4 Ways to Successfully Plan Your Local Move

Whether you are moving across town or across the country moving can be stressful.  But for a majority of people, a local move (within a 40 mile radius) is the most common type of move.  By following these four steps you can help reduce your stress and make the transition as easy as possible:

Settlement & Walk-throughs:  In conjunction with your Realtor & mover be sure to coordinate the timing of your settlements and walk-throughs.  This will determine when your moving crew arrives to pack up your belongings.  The last thing you want to happen is to have the moving crew trying to work while the new homeowners are doing an inspection. 

Donate & Sell: Americans are a consumer driven society.  That is a simple fact.  However many people pay (often time unnecessarily) to move items they neither want nor need.  Contact organizations such as Impact Thrift and Purple Heart.  Or have a good old fashion yard sale. 

Floor Planning:  Get your tape measure handy.  Just because your dining room set fits well at your existing home does not mean it will fit well at your new home.  Take measurements and plan out where you want your items to be placed.  This will allow you to have the moving crew place the items in the proper location the first time. 

Pack, Pack and Pack Some More: Properly packing your breakables, knick-knacks and other items into boxes is the number one way to ensure a smooth local move.  If you are not comfortable packing certain items be sure to ask you mover to include this in your quote. 

Mooney’s Moving & Storage is a family owned and operated business now in our 4^th generation of ownership.  For a free estimate contact us at (215)884-3280 or visit us online www.Mooneysmoving.com

Self Storage versus Full Service Storage

We have all seen the rise of self-storage facilities popping up in town.  They are a convenient option for the “do it yourself” crowd.  However they may not be right for you when planning your local or long distance move.

3 important things to consider when making your decision.

1.       

      Liability coverage.  If you hire a moving company to place your belongings in a self-storage unit the movers liability ends at that point.  However when storing items in a movers facility, liability is maintained by one company throughout the duration of your move and storage period.

2.       Safety:  Every self-storage facility has rules & regulations regarding items that can & cannot be stored.  Nevertheless, it is virtually impossible for management of those facilities to ensure chemicals, illegal products or even worse are being brought into their facility.  Contrast that with storing at movers warehouse where all items are hand carried, labeled and accounted for by properly trained employees. 

3.      Furniture protection:  When storing at a self-storage facility, customers are required to either provide or purchase their own furniture pads & stretch wrap.  Such items are often overlooked and seldom factored in to the budgeting process.  It is not advisable to stack furniture without protection nor store a sofa without plastic (stretch wrap).  While storing your furniture at a movers warehouse, all items are pad wrapped and stretch wrapped FREE OF CHARGE.

      We invite you to come tour our climate controlled storage facility anytime at 33 Bon Air Drive Warminster, PA 18974.  http://www.mooneysmoving.com/residential.html

Seasonal storage needs

With the holiday season already in full swing, many retail businesses grasp the need for “more storage space.”  The staff here at Mooney’s has worked with several retailers over the years to help receive and store seasonal merchandise.  

Due to the seasonal demands of our industry (busy May-September) space is available and pricing becomes more competitive just as the need for warehousing hits the retail industry.  Our full service warehousing and distribution allows for retailers to focus on their main task at hand…holiday shoppers. 

So feel free to contact us today for a cost assessment or schedule a tour of our facility.

Steve@mooneysmoving.com

www.MooneysMoving.com 

3 Estimate Options When Planning Your Long Distance Move

When planning a long distance move there are several types of estimates available to each shipper (customer).  The following is a brief description of each:

Non-binding estimate:  The final cost are determined after the shipment is weighed. When receiving a non-binding estimate there is no guarantee that the final cost will not be more than the estimate.  This option is only advisable if you are unsure of the total amount of items you want to ship. 

Binding estimate:  The final costs are provided as a “flat fee.”  Your price will not change no matter the actual weight of your shipment.  This option is good for customer that know exactly what they are shipping and do not plan to increase or decrease the size of their shipment. 

Binding not to exceed: The final costs are determined by the actual weight of the shipment but may not exceed the quoted amount.  This is the most common type of estimate because it provides peace of mind knowing the max amount you will pay.  If you plan on getting rid of items prior to move day and your shipment weighs less, the charges will be decreased.

It is important to discuss these options with your estimator when planning a long distance move.  Movers are legally required to provide an in-home estimate in order to survey the items to be shipped.  Never accept a “verbal” estimate.  Finally, if it seems to good to be sure…it generally is.

Senior Moving Services

We recently moved an elderly couple that had lived in their home for over 45 years.  Needless to say a lot of “stuff” had accumulated.  This couple was moving from a 4 bedroom house into a 3 room condo.  Most people find it very difficult make this transition.  

Fortunately the staff here at Mooney’s is more than capable of dealing with such a scenario.  The first step is to start sorting items into “want” versus “need” lists.  It is important to be realistic about what items will fit at the new home.   Besides giving children and grandchildren items, donations can be made to such organization as Impact Thrift.

The next step is to work on a floor plan.  Compare measurements of furniture with the dimensions of the new space.  This will also serve as reinforcement for whether or not too many items are being brought along. 

Finally, contact 2 or 3 local reputable moving companies.  Inquire about packing services as well.  What generally takes professional packers one to two day can generally take a homeowner one to two months. 

We have worked at many area retirement communities, and are familiar with the moving policies of each.  As a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers we have access to a vast network of training and resources to assist any of your moving related needs. 

To download a brochure please click here.

How to prepare for a smooth move of your office

Unlike moving your home, moving a business can present unique challenges.  After having recently moved our own office we here at Mooney’s would recommend the following tips:

Address Change: Contact the United States Postal Service to change your address.  This website is simple and easy to use.  Discount coupons are also provided once registration is complete.

Phone Service:  Call your phone service provider early!  Phone service interruption is one of the biggest hassles when moving your office.  Have a backup plan ready.  We had all incoming calls routed to cells phones for a 48 hour period just to be safe.

Moving into our new place.

Utilities: Contact Peco to transfer electrical service.  Don’t forget Aqua PA (or your local water company) to stop/start/cancel service. 

Moving company: Obtain at least two on-site written estimates from your local moving company. 

Notify your customers: We found Constant Contact to be a great way to send a large volume email blast to notify everyone of our address change.  

There are obviously more challenges than are mentioned here.  However the above topics will provide a good foundation for planning your move!

International Moving Services

Through our affiliation with Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, Mooney’s Moving and Storage has the ability to move your household goods anywhere in the world.  We have over 350 affiliates worldwide ready to help make you move as stress free as possible. 

 

What makes us so special?

 Stevens International relocation coordinators:

• Are experienced in international forwarding and the relocation industry
• Have multi-lingual capabilities
• Are familiar with customs regulations and other important information and can assist with the handling and processing of documents
• Provide single-service control
• Provide pre-move and ongoing counseling
• Can assist with destination country and customs information
• Provide continuous communication and service monitoring
• Follow clearly defined preparation and handling procedures
• Utilize comprehensive, expedited and fair claims settlement practices

For a free quote contact us today at (800) 854-1030 or steve@mooneysmoving.com