Making Your Move In Portland A Little Easier

Licensed Movers must have operating authority from the state of Oregon. This is a very complicated task so there are a lot of rouge movers out there. Here is how you can tell…

• Are they on the ODOT Website listed as authorized movers?
• Movers are regulated by Tarriff’s this means they cannot have a separate truck fee, it must be included in the cost of the labor. This is an easy indicator or red flag to notice when getting pricing.
• Do they have an ODOT# listed on there website or advertising? Ours is, ODOT #161428 and our Federal Authority (USDOT#) is U.S. DOT #2353055
• Can the company show proof of insurance? All authorized movers are required to carry at least cargo insurance.
• Are all of there employees background checked and cleared to enter your home?

The short answer is yes, however sometimes its not needed. We as movers have special tools that help us move heavy items but sometimes there are things we can control, like narrow doorways, tight corners and stairs. If one of these obstacles comes into question we have to tip the dresser on it’s side, back, or top and that’s not so easy when your drawers are full of clothes. So again, it’s easiest if the drawers are emptied into a box or two.
How should I pack for efficiency and safety of my belongings?

The number one rule to packing is to use the appropriate box for the item being packed. For example heavy items like books and dishes should go in small boxes, lighter items like comforters and pillows go in larger boxes. This doesn’t only help the movers transport the boxes to the truck it also helps keep your stuff safe! if a box is loaded down too heavy then it will collapse an the integrity of the box is compromised and you loose the ability to keep your belongings safely packed for the move.

All though we are green and love our environment, sometimes boxes have seen better days. If you are trying to reuse a box from other moves, make sure it is in good enough condition to make the haul. As movers we pack a truck with a certain style and strategy EVERYTIME we move so boxes that are the same size and shape with only 4 or 5 different variations (small, medium, large and extra large boxes) can actually make your move go much smoother and quicker. In the long run using boxes that are uniform and sturdy save you money, its often a misconception that its expensive to buy new packing material but in reality its quite cheap and it can save you money in other ways. Think of loading a truck like a big Tetris game, if there are several different shapes it would make it very hard to play that game, same as true loading a truck, the less style of pieces the faster it takes us to load the truck.

Tipping movers is very common so yes it is recommended. Typically tips range anywhere from 10%-30% of the final bill, depending on your budget. See more recommendations below under “5 Tips for Preparing for Professional Movers”

Professional movers won’t just move anything. Many moving companies have lists of items they will not transport for safety reasons, such as household chemicals, paints and liquids. They may also have a list of things they won’t move for liability reasons, like cash, important papers, photographs, pets, food and medicine. If you plan on bringing these items with you, you’ll have to pack them up and transport them yourself.

Before your moving day, determine whether you or the movers will be responsible for packing and unpacking your belongings. If you’re doing the packing, make sure you use plenty of newspaper, bubble wrap or blankets for padding. This is important because if what you pack breaks during transport, the movers may not be held liable for it. Be sure to have enough boxes on hand and label them with your name, room destination and contents so it’s easier to keep track of where it all needs to go in your new space.

Once everything’s packed, try to sort the boxes by weight to make loading easier for the movers. Keep piles of boxes away from the doorways so everyone can easily walk around. Avoid piling stuff on heavy furniture that will get loaded into the van first.

Moving Aps
There are several home moving checklist aps that can help you organize your move on your Apple and Android, or Blackberry device.

Regardless whether or not you choose to use the moving company’s insurance services, make sure your belongings are financially protected. Accidents can and do happen, so it’s best to have a security blanket in case something breaks or gets lost along the way.

Moving companies offer different types of insurance coverage. Two popular options are by the pound and comprehensive. Insurance by the pound is cheaper, but it doesn’t cover much. For example, if your antique dining table gets scratched during the move and needs to be repaired, this type of coverage will only pay a certain amount depending on how much the table weighs. It may not cover all — or even most of — the repair bill. Comprehensive coverage is more expensive, but it will cover all damages and losses.

Professional movers often have packed schedules. This is especially true during the summer months, when more people tend to switch residences. Movers often don’t have much time to take a lunch break or make a quick trip to a convenience store to grab a drink, so be sure to have refreshments on hand. Go with portable food options like energy bars, and have a variety of beverages to offer thirsty workers. If the weather’s hot, make sure you give a few bottles of water or sports drinks to each worker because they’ll definitely need the extra hydration.

The movers have been schlepping your stuff all day, and if you have a long-distance move, the process is just beginning. They may have a long drive ahead of them to your new house, or they might need to pack several households’ belongings into a large semi trailer and make several stops on a cross-country trip. Any way you pack it, moving is a tough job, so have some cash on hand to show that you appreciate their hard work, especially if they do a quick, thorough job of taking care of your belongings.

How Much Should You Tip?
You should tip your movers $20 or more per person for a full day’s work. If you’re moving a long distance and the same group handles your stuff the whole way, you should pay $100 or more per person.