Moving Guide

Moving from Brooklyn – hire decent movers

If you have decided to move from Brooklyn the first step is choosing among moving services Brooklyn has to offer. You will want to choose the best moving company out there.That is completely normal. Everyone who is moving is looking for reliable and professional movers. Whether you are moving from Brooklyn or any other place you will want to look for the same things in a moving company. You should focus on their reviews, reliability, and price. We are here to help you with some tips on how to hire decent movers. You will discover what to pay attention to and what the right questions you should ask are. You will also discover what to avoid doing when you are hiring movers. Continue reading “Moving from Brooklyn – hire decent movers”

Tips for Finding Affordable Storage Units

If you are relocating to New York City, it is imperative that you arrange for the transportation of all your personal belongings. Prior to settling down, you will need to secure a new residence, which can be a time-consuming endeavor in the bustling metropolis.

However, this should not deter you from proceeding with your move. Your possessions can be transported ahead of your arrival, and a storage unit can be utilized to accommodate them until you are ready to receive them.

You can safely leave your belongings in your storage unit and go about finishing the rest of the tasks from your moving list. Moves can be expensive so a good idea would be to consider storage solutions in NYC because this is a sure way to save some money. We are going to give you some tips on how to find affordable storage units in NYC.

storage

How to Find Affordable Storage Units

When you are choosing moving and storage company, you will want to find affordable ones and save some dollars. We will give you some tips on just how to find them. You will also find out how to find the best deals when choosing your storage unit.

Choose the Appropriate Size

Select the appropriate size for your storage unit. Storage units are available in varying sizes, ranging from smaller dimensions such as 5′ x 5′ to larger spaces like 10′ x 30′. Certain units may have unique measurements, such as 10′ x 14′, 5′ x 7′, and 5′ x 12′.

It is common for individuals to err in their selection of storage dimensions, resulting in unnecessary expenses due to the combination of an excessively large unit and poor packing practices. Therefore, it is imperative to exercise prudence in both the selection and packing of your storage unit.

storage doors

Choose the Right Location

Undoubtedly, a superior location commands a higher price. Location plays a pivotal role in numerous scenarios, including storage units. Typically, storage units situated in the suburbs along a rural route are more reasonably priced than those located in the city center. This principle also applies to the units within the storage facility.

Affordable units are not among the first ones on the 1st floor. You will find these affordable storage units on the third floor way back. They might be less convenient but this makes them cheaper.

Buy the Insurance Yourself

It may not be common knowledge, but obtaining rental insurance is a prerequisite for renting a storage unit. Typically, storage companies will present insurance policies for purchase, however, this may not be the most cost-effective option. In the event that you are seeking to economize, it is advisable to explore alternative insurance options.

Inquire with your personal insurance provider and conduct research to identify more affordable self-storage coverage prior to finalizing your rental agreement. Additionally, when selecting from the array of economical moving companies in New York, exercise the same level of discernment in selecting your insurance coverage.

Make Sure Your Rate Will Not Increase

Occasionally, the rental fee for a storage unit may not be fixed. Certain storage companies may raise the rate at some point. It is advisable to steer clear of such companies as this may result in unexpected financial burden. Prior to signing the rental agreement, it is recommended to inquire about the possibility of a rate increase.

Additionally, researching online reviews from other clients who have dealt with the moving company may provide valuable insight.

Always Look For Perks

There are some features that storage units have, and that will cost you extra money. For example, there are climate control, 24-hour surveillance, gate access, indoor rather than an outdoor unit. If you don’t need any of these features look for and only check storage units that do not have them.

Why would you pay for something you don’t need? On the other side, there are perks you should definitely use. If your storage company offers a free use of a rental truck when you move in, don’t think twice about using it. You can save between 30 and 70 dollars with this perk.

More Ways to Get Deals on Storage Units

You could buy your own lock. You will not save loads of money if you do this, but you will save some. Just be sure to buy a good lock of high quality, so that you can secure your belongings and use it later as well. Don’t fall into the trap of lock or renting companies that will want to sell you really expensive ones.

storage facility

Pay Up Front for Your Storage Unit

If you are aware of the precise duration for which you require storage, it is advisable to make an upfront payment. This is a prudent approach as most storage companies offer discounts for such payments. Nonetheless, it is imperative to ensure that you retain the flexibility to extend your rental period in case of unforeseen circumstances.

You never know what might change in the circumstances of your move, or in your plans. So, you should always have a backup plan. If you know you will be away for a long time then you should choose a long-term storage rental.

You can sign a contract for a year. However, check the terms and conditions. If you violate the contract before the renting period expires you might pay some fines.

Don’t Get a Storage Unit With a Drive-Up Access

If you have some friends who are ready to help you get your belongings into a storage unit, you don’t need a unit with a drive-up access. The units that don’t own a drive -up are the more affordable storage units. There is another perk that you get if you don’t choose a drive-up unit.

These units have an extra layer of protection. So you will have extra security for a lower price. How great is that?

So here are some great tips on how to find affordable storage units. You also know how to get good deals when renting your storage unit. It is all about planning and making smart choices. Pay attention to

  • the right size,
  • location and
  • where you buy your insurance and storage coverage.
  • Also, don’t forget to ask about discounts and perks. You might get some good deals if you just ask. 

How to Get a Precise Moving Price?

You want to move but don’t know how to start. You must plan every step of the process, including your time, space, and money. These things are connected and affect each other.

If you plan well, you can stay within your budget when moving. Sometimes people forget about unexpected expenses and end up spending more than they planned. To avoid this, you should be careful and plan carefully. Follow our guide to get an accurate moving price.

 

Know Who is Moving Your Things

moving price

There are companies that will try to trick you, one way or another. That is something that is just the truth. That’s why you need to be sure that you are dealing with licensed and insured companies. When choosing a moving company, try not to be attracted by unrealistic offers.

Usually, fraudulent companies try to attract customers by offering services at extremely low prices. Of course, not everything that is expensive is good, either, but very low prices are a signal to run away. Check these things:

  • Recommendations – see if your friends, family or co-workers have some experience in moving, so they can recommend or warn you about some company names.
  • USDOT – you can always check if a company has a dot number issued by the US Department of Transportation. This number allows the government to check and track carriers. You can check that on the Safer website.
  • Online comments and reviews – customers are the best judge. Don’t be lazy and search a company’s name on Google and see what comments their clients left. This can be really helpful and resourceful sometimes.

After you checked all your options, narrow your choice to 2-4 options. These should be trustworthy companies that fit your budget. Call them, arrange a meeting to get an on-site estimate.

On-site Estimate Details to Get the Precise Moving Price

Once you’ve chosen what you want, give them a call and ask about their prices and services. But keep in mind that the price they give you over the phone or email is just an estimate. It’s not the exact amount you’ll pay after the move is done. So, you need to be ready and know what to ask. First, you should know what factors will affect the cost. These factors are:

Moving Season – if possible, plan your move in advance and choose the date carefully. If you call a company on a date too close to the moving date, the price will probably be higher. Also, if you want to reduce costs, choose a less-popular moving season for your area.

Quantity – the number and the weight of your items is a huge factor. That’s why you need to be detailed and open when getting an on-site estimate. Be ready to show every box/item that needs to be moved, so you can get the precise moving price.

Special Pieces – if you have some furniture that needs special attention, let them know immediately. This might include very big, bulky, fragile items like pool tables, pianos, art pieces, etc. Maybe you will need piano moving services from the company, which can affect the price.

ask for a precise moving price of a black grand piano

Distance – the exact distance from your old to your new home is very important. So don’t be lazy to show the way where the movers will be going. Also, they need to know if the new/old home has a lot of stairs, is it on a higher floor, etc. All these things can affect the price.

The Number of Workers – price will be higher if more people are necessary to work on your move, so be sure to tell the company every detail of your move.

Every on-site estimate usually lasts for about an hour. So, if possible, arrange all the companies to come on the same day. That way, you will be able to compare the prices and services while the information is still fresh in your mind. We also suggest taking notes so it will be easier for you to compare and choose the best company.

Non-Binding Quote

This preliminary estimate is subject to change and should not be considered as the final cost. It is important to note that such estimates typically reflect a lower price point and may contain unforeseen charges that could potentially catch customers off guard. It is imperative to exercise caution when opting for this type of estimate and thoroughly scrutinize all details.

Additional services, such as additional furniture or stairs, may significantly impact the final price. As such, we strongly advise considering an alternative estimate option.

Binding Quote

binding quote

This type of the estimate offers no surprises. You will get the final price of all the services and be sure if this really fits your budget. Professional moving and storage company will make an on-site inspection, so make sure to give them all the details.

After they calculate the costs, be sure to get the estimate on paper, with all the details of your move. This will serve as a legal document, like a contract, and needs to be signed, so there will be no surprises when you need to pay.

Not-to-Exceed Quote

This type of estimate is not used very often, but you should ask for it if you are interested. In this case, the final price is fixed and the final price can’t go over the set limit. The price can go lower, though. This estimate also needs to be signed and serves as a contract.

How to move abroad on a budget

If you have decided to move abroad from NYC you should know that it is a big step. It is also an expensive endeavor. First of all, you should start off by choosing the best one among the international moving companies NYC has to offer. Hiring good movers is the most important step. You can already suppose that moving abroad doesn’t come cheap at all. It is an expensive investment and you will want to save some money wherever you can. We are going to give you some tips and tricks on how to move abroad on a budget. We will also suggest some of the cheapest destinations you can move to.

How to save money and move abroad on a budget

So we will give you some ideas on how to save some money and how to move abroad on a budget. These are some tips and tricks that will definitely come in handy. So first of all, if you can choose, always choose sea freight instead of air freight. If you can choose an international shipping option it is always best to choose the waves. The sailing mileage is more affordable. For just a fraction of the price, you will be able to load and transport much more when sailing. For example, if you are moving a one bedroom apartment abroad it will be almost 50% cheaper to send it by sea than by air. However, you can fly something in two to three days, but shipping your possessions in a container ship can take up to a month. But think of the money you are going to save.

Try groupage shipments

If you don’t have a lot of things to move you might end up with a half-empty container. This is just a waste of money.However, there is a solution. You can try group shipments.This means that you can share your container with someone. Also, if you are not transporting more than 20 cubic meters you should opt for less than full container load, rather than the full container load.This will save you money.

a blue and white ship with containers you can use for move abroad on a budget
You should use ship containers for your move abroad on a budget

Plan everything in time

You should not wait for last minute booking of any kind.If you do this you will lose a ton of money. If you know when you want to move you should book your shipping in advance. When you leave this for last minute you will have to fly everything for a crazy price or wait forever before your container arrives. If you apply for any papers in a short notice you will have to pay larger sums of money. So, apply for visas, work permits and pet passports in time. Statistics say that you should buy plane tickets seven weeks in advance for short-haul flights and eighteen weeks in advance for long-haul flights. Sunday is the best day to book and buy plane tickets. If you subscribe to JacksFlightClub and Hitlist you will get e-mails notifications about cheap plane flights.

Sell the things you will not need

Every move is a chance to get rid of unnecessary things and to get better organized. Moving a lot of things will cost you more and this is frustrating. If you want to move abroad on a budget you should get rid of all of the things you will not need. For example, if you are moving to a hot country, you will not actually need all of those winter clothes. You can sell your stuff on e-Bay. This is a great way to earn money you can use to cover some moving expenses. 

Sort out your taxes and open an international bank account

You should inform your government that you are going to move abroad. Sort out your taxes before you move, if you don’t do this you might end up paying taxes in two countries.Now, that is a money wasting nightmare. Moreover, forget about your old bank account.You should open an international bank account to avoid those expensive transfer fees and exchange rate fluctuations. The benefits of an international bank account are

  • You can hold  different currencies at the same time, so you will not have to convert your money
  • These accounts have low fees and good exchange rates

Find an affordable moving company

There are so many international movers to choose from these days. Try to find the most affordable movers NYC has. Ask around with friends and colleagues. Google is your friend, so try to gather as many information and details as you can. Pay attention to company reviews and ask about discounts.

Move to a cheap country

If you want to move abroad on a budget you should choose a cheap country to move to.This will save you a lot of money in the long run. We are going to suggest the three cheapest countries you can move to.

Lisbon in Portugal

Lisbon is a beautiful city with wonderful landmarks. It is one of the cheapest cities in Western Europe. You will enjoy a perfect climate and cheap prices. You can live a comfortable life and pay for lodging, food and more for just around $1 300 a month. If you want to buy a place to live a 538-square-foot apartment costs only $90 000.

Lisbon ctyscape
Lisbon is a great location to move abroad on a budget

Cali in Colombia

This city is a top cheapest city for a good reason. A couple can live here for only $987 a month. The price includes the rent. Real estate is crazily cheap. For only $45,100, you can afford to buy a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment in the best location. Not to mention that the people are very polite and hospitable. The city is also very safe now.

Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo is the capital of Dominican Republic. If you move here you will have a year-round lifelong vacation.Doesn’t that sound just perfect? This is a heaven for tourists so you can enjoy five-star restaurants and great shopping malls.You will also love the carnival. The cost of living here for a couple is $1,450 a month including rent and food.

an old palace in Santo Domingo
You will love the old colonial architecture in Santo Domingo

So we hope we have given you some useful tips and for your move abroad on a budget. If you stick to our advice, find cheap movers NYC has and maybe choose one of the cheapest destinations, you will definitely save some bucks.

Pros and cons of moving to Europe

When you are moving from the USA to Europe you need to be aware that these two continents have many differences. You need to be well prepared for this big overseas relocation and you need professional help from international moving companies NYC. Every move to another country, especially in Europe, can be a difficult task for you. That’s why we bring you pros and cons of moving to Europe to help you definitely decide. Continue reading “Pros and cons of moving to Europe”

Relocating to Minnesota

Relocating to Minnesota doesn’t have to be a difficult task when you have help from cheap movers NYC. We bring you a guide with important information about Minnesota, cost of living, how to find movers, and how to prepare and plan your relocation.

If you are a nature lover, relocating to Minnesota will be the best decision you can make. Read our moving tips when you are leaving New York and moving to Minnesota. This guide will be helpful for all your moving steps. Be prepared before you start packing your moving boxes NYC. Continue reading “Relocating to Minnesota”

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