Why New City Moving Is THE Choice for Your Commercial Move
If you have a business you know exactly how important time is. Time waits for no one and missing days of work for something as basic as changing location can cost you clients, leads, profits, and opportunities. But you can avoid the loss. New City Moving, a company made up of distinguished and premier Chicago Movers, is committed to helping you make your move go as smoothly and as quickly as possible so that your employees can keep doing what they do and your company doesn’t need to break stride.
New City Moving assigns every commercial moving client with a personal moving consultant. That means you get their number and any time, day or night, before the move or after you can call them to address problems, concerns, or changes. This consultant will help you determine just how much equipment, space, and time your move will require and will offer a range of pricing options to secure your complete and total satisfaction.
At no additional charge New City Moving will load, move, and unload all your equipment using one of our fleet of moving trucks and a timely and professional moving crew. We also make sure that all furniture is securely and safely padded during transport and that large pieces are carefully disassembled and reassembled after the move is complete. We offer 100% insurance on all of your property and document the state of your inventory before and after the move is complete using a coded and itemized inventory system.
Don’t let a move slow your office down any more than it needs to. Call to today for a no-obligation consultation and quote and see why New City Moving is the choice for Chicago businesses on their way to bigger and better things.
Budgeting Tips for Moving within Chicago
Moving costs a lot, no matter how you undertake it. There are various expenses involved in a moving process but as long as you know beforehand the amount you’re willing to spend and the amount you need to spend, you won’t be entirely astounded with the final computation of your moving costs.
The best method to budget your move effectively is to make a spreadsheet. Through this, you can record and keep track of all things you purchase and pay for. It’s also easy to update and modify accordingly. Just be sure to have a couple of printed copies before packing up your computer for moving day.To create an optimal budget, your first step should be figuring out how much you’ll spend approximately as you leave your house. Make an estimate of final fees such as utility bills and lease termination.
Next, determine the actual cost of moving your belongings. For best results, try to ask for estimates from at least three moving companies and compare the charges. Create the highest estimate possible in your budget, until you’re able to decide which moving company to hire. Additionally, it’s important to factor in the insurance cost and all other expenses, including your tip for the movers.
Consider relocating the items yourself, if you’re moving over a short distance. You’ll have to spend on extra costs for renting a van or a moving truck. Estimate fuel costs, rent for tools like handcart and loading ramp.
Purchase all necessary packing supplies, whether you opt to rent a cargo van or hire a moving truck. Albeit moving supplies may be considered as the cheapest expenses during the moving process, particularly if you can have free or second-hand boxes and supplies, you should still include them in your budget.
Once you determine the costs of packing and shipping your possessions, you can then assess the costs of getting yourself to your new residence. Estimate the required costs for gas, food, and even hotel rental during the trip. If you need to fly to your new place, make sure to record related fees especially the cost of plane tickets. Don’t forget to jot down costs of hiring babysitters for your kiddos as you prepare to move.
Another portion of your budget should comprise costs after moving in to your new home. Such costs may include mortgage payments, security deposits, rent, and other associated expenses. Additionally, find out in advance about the costs of starting utility services, parking permits, pet fees for apartments, etc.
Although you may not really quite consider it as part of your budget, it’s still recommended that you include grocery costs upon moving. Also, try to include costs of take-out food, since you probably wouldn’t want to cook on move-in day. Serve snacks and refreshments to your movers and anyone helping in the moving process. After adding up all of these costs to your spreadsheet, get the total.
Finally, add about 5-10% of the total cost to your tally. This additional amount will serve as backup budget in case there are any unexpected fees incurred during the move. By planning your budget accurately in advance, you’ll be able to prepare yourself for whatever the final cost turns out to be. With a detailed list at hand, you can easily review your budget and search for areas where you can possibly cut corners.
Tips for Helping Your Kids Settle into the New Chicago Home
Moving is quite a difficult event for children. After all the moving and packing are done, they have to deal with settling into their new space and it can be the toughest adjustment for them. They have experienced the difficulties of saying goodbye to good friends in the old neighborhood and school; however, there is also the excitement of meeting new neighbors, friends and exploring the new place. To help make the transition easier for them, you can follow the following tips and suggestions which you can employ during the first few weeks after the move.
Take a tour. – It’s good to take a tour around the house and neighborhood, even if your family has already seen the place before the move. Allow your kids to get familiar to the spaces in your new home, especially the bathroom as your little ones may find it a bit hesitant to go the bathroom in the middle of the night, knowing that it’s a whole new place for them. Walk your family through each space and tell them the purpose of the room and what activities will take place there. Ask for their opinions about how to organize the space. Visit each and every room, including the garage and the yard. You can then allow them to explore the new space on their own. Make the exploration a fun activity. Play games, such as hide and seek to encourage your children to explore and have fun.
Ensure that each family member has their own essentials box. – Everyone in your family should pack an essentials box, including your kids or teens. They can put their favorite stuff, including entertainment things like games, music, books, etc. The essentials box is the very first thing to get unpacked once you arrive at your new home.
Unpack your children’s rooms first. – Well, essentially, the kitchen is the very first room that should get unpacked. You can unpack basic stuff and necessities, especially those utensils and kitchenware that you’ll need for the next few days. After unpacking those important kitchen items, you can then start unpacking the kids’ rooms. Allow your children to unpack their own things, while assisting them once in a while. Let them express their opinions about how they want their room to be organized. Let them take part in the decision-making process so they can feel that they own the new space. This will help them settle into the new room more easily.
Get back into your family’s usual routine as soon as possible. – You can let your kids stay up a little longer on the first night of the move since it’s a special day for everyone. However, you should try to establish a daily routine after that. Stick to your usual mealtimes, playtimes and bedtime hours. This way, everyone in the family can feel more settled. Disrupting the daily schedule is a big no-no and it can be quite stressful. If you used to take your children to the nearest park on weekends, then find a local park in the neighborhood and incorporate the activity into your schedule. It can be tough to balance a lot of things, but settling is a very important part of the moving process so you should try to make time. Additionally, as a parent, you also need to enjoy your new home and know the neighborhood.
If possible, it’s best to hire professional unpackers to help you in the unpacking procedure. What may take you several weeks or months to unpack may only take expert unpackers a day or two to finish. This can surely save you plenty of time and effort.
Tips for Selecting the Best Chicago Neighborhood
Choosing the best neighborhood for you and your family is a very crucial decision to make, same as selecting the right house or apartment. The place should be safe to live in and affordable as well. Moreover, it should be able to provide you with all the things you need, including amenities.
If you plan to buy a home, remember that you’re not just going to purchase any house; rather you’re going to invest in a neighborhood. You have to be very cautious and careful when selecting the area you’ll live in.
You should ask yourself about the important features your ideal neighborhood should have. Do you prefer busy, active streets or quiet ones? Do you like to walk to amenities? Do you want to live near malls and restaurants? Do you like newer, developed cities or older neighborhoods? These are only some of the questions you can consider when choosing the right neighborhood that suits your needs and personal preferences.
After picturing that perfect neighborhood in your mind, you should also consider several factors.
Crime and Safety – Search the Internet for the crime statistics of your chosen city and neighborhood. Gather as much information as you can to find out about the safety of the place where you want to live in. Larger urban areas generally have detailed crime reports, whereas smaller places may have lesser information. Contact the city’s local police department where you can acquire specific information about a particular place.
Drive around the place and try to observe the surroundings. See if there are any sorts of vandalism such as graffiti and broken windows. Check if the houses have strong deterrents and signs.
Look and Feel – Take some time to walk around the neighborhood. Observe the condition of the streets, sidewalks, houses, front yards, etc. Check the traffic and noise. Take note of the type of people living in the place, whether it’s teeming with college students, young families or older ones. Try to take several walks through the neighborhood at different times of the day so you can find out more about the area and find out if you feel comfortable with it.
Transportation – Determine the length of time it takes to get to the workplace, school and other major places. Check for any public transportation.
School – A well-kept school is a good indication of a good neighborhood. If you have kids, it’s best to give importance to the schools in an area, when searching for and comparing neighborhoods.
Property Values and Taxes – Ask about the current value of the houses in your selected neighborhood. Then, contact a real estate agent and ask how that value would compare with the average value five or ten years earlier. Find out how much the property has increased and how much the neighborhood has changed. Also, find out if there are any potential future developments.
Regarding future development, you can acquire related information through the local Chamber of Commerce or at the city hall. It’s important to know about future developments since they can greatly change an area, such as changes in traffic and increase in taxes. Assess if such developments are amenable to the welfare of you and your family.
Property Taxes – Determine the current tax rate and its changes for the past five years. Know if there are expected increases and how much you may have to pay within five years. You can consider building the amount into your moving budget.
Amenities – If ease of access to amenities is important to you, then you should ensure that daily requirements can be met. Check the distance from the neighborhood to the convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. You may also want to check bars and how noisy they can get over the weekends, if you prefer.
How to Hire Chicago Movers for Moving a Small Amount of Household Goods
Some people move with only a small amount of things, especially those who live in tiny apartments. If you’re wondering whether Chicago apartment movers will move even just a small amount of stuff, well, yes there are a good number of movers who can consider adding your items to a bigger shipment. There are several exceptions though.
Local moves are generally the most difficult. If you’re going to move across the city, there’s a lesser chance that local movers will move a small amount of stuff. Mostly, people opt to move themselves or ask help from friends. However, in long distance moves, moving companies utilize big transport trucks to transport goods across the country or state and along the way, they typically include a few pick-ups. If they still have room left, your things could be picked up.
To be certain, always ask a moving company about the services they offer and the costs. Contact a reliable and reputable moving company to find out if they can move your things.
Movers are less likely to take a small amount during peak seasons, such as summer. Most companies are already booked several weeks or months in advance, hence leaving no more extra space on the truck for pick-ups. So, if you’re planning to move during summer, be sure to spare some time to search for good movers early on. Alternatively, you can consider moving the things yourself.
Still, the decision to hire movers also depends on what type of stuff you’re going to move. If you need to move large pieces of furniture or appliances, like big screen TV, then it would be more preferable to hire a professional mover to ensure that your things reach your home safely. You may also need specialized services for some special items like pianos and appliances. Know the measurements of the things you’re moving, as well as its value, before calling a moving company so that the mover can give you proper insurance.
How to Move Your Computer
Computers are indispensable tools at home. If you’re like many people, you probably value your PC so much and you’d want to move it with you to your new home. However, since they are fragile electronic equipment, they require special care when moving. Thus, no matter how cumbersome the task can be, you must not neglect preparing your computer for the move. Here are a few tips to guide you.
Obtain enough insurance. Ensure that your moving insurance will cover any possible damages to your PC. Generally, moving companies base their insurance on weight so if your computer weighs around 50 pounds and your things are insured at 30 cents/pound, then you will be getting 20 dollars. This may seem barely sufficient for fixing your machine or replacing valuable information and documents so you must have adequate insurance.
Make sure to copy all of your files. With the technology we have today, copying files has become very easy and convenient so it would be a relatively quick task for you. If you’re capable of burning a DVD, then you should resort to this option. Depending on the speed of burning, DVDs can usually hold 4.7GB. This would make adequate space for your files. However, if you can’t burn DVDs, then you can buy a flash drive or portable drive. Increase the storage space or buy a second flash drive, if you have plenty of graphic intensive files. Don’t forget to put your flash drives in a safe place since they are small and easy to lose. You may want to buy a small lock box where you can store your flash drive or DVD, along with any software disks and instruction manuals.
Find the original box of your computer set. This should provide the best protection for the machine. After all, that’s the purpose it serves for. However, if you’ve already lost or used those boxes, then your next option would be to contact a specialty box company and ask for electronic or computer boxes. Ask for Styrofoam inserts as well to ensure that the computer parts are kept safe. The essential thing here is to protect your computer, particularly the hard drive, from bumps and damages. Additionally, the monitor is fragile so you may also want to buy a monitor box.
Check your computer thoroughly and be sure to remove any disk from the drives.
Be sure to turn the power off of the box and the monitor first before taking the computer apart. Then, disconnect it from the power source.
If this is your first time to dismantle a computer, you can label the cords before you unplug them. Write the purpose of the plug and where you should plug it in the box, on a piece of masking tape. Most computers nowadays have tiny images and a color-coded system for easier assembly.
After labeling everything, you can now unplug the cords from both the monitor and the box. Wind the cords up, tie them and them put them in a plastic bag or storage container. Keep them with your PC.
After packing up your computer and sealing the boxes, don’t forget to mark the boxes correctly. Indicate that the item is fragile and write down the contents.
Repeat the process when packing your other computer equipment such as printer and scanner. Make sure that each item is secured and nothing shifts during transit.
If there is enough space in your car, it would be good to take the machine with you. Just be sure to park your vehicle in a safe area when staying overnight at a hotel. You can also take it with you in the suite, for safety purposes.
Now that you know how to pack that fragile computer, you can be assured that it will be moved safely to your new home.
If you are searching for the best Chicago office movers, look no further than New City Moving! We safely move thousands of computers for our clients each year!
Moving Concerns – Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Every time you change your address, you become susceptible to identity theft. You need to know why it’s possible for thieves to steal your information and use it to their benefit. By getting yourself properly informed, you can make sure that all vulnerabilities are dealt with before moving to a new home.
Identity theft generally occurs when a person gains access to your personal information and use it to use your credit cards, gain access to your bank account or even create fake documents using your name. When people move, it often becomes easier for identity thieves to attack since people mostly leave valuable information behind that others can possibly use. Identity theft is highly likely if you fail to reroute mail to your new address, shred important papers which are just left in the garbage can, or if you happen to hire rogue movers.
To avoid identity theft, make sure to do the following things:
Create a Checklist of Change of Address – Before moving day, ensure that you spare enough time to list all companies and subscriptions you receive via postal system. Mail theft is one of the most common and easiest methods that somebody can acquire your personal identity. This does not necessarily mean though that those people who are going to live in your old home after you move out are not trustworthy enough; it’s just that people often throw out mails that don’t belong to them. Thus, don’t forget to make a list. Try to imagine every possible situation and who might contact you through mail, including your former employers, school of your children, banks, real estate agents, lawyer offices, magazine and newspaper subscriptions and credit card companies.
Destroy Records and Files Properly – Get rid of those files and records you don’t need any more. However, be sure to do so properly. Shred documents well and if there are any vulnerable information like bank statements or credit card applications, you can bring those to professional shredding companies who can dispose of the materials properly. Alternatively, you can buy a home paper shredder that can shred things like old credit cards.
Take Important Documents With You – If you’re going to move important documents, don’t pack them along with your other household belongings that will be moved through the moving truck. Instead, pack them very carefully and take them with you in the car. If you must stop by a hotel, don’t forget to take the documents into the room. Never leave them in your car, just to be safe.
Hire Reliable Chicago Movers – Hiring trustworthy Chicago movers is the best way to make sure that your possessions reach your home in the safest way possible. It’s quite a difficult task but you need to take some time to do your research and shortlist companies in order to select the best one that fits your needs. Ask the right questions and be wary of rogue movers.
Make a Complete Home Inventory – If you’re thoroughly aware of which stuff you’ve packed and what things the movers will move, then it would be quicker to find out what could be missing. Keep track of your household belongings by taking a home inventory. It’s also necessary in case you need to make a claim or report the moving company.
Check Up the Address Changes After Moving – After the move, check your change of address list again and contact those that could pose a risk in security like credit card companies, banks, etc. Inquire if they have your new address and if they have rerouted the mail.
Hiring trustworthy movers like New City Moving will help to ease the stress of moving, and make sure you have the best experience possible. For a free moving estimate give us a call toll free at 800-733-6644.
Moving with Used Boxes in Chicago – Commonly Asked Questions
I have previously mentioned in a post that utilizing used boxes for a move is a great idea to save on packing costs. You may have some questions in mind about this idea. Here are some commonly asked questions and corresponding answers:
• Is moving with used boxes okay? – Well, yes, it’s perfectly fine to use them for packing as long as you are sure that they are durable to use. Always test the boxes to make sure that they can actually handle the weight of your stuff. Check if there are any weak spots, especially with boxes from grocery stores, since products do leak at times and cause the box to deteriorate in quality. Additionally, make sure that you avoid over packing. Pack only what the box is supposed to carry.
• What do I do next if I don’t find any used boxes? – If you’ve tried your best to find used boxes but failed to do so, an alternative way is to save on costs of packing supplies is to ask for plastic tote bins from family and friends. It can work out well if you are going to stay in the same region or if there is a way you can return the bins after the move. Also, if you believe you will have to move a few more times in the future, you can opt to buy your own plastic tote bins. They are easy to store in between moves.
• Can a moving company provide boxes? – Usually, no. A moving company can sell you boxes but on rare occasions or promos, they can provide some free packing supplies. For instance, if you refer a friend or find the moving company online and site the source, they can give you a small incentive like some free packing materials. There are also some movers who can provide you plastic bins to rent for a short period. Green movers are great for suggesting environmentally friendly methods to save and reuse packing supplies.
• What should I do with the boxes once the move is done? – Good question! If you have free time, you can post an ad on an online or offline bulletin board or in local paper. You can offer the boxes free of charge and you’ll be surprised at the number of responses you’ll get. Or, you can also donate the boxes to an organization that could make good use of them. Charities which ship donations abroad can use durable boxes to move their items.
So, now that you have cleared your doubts about using used boxes, you can finally search for good-quality, sturdy ones and use them for your move. However, you can always purchase new boxes if you really want to make sure that you’ll be using only the best ones for your household goods.
20 Essential Tips for Packing before a Move
Here’s a list of several packing tips that you may not have considered before. When it comes to packing, you can add up as many tips as you can to your own list to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly and effectively.
1) First off, prepare enough packing supplies before you begin packing. You wouldn’t want to stop in the middle of a packing session just to gather more supplies.
2) Make sure that packed boxes weigh less than 50 pounds.
3) Heavier items should be packed on the bottom.
4) Stuff small fabric items such as socks and pillow cases in spaces and crevices in boxes. But don’t forget to keep those pairs of socks together!
5) Ensure that each box closes properly. Seal all boxes to keep the tops flat. Don’t over-pack a box to avoid damaging the contents.
6) Use small boxes in packing small items and then you can put them together into a large box. Remember to label each box, whether small or big.
7) Transfer liquids to a sealable container or tape them down to secure the lid. Then, put them into a waterproof bag. Seal it and position it upright into a box. The bag should be marked with arrows. Also, mark it with “This End Up.”
8.) Make sure you know which items are not allowed to move. These are items that your movers may not move.
9) Create an inventory list of all boxes, including their contents. An inventory is quite important in case any item gets damaged or lost and you have to make a claim.
10) Put clothing items in your dresser drawers.
11) Label your essentials box with “load last, unload first.” This box contains all the essentials you will need while traveling to your destination and upon reaching it.
12) Take valuable records with you. Don’t move them along with your other household belongings. You can send them in advance through a secure courier company, if it’s not possible to take these documents with you in the car.
13) Tape down items that shift or move, this will make your Chicago Movers less likely to create damage.
14) Fill free spots or empty spaces with lighter linens.
15) If possible, keep things in their original boxes.
16) Tape loose items such as bolts and screws to the underside of furniture but make sure that they are bagged first.
17) Tools for reassembling furniture should be kept in a different box with proper marking. You may want to keep an all-purpose screwdriver in your car’s glove compartment.
18) Avoid using standard garbage bags. They are easy to rip and tear. Buy the thicker, heavy ones to make sure none of them will burst open during the move. Certain moving companies don’t want their customers to use garbage bags, so ask before packing up. Limit the number of garbage bags you use when packing.
19) As much as possible, pack and arrange items from the same room together. This way, things will be easier to sort after the move is done.
20) Let everybody in the family participate in the preparation process by creating a task list. Divide the jobs and delegate appropriate tasks to each person. Your children can sort through their stuff and pack simple items. Organize your household to save time, effort and money. By assigning tasks to each family member, everyone will feel that they’re part of the adventure.
Get started as early as you can! With the help of these tips, you can successfully hurdle the packing process.
Collecting and Sorting Records Before the Move
Collecting and organizing records isn’t everybody’s forte. Lots of people actually have the habit of keeping their documents in a shoe box in the closet or a desk drawer. When planning to move, you should gather all those records together so you can settle in your new home smoothly and without hassles.
Personal Records
School Records – Be sure to get some copies of your kids’ school records. It’s always safer to ask for an extra copy albeit most schools will forward the records to your child’s new school. Most schools may charge a service fee and they will also require appropriate identification. Ask for a certified copy of your child’s transcript if they are about to enter a college or university. It can be mailed to your new address.
Medical Records – Ask for medical records of you and your family, including optometrist, family doctor and dentist. If you can find a new physician before moving day, request the new clinic to call for your records and files. This could be a problem though if you’re moving out of state or overseas. It’s rather difficult to transfer records across borders. If you’re experiencing this situation, you can ask for a full copy of all records. Then you can deliver the files to the new clinic personally.
Vet Records – If you’re moving a pet, you’ll need to have some copies of the veterinary records especially if you’re going to move to another country. Most countries have specific requirements for animal immigration. You will have to acquire vaccination records as well as a healthy check-up for your pet.
Financial Records – Obtain copies of your financial records such as investment standings, bank statements and account information. These records will be significant once you plan to transfer your funds to a different financial institution.
Bill Statements and Receipts – Pay all of your bills and close off current accounts. Be sure to keep a record of your payment. You can also ask for a final statement. These records will come in handy in the event that a company claims that you have not made the necessary payment.
When moving important records make sure to check out Chicago Movers Reviews online!
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