, it is best to choose a reputable mover. If you hire a mover based solely on the cheapest price, you may be sacrificing other things that are actually more important, such as getting your possessions moved and delivered on time. For moves from one State to another, a U.S. DOT number is issued by FMCSA. You can double-check a mover’s license by searching FMCSA’s database. This search is for inter-state moves only. Moves within the state requirements varies. Check with your state, county, and/or local agencies. Some states do regulate Household Goods(HHG Moves), while some states require DOT numbers.

Read “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” The Federal government and States that regulate Household Goods moves require your mover to give you the booklet. The content covers information you’ll need if your goods are lost or damaged during the move, binding & non-binding estimates rules, etc.

Ila

Ila Stancil is a Moving business consultant. She is also CEO of Bsecure Cleanout,LLC and Vice President at Black&White Moving.

Black&White Moving; B&W Moving,d.b.a | Raleigh | North Carolina |27603