Commercial Moving Tips for Relocating to a New Office Space

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Changing to a new office space can be exciting and challenging. If you are upgrading from a smaller space to a bigger one, you will be excited about the better space and the new environs. However, you also have to worry about the employees and clients and whether they will take the transition as well as you would like them to. With these issues in mind, you need to make sure that the moving process in itself goes as smoothly as possible. These business moving tips will prove useful as you relocate your office.

1. Get an internal team to coordinate the move

Once you have decided moving is best for your business, the first step is getting an internal team to help you coordinate the move. Even before you get to the logistics of the move, you need to have sat down with your team and told them why you are thinking about relocating. Note that most employees readjust their life to make commuting to and from work more convenient for them. You, therefore, cannot just up and relocate without giving them a fair warning. When you are on the same page about the benefits that will come from getting another office space, get one person and designate a project champion. This should be someone who has worked at the office long enough to know the inventory of office furniture and appliances well. They will liaise with the external team to make the move smooth.

2. Check out the credibility of the moving company

Office furniture and appliances cost an arm and a leg to install. When planning to relocate, you do not want someone to disappear with your entire office appliances and leave you wondering where to start. When hiring a moving expert, ask about:

  • The credentials of the moving team’s members
  • The work experience of the team members
  • Whether the project manager is a permanent employee or a subcontracted person
  • Testimonials of moving projects that they have done in the past
  • Reviews on Yelp, YP, Google, and Facebook
  • Copies of driver’s license and other important personal details.

3. Establish a budget for the move

Invite the movers to visit the office and assess the furniture. They will weigh this information against the distance that the furniture has to travel so they can determine moving costs. Some things that you can do to minimize the amount you will spend on the move include packing your own things as opposed to getting the movers to do it for you, using remanufactured furniture as opposed to new pieces, and having the employees help with the reorganizing when you get to the new office.

The last step of the process is setting a date for the move and making sure that everyone knows about the move. Start planning for a move as long as possible before the designated date because this will help you look into all aspects of it and will minimize the possible losses. Lastly, always make sure the moving company is insured because you do not want to have important furniture or electronics ruined and not replaced.

How to Hire a Local Moving Company You Can Trust

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Moving out can be a stressful and annoying process, so savvy individuals and families choose to avoid the hassle of moving on their own. However hiring a moving company is expensive, so if you’re contemplating doing so, you want to make sure they offer a good value and are trustworthy. How in the world do you do that? When I started my online search for movers in Boston, I was overwhelmed by the volume of information and the number of review platforms out there. But along the way, I learned lots about the moving process. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways:

Why A Moving Company

In reality, hiring a moving company can make more physical and financial sense than moving by yourself. When an individual or family has to move out on their own, they have to rent a truck, get friends to move, and do all of the hard labor of moving. When somone makes the wise decision to hire a moving company, they can avoid many of the headaches and much of the stress. By hiring a trusted professional company that can come out and safely move all of your items, you won’t even have to lift a finger. A good quality mover is more affordable than people may think, and they can quickly and professionally do an entire move.

How To Know Who To Trust

When it comes to finding a trustworthy moving company in Boston Massachusetts, individuals and families do well to check the company’s credentials before hiring. Here are some commonly-used resources that will help you narrow your search:

American Moving and Storage Association

The American Moving and Storage Association is a great resource to check. This nationwide moving association has hundreds of members, and some of these moving experts have more than 150 years of moving experience. Association members are known for providing a high-level of service under the official “Promover” designation. Browse the AMSA member list for Promovers in your area and take the guesswork out of finding a mover you can trust.

The Massachusetts Movers Association

In addition to AMSA, you may want to scope out Massachusetts moving companies via the Mass Movers. Members of this non-profit association are committed to excellence in the trade. To join, companies must offer proof of licensing in the state of Massachusetts and proof of worker’s compensation. Choosing a company from the Mass Movers Association means you’re hiring a business that’s already been vetted for legitimacy.

Cheap Movers Boston

The most helpful resource I found to narrow my search was Cheap Movers Boston. This website offers free moving quotes from multiple licensed/insured companies in the Boston area. A great starting point for understanding the cost of your move, Cheap Movers Boston makes hiring a reputable moving company easy.

No Need To Move Yourself

Since various high-quality movers are located in the Boston Massachusetts area, you do not have to stress yourself out about a big move. You can pack your things up and leave the rest to the professionals. Hiring a moving company is not only a time-saving decision, but it is also a choice that is affordable. When you take into account the time and work that goes into moving, you are saving money with a professional company that will do the dirty work. It is good to know that there are trustworthy moving companies that are available, but you still have to do your homework before choosing the best one for your move.

How to Estimate Your Moving Expenses Before Getting a Quote

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Moving can be a daunting process, especially for those with a fully furnished home. There are so many things to consider like equipment rentals, moving services, and packing supplies– the list adds up quickly. With so many services available, it’s hard to know where to start.

This guide will help you determine how to estimate the cost of moving. By arming yourself with this information before you start calling around for prices, you can learn how to save money and recognize whether you’ve been given a fair quote.

The Costs of Moving

There are a variety of expenses that incur when relocating. Let’s start with the basics: moving supplies. Though they are often overlooked when budgeting, boxes, tape, and bubble wrap are necessities. For a four-bedroom house, Costhelper.com lists the average moving kit price between $311-$404. This includes up to 119 boxes and eight rolls of packing tape.

Next on the list are the expenses for moving. If you’re choosing to hire a moving service, costs will be determined by distance, the number of movers that are needed, how much you need to be moved, and the time it takes to complete the job.

Moving Locally

When moving within the same locality, say these Lawrenceville movers, the rate is usually charged hourly per mover. Joshua Green states on mymovingreviews.com that the average price per mover is $25 per hour. He advises that a 2,000 square foot house will typically take four movers about eight hours. This means you can expect to pay upwards of $800 for an average size home.

Moving Long Distance

Long distance moves are calculated differently than local ones. Companies charge by the weight of items to be moved. Green estimates that the contents of a three-bedroom home can weigh up to 9,000 pounds. For 1000 miles, he averages the cost to be around $6,300.

There are also hidden costs that come with transporting far distances such as shuttle fees, storage fees, guaranteed date deposits, and insurance. Unpakt.com lists these extras to have a total price between $1,800 and $3,800.

Estimating the Cost of Your Move

To estimate how much you can expect your moving expenses to be, start by compiling a list of services and supplies that you will need. Don’t forget to include small things that are often overlooked, like gas. Once you have a comprehensive list, research what the average costs are for all the items on it.

Websites like moving.com have calculators that provide every expense category and give a close estimate of average prices. Their packing calculator will estimates how many boxes you will need.

Tips for Saving Money

  1. Consider the things you can do yourself like packing, transporting lighter boxes, or renting a moving truck.
  2. Ask around for supplies. Grocery stores, business offices, and even neighbors might have boxes to get rid of.
  3. If you opt to use a moving company, downsize before you pack. Getting rid of everything you don’t need will lessen the time and weight of your move.

7 Money Saving Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move

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If you’ve helped all your friends move, and now it’s your turn, don’t despair. You don’t have to make the same mistakes they did or pay too much to move across town (or even across the country!). Here are some tried and true ways to move your household without breaking the bank.

Tip #1: Sell unneeded possessions.

We all seem to have lots of stuff we don’t really need or use. When you start sorting and packing it, you actually see the truth of this statement. Take advantage of all the options for selling stuff, from the traditional neighborhood yard sale to Facebook garage sales. Several clothing consignment stores will buy your clothes from you like Clothes Mentor, Plato’s Closet, and Once Upon a Child. Craigslist, Nextdoor and other local online groups allow you to easily post pictures and meet up to sell your larger items locally.

Tip #2: Donate what’s left.

Did you know that you can get a possible tax deduction for charitable giving when you donate items to a non-profit thrift store? Keep a specific list of what you donated, get a donation slip from the store where you dropped your items off, and you’ll be set when it’s time to file your taxes.

Tip #3: Collect free (or inexpensive) boxes.

Paper boxes from work, boxes left over from a friend’s move and even restaurant supply boxes provide lots of free boxes for your use. Liquor store boxes are especially sturdy when packing books! If you just need lots of boxes quickly, consider buying recycled ones and having them shipped to your door for a fraction of the price of what you’d pay from a moving company.

Tip #4: Plan your move during “non-peak” times.

Mid-month, mid-week prices are better than weekend ones. Also, since families are typically moving in the summer months of June and July, try to avoid those more expensive months and move in the fall, winter or spring.

Tip #5: Compare moving companies and negotiate, especially if you followed Tip #4.

To find cheap movers in your area, comparing at least three reputable moving companies. Just be sure you’re comparing apples to apples as far as the distance of the move, weight of cargo, days involved, size of truck, etc. and that all your requirements are met. Extra charges add up for things like moving boxes and furniture upstairs, providing moving blankets, pads and straps, and moving heavy items such as a piano. Most movers will let you request an online quote through their website, to make the shopping process less burdensome.

Tip #6: Consider a “you pack; we drive” arrangement.

If a full-service mover is too pricey, you can look into a moving arrangement where you pack all your boxes yourself, and the moving company loads the truck, moves the items and unloads at your final location.

Tip #7: Keep good records for a tax deduction.

Speak with your tax adviser first, but you may be able to get a tax deduction for your moving expenses. Just keep good records, and you may improve your bottom line at tax time.

Happy Moving!

Professional Mover Breaks Down the Cost of Moving

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Whether you are moving next month or several months down the road, it’s never too early to start the planning process. Moving is one of life’s biggest events, and there are many issues to consider. One of the most significant ones involves budgeting. That is, there are various costs to consider and calculate when budgeting for your move.

As a military family, we relocate regularly, so we know the ins and outs of moving costs. I sat down with one of the top government moving contractors in the U.S. to break down the most common moving expenses. Their wonderful moving crew helped us with our latest relocation to Norfolk, VA (PCS to Joint Base Langley-Eustis). Thanks to them, here are some of the most important costs to consider when planning your move

Cost of Movers

Whether you are moving down the street or across the country, you have to figure out how to get all of your belongings from your current home to your new one. If you are moving locally, the moving cost will be substantially lower than the cost for a long-distance move.

Professional movers have different considerations when determining how much they will bill you for your move. Most local companies have a minimum dollar amount that they charge for each move, usually based on an hourly rate. Interstate base their fees on the total weight and size of all your belongings that you are moving. They will also factor into the cost how many miles you are moving and will include in their fee a cost for mileage and gasoline. Many moving companies will come to your home before the move and provide you with an estimate of your total moving cost. They base this estimate on the number and volume of belongings you are moving to establish the approximate weight of your move. Additional services like packing and unpacking, piano or billiard table moves, and temporary storage will set you back more.

Housing-Related Expenses

Another category for moving-related expenses involves your housing. At your current and soon-to-be former home, you will need to pay for any professional cleaning that is required when you move out. If you plan to rent your new housing, you will need to pay for security deposits and pet deposits at your new apartment or house. You will also have to pay final utility bills as well as deposits and transfer fees to set up utilities at your new place.

Travel Costs

There will be a cost to move from one home to another. This expense will be much lower or even practically zero if you are moving over a shorter distance. But if you are driving a long distance, you will likely have to pay for items like airline tickets, rental cars, gasoline, hotels and restaurant meals as you travel from one place to the next. If you’re trying to keep things cheap, try making a road trip of it and camp along the way! It’s a great way to take in sights and make the trip an adventure.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Moving expenses can add up, even when you factor in the little things and hidden expenses. For example, you will need to add to your total budget the cost for packing supplies like boxes, packing materials and tape for sealing up boxes. You may also need to buy various items for your new home, such as indoor or outdoor furniture, appliances or decorative items.

Your move will go much more smoothly if you plan from every angle, including from a budgeting perspective. Although moving can be a lot of work and quite expensive, it is always invigorating to start a new chapter in your life. So enjoy the process, and happy moving!