Residential Moving

Simple tips for baby proofing your home

Considering the fact you are reading this article, we believe some congratulations are in order! If you are looking into baby proofing your home, it means that you are an expectant parent. We can only imagine the excitement you must be feeling right now. And, as any responsible parent to be, you want to make sure your baby is safe at all times. Since we here at Big Apple Movers NYC have only your best interest in mind, we have decided to help you. Follow our simple tips and let your toddler roam freely around the house. After today, no corner in your home will be hazardous for your baby. Continue reading “Simple tips for baby proofing your home”

What Is a Certificate of Insurance for Moving

To move to a different house, you need to gather a lot of paperwork. You might have heard of a certificate of insurance for moving, but you probably have no idea what it really is. Don’t worry, as you are not the only one!

A lot of people have misconceptions about this paper and think that it does not make a big difference whether or not you have it. Why this is not true, you are about to find out, because Big Apple Movers always have your back!

What Exactly Is a Certificate of Insurance for Moving?

Since there is a big probability you do not know what exactly a certificate of insurance is, we feel obligated to explain the significance of this piece of paper. Perhaps, after finding out everything about it, you might realize why it is so necessary and, dare we say, mandatory.

When moving to New York, your first task should be to hire reputable and, most importantly, insured movers. Insurance protects you and your furniture from any possible damage that may arise. Having that in mind, you should know that a lot of property managers will request to see a written proof that you have chosen an insured moving company before they let you move into the building.

At this juncture, the certificate of insurance assumes significance. Despite its perceived complexity, a certificate of insurance is a legal document issued by the insurance provider of the moving company. It is imperative that all parties involved in the moving process are adequately insured.

certificate of insurance

When Do You Need to Show a Certificate of Insurance?

To be fair, to have this certificate is not mandatory in all situations. However, if you do not have it when the property manager asks for it, you will not be able to move in. Moreover, a certificate of insurance is always needed when moving into an urban area, which all NYC boroughs are. Therefore, if you wish to avoid any delays when moving, it is wise to get this piece of paper in due time.

Furthermore, to ascertain whether the presentation of the aforementioned certificate is mandatory, there is a straightforward approach to determine this. You may inquire with the property manager of your prospective residence regarding their policy on the matter. This method is the most reliable and expeditious means of confirming the necessity of this documentation.

What Information Is On a Certificate of Insurance?

In order for a certificate to be valid, it needs to have some specific information written on it. The mentioned pieces of information are:

  • A certificate of insurance for moving should state that your movers have a license to operate in that area.
  • This certificate will state the address of your new home.
  • Finally, it should list all the different scenarios for which you might need to use the insurance coverage.

Slowly, you should be getting a grasp on how necessary this piece of paper is. When making all the moving estimates – related, make sure to include this certificate. Trust us, having it can save your life (and your relocation)!

insurance for moving

Why Do Property Managers Ask to See a Certificate?

Even flies on the wall know that relocation is risky, and oftentimes, damaging. During a relocation, a lot of things could go wrong, which would result in the damage to your items. However, besides your items, a part of the building could also get damaged. Obviously, a building is not your property, so someone needs to be held accountable if the damage does arise.

A certificate of insurance effectively resolves this issue, absolving both yourself and the property manager of any liability. In the event of any mishap, only your movers will be held accountable for any associated expenses. It is important to note that minor damages such as scratches on walls are not uncommon during the moving process, given the challenging nature of the task at hand.

How to Get a Certificate of Insurance for Moving?

While obtaining some other NYC building permits may be a long process, getting a certificate of insurance is not! Cheer up, as this is good news! All you have to do is have a talk with your moving coordinator, and they will do all the necessary things for getting this paper. They will contact the building management for some pieces of information, however, this is none of your worries. All you have to do is sit back and relax.

To ensure a smooth and efficient moving process, we kindly request that you make your request for a certificate in a timely manner. Ideally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could inform our movers of your need for this certificate at the time of booking. However, we understand that circumstances may arise, and we are happy to accommodate requests made up to several days prior to the move. We kindly advise against waiting until the last minute to make this request, as it may cause unnecessary delays and complications.

moving certificate

How To File A Moving Insurance

Hiring reliable movers is one of the best things you can do for your relocation. Movers have the right skills, are efficient, and will save you time, energy, and even money when they take care of your belongings. However, accidents do happen even to the best movers, and you may end up with a few things stolen or damaged.

Hopefully, this won’t happen, but knowing the process of how to file a moving insurance claim will make it easier for you to do it just right.

Take Photos of Items

Prior to the relocation process and prior to securely packing items into moving boxes, it is recommended to capture photographic evidence of the items. This photographic documentation serves as compelling evidence of the items’ condition prior to the relocation and can greatly enhance the likelihood of a successful claim.

Make an Inventory List

Make a list of all the things you are moving. The movers will also make a list, but it’s a good idea to have your own to prevent errors. Make a few copies of the list, keep one for yourself, and give one to the movers.

Having an inventory list makes it easier to detect any lost items. So, make sure you know how to create a moving inventory list and keep it close just in case.

Take Photos of the Damage

Just like you took photos of the items before the relocation, it is time to take photos once again. Having before and after photos will make your claim strong. Remember not to throw away the damaged items after you take photos, as the moving company might ask you for physical evidence. If the damage is done to your home, take photos of the damaged parts.

Keep Track of Every Conversation

This is a useful thing to do during your relocation. Keep track of each conversation you have with your movers. Write down the date, who you spoke to, and what was agreed. You will be able to create a timeline in this way, and your moving claim will take less to complete.

Also, you should save not only conversations, but also receipts, documents, and any paperwork you received from the movers. If you send originals when filing a moving claim, make a hard copy just in case you have everything with you.

Renting a Moving Truck: Things To Know

It is not uncommon for people to attempt DIY moves. They might feel confident in their abilities, or they might even have experience in the matter. However, to move by yourself is tricky in a couple of ways.

For starters, what do you plan to use for the transportation of your items? Your vehicle, no matter how big it is, will not be able to accommodate a lot of things at once, and you will have to make a couple of trips. By doing this, you would waste precious time, which is not good for anyone.

Instead, why don’t you give renting a moving truck a thought? Let’s cover everything there is to know about the subject.

Why Should You Rent a Moving Truck?

moving truck

As previously stated, a moving truck is specifically designed for the purpose of relocation, whereas your personal vehicle is not. The ample space provided by a truck allows for secure storage of moving boxes, which is crucial in preventing any potential damage to your belongings. Additionally, in the absence of professional movers, a moving truck may be the sole means of ensuring a smooth and successful relocation.

Once again, if you are not hiring movers due to a difficult financial situation, we advise you to consider cheap movers. The relocation process is always much safer when in the hands of capable movers. If, after careful reconsideration, you still decide to move on your own, keep on reading. You need to be familiar with everything there is to know about moving trucks.

 

How to Pick the Right Moving Truck?

The size of your home is the only thing that determines what type of a moving truck you need. More precisely, what truck size you need. The biggest mistake people make is picking a truck that is usually too small for their needs. While there is no universal rule, it is always a good idea to pick a truck that has 10 percent more space than you feel you need. Keep this rule on your mind at all times!

Now, think carefully! What is the size of your home, and how many bedrooms do you have? Do you plan to relocate any heave furniture pieces, and how many of them? Moreover, when doing this, also keep in mind your safety. If you have to move a piano, it is never a good idea to do it by yourself, no matter how experienced you are!

Next, research the different sizes of moving trucks that companies offer. Usually, the truck sizes go from 10-foot to 26-foot, and the only way to know which one you need is to take into account the size of your home. The smallest size of moving trucks is only good for studios and one-bedroom apartments. For any house/apartment bigger than that, you will need a truck with more space.

In conclusion, it is never a good idea to try to be frugal when renting a moving truck. Choose a truck that can fit all of your items, as only then can you have a successful relocation. Thus, we get to another important point of order. You need to know how much the truck will cost if you are to calculate moving costs that you are about to have.

 

The Costs of Moving Truck Renting

moving truck cost

In most cases, when thinking about the cost of moving truck rental, all you see is the fee you will have to pay to a company. True, this fee will be your biggest expense here. However, there are many more things to take into consideration when calculating your costs for a moving truck.

  • As mentioned, the fee you pay to a moving truck company is your number one expense when renting a moving truck. The fee depends on the size of the truck, as well as on the distance the truck has to travel.
  • Additional fuel and highway tolls are something people forget about when thinking about the final moving truck cost.
  • Moving supplies are usually not included in the quote, so don’t forget to calculate them by yourself.

Note: If you are renting a very large truck, one that weighs over 10,000 pounds, check with your rental truck company. You might have to make a couple of stops at one or more weigh stations on your way to a new destination.

Get Insured

Insurance will be another expense you will have when renting a moving truck. However, insurance is more than necessary when moving! If you are looking for ways to save money in the Big Apple, look someplace else! Insurance protects both you and the moving truck from any unforeseen circumstances. Being safe should be your number one priority, as there are a lot of things that can go wrong when on the road.

 

Conclusion

Residential moves require a moving truck. Renting a moving truck for this occasion is always a good idea, and we strongly advise that you do it for your next relocation. Please, make sure that you do it with caution, and drive safely. Remember, safety always comes first!

Making room for musical instruments in your home

So, you have decided to relocate and you want to make a room for musical instruments in your home. You must choose the location of your room wisely. But first, decide how often are you going to use that room. Still, if you have enough space in your new home, make a room for your instruments. In this article, we are going to present how and what you need to know when you are about to make a room for musical instruments in your home. Continue reading “Making room for musical instruments in your home”

Best places to buy a house in Brooklyn

We could talk about Brooklyn for hours, and still not run out of good things to say about it. Brooklyn has been labeled as the up-and-coming neighborhood in New York, and we as experienced Big Apple Movers can agree with this statement. What makes Brooklyn so attractive are its prices, as well as its proximity to Manhattan. And, luckily, there are many possible places to buy a house in Brooklyn. Each neighborhood has something unique about it, and you will definitely find something for your likes and needs. So, let`s not waste those precious moments, but see which neighborhoods in Brooklyn are at your disposal! Continue reading “Best places to buy a house in Brooklyn”

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”

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