The Pros and Cons of DIY Moving vs. Hiring a Professional Moving Company

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As you prepare to move, you have two primary options in front of you – hiring a professional mover to do most of the work or taking on the project yourself. There are certainly pros and cons to both options, which is what this article is going to discuss. By the end, you should have the information you need to make the right decision for you.

 

Don’t trust your project to Greensboro movers who are just getting started in this business. Instead, turn to Steele & Vaughn to make sure the job is done right. Also, Steele & Vaughn offers storage units in Greensboro if you need a place to put some things while in the middle of the move. Call today to learn more!

 

The Do-It-Yourself Approach

Plenty of people go through a move by doing all of the work on their own. You might have a truck that you can use, or you may decide to rent one for this purpose. It’s also possible to ask some friends to help with the lifting so you don’t have to do it all alone.

 

The obvious advantage of the DIY plan is the cost savings. You will spend less on renting a truck than you will to hire a moving team, although the savings might not be as significant as you expect. Depending on how long you need the truck and how many miles you’ll be driving, you can spend quite a bit of money on that rental before all is said and done. Plus, there are other supplies and pieces of moving equipment you may need to rent or buy, which will only further cut into the money you were trying to save by not hiring a mover.

 

While you might wind up saving a bit of cash in the end, that’s about the only factor that is in the favor of doing the move yourself. On the downside, you are going to have to put significant time and effort into the move, meaning you may need to take time off of work or away from other activities. Also, without the experience of professional movers on your side, the whole process is almost certain to take much longer.

 

Turning to the Pros

As you might have guessed, the situation is reversed when you hire movers. Yes, there will be the cost associated with booking the moving company, but other than that expense, it’s all good news. You get the experience and knowledge of a talented team of professionals on your side, and the move will be completed promptly so you can settle into life in your new home right away.

 

While it’s understandable that you might want to manage your move as a DIY project, there is just too much to like about hiring movers to do it any other way. That’s especially true when you have a respected company like Steele & Vaughn waiting to serve you.

Minimizing Extra Costs When Moving

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Moving doesn’t have to be unusually expensive, but the costs can add up if you aren’t diligent in keeping them down.  In addition to the cost of the new place you will be living, there are also the many extra costs that pop up when trying to get all of your things safely from one place to another. You should be able to keep cost down, if you use some of the tips below.

 

Hiring a long distance moving company like Steele & Vaughn is a great option when you need an affordable partner for this project. Many long distance movers charge sky-high rates for their services, but Steele & Vaughn offers an impressive combination of fair rates and outstanding service. Book your move today.

 

Planning Ahead is a Starting Point

You’ll likely incur unexpected costs when moving day arrives if you didn’t do a good job of planning ahead and getting yourself organized. This could mean something like renting a truck to accommodate moving some extra things you hadn’t accounted for, or it might mean scrambling to buy supplies at a higher price because you don’t have time to shop around. Whatever the case, organization is your friend when it comes to a move, and getting ahead of the game will go a long way toward keeping your expenses as low as possible.

 

Ask Around

This is another way that planning ahead can wind up saving you a significant amount of money. Most likely, you’ll know some people in your life that have moved recently, and they probably have some moving supplies hanging around that they would love to get rid of. This tactic works nicely for both parties – you get free supplies, and your friends or family members get to unclutter their houses. Some of the items you may be able to get for free this way include cardboard boxes, extra packing tape, labels, Styrofoam for packing, and more.

 

Hire a Good Moving Company

This one might seem to be a bit counterintuitive at first. Hiring a quality moving company might be not the cheapest option on the market, but taking this step is one of those things that will save you in the long run. A good mover isn’t going to damage your things and won’t cut any corners along the way. Pick out a mover like Steele & Vaughn with a good reputation in the industry and you will be satisfied with the service you receive and, in the end, likely save money.

 

Get Rid of Some Stuff

Finally, one of the best ways to save on your move is simply to move less stuff. If you are like most people, you have probably accumulated more things than you need over the years, and moving all of those things is only going to cost you extra money for no reason. In fact, you might even be able to sell some of what you don’t want, meaning you could bring in a bit of extra money while simultaneously bringing down your moving expenses. Start early on the process of cutting down on how much stuff you own and your move will get easier and more affordable.

 

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving

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One of the tricky things about moving is that you probably don’t do it very often. If you are like most people, you’ll only move a handful of times in your adult life – meaning you don’t get much practice with skills and techniques that go into the moving process. Steering clear of some common mistakes can help you have a better moving experience, and this article will dive into five such mistakes below.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do in this process is to hire some of the best movers Greensboro has to offer. Steele & Vaughn is one of the leading Greensboro moving companies thanks to affordable pricing and a commitment to outstanding customer service. Call today to learn more!

1 – Packing Heavy Boxes

When possible, you want to avoid packing up boxes that are going to be too heavy to move reasonably. Cardboard boxes are not particularly sturdy, and a heavy load may cause the bottom to fall out of the box – leaving a mess and potentially breaking some of your things. If you have heavy items to pack up, use small boxes so the total weight of the box doesn’t get too high. Large boxes are best left for lightweight items like clothing or linens.

2 – Failing to Label

It’s easy enough to think that you will remember what is in all of the boxes, so labeling might seem like a waste of time. It isn’t. Taking the extra few moments to label your boxes will save you tons of time and frustration later on. After a hectic moving process, the boxes will all start to look the same and you’ll find yourself digging through them just to find one or two items. Do a good job labeling and the whole experience will be easier to manage.

3 – Hiring an Inexperienced Moving Company

You want to have experience on your side when moving to a new home. There are many companies that will help you move your things, but it’s not worth the risk to go with one that hasn’t been in this business for a while. Moving an entire house full of stuff is a complicated task, and it requires professionalism and the right equipment to handle it properly. Go with a proven name like Steele & Vaughn and you’ll be far more likely to enjoy a seamless move from start to finish.

4 – Packing Everything

When going through a move, you will want to leave some stuff out so that it is easy to access as you need it in the coming days. These are basics like toiletries, some clothing items, and personal electronics, among others. If all of your stuff is boxed and taped up, you won’t have any way to access it and you might find yourself feeling frustrated and uncomfortable until you can open up the boxes again.

5 – Expecting Perfection

The right attitude going into a move is one of flexibility and patience. Most likely, things won’t go exactly as you planned, and that’s okay. You can still get through the process and wind up in your new home sooner rather than later, but there might be some bumps you have to get over first. Knowing this reality going into the process is going to reduce your stress level and keep everyone in the right frame of mind.

7 Time-Saving Hacks for Moving Day

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There is a lot to do on moving day. Even if you are nicely prepared and have everything as organized as you can get it, there is still sure to be a rush when the day arrives to get things done in a timely manner. To help you cut down on some stress and finish up this process as quickly as possible, the article below features seven time-saving hacks for you to consider.

 

If you need to hire a reliable, professional moving company to assist with this process, turn to Steele & Vaughn. In addition to moving services, Steele & Vaughn also offers storage units in Greensboro, NC to help you keep your things safe while in a transition phase.

 

1 – Labeling is Essential

This is one of the big keys to a successful move – you need to have everything clearly labeled so you and your moving company know where it is supposed to go in the new house. It only takes a matter of moments to label your boxes once they are packed up, but taking that step can make a massive difference in how the move plays out.

 

2 – Create an Essentials Bag

On moving day, you are still going to need some basics available for you and your family, including your wallet, personal electronics, any medicines you take, etc. It would be easy to waste a lot of time trying to find these things if they are all packed up or put in places around your current house. Avoid that frustration by collecting it all the day before and putting it in a single spot.

 

3 – Use Good Movers

A quality moving company like Steele & Vaughn can make all the difference in this process. With experienced movers that understand the process and how to safely load and unload your items, everything will go better.

 

4 – Hit the Ground Running

There is nothing like an early start for getting ahead of things and not running out of time later in the day. Do your best to get to bed early, so you can then get up early and get to work right away. It will be worth it in the end.

 

5 – Utilize the Garage

If you have a garage space in the new house, use that area as a staging area for anything that doesn’t have an obvious landing spot inside. You can tell your movers that anything without a label can just be put in the garage, and they won’t have to waste time looking for an answer.

 

6 – Account for Kids

Families with children should plan in advance to have someone else in charge of those kids for the day, if at all possible. There is a lot to manage while in the process of a move, and it’s all going to take a lot longer if you need to provide care to your kids at the same time.

 

7 – Use a Storage Unit

You might want to think about using moving storage units as a temporary holding spot for some of your things to streamline the moving process. With boxes and other items piled into a storage space, your movers can easily empty out that unit and head to your new home.

Tips for Moving in Winter

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Moving is always a challenge, but it can become a little more difficult when dealing with winter weather conditions. If cold and wet weather is in the forecast for your upcoming move, don’t panic – you might have to bundle up a little more, but you can still execute a stress-free and successful move while keeping all of your things safe. This article will present some basic tips for dealing with winter conditions during a move.

 

Steele & Vaughn is a trusted long distance moving company that is up to any challenge Mother Nature might have in mind. Among the leading movers in Greensboro, NC, Steele & Vaughn can be trusted to treat your things with the respect they deserve. Get in touch today to learn more or to get a quote on your upcoming move.

 

The Right Supplies

You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to track down the supplies you need to get through this move successfully. Instead, you’ll want to have everything you need on hand and ready to go when the day arrives. That includes various things that can help you deal with adverse weather conditions, such as the following –

 

  • Salt or sand. If outdoor surfaces are a bit icy on the day you plan to move, having a couple of bags of sand or salt available will help make those surfaces easier to navigate.

 

  • Floor coverings. Moving means coming in and out of a house over and over again, and your shoes may be covered with snow (or with the salt/sand we mentioned above). So, have a roll of plastic that can be used to cover the floor in the house, along with some mats to place at the doors. Also, it’s a good idea to move as many things into the garage for staging as possible before you take them into the house with clean feet.

 

  • The right clothes. Dressing in layers is the best approach for a winter move, since the weather will be cold but you’ll be working hard physically. With layers, you can easily add or subtract clothing as you get warm and then cold again.

 

Watch the Weather

You can only trust a weather forecast roughly a week in advance, and even then, you need to watch for any changes in those predictions. As the day of the move closes in, pay attention to the weather forecast and consider backup plans, if necessary. For instance, if your moving route goes through an area that is expected to have bad weather, look for other routes that could get you safely to the destination. In a worst-case scenario, you might need to push the move to another day if a storm comes in and makes it unsafe to go ahead with your plan.

 

Working with a proven mover like Steele & Vaughn will go a long way toward making this winter move a smooth one. Reach out today to learn more about scheduling their services and you can ask any questions you may have about planning this move. Keep in mind, the Steele & Vaughn team has moved thousands of families successfully in all types of weather conditions; so no matter what Mother Nature has in store, Steele & Vaughn can get you through it.

 

Moving and Mental Health

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When thinking about the challenges of moving, you probably think first and foremost of the physical aspects. Moving is a lot of work, with plenty of heavy lifting and logistical puzzles to get everything where it needs to go. But it’s important to remember the role that mental health plays in this process, as well. The article below will dive into some of the mental health concerns that can arise when moving and how you might be able to sidestep those issues.

 

As leading Greensboro NC movers, Steele & Vaughn can help you complete this project with minimal stress and disruption. Whether you need to rent storage units in Greensboro NC or you can just move from one home to the next, it’s important to have the right professionals by your side. Reach out today for a free estimate and to reserve the ideal time to complete your move.

 

Two Forces at Play

The experience of moving can play negatively on your mental health for a couple of reasons. First, there is the stress of managing the practical side of this process. You’ll need to pack up all of your things, move them to a new location, and unpack them once again. That’s not only a lot of work, but it can be stressful as you worry about whether or not everything will make it safely.

 

Beyond the practical reality of a move, there is also the emotional element of leaving one life behind to start a new one. This is particularly relevant when moving a significant distance away from people that you have developed relationships with over the years. Even if you are excited about the move for various reasons, you might feel sad about the potential loss of friendships and other connections that you’ve come to value in your life.

 

Dealing with the Practical Side

The act of moving is the easier of these two issues to address. Getting started early on the moving process can reduce stress as it will allow you to gradually pack your things up and not rush at the last minute. Also, partnering with an experienced mover like Steele & Vaughn will go a long way toward making the move easier. Put as many of the pieces in place for a smooth move as soon as you can and you’ll find that your stress levels naturally decrease.

 

Confront Your Fears

You don’t want to simply ignore the social implication of your move and hope that you’ll feel better about it later. Instead, address it by taking some proactive steps before you leave. Try to make plans with current friends for how you will stay in touch after you move away. Look into groups or organizations that you could join in your new area to make connections with people around common interests. For example, if you like to exercise, look for workout groups that are accepting new members and join before you even arrive. That will give you somewhere to go right away and you can begin making connections immediately. These steps won’t necessarily eliminate the sadness over leaving, but they can go a long way toward getting you settled happily in your new home.

Remember that moving is high on the list as one of the big stress causing events; so if your emotions are running high or you are feeling particularly sad, this is not unusual when moving and there is nothing wrong with you that you have these strong emotions. As always, seeking professional help if the emotions are too much is a good idea.

 

man carrying lots of moving boxes

Moving Hacks to Help Make Your Move Go Smooth!

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man carrying lots of moving boxesA big move can be really stressful. Let’s be honest… ANY move can be stressful!  Moving is commonly listed as one of life’s most stressful events.  It can be overwhelming to think about packing up all your belongings and making a transition to a new residence. A few simple tips (and partnering with a top-rated mover such as Steele & Vaughn) will help make the move go smoother. Some of these tips follow.

 

Label your Boxes

 

As you are packing your boxes (or totes), label them clearly so the movers can place them in the correct location at the new home (this not only helps with overall organization, but in the case of a local/hourly move, will save you money). If you decide to have Steele & Vaughn pack boxes for you, the same strategy should still be used… you will need to tell the packers how you want them labeled. One simple method is to name the room where the goods are coming from or going to (example: Master, Sarah’s Room, Office, etc.) and putting that name on the wall of that room so the packer knows how you want it labeled. Anything that requires special attention such as fragile goods should be marked as FRAGILE, TOP LOAD ONLY, THIS SIDE UP, Etc.

 

Use the right size box

 

If you choose to pack your own boxes, it is important to use the correct box size for the many different types of items being packed. There are six basic box sizes: Small (also called a Book box), Medium, Large, Dish, Mirror and Wardrobe. Here are a few general guidelines. Books should be placed in book boxes only! Soft goods such as bed linens, pillows, and folding clothes should be placed in Medium or Large boxes. These items can also be placed in the bottom of a Wardrobe box as well, in the void often left by hanging clothes. Lamp bases should go into whatever size box will hold them; dish boxes are good for taller lamps. Often, two or more lamps can be packed together. Lamp shades should go into the appropriate size box but that is all that should be placed in it (one, or two shades max if they are matching). Glassware, dishes, and china should go into Dish boxes. Minimize the weight of dish boxes; do not overload; use lots of packing paper and/or bubble wrap. Pots and pans are generally packed into whatever size box will hold them, or they can be added to the top of a nearly full dish box. Mirror cartons should be used for Wall Art and mirrors. Smaller pieces of art can be packed in regular boxes with other items. Save your TV Boxes!! The best box for packing a TV is the box it came in. If that is not available, you can purchase TV boxes. Sometimes mirror cartons can be used. Lastly, hanging clothes need to go into wardrobe boxes that use a bar at the top. Shoes can be placed at the bottom of the wardrobe (if you are concerned about dust and dirt, place the shoes in a trash bag first). Garden tools, brooms and rakes are best packed in an open wardrobe box; leave the flaps up and tape them so you are effectively creating a large, square barrel. Outdoor furniture cushions, umbrellas, garden hoses, and miscellaneous garage or shed items that don’t need a lot of protection can also be placed in these as well.

 

Change Your Address

 

Take the time to fill out a change of address form with the Post Office. Also, take the time to update your new address directly with all the companies and organizations that you do business with… insurance, banks, phone companies and any other service providers.

 

Use Towels and Blankets to Wrap Items

 

Bubble wrap and packing materials are expensive. To save money, use some of the blankets and towels that you need to take with you anyway and use those in place of the bubble or paper wrap. This is efficient on space and saves you money!

Are Moving Companies Regulated?

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Yes!

There are three types of residential moves: Local, Intrastate, and Interstate.

As you search for “the best moving company in Greensboro,” you want to make sure you choose a company that is fully certificated, licensed, and insured. In North Carolina, for Local and Intrastate moves, movers are regulated by The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). Interstate moves (moving across state borders) are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), not the NCUC.

Note: commercial moves and labor-only moves are non-regulated, which means the mover is not bound by published tariffs and other regulations of the NCUC or FMCSA. However, you still want a mover that is licensed to operate and insured.

Steele & Vaughn Moving and Storage is fully certificated, licensed and insured to operate within any of the above categories.

Moving Tips for the Elderly

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Moving is never easy. Even for the young and fit, it’s one of the most challenging life event. There is just something unsettling about not having our “stuff” exactly where it’s always been.  For the elderly, moving can be even more stressful and disorienting.  Fortunately, there are many ways to make such a big life change much more manageable no matter your age or circumstances.

 

Before you call one of the best movers in Greensboro, Steele & Vaughn Moving and Storage, here are a few things to make your move, and life, easier:

 

Give Plenty of Time

 

The longer we live in one place, the deeper our roots grow and the harder it is to move elsewhere.

 

Elderly residents are best served having a little more time to move. Elderly movers have different considerations. Access to schools is important for a young family – but an elderly mover is more interested in easy access to shopping and medical facilities.

 

They’ll also need to put some serious thought into possessions. Are they downsizing? Will they need to put things into storage, or sell them? These decisions shouldn’t be made lightly and may take a little extra time.

 

Get Familiar With the Location First

 

How places look online or in house listings can be very different to how they are in person. It’s important for elderly movers to get familiar with their intended location before they move. Visit the area, know where the shops are, how easy it is to get to certain places of interest. This will make life a lot easier when they get settled at their new residence.

 

Let People Know

 

We all want to be as independent as possible at any stage of life, but moving is one of those times where help is of utmost importance. Elderly residents should be sure to let family know of their intention to move so there are no unexpected surprises later. The more people aware of the move and able to help, the easier the move will be.

 

They should also be sure to contact moving companies in Greensboro to let them know their circumstances and see what services they offer. Make sure you select movers in Greensboro that are accommodating to the special needs of elderly residents.

 

Make Plans for The Current Home

 

Renovate? Repair? Or leave as-is? When moving out of a well lived-in home, there are many considerations with what to do with the property itself. This is one of the reasons it’s so important for elderly residents to have plenty of time before their move. It may be best to leave the home in its current state if it’s well-maintained. Weighing up the benefit of repairs and renovations versus the stress of performing those updates needs to be considered.

 

Hire Packers

 

Packing specialists are invaluable to anybody moving. Elderly residents should consider hiring them when making the decision to move. Changing homes is an immensely exhausting undertaking, and a good part of that is packing. Professional packing companies are fast, efficient, and will ensure your belongings reach their destination safely.

 

With all the stress of moving, particularly for the elderly, one way to make the physical move less stressful is by hiring a reliable moving service, such as Steele and Vaughn. A reputable moving service can handle as much of your move as you wish, from packing to loading to unloading and unpacking so that you can focus on what really matters—your well being. Call Steele and Vaughn today to consult and reserve your moving date: (336) 273-0546.

 

Do Moving Companies Have Payment Plans?

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It’s no secret that moving can be expensive. Not only do you have the cost of purchasing or renting a new place to live, but you also have all the other costs that come along with this process. Those costs can include buying new furniture for your new place and dealing with the transportation and help needed to get from one home to another. If you are wondering about the possibility of hiring a mover while using a payment plan to spread out the cost, this article will explore that topic.

When in need of trustworthy long distance movers with a proven track record of great rates and reliable performance, turn to Steele & Vaughn. You don’t want to trust your possessions with just anyone, and the Steele & Vaughn team is up to the challenge of even the toughest move.

Do Movers Offer Payment Plans?

Generally speaking, moving companies do not offer payment plans. You will typically be required to make payment when the services are rendered, although most movers will accept a variety of forms of payment, including credit cards. So, if you have space available on a credit card, using that to pay for the moving services may be a way to spread out the payments effectively.

With that said, you may encounter some long distance movers who are willing to offer a payment plan or some form of financing. However, it is important to remember that if you are in the process of buying a new home with a mortgage, taking out any kind of loan could be trouble. Unless your mortgage has already closed, be sure to talk to your lender about using a payment plan for the moving process. Doing so could potentially put your financing in jeopardy, which is the last mistake you want to make at this stage of the game.

How to Make Your Move More Affordable

If you are unable to secure financing for your move, there are a variety of options available to make the process as affordable as possible while still getting the help you need.

  • Call around. Before committing to the long distance movers that you will use, call around and get a few quotes. Going through this process alone will help you find a rate that works for your budget. Of course, be sure to call Steele & Vaughn first, as you are likely to be impressed with the rate they can provide for their professional services.
  • Do some work. While you may need a mover to haul your items from one place to the next, getting some of the packing done on your own ahead of time can bring down the final price tag.
  • Budget from the start. If you are still early in the moving process, simply build this expense into your budget from the beginning. Knowing that you are going to need to pay movers to haul your items will make it so there is no surprise later on.

With some creativity and planning, you should be able to make it work with your chosen moving company, even if financing isn’t available.