Things to Look For Prior To Moving Into a Neighborhood

Before moving into a new neighborhood, it is best to learn as much as you can about it. This will help you in determining whether the new area will be a suitable fit for you. Moving is a major step and as goes the rule with every investment, you need to know what you are setting foot into. If you fail to inspect your neighborhood, move into your new house and then discover certain things you dislike about the area, it will be too late for you to turn back on your decision. Here is what you should be looking for prior to moving into another neighborhood:

The Level of Its Recession Resistance

When it comes to recession, some cities fare better than others. Recession has a direct impact on job opportunities, the flow of demand and supply and loans. When you move, you go into the possibility of experiencing a better life. If the place you are moving into has taken a bad blow from the effects of recession, you could be making a financial mistake on one of your largest investments. So make sure you move into a neighborhood that is doing well even with the prevalence of recession.

The Schools

If you are a family with children or a couple hoping to start a family, you should inspect the number of good, renowned schools present in the locality. GreatSchools.net and Education.com are helpful websites to aid your inspection in regard to schools, and they allow you to search different schools by their names, district, city or ZIP code.

The Public Services Available

They presence of sidewalks, clean parks and streets, public transportation, fire and police stations and libraries will let you know that the neighborhood is equipped with a good amount of public services to make life easier for you in community you are moving too.

The Type of Local Businesses Present

Another thing you should check is whether the type of local businesses present is similar to the ones you most frequently love to visit and how near they will be to your home to aid your convenience as opposed to you travelling long distances to reach them.

The Crime Rate

Nobody wants to move into a neighborhood that has a high crime rate. Before purchasing a new home, it must be on your pre-inspection essentials to check statistics relating to the crime level in the area so that you know the level of safety of the area you are moving into.

Other Details

Meet your potential neighbors to get a feel of the culture and type of people residing in the neighborhood and check on the regulations applicable to the area. Inspect property tax rates and the amenities and activities available for the residents of that area. Also, visit the neighborhood during different times of day to inspect the level of noise or the presence of foul smells that could disrupt your peace and tranquility while living in the area.

Before you decide on moving into a new neighborhood, be sure to check the things mentioned above. It will help you in knowing whether you are moving into a place that is compatible with your needs and requirements.

Top 5 Things to Do When You Have Moved into Your New Home

When you move into a new home with all of your baggage and possessions, the place greets you with its emptiness and all of your belongings are packed and boxed up. You will need to clean your new home and double check if all of the boxes and packages have been delivered, and that nothing is indeed missing. Apart from unpacking the essentials to fill up your new home with your items, and add a lively tone to your home, there are certain things that need to be done. Here are the top 5 things you should do right after you have moved into your new home:

1.     Adopt Security Measures

Once you have moved into your new home, a good safety measure is having your locks changed so that the only people to have access to your home will be you and your family. Have smoke detectors installed in the rooms and place in a proper functioning fire extinguisher in case of fire emergencies. Also, set up your first aid kit and consider the installation of a burglar alarm if need be.

2.     Inspect Your Belongings

After you have unpacked your essentials, furniture, and major appliances, inspect them to make sure nothing got damaged during the move. Check if all your furniture is in its original state, and make sure of the same with major appliances such as your washer and dryer, your stove and other electrical items.

3.     Set Up Your Utilities

Before you move in you should place in a call to utility companies so that when you arrive you have running water, gas and electricity. The next thing you need to do is set up your electric and electronic items to make sure they are up and running properly. You can then arrange for phone and internet connections.

4.     Locate the Circuit Breaker Box & Main Water Valve

Find the circuit breaker box as well as the main water valve so you know where to go in case of emergencies. If there comes a time that requires you to fix an impending water or power issue, you need to know how to first turn them off correctly.

5.     Meet With Your Neighbors

After you have set up everything in your new home and are done with all of the cleaning and unpacking, it’s time to get acquainted with your new neighbors. Go over to your neighbors, introduce yourself to them and start getting to know the people around you; it will help you in getting adjusted into the new environment.

Keeping the things mentioned above in mind, you can ensure the safety and security of the move you have made into a new home. Also, once the above mentioned tasks have been completed, you can enjoy living in your new home knowing you have taken care of the essentials and can get the much needed rest that awaits you in your new living space.

                                                                                                                                                                             

When Is The Best Time To Move, Weekday or Weekend?

Moving is no easy task. It requires a great deal of planning, a lot of time and a certain amount of effort. Whether you are conducting the move yourself, or hiring a Jacksonville moving company to do the task for you, there are particular times that are more favorable and can ensure everything with your move goes well in accordance with your plans.

You can move during the week or over the weekend, but which of the two options will provide better opportunities for you? Both options have some positive and negative aspects so let’s have a deeper look into them so that you can determine the time that will work best for you:

The Money Factor

In terms of money, moving during the week, you can be sure to get a deal that is much better because not many people choose to move during the week mainly because of work. Moving companies, should you choose to hire their services, are not so busy during the week and are most likely to charge in a more lenient manner.

Moving over the weekend, you are probably going to be charged much higher since it’s an extremely time for movers and truck loaders since this is the time people have free time on their hands and choose to complete their tasks and chores. Another thing is that reliable movers may be hard to find since their services could already be booked by other customers. You can expect to receive skyrocketing charges if you wish to move on weekends during the holiday season. If cost is a major factor for you, then moving during the weekdays presents a much better option.

The Convenience and Time Factor

When it comes to the time and convenience factor, if you’re someone with a regular full day job, you will be too stressed out and busy during weekdays to move. Plus, moving during the weekdays will require you to take the day or a couple of days off from work. In addition to this, if you are a parent, then your routine by picking and dropping the kids from school may not allow you to move during the weekdays.

If you are a part time worker, have your own business, are on leave or are currently unemployed, then you can move during the weekdays if you aren’t too busy. But since most of us have regular jobs, it will be more convenient for you to move over the weekend as opposed to busy weekdays.

Weekday or Weekend Move?

As you can see from the above two factors, moving during the weekdays is better for those who are in search for cost effectiveness with a move. Moving over the weekend however, is an option that presents more convenience. The decision to move over the weekend or during the weekdays will depend on whether you give more priority to convenience and time or cost.

Benefits of Storing Your Items In Climate Controlled Storage

Climate Controlled Storage vs Traditional Storage

Many of us at some point in our life are in need of a Jacksonville Storage Facility. Whether you need to store items in between a move, or you have too much stuff and are looking to de-clutter your home, they are an important necessity. However it is not as simple as just renting a unit and throwing your items in it. If you are storing your items there is a good chance you want to keep them for future use, as well as keep them in good condition, which is why you are paying a monthly fee versus just getting rid of them. When renting a storage unit you will need to think about which items are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Below is a small list of items you will want to store in a climate controlled storage facility:

1. Wood Furniture: wood is durable however humidity is typically not its friend. Living in Jacksonville we have extremely high humidity throughout the year, which can cause your wood furniture to crack, warp, or rot over time. It is important to keep wood furniture in a climate controlled facility for protection.

2. Appliances: mechanical and electrical components of appliances are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and moisture. Over time the components can rust or break, and mold has the potential to grow inside them.

3. Leather Furniture or Clothing: over time leather can fade or mildew with hot and cold temperature swings.

4. Collectibles: whether you collect stamps, baseball cards, fine art, wine, comics or coins, all are susceptible to damage. Traditional storage facility will always be prone to large temperature swings. This can cause paper collectibles to curl or hold moisture, wine will spoil since humidity is not held constant, coins can tarnish or oxidize. Always store collectibles in a climate and humidity controlled storage facility.

5. Business /Personal Documents/Photos: important business, personal documents or photos are vulnerable to moisture, fading and dissolving, photos can stick or blend together making traditional storage facilities a bad option.

If you are storing items you care about and don’t want them damaged, your safest and best option is always a Jacksonville climate controlled facility. At Royal Moving and Storage we offer an onsite, climate controlled and secure location to house your important items. Whether you need moving services, moving supplies, packing and unpacking services or climate controlled storage, we can help. Call us today (904) 724-6683.

Questions To Ask Your Mover

Are you planning a move to your dream home? You must be feeling really happy, being done with the task of finding and securing ownership of the ideal residence! However, if you think that half your work is done, then you are in for a reality check. You may have completed the part where you find a place and become the proud owner, but now comes the challenging part of moving all of you belongings.

It is not easy to get all your things packed and moved to your new house in one piece. This is why you need the help of a professional moving company in Jacksonville. To help take additional stress off of you, ask if they offer packing services. With so many moving companies offering their services, how do you know which one is the best one for the job? Easy! Ask the right questions and you will have a winner!

Questions To Ask A Moving Company Before Hiring Them For The Job!

Ask smart questions and employ the best workers for the job to get good value for your money! Some of the most important questions that you should ask, include the following:

Is Your Company Licensed?

The very first question that should come to your mind is whether the moving company is licensed. If they are licensed; then they will handle the job properly, ensuring complete compliance with all federal laws. Alternately, if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau, it is a proof of them being reliable and professional experts to call in for the job.

How Long Have You Been Serving In The Moving Industry?

Experience matters a lot! If the company has been serving satisfied customers in the industry for some time, it is a sign that they are reliable and good at what they do. You need a reliable company to handle your move properly, and want your belongings to arrive at your new home in one piece, don’t you?

You can also read reviews online or ask the company you are about to hire to provide you with references. Getting referrals for a new company is hard and thus, employing them could be risky. The more experienced they are, the more customers they have serviced, and typically the longer they have been in business usually means they are doing something right!

Do You Offer Worker’s Compensation And Public Liability Insurance To Employees?

While it might seem that this isn’t your concern, do ask the question. Do you know that if the moving company doesn’t offer worker’s compensation insurance, you might have to pay for any injuries suffered on your property? Alarming, right? So, make sure you hire a company which offers workers’ insurance.

Will You Give A Binding Written Estimate?

While many companies quote over the phone or depending on the size of the move will send over a team to analyze the job and provide an estimate. If any company refuses to give a binding written estimate, then be on your guard!

This might mean that the company is hesitating to engage in a binding contract, as they plan to exceed the amount initially quoted for the job. It is best to steer clear of all such moving companies.

What’s Included In Extra Services And What Is Charged For Them?

Some companies may state later that moving or packing certain items is not part of their contract and the work falls in the extra service category. You need to ask a company in advance, about what they consider extra services, and how much do they charge for it?

It is best to be prepared in advance than to suffer a shock later. Just ask the right questions and hire the company with the most suitable answers.

If you are in need of reliable, honest and professional movers in Jacksonville, FL, contact Royal Moving and Storage today (904) 724-6683!

How To Save Money During Your Move

So, have you finally found the house you were looking for? Planning to move in with the family as soon as possible? Why not save some money while you start packing and preparing for the big move in the near future?

Moving to a new place does incur some costs. But what if you could save some cash and use the money to take care of other important moving expenses. Want to know how? There are quite a few ways that you can do this.

Organize a Garage Sale

You will need to sort out your things before you start packing. One set of things will go into the boxes, packed to be moved to the new house, while the other set will be clothes, toys and other items which you have outgrown or don’t use anymore. What will you do with these? Throw them away? Why not make some money out of them!

Arrange a yard or garage sale, and let others have their pick of the things you don’t need any more. You will be rid of all that pile of things which you didn’t know what to do with, and also make some money in the process. Use the money you earned from the garage sale to pay for your move, buy new boxes, tape or other moving supplies.

DIY Packing Operation

If you want to save; then opt for a do it yourself approach to packing. Pack all the items from all rooms of the house into different boxes and label them. Use bubble wrap to pack the more valuable and delicate items, and seal each box properly with tape.

Stock and Use Free Boxes

You need medium and large sized boxes to pack things and move them, right? Well, why buy boxes when you can have them for free! How? Well, all you have to do is just be a bit organized and have the long term goal in mind.

If there are any large boxes of a purchase lying around the house, use them for packing. All your appliances, like refrigerator, microwave and other items are all packed in tough boxes. Use these boxes to pack your stuff instead of throwing them away. You can also go to your local grocery store and ask them for empty boxes, as they will just be recycling them anyways.

Plan Your Move during the Off Season

To benefit from lower rates charged by your mover, make sure that you plan to move into your new place in the off season. Plan to move anytime between September and April, and avoid when your mover is at their busiest. Save by acting smartly and planning well in advance.

Get Quotes from Different Movers

If you want to save during your next move, then ask for estimated quotes from a couple of moving companies. Analyze their service offerings and estimated quotes, and make the right choice. Make sure you ask questions related to the quote so you are not charged with any hidden fees or work that the mover states was not included within the quote. Also don’t choose a Jacksonville moving company based solely on the cheapest rate. Do your due diligence and look at their reputation.

Ask Employer to Compensate Moving Costs

If you are moving because of a job requirement, then it is only fair that you ask your employer to compensate you for all the costs or to pay you a lump sum to take care of different moving expenses. You can also make sure that you deduct some of the expenses on your income tax return, in the name of relocation expenses.

Follow these smart ways to save some money while you engage in the tiring process of packing and moving to a new home.

Planning Your Next Move

Does the idea of moving to a new place stir bad memories of previous experiences? Have you suffered countless times while moving, and have lost, misplaced, and cluttered your things in the process? Then it is time that you learn the trick to planning an ideal move.

While keeping the right steps in mind, you can transform a once torturous job into a manageable and organized task.

A task which is possible with just 3 simple steps:

• Organize your move
• Plan items so that they’re not lost
• De-clutter the items while packing

Make sure that you pay due attention to these three steps, and moving to a new place will not prove to be as unnerving as it once was. Here is what you need to do.

How to Organize Your Move

Be methodical and plan everything out. There are a several things you can do a couple of months prior to moving, while others need to be sorted out a few weeks and even a couple of days before your final move.

A couple of months before you move start going room by room and sort out the items you are not planning on keeping. Take one room at a time to remain organized. Once you removed the clutter you can then start packing and labeling each box. As a tip try to keep the weight of each box around 25-30lbs. Also pack the box to the top as boxes partially full can crush when stacked and damage the contents. As your packing either label each box based on the room it will be moved too, or color code the box based on the color you have designated for a particular room. Look for good Jacksonville movers to help you with the process. Find out if any offer packing services as well.

A couple of weeks before moving, order professional moving boxes, tape and bubble wrap supplies, specifically for kitchen items and anything breakable. Take some measurements and make sure that the big pieces of furniture can fit in your new home. Later, confirm your arrangement with the chosen mover, and label each box for its contents. Separate all valuables, defrost the freezer; check all details as well.

Ways to Plan For Items So That they’re not lost

Want to avoid losing anything this time? First of all, make a list of all the items you plan to take with you. Then comes the packing! To make sure that you don’t miss, forget or lose anything, make sure that you pack all items from one room before moving to the other. Don’t float from one room to the other. Focus on things you want to take from one room, and then, when done, move to the next room of the house.

Attach labels to each box with the name of the house’s room, as well as the items packed in it. This will ensure that you don’t lose anything while opening the boxes and placing the items in your new house.

How to De-Clutter While Packing

The best way to de-clutter is to be organized well in advance. Throw or give away things that you don’t use, and won’t be taking with you to your new home. Stuff like old clothes, toys, kitchen items and other things which will be of no use to you, need to be removed from the premises before you start packing for your new home.

The best way to de-clutter is to give unneeded items to charity or organize a garage sale. Any clothes or toys you might have outgrown; may be ideal for someone else.

Just follow these steps and make moving a manageable task. All it takes is an organized effort and some hard work on your end and you will be done moving even before you know it!

Items to Keep with You While Moving
You know that moving can be chaotic, and once you are in the middle of a move things get misplaced. You want to make sure you pack a few separate items that you will put in your car so once the movers finish their job you are not searching through boxes for clean clothes or toiletry items.

Focus on necessities while packing your items separately. Pack 3-4 day’s worth of clean clothes; keep your toiletry items separate so you can stay clean, any valuables (jewelry, cash, and important documents) keep with you. Once the residential movers you have hired have completed their job then begins the fun of unpacking.
If you are in need of moving services, moving supplies, packing services or storage call Royal Moving and Storage today (904) 724-6683.

Helpful Moving Tips

Moving to a new place is as tiring a process as it is exciting. While you daydream about what you will do when you will finally settle down in your new home, make sure that you don’t hurt your back during the packing process. It is a common mistake that many people make which leaves them groaning in agony and spoils all the fun and excitement of moving to a new place.

Packing up all of your belongings and moving is hard enough; make sure that you don’t add to the work or stress, by straining your back or damaging a shoulder muscle. When lifting you want to make sure you maintain good posture and lift with your legs. You will also want to be efficient and find ways where you can use a dolly or rolling chairs that you can stack boxes on and roll them to their destination. Below are a few tips on how to enjoy a healthy home moving experience.

The Right Posture for Packing and Moving Boxes

Packing up all the things in strong boxes is important to avoid any disasters at the last moment. You need to have the right posture while working and be organized, or you will tire out completely, even before half the work is done.

Make sure that you have sorted out all the things in advance and that all the unnecessary items have either been sold or given away to charity. It is important that you pack items in one room at a time. Going from one room to the other, trying to pack multiple boxes at a time will not only be stressful but also increases the risk of tripping and falling.

Adopt a smart approach. Prepare a box and then sit down and pack your items one at a time. Make sure that you don’t have to bend or reach too much, to pick up different things or to arrange items in the box as it will give you a sore back.

If you feel comfortable standing for long hours; then make sure you place the box in an elevated position for easy accessibility. And if you want to sit on the floor and pack up things in the box, then keep all items to be packed within easy reach. This way you won’t have to stretch or get up and get the items you’re after every few minutes. Put less strain on the muscles of your back, and remember to take a few minutes to relax your muscles and exercise, to remove the stiffness in your limbs.

Prevent Back and Shoulder Sprains

One very important factor which results in muscle pain and back sprains is the adoption of incorrect posture, while picking up a heavy box. It is essential to note that you shouldn’t lift heavy boxes by lifting with your back. It can cause serious injury to your muscles or even the discs in your vertebrae. Always lift with your legs as that is your largest and strongest muscle group. If you are lifting heavy furniture or boxes you should lift in pairs, and when you can use equipment (dolly or push cart) to help limit the weight.  It is ideal to get help while lifting boxes, or leave it to a professional mover in Jacksonville, FL to handle moving your boxes and furniture

Make sure that your packing and moving spree doesn’t leave you in agony with an injured neck, back or shoulder. Take care and always adopt a healthy posture while packing in an organized way to move to your things efficiently and without injury. If you want to avoid lifting, call the professionals at Royal Moving and Storage. We can help take the pain out of your next move. Call us today for a free quote (904) 724-6683.

Budgeting Your Next Jacksonville Move

We all know how frustrating and overwhelming a move can be, that is why it is important to be organized and set a budget to limit your stress. Whether you are moving locally, long distance, to an apartment, condo, new home or business these steps will help you stay on track both financially and mentally to tackle your next move like a pro. As with any move, planning is an integral part to a successful move. Below you will learn some tips that will help you conquer your next move in Jacksonville like a pro.

1. Set a budget for your move. This will help you put things into perspective. How much will you need to spend on movers, moving supplies, storage facility (if one is needed), if you are traveling long distances- how much will you need for gas, food stops, possibly hotel stays? These are all things to consider and should be added into the overall cost of your move.
2. Manage Your Budget. As you itemize your move, make sure you try and manage and stick to the cost you have appropriated for each item. If you go over what you budgeted for an item try and find a way you can save on another item, (ex: rather than purchasing moving boxes, go to a local grocery store and ask them if you can have some empty boxes. Use towels rather than bubble wrap). This will keep you to a budget and help you better manage your expenses.
3. Get Rid of Clutter. When you start packing up your items, you will find a treasure trove of things either you forgot you had or you thought you got rid of. This is a critical step because this will help you potentially save money on movers, as well as earn you money if you sell these items on Craigslist or a garage sale. You can use any proceeds earned towards your moving budget.
4. Total Cost and Contingency. As with most moves there are times when unexpected expenses may arise, putting a strain on your planned budget. It is always helpful to add between 5-10% additional to the overall budget, for these unexpected expenses.

To have a successful Jacksonville Move you will need to have a well-organized plan, and an itemized budget to keep you on track. It is important to do your due diligence and shop around for a qualified moving company in Jacksonville FL. In this case cheaper does not necessarily mean better, as many times moving companies may charge additional fees outside of the initial quote they provided you. Do your homework and ask them questions to both qualify them and get a true cost for your next move.

Royal Moving and Storage has been servicing the Jacksonville community for over 30 years. We offer a wide range of services which include: residential, commercial, apartment, long distance, packing and unpacking services, storage facility and moving supplies. If you are in need of a qualified Jacksonville Mover and would like a free estimate, call us today (904) 724-6683.

How to Choose the Right Moving Company

Before hiring a moving company in Jacksonville, it is best to go through some considerations to form the basis of a comparison with a few moving companies to ensure that you are hiring a company that is reliable, reputable and one that will ensure the safety and security of your belongings. Following are some considerations that will help you in deciding the moving company that is best for you in terms of safety, security and reliability:

Price

A price comparison is essential so that you can discover the moving company whose price rates are a perfect fit in accordance with your budget and affordability. A company with skyrocketing prices is quite obviously overcharging you while a company charging too low is doubtful and most likely a scamming trap. A company charging average price rates is a safe option and probably one you should go for, especially if the charges of others are too high or too low.

Reviews, Testimonials, and Experience

Feedback in the form of customer reviews and testimonials matters a great deal. They display the level of satisfaction and the nature of the experience customers had with these companies when their services were hired. If there is limited information online, you can ask moving companies to provide you with customer references and testimonials themselves.

Also, if you know someone who has hired moving company services before, you can ask them about their experience and the company they hired. The experience level of a company is showcased in the number of successful moves they have accomplished and the number of years they’ve been in the moving business. If these two aspects are strong, you know the company is one you can rely on and one that will ensure the smooth success of your own move.

Service

Service requires the manner adopted by companies when it comes to moving your belongings in terms of the nature and state of the belongings. It also refers to time they take to respond to your queries, their availability and the condition of the vehicles they use for transporting your belongings from your old home to your new location. If storage is required for moves at longer distance, you need to check the type of storage options they offer as well. A company that maintains good standards for such things will definitely be a good hiring choice.

Registration and Insurance

In terms of damage to your belongings, the liability of a moving company extends out to the insurance you have for your possessions. This is known as valuation and is declared either on the weight of your belongings into the amount paid for them, the item costs, or on the entire value payable for replacement and repairs. Make sure you know the type of insurance offered by moving companies as it will impact your recovery amount in the event of any damage.

Packing Supply

Some moving companies also offer the services of having your belongings packed for you. If this is the case, you should inquire the packing methods they adopt, especially for valuable and fragile items and also the furniture. Bubble wrapping fragile and delicate items will protect them from breakage and secure and sealed boxes are another essential.

Before hiring a moving company, it’s best to make a comparison on the basis of the considerations mentioned above so you know the company you are hiring is dependable and efficient at the same time.