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Regularly cleaning your dryer vent can prevent dust, lint, and other debris from building up. That buildup can be dangerous, but so can cleaning the dryer vent yourself. Here’s why it’s best to let a professional do the job.
You’ve amassed quite the collection of valuables, and you’d like to keep it that way. Boxing up delicate items requires a steady hand and a full-proof plan. Use these tips to learn how to pack fragile items for your next move.
After the stress of finding a new house or a job, it seems like filling boxes should be the easiest part of your move. It can be if you know what to look for. Don’t wing it; plan ahead with these tips for finding and using the right-sized boxes.
Whether you’re moving around the corner or across the country, packing can be stressful, especially if you have several fragile items like art and dishware. Protect your valuable items by following these packing and moving tips for fragile items.
Hiring a company to transport a vehicle can be a great option if you're moving to the other side of the country. Here's how much you can expect to pay.
Think something might be off with your bathroom plumbing but aren’t quite sure? Early detection is crucial to keeping your plumbing working properly for years to come. Learn the top eight signs your bathroom plumbing needs repair.
If you’re looking to add a level of protection to your home’s appliances and systems (like plumbing), you may be considering purchasing a home warranty. Keep reading to learn about the various pros and cons associated with common home warranty plans.
Selling your home can get very complicated. Follow this home-selling checklist for the things you need to do before you sell your house, while it is listed, and what to do when you’re closing on a home sale to simplify the process.
With a bit of creativity, the right furniture, and some helpful accessories, your studio apartment or small house can feel much larger than it actually is. Get the most out of your small space with these smart, interior designer-inspired tips.
The perfect paint job can make your kitchen pop, but getting that glorious finish requires more than just slapping on a coat of color. You’ll need to clean and prepare your walls to hold the paint for years to come; we’ll teach you how.
Are you considering purchasing a condo? Whether it’s going to be your new home or you’re renting it out, buying a condo is an exciting time. Use this checklist to navigate everything from lenders and insurance to HOA fees and community rules.
Your air conditioning unit is a lifesaver during those blisteringly hot summer months, but common air conditioning mistakes may be increasing your energy bill and decreasing overall efficiency. Read on to learn how to avoid them.
When looking to hire an electrician, it’s important to ask prospective contractors many different questions, including if they are licensed. Learn how to find out if an electrician is licensed and why it’s so important.
Are you looking to move your home to a different lot or a different state? Some houses can be easier to move than others. Learn how to move a house and the cost of moving an entire home, what factors in the price, and whether it’s worth it or not.
Don’t underestimate the task of a move-out cleaning. Use this ultimate move-out cleaning checklist to get organized and keep track of your cleaning efforts. From bathrooms to bedrooms, this move-out cleaning guide has you covered.
Preparing and planning a move
The first thing to decide is how much of the moving work you’ll do yourself and how much will be handled by professional movers.
If your employer is paying for the move you can take it easy and watch the professional movers do nearly all of the work. If you’re financing the move yourself, you might opt to do your own packing to save money.
But before you decide how much to do yourself, call some moving companies to get estimates for what they charge for different levels of service.
Weed down your stuff: Most people are packrats to one degree or another and if you've lived in the same place for several years you probably have closets and junk drawers filled with stuff you really don't need. Start making stacks of what to throw out or donate to charities. Organizations like Goodwill and AmVets will accept a variety of clothing and household goods.
Collect supplies: If you’re doing your own packing, you'll need lots of boxes. The best boxes are the ones that reams of copier paper come in because they’re sturdy, have lids and are easily stackable. If you work in an office, find out who handles supplies for the copy machine and have them save boxes for you.
You can also buy boxes from supply stores or some large discount stores, but this can really add up.
Identify high-priority items: During a move there are two kinds of high priority items:
Your most prized possessions, like family photos, birth certificates, passports, etc. Plan on packing these yourself and transporting them in your car so they are never out of your control. Ordinary household items can be replaced if lost or damaged. If it's priceless to you, then you should carry it.
Things you need every day, such as a handful of dishes, toiletries, Fido's dog dish, your car keys, etc. These may not be highly valuable, but you don't want to lose track of exactly where they are.
Pack these yourself and keep the box handy so you can get in and out of it whenever necessary. Keep out your cleaning supplies so you can finish up in the old house and take the cleaning materials with you to the new house.
Change your utilities and services: Contact service providers for utilities such as water, gas, electric, telephone, cable and internet services to inform them of the impending move. You can let these companies know when you plan to be out of your home and into your new home so that your services can be switched over.
This will prevent you from paying for services you do not receive or having to provide a security deposit for your new residential service needs through the companies at your new location.
Postal Change of Address: A change of address kit is available through your local post office branch office or online. These forms prevent the possibility of others gaining access to your mail without your knowledge.
The mail will be forwarded to your new address beginning on the date you specify on your change of address form.
Hiring a moving company
You may choose to do all of the packing, but do you really want to do the moving as well? If so, you'll need to rent a truck, a couple of two-wheeler handcarts and some pads to protect your furniture.
Then you'll need to recruite friends to help and probably feed them. You may want to compare that to the cost of hiring movers.
As in all professions, in the moving industry there are rogue operators who give you a low price to get the job, then demand a much larger amount before they will unload the truck. Don’t hire a moving company without checking them out.
Check out the company with the American Moving & Storage Association, which has a certification program called “ProMover.” You should be wary of any moving company that does not have ProMover certification.
Ask for the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation registration number. You can then search a federally registered mover’s complaint history at protectyourmove.gov.
Questions to ask:
Even when you are using a legitimate, honest moving company you may have a bad experience if you don’t know what services the company is providing at what cost. Here are some basic questions to ask:
1. What are the insurance terms for the move? You will typically purchase an insurance option for items damaged or lost in transport. Does the insurance cover the full value of the item?
2. Is the quote price an estimate or a “not-to-exceed” ceiling?
3. Are there any hidden fees? Moving companies often work from a "tariff," which lists items for which you could be charged, such as if there are stairs involved.
4. How long has the company been in business.
5. Is the moving crew employed by the company, temporary hires or casual laborers?
A copy of the mover’s bill of lading, liability insurance and valuation coverage policy. All movers must assume liability for the value of the goods they transport. “Released value” is a no-cost option that provides minimal protection, requiring movers to cover any damages at 60 cents per pound, per article. “Full value” is the most comprehensive option, but cost varies.
A timetable for performing the move, including packing and arrival date.
Does the company perform the move or work as a household goods broker? A broker can’t represent himself as a mover, doesn’t own trucks and generally has no authority to provide an estimate on behalf of a specific mover.
Local vs. long distance moves
Rules and regulations governing the moving industry depend on whether it’s a move within the state (intrastate) or one that requires crossing state lines (interstate).
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees interstate movers and legally requires them to:
Obtain licensing by FMCSA and display their U.S. DOT number in any advertising.
Provide arbitration if consumer complaints can’t be resolved amicably.
Give homeowners a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” brochure.
Allow homeowners to review their tariff — a list of rates and charges — for a particular shipment.
Furnish an accurate summary of their complaint handling procedures, including a phone number.
It’s important to note that FMCSA has no authority to resolve complaints against an interstate mover. However, the federal agency may investigate a specific mover if the agency receives multiple documented complaints.
The investigation may result in the mover’s license revocation and/or fines. To file a complaint against an interstate mover, call FMCSA at 888-368-7238.
Best practices mandate intrastate movers also follow federal standards, and most are subject to state laws. The American Moving & Storage Association recommends consumers check with their state’s moving association, public utility agencies such as a state’s department of transportation or commerce, Angi and the Better Business Bureau before hiring.
Moving contracts and costs
The average intrastate move is based on weight and a crew of four. Prices may fluctuate, depending on where you live.
A binding estimate is a written agreement made in advance with your mover that clearly describes all services provided. It guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services written in the estimate.
A nonbinding estimate is what the mover believes the cost will be based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and additional services required.
However, the final charges are based on the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided and the tariff provisions in effect.
Some movers offer a “guaranteed-not-to-exceed” estimate, which allows the consumer to pay the binding estimate or the actual cost, whichever is lower.