How an Interstate Move Works - Researching Your Options

image courtesy of ops.fhwa.dot.gov

One of the first and most important things anyone moving across state lines should do is research. As with any large, expensive purchase you want to be as informed as possible about what you'll be spending your money on.

It is a good idea to get quotes from multiple companies so you have a source for comparison. This could include van lines or local, independent companies, shipping containers or all three. Which way you want to go has a lot to do with how you want to go about your move and the price. Large van lines have affiliates all over the country and will most likely be able to combine loads and/or have a back load to decrease both their costs and yours. Most often they will give you a delivery window instead of a hard and fast drop off date. Independent movers will often own their own trucks and will be working on your move exclusively, meaning it will only be your goods on the truck. Shipping container companies, such as ABF, will fit your goods in the same container as other shipments and give you a window of delivery dates that it will arrive by at the facility. None of these are hard and fast rules, but generalizations of the options.

A very important thing to consider when getting interstate moving quotes is the moving company's interstate authority. As we've mentioned before, interstate moving is a federally regulated business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), is the regulatory body of interstate moving. Moving companies must apply for operating authority through the FMCSA. Once this is granted, the moving company is given a DOT number. By law, that DOT number should be featured in a moving company's advertising, which includes ads, their website and even craiglist posts.

The federal government provides an invaluable resource for interstate moves in the form of their website, https://www.protectyourmove.gov/. There is a lot of fantastic information on there about what you can expect as a customer, what to watch out for, valuation options, etc. You can also research a moving company by searching the FMCSA database for complaints and violations here.

As licensed interstate movers we are required to hand you two booklets called "Your Rights and Responsibilities When you Move" and "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." Though we will hand you both when we do an on site estimate, you can also find the information on the government's website.

If you have any other questions about researching an interstate move let us know. We like to help customers be informed about their moves!

REPOST: Protecting Your Basement Goods When There's Wet Weather

Given the recent weather, this information is very relevant at the moment and we thought it deserved another post on the blog. We hope your homes and basements survived Sandy without any damage, but it also never hurts to be well prepared!

Below is a really helpful article on protecting the goods you keep in your basement by Intelligent Labor and Moving's owner, Ezekiel, that originally appeared in a real estate newsletter. 

photo courtesy of http://www.inspectapedia.com/interiors/Basement_Water.htm

Water in your basement can be a real disaster, particularly if like most people, your basement is disorganized and full of stuff. Here are some tips for organizing your basement to minimize the damage, and even with the absence of moisture, make your basement a friendlier and more useful place.

Elevate. Get everything off the floor. Wood, cardboard and chipboard all wick water upwards when they get wet, so even if just the bottom of something gets damp, it's likely to ruin the rest of it. Shipping pallets are a great and economical way to do this. They are commonly available for free or cheap. Try the want-advertiser, craigslist, or just look behind commercial buildings for a bunch leaned up by a dumpster. Stacking goods on these keeps them about 3 inches off the floor. Also, with a flash-light, you'll be able to check for water without having to move anything. Also, leave a 2 inch gap between items and exterior walls (they give off moisture).

Organize. Get some folding tables, use these to get important items far off the floor and as a place to do some organizing. With a good work surface you'll be able to go through all those boxes of stuff, organize it, and re-box anything you want to keep. Having a spot you can sanely go through things makes the task much easier, and therefore more likely to happen.

Sweep. The difference between having a basement with a layer of mud, and a basement with a little water in it is the dust that accumulates in your basement. Sweeping in a dusty basement of course causes a terrible dust cloud which settles on everything and ends up in your lungs, but there's a solution. Get some sweeping compound, it's readily available from a number of online sources. You spread it around where you'll be sweeping. It prevents dust from becoming airborne, and pulls dust out of porous surfaces (cement, tarmac, brick). It's also useful for soaking up oils and other spills so they can be swept.

Stretch-wrap. This an industrial saran-wrap that movers use to keep soft goods clean. You can use it to wrap furniture in your basement to provide a clear-plastic barrier against drips, and also to keep dust and mildew off your stuff. Available on-line or places that sell packing material. Get the 18"-20" variety for covering furniture.


Even with dry weather, though, following these steps will make your basement a much easier place to store and find your goods with a minimum amount of hassle.

Why You Should Always Heed No Truck Route Signs

image courtesy of lifeasatrucker.com

It can be oh so tempting to ignore those no truck route signs you see on certain roads around Boston. Its definitely not a good idea to test your luck, though. Those signs are there for a reason. Maybe its a low bridge. Maybe its a densely populated area. Maybe the road is too narrow to accommodate trucks. Whatever the reason, stay off that road if you're in a truck! Rental companies will not take to kindly to a call from you when you've gotten stuck under a bridge. Nor, for that matter, will the state police or the drivers in the traffic jam caused by a mistake like this. Also, truck rental insurance coverage, should you have signed up for it, does not cover the box, only the cab.

Check out this slideshow from Boston.com showcasing some really good reminders as to why you should pay attention to no truck route signs. Its ok to giggle a little bit at these, just make sure you never make it on to one of these slideshows!

photo courtesy of boston.com

Moving Outdoor Goods

Now that the warm weather is in full swing (fingers crossed), people are moving and bringing their outdoor items with them. Here are a few tips on how to prepare these goods for your move.

Image courtesty of chosensites.us

- Charcoal grill
Prior to the movers arrival empty out any soot and charcoal briquets inside. This saves time and helps insure a clean truck and, therefore, clean goods. The same thing goes for any chimineas, fire pits or similar items.

- Gas grill
We are not allowed to transport the gas tank. Removing it from the grill and giving a quick clean will save time.

- Lawn mower
If you have a gas powered lawn mower please make sure it is empty of all fuel. We are not allowed to take any gas on our trucks. The same thing goes for other gas powered items such as snow blowers.

- Swing sets
This really deserves its own post, but here's the quick run down. If you'll be taking care of any disassembly yourself, make sure that its taken apart and ready to go when the movers arrive. WD-40 or some other lubricant will probably be necessary as the screws holding swing sets together often rust a bit due to being outside of all the time. If you're having us take care of the disassembly we'll have all the tools on hand to take care of it.

- Compost bins
If you have a portable compost bin make sure it is empty so its ready for transport. Most compost bins, even if they're portable, will be too heavy to move with the contents inside.

If you have any questions about this or anything else moving related give us a call at 617.864.0620! We're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Parking Permits - Changes to Boston and Somerville

Both the City of Boston and the City of Somerville have recently made changes to their procedures for moving van permits.

Boston used to have two offices for moving van permits, one for the signs and one for the paperwork. Now, they have consolidated the process into one office. Getting a permit should now be more streamlined and it only requires one check instead of two. Everything else about the process remains the same.

Somerville previously put up the moving van permit signs for you. Now, however, it is the responsibility of the person or company requesting the permit. They signs must go up 48 hours in advance of the requested date(s).

If you're moving to or from Boston or Somerville keep these changes in mind when its time to request your moving vans. And, of course, if you have any questions about getting through us if you're using Intelligent Labor and Moving for your move, just let us know!

Also, as a random side note, I just found a picture of our truck on this blog. Nice shot!

Navigating Belmont in a Truck

Here's another helpful truck driving post from our owner Ezekiel. 

image courtesy of leftbankofthecharles.com

There's a bridge in Belmont Center, it's an old railroad bridge and it's pretty low. The clearance posting on it is 10'9" I believe. This bridge causes a lot of problems for a lot of truck drivers. On one hand, you can get a 12'6" straight truck through the very center of it, but even if you fit, it's still illegal to pass through it in an inappropriately marked truck. The problem is that getting from Fresh Pond to the other side of that bridge in a truck legally is a pain. It may look like you can take Blanchard St. to Brighton St. and then cut back to Belmont Center, but that involves no truck routes (they're rather loosely enforced, however). The only official way is to take Rte. 16 (Fresh Pond Parkway) to Rte. 2 to Rte. 60 and then go into Belmont. Belmont is bisected by those train tracks and getting from one side of them to the other requires going around, especially in a truck due to that low-clearance bridge. Options for turning a rig around if you head down Concord to that bridge are slim at best as well.

So, if you're planning to move yourself in or out of Belmont be very careful not only of the no truck routes but also that low bridge in Belmont Center. If you're hiring movers keep this information in mind as well. We may quote you a travel time that seems inappropriate to you, but remember that the way you drive in your car is not the same way we would go about things in a truck, so it may take longer. 

The Busy Season Approaches

image is our own!

Moving in the Boston-area (and perhaps everywhere else) is a very seasonal business. Winters are slow and summers its hard to keep up with demand. Part of this has to do with the leasing/university schedule in Boston and part of it is just that its not that pleasant to move when its very cold and possibly snowy out.

Every year, sometime in April, is when we start to get busy. We have hit that point this year. The phones are ringing more, the inbox has a lot more e-mails and we're filling up the calendar.

If you are looking to use a moving company sometime this summer or to move yourself with a rental truck we have some recommendations:

1. When you know you are going to move start planning. Call truck rental places to book a truck if that is your plan. If you're using a moving company call around to get estimates as soon as you know you're moving.
2. Think about moving van permits. On very busy days during the summer moving van permits can become unavailable due to someone else requesting a permit for the same address.
3. Know what days are busiest and if you have any flexibility with your move date. Traditionally, the first and last days of the month are the busiest. The 15th is also usually fairly busy. Weekends are also very popular. If you have a specific day in mind and you know that the landlord's or your schedule doesn't allow for any wiggle room about that make sure you call to make reservations as soon as you are able.
3. The above applies particularly for September 1st. Everyone in the greater Boston-area knows that is the hardest day of the year to try and move, whether you're doing it yourself or using a moving company. That day books up FAST, so keep that in mind when planning.
4. Last minute moves are hard to pull off in the summer, at least for us and most likely for any truck rental places. While during the winter we can often schedule you within a day or two, during the summer we tend to book up at least a week or two in advance, sometimes more. It never hurts to try, though, so if you do have a last minute move or change of plans definitely give us a call or shoot us an e-mail.

Being prepared is the key to any low-stress, happy moving experience of any kind and even more so in the summer. If you have any questions about moving this summer please give us a call (617.864.0620) or e-mail us (help@intelligentlabor.com). You can also check out our excellent, revamped website for tips and information. We'd love to help you move!

Navigating Cambridge and Somerville in a Truck

Here's another helpful post from our owner, Ezekiel. If you're planning on renting your own truck for a move in Cambridge or Somerville this information will be a huge help!

image courtesy of dreamstime.com

Getting from North Cambridge to Somerville in a truck can be tricky. Almost all the roads that go from Massachusetts Ave. towards Somerville west of Porter Square are one-ways or no truck routes. This even applies once you get into Arlington all the way to the intersection of Massachusetts Ave. and Rt. 60. The best route to know is Davenport St. in Porter Square. It's a short street that runs from Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge behind the Porter Square shopping plaza back to Elm St. Somerville. Located on that street are the loading docks and commercial parking for the shopping plaza so it can also be a handy place to turn around if you've missed a turn.

Website Upgrade!

We've just completed a major overhaul to our company website. We're really proud of how it turned out. Here are just some of the changes:

- More information about moving van permits and how they work
- An expanded link section with links to businesses we work with and organizations we belong to
- Information about how and what we recycle
- A section about how we participate in our community
- An expanded section on our rates, including rush rates, extra charges, insurance, and disposal

Go take a look and tell us what you think! We'd love to hear from you about ease of use, comprehensiveness of information, etc. We think we've now got best site for a moving company in the Boston area!

Moving Expenses and the IRS

image courtesy of forbes.com

Tax season is upon us again!

No one at Intelligent Labor and Moving is a tax professional, but, being movers, we do know that the IRS lets you deduct some moving expenses.

According to the IRS, if you moved this year "due to a change in your job or business location, or because you started a new job or business, you may be able to deduct your reasonable moving expenses but not any expenses for meals." There are two tests you must use to determine if qualify for the deduction:

1. Distance
Is your new job 50 miles or more farther away from your old home than your old job was from your old home? If you've never worked before, is your new job 50 miles or more away from your old home?

2. Time
If you're an employee you must work at least 39 weeks at full-time for the first year following your arrival in the general area of your relocation. If you're self-employed the same applies, as well as needing to work at least 78 during the first 24 months in the general area of your new location.

There are exceptions to each rule. If you're move is due to military service you do not need to meet either requirement. The time requirement can be waived due to death, disability, involuntary separation among other things. If your employer paid for or reimbursed you for your move you do not qualify for this tax deduction.




The IRS provides a more comprehensive guide to moving tax deductions here. Its definitely worth a read if you moved in 2011. And, for a tax guideline its not so bad to read! If you still have questions after reading over the guide it is best to contact a tax professional.

Happy filing!

Moving Company Website Red Flags

image courtesy of thebookdesigner.com

There are a lot of ways to find a moving company. The best way is through a personal referral, but sometimes that's not possible. There's also review sites, but some of those must be taken with a grain of salt. Trade organizations (AMSA, MMA) are also good resources.

Then, there's a good old fashioned internet search. So, you type in your search terms and a whole host of websites pop up in the results. If you go to any of these websites here are some important pieces of information you should be on the look out for .

- Rates
Does the moving company make its rates available on their website? If not, beware. All Massachusetts moving companies need to have a tariff with all of their rates on file with the Department of Public Utilities. If this tariff doesn't appear on the moving company's website you can always check with the DPU, but if they don't bother to post the information themselves, there's a good bet they're not on file or the tariff is out of date.

- Photos
Are there photos of the actual movers and the company's trucks? Or are there stock photos of trucks and warehouses with maybe a Photoshopped logo? A lot of moving companies just starting out can't afford to own their own trucks and that's doesn't mean they are disreputable or unlicensed. However, the company should not set out to deceive you with photos either.

- Licenses, Tariffs, etc.
Check the website to see if the company lists its license number. If the company is Massachusetts based this number will be called a MDTE number. If the company offers interstate moving those license numbers will be called DOT and MC numbers. Both of those numbers can be researched through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (specifically here). It is federally required that all interstate moving companies listed their DOT number on all written/printed material, so this is a very important piece of information

- Trade Organizations
Almost without fail, reputable moving companies belong to their trade organizations. Locally, that's the Massachusetts Movers Association. Nationwide it is the American Moving and Storage Association. There are also more general business organizations like the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau. Just because a moving company does not belong to one or even all of these or similar organizations does not make them bad or disreputable, but it should inspire further research.

- Address
Look up the address the company lists as their place of business. Is it shared by many other moving companies? That could be a sign that the entity operates under several business names or d/b/a's, which could have an effect of the way the business(es) are run. If the listed address is just a residential location, that raises other questions.

- Insurance
Is information about the company's insurance listed somewhere on their website? If not, and you're considering hiring them, double check with the company. A good moving company will have insurance on their trucks and for cargo. Workers compensation insurance is not required, but its always a good idea and is often either provided for the workers by the company or the movers provide their own.

- Name
This is more for craiglists postings. If there's an ad with a phone number but no other identifying information (company name, e-mail address, website, etc.) beware. That almost definitely means an unlicensed, uninsured mover.

UPDATE: Moving Tip #8: Appliances

Happy New Year!

Here's an update by our owner on our previous post about moving appliances.

image courtesy of homerefrigeratorrepair.com

The conventional wisdom is that refrigerators should not be plugged in after being moved for at least 2 hours to let chemicals to settle in the lines. If the refrigerator had to be layed down or was hoisted, it should be left upright for at least 24 hours for the oil in the compressor to settle.

We cannot hook up any of your appliances that have connections to water or gas. We recommend if you do it yourself to pay particular attention for the hours following the hookup. Water can do a lot of damage to a home, and making sure your plumbing is well sorted is of paramount importance. Wait to plug your washer in until you can be home and keep an eye out for leaks or other issues until you're sure everything is fine.

Usually dishwashers are hard-wired into the house with a switch, so an electrician will be needed to unhook your dishwasher in addition to a plumber. If you would like a recommendation on a local plumber or electrician, let us know, we might have some suggestions.

Mass Movers Association

image courtesy of mymonstermovers.com

Next week we're heading to the Massachussetts Movers Association (MMA) fall business summit in Marlborough. It should be an interesting day and we're looking forward to learning a lot.

The MMA isn't just a professional organization. As a customer, there's a lot of good resources on their page for you to check out. They have a section on moving tips, a list of links to moving resources and you can look up movers through them. When you click on this link the site asks you to enter a zip code. Having tried this myself, it can be a bit misleading. For instance, if you enter 02140, which is the North Cambridge zip code, the first moving company to come up is in Concord, NH and we don't come up at all, even though we're right next door. Typing in your zip code may not give you all of the local options, so just keep that in mind if you're using the MMA as a resource to find movers.

Moving Tip #8: Appliances

photo courtesy of charlotteappliancerepair.com

More often than not our customers are not moving their appliances for various reasons. However, if you are moving any here are some tips to prepare:

Refrigerators
- Remove all the food and either throw it out or put it in a cooler with ice packs to move it to the new location (we cannot take food on our trucks).
- Defrost the freezer if necessary.
- Remove all the shelves and bins.

Washer and Dryer
- Drain the washing machine.
- If the dryer is gas, please have it disconnected and capped off by a professional before we show up. We are not licensed to do work like this.

Stove
- Same as with the dryer if its gas. Have it disconnected and capped off by a professional.

Microwave
- Take the spinning plate inside the microwave out (if there is one) and pack it with the other dishes.

Dishwasher
- It needs to be disconnected by a professional plumber before we can take it away.

Any appliances that are electric we shouldn't have any issue dealing with as we only have to pull the plug to move it. As mentioned above, though, we can't handle the disconnection of gas appliances. We can move them once a professional has done what he or she needs to do to safely and properly cut it off from its gas supply, but we will be unable to move the item if its not been disconnected prior to our arrival. Also, we are not plumbers, so any water supplies that need to be disconnected must be done by a professional plumber.

UPDATE: Moving Tip #5: Who to rent a truck from and what to rent with it

photo courtesy of http://www.pensketruckrental.com/

Since our last post about who to rent a truck from we've learned that Budget may no longer be the way to go. We've learned that Budget as a corporation is not providing the kind of money they used to for truck maintenance and they are not replacing trucks at the rate they used to.

As a company, we now rent from Penske if we need to, which isn't often. The couple of times we have rented from them they've been a little bit more expensive than Budget, but that stands to reason if they've got better maintained trucks. Also, around September 1st we couldn't get a rental for just a few days, they wanted us to rent it for a week minimum. This might be because we are a business and not an individual, but its something to watch out for when renting.

What if my Furniture Doesn't Fit: Part 2

photo courtesy of http://www.best604homes.com/category/home-improvement/

A situation we run into at least a few times a year is a couch or sofa not fitting at a new location. And, since this is usually a big ticket item, customers want to find a way to make it work. One of the ways this can be done is a knockdown.

A knockdown is the process of taking apart the couch (or arm chair or love seat), getting it through the door/up the stairs in pieces and reassembling inside the new house or apartment. There are a couple of places in the Boston area who offer this service. One, is Melo and Sons Upholstering. We know a couple of people who have used them with good results. The other is Dr. Sofa. We don't know anyone who has used them, but they are an option.

So, if your upholstered furniture doesn't fit and you'd love to keep it a knockdown maybe the way to go.

*********UPDATE*********

9.19.11

We just heard back from a customer of ours who used Melo and Sons and she said she had a great experience with them. They took apart the couch and put it back together close to estimate and she says it looks great after the fact.

Moving Tip #7: Moving With Plants

photo courtesy of http://www.life123.com/home-garden/plant-guides/houseplants/houseplant-care-a-guide-to-healthy-houseplants.shtml

Often when I ask customers if they have any plants they say they'll take the plants themselves. I tend to think that's a good idea (unless they're fake of course!). Plants, like pets, are a very personal thing and you've invested a lot of time and effort to grow them and keep them healthy. A moving truck just isn't the ideal enviroment for them.

If you would like us to take your plants we are happy to do so. Please make sure that the pots are as clean as you can get them so they don't soil any of your other goods in transit. Tie off any delicate stalks to stakes or lattice work so that they are protected during the move. If you require overnight storage we would strongly suggest you do not have us leave your plants on our trucks overnight. The trucks aren't climate controlled so in the summer they get very stuffy and humid and in the winter they go below freezing.

If you are planning a long distance move across state lines its possible you'll need state of origin certifications for your plants. Trucks are inspected on highways and any plants on the truck can be inspected for pests. Whatever state you're moving to may have requirements and rules about what plants can come into their state due to pests or invasive species. Its a good idea to check the federal and state regulations on the plants you are planning to move. Checking federal and state regulations and arranging for any inspections or paperwork is the customer's responsibility, not the moving company's. Considering all that's involved with transporting plants across state lines you may want to consider donating or selling your plants and buying new, local species wherever your new home is.

If you choose to take your plants yourself you can treat them as you normally do since they'll just be making a trip in a car and you can regulate everything about their move. There are many, many website that offer expert advice on how to transplant plants or cuttings. Better Homes and Gardens is a favorite, but a quick Google search will reveal thousands more.

Moving Tip #6: Moving With Pets

Moving blankets aren't necessary for dog moving, unless they like to curl up in them.

Moving is stressful for you, and you can understand what's going on. Imagine how difficult it can be on your pet.

Personally, I found that my dog, who had lived at our previous place for 8+ years, had a really hard time adjusting to the new place. It took months before he seemed to grasp that this new arrangement was permanent and that this was his home. He's fine now, but I wish I had done a better job of transitioning him.

There are plenty of suggestions out there on how to move with pets. Some websites/blogs/experts recommend leaving a room or space intact until its time to head out the door so the pet has a familiar place to hang out while packing and moving is going on. Other suggest taking your pet to a well-known off-site place like a kennel they board at or a friend or relative's house. Whichever path you choose, the key to make the pet feel relaxed and as comfortable as possible while the big transition happens.

If your pet stays in your residence while moving (and packing if a professional is doing it) happens make sure that the movers are aware there is a pet. If your pet is in a particular room with the door closed let the movers know verbally and put a sign up on the door. Its good for the movers to know well in advance if there are any pets present, too, in case a mover has a severe allergy or someone is afraid of animals.

Another important thing to do is make sure that your pet has its tags on. Moving requires that doors be left open, which may mean the pet will escape. You might even consider putting an extra tag with further information on it just for the move. Phone numbers taped to the usual tags could help speed recovery of your pet if they do happen to get out.

Another things to do pre-move to is check out the rules and regulations of your new town and/or state. A new state might require you to send along health certificates before you. Even if you're only moving one town over you'll need to re-register your cat or dog with that town.

If you're doing a move that requires you travel by plane you'll probably want to send your pet the same way. Movers cannot take animals on their trucks and you probably wouldn't want to send them that way anyway. Small enough pets can usually be with you at your seat on the plane but larger pets might have to be on the plane as freight. Check with your specific airline about their rules for transporting animals. Smaller animals like gerbils, birds and fish can be shipped through air express. Talk to your vet or local pet store about how to do that.

There are also companies that will handle your pet's transportation for you. Companies like Pet Move and Air Animal offer these services but check them out thoroughly before you decide to use them.

Any tips any of you have found to help transition a pet from an old home to a new one? What worked for you?

Please don't box your pets! photo courtesy of http://movepets.com/

Moving Tip #5: Who to rent a truck from and what to rent with it

photo courtesy of http://www.curatormagazine.com/brianwatkins/notes-from-a-budget-truck/

We are frequently asked if we will load or unload trucks instead of doing the whole move from origin to destination. We do moves like this all the time. Of course, we do have some strong preferences about who to rent from if anybody ever asks us for recommendations.

Not all truck rental companies are created equal. Some are excellent, some you want to stay away from. Our go-to truck rental place is Budget. Specifically, Anderson Automotive in Arlington, MA. Budget locations take great care of their trucks and any truck they own is only on the road for a certain number of miles/years. The other really good place to rent from is Penske. They take similar care with their vehicles.

We're not big fans of U-Haul, however. Yes, they're often cheaper, but there's a reason for that. They do not maintain their fleet like Budget and Penske do so you're more likely to have a bad ride or experience some sort of trouble. Obviously, that's not always going to be the case and we know plenty of people who have rented from U-Haul with no problems, but we've also heard about more problems with them than with the other two companies combined.

Once you've decided on a truck rental company and rented a truck you'll want to consider insurance and rental equipment and supplies. Truck rental insurance is a really good idea. We counsel anyone who asks us to get the full package, as much insurance as they will let you purchase. The insurance comes into play should there be an accident of any kind. For instance, Budget says that if you do not have their protection plan "you are responsible for any damage or theft of the equipment up to its full value (as much as $30,000 or more), whether or not you are at fault." This does not include any bodily harm to either you, your passenger or anyone else involved. Each company has various plans to cover your cargo, damage and personal injury. Its a really good idea to read through the options for whatever company you rent from and choose the right option for you.

You can also rent equipment and supplies with your truck rental. Probably the most important moving supply you'll want to get your hands on is furniture pads/moving blankets. These will be used to protect your furniture from dirt, scratches, etc. during moving. You might also want to consider renting a hand truck or two wheeler. Two wheelers can certainly make your move go faster, especially if there's a long walk involved at some point. Other moving supplies, like boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc, are also for sale through truck rental companies, but these can often be found cheaper elsewhere.

If you'd like us to load up a rental truck for you or unload a truck at your new address we'd love to help you. If you have any questions about rentals, including what size to rent, let us know.

photo courtesy of http://timdr.com/blog

Moving Tip #4: Packing Dishes

Packing dishes can be tricky. They are often some of the most fragile things you have in your home so you want to make sure they'll make the trip from one location to another without incident.

The first thing to do it pick out a box size. There are boxes called "dishpacks" which you would think would be great for dishes, but they're just too big for the task. Plates can be densely packed so its best to use a smaller box. Items that require more packing paper such as bowls or cake stands can go in larger boxes because they will be lighter.

Once you've chosen the appropriate sized box for your goods its time to pad the bottom of the box with paper. A good way to add a cushion of paper is to take sheets of paper and crush it into a ball. Fill the bottom of the box with as many balls of crushed paper as will fit then cover them with a couple of layers of flattened paper. This method will create a nice cushion for your fragile goods.

To pack plates, wrap each in a sheet of paper. Then, place them on their edge in the box. Plates should never be packed flat. They should always be packed like you would vinyl LPs because the edges are the strongest part of the plate.

Goods like bowls, glasses, etc, that require more packing paper get the same crushed paper cushion at the bottom of the box. Well wrapped bowls can be placed inside one another and smaller goods can fill in spaces within the box. If you don't have anything small enough to fit in an empty space just fill it with paper. It is very important that your boxes be full so that the goods inside can't move around during transport.

Once you've filled your box give it a slight shake, like you're testing a birthday present to guess what's inside. If you can hear anything besides the rustle of paper open the box and add more packing paper then test it again. When you can only hear paper when you shake the box then you're good to go.