Moving Labor Blog | Self Service Moving & Relocation Tips

Finding the Best Deals on Furniture Blankets, Paper Pads and Quilts

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:17:19 +0000

Title: Finding the Best Deals on Furniture Blankets, Paper Pads and Quilts
Article:

Over the years we have covered the topic of furniture pads pretty extensively. Recently, there have been some updates worthy of reporting, notably their affordability, which has prompted us to write another blog.

Until recently, furniture protection was not readily available to the general public unless you were willing to shell out big bucks. The majority of the lower cost options, such as paper pads and textile blankets (discussed below), were only available online and they were far more expensive then than they are today. If you were to stroll into a retail store seeking furniture blankets you probably would have found them, but the cost was (and continues to be) outrageously high. While we're not entirely sure what has prompted the change, we do know that there are now many different furniture protection options available at reasonable prices.

Believe it or not, many people who choose to complete a DIY move often overlook the importance of furniture protection. I'm not really sure why, you must like the furniture, otherwise why go through the trouble of moving it? Doesn't it make sense to protect it from damage? As we will cover in a moment, there are several different options available suitable for all budgets.

When Available, Rental is Most Affordable

When the option is available to you, furniture blanket rental is by far the best way to go. This option is usually available if you are renting a truck but rarely available if you are using portable storage (POD) or a 'You Load, We Drive' freight service. You should check with your transportation or storage company directly to determine if they offer furniture blanket rental services and for how much. Blanket rental from truck rental companies typically cost $15-$25 per dozen.

Blanket rental isn't an option for your move? No problem, let's talk about options for buying furniture protection.

Paper Pads

If you're on a budget then paper pads are for you! No, they are not as good as furniture blankets but they are far better than nothing.

Best Deals

(48) Paper Pads / $85.00 + Free Shipping (Only $1.77 Each!)

Textile Blankets

Not quite as good as a furniture blanket but better quality than a paper pad. Textile blankets are another very affordable option if renting is not an option for you.

Best Deals

Furniture Blankets

If you want to ensure that your furniture is protected then there is no substitute for furniture blankets. Although more expensive than the other options discussed already, furniture blankets offer the best quality and level of protection. In other words, if you spent more money on your furniture than most do on a car then this is the right option for you.

There are several options available in terms of the weight and thickness of furniture blankets, from the Economy option of 2.92lbs per pad to the Supreme option of 6.67lbs per pad. A greater weight provides a higher level of protection.

Best Deals

(12) Economy Blankets / $74.95 + Free Shipping (Quantities of 2, 4 and 6 also available)
(12) Performance Blankets / $82.95 + Free Shipping (Quantities of 2, 4 and 6 also available)
(12) Deluxe Blankets / $102.95 + Free Shipping (Quantities of 2, 4 and 6 also available)
(12) Supreme Blankets / $159.95 + Free Shipping (Quantities of 2, 4 and 6 also available)

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 10 2013 14:08
Categories: Moving Supplies
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, furniture pads

How to Keep Pets and Kids Occupied On Moving Day

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:02:04 +0000

Title: How to Keep Pets and Kids Occupied On Moving Day
Article:

Approximately 12 percent of U.S. residents moved in 2012 according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, and many of those moving include families with children or pets. Moving day can be a difficult time for both kids and animals, so keeping them happy and distracted can go a long way toward ensuring the moving day experience is calm and peaceful.

One of the simplest ways to keep pets and kids distracted, or at least out of the way, is to arrange for them to visit friends or relatives or, in the case of pets, have them boarded for the day. Those options aren’t always available though, fortunately there are a few simple but effective ways to keep moving day a productive, positive and uneventful experience.

If it’s possible, hire a babysitter or pet sitter for the day. Both kids and pets crave attention, and hiring someone to see to their needs and make them the focus of care and consideration is perhaps one of the simplest ways to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted moving day.
Try to provide a space apart from the moving activities where kids and pets can relax. If the weather is nice and your yard is safely enclosed and separated from the area where vans and movers are located, send kids and pets out to play. Use a picnic hamper or cooler to store special treats, food and bottled water for all, and provide plates and bowls for a fun, impromptu picnic. If it’s warm or especially sunny, make sure there’s plenty of shade for both children and animals. If the weather won’t cooperate or there’s no secure outside area for play, designate a room for pets and kids and equip it with the same toys and treats. Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water: Stress causes panting which can easily dehydrate and animal.
Remember: Even normally calm, even-tempered pets can become cranky when under stress. If pets are extra nervous or showing signs of stress, set aside a separate room or yard area just for them to help keep them calm, and check on them frequently to provide reassurance and, if indoors, opportunities to relieve themselves. Since doors, windows and even yard gates are often left open during a move, pets left unguarded may take the opportunity to run off, so be sure to give clear instructions not to open a door or gate leading to a pet area. Also let kids know that pets may be distracted, nervous and cranky, and extra care should be taken when interacting with them.
Make sure you keep favorite toys and personal items out of moving boxes and where they can be easily accessed by kids and pets. In addition, consider providing one or two new toys to stimulate interest and provide an interesting distraction from the moving process. Once the moving truck or POD is packed, place these special toys and items in a separate “first night” box and either place it in the car or near the van door where it can be retrieved as soon as the van reaches its destination. Consider hiding additional surprise items in the box so they can be “discovered” once the box is opened, providing additional distraction while the truck or POD is being unloaded.
If you do decide to board pets, be sure to make a boarding reservation early – especially if the move is planned for a weekend. Establish clear drop-off and pick-up dates and times and adhere to them. Like any boarding event, make sure to send a few of your pet’s favorite toys or security items, as well as favorite food and treats, to make the experience as positive as possible.
Get kids involved by letting them decorate their own moving box with crayons, markers and stickers, or let them decorate and create scrapbook pages to commemorate the event. Include a collection of family photos children can glue to pages to complete the scrapbook. Before moving day, print coloring pages related to moving or purchase one of many children's books that are devoted to relocating.

Moving to a new location can bring feelings of excitement and nervousness, and it’s not uncommon for stress and emotions to rise to the surface in kids and pets – and even in adults. With just a little planning and preparation, moving day can end up being a positive, stress-free event for everyone involved.

Gina Jennings authored this guest blog and works with Apartment Locator OK, an Oklahoma-based service that finds apartments for residents moving into the Oklahoma City area.

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Created By: Guest Blogger
Last Modified: April 30 2013 07:40
Categories: Guest Blogger, Moving Tips
Tags: diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving with pets, moving with kids

Extended Office Hours Begin April 17th

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:25:13 +0000

Title: Extended Office Hours Begin April 17th
Article:

Beginning on April 17th, 2013 our Customer Support hours are being extended! Our Support Coordinators will be available later on selected days to answer your questions, provide a moving quote and help you reserve moving services. Customer Support can be reached at (888) 354-8303.

Hours of Operation - Begins April 17th

Times shown are Eastern Time

Mon-Tue	Wed-Fri	Saturday	Sunday
8:30am-5pm	8:30am-6:30pm	9:30am-1pm	Closed

Not a phone person? That's okay! We have several methods of communication available, learn more by contacting us!

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 12 2013 15:34
Categories: Company News
Tags: company news

Truck Rental Discounts - Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:26:50 +0000

Title: Truck Rental Discounts - Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental
Article:

Discounts, who doesn't like them? For the upcoming summer moving season we have partnered with both Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental to help you save the most on your move! The discounts, which can be up to 20%, apply to both local and one-way truck rentals.

You can take advantage of these savings by heading over to our discounts section and clicking on either the Penske Truck or Budget Truck links. Once you have clicked the link you will be taken to their website for the quoting process, the discounts will be shown on the final quote summary screen.

Moving trucks can use a lot of fuel. Help budget your moving expenses by using our rental truck fuel calculator.

Need Help Loading or Unloading the Moving Truck?

Elite Moving Labor is the most affordable and reliable moving labor company in the industry. We provide movers for packing, loading, unloading and furniture movement - as much or as little as you need. Our licensed and insured movers are available nationwide and specialize in loading and unloading rental trucks of all sizes. Request your free moving quote today or contact Customer Support at (888) 354-8303 to learn more about our moving services.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 25 2013 14:51
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental, Moving Discounts
Tags: moving discounts, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, budget truck rental

Summer Moving Tips for 2013 - Book Early for Peak Demand Dates

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:28:10 +0000

Title: Summer Moving Tips for 2013 - Book Early for Peak Demand Dates
Article:

The 2013 moving season looks to be one of the busiest in years. Home values are increasing, sales are rebounding, employers are hiring, the economy is recovering and competition in the moving industry is driving down relocation costs.

Planning ahead is the best way to make sure your move goes smoothly. Hire your movers and reserve your rental truck or portable storage unit as far in advance as possible. Be aware of your moving dates - do they fall at the end or beginning of the month? On a holiday weekend?

In addition to the already anticipated busy season, 2013 has another obstacle for would-be-movers: Unusual calendar alignments. Here's the skinny - The last weekend and the first weekend of every month are commonly the busiest times to move. When the last weekend and first weekend are the same (For example: Friday May 31st, Saturday June 1st and Sunday June 2nd) the demand for moving services on those dates increase significantly.

So why is 2013 different from any other year? Because there is an unusually high number of last weekend and first weekend combinations during peak months (as shown below).

March: Friday 3/29, Saturday 3/30, Sunday 3/31
May: Friday 5/31, Saturday 6/1, Sunday 6/2
June: Friday 6/28, Saturday 6/29, Sunday 6/30
August: Friday 8/30, Saturday 8/31, Sunday 9/1

In summary, if you plan on relocating during the peak moving season this year be sure to plan well in advance, especially if your moving dates were listed above.

More Summer Season Moving Tips

Don't reserve your movers for the same morning you plan to pick up your rental truck. There are too many things that can go wrong, and yes, rental truck companies do over-sell their reservations.
Don't reserve your movers the same day you anticipate having a POD or freight truck delivered. Deliveries are prone to delays during the busy season.
Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year. Plan far in advance if you will be moving between Wednesday, May 22nd and Monday, May 27th.
Rental trucks, while an affordable do-it-yourself moving option, guzzle fuel. Be sure to budget for fuel expenses correctly by using our rental truck fuel calculator.
Similar to airlines, rental truck prices increase with demand. Book early and take advantage of our 10-20% discounts on truck rentals to lock in the best rate.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, Relocation, How To, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, moving tips, moving guide

Moving To Your Dream Home

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:18:34 +0000

Title: Moving To Your Dream Home
Article:

The successful search for the house of your dreams is finally over. You've found the place you've been seeking, seemingly forever, an ideal combination of beauty, utility, location and karma that will serve your needs for years to come. And though your quest for perfection might have taken up months or more of your valuable time, it's been a fun and interesting journey. You've considered all the options, studied what others are doing to customize their residences and learned a lot about how to make a house into your one-of-a-kind home.

Now comes the hard part – getting everything you own from one home to the other. Keep in mind that the boxes and packing material you choose to use could make a huge difference. Will your experience be like a pleasant dream, or will it resemble a restless nightmare? Your possessions might arrive all in one piece, safe and sound and ready to adorn your new home – or you could be unpacking boxes of cracked dishes, chipped glassware and crumbling knickknacks.

A Better Option

You'll need a variety of items to pack your possessions properly, including markers, bubble wrap and packing paper, but your first – and probably most expensive step – is to obtain boxes. You will likely save money in the short term by visiting your local grocery store or liquor store and asking for whatever used boxes are available. They won't cost you anything, but they might be damaged, contaminated with bugs or stained by food residue. A better option is to purchase well-made boxes that are designed to carry specific items.

The most affordable and environmentally friendly way to pack your home is to acquire used boxes that are in good shape. Avoid boxes and packing materials that have been overused as they will not provide proper support and protection. Another eco-friendly option that may be available in your area is plastic box rentals. Learn more about alternatives to purchasing new packing supplies by reading our moving guide.

For instance, small boxes are meant for books, tools and small appliances such as toaster ovens and coffee makers. They won't be too heavy to lift and carry once you fill them up. You can cushion these items with bubble wrap or packing paper.

Medium-sized boxes are ideal for stereo equipment, kitchen items and toys. You should use large boxes to pack linens and bulky but not-too-heavy items such as pillows and comforters.

It's a good idea to use standard-sized boxes because they will be easier to stack, whether you have hired a moving company or you are relocating with the help a friend's pickup truck.

A Wise Decision

Now that you have located moving boxes and supplies, you should make sure you are placing your valuables in boxes that are made for specific purposes. Dish packs are designed to protect fragile items such as dishes, plates and glasses, while wardrobe boxes come with a steel bar for hanging and protecting clothes. A mirror box also can be used to transport framed pictures and glass table tops, while lamp boxes are tall enough and strong enough to protect your valuable lamps.

Keep Your Stuff Safe

Your next step is to find packing material that will keep your valuables safe during the move, whether you are relocating across town or across the country. Newspaper is an inexpensive but unacceptable option because the ink can rub off on your hands or, even worse, stain the items in your boxes. Better choices are plain butcher paper, high-quality paper towels or thin sheets of foam, while felt or bubble wrap works best for breakable items.

Here are a few tips to help make your move a little easier:

Give yourself plenty of time to pack. You don't want to be throwing things into unmarked boxes and taping the boxes haphazardly as they are going out the door.
Use quality tape on the top and the bottom of all boxes. There's a chance that your boxes might be turned upside down during the move.
Fill your boxes – you don't want the stuff inside to be bouncing around during the move – but be careful not to overfill them. You can use packing peanuts, clothing, Styrofoam, tissue paper or towels to fill in the spaces.
Clearly mark what is inside each box. That way, when you begin the task of unpacking, you'll have the option of opening the boxes that contain the items you need right away first. You won't have to cut the tape on every box to rediscover what you packed inside.
Some things, such as brooms, mops, ski poles and baseball bats, won't fit nicely into boxes, no matter how hard you try. You can tape these items together into a nice, tight bundle though, which will make them much easier to move.

Packing peanuts and Styrofoam do not break down naturally and will not decompose for up to 500 years. Consider alternatives to packing peanuts that provide the same protection and support.

Once your move is complete, you can break your well-built boxes down and store them flat until you need them again, give them to a friend or relative who is contemplating a move or recycle them. You can post your used moving boxes on classified websites like Freecycle and Craigslist or sell them to a local used moving box company. In the event that you must dispose of your moving boxes please make sure you put them into a cardboard recycling dumpster.

Jessica Johnson takes a keen interest in organization as a result of her experience working at www.extraspace.com. She contributes to the Extra Space Storage blog, exploring various aspects of organizing and storing possessions. Extra Space Storage has over 900 locations across the United States.

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Created By: Guest Blogger
Last Modified: March 12 2013 09:50
Categories: Moving Supplies, Prepare for a Move, Guest Blogger, Moving Tips
Tags: diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving boxes, used boxes, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental

Beat the Heat! New 7am-9am Arrival Window

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:31:28 +0000

Title: Beat the Heat! New 7am-9am Arrival Window
Article:

The summer moving season is approaching quickly and an estimated 20 million Americans will be relocating during the peak months, April-September. While scheduling your movers in advance is important (How far in advance should I book my movers?), we wanted to briefly discuss an often forgotten, and just as important, topic - heat. According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2012 was the hottest year on record and the "second-worst for extreme weather such as hurricanes, droughts or floods."

Schedule Your Move Earlier

Although we cannot change the weather we can modify our policies to be more relevant to the summer months. Effective immediately, customers will now be able to take advantage of our newest, and earliest, arrival window of 7am-9am. Prior to this new offering the earliest arrival window available was 8am-10am. We hope that this earlier arrival window option will allow our movers and customers the ability to take advantage of the cooler morning hours.

We currently offer arrival windows in two hour blocks, beginning with 7am-9am. Other morning arrival windows include 8am-10am, 9am-11am and 10am-12pm. We also offer evening arrival windows, these include 5pm-7pm and 6pm-Later. Learn more about our arrival windows and how they work.

Preventing Heat Related Illness

Whether you plan to hire movers to help with your move or do it all yourself, it's important to plan accordingly and take precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should follow these tips for preventing heat related illnesses:

Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Try to rest often in shady areas.

While the summer heat will affect the majority of the US, those in extreme heat regions like Arizona, Texas and Florida should avoid moving during peak daylight hours. Consider scheduling your movers for the early morning or evening.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 06 2013 10:04
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, moving labor services, moving labor help, packing and loading services

Deciding What Property to Take When Moving

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:09:44 +0000

Title: Deciding What Property to Take When Moving
Article:

Moving is an event that most people experience during their lives. While transitioning to a new house or apartment is an exciting time and something to cherish, it is also a complicated process. It is important to relax and enjoy the journey, but there are decisions along the way that can help prioritize property and save you money in the long run. Below I have listed a four step process that can help you, the mover, decide what property to load in the truck or POD and which property to leave behind.

1. Examine what you have, completely.

Oftentimes when preparing for a move, people start packing before assessing the personal property as a whole. It’s crucial to understand what you have in your current assets arsenal, down to each little kitchen appliance. The first step of being organized is getting a grasp around the moving process and what needs to be done. As you are taking account for each and every item in your house, mentally decide how important each item is to you and possibly what value it holds. If you are attached to something and it would be expensive to replace, it should have a head start to the moving van. Account for everything, and get a general sense of what you and the movers are working with.

2. Designate a place for property that is irreplaceable and expensive to replace.

Items of sentimental value should come with you on the move, as should other items that are expensive to replace. Designate an area of your current house to start gathering these possessions that are sure to be part of your new home. Anything related to family will most likely be set aside in this step of the process, as will newer appliances, personal documents, jewelry, valuables and classic art work. If there is absolutely no question about whether a specific something you own can be left behind, this step should be the last time it is thought about until you arrive at the new residence. Getting a jump on the organization of these items will save you the trouble and time later on, as you need to take them anyway. Anything special should be tucked away with this group, as goods can get lost throughout a move if not grouped accordingly.

3. Decide on a place in the house, even the garage, for items that are replaceable.

When making a move, particularly a large scale transition, replaceable items should usually be left behind. Everyone has trouble getting rid of things, but that is the reality of making a move. Additionally, change can be good and a new home is a convenient opportunity to change your surroundings even further. Even more so, moving trucks are not cheap. It is not financially viable or practical to take items that can be easily replaced in the new location. More weight and required space equates to increased moving manpower. Examples of these objects include house plants, old clothes, dated kitchen appliances, irrelevant documents and paperwork. This step of the moving process can be utilized to separate you from possessions you don’t truly need and are able to live without.

Don't just trash the items you are leaving behind, instead consider donating or recycling. Contact your county department for solid waste to find recycling centers, look on websites like Craigslist for free junk and debris removal or post your unwanted items on a website like Freecycle. There are plenty of people willing to pickup your junk for free as some of it can be recycled for cash.

4. Use your imagination.

Now that the items you must take and items you will leave behind have been designated, the only step left in the process is to imagine the possibilities for your new home. Of the items that are left, what can you picture fitting in or being necessary for your new life? Go through these choices with the future in mind. Do your best to ignore past attachments and understand you are moving forward. If you can visualize an armchair in your new living room, mark it for the moving truck. If you have a lawn mower but no yard in your new location, sell or donate it. This step requires you to utilize imagination and careful selection as you are the only one who has an idea what will be ideal for your situation.

Deciding on moving to a new location is already a huge process, and there is no reason to complicate the physical part of the transition. Breaking down the organization of property can simplify your move and keep money in your account when you arrive at your new stomping ground.

Martin Orefice is a husband, father, and entrepreneur with an interest in personal finance and real estate. He established USLeaseOption.com, the premier site for finding Florida rent-to-own homes.

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Created By: Guest Blogger
Last Modified: February 01 2013 10:39
Categories: Relocation, How To, Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Guest Blogger, Moving Tips
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Top 10 Moving Destinations in 2012

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:49:09 +0000

Title: Top 10 Moving Destinations in 2012
Article:

Last December we blogged about U.S. migration trends as reported by Forbes. The blog, "A Visual Look at American Migration and Relocation in 2011", included an interactive map that visually showed where people were moving to. Similar to 2011, the relocation trends of Americans continue to focus on the south, notably cities in warmer climates. Only 3 of the top 10 in 2012 are in colder climates: Denver, Seattle and Chicago.

The 2012 report was compiled with data from our favorite truck rental company, Penske Truck Rental. As the third-largest truck rental company (for residential consumers) in the U.S., the data provided by Penske is a reliable measure of the U.S. as a whole.

Save up to 20% on your Penske Truck when you use our partner discount.

Rank	Location	Metro Area
1	Atlanta, GA	Atlanta-Marietta
2	Dallas-Fort Worth, TX	Dallas-Fort Worth
3	Phoenix, AZ	Phoenix-Mesa
4	Orlando, FL	Orlando-Kissimmee
5	Chicago, IL	Chicago
6	Houston, TX	Houston-Sugar Land
7	Denver, CO	Denver-Aurora
8	Seattle, WA	Seattle-Tacoma
9	Charlotte, NC	Charlotte-Gastonia
10	Sarasota, FL	Sarasota-Bradenton

Moving Soon?

Did you know that you can save up to 60% by completing a do-it-yourself move. You rent the truck, POD or trailer and Elite Moving Labor will load, unload and pack your items. Learn more about planning a DIY move for your local or long distance relocation. When you're ready to schedule movers you can request a free moving labor quote or contact us at (888) 354-8303.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: January 29 2013 12:28
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Reasons why you should relocate to the Washington DC Area

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:31:07 +0000

Title: Reasons why you should relocate to the Washington DC Area
Article:

We may be a moving company, but we often like to blog about city rankings and migration trends. After all, city rankings are a great way to measure how a region is doing and thus, where people will be moving to or from.

One metropolitan area that never ceases to amaze me is the Washington D.C. area. For the past ten years the DC area has consistently topped national rankings, from "Top Earning Towns" to "Most Literate City". It's these high rankings which people use to measure the quality of life and why so many people choose to move to the DC area.

This week I decided to look at recent statistics and see how the area has fared since we last discussed it in the summer of 2012 (See previous blogs about the area). As I expected, the DC area continues to bring home the accolades which adds to the desirability of those relocating. But it's not all great news, as with many things positives are usually met with negatives. The DC are also found itself on several 'undesirable' lists proving that progress and growth comes at a cost.

Let's take a look at some recent placings on major city lists.

America's Coolest Cities

Towards the end of July 2012, Forbes published rankings for 20 of "America's Coolest Cities". While Houston, Texas snagged 1st place, Washington D.C. grabbed the #2 spot. One of the nations richest cities (and directly next door to DC), Bethesda, MD, placed 17th on the same list. Baltimore, a mere 45 minutes from Washington D.C., placed 14th.

Smartest Cities

In December 2012, Fast Company released the top 10 "Smartest Cities in the US". Washington D.C. and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (which includes Maryland and Northern Virginia) ranked 6th. This is not terribly surprising when you consider that DC area schools consistently rank very high on the U.S. News "Best High Schools" list.

Women's Well-Being

Back in May 2012 Measure of America released its publication, "Women's Well-Being: Ranking America's Top 25 Metro Areas". According to the report, women living in the Washington D.C. area, "live longer, have more education, and earn far more than the average American woman." Talk about a glowing report! The publication makes an incredibly powerful argument as to why the DC area is a great place for women.

Best Cities for Families

Each year Parenting Magazine publishes its list of "Top 10 Best Cities for Families". The report takes into account the quality of schools, affordability of homes, crime rate, employment rate and the number of parks. In 2012 the Washington D.C. area ranked 6th overall, a rather large tumble from their 1st place rank in 2011. The publication does not offer a reason for the decline in ranking other than the inclusion of data from nearby Arlington, VA into the DC score, which by all accounts should have increased the ranking. But hey, I'm just here to talk about what has already been reported.

Worst Drivers

Despite a myriad of positive rankings, Washington D.C. has a few bad ones too. According to the "2012 Allstate Annual Best Drivers Report", Washington D.C. finished in last place, 195th. In both 2010 and 2011 DC finished just slightly better, 193rd both years. Interestingly enough, Baltimore finished in second to last place, 194th. It's important to note that this report is published based solely on Allstate policyholders. However, Allstate insures approximately 10% of all US drivers so that data is an accurate representation of drivers as a whole.

Drunkest Cities

According to The Daily Beast, the Washington D.C. area ranks 9th in the nation on the "25 Drunkest Cities 2012" list. The outlet appears to have done their homework too, using data from market research companies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the site, DC area adult residents consume an average of 15.6 alcoholic drinks per month and 14.5% of the population is classified as binge drinkers. Yikes! The top 25 cities are mostly smaller metropolitan areas like Providence, RI and Charleston, SC but there are several major cities ranked as well. So, what city is the drunkest of them all? Boston, good ol' Beantown. What is most interesting is that Boston also happens to rank 1st on the previously discussed 'Smartest Cities' list. Coincidence?

Convinced? Ready to Move?

If our blog about the Washington D.C. area has made you giddy, we don't blame you. Unless you're a tropical person that requires warm weather and sunlight daily, such as myself, you may be considering a move to the area. Should that be the case rest assured that Elite Moving Labor will provide you with professional moving labor services for your move. Already live in the area? We can help with that too, whether you're moving furniture within your existing home or need movers to load and unload locally. Give us a call at (888) 354-8303 or request a quote online, we will save you a bunch of money!

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: January 18 2013 12:13
Categories: Relocation, Washington D.C., City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, washington dc moving labor

Friendliest Towns in America

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:38:09 +0000

Title: Friendliest Towns in America
Article:

The folks over at Forbes are always looking for ways to report fun statistics, apparently this week they decided upon the "Friendliest Towns in America". I've decided not to question how they were able to measure this statistic, I'll leave that part up to the brains at Forbes. Instead, I thought it might be fun to compare the friendliest towns to other city ranking lists, such as the CNN Money, "Best Places to Live" and Forbes, "Top 10 Cities Where Americans are Moving".

Although not terribly surprising, there are quite a few connections between the different rankings. Most notably is the Indianapolis, Indiana area, specifically Carmel and Fishers. As you can see, Fishers finished 3rd on the 'friendliest' list as well as 12th on the 'Best Places' list. Carmel, located directly next to Fishers, was ranked 1st in the 'Best Places' list.

Both McKinney, Texas and Allen, Texas - neighbors to 6th ranked Frisco - placed rather high on the 'Best Places' list as well, 2nd and 13th places respectively. Further, the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area ranked 1st on the recent "Cities Americans are Moving" list.

Want to read more? See the complete report story by Forbes.

Rank	Location	Metro Area	Population
1	Sammamish, WA	Seattle	46,700
2	Orinda, CA	Oakland	17,932
3	Fishers, IN	Indianapolis	79,127
4	Seal Beach, CA	Orange County	24,536
5	Westerville, OH	Columbus	36,665
6	Frisco, TX	Dallas-Fort Worth	121,387
7	Alpharetta, GA	Atlanta	46,700
8	Downers Grove, IL	Chicago	48,163
9	Huntington Woods, MI	Detroit	6,280
10	Tooele, UT	Salt Lake City	32,206

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: January 15 2013 15:19
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Making a Decision - How Many Movers do I Need?

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:54:53 +0000

Title: Making a Decision - How Many Movers do I Need?
Article:

You need to hire movers for an upcoming move but you're stuck, how many movers do I need? It has always baffled me as to why many moving companies, especially those that provide moving labor, ask the customer to choose how many movers they will need - how should you know? That's like walking into a doctors office and the doctor asking you what tests or treatments you should undergo, probably not the best idea. Bottom line, choosing how many movers you need is not the most important decision you will ever make, but in the interest of an efficient and successful move it is important to choose wisely.

Size Does Matter

Moving is not an overly complicated process, the bigger the move the more movers you should hire. Likewise, the smaller the move the less movers you should hire. I personally believe that most people understand this logic, the real issue lies with the perception of just how large their move actually is. So, just how big is your move?

When it comes to self moving (the process of moving yourself by using a rental truck, POD or freight truck), the best way to gauge your overall move size is by the amount of space you plan to use. For example, if you are renting a 26' Penske Truck you likely have a large move.
Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: January 14 2013 15:33
Categories: Moving Labor, Relocation, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, moving tips, moving guide, dity move

Lighten Your Load - Tips for a Simpler Move

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:34:35 +0000

Title: Lighten Your Load - Tips for a Simpler Move
Article:

Moving is one of the most stressful life changes a person can undergo. In fact, moving is often listed as one of the top most stressful life events among Americans today, right alongside death of a loved one, divorce and job loss. Although moving will come with several difficult obstacles to overcome, there are ways to approach this challenging task to make it less of a burden. One of the easiest ways to limit your moving stress is by limiting the amount of items you have to move in the first place. The following list provides helpful tips on what you can leave behind to reduce your load, both physically and mentally.

Appliances – Take Them or Leave Them?

Depending on how old your major appliances are it may be more beneficial for you to leave your existing ones behind. Moving can be expensive enough as it is, so who wants to spend even more on new appliances after arriving at their new home? Well, consider the benefits: First, the cost savings on your move. Since relocation expenses are typically measured by the amount of space or weight required it only makes sense to use as little space as possible. Secondly, while investing in these essential devices might be a bit of a strain on your budget at first, newer and more advanced appliance models often come with money-saving benefits. Through the Energy Star program, owners of energy efficient appliances may be eligible for a significant tax credit. Essentially, it provides homeowners with the incentive to utilize energy saving products as they’ll owe less on taxes the following year. Energy saving appliances also have a lower cost of ownership since they use less energy.

So how do you know when to leave your appliances behind and when to move them? You may want to start by taking a look at a list developed by the National Association of Home Builders. The list details when most appliances should be replaced and how long you should expect them to last.

Bigger items First

The less space you use, the lower your relocation expenses will be. You will want to start saving space by looking for items in your home that take up the most space and eliminating them first. For example, is your office chair coming apart at the seams and constantly squeaking each time you move? It may be time to set it on the curb for heavy trash day. If some of your larger items are worn out but salvageable, try calling a local charity to ask if they can pick up the donated items.

Remember to ask for a receipt when you donate to charity. The receipt will allow you to write off the depreciated value of your donated items on your taxes.

Dispose of Disposables

It might seem obvious, but you’ll likely find that some items are not really worth transporting – especially if they’re difficult to move or easily replaceable. Hygiene and cleaning items, like toothbrushes, razors and sponges are designed for short term use and should probably be tossed out before the big move. Other items, such as air filters, can be difficult to move and are also easily replaceable. Since these items may be needed on a daily basis, be sure to pick up a few essentials at a convenience store or other nearby shop as soon as your settle into your new place.

Organize & Label

Once you've gotten rid of everything you truly don't need, you can make packing easier by organizing effectively and putting helpful labels on all of your boxes and other storage containers. If possible, recruit friends and loved ones to help out and lighten the burden. If your friends and family are suddenly too busy and unavailable to help, give Elite Moving Labor a call. Elite Moving Labor can help with packing, furniture movement, loading and unloading.

Following these tips will keep your stress levels low during this hectic time and allow you to get a fresh start in your new home.

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Created By: Felicia Baratz-Savage
Last Modified: December 11 2012 13:16
Categories: Relocation, How To, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: diy moving, moving labor help, moving tips, moving guide

Top 15 Best Housing Markets for the Next Five Years

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:01:22 +0000

Title: Top 15 Best Housing Markets for the Next Five Years
Article:

Is your home value increasing? If you are like many Americans it probably is not, at least not by very much. According to a price report by Fiserv Case-Shiller, average home prices are expected to rise a measly 0.3% in the next year and only 3.3% in the next five years. That's a long way from the 25%+ annual appreciation many metropolitan areas experienced during the housing boom. But, as with every study, there are always outliers that will experience higher or lower gains.

The same price report found that there are several housing markets that will experience annual home value gains between 7.7% and 11.2% over the next five years. In this post we will take a look at the 15 metropolitan areas that are poised to see the greatest increases in home values.

Would you like to read the full report? Visit the Fiserv Case-Shiller website.

Rank	Metro Area	Expected Growth % (2012-2017)
1	Medford, OR	11.2%
2	Panama City-Lynn Haven, FL	9.5%
3	Santa Fe, NM	8.9%
4	Madera-Chowchilla, CA	8.8%
5	Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	8.7%
6	Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA	8.4%
7	Ocala, FL	8.0%
8	Napa, CA	8.0%
9	Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	8.0%
10	Tucson, AZ	7.9%
11	Brunswick, GA	7.9%
12	Yakima, WA	7.8%
13	Eugene-Springfield, OR	7.7%
14	Yuma, AZ	7.7%
15	Glenn Falls, NY	7.7%

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 07 2012 13:14
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

American Cities with the Most Millionaires

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:09:07 +0000

Title: American Cities with the Most Millionaires
Article:

So you didn't win the 550 million dollar Powerball on Wednesday, huh? Well, if you happen to be an entrepreneur or tech savvy person there is some good news. According to the Metro Wealth Index from Capgemini, many major metropolitan areas are recording an increase in the growth percentage of millionaires. San Jose, California, a large city within Silicon Valley, had a 2.1% increase in their millionaire population between 2010-2011. It's not all good news though, some cities, such as Detroit, Michigan, saw a decrease in their millionaire population. During the same 2010-2011 span, Detroit lost 2.2%.

Capgemini is quick to point out that growth is not to be confused with the overall population. The largest and most likely cities, such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are home to the most millionaires.

You can read the full report on the Capgemini website.

2011 Rank (Most Millionaires / Total Pop.)	Metro Area	2010-2011 (Growth %)
1	New York	1.0%
2	Los Angeles	-0.3%
3	Chicago	-0.1%
4	Washington D.C.	1.1%
5	San Francisco	0.3%
6	Boston	0.4%
7	Philadelphia	-0.9%
8	Houston	1.9%
9	San Jose	2.1%
10	Detroit	-2.2%

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 03 2012 11:14
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Top 10 Cities Where Americans are Moving

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:16:45 +0000

Title: Top 10 Cities Where Americans are Moving
Article:

Are you ready to relocate somewhere new but are not sure where to go? Perhaps a look at the top 10 "Cities Where Americans are Moving", published by Forbes, will help you make a decision. The data is based on the most recent statistics available from July 2010 to July 2011.

The biggest winner during this period has been Texas, landing 4 of the top 10 spots. It's no surprise that Texas is such a strong winner, they have affordable housing, moderate weather and several major metropolitan areas with strong economies. While the migration to Texas is driven by many factors, other top 10 cities are likely seeing increases due to low home prices. Miami (#2), Tampa-St. Petersburg (#4) and Riverside-San Bernardino (#10) were all hit hard by the housing crisis, many have great housing values.

One attribute that nearly all cities in the top 10 have is favorable weather. It appears that moderate temperatures and sunny weather is a playing a larger role in the decision of where to relocate.

Want to read more? See the complete report published by Forbes.

Rank	Metro Area	Net Population Gain (July 10'-July 11')
1	Dallas-Fort Worth	+39,021
2	Miami-Fort Lauderdale	+36,191
3	Austin	+30,669
4	Tampa-St Petersburg	+27,157
5	Houston	+21,580
6	Washington DC-VA-MD-WV	+21,517
7	Denver	+19,565
8	San Antonio	+19,515
9	Seattle-Tacoma	+17,598
10	Riverside-San Bernardino	+15,131

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

10 Best Places to Retire

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:54:05 +0000

Title: 10 Best Places to Retire
Article:

2011 was the first year in which "Baby Boomers", those born between 1946-1964, began hitting retirement age. Over the next 19 years approximately 77 million Americans' will retire, many of whom may be looking for a new place to live. So where do you go? Luckily, large outfits like Yahoo! and Newsweek research and publish town, city and state rankings in a variety of categories. Today's category? The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012 as reported by Yahoo!.

Compare the 2012 rankings to our 2011 post, "Most Affordable Retirement Cities in 2011".

Rank	Location	Median Home $	Best for	Top State Income Tax
1	Albuquerque, NM	$174,000	Big City	4.9%
2	Portland, OR	$272,000	Big City	9.9%
3	Louisville, KY	$116,000	Big City	6%
4	Tucson, AZ	$148,000	Big City	4.54%
5	Austin, TX	$215,000	Big City	None
6	Winston-Salem, NC	$129,000	Big City	7.75%
7	St George, UT	$264,500	Resort	5%
8	Traverse City, MI	$195,000	Resort	4.35%
9	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$259,000	Resort	7.4%
10	St Augustine, FL	$156,000	Resort	None

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: October 18 2012 08:23
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Moving Soon? Check out the Best Places to Live in 2012

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:57:55 +0000

Title: Moving Soon? Check out the Best Places to Live in 2012
Article:

In addition to the "Top Earning Towns" list released this week by CNN Money, the annual "Best Places to Live" rankings have also been released. If you are relocating soon you may want to take a peek and see if your new city lands on this list.

This years results were a bit surprising, especially the top 25. While the Washington D.C. area continued to rank well, it was the only 'usual suspect' to do so. This years top 25 cities were dominated by three, less publicized, metropolitan markets: Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Indianapolis and Dallas. It's also worth noting that both Newton, MA and Ellicott City, MD were also ranked in the top 15 as "Top Earning Towns".

A breakdown of the top 25 "Best Places to Live" as reported by CNN Money is listed below. You can view the top 100 cities on CNN Money.

Rank	Location	Population	Metropolitan Area
1	Carmel, IN	80,100	Indianapolis
2	McKinney, TX	136,100	Dallas
3	Eden Prairie, MN	61,200	Minneapolis-Saint Paul
4	Newton, MA	84,700	Boston
5	Redmond, WA	55,200	Seattle
6	Irvine, CA	213,600	Orange County
7	Reston, VA	60,300	Washington D.C.
8	Columbia/Ellicott City, MD	100,700	Baltimore
9	Overland Park, KS	175,300	Kansas City
10	Chapel Hill, NC	59,000	Raleigh-Durham
11	Woodbury, MN	63,600	Minneapolis-Saint Paul
12	Fishers, IN	78,600	Indianapolis
13	Allen, TX	83,700	Dallas
14	Eagan, MN	64,700	Minneapolis-Saint Paul
15	Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ	53,200	Newark-NYC
16	Castle Rock, CO	52,500	Denver
17	Centreville, VA	72,900	Washington D.C.
18	South Jordan, UT	52,700	Salt Lake City
19	Lakeville, MN	56,700	Minneapolis-Saint Paul
20	Waldorf, MD	69,400	Washington D.C.
21	Highlands Ranch, CO	95,900	Denver
22	Maple Grove, MN	61,800	Minneapolis-Saint Paul
23	Gaithersburg, MD	63,400	Washington D.C.
24	Germantown, MD	88,000	Washington D.C.
25	Franklin, NJ	62,600	Newark

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: August 22 2012 16:10
Categories: City Rankings
Tags: moving guide, relocation trends

Top Earning Towns - 2012 Rankings

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:11:33 +0000

Title: Top Earning Towns - 2012 Rankings
Article:

It's that time of year again - No, I'm not referring to the kids moving back to college - But rather the onslaught of city rankings for every category imaginable. One of this weeks most talked about rankings is "Top Earning Towns" published by CNN Money. The results are a little more spread out than expected, but the usual suspects continue to dominate the top 10. Bethesda, MD and Ashburn, VA - both in the Washington D.C. area - ranked 1st and 6th. The highly educated suburbs of Boston, Newton, MA and Brookline, MA ranked 7th and 9th. All in all the top 10 was mostly east coast cities with the exception of Newport Beach, CA (4th) and Palo Alto, CA (3rd).

A breakdown of the top 15 "Top Earning Towns" as reported by CNN Money is listed below. You can view the top 25 cities on CNN Money.

Rank	Location	Population	Median Income	Median Home $
1	Bethesda, MD	61,511	$184,606	$740,000
2	Greenwich, CT	62,074	$167,502	$1,901,029
3	Palo Alto, CA	65,260	$163,661	$1,225,000
4	Newport Beach, CA	83,377	$156,928	$1,118,250
5	Lower Merion, PA	58,618	$153,309	$553,498
6	Ashburn, VA	59,790	$146,093	$345,000
7	Newton, MA	84,655	$145,639	$650,000
8	Hoboken, NJ	52,151	$140,780	$491,250
9	Brookline, MA	59,142	$139,756	$565,000
10	Fairfield, CT	59,616	$136,808	$618,417
11	Arlington, VA	209,969	$132,580	$485,000
12	Ellicott City, MD	66,077	$132,197	$420,000
13	Johns Creek, GA	73,170	$128,552	$266,320
14	Naperville, IL	152,581	$123,511	$322,500
15	N Hempstead, NY	225,364	$122,280	$747,382

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: August 21 2012 11:53
Categories: City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends

How to Save Money During a Move

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:11:21 +0000

Title: How to Save Money During a Move
Article:

Moving can be exciting, but it can also be plain annoying. You have to physically move yourself, your family and your belongings, but that’s not even the half of it. You have to change your address on your credit card and bank accounts, not to mention magazine subscriptions, newspaper delivery and anything else that comes to your house. You also have to move your TV, Internet and phone services to your new place, which usually means taking a day off from work. It’s a huge hassle that can take away the joy you had when you found the house or apartment of your dreams.

Of course, moving can also be extremely expensive. From packing up your current belongings to moving them to your new location, moving is wrought with expenses that keep popping up, getting in the way of you enjoying your new digs. There’s also the personal cost of throwing out old keepsakes, taking time from work and helping kids to adjust to the new surroundings.

Unfortunately, you can’t do much about most of these things. However, you can make your move as cost-effective as possible.

Packing Materials and Boxes

You can’t move without boxes, and moving supply companies take full advantage of this fact by selling boxes for exorbitant prices. Don’t be a sucker. Get boxes from your local grocery store, which throws out hundreds of boxes each day. Head to the store shortly before closing, which is when they discard the boxes, or call the store in advance and ask them to hold the boxes for you. If you work in an office, you can also grab empty boxes of printer paper or anything else you can find; however, be sure to ask permission first.

Read our other moving guides about free, cheap and used moving supplies.

Moving Labor

Moving always begs the question – do you ask your friends to help you move, or do you hire a moving labor company? There’s a trade-off, and it’s not just about owing your friends a favor when it’s all said and done. A moving company costs money, but you’ll at least have the assurance the job will be done correctly and with minimal damage. Recruiting your friends is the cheaper option by far, but it might lead to important goods being damaged or broken. Take stock of how much you have to move, particularly the fragile items, and see if you really trust your friends to take care of these things. If so, then give them a chance to help you out. However, if you’ve got a tricky entry into your new place – for example, a basement apartment with a narrow turn down the stairs – you’re better off calling professional movers who know how to handle these situations.

Truck Rental Discounts

If you are planning a self move chances are you have considered a rental truck as a transportation option. Save 10-20% on your one-way truck rental with Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental.

If you are renting a truck for your move don't forget to budget your fuel costs. Use our rental truck fuel calculator to help estimate your total fuel expenses!

Insurance

A new location means a new surrounding area, which could save you money on insurance. Call your auto and home insurance companies to see if you’re entitled to a discount based on where you’re moving to, the length of your new commute to and from work or if you’ve been overpaying in the past and never got around to calling to renegotiate.

Coordinate Around Your Paycheck

If all else fails, you can always coordinate your move around your next paycheck. With many companies implementing payroll solution platforms, employees may very well have the opportunity to look at a pay day calendar. Not only will this alleviate the stress of saving every single penny, but you’ll be able to develop a concrete budgeting plan based on when you’ll be receiving your next paycheck – which is generally the same amount as the previous one.

Most people get excited about moving, and then quickly sour on the idea when they realize how much work is involved. And yes, it’s a lot of hassle, frustration and physical work. At the end of the day, though, moving doesn’t have to be as stressful as you may think, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive, either. Planning ahead, being honest about your situation and thinking outside the box can help save you some money and get your new life off to a great start.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: July 18 2012 08:52
Categories: Moving Tips, Moving Discounts
Tags: self service moving, moving discounts, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, moving tips, moving guide

Tips for Packing and Moving Delicate Furniture

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:51:35 +0000

Title: Tips for Packing and Moving Delicate Furniture
Article:

Ah, moving day. It’s exciting, stressful, exhausting and usually holds a surprise or two. One surprise you never want to experience when you move is for a delicate piece of furniture to get damaged or broken. Sturdy items like outdoor patio furniture can typically be loaded directly onto a rented moving truck without much concern, but antiques, fine woods, art and items with many connecting pieces need care and planning to ensure they arrive to your new home in good condition.

Make moving day less hectic by gathering your packing supplies ahead of time. Some of the necessary items, like moving blankets or a hand truck, can be rented from your truck rental or POD company. Moving boxes, tape and packing paper are easy to find at home improvement stores, truck rental locations and self storage offices. The following is a basic list of supplies to have on hand when it’s time to start packing:

Packing tape
Packing paper (10lb or 25lb bundle)
Markers, usually one black and one red
Scissors and/or razor blade
Styrofoam peanuts and/or bubble wrap
Stretch wrap for cloth furniture (e.g. sofas)
A variety of cardboard boxes, from small to extra large

Packing Tips

Expensive electronics may be some of the most delicate items in your home. The best way to pack electronics is to place them back into their original containers, complete with Styrofoam packing. If the original containers aren’t available, use stretch plastic to secure any moving parts and wrap the item in bubble wrap. Place the item in a box that holds it securely, and tape it closed. Do not pack anything else with the item. For extremely valuable items we recommend crating to ensure it will be moved safely.

It’s survived the Civil War, a flood and five generations of children, but can that antique settee survive another move? It can if you take a few extra minutes to protect it. Remove any movable pieces from your antique furniture (like decorative finials) and pack them separately. Mark them clearly so they don’t get lost. Use stretch wrap and masking tape to keep doors securely closed and protect glass. Drape a padded moving blanket over the item and secure it with shrink wrap.

Use specialty boxes for packing stemware, china and chandeliers. Place masking tape in a starburst pattern over mirrors or large pieces of glass. If a mishap should occur, the tape will prevent the glass from shattering and making a bad situation worse.

Moving Tips

For your safety and the safety of your belongings, never try to move heavy objects alone. This advice is especially wise when it comes to moving your most delicate furnishings. Ask friends to help or pay for professional movers. The cost of a day’s wages won’t seem like much compared to the cost of seeing your Ming Dynasty vase shattered in the driveway.

Be sure to designate every fragile item clearly by writing the word FRAGILE with a red marker on the box or a strip of tape placed around the wrapping. You may think you’ll remember which tall rectangular item is the 100-year old armoire and which is the sturdy entertainment center, but when everything is bundled in protective layers and your helpers are moving furniture back and forth you may lose track of which items require special care.

As a general rule of thumb, delicate items should be top loaded inside the moving truck. Larger mirrors and artwork should be placed between mattresses and box springs. Smaller items like household electronics should skip the moving truck all together and be packed in the trunk or backseat of a car if possible.

There’s an old saying that declares “Three moves are as good as one fire,” meaning that frequent moving can take as big of a toll on your belongings as a house fire. But this adage doesn’t have to be true for you if you take the time to prepare your belongings before your move and when necessary hire movers to load and unload. No amount of care can guarantee that something won’t be dropped or scratched, but proper planning can greatly increase the chances of your furnishings arriving to their new home in fit condition.

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Created By: Felicia Baratz-Savage
Last Modified: December 05 2012 15:33
Categories: Moving Supplies, How To, Pack and Load, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, packing and loading services, loading, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes

How to Protect your Floors and Carpet on Moving Day

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:44:56 +0000

Title: How to Protect your Floors and Carpet on Moving Day
Article:

Moving can be incredibly stressful which is why it is important to keep a checklist of everything you may need on moving day. One item that is often overlooked is floor protection, how will you protect your floors from damage or dirt? It's true, many vanlines will provide floor protection, but self moves are a completely different story. When hiring moving labor (movers to load or unload) the task of protecting the floors is usually yours. To help you adequately prepare flooring we have outlined some preventative maintenance tips.

For starters, place a welcome mat outside of the front door, this will prevent small pebbles and debris from being brought in the home. Next, lay a rug inside the door (within the home) to act as a second line of defense in case the welcome mat didn't do the job.

Use Floor Runners for Wood Flooring

Use floor runners or area rugs to protect wood flooring, especially in high traffic areas. Moving quality floor runners can typically be found at packaging supply warehouses and from online retailers. Floor runners often come in 200' rolls and have a self adhesive to prevent unwanted movement on moving day. Alternatives, such as Red Rosin Paper, can be a good yet cheap alternative to traditional floor runners and found in local home improvement stores.

Protect Carpet with Carpet Masking

Protect carpet by laying a carpet mask. Similar to stretch wrap, a carpet mask provides a reliable layer of protection from dirt. Carpet masking is relatively affordable, especially when compared to the cost of replacing or cleaning your current carpet. The most common size is 24" x 200' and will vary in price, usually between $30-$60. Carpet masks have self adhesive, install easily and have non-slip surfaces.

Use Shoe Booties

Consider having the movers wear shoe covers. Most commonly used for home services personnel, shoe covers are both affordable and reliable. Better yet, shoe covers offer additional floor and carpet protection from water and dirt.

Plywood Protects Flooring

If you have really heavy furniture and will need to use dollies within your home you may want to consider plywood. Plywood can be used to create a temporary floor over your existing flooring. If plywood is not available consider using dollies with rubber wheels instead of metal.

Furniture Sliders Make Moving Easier

Use sliders to create a barrier between furniture and the floor. Furniture sliders come in many shapes and sizes and can be found at most local retailers. Sliders are commonly used for dining room tables, desks, and chair legs.

These are just a few helpful tips for protecting your floors on moving day. Most items are inexpensive and can be purchased at the local hardware store.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 08 2012 14:33
Categories: Relocation, Moving Supplies, How To, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies

What to Move and What not to Move

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:42:52 +0000

Title: What to Move and What not to Move
Article:

When you decide to move, it can be a great motivation to simplify your life and leave behind the things that are weighing you down, whether you are moving your home or your office. However, your spouse, your kids and your boss will eventually find you if you leave them behind. Let's face it, there are items you need in your new place, and possessions you're better off without: the key to a successful move is knowing the difference.

Purge the Clutter

When moving your home, according to LifeOrganizers.com, if you don't watch it, wear it or use it, you probably don't need it. For a business move, the same logic applies--if you haven't used the 2-hole punch since you stopped using 2 ring binders in 1973, you can safely leave it behind. Keep in mind that some larger pieces are cheaper to buy new than to move.

Get a Scanner

A security manager once showed me his file cabinet, wherein there was an invoice for a flag that his predecessor's predecessor's predecessor bought in 1978. The flag was retired 30 years ago; the invoice was not. Part of the reason for this is that he never really had to move his office. Moving can be an excellent time to organize corporate documents that would otherwise take over our workspace.

Of course it's hard to know what can be tossed and what must be saved. That same security manager had 30 years of incident reports that he accessed regularly to create trend data, answer safety questions, or respond to legal inquiries. Just because he had to save the forms, though, doesn't mean he had to save the hard copy. That cabinet full of notebooks filled with forms would probably fit on a single DVD or flash drive, or better yet, they could be saved with online storage. If anything, it might make his data analysis easier. There are a few forms that would be absolutely necessary to keep in his case, at least for a year or two--specifically those dealing with medical records or criminal acts, but even those could be scanned and destroyed after a few years.

Make Digital Copies

Most experts agree that you only need most financial documents for seven years; which is the length of time during which the IRS can legally notice all the illegal deductions you've been taking and call for an audit. Even for those documents, however, the IRS doesn't necessarily need the paper copies--a scanned copy will be just fine for the IRS in most cases, according to MSN Money. A digital copy takes up less space and can be password protected, while a printed copy could easily be lost or stolen--it could even be plucked from the garbage if you fail to shred it when you throw it out. Again, with online storage you could completely remove these documents from your home or business for safety.

A move can be stressful, whether it's a residential or business move, but it can be a great opportunity to streamline your life, too. Being judicious about what you bring with you and using modern technology to turn paper documents into digital files can make your new space less cluttered and more efficient.

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Created By: Felicia Baratz-Savage
Last Modified: December 06 2012 11:42
Categories: Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Guest Blogger, Moving Tips
Tags: diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, junk removal

How far in advance should I book my movers?

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:24:02 +0000

Title: How far in advance should I book my movers?
Article:

When we provide a moving quote we typically have lots of follow up questions: Can I keep my clothes in my dresser? Do the movers dis-assemble furniture? And many others. More often than not the most common follow up question we are asked is, "How far in advance should I book my movers?" Similar to most moves, there is no unanimously correct answer because every move is unique. Reserve Early! You should book as early as possible, you can never reserve too early. Whether seven days or seven months, the more notice you can provide is recommended. Summer Moving & Busy Season April - October is typically considered the busy season for moving services. The demand for movers is 4-5 times greater during these months than the rest of the year. If you plan on moving in May or July you should know that they are the two busiest moving months of the year and when you reserve should reflect that. While weekdays are busy, weekends are busier. If you plan to move on a Saturday or Sunday, especially around Memorial Day you should provide 2-3 weeks notice.
Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 18 2012 09:21
Categories: Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, summer moving, dity move, mover

Simple Self Moving Tips from our Newest Employee

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:16:41 +0000

Title: Simple Self Moving Tips from our Newest Employee
Article:

Sometimes it's not so easy for long term employees and industry professionals to think like a customer. After all, our job is to know everything there is to know about the self moving industry. From moving labor to self move planning and transportation solutions, it is our job to be experts. While this can be a great thing, it can also hinder our ability to see the relocation process from a customers point of view.

This has never been more apparent than this past week when our newest employee Michelle began working for us. As someone without much relocation experience, Michelle asked a lot of questions during her training and also observed a lot about our customer interactions. We felt that her lack of relocation experience could actually be used as a learning tool to help us see things we might not otherwise have seen. In addition to helping us analyze our processes, Michelle also noticed a lot of customer oriented trends which she has written about to help you successfully plan, prepare and execute your move.

Furniture Pads: An inexpensive way to protect your household items during a move would be by renting furniture pads. It is great preventative measure to protect your belongings and there is no limit to how many can be used. Most people (including myself) don't think about this when planning their move.
Affordable Self Moving: Many people underestimate just how affordable a self move really can be. Having friends help could add up when paying for drinks, lunch, etc. Time is also a key issue when having a self move done with friends. An experienced mover can get the job done in half the time and the right way.
Extra Fees: Some rental truck companies purposely place a hand truck in the moving truck so you can use it, but it comes with an additional fee. This prices for these 'add-on' expenses can quickly add up and eliminate your DIY savings. Our movers come with a hand truck, floor dolly and standard tools and NO additional fees are tacked on.
Planning: When moving it is important to plan, plan, plan. Reserve the truck early, order any additional moving supplies, and make sure any last minute errands can be done prior to moving day. Waiting until the same day to rent a truck and hire movers only cause added stress. We receive many last minute load and unload requests, even though we were able to service about 99% of them, it would be nice if we could help everyone. Giving the proper notice can help the movers and the customer make moving day go as smooth as possible.
On-Site Moves: I have been a victim of couch moving injuries in the past and it is not nice. Re-arranging and organizing your home can also be done with on-site help from labor movers like Elite. You do not have to be physically moving to another location to hire moving labor. Our movers can help stage your furniture when trying to sell your home, clear out an old couch for a new one, and even help pack your old items when spring cleaning or downsizing. Renovating is also very common and we can accommodate the homeowners by moving their items to the garage, basement or a POD in the driveway. When the renovation is complete, just give us a call and we will put all of the furniture back in the proper places.
Piano Moving: A lot more goes into moving with a piano than most people realize. Access conditions, for example, play a huge role when moving a piano and I don't think most people really put much thought into it. How many steps must the piano be moved up/down? This includes any steps outside to get to the home which many people forget about. Another issue I have witnessed is that some people really underestimate the weight of their piano. Most pianos are at least 250lbs, many are much heavier. To account for the weight variation we have specific crew size requirements that we must adhere to for different piano types. If you are moving with a piano please take a moment to review our piano policy for more information.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 28 2012 10:44
Categories: Moving Services, How To, Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, furniture pads, mover

Move your Business with Ease!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:28:52 +0000

Title: Move your Business with Ease!
Article:

No one looks forward to the logistics of making a big move - especially if the process involves relocating an established business or restaurant. Whether you are changing your address to move into a better market, to get a bigger space or because you are trying to save money, there is a lot to consider when moving your restaurant.

Perhaps you wonder how to make the moving process as smooth as possible, all the while hoping that your existing customer base will follow you to your new location. Fortunately, there are ways of moving efficiently and with as little disruption to business-as-normal as possible.

Plan to Hire Professional Movers

Professional movers are a must if you’re moving a restaurant. Imagine transferring countless tables and chairs, not to mention heavy commercial kitchen equipment, such as commercial ice machines that can weigh as much as 350 pounds or more. Attempting to move something so heavy on your own is not only difficult, but it's also asking for injury.

In addition to making moving your furnishings and equipment easier, hiring professional movers can also reduce the amount of down time your business experiences between locations. Ideally, your restaurant would be closed for very little time before reopening at your new location. Instead of spending your time moving your restaurant yourself, professional movers can "do all the heavy lifting," so to speak, while you focus on what's more important - your grand reopening!

Make the Move a Big Event

Take advantage of your move to garner attention for your business. Submit information about the moving process to your local news publications. Generate buzz ahead of time by making the move an opportunity to get your customers involved in the process. For example, once you've found a new location, consider holding a competition for customers to guess where your new location will be. Give away a freebie or dinner for two to the person who is first to correctly guess the new location. Host a grand opening event and be sure to hype it up well in advance. Furthermore, make your customers even more involved in the moving process by asking for suggestions for making the new location even better than the last.

Stagger Your Responsibilities

Despite hiring movers and allotting plenty of time for the move, there are things you can do before the move to make the process much easier. For example, if you plan to hold a grand opening at your new location, go ahead and handle the marketing for that event well ahead of time. Whether you plan to run a coupon in the newspaper or have a radio station live on location for the event, handle the planning and logistics for your opening well before you move.

If your new location requires construction and design work, map out the look you want and submit it to contractors for quotes. Select a contractor and begin ordering construction supplies in the weeks prior to the move to expedite the process as much as possible. You may even be able to do some light packing before you close.

Be Upfront About the Move

Once you've found a location, be upfront with your customers and vendors about the entire process. Depending on how much work is involved in the moving process, attempt to set a definitive move date and reopen date. Be sure to give yourself extra time "just-in-case," because it’s always better to open earlier than planned, rather than later. In fact, holding a soft opening before the general public knows about it is a good strategy for making sure everything is running smoothly in your business before your customers start pouring through the doors again.

Although moving a business may seem overwhelming, you can successfully accomplish the task with the proper planning. By hiring the right help, involving your customers and staggering your responsibilities, your move can be stress-free and easy as possible.

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Created By: Felicia Baratz-Savage
Last Modified: December 06 2012 11:41
Categories: Moving Services, Relocation, How To, Prepare for a Move, Guest Blogger, Moving Tips, Business Moving
Tags: moving labor, moving labor services, moving labor help, packing and loading services, local movers, loading, moving tips, moving guide

DC Movers: Affordable Movers in the DC Area

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 04:27:35 +0000

Title: DC Movers: Affordable Movers in the DC Area
Article:

The DC metropolitan area is home to 5.58 million people with arguably the strongest economy in the nation. Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia are home to many large and thriving companies, from defense companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to hotel and travel companies like Marriott and Hilton. In addition to the areas impressive list of company headquarters, the Washington Metropolitan Area is also the location of many government agencies and non-profits. It's no wonder why the DC area continually ranks highly on polls about education, income, employment and real estate.

If you're planning a move to the DC area from out of state, or if you plan to move locally you will want a mover that you can trust. Elite Moving Labor has been moving future, former and current residents of the DC metro area for nearly 8 years. On average, 5,000 people in the area trust us to help with their move each year. Our movers are reliable, courteous, timely, friendly and most importantly, great at moving. We're not just a website, we are a real moving company with offices in northern Virginia, Bethesda and Gaithersburg.

Read our customer reviews in the DC area on Yelp and Google Places.

Our Moving Services in DC

As you may have guessed by our name, we are not a traditional moving company. We provide professional and insured movers without the truck for services like loading, unloading, packing and furniture movement. If your objective is to save money on your total moving costs you may find that a self service move with the help of our movers is the most affordable option available. You simply rent the moving truck, POD container or trailer and we do the heavy lifting. Sure, self moving is a little more involved than having the movers bring the truck, but it's also less expensive. The do-it-yourself option is not for everyone, but if it works for your situation our movers are here to help. Take a moment to read our local moving case study.

Truck Rentals in DC

Whether you are moving locally or long distance you may find a truck rental to suite your needs the best. Not all truck rental companies or locations are created equal, which is why we highly recommend Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental. Chances are you will want the fastest and most efficient location in the area, we have provided a few of our recommendations below.

Save up to 20% on your Penske Truck or Budget Truck rental!

Penske Truck Rental - 4110 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 - 703-683-4450
Penske Truck Rental - 515 S Van Dorn St, Alexandria, VA 22304 - 703-823-5880
Penske Truck Rental - 7699 Wellingford Dr, Manassas, VA 20109 - 703-366-3610
Budget Truck Rental - 18620 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 - 301-355-6526

DC Area Moving Discounts

Hire us to help with your move and save $25 on most of our services! That's right, save $25 on loading, unloading, packing and furniture movement services throughout the Washington DC area. As an added benefit for choosing us for your move you have our guarantee that you will never be charged a fuel surcharge within the DC metro area. View our DC area pricing and rate information for details about our coverage area and discounts.

DC Moving Resources

Need more helpful information? Read our other DC area moving guides for tips about packing supplies, parking permits and more.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 12 2012 13:28
Categories: Moving Labor, Washington D.C., Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, packing and loading services, local movers, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, washington dc moving labor

Top 6 Reasons to Hire Moving Labor

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:14:08 +0000

Title: Top 6 Reasons to Hire Moving Labor
Article:

You are in the process of planning a do-it-yourself move and are wondering, "Should I hire movers to help?" The answer will be different for each person, based primarily upon your unique situation. To help you decide we are going to look at the top 6 reasons to hire moving labor.

Moving is way harder than it looks. Most people are completely overwhelmed on moving day because they didn't realize how much stuff they had, especially if it has been a while since your last move. Moving is physically demanding and can take a toll on your body. By hiring our movers to load or unload you can focus on more important things, like signing your new lease or saying goodbye to neighbors.
Loading a truck requires special skills. Loading your household items into a rental truck or POD is far more complex than it seams. Movers must make sure all items are safely loaded by creating a foundation, wrapping the furniture, securing tiers and using the right sized items at the right time. It's similar to putting together a puzzle and requires a lot of experience to do it right.
Movers will get it done faster. We move people everyday, chances are you do not. Our experience and conditioning allows us to complete each move much quicker than if you were to move yourself or have your friends help.
Moving labor is affordable. Hiring movers to help with your load, unload or pack is very affordable, especially when compared to a full service moving company. If you are on a tight budget you can still hire us for a few hours to move the heavy items or pack the fragile boxes. You are in control of your do-it-yourself move and how long you need our services for.
Experienced loading = less damage. Sometimes minor damages during transit are unavoidable, however, experienced movers load your items with the ultimate goal of eliminating damage. We pad and wrap furniture, create tiers in the truck and load your items to maximize available space and reduce the risk of damage.
Long distance moving is exhausting. When you finally reach your destination chances are you will be very tired, and rightfully so. Would you rather unload your truck or have our movers do it? Better yet, we also provide free assembly of standard household items...like beds!

We provide moving labor services nationwide for local, long distance and military relocation. Our movers make the process easier by helping with loading, unloading, packing and furniture movement. Read more about our moving services or call us toll free at 888-354-8303 for more information.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 08 2012 15:26
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, Relocation Expert, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, mover

Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:09:21 +0000

Title: Tips for a Stress-Free Move
Article:

Moving into a new house or apartment can be an exciting time in your life. With a new home, you can indulge your creative whims by redecorating your living space, which you may have been reluctant to do in your old house. In addition, a new home gives you a unique environment to explore, something that can give you a sense of excitement if you have become accustomed to your old surroundings.

However, moving is a large and complicated undertaking; if you do not plan for it properly, it can cause a lot of problems and induce a lot of stress in your life. Fortunately, by following just a few simple tips, you can avoid a lot of the troubles that befall other people when they move to a new location.

The key step in planning a move is to determine which items you actually want to take with you. In all likelihood, the dimensions of your new home will be considerably different from your current residence. Furniture that worked well in your old space may be out of place in your new home. If some of your pieces of furniture simply won't fit in your new residence, you should consider selling them on the Internet or giving them away.

This advice also applies to items that will not fit the decor of your new home. If you are planning to redecorate, there is no reason to bring items that will clash with your new style. When you go through all the trouble of moving a bulky piece of furniture only to find out that it doesn't match the other items in a room, you end up wasting a lot of your precious time for absolutely no benefit whatsoever.

Of course, there are other logistical issues that must be considered during a move. When you live in a location for a while, there are many things that you might take for granted, such as mail delivery. Set aside a date specifically for changing your address with the postal service as well as your banks, credit cards and subscriptions. You should also setup a specific time to cancel or move accounts for your utilities, cable, Internet and similar services.

In addition, if you are a renter who has renters insurance, you will need to notify your insurance company about the move. Of course, if you are already going through the trouble of updating your contact information, you may just want to go ahead shop for a new policy at RentersInsurance.com. By taking the time to get quotes and compare pricing you may be able to save a considerable amount of money.

For the unprepared, moving can be a very stressful experience, However, by planning ahead and heeding some of the tips mentioned above, you can make your next move a hassle-free endeavor.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: How To, Prepare for a Move
Tags: moving tips, moving guide

Rental Truck Fuel Calculator

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:03:32 +0000

Title: Rental Truck Fuel Calculator
Article:

Rental trucks are a great way to relocate for both local and long distance moves but you will want to keep an watchful eye on your budget. Although great options for self moves the fact remains that rental trucks have never been synonymous with fuel economy. Ten years ago that may not have mattered, but today fuel prices seem to rise almost daily. So how do you know how much money you should expect to pay for gas? Luckily for you, we have created a nifty rental truck fuel calculator to help. Unlike other rental truck fuel calculators, we take into account the size of the truck, fuel type (regular or diesel) and the varying conditions of truck rentals on the road today. One fuel calculator we tested didn't take into consideration anything aside from the total miles driven, needless to say it is not a very accurate resource.

How to use the Gas Calculator

Our fuel calculator is pretty straight forward, requiring you to enter your origin and destination zip codes, truck size and average price for fuel. While the first three are self explanatory some folks may be wondering how to find the average fuel price. Our goal was to make the calculator as accurate as possible, considering gas prices change daily we had to be able to adjust our formula accordingly. Never less, finding the average price per gallon is pretty simple:

Simple but Less Accurate

If you simply want a ballpark idea of how much gas will cost the we recommend entering the national average gas price. It's quick, easy to find and semi-accurate. You can obtain the average gas prices for both diesel and regular by visiting the AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

More Involved but Very Accurate

The best and most accurate way to average the price per gallon for your entire trip is to utilize gas price data from 3-8 cities along your route. By selecting multiple cities in different states you can guarantee more accurate results the reflect your entire trip. Once you have identified the cities you want to use simply visit GasBuddy and search for the current gas prices in each of these cities. To find the average fuel price you will need to add up the prices from each city and then divide by the number of cities you used the data from. Done! Now you have a very accurate price per gallon to use for the calculation.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 24 2012 12:06
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental, Relocation, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, u-haul, budget truck rental, dity move, long distance moving

How to Find Affordable and Reusable Moving Boxes and Moving Supplies

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:30:58 +0000

Title: How to Find Affordable and Reusable Moving Boxes and Moving Supplies
Article:

If you have started to plan a move you may have a lot of unanswered questions. At least one of those questions is likely about moving boxes and supplies - Where do you purchase them and which companies have the best deal? Luckily for you, we are not like 99% of other relocation companies and we will not redirect you to an overpriced moving supply website just to earn a few bucks. Instead, we put far more emphasis on helping you solve two very urgent issues:

First, how do you locate the best priced moving supplies in your area?
Secondly, how can you produce as little waste as possible in the process?

After all, boxes are cardboard and they do contribute greatly to our environmental impact. Don't worry though, this is not a blog about green moving solutions, instead it's about saving money on moving supplies and reducing environmental impact as an added benefit.

Plastic = Reusable

The average person moves once every seven years, if that is correct you may not know about a lot of new innovations in the relocation and moving industry. Plastic bins have become incredibly popular over the last few years specifically for moving and storage. They offer a bunch of great benefits: affordable, stackable, easy to obtain, reusable and far more convenient than traditional cardboard boxes. Even better, when you have completed your move you can usually stack the unused bins inside of each other to save on space until the next time you move.

The surge in popularity of plastic moving boxes was driven by an innovative moving supply company that delivers and rents these bins. What a great idea right? Although these types of companies are popping up all over the US and Canada, none currently have the capacity to provide this service for long distance moves. So if you are moving long distance and are interested in plastic boxes you will need to head over to your local Sam's Club or Wal Mart and purchase them. However, if you're moving locally in many large cities you may be able to rent the plastic moving boxes and have them delivered and picked up (Read more about plastic moving boxes for local moves). As we mentioned already there are quite a few companies that provide this service but our favorite is BungoBox. You can read more about them and receive a promotional code by visiting our discounts section.

Used Cardboard Moving Boxes

If plastic moving bins are not for you then you can always go with traditional cardboard. You can get the best price on moving supplies by purchasing used cardboard boxes, there are many new and innovative companies that sell exclusively used materials. For example, in Washington D.C. you could use Rent Our Boxes which similar to BungoBox, delivers used moving supplies to your home. A similar service in Tampa, Florida called Boxes on Wheels is another example.

Another great way to get used moving boxes and supplies is to visit BoxCycle. Their concept is simple, match people who have used moving boxes with those seeking them. The website is a clearing house which acts as an intermediary in the process and has listings for boxes nationwide.

Read another moving guide about used moving boxes, "How to Find Cheap or Free Moving Boxes".

Avoiding Unnecessary Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are typically the most expensive type of box for the average household. They're big, bulky and completely unnecessary (most of the time). Instead of spending $15 for each wardrobe box try our rather cool workaround, it's easy and inexpensive. Check out this money saving moving tip on YouTube.

New Cardboard Moving Boxes

If your relocation situation requires you to purchase new moving boxes you can still find them for relatively cheap, assuming you live in a decent sized metropolitan area. It's important to remember that although Lowe's, Home Depot and U-Haul are convenient they are also retail establishments. Most metropolitan areas have wholesale companies and manufacturers that sell moving boxes and supplies. While the best prices are available for volume purchases (e.g. business accounts), you can still save a lot of money by purchasing your supplies from them without the volume discount. We have provided a list of known wholesale supply companies in popular markets below for your convenience.

If you must have new moving boxes you should visit our online moving supply store, all purchases include free shipping!

Company	City/State	Metropolitan Area	Phone Number
Willard Packaging	Gaithersburg, MD	Washington DC	301-948-7700
Pack it Right	Clearwater, FL	Tampa/St Petersburg	727-489-3467
M. Mallinger Company	Pittsburgh, PA	Pittsburgh	412-242-4555
AmeriPak	Bloomfield, CT	Hartford, CT / Springfield, MA	860-243-5005

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 07 2013 14:19
Categories: Moving Supplies, How To, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes, used boxes, dity move, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental

Florida Dominates Top 10 Turnaround Housing Markets

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:09:03 +0000

Title: Florida Dominates Top 10 Turnaround Housing Markets
Article:

Back in October we blogged about the "2011 Best and Worst Housing Markets" as published by Business Week. We were blown away when we read that Florida accounted for 17 of the top 25 spots on the worst housing markets list which surely meant certain doom for the state. Well, as we have reviewed before, sometimes it's all about how you analyze the data. Only four months after dominating the worst housing market list Florida has made headlines again, this time on CNBC's "Top 10 Turnaround Towns". Of the top ten cities on the list, only two are located outside of Florida. So what exactly does this mean? Well, it's probably all about who you ask or how you look at the data. From one point of view it certainly looks like many Florida metropolitan areas are making a big comeback, but, if you consider that their home prices took major hits during the recession and that they have an overflow of inventory you start to realize the data is skewed. The reality is that these metropolitan areas are seeing a rise in home sales simply because they have more homes to sell and that the homes are fantastic deals when compared to other markets. Further, Florida is a beautiful state, mix in the rock bottom prices for a new home and you have a cocktail for increased sales.

The moral of this story is that data can be read and analyzed in a number of ways. You should never rely solely on these types of reports for your information but you should certainly consider them if you're contemplating a move to the Sunshine State. If you need assistance with your relocation or help with any aspect of your self move give us a call at 888-354-8303. Our expert movers and moving planners can help you save a bunch on your relocation expenses.

Rank	Location	Median List Price Appreciation	Median Age of Inventory	Search Listing/Rank
1	Miami, FL	28.57%	-30.89%	9
2	Phoenix-Mesa, AZ	15.38%	-27.47%	7
3	Orlando, FL	8.22%	-36.52%	1
4	Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL	31.27%	-17.60%	26
5	Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	10.78%	-26.57%	31
6	Boise, ID	13.77%	-23.42%	127
7	Naples, FL	13.38%	-13.64%	23
8	Fort Lauderdale, FL	7.84%	-35.71%	8
9	Lakeland, FL	9.09%	-28.89%	4
10	Punta Gorda, FL	17.79%	-16.18%	60

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 20 2012 14:45
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, long distance moving, Florida

America's Most Affluent Neighborhoods

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:12:44 +0000

Title: America's Most Affluent Neighborhoods
Article:

A recent Forbes article titled, "America's Most Affluent Neighborhoods" was released earlier this week. If you take a moment to ponder the subject line you are likely making guesses in your head before reading further; perhaps Beverly Hills, Hollywood or Scottsdale, Arizona. Although those are all good guesses you would be incorrect, at least according to Forbes. Of the five neighborhoods making the cut only one seems out of place, Coldstream CDP, Ohio. According to Forbes, Coldstream CDP is in Anderson Township which is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Although an unlikely culprit, Coldstream CDP just barely missed the first and second place ranking.

Chevy Chase Section Five Village, Maryland won the top rank. This comes as no surprise to us as we have blogged about the Washington DC area on many occasions and they consistently rank incredibly high in terms of median household income and household sales data.

Westlake Town, Texas placed third overall and is just 34 miles northwest of Dallas, TX. Rounding out the rankings were Plandome Village, NY (4th) and Oyster Bay Cove, NY (5th). The New York winners are located on Long Island's northern shore and separated by less than 20 miles.

Rank	Location	Metropolitan Area	Median Household Income
1	Chevy Chase, MD	Washington DC	$250,000
2	Westlake Town, TX	Dallas, TX	$250,000
3	Coldstream CDP, OH	Cincinnati, OH	$249,750
4	Plandome Village, NY	NYC-Long Island	$248,036
5	Oyster Bay Cove, NY	NYC-Long Island	$246,987

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:40
Categories: Washington D.C., City Rankings
Tags: moving guide, washington dc moving labor

Tips for Executing a Low Stress Local Move

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:37:32 +0000

Title: Tips for Executing a Low Stress Local Move
Article:

Moving is something all of us will have to do at some point in our lives. But did you know that this activity is considered to be the third most stressful life event, according to the Employee Relocation Council? There are a few aspects of moving that have earned it a top 3 spot, and you can remedy almost all of them before they affect your health.

Lack of preparation is the main cause of moving stress. Whether you've chosen the wrong Realtor, put off packing until the last minute or didn’t read lease agreement terms because you were in a hurry, not planning can actually cause you stress long after you've moved into your new home.

Before You Start Packing

The best time to begin your moving preparations is as soon as you know you'll be moving. Of course, some services such as electricity, cable and internet service may not require early planning, as most utilities only need a short time between when they turn off services at your old home and reconnect them in another. But scheduling a day to call all of the utility companies by marking it on your calendar will keep it fresh in your mind.

Some of the above services, such as internet, may require a little bit more attention. Moving is a great time to reassess your monthly costs, and even if you're moving within your city, you may not be able to get service with the same internet provider that you have been. And so comparison shopping to see if you can get a better deal on your service is something you can definitely do before you even start packing.

Do Some Recon

Another thing you can do while online and before you move is to research things you will need once your move is complete, such as physicians and auto repair shops. While this may not seem important when nothing has occurred, it could mean time and money saved in the event you encounter engine or a health emergency soon after you've settled.

Changing your address with government and state authorities is another important aspect of your move that you can schedule weeks before packing begins. While you can change your address with the post office, be aware that this may only notify them to send your mail to your new address for a temporary period, and that you will likely have to contact those you receive mail from directly to successfully change your address.

Extinguish Exasperation

To ensure that you can put out any potential fires while you're in transit, have a file folder you can carry with you that contains all of the information related to your move. You may need to produce certain documents to confirm the rental of the moving truck and the cost to move you. If you have a cell phone, ensure you have all the phone numbers you think you will need, including that of the moving company and friends or family that may be helping you.

Once Packing Has Begun

If you're moving into a multi-room house and are using cardboard boxes, labeling your boxes according to room can make it much easier to organize your things. Ensure that each box you pack is light enough for you to carry, as once you've gotten it inside your new home and your movers have gone, you may have to move some boxes designated for certain rooms into a storage space such as a basement if you don't need them immediately.

Compress Your Stress

For textiles like blankets and clothing, consider space-saving bags that allow you to remove the air by inserting a vacuum cleaner hose into a receptacle instead of boxes. Not only can they be reused for future moving and storage, but once compressed, will be much lighter and easier to work with than large and awkward boxes.

Try Tubbing It

Alternatives to traditional cardboard boxes are lidded plastic tubs. These come in many sizes and styles, and can often be found on sale at your local hardware or department store. Plastic bins can also be rented for local moves in many locations, visit our discounts section for special offers on these services. These boxes offer much in the way of practicality, as they can be used multiple times for many different purposes once you've moved. If you only have a few of these, are moving within your city and have lots of time to get relocated, you can transfer your items by the tubload, empty them once you arrive at your new home, and then take them back with you for refilling.

Ensure that you pack a bag or tub with items that you know you will need as soon as you move in. For example, your first morning in your new home will go much more easily when you have quick access to your coffee maker with filters and coffee, one or two forks and plates, and some cereal bars or trail mix. You can pack a 'care box' for each room, or simply pack bath, kitchen and bedding items into one box.

After Your Move

If you're still feeling like pulling your hair out after the big moving day has ended, try not to sweat it. It can be very emotional to see your belongings in boxes. And it can seem like everywhere you look is chaos and change, which can be really stressful if you're someone who likes to have a place for everything and everything in its place.

You can lower your stress after you move by concentrating on getting settled one room at a time. Even if it takes you a few days for one room, looking at a completed area will lift your spirits and give you the drive you need to tackle other rooms in your new home with ease.

Guest Blog Bio

Corey Zimmerman is an expert in the field of internet service, IT, and broadband technology. He is currently the resident expert at HSIP helping connect people with offers on the best internet providers. He currently lives in the west coast and enjoys traveling & local meet-ups where he can geek out about all things technology!

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 08 2012 14:23
Categories: How To, Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Guest Blogger
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, plastic moving boxes

What Supplies or Equipment Should I Provide for my Self Move?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Title: What Supplies or Equipment Should I Provide for my Self Move?
Article:

You can always count on our movers to provide standard moving equipment, this includes a hand truck (a dolly for boxes), floor dolly (flat for furniture) and standard tools. However, depending on the type of services we are providing for you it may be necessary to obtain moving supplies or other moving equipment to help us complete your move successfully.

Take a look at the moving equipment we provide.

Load Services

Furniture Pads: It is necessary for us to have pads/quilts during a load to protect your furniture from damage. Pads can be very affordable and are usually rented from your truck rental, POD or freight company. If your transportation company does not rent pads or blankets you may want to consider purchasing them here. For more information read our relocation guide about the importance of furniture pads.
Shrink Wrap/Plastic Wrap: Often referred to as "plastic stretch wrap", it is commonly used to protect cloth furniture that can get dirty. We commonly use shrink wrap to protect couches and love seats but also may use it to secure furniture pads to larger items. If you decide to purchase shrink wrap you should obtain a size no less than 15" and no more than 20". These rolls are usually 1000' in length and cost between $15-$25.
Mattress Bags: You spend a lot of time on your mattress and probably don't want it to get dirty. We highly recommend that you invest in a mattress bag for each mattress and box spring in your home. These bags can usually be obtained from any local self storage, truck rental or home improvement store and cost $3-$6 depending on the size.
Appliance Dolly: The dollies we provide are for moving boxes and furniture, they are not suited for large appliances. An appliance dolly can be rented from your local truck rental location and is specifically used for the movement of large and bulky appliances. We commonly use appliance dollies for side-by-side refrigerators and gun safes.
Advanced Tools: Our movers come equipped with standard tools for assembly and dis-assembly, typically screw drivers and pliers. If you have furniture that requires a special tool, power tools, allen wrenches or a specific size tool we recommend that you have it available for our movers.
Rope & Tie Downs: Although not always necessary, rope and/or tie downs can help us secure your load. This is especially true if you are using ABF U-Pack or if you do not anticipate the truck, container or trailer will not be completely full. If we are unable to utilize all of the available space, and rope is not available, the likelihood that your household goods may shift during transit increases.

Packing supplies and moving boxes can be purchased through our online supply store. All orders include free shipping!

Unload Services

Floor Runners/Carpet Protection: It should go without saying that we will always use caution when entering your new home, however sometimes this may be unavoidable. This is especially true if your move is taking place in poor weather conditions like snow or rain. When available, our movers will utilize the furniture pads from your load to protect the floors and carpets. If you do not have any furniture pads or if you prefer to take extra precautions we recommend providing floor runners. Floor runners provide an additional level of protection to ensure that your floors remain clean.

Being prepared for our movers can save time (and money) on moving day. If you are ever unsure if you will need a specific type of supply you should purchase it to be safe, you can always return the item if it remains unused. The majority of the items listed in this post can be purchased at home improvement stores and truck rental or self storage locations.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 07 2013 15:11
Categories: Relocation, Moving Supplies, How To, Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, diy moving, packing and loading services, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes, dity move, furniture pads

Top 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wage Increases

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:26:38 +0000

Title: Top 10 Cities with the Fastest Growing Wage Increases
Article:

Since the recession began in 2008 it seems like most news has been negative, especially when related to the economy, housing or employment. This week however, the Payscale Index released the top 10 cities which experienced the largest increase in wage growth in the private sector. The report notes that the rankings are based on the fourth quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2011.

After reviewing the numbers we are delighted to see such diversity in the rankings. No single state, region or metropolitan area is represented more than once which suggests that the entire economy could be experiencing a recovery.

Rank	Location	2010 Q4 Payscale Index	2011 Q4 Payscale Index	% Change
1	Houston, TX	106.0	108.3	2.2%
2	Miami, FL	102.5	104.4	1.8%
3	Chicago, IL	102.5	104.2	1.7%
4	Washington, D.C.	105.0	106.8	1.7%
5	Seattle, WA	105.9	107.5	1.6%
6	San Francisco, CA	103.1	104.5	1.4%
7	St. Louis, MO	104.3	105.8	1.4%
8	Philadelphia, PA	104.8	106.2	1.3%
9	Atlanta, GA	102.1	103.5	1.3%
10	San Diego, CA	103.7	104.9	1.2%

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:42
Categories: Relocation, City Rankings
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts, dity move

What Size Rental Truck Do I Need?

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:40:52 +0000

Title: What Size Rental Truck Do I Need?
Article:

For your upcoming move you have decided to rent a moving truck but have no clue what truck size you should get - Sound like you? If you search the web you will find many references and opinions, some extremely generic (14' will move 1-2 bedrooms) and others offering a more advanced opinion (12 ft. truck = 450 cu. ft.). The problem, we believe at least, lies in the interpretation of information provided - 1-2 bedrooms may mean something completely different in Arizona than in New York City.

Save up to 20% on one way rentals from Budget Truck and Penske Truck!

Process of Elimination - A Look at Rental Truck Sizes

The simplest way to choose your rental truck size is to eliminate possibilities that do not exist in your situation. For example, if you have chosen to utilize Budget Truck you will only have three available size options: 10', 16' and 24'. In case you're wondering, 94% of people relocating with a rental truck choose their company based on price or geographical limitations. With that in mind we can assume that most people will have between 3 and 5 truck size options to choose from depending on which company is being used.

Remember the golden rule, if you're ever unsure you should always defer to a larger truck size. This is especially true if you are relocating long distance and multiple trips is not an option. Ask yourself, if I am unable to fit everything into the rental truck what would I do?

Rental Trucks for Small Moves

Small rental trucks should be used primarily for local moves. Only consider renting a 10'-12' truck if you have a studio or small one bedroom apartment with minimal furniture.
Most small moving trucks have rear wheel wells that stick out and reduce the amount of flat cargo space.
You will likely find that a larger truck (see medium sizes below) costs the same or sometimes less than a small truck. This is because most companies don't have an extensive inventory of small trucks whereas they usually have a large inventory of medium trucks.
Fuel economy for small rental trucks tends to be 9-14 MPG.

Rental Company	Truck Size	Size Class
U-Haul	10'	Small
Budget Truck	10'	Small
Penske Truck	12'	Small

Try our new rental truck fuel calculator! Accurately estimate your gas expenses while relocating.

Rental Trucks for Apartments and Small Homes

Moving trucks between 14'-17' are the most common sizes rented. They tend to be the most inexpensive trucks because of the quantity available.
Medium truck sizes are best used for 1-2 bedroom apartments as well as small homes. We typically don't recommend this size to anyone with more than 1200sqft of living space.
Fuel economy for medium rental trucks tends to be 8-11 MPG.

Rental Company	Truck Size	Size Class
U-Haul	14'	Medium
Budget Truck	16'	Medium
Penske Truck	16'	Medium
U-Haul	17'	Medium

Rental Trucks for Single Family and Town Homes

With the exception of the 20' U-Haul, all of the trucks in this size range require diesel fuel. Remember to factor the cost difference of diesel fuel into your overall moving budget.
Larger rental trucks are best utilized for single family and town homes. If you have any doubt about whether or not your household goods can fit into a medium truck size you should always defer to this range.
Fuel economy for large rental trucks tends to be 4.5-6.5 MPG.

Rental Company	Truck Size	Size Class
U-Haul	20'	Large
Penske Truck	22'	Large
Budget Truck	24'	Large
U-Haul	26'	Large
Penske Truck	26'	Large

Still Not Sure?

We know choosing your rental truck size can be difficult, especially if your moving long distance. If you still need more help we recommend reviewing another one of our relocation guides, choosing a rental truck size. We hope that our guide to choosing the correct rental truck size was helpful for you. We leave you with some final tips and advice not otherwise covered in this blog:

If your moving locally this should be a no-brainer. Truck rentals used for local moves are billable at a per day and mileage rate, the daily price may vary by $10-$20 depending on the size. In other words, spend the extra few bucks and get the larger truck just to be sure.
If you plan to pack and load your moving truck by yourself or with help from your friends you should defer to a larger truck size. Professional movers are trained to maximize the overall space, whereas those not professionally trained may not be able to achieve the same level of efficiency. If you are considered about space consumption consider hiring moving labor to properly load your truck.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 23 2012 13:39
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental, How To
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, budget truck rental, long distance moving

Moving Labor in the Washington DC Area

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:16:03 +0000

Title: Moving Labor in the Washington DC Area
Article:

Whether you're moving into, out of or locally within the Washington D.C. area we hope you will consider hiring our movers. Not because we're the cheapest (although we are very affordable), but because our movers are trained professionals with a proven track record in the DC area. We have been providing moving labor services in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area since 2004, much longer than any other moving labor company in the area. Our movers are clean cut, polite and experts at everything from loading a moving truck to packing your moving boxes. We also provide free relocation advice and assistance for self moves, who better to ask than the folks who work in the self moving industry every day? Not yet sold on choosing Elite Moving Labor to help with your move? Here are some additional reasons to choose us in the Washington DC area:

No Travel Charges! From Germantown to Manassas and Springfield to Bowie - If you're inside the Washington D.C. metropolitan area you will never be charged a travel fee. Better yet, our billing starts when we arrive at your location, not when we leave the office.
Trusted & Reliable. We provide moving labor services for several major companies in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland. From office moves to long term tenant relocation projects we are trusted and recommended by large companies and government agencies that demand professional moving services.
Pay Your Way. Don't you hate it when a company only accepts cash? You will never have that problem with us, our DC area office accepts all major credit cards, cash and even checks!
Discounts. Our company began in Germantown, Maryland long ago. Although we're no longer just a local company we have always given generous discounts to our DC area customers. We are currently offering a $25 on most of our moving services throughout the metro area. Check out the details of this promotional offer and the areas it applies to.
Moving Equipment. Does a plumber show up to your home without a plunger? Exactly - So why do some moving labor companies show up without moving equipment? Our movers always provide a hand truck, floor dolly and standard tools on every move.
Customer Reviews. Many satisfied customers in the DC area have posted about their experiences on Yelp (You may have to select 'Filtered Reviews' to see them all). You can also find local reviews on Google Places and Angies List. For a complete listing of popular review sites please visit our reviews section.

Remember - Whether you need to load a moving truck, unload a PODs container or move furniture within your home our expert movers will surpass your expectations. For more information about how we can help with your move please contact us at (888) 354-8303 or (202) 706-7956. For local do-it-yourself moving tips read more posts about the Washington D.C. area.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:42
Categories: Moving Labor, Washington D.C.
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, packing and loading services, local movers, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, mover, washington dc moving labor

Moving Labor Compared to Full Service Moving for Local Moves

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:02:22 +0000

Title: Moving Labor Compared to Full Service Moving for Local Moves
Article:

It seems like more and more people these days are choosing a self move option for their long distance relocation, and who can blame them? Self moving options are reliable, flexible, customizable and most importantly affordable. But self moves are not solely for those moving long distance, there are many affordable moving options for local moves too. The bottom line is that local moves are going to cost less than long distance moves, regardless of whether or not you move yourself or hire a full service mover. However, if the overall cost of your move is a factor you can still save 20-50% by moving yourself and hiring moving labor for a local move.

Let's cut to the chase and have a look at the numbers and estimated costs. For this example let's assume they are moving within ten miles of their current home and are utilizing a 16' moving truck. Remember, every move is different and your actual costs may vary.

Item/Service	Self Moving
Rental Truck (1 Day)	$50
Furniture Pads (3 Dozen)	$45
Truck Fuel	$15
2 Movers (5 Hours)	$409
Total	$519

Item/Service	Full Service Moving
2 Movers + Truck (5 Hours)	$550
Travel Charge	$110
Total	$660

For this scenario we showed that on a local move you can initially save $141 or 21.36% by moving yourself. You may find yourself asking, is it worth the extra effort on my part to save a mere $141? For some people the answer is 'no', the additional time and effort is not worth the initial savings. For others however, the savings may be far greater. This is because most full service movers have lots of additional fees and charges for things that are included or not required with moving labor. (Read our Moving Labor to Full Service Moving Comparison)

Most full service moving companies have lots of additional fees for things like access conditions. You may find yourself paying extra if you have stairs or an elevator. You will likely be subject to an additional fee if you have a long carry (75' or greater from the truck to the home).
Full service moving companies usually have lots of specific requirements for fragile or special care items. Most will not move your TV without it being crated (by them) or any items that are not boxed.
Need furniture assembled or dis-assembled? Most full service movers charge additional for this service.

If we've said it once we've said it a thousand times, 'every move is unique'. Completing a local self move may be the right solution for you, but it may not. The most important thing to do is to compare pricing for moving services in your local area. Most moving companies and their prices vary across the country, however, our moving labor services are priced the same in every market nationwide.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:43
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, Local Moving
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, truck rental, packing and loading services, local movers, loading, unloading, rental truck, mover

Make Moving Affordable With Moving Labor Discounts

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:23:09 +0000

Title: Make Moving Affordable With Moving Labor Discounts
Article:

We love saving money and we would be willing to bet that you do to. That's why we felt compelled to tell you about our two new, super easy and unrestricted discount offers. Simply "Like" us on Facebook or add us to your Circles on Google+ and save $5 on any of our services. And because these offers don't have any restrictions you can redeem both to save $10 on any service. These discounts may not be huge money savers but let's face it, redeeming either (or both) of these offers probably won't take you much more than 30 seconds. According to Benjamin Franklin, "A penny saved is a penny earned", If that's the case you can save a whopping 10,000 pennies!

To read more about these nifty promotional offers head over to our discounts section. While you're there you can check out other discounts for rental trucks, home services and other moving related products.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 30 2011 15:02
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Discounts
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, moving discounts, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, mover

A Visual Look at American Migration and Relocation in 2011

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:10:18 +0000

Title: A Visual Look at American Migration and Relocation in 2011
Article:

On average, 40 million Americans move to a new home each year. Have you ever wondered where everyone is moving to, or from? Did you know that the #1 rank for state to state moving is New York to Florida? Our look at the migration of Americans in 2011 may not be the highlight of your day but it is pretty interesting. Luckily for all of us, Forbes and IBM got together and created this very visual and easy to use interactive map that shows migration data. Simply click on a county anywhere in the US and it will show you where new residents are moving from and where old residents are moving to.

Head on over to the interactive American Migration map to try it for yourself!

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 28 2011 08:25
Categories: Relocation, Relocation Expert
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts

Share your Local Do-it-Yourself Moving Tips

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Title: Share your Local Do-it-Yourself Moving Tips
Article:

If you're preparing to move yourself then you have probably been doing quite of bit of Internet searching for local moving resources. Where can I find the most affordable moving boxes? Do I need a parking permit for my PODS container? Which truck rental location is the most efficient? Perhaps you recently moved and know the answers to some of those questions. Whether you're getting ready for an upcoming move or have recently completed one we'd like to hear from you!

In an effort to help the 40 million Americans that move each year we're asking you to share your local moving tips with others so that they may benefit from your experiences. Feel free to share a any information about your relocation experiences that you feel will be helpful, but if you need help here are the most common questions we are asked:

Where can I find the cheapest moving supplies?
Where can I find used moving boxes?
Which truck rental location has the friendliest staff and/or is the most efficient?
Do I need a parking permit for my rental truck, freight trailer or POD?
Are there any coupons or discounts available for new residents?

How to Share Your Local Moving Tips

Visit our Service Area section to discover a list of major cities and towns in each state. Some of the most popular city pages are: Denver, Phoenix, Washington DC, Boston and Raleigh
Select the city or metropolitan area that corresponds to you moving tip.
Scroll to the bottom section titled "Helpful Local Moving Tips" and select "Share Comments or Feedback".
Write in your moving tip!

Your e-mail will never be used or displayed publicly. We only require it to help prevent spam submissions.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 27 2011 15:03
Categories: Relocation, Moving Supplies, Relocation Expert, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, moving discounts, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes, used boxes, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental

Best Retirement Cities to Relocate to When Living Solely on Social Security

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:52:07 +0000

Title: Best Retirement Cities to Relocate to When Living Solely on Social Security
Article:

Not too long ago we posted about the "Most Affordable Retirement Cities" as ranked by SmartMoney. This week U.S. News released their "Top 10 Places to Retire on Social Security Alone" which caught our attention. After reviewing their top ten we wanted to note that 8 of the top 10 are solely college towns, while 9 of 10 are home to medium or large universities. Of the two cities that were not solely college towns, Sunland Park, NM and Syracuse, NY, only Sunland Park is not home to a college. However, Sunland Park is also the only city on this list which is part of a major metropolitan area, the El Paso, Texas metro area. The only other outlyer, Syracuse, New York, is home to Syracuse University which is a very large university. Unlike the other 8 college towns however, the Syracuse area is larger and is not solely reliant on the university for its economic and population growth. This of course is debatable and it is important to note that Syracuse University is the area's 2nd largest employer.

The point we are trying to make is that the lower income of the college students is skewing the data. It appears that U.S. News didn't account for the population of college students and their reduced earning power (while in school at least) which ultimately made these towns look less expensive than they really area. Long story short, if you're planning to retire solely on Social Security and you are interested in moving to one of these cities make sure you do your homework before making any relocation decisions.

Rank	Location	Median Household Income*	College Town	College / University
1	Auburn, AL	$21,630	Yes	Auburn University
2	Blacksburg, VA	$26,792	Yes	Virginia Tech
3	Boone, NC	Not Published	Yes	Appalachian State
4	Cheney, WA	Not Published	Yes	Eastern Washington University
5	Mount Pleasant, MI	$27,621	Yes	Central Michigan University
6	Murray, KY	$27,842	Yes	Murray State University
7	State College, PA	$23,800	Yes	Penn State University
8	Sunland Park, NM	$23,225	No	NA
9	Syracuse, NY	$27,475	Yes	Syracuse University
10	West Lafayette, IN	$26,000	Yes	Purdue University

*As Published by U.S. News

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:44
Categories: Relocation, Relocation Expert, City Rankings, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts, long distance moving

Moving Yourself to Atlanta

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:50:37 +0000

Title: Moving Yourself to Atlanta
Article:

Atlanta: The unofficial capital of the southern states and the very official capital of Georgia. Not too long ago Atlanta was merely another city, struggling to diversify itself from other major urban centers like Charlotte, Savannah, Birmingham and Mobile. Today however, the Atlanta area is "all grown up" and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States with an estimated population of 5.3 million people. As we previously covered in our "Fastest Growing US States and Regions" post, the Atlanta metro area accounted for 54.4% of Georgia's population growth during the 2000-2010 period.

If you are unfamiliar with Atlanta you may be asking, "What's the big deal?" The primary attraction of course is jobs, and lots of them. Atlanta has been described as an "Alpha World City", its economy ranks 15th in the world and 6th in the nation. As you might imagine, an economy of that magnitude must be supported by some major companies. Indeed, the Atlanta area is home to the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and over 75% of Fortune 1000 companies have operations in the Atlanta area. So who are these big companies that draw people to the area? We will bet that most people's first guess will be Coca-Cola, but who else? Atlanta is home to the world headquarters for The Home Depot, AT&T, Turner Broadcasting, UPS, The Weather Channel, Chik-Fil-A, Arby's, Suntrust Bank, Delta Airlines, Newell Rubbermaid, Equifax, Georgia-Pacific, RaceTrac Fuel, AirTran Airways and FirstData. Long list huh? There are plenty more but we felt we made our point as to why Atlanta is such a draw to new residents. It's important to note that the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has also been considered the "World's Busiest Airport" since 1998.

Moving Yourself to Atlanta for Less

First things first, remember that our blog and moving tips are devoted to self moving and not full service moving. The concept of building your move using separate services (See 'How It Works' for Information) as opposed to traditional vanline moving companies is more involved and hands on but the savings can make the extra effort worth it. Moving to Atlanta, like most cities, is pretty simple once you understand how self moving works. We've outlined some of the basics for you below and even provided Atlanta-specific details about parking permits, moving supplies and other tips to help make your move as easy as possible.

Choose A Transportation Provider

As we have outlined many times there are three primary options for transporting household goods outside of a full service mover: Truck Rental, 'You Load, We Drive' Freight and Portable Storage. Each option has it's own unique benefits, features and reasons to be utilized; some may work for your situation while others may not. Remember that if you are currently located in Georgia you can automatically rule out freight as you cannot use this option for an in-state move. You can further review our in depth overview about which options are best suited for which situations in our long distance moving section.

Hire Moving Labor

Once you have chosen a transportation method it is time to hire the movers. Our company provides movers without the truck specifically for customers who have their own transportation arranged. We come to your home and load or unload your household items in a professional manner. The primary benefits of hiring moving labor are:

We do the heavy lifting and physically move the items so you don't have to.
We expertly load to maximize space and reduce the potential for damage.
We pad and wrap furniture with furniture pads.
We are efficient. Our movers can load a full household in less time than if you were to do it on your own.

Parking Permits

Despite our best efforts we were unable to obtain a clear cut list of permit requirements. This is primarily because the Atlanta area is a vast metropolis with many different cities, towns and jurisdictions; each with their own rules and regulations. If you plan to leave your POD, trailer or moving truck in a public right of way for more than a few hours you should contact your local jurisdiction to see if a permit is required. In the City of Atlanta you need to contact the Department of Transportation - Public Works at 404-330-6501.

Moving Supplies, Boxes and Plastic Bin Rental

If you're moving within the Atlanta area (local move) we highly recommend using BungoBox. They specialize in renting plastic moving bins that are environmentally friendly, reusable, durable and affordable. In addition to the obvious benefit or renting the bins, BungoBox also delivers and picks up for free. You can save 15% on your total rental by using our promotional code - Simply head over to our discounts section and find the details under "Partner Offers".

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: November 16 2011 14:11
Categories: Moving Services, Relocation
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, nationwide moving labor, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, long distance moving, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental, Moving Assistance

Most Affordable Retirement Cities in 2011

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:34:56 +0000

Title: Most Affordable Retirement Cities in 2011
Article:

SmartMoney recently released an article titled "Retire Here, Not There", which showcased several affordable cities for retirement. This year however, they added an additional twist by accounting for the top ranked cities unemployment rate. According to SmartMoney, the average retiree is $30,000 short of their savings goal and may have a need for employment, even if just part time. The 2011 winners were selected on a range of criteria from unemployment rate to median home prices and cost of living.

Rank	Location	Cost of Living (Comp to National Avg)	State Tax	Median Home Price	Unemployment Rate
1	Santa Fe, NM	17.9% Higher	1.7-4.9%	$225,852	5.3%
2	Lincoln, NE	6.7% Lower	2.56-6.84%	$135,200	3.6%
3	Manhattan, KS	8.9% Lower	3.5-6.45%	$152,200	5.9%
4	Portland, ME	10% Higher	2-8.5%	$179,500	5.2%
5	Santa Maria, CA	20% Higher	1-9.3%	$230,900	8.8%
6	Jupiter, FL	21.3% Higher	None	$238,200	8.2%
7	Ithaca, NY	30% Lower	4-9%	$189,100	5.8%

If your one of the many Americans' who will need to retire on a budget then you should also consider moving labor when the time comes to make your move. By hiring moving labor and one a self moving transportation option you can save up to 60% on your overall move. The days of hiring a full service vanline are long gone, save your money and hire moving labor instead.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: December 27 2011 11:11
Categories: Relocation, Relocation Expert, City Rankings
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, long distance moving

Mandatory Surcharge for Moves in New York City

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:16:43 +0000

Title: Mandatory Surcharge for Moves in New York City
Article:

Due to the rising costs associated with providing moving labor in the New York City area we have implemented a mandatory $25.00 surcharge effective immediately. Moves taking place in the five boroughs of NYC continue to become more expensive to service, notably due to the ever increasing price of tolls and parking.

Who is Affected

The surcharge will be automatically added for customers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Calculating the Surcharge

Because the surcharge will only affect customers in New York City it will not be factored into any pricing you see on our website. Pricing for moving labor services with the surcharge will be as follows:

Crew Size	Minimum Hours	Service	Normal Rate	NYC Rate
2-Man	2 Hours	Unload Only	$199	$224
2-Man	3 Hours	Any	$269	$294
3-Man	3 Hours	Any	$369	$394
4-Man	3 Hours	Any	$444	$469

Read more about our moving labor services, including service descriptions and features.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: November 09 2011 11:48
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, College Moving
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, packing and loading services

How to Request a Moving Labor Quote

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:46:19 +0000

Title: How to Request a Moving Labor Quote
Article:

Each day we receive hundreds of calls from customers who need a price estimate for moving labor. Unlike traditional full service moving companies we do not need an exceptional amount of information. In fact, by answering just a few simple questions we can provide you with a crew size recommendation as well as the pricing for that crew size. Before calling in for a moving labor quote we recommend reviewing the information we will need below.

Obtaining A Moving Labor Quote

Obtain a moving labor quote by calling us toll free at 888-354-8303 or completing our online quote request form.

What is the zip code where you will require service?
By providing your zip code we can determine if we service your location and if a travel fee is required.

What type of service do you require?
Are you moving locally and need both loading and unloading? Do you just need loading service? Are you moving long distance and need movers to load in one state and unload in another?

What is the size and type of your truck/unit?
Are you using a truck rental, mobile storage (PODS), or freight trailer? What is the size of the unit? Example: 22' Penske Truck or 16' in an ABF trailer.

What type of home are you moving to/from?
In order to determine access conditions we will need to know the home type. Single family, town home, apartment with stairs, etc.

Do you have any special condition items?
Specifically we need to know about pianos, pool tables, large appliances or anything out of the ordinary. We do not need a complete inventory.

By providing honest answers to the above questions we can assess your needs and make recommendations. Once we have provided you with the pricing for your required moving labor service we can also e-mail you a complete PDF breakdown of the quote provided over the phone.

Please Note: Price estimates are just that, estimates. Our quotes are based on the information you provided along with historic data for similar moves but are subject to change. Our price quotes should be uses as a cost basis for your self move but are not guaranteed because we cannot account for unknown variables such as site conditions, weather, customer preparedness and other unknowns.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, College Moving
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide

Reduce Headache by Planning and Packing in Advance

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Title: Reduce Headache by Planning and Packing in Advance
Article:

Moving can be quite a hassle. Aside from the discomfort of leaving the place you have come to call home, trying to organize all of your belongings in an efficient way and finding a new place for all of your things can be a bit overwhelming.

To prevent the discomfort of last-minute logistics, you want to plan every detail of your move out in advance. What route are you going to take from point A to point B? If you’re using storage (i.e., moving point A to point B to point C), you want to be smart about choosing the right location. Pick a place that is safe, reliable, and fairly priced, of course, but also consider convenience for your move. For example, many Tucson self-storage facilities are located along major highways, which would allow a customer or mover to get in and out quickly without wasting precious time.

Once you’ve done the legwork of locating a convenient storage area for your belongings, give yourself peace of mind by taking the time to properly pack your belongings ahead and consider a few important packing tips:

Investigate the storage size. Sometimes people get a different perspective of how big or small an area really is by only reading the measurements off the website. Envision your belongings not as they are in your home right now, but as they will be once they’re disassembled and stacked in boxes (always dismantle bulky items as this will help with storage organization and any space issues you might encounter).
Buy top quality packing supplies designed specifically for moving. Check and see if your storage facility sells packing supplies, or purchase through general retailers or the local postal service. Select quality boxes that are, for the most part, all the same size. This will help with stacking and organization.
Have another look at the types of services you’ll have access to. Will handcarts be available? Is there truck availability? Will you have 24-hour access to your belongings once they’re stored?
Make sure everything is clean and in good condition before placing it in storage. For example, garden tools should be clean and dry so that when spring rolls around you’ll be able to use your equipment with no problems.
Even climate-controlled units may not provide the temperature control you need. In colder climates, cotton or wool blankets might provide the extra insulation needed.

With these tips, and with the help of Elite Moving Labor, your next moving experience should be somewhat less of a pain. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get everything in order; nothing ruins this process more than rushing through it in a mad panic. Keep cool, calm and collected and you will see that relocating isn’t quite as bad as you may have originally thought.

About SpareFoot:
SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage. With more than 5,000 self-storage facilities listed nationwide, SpareFoot offers consumers the most complete comparison shopping experience in the storage industry. SpareFoot has been part of the national moving and storage industry for over 3 years. Matt Schexnayder is on the SpareFoot marketing team. He writes for the SpareFoot Blog as well as a blog for self storage facility operators at SelfStorage.com.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: November 04 2011 06:53
Categories: Relocation, How To, Prepare for a Move, Relocation Expert, Self Storage, Guest Blogger
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, summer storage, moving tips, moving guide, mover, self storage

Holiday Moving Schedule

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:05:32 +0000

Title: Holiday Moving Schedule
Article:

As the holiday season quickly approaches most folks want to know if we're open during the holidays. It's important to note that we have two sets of operating hours, one set for the call center and the other for the movers in the field. If you're planning to schedule a move anytime around the holidays you can utilize this official operating hours and closure list for scheduling purposes.

Call Center - Holiday Hours & Closures

On non-holiday dates we are open from 9am-5pm EST Monday-Friday.
Closed on Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th for Thanksgiving. Offices will reopen on Monday, November 28th.
Closed on Friday, December 23rd - Monday, December 26th for Christmas. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, December 27th.

Movers - Holiday Hours & Closures

On non-holiday dates our first available time window is 8am-10am and final window between 6pm-7pm. Please note that the last window available may vary by the time of year due to lighting requirements. Earlier or later time slots are available for special situations upon request.
Moving operations will end at 3pm on Wednesday, November 23rd - Thursday, November 24th. Normal operating hours will resume on Friday, November 25th.
Moving operations will end at 3pm on Friday, December 23rd - 12pm on Monday, December 26th. Moves may be scheduled beginning at 12pm on 12/26.
On New Years Day (1/1/2012) the first available window will be 1-3pm.

When scheduling please take into consideration that fewer crews will be working due to vacation time. We recommend booking your move a minimum of two weeks in advance for the holiday season.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services

Florida Dominates the 2011 Worst Housing Markets

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:28:27 +0000

Title: Florida Dominates the 2011 Worst Housing Markets
Article:

Last week we blogged about the top five cities on the "2011 Best and Worst Housing Markets" list. The Fort Lauderldale-Miami metro area snagged the #1 spot on both the best and worst lists, providing a glimmer of hope to homeowners in South Florida. Unfortunately the positive news ends there as Florida dominated the top 25 worst home markets, the emphasis on the South Florida market. It's widely been publicized that Miami and Fort Lauderdale were two of the hardest hit regions by the housing collapse, notably due to the 30%+ annual increase in home prices from 2000-2005. However home markets in other hard hit states like Arizona and Nevada barely had a presence on either list suggesting that those markets have reached the bottom and begun to recover. If you're planning to purchase a home in Florida now may be the time to snap one up for a bargain! If you need help moving to or from Florida make sure you give check out our moving labor services.

Florida's Worst Home Markets at A Glance

Of the top 25 worst housing markets, Florida snagged a staggering 17 spots. That means Florida accounts for an astonishing 68% of the entire list!
Of the 17 Florida cities on the list, 10 are in the Fort Lauderdale-Miami metropolitan area.
Of the remaining 7 cities, 4 are in the Orlando metropolitan area.
The remaining 3 cities belong to Tampa bay, Ocala-Gainesville and Fort Myers-Naples.

The 2011 Top 25 Worst Housing Markets

Rank	City
1	Homestead, FL
2	Pontiac, MI
3	Trenjon, NJ
4	Lehigh Acres, FL
5	Altamonte Springs, FL
6	North Miami, FL
7	North Lauderdale, FL
8	Orlando, FL
9	Richmond, CA
10	North Miami Beach, FL
11	Miami Gardens, FL
12	Aiken, SC
13	Kendall West, FL
14	Lauderhill, FL
15	Margate, FL
16	Fountainebleau, FL
17	Deltona, FL
18	Phoenix, AZ
19	Cicero, IL
20	Sanford, FL
21	Tampa, FL
22	Cleveland, OH
23	Desert Hot Springs, CA
24	Ocala, FL
25	Deerfield Beach, FL

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: November 02 2011 11:33
Categories: Relocation, Relocation Expert, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts, Florida

US States With the Most Millionaires

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:16:42 +0000

Title: US States With the Most Millionaires
Article:

It seems like every time we post new rankings about the best places to live the Washington D.C. area comes out on top. No, we're not biased to the DC area (although we were founded in Maryland in 2004), instead our encouragement lies in the DC Metro's consistent ability to saturate the rankings. Just last week we published "Americas Best and Worst Housing Markets" in which Washington D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia dominated with 9 of the top 25 best home markets. We should also point out that neither MD, DC or VA had a single city listed on the top 25 worst markets. Prior to those rankings we blogged about the Washington D.C. area winning 12 of the top 25 spots on the "Richest Counties in the US" list. The pro-DC area theme continues this week as Maryland (1st), Virginia (7th) and Washington D.C. (10th) all made the "US States with the Most Millionaires" list published by Phoenix Marketing International. Interestingly enough, the 2010 rankings are almost identical to 2011 except Maryland, previously 2nd, replaced Hawaii in the #1 spot.

Top 10 States with the Most Millionaires

2010 Rank	2011 Rank	State
2	1	Maryland
1	2	Hawaii
3	3	New Jersey
4	4	Connecticut
5	5	Massachusetts
6	6	Alaska
7	7	Virginia
8	8	New Hampshire
9	9	California
10	10	Washington D.C.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: October 31 2011 11:30
Categories: Relocation, Washington D.C., Relocation Expert, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts

America's Best and Worst Housing Markets in 2011

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:26:06 +0000

Title: America's Best and Worst Housing Markets in 2011
Article:

We recently stumbled upon a list of the best and worst housing markets in the United States for 2011. The rankings were compiled by online real estate marketplace Zillow for the publication Business Week. Although the housing market is still volatile and far from stabilizing, these numbers should provide hope to anyone planning to buy or sell a home in the future.

Consistent with median income rankings and population growth data, the Washington D.C. area and Boston Metro area are big winners in this years rankings. Although Weston, Florida ranked 1st for the best housing market the state of Florida remained typically volatile capturing the 1st, 4th and 5th ranking for the worst housing markets.

Top 5 Best Housing Markets in 2011

Rank	Location	Metropolitan Area	Percent Increase¹	Population
1	Weston, FL	Miami-Ft Lauderdale	15.1%	65,333
2	Arlington, MA	Boston	14.8%	42,844
3	Brookline, MA	Boston	13.6%	58,732
4	Burke, VA	Washington DC	13.5%	41,055
5	Vienna, VA	Washington DC	12.8%	15,687

¹Percentage change in home price reflects the period of February 2009 to August 2011.

Top 5 Worst Housing Markets in 2011

Rank	Location	Metropolitan Area	Percent Increase¹	Population
1	Homestead, FL	Miami-Ft Lauderdale	-48.8%	60,512
2	Pontiac, MI	Detroit	-47.4%	59,515
3	Trenton, NJ	Trenton	-46%	84,913
4	Lehigh Acres, FL	Fort Myers	-42.2%	86,784
5	Altamonte Springs, FL	Orlando	-41.3%	41,496

¹Percentage change in home price reflects the period of February 2009 to August 2011.

In addition to winning 4th and 5th place, the Washington D.C. area won the most results in the top 25 best housing markets.

Herndon, VA - 6th
Ashburn, VA - 8th
Reston, VA - 9th
Chantilly, VA - 11th
McLean, VA - 13th
Sterling, VA - 19th
Leesburg, VA - 24th

Check out the complete Top 25 Best and Worst Housing Markets published by Business Week.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: October 31 2011 13:54
Categories: Relocation, Washington D.C., Relocation Expert, City Rankings
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts

Be A Guest Blog Writer

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:23:00 +0000

Title: Be A Guest Blog Writer
Article:

We are currently accepting articles, 'how to' moving guides and moving tips from experienced movers and industry experts. The guidelines for guest blog submissions have been outlined below.

Why should you submit a guest blog?

Aside from the obvious benefit of sharing your knowledge with our readers, writing a guest blog is one of the best ways to generate traffic to your own website. By writing a guest blog for Elite Moving Labor you will:

Generate more direct traffic to your own website.
Build links to your own website.
Increase your brand awareness.
Share moving tips that will ultimately help people save time and money.
Build your reputation as an expert which in turn will help your business grow.

What types of blogs will we accept?

We're in the business of self moving and relocation, an industry that stands apart from traditional full service moving. We're looking for blogs written about the following:

How To: A descriptive blog about how to do something for a self move. Examples: How to pack a moving box, how to pack a moving truck, etc.
Moving Guide:Helpful information about local resources or money saving businesses. Examples: Columbus, Ohio Relocation Guide - Details about parking permits, local moving box wholesalers, the best truck rental locations, etc.
Moving Tips: Tips are typically advice and/or opinions about different aspects of moving. Examples: Truck rentals are better than portable storage units, It's important to have similar box sizes, etc.

The examples given are just that, examples. Each guest blogger has the ability to choose their topic as long as it relates to self moving and would benefit our readers.

What types of blogs will we NOT accept?

Explicit self promotion.
Topics that are irrelevant to our readers.
Poorly written articles.
Overuse of keywords, spam.

Requirements

The blog post must be 100% unique and in English. Unique means that it is not published anywhere else.
Must be related to self moving as discussed above.
Must be a minimum of 500 words long.
Include information about the author, moving experience and the business.
Include ONE 'dofollow' link to your website. NOTE: The URL provided must be for a US based company. At this time we do not accept content or links from companies located outside of the United States.
Should include at least one optimized image that is relevant to the topic.
Be correctly formatted in HTML. Do not send blogs that have not been formatted.
Author must have a Google+ profile and link to our blog as a "Contributor".

How to Submit

Send an email to info@elitemovinglabor.com. Input "Guest Blog" in the subject and remember to attach your blog post. After the blog has been reviewed you will be notified as to whether it has been accepted or not.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 14 2013 07:15
Categories: Relocation Expert, Guest Blogger
Tags: self service moving, moving tips, moving guide, mover

Why Removing Junk, Decluttering and Organizing Before Your Move is Important

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:26:10 +0000

Title: Why Removing Junk, Decluttering and Organizing Before Your Move is Important
Article:

From small moves to large ones every move is different. Probably the only thing that most moves have in common is time, and lots of it. Face facts, moving is a time consuming and stressful necessity for just about everyone, from the college student moving into the dorm room to the retired couple with the six bedroom home. Anyone who tells you that you can have a "stress free" move is either completely nuts or about to hand you a relocation estimate for $20,000+. You're likely on our website because you are looking for the most affordable way to move yourself, and if that is the case then you will have to be hands on with your move.

The bottom line is that very few, if any, self moves are stress free. However, like with most other activities your stress can be reduced by properly preparing for your move far before the actual move date. We've taken the liberty to outline some nifty ways to reduce the clutter, remove the junk and organize your home to make it manageable for your upcoming move. For those of you who are procrastinators or not easily motivated think about it this way: The price of both self moves and full service moves is generally a product of how much stuff you have. Many people who fail to dispose of their junk prior to their move end up transporting it only to throw it out when they arrive at the new home. The translation: Remove your junk, declutter and organize prior to your move and you will likely need less space which in turn equals a more affordable move.

Decluttering

The first step to getting your home into shape for your move is to declutter:

The goal of decluttering is to determine what is junk, what is no longer of importance or value to you and what you will be taking with you.
Most people tend to use their garage and basement for storage, start here and you will discover the bulk of what needs to be sorted.
Sort your junk items into different categories: Junk-Trash, Junk-Donate and Junk-Recycle.
The items that are no longer important to you are generally not junk or trash but instead hold potential value, just not to you. These items may eligible for resale. Sort these as well.
As you're sorting the junk and non-important items you will find that the things you plan to keep will sort themselves.

It's important to have as little environmental impact as possible during this process. In other words, throw away as little as possible. Think about these potential solutions for items that are not trash:

Have a yard/garage sale.
Resell more valuable electronics and furniture on Cragslist, eBay or similar websites. Some items like cell phones, printers and computers have great trade-in value at retailers. For example, Staples is currently offering a $50 credit on the purchase of a new printer when you donate your old one.
Recycle items in good working condition with little value by donating to church's, Goodwill, local charities or by using websites like Freecycle.

Removing the Junk

"Junk" is a broad term, frankly we think of junk as the larger and bulkier items that cannot simply be trashed. Items such as furniture, building materials and electronics that require special disposal sites. Let's look at some cost effective (Our fancy way of saying 'affordable') ways to remove junk from your home:

Want to rid yourself of junk for free? Believe it or not it may be a possibility for you. A new niche of junk removal opened not too long ago and it doesn't cost you a dime. The catch? These companies are recouping their costs by selling commodities such as copper, typically found in old appliances and electronics. Chances are they will only provide this service if you meet their criteria.
If you have a pickup truck or know someone who does, make a few trips to the dump for very small and affordable fee. If you're friends aren't available to help you can always hire our movers to do the heavy lifting for you.
If you don't have the time or patience, or if you simply have too much junk you can hire a professional junk removal company to do it for you.

Organizing

Now that you've rid yourself of the junk, trashed those bills from 1996 and spent a few hours browsing your old high school yearbook it's time to get organized. Taking your time and doing a thorough job will ensure that when it's time to pack your moving boxes the process will be quick and simple.

Consider purchasing reusable rubber or plastic containers for storage. They're great for stacking, affordable, durable and can double as moving boxes. You can also rent plastic moving crates for local moves through companies like BungoBox.
Label, label, label! What does that cord go to? What happened to the assembly hardware for our bed? Use plastic baggies, a sharpie and rubber bands to thoroughly label your items.

Have some pre-move tips of your own? Share them with us by commenting on this blog.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: September 22 2011 15:50
Categories: How To, Prepare for a Move
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, moving labor help, portable storage, moving tips, moving guide, charity, PODS, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental, Moving Assistance, mover, self storage, junk removal

Movex Moving is Now Closed

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:32:05 +0000

Title: Movex Moving is Now Closed
Article:

The self moving world just got a little less competitive with the closure of a major household goods carrier, Movex. This morning we learned that Movex is no longer open for business, marking the end of nearly twenty years in business which began in 1991. We have not yet determined why Movex has closed or how existing reservations are being handled, if you have any information on this please make sure to comment on this blog post. Movex was one of our favorite freight companies and unfortunately for consumers moving long distance, you are now limited to two options: Broadway Express and ABF U-Pack.

For consumers who have been planning a long distance move using a 'You Load, We Drive' company, this news should obviously take Movex out of your potential candidates for a shipper. However, alternatives do exist in both Broadway Express and ABF U-Pack. While we have covered ABF extensively in many of our blog posts, we haven't talked too much about Broadway Express. Broadway Express ('BE') is the closest match to Movex on the market; they provide 53' tractor trailers and furniture pads with their shipments. This varies from ABF U-Pack which provides 28' trailers and does not rent furniture pads.

For more resources about moving with a 'You Load, We Drive' company visit our Long Distance Moving section. You can also read information specifically about ABF U-Pack or Broadway Express.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: September 21 2011 11:20
Categories: Transportation, Freight
Tags: self service moving, freight, movex moving, diy moving, ABF, ABF U-Pack, U-Pack, household freight, moving tips, moving guide, you load we drive, dity move, long distance moving

Can I Hire Movers to Load and Unload my Truck?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Title: Can I Hire Movers to Load and Unload my Truck?
Article:

As DIY moves become more commonplace the concept of hiring movers to load, unload and pack is being accepted by a greater portion of the population. However, despite the widespread use of moving labor we still receive countless calls each week which ask, "I have a {rental truck, PODS unit, ABF Trailer,etc} and need movers to load it, is that something you do?" Each time the answer is inevitably, "That's exactly what we do". Perhaps if we weren't "in the biz" we wouldn't quite understand the concept either so we wanted to take a moment and provide some clarity as to what moving labor is and the services we provide.

Yes, you can hire movers to just load, unload or pack

Believe it or not, there are moving companies that do not have moving trucks (*Shameless plug alert*), including us here at Elite Moving Labor. The concept is simple, it's generally more affordable to provide your own truck, POD or freight trailer than it is to hire a full service moving company. Once you have obtained a transportation method you likely still have one problem: How do I get my household items loaded into (and out of) the truck? Well, that's where we come in. Despite contrary belief, "hiring" your friends may not be the best option. Assuming they actually show up you're tasked with completing a skillful activity with unskilled people, assuming that none of your friends are movers.

Why hire movers to load & unload?

The most obvious benefit to hiring movers is that you won't need to lift the heavy furniture. In fact, this is the primary reason that people call us for service. However, there are many other benefits that people fail to realize. Luckily for you we have outlined some of these awesome benefits below:

Maximize Usable Space. Movers know how to pack and load a moving truck, they are skilled individuals that can puzzle your household goods like a game of Tetris. By hiring professionals you allow yourself to effectively utilize the rented space and potentially reduce the amount you need to purchase (notably for ABF U-Pack customers).
Reduce Damage. This one goes hand in hand with packing correctly, properly loaded items won't shift resulting in a lower probability of broken or damaged items.
Movers are Faster. A team of professional movers will load or unload your moving truck faster than you and your friends, guaranteed. Spend less time moving your furniture and more time getting to your new home.
Save Money. If you decide to hire your friends instead of movers you will likely compensating them with pizza and beer. A few pizzas and a couple cases of beer will probably add up quickly and be comparable, if not more, than the cost of hiring movers for a few hours.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: August 31 2011 10:22
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor, Pack and Load
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, Moving Assistance

How Much do you Tip Movers?

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:50:52 +0000

Title: How Much do you Tip Movers?
Article:

Let's face it, moving is stressful, but isn't that one of the reasons why you hired movers? Most people realize just how difficult moving is, notably the physical aspect, once the movers have arrived and begun to load or unload. It's no wonder that one of the most common questions we receive is, "How much should I tip the movers?"

First, we want to make it clear that tipping is not required; but as with most services tipping is a way for the customer to express their thanks for a job well done. While there is no "average tip", it is widely accepted that tipping amounts (for movers) range from 5% of the total bill to $20 per man. Proper etiquette is to tip each mover individually, not to the foreman. This shows that you recognize and appreciate their individual efforts. If you feel that one or two movers worked especially hard, or are more deserving than the others, then feel free to tip that mover a little extra. If the crew has gone above and beyond your expectations you may certainly match their efforts with a larger tip amount. Common "above and beyond" situations include:

Completing the move in a shorter amount of time than originally estimated.
Fitting all of your items into the moving truck or POD even though it once looked impossible.
Moving large quantities of heavy, bulky or awkward furniture. Especially when the movement includes stairs, long walks or other obstacles.
Excessive stairs, notably 3rd floor apartments and above.

Tipping Alternatives

Short on cash? There are plenty of other ways to show your appreciation aside from cash.

Since moving is a tough, labor intensive service, cold drinks such as bottled water or Gatorade are a great way to show your appreciation while also showing your concern for their well-being.
Provide the crew with lunch in lieu of a tip
If you are planning to throw away old furniture ask the crew if they would like it instead. This saves you time and money and doesn't impact the environment.

In summary, when it comes to tipping there is no right answer, it's best to go with whatever you are comfortable with.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2012 10:45
Categories: How To, Tip Movers
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide

DIY Moving Tips for Columbus, Ohio

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:42:20 +0000

Title: DIY Moving Tips for Columbus, Ohio
Article:

With the opening of our newest location in Columbus, Ohio we thought it would be a good idea to get to know the area. While doing our research we were surprised to find that Columbus is actually a widely regarded "up and coming" city with a lot of recent acknowledgements and awards.

In 2009 BusinessWeek named the city as the best place in the country to raise a family.
In 2008 Forbes Magazine ranked the city as the number 1 up-and-coming tech city in the nation.
In 2010 Relocate America named Columbus as a "Top 10 City".
In 2007 fDi Magazine ranked the city third in the U.S. for "Cities of the Future".
In 2009 USA Travel Guide ranked the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium #1.

Moving Supplies in Columbus

If you have read any of our previous posts you are probably aware that we are not fans of the ridiculous prices retailers charge for moving supplies. In many markets you can find a local wholesaler, used box supplier or reusable crate rental service that will allow you to save money. Our partners at BungoBox haven't opened a location in Columbus yet, however, Victory Packaging does have a location in Columbus where you can likely find cheaper moving supplies.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: July 29 2011 12:12
Categories: Relocation, Columbus, Ohio
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, affordable moving services, college moving, college moving services, dorm room moving, college student moving, local movers, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, dity move

Top 5 Reasons to Consider Moving Labor Services

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:21:53 +0000

Title: Top 5 Reasons to Consider Moving Labor Services
Article:

We live in a Do-It-Yourself world. Why not save yourself a few bucks if you can tack on your own shingles or change your own oil? Yet, sometimes you’re faced with a Sisyphean Task that is just too overwhelming. Other times, you may be under stress to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes a little expertise and extra manpower is all you need for an effortless move. Here are 5 reasons to consider our moving labor services.

#1: You are sick of moving your 20-something all over town! Let’s face it, once your kid gets to college, they will probably move from dorm to dorm, then apartment to apartment as friends, situations and trends change. Helping with the first move is customary, but why not pay local movers to cover the subsequent times?

#2: Your grandmother’s buffet and armoire weigh hundreds of pounds! Not only is there a question as to “How will it fit in the truck,” but there is the added difficulty of carrying a hefty piece of heirloom furniture up and down flights of stairs. Professional moving labor services help you get the job done safely and without injury.

#3: Your mother’s a pack rat! Maybe there was a divorce, a foreclosure, a downsizing, a re-marriage, or the sort of whim that comes along with a mid-life crisis. Whatever the case may be, you’ve always dreaded the day your mother had to move. Perhaps you even contacted the people at Hoarders in hopes that they’d do the dirty work for you. Save yourself the time, effort and aggravation by calling for affordable moving assistance.

#4: You don’t know the first thing about packing! There is a special art to packing a good box. You need to arrange items so nothing gets broken and organize your truck to maximize not only space, but also time. An efficient unloading team of movers can orchestrate the whole process of arranging your entire life into little, organized boxes so your move (and even your unpacking) is as effortless and stress-free as possible.

#5: Your help bailed on you! You figured a case of beer was an attractive enough deal to lure your friends to help with your self move. After all, you always help them with whatever they need. Yet, with the Jack Johnson concert incidentally happening the same day and forecasted 90-degree heat, they’ve suddenly dropped off like flies, leaving you to fend for yourself. Moving assistance is just a phone call away. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, call a gang of people who know what they’re doing. In the end, you may see it as a blessing in disguise when your HDTV makes it into the house in one piece and the sober movers get each and every box in before nightfall so you can make it to the Jack Johnson concert too.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: August 02 2011 10:56
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, affordable moving services, moving labor help, packing and loading services, loading, unloading, moving tips, moving guide, dity move

How to Pack & Load a Moving Truck

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:58:38 +0000

Title: How to Pack & Load a Moving Truck
Article:

If you're preparing for a DIY (do-it-yourself) move and have decided not to hire moving labor then you will certainly want to study up on how to pack a moving truck. We have outlined some of the basic fundamental rules that will help you maximize your space, prevent damage and balance the moving truck.

Always load the heaviest and largest items first. Place these items against the cab wall and load from left to right.
You can stack items on top of each other as long as they are comparable size and weight. Never put a heavy item on top of a lighter item and always wrap the furniture with pads or quilts. (Are furniture pads important?)
After completing the first tier (a row from left to right) begin to fill in the small gaps with "fillers". Fillers are non-breakable items that can be shaped to accommodate a space on the truck. Examples include clothes in a bag, stuffed animals, blankets, pillows and similar. If you have the room you can also fill in gaps with some moving boxes. Remember, heavy boxes go towards the bottom and lighter boxes and fragile items towards the top.
Continue to load furniture and boxes into tiers. Remember, load left to right and floor to ceiling.
To save space you should put dresser drawers and filing cabinet drawers back into place. The only time you should not do this is if the item is made of particle board because it has the potential to break while in transit.
Once you have completed 1/2 - 3/4 of the truck, or whenever the bulk of the large items have been loaded, utilize mattresses and box springs to wall off and secure the tiers. Placing mirrors and paintings between the mattress and box spring is recommended as the safest location. If you have rope available make sure you tie off in front of the mattress and/or box spring to secure.
The back of the truck is for miscellaneous items, garage tools, bikes, etc. Make sure you tape or shrink wrap bed frame components together because they will shift and fall over as you try to load them.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: July 06 2011 12:35
Categories: How To, Pack and Load
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, moving labor services, diy moving, truck rental, packing and loading services, loading, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, u-haul, budget truck rental, dity move

Virginia, Maryland and the Washington D.C. Area Rank Highest in Richest Counties

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:42:49 +0000

Title: Virginia, Maryland and the Washington D.C. Area Rank Highest in Richest Counties
Article:

We recently came across the 2011 rankings for the "Highest Income Counties in the United States" and were amazed at what we found. Actually, considering we opened our doors in the Washington D.C. Area in 2004 we were not really surprised, but many of our readers may be. The rankings are published by the U.S. Census Bureau and they rank the counties by their average median household income from 2005-2009.

Out of the top 25 rankings, the State of Virginia finished in first place with an astonishing 8 counties/independent cities on the list. Maryland finished in second with 4 placements followed by New Jersey and New York. Out of the 8 Virginia placements 7 of them were in Northern Virginia, increasing the likelihood that the income earned was from the Washington D.C. area. The moral of this post? The Washington D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia market has a lot of very high paying jobs so it may be time to relocate. If you decide to move to the Washington D.C. area remember to hire our professionals for your load and unload.

The complete Top 25 rankings have been provided below:

Rank	County	Median Income
1	City of Falls Church, Virginia	$113,313
2	Loudoun County, Virginia	$112,021
3	Fairfax County, Virginia	$104,259
4	Hunterdon County, New Jersey	$102,500
5	Howard County, Maryland	$101,003
6	Los Alamos County, New Mexico	$100,423
7	Douglas County, Colorado	$99,522
8	Morris County, New Jersey	$96,316
9	Somerset County, New Jersey	$96,233
10	City of Fairfax, Virginia	$96,233
11	Arlington County, Virginia	$93,806
12	Nassau County, New York	$92,450
13	Montgomery County, Maryland	$92,213
14	Calvert County, Maryland	$90,621
15	Stafford County, Virginia	$90,586
16	Prince William County, Virginia	$88,850
17	Williamson County, Tennessee	$88,358
18	Forsyth County, Georgia	$88,040
19	Putnam County, New York	$88,036
20	Marin County, California	$87,728
21	Charles County, Maryland	$86,141
22	Santa Clara County, California	$85,569
23	Delaware County, Ohio	$85,054
24	Poquoson City, Virginia	$84,688
25	Suffolk County, New York	$84,530

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: July 01 2011 10:26
Categories: Relocation, Washington D.C.
Tags: moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts

Do I Need to Stop at Weigh Stations With a Rental Truck?

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:01:52 +0000

Title: Do I Need to Stop at Weigh Stations With a Rental Truck?
Article:

If you're moving long distance and have decided to rent a truck you may be wondering, do I need to stop at weigh stations? This is a very common question which is spurred by the fact that there is no universal answer. Truck rental locations will usually tell you that you must indeed stop at all weigh stations whereas an Internet search will likely yield the opposite. To help our customers or anyone completing a self service move with a rental truck we have put together this quick guide.

Weigh Stations and Rental Trucks

To make a very confusing answer to this question as simple as possible we abide by a single rule: Most states do not require non-commercial vehicles to stop at weigh stations, so if you are hauling personal property you can generally pass right on by. With that said, if you are unsure you should always stop. It is very likely that you will be waived through the bypass lane.

There are two important exceptions to this rule:

At the border of Florida and Georgia the Florida Department of Agriculture requires all trucks, trailers and explicitly "rental trucks" to stop for an agricultural inspection.
In several parts of New Mexico, Arizona and California rental trucks are required to stop for immigration check points.

State by State Regulations

If you'd like to know more about the individual states that you will be passing through you had better be prepared for a lot of work. As previously mentioned, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this topic because there is no official answer. If you call an individual states Department of Transportation you may get varying answers from different people. For the states that we could find we listed a brief summary and a link to their website for more information.

NOTE: Many states officially indicate that truck rentals weighing more than 10,000lbs are considered commercial vehicles and should stop at weigh stations. Just about any rental truck larger than a 10' truck has a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000lbs.

State	Stop Required?	Summary
Arkansas	Sometimes	Only commercial vehicles. This includes truck rentals hauling commercial goods.
California	Always	All truck rentals must stop.
Georgia	Over 10,000lbs	All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop.
Indiana	Yes	All trucks are required to enter open weigh stations
Kansas	Over 10,000lbs	All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop.
Maryland	Over 10,000lbs	All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop.
Nebraska	Yes	All truck rentals must stop.
Ohio	Over 10,000lbs	All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop.
Oregon	No	Truck rentals hauling personal property do not have to stop.
South Carolina	Yes	Truck rentals hauling personal property must stop but will likely be waived through.
Washington	No	Rental trucks carrying personal property do not have to stop.

Although these links point to the government website that oversees weigh stations in their state, many do not have a published response. Most of the information we have provided is directly from an e-mail or phone call with a state official authorized to speak about this matter.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 05 2013 15:30
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, u-haul, budget truck rental, long distance moving

Short Notice Moves

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:21:08 +0000

Title: Short Notice Moves
Article:

Many times the need to get movers at the last minute is unavoidable, often a result of the originally scheduled movers not showing up or family and friends backing out. While unfortunate, many times last minute move requests cannot be accommodated due to previously scheduled moves. The best way to avoid a last minute scramble to find movers is to make sure you have selected the right company, or in the case of family and friends, to make sure they are reliable. Here are some tips to help you avoid an emergency move situation.

Trust Your Gut - If you have booked a moving company but something seems off, chances are it is. While many moving companies are reputable there are also many who simply will not show up. Make sure you have checked their reviews and confirmed with them at least 48 hours prior to your move date. Remember, if you are unsure whether or not they will show up your best bet is to cut ties and book with a company you know will be there.
Family & Friends - We see this scenario often in the moving labor industry and as sad as it is, it does happen. The bottom line is nobody likes moving, not even movers. Friends and family "hired" to help you move will many times back out at the last minute leaving you without any help at all. Alleviate this possibility by hiring moving labor for just a few hours, this way if your friends and family don't show up at least you have movers already booked. And if they do show up they will be happy to know they have less work to do.
Reserve an Estimated Moving Date - Unsure of when you will actually be moving? Believe it or not this is very common and many times people will wait until just a few days prior to book movers. If you have an ABF U-Pack, Movex Trailer or PODS unit you may have estimated dates for delivery, this is okay! Instead of waiting schedule your moving labor for your estimated date, essentially your best guess as to when the shipment will arrive. Once the date gets closer and you know more about your delivery dates you can reschedule the movers to fit your needs.
Be Flexible - If all else fails and you still need movers at the last minute be flexible. Many moving companies will be willing to schedule you in at the first available time slot but most of the time that slot is unknown. For example, if you call in requesting same day service at 9:00am and the company advises the first available crew will be sometime between 12pm-4pm you should take it. There is a decent possibility that the movers will get to your site earlier than anticipated but with so many unknowns they must give a large window.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Moving Services
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, local movers, nationwide moving labor, moving tips, moving guide, dity move

Reusable Plastic Bins for Local Moves

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:58:57 +0000

Title: Reusable Plastic Bins for Local Moves
Article:

Let's face it, moving sucks. But if you're moving locally in Florida, Arizona or Georgia the moving process may have just gotten easier. Instead of purchasing moving supplies and boxes at your local U-Haul or self storage location you now have the option to rent plastic moving containers directly from BungoBox. The company provides stackable containers that can be rented for a week or more, no tape or transportation required. Instead BungoBox delivers and picks up their containers free of charge alleviating the headache of trying to fit them into your car. Better yet, because their containers are reusable you can feel good about not creating more waste for the environment. BungoBoxes rent for a quarter a day, so you can pack up a two-bedroom apartment for less than $80 on a one-week minimum.

Renting plastic moving containers is a growing trend in the United States and BungoBox anticipates becoming available in several additional markets soon. You can currently rent their containers in the following markets:

Atlanta, Georgia
Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida
Orlando, Florida (Central FL)
Jacksonville, Florida
Broward and Palm Beach County, Florida (West Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale)
Phoenix, Arizona (Maricopa County)

For more information or to rent your plastic moving containers visit the BungoBox website.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 21 2012 10:30
Categories: Moving Supplies
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, local movers, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes, dity move, plastic moving boxes, moving box rental

How Important Are Furniture Pads?

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:29:31 +0000

Title: How Important Are Furniture Pads?
Article:

Furniture pads, furniture pads, furniture pads! Far too few of our customers take our advice about the importance of furniture pads during a self service move. Let's be clear, quality furniture pads/quilts are one of the most important pieces of a successful move and should be regarded as a top priority. Ironically, most customers spend thousands of dollars to relocate their household goods but skimp on furniture pad rental which in many cases is a mere $15-$20 per dozen.

Anyone who decides to utilize a truck rental as their method of transportation has no excuse for not acquiring enough pads. Both Penske Truck Rental and U-Haul rent furniture pads for $15/dozen, a very reasonable price. Budget Truck Rental rents their furniture pads for $25/dozen, while more expensive the price is still fractional when compared to the total cost of your move.

For our PODS and ABF U-Pack customers we have a little bit of sympathy, this is because neither company rents furniture pads which requires you to purchase them. We will be the first to admit that purchasing furniture pads is expensive and should be avoided if at all possible, but the procurement of pads is still necessary for a successful and damage free move.

There are many options when it comes to furniture protection, from paper pads to furniture quilts and everything in between. Visit our moving supply store for a variety of options and affordable deals. All orders include free shipping!

How Many Furniture Pads Are Required?

Every move will have unique requirements that may increase or decrease the quantity of pads required. The best formula we can provide is one dozen pads for every 5' of space; if you are unsure remember that more is always better than less. Modifications to this formula should be made in the following situations:

MORE: When utilizing ABF U-Pack trailers. As discussed in a previous post about ABF trailers, the probability for damage is greatly increased due to their spring ride suspension.
MORE: If your household goods contain mostly furniture, especially antique and dark wood.
MORE: If you will be completing a long distance move which will require your household items to be moved more than 350 miles.
MORE: When you have a lot of glass, fragile items, mirrors and similar.

Alternatives to Furniture Pads

If you cannot rent furniture pads or do not have the budget to purchase them you do have other options. Let us disclaim that these are alternatives and not a cheaper substitute for furniture pads.

Paper Pads: Three-ply sheets of paper, these "pads" are used often for international container loads and are usually the first choice when furniture pads are unavailable. Although they can be found in U-Haul and moving supply stores they are usually much cheaper from when purchased online. Visit our moving supply store to view our current promotions.
Cardboard: By breaking down cardboard boxes and using them to cover furniture you can provide adequate protection. Depending on the size of your move you may need quite a few boxes but it will work. Make sure you also have a razor blade, shrink wrap and tape to ensure the boxes stay put once placed.
Blankets & Towels: When you are really in a pinch you can take refuge in your linen closet. Although most of these items will end up dirty at your destination they will work as a last resort. Use larger blankets and thick towels for the most important pieces.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 07 2013 15:24
Categories: Transportation, Portable Storage, Freight, Truck Rental, Moving Supplies
Tags: self service moving, freight, diy moving, portable storage, ABF, ABF U-Pack, U-Pack, 28' Trailer, household freight, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, you load we drive, PODS, furniture pads

DITY Moving for Military

Thu, 19 May 2011 02:02:41 +0000

Title: DITY Moving for Military
Article:

The acronym 'DITY' stands for "Do-it-Yourself" but is most commonly used by military personnel in reference to an upcoming self move. The U.S. Government will provide military personnel with relocation services at no cost to the service member through two service options: The first is a complete full service move through Schedule 48 which the government coordinates and pays for; the second allows the service member to complete a DITY move where they are responsible for their own relocation but the cost is still payed for by the government. Because the service member can keep the difference between the amount of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) and the actual price of the move the DITY move option is extremely popular.

The GCC is the amount that it would have cost the government to move member's household items

Why Choose A DITY Move?

Although a DITY move requires much more time and coordination on your part, it does offer numerous benefits that may be appealing to you. The most obvious of these benefits is the ability to keep the monetary difference between the actual cost of the move and the GCC. The GCC rate is based on a variety of factors including the duty station, distance between bases, rank and the authorized weight limit.

Another major benefit of DITY moving is control. While it may be easier to simply turn over your household goods and not think twice until you have them delivered, you also lack the oversight and physical possession of the goods. Moving yourself also allows you to know exactly when you are arriving at your new duty station as opposed to dealing with delivery date ranges that may be inconvenient.

A DITY move also allows you to accomplish multiple tasks at once. Since you are already transporting your goods to the new duty station (and being paid to do so), you can make side trips to visit family, friends or explore.

Planning a DITY Move

Similar to our residential moving services, a DITY move requires the coordination of a transportation method and labor. There are three common types of transportation methods for self service moves: truck rentals, portable storage and freight. Each option has pro's and con's which primarily depend on your unique situation; for a more in depth review of long distance transportation options check out our long distance moving overview.

Once you have determined which transportation method is right for your needs you will need to decide on labor. The cheapest way to load and unload your truck or trailer is to "hire" your friends and family. Assuming you can get them to show up it likely will not cost you more than the typical compensation of pizza and beer. However if you require reliable service and experience to maximize your useable space and reduce the risk of damage you will want to hire moving labor.

Elite Moving Labor provides insured and professional movers that know how to correctly load and unload moving trucks and containers. We also coordinate with you to ensure our movers arrive when you need us, both at your current and new duty station. Not only is our moving labor service affordable it is also available at most U.S. military bases across the country. We also provide military personnel with electronic receipts for easy reimbursement.

For help setting up your DITY move or advice on the best relocation options for your situation request a quote or call us toll free at 888-354-8303.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 20 2011 15:05
Categories: Uncategorized, Military Move, DITY Move
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, dity move, military move, pcs move, long distance moving

Moving Labor for Charity

Fri, 13 May 2011 21:44:36 +0000

Title: Moving Labor for Charity
Article:

A thank you letter from
Jennifer Sedler, Miss Phoenix 2011

From time to time we receive requests from charitable organizations for discounted or free moving services. One such request came recently from HopeKids, a Phoenix, Arizona charitable organization that helps children with cancer or other life-threatening diseases. The request was simple, "Can you help load and unload a rental truck for the family of a child who is sick?" Within a few hours our moving teams in Tucson and Phoenix had committed to providing as much assistance as they could to this family. The donation of their personal time to help a family who is experiencing a very difficult time is a tribute to their integrity and character. We're proud to provide moving assistance for organizations like HopeKids who work hard to restore hope to terminally-ill children.

Find our more information about HopeKids and the charitable work they do in Arizona.

Request moving services for charity from Elite Moving Labor.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 13 2011 11:59
Categories: Charities
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, truck rental, phoenix movers, tucson movers, charity

Moving to the Washington D.C. Area

Thu, 12 May 2011 21:55:57 +0000

Title: Moving to the Washington D.C. Area
Article:

If you're planning a move to the Washington D.C. area you are not alone, the 2010 Census recorded a 16.4% increase in the "Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV" area. While the Washington D.C. area ranked 7th in the 2010 "Ten Most Populous Metropolitan Areas", it had previously ranked 4th in the 2000 Census. Although not as large as New York City or Chicago, the Washington D.C. area is a sprawling metropolitan area that ranks very well in nationwide polls regarding household income, education and quality of life.

Parking Permits

If you have a moving truck or portable storage container you may need a parking permit:

Washington D.C. - A permit is required and costs $34. Apply for your permit online from the DC government.
Northern Virginia - Permit requirements vary by individual cities in the area. While Arlington, VA requires a permit for vehicles or containers parked overnight the city of Fairfax does not as long as it does not create a traffic hazard. You should review your specific city or county website for more information, a complete list of these government websites for Virginia can be found here.
Maryland - Most cities and towns located in Maryland but considered part of the "Washington D.C. Area" do not require a parking permit. However we can confirm that Annapolis, MD and Gaithersburg, MD do require a specific moving truck or container permit.

Moving & Packing Supplies

If you find yourself in need of moving and packing supplies you have three affordable options. Instead of buying boxes retail from a local Lowe's or U-Haul store, these companies sell moving supplies priced somewhere between wholesale and retail. Not a bad deal if you need a lot of packaging supplies for your move!

Greenbelt Paper Company: 9819 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Willard Packaging Co: 18940 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
New Haven Moving Equipment: 6295 Edsall Rd #620, Alexandria, VA 22312

Movers for Load & Unload Service

Although we are a national company that services most metropolitan areas we also happen to be the first moving labor company located in the Washington D.C area. That's right, back in 2004 we began offering moving services only in the MD-DC-VA area and we still complete an average of 5,000 moving labor jobs annually in the area. We provide loading, unloading, packing and furniture movement services to the entire DC Metro area from our Centreville, VA, Bethesda, MD and Gaithersburg, MD offices. Better yet, customers who book our service in the Washington D.C. area receive a $25 discount when they use promo code "LOCAL".

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 09 2012 15:50
Categories: Relocation, Washington D.C., Parking Permits
Tags: self service moving, freight, diy moving, truck rental, portable storage, packing and loading services, local movers, household freight, moving tips, moving guide, moving truck

Moving & Delivery for Small Shipments

Tue, 10 May 2011 23:35:56 +0000

Title: Moving & Delivery for Small Shipments
Article:

Although self service moving and moving labor may be gaining awareness throughout the country we have found that many people still have trouble creating a small move. The most common problem we hear from customers is their inability to move and ship a single item or a small number of items outside of their local market. Full service moving companies generally will not quote such a small move and many of the self service relocation options simply are not affordable after factoring in the price of fuel and all associated costs. Believe it or not, if you need to move a small number of items or even a single item you do have affordable shipping options available to you.

Single Item or Very Small Moves

In 2004 a website was started that solved a logistical issue for eBay users who required their purchases to be shipped. Although many common items are small enough to ship by traditional methods like UPS and USPS, larger items like furniture, boats and automobiles could not be shipped in an affordable way. Along came Uship which changed the shipping and delivery game by allowing truck drivers and trucking companies to bid on shipments along their routes. From the perspective of the buyer (also called "shipper"), it allowed an affordable relocation option. From the perspective of the trucking company it created additional revenue that boosted the bottom line and offset fuel costs. Today Uship is a respected marketplace that pairs over 200,000 shipping and delivery companies with customers all over the country.

Minimal Items & Small Moves

For people with more than one or two items but less than a small household move you may find yourself in a similar situation as described above. The cost of renting a truck and fuel may be far too much for your minimal needs, but there are options available. As outlined in previous posts, a viable relocation option for any self service move can be a "You Load, We Drive" freight service. For many of our customers this service applies to larger household moves, however it is available to small moves as well. The two primary companies are ABF U-Pack and Movex, each requiring a very reasonable 4-6' minimum. This minimum amount of space is likely the most affordable option for multiple item small moves when compared to the cost of self service moving.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 10 2011 13:25
Categories: Transportation, Freight, Relocation
Tags: self service moving, freight, movex moving, diy moving, truck rental, ABF, ABF U-Pack, U-Pack, household freight, moving tips, moving guide, moving truck, you load we drive, uship, small moves, delivery services

How to Schedule Movers - Tips for Delivery Windows and Unknown Arrival Times

Wed, 04 May 2011 01:27:18 +0000

Title: How to Schedule Movers - Tips for Delivery Windows and Unknown Arrival Times
Article:

Many times throughout the week we are asked, "How do I schedule my movers if I don't know when my stuff will arrive?" Certainly not an uncommon problem for people who choose a self service moving method. For those of you who have chosen a "You Load, We Drive" moving company that provides freight trailers or a portable storage moving company (like PODS), this is likely a question you will ask at some point.

While it can be difficult, scheduling moving labor in conjunction with the arrival of your trailer or portable storage isn't usually that hard. In fact, depending on the type of moving company and the unique conditions of your move we may be able to narrow it down to an approximate date. Once we have narrowed down the delivery window we simply schedule updates within the system to follow up with you as the move date approaches and then make changes to your scheduled move as needed.

Here is how we determine when to schedule your movers:

Make sure to get the driver's name and phone number at least 48 hours before your move. The driver is physically with the truck or trailer and can give you the most accurate information. The driver will also know what other stops need to be made and will be the best source of information for your ETA.
Never schedule movers inside of your delivery window. Many times freight and portable storage companies will provide an 8am-12pm delivery time, many times this is incorrect. Not only should you avoid scheduling moving labor during this window you should also give yourself at least an hour extra as a buffer.
If you're anticipating the delivery of your household items your transit time may vary widely depending on your origin and destination. For example, if you loaded your truck in Chicago, Illinois but are moving to Phoenix, Arizona then your transit time will be a minimum of four days. However, if you loaded in New Orleans, Louisiana and are moving to Austin, Texas the minimum could be two days.
In addition to the distance your trailer must travel there is another very large factor that plays into your transit time: linear feet used. Let's say you have completely loaded a 53' Movex tractor trailer, obviously your transit time will be much closer to the first anticipated delivery date because the truck has no other deliveries to make. If you only used 6' on the other hand, your transit times will be longer and your delivery date may be towards the end of your window. It's also important to account for the other people moving on the same truck, how much space they have and where they are relocating to.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 19 2013 17:36
Categories: Moving Services, Transportation, Moving Labor, Portable Storage, Freight, Truck Rental, Relocation
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, movex moving, moving labor services, diy moving, truck rental, portable storage, household freight, moving tips, moving guide, you load we drive

Avoiding Moving Labor and Broker Scams

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:05:44 +0000

Title: Avoiding Moving Labor and Broker Scams
Article:

Let's face it, the moving industry doesn't exactly have the best reputation. It's an extremely heavily regulated industry primarily because of all the scams and rip offs, you've likely heard a moving related horror story before. The vast majority of regulation affects full service moving companies (e.g. van lines and long distance movers) while very little regulates the moving labor industry. From most state and federal perspectives you must provide transportation to be considered a mover, obviously this does not apply to moving labor.

When preparing for your upcoming self service move the question remains: How do I choose the right moving labor company?

Regulations aside, every company should have a valid state entity and a general liability insurance policy.

If the company says they are "licensed and insured" but offers no proof make sure to ask for proof. Any company with the proper documentation should not deny your request.
Most states allow you to look up business entities within the state for free. If the company claims to be an Inc, LLC or other entity type then validate it by searching online.

While their website may claim that they are the greatest moving company ever it doesn't mean too much without proof.

We live in the Internet era and you have the world at your fingertips. Check respected review sites like Yelp and Angie's List. While Google, Yahoo and Merchant Circle may be resources for reviews as well you should put less stock into these reviews since they are not verified.
Search the company name and see what you find. There are plenty of forums and sites like Citydata.com that have useful input from previous customers.

What about their payment and pricing? Watch for "cash only" companies...

One of our favorite things to see is moving labor "companies" that offer "licensed and insured" moving labor for $20/hr per man. While it may be possible from the perspective that 'anything is possible' it surely isn't profitable. A quality moving company pays their employees well and will charge at least $25/hr per man.
It's 2011 and credit cards are used for purchases in more than 50% of the total transactions annually. If the company does not accept credit cards, or will only process the deposit by credit card then this could be a red flag.

Found a great deal? Check the fine print!

Very few companies have straight forward pricing, instead many opt to tack on a bunch of extra fees that may be hidden. While piano moving fees and travel fees are normal, charges for stairs, elevators, short notice moves and weekend moves are not.
Does the company charge a reschedule fee? Moving has a lot of unknowns associated with it and rescheduling is common, if the company charges for rescheduling you should move on.

Do they insure your household goods?

No moving labor company can insure your items once they finish the work and depart the site, but they are required to provide federally mandated coverage while working. This coverage is called "Released Valuation" and covers dropped or broken items at $0.60/lb per item. Any value less than that or time restrictions on the coverage is illegal.

Are they an AMLPA Member?

The AMLPA is a membership based trade group for the moving labor industry. They have two membership types, Certified and Non-Certified. Both member types meet the quality guidelines while only the Certified meet the insurance requirements. You can check on a company using their member location map.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 22 2011 15:07
Categories: Moving Services, Moving Labor
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, moving labor brokers, packing and loading services, nationwide moving labor, moving tips, moving guide

Fastest Growing States and Regions in the US

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:59:18 +0000

Title: Fastest Growing States and Regions in the US
Article:

We all remember the big buzz about the 2010 Census, most of us probably just filled out our information and sent it back in. But behind the scenes there were some very smart people working on compiling all of that data into economic, population and demographic trends and charts. While there are probably thousands of different reports, the most interesting to us was the population migration data. This 12 page report outlines what states the population moved to/from between 2000-2010; some of the data may surprise you.

Quick Facts

The South and West accounted for 84.4% of the population increase from 2000-2010.
Texas experienced the highest numeric increase, up by 4.3 million.
New York replaced Florida as the third most populous state.
26.5% of the US population lives in one of the three largest states: New York, California and Texas.
Houston, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth are the most populous metro areas.
The Atlanta metro area accounted for 54.4% of Georgia's population growth during this period.

2000-2010 Top 5 Fastest Growing States

Nevada
Arizona
Utah
Idaho
Texas

2000-2010 Top 5 Slowest Growing States

Michigan (The only state with a negative population growth)
Rhode Island
Louisiana
Ohio
West Virginia

2000-2010 Fastest Growing Metropolitan-Statistical Areas

Palm Coast, Florida (NE Florida, South of Jacksonville)
Saint George, Utah (NW Utah, 110 miles from Las Vegas)
Las Vegas-Paradise, Nevada
Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina (Also called the Research Triangle. Durham and Chapel Hill are here as well)
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida (SW Florida, 30 miles North of Naples)
Provo-Orem, Utah (Suburban Salt Lake City)
Greeley, Colorado (North of Denver)
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas (Central Texas)
Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway, South Carolina (NE South Carolina, South of Wilmington, NC)
Bend, Oregon (Central Oregon, 130 Miles to Eugene, 165 Miles to Portland)

Download the complete report from the US Census Bureau

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 19 2011 12:38
Categories: Relocation
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, moving labor services, diy moving, truck rental, portable storage, moving tips, moving guide, relocation trends, moving facts

How to be Prepared for your Self Service Move

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:50:34 +0000

Title: How to be Prepared for your Self Service Move
Article:

One of the most common questions we receive is, "How long will my move take?" Despite our efforts to provide estimates based on the type and size of transportation method (which is based on historical averages), the fact remains that one of the largest factors is how prepared the customer is. One of the greatest benefits of moving labor is that we can handle all levels of preparedness, from those who haven't packed a single box to the architect that has created blueprints for how he wants his container loaded. Many times the difference between a three hour move and a seven hour move lies with the customer.

See the difference between an organized and unorganized move

(Click the images for a larger version)

We want to make it very clear that these are merely suggestions for reducing your total move time and overall moving expenses. Our crews will assemble or dis-assemble most items (No baby cribs or gas appliances) without charge and will pack your boxes if you would like, these services just add time to your move.

Move Preparation

The most tedious and time consuming task is packing the moving boxes. Whenever possible have all of the boxes packed, sealed and ready to be moved.
Dis-assemble anything that may require it before the movers arrive. The most common items are mirrors attached to a dresser, desks and beds.
Remove all electronic components and wires from your TV stand or entertainment center. Fumbling with these wires can be time consuming.
Make sure there is a clear walkway through the home. Move all of the boxes to either side of the walkway to prevent the movers having to rearrange them just to get through.
Often times when loading a container or truck we will need "fillers". Fillers are lightweight items that can fit into top or corner areas. The best way to create fillers is to put cushions, pillows and blankets into trash bags instead of boxes.
Whenever possible remove the dresser drawers from the dresser. While this is not always necessary it is usually inevitable for heavier triple and double dressers and will save time.
Use rope or shrink wrap to tie/secure furniture pieces that have doors or drawers. Many times we must secure these pieces to prevent it from opening during movement.
If you have large or over-sized items consider removing the railing along the stairwell or doors from their hinge.
Prepare front load washers and dryers by installing the transit bolts ahead of time.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 15 2011 10:51
Categories: Moving Services, Relocation
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving labor services, diy moving, moving labor help, packing and loading services, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes

How to Find Free or Cheap Moving Supplies

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:45:04 +0000

Title: How to Find Free or Cheap Moving Supplies
Article:

If you are preparing to move you probably have a lot of packing ahead of you. Here is how you can minimize the cost of moving boxes and packing supplies while doing your part to reduce waste:

Begin at your local grocery store. While many larger companies have reuse and recycle programs you can likely still find boxes available for free.
Browse your local Craigslist website, while some people do sell their old moving boxes many just want to get rid of them and will do so for free.
If you live in an apartment complex or high rise building you likely have people moving in and out often. Watch for these people and ask them if you can take their unwanted boxes off their hands.
Also for apartment and high rise tenants, if you have a shared trash room or recycling area you can probably find boxes that are being discarded from a UPS or USPS shipment. Many of these boxes are in great condition and can be reused.

If you are unable to find cheap or free boxes through these methods then you may have to purchase them. If this is the case then these tips will help you at least reduce the cost of the supplies needed:

Need help packing your moving boxes? Learn about our professional packing services and how we can help you find affordable boxes.

Although not available in every city, used box companies are popping up across the country. These companies acquire boxes from local businesses and residents after they have been used and then resell them to you. Because the boxes are used they are much cheaper than traditional moving supplies, it's also an environmentally friendly option!
If you move often you may want to consider purchasing plastic bins from Wal Mart. The initial cost may be a bit much but you can reuse them for years and avoid having to purchase boxes again in the future.
Similar to #2 above, if you are moving locally there are now companies that will rent reusable containers. They generally provide pick-up and drop-off service and charge per container per week. While none of these companies offer long distance service yet, there are several that are rapidly expanding. One such company is BungoBox based in Orlando, Florida. They are franchising their business and currently have locations in South Florida, Tampa, Orlando and Phoenix, Arizona. BungoBox could be the first company to offer moving container rentals nationally in the next few years.
Instead of buying your supplies at a local retail outlet like Lowe's, Home Depot or U-Haul, take a few moments to search for a local manufacturer. Many cities have at least one company that manufacturers corrugate and they may offer steep discounts to customers like yourself.

Want more information? View our other moving guides related to affordable moving supplies.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: May 17 2012 10:23
Categories: Moving Supplies, Prepare for a Move, Moving Tips
Tags: self service moving, moving discounts, diy moving, moving tips, moving guide, moving supplies, moving boxes, used boxes

Rental Truck Insurance - What is NOT Covered

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:41:25 +0000

Title: Rental Truck Insurance - What is NOT Covered
Article:

So you are standing at the truck rental counter and the representative asks, "Did you want to purchase insurance for the truck?". The answer is commonly "no" because many people believe that their auto insurance covers rental trucks. 99% of the time auto insurance does not cover a rental truck, and for the 1% of cases where they do cover the truck it's limited to the smallest truck available (usually 10').

Now we are in no way suggesting that you have to buy the insurance or for that matter suggesting that you should. The decision of whether or not to purchase the insurance should be based on the size of the truck, your familiarity with driving trucks and of course, the distance that you plan to travel. For those of you who opt to purchase the insurance we want to bring a little known fact to your attention: The two most commonly damaged areas of the truck are not covered by the rental insurance.

Corner Cap Damage: The corner cap on a rental truck is located on the front left and right corners of the box truck above the cab (See Image). These corners are the most common areas to be damaged because people unfamiliar with these trucks often do not turn wide enough or fail to realize the height of the truck. Regardless of which insurance you have purchased damage to this area is not covered.

Tire "Curbing": Curbed tires are a result of running into or along a curb (See Image). Although not usually serious, if you do it hard enough you can puncture the tire. Tire damage as a result of curbing is not covered under the insurance plans and is a very common occurrence.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 07 2011 11:18
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, u-haul, budget truck rental

Truck Rental Companies - Who do you Choose?

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:42:09 +0000

Title: Truck Rental Companies - Who do you Choose?
Article:

If you are preparing for a self service move then you are likely familiar with the three primary options: Truck rental, portable storage and freight. Each option provides a long list of benefits and drawbacks that must be considered before setting up your move. In this blog post we will discuss the truck rental option because it is still the most widely used self service moving method and is available for local, regional and long distance moves.

When most people hear the word "truck rental" they automatically think U-Haul. I applaud U-Haul for their ability to brand themselves so well that they are synonymous with an entire industry, similar to Kleenex, Google, PODS and Asprin. While many people may jump online and book a U-Haul truck, few fail to realize that there are two other large companies that provide moving trucks nationally; Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental.

Elite Moving Labor specifically recommends both Penske Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental, this is based on years of data regarding safety, quality of service, quality of moving trucks and pricing. With that in mind we have provided a brief overview of the three companies to help you determine which one may be best for your unique situation.

Penske Truck Rental

Prices	Extremely competitive with U-Haul and Budget. Prices vary by season/route but are much more competitive than many think. Save up to 20% on your one-way truck rentals with our discount!
Quality	Nationally established as having the best quality of trucks available. They provide a young and well maintained fleet.
Reservations	Easy to use, fast load times and easy to understand. Even better, they provide quotes for insurance prices and include taxes in their pricing. Budget Truck Rental does not.
Coverage	The smallest of the three companies in terms of truck rentals. They provide complete national coverage and can be found in most primary and secondary markets, unlikely to be found in rural areas.

Budget Truck Rental

Prices	Competitive with Penske and U-Haul. We've found them generally less expensive than U-Haul and slightly more expensive than Penske on average. Save 15-20% with our Budget Truck Rental discounts!
Quality	2nd best of the three companies. The fleet varies in age but is relatively well maintained and trucks are usually less than 7 years old.
Reservations	Online reservations could be greatly improved. The quotes load slowly and does not include the price of taxes or optional insurances.
Coverage	The 2nd largest in the country, Budget covers most major and secondary markets extremely well. You may find them in some rural markets but not all.

U-Haul Rental

Prices	Because U-Haul has the most trucks on the road (by far) they can generally offer greater discounts. However we have found on many occasions that their prices are higher than the other two companies. This is likely because many consumers fail to price shop for truck rentals.
Quality	Widely accepted as poor quality trucks. While they have added a large fleet of new trucks over the past few years they still have many older trucks that are constantly under scrutiny. Read More
Reservations	Simple and easy online reservation process. Includes the prices for insurance however does not appear to list taxes with the quote.
Coverage	By far the largest rental truck company. They have over 15,000 locations and can be found extensively in all major markets and can usually be found in secondary and rural markets.

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Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 26 2012 11:26
Categories: Transportation, Truck Rental
Tags: self service moving, diy moving, truck rental, moving tips, moving guide, rental truck, moving truck, penske truck rental, u-haul, budget truck rental

Tips for Moving During the Summer

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:36:32 +0000

Title: Tips for Moving During the Summer
Article:

The United States Census Bureau confirms that the summertime is indeed the busiest time of the year for household moving. Data published by the Census Bureau shows that 48.4% of all moves annually take place between June and September, and another large chunk taking place in May. This means that each year around 65% of all household moves take place in these five months, leaving 35% of moves to occur in the remaining seven months. The moral of this story: Plan ahead if you are going to be relocating between May and September.

To help you plan your summer move we have outlined some tips that will increase your chances of success and reduce your overall moving costs:

Weekends and the ends of the month are the busiest times to move no matter what season it is, if you have flexibility in your relocation plans then try to move on a weekday or during the middle of the month. If possible avoid Memorial Day Weekend (the 2nd busiest moving weekend of the year) and the last weekend in July (the busiest moving weekend of the year).
Rental truck prices as well as portable storage and freight services are based on supply and demand. Although the prices will always be higher in the summer than in the winter your pricing may be much lower if you book in advance. Most of these companies do not require a deposit to reserve their services so it can only benefit you in the long run. Take your savings further by using our special discounts with Budget Truck Rental, Penske Truck Rental and Movex.
While the average person makes their moving labor reservation only 8 days in advance, you should consider making your reservation much earlier. This is especially true for customers moving on the last weekend of the month or on a holiday weekend such as Memorial Day. Although most companies (including us) take a deposit to secure your reservation you can usually reschedule without penalty as long as we have been notified within a reasonable time period. (See Reschedule Policy)
Resources for moving can be scarce during the summer months so have a contingency plan and confirm often. When reserving a truck rental many times customers will also reserve furniture padding, these pads are extremely important for your move. Although pads are reserved online most truck rental companies do not track the quantity of their pads available and can sell out before you arrive to pick up your truck. Make sure you call the location where you will be picking your truck up at and speak with a manager, make sure he/she is aware of how many pads you need so that they can order them from corporate if they do not have them in stock.
If you are utilizing a freight service such as ABF U-Pack or Movex make sure you allow a buffer between the time you schedule your movers and the anticipated arrival of your trailer. Let's face it, delivery windows for most carriers are often incorrect and can be frustrating if you do not allow a buffer. If the freight company has provided you with a window of 8am-12pm for delivery you should not schedule movers until at least 1pm, even later if possible.

Created By: AdminELITE
Last Modified: April 01 2011 09:26
Categories: Relocation
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, moving labor services, diy moving, portable storage, moving tips, moving guide, summer moving

Rising Fuel Costs and Your Self Service Move

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:17:40 +0000

Title: Rising Fuel Costs and Your Self Service Move
Article:

Rising fuel costs are going to become a major factor for families planning on moving during the spring and summer of 2011. From March 4th, 2010 to March 4th, 2011 prices have risen an average of $0.77 per gallon of unleaded fuel, the majority of that price increase has been within the previous two weeks. Political issues in the middle east are driving factors behind these increases which historically will increase again during the peak driving season, summertime. What does this mean for individuals and families planning to move this summer? Much higher prices at the pump and a more expensive move than perhaps previously anticipated.

In addition to the rising fuel costs, the spring and summer are the busiest times of the year for moving which means higher demand and prices for truck rentals, household freight and storage. It's highly unlikely that any additional money spent on fuel will be recouped elsewhere within your moving budget due to the rise in prices for these items. Ultimately, cost savings will need to come from unexpected areas such as reduced costs for packing materials and higher MPGs from smart and efficient driving. We've outlined several cost saving tips for your self service move that will help you cut costs, reduce waste and move efficiently.

Check out our new rental truck fuel calculator! Enter a few details and we will tell you how much you should expect to budget for fuel costs.

If you have opted for a rental truck and are moving long distance then you will want to do everything possible to improve your MPG's. Even the smallest rental truck (The U-Haul and Budget 10' truck) only gets 10-12 MPG, and the 24'-26' diesel trucks get significantly less, usually in the 4.5-6.5 range.
1. Increase your fuel economy by choosing a company that provides well maintained trucks that are less than five years old. Penske Truck Rental provides the best rental trucks followed by Budget Truck Rental.
2. When possible, choose a corporate location for your truck pickup. These locations tend to have the best available fleet and are much more customer oriented. If you're going 1,000 miles or more you should speak with the manager and specifically ask for a new truck.
3. You've likely noticed that many gas stations these days charge 2-4 cents more per gallon when you use a credit card. The same concept applies to diesel fuel except it is usually a much higher cost, sometimes 10 cents or more. If you are driving a diesel rental truck (22', 24' or 26') you should pay with cash when possible to reduce your fuel related expenses.
4. Although the larger trucks maintain a relatively constant MPG, the smaller trucks (10', 12' and 16') will fluctuate depending on the driving conditions and how you drive. For more information on efficient driving techniques check out this guide.
5. Assuming you have a smart phone or Internet access you can also check for the cheapest fuel in the area by checking out Gas Buddy.
Cutting costs at the pump isn't the only way to achieve savings during your move. One big ticket item we come across often are wardrobe boxes. Even wholesale these boxes can range from $6.50 to $10, many retail locations will sell them for as much as $15. For many of us these wardrobe boxes are not just unnecessary but a huge waste of space. Instead of wardrobe boxes consider this: Bunch 15-20 items together, then rubber band or zip tie the base of the hangars. Next, cut a small hole in the bottom of the trash bag and then place the trash bag over the clothes (open side is facing down). Slip the hangars through the hole you made and then tie the bottom of the trash bag, voila! Your clothes are now protected, you've saved money and reduced waste.
Although wardrobe boxes may not be necessary other packing materials likely will be. Instead of buying those supplies at U-Haul, Lowe's or another retail location consider a wholesaler. Many wholesale companies will sell to the public and almost every metropolitan area has one. The two largest companies are New Haven and Victory Packaging, although you should be able to find smaller local options by searching online.

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Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 20 2012 15:27
Categories: Transportation
Tags: self service moving, freight, movex moving, diy moving, truck rental, portable storage, ABF, ABF U-Pack, U-Pack, household freight

Safely Moving and Securing Items in ABF U-Pack

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:34:47 +0000

Title: Safely Moving and Securing Items in ABF U-Pack
Article:

ABF U-Pack is a very common choice for customers who want the affordable and flexible benefits of self service moving but don't want to deal with driving the truck. It's because ABF trailers are so common that we wanted to put together this brief blog about ways to secure your load to avoid damage and shifting. Although we like many things about ABF U-Pack, one thing we do not like is that the trucks are not air ride equipped but instead spring ride. This basically means that their trucks are designed to carry freight, not necessarily household goods, whereas 'You Load, We Drive' companies like Broadway Express are specifically setup for household goods. So what does all of this mean? It means that while ABF U-Pack is an affordable and viable option for many people it is not the best solution for those with high end furniture or for people relocating a great distance due to the probability of damage occurring.

The best way to ensure that your household goods are secure is to utilize ratchet straps. Unlike rope, ratchet straps can be winched tight and have a much greater weight capacity, some as high as 3000 pounds. Although any type of ratchet strap will be beneficial, E-Track straps are the best for ABF trailers. These straps lock in to the side of the trailer and are recommended by nearly all of our moving crews. Ratchet straps for your ABF trailer are relatively cheap, around $20 for a pack of four, and they can be purchased from most home improvement stores. We recommend between 4-6 straps for a full 28' ABF trailer, less of course if you will be using less space.

Furniture pads are also very important to the successful load of your household items. Read more about the importance of furniture pads for self moving.

By providing our movers with ratchet straps and furniture padding on your moving day you will greatly reduce the probability of damage during transit. Get more information about hiring our movers to load or unload your ABF trailer.

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Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: March 07 2012 15:04
Categories: Freight, Moving Tips
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, diy moving, loading, ABF, ABF U-Pack, U-Pack, 28' Trailer, household freight

College Moving - Affordable Help for Students

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:30:25 +0000

Title: College Moving - Affordable Help for Students
Article:

Before you know it spring time will be upon us and the semi-annual process of moving students in and out of college will begin. Every college is different and so are the needs of every student, while some universities may have easy access that allow students to move themselves others may not. Take the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for example, if you happen to be one of the not-so-lucky freshmen living in the Hinton James dorm you certainly may need some help moving your items. This large 10 story dorm has only two small elevators for the 774 students, many of whom will move in or out over the same two day period (View this time lapsed video of students moving in). This means that students at this dorm will be standing in the long elevator line for some time or climbing the stairs to complete their move. The solution is simple, hire Elite Moving Labor to move your items on the dreaded college moving day so you can save your time and energy.

Of course our example of UNC-Chapel Hill is just one of many out there. Often times you can hire moving labor for a very affordable price, especially if you utilize our new college moving program. As opposed to our normal pricing which is structured for household moves, the college moving program allows all of our crews the ability to customize pricing for each individual college. Further, sororities, fraternities or groups of students can save money by completing all of their moves in a single day allowing for volume discounts.

While each school will vary in pricing and time minimums, we anticipate lower prices for college students through this program. Our movers understand that a college students needs are minimal when compared to a normal household and pricing will reflect that. To receive an instant moving labor price quote for your college or university please visit our college moving area. Remember that our moving services are for labor only, we do not provide rental trucks or storage directly. If you require these services please review our transportation section with links and partner discounts for rental trucks, storage, summer shipping and more.

Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2011 12:32
Categories: College Moving
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, moving discounts, affordable moving services, college moving, summer storage, college moving solutions, dorm room moving, college campus moving, nationwide coverage

Affordable College Moving Services

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:58:39 +0000

Title: Affordable College Moving Services
Article:

Moving into and out of college can be both exciting and daunting, the task of lugging your belongings around the college campus is never fun. Luckily, Elite Moving Labor has created a new program with college students in mind. The goal of our new college moving program is to make access to professional movers more affordable and more specific to the needs of a college student. The primary differences between our college moving program and traditional moving labor program is that the pricing and minimum charge vary from college to college. The prices will vary depending on numerous factors including the location of the university, population of the university and surrounding metropolitan area and how close the nearest available crew is. By allowing variable pricing we can accommodate large schools in rural areas such as the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. Although these schools are very large they are at least an hour away from the closest metropolitan area.

The college moving program makes moving labor options more affordable by not only allowing lower rates at most schools but also lower minimums. Our standard moving services have a three hour minimum, far more time than the average college student will need. Minimums vary from college to college but many schools have just a two hour minimum, some go as low as one hour. Students interested in utilizing our college moving program will also find resources for other moving and storage options including deals from our mobile storage and self storage partners as well as summer shipping services specifically for college students.

The new college moving program will be available to college students beginning on or around February 14th, 2011. For additional information or details prior to the launch of the program please contact us.

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Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: June 08 2012 17:29
Categories: College Moving
Tags: moving labor, moving labor services, moving discounts, affordable moving services, college moving, college moving services, summer storage, college moving solutions, dorm room moving, college student moving, portable storage

When Moving Labor is the Right Choice

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:08:27 +0000

Title: When Moving Labor is the Right Choice
Article:

One of the most common questions we receive daily is from individuals who are unsure if moving labor is appropriate for their unique situation. While moving labor is an affordable option for many moving situations, it is not for everyone. We have taken a few moments to outline when moving labor is most effective provided some example situations.

If you need additional resources check out our informative guide describing the differences between moving labor services and traditional full service moving companies. We also have a guide called "What is Moving Labor?"

Loading & Unloading

Contrary to popular belief, moving labor is not just used for loading and unloading rental trucks. Sure, that's a large portion of our business but we also service freight trucks like ABF and Movex as well as the growing number of mobile storage companies. Undoubtedly you have heard of PODS, Portable on Demand Storage, but there are many others. In addition to these primary types of transportation we also load and unload trailers, commercial tractor trailers, international shipping containers and cargo vans.

You can hire moving labor for your entire move or just a portion:

You may elect to have us only move the furniture
Just because you have an entire home doesn't mean that we need to pack and load it all. If you're seeking to save money you can utilize moving labor for a specific room or a select few rooms
Have the muscle but need the experience? Instead of having us move the items you may elect to have our movers load your truck or unit to maximize the available space and prevent damage.

On-Site / In-Home Moves

There are many situations which may require experienced movers to provide furniture movement services within a home, apartment or complex. "On-Site" is a blanket term which suggests that items will be moved but not into or out of a truck. This is primarily seen when:

A home is being renovated and furniture needs to be moved within the home to clear specific rooms
During home staging and items are being moved to reduce clutter
From one apartment to another apartment in the same building or complex. This can be in a high rise from floor to floor or in an open apartment community from building to building
Donating or removing junk from a home
For businesses or government agencies, moving offices within the same building or complex
Furniture movement while repairs are being made

As you can see there are many different reasons to utilize moving labor for your move. Every situation is different and should be carefully reviewed before making a decision on what moving method to utilize. If you have questions about your unique relocation situation feel free to ask.

Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: February 17 2011 12:40
Categories: Moving Labor
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, moving labor services, college moving, truck rental, portable storage, packing and loading services, loading, unloading

Using Elite Moving Labor and Movex to Create A Full Move

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:05:29 +0000

Title: Using Elite Moving Labor and Movex to Create A Full Move
Article:

Moving is a challenging task, especially for individuals who are used to having their relocation paid for by their company or the government. With the recession bearing down on companies both small and large, many individuals find themselves tasked with planning and paying for their upcoming move. Anyone who hasn't moved in the past five to seven years is likely overwhelmed with the onslaught of available options today, from mobile storage to freight. One of the most practical and affordable relocation options available is household freight available from Movex.

Movex provides an air-ride equipped 53' tractor trailer for your move and allows you to purchase space to fit your needs, from the minimum of 6' to the entire truck. Movex provides individuals seeking a cost effective solution with a great option that isn't just affordable but also efficient. Movex pricing includes all taxes and fees for your transportation leaving no guesswork about the weight, driver fees, tolls or tariffs; everything is included in their rates. The pricing also includes the use of their furniture pads which are on every truck, allowing you to safely pad and wrap your furniture for the move.

Now that you have a practical solution for the transportation of your household items you may be asking, how do I load or unload them onto the truck? Elite Moving Labor specializes in providing reliable, affordable and licensed moving labor for relocation options like Movex. We provide complete nationwide service and can setup movers for loading, unloading and packing of your Movex trailer. By hiring professional moving labor you can maximize the amount of available space and ensure that your furniture and valuable items are loaded safely to prevent damage. Elite Moving Labor will also work directly with Movex to coordinate the movers with the arrival of your Movex trailer, allowing you to focus on getting to your destination instead of worrying about coordinating the different aspects of your move.

By combining to separate self service moving options like Elite Moving Labor and Movex, you will be able to create an affordable move with the least amount of stress. Take advantage of special discounts from Movex by getting an instant quote for your move today. Remember to order your moving labor services online!

Created By: zLTm_AdminELITE
Last Modified: November 10 2010 07:40
Categories: Moving Services, Transportation, Moving Labor
Tags: moving labor, self service moving, freight, movex moving, moving labor services, moving discounts, diy moving, affordable moving services