TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

April 25, 2022 Movers Who Blog Moving, Tips and Tricks

Five money-saving tips to save you some cash during your next move

One of the biggest concerns we hear when people inquire about hiring professional movers is the cost.

Cost is determined by a variety of factors when hiring movers: how much you’re moving, drive time, total hours or distance of the move, how many movers or trucks are needed, and more. However, there are a few simple things you can do to help save yourself money on your next move!

We’ve listed a few of our best money saving tips so you can keep a little extra cash in your pocket and save on the final bill!

Honesty

No, this isn’t just a life motto you should live by (although it’s not a bad idea to always be honest). What we mean by “honesty” is being forthright with how much you are planning to move from one home to the next. Including as much details as possible on big furniture pieces, number of boxes, etc., will only help you in the long run.

If the moving team arrives and there’s more than you led on, it’s going to take more time, effort, and space in the truck, which will drive up the cost of your move.

Pack with a purpose

Proper packing goes a long way when it comes to home moving. Not only is it critical in protecting your items during the entire move, but it can also save you money. If your items are not packed properly prior to the movers arrival, they’ll need to do pack items up themselves or what for you to finish packing, which takes additional time that’s added onto your final bill.

If you need assistance with packing, you can hire our moving teams to arrive prior to moving day and pack for you. Or, we offer a full line of moving boxes and packing supplies to help you get the job done right. For helpful packing tips, click here.

Disassemble furniture and beds prior to moving day

This isn’t a requirement when hiring professional movers, but it is something manageable you can do on your own and it will cut down on moving time. If furniture pieces are broken down and disassembled prior to your moving team’s arrival, they can quickly load it onto the moving truck and focus their attention elsewhere. Just be sure you keep all pieces and small parts together so they’re easy to find at your new place!

Organize!

Organization is another major key component for a successful home move. Organizing boxes, bins, and other items that need to be moved into one central moving area (think garage or front door) will save significant time, as movers can create a streamlined path from this area to the truck and not worry about navigating around your entire home.

Stay prepared

As a reminder: stay prepared and ready for anything on your move day. Planning ahead of time with your move will allow you to have a game plan so you know what to expect, helping to eliminate the possibility of needing to make last-minute changes. If you need help with planning, try using our movetrac app to get organized leading up to and through moving day!

For more helpful moving tips to get you ready for moving day, click here. If you are looking to complete an upcoming home move, visit our website to learn how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can help you move forward today.

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.

April 18, 2022 Movers Who Blog Moving, Tips and Tricks

Top 5 things to consider before moving into a rental

Movers carrying box up truck ramp in front of apartment

As we continue to make our way through the spring and into summer, the busy moving season continues to ramp up as more homes get listed to buy or rent.

Many rental property leases expire in the spring or summer months which can be an exciting time as you look for a new place, but it does come with a unique set of challenges and things to remember.

You aren’t dealing with mortgages and home repairs, but you are dealing with landlords, renter’s insurance, deposits, and leasing agreements.

Thankfully for you, we’re experts in rental property moving and have been moving people in and out of them for more than three decades. We‘ve put some of our best tips together to help you prepare for your next rental property move!

Do your research

Regardless of where you plan to move, the first step should always be determining what you want in your next living quarters and how long you’d like to live in your next rental..

Be sure you’re comfortable with the area you’re choosing to move to, the price of your rental property, and the amenities that do or don’t come with it. Generally, it’s a good idea to tour a rental property and ask all of your questions prior to signing a lease, too.

What are you paying for?

You want to know where your money is going, right? With leases, there are usually a list of fees required at signing, including security deposits, a month’s rent in advance, or paying for additional appliances you’ve requested. Sit down with the leasing office and ensure you have a clear understanding of what you need to pay for before signing anything.

Ask questions

On that same note, don’t be afraid to ask the leasing office questions about anything that comes up as you prepare to sign your lease. Have them review your entire leasewith you and explain anything that stands out clearly so you have a solid understanding of what you’re locked into.

Set up utilities before moving in

After you have signed a lease and determined your moving date, be sure to contact the utility companies you’ll need to pay for to get setup in advance of your moving date so everything is ready when you move in.

Purchase renter’s insurance

This is an absolute must when renting. Whether there’s a break in, a flood, or a fire, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered should anything happen.

Complete a move in checklist

Once move in day arrives and you start moving belongings into your new home, the landlord will provide you with some type of move in checklist to assess the current state of your rental property. Be sure to go around and examine everything to check for any damages or things missing and write them down so you aren’t charge for it at a later date.

April 11, 2022 Movers Who Blog Organizing

Cut down on last minute moving tasks by utilizing a moving checklist

You might have heard by now, but we’d like to think of ourselves as the “experts” when it comes to everything home moving.

Throughout our nearly 40 years of moving homes and businesses, we’ve seen what works – and what doesn’t work – since we began moving back in the 1980s. Throughout that time, we’ve come up with a few tips and tricks to make the moving process a bit easier on everyone.

While people tend to ask what our best tips are, there can be numerous answers to this question. One thing we always point to: a moving checklist.

Moving checklists are essential to organization with a home move, and organization goes a long way in ensuring you stay on track with your tasks, while helping to ease some of the pressure that comes with moving day. With a moving checklist, you’ll have the ability to track your progress in real time and get an idea of where you are in the moving process to get a better idea of what still needs to be done before the big day.

As moving day approaches, we recommend beginning at about a month out and slowly chipping away at the process so you don’t get overwhelmed. From buying and closing on a new home to packing up your belongings, hiring professional movers, changing the address on your utilities and bills, and much more – there’s a lot to be done, and a moving checklist helps you keep everything in order.

We’ve built our own moving checklist for you to get started with based on things we’ve seen over the years. We would also recommend taking a look at movetrac, a free moving resource we created for those who want a comprehensive app with resources and checklists all with the click of a button.

One month before your move

Contact, schedule, and hire a mover as soon as you know you are planning to complete a home move to ensure you get the moving day you want.
Begin the cleaning of various areas of your home – closets, attics, garage, etc.
Begin changing your local address where necessary in areas like mailing, insurance, school records, and so on.
Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies to help get things rolling on your move – local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise locations offer a wide-variety of moving and packing supplies to fit all of your moving needs.

1-2 weeks before moving day

Start canceling anything that is tied to what will soon be your past home address – Internet, cable, newspapers, or any labor services you receive around your home.
Call all of your local utility companies and be sure they know the exact day to stop charging your old home address for services.
Start the packing process and go room by room so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Be sure to properly label and organize boxes so you know where everything is on moving day.

The week of moving day

Finish up any last-minute cleaning around your home and ensure everything is set for when you officially move out.
Continue working on packing all of your belongings, working to have all belongings packed and ready to go before moving day arrives. For items you no longer need, donate them to a charitable cause or sell them, if possible.
Make transportation plans for the day of the move so you know how you’re getting to the new place. If you have kids or pets, develop a plan that fits their needs, too, and figure out where they will be while the move is taking place.

The day before moving day

Get in contact with your moving company to double-check that everything is set in stone for the ensuing moving day. If you’re moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we will send a pre-move email solidifying all important details of your move.
Ensure all breakable items have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away.
Take out some cash to hold you over during the moving process. This might come in handy if you need to get some pizza or snacks during the day!
Complete any final cleanings of your home and appliances.

Moving day

Pack an essentials bag for items you can access immediately when arriving at your new home. This can include anything from chargers to toothbrushes, quick snacks, etc.
Make sure there is a clear moving path inside and outside of your home for movers to navigate.
Be sure you are at the home when the professional movers arrive so that you are accessible should they have any questions or concerns.
Once the movers have loaded everything onto the moving truck, do one final walkthrough of the home and make sure nothing was left behind. Last but not least – go say goodbye to your neighbors!

If you want more information on moving checklists, click here. If you are interested in hiring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for your next home move, click here!

April 4, 2022 Movers Who Blog Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

These 5 items cannot be transported with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal service

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Junk Container in Driveway

If you haven’t heard by now (and we hope you have), then listen up: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK now offers junk removal!

Your favorite home and business moving brand has expanded its service options to help you with junk removal, too. Utilizing our professionally trained movers and specialized junk removal equipment, we’ll now help you properly dispose of old items and junk you no longer need around your home or business.

With spring cleaning here and summer quickly approaching, this is the perfect time for a junk removal service to help with whatever you have going on. For those completing home renovations, decluttering, getting a home ready to sell, cleaning out the garage, or just removing stuff from the basement to clear out of the way – we’ll save you the trouble of lifting these heavy items as you work to get rid of them.

However, there are a few things we are unable to handle, and it’s important to know what these are prior to our team showing up.

Items that cannot be taken with the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® junk removal service:

Hazardous materials, liquid-based items, wet paint, oil, chemicals, household cleaners, HAZMAT materials, flammable items, gasoline, propane, mercury-based materials, oil filters, and batteries
Asbestos
Sealed tanks/drums
Medical waste
Household trash or garbage

Items that may be restricted (please check with your local government, state regulations, or disposal facility):

Electronics that are considered e-waste, including CRT televisions
Appliances with liquids associated with them (considered hazardous materials), AC units, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers
Appliances not emptied
Yard waste such as trees, brush, grass, sod, mulch, and other vegetative waste can be hauled with guidelines. Most disposal facilities recycle this material so it shouldn’t be mixed with other junk material. Dirt, sod, or mulch may have capacity limitations due to weight.
Tires are usually not accepted at disposal facilities and considered hazmat, however, you could reach out to a local tire recycle or business to see if they would take them.
Heavy or dense material such as roofing shingles, concrete, asphalt, dirt, brick, or miscellaneous debris

Please note: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal service is available at select franchise locations. Click here to search for the franchise closest to you and see if junk removal is being offered.

WO 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.

March 28, 2022April 18, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Four big differences between hiring professional movers and doing it yourself

There’s one question that seems to come up when talking to those who are deciding between hiring professional movers and moving themselves: How much will it cost?

Cost is usually the deciding factor when it comes to hiring professionals or spending time and energy to move yourself. Throughout the years, we’ve noticed there is a common misconception about the cost of moving and how much you’ll “save” if you do it yourself.

The answer? Not as much as you’d think.

Below we’ve broken down some of the costs and factors built into the moving process to show you the differences between hiring a professional moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and renting a moving truck and recruiting some friends as you do it yourself.

What moving equipment will you use?

Speaking of renting a truck – you’re probably going to need more than a pickup truck and a few boxes if you plan on moving an entire home.

Generally, the plan of action here would be to rent a moving truck from a rental company, but with already built-in cost of doing this plus the recent spike in gas prices, it’s going to run up a bigger bill than you’d think. You’ll also need to invest in other moving equipment such as stretch wrap, furniture pads, packing supplies, moving boxes, moving straps, moving dollies, and more if you plan on keeping your belongings protected.

The time

This might not show up in terms of “actual money spent”, but time is valuable and important, and moving yourself can often take more time than you think. You need to pack everything up, rent the truck, buy or rent your moving equipment, load up the truck, drive the truck to your new home, and then unload the truck. After all is said and done, it may be a larger task than you envisioned.

When you hire a company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, you’re hiring an experienced and efficient team who has the knowledge and proper equipment to complete any type of move. Plus, you’ll save yourself the trouble of potential injuries or soreness from doing the heavy lifting on your own or bugging friends and family to help.

Protection of your items

Unless you already have professional moving experience (and in that case, you should join our team!), you’ll quickly realize moving furniture and other belongings isn’t easy.

You’re not only putting yourself at risk for injury by doing more than you can handle, but you’re also putting your belongings at risk, too. The potential for damages can significantly increase throughout the move if items aren’t properly wrapped, secured in the truck, or being safely handled by trained professionals.

Who is helping?

As a professional moving company, we have help – and plenty of it. But if you’re doing it on your own, you’ll need to recruit others to help you. This means the awkward texts to friends or family seeing if they’re available on Saturday and telling them you’ll pay in beverages and pizza. This adds costs, and it’s a drag to do.

Why TWO MEN AND A TRUCK?

When you factor in everything above – the money you’ll spend on trucks and equipment, the potential for damages, the extra time and effort, or the long-term health effects of trying to move yourself – you’ll realize you’re not saving as much as you might think.

Hiring a professional moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ensures all the instances listed above are taken care of while you sit back and focus on more important things. The saying “you get what you pay for” has never been truer than with our company, and you’re getting a full-service, professional experience when you use our teams.

With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, you get:

-Free moving estimates, in-home, over the phone, or online

-Packing options and packing supplies for sale

-An in-home walk through with our professional moving teams, followed by a walk-through of your new home so we know exactly how to plan for your move

If you have an upcoming move, consider hiring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to get the job done and let us show you why we’ve earned the nickname “Movers Who Care®”!

March 21, 2022April 11, 2022 Movers Who Blog Spring Cleaning

Check out TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal service to assist with your spring cleaning efforts

It’s hard to believe yesterday was officially the first day of spring, which means we’re getting closer and closer to the summer season!

With the turn of the seasons means many people take the time to clean and get organized around the house before the busy, summer months. Whether you’re planning a few home renovations, reorganizing your belongings, or just getting rid of items you no longer need – spring cleaning is a good way to get a fresh restart.

However you define spring cleaning, one valuable resource you should consider when beginning is TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal service!

While we’re generally known for moving people from home to home, we’re also known as junk removal specialists who ready to help you dispose of any unwanted items around the home or even business. With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal service, you’ll experience the same levels of service you’d get with our traditional home moving: professionally trained movers, specialized equipment, and a dedicated team to to save you from heavy lifting.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s junk removal option is great for those looking to remove the following from their home or business:

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

From garage cleanouts to furniture removal, estate cleaning, business cleaning, downsizing, and more, our junk removal teams can help you get rid of those unwanted belongings so you can focus on more important things.

Please note: the junk removal service is only available at select franchise locations. Please contact the location in your area to see if this service is available. To learn what we aren’t able to move with junk removal, click here.

While we’re at it here are a few of our tried-and-true spring cleaning tips to get you started!

Create a plan

Know what you want to get done around the house and come up with a step-by-step plan to follow. This will help you stay on track and organized as you work through your spring cleaning tasks.

Equip yourself with the proper cleaning supplies and materials

You can’t complete your spring cleaning without the proper cleaning materials and supplies, right? Before you get started, ensure you have enough of everything – from cleaning products to wipes, trash bags, rags, and more. Stock up in advance or pull out the supplies you probably already have in your home.

If you don’t need it, toss it

A good rule of thumb during your spring cleaning efforts is to work on decluttering your home, too. Are there items lying around that don’t serve a purpose anymore? Have they gone unused for the past 6 months or year? Toss them! You could also set these items aside for a garage sale at a later date.

Chip away at the process

Spring cleaning probably won’t be finished in two hours – it’s going to take some time to work through your entire home, so pace yourself and take everything in stride. Chipping away with a few things or rooms at a time will make the whole process go a lot smoother.

March 14, 2022April 4, 2022 Movers Who Blog Moving, Tips and Tricks

Frequently asked questions to think about as you prepare for your next home move

The busy moving season is quickly approaching! If you have a move coming up, you may have several questions swirling around in your head.

Moving can be a stressful process, but when you hire professionals, it doesn’t have to be. We provide professionally-trained, background-checked, and drug-screened movers who use quality moving equipment to ensure our customers’ belongings are safe and secure throughout the entire move.

We’ve answered some frequently asked questions below to help you get started!

How much does moving cost?

This question will vary by whatever professional moving service you decide to use. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, our locations are all independently owned and operated and most charge hourly for a local move and charge by weight for a long-distance move.

We’d recommend reaching out to the location closest to you and getting started on a free moving quote for a general idea on the cost for your move.

What can affect the total cost of a move?

A few of the biggest factors that come into play when determining the cost of a move are time and the amount being moved. Flights of stairs, walking time from the trucks, the amount of time it takes to load and unload your belongings, and drive time between the two locations are all major factors, too.

What’s the best way to pack up my old house?

Packing is a critical part of the moving process and making sure you do a good job on it can save you a lot of stress down the road. Planning ahead, staying organized, and slowly chipping away at it leading up to moving day are some of the best recommendations we have.

For more expert packing tips, click here.

What items should I have with me on moving day?

Since most of your belongings will be packed in boxes and loaded onto a moving truck, you aren’t going to have access to many items you own. Make sure to keep snacks handy, chargers, a change of clothes, toiletries like a toothbrush and toothpaste, and any other important medications or paperwork you think you’ll need.

How do I get a quote for a move?

When using TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, you can get a free online moving quote just by visiting our website. We’d recommend starting the quote process a month out from your desired moving date at the latest to make sure you can get moved on time.

How do I change my address to my new home when moving?

The best way to do this is by visiting the US Post office online. You will be able to fill out prompts with your change of address information to get set up.

What types of payment do moving companies like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK accept?

All major credit cards are accepted with us, but additional payment options may be available depending on the location you move with.

Should I tip my movers?

Our movers are trained to never ask for or hint at a tip. However, they are allowed to accept them should a customer feel inclined to do so. In this case, we would recommend tipping whatever you feel was appropriate for the job completed.

If you are interested in moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and want to get started on a free moving quote, click here!

March 7, 2022March 28, 2022 Movers Who Blog Packing

Use these 5 professional packing tips for your upcoming move

The calendar has finally turned to March, and while many of you might be thinking of the warmer months soon approaching (we are too!), we’re also thinking about the upcoming busy moving season.

As the weather turns, so does the moving industry, and a large majority of our moves for the year will begin to happen over the next six months. If you’re planning to move soon, there are plenty of things you need to prepare for and plan, and a big one is packing.

Packing is essential to a successful home move, and it goes a long way in taking the stress out of the entire process. Between proper packing and organization, you can significantly reduce the hassle of moving, save yourself time, and possibly even save yourself some money. Sounds like a win!

Thankfully, we’ve learned a thing or two about packing up a home since we began moving people back in the 1980s, and we’re happy to dish out some of our best packing tips.

Follow along!

Start planning well before moving day

You can never be too prepared for moving. Planning ahead will make it easier to take everything in stride, will save you from scrambling, and help you keep better track of what you’re doing with the move. If you get an early start on packing, you’ll have less to worry about come moving day.

Label, label, label

Falling in line with the “organizational” side of things, be sure you label each box clearly when packing. This will help both you and the moving teams handling your belongings to know where each box is going and what is inside.

Room-by-room packing

Like we’ve stated, this is a process which takes time. You can’t knock it out in one day, as nice as it would be to do so. Start going room by room around your home, completing the packing process in chunks to make it more manageable and to leave yourself some room for error.

Protect your belongings

The whole point of packing is to keep your items safe and protected, right? This starts by using professional packing supplies. Moving boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper go a long way with the safety of your items as they’re loaded up and moved to your new home.

A helpful packing tip to remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.

Some tips from the professionals

You know who really knows the ins and outs of packing? The frontline team members at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK who do it every day. Here are some of their best tips!

“Have all of your loose items boxed up and packed away, and also make sure to label the boxes. Make sure to have a game plan for unpacking the boxes, too.” – Shawn – Operations Manager – Lorain-Medina, Ohio

“With your packed boxes, take them all into the garage. It’s going to save a lot of time for us with the move and will also save you some money on your bill at the end of the move.” – Anthony – Team Lead – Lincoln, Nebraska

For more details on the types of packing services and packing supplies that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is able to offer customers, visit our website.

February 28, 2022March 21, 2022 Movers Who Blog Moving

Moving tips from the experts themselves!

When it comes to moving techniques and tips, it seems obvious you’d want to get advice from those who qualify as experts in the field, right?

Of course!. That’s why there’s no better people to listen to than those who lift furniture and transport the most important belongings in a home or business – our frontline teams at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK..

They’ve seen what works, what doesn’t work, what you should look for and what you should avoid. From moving couches and beds to moving unique, specialty items, there is hardly a scenario you’ll find where our teams haven’t handled.

So, if you have a move upcoming and need some expert moving tips, listen up!

If you are planning on completing a move soon, give us a call!

February 21, 2022March 14, 2022 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Determining the right fit for your needs when looking at storage solutions

Space can be hard to find around your home or business, and there are times when you just need more space to either get something done or get stuff out of your way.

Whatever the reason may be, storage solutions are a great way to create more space for yourself, whether it’s with long-term or short-term storage plans. However, there is more to the process than just stuffing your belongings into a storage locker and calling it good. You need to figure out what plan fits best for you, what type of preferences you want to work with, and what will keep your belongings safe and protected.

Many places offer storage solutions – including select TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchises – so we decided to put together some of our best tips and ideas to guide you in the right direction.

Figuring out what type of storage you need

Specific items you plan to put into storage can make a big difference in what type of storage unit you’ll need. Some items can be affected by heat, cold, dust, or moisture, so in this instance you’d want a climate-controlled storage unit. Other items like important documents, electronics, or clothing may also need to be stored in a climate-controlled setting.

How big or small of a storage unit do you need?

When searching for a storage unit, it’s always a good idea to have a mental inventory of what you’re planning to put in it and go a little bit bigger than the number of items you have. This will allow you the space to navigate around the unit should you need to.

Do research to find the best fit for you

Like any business, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re spending your money in a safe way. Using resources like online reviews will give you a good feel for the company and how past customers have felt about their storage plans.

How much access do you need?

This is another important question to ask. Some places offer 24-hour access to their storage units, while others may run on set schedules.

Figure out what’s important to you and how often you’ll need to gain access and purchase accordingly. Also keep in mind that some places can charge access fees.

Always purchase insurance

Like any insurance plan, you’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. You can’t be too safe when it comes to protecting your belongings, so check with the storage facility to see if they offer insurance protection for your items. If not, contact your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance to come up with a plan.

What not to keep in a storage unit

While the tips above are important to keep in mind when deciding on a storage plan that best fits your needs, it’s also important to know what type of items shouldn’t be kept in storage.

Common items that cannot be kept in a unit include but are not limited to:

-Medical supplies

-Firearms and ammunition

-Unregistered vehicles

-Perishable food items

-Candles or soaps

-Combustible or flammable materials

It’s best to contact the company you select for storage to find out if they have any additional or specific items that can’t be kept in their facilities to avoid any issues.