One of the most common form of tipping is by giving cash. Just how much do you tip your movers? Well if you were tipping one of the waitresses at a restaurant it would be very easy for you to calculate how much they should receive at the end of the day but when it comes to tipping movers it can be a little tricky when trying to figure out what their good service is worth. Experts would tell you that the hours spent moving is a good way to gauge tipping payments. For instance, it is only fitting to pay out nothing short of $40 per mover if they have not only spent half the day moving your items but if they also overcome moving obstacles such as moving heavy items up and down the stairs or through narrow hallways.

Whatever amount you decide to pay, you should make sure that you pay each mover for their services and not to the moving company’s head as you want to keep it personalized and let the movers know firsthand that you appreciated their services. In addition, if money isn’t so easy to part with during your move, then you can always tip them in other ways. Perhaps you may have just enough money and coupons left over to get them lunch or dinner from one of those take-out restaurants. Or perhaps you can provide them with several bottled water to keep them cool during the summer move. The latter would be something that they would truly appreciate. There are some who have chosen to tip their movers by offering them good and unwanted items from their home that they cannot take with them during the move. Perhaps you can try this tipping method as well. You never know if one of the movers may be looking for a used sofa bed or kitchen table.

Boxes collected from grocery stores actually can cost the consumers more in the long run. First off, these boxes are not the suitable to pack everything and this means that there is a risk of breaking any fragile items that might be packed. Although used boxes may have suffered some rust and damage. Used boxes may have soft spots or may leave dirt your belongings. If household belongings are not properly packed, the contents can end up moving around inside the box and most likely moving company will deny a claim for a fragile or more valuable items.

While it may cost more in dollars, it is wiser to purchase quality moving boxes and supplies. In order to minimize any potential damage, it is best to use sturdy moving boxes to move things from one place to another. Moving boxes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Further, there are special moving boxes for highly fragile items such as pictures, mirrors, which are designed and corrugated for additional protection.

In terms of packing supplies, it will be extremely difficult to find free bubble wrap or foam peanuts to pack fragile items. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts are reasonable investment and they much better for packing breakables items. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts offer the very crucial protection that highly fragile items require in order to make it from one home to another safely. Packaging paper will be a good option for dishes and cups.

If your time is limited and you have a lot of moving money to play around with then you should think about paying the few extra dollars for the moving company to send their employees out to pack up your household items. Without money on your side but a lot of time available, here are a few ways in which you can start getting those boxes filled up and ready for moving.

As you commence your packing project keep in mind that sensible packing is what you are striving for. When it comes to boxes, moving gurus would tell you that bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Why you may ask? Because when you are packing items in a large box you tend to pack in more items than is allowed at times and this could cause the box to fall apart when lifted due to how heavy it is. Never underestimate the use of small and medium size boxes. Small boxes are ideal for packing a kitchen, items such as photos that are yet to make it to the photo album, magazines, greeting cards and even books. Your medium sized boxes on the other hand can be used for carrying the majority of your household items (evenly distributed of course) such as stuffed toys, clothing, shoes, etc.

For packing items such as bedspreads, your linens and draperies, they should all fit nicely in those large boxes that you may have. As you begin packing, make it a rule to always place the heavier items at the bottom of the box followed by the lighter items just so as not to damage your box. As you go along packing, you can pretty much mix the heavy with the light until your moving box is ready to be sealed. Try not to exceed 50 pounds in weight when you pack though, since this can only mean the box is overweight which could eventually break when lifted. Finally, as you seal your boxes, be sure to use a generous amount of tape and reinforce with two to three layers of it just to be sure that all your items stay safely inside the box.

There are other additional charges to take into consideration, including packing and unpacking services, and piano moving which is charged additionally. There are number of factors people should consider before committing to a moving company, including the price of the move, company reputation, convenient location, provided services and customer service aspects of the business. A tip for people thinking of cutting corners, using smaller equipment than required for the job results in multiple trips, which increases the overall price. If possible, try to plan and book your move well in advance.

Moving can be a stressful experience but if you take the time to research and plan well ahead you can end up saving yourself time and money. Also, using a smaller vehicle you are more likely to try and squeeze more items into the truck which can cause some damage. I’ve compiled a short list of tips to help you understand how moving companies work out their pricing. Some people look forward to the fresh start, while others prefer not to move at all.

It’s important to know some moving companies perform home visits which give you a more exact moving quote, while other companies will give you an approximate price over the phone and the final price is worked out on the day. Local moves are dependent on a number of factors, including the size of the move, equipment accessibility and services requested. So how do moving companies work out the price of your move and what can you do to reduce your price?

Pricing structures differ depending if the move is local, interstate or international. It’s advised to ring around and get a few quotes from different moving companies before making your final decision and remember to find out what they charge for additional services. Local moving companies bill customers on an hourly rate. On average people move residential addresses about five times in their lifetime. On some big jobs, having a large crew maybe more economical than employing a small crew, which may take double the time to do the same job. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper, smaller sized truck in the long run you may pay more for it.

Here are some of the items you shouldn’t pack when moving.

Acid, gasoline, kerosene, poisons, charcoal, lighter fluid, fertilizer, paints, batteries, liquid bleach, stern, chemicals, fireworks, any type of oil, loaded weapons, weed killer, ammonia, propane tanks, plants or living things.

Foods and perishables
Dispose of perishables such as food, plants and living things that may die or spoil during transportation. Empty and clean your refrigerator and freezer at least twenty-four hours before your moving day. Keep the appliance doors open so the appliance will dry out and prevent the growth of mold and odor.

Irreplaceable items
The moving companies assume no responsibility if irreplaceable items come into his/her possession without his/her awareness. You may face a problem if your moving company delayed or lost the items. It is recommended to transport irreplaceable items with you. Here are some examples:

Address books, personal and business files, video tapes, accounting and bank statements, personal photos, car and home keys, tax records, check books, jewelry, cash, stocks, bonds, computers.

You may think that you can get the job done quickly and easily long before the movers come by, but you would soon find out that leaving your moving project for the last minute could result in chaos and stress. In addition when you are racing against time with your last minute packing on the eve of moving day, you may be tempted to throw all your personal and household items together to cut down on your time. This could prove to be a disaster when you get to the new place as you may not be able to locate certain items. By properly labeling and sealing your boxes, you can be sure that you would not have to sift through several boxes trying to find the toothpaste and dental floss when you are all moved in.

One of the most common mistakes that people make when moving is to hire a mover for the sake of it without researching the company to see if they are legitimate. With scammers plaguing the moving industry, you have to be sure that the company that you choose is certified, registered and reliable. Always keep the number of the Better Business Bureau handy so that you can get more information on the moving company that you choose.

Also, the Internet is very resourceful in getting information from actual customers of a moving company that you may be interested in. It is on these websites that you would be able to read comments from customers who were pleased with the service they received as well as those who weren’t so happy. Internet research aside it is your duty to ask a lot of questions from the moving companies about all aspects of your move from insurance to the safety of your belongings.