Cheap Fort Lauderdale Movers
With the economy in shambles, it has become important for those who are moving to find a moving company that is cheap but reliable. Nowadays, Americans are finding out what the real value of a dollar is and are looking for ways in order to save their hard earned money.
Hiring a moving company need not be a drain on the wallet. There are moving companies that charge accordingly. These companies offer quality service at a more affordable price.
A moving company has to be transparent in all their charges. So before hiring a moving company, take a look at their tariff. A tariff is a schedule of fees all businesses are required to present their clients in order to inform and educate their customers. Make sure that you understand each and every item on the list.
Before agreeing to a price also make sure that there will be no mysterious or hidden charges. Some unscrupulous moving companies charge more because they were not forthcoming with the actual charge for the move. So in order to avoid confusion, make sure that the final bill will be the actual amount charged to you once the move has been completed.
Most moving companies are above board. But due to the economy’s dreary state it does not hurt to double check everything. It also does not mean that you have to do your move single handedly. Skilled movers actually help you by saving time and effort. So before you say no, do your research because an affordable or cheap moving company may be just a mouse search or phone call away.
What to save and Which to Give Away
It is almost always impossible to take everything with you when you moving or relocating somewhere else. As they say, parting is a sad thing, but since there are some things that have to stay and have to go, here are some moving tips that can help you sort out which to bring with you and which ones to give away.
Most of our personal belongings have sentimental value, which makes it even harder for us to part with something. So for things with sentiment attached to them, the best way to deal with these items is to be practical. Feelings aside, is this thing useful to you on your new location? Is it imperative that you bring this with you? Can you really afford to bring this item along? All of these items vary in size and shape and so considering every single detail is important.
There are also things which we have stored and are no longer in use. Most of these items are found in the garage and in the attic. These may be old cribs, baby clothes, old appliances and a hodgepodge of times we no longer use, but still store. For old things like clothing, baby items (especially when your children are no longer babies), old working appliances then the best solution would be to give them away. These items only take up storage space and collect dust and would better benefit people in need.
For items we cannot take with us but cannot give away, then they will have to go to storage. The whole point of sorting which items can be saved or given away is to minimize the items needed to be stored. Remember that storage facilities charge according to the space you rent out, so if you need more space, that’s a lot more money you will have to spend. So save on storage space and money by sorting which you have to save and which to give away when relocating.
What to Look for in a Moving Company
It is only natural for all moving companies to claim that they are the best in the area. This, aside from other claims such as being the fastest, most efficient, and accumulated years of experience but all these moving terms can make first timers go dizzy and confused than the actual move. How do you decide which moving company to pick?
First of all, most moving companies are decent and have good business practices. The best way to find out whether or not a moving company is good is to ask people who have had experience dealing with these people. The best people to ask would be family and friends who have moving experience. Ask for their recommendations, tips and advice on which companies to look out for.
Now that you have their recommendation, find out more information about the company. Go to the local business bureau to find out how these companies have settled claims and disputes in the past. Look at how past clients rate the company. Then if the company has a website, visit the website to learn even more. Spending time to learn about the company gives you the chance to sort out your feelings. After all that time spent on research, are you comfortable with them? If you are then pick up the phone and start talking about your requirements. If not, then keep looking.
The key to everything is time and research. Good moving companies are indeed a dime a dozen, however finding one that you are most comfortable with, is the best recommendation any moving company can get.
Saving Tips
Budget is an all important part of the move. It would be nice to just do a full service move where you do not need to lift a finger but since not everybody can do so, there are some ways to save during your move.
1. Pack by yourself- packing just takes time and organization, so pack a little everyday, while packing make a list of things you put inside the boxes and stick the list outside the box. This way you know what’s inside.
2. Lighten your load- the cost of shipping your items is determined by how much your load weighs. So if you have items that are not in use, consider putting them in storage or donating them. You can also hold a garage sale to make a few extra money. If you decide to donate your things to charity, make sure you get a receipt, it might be tax deductible.
3. Your move may be tax deductible so check with the IRS. If you are moving due to a change in job location or is starting a new job, your moving expense may be deducted from your federal income tax return
4. Collect your deposits before you move. Inform your utility providers and landlord of your move. You may have left deposits which may be collected.
5. Travel wisely. If you are moving to a location far away then plan ahead. Make travel trips and plan a route which will not only save you time but also gas and hotel money.
10 Helpful Moving Tips
Moving can be less of a hassle if you plan ahead. Here are some helpful moving tips to make relocating easier.
1. Make a list- if the moving company you use doesn’t have a check list make your own. Also include in the list your doctor’s, school and dental records. Make a list of all the things you need to do before you leave, a list of all the things you need to pack and another list to check for before you leave to make sure that you have everything with you.
2. Make a floor plan- a floor plan gives you an overview of where to put things in your new location. If you are using the services of the moving company to unpack, this is a handy guide to where everything needs to go.
3. Have plenty of supplies- buy lots of tape, bubble wrap, cartons, foam and other packaging materials. It is hard to estimate how much you need but buying in bulk saves you money and time.
4. Color coordinate- assign a color for every room in your house. Boxes don’t come in color so maybe you can use colored markers or post its. If you assign blue for kitchen then use a blue marker or a blue post it to label the box. This will make sorting easier.
5. Inventory- to make sure that everything will be there when you get to your new location, create an inventory of items for every box you pack. Tape the inventory on the outside of the box and file away another copy for your personal use.
6. Keep things together- keep light bulbs with lamps, extension cords with their respective appliance and pictures with picture frames. If they go together it would be better to keep them together.
7. Use your luggage- if you have empty suitcases lying around; use these to pack other house hold things.
8. Have a personal box- members of the family or individuals would want to pack their own personal things by themselves. Assign personal boxes to each person and orient them with your inventory and labeling system so that everything will remain organized.
9. Keep your valuables with yourself- If you have jewelry, certificates of stocks, bonds and other items of value, keep them with you during the move. This will minimize worry.
10. Pack ahead- everyday before the big move, start to pack your belongings. Start by packing up things you don’t use everyday. Things you do not need in your new home should either be given away or put in storage.
