Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

The perks of hiring professional movers

TMAT447

-Written by Erik Sargent

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events, filled with chaos and emotion as you relocate all of your belongings from one place to the next. There are a variety of reasons as to why people move, but one thing remains the same with each – it is a process that requires planning, heavy lifting, and patience.

Many people think that if they use a professional moving service, they are going to end up paying far too much, and they try to do everything on their own. Doing a move on your own is not only stressful, but can cause damage to your belongings, damage to you, and can take an extended amount of time.

With a moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, you avoid all of these hassles – and we put to rest the myth that hiring professional movers will break the bank! For over 30 years at locations all across the country, we have been helping people move forward in their life by providing top-notch moving services. Each one of our moving teams is trained to handle moves with the highest level of care, and they are professionally trained and uniformed when they arrive at your door.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the top reasons you should choose a professional moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and we hope you think of us next time you decide to relocate!

The benefits of professional movers

Hiring professional movers means you are putting your items in the hands of people who are properly trained on how to move objects of all shapes and sizes. From furniture and appliances to safes and pianos, our movers know how to handle it all.

Trying to move large objects like furniture or safes can not only be dangerous to do on your own, but can cause damage to everything if they are not handled correctly. Leave the heavy lifting to us!

You can rest assured that when our moving teams handle your items, each object will be padded and stretched wrapped to provide maximum protection from one location to the next.

Reasonable pricing

The perception of professional moving services is that it’s going to cost a fortune, but that is simply not the case, as there are a variety of factors that determine the price of a move. On average, a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK move typically costs $895. This is a price that must be considered when you take into consideration that you don’t have to do any of the work.

The time you save vs. doing it yourself

When you try to handle a home move yourself, there’s no telling how long it could take you. From trips back and forth to asking people to help you, you are taking on a major task if you do it alone.

With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, a home move typically takes around 5.34 hours – that is getting everything from one place padded and stretch wrapped, loaded onto our 26 ft. moving trucks, and unloaded at your new home – just like that!

Don’t take our word on why using professional movers is a great option – just listen to what our customers have to say!

“I’ve moved five times in the past, all by myself with the help of some friends and family. I was dreading the process of moving again, and decided to hire professional movers. This was the best decision made about this move! It was fantastic having a team of professionals helping move our family’s things carefully and securely. The team was efficient, thoughtful, and knocked it out of the park. I definitely recommend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to others now.” – Erik, Savannah, GA

“The entire move was handled as expected without surprises. While I was initially surprised to see an estimate for two trucks, I soon saw that the quote was spot-on. Looking back, there’s simply no way that I could have saved any money by attempting to move two truckloads and two cars from Atlanta to New Orleans by myself. The moving crew was professional, courteous, meticulously careful, and exceptionally hard-working. We have a number of irreplaceable antiques and they were handled separately with incredible attention to their care. It gave us peace of mind to know that our interstate move was expedited without the need for sharing a truck or warehousing our belongings, and to have the same crew load and unload added a welcome familiarity.” Chris, Gwinnett North, GA

“My movers – Daniel and Daniel – did a phenomenal job moving me into a new apartment. They took time to inventory all my items, moved furniture around in the new place until it was just where I liked it, and were kind and courteous the entire time. My move came in under the estimate too! Overall, the experience was excellent and I’ll never be moving myself again! Thank you!” – Kay, Lansing, MI

To find out how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can assist with your next move, click here. We’d love to show you why we’re called the “Movers Who Care®”!

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.

Movers Who Blog Moving, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks

6 things people do to complicate their move

6 things people do to complicate their move

Whether across town or to a different country, moving can be one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. There are a number of things you need to do and take care of, some of which may or may not be in your control. And if you are a first-time mover, there is a good chance your inexperience will cause you to make costly and timewasting mistakes that end up making your move more difficult than it could have been.

Here is a quick look at some of the most common things people do to complicate their move and what you can learn from them.

1. Deciding to do everything themselves

Many people underestimate the amount of work involved in moving. They are confident they can do everything themselves, without letting movers, or even friends, enter the picture. True, if you have moved in the past and do not have too many things to pack, you may be able to execute a successful move on your own. But what do you think will happen if you injure your back on moving day, carrying heavy boxes down the stairs? Or say, the rental truck you hired is not big enough to load all your belongings?

Also, driving a huge moving truck is not the same as driving a car. You have to pay special attention to the weighing station and overhead clearance signs, while also keeping in mind  the truck has a larger turning radius and will need more time to come to a full stop when you apply the brakes.

2. Hiring the first mover they come across

Hiring the wrong moving company can cause you a lot of undue complications on moving day. To avoid getting trapped in such situations, thoroughly research your moving company before signing the contract. Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Never forget that a low-price quote does not always translate to a good experience. Go online to find out what customers have to say about their experiences with the mover. Do they regularly double-book to land more jobs? Are their employees permanent staff and not temporary employees? Will they give you a free estimate or better yet, a thorough walk-through of your home for an accurate estimate? Are there any hidden charges? Do they have a license from the Department of Transportation? Do they have enough insurance? Can they provide references?

Taking the time to research and speak with reputable, professional movers will ensure a stress-free move and overall great experience.

3. Failing to plan the move in advance

Planning a move well in advance will give you enough time to research all the variables involved and make the correct decisions. In addition to packing, moving entails a whole lot of other steps, including arranging for the utilities to be switched, requesting the necessary paperwork from your kids’ schools, arranging for the transfer of your medical records, booking flight tickets, submitting change of address forms, and of course, finding the new rental or perfect purchase you’ll call home. Most experts advise keeping a moving folder to track all paperwork related to the move. Remember, the better you prepare, the easier your move will be.

Don’t forget that most moves happen during summer before the new school year starts. As a result, most moving companies are extremely busy during this season. Failure to plan the move beforehand can leave you scrambling for a good (and available) mover with just a couple of days left for the big day. You don’t need me to tell you what that will do to your stress levels!

4. Not setting aside enough time for packing

Packing always takes more time than you think. People who wait until the last minute to start packing are left with no option, but to dump everything in the moving boxes without sorting or purging. This results in paying extra money to the movers for transporting stuff they are never going to use.

Moving offers you a great chance to cull the unnecessary stuff you have accumulated over the years. Discard, sell, or give away all the clothes, books, furniture, and appliances you haven’t used in the last year. This will reduce your unpacking time and save you a lot of valuable storage space in your new home. Who knows, selling your gently used items may even earn you some extra cash in the bargain!

Ideally, you should begin packing for your move as soon as you finalized the moving date. Start by boxing up what you don’t use on a daily basis or will not need until after the move, such as seasonal clothes, holiday dishes, and so on.

5. Skimping on packing supplies

Getting cheap, used cardboard boxes from your neighborhood grocery store might seem like a good idea at first – until the first one falls apart on your stairs on moving day. Or your wedding china fails to make the trip intact.

Invest in good quality packing supplies, such as strong, clean boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, moving blankets, and so on. This will save you a lot of stress and headache come moving day.

6. Not packing an essentials moving box

An essentials box containing items you will need for the first few days in your new home or apartment will greatly simplify your moving process. All your jewelry, valuables, and important paperwork should also be packed in the essentials box and carried with you. If you have not done so, you may very well have to run around unpacking a dozen different cardboard boxes just to find toilet paper, plates, glasses, kitchen utensils, and towels to get you through the first night. Trust me when I say that this is not something you want to look forward to, especially after a particularly difficult day of hauling heavy boxes and driving hundreds of miles. Nope!

 

Kurt Jacobson, rentfinderKurt Jacobson is a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things rental related for the website RentFinder.co.

Movers Who Blog Career Opportunities, Hiring Professional Movers, Moving

Launch your career with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

Written by Nicole Harrison
 

After two successful years, Career Move Month is underway for the third consecutive year. During this special month dedicated to hiring, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® looks for talented applicants all over the United States to fill various positions within the company including managers, movers, drivers, marketing and sales coordinators, and customer service representatives. Throughout March, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will heavily recruit talented individuals to become part of franchise teams all over the country. This year, our goal is to receive 10,000 applications and hire 1,000 new employees across the system.  TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has grown for over 60 months consecutively and is looking for talented people to join and grow with us.  The career opportunities are top notch and endless whether you are just beginning your career or are an experienced professional.

“The objective of Career Move Month is to raise awareness about the opportunities which exist withTMAAT423-2258115151-O in our ever-expanding network of locations and growing corporate office. We want people to recognize how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® truly moves people forward by offering diverse opportunities for steadyemployment, career advancement, and franchising.” —Sara Bennett TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Human Resources Director

Seventy five percent of our managers started out as frontline employees and were able to transition into management roles seamlessly. Do you have the desire to make the move from your current position to something more fulfilling? Apply now and get a head start on the hiring process!

Interviewing for a job can be a nerve-wracking experience. No matter how many times you practice your pitch, talking about yourself for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, our core purpose is to move people forward, including helping you land your dream job!

To officially kick off Career Move Month, here is a list of interview tips to make you stand out from the other candidates.

Make eye contact. Making eye contact with your interviewer is a great way to show off your confidence (even if you’re shaking in your boots). Eye contact is polite and very sincere when you’re talking with someone. In addition to making eye contact, make sure you smile! J We’re happy to see you’re enjoying yourself, and love to see your personable demeanor, too.

Have a firm handshake. No one likes to shake a limp hand. Male or female, it’s important to show off a professional, firm handshake to your interviewer. If you’re uncomfortable, practice by shaking family members’ and friends’ hands to get the grip just right without shaking their hands too hard.Two Men and a Truck

Research the company. Know the company you are interviewing with. More times than not, your interviewer will ask you questions about the company and knowing recent or upcoming events, and general information will get you a long way. It shows you are genuinely interested and invested in the company and position.

Show up early. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to your interview. There is a fine line when it comes to punctuality. You don’t want to arrive too early, and you definitely don’t want to be late — your interviewer’s time is valuable. If you’re not sure how long it will take you to get to your interview, we recommend driving there the day before to have a better idea how long it will take you to get there.

Silence your phone. Always silence your phone or better yet, turn it off. You don’t want to receive a phone call during your interview. Turning off your phone is a respectable solution and you won’t have to worry about a text, email, phone call, or alert going off.

Dress professionally. Have you heard the saying dress to impress? That cliché has special meaning when referring to job interviews. No matter how casual the dress code is, always look and dress your best. Also, get plenty of rest the night before. Yes, we can tell when you’re exhausted or just enjoyed a late-night party!CMM2014_FBCover

Take this advice and rock your next interview! Who knows, it could be with us!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! If you are looking for a career change that is extremely rewarding, consider TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. For more helpful tips and information on us, like us on Facebook.

 

Movers Who Blog Moving

Seven Ways to Avoid Hiring Risky Movers

 

Written by: Dawn

Imagine this.

Your home has been on the market for several months and it finally sold. The time has come to pack up your belongings and move across town. You go online to research local moving companies and find a website featuring Two Men And A Truck. They are a local company and you’ve heard good things so you submit an online request for an estimate.

Within minutes your phone starts blowing up with calls from moving companies and your email inbox is bursting with quotes. Something has gone terribly wrong? Is TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® selling your information? How did all these moving companies get your personal information? Now you are irritated, angry even.

Unfortunately, scenarios like this happen daily to customers who are in the market to move. And it’s not just TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® customers. With more consumers doing business online, desperate companies use various tactics to appear as reputable, well-known companies. They take consumer lead information and sell it to several different companies, resulting in the above nightmare scenario.

Another common hurdle unsuspecting moving customers will come across are websites with false or misleading information.

Just this week, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® corporate office has encountered mover’s websites across the country claiming to be TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. Additionally, we found a website of a company with a similar name using an expired U.S. DOT number and logos of associations they don’t belong to.

As the busy moving season approaches, I want to offer several tips to assure anybody moving will hire reputable, legal and ethical movers.

Check out this great list of questions to ask when hiring a mover. When searching for a moving company online you should consider the tips below:

  • Be sure the site you land on is the site you are looking for and not an imposter. Spend a few minutes digging into the site and verify they have a local address.
  • When seeking an online quote request, assure you are on the website of the company you are seeking a quote from and not a site that sells your info to other movers.
  • Avoid sites that feature “Get up to 5 quotes now” or “Get quotes”, unless of course you are seeking multiple quotes from multiple companies.
  • Just because a company’s website lists a U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) number, doesn’t mean it is valid. You can verify DOT numbers here.
  • Many reputable movers belong to the American Moving and Storage Association. Visit their website for a list of their members.
  • Check opinion sites like Angie’s List or a company’s Google business listing for reviews. Remember, even a reputable mover will have customers they can’t satisfy, but if the mover you are working with doesn’t have any reviews or a business listing on Google, it’s not a good sign.
  • Always ask your friends and family if they have used or heard of the mover you select.

Moving season is upon us. Millions of moves will happen over the next few months. Customers have choices … some will move themselves, some will hire movers and some will hire professional movers.

Use the tips offered to assure when hiring a mover, they truly are a professional mover.