How to escape Manhattan moving scams?

Posted on 04/25/201801/25/2024 by BigApple

Moving can be stressful and overwhelming so being well organized is imperative. Hiring the right movers is the most important thing in your moving process. Be sure to look for the best moving services in Manhattan and hire your reliable movers. Reliability, honesty, and professionalism are the most important traits a moving company should have. But, how do you know that your moving company is reliable? You should do a detailed background check and make sure that you follow the guidelines you are going to read here. Yes, moving scams are possible and doing a detailed check is the best way to avoid Manhattan moving scams.

road sign that says SCAM - avoid Manhattan moving scams — Do a detailed background check to avoid Manhattan moving scams

How to avoid Manhattan moving scams

You should always choose an experienced moving company with a long history. If a moving company has been out there for a very long time they are probably very reputable. These companies care about their reputation and that is why they are still working and functioning. Just think about it, if there were scams they would be reported. If a lot of people report scams the authorities will check this out and close the business of the moving company. If this hasn’t happened by now it probably will not happen in the future. So this is a good guarantee that the moving company is legit.

Check if the company is insured

It is very important to check if the company has all of the necessary papers and that they are insured. They need to have insurance against any unfortunate mistakes that might happen. They should also ask you if you have insurance. If you don’t they should offer you to buy an insurance policy from them. If this happens it is a sure sign that they are reputable and that they care about their clients. In addition, you should check if their workers are bounded. A reputable moving company will have bounded workers that work under a legitimate contract. You should check this as well.

Get references and check their BBB rating

What you should definitely do is check online reviews of the company. This should give you some kind of an insight into the experiences of the prior customers. Moreover, to be completely sure they are legit ask for a contact number and names of some previous satisfied customers. A good and reputable company will not have a problem with this.They will gladly comply with your wishes. However, if they don’t accept you should just move on. It is a good idea to check the company at Better Business Bureau. Focus on moving scam reports. You will be able to track any kind of bad reports of the company here. This is a sure way to avoid Manhattan moving scams.

lap top that says fraud alert - avoid Manhattan moving scams — Check online reviews to avoid Manhattan moving scams

Additional things to do to avoid Manhattan moving scams

Here is a valuable piece of advice for you. You should plan your move well in advance because this is a sure way to hire the best and the most reliable companies. If you plan in time you will get these benefits

You will hire the best and most reliable companies
Tou might get a discount. So first learn about the NYC moving costs and them book way before the move to get great discounts.

If you don’t act in time others will book all of the best moving companies.

Ask your real estate agent for some advice

You might be quite inexperienced when it comes to moving scams but your real estate agent has seen it all a million times before. Both good and bad news spread like wildfire. You should ask your real estate agent for some information and recommendations. If the moving company you want to opt for has been involved in any Manhattan moving scams your agent will probably have some information about this. You should ask them about the good and bad experiences of their previous clients. They are a wonderful and reliable source of information.

Ask for a detailed contract

A reliable moving company will make a detailed and elaborate contract. Be sure to know what you are signing. The contract should include their estimate, all of their fees and additional fees and exact date of the move. Check all of this before you sign anything.It should match the information they have given you beforehand. If there is no paperwork than you can be sure that you are dealing with scammers.

Never settle for large deposits

If the moving company is asking you to pay a large deposit there is something wrong there. A reliable company will only ask you to leave a small deposit as a sign of trust and goodwill. If you are asking about the sum of money it is usually between 100 and 500 dollars. If your moving company is asking for much more than this something is fishy and you should avoid them. Pay attention to the cost of the move. If the cost is too cheap or much cheaper than you expected than something is probably wrong. You could be dealing with rogue movers or scammers.

Your movers should have an office

There is an increase in scammers who pretend to have Internet only moving companies. It is not enough to check the website of the moving company. It could be top notch or too good to be true and promise you the best service. However, your moving company needs to have an office. You should go to the address you find on the website and check that the company is there. If you don’t find them there, they are probably just part-time scammers.

a scammer taking a file from a computer — The moving company should have an office

Check their trucks and storage units

If the moving company is professional and reputable they should have trucks that are in excellent condition. If the trucks are in a great condition it means that your belongings will stay safe during transport. You should check if they have affordable storage units. However, it is more important that the storage units they offer are safe and hygienic.

Following all of these tips is a good way to avoid Manhattan moving scams. Your move will be safe and everything will go more smoothly.

New movers in NY – How to check their reliability?

Posted on 01/15/2018 by BigApple

Not every negative experience has to necessarily be a scam. It could simply be unpleasant in any way – poor communication, tardiness, quality of service, etc. The prejudice is that this usually happens with new movers in NY. However, in some cases, it’s not unpleasantry but actual deception, regardless of whether you are moving to New York, or within it. You may be deceived by the price, for instance. You’d agree upon one price and during the moving day, the price would change, leaving you cornered and in despair. There are also scenarios where the movers would keep your belongings hostage until they received a better price from you. Continue reading “New movers in NY – How to check their reliability?”

A Complete Checklist for Moving: Things You Should Know Before Your Move

Posted on 01/13/201810/24/2024 by BigApple

Moving is a journey full of excitement, anticipation, and, let’s be honest, a bit of chaos! From packing up all your belongings to saying goodbye to familiar places, moving can feel like a whirlwind of emotions and to-do lists. But what if we told you that there’s a way to take the stress out of the equation? Picture this: a complete, foolproof checklist for moving that guides you every step of the way, transforming the moving process into a smooth, organized experience.

Whether it’s ensuring your fragile items are safely packed or keeping track of those easy-to-miss details (hello, address change!), having a solid game plan can make all the difference. Ready to turn your moving game? Let our ultimate moving checklist become the roadmap to your successful move.

Moving Checklist/List To Do Things You Should Remember While Moving

The moving checklist has been organized chronologically, with a comprehensive timeline culminating in the actual moving day. This timeline serves as the basis for a detailed checklist of things to do when moving, which outlines tasks that require attention within specific timeframes.

To streamline the process, the timeline is divided into categories such as tasks to be completed two months prior, one month prior, one week prior, a few days prior, and on the day of the move.

You want to start your move ahead of time, it is one of the keys to a successful move. If you procrastinate and delay the things that need to be done way ahead of time, you will face utter failure.

Two Months Before

The two months before period should start lightly and without any dangerous deadlines. Here is the two weeks before moving checklist for you.

Find a Moving Company

Ignorance is a choice in the age of the internet. So choose wisely. There are numerous moving tips on what to look for when finding movers. To avoid any kind of moving scam, select legally registered movers with insurance, have good online (or word of mouth) reviews, and have a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number.

Check the experience of the moving company and see if they are professional enough to conduct any type of move. If you need help selecting a trustworthy company, check out this helpful guide on how to find a reliable moving company in NYC.

Get an Estimate from Moving Company

Shortlist a few movers and get estimates from them. It is advisable to find at least 3 moving companies and obtain a quote. Ensure that movers perform an in-person inspection or a video survey before giving you the actual estimate. Check out Big Apple Moving’s quote for a quick and easy way to obtain a moving estimate and let your mind be free from moving worries.

Set a Budget for Moving

You need to have a budget for moving out before hiring a moving company. Make a list of your expenses and set aside some money to meet unexpected expenses. The budget should include the expenses for movers, packing materials, storage spaces, and much more. Look for affordable moving companies in NYC and see how well they can meet your requirements to make your move easy.

What’s more? You can even get precise moving rates by requesting quotes from several moving companies. All this will help you stay within the budget and hence choose the right company for moving.

Declutter Items You Don’t Need Anymore

The next tip in the checklist for moving is decluttering. Eliminate anything that you don’t need or use. You can also consider selling or donating them. Knowing how to declutter your moving makes your move much easier by reducing the number of items you need to move. So, declutter before moving to make your home more organized.

6 Weeks Before Moving

The time is coming near when you will have to move. So, finalize some details. Let your friends and family know that you are planning to relocate. Plan some get-togethers if you haven’t seen them for a while. Let’s see what more should you do six weeks before moving –

Book a Moving Van

You are getting closer to your moving date. Book a van for moving in advance. Choose or rent the one that can fit all your belongings. You can read more about the benefits of renting a moving van here. Furthermore, keep in mind that you should choose the one that doesn’t have huge extra space that you don’t need as you will have to pay extra for it.

Choose the right size of boxes for moving

You have to choose moving boxes to store your belongings. So, how do you choose the right size moving box? A general rule says to use small boxes for heavier items like books and larger boxes for lighter items like pillows. What’s more? Save some money by recycling used containers. You can look for such boxes in liquor stores, groceries, restaurants, and other local businesses.

Learn Some Packing Hacks

Is any move complete without packing? Obviously not. Start by packing the non-seasonal and non-essential items first. When it comes to how to pack an apartment, go room by room. Pack fragile items with extra care and keep the valuables and important documents separate. Many professional movers help you with packing and helps you reduce the packing stress. Get packing services from Big Apple Moving Today.

Label Your Boxes Correctly

The most important thing when packing your boxes is to develop a habit of labeling everything. This way, you’ll know what boxes contain your needed belongings. Some tips on how to label moving boxes like a pro are to color code them, maintain an inventory, and use larger fonts.

Write Old & New Both Address Correctly

When filling out your moving paperwork, make sure both your old and new addresses are written accurately. An incorrect address can cause delays or lost mail. Know how to write an apartment address correctly in this helpful guide.

4 Weeks Before Moving

Things are getting spicier here. Now you need to do more tasks as you are just 30 days away from the moving day.

Buy Moving Insurance

Buy moving insurance to protect your belongings if something gets lost or damaged. You can skip this step. But here is the catch: Buying one will give you peace of mind that your items are covered. Additionally, check if your moving company has a certificate of insurance or not, as it ensures that the company has a license to operate in that particular area.

Get Rid of Perishable Items

If you have any perishable food items in your pantry or fridge, start using them. You don’t want to transport food items that may spoil during the move with you. So, plan your meals accordingly to eliminate the food that could turn bad.

Gather All Your Records

Before your move, gather all the important financial, legal, medical, and insurance records. Keep them secured in a folder and at such a place where you won’t forget them.

File for Change of Address

Change of address takes time. Notify your post office, banks, and other service providers about your change of address. Make sure your mail gets forwarded to your new home without any issues. Most post offices let you file for a change of address online for convenience.

2 Weeks Before Moving

It feels like two weeks is a lot of time, but you have to gear up as still there is a lot more to do. Update all your accounts and records for the smooth sailing of your move.

Create a Bag or Folder for Bills and Slips

Creating a digital folder is fine. But that doesn’t replace the importance of a physical folder where you can keep all your receipts, bills, and important documents you need when moving.

Recycle or Dispose of Poisonous Items.

Do you own any flammable, corrosive, or toxic materials? If yes, remove them safely, as these cannot be moved by professional movers. Dispose of them in a correct manner. Check local recycling centers for proper disposal methods

Update your driver’s license

Many places require you to update your driver’s license within a specific time window after moving. Visit the DMV website to check the requirements and ensure that your license reflects the new address. Important documents to get an updated driver’s license are – residency proof, proof of social security number, and an additional form of identification.

1 Week Before Moving

Finally, the time to move has arrived. Organize what’s left and clean your old home. The earlier you finish all the tasks, the less things you have to manage on the day of the move.

Clean Your Old Home`

Just because you are moving to a new home does not mean you can leave the mess in your old one. Take some time and show some love to your old home by cleaning it before you make a move. If you want to get back your rental deposit, you must clean your current home like a pro and repair any tiny damages. Leaving your old home in spotless and clean condition ensures that you get your security deposit back.

Unplug Your Fridge

Unplug your fridge at least a day before to give it time for defrosting and cleaning. Because any lingering water can create trouble while moving. So, you must know the right process of moving a refrigerator to your new home and keep yourself out of any mess.

Cancel or Redirect Pending Deliveries

Have you ordered anything recently? If yes, you must ensure that all your deliveries arrive before your move. Or else, redirect them to your new address. Another idea is to cancel them entirely to avoid any confusion.

Check the Weather & Withdraw Some Cash

Check the weather forecast for your moving day and plan accordingly. Take extra precautions if the weather is going to be harsh or it’s going to rain. Withdraw some cash to tip the buyers or to buy any last-minute items.

Moving Day

The day for which you have been waiting has come. If you have followed the checklist of things to do when moving, the move will be a breeze for you. So, wake up and start with the move as soon as possible.

Work With the Movers

Answer the movers any doubts or questions they ask you. Communicate effectively with them. Let them know where each box should go as soon as they arrive at your new home. Don’t forget to tip them up at the end.

Unpack the Essentials

Some people get overwhelmed with the process of unpacking. If you are one of them, start unpacking the essentials like kitchen necessities, toiletries, and other essentials to make them easily accessible. After unpacking the important items, go for the unopened boxes. Need help with unpacking? Consult Big Apple Moving.

Verify Everything

Double-check all your belongings before the movers arrive. Take inventory of your boxes and furniture to ensure nothing is missing or damaged. It’s always better to address any issues immediately with the movers on-site.

Final Thoughts

Moving doesn’t have to fill you up with stress if you follow a solid plan and a moving checklist. Following the above-mentioned tips will let you do everything in order and organize your move strategically.

Let Big Apple Moving’s professional and reliable movers ensure a smooth transition to your new home and find the answer to why we are considered number one in the industry. It’s time to make your move one of the best experiences of your life. Contact us to know more.

How to find reliable office movers NYC

Posted on 12/22/2017 by BigApple

Moving an office is a totally different ball game when compared to moving an apartment. The stakes are higher, the amount of things being moved is usually higher and the time is all that matters. Businesses can’t take waiting too long for the relocation since if they do – the business suffers. This is why it is imperative to find reliable office movers NYC. The word reliable is key since they have to be dependable, accurate and punctual. Also, a high level of professionalism needs to exist. Continue reading “How to find reliable office movers NYC”

Essential tools for DIY Home Redecoration

Posted on 12/18/201712/20/2017 by BigApple

There has been an ongoing battle between me and my wife since the beginning of time – should we hire someone or should we do it ourselves? When I say ‘we’ I usually mean me. My wife is always in favor of hiring a professional, and I’m always all about doing it myself. It’s cheaper and it’s much more fun. Plus it’s relaxing and rewarding. But a craftsman is only as good as his tools, hence here’s somewhat of a list of tools for DIY home redecoration. Continue reading “Essential tools for DIY Home Redecoration”

How to Declutter Home Before Moving

Posted on 12/15/201708/11/2023 by BigApple

Moving is a lengthy process, and packing takes a huge part of it. Sometimes, packing may take up to four or six weeks, depending on how big your house is! And that is perfectly fine, as long as you do a thorough job. One important aspect of packing is decluttering your house first.

The act of decluttering facilitates the identification of items that will accompany you on your relocation journey and those that are to be discarded. While there are several approaches to decluttering, a meticulously planned method is deemed most effective.

This article outlines essential considerations to bear in mind as you embark on the process of decluttering your home in preparation for your move.

Creating a Sorting System

The first step in decluttering your home is to create a sorting system. Find a couple of bins or some free cardboard boxes and mark them with different categories. You will need a bin for the things you are keeping, one for throwing things away and the final one for taking things into the storage.

Make these bins available as you go from one room to the next, and be ruthless. Everything that’s out of its place – put into one of the bins. Be careful and thoughtful – and be honest. If you don’t really need something, don’t be scared to throw it out! Having fewer things means spending less money on moving them to your new home.

Clean the beans after finishing each room. The things you decide to keep you should return to the proper place or pack if the moving day is drawing close. You need to decide what you will do with the things in the second bin. You can either recycle your items, sell them for extra money or donate them to a charity organization. The things in the final bin can go into your storage until you figure out what you will do with them.

Declutter Your Bathroom

The process of decluttering bathrooms can prove to be a challenging task. The presence of various items in drawers and medicine cabinets, coupled with the accumulation of random objects over time, can make it a daunting undertaking. It is not uncommon to find books and cups occupying space in some bathrooms. Therefore, the question arises, how does one effectively declutter such a space?

Start with the medicine cabinet, and then after you’re done, move to the drawers. When decluttering, take everything out. Don’t leave things in there, even if that is their proper place. Once you have all the clutter out, you can decide what you will keep or not.

Get rid of old medicine, makeup, and skin products. Check all areas of the bathroom, including under the sink and in the tub.

Declutter Bedrooms

The process of decluttering a bedroom bears a resemblance to that of decluttering a bathroom, albeit in reverse. The initial step involves clearing the tops of nightstands, wardrobes, and dressers, and placing all items into designated bins, rather than returning them to their original positions.

This same approach should be applied to items on the floor or bed. Subsequently, all items within drawers should be removed, and a decision made as to what should be retained and what should be discarded, with the respective items placed in their designated bins.

Clothing May be the Hardest Part

For some people, decluttering their wardrobes is the hardest thing in the world. It is because they just do not want to say goodbye to some of their clothing items. This is why there are many creative ways to declutter your wardrobe.

One of the best is to divide your clothes by type – shoes, boots, denim, cotton, shirts, dresses etc. Sort them however you want. That way it’s easier to throw away an item when you compare it to others of the same sort. For example, you might love a pair of jeans, but you can realize how worn out it is only after seeing it next to other jeans you own.

If you have more time, you can try the Oprah Winfrey Closet Decluttering Method. Simply place the hangers in your dresses in the opposite direction. After you wear an item, place the hanger in the correct direction. After some time (she suggests six months, however, sometimes you don’t have that much time), you will see which clothes you like wearing and which you seldom do. Take these into consideration for throwing out when decluttering.

Declutter Kitchen

The kitchen may be one of the most challenging rooms in your house – just because we all keep so many things in it. What’s really hard here is deciding how you will go about decluttering. You can do it by the type of your stuff (like glassware, plates, cutting boards) or area by area. Whichever way you go about it, be sure to empty all the drawers and divide them into bins.

Declutter Living Room

Maintaining a clutter-free living room on a daily basis can prove to be a challenging task. Given that this space is where we spend a significant amount of our time, it is not uncommon for it to lack adequate storage options. To tackle this issue, it is recommended to begin by decluttering bookshelves and TV consoles, followed by smaller areas such as side tables and coffee tables.

When it comes to electronics, a useful guideline is to dispose of anything that is not connected to your TV set. This is likely an indication that the item is not frequently used, and it is advisable to consider whether it will be of value in your new residence.

Once you have finished decluttering your home, it’s time to call some professional movers. When you declutter home, you reduce the stress and speed up the packing process. This way, you help both yourself and the movers.

This is why we recommend you do it. Even if you are not moving to your new home, you should declutter home at least once a year. Living in a place where everything is in its place is often calming. Decluttering is good because you do not need any fancy equipment, but it does take some time, so be careful and plan it well.