What Additional Services Do Movers Offer?

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Flickr

When most people hire a mover, they assume that all the company will do, is load the truck, drive the truck and unload the truck.  How complicated is that?  What many do not realize is that moving companies offer a number of extra services that are designed to make your move less of a hassle… for a price.  They also have a list of what are considered additional services that can cause your bill to become inflated beyond the agreed upon price quoted prior to the move. Below is a list of additional services of which you need to be aware.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Mover?

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

Having made more than 4,000 moves, I am all too conscious of the fact that the first thing a business or homeowner is going to ask me is what it costs to hire us.  My standard answer is, “That depends.”  Just like a person who walks into an auto showroom and asks a salesperson what a car costs, the asking price depends on the make, the model and the options.  Like it or not, the moving industry works much the same way.  In order to help you make sense of the costs and options involved, I will take you for a quick tour of the world of moving.

Should You Move After a Major Storm?

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

As I write this, Hurricane Irma is lashing Florida with winds of up to 130 MPH and more rain in a couple of days than most places will get in a year.  Once the storm passes and any flooding subsides, there will be those who rebuild and those who decide it’s time to move out of the state for good.  Inland migration is a common occurrence after major storms.  After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2004, more than 24,000 residents reportedly left the area.  No doubt Houston will also see a decline in population, having recently been flooded after catastrophic rains brought on by Hurricane Harvey.  So, it goes without saying, that the areas hit hardest by Irma will more than likely experience a sudden migration of residents.

How to Get the Best Deal on Your Next Move

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

Having owned and operated a business called “Scott’s Discount Moving” you would assume I was the poster child for helping people get the best deal on a move.  I am.  That being said, it still irks me when someone tries to get me to go lower than my already discounted prices.  Mind you, I don’t blame the consumer for this.  I blame competitors in the moving business who advertise ridiculously low prices, then fail to deliver as advertised.

Managing a Long-Distance Move

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

When it comes to moving, nothing comes easy.  From the chore of packing away everything you own, which can take a month or more, to managing your family, your job and the lengthy ordeal of unpacking, moving is stressful to say the least.  Now add the hassle of moving cross-country and you are talking about a whole new level of aggravation.  For those of you planning to make a long-distance move, there are a few things you need to consider.  Below are the top-5 considerations you need to factor into your moving plan.

Boxing Your Books Without Breaking Your Back

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Pixabay

When it comes to packing, some chores are more difficult than others.  For instance, packing breakables such as glasses and dishes can be a challenge.  So, too, can packing books, although most people don’t realize this until the next day when their back is killing them.  Of course, back strain aside, there is a right way and a wrong way to pack books for shipping.

Packing Your Pets

By Scott Boone

When it comes to moving from Point A to Point B, most of us tend to forget about the tiniest members of the family.  I’m not talking about your children; I’m referring to your pets.  As stressful as it is for the rest of the family to relocate to a new and unfamiliar location, take it from me that your pets can be even more stressed out than you think. 

Doggie See, Doggie Do

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

As ingrained as you are to your surroundings, most animals are hardwired to protect and defend their territory.  It’s built into their genetic code.  Especially if you happen to have any dogs, the act of packing up your home is enough to throw them off their routine.  While they don’t understand what is happening while you begin the arduous task of boxing your belongings for shipping, they can sense that something unusual is afoot.  If you notice your dog is giving you strange looks while you are packing, take care to provide it with a little extra reassurance, or you could wake up to find your carefully packed boxes torn to shreds come morning.  Even worse, some dogs will instinctively soil the area as a way of marking their territory.