Opening Doors - Homescape Blog

Thinking Green Before You Move

dgolemis@homescape.com — 10 Mar 2008 18:10:08 CST

Protecting our environment has become a big consideration in our society today. “Green living” has permeated many industries, including as automotive, energy and housing beginning to embrace new business practices that take account of the short and long impacts on the environment of their businesses and industries.

The moving industry is also beginning to embrace a new way of thinking about how its business impacts our environment. Some companies have begun to market themselves as “green moving companies” and new products are coming onto the market that are focused on better protecting the environment.

One of the most important areas of “green moving” is the continued search for and adoption of lower emission and higher fuel efficient moving trucks. Traditional moving trucks are powered by diesel fuel and are not considered to be environmentally friendly. New technology that incorporates biofuels is available and is being used by some local moving companies, especially in environmentally progressive areas of the country such as California. One California moving company, Go Green Moving, has embraced many “green practices” into their business and uses their environmentally friendly position as a central theme in their consumer marketing.

Another major aspect of the green initiative is a shift to more recycled and reusable packing materials. The moving industry is a big user of cardboard, and most moving boxes are destroyed after a move is completed. Moving companies have traditionally wanted new and sturdy moving boxes for each move to ensure that a consumer’s household items are well protected. Today’s technology has created high-quality recyclable materials, including moving pads made from recycled cotton and fully bio-friendly moving boxes. The rapid adoption of mobile container units and reusable packing crates also represent forward thinking green products. One company, EarthFriendlyMoving, offers a product called RecoPack that provides an environmentally friendly packing and moving system made from recyclable trash from local landfills.

Feel free to ask your moving company whether they use any of these green products. You can also do your part to protect the environment by reducing unused items and recycling things that you don’t need. Instead of simply tossing unused items in the trash, find local recycling centers that can take your recyclable goods. Carefully dispose electronics such as cell phones, computers and VCRs; their electrical components need to be handled carefully. In the end, the fewer things that you move, the fewer moving boxes, packing supplies and fuel you’ll use. Not only does an eco-friendly move help the planet, it could end up saving you a lot of money.

Preparing To Move Your Car

dgolemis@homescape.com — 28 Feb 2008 22:40:26 CST

Relocation.com

By preparing your car’s move well in advance, you will make it easier for your auto transport company to ship it on time, in good condition and at the contracted price.

The first step is a thorough inspection of your car by the auto shipping company. You will be asked to sign a bill of lading and a vehicle condition report before the car is shipped. Review the details of the vehicle condition report and make sure you fully agree with the auto shipper’s assessment of your car’s condition just before it is shipped.

Before it is transported, thoroughly clean your car inside and out. This will help the shipper perform a detailed and accurate inspection of the vehicle and give you time to remove extra items from it.

Be sure to tell the shipper in advance if your car is not in running condition. Many auto transport companies will not ship disabled vehicles or will charge a higher price for additional towing or transport services needed to get the vehicle to its destination.

Some other things you should plan for when shipping your vehicle:

The vehicle should not have any fluid leaks.
You will want to have the complete set of keys available to provide to your auto shipper.
Remove all personal items from the vehicle before it is transported. The auto transport company cannot accept the vehicle by law if there are personal items inside of the car. If you do leave anything in the vehicle, the shipper is not liable for any loss or damage to your items.
Remove the car cover or spare tire covers. However, it is a good idea to keep the spare tire and jack in the vehicle.
Remove any roof racks or other nonpermanent items that you may have on your vehicle.
All antennas must be removed or fully retracted.
If your vehicle has an alarm system, you will want to disable or disconnect it prior to shipment.
Keep about a quarter or a half tank of gas in your car on the day of shipping.
If you’re doing a household move and are moving to an area where the climate is quite different from your current residence, prepare your vehicle in advance for the new climate. Your service professional can help you add the necessary coolant or other fluids that you need and if necessary, can check air conditioning and heating systems.

Valuation vs. Insurance - What’s Really Covered?

jgiese@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:50:15 CST

Relocation.com

In the moving industry, the words valuation and insurance are used in a way that can be confusing to the average consumer. Understanding the difference between the two terms will help you get the right coverage for your move.

Valuation is the worth of your shipment to the moving company. The valuation charge is the compensation to the moving company for assuming more liability for your items than what is provided in the base transportation charges. Most moving companies will give you a minimum amount of valuation for your move at no additional cost. This valuation is typically set at $0.60 per pound, which is very low for valuable items such as large screen televisions and computers.

Given the low valuation that is included in a typical moving quote, many consumers choose to add additional valuation coverage based on the weight of the shipment in order to have full replacement coverage for their items. The industry norm for full coverage is $6 per pound for a damaged item. If you had 8,000 pounds in your shipment, you would need to spend $48,000 to have full replacement coverage. You won’t have the option to have full replacement coverage on anything less than your entire shipment.

If your shipment includes items highly valuable items, consider adding more valuation. Full replacement coverage is not an inexpensive option and can easily run from $500-$1,000 for a larger size move. You’ll be purchasing your replacement coverage directly from your van line agent or moving company.

Alternatively, some moving companies market moving insurance on behalf of insurance carriers. Moving insurance works similar to other types of property coverage and involves paying out a deductible. Deductibles are usually $250 or $500, and then your moving insurance policy would pay out any damage claims above your deductible.

Compare valuation and insurance options on the basis of coverage and cost to determine which one is best for you. Be sure to ask your moving company for all the details on the available options and read all of the contract information to ensure that you understand exactly the type of coverage that you have.

Before you choose to purchase additional valuation coverage or moving insurance, make absolutely sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy does not cover the transportation of your household items. Many insurance companies will cover claims for losses from fire or natural disaster when your items are being moved by a professional mover. Most often, these types of policies will not cover your damages if they’re caused by the movers. You should review your particular situation with your insurance agent before finalizing the details with your moving company.

Valuation vs. Insurance - What’s Really Covered53F

jwilson@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:49:19 CST

Relocation.com

Too Much to Move? Eliminate Waste and Save Money

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:29:33 CST

Relocation.com

During the moving process, you’re likely to be hit by a number of costs, some of which may be unexpected. You may have to make multiple trips to your new city to look at housing and schools or perhaps complete job interviews. You may also have to spend money to get your home ready to sell, while also paying real estate agents, mortgage brokers and other professionals.

One of your most significant costs, especially if you’re doing a long-distance move, will be for moving your household goods from the old residence to the new one. The price you pay a moving company for their services will be directly proportional to the weight of your items and the distance they are traveling. There is not much you can do to move Los Angeles any closer to New York, but you can lower moving costs by reducing the number of goods you take with you.

Unclutter your rooms

The best approach is to plan ahead and figuring out early what you don’t need in your new place. Start by thoroughly uncluttering your rooms and separating items into three categories: those to be disposed, given away to friends or charity, and sold. If you have a large number of items to throw away, you may have to obtain a big dumpster from your local waste service or sanitation department. This is an effective way to drastically reduce the cargo weight of your move, which will save you money.

You can give other items you don’t need to friends or donate them to charity. Charitable donations of unused items have the dual benefit of saving you money on your move and earning you a valuable tax deduction. Always get a receipt for all donations you make to include in your income tax return.

Sell online

Holding a garage or yard sale is another effective way of getting rid of items that you no longer want. Selling on the Internet is also a great way to make some extra money and is the preferred method for apartment or condominium dwellers who can’t have a garage or yard sale. The most popular Web sites for buying and selling goods are eBay, Craigslist, and Oodle.com.

Any or all of these strategies to reduce overall move weight will reap you some real savings. If you’re successful with your garage or online sale, you may end up making some additional money, which can help offset some of your moving costs.

Get a Tax Break for Your Moving Expenses

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:21:31 CST

Relocation.com

Relocating is can get pretty expensive, especially if you’re moving far away. The bright side is that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides relatively generous tax deductions on your federal income tax return. Your move must meet two criteria to qualify for a tax deduction: The move should be directly related to your primary job (according to the IRS time test) and should meet the IRS’s 50-mile distance test.

The distance test

The 50-mile test is the key factor for determining whether your move will qualify for a tax deduction. This test measures the actual distance between your new place of employment and your former principal residence. The distance between your job and former residence must be 50 miles or more than the distance of your previous commute. For example, if you previously lived 40 miles away from your old job, your new job must be at least 90 miles away from your previous residence to qualify your move under the distance test.

The time test

The IRS’s time test checks that your job is the main reason for moving. The first part of the test requires you to start your new position within 12 months of your move date. The second part asks that you work full-time at your new job for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months after your move date. To qualify, you don’t need to work for the same employer for all 39 weeks and be consecutively employed throughout that time period.

If you run your own business, the time test extends to 78 weeks at your new place of self-employment within the first 24 months after your move. You must start your self-employment also within 12 months of your move date to meet the time test.

Deducting moving expenses

To receive your tax break, keep detailed receipts of your IRS-approved deductions, including but not limited to the amount you spend to move (either with a professional mover or a self-service move), storage costs, insurance fees, utility connections and disconnections, auto transport costs and certain travel and lodging expenses associated with your move. You will need to complete IRS Form 3903 along with your personal tax return. The total deductible moving expenses will be shown as a line item on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. Review IRS Publication 521, Moving Expenses, for a complete list of what you can deduct related to your move.

If you’re married and filing a joint return, only one person needs to fulfill the time and distance tests to qualify. However, you and your spouse cannot combine employment periods to meet test requirements.

How Weight Impacts Moving Costs

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:16:32 CST

Relocation.com

To set prices for their moving services, companies must follow a tariff, a legal document that must be published by every moving company doing long distance or interstate moves. The tariff is required to specify the exact prices, services, rules, polices and other provisions that the company offers. A mover can only provide the services and pricing listed on the tariff. Although tariffs are not required by the U.S. Department of Transport (USDOT), the law says that it must be given to a consumer on request.

Weighing the truck

The tariffs used for most interstate moves are based on the actual weight of your shipment and the distance in miles that it will travel as it goes from your current residence (origin point) to your new home (destination). On moving day, the driver will weigh the moving truck before loading any of your items in order to get a base weight. Once the truck is fully loaded, the driver will again weigh the truck, and the corresponding weight will be the basis of your charges based on the tariff. A moving company tariff may charge $0.50 per pound for a move from New York to Florida. If you have 3,000 pounds, your charge for the transport of these items must be no more or less than $1,500.

Get a copy of your weight tickets to verify that you’re being charged properly for your items. The tickets will reflect the light weight (tare), and the heavy weight (gross). In many cases, the driver may obtain his weights from different scales. This shouldn’t concern you, because the driver is generally required to use only certified weight stations.

Shipment weight and pricing

You have the right to witness the truck weighing to insure that only your shipment was included in the calculation of the weight. It’s very common for multiple shipments to be carried on the same moving truck. Several shipments from different households may be loaded on the same truck, because they have similar routes. For your own protection, it may be worth the effort to witness both the light and heavy weight of the truck.

If you do this, let your mover know in advance so they can arrange this with their driver. If the moving company refuses to let you witness the weighing, you may want to reconsider hiring.

Because move weight is important in determining price, see which of your heavy items are really worth moving. You’re better off disposing things that you have not used for a long time in order to reduce the weight of your shipment. Many people are surprised to discover that they have 50 to 100 percent more weight than first expected.

Things to Consider When Renting a Truck

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 19:02:57 CST

Relocation.com

If you opt for a do-it-yourself move, you will probably need to rent a moving truck, van or trailer and then handle your own packing. Although you will be doing a lot more of the work, you will save a lot of money in the end.

Your first consideration when researching moving equipment is to figure out how many items you are going to move. By creating an inventory of the largest items (such as furniture and appliances) and estimating the number of boxes according to size (small, medium, and large), your truck rental provider can help you determine the truck size and other equipment that best suits your move. Try to dispose of unwanted things and move only the items that you really want in your new home.

What size truck?

The major truck rental companies like Budget Truck and Penske provide guides that help you determine which trucks will best meet your move. While nobody wants to pay for space that they’re not going to use, you’re better off choosing a larger truck. Extra cargo room is obviously better than lack of space. Making an extra trip for a local move is a hassle and can be more expensive. For a long distance move, it will be disastrous if everything doesn’t fit in the truck.

Here are some general guidelines for converting truck size to cubic feet:

10-foot truck: 1 bedroom small apartment, approximately 350 cubic feet
15-foot truck: 2 bedroom house or apartment, approximately 750 cubic feet
20-foot truck: 3-4 bedroom house, approximately 1,250 cubic feet
25-foot truck: large 5-8 bedroom house, approximately 1,550 cubic feet

When to rent a truck

The majority of truck rental companies get very busy during the summer months. Whenever possible, try to book your rental truck as soon as you have a date for your move. The peak truck rental season begins towards the end of May and will run through the middle of September. Prices will be higher during the peak season, when there is a higher demand for rentals. Because the majority of people move at the beginning of the month (often corresponding to new leases), this is the most popular time for people to rent trucks. The end of each month is also busier than the middle of the month. If you’re flexible with timing, you may be able to save some money on your truck rental. You will also find that the local self-storage facilities will be less busy during the middle of the month.

Local or one-way rental?

If you’re moving within the same city, nearly all truck rental agencies will be able to accommodate your needs. However, if you’re moving to another city or state, or even across the country, you will likely be taking a one way trip. Large truck rental agencies such as Budget Truck and Penske have locations around the country that can accommodate one-way moves.

Other packing supplies

Most national truck rental agencies can provide you with pads and dollies. Pads are relatively inexpensive and are used to protect furniture, appliances and any other items that can be damaged during a move. A dolly is essential for moving heavier items and can usually be rented for $7-$15 per day. We recommend that you purchase your moving boxes and packing supplies separately, because they tend to be more expensive to buy from truck rental agencies.

Should you purchase extra insurance?

Rental agencies will offer you additional truck rental insurance that can cost $20-$35 per day. Before accepting, check with your personal credit card company to find out if they have coverage that will protect you when renting a truck. Sometimes credit card companies exclude their insurance coverage on moving vans and trucks. If you choose your credit card insurance or select the rental truck insurance ask the following questions:

What is the deductible on the coverage?
Are you protected in case of collision if you’re not at fault?
Are you covered in other cities or states of your planned route?
What happens if your items are stolen from the truck?
In case of accident, are your items covered inside the truck?

As with all aspects of moving, plan your truck rental well ahead of moving day and ask lots of questions to make sure you have the right equipment at a cost that is reasonable to you.

Seven Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 18:58:13 CST

Relocation.com

Thousands of people connect each week with professional moving companies. But moving is not an easy process, and there are a plethora of challenges associated with relocating to a new home and neighborhood. Most moves are the result of a change in employment or family situation, which bring their own challenges.

Hiring a mover to haul your personal possessions from your current residence to your new home can also be intimidating. You have heard the stories of goods that mysteriously disappeared or the quoted price that doubled after the movers completed the job. Unfortunately, these things do happen, and one of the primary goals of Relocation.com is to help educate and inform consumers and help them find high-quality moving companies that are highly professional.

Below are seven common mistakes that consumers make during the moving process. The list will help you prepare for your move and increase your chances of relocating successfully.

Not having a solid plan for your move with time to execute it. Moving is a complicated process with many small tasks involved to bring everything together. You need to have a plan of attack and give yourself enough time to execute it. Never try to wing your move as it will almost always turn out worse than expected. If you’re working with a professional moving company, be aware that they get very busy in the summer. Their availability is limited by the large amount of business their good reputation has created for them. By giving yourself some reasonable lead time, you will have more chances hiring your preferred moving company and probably have much more negotiating leverage relative to the price that you will pay. Many renters leave their residences at the beginning of a month, which can create a high demand for mover services at that time. If you have planned ahead and have some flexibility, you will give yourself a great chance to work with the mover of your choice, which immediately takes a big obstacle off of your task list.
Failing to get multiple estimates from several licensed moving companies. No matter how much you liked the first moving company you spoke to, you owe it to yourself to compare their quote and services with other professional movers in your area. Without this information, you have no way to know if you’re getting fair value for the services provided. All moving company sales representatives will ask you about the other moving companies that you’re looking at and the estimates that you have received. Professional moving companies are used to competing for business every day. If they know you’re an informed customer who is looking for the best value by comparing multiple estimates, they are more likely to give you their best price. Ask each company to tell you why they are the best choice. If you see a company using disparaging remarks against their competition instead of extolling their positives, you’re probably not dealing with a professional company. Moving companies know their competition. Once you’re armed with quotes and estimates and have met with your favored companies, you will be ready to make the right choice.
Not being totally honest or upfront with a moving company when they create your estimate. This is one of the most common mistakes consumers make. It is important to remember that your moving costs are based on weight and distance and the other services the movers provide you. Telling the moving company that you did not want to move the sofa and the piano when they gave you a quote, does not mean that you will not pay for these items to be hauled when you get a revised estimate on moving day. If you live on a higher floor of an apartment building or on a street that is too narrow for a moving truck and trailer to pull into your residence, you need to inform your movers of these challenges. If you’re doing a local or intrastate move, the price of your move is highly correlated to the amount of things that you’re moving. The more stuff you have, the more packing, unpacking and costs associated with the move. Again, full disclosure upfront is always the best policy. Mutual trust between you and the moving company will build a good relationship from the onset. Communicating all your needs and providing your movers with accurate information during the in-home survey or estimate process will get this important relationship off on the right foot.
Choosing a mover solely based on price or one whose price is substantially less than the competition’s estimate. Professional moving companies will usually price their services within a reasonable pricing range. This is because they will likely have to pay similar labor costs for their moving crews and additional costs such as insurance and worker’s compensation. If a company prices their moving services significantly outside this range — 25 to 50 percent less than the other estimates you receive — there is something going on that is going to cost you in the end. Either the movers are not basing their estimates on the same set of criteria (weight, men and hours needed, etc.), are not quoting the same services that you’re going to need (packing, shuttle service, etc.) or that at some point you’re going to find a long list of unexpected charges at the end of your move. Moving companies all have similar costs for a particular move, as they will each have to handle the core of the move the same way: moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas, and more. If a mover quotes you prices that are far lower than those being offered in the market, you should inquire how they can provide the same service at such a lower prices. Be a smart shopper. When things sound too good to be true in the moving business, it is a very good bet that they are.
Not taking your most precious or irreplaceable items yourself. Give yourself some peace of mind, and always carry your important documents with you when you move. Items such as passports, wills, financial documents, and tax returns should be placed in a briefcase or handbag and carried to your new location. Small, high-value items such as jewelry and watches that can be easily transported should also be carried by hand. You will also want to have a few days of personal items at your disposal such as toiletries and enough clothing for a few days. You should back up your computer files and carry them with you in case something happens to your computer along the way. There are many things that can delay a shipment or that can go wrong during transit. Take these simple precautions to prevent the loss or damage of something that could really create problems for you when you reach your new home.
Not double-checking your inventory sheet before you sign it. The inventory sheet is the documented proof of all your items that were packed and put on the moving truck. Carefully review this document to verify its contents and everything you want moved has been picked up, packed and loaded in the truck. When the goods arrive at your new home, review the inventory sheet again to make sure that everything is there. If you take the time upfront really going through the inventory sheet, it will save you the frustration of trying to remember a month after you move whether you had packed something or not.
Not treating your movers with respect. You would think that common courtesy is common, but movers often tell stories about their customers screaming and berating them, only to then watch them load their items in a truck for a 10-day drive across the country. Why even create one additional chance that something goes wrong on your move? Working as a professional mover is tough work. The hours are long, and the actual work combines heavy physical strain with a gentle touch. Many movers are dependent on customer tips, which motivate them to deliver quality service. A glass of cold lemonade, a warm greeting and heartfelt “thank you” really go a long way. Tip your movers generously, especially if their service meets or exceeds your expectations. These people are the sole protectors of your most prized personal possessions throughout your move.

This list of common mistakes isn’t definitive, but it is a good head start in helping you remember some important things for your move. Keep yourself organized, ask lots of questions and choose the right moving company, and you will be enjoying your new home before you know it.

Loading Your Own Truck for a Self-Service Move

dgolemis@homescape.com — 01 Feb 2008 18:55:27 CST

Relocation.com

If you’re looking to save some money, a self-service move may be the right choice. Among the challenges of a self-service move is loading your household items in the moving truck or van in a way that minimizes the chance of your items getting damaged during transport.

If you have little or no experience loading a moving truck, it’s a good idea to contract a professional to help you with your packing and loading. Some van line agents and other professional moving companies may offer this service, especially during the slower winter months. Finding contract labor during the busy season of May-September will likely be difficult.

Whether you hire professionals or rely on friends and family, it’s important to get sufficient help for packing and loading. This will help prevent damage to your items and avoid injury to someone. Heavier items such as sofas and dressers require more manpower to lift and transport, and you may not have all the special moving equipment that a professional crew uses.

Getting started

Before you load your the moving truck, make sure that all of your cartons are fully packed from top to bottom. Use bunched-up paper if there aren’t enough items to fill a carton. This will keep everything safe and prevent the carton from being crushed if other cargo is stacked on top of it.

Plan on stacking your goods in the truck from floor to ceiling. Every space needs to be filled so that nothing shifts during transportation. Cartons should be used to fill open spaces between large items.

To save you time, it’s best to have the proper items before you begin loading the truck. Sofas, mattresses and other soft items should be stretch-wrapped to protect from soiling or punctures, and furniture should be protected with padded materials. Professional movers will wrap every piece to make it easier to load tightly without causing damage.

Loading the truck

Start loading your items at the front of the truck or van and work your way to the back. Keep all items stacked as tightly as possible to keep everything from shifting during the drive. If you don’t fill all of the truck’s cargo space, secure the back of your load with loading straps or other materials to keep them from moving.

Place heavy items on the floor of the truck, and plastic and lighter things on top of the heavier ones. You may have to take apart things like tables and desks in order to load the cargo tightly and ensure safe transport. Sofas and other furniture may be placed on their ends to also achieve a tighter load. Be sure to load your goods so they don’t damage each other. For example, an item with a protruding metal part may puncture a sofa or mattress. Be careful not to scoot or drag furniture in the truck as damage may occur to sofa and table legs and dresser bottoms.

Packing requires a lot of common sense. Take a look at everything on the truck before you secure it and see if there are open spaces or other potential spots where things can shift or be damaged. It’s better to have everything packed tightly, instead of using all of the available cargo space, to prevent things from shifting around during the trip.

Unfortunately, your moving company will assume no additional responsibility if irreplaceable or sentimental items are lost or damaged during the move. Transporting these with a moving company only increases the chance for problems if your shipment is delayed or the items are lost or damaged. It’s safer to keep these valuables with yourself during the move.