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5 Items You Need For Moving Day!

5-items-you-need-to-have-for-moving

5 Items You Need for Moving Day!

  1. Post-It/Sticky Notes: Buy Post-It Notes of various colors. In this way, Post-It Notes are great for color-coding your moving boxes and large furniture items. In this way, it will be a breeze for your movers to know which items go where. It can also provide a simple system that enables you to unpack essentials quickly and methodically.

  2. Permanent Black Marker: Using a permanent black marker ensures that you will be able to label virtually anything. From plastic bags to porous cardboard boxes, a permanent black marker is an essential tool for labeling these items for ease of identification later on.

  3. Zippered plastic sandwich bags: A common complaint during moving is that screws and bolts can be easily lost or misplaced between disassembly and reassembly of beds and furniture. This situation can be almost completely avoided with the use of inexpensive zippered plastic sandwich bags to store bolts and screws during the moving process. Simply load in the hardware and tape securely to the bed frame or large piece of furniture for ease of reassembly.

  4. Black Trash Bags: Having a couple of boxes of these durable bags on-hand during your move can be a time (and thus money,) saver. Instead of using bulky wardrobe boxes, stuff clothes in these bags for a last for the minute and dust-free move. Trash bags are also great to have on hand disposable of your large-item packing supplies like shrink wrap, tape, and other debris that may remain after your move.

  5. Basic Tools: Unless you have hired Cheap Movers Los Angeles, many moving companies in Los Angeles do not offer courtesy reassembly of beds and other furniture. Even if you do hire us, we are not allowed to make holes in any structure, meaning you will need to mount your television. Therefore, having basic hand tools and a drill on-hand is necessary.

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Money Saver: Why should you hire movers to help you load your moving truck?

loading your moving truck

Why should you hire movers to help load your moving truck?

So you’re a DIY-er trying to save a little money on your move. You’ve rented your own truck, bought your own packing supplies, but — alas, — the daunting task of moving these items and loading your moving truck comes to the forefront of reality. Moving is a very physically-demanding job, even for a person that is physically-fit. What’s more, there are techniques and hacks to moving that can make a job much simpler. This is where our trained Los Angeles movers come in to help load your moving truck.

 

 

Movers are trained.

Our movers go through safety and training courses every quarter. This helps to ensure a safe and skilled move. Loading a moving truck or a storage container is a lot like playing Tetris. If everything is loaded correctly, it will be a simple and efficient move.

Less risk of damage.

If things are moved by an inexperienced person, that’s when damage and wasting time can occur. Your Cheap Movers in Los Angeles are experienced movers and have extensive training in how to safely and efficiently pack your valued items. What’s more, we are insured.

Movers are efficient.

All of our movers are full-time. This means that this job is the job they do day-in and day-out. They know how to efficiently load and get your things moved in a professional and organized manner. They also come equipped with moving equipment and tools to make everything go faster.

Ready to move?

Call Cheap Movers Los Angeles today for a freeloading estimate! (213) 262-9440 or click, 24/7 at www.cheapmoverslosangeles.com!

 

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Minimalist Moving Tips!

minimalist moving

MINIMALIST MOVING TIPS: DECLUTTERING FOR A LIGHTER LOAD AND STRESS-FREE NEW HOME!

It’s no secret that most of us have too much stuff. Homes are just crammed with it: attics stuffed with dusty holiday decorations we never use, garages full of camping equipment and beach gear and sports paraphernalia, basements overflowing with old furniture, hand-me-downs, and heirlooms.

We hardly think about all the excess junk—until it’s time to move. Then it’s clear how much more of a headache those collections of possessions will be, complicating an already long to-do list. But here at Cheap Movers Los Angeles, we’re passionate about helping you make your home your sanctuary—and simplifying your move is part of the journey.

If you’re willing to adjust your perspective a little, moving can be a chance for a fresh start—for your stuff as much as for you. This is your opportunity to clear out unwanted items and part with the old toys, collectibles, and everything else that no longer serves your life. Here’s how you can unpack the baggage around what you own, so you can pack up easily when it’s time.

minimalist moving tips

Acknowledge That Our Belongings Have an Emotional Footprint

One of the biggest reasons it’s so difficult to declutter is that our belongings are typically more than mere objects: they’re stand-ins for different emotions. Maybe you like to have two or three extras of everything—what you’re really saying is that extra stuff represents the concept of safety to you. Or maybe you don’t want to keep all the old hand-me-downs your mother gave you, but you can’t bear to part with them because you feel guilty every time you try to throw them away. Recognizing that your stuff is more than just stuff will help you address some of the underlying causes for why you just can’t seem to let go.

Decide What’s Clutter—and What’s Not

Sorting your stuff is an important part of the moving process, but before you begin, you should decide on some rules for what goes and what stays—especially if you’re hoping to do some serious paring down. In The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo advises you to get rid of everything but those items that “spark joy,” but truthfully, it’s a little more complicated than that. Practical items like kitchen utensils or technical gadgets should be stuff you use everyday, so if you haven’t touched it for more than six months, give it away or pitch it. Remember, you can always borrow from friends or neighbors if you need that spare roasting pan somewhere down the line. Same thing goes for clothes that no longer fit you, or shoes you haven’t worn in the past year. You can always buy new pants if you lose or gain weight in the future.

Recognize That More Stuff Equals More Time

One thing that can help you declutter is to realize what a time suck your stuff can be. Joshua Becker, who runs the website Becoming Minimalist, advises you to think about the time commitment demanded by each object you own. This is especially the case if you’re having a hard time parting with something you know you don’t use. Each thing must be dusted, maintained, and like now, moved, so it can really be a drain on your life if it doesn’t add some practical value or real satisfaction. Noticing how your stuff tends to swallow your time will make it easier to say sayonara.

Start with the Easy Stuff First

This is why so many people put decluttering projects off until it’s time to move. Once it reaches a certain critical mass, cleaning out the stuff can seem like a virtually overwhelming task. The best advice is to start early, and hit the low-hanging fruit first. You can sort through the old mail or go through a laundry basket of clothes in an hour or two, and it’s a great first step on the path to clearing out. As you work, make sure to separate your stuff into three piles: to keep, to toss, and to donate—and take it to the trash can or donation center as soon as you can. That will keep piles from becoming another unapproachable mess. Make a plan for how you’ll attack the rest of your home, and divide large areas—like the basement or attic—into a few days’ worth of work. After several weeks proceeding like that, you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish—and it won’t feel like you took two years off your life.

Don’t Keep Stuff Out of Guilt or Obligation

Just because you got it as a gift doesn’t mean you have to hang on. Yes, it’s nice that your friend bought that bright pink glittery “BEST FRIENDS” wall ornament, but if it’s not something you love, the best advice is to donate it. Instead, as you find these kinds of items in your decluttering process, write down all the memories and emotions behind the items you were gifted. That way, you’ll feel like you’re able to honor your relationships and express gratitude for your friends’ generosity—without keeping a bunch of stuff around you don’t want.

Realize That You’re Giving Your Stuff—And Yourself!—a New Life

It’s okay to feel sad, anxious or nervous when you’re decluttering, especially if you’re doing it ahead of a big move. But realize that you’re giving your old things a chance to make someone else happy, especially if you concentrate on donating it to charities or resale stores that are part of a good cause. What more could you ask for something you once loved? And cleaning out your living space means you’ll start life in the new house with a brand-new lightness. There’s a reason they call it baggage, after all. A fresh new take on life, with new opportunities ahead, is your gift for all your hard work—and it’s only a few trash bags away!

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What are difference between moving companies and moving brokers?

what are the differences between moving brokers and moving companies

What are difference between moving companies and moving brokers?

What are differences between movers and brokers?

Moving brokers are not professional movers in the sense that brokers are neither authorized nor licensed to transport household goods because they don’t own any moving trucks, moving staff, moving equipment, or packing supplies.

In reality, moving brokers act as middle men between the customer (the individual who is moving home,) and moving company (the business entity that will complete the actual transportation job,). Brokers are merely trained sales teams that will arrange for the transportation of your household items and then will try to sell your booking info to an actual moving company that will provide the actual truck transportation.

Moving companies are professional movers that do the actual household move. They own their own fleet of branded moving trucks, they have the required moving equipment to complete the relocation job, they provide the necessary packing materials for the service of packing, and they also have full-time professionals who have been trained extensively to handle all types of move-related scenarios.

Unlike brokers, reputable moving companies will send an expert to your home to do a visual home inventory and quote you an accurate moving cost estimate. Furthermore, you will be able to discuss with the moving company representative important issues and ask essential questions that are linked directly to the upcoming move – a face-to-face interaction that is much more beneficial than dealing with a moving broker over the phone or via e-mail.

Risks and dangers of using a moving broker

At the time of booking your move, you’re strongly advised to ask the company if they are an actual moving company or a moving broker. If it turns out that you’re dealing with a brokering company, then you should know the following risks and dangers when using the services of a moving broker.

With a moving broker, no party will want to claim responsibility in case of problems.

A moving broker will not usually assume responsibility for the safety of your household items – that responsibility is effectively transferred to the moving company that has received your booked move. In case of problems with the move such as household items being damaged or lost, what happens, at least most of the times, is that the moving broker will blame the moving company, and the moving company will return the favor by laying the blame on the broker.

The usual outcome is that the customer, that is you, will be left in the middle of a relocation mess for which nobody wants to take responsibility, while your damaged or missing goods still remain damaged or missing.

In contrast, if you utilize a moving company, by law they must carry their own license from the state. In having this license, they have demonstrated that they carry sufficient insurance coverage to perform moves in a fiscally-responsible manner.

 

Large deposits that may not go toward your move.

Most moving brokers will ask you for a large deposit prior to the move – a clear indication that you’re not dealing with a top-rated moving company. In comparison, reputable movers will usually ask for a small deposit in order to book the move on the date that you wish to move out.

The major issue with paying a large deposit to a broker is that your money will not always go toward the move itself. Sometimes, the sum you pay upfront will be the moving broker’s fee for arranging the household move between you, as a customer, and the moving company as a household goods carrier.

No opportunity to research your moving company.

Sometimes a moving broker may not be able to sell your moving job to a moving company for a number of good or not-so-good reasons, such as unavailability of movers on the date you requested, moving cost estimates that are too low, etc. In such cases, it’s possible that you are left high and dry on your move-out date, with no moving company coming to the rescue.

Ultimately, your chance to find a good moving company by researching various movers will be wasted as the moving broker is the one that will pick the mover for you. It may even happen so that you won’t know which moving company is coming to help you move until Moving day itself.

How can you be sure that the movers who arrive at your home are properly licensed and insured? How do you even know if those movers are full-time moving specialists and not temporarily hired laborers who have little or no moving experience whatsoever?

Risks and dangers associated with using a moving company.

Make sure that you know what type of business you’re dealing with before you give them your moving job. If you’re dealing with a professional moving company, here are some of the risks you might face.

More limited range of serviced routes.

A professional moving company usually has a more restricted range of routes that it services, which may limit your relocation options. If your move route is a bit off the beaten track or falls into the height of the moving season, then you may find it hard to find a reputable mover to accept your home moving job. Also, if circumstances force you to perform a last minute move, then you may not be able to secure a moving company to handle your emergency move.

On the other hand, a moving broker has access to a well-established network of trustworthy movers that should be able to respond to any specific relocation parameters set by the customer. With such a high volume of professional movers to partner with, a good moving broker will usually offer a greater level of flexibility to suit your move-related requirements and expectations.

Potentially fewer customized solutions

The best full-service moving companies do offer a wide variety of moving services to match the unique preferences of their clients. However, smaller moving companies may not be able to offer you all the services you need, in which case you will lose additional time to look for a different mover that can assist you. For example, if you need to have your car transported quickly and safely to another part of the country, you will need to invest extra time to find and research an auto transportation company for that extra service alone.

In comparison, a moving broker will be able, at least in most cases, to connect you with the right type of moving company, including a vehicle shipping company, and that all-in-one convenience of the brokering company will save you loads of time in the end.

Moving companies vs Moving brokers: Final Thoughts

It’s important to know that reputable moving brokers are legitimate businesses and they also have a list of responsibilities and requirements they must meet in order to operate legally.

  • Moving brokers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and they are required to use only moving companies that are also registered with the FMCSA.
  • Moving brokers are required to have a written agreement with the moving companies they work with, and to also give you, upon request, a full list of those movers.
  • Brokers must provide you with a copy of the booklet Your rights and Responsibilities When You Move and the brochure Ready to Move, both prepared by the FMCSA.
  • Brokers are required by law to base their estimates, binding or non-binding, on the specific tariff of the moving company that will do the actual transportation of your household goods.

Use the search tool of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to check if the moving company or the moving broker you’re dealing with is registered with the FMCSA.

Now that you’re familiar with the difference between a moving company and brokers, you can choose which way is better for you. Remember that as long as you’ve checked your mover or broker to be legitimate (FMCSA) and reputable , you shouldn’t worry too much about it as there are advantages and disadvantages when working with both moving companies and moving brokers.

Knowing that you’ve done your homework right, it’s time to turn your attention to other important aspects of your home move.

Let’s get you home,

-Cheap Movers Los Angeles Customer Care Team-