The best Seattle moving companies will have the following qualities.

Professional Presence

Every modern business has to have an Internet presence, but is it a professionally done website that’s easy to navigate and easy to understand? Yet, what if they’re only on the Internet? That’s a bad sign, too. You want to be able to find them later if you have questions or complaints.

If they have a business address, is it an unprofessional facility? How clean is it? Is anything obviously broken and uncared for? These can also be bad signs that they might not be able to take care of your belongings, either.

Check their fleet of trucks. Another bad sign is that none of their trucks have their company name and logo painted on them. You don’t want a fly-by-night operation that will disappear with your belongings.

Another bad indicator is when they ask you to sign paperwork with any of the fields left blank. This is automatically suspicious activity and a possible indicator that they may intend to fill in information detrimental to your moving job and your pocketbook.

Good Record

First, check to see how long the company has been in business. If they’ve been around for less than 10 years, that doesn’t necessarily discount them, but it should put them on probation, so to speak. They could be a great company, but a company that has been around for a decade or more has proven themselves worthy enough to stay in business that long.

Next, check on the internet for Seattle moving companies reviews. See if the companies on your short list have good or bad reviews. Search each of your companies by name to see if any one of their past customers has complained. Some websites specialize in collecting complaints.

Also, check Seattle moving companies ratings. You might find a top 10 list that includes some of the companies on your short list.

Finally, check the Better Business Bureau. If a company on your list has a negative report with them, that company may not be your best choice for obvious reasons.

Focus on Service

For all Seattle moving companies, quotes should be a standard part of their service. You want an estimate in advance for the job to be done. If they won’t do an in-home estimate or ​they will charge for the quote, then likely they don’t believe in their own work.

If the company will be subcontracting out the job or they are merely a moving broker, you may be asking for trouble. Some brokers may be nothing more than a scam.

Sometimes you can go with your gut instinct, but compare the details of what they offer. The types of things they offer will give you a clue as to their business attitude. Are they in it just for the money, or do they care more about their reputation and on providing the best quality service?

You’d think having the services of Seattle moving companies would result in a foolproof moving process, but that isn’t quite the case when it comes the undertaking that involves taking all your belongings and transferring them to a new home. No, moving is a learning process, and no matter how thorough you think you are, there are bound to be some things that come up that could potentially ruin your day.

What you can do however, is reduce your chances of having major errors by learning from the mistakes of others. Here are some examples of common mistakes people make when moving from one home to another.

1.  Doing away with plans

Moving can be a massive undertaking, especially if you have a whole family with you. It’s precisely why planning and organizing your moving activities is so important, but be that as it may, there are some people out there who prefer to “wing it” and go where the wind blows.

Trust us; this is a huge mistake even with small moves, such as taking all your apartment’s contents and moving five blocks away in Seattle. Moving is a nerve-wracking, stressful and tiring endeavor, even with the assistance of a moving company.

You’d do well to learn from the pros and plan your move weeks, even months ahead of time if you want a smooth and enjoyable process. Not only does it make moving convenient it also saves you time and money. From day 1, begin work on an inventory of all your belongings, including all the items you wish to bring with you on the move. Keep your records organized and neat, and don’t lose them.

2.  Not timing the move right

Timing is everything when it comes to having a hassle-free move. To the first-time mover, the weather is probably the single-biggest factor that makes or breaks their timing. Sure, there’s wisdom in choosing the summer months for their amiable weather, but don’t forget that summer, as well as spring, are peak seasons for moving, which means you’ll see moving companies jack up their rates.

The best thing you can do is to plan and consider your options well before your moving date. Research  Seattle movers if you’re moving in or out of the Seattle area and look up how busy they are during your moving date. Take into account the pros and cons of the services they offer and find the right balance you’re looking for.

3.  Choosing an unreliable moving company

The wrong moving company can be disastrous to your moving efforts. Lest you want having broken, missing, or worse, stolen property, always make it a point to do research on your moving company of choice. Look up their track record, ​search for testimonials and seek out both satisfied and unsatisfied clients.

No matter how you look at it, moving from one home to another doesn’t come cheap. While it’s true that you’ll have to be able to lay out the money if you want a smooth moving process, there are several ways for you to save a bit of cash here and there when acquiring the services of Seattle movers.

If you’ve gotten over the dilemma of choosing between moving on your own and hiring a moving company to do the work for you, and have chosen the latter, here are some tips to reduce your moving costs.

1. Lighten your load

Lighter loads mean cheaper rates for moving. That said, you want to get of as much ‘useless’ stuff before you move. Consider holding a garage sale where you can sell your expendables, such as furniture pieces, large power tools, bicycles, the odd trampoline, and more. If you have books you want to part with, consider selling them, or better yet, donating them to a local charity. Remember that weight is equivalent to money in moving.

2. Off-peak seasons are best for moving

The off-season is the best time to move your stuff from your old home, to the new one. In Seattle for example, you can get the best rates during the winter season. If you want to get a good deal, don’t hesitate to negotiate with your Seattle moving company. Oftentimes, companies will be glad to lower their rates to make up for the fewer number of clients.

3. Let the movers decide when to move in exchange for a discount

One of the biggest challenges moving companies have when working with clients is fitting them into their busy schedules. If you allow your movers to work within their timeframe, you can negotiate to do this for a discount.

4. Identify all possible charges

Make it a point to identify all miscellaneous fees your moving company might charge you with during the moving process. Oftentimes, these charges can be avoided upon request. The point of this is to minimize unwanted expenses when you reach your destination.

5. Make clarifications on large or specialty items

If you have a snowmobile or a jet ski you can’t do without, ask your moving company how much it will cost to move the items for you. Once you get a quote, compare this with the cost of renting a trailer and moving your stuff yourself. The latter is likely to be a more affordable option.

6. Check if everything is packed before moving

Seattle movers may charge you extra fees if they have to help pack out items at the 11th hour. Pack everything yourself and see to it that everything is accounted for.

If you are currently living in the Seattle, WA area and are relocating to another area of Washington, hiring a Seattle moving company is going to be the absolute best choice you can make. Seattle moving companies specialize in moving people who are staying within the state of Washington, and therefore know the area inside and out. This means when you choose to hire moving companies in Seattle, you are choosing to hire a moving company that knows everything there is to know about getting you from one place in WA to another in the most professional means possible.

Making the Moving Process Convenient

Seattle moving companies even go that extra mile because they want to make sure that the moving process is one that is as convenient as possible for you. That is why there is a special focus on providing extra services, such as packing and unpacking, moving extra large items (pianos, pool tables), and being available for short notice moves.

Whether you are moving from one house to another or one office to another, moving companies in Seattle are ready to assist you. They will always show up on time, move your items from one place to another with the greatest of care, and you don’t even have to worry about getting hit with any unexpected charges as all the moving cost details will be presented to you before the move.

You will also benefit from having the assistance of a friendly personal move coordinator, who will be there right by your side to give advice and answer any questions that you may have. Once everyone arrives at the new place, all of your items will be carefully placed wherever you want them placed – you are in charge. They can even help you unpack. Seattle moving companies are the best when it comes to giving customers the very best and professional moving services available, making it so that every Seattle mover can expect only the very best top-quality services.

Friendly Service

Seattle moving companies are considered to be the friendliest in the entire United States. Seattle movers can feel confident that when they use moving companies in Seattle, because a Seattle moving company is one that makes it their ultimate goal to make sure that your move is one that is as simple and effortless as possible.

Seattle moving companies cover the following WA area movers:

●       Seattle Movers

●       Tacoma movers

●       Bellevue movers

●       Redmond movers

●       Issaquah movers

●       Kirkland movers

●       Sammamish movers

After you’ve scheduled your move with a Seattle moving company, the details of moving are upon you. We know how thrilling that can be. But cheer up. Just think how you are protecting your possessions from breakage and loss. What you do here will make the difference between a move from your worst nightmare and one with smooth sailing all the way to your destination.

● Keep electrical cords safe. For cords which cannot be detached, wind them up in a coil and fasten them to the appliance or electronics to prevent them from dangling.

● Wrap each item separately. This adds extra protection, especially for breakables. For fine crystal, china or other delicate items, you can use tissue paper, paper towels, or even facial tissue. Very small items can be wrapped in colored paper to ensure they don’t get lost. Then add extra protection by wrapping each item in a double layer of newspaper.

● Start with cushioning. By placing a 2-3-inch layer of moderately wadded newspaper in the bottom of a box, you protect your items from underneath.

● Layer your items into the box. Put the heaviest items on the bottom, medium-weight things next, and lightest things last.

● Fill in empty spaces with wadded paper. This will help keep things from shifting within each box. Add enough wadded paper to create a level base on which to start the next layer. You can even use a sheet of cardboard cut from an empty box as a separator.

● More cushioning for fragile items. Extra layers of wadded paper, towels or lightweight blankets can ensure your delicate items remain protected.

● Use small boxes for small, fragile items. Place only a few, well-wrapped fragile items in each box. Then place the small boxes in a single, large box. This affords greater overall protection for those delicate items. Be sure to fill the spaces between the small boxes with wadded paper.

● Fill, but don’t overfill boxes. The idea is to keep items from shifting, but you shouldn’t have to use force to close the box. By the same token, don’t under-fill the box so that the sides or top bend inward when you push on them.

● Tape closed each box. Make certain to seal them tightly. If your mover gives you a list of high-value items, leave the boxes with these items open for the mover’s inspection. This is both for your protection and theirs.

● Code the boxes on the sides. With a felt-tip marker, write a number or other code on two opposite sides of the box so it’s easy to identify them when the boxes are stacked. We recommend you list all of your boxes in a notebook and write down the contents beside the number or code for each box.

● At the destination, label the rooms. Tape a label on each room’s door to identify which boxes go where.

In this article, we will tackle the strategy for your packing-how to prepare and the methods you should use.

After you’ve scheduled the move with your Seattle moving company, the really “fun” part starts-packing. Though for many this is the most hated part of a move, it remains the most important. This ensures that your valuable items are not broken and are easily found once they arrive at your new home.

Preparation

You will need plenty of cartons. Any good moving company will be able to assist in estimating the number that you need. If this was not done, and you need to acquire boxes on your own, be sure to keep the following rules of thumb in mind.

● Limit cartons to a maximum of 50 pounds when possible. Naturally clothes can fill a larger box than books before reaching this limit. Books in smaller boxes. This makes handling the boxes far easier.

● Chose only sturdy boxes that can be closed. Boxes that have the lids cut off do not allow stacking and your valuables can become lost or broken. Corrugated cardboard adds greater strength than single-wall cardboard boxes. And some corrugated cardboard is stronger than others.

●       Make certain you have plenty of cushioning. Glass or pottery lamps can go embedded in clothes boxes, but you’ll need other types of padding for glasses and other breakable items. Old newspaper is good for this. Bubble wrap affords even greater protection.

Method

● Wrap items carefully. Seems obvious, I know, but it bears repeating.

● Provide sufficient cushioning between breakable items to absorb shock.

● Before you close the lid, make sure each carton is firmly packed-no rattling. Also make certain that it’s not over-packed with the sides bulging outward, or under-packed so that the sides bend inward.

● Whenever possible, make certain that you put only items from one room in a box. Mixing from different rooms will make items harder to find, later.

● The first thing you should pack are the out-of-season things you know you’re not going to need before the move.

● Next, pack the things that you rarely need.

● Save until last those items that you will need up to and including moving day.

● Take everything out of your drawers that is breakable, spillable or that would damage your other items. Also, take out all items recommended for exclusion from your move. All soft, lightweight items can be left in the drawers-sweaters, blankets, lingerie, bath towels and the like.

● Similar items should go in the same box-like delicate glassware or porcelain. Putting a cast-iron pot or frying pan in the same box is a recipe for disaster.

● Keep pairs of things or multiple parts of things together. Have plastic bags with ties to contain bolts for mirrors or similar small hardware. Add a note in the bag to ensure you know what the parts are, later when you unpack.

Moving is something that most people don’t look forward to. There are lots of things to do, which can tend to feel a bit overwhelming. This is why it is really worth the time and effort spent into finding a moving company that will live up to your standards. One that will not simply come into your home or business and move your items from one place to another. What you’ll want to look for is a moving company that really cares about helping you make your move one that is as effortless as possible. A moving company that takes their job to heart, making it their mission to help you with every aspect of your move.

Moving Companies in Tacoma

Although there may be a lot of choices when it comes to moving companies in Tacoma, WA., that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all able to offer the quality moving services you expect from a professional moving company. This makes it necessary that you research at least 3 different moving companies in Tacoma so you are able to find out which one will best suit your particular needs.

Why Tacoma Moving Companies?

Tacoma movers are some of the absolute best professional movers in the business. They have years of experience as well as the high ratings that give them the credibility that people are looking for when they need movers in Tacoma, WA.

What You Need to Look For

When it is time to start looking for a professional moving company, there are a few things you should look for in order to make sure it is one that will provide you with the best and most professional moving services possible.

●       Make sure the moving company is licensed and insured. Also, check to see if the BBB lists them as an accredited business.

●       Choose a moving company that provides you with a free estimate so there are no unexpected charges.

●       Choose a moving company that has experience moving all types of items – from large appliances, to bedroom sets, to pool tables, and pianos. The best moving companies know how to properly move whatever it is that needs moving!

●       The best moving companies also offer a personal coordinator, which is someone specifically assigned to you to help you with every step of your move.

Of course, once everything is over and done with and you are finally situated in your new place, it is time to celebrate!

When you need the service of professional office movers to move your office from one place to another, you’ll want to be sure that you’re making the right choice. This means finding a moving company that specializes in moving offices. Although this may sound simple enough, it may not be as easy as you think. You’ll want to make sure you find professional office movers that are reputable so you know you’re getting the best office moving services possible.

Commercial Moving Services

Commercial moving services are what you will need when moving an office from one location to another. When you hire commercial office movers, they know that you want the move done as quickly as possible so as not to impede on the daily business routine, yet they also know that everything in the office must be moved in the most professional of manners. Professional office movers are trained to handle all the office essentials, such as computers, monitors, desks, photocopiers, and more, and will do so while practicing the safest possible methods.

Seattle Office Movers

If you are currently looking for office movers in Seattle, you’re going to be happy to hear that Seattle office movers are some of the most professional commercial office movers in the United States. They know how to give you the professional services you expect, and will not only take you across the street or across town, they will do it all with a smile.

Seattle office movers will even pack your office items for you, which is extremely convenient and saves you the time and energy it takes to move an office from one place to another. Professional office movers in Seattle know what it takes to do the job right, and are there for you. They want to take the stress off your shoulders by doing anything and everything in their power to ensure that the move is one that goes as smoothly as possible. Just tell them what you want and they’ll do it. Just tell them where you want an item to be placed, and they’ll put it there.

Moving Tips

When an office needs to relocate, there is a long list of things to do. Here are a couple of tips that can help your move be one that is simple and efficient.

●       About 2 months before your planned move, call at least 3 professional office movers to get price estimates.

●       Ask if they also pack your items for you and/or have a professional coordinator that can help you coordinate the move.

Let’s face it. Moving, whether it is for a household or a business, is a stressful event. Why not add a little mirth to your move? Take some of the stress and pack it in one of the boxes marked “Important-Do Not Lose!” It’s nice to know how to tempt fate in your favor.

Serious Business
If we’re going to deflate stress, we may as well face it head on.

99% of all movers give the rest a bad name.
I suppose you could say that about any profession for a giggle. It’s nice to know this doesn’t apply to movers in Seattle.

Moving Day
When the big event arrives, anything can happen.

One guy says to his friend, “I saw a garbage truck here earlier today. You never told me you were moving.”
Some friend! Some friends are better than others. Check these out….

When we agreed to help our buddy move to a new apartment, we thought that the elevator would be working. So after hours of carrying heavy boxes and furniture up 7 flights of stairs, we were exhausted. And when our buddy asked us to search for his favorite cooking utensil, no one moved.

“I’ll give a bottle of Scotch to whoever finds it,” he shouted.

Within minutes, one of the guys found the utensil.

“Good,” said our buddy. “Now, look for the Scotch.”

Do you think he will want to share when he finds it?

Two moving van men, Bill and Jack, were taking things into a house.

Bill said, “Jack, help me move this chest.”

Jack asked, “Why? Did Miss Smith tell you to?”

“No,” replied Bill.

“Then how do you know she wants it moved?” asked Jack.

“Because she’s under it.”

Oops! That’s one moving headache we can do without.

Moving into the Twilight Zone
Sometimes, when things get strange, no matter what you do, the strangeness only gets worse. The best thing you can do is to take a break.

We are all time travelers moving at the speed of exactly 60 minutes per hour.
Can we make this thing move any faster?

I’m moving to Jupiter next week, so if you have any boxes…
I don’t envy that move. Gravity is much heavier there, so be careful lifting anything!

Customer: Do you have any cockroaches?
Clerk: Yes, we sell them to fishermen as bait.
Customer: I would like 15,000 of them.
Clerk: What would you want with 15,000 cockroaches?
Customer: I’m moving later today and my lease says that I must leave my apartment in the condition in which I found it.
How thoughtful. Don’t you wish all tenants were this conscientious?

Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
So, break’s over. Back to moving.

So you’re moving to Seattle, huh? Even if you hire the services of Seattle moving companies, that doesn’t mean you could just kick back, relax and let them do everything for you. Although many Seattle movers may make it seem that way, preparation on your end is still required to make the moving process as smooth and fast as possible.

Fortunately, all this requires just a bit of preparation on your part; after all, your moving company will handle the difficult and strenuous aspect of the moving process.

If you are one of the thousands of people around the country picking up their lives and moving it to Seattle, a vibrant city that continues to experience stability despite the recession, here are 5 tips to make the household move less stressful and maybe even pleasurable for you.

1. Put everything in a list

Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for keeping a written record of your belongings. We recommend separating your belongings into boxes, writing a number on each box, and listing down each box’s corresponding contents in a notebook or on a spreadsheet on your computer. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just keep a record.

2. Think you have enough boxes? Get some more because you don’t.

If there’s one true thing about moving, it’s that you can never have too many boxes. The good news is that many Seattle movers sell their own boxes to their customers, which could be returned if unused, so go ahead and order as many supplies as you can.

Boxes are your best friends when it comes to moving, so too are packing paper, packing tape, bubble wrap, and more.

3. Make good use of wardrobe boxes

For light items such as hanged clothes, pillows, blankets and linens, tall wardrobe boxes are the best choice for storage. If you have plenty of coats, be sure to measure them so you get the appropriately-sized wardrobe boxes from your supplier. Bear in mind though that wardrobe boxes are meant to carry light objects, so pack smartly.

4. Categorize by color

Here’s something we recommend to all moving families and individuals out there: sort your boxes by color. Start by first categorizing each box according to the room it’s from. Separate boxes from the kitchen, your room, the living room, so and so forth. Once done, you can then make the boxes with color stickers, with each color pertaining to a specific room.

5. Keep boxes together according to contents

When the Seattle movers come over to pack the boxes, make it a point to tell them that you want certain boxes packed together. For example, keep electronic items together, keep your books together, and keep your clothes together. This way, things are faster when it’s time to count boxes of this and that when you arrive at your destination.