TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

8 tips for preparing your kids for a positive moving experience

-Written by Megan Loop

Change can be hard for kids – especially moving homes – as they uplift their life from a place they’re used to and start somewhere new.

As overwhelming as this might be, there are some steps you can take to make the process a bit more digestible and comforting for them as they adapt to their new surroundings. You may find these tips make the challenge a little less overwhelming for the entire family!

Sit them down for a talk

The first step in this process is sitting your kids down for a talk to explain the transition. Tell them why the move is necessary and listen to any concerns they may have. Be honest and open with them so they feel inclined to ask any necessary questions about the process.

Remind your kids they can easily remain in contact with friends

Typically, the most common issue kids have with moving is the fact that they are leaving their friends. It’s important to remind them to stay in touch with friends and that there will still be opportunities to see them, especially with technology making it easier to stay in reach.

Introduce them to the movers

When the movers arrive, introduce them to your kids so they will feel more comfortable with the team handling their belongings. Establishing trust will make kids feel more at ease with the process. Our teams are professional and friendly and will always do their best to make sure it is a pleasant experience for all.

Encourage them to make new friends in the area

Remind your kids that they now have the chance to get out there and meet new people from different backgrounds in the area you are moving to. Setting up playdates with the neighborhood kids will make them more at ease with the change. Maybe walking over to the houses next door and introducing your kids to the new families will be the start of something great!

Take them on a tour around the new area

Taking a break from getting the new home ready and exploring the area will help your kids get acclimated. Check out restaurants, ice cream shops, parks, and fun activities to do nearby. Getting them used to your new neighborhood and area will help them become excited and comfortable with the change.

Create excitement around their new room

Be enthusiastic about the fact that they get a brand new room and can decide for themselves how they want to set it up. This part is aways exciting for kids. Set aside an area for play that they can go to when they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Find a fun new use for the packing boxes

Give the kids fun projects with the boxes that’ll keep them busy. Have them get creative with making fun box costumes or drawings on the cardboard! Keeping them preoccupied with a fun new project while you work on unpacking can be beneficial to all.

Keep a positive attitude

Set a positive demeanor for your kids to look to for encouragement. If they see that you are happy with the new home and area, then they may look at the bright side as well! Encourage them to see it as a new adventure that you will take on together.

Utilize these helpful tips to allow for a smooth transition for the entire family. Here at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we want the move to be as seamless as possible!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

July 11, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Follow these 6 important safety tips as a new homeowner

Being a new homeowner is an exciting and new experience as it signifies a huge steppingstone in your life with making such a big purchase.

With this huge step comes responsibility, which is why we are breaking down 6 safety measures to consider after the big move. With our more than 35 years of experience in moving people in and out of their homes, we’ve picked up on some helpful tips to share with you.

Check out this safety checklist to ensure your new home experience will be a safe space moving forward!

Electrical hazards

Follow your gut when you notice something off regarding anything electrical. Hazardous situations may arise from a damaged cord, wire, or outlet. It’s best to get it checked out by an electrician to ensure a problem doesn’t arise. Make sure everything is working properly and in the case of an emergency, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the electrical box.

Locating the water and piping system

Take the time to locate the water and piping system so you can familiarize yourself with the inner workings along with how to shut your water off. This is prudent information in the case of a broken pipe or flooding. By knowing this information, you would be able to locate it and turn off the water quickly in any emergency.

Invest in a security system

Nowadays, it’s very common to have security cameras surrounding your home. This could be a Ring camera on your doorbell or some sort of alarm system that will alert you when there is an entry breach. This is always a smart idea in the case of a burglary attempt, or just for monitoring any strange behavior or activity taking place near your home.

Check your smoke alarms and detectors

Ensure that your new home has working smoke alarms and that you and your whole family know how to operate them. Look around to see where they are and if there are enough alarms in the proper places as well.

Check the battery life and ensure you have backup batteries in an accessible place. It also doesn’t hurt to test these alarm systems so you know they will work when an emergency arises. Knowing how to function these devices will save your family from panicking and not knowing what to do when the time comes.

First aid equipment

Be sure to have a designated area in the house for first aid supplies. This could be anything from band aids, bandage wraps, ice packs, antibiotics/creams, thermometer, and so forth. Also make sure you have other emergency items such as flashlights, non-perishable foods, water, batteries, multi-purpose tools, medications, etc. readily available.

Create emergency plans

There are extreme situations that can arise where it is crucial to be prepared, such as tornados, hurricanes, flooding, fires, and so forth. Sitting down with your family to discuss a detailed plan in the event of these emergency situations is critical.

For example, understanding where to go in your home for tornado shelter, how to react to a fire, or having an escape route. It is also a good idea to have emergency contact information in an easily accessible place, especially if there are kids in the household. This way they know exactly who they can call in an emergency situation, especially if parents aren’t home or available.

Follow these safety measures and you and your family will feel more at ease in your new home. It is always wise to be safe rather than sorry, so be sure to educate the whole household on the proper safety measures to be taken. Once this important step is taken you are ready to enjoy this exciting new chapter in your life!

June 27, 2022June 27, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Utilize TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’S junk removal service this summer to remove unwanted clutter

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Junk Truck in driveway

-Written by Megan Loop

It’s summertime, which means you probably have plenty of clutter in your home that could easily be taken care of by our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK junk removal service. With more free time to spare in the summer, it’s time to get organized without the hassle of doing it yourself.

Many know of TWO MEN AND A TRCUK as a moving company, but our junk removal services have been taking off since we launched it a few years ago. This is a helpful service for college students looking to clean up their dorm rooms as they head back home, families that have clutter scattered across their homes, and even for businesses looking to tidy up this summer season.

Anyone can find use for this service and with one call, we will get it taken care of for you. Save yourself the back ache and let our dedicated, professionally trained movers take care of your junk removal needs.

There are plenty of items laying around the house TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can remove, which include:

Household furniture
Business furniture
Mattresses or box springs
Appliances
Carpeting
TVs
Exercise equipment
Electronics or appliances (may vary by franchise)

Garage cleanouts, furniture removal, estate cleaning, business cleaning, downsizing, and more all fit perfectly with this service option. With help from our junk removal team, this stressful job will be taken care of in no time and those unwanted items will be out of your sight. Now you can focus on the things you really want to do this summer!

It is important to also note that junk removal service is only available for specific franchise locations. Contact the location in your area to see if this service is available for you. Also keep in mind there are certain items we can’t take with the junk removal service. There is more information on our junk removal service website you can read for more information.

Here are a few handy tips to get you started on the junk removal process!

Stay organized by creating a plan

Start by compiling a list of the items you plan to have removed. Then design a step-by-step plan to follow in order to keep you on the right track and to ease any worries about the process.

Get all the proper cleaning supplies you may need together

Before you start on getting your unwanted clutter together, ensure you have the right supplies. These supplies being cleaning products, trash bags, rags, and so on. Head to the store before getting started or start rounding up what you already have at home to use in the process.

Good rules to follow

If you don’t see yourself using it, it’s safe to say you shouldn’t keep it around anymore. If you find certain items taking up space that you have no purpose for anymore, give us that call to get rid of it through the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK junk removal service. You will find yourself feeling better without the unnecessary clutter taking up space in your home.

Take your time

Give yourself credit, this is a stressful process that can take time. Take it day by day, cleaning up what you can and remember TWO MEN AND A TRUCK will do all the hard work for you!

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK gearing up for this year’s “Busiest Move Weekend”!

Another June has come, and at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we’re prepared and ready for our “Busiest Move Weekend” which takes place during the final weekend of the month!

With school out and houses flying off the market, it comes as no surprise that we’re busier than ever this summer. Our franchises across the country have been prepping to get ready for this weekend by hiring and training their teams to exceed customers’ expectations.

We’ll have more than 3,000 trucks on the road during this weekend alone, helping our customers move forward. We’re ready to go!

“With our upcoming ‘Busiest Move Weekend’, people can expect the same great service from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK that has helped build our reputation into what it is in the moving industry,” said Randy Shacka, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK President. “This weekend will challenge our core value of ’being your best and having fun’, and we gladly accept the challenge knowing how high the demand is for moving. This is a reflection of the great people working for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and we take great pride in embracing this moment as we look forward to providing the best experience for our customers during this time.”

For those who are interested in using TWO MEN AND A TRUCK now or during the summer, we’d recommend acting fast to ensure there is still room on the schedule! We not only offer home moving services, but a variety of other moving options to meet any moving need, which includes:

Call us today to learn more!

June 13, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK moving services that don’t require a moving truck

You’ve probably seen our big white moving trucks driving around your town, helping customers get from one home to the next, but did you know we offer more than just home moving options?

Our moving teams provide many services which don’t require a moving truck, allowing us to meet the needs of our customers with whatever moving situation they might have. Like any of our services, we will show up with professionally trained moving teams who are ready to handle any type of lifting, ensuring your belongings stay safe and protected from beginning to end.

Check out some of our specialty moving options below and see if any of them fit your upcoming moving needs!

In-Home Moving and Heavy Item Moving

We’ve all been there before. You’re staring at something in your home you need to move, but know that it’s far too heavy for just you to handle. Give us a call!

Our teams will arrive to your home or business and handle the heavy lifting for you, saving you the trouble and the back pain. This service is useful for things like home staging, holiday decorating, renovations, getting ready for a party, and more. We can move things from room to room, up or down stairs, or around those tight corners.

Loading and Unloading

Sometimes, customers like to handle certain parts of a move on their own – and we completely understand that. If you’ve rented a storage container or a moving truck but don’t necessarily feel like doing the lifting and loading part, you can enlist our moving teams to do it instead.

We can move as little or as much as you’d like – you tell us!

Junk Removal

With our junk removal service, we utilize specialty junk removal trucks which are ready to haul away and properly dispose of those old, unwanted items you have laying around the house.

Having only been around for a few years, this service has grown in popularity because our customers are realizing how convenient it is for us to come handle their junk removal needs instead of renting a dumpster. It can also be combined with a move or booked as a standalone service! Learn what items we aren’t able to handle on junk moves, here.

Business Moving and Storage

We’re more than just local, home movers – we are more than ready to help move your business, too! If you have an office that needs moved or rearranged, we’re the movers to call. From professional offices to retail stores, medical offices, educational facilities, non-profit organizations, and much more – our professional moving teams will work with you to develop a moving plan that fits your needs.

We understand the importance of time when running a business, and we’ll do everything we can to keep disruptions to a minimum so you can continue operating as usual.

Please note: With each TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location being independently owned and operated, specialty moving services can sometimes be limited to select franchises. Please use our franchise locator link to find the location closest to you and see if they offer these types of services.

June 6, 2022June 27, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Top 6 “How-To” moving tips to prepare for your next move

Make no mistake about it: moving isn’t easy! What is easy is when you seek the help of professional movers like us at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, which can lift the difficulty and stress out of home moving and make your life a little easier.

To help you even more, we’ve developed a quick guide of “how-to” moving tips to answer some of the bigger questions you might have about moving your home and hiring professional movers.

How To Pack My Belongings

Packing is critical for a successful move and doing it the correct way will make your life significantly easier. Begin the packing process a few weeks before your move so you can slowly chip away at each room in your home. By taking your time and tackling one area at a time, you can avoid getting overwhelmed with all that needs to get done. While packing each box, be sure to label everything accurately so your move team knows where to place each box in your new home. For more packing tips, click here.

How To Stay Organized With A Move

Much like packing, organization goes a long way in eliminating stress, too. The best way to keep yourself organized is by utilizing a moving checklist. If you’re wondering where to find a moving checklist, no worries: we’ve got you covered here.

How To Get Ready For Moving Day

First and foremost, make sure you have a day of the move bag ready with anything you might need like toiletries, chargers, extra clothing, and snacks. Since most of your belongings will be packed away, you’ll want this to avoid having to dig through moving boxes.

Be prepared for the movers’ arrival by placing all packed items in a central location such as by the front door or in the garage. This will create a clear path for the movers to go from your home to the truck and back, and will significantly cut down on the time of your move if they can easily grab boxes or other items to load into the truck.

How To Save Money On A Home Move

Everyone wants to save a little money, right? The best way to save yourself some extra cash on moving day is by being prepared, organized, and ready. Like we mentioned above – having all of your items packed up and in a centralized location will cut down on the time movers have to spend navigating around your home to load up the moving truck. Similarly, if you disassemble all beds and furniture before they arrive, it will save them even more time – which will save you money in the long run.

How To Figure Out The Cost Of A Move

Simply put, the best way to figure out the potential cost of hiring professional movers is by reaching out to the company you’re planning on moving with and getting a free moving quote. Be sure to stay honest with the company about how much you’re moving so they can provide you with the most accurate moving assessment. Some companies may opt to do an in-home or virtual estimate where they walk through your home to gauge the size of your move. This option provides an even more accurate estimate for the team.

How To Pick The Right Moving Company

Start by doing your homework on reputable moving companies in your area. Checking out their websites and reading customer reviews are a great start. Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can compare quotes with companies you’ve reached out to, along with checking the companies are licensed and insured before booking your move. There are plenty of sketchy moving operations out there, so be sure to do your homework and find a reputable, legitimate moving company you can trust!

For more moving tips and ideas, visit our website or our blog and find many more helpful resources to guide you on moving day! If you’d like more information on moving in general, check out our downloadable e-Book on Amazon.

May 31, 2022May 27, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

What to look for when selecting a moving company for your next move

Mobile phone on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK website

The idea of moving may sound great: you’re selling your old home, you’re packing up your belongings and movers are helping you with getting them to your new home … a fresh start!

As great as this all sounds, it’s much easier said than done, and there’s quite a bit more that goes into it. Hiring movers might seem as easy as hoping online and paying like you would any other service, but it’s a little more detailed than that. There are plenty of factors which can go into the decision of hiring professional movers and selecting the best moving company for you.

From figuring out moving dates to how much you want moved, how much you want packed, how many movers and trucks it will take for your move, and more – it’s important to have a detailed plan ready and in place before hiring the movers.

Below, we’ve asked a few frontline team members about what customers should be asking and looking into before selecting a moving company.

Take a look!

May 23, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Doing your research and reading customer testimonials show transparency and credibility when hiring a moving company

May is National Moving Month so as you can imagine, things continue to ramp up within the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family as we help even more customers move this summer!

Moving can be stressful, but when you hire TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, it doesn’t have to be. With professionally trained movers who are background checked and drug screened, equipped with top- of-the-line moving trucks and equipment to ensure your move is a success, it doesn’t get any easier than that. The safety of your belongings is our top priority and our moving teams are trained to handle the most fragile or bulky items you may have.

We’ve moved more than 9 million customers since our days of just two men and a pickup truck driving around the Lansing, Michigan area, and we have no plans of slowing down any time soon.

Still, we understand moving can be daunting task, and hiring professional movers can seem a bit scary, too. There are many questions you might have as you try to figure out your price range, selling and/or purchasing a home , packing up your belongings, and more – so the last thing you want is movers you can’t trust.

We can tell you all about our services and commitment to our customers, but sometimes it’s best to hear it directly from the customers themselves.

Take a look below at what they had to say about using TWO MEN AND A TRUCK!

Norman Wedderburn

Jason Fuller

Karen Franke

May 16, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Avoid these 5 items when preparing to store items in a storage unit

If you have a move on the horizon or are in the process of relocation, one service which can really lessen the burden is storage for extra belongings.

In the midst of these situations, you’re often just looking for a place to put things – regardless of what they are. Having them out of the way will create more space, which in turn will eliminate some of the stress you might be feeling. However, finding a storage unit isn’t as easy as it sounds, and there are many things to consider when packing and getting ready to put our items into a unit.

Storage facilities all have their own set of regulations and guidelines specific to their business, but there are also many things which cannot be put into storage, and it’s important to know what these are. We’ll go over a few of them below!

Combustible or flammable items

You’re probably reading this first one and thinking “obviously”, but it’s still worth mentioning. Anything which is combustible or flammable shouldn’t be kept in a storage unit, as it puts both your belongings and the rest of the storage facility in danger should it catch fire.

Firearms or ammunition

This area can get a bit tricky. With firearms, some storage facilities may allow it, but it’s best to check with them before hand so you don’t run into any issues.

As for ammunition – this is generally never allowed in storage, mostly for the same reasons mentioned above with combustible or flammable items. It can be a hazard.

Unregistered vehicles

Vehicle storage is extremely popular, but vehicles must be up to date on their registration and meet the necessary guidelines for storage in your particular state. Some states classify unregistered vehicles as an abandoned vehicle.

Medical supplies

Be sure to take extra caution and ask your storage unit about their rules with medical supplies. Some medical equipment contains radioactive material, which isn’t legally allowed to be kept in storage.

Also – you don’t want to find yourself needing something related to medical supplies when it’s packed away in a storage unit somewhere.

Soaps and scented candles

While it initially might seem like a big deal when you see this, it actually can be. These types of materials often attract mice or rats, which can become a huge problem for your storage until. Anything giving off a smell like perfume or lotion should be stored with caution.

These are all very important things to keep in mind as you find the best storage solution for you. If you’re in the process of looking for storage, select TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations offer storage options! Click here to learn more.

May 9, 2022 Movers Who Blog Moving, Organizing

Top 7 things to keep in mind during the busy moving season

May is national moving month and as you might imagine, it’s a busy time for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK!

Our franchises all across the country are ready to move customers during the summer months as more and more houses are listed and selling quickly. According to MovingLabor.com, 80% of all moves in the United States happen between the months of April and September. That’s a lot of moving!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise teams are built, trucks and professional moving equipment ready, and even more services are offered now to meet all moving needs from our customers. If you have a move coming up this summer, it’s never too early to start thinking and planning ahead!

It’s no secret that planning, proper packing, and organization will go a long way in helping to eliminate the stress involved with home moving. It’s much easier said than done but with the right mindset and a little expert advice, you can get yourself mentally ready for the big day.

Use our expert moving tips

We’ve moved now for more than 35 years! If you’re looking for some of the best moving tips available, try using a few from the moving professionals themselves – our frontline team members. You can see their best tips, here.

Proper packing

It can’t be stressed enough how important packing is to a successful move. If you pack correctly and give yourself time to chip away at it, the moving process will be that much easier.

Use this in-depth packing guide to show you the proper away to tackle packing for your move, and learn what packing supplies you’ll need to keep your belongings safe and protected throughout the entire process.

Money saving tips

Who doesn’t want to save a little money? This important information and helpful tips will help you save on your next home move.

Know what movers can and can’t move

While we do our best to accommodate all of your moving needs, there are some items moving companies can’t move. It’s important to know what these items are so you don’t find yourself scrambling on moving day. We’ve put together a list, here.

Build a moving checklist

Another major factor in a successful moving day is utilizing a moving checklist. Don’t worry about creating one on your own – we’ve built one for you.

If you’re looking for an even more in-depth moving checklist available on your phone, try movetrac – our free, online moving resource.

Specialty moving services

Not every moving need is for a home or business move – sometimes you just need something moved around your home, a truck unloaded, junk removal, or more. Thankfully, we can help you there, too! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers a variety of specialty moving services for those who just need some help with the heavy lifting. Learn more, here.

Moving with kids and pets

You might not think of it, but kids and pets can also become a big part of the moving process as you work to keep them happy and involved. We’ve put together helpful tips for moving with pets and moving with kids.