How Do I Select a Mover?
At BoxYourStuff.com, we make moving simple.  We offer estimates for professional moving, both local and long-distance, international and domestic, including residential moving and commercial moving.  Our easy-to-use online moving questionnaire is designed to assist your search process for a qualified mover.  Within two business days, one of our skilled agents will contact you with a comprehensive quote.  Our goal is to make the entire moving experience stress-free!

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What Time of Year Should I Move?
The busy season for movers is from early spring to late fall.  Other peak times for movers include month-ends and  year-ends.  If you have a choice, we recommended that you select a moving time during off-peak season.  The heaviest demands are placed on trucks, equipment, and personnel during these periods.  These are just recommendations; ultimately, you should move when it is most convenient for you.

Factors that Affect Your Moving Date:

• Immediacy
• Children's school schedule
• Expected due dates for pregnancy
• Separation of family
• Temporary housing requirements

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How Long Does it Take to Move?
The time required for moving varies with each job.  For example, residential moves have different time requirements than commercial moves.  There are many factors that influence moving time, such as:

• Time of year
• Weather conditions
• Size and type of goods being moved
• Building structure (number of floors, tight corners, etc.)
• Distance moved
• Traffic conditions

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Are there Items That Cannot be Moved?
Yes.  Due to insurance reasons, there are several items that cannot be moved by a professional mover.  The mover will refuse to accept these items, so be prepared to handle them yourself. 
They include:

• Aerosols
• Combustibles
• Ammunition Flammables
• Perishables
• Paints
• Cleaning Agents
• Plants - Professional movers cannot accept responsibility for safely moving your plants, because they may suffer from a lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the moving van.   You may prefer to transport your house plants in the family car or ship them by plane.  Some states prohibit the entry of all plants, while other states will admit plants under certain conditions.  And other states have no plant regulations.  Be sure to check the regulations of the state to which you're moving.
• Pets - Pets cannot be carried on a moving van.  Dogs, cats, fish, canaries and parakeets can usually be transported in the family car.

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Are there Items Not Covered for Loss and Damage?
Yes.  Not every item is covered for loss and damage under the insurance of a professional mover.  
Examples include:

• Jewelry
• Computer software
• Collections:
  • Coins
  • Stamps
  • Baseball cards
  • Dolls
  • and more
• Irreplaceable and rare items
• Furs
• Important documents

Please contact us if you are unsure about the coverage of a certain item. 

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Are there Items That Require Special Attention?
Yes.  Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical or mechanical appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation.  Any moving parts such as motors on major appliances, washer drums, ice makers and the pickup arm on a phonograph should be securely fastened for shipping.  Gas appliances need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your move.  It is the owner's responsibility to see that appliances are serviced for shipment before they are loaded on the van.  Upon request and for an additional charge, a professional moving company will perform these services, using either its own qualified personnel or an authorized service company.

Other common items needing special services include grandfather clocks, pool tables, and pianos.  Any qualified professional mover can help to arrange these services.

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My household goods are going to storage. Is there anything different I need to do?
If your household goods are going into storage for any length of time, you need to keep the following things in mind:

• If you do your own packing, make sure that all items going into storage are packed in closed boxes and labeled as "STORAGE".
• Have furniture stored on wooden pallets in case of potential flooding in the storage unit.
• Invest in storage units which are heated and cooled to protect items not resistant to temperature changes, such as pianos, antique furniture, and any items sensitive to excess moisture.
• Do not pack items in autos that you are shipping.

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General Moving Tips

Helpful Hints:

• Empty the contents of all dressers, chests, and drawers.
• Protect mattresses in mattress covers.
• Use bubble wrap for all glass, pictures, mirrors, and breakables.
• Take items you will need in transit with you such as airline tickets, papers for school enrollment, home closings, telephone, a child's favorite toy, bathroom products, etc.
  A good idea is to set aside a special carton for these items and label it "DO NOT LOAD".
• Packing takes time. Make yourself available throughout the entire process. Make arrangements for your pets to be out of the way during this time.
• Perform a final walk-through of the interior and exterior of your home after loading is completed to ensure nothing is left behind.
• Read our packing tips and secret moving tips of the pros!

Get Your Kids Involved in the Move
When moving, there are lots of plans to be made and no time to make them.  In all of the confusion, parents may overlook the feelings and concerns of their children. To make your move a happy and exciting experience for your children, we suggest the following:

• Let your children ask questions.  Allow them to express their likes and dislikes.
• Get some library books with moving-related stories or pictures for younger children.
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce for information about the new city or neighborhood.
• Contact your children's new school and ask if you can initiate a pen pal program for your child. When you move, your child will already have a friend in the new city or neighborhood.
• Have your children make lists of what they want to see or do when they get to their new environment.

Moving Your Pets by Air
The Humane Society of America recommends asking the airlines if your pet can fly on board with you.  If your pet must travel in the cargo hold, we offer these tips:

• Have your pet checked by a veterinarian.  Obtain any necessary inoculations and a health certificate.  Affix a permanent identification tag and travel tag on your pet's collar.
• Check the airline in advance for instructions, reservations, special requirements, and insurance coverage.
• Book direct flights & travel on the same flight as your pet.  Avoid flying during extreme temperatures.
• Notify the pilot and flight attendant that your pet is in the cargo hold.  Ask if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded.
• Feed your pet at least five hours before flight time and give it water at least two hours before flight time.
• Leash walk your pet at the airport and administer any medications.  Fasten the leash to the outside of the travel container.

Please contact us for more answers to other questions not listed above.

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