Long Island's Moving and Storage Blog

How to Cancel Utilities When Moving: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moving


When you move to a new home, there are a lot of things you need to do before you can officially move in and start living there. One of these tasks is figuring out how to cancel your utilities at your old place and set them up at your new place. This guide will walk you through the process of canceling utilities when moving so that you won't have any unpleasant surprises on moving day. Find Your Move Date Once you have your move date, you'll want to start by creating a moving checklist. This will help you keep track of everything you need to do in the weeks leading up to your move. One of the items on your moving checklist should be canceling your utilities. You'll want to call your utility companies a few weeks in advance to let them know you'll be closing your account. They may need to schedule a final meter reading and will likely give you instructions on how to pay any outstanding balances. Some utility companies may require a security deposit, so be sure to ask about that when you call. Don't forget to get the account numbers for each of your utilities so you can easily transfer service to your new home. Notify Your Electric, Gas, and Water Providers It's a good idea to notify your utility providers at least two weeks before you move. This will give them time to send you a final bill and shut off your services. To do this, you'll need to find the phone number for each of your utilities on your bill. Once you have the numbers, give each company a call and let them know you're moving. They'll ask for your new address and some other information, so be sure to have that handy. In most cases, you'll be able to transfer your utilities to your new home with no problem. However, if you're moving out of state, you may need to ...


MOTM
July 19th, 2022

Moving Scams to Look Out for When Hiring a Moving Company

Moving


You don't want to waste time and money on moving scams when you move. Unfortunately, with all the moving scams out there, it can be hard to know who to trust with your belongings while you move from place to place. If you're moving soon and are wondering how to choose the right moving company, here are some things you should be on the lookout for when hiring movers in order to avoid common scams that many companies try to pull on their customers. Get Quotes From at Least 3 Companies When you're getting quotes from different companies, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Some things to look for: Are they binding estimates? Do they have a USDOT number? What kind of truck will they be using for your move? Are they an interstate mover or just local? Google their company name and see if there are any complaints against them. Check out their website and see how professional it looks. A reputable moving company will be happy to answer all of your questions and should make you feel comfortable with the entire process. If something feels off, it's probably a red flag. Avoid Cash Payments The first step in avoiding moving fraud is to be aware of the most common scams in the industry. One of the most common scams is when movers request cash payments instead of using credit cards or rental trucks. By law, Movers must give you a written estimate of all charges before they begin moving your belongings. If the movers insist on being paid in cash, this is a red flag that they may be trying to scam you. Another common scam is when movers hold your belongings hostage until you pay them an additional fee. This is called bait and switch, and it's illegal. If you think you've been ...


MOTM
July 19th, 2022

Why People Move: The Top Reasons Behind Your Life-Changing Decision

Moving


Why do people move? There are many reasons to uproot yourself and your family and leave your hometown to start anew in a new city or state. Sometimes it’s because of work, sometimes it’s because of family, and sometimes it’s because you just want to be somewhere new and exciting. Whatever the reason may be, moving can be an exciting adventure! Check out this list of the top reasons people decide to move that our moving company has compiled from over the years! The Need for Change While job opportunities and upgrading to a bigger home are common reasons people move, they’re not necessarily the most common reasons behind your life-changing decision. You may be moving closer to family or another loved one who has recently moved for their job. Or perhaps you’re relocating to be closer to school districts that are better suited for your children and grandchildren. And don’t forget about the cost of living - you might save more money in taxes and enjoy cheaper rent by moving entirely elsewhere. Whether you decide to move in pursuit of a new job or because of family, your upcoming relocation will most likely prompt some major changes in your life. Therefore, you must consider all factors that influence a successful move before packing up and leaving it all behind for good. A Geographical Change Moving somewhere with a different climate is one of the most popular reasons people move. It’s no wonder because it can be such a refreshing change and really improve your physical and mental health. If you decide to make a change like that, make sure you choose a place close enough to visit your friends and family. Relocating across state lines or even countries might not be as simple. Do your research and consider ways you can stay connected to those you’ve left behind. An Economic Change Thinking about moving for work? It’s common for families to move when a ...


MOTM
June 30th, 2022

5 Tips for Holding A Successful Moving Sale

Moving


As you prepare to move, many people decide to throw a moving sale in order to get rid of the things they don't want or need and make some extra cash while they're at it. Whether you're planning on selling just a few things or trying to get rid of everything before moving day, here are some tips to help you have the most successful moving sale possible! 1) Decide Where You Want to Hold Your Moving Sale You can have a garage sale, yard sale, or even hold your sale online through social media platforms or classified ads. Where you have your sale will determine how much advertising you'll need to do. If you're having a garage or yard sale, check local ordinances to see if any permits are required or restrictions on the days and times you can hold your sale. Once you've selected your location, choose two or three sale days and set a start time for each day. Early birds will try to get to your sale before it starts, so be prepared for them. Now that you know where and when your moving sale will be, it's time to start preparing for it! 2) Advertise Your Sale You need to let people know that you're having a sale! Place ads in local newspapers and online classifieds websites. Be sure to include the date and time of the sale, as well as a list of some of the items that will be for sale. You can also put up flyers around town and post them on community bulletin boards. 3) Decide What Items to Sell Moving can be expensive and time-consuming, so it's important to declutter your home before you pack everything up and move to your new place. A moving sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money in the process. Here are five tips to help you prep ...


MOTM
June 30th, 2022

Packing Dishes for Moving: How to Avoid Breakage and Keep Your Valuables Safe

Moving


When you're packing dishes to move, it's important to get it right the first time, or you could end up with broken plates and glasses, destroyed cutlery and bent silverware, or all of the above! Here are some tips on how to pack dishes for moving in order to ensure that your valuables arrive at your new home unscathed and ready to be used when you do. Make sure everything gets there in one piece! The Right Boxes When it comes to moving, you don't want to cut corners by using a box that's too big or one that doesn't have enough room for your stuff. You also don't want anything in your boxes getting crushed or broken, so opt for medium-sized moving boxes that can hold wine glasses, plates, and bowls without taking up extra space. Packing material like bubble wrap will also help keep things from breaking during transit. Make sure you label each box with its contents if it contains any breakable items so movers won't mistake them for a regular book or t-shirt box when loading up your stuff into their truck. The Right Materials This sounds like common sense, but many moving companies have experienced breakages caused by packing with inappropriate materials. To minimize damage from shifting during transit, make sure your dishes are packed in material designed for packing glassware (packing paper is a popular choice). Make sure that any dish or glass you use on a regular basis is always packed separately so it can be unpacked first. You should also invest in some quality packing tape—packing duct tape may help seal cracks and holes in your boxes, but it can't stand up to temperature fluctuations or rough handling. Securely pack all boxes before loading them into your vehicle; avoid stacking them outside where they could topple over. Time Management The key to packing dishes is time management. If you have lots of fragile kitchen items, start with ...


MOTM
May 26th, 2022

Peak Moving Season. When Is It?

Moving


The peak moving season in the United States runs from May through August, but there are ways to make sure you're as prepared as possible if you need to move your household during that time period. This article will help you prepare your home and your life so that your move will go smoothly and stress-free. The National Movers Study Shows The days around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day are times of high demand for moving companies. The weekends leading up to these holidays are often hectic. While there are moving industry estimates on peak seasons, it's best to plan your move carefully to avoid paying any additional fees that might result from booking during the busy season. Start with dates for school year-end and summer vacations – typically between May and August – then consider major holidays when friends and family members may also be relocating (this includes graduations). If you can plan a move during non-peak periods like November through February or mid-April through mid-June, you could receive major discounts on both your rental truck and storage unit rental. If You're Thinking About Selling, Start Preparing Now The peak moving season falls during the summer months, meaning demand for movers tends to be high around Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, if you want to know when it's best to start your move, first figure out where you're going—long-distance or local—and what time of year you plan to make your trek. For instance, if you're planning on moving long-distance in September or October, it's best to book your move in June or July. That way, your movers can schedule their time off (the weeks surrounding major holidays are super busy) and get a feel for what kinds of packages they need to stock up on. You can also save by booking early—many services even offer discounted rates when you reserve earlier in advance. Check Your Credit If you plan to move ...


MOTM
May 26th, 2022

How to Make a Moving Checklist That Will Save Your Sanity

Moving


When you're moving into your first apartment or house, it can be incredibly stressful trying to remember everything you need to do in order to make your move as smooth as possible. You might not even realize that you forgot something until it's too late. Follow this moving checklist, and it will help you get organized and ensure that your move goes smoothly! If You Are Planning to Move Whether you're planning a cross-country move or simply moving down the street, making sure your home doesn't fall apart in your absence is important. Here are some tips to help ensure that nothing falls through (literally). Create an inventory: Create an inventory of everything in your home and make copies. Include location, size, brand and model number for electronics, and any other details you think might be relevant for insurance purposes. Make copies for each room in your house so that you have one with you at all times during the move-in day. Keep it on hand throughout your move so that you can reference it when unpacking. This will prevent those late-night calls to friends and family asking if they remember where they put something! Use mover's tape: Mover's tape is designed specifically for labeling boxes while they're being moved from place to place. It sticks well but peels off easily without leaving residue behind. This will allow you to label boxes clearly while still giving them plenty of space inside without being cramped by excessive writing. Plus, once you get into your new home, it'll be easy enough to transfer those labels onto their permanent homes! If You Are in The Middle of Your Move Pack your important items first. Take each box and label it with what room it will be stored in at your new home (or with which relative it will be staying). As you pack up clothes, ask yourself if each item is worth spending time and energy lugging across ...


MOTM
April 25th, 2022

Why You Should Hire Movers – And How to Find the Right Ones

Moving


If you're planning to move, hiring movers may be your best option because you can complete the whole process in just one day, saving you time and money. However, finding the right moving company isn't always easy, especially if you don't know where to look or what to ask. Here are some of the things you should consider when hiring movers, along with tips on getting started. What Makes A Good Mover? When hiring movers, it is important to figure out precisely what you need. If you're looking for a packing service, then how will they know whether or not you need their services? The same applies if you are looking for heavy lifting help. Different services cater to different needs, and it is crucial that you choose your mover carefully. Ask yourself these questions: How will they know what they should be doing? Will they load everything in my home on their own, or do I have to give them direction? Am I willing to pay more for such convenience? How long should I wait before deciding whether or not I'm satisfied with their service? Depending on your answers, there might be a right and wrong choice regarding hiring movers. Things to Consider When Hiring A Moving Company To make sure you hire a moving company that meets your needs, it's important to consider how you plan on moving, your budget, and what services are offered. Moving is an exciting time but can also be stressful. If you have heavy or valuable items, hiring movers can help save money and ensure everything arrives safely at its destination. With so many options available when looking for a local mover in your area, it's important to do some research before making a final decision. To find reliable professionals who will move your belongings safely at affordable prices, ask friends and family members if they know of any good movers or check online reviews sites such as Yelp ...


MOTM
April 25th, 2022

10 Things You Didn't Know About Moving

Moving


Moving can be a huge pain, and it's something we all have to do at some point in our lives. It's even more of a pain if you haven't prepared properly or don't know what you're doing! But you can do plenty of things before, during, and after your move to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. In fact, there are plenty of moving tips out there that may surprise you—you might be surprised by how much you don't know about moving! 1) There's A Ton of Help Available If you're looking for moving tips, plenty of resources are available. The first place to look is your friends and family; there's a lot you can learn from their experiences. Ask around about movers, storage solutions, and other related issues to see what recommendations you get. Also, consider asking at work if anyone has any recommendations or has gone through a similar experience. Looking online can be helpful as well—there are tons of resources out there offering information on everything from packing to hiring movers—and so many people are willing to offer advice via discussion boards and other user-driven content sites that it's worth using them as a reference source as well. 2) Being Prepared Can Save You Time and Money The most important thing you can do is to be prepared. When you know your moving date, visit your new neighborhood beforehand and take note of schools, parks, grocery stores, and pharmacies. If possible, visit during off-peak hours to avoid traffic delays and confusion. Many companies offer a free moving estimation with an in-home estimate. This can help you prepare mentally for what's ahead (and give an accurate idea of how much it'll cost). While some things are out of your control, being prepared will at least make moving day easier for everyone involved. 3) Start Packing ASAP Packing your belongings is a big part of moving. It's much easier to do before you are ...


MOTM
March 28th, 2022

Best Moving Tips for Homeowners

Moving


Whether you're getting ready to move or are just thinking about it, you want to be as prepared as possible in order to save yourself time and stress. Moving can be challenging, especially if you're moving into your first home, but the right preparation will make all the difference in the world and help you transition smoothly into your new life in your new house or apartment. Here are the best moving tips for homeowners so that you can have a happy and successful moving experience! Best Moving Tip #1: Pack Early, Pack Often If you wait until your move date to pack, chances are you'll forget something. Start early; try writing down everything you own so that you have a better sense of what moving will entail. Then prioritize which items you need to pack first, such as paperwork and anything that can't be replaced (such as family photos). Packing early keeps you organized, but it also helps reduce the anxiety associated with moving day! If there's anything else we can do to make your move easier, please don't hesitate to ask! We are happy to help in any way we can. Best Moving Tip #2: Create A Floor Plan Once you've gone through all your stuff and decided what stays and what goes, you can start mapping out where everything will go in your new home. It's important to create a plan before you begin moving so that things don't get too chaotic when it comes time to start packing, unpacking, and placing items back in their homes. We recommend keeping an old sketchbook with paper and pencil handy during these initial stages. And if you have any friends or family members who are interested in helping (or at least watching) as you move, make sure they take notes on how everything should be placed! Best Moving Tip #3: Consider Hiring Movers or Renting A Truck If you're moving to a new city, you might ...


MOTM
March 28th, 2022