Sacramento Movers Discuss 5 Common Myths About Moving Companies

Want to know the truth about moving companies? Sacramento Moving Company takes a few moments to highlight a few myths that customers commonly have about moving with professional movers.

Myth 1. Used boxes save money

Though used boxes may occasionally save money when moving, the reality is that many used boxes are not fit for the job. For example, boxes that you can get from a local supermarket are not a good option for packing household goods because boxes that contained food at one point will often carry many unseen critters presenting a sanitary problem for your move. Also used boxes are often worn or weakened from use and may not be able to bear the weight of your items. The last thing you’d want is to try carrying a box of items to the truck only for the bottom of the box to give out halfway to the moving truck. These are just a few of the ways that packing items in used boxes can end up costing you more in the long run than buying sturdy, new moving boxes.

Myth 2. Moving companies do not help you pack

Certainly not true. Full service moving companies will pack your items and unpack them at the destination.  This is one way to take a lot of the stress out of moving. If you’d prefer to do the packing yourself, moving companies can usually help you out by supplying proper boxes and packing supplies as well as giving you helpful packing tips. One essential packing tip to remember—if it’s not furniture, it goes in a box. Pack everything even if you are just moving down the street because the most likely time for one of your items to be damaged is while being taken to or from the truck, not during the drive. Also keep in mind that the more prepared you are on move day the quicker the move will go and the less it will cost you. Remember to label your boxes on the top and side of each box so that the movers will know where to place each box in your new home.

Myth 3. Lunch must be provided for movers

While you may be expected to bribe your friends with pizza to help you move, this is not the case when you hire professional movers. It is definitely a nice gesture to offer food to the movers, but it is not expected and movers will often bring their own packed lunch if they expect it to be a long day.

Myth 4: Moving companies always break items

While breakages do happen, it is not common. If you choose to work with an upstanding, reputable moving company, the likelihood of their trained, professional movers breaking your items is slim to none. This is because the movers have training and experience moving furniture and fragile items. The movers at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® even receive bonuses based on their success in handling customer’s items without breakage occurring, giving them the added incentive to take extra care on every job.

Myth 5: The best way to choose a moving company is by comparing prices

There are many ways to narrow down the options and select one moving company. One of these is price but you can also consider the services that are included, the reputation of the moving company, any previous customer reviews on Yelp or Angie’s List, and the employees the company hires. For example does the customer offer packing services or free, no-obligation estimates? Is the company highly rated on the Better Business Bureau and have several customer reviews on Yelp or similar sites with a mixture of good and bad reviews?  Also consider if the company hires background checked and drug tested employees rather than going through temp agencies or labor-ready services to acquire movers. Does the company have a process for training their employees to handle any type of move? Though it may be attractive to save money by hiring someone off of craigslist who has a pick-up truck, after having several items lost, stolen, or broken, you may wish you’d put out the extra money to hire a licensed moving company.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento 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. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Explain How To Move Your Home Without Breaking Your Back

It’s important to prepare physically before moving the contents of your home. Poor posture when lifting heavy furniture or boxes, dehydration or exceeding your limit when lifting can all lead to fatigue, aches pains and even injury. Drink plenty of water prior to and during a move. Also make sure to stretch before lifting the first box. Then when the move is complete, stretch again. Also be sure to observe a few safety precautions throughout the move.

Proper Lifting Techniques. There is not one simple method for lifting an item, but there are techniques that will reduce the amount of strain placed on the body. The following is a list of 8 guidelines for lifting furniture and boxes to reduce the risk of injury:

1    .       Begin with assessing the weight of the item and determining safe places where you might grip the piece. Avoid sharp edges or weak areas on the piece.

2    .       Clear a path of travel including opening doorways and clearing obstacles off the ground.

3    .       Establish good footing placing your feet shoulder width apart.

4    .       Bend at the knees to grasp the weight, being careful to keep the back straight.

5    .       Position yourself as close to the item as possible, and before you being to lift, look in a slightly upward direction. This technique helps keep the back in alignment.

6    .       Get a firm hold of the item and slowly lift, keeping the back straight and gradually straightening the legs.

7    .       If the lift is too heavy or bulky for you to lift comfortably carefully put the item back down and get help.

8    .       When putting the load down, reverse the lift procedure.

Working As A Team. Whenever two or more people prepare to lift a large or heavy item, it is important that everyone discusses the strategy for moving the piece. This includes determining who will lift each side, what route will be taken and how to overcome any obstacles such as a tight doorway or a switchback stair case. Try to think through any possible problems or difficult areas along the route and discuss how to handle these with your helpers before attempting to lift the piece. Communicate every move to your partners, so they can be prepared to react. Lift and lower the piece in unison. If at any time you need to adjust your hold of an item or re-grip, communicate this information to your helpers before you do it.

Observing proper safety techniques when lifting and preparing your body for a strenuous day is the best way to prevent injury when moving the contents of your home. Accidents can still happen no matter what, but it’s wise to take a few precautions to avoid as much discomfort as possible.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento 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. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Explain How To Move Grandfather Clocks

Grandfather clocks are one of those unusual items that need a little bit of additional care when moving. Besides the fragile glass door to watch out for, the weights and pendulum must be removed from the clock before it can be transported. This is a simple process but for anyone who has never removed the weights or pendulum from a clock, it may be difficult to know where to begin. Follow these simple steps to secure your grandfather clock for a move.

 Begin with preparing the clock to move. You will need to put on cloth or latex gloves before touching the working parts of the clock. This is important because the moisture or oil from your skin can tarnish the finish of the brass or metal. With gloves on, remove the weights and pendulum. These parts are very delicate so try not to force any part. Also look the entire piece over carefully; perhaps even take photographs so that you remember where each part must go when replaced.

Notice that the weights are only attached to the chain by a hook and the weights can easily be lifted off the hooks. The next thing to do will be to take masking tape and secure the hooks and chains to the side glass so that the hooks do not swing against the glass when the clock is moved.

The pendulum will lift off just as easily as the weights. The important thing to check here is the access panels on either side by the face. Check these to be sure they will not slide or fall down through the glass of the clock. Be sure that the weights and the pendulum are not lost in the shuffle of the move. Set these aside in a box and label the box.

Secure the door of the clock closed either by locking it and holding onto the key or by placing a large rubber band around the clock so that the door does not swing open. Next, carefully pad the clock with furniture pads and stretch wrap it to keep the furniture pads in place. Do not place the clock on a dolly, get a second hand to help you carry it to the truck in an upright position. Strap the padded piece against the wall of the truck so that it does not shift around within the truck during the move.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento 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. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Share A Long Distance Moving Checklist

The checklist for a long distance move will be different from a local move checklist. For example you may need to book a flight to get to your new home or stay at hotels as your drive from your old home in California to your new home in New York. Use this checklist to be sure you are on track for your long-distance move.

As soon as you know you are moving or at least two months before the move…

ü  Go through the garage, closets and attic and purge any items that you haven’t used in a while or may never need

ü  Host a garage sale or give to charity any unwanted items

ü  Walk around the house and make a list of all the items that will be moved

ü  Review reputation of moving companies through the Better Business Bureau, Yelp and Angie’s List

ü  Be sure to select a mover that is fully licensed, bonded and insured as well as members of the American Moving & Storage Association

ü  Call at least three different moving companies to discuss pricing and each company’s unique services offered

ü  Schedule an on-site estimate with your move consultant to determine the scope and cost of the move

ü  Get familiar with the Your Rights And Responsibilities When You Move booklet provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation

ü  Schedule the move

ü  Consider adding additional valuation coverage to your move so that if any of your goods are lost or damaged during the move, then it will be covered by the valuation option you selected. Ask your moving company about valuation

ü  Decide how you will transport any vehicles to the new location. Will you drive? If so determine how far you will be likely to drive each day and book hotels along the way.

ü  If you will not be bringing vehicles to your new home, book a flight to get you from point A to point B.

ü  If your home will not be ready by the time you arrive or if your goods do not arrive at the new home for a couple of days, you may need to stay with a friend or book a hotel until the move is complete

ü  Make special arrangements for traveling with pets or live plants. If you are driving in your own vehicle, you can simply board any living thing onto your own car. However if you are flying, you will need to look into the airline’s rules for travelling with pets.

A month before the move…

ü  Get change of address cards from the post office

ü  Schedule disconnects for internet, utilities and cable at your old home

ü  Research schools in the new city and transfer the kids school records

ü  Get packing materials if you plan to do the packing yourself

ü  Begin packing starting with items you don’t frequently use

One or two weeks before the move…

ü  Fill out and turn in change of address cards to the post office

ü  Change your address with the bank, credit card, magazines, etc.

ü  Set up for internet, utilities and cable at your new home

ü  Set aside cleaning equipment needed to clean the house after the movers leave and before they arrive at the new home. Or hire a cleaning company to do the job for you.

ü  Pack a suitcase with any items you will need until your items arrive across the country

A day or two before the move…

ü   Finish all remaining foodstuff that has not be packed away. Consider takeaways for the next few days

ü  Ensure that you have enough cash on hand to pay for all incidentals on the day. You might consider things like paying the movers, food, tips, etc.

 ü   Confirm the arrival time of the moving company or the time that you can pick-up your self-move vehicle

ü    Confirm all travel reservations

ü  If appliances are being moved, defrost the freezer and refrigerator. Empty all water out of the washing machine and dishwasher.

ü  Disassemble furniture if you want move day to go quicker

On move day…

ü  Run through the house after the goods have been moved and check that you have taken all items that weren’t packed. Things like lights and telephones are commonly not packed until after the move.

ü  Collect any valuables from your safe-deposit box. Remember to keep these with you at all times. Do not send important documents, valuable jewelry or other irreplaceable items along with the movers.

ü  Only sign off the papers when you are happy that all is in order

After the move…

ü  Keep all moving receipts as they might be tax deductible

ü  Renew your driver's license and vehicle registration

ü  Confirm all your policy and subscription changes have taken effect

ü  Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the new neighborhood

ü  Look out for where the hospital, police station, doctor and fire station is located near your new home

ü  Check that there are no damages to items during the move and check that all your items have arrived

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento 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. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.