North American Van Lines Blog

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Moving is exciting but at the same time is often stressful. If you are a rookie at moving, you might find yourself making some rookie mistakes. Here are 10 things you need to consider before a big move in order to have everything go smoothly with your moving company.

Common Mistakes:

• Deciding to go with the lowest price mover just because they are the cheapest. You need to look for quality and value. Get multiple in-home estimates and decide on the company that best meets your needs.
• Getting a quote over the phone or by submitting your inventory list online for a quote. This is one way to get in trouble. You must have an in-person in-home estimate in order to be sure you will be charged accurately.
• Not getting estimates from at least three moving companies. You need to see what the average cost is in order to know what is accurate and reasonable.
• Not researching the company. Do a background check by Google searching for customer reviews. Go to www.protectyourmove.gov to make sure they have a moving license. Even visit their offices to see how professional the operation is.
• Not planning ahead. Summer is a busy time for moving companies, and if you don’t book early, you might not get the time slot you need. It also saves you money to book ahead.
• Not asking about extra costs that you might be charged. There may be additional fees for stairs, elevators, or for not having an adequate parking space for the moving truck.
• Not asking the right questions. You should ask if the company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Ask if this company subcontracts, or will do all the work themselves.
• Not checking with the Better Business Bureau on the movers’ complaint record. It’s rare to find a company free from complaints. You really need to look at whether those complaints were handled properly.
• Not notifying movers of unusual situations that they might encounter. They need all the pertinent information in order to give you an accurate estimate. Let them know if there is a parking spot for the moving truck, if there are delivery time restrictions, elevators, or stairs.
• Forgetting to keep track of estimates you receive. It gives you a competitive edge to keep all your estimates in mind.

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During a move, there is the possibility that something could be lost or damaged. Accidents do occur. You need to know what options your moving company offers in order to protect your possessions. You can choose a level of liability by choosing valuation coverage. There are two types.

Full Value Protection
In this situation, the mover is fully responsible for replacement of lost or damaged items. They may elect to repair an item, replace it with a similar item, or give you a cash settlement for the cost to repair or replace. Movers limit their liability for lost or damaged items of extraordinary value. An item of extraordinary value is one that exceeds in value over $100 per pound. If you have an item of this worth, you must indicate that in writing on shipping documents.

Released Value
This is less comprehensive coverage, but comes at no cost to the consumer. However, you will only be compensated based on the weight of the item at sixty cents per pound per article.

Actions that Will Limit the Mover’s Liability

• Packing dangerous, hazardous, or perishable items without the movers’ knowledge. Damages from these items are never covered.
• Packing your own boxes. If you insist on packing yourself, research how to properly protect items with packing materials, especially unusually shaped items.
• Choosing released value coverage when your items are worth more than sixty cents per pound per article. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• Not notifying the mover in writing about items of extraordinary value.

Do everything you can to ensure the protection of your possessions, from choosing the right valuation coverage to packing well. This will ensure that everything arrives at your new home in one piece.

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Moving is a daunting task, and can be all the more stressful if you don’t know what to expect. Read through this list of what typically happens on a move. With this knowledge, you will be all the more ready for the big day.

• The moving company will notify you weeks in advance when the movers will arrive so there are no surprises. The driver is typically the supervisor of the crew, and is the person you should ask questions.
• In order to ensure that all of your items arrive at your new house in the same condition that they were previously in, the moving company will provide a written inventory of your items. The condition of each item will be assessed and given a number.
• Movers will use specialty boxes for packing things like clothing and dishes. Everything else will likely be packed in square boxes. The movers will group like items for shipping.
• The movers will determine the best order to take the boxes to the truck. You should keep any family heirlooms, pictures, and valuables with you.
• Each piece of furniture will be pad wrapped and strategically loaded. The movers will have a technique for packing and loading the furniture and other similar pieces.
• To make sure items don’t shift during the drive and become damaged, the movers will pack each item so that they fit together tightly. Don’t be concerned if things seem disorganized. You will have the opportunity to tell the movers where to place each item in your new home.
• Before the movers leave, they will hand you a bill of lading, with the moving estimate and the expected delivery dates.
• As the movers load boxes into your new house, you will be handed inventory sheets. The movers will call off the box numbers and you can check them off the list. Then you will sign the inventory list. Notice any damage and note it on the inventory sheet. Be sure to notify the company of the damage. If you are unpacking yourself, ask the moving company for a debris pickup, so that you are not stuck with all that packing material in your home.

In order to have a safe move, you need to know what you shouldn’t pack in the moving truck. Be sure to double check with your moving company on what they do and don’t allow. Here is a list to get you started.

Dangerous Items
You cannot pack nail polish remover, paint and paint thinners, lighter fluid, gasoline, fireworks, fertilizer, oxygen bottles, propane cylinders, repair and maintenance chemicals, radiopharmeceuticals, matches, explosives, compressed gasses, flammable liquids and solids, poisons, corrosives, or radioactive materials.

Perishable items
Be sure to clean out your refrigerator 24 hours before your move to give it time to dry out to prevent the growth of mold. You cannot pack perishable foods. Try to use up all your perishables, and give the leftover quality food to a neighbor or donate to a local church or food pantry. Also, you cannot pack live plants. Take these with you in a car.

Special Items
Things like exercise equipment, washing machines and dryers, and old playground equipment are a hassle to move. They are heavy, bulky, and will add significantly to the costs of your move. Consider selling these items and repurchasing once you arrive at your new home.

Valuable Items
Take with you in the car any passports, birth certificates, financial statements, medical records or valuables such as a coin collection or jewelry. Keep family photos in a safe place and do not try to move them in the moving truck.

Other Tips
You’ll need to drain oil and fuel from garden tools and other machines, and disconnect any battery tools from their batteries. Disconnect propane tanks and return to the collection center.

By reading through this list and taking care of removing these things from your home, you will be all the more ready when the movers arrive.

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When relocating, it’s important to stay on budget, as there are variable costs involved. The main cost is the fee to hire a moving company. It’s important to get the best price and value available, and to pick the best company to fit your needs. This can be decided by getting an in-home estimate. Here are six reasons why you should get quotes on the cost of your move.

• Getting an in-home estimate allows you to stay within your budget, and reduces the stress of a move. When there are questions about the potential costs, it can make you uneasy about the financial burden of moving. With an estimate, you can project the actual costs and prepare for them.
• It lessens the risk of being scammed by a moving company. Stay away from companies that don’t offer an in-home estimate. They are very likely trying to take advantage of you by raising the price at the end of the move.
• With your estimates, you can compare quotes, and choose the best deal. You don’t only want the cheapest deal, you want the one that best meets your needs and offers the best value.
• It helps the moving company provide you with a smoother and easier move. They can determine what labor will be involved, what materials you will need, and what equipment they need to move you successfully.
• Knowing your estimate equips you with move moving knowledge. This will put your mind at ease on moving day, and will allow you to take care of the rest of your moving to-do list.
• Getting in-home estimate gives you time to make a well thought-out decision. Don’t feel rushed. Take your time choosing the best fit for you.

Seattle is a beautiful city nestled between Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east. Whether you are watching whales in the Sound, or visiting the Space Needle, you will feel the good vibe of Seattle.

Seattle is unfairly pinned as being rainy, when really it only rains a lot in the winter. Its weather is actually quite mild, allowing for year-round recreation outside, including walking, cycling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, motor boating, sailing, team sports, and swimming.

This city of neighborhoods is a real community, with many areas having Neighborhood Service Centers, their own street fairs, and serious farmers’ markets.

Seattle has a musical history, with a strong jazz scene that started the careers of people such as Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. It was the birthplace of “grunge” in the 90’s, made famous by groups such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. It’s also known for indie rock music.

You can’t forget the coffee companies founded in Seattle: Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Tully’s. There are also many independent cafés and a culture that makes visiting those cafés a way of life.

As far as being green, Seattle has vowed to have zero net per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. There are many businesses, which do green business, and consumers support these businesses.

The city is known to be smart, as one of the two most literate cities among America’s largest cities. Seattle has a high percentage of college graduates, with 53% of the population over 25 holding a bachelor’s degree.

Find out for yourself. Make plans to explore this great city of the West Coast before your call your Seattle movers.

Photo: Photo provided by Flickr user @dougtone under the creative common license.

You can never have enough tips – when it comes to moving. That’s why we’ve decided to scour the Web to find the best moving tips posted by our moving agents. Here are the best pieces of advice from moving professionals who have a lifetime of moving experience, so enjoy!

• 5 Things Not to Skimp On When Moving: http://www.beltmann.com/blog/post/5-Things-Not-to-Skimp-On-When-Moving.aspx
• 5 Tips for Spotting a Rogue Mover Before its Too Late: http://www.a-1freeman.com/blog/post/Top-5-Tips-for-Spotting-a-e2809cRogue-Movere2809d-Before-ite28099s-too-late.aspx
• Best Neighborhoods in Kansas City for Families: http://www.beltmann.com/blog/post/Best-Neighborhoods-in-Kansas-City-for-Families.aspx
• Moving? Don't Forget to Pack Your #1 Box: http://citymovers.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/moving-dont-forget-to-pack-your-1-box/

North American is proud to announce the launch of northAmerican TV. Hosted on the company’s YouTube channel, North American launched this series as a way to bring its easy-to-follow moving tips to life in a visual way. Each episode will follow the same simple format and will breakdown seemingly complex issues into short and concise tips that will help debunk some of the mysteries of the moving process.

Subscribe to the channel, so you can be the first to hear about new episodes - happy viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/user/northAmericanVL

Skiing in the desert? This city has to be from a dream. Being a high altitude town with low humidity, the temperatures are typically mild year-around. What most people don’t know is that average snowfall for this city is around 100 inches per year, which makes it one of the snowiest cities in the U.S. The city is a popular destination for tourists because of its proximity to the Grand Canyon and Route 66. Considering a move to this unique city? Here are some facts to consider.

• Population: 60,661 (July, ’09)
• Population Increase: +14.6%
• Median Resident Age: 26.8 years
• Arizona Median Age: 34.2 years
• Median Income: $49,861
• Arizona Median Income: $48, 745
• Mean Price in 2009 for All Housing Units: $336,520
• Median Gross Rent in 2009: $925

So in summary, Flagstaff is growing but will still have that small town feel its neighboring Phoenix or Scottsdale brothers can’t offer. Note the median age is younger than the state’s average and the median income is higher. The housing costs however are a bit higher than other cities in Arizona, so keep that in mind when you calculate cost of living.

The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau just released a very comprehensive map that can help you better understand where your state stands from a growth standpoint. This interactive map allows you to click on each state for a drill-down of information including:

• State population by race;
• Population change since 1910;
• Population density;
• Plus, access to additional city information.

 Very cool tool if you’re considering a move in the near future or if you’re just curious how your city stacks up against the rest of the U.S. states.

Enjoy: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/