Sacramento Movers Discuss Hiring Professional Movers Versus Do-It-Yourself

These days saving money is often one of the primary concerns when moving. Hiring full service movers may seem out of your price range but the alternative is renting a truck and bribing your friends to help you. Many times people lament going for the rental truck and volunteer help after experiencing a chaotic move and damaged belongings. Your Sacramento Movers discuss each option.

Do-It-Yourself

There are several factors to consider for the DIY move. Start a list of expenses that you anticipate incurring in the DIY move.

• Are you prepared to package all your furniture and belongings to avoid damage being done to any of your items? You will need to make sure you can come up with enough boxes and packing supplies as well as furniture pads and stretch wrap to protect your furniture. You can often rent furniture pads at low cost from truck rental companies. Add this expense to your list.
• Can you come up with enough help on move day? In DIY moves most people persuade either family or friends to help with the heavy lifting. Keep in mind that if you go this route you should have a back-up plan in case your volunteer help falls through at the last minute. Also are you willing to bear the consequences if damage is done to any of your pieces? Another expense to consider is the bribe amount. Did you offer to buy beer and pizza for your friends if they would help you move? Add this to your list of expenses.
•  The next factor to consider is the cost of the truck rental, equipment and insurance. Get estimates on each of these and add these to the list of your expenses. Also add fuel for the truck. Determine if you feel comfortable with loading all of your possessions efficiently onto the truck as well as safely transporting those possessions from point A to point B.

When all is said and done, you may find yourself paying nearly as much for a DIY move as you would for a full service move. It’s always a good idea to calculate the expenses of a DIY move and get a few moving quotes from professional movers just to compare. DIY may still be the most appealing option to you with all expenses considered, in which case just make sure you pack everything securely, find reliable help, and are well prepared for the move.

Hiring Professional Movers

When going with professional movers for your move, consider a few options you have.

• If you are worried about cost, one cost saving tip is to do the packing yourself. If you go this route, be sure you have sturdy moving boxes and you package everything securely. If anything you packed is broken during the move, the movers will not be held liable for your packing job. If in doubt, just have the professionals handle the packing. If any damage occurs, they will be held liable and you may be able to recoup some of the cost of the item.
• Certainly one of the advantages of hiring a mover is that you can let someone else do all the heavy lifting. No sore backs, no need to beg friends to help.  Be sure you do your research and make sure the mover you’ve selected hires only background checked, drug tested workers and operates a drug-free work environment. The moving company should also be licensed, bonded and insured so that if any damage occurs they will be able to pay you. Also check reviews on Yelp to see what previous customers have to say about the movers.
• When hiring movers you will often be quoted an hourly rate, which includes the truck, workers, and equipment. However you will want to make sure there are no extra charges in addition to this rate. Many movers will charge double drive time, fuel charges, worker’s comp fees, some will even charge you extra if your home has stairs! Be sure to ask if any of these charges will be added to the bill. Be sure to call around and get a couple different moving quotes to compare.

If you’re still unsure which move would be best for you, try writing down your concerns and address those when calling around to get rates from full service movers as well as truck rental companies.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Back To School: Sacramento Movers Discuss Local High Schools

If you are new to the Sacramento area and are scrambling to get your teenager into classes for the upcoming school semester, Sacramento Movers put together some information on the best schools in the area to help you decide where to enroll.

You can make a quick review of local schools by cruising through the school’s website as well as reading reviews on separate sites. Try to find out what programs the school offers such as athletic programs or availability of AP courses. If you have a little more time to put into the search, try to visit the top schools on your list to get a better feel for the atmosphere of the school. Visiting during school hours can be an especially good idea since it would give you the opportunity to speak to teachers and staff members onsite. The more time you have to put into the process, the greater chance of finding the right fit.

Your Sacramento Moving Company has gathered short lists of the best high schools in the area to get your search started.

Sacramento Magazine published an extensive list of Sacramento area public high schools with details about their enrollment, API scores, SAT scores and graduation rate. The top 5 high schools (with enrollment figure listed in parenthesis) in the greater Sacramento area as rated by API scores are:

1.      West Campus High School, Sacramento City Unified School District (854)

2.      Rocklin High School, Rocklin Unified School District (1,790)

3.      Oak Ridge High School, El Dorado Union High School District (2,241)

4.      Folsom High School, Folsom Cordova Unified School District (1,857)

5.      Davis Senior High School, Davis Joint Unified School District (1,703)

A complete list can be found at Sacramento Magazine.

If you are looking to put your teenager into a private high school in the Sacramento area there are also several great options. Trulia.com ranks the best private high schools in the area in the following order:

1.      Sacramento Country Day School (506)

2.      St. Francis Catholic High School (1041)

3.      Christian Brothers High School (1,049)

4.      Northern California Preparatory School (70)

5.      Bradshaw Christian School (1,555)

You can read reviews of these and other schools on Trulia.com.

Now that you’ve got the basic idea, you’re this much closer to finding the right school.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers List Of Items Not To Load Onto The Moving Truck

As you prepare for your move, consider items that should not be loaded onto the moving truck. Professional movers are required by law not to transport any flammable or explosive items. Additionally, the American Moving and StorageAssociation recommends that the following items should not go on the truck:

• Bleach
• House paints
• Open containers of liquid
• Propane tanks or cans
• Gas or oils
• Butane
• Ammunition
• Open alcohol containers
• Open non sealed food containers
• Aerosols
• Fire Extinguishers
• Welding Gas
• Antifreeze
• Disinfectant cleaners (especially those that contain bleach or ammonia)
• Perishable foods (unless the move meets strict guidelines - please check with your carrier about these to see if your move meets the guidelines)
• Items with excessive odor

While professional movers will not transport these items on their own truck, they can assist you in moving such items to your own vehicle.

If you are having gas-powered items such as a lawn mower transported on the moving truck, make sure to drain the fuel prior to your move. Also detach and cap propane tanks from BBQs that are being loaded onto the truck.

Additionally movers do not transport living things including plants or animals. This is done for the safety of the animal or plant as well as to maintain the cleanliness of the moving vehicle. Again if you have large or heavy plants that need to be transported, you are welcome to have the movers load such items onto your own vehicle.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

5 Cost Saving Tips For Your Move From Your Sacramento Movers

You want to hire a professional mover but you’re afraid of the cost? Here are some suggestions for keeping the costs down.

1. Get an accurate estimate. Cutting down costs starts before the first box is packed. When you call around to reserve a moving company, be sure you’re asking the right questions. Many movers will quote you less and add on additional costs such as double drive time, fuel charges, worker’s comp fees, etc. Be sure to ask moving companies how they charge and if these fees are included. Also in order to get the most accurate estimate possible, ask your mover to come to your house and do and in-home estimate prior to the move.

2. Do the packing yourself. There are plenty of reasons to have your belongings professionally packed for you. For example, this service ensures proper packing materials are used to protect items or it simply pares down what you have to do before the move.  However if you are strapped for cash, rolling out the bubble wrap and packing tape yourself can save you some money. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get started early and have the right packing supplies for the job.

3. Don’t forget to disconnect. There’s nothing worse than being charged for something you aren’t using. Make sure that you schedule disconnect times one or two weeks before the move. You will need to do this for gas, electric, water, landline phones, Internet, cable TV, newspapers, magazines, lawn service, and any other regularly billed services.

4. Disassemble your furniture items. One way to speed things up on move day is to do any disassembly of furniture yourself. This will speed things up when the professional movers are there to load the truck. This cuts down on the amount of time that you are paying for their services. Just make sure that as you take apart furniture and other times that you tape all parts to the main base so that small parts do not get lost in the move.

5. Be ready on move day. The more prepared you are ahead of time, the quicker the move will go and the less time you will be paying for professional movers. If you’ve chosen to do all the packing yourself, make sure everything is finished being packed before the movers arrive. Make sure all boxes have tops so that they can be stacked on the truck. Also if you purchase uniform box sizes, rather than using castaway supermarket boxes and such, it will make loading and unloading quicker and more efficient. Another good idea is to label boxes saying which room each box will be moved to so that the movers will know exactly where items need to be placed in the new home without having to ask you.

For more tips for a successful move day, see our Home Moving Tips page.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers Weigh The Pros And Cons Of Living On A Houseboat

Have you ever considered living aboard? It could be a great life… you avoid traffic jams, can cool off in the water any time, and you can pick up and move anywhere you want. However it could also be a very tedious life… there’s the toilet to empty, grocery shopping would become quite a feat, not to mention the danger of weathering out a storm. Your Sacramento Moving Company considers the pros and cons of living on a houseboat.

Pros

·        The water is you backyard… and your front yard - if you love the water, you would love this aspect of living on a houseboat.

·        No more lawn work!

·        You still get all the luxury of a land-based home – Many modern houseboats come with full kitchens, bathroom and shower, as well as TV and radio. What more could you need for a simple life on the water?

·        No more traffic jams!

·        Mobility – You can move your houseboat up and down the river or lake any time you need a change of scene.

·        No taxes – That’s right. Living on the water you have no obligation to pay property tax.

Cons

·        Close quarters – Bedrooms and bathrooms are as minimal as it gets. This style of living may not work for you if you get claustrophobic.

·        This may not be the safest place during a storm

·        Getting groceries becomes a hassle – You can’t just dash around the corner to the local super market… it becomes a serious journey.

·        Chores - Emptying the boat bathroom and cleaning the deck

·        Hidden Costs – You can’t simply just buy the boat and move in. You will also have to consider the costs of renting a dock somewhere, insurance, licenses, fuel, maintenance and all those regular bills you would have at any home such as electricity and cable.

There seems to be a pretty even split of pros and cons to the houseboat lifestyle. So what do you think? Would You Do It?

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Movers Who Care Recommends How to Pack a Suitcase Efficiently

     There are so many things to look forward to when you travel, such as visiting a new destination, seeing old friends or simply getting away from the business of everyday life. There are also some things that many people don't look forward to before traveling. One of the biggest headaches of traveling is packing. Suitcases can be bulky, heavy and hard to maneuver, especially through a crowded terminal.  “So pack light and efficient!” says Laurie Strodtbeck of Movers Who Care.

     Think about the type of weather you're likely to experience on your trip. Determine how much and what kinds of clothes you REALLY need to pack based on weather predictions and what activities you plan to do. If you're going on a ski trip, you know you'll need more than one jacket. If you're traveling to Seattle for business, you may want to pack at least two pairs of dress pants or two suits in case one is dampened in the rain. If you're going on a simple trip to a place with mild weather, you should pack as light as possible, and maybe bring just one jacket.

     Lay out your clothes on a bed or counter. Begin with the heaviest items like jackets and coats, and work your way down. Continue doing this until all the clothes you plan to bring are spread out in front of you.

     Think about the number of days you will be gone and what you really need take with you to avoid any unnecessary inconveniences. Begin eliminating duplicate items and clothing that you're not certain you plan to wear. For example, if you're thinking of bringing V-neck sweaters in two colors just because you'd like to have options, this is unnecessary. Choose your favorite one and move on.

     Make a plan of what outfit(s) you plan to wear every day. Take into account any points during your trip where you will need to change from day or outdoor wear to nighttime wear. Eliminate many of the items you had originally laid out that are not in your current outfit guidelines.

     Begin packing your suitcase. Tightly fold all of your jackets and place them in the bottom of your suitcase. Place any bulky jackets on the very bottom, such as ski or snow jackets.

     Fold all your pants, again placing any bulky items at the bottom of the pile, which allows the items on top of them to weigh them down, "deflating" them. Place the pants on top of the jackets.

     Follow this same pattern with your sweaters, long-sleeved shirts and T-shirts.

     Fold any undershirts, tank tops or sleeveless tops as many times as you can. You can do this by folding the shoulders of these shirts together, then folding it horizontally and folding that once more horizontally. Place these items between the various stacks of clothing in your suitcase. They can usually fit on the very sides of your suitcase, acting as buffers between other folded items and the material of the suitcase.

     Place your shoes on top of your folded clothes if a separate zippered compartment isn't present. Put them on top of one another, alternating heel to toe. Remember to also go through your shoes when you're reviewing your clothes to ensure that you don't pack too many pairs.

     Fold your underwear and stuff them wherever you can find room, as it shouldn't matter whether they wrinkle. Some people prefer to put their underwear in their carry-on in case their luggage is lost.

     Designate an additional small bag to hold all of your toiletries. Also remember to review your toiletries for items that you can do without. You may also want to buy travel or mini versions of your favorite toiletries.

     Now that your bag is packed – its time to enjoy the vacation!

     Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

     For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Long Distance Move? How To Keep Kids Happy On A Long Car Journey

If you are doing a move across the state or even across the country and have kids in tow… a little planning in advance for the car ride can go a long way. Here are some ideas to keep the little ones busy on the drive.

Individual activities. Bring books, toys, and music to keep kids engaged. You may consider getting small portable DVD players so that they can watch movies. Just don’t forget the headphones!

Family activities. Another way to keep things interesting is to engage everyone in an ongoing game. Here are a few examples of games that can involve the whole family.

• The alphabet game. Players must look at signs along the road to find words that contain each letter in the alphabet. Players must go in order from A to Z not skipping any letters. The first one to spot every letter in the alphabet in order wins! Keep in mind that license plates and other words on cars do not count. Only words found on signs on the side of the road, billboards or buildings count. Also no word can be used twice.
• The license plate game. Make a list of every state and give it to each player. When players spot a license plate from another state they get to cross that plate off their list. The first player to spot all of the (or the most) license plates wins!
• Slug bug! Every time a player spots a Volkswagen Beetle that player yells, “slug bug” and gets a point. Volkswagen vans get 5 points. You can also choose a wild card vehicle worth 10 points. The player with the most points at the end wins!

Bring along snacks. Minimize stops at the service station by packing snacks for the road. You can also pack lunch and save money on going out to eat. Try to choose food items that do not leave too may crumbs in the car or messy fingers. Bring along a favorite candy as reward for winning a family game or just for good behavior!

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers Give 4 Reasons Why Exercising Helps Prepare For Move Day

We all know several benefits of having regular exercise habits. For example longer life, fewer medical problems, and most of all… it keeps the weight off. But have you considered how doing a consistent workout could benefit you when you’re ready to pack up the house and move? Here are a few ways you will reap rewards from regular exercise when move day rolls around.

1. Capacity to lift more. This one is a little obvious… lift your weights and you will find it easier to lift hearty furniture and boxes.

2. Reduces chance of injury. If you are physically toned you will be less likely to over-strain muscles or pull your back.

3. Stress relief. Moving is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. What better way to keep the stress at bay than to prepare your body with a workout? You will have a physical outlet for your frustration and the chance to clear your head.

4. Energy Boost. When you exercise consistently your body functions more efficiently resulting in you being able to go about your daily activities feeling less fatigued. On move day you will need that extra energy.

Still not motivated to hit the gym? It’s O.K. Sit back, relax and let your professional movers do the heavy lifting!

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com

How To Keep Your Home Cool In Triple-Digit Weather From Sacramento Movers

In the heat of summer, keeping you home cool can mean racking up expensive utilities bills for air conditioning. But really—is that how you want to spend your money? Didn’t think so. Your Sacramento Moving Company offers suggestions for keeping your home refreshingly cool without turning down the AC.

Use area fans. Area fans such as oscillating fans, small personal fans, or ceiling fans use far less energy than the air conditioner so it makes sense to use these in place of the AC whenever possible. If you will be in one room for an extended period of time, turn on fans in that room so that your AC can be set at a higher temperature yet you still get the cooling you want in the area you most need it.

Prevent your house from heating up in the first place. If it is cool out in the evening, turn off the AC and open the windows to let in cool air that you don’t have to pay for. During the day, keep your windows closed so that the heat doesn’t come in and you can preserve the cool air within the house. Also in any rooms that you won’t be spending time in (bedrooms for example) close the curtains to keep the heat out.

Avoid using hot appliances. Using the oven, stove or iron can heat up the house quickly. If you must use these appliances, do so early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cool out.  If you can avoid cooking by preparing cold meals, that would save you from having to turn on the oven at all. So when you see high degrees on the weather report… start tossing together salad for dinner!

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Inexpensive Summer Vacation Ideas From Sacramento Movers

Want to go for vacation this summer but don’t have the time or money to make a trip to Hawaii possible? Why not just stay a little closer to home. You can tailor your getaway to suit your specific budget.  Try being a tourist in your own town and exploring local restaurants and activates that you’ve just never got around to trying.

Here are some ideas to get the itinerary going:

Rent a raft and take a ride down the American River

You can rent rafts from   www.raftrentals.com   or   www.river-rat.com

Find a new place to eat

Our favorites are

—The Delta King Pilothouse Restaurant for fine dining

—Tower Café for a casual dinner

—Jack’s Urban Eats for lunch

Check out Sacramento Magazine’s Restaurant Directory here.

Go skydiving

Try this adventurous activity in Lodi at the Lodi Sky Dive and Parachute Center.

Jump on trampolines

Play like a kid again and jump around at Sky High Sports in Rancho Cordova.

Go for a bike ride

Grab a bike and take a ride around downtown or along the American River Bike trail.

Take a free yoga class in the park

Yoga in the Park is a free all-levels Vinyasa yoga class offered every Saturday from 9 to 10:15 a.m.

Art walks

There are a few to choose from in the area including:

—Sacramento, Second Saturday of every month.

—Folsom, Second Saturday of every month.

—Roseville, Third Saturday of every month.

More fun

Still need some ideas? Check out Sacramento Magazine’s list of 50 Tun Things To DoThis Summer.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers Suggest 4 Ways To Ensure Your Possessions Are Protected

1. Check your home-owners insurance. Before purchasing additional coverage for the move, check your home-owners insurance. Often times this coverage is in effect when your belongings are both in your home and in the moving truck. You will also want to find out if all your items are covered or if only a select dollar amount of your goods apply to the policy.

2. Only hire movers that are insured and bonded. When selecting professional movers confirm that the company is insured and bonded. What this means is that in case any of your belongings are damaged due to the mover’s handling, (they are responsible for the damage) they have an insurance policy that will cover the cost. However the amount that the mover is required to reimburse you is minimal so it may be a good idea to purchase additional valuation coverage if that is a concern to you. To learn more about valuation, check out our PDF “Valuation Insurance” on our Moving Guides page.

3. Hire professionals to pack everything securely. One advantage of having professional movers do the packing is that you ensure proper packing materials are used and everything is well padded. If any items are damaged that were professionally packed, the company can be held liable and be required to pay out at least a small sum of money. If you do decide to do the packing yourself, be extra careful and be sure to read up on proper packing tips. Even if you are just going a short distance, the majority of damage occurs within the home as items are being shifted or packed. In other words… don’t skip on the bubble wrap even if you are only moving across the street.

4. Lock it up on the road. Beyond just packing well and insuring your belongings, make sure to lock up the truck while on the road if you are doing a self-move. You don’t want to stop for lunch and come back to a ransacked moving truck. Also, if your possessions will be held for a long period of time between point A and point B, you will want to make sure items are not packed in such a way that furniture and electronic equipment can be damaged due to temperature changes.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.