Moving isn’t just about getting items from point A to point B.  There is a lot involved in making sure it’s done in a timely and efficient manner and to make sure that everything arrives to its destination safely.
 
When you get an estimate from a moving company, it may be confusing when comparing estimates from multiple companies to figure out exactly what it is that makes the prices different and what is being charged.  Most companies will tell you up-front, but that’s not always the case.

1. Packing and crating – If you’re asking the moving company to do any packing for you, expect that to be an additional charge on top of moving.  This often includes crating or securing large and fragile items or disassembling large pieces of furniture.  Make sure you ask the moving companies ahead of time what additional charges they add into the estimate depending on what your moving needs are.
2. The size of your home – The bigger the house, the longer it will take to move your belongings.  If one company gets a general estimate of your house size and another is more precise, your estimates may vary quite a bit.  Make sure you clarify that so you know you’re not being overcharged (or that you won’t be surprised when the cost goes up once they actually start the moving process).
3. How many locations are required – Sometimes people have items being moved from two houses into one (or one house into two), or they might have additional items in a storage unit that need to be picked up and moved.  The more stops and miles a moving company needs to make, the higher the estimate typically is.
4. Distance – Coinciding with number of stops, distance matters as well.  A 5-mile move is going to cost less than a 30-mile move usually will.  If one company doesn’t ask for an exact distance before giving an estimate and another does the math right in the beginning, the estimates will probably differ.
5. Moving date – Weekend moves and moves during peak seasons or times of the month can incur extra fees with some moving companies.  If your moving date is flexible, check with the company and see what days and dates will be least expensive to move so you can save some money.  Make sure you check with all the companies you’re getting estimates from so you don’t get a weekday cost from one and weekend from another and forget why one is more expensive (or just make sure to make a note of it!).

When you’re getting ready to move, costs add up quickly, so make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for and where you can save some money by doing it yourself, such as packing by yourself or changing the moving date to a less expensive day.  If you have any questions about your estimate, make sure you go over it in detail with the moving company.

Looking for a trustworthy Cleveland area moving company who will protect your items, has awesome reviews, and will always be upfront with you about what is being charged?  Give us a call at Me and My Truck.

A lot of things need to be done when you are moving and sometimes it can be hard to keep track of it all. One thing many people forget to do is change their address. There are a lot of places where it is important to have your up-to-date address. Otherwise, you may miss some important mail over the next few months, causing a plethora of issues and headaches. Here are the 10 most important places you need to change your address after moving.

1. The United States Postal Service - The best thing you can do is change your address with the USPS. This means any mail they get for you that is being sent to your old address, will be rerouted to your new address. This can very easily be done online at the official United States Postal Service Website. This costs a small fee, less than $5, and is well worth it.
2. Insurance Company - You should contact your home or rental insurance company a little bit before you move, to ensure that the new coverage kicks in as soon as you move in. This can be done in different ways depending on who you get your insurance through, but generally you can find a phone number on your insurance card to contact your agent and then you can make the change through them. On top of home and rental insurance, you should notify your medical, car, and life insurance of the new address as well.
3. Tax Agencies - The IRS and local tax agency need to be informed of your move as well. For the IRS, this can be done via Form 8822 online. Changing your address for your local tax agency depends on where you live but can typically be done online as well.
4. Social Security Administration - This one is only really necessary if you are currently receiving benefits such as social security or Medicaid. This can simply be done online here.
5. DMV - It is required to change your address with the DMV, typically within 30 days of moving. This can usually only be done at the DMV.
6. Gas and Electricity - You need to inform utility companies of your move prior to actually moving. This is to ensure that you actually have utilities when you move into your new home. This can be done by calling the utility company and starting the process from there.
7. Water - Just like gas and electricity, failure to notify the water company prior to move in may leave you without water for a few days. This can also be done by simply calling the company and going from there.
8. Employer - You should not wait too long after moving before notifying your employer of the change. This needs to be done even if your checks are directly deposited, as it is still pertinent information for tax forms and such. If you are not sure how to do this, you could ask your boss or other coworkers. Typically, the best route is contacting HR and they will take care of it for you.
9. Bank- It is very important to inform your bank of an address change. You never know what pertinent information they may send you about your bank accounts, and it would be very unfortunate to not receive this mail. This can be done online, over the phone, or even in person.
10. Cable and Internet - Like your utilities, informing your cable and internet provider prior to moving can ensure you aren’t spending days on end without these services. In a heavily digitized modern world, having internet is very important to a lot of people. This can be done by calling up your provider.

 
While these are not all the places you need change your address, they are the top 10 most important. Most address changes can be done naturally the next time you are dealing with it, such as with a doctor’s office or subscription services.