Find Affordable Moving Companies and get free move cost estimates and advice from professional movers in our moving company blog. Learn how to prepare for any kind of move and hire the right moving companies with our easy to use moving guides and storage tips.

Your Professional Local Moving Company!

Easing the Transition to Your Local Move with free local moving estimates

A local move is any move of household items within 100 miles from the origin to the final destination within the same state. Moves over 99 miles within the same state are considered intrastate moves and those traveling across state lines are interstate moves. Local moves are billed at an hourly rate whereas intra- and inter-state moves are billed according to the size and weight of your shipment.

Professional local moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. Although the packing boxes you can obtain from your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store may be free, they are not nearly as strong or padded. They are more susceptible to causing damage to your valuables in transit.

Get A Free Local Moving Company Estimate Now!

Save Money and Get Free Next Day Shipping with Affordable Moving Supplies

Pack your items carefully

It is imperative for you to buffer and separate fragile objects with sheets, blankets, pillows and towels. Fill in empty spaces to minimize movement during your move. Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked. Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in which you've packed fragile items, especially if those items are valuable. The mover will advise you on whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.

Facilitate the transit

The heavier the item, the smaller the local move box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label all boxes so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.

Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity on moving day.

For your family's safety and comfort

Teach your children your new address and phone number right away. Let them practice writing it on packed cartons.

Pack your phone book since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home.

Let all your electrical gadgets return to room temperature before plugging them in.

The all-important "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons

These move boxes will consist of the essential items your family will undoubtedly need for the first night. Fill two cartons with snacks, instant coffee/tea bags, medicine, towels, various toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and toilet paper. Other essential move items include flashlights, can openers, paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, screwdrivers, scissors and pliers. Why the second box? It will serve as insurance in the event that your movers experience delay getting to your house.

Work hand in hand with your local mover

Give the mover's foreman your reach numbers and email addresses so you can stay in contact.

Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and keep your Bill of Lading handy.

If you're moving long distance, be aware that your property might share a truck with that of several other households. For this reason, your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for security, organization and cleanliness.

How much should you tip?

Tips differ depending on the size and difficulty of the move as well as the efforts put forth by the local movers. An honest day's job should not go unnoticed. The average tip for local moves is 7-12% of the total bill. The average tip for long distance moves is $3-5 per hour based on the labor. It is best that you compensate each mover separately to acknowledge the hard work by everyone involved in the relocation.

Looking for Affordable Moving Company Estimates? Try these Fast & Easy Moving Cost forms below.

You want to know yet another way to save money on your move? Buy your own moving supplies and pack your own boxes. That's right. Buy moving boxes and packing supplies from Affordable Moving Supplies and Save Money. Get Free Next Day Shipping on moving supplies delivered to your front door at a fraction the cost most moving companies will charge you. From packing tape and moving boxes to wrapping blankets and hand carts we are you source for moving companies and packing supplies. pick from one of our ready made moving kits or build your own supply order quick and easy online. Have the boxes delivered FEDEX to your home usually in less than 2 business days.

To Make Your Move Go Smoothly

• Don't wait until the very last minute! Each moving box will take an average of thirty minutes to pack. An average apartment can be packed by an individual in 15-20 hours; a full house, in 30-40 hours.
• Have your packing tape and a magic marker available and ready to seal and label each box. Make note of the contents on the box, whether or not it is fragile, and in which room it will be placed at the destination.
• Begin you begin packing the least used areas of your home first and leave the essentials until last. Many movers will pack their suitcases full with the items they know they will need immediately after the move and will move them in their own vehicles.
• Tape all your moving boxes and cartons carefully on both top and bottom. Double tape all boxes that will be carrying heavy items like books and fragile items like glass.
• Always pack heavy items on the bottom, lighter items on the top.
• You may leave clothing in dressers, but remove all breakables, loose items or valuables from drawers.
• Disconnect all electronic equipment and wiring prior to moving day, and try to pack components in their original boxes if possible. Otherwise, they can be wrapped in furniture pads and placed on the truck.
• Try not to water plants for 2-3 days prior to the move. Small plants should be placed in boxes and are better moved in your own vehicle. Large plants should be placed so that the entire pot is contained within a box, so that spilled soil will not get all over the truck and your belongings.
• Do not put heavy boxes in with breakables, and make sure there is an inch of paper cushioning between layers of breakables. Towels or linen may be used as well.
• Slightly over-pack each carton before sealing for added strength, but do not pack boxes so that they remain open at the top. They are more difficult and less safe to move that way.
• Pack all your more valuable items in the same few cartons and check on their arrival at the destination or move them in your own vehicle for safety. Try to use up as much of your food supply before the day of the move to eliminate extra packing. Do not move any liquids that have been opened, only containers that are still factory sealed.
• Stuffed animals, soft items and sweaters can be packed in large trash bags.
• Place all loose items in an appropriate moving and storage box! Although your local movers will be cooperative enough to move whatever you have, they will not vouch for the safety of loose pictures, lampshades, mirrors, or small electronic equipment. You can buy bubble-wrap for pictures and mirrors, or request mirror boxes from us.
• Mattresses can be wrapped in furniture pads on the truck, but special relocation boxes can be purchased if desired. You can request your local movers to wrap your upholstered furniture with shrink wrap.
• Please disassemble any particle board and pressed wood pieces prior to moving, if you want them to survive the move. Otherwise, these pieces are unsturdy and prone to cracking with even small movements.
  

Affordable Moving Company is a Proud partner of these distinguished service associations and affiliates.
	Movers Directory

Affordable Moving Company Disclaimer:

Affordable Moving Company is a relocation services listing provider offering free moving company estimates from licensed and insured professional movers. Each member of our movers listing has been pre screened and must pass a 15 point business inspection which virtually guarantees you will find nothing but the best moving companies listed in our services. Affordable Moving Company is an information brokerage and will only be responsible to forward your information to licensed moving companies. Hiring a moving company is your decision and you need to be aware of the rights you have as a client of licensed moving companies.

By hiring a licensed professional you are entitled to certain rights listed here Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with your rights as a mover.