Tag: moving guide

Moving Labor vs. Traditional Movers Services

Posted on by Dorothy

When moving house, you’ll have different moving services available. You may get uncertain of what’s the best way to go. Your decision may depend on a budget and the complexity of your move. It’s also affected by your preferences, previous experiences, household size, etc. The most common choice is moving labor vs. traditional movers. The question is how to decide between the two? If you’re not sure what type of service to choose, read our guide. We explored moving labor vs. traditional movers services to help you understand both sides and decide for yourself.

When it comes to moving labor, it’s usually a solid choice if you only need a few helpers for heavy lifting, packing, or another move-related task. Traditional movers, on the other hand, can take care of every single aspect of your relocation. Especially if you go for full-service. They’ll pack, load, transport, and unload all of your belongings. Let’s take a look at moving labor vs. traditional movers services and help you choose the best fit for your relocation.

Moving Labor Vs Traditional Movers Concept

The Difference between Moving Labor and Traditional Movers

The most common types of services you’ll run into are moving labor services and traditional moving services, and the difference between them is pretty simple:

Moving Labor

Companies offering moving labor services allow you to hire help for any part of your relocation – whether it’s loading, unloading, packing, carrying, lifting, or anything else you can’t do alone. It’s the wisest choice if you prefer or have to DIY, but you still need some sort of assistance. They’ll charge an hourly rate, so you don’t have to worry about an extremely expensive relocation. People usually go for this type of service when they can’t find any friends to help them out on moving day.

Traditional Movers

Traditional movers, such as Dorothy Moving, offer a moving crew together with moving vehicles, as well as professional tools and equipment. If you hire movers, they’ll load and unload your belongings and they’ll drive a moving truck from your current address to the new one. They offer a wider choice of services but they’re usually more expensive than moving labor. In most cases, the price difference is worth it because it provides convenience and efficiency.

Traditional Movers Service In Action

Moving Labor vs. Traditional Movers Services

Now that you’re familiar with the general differences between the two services, let’s dive into more specific details and the pros of hiring each of them.

Benefits of Hiring Moving labor

For your cost-effective or non-complex move, you’ll be just fine with hiring moving labor. You won’t break a bank but you still won’t have to risk an injury or do everything completely alone. Here are some advantages of hiring moving labor services:

Hourly rate

The moving crew will help you for as many hours as you want, meaning that if you only need someone to help you lift and load that heavy couch, you’ll pay only for that. You won’t need to have an entire moving crew and spend much money, as you’ll be charged an hourly rate. If your household is not too big and you have your own vehicle, then this is probably the best option.

Cutting The Costs

Control over your move

Some people prefer to let movers take care of everything while others only trust themselves, and there’s nothing wrong with it. If you want to take charge of your relocation, hiring moving labor services will give you that freedom. You’ll make decisions and arrangements and only pay for “extra muscles” necessary for some parts of your move.

More flexibility

Another benefit of moving labor is that it gives you a great amount of flexibility. You may want to pack everything alone and only have someone help with labeling or you may be able to lift everything but one bulky item alone, in which case, you’ll want one person to assist with that task only. The good news is that you can hire them at any stage of your moving process.

Benefits of Hiring Traditional Movers

Despite the flexibility and hourly rates that moving labor provides, people often go for traditional moving services instead. There are a few reasons for that, such as great convenience and a wide choice of services. Here are some of the services and benefits you’ll get from hiring professional movers:

Utmost convenience

There’s nothing you have to worry about if you decide to hire licensed and reliable Brooklyn movers – they’ll be able to handle every small detail of your move, from the beginning to the end. Firstly, they will take care of packing and unpacking your belongings and they’ll use professional packing materials and the best packing strategies for the most efficient experience. When you think about how time-consuming packing is, having someone pack and unpack your things is something you can’t put a price tag on.

Heavy lifting

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of disassembling, packing, and loading that extremely heavy and bulky kitchen appliance? If the answer is yes, there’s nothing to worry about because movers will do that for you. They’ll load and unload all of your moving boxes and other items efficiently because they also have professional moving equipment, plus the experience necessary to handle things safely. If you want to skip the heavy lifting and avoid risking injuries, you may want to consider hiring professionals.

Traditional Movers Are Doing Heavy-lifting

Driving

Perhaps the idea of hiring moving labor seems appealing to you but renting a truck and driving around NYC is what scares you. Even if you’re comfortable with driving, you still may not be able or willing to drive a rental truck. If this relates to you, then you’ll benefit from traditional local and long-distance movers Brooklyn, who have their moving trucks and they’ll transport your belongings to the new address.

Storage options

If your move-in date is a few days later than your move-out date, you may need to store your things somewhere. Another pro of choosing a traditional moving and storage Brooklyn company is that it provides storage units as well.

 

How to Pack a Treadmill for a Move

Posted on by Dorothy

Treadmills are one of the most convenient solutions for staying in shape. But, convenience ends quickly when you have to move such a heavy item. Having a treadmill in the comfort of your home is a great decision, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of us to spend extra time indoors. Buying a treadmill is also an investment so you want to keep it in the best shape. And, if you’re moving, you want to have it in the same condition at your new home. When it comes to moving a treadmill from one spot to the next, you may be uncertain about how to pack a treadmill for a move. In some cases, you could get away with moving it yourself, but more often than not, you’ll need someone’s help.

Pack a Treadmill for a Move

Besides hiring professional moving companies Brooklyn, you can also ask a friend to help you out. Make sure to follow the steps below and take the necessary precautions to avoid injuries. Keep in mind that treadmills are awkwardly shaped and often weigh over fifty pounds, so you may need to hire a professional after all. It all depends on a specific situation and treadmill type. Carry on reading to learn about the best method to get your gym equipment from one place to another. And, of course, how to pack a treadmill for a move.

How to pack a treadmill

Read the manual

The first thing to do when you’re about to move a treadmill is to refer to the manual. It may have necessary info for moving. In case you don’t have the owner’s manual, simply get online and search for it using its brand and serial number. You’ll need to figure out some basic info such as: does your treadmill fold in half, does it have wheels to help you push it, how heavy it is, can it be disassembled, etc. If you’re unable to find details about your treadmill online, you can always contact the store you bought it from and ask them to help you out.

Unplug

It goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how often people forget to unplug the treadmill, so make sure to disconnect it from the plug. After the cord is unplugged, go ahead and protect it using moving tape so it stays in place and you don’t trip over it while moving. The next thing to do is to take the safety key out and place it in a zip lock bag. Tape the bag to the treadmill so you wouldn’t lose or mix it up in transit.

Roll the treadmill

In case your treadmill has wheels, roll it as far as possible on the same level. You should have a helper at this time so one of you could grab the front and the other should grab the back. The person walking backward must be guided to avoid injuries. In case your treadmill doesn’t have wheels, follow the next steps.

Disassemble

Most treadmills will have some kind of system that will help you to move it easier. Some will fold in half while others will come apart allowing you to move parts separately. For this reason, you should follow the first step and read the manual. After that you’ll be able to disassemble or fold your treadmill for easier handling.

Measure the space

Depending on the size of a treadmill you’re moving, you may not be able to fit it through your doors. Instead of taking the doors out, check if it’s possible to pass by choosing a different angle. In case the treadmill is too big even when it’s folded and in an angled position, go ahead and remove doors and jambs to pass through safely.

Get a dolly

Professional movers always use furniture dollies, and there’s a reason for it – why risk breaking your back when you can have a dolly do all the work for you. A furniture dolly will allow you to move a treadmill with ease, especially if we’re talking about a very heavy treadmill. Instead of lifting and carrying a heavy and bulky item, you’ll load it on a dolly and push it with ease. You don’t have to spend a huge amount of cash to buy a dolly, just rent one from your local moving company.

Use Furniture Dolly to Move a Treadmill

Safety first

Always keep in mind that safety is the most important part of any job, especially when you’re moving a heavy piece of furniture or gym equipment. Move step by step and be careful if you have to take the treadmill down the stairs. Make sure to have one person on the lower part going down (that should be a stronger individual) and the other person holding the upper part. Ideally, there should be one more person observing and jumping in if help is needed.

Load it

The next step is to load your gym equipment into a moving truck and a rail is super helpful in this situation. When it comes to moving a treadmill, it’s much easier to do it if you don’t wrap it, but you should definitely protect it once it’s loaded. Use moving blankets or another type of padding to keep it safe during transit. Also, don’t forget to use straps to keep the treadmill secure on the dolly while it’s in the moving truck.

Reassemble

Your last step is to reassemble and plug in your treadmill at your new home. After you return it to its original shape, don’t forget to bring the safety key back to its original position.

Hire professionals to move a treadmill

Eventually, if you’re not sure how to move a treadmill by yourself or you can’t find any helpers, consider hiring professional movers to handle it for you. Moving professionals have the necessary experience and tools for moving heavy and bulky furniture daily. Letting them do the work is often the smartest choice. Hopefully, our simple guide will help you move a treadmill DIY, but if everything fails, we’ve got you covered. Dorothy and Martha movers are at your service! Contact us today and receive free moving quotes Brooklyn.

How To Pack Pictures & Mirrors for Moving

Posted on by Dorothy

Packing pictures and mirrors for moving can be tricky because of how fragile they are. You’ll need to be extra careful and use proper packing materials to pack fragile items and transport them safely to your new address. Unlike packing basic household items, fragile ones are best taken care of by professional packers and movers. Reliable movers will have the best packing materials and they’ll have the experience necessary to pack efficiently even the most fragile items in your household. However, if you prefer to DIY, you can achieve that with a few tips from professional packers NYC. Our guide will help you learn how to pack pictures and mirrors for moving with ease.

A Big Mirror Ready For Packing And Moving

How to pack picture frames and mirrors for moving

Gather necessary packing supplies

Before you move on to the actual packing, you’ll have to get tools for doing the job. If you don’t have the proper equipment, you won’t be able to pack your flat and delicate items properly, and they’ll be more likely to get damaged or broken. These are supplies that you’ll need in order to safely pack your mirrors, picture frames, artwork, or other items of similar shape:

Boxes

The first thing to get when you’re packing pictures and mirrors for moving are boxes. But regular moving boxes won’t cut it. You’ll have to get picture and mirror boxes that are designed specifically for this purpose. There are also boxes with telescopic options, allowing them to be telescoped together with another box. Special boxes are designed to hold heavy items and to accommodate large mirrors or similar items.

A Telescopic Box For Packing Picture Frames

Bankers Boxes or Cardboard Tubes

If you also need to move loose photos or prints after you take them out of the picture frames, the bankers boxes or cardboard tubes will be the best option. They’re designed in a way that allows you to roll a loose photo and place it inside for safe transport.

Packing tape

As with packing any other type of household item, packing tape is necessary for packing pictures and mirrors. Don’t try to save on this, rather buy a durable quality tape that will keep things in place.

Glassine

Instead of using regular plastic wrap, invest in Glassine paper that’s designed specifically for protecting your items such as glass, pictures, prints, art pieces, etc. It is air, moisture, and grease resistant, so it makes perfect protection for your pictures and mirrors.

Packing paper and/or bubble wrap

In order to safely transport your mirrors or frames, it’s necessary to fill in all the voids left in the box after placing the item inside. The easiest way to do so is to use crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap and both of these materials will also serve well for cushioning the box before packing mirrors or frames inside.

Corner protectors

You can purchase already made corner protectors or make DIY ones to help your mirrors and frames stay safe while being transported.

Sharpie

Labeling is always helpful when moving, but when you’re moving mirrors and pictures, labeling is necessary, Use a regular sharpie marker to label each box after you place pictures or mirrors inside − this will make it easier to locate these boxes later on when you have to unpack and also serve as a reminder to handle these boxes carefully.

A Wooden Frame For Pictures

How to pack pictures and frames for moving

Now that you’ve gone through step 1 – gathering supplies, you can move on to the next step, the actual packing. Here’s how to do that:

Secure the glass

Whether it’s a picture or a mirror, use bubble wrap or Glassine to cover the entire surface and secure it in place with packing tape.

Corners

The next step is to use those corner protectors you made or purchased and place them on the corners of pictures or mirrors you’re moving.

Wrap

Once you’ve made the first layer of protection, it’s time to wrap the item. The easiest way to do so is to lay several sheets of packing paper on the ground and place the picture or mirror on it, keeping the glass side down. Wrap the entire item and secure it with packing tape. One layer of wrap is usually not enough, so be more generous if your item is very fragile.

Pack

When your picture or mirror is completely wrapped, go ahead and pack it in a designated box. But before you place it inside, make soft cushioning by using bubble wrap for packing or crumpled paper. After placing the item in the box, don’t forget to fill in any voids to avoid shifting while in transit.

Close and label

The only thing left to do is to close, seal, and label moving boxes. Use quality packing tape with strong adhesive to make sure the box will not open. Also, use a bright-colored sharpie marker to write “FRAGILE” on each side of the box. Writing on all sides is helpful in case boxes get mixed up or something else gets placed on top of the fragile box. Another helpful thing to do is draw an arrow pointing up, to make it easy for people carrying the box to know in which direction they should place the boxes. If you’re hiring movers, let them know which boxes require special attention even if you label them. Notify them that there’re pictures and mirrors in specific boxes so that they know how to handle them properly.

Fragile Sign On A Box For Packing Pictures And Mirrors

 

Hire professional movers

Eventually, the safest way to move your pictures and mirrors is to hire one of the best moving companies Brooklyn that has the experience and necessary tools for moving fragile items. Here at Dorothy and Martha Moving, our crew will use specialized materials to pack your breakables and transport them the safest way possible. If you’re looking for a licensed moving company with the best moving quotes Brooklyn, we’re here for you. Contact us to chat about your relocation and get a moving quote free of charge.

How to Lift Boxes Correctly When Moving House

Posted on by Dorothy

Heavy lifting is an inevitable part of every household move, and even if you don’t plan on moving heavy pieces of furniture, you’ll have to move boxes. You don’t have to worry about lifting and carrying if you hire professional movers NYC, but if you plan on DIY, you should make sure that you know how to lift boxes correctly and avoid back injuries. If you’re about to move and you’re wondering how to lift boxes correctly when moving house, we’ve got you covered. Carry on reading to find our step-by-step guide on lifting boxes safely.

Packing Plants in the Moving Boxes

Dress for the occasion

Before you even begin lifting and carrying, make sure that you’re dressed appropriately. You’ll need comfortable clothing that will allow you to bend, so go for comfortable yoga pants or similar types of clothing. Also, don’t forget that things can easily drop during the move, so stick with closed-toes shoes, preferably comfortable and sturdy sneakers. If you’re dressed for the occasion it will make a difference in how easy it is to lift and carry moving boxes.

Check the box

Before you actually lift the box, check to see how heavy it is by picking up only a part of the box. If you’re able to easily lift that part, chances are you won’t need another person’s help, but if it seems too heavy, rather read the next step. Never lift the box that seems too heavy for you to handle because you can end up hurting yourself.

Does it take two people to lift the box?

After you check the weight of the box, think if it takes two people to lift it. Some boxes can be big and have extremely heavy content inside like books, so sometimes it’s better to get assistance and not break your back. If you’re performing a DIY move, you should always have several helping hands. Those could be your friends or family, or moving labor professionals, but you will definitely need some help. Whichever option you go for, decide if you need them at the moment of lifting the box.

Make it lighter

If the box is way too heavy to be lifted safely, and you can’t get someone to help you at the moment, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make it easier on yourself. Go ahead and make the box less heavy by taking some of the items out. You should take the heaviest items out and carry them separately. Always make safety your top priority and never try to lift a box that’s too heavy for you.

Lift the box

So now comes the part where you actually have to lift the box correctly, and here’s how to do it. Keep your feet shoulder-apart because the back injury is more likely to happen if your feet are close together. While keeping your back as straight as possible, bend your knees to get into a squat. Grab the box with both hands from both sides and make sure your grip is tight enough. Once you have a firm grasp, start lifting the box, but get up the same way you went down – keep your back straight and use the strength of your legs. If you try to lift with your back, chances are you’ll end up hurting your back. Keep the box close to you, bringing it towards the center of the chest because that makes it easier to keep the posture.

Lift Boxes Correctly When Moving to Avoid Injuries

Carry the box with caution

Ready to load the box? Once you lift a box you can start carrying it towards the moving truck, just make sure to walk carefully and don’t rush while carrying anything in your arms because it’s easy to slip and fall and end up injured. Also, while you’re holding a box, move the entire body in case you have to twist because if you only move the upper part of the body, you’re likely to cause back injury. If you have helpers, ask them to open the moving truck so you could load the box, but if you don’t, put the box down while you open the truck and then lift it again using the same safe lifting method you used before. Remember to never use your back, but to always lift a box using the strength of your legs.

Consider moving equipment

If you ever saw professional movers doing their job, you’ve noticed they use tools to make it easier and safer, and there’s no reason why you couldn’t do the same. Take a tip from Brooklyn movers and use moving equipment to help you load your moving boxes Brooklyn, such as a moving dolly, moving blankets, moving pads, or a platform for loading things into the truck. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, just visit your local rentals like U-Haul or Penske, or ask the nearest moving company if they have them for rent.

Use Furniture Dolly to Move Heavy Items and Avoid Injuries

Use boxes in good shape

Another way to help you lift boxes carefully is to use sturdy boxes because if a box is in a bad shape it’s much harder to handle it properly. You can get moving boxes from Craigslist, Facebook Market Place, or any other online platform, or you can check your nearest grocery store, liquor store, and other shops near you that may have good boxes for free. Your moving company should also be able to offer sturdy moving boxes.

Hire professionals

The last tip on our list is to hire professional movers. They’ll be able to do all the lifting and carrying, and they’ll have all the necessary equipment for lifting heavy items and boxes. You don’t have to wonder how to lift boxes correctly when moving house if you hire Dorothy and Martha because we will take care of your entire move. Contact us to get moving quotes Brooklyn and chat about your upcoming move.

 

What are the Most Expensive Items to Move?

Posted on by Dorothy

Budget planning is one of the key elements for a successful relocation. Creating a plan will help you cut down some of the expenses. Also, you’re more likely to avoid overspending if you plan ahead. One of the best ways to save money when moving is to find affordable Brooklyn movers, and while you certainly want to find the moving company with the best rates and save some money, quality should never be compromised. You should always hire the best movers that your budget allows. Other things that directly impact the moving cost are some of the household items. Do you know what the most expensive items to move are?

Moving certain possessions can greatly affect your moving cost, and you may be surprised by some of them, so it’s helpful to know about expensive items to move and plan accordingly. That’s why we created a list of expensive items to relocate to help you plan your budget properly and get ready in advance. Carry on reading to find out what are the most expensive items to move.

List of the most expensive items to move

Furniture pieces

The first item on our list of the most expensive items to move is furniture. You’ll often find oddly shaped or bulky furniture pieces, and moving heavy items like that requires time, manpower, and a large moving vehicle. Trying to save money on moving your favorite sofa or another heavy piece of furniture is not the smartest thing to do. The final cost can be even more expensive if the item gets damaged. You may want to DIY, which is not impossible but do consider the cost of renting a large moving truck, the time you have to spend organizing everything, and the effort it will take to load and unload it. That’s why hiring the most affordable movers NYC is always a better choice when you’re moving bigger pieces of furniture.  They know how to pack and move oddly-shaped items.

Store Your Antique Furniture

Mattresses

This may come as a surprise, but mattresses are among the most expensive items to move. That’s because their size and shape make them difficult to handle, and additional equipment like special bags or covers are often needed to keep the mattress clean. On the other hand, there are some types of mattresses like the memory foam ones that are much easier to handle because they can be compressed and take up less space. These types will not be so costly, so basically, the more difficult the mattress is to move, the higher the price for moving it.

Carpets

If you plan on moving rugs to your new home, you may have to face additional costs. Talk to your movers in advance to make sure you count in that extra expense. A few helpful tips that can lower the price – get your carpets professionally cleaned, roll them up, and secure them by using a rope. If you have bags that are large enough, go ahead and use them to pack your carpets. These steps will make it faster for movers, meaning that the cost will be lower.

Packing Rugs for Moving

Artwork

Because of the shape and the value of your artwork pieces, moving them can be quite pricey. Packing valuable paintings requires special materials and the utmost care, and the same goes for loading and transporting them. It is always the best option to book specialty NYC art movers that have the experience and necessary materials to complete the move successfully. But, if you decide to pack the artwork yourself, make sure to create several layers of protection and handle them extremely carefully.

Mirrors

For the same reason as artwork, mirrors can be very expensive to move. Unlike moving boxes Brooklyn that can be loaded and carried without too much trouble, delicate mirrors need to be well protected and handled carefully, and extra effort means extra cost. You should book professional movers or choose to pack on your own and hire them only for transporting fragile mirrors.

Musical instruments

You probably guessed that large musical instruments, especially pianos are extremely difficult to move. Besides being tremendously heavy, they’re also fragile and any lack of care can lead to some serious damage. While booking piano movers NYC will add extra cost to your overall moving expense, it’s definitely the smartest decision to make. They will have the proper equipment and necessary knowledge to move a valuable item like a piano or any other large musical instrument. To make the move smoother, study the layout of your current home as well as the new one. That way, you will make sure that a piano can pass safely through the doors. Also, you should know exactly where the piano will be positioned because moving on the ground floor is more affordable than carrying a piano to the top floor.

Hire Professionals for Moving a Piano Safely

Flat-screen TV

Even a slight scratch can permanently damage the TV screen, so it makes sense that extra caution is necessary when moving it. With proper packaging and care, moving a flat-screen TV can go smoothly. You can let your movers take care of packaging and transporting it. But, you can also pack it yourself by covering the “face” of the TV, using the original box. Also, do not forget to make cushioning for extra protection.

Aquariums

Turns out aquariums can be one of the most expensive items to relocate. If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful aquarium, you’ll want to keep it safe during relocation. But aquarium is one of the most expensive items to move due to its delicate nature and odd shape. If you’re moving to another state, this cost will be even higher.

Professional movers will protect your expensive items during a move

Now that you’re familiar with the most expensive items to move, you can plan and decide what’s worth coming with you, and what may be better to leave behind. By choosing the most affordable and reliable movers, you can have a successful and smooth move. Get in touch with Dorothy and Martha to chat about your relocation and moving services Brooklyn, and make the best plan for moving your precious belongings.

How to Move a Wine Collection

Posted on by Dorothy

Moving wine collection can be a risky job because some bottles are several thousand dollars worth, and they will need proper handling, especially when talking about the long-distance move. For true lovers, wine represents something more than an ordinary bottle of wine, which can have a more unpleasant impact in case of damage. Here are some tips on how to move a wine collection.

Wine Collection

Choose the right packing method

When you are packing expensive wine, it is necessary to pay attention to every small detail that can ruin this collection because wine is a sensitive drink. Factors as: temperature changes, sunlight, and warmth may affect the integrity of wine before you open and taste it. Now when you understand how delicate wine is, you can choose the right packing method.

But first, make an inventory list

When you have an expensive wine collection, this is a significant step to do at the very beginning. The main reason to have an inventory list is to protect yourself and your possessions if there is any damage during the relocation. Like this, you will have the documentation to obtain the full value of your claim in this situation. Take as many details as you can, like the value of wine, the vintage year, etc.

Take insurance

Taking insurance ahead is a smart move for every valuable item, including your wine collection. During moving, your valuables can get damaged, which can be a terrible loss for you. To get accurate and cost-effective moving insurance, you will need an updated wine appraisal. That is why it is necessary to look for reputable appraisers on time. Otherwise, you can get an incomplete valuation of your possessions. To get more details and advice, ask your moving company before hiring them.

Check the law about alcohol transportation across the country

According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration, alcohol is hazmat, and many interstate movers are forbidden to transport hazardous materials like alcohol in a moving truck. For this, moving companies need to get authorization from PHMSA’s Approvals and Permits Division. Some countries don’t allow alcohol transport across their borders or have particular rules and regulations. For that reason, it will be better to reach out to your local district office for more information. Call them by phone or check the website before beginning this process.

Prepare the right supplies

Wine boxes are available in different sizes that will hold one, six, or 12 bottles. Most of them include Styrofoam splitters that keep the bottles and prevent them from bumping against one another. If you are short with your budget, ask your local liquor store if they have some spare boxes with dividers, because they can be a little expensive to buy, especially when you need a lot of them. Also, prepare plenty of packing tape to secure the bottom of the moving boxes Brooklyn, or else they can open and get broken.

Properly Label Your Moving Boxes With Wine Collections

Start with packing

The next step will be packing, and before you begin, there are some rules you should follow.
1. Wrap your bottles: put a pile of packing paper on a flat work surface. Place a bottle on the side, vertical to the corner of the top sheet of paper, take two to three sheets of paper and wrap them as one around the bottle, rolling the bottle as you push forward. Secure the wrapping with tape, making sure there are no loose ends. If there is some space between bottles and the box, add some crumpled paper to fill the space.
2. Place the bottles correctly: as we said before, wine is very delicate, and it is necessary to look for every small detail. For example:

  • Pack red and white wines upside down or on their sides. This position keeps their corks wet. Why is this important? When the plug is dry, the wine can start oxidizing and spoil the taste.
  • Pack sparkling wines upright. The best position for bottles with Champagne is upright. Like this, wine preserves sparkling carbonation, which will prevent pressure building or flattening.

Do not forget to label your boxes

When you finish packing your wine collections, do not forget to label your moving boxes. You may write on the box vintage year and type of wine to make it easier later for yourself. Besides, it will be useful to write instructions as fragile and this side up to make work simple for the movers and prevent any potential damage.

Why is it not a good idea to pack a wine collection with other furniture?

The reason is simple: because of temperature changes. Most moving trucks are not temperature controlled, which can harm the wine texture cause of the very high or very low-temperature difference. For example: during the cold nights, the temperature inside the end of a truck could drop close to freezing, and during the day, the hot sun could raise the temperature above 100 degrees. These temperature changes are devastating to wine, especially older wine. Wine is also considered perishable, and consequently, many moving companies prohibit wine in their trucks.

Hire a specialist

Movers with Masks

Moving your valuables is always a risky job, which requires a lot of precautions and attention to detail. For that reason, hiring a knowledgeable specialist who will do their job in a highly effective manner will be the best alternative if you have a valuable collection and you are moving long-distance. However, this option can be more expensive, but when comparing potential risk and damage, packaging, and handling, you may change your mind. If you have any questions or you need some advice, our Dorothy and Martha moving and storage Brooklyn is here to assist you with your upcoming move. Cheers!

Hiring Cheap Movers in Brooklyn – Yes or No?

Posted on by Dorothy

We all want to relocate for as cheap as we can. This is usually a good thing as movers offer a wide price range for a wide range of services. Unfortunately, choosing cheap movers is not always the best option for an affordable move. There are a lot of drawbacks and potential problems that come with hiring cheap movers. But, there are also good moving companies that are also affordable. So, in order to help you with your relocation, we’ll inform you about cheap moving companies and possible problems that can occur with them. After reading this article you’ll have to know whether hiring cheap movers in Brooklyn is a good idea or not.

Do cheap moving companies in Brooklyn exist?

Most people believe there is no such thing as a reliable and cheap moving company in Brooklyn, NYC. But they are wrong! Even though it sounds impossible to you, one moving company doesn’t have to charge for their services a lot. These companies can provide you with a quality move and can also save you some money. However, this doesn’t mean that every cheap moving company is good. Unfortunately, if you don’t pay attention when hiring long distance or local moving companies in Brooklyn, you could become the victim of a moving scam. This brings us to the conclusion that cheap moving companies do exist, but not all of them are reliable. Because of this, knowing how to recognize the right mover is a must!

White Piggy Bank
If you want to move under the budget, you’ll need to hire a cheap moving company.

Tips for Hiring Cheap Movers in Brooklyn

Hiring cheap moving companies needs to be done the right way. This is because there are many moving companies which can ruin your relocation in numerous ways. Keep in mind that cheap isn’t always good. So, in order to avoid any possible moving scams or disasters, you should know how to make sure you are dealing with the pros.

Here are the most important tips for finding a good and cheap moving company for your upcoming relocation.

Ask for recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good moving company is to simply ask the people in your surroundings. Ask your family, neighbors, friends, colleagues, ask anyone who has moved recently to give you a recommendation for a moving company. Don’t forget to ask if there were any unpleasant situations with movers during the relocation.

Look at the reviews and ratings

Whether you managed to get a recommendation or not, you should always read reviews online. This way you can get a lot of precious pieces of information, just by reading other people’s comments. Movers should have reviews on their official website, but go ahead and check other places besides that. If you see many good reviews − that’s a good sign, however, there will probably be some bad ones as well. Don’t let that scare you, and don’t give up because of a few bad ratings or reviews. The most important thing to do when reading reviews is to find comments that are relevant to your situation.

For instance, if you are moving to another state, search for the comment about long-distance moving. Reading relevant comments will give you the best insight into how the company is handling the type of move that you need. Furthermore, pay attention to how movers respond to complaints, as this is will tell you about their customer service. Mistakes can happen to anyone, but if they never reply and offer a solution, then that tells about their poor customer service.

Laptop, Coffee Cup and a Notebook on a Wooden Desk
Hiring cheap movers in Brooklyn requires doing online research.

Check their info

This is another very important thing to do when hiring cheap movers in Brooklyn. This way you’ll know that your mover is trustworthy and you’ll stay away from moving scams. Check if their phone and address are legit – they should have a physical address and a phone number for you to reach them. Most moving scams can be avoided just by checking the moving company’s info.

Watch out for additional fees

If you want to have a successful unpacking, you’ll hire movers to do it for you. However, don’t forget that these additional services aren’t free. Ask about their price so that you know whether you can afford them. Go for movers that have a transparent pricing system, such as Dorothy and Martha. Some services that could be charged extra include packing/unpacking, disassembling/reassembling furniture, long carry charges, etc.

How to recognize a moving scam?

One of the most popular reasons for not hiring a cheap moving company is the possibility of becoming the victim of a moving scam. Frauds exist, but that doesn’t mean that every cheap moving company is bad. Quite the opposite – a lot of them can make your relocation successful. And one more thing – even if one company is more expensive than the rest, it can still ruin your relocation. So, in order to avoid frauds among moving companies, all of us should know how to recognize possible moving scams.

Red flags when hiring a moving company

If you notice something strange about one moving company, don’t hire them! This will keep you safe from moving frauds. However, if you’re a first-time mover, you probably don’t know what to pay attention to. And remember, you shouldn’t just pay attention when hiring long distance movers, but when hiring local movers, too. So, if you’re interested in hiring cheap movers in Brooklyn, learn about the most popular indicators of fraudulent companies.

Yellow Caution Sign
Moving scams can happen to everyone who isn’t careful.

These are some of the most common red flags that will help you avoid moving scams.

Making a deal over the phone

Relocation is a serious thing. This means that the right mover won’t ask you to make the deal over the phone. No professional will take care of their business over the phone and without sufficient information. Movers have to inspect your home to be able to give you a moving estimate because they base it on a total load of your household items. They can do that by visiting your house to do an on-site estimate, or via video call to do an online walkthrough of your home. If they offer a moving quote via phone without seeing your home, that is an absolutely clear indicator of moving fraud.

Not wanting to give a license number

Every moving company needs to be licensed. You can check the USDOT number online and see whether they really have a license. If a mover doesn’t want to give their license number, it’s probably because they don’t have it. Another useful website for checking any business company is the Better Business Bureau which serves to protect customers and can be a great tool for recognizing poor service.

Having to pay in advance

This is probably the most popular moving scam. Don’t hire a moving company that requires paying for relocation in advance. Especially if they ask for a large amount of cash in advance, you are much better off. Keep searching until you find a reliable moving company in NYC.

Offering a blank contract

Don’t sign blank contracts that your movers will fill out after signing. Any contract that you sign with movers has to include the price and services that are provided for that amount. They should also give you a booklet that contains all your rights when hiring a moving company so you have the basic knowledge about your cooperation.

Have a cheap move without hiring cheap moving companies

If you don’t want to deal with cheap moving companies, you can still save some money on your relocation. There are many ways you can do it! For example, you can hire reliable Brooklyn movers, but don’t ask for additional moving services like packing or unpacking. This will probably make your relocation a little harder because you’ll have to do some heavy lifting on your own. Another great way for spending less on relocation is to move less stuff. You can do this by getting rid of stuff you don’t use anymore. And you know what’s also great about this? You can sell some of your items online or on a garage sale and earn money. 

Cheap Movers in Brooklyn Carrying Boxes
Before hiring reliable movers, remember to compare reviews and moving costs

As you can see, hiring cheap movers in Brooklyn doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. There are many reliable and affordable moving companies in NYC. All you have to do is find them. Dorothy and Martha can be your solid choice when searching for affordable services with great customer service. Contact us to chat about your upcoming move.

 

Week by Week Moving Timeline

Posted on by Dorothy

If you are planning to relocate to a new place you are probably wondering whether the process will be stressful and how much of your energy and time it will take. While you are waiting to move, start making a plan of action. Otherwise, you will get lost in all that chaos. Generally, the relocation process takes from six to eight weeks to be completed. Breaking down the time-consuming process into smaller tasks will be beneficial to the success of your move. Here is a week by week moving timeline for your upcoming move.

Week by week timeline

Trying to recall and not forget all tasks may be a futile job. Write your plan on a piece of paper. Creating a moving checklist should include tasks week by week with all instructions and what needs to be finished in the specific time frame.

Week by week moving timeline: eight weeks before the move

Get rid of old items:  in the early beginning, you should classify and remove unnecessary items from your home. The best way is to make two piles for stuff you want to keep and the items you do not need. Additionally, if you would like to get some extra money, sell goods that you do not need anymore on Amazon, eBay, etc. Before posting them on the internet, check if they are in good condition.

Do proper research of schools, universities, kindergartens

When you are moving to another town or state with your family, this is one significant field that you need to take care of and not leave for the last moment. The most effective way is to visit these places. Like that, you may get more information about new surroundings. However, when you are moving far to another country, it should be more convenient to do online researches and get familiar with this.

Research moving companies

Anytime when you are researching Brooklyn movers, check the review from previous customers. Their experience can tell you a lot about customer service and the professional work of the company. Do not rush in your decision and before obtaining moving quotes Brooklyn contact 4-5 different companies and check what options they have to offer.

Moving Service Review Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC

Calculate your moving budget

Checking your account is a significant aspect, especially when you are short on your funds. Generally, moving is very costly, and the price will be higher when moving to another state or across the country. Write on a piece of paper approximately how much your expenses are and add 10% on top of that.

Week by week moving timeline: six weeks before the move

Collect your medical records and other documents

It will be necessary to collect all your significant documentation on time. Maybe you will need it when arriving at your new home. Furthermore, if you have pets, make a visit to the veterinarian for a complete check-up for your furry friend. Plus, there is a possibility they need to get medications or vaccines before leaving.

Establish a new residence

When changing the living place, you will need to establish a new home as soon as possible. The reason why this is important is to establish a legal residency for tax and vote purposes. On the other hand, you can end-up owning taxes in more than one state and be in tremendous difficulties with the law. Each state has varied guidelines, so the best way is to contact the state’s official website for more information before the moving date is closer.

Change your postal address

Moving to another place will require shifting your old address for a new one. This process is not taking too much time and is a simple job. Visit the official USPS website and follow the steps to change your current address.

Week by week moving timeline: four weeks before the move

Prepare packing supplies

Now you are in the middle of your moving process, and this should be the busiest week. At this stage, you start with packing, and you will need to prepare packing supplies like boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, a packing tape dispenser, labels, and permanent markers.

Week by Week Moving Timeline: Start Packing Four Weeks Before

Packing your belongings

The next step will be to start with packing your non-essential stuff since you have four weeks more until the deadline. After that, you will continue to pack the rest of your belongings too. Here are some items that you can start with: books, magazines, artwork, off-season clothes, and toys.

Labeling boxes

Labeling moving boxes may seem like it’s not an important job, but actually, it is. When you finish packing and close the box, write what is inside the box. Also, write down which level of priority it is. Label them with “H” as a high priority, “M” as a medium, and ” L” as a low priority (which means they can stay longer time inside the box).

Label Electronics Fragile

Week by week moving timeline: two weeks before the move

Relax; Rome wasn’t built in a day

Now you are even closer to the moving day, and your stress level may be a little higher, but there is no need to panic. Take a deep breath and relax. Use one day to go out with your friends, family, or relatives, and visit all your favorite places and make beautiful memories one more time before you go.

Schedule utilities to be turned off in the old home and provide for a new one

Maybe you do not have to bother about it if your property owner takes care of these things. However, if this is not the case, you will need to think for both sides. Firstly, you should notify the previous utility company to cancel their services for your old apartment, and secondly, you should arrange for your new one.

Week by week moving timeline: one week before the move

Call your moving company

The last week is here, and now it’s time to get the job done. Call your moving company to make sure that everything is ready for a final moving day.

Two Young Male Movers Carrying Moving Boxes

Pack your survival kit

Moving companies sometimes need more time to deliver your shipment. Therefore, take all the essential things that you need on your journey like a passport, driving license, charger, money, clothes for a couple of weeks, etc. Pack them up in a suitcase, or carry on, and keep it with you.

One day before the moving day

The night before, go to your bed earlier, charge your phone and try to have proper rest because the moving day is finally there! Enjoy a new adventure in your life, and good luck! If you need any help, please feel free to check our moving services Brooklyn.

How to Deal with Moving in Bad Weather

Posted on by Dorothy

Moving day is here, and everything is ready to be packed in the truck. Suddenly you can feel a raindrop, despite all the weather forecast you have been checking online days before, that said there will be a sunny day. Anyhow, with Mother Nature, there is no negotiation, and the show goes on because work needs to come to an end. So what can we do in these moments to make this situation less stressful? We prepared for you some tips to learn how to deal with moving in bad weather. Follow these guidelines and you should be settled into your new home in no time.

Wait for a while

We cannot influence the weather conditions, so if the light rain starts, you can wait for a short time until the rain stops without affecting your moving process. Plus, this will be a great time to take a break, buy some coffee or tea, and give it to your Brooklyn movers or friends who came to help.

If it’s one of the long rainy days

During the autumn or winter season, this can occur very often. For that reason, if your moving date is in this interval of time, then you need to prepare a stock of the necessary items for rough weather.

Keep broken dishes or glass put in the box for safety, concept Keeping broken items safe for children.

Things to have in case it rains

First of all, you will need a lot of plastic or bubble wrap to protect your belongings inside and to keep them dry. Collect tarps, garbage bags to protect your clothes, an old and dry blanket to cover more of your bulky stuff. Also, you may use them as water protection or for cleaning off excess water.

Steps to take if it starts snowing

The rain is not the only weather disaster. What should we do when it starts to snow? Moving during cold weather is making things more difficult in many ways. Imagine you are in the middle of your destination when a snowstorm starts. If you are well-prepared for this kind of condition, that is great! If you are not, then there will be some trouble on your way. Thereby it will be better to do proper preparation before leaving your old town.

Let it snow, let it snow

One of the most beautiful things is when you watch the snowfall while you are in a safe and warm place, surrounded by the people you love. However, when you are in the middle of the road, this can be an unpleasant experience. Particularly if you do not have proper packing supplies for winter resettlement, that way, you should have one survival kit as a reserve in your car. Every survival kit should contain:

  • thermal blanket
  • flashlight
  • high-calorie, non-perishable snacks
  • water
  • snow shovel
  • ice scraper and brush 
  • jumper cables
  • emergency flares
  • road salt (kitty litter works fine too)
  • extra pair of cold-weather clothes and gear
  • first aid kit
  • a whistle.

Dress to impress? Not this time.

When you are going on a long voyage where you may expect cold winter weather, the priority will be to keep yourself warm. Therefore, choose your clothes according to season and circumstance, not because of the stile. What is the best material to keep us warm?

A Person Wearing Snow Boots

  • Jacket; the best material which will keep you warm all the time is 100% wool. Even the jacket with 60% wool will keep you warm and cozy. When looking for a good winter jacket, always choose waterproof material to keep you dry during cold and rainy weather.
  • Sweaters, sweatshirts; When you are dressing for cold weather, everything is about layers, and always choose to wear clothes which will be comfortable- not too tight, in which way you can move or carry your boxes very easily.
  • Boots; when you are buying boots, do not take only nice-looking shoes. Take one that will keep your feet warm and dry. One more tip, always buys a bigger size of shoes, because you will have thicker socks for extremely cold weather.
  • Hats and gloves; this is one of the necessary things. Especially if you didn’t hire professional movers and you should offload your property alone. Balaclava looks similar to a ski mask, which is the right option in real cold weather. Depending on how you like to wear it, a balaclava is a headgear made to expose your eyes, mouth, and nose. If you prefer material like wool or synthetic winter caps, they will be a very convenient alternative for this weather too.
  • Gloves: there are different types of gloves that you can use, from fleece to mittens, depending on which one is more suitable for you.

Consider taking insurance for your belongings

Moving is always risky. Especially when you are moving to another state or country, and the accident are possible at every moment. That way, you should consider taking insurance from your moving company.

Home Insurance Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC

Keep in mind that moving coverage and moving insurance are technically two different things. What do moving companies cover?

  • Moving companies cover loss or damage caused while items are under the consideration of the moving company, up to a particular dollar limit.
  • Third-party insurance covers: Damage from acts out of the moving company control or behind the obligation limit.

Every company has its rules and regulations about coverage options, above all covering damage in case of a natural disaster. Therefore it will be better to ask them for more details and information before hiring them.

Hire professional movers

Movers

When moving for the first time, it will be better to hire professional movers that have more skills in these situations. Besides, you will feel less stressed, too. If you are looking for reliable professionals, our moving company Dorothy and Martha is here to help you with their exceptional customer service, moving quotes Brooklyn and professional staff at the start of your new journey. Good luck!

8 Tips for Dealing with a Last Minute Move

Posted on by Dorothy

Over the past few decades, time has become the most valuable thing as we never seem to have enough of it. The pace of life has become much faster, and we frequently find ourselves just chasing around, finishing our chores. It is not strange for us to learn that we need to move last minute due to work or our family. It is also not strange to procrastinate long enough just to realize you have a few days before your movers arrive. We completely understand this, and this is precisely why we have composed the most valuable tips and tricks on how to deal with a last-minute move.

Make a to-do list

If you have more than 24 hours at your disposal, you have the time to write a to-do list for your relocation. A last-minute move demands a to-do list even more than a relocation with plenty of time on your hands. The first thing you need to put on your list is to stop saying you wish you had more time for everything. It is what it is. A carefully written to-do list will keep you organized and will give you guidance as to how to proceed. It will not take you longer than 20 minutes to write it, but you will gain a lot by having it by your side all the time.

Making An Inventory List
Make a to-do list for your last-minute move

Take care of utilities early in the process

As soon as you learn that you have to move, deal with utilities. It is so easy to forget to cancel the utilities in your old home and set them up in your new home. You should have everything on in your old house for at least a day after you have moved out. This is because you don`t want to spend the last night without electricity, water, or A/C. Similarly, the utilities in your new house should start working at least a day before you move in. You don`t want to enter a freezing house just because you forgot to set up utilities.

Pro-tip: Cancel all the subscriptions to magazines you currently have. Also, your gym membership, and any other membership you won`t be using anymore. Change your address in the post office so that your mail does not get lost. Inform everybody at work about your new address as well.

Get help

If you are moving on your own, or if you are moving with your entire family, chances are you will need some help. Depending on the size of your relocation, you can decide whether you need to hire professional movers or a friend or two who can help you out.

Hire professional movers for your last-minute relocation

One of the best tips for dealing with the last-minute relocation is definitely to hire reliable Brooklyn movers. Did you know that movers can pack anywhere between 100 and 150 moving boxes a day? They know what they are doing, and they don`t need much time to do it. Just make sure that they are reliable, as rouge movers will only make everything worse.

Call some friends to help you

If you are moving on a tight budget, or if you don`t need the help of a moving company, you can call some of your friends to help you. At least two more people will speed up the process a lot, just make sure they will show up to help you. They can help you with packing, loading, unloading, and will not ask for money which is great. It is a great idea to buy pizza and have some cold beverages, as they will appreciate it a lot.

Unpacking Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC
Call friends to help you with packing for your move

Pro-tip: Can you ask a family member or a friend to babysit your kids and pets? This will give you enough time to go out and finish all the errands needed. Also, relocation is not the most pleasant thing for your youngest ones, as they cannot fully understand what is going on. If you have someone that can take them to the park, both you and them would benefit from it.

Pack an essentials bag

An essentials bag is what you will truly need during and after your relocation. Clean clothes, phone chargers, medicines, important documents, keys to your new house. Not to mention the day-to-day toiletries. This bag should contain everything you will need 24 to 48 hours after your relocation begins. It will save you time, as everything important will be within your hand reach. Also, it will provide you peace of mind. Just make sure the movers don`t pack it in the moving truck. This bag should go with you in the car.

family member essentials
Do not forget to pack an essential bag

Get packing supplies all at once

If you are not hiring professional movers for your relocation, you need to get the packing supplies. Our advice is to make a list of all the items you will need for this. If you can buy everything by making one trip to the store, you will save a lot of time. This is why you should pick an improvement store or a DIY store that has most of the things you need. Don`t forget that you will need packing paper, moving boxes, bubble wrap, a permanent marker, and moving blankets. Only after you have all that you need, you should get down to the packing business.

A Woman With Packing Supplies
Get the packing supplies on time for your upcoming move

Don`t worry if everything is not perfect

If you are a perfectionist, a last-minute move can be quite stressful for you. There will not be enough time to do everything perfectly, but there is no reason to feel sorry about it. Think about the final goal, and focus on your new house. You need to relocate and that is all that is important. If you strive for perfection constantly, you will just end up being tired all the time. And when you are tired, you are more likely to make mistakes. So, keep your eyes on the prize, which in this case is a successful relocation.

Pro-tip: Although perfection is not desirable with last-minute relocations, you should never be sloppy. Don`t forget to label the moving boxes, for example, because if you do all the effort may go to waste. Good luck!

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