So you finally found a new apartment in New York City. Sad to say, but apartment hunting is not the only hurdle you will have to jump through in moving into New York City. But moving is certainly possible with a little help from experienced New York City movers. And even better, same-day moving is reasonable in Manhattan or any of the other boroughs. If you are planning a last-minute move in NYC, however, there are some tips you should know before that. To begin with, you need to understand how to find reliable same-day movers, and this is something Divine Moving and Storage can help you with. Hiring the perfect same-day movers NYC is now easier than ever – all it takes is a phone call.
Moving house can often be scary to many people. Especially for the first timers, this is an experience that will greet you with a lot of confusing terms, paperwork to consider and so much stuff to do! However, preparing for it before the moving process even begins can be a lifesaver. Not only will you be able to grasp with the endless sea of new terms, but you will know exactly how to come on top of them. Getting some local movers Manhattan can also be helpful throughout the process – but you need to make a good choice. And in order to do that, you need to get an estimate. Today, we talk about estimates – and more specifically we answer the question: What is a binding estimate?
Want to move to Manhattan? Then you best start looking for good movers. Only when you start looking for them you will see just how hard it is to find them. There are many moving companies in Manhattan and you can hardly be sure of how good they are by simply checking them out online. Well, to help you find the best movers in Manhattan we have come up with a full proof plan. First, we will go over what makes a mover good and then we will tell you how to choose the right movers. So, buckle up and get ready to learn.
Whether you moving into a smaller home is a necessity or you have chosen to do so; there are some things that you can do to make it easier to adjust. Here are some tips when you have to downsize.
Moving into a smaller home means less cleaning
Look at the upside of moving. This is surely more difficult for people who are forced to move to a smaller place. But it is ok, don’t panic right away. The best for you is to try to accept that and see the good side of this downsizing. At least you don’t have to clean as much space as you used to. Now, when the cleaning time comes you can do it faster. That leaves you more free time to do something you enjoy. Your home will be probably a lot cleaner because it will be easier to do this more often. Besides cleaning, you will have to declutter more often. When you are living in a small place, it is easy to pile up things you do not need. This is a great excuse to go through your stuff and throw away anything you aren’t using anymore.
Moving into a smaller home also means that you will have to put everything to its place as soon as you finish using it. Smaller places tend to get messy very fast. When your stuff is lying around it looks very untidy. Even if it is the case of just a couple of things.
Furnish and decorate easy
Also, you will equip your place easier. This means that you can get rid of some furniture that you don’t like anymore. You can either sell it or donate it. Because you do not need so much furniture when you have a smaller place, you can buy more expensive pieces of furniture that you like. This also means that you can get yourself fitted furniture. You can make everything in your new place according to your needs. That is the most reasonable solution because it will save you some space and it will use that space as much as possible.
Moving into a smaller home means that you will have to pay less for monthly utilities or rent. This is an excellent way to save some more money. In case you are buying a smaller home, you will probably have to pay less for property taxes as well.
Adjust to moving
One of the important things is to understand that you are moving into a smaller house. You have to make up your mind what will you keep and what you will throw away. Maybe you could rent a storage unit in NYC for a longer period or at least until you decide on what you will keep and what you are getting rid of. As soon as you realize that, as soon it will be easier for you to adjust.
Moving into a smaller house means more planning. You have to do a little research if you want to organize your place perfectly. That is if you want to use your space at most that you need to plan what you will put in your home and where to put it. You can make a folding table; pull out bed, and similar furniture. That is if you are moving locally, in so cold tiny home. Think about it, if people can leave in this small place, you can surely adjust to a bit smaller house.
Moving into a smaller home means cheaper utilities
No one can’t argue with this one thing. A smaller home means that you will use less electricity. That is it is easier to cool down in the summertime. In addition, because of the size, it is easier to heat during the wintertime. Therefore, you will save again some money.
If you are living in a smaller home it is more energy efficient.
When you are moving
A lot more of family time
If you are moving into a smaller home with your family, you will be spending more time with them. A smaller home by default means less space. Even if your kids have their own separate rooms, usually they spend a lot of time in the living room – In a common room, that is. So when you live in a smaller home you are bumping to each other a lot more during the day. This is a good thing for a family, even if it sounds overwhelming at first.
When you are living in a large house with family, a lot of time paces when you aren’t even seeing your family members. A smaller home can bring your family more quality time together and you will learn to appreciate that in the end.
Inviting people over
To invite your friends or family over is one more thing that is harder to adjust. If you don’t have enough space, you are usually avoiding to make dinner parties or simply invite your friends over.
Don’t think that you won’t be able to do this anymore. A smaller home can be quite cozy and so will your get-togethers be like. Probably you need to shorten your list of people you are inviting at once. But feel free to get around your friends and family, a smaller house doesn’t mean you should have a smaller group of friends.
Excellent real estate market
Whether you are buying or in the end, selling a smaller home, it will be easier for you. Usually, they are easier to find and sell, because of the wider market. A larger percentage of the population can afford
Moving is a difficult task for the whole family. There is a huge amount of things you need to take care of once you start the move. There are packing and documentation and many more important things. But you should not forget that you need to take care of your pets. This is an important task that sounds complicated. There are many factors that make this sound much more complicated than it actually is like flying with pets, getting the right documentation. This is why Divine Moving and Storage has gathered information on moving with pets. So we can show you that this is nothing to be scared about.
Do a lot of research when moving with pets
When you move you need to do a lot of research on many things. You should not forget to do research on how to properly move your pets. If you forget this it could ruin the whole relocation. If it is a short distance relocation you have nothing to worry about, if it’s moving from state to state that you are looking at, then you need to do more planning and research. The things get a bit complicated when moving from a country to another country. Make sure you have enough time to research the options you have, once you do that plan out your move.
Contact the vet and check the laws
When you move from country to country you have to check the countries laws on moving with pets. When moving long distance some pets will have to take some vaccines or they might even need a quarantine. To help with this you should consult with the consulate and a vet. Once you find out what you have to do by law you have to contact the vet so you can schedule the vaccines. You will also have to get the medical records about your pet. There also could be some laws that prohibit some exotic pets which is why you have to consult with the officials.
Driving your pets in a car
If are not moving that far away and you do not need to use a plane you will have to drive your pets in a car. This might sound easy since some pets enjoy car trips, but your drive might last for a few days. These few days will be harder than you think. This will obviously be different for different types of pets. Dogs will not be as challenging as cats for example.
Moving with cats
Cats as mentioned before, are hard to move with. This is because cats tend to bond with their environment, they will attach to their homes. But once you move they don’t really have many choices don’t they? Be sure to be prepared since cats will take much longer to adapt to their new environment than dogs. You can drive the cats, you can use a travel kennel. Bring them some water and food and you are good to go. Another good idea is to give them some cat toys which will make them calmer while you move. If you want to move with an airplane you will need to do a bit more work which will be explained later in the article.
Help your dogs adapt to your new home
Dogs are easier to move than cats, but that doesn’t mean they require less care. It will be easier to move them in a car since most dogs actually like to drive in a car. They will adapt to their new home easier than a cat but you should take some measures. This is especially true if you are moving from a big house with a backyard to a smaller one. If you are moving to an apartment this is very important. You should take them on plenty of walks and take them to the park and play with them. They will settle in this new neighborhood in no time.
Moving pets in a plane
If you move your pets on a plane you will have to take care of some things. First, if it’s an international move then you have to take care of the vaccines and the laws as we already mentioned. Then you need to make a flight reservation. While you do this you have to ask the people from the airline as many questions as possible about the relocation of your pet:
- Can my pet travel in the cabin instead of the bagging area. This is a good question to start with when you ask about moving with pets
- Is the bagging area warm
- What is the cost of moving my pet
- What papers do I need
- Is the bagging area heated
These are just a few questions you should ask. AS mentioned pets will be usually taken to the bagging area. The area for pets has ventilation and is dark. This can provide a nice and stress-free space for your pet. This doesn’t have to be the case for smaller dogs or cats, some airline will let them travel in the cabin with you. If they aren’t allowed to be in a cabin with you-you must ask about the heat of the baggage area. If your pet is not resistant to cold and it is winter it might not survive if bagging area is not heated properly.
Moving is a stressful process for everyone. You will have so many things on your mind. So many hard responsibilities. But if you take precautions and research the move properly moving with pets will be easy. We wish this article has helped you make the decision to move to a new place since many people will not move because they think moving with pets is too hard. It isn’t and you shouldn’t worry.
Every now and then, we try to save money when moving. Everyone knows that this is a big, and sometimes expensive process, so trying to reduce the costs is probably always on your mind. There are many things in which you can achieve this. Finding good and reliable movers is one of them. Getting cheap packing supplies and boxes is another. However, finding the perfect time of the year for you to move is the one many people don’t consider. Moving over summers differs greatly than moving over winter. But, what are the perks and difficulties of both seasons? Will the money you save on one compensate for the work you put in? In this article, find out when you should consider moving in winter. You will also discover what the advantages of this season are, and how to prepare for it the best.
The advantages of moving in winter
So, what exactly moving in winter consists of? When do you start, and when do you end your move? First, all experts will recommend you start planning for your move a couple of months in advance. What this means is that, if your move is in January, you should start preparing for it in November. Create a moving timeline and contact the moving company NYC early to get everything in order. Consider this:
- The accommodations are easier to find when you are moving in winter.
- The moving companies are more flexible in the winter months.
- Safety of the roads and the trip does not diminish in winter.
Moving in winter means finding affordable housing
One of the first perks of moving in winter is the cheaper housing you will find. If you still have nowhere to move, and your lease is ending in the winter or spring, then you should consider finding a rental during the winter. Usually, the most options for finding a nice apartment across the country are during August and September. It is during these months that students flock to their universities and try to find suitable accommodations. Because of this, however, the prices tend to rise up and become quite steep.
After they all settle in is when the fun starts. This is when you can go apartment hunting. When there are no students, the landlords will become anxious if they have a vacancy. Keeping it open will mean they are losing money – so they will be prone to agreeing to a lower rent. Use this to negotiate it for yourself.
If you cannot really get a lower rent, try working out some perks instead. Maybe you can get a free Wi-Fi service, or make a deal with the landlord. You might be able to help make new kitchen counters, for example, for one month’s rent off, or similar. Use the time wisely and you can be saving a lot of money when moving in winter.
The moving companies get more flexible when moving in winter
Similar to landlords, the moving companies will also be open to negotiation when you are moving in winter. Just like the apartments get rented out during August and September, the peak moving season is over summer. This is usually because people enjoy the weather- there is no ice on the roads, and they can dress more comfortably. The downside of the summer is that the majority of people want to move during this time each year – more than a million Americans, as some studies show.
And even though moving in winter means dealing with some ice and warm clothes, it also gives you a lot more leverage. The moving companies won’t have a lot of clients, so they will be very willing to work with you. Try to negotiate a lower cost of the move or some perks – like cheaper packing services.
Another benefit of moving in winter is that your company will have a more flexible schedule. The moving companies can get notorious about their busy workdays. When moving during the summer months, sometimes you will not even be able to pick the exact day for the move. You will simply need to work it out with the company. During winter, this changes. Because there are fewer clients, the moves will have their calendars open to you if give them ample time to arrange the move. Use this opportunity well!
Your items will be safe when moving in winter
One of the biggest disadvantages of moving in winter people will mention is the safety – or the lack of it. They say that the roads get icy, the weather is nasty and you need to drive so very carefully. Then, it might be dangerous to just load and unload the truck. You might hurt yourself when carrying heavy boxes, or you can slip and fall.
However, most of these are either untrue or they are easy to fix. First, when you are moving in winter, there will be less traffic on the roads. This is because, as we already discussed, there are fewer people moving around. The summer is the time of the year where you find most trucks on the road – during winter, there are significantly fewer. Then, the roads get cleaned quite often, in most parts of the country. And, together with carefully driving, all of this lowers the risk of an accident on the road.
As far as carrying boxes across the slippery surfaces, there are ways to fix that as well. Simply clean up the snow and ice in front of your house on the day of the move. You can do this within an hour, and it will help both you and the movers. You can also do that in your new home before the truck arrives. This way, when you are moving in winter,you will save money and you will be safe!
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No matter how much money you have, planning a move should include planning the moving budget. If you do it step by step and be organized, you will not have any surprises or unexpected costs to stress you out. The most important thing is that you start on time, and have a clear idea of your moving budget. And we will show you some useful tips on how to plan and create your moving budget without any problems.
Having a moving budget in your head is a tricky business. Sometimes things are easily forgotten in stressful times like moving times. So, having a clear image of your moving budget in front of you is the best solution. Using your computer or tablet(you can carry it around and update the information anytime) you can create a certain table or template of your moving budget. Probably the best way to do it is using Microsoft Excel or a similar software. It can help you to easily run a table and calculate your costs if you put a certain formula. Very useful and easy to use! Your moving budget table should include the following categories:
- category
- estimated expenses
- actual (final) expenses
Categories you will put in your table depend on the type of your move and special requirements.
Decide on the type of your move
First things first, you need to know how you are going to do this move. Are you going to hire the professional movers or do everything by yourself? When you decide on that, you will be able to know which cost categories you need to put in your moving budget table.
Hiring professionals – what are the costs?
- Moving company fee – general fee usually includes paying the workers for their job and fuel charges. You should be able to know a rough number by getting a free estimate NYC. Be sure to get estimates from a couple of companies before you choose the right one.
- Insurance– some basic insurance is probably included in the pricing, but if you have some special items and valuables, you may want to consider additional insurance.
- Extra charges – if you have any special items, expect extra charges. Extra items also include flight charges, shuttle service, long carry expenses, etc.
- Packing services – if you want your belongings to be packed professionally, you will have to pay extra for this service.
DIY move
You may think that moving by yourself is basically free. Well, think twice, Here are the costs you need to consider before deciding on a DIY move.
- renting a moving truck – be sure to know how big truck you need, because the price depends on that information.
- gas –to calculate how much gas you need, ask the rental company how much gas the particular vehicle needs and measure the distance you need to travel.
- packing tools and supplies – if you want to pack your belongings right, make sure to get the right packing supplies NYC. The things you need are the good-quality moving boxes, a lot of tape, markers, labels, bubble wrap, protective plastic sheets, scissors, etc.
- Insurance– insurance is very important during any kind of travel, so if you are not already insured, be sure to get it now.
The costs on your moving day
Once the moving day comes, moving budget has some more items to add to the list. Be sure to count:
- gas for your car/flight tickets – if you are driving, make sure to include the gas fees into your costs count, and if you are flying – be sure to book tickets in advance, to save some money.
- food-especially in a long-distance move, you and your family will have to eat during travel.
- hotel– if you are traveling long-distance, make sure to book accommodation in advance and include those costs in the budget.
- taking care of your pets – if you need somebody to take care of your pets on your moving day, you can check a pet hotel and ask for the fees.
Taking care of your old home
Whether you are moving from a rental or you are selling a place, there are some costs to pay before you leave it to move to a new home. If you are selling, there is a commission you need to pay. Also, there are lawyer services, inspections, and advertising that can be added on the list. Both rented and sold places need to be cleaned or/and painted, which costs you a certain amount.
Storage is often included in moving budget
Very often there are some boxes and items that can’t be loaded to your new home. So, you need to rent a storage unit in NYC for the leftover boxes. Make sure to get a storage space of appropriate size, so you don’t need to pay more.
Unexpected costs
During loading, transport, and unloading, some unexpected things could happen. Some of your items could be damaged, so you need to fix or replace them, which implies more costs.
You need to save some money?
If you are looking at your budget plan and realize you need to cut some costs, don’t worry. There are ways to reduce moving costs. One of the most effective is decluttering your home before the move. Go through your belongings and set aside all the items you no longer need. If you are not moving too many items, you can reduce the moving costs significantly. You can also sell those items online or on a garage sale, and earn some money to help your moving budget.
What Should I Do While The Movers Are Moving My Stuff?
So, you’re all set for your big move tomorrow. Congratulations! Your apartment is ready and the movers will soon be on their way. And if you have selected a full service move, you’re in luck, because we’ll do practically everything for you. The packing, the loading, and the heavy lifting will all be taken care of. But what does that leave you free to do? Here are some ideas of what to do while the movers are moving and packing your stuff from one apartment to another.
Assemble any important papers, personal belongings, and children’s toys. Put them in a prominent location and post a sign above them that says “DO NOT PACK!” so that it’s clear to the movers that they should not touch these things. You can also put those items in the bathtub or a designated closet.
While our movers are moving they will give you a time window for our arrival to your new NYC apartment, be ready for us to arrive as early as 15 minutes before the earliest time in the window. Greet them and give them any special instructions, making sure you’re available if we have any questions. But use the time that they’re working to make sure your family is fed, any messes are cleaned up, your car has enough gas, and you have cash available for any tips you plan to give.
Lock your pets in a room that the movers do not need to access. Make sure they have adequate food, water, and litter boxes as necessary. Post a sign on the door that says “PETS – DO NOT OPEN!”You won’t want to take the time to have to chase down your dog or cat if it escapes, and they’re likely to be very nervous with strangers in your house.
Purchase a case of water and put it in a cooler with some ice as a really nice gesture to your hard-working movers. They’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness, especially if it’s hot inside or outside. Even if they don’t drink any, it’s the thought that counts. Consider springing for some pizzas if your packing or unpacking is taking place over the lunch or dinner hours.
We got you covered!
Tie trash bags to all of your door handles and let the movers know they’re there for their use. When movers are moving they use a large amount of paper, labels, and packing tape. Even though they’re contracted to clean up after themselves, making it easy for them to dispose of trash and waste will make things better and cleaner for everyone.
Save the packing of your pillows, pillow cases, and bed linens until the morning of your move. When you wake up, put all of these items in a large box or plastic crate and clearly mark it “bed linens”. When you arrive at your new home, it will be important to know where this is so that you can get a good first night’s sleep.
Take an inventory of all your highly valuable items, put them all in one place, and snap a photo of them with your phone. Have the movers pack all of these items together in one or several boxes marked “HIGH VALUE”. Personally observe the movers sealing the box or boxes so that you will be at ease, knowing that your valuables are packed securely. Even if the items packed together don’t really match or “go together”, it’s good to have these kinds of items packed in as few boxes as possible.
Go over the entire list of your inventory with the head mover. You’re more than welcome to follow them around the house while the movers are moving, but it’s highly likely they’ll have things under control. If anything is lost or damaged, you will be able to file a claim, so relax. As long as a detailed list exists and the movers have signed off, including packing everything on your list, you should be good to go. Just be sure all of your documentation is signed properly and all boxes and crates are sealed before being loaded. A good mover should have this covered without you telling them, but keep an eye out nonetheless.
Let us do what we do best – and that is to move you!
We hope you enjoy your move and that you’ve found these tips valuable. Just remember to take as much time as you can and relax with your family so you get the most out of the experience. Yes, it can be stressful watching strangers handling every one of your treasured possessions and household items, but remember that these strangers are professionals and are paid to be very good at what they do. Your stuff should be just fine.
Divine Moving and Storage in NYC is a full-service moving company that’s been operating in the city since 2000. As New York’s premier moving and storage company. Divine Moving and Storage handles local moves as well as national storage relocations. Satisfaction is our number one priority, and we’ll treat you like family. Divine Moving and Storage is fully licensed, certified, and insured.
