Monday, February 25, 2008

Hut Tub Movers

I will only discuss, long distance movers that can move your hot tub. If you are looking for local guys you might as well, call some guys that can also install it for you.

Well moving a hot tub is like moving any other bulky item. If this is the only item you are planing to move make sure it is cost effective to move it. Call around, you are probably will have to spend more than $1,000 to move it depending on the size of the hot tub, and how far you are planing to move it. Check with a moving broker they sometimes will have great deals on back-loads. There are many sites that will provide you with a multiple quotes.
Here is the actual page for Hot Tub Movers on http://www.GotMovers.com
http://www.gotmovers.com/Hot_tub_movers.html
Good luck, and please feel free to comment.

Pool Table Movers - Moving a pool table

A pool table's size alone is intimidating for individuals with little to no experience in moving it into new destinations. I understand the concept of most do-it-yourself guides in moving pool tables, but you must understand the costs for damaged pool tables.

I say keep it to The professionals unless you are very handy and strong.

Just to give you an example: If you are moving from state to state, the professional movers will only disassemble and transport your pool table but they will not assemble it for you, for that you will need to call some local guys to assemble and level your pool tale.

If you are not a professional, your pool table may be in jeopardy. The cost of improper moving techniques could exceed hundreds of dollars (depending on your pool table’s value).


Your pool table is a central social piece for gathering with friends and family. Inappropriate moving styles can end the fun for pool table lovers. I highly recommend investing in an expert crew to move your pool table. If something happens, your movers can handle the situation during the same day of the accident. Expert pool table movers have experience in moving, repairing, and installing your pool table.

You can get a quote from a few pool table movers here: Pool Table Movers

Moving Insurance

Well there are a few ways to go here:
1. Stay with the basic limited liability protections that is included with every move. Keep in mind this is not an isurance. It will compensate you $.60 per pound per article. So, if you have a table that weighs 100lb you will only receive $60 towards the repair of that item.
2. Some of the movers will offer insurance. Typically they would have a few options for you with different deductable.
3. You can choose a moving company and then just go with a 3rd party isurance just to name couple....moving insurance . com and baker international.
4. Your home owner insurance or renters insurance might cover your move so check with them before spending the money.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Moving Home with your children

Moving house can be an emotional experience for adults, so imagine how much more unsettling it can be for children who don't really understand what's going on.There are many things to consider when relocating, none more important than the impact of moving on your children.REMAIN POSITIVE:The secret is to remain positive.Most often the reason for moving is a happy one, such as a new home or job promotion, which generates excitement and compensates for the inconvenience of packing up and relocating.However if the move is associated with an unhappy event it can be hard to keep a positive attitude in front of the children.Children feed off the emotions of their parents.If you are not happy the chances are they are not happy either and will need more reassurance and attention to ensure the move is a positive experience for all of you.TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN:Explain to your children what's happening, why you are moving, where you are moving to and what they can do to help so that they feel a part of what's happening.Listen to them.Let them express how they are feeling, and empathise with them, even if some of their feelings are negative.It is only natural they will be concerned, leaving familiar surroundings and friends.Leaving the known for the unknown can be pretty scary.Most importantly be honest with your children.Reassure them that they are an important part of the family, and can help make the move a positive family experience.TEARS AND TANTRUMS:Children express their anxiety in a number of ways.Tears and tantrums are the most common. If your children have moved before, and the experience was not a happy one, they may show signs of depression, withdrawn behaviour, or signs of aggression such as tantrums.Once again, the answer is lots of reassurance and a positive attitude.Jason Hill is the owner of Moving Again, a successfull Interstate Removal Company in Australia

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Moving Advice

Professional movers provide a valuable service by moving thousands of people to new homes each year. While almost no move is ever completely stress-free, when you use a professional mover, all of the "heavy lifting" will be done for you. Movers will pack your possessions, load them into the truck, drive the truck to your destination and unload and unpack your shipment at your new home. Movers can also provide you with warehouse storage, move your piano up and down flights of stairs, transport your automobile, and service your appliances to insure their safe transportation.If you are considering moving yourself, especially if you will be moving interstate, you should ask a lot of questions and compute the actual costs of self-moving before you sign an agreement with a truck rental company. The information in this part of the Consumer Guide will help you to calculate self-move costs and give you a basis of comparison when evaluating the price and value of professional moving.Rental Charge. For an interstate move, you will need to provide the origin and destination cities and the date you plan to move to the truck rental company. Depending on equipment availability in certain locations, prices may vary. Peak season runs from the end of May until the end of September, so truck rental rates may be higher during that time of year. Most people move at the beginning of a month or the end of the month, so prices may be even higher during these times. The rental charge you are quoted includes a rental deposit that may be refunded depending on the condition of the vehicle upon its return, and a certain number of free miles (approximately 10% greater than the estimated actual mileage). The rental charge does not include state taxes or other equipment you may need to complete your move, such as cartons, boxes, pads and dollies. You'll need a day or two to pack and another to unpack, so be sure your quote includes these extra days plus the days you will need for driving. Make sure you rent the right size truck! Remember, efficiently loading a truck is an art, not a science. After a long, hard day of loading all of your worldly possessions into the back of a rental truck, the last thing you need to discover is that you have run out of space but not out of furniture.Automobiles. How many cars do you have? Are you going to drive or tow the vehicle(s)? A trailer package from a rental company can cost an additional $150, plus another $45 for the trailer hitch along with a $200 deposit depending on how many days you are renting the trailer. If you are driving your own vehicle, you'll need to factor in wear and tear on your vehicle (34.5¢ a mile is the current standard mileage rate according to the IRS).Insurance Charges. It may cost an additional $20 a day or more for insurance during your move. Check the policies that are offered carefully. Most car insurance policies do not cover truck rentals, so you will need to purchase separate liability insurance and property damage insurance. Also, if you tow your car, you'll need separate insurance to cover any damage that occurs during the towing. Most of these additional policies do not cover you against theft; so if your goods are stolen (truck theft can be a problem if you are leaving the fully loaded vehicle unattended while you spend the night at a hotel) you may not have any protection. Pads and Dollies. You'll need to rent pads so you do not scratch your furniture. Pads generally cost $10 a dozen; with a 26 foot truck (four bedroom house), you will need at least 3-dozen pads. You may need appliance dollies, utility dollies, or furniture dollies to help move heavy furniture and appliances. Each dolly will cost an additional $5 to $10 per rental.Per Move Value of Time. Who is going to do the packing and unpacking? Who will pick-up, load, drive and unload the rental truck? Who will drive the automobile? If you are doing all of this yourself, it takes a lot of time. Figure out your average hourly wage and multiply it times the total number of hours you estimate it will take to pack, pick-up the truck, load, drive, unload, etc. for you and your spouse/family. This is your per move value of time.Packing and Loading the Truck. You might be able to collect free boxes in anticipation of the move, but to minimize damages, especially for an interstate move, it is highly recommended that you purchase specialized boxes, like wardrobes, dish packs, and mattress containers. You'll need tape to secure the boxes and paper padding to secure the contents of the containers before they are loaded on the truck. The cost of packing materials may vary by state and state taxes will also apply.Expect to pay about $200 for a 4-bedroom home, plus another $100 or so each for the kitchen and a home office, if you purchase your boxes from a truck rental company. If you need wardrobe boxes for hanging garments, expect to pay about $25 each. You'll also need tape and rope to secure your cartons properly.Some truck rental companies also offer loading and unloading service to load your furniture and the boxes that you have packed yourself. This service can add several hundred dollars to the cost of your move; be sure to get an estimate before your sign-up for this service. Plus, the rental company's liability for any damage that occurs to your goods during the loading and unloading process will likely be minimal or even non-existent.Mileage Charges. Mileage charges are usually included in the rental agreement but may be limited; an additional mileage charge may be assessed at an average cost per mile, usually around 40 cents a mile for each additional mile over the limit. Be sure to read your contract to see if there are extra mileage charges or fees for one-way rentals.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Before Move

With every move you make, the amount you will spend may not be that obvious. Sure, there's the cost of renting a truck or moving company, the money you spend on your airline ticket, and the up front cost of buying the packing supplies or hiring the packing service. However, most people think of the moving essentials and don't take into consideration the extra costs involved.
Before the Move
Additional Insurance: Moving companies will provide insurance, but the standard rate is usually not enough to replace the item, especially if that item is small and valuable, such as crystal, glass or porcelain. Since insurance is based on weight, with a standard rate averaging around 60 cents per pound, you usually need to seek out additional insurance. Also, keep in mind that the standard rate is not necessarily what you'll get should some of your goods be damaged.]

This rate represents the maximum coverage you're entitled to, but due to government regulations, taxes, etc... this might not be the amount you receive.
Your Current Residence: If you're selling your home, there will be things you'll need to fix before you go, a list outlined in your agreement. Such small tasks will take time and probably some money, too. You may want to, or need to, hire someone to do these tasks, especially if it's something out of your scope. Paying a professional plumber can save you a lot of money in the end.
And whether you're moving from a house or a rental, cleaning will be a major priority that takes both money and time. I prefer to hire a cleaning company to make sure the job gets done right. If you're moving from a rental, most likely you paid a damage deposit when you first moved in. To make sure you receive the full amount back, having a professional cleaner transform the space back into it's original (or almost original) state is worth the extra money. Besides, what a professional company can do in three hours could take you three days. Build these costs into your moving budget, then if you find the time to do these tasks yourself, great! It's better to be prepared then to run short.
Hidden Costs of Rentals: Some people who move end up buying a house as opposed to renting; however, there are still a vast number of people who rent, whether for a long-term or short-term until their home is ready. When you rent, there's more than just the cost of your space that you need to consider. Hidden fees such as security or damage deposits and broker fees add up to a lot. Also, when signing an agreement, ask what is included in the rent. Most often you end up paying extra for services such as parking or utilities.
During Your Move
Since most of your costs are accrued at this time, you'll be glad to know there aren't too many additional fees that you hadn't considered.
On the Move: If you hire a moving company, then most likely you'll need to get to your new home on your own. Build into your budget such additional costs as hotels, meals, snacks (all those extra-large lattes!), and gas if you're planning on driving. Use a distance rate calculator to estimate how far you're going, then determine how long it will take to get there. If you have more than one driver, you can estimate longer driving times, but make sure you consider meals and breaks and enough time to rest.
If you're flying to your new locale, then remember to add in taxi fares to the airport on your way out and from the airport on your way in, airport fees and any additional monies you might have to pay for extra luggage beyond what is allowed. This is also the time to remember the cost to move your pets. Build in the vet fees, carrier costs and flight price.

By Diane Schmidt,

Monday, August 6, 2007

Military Moves

Relocating your family and personal belongings due to a permanent change of station (PCS) is something that every military family encounters sooner or later. Whether you look forward to the move with eager anticipation or with feelings that are somewhat less enthusiastic, there are things that service members and their families can do before relocating to make the overall experience better. Knowing the regulations and planning accordingly can make all the difference.
1. Visit the Personal Property Office
As soon as you receive your orders, call your Personal Property Office (PPO) and set an appointment. Before you go to the appointment, do some research to make the most of your session. Even if you and your family have PSCed several times before, no two moves are exactly the same. Changes to your personal situation, your new duty station, or military regulations may greatly affect your move.
PPOs have materials available to aid you in your research. An excellent resource for explaining basic entitlements and responsibilities is the "It's Your Move" pamphlet that is also available online on various web sites, including LIFELines. General move information is available on LIFELines in the "Relocation and Housing" information area.
Still another official web site that offers a wide variety of basic PCS move information is the Defenselink site. This electronic newsletter is user-friendly and chock full of helpful hints, news, guidance, and useful links.
2. Contact Your Sponsor and New Command
Once you have PCS orders in hand, your new command will assign a sponsor to assist in your transition to the command and new duty station. If you have not heard from your sponsor in a reasonable amount of time, contact your new command to find a point of contact to help you before you arrange your move. If the command has a web site, become familiar with its contents. The information may prove invaluable throughout your decision process and save you the trouble of moving items that you'll not be able to use at your new duty station.
A sponsor is especially crucial if you'll be moving overseas or to a remote location. Along with host-country considerations that you may not otherwise know, a sponsor can fill you in on some of the less obvious nuances of your new home. For example, if you will be moving to Yokosuka, Japan, and are planning to live on the economy in non-Westernized housing, your sponsor would probably advise you to leave the majority of your furniture and appliances in storage until you return to the States. Most traditional Japanese dwellings will not accommodate the size or style of furniture that is common in American households, and your appliances would probably be incompatible.
3. Consider Moving It Yourself — Carefully
Most commonly referred to as the DITY move, the personally-procured move (PPM), is an option that you may want to consider. Essentially, the government pays you the money that it would otherwise pay a contractor to move you and your belongings. Although not for everyone, a properly planned and executed PPM has advantages that range from peace of mind in knowing your belongings are packed exactly the way you want them to be, to earning some extra cash in return for your hard work. Conversely, if you do not adequately plan or complete your PPM, you are liable for any additional moving costs or damage to your property.
4. Take Responsibility
Although you will have ample assistance along the way, you are responsible for your move. The best way to ensure that it goes well is to be involved from start to finish and play an active role throughout the process. Know the regulations and make all necessary arrangements before your moving day. That way, when moving day arrives, you and your family will be able to concentrate on the task at hand.
5. Figure Your Entitlement
Part of your entitlement is the maximum weight you can move at government expense. This pre-determined amount is based upon your personal situation and rank. If you go over your prescribed amount, you will be responsible for paying all charges connected with moving the excess weight. To estimate the weight of your possessions, you can figure 1,000 pounds per room and then add the approximate weight of your large appliances and items. While not exact, this method will help you determine if your belongings will fall within your entitlement.
6. Find Out If You Can Move That
The term "household goods" (HHG) refers to your personal effects and property for your home — anything from a snowmobile to a spare car part. Generally, if your HHGs fall within your weight entitlement, they will be moved at no additional cost to you. However, some items, such as boats, may or may not qualify as HHGs and may only be moved if you agree to share the expense. Other HHGs may not be moved as part of your PCS move because of carrier restrictions or local ordinances. The Defense Transportations Regulations (DTR) web site offers complete guidance for determining if you can ship an item as part of your PCS move.
7. Decide What to Do About Rover
While most of us consider our pets to be part of our family, it is important to note that moving them is not an entitlement. Instead, it is viewed as a privilege and you will share in the cost. The government will allow you to move a total of two dogs or cats in travel cases weighing less than 100 pounds each. Any more and you'll be required to make alternate arrangements. Other applicable restrictions and considerations are discussed in LIFELines section PCSing With Pets.
8. Prepare for Clean Up After the Move Date
When determining your actual move date, keep in mind obligations you will have after the moving van departs. If you rent, you will probably be responsible for restoring the property to its original condition. If you own, you'll want to show the property to would-be renters or buyers in the best possible condition. Estimate how many days you will need to prepare the property and set your move date to allow you ample time before your lease is up and your utilities have been disconnected.
9. Take Care of Important Papers
The paperwork that leads up to moving is as important as physically moving your property. Make sure you have adequate copies of your PCS orders placed in a safe location. Additionally, you should consider the following:
powers of attorney or letters of authorization
appraisals of high-value items
inventory with video or photo documentation
insurance policies, in addition to those provided as part of your move.
10. Lighten the Load

By P.S. Kunze