Tag Archives: movers

Local Movers Near Me

HOW TO FIND LOCAL MOVING COMPANIES NEAR ME?

Finding local movers near me can be a challenge if you are looking for professional, licensed and insured movers who won’t rip you off. Whether you’re moving for a promotion up the corporate ladder or to have access to better schools for your kids, moving can be hard. You may find local moving companies near me will be easier when using private, local movers you can trust. Even a short distance move down the street can get hairy if you hire movers that are not trained, not properly covered, damage property or furniture, or scam. Thankfully, there is a reputable local moving company near you that can make a moving mess into a seamless experience.

Local Movers Near Me

HIRING LOCAL MOVERS NEAR ME

Movers Near Me does not operate with a network of movers like most moving operations or van lines do. Our team is locally family-owned and complies with local licensing and insurance regulations. Movers Near Me do not have to give any of their profits to a van line, broker or franchisor. That means affordable rates for our local residents. What’s more? Most of you know a search for local movers near me will direct you to filling out a form in which 8-10 movers will hound you until you move. With Movers Near Me you will get one guaranteed not to exceed estimate and we will never hound you.

LOCAL MOVERS NEAR ME REVIEWS

Of course search engines might be the first place you turn for local movers near me recommendations these days, another way to get moving reviews would be through friends and family on facebook recommendations. Ask them to share their experiences with the moving companies they used. Other local moving companies review sites can be found on their actual website.

MOVERS NEAR ME LICENSED AND INSURED

Movers Near Me is a private local moving company which is registered, licensed and has an active insurance policy for both local movers and long distance movers.

WHY HIRE A PRIVATE LOCAL MOVING COMPANY

A private local moving company is one that does not belong to a van line, franchise or hired by a broker. The pros of hiring a private local moving company:

  1. Lower Fees – most van line, franchise and broker fees are between 30%-50% of the moving costs.
  2. Better Quality of Service – private local movers will be movers from your are and the quality will be much more important to management as the local sentiment will keep that mover in business.
  3. Easier to mediate/sue if issues happen. Movers that are not local to your move will be harder to track down if things to go awry.
  4. Will know specifics about your local area.

LOCAL MOVING COMPANIES NEAR ME

If you are looking for local moving companies near me we can provide you with mover help for your search. Starting with a local moving company estimate is really the best way to start your search. This local moving estimator will give you the weight of your shipment so you can shop around for the best value for your local move.

TOP 4 REASONS TO HIRE MOVERS NEAR ME

1. Less Work and Relying on Others

When you hire local movers nearby, they save you from injury and all of the heavy lifting. Our movers do this daily and most are student athletes. That being said, they are used to lifting, twisting and turning with heavy pieces of furniture that would leave even a fit person with a backache for the rest of their life. Hiring local moving companies near you will leave you more time and energy to focus on other components of the move like your kids, pets and roommates. Full-service moving companies offer an array of services to make your relocation go smoothly.

2. Professional Movers are Not Your Relatives

You likely have friends and family that are happy to help you move. But, do they know the best way of getting a couch through a narrow doorway or the best technique for packing your china? Local movers near me are trained and help people move every day. They know exactly how to transport your most awkward and fragile items with ease and care, to safeguard your things throughout the move.

3. Movers Near Me is Licensed and Insured

If you or Uncle Bob happens to drop and break your TV when moving you will have to pay for it yourself. Hiring movers ensures your items will be kept safe or you will get coverage. Any licensed moving company near you will have to provide basic coverage on any move.

5. Movers Have Tools & Equipment

Do you have a truck that can hold all the items in your home? Or the correct equipment to haul your furniture and lard

Local Moving Services

Local Movers Near Me Services

  • Packing & Unpacking: Packing your entire home is a job that can take days or weeks to finish. If you’re a busy person and don’t have the time , your movers will bring the packing supplies and do it for you. You can schedule a full-pack or partial pack at an affordable hourly rate.
  • Loading & Unloading:
  • Residential Moves: Whether your home is a brand new condo in a high-rise, a third-floor walk-up apartment, or a house in the burbs, our local movers near me can make your local move the best.
  • Packing Supplies: Most local movers offer packing supplies to safely pack your household goods and furniture, such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, blankets, and shrink wrap.
  • Appliances & Specialty Moves: All Movers Near Me professional moving crews can also help with heavy items. Items that are more difficult to move include tv’s, refrigerators, grandfather clocks, and pianos, but our team can haul these things with ease.
Moving Help Near Me

Most of the people think that shifting to a new city or country is an exciting and very adventures process. While in reality, the process is full of different types of hassles while moving.

The presence of numerous local movers makes it difficult for people to select the best of them. So, people should be a little careful in choosing a company. To make the right decision they should compare the experience, services, and reliability of at least two or three companies. Apart from all these, they should compare their service charges as well. All these points definitely help them in selecting the right company to get the required services. If they want then they can read previous customer reviews also to make sure that the selected local mover company is right or not.

List of Moving Services – Prices, Inclusions and Decoding Your Moving Estimate

Moving Services – Prices, What’s Included and Decoding Your Moving Estimate

So, you have a bunch of moving estimates – all with different moving services, prices for each service  – but do you really understand it?  All moving services are not created equal by any means so we are going to break it all down for you starting with some moving slang vocabulary words, moving on to help with what moving services are availble, and of course what you should be paying for any moving service.

Moving Help
Moving Services – Moving Help

 

Moving Services – Terms

When planning a move it’s often difficult to navigate through all moving services and fees for moving services.  Here are some terms you will need to be aware of when hiring movers and getting a moving estimate:

full service mover– a mover who provides the broadest range of moving services including local moving, long distance moving, packing, crating, overnight storage, short or long term storage, etc

binding estimate– means that the price quoted in the estimate is the amount you pay for moving services regardless of your shipment weighing more or less than than estimated.  The binding estimate for moving services must accurately describe the shipment and all the services the company will provide which means you have to be completely honest with your movers. If you asked the moving company to provide additional services, such as long carry charges, shuttle servies, etc.

binding, not-to exceed estimate – the same as a binding estimate so you will pay for moving services in relation to the weight without a minimum.  If the actual weight of your shipment is more than the written estimate, you still pay the amount quoted. However, if the actual weight is less than the written estimate, you pay the lesser amount.

Moving Services
Moving Services

List of Moving Services

Full services moving companies should offer a variety of moving services.  Because things can change quickly when moving and waiting for closings it is best to hire movers who offer packing and storage services as well just in case you get caught in a bind.

  • Local Moving
  • Long Distance Moving
  • Commercial Moving
  • Overnight Storage
  • Military Moving
  • Packing
  • Custom Crating
  • Packing Material Delivery
  • Corporate Relocation
  • Piano Moving
  • Hoisting

Packing Options

  • Full Service Packing – Your moving company should have the ability to pack your entire home in detail. Movers are trained to pack your home with the utmost professionalism and respect for your belongings.
  • Piece By Piece Packing – For items that are delicate, breakable or irreplaceable in value, we encourage you to let us know so that we can pack them with the utmost care. Your moving company should offer full service or pay by piece packing services
  • Material Delivery – If you are planning on packing your own boxes, your movers should offer free material delivery.  Don’t get your boxes from home depot, walmart or the like – as expected they are usually cheap and not the best.  Your movers will have high quality moving supplies

Basic Household Moving Services

  • Loading – Loading your moving truck.  Your movers should provide moving blankets shrink wrap etc. Your personal contents are systematically loaded onto our moving trucks where they will be transported to their new location.
  • Transportation – The transport of items to the new residence
  • Unloading – Part of a basic moving service means movers will carefully place all of your boxes and furniture into each room.

Additional Household Moving Services Available That Usually Have an Additional Fee

Private local and long distance movers don’t usually charge for the services below but van lines usually do – here are the approximate fees for these moving services:

  • Unpacking – Unpacking of boxes. COST $120/hour
  • Crating – Customized crates designed to provide optimum protection for your electronic equipment, as well as large, expensive items that cannot fit into standard moving boxes and packaging.   COST $100-250/crate
  • Cars/Boats COST $1,200-$2,000
  • Assembly/Disassembly – Most moving companies incude this in their basic services but van lines will not and usually charge for this.  COST $400-$600+
  • Third Party Services – For additional assembly and disassembly services, as well as disconnection, reconnection and cleaning services, we provide third party resources who specialize in the household moving process. Again most private moving companies will do most of these things for you including disconnecting washer/dryer etc. but a van line will charge. COST $300-$1000+
  • Shuttle Services – Private moving companies do not charge for this as they usually don’t use 53foot tractor trailers for your move but a van line charges.  COST $700-$2000+
  • Storage – Varies depending on number of days/weeks/months but expect a charge.  COST $150+/month

What You Should Expect from Your Movers

  • Transparent pricing
  • Licensed/Bonded
  • Insurance coverage
  • Strong references
  • Full service options
  • Quality customer service

Moving can be a stressful task, full of its fair share of unwelcomed surprises, but what should not come as a surprise to you is the total amount you see on your moving invoice once your move is completed.  Ask your movers for a binding and binding not to exceed estimate.

Should You Help Your Friends Move?

Should You Help Your Friends Move?

Have you ever wondered how strong of a friendship you and your bestie have?  You can gauge your comraderie by their level of help during a move.  Let’s put it this way  – if there was a ceremony for friendship the “friendship vows” would be  ” in moving and in chillaxing.”   Check below for our “Should You Help Your Friends Move?” guide – also an accurate evaluation of your bromance.

Everyone who has moved while in college or shortly thereafter knows how precious moving day help can be.  Let us help you find out if you should help your friends move:

TYPES OF FRIENDSHIPS and RESPECTIVE MOVE SCORE

  1. Enabling Friendship:  Move Score 8                                                            This friendship is a special bond between buds that empower each other to do the impossible.  This friend will boost your ego and are definitely one of the best types of friends to call for a move.
  2. Hot and Cold Friendship: Move Score 5                                                           The Hot and Cold friend is like a corked bat. Your hot and cold friend may show up, show up late or not at all but they do, they will easily provide that extra umph to get you home.
  3. Class Clown Friendship: Move Score 3                                                              One of the worst friends to help with a move – this friend loves pranks and those are not appreciated while moving.  Also, you will be so busy laughing – nothing will get moved.
  4. Bromance: Move Score 9                                                                                              You know that friend who completely admires you for whatever reason.  This is the best friend to invite for a move. This friend will do the entire move for you – to show up and just to be around your awesomeness
  5. Drinking Buddies: Move Score -10                                                                        Just.  Don’t.
  6. The Long Distance Friend: Move Score 6                                                       If you are moving long distance and actually hiring long distance movers – the long distance friend is a great for moral support – mainly because they won’t actually have to do any heavy lifting.

Helping your friends move can make or break a friendship.  Your patience will be tested but after all the back-breaking effort – you’ll become better buds after a move together.  Just don’t forget the pizza and drinks.

Of course, you could avoid all of the moving drama by hiring local movers, movers within 100 miles of your original residence or long distance movers.

What is the Average Cost of a Move?

What is the Average Cost of a Move

It’s almost impossible to come up with an average cost of a move.  There are so many variables which I will outline below.  However, for the point of conversation – an average local move cost from trustworthy, licensed movers is approximately $1085.  The average long distance moving cost is approximately $4800.  What do these totals actually mean to the average consumer?  I will discuss below:

Average Cost of a Move
Average Cost of a Move

 

Average Cost of a Local Move

The average cost of a local move will depend on a few key factors ( and a few minor ones):

  1.  Size of residence – This one is pretty obvious.  The average local moving cost takes into account all size  homes/townhouses/condos/apartments.
  2. How far you are moving – All moving companies will charge to drive from the old residence to the new one.  An in-state move will be charged at an hourly rate.
  3. How packed you are – If your residence is heavily furnished, you will have more boxes and hence, more items and it takes longer to load/unload.  If your movers are packing for you this will increase your average moving cost.  For the purposes of the average local moving rate of $1085 – we only included moves that did not require more than one hour of packing.  If your movers are packing for you the average packing charge for a move is $655.
  4. Quality of movers – This average total was taken from Monster Movers which is a high quality mover.
  5. Additional Items – There are many additional smaller factors that effect the average local moving costs.  They are: stairs, long haul, overall layout of  your residence.
    1. Stairs/Elevator – If your residence is up/down stairs or an elevator the average moving fee will increase.
    2. Long Haul – Some condos and apartments have long hallways as well some homes have a longer trip to get from residence to the truck.
    3. Overall Layout – If your residence is in an older home that has smaller doorways and tighter spaces to move in/out, expect your move fee to increase.

 

Average Cost of Long Distance Move

The average cost of a long distance move is much more complicated mostly because of the distances traveled.  Here are a few of the considerations included in the cost of an average long distance move.

  1. Rate Per Pound – This is probably the most important factor when considering the average cost of a long distance move.  This is essentially the rate per pound that you are paying for your items to be shipped.  This rate changes depending on it’s own set of details:
    1. Destination City
    2. Origin City
    3. Distance Between the Destination and Origin
    4. Demand – The demand for shipments going from Boston to DC is going to be higher than Boston to Norther Maine.  Therefore, the average long distance moving rates will be more going from Boston to Maine.
  2. Price of Fuel – Many long distance movers add a fuel surcharge onto their long distance moving costs.  As the fuel fee decreases, the fuel surcharge should decrease.  Some movers incorporate the fuel surcharge into their rate per pound ( recommended).
  3. Guaranteed Dates – If a guaranteed pick up date and/or delivery date is required, the average cost of a long distance move will change drastically.

Overall, the average cost of moving services depend  on many different factors.

Think You Are Cut Out to be a Mover? Find Out Here

Think You Are Cut Out to be a Mover?  Find Out Here

mover
Moving Furniture isn’t about Muscle

 

Every spring moving companies receive calls from college student athletes requesting employment opportunities.  One by one, the students come in and shortly ( usually after a week or two of “moving” ), they leave.  Don’t get me wrong – there are those few crew members that stick it out – those that handle the everyday precarious positions that moving twists, turns, bends, squeezes, rotates, wrenches, and distorts your body.

  1.  Its not about muscle.  Being strong is of course an important  characteristic of being a mover but not the most crucial.  Many mover wannabees who are “jacked” don’t understand how they cannot hang with other movers.  The answer is:
  2. ENDURANCE is #1.   Twelve hours, up and down flights of stairs.  This is not easy – period, let alone carrying boxes, couches, mattresses, desks, safes, appliances, etc.  Then, when you think you can take a break – get up the next morning and do it again.
  3. Spacial Recognition is key.  Some great movers have excellent space recognition skills and can negotiate objects easily.  Think a huge game of 3D Tetris with really heavy things.
  4. Kindness and Compassion above all else.  Moving is extremely personal.  Essentially, movers are coming into someones home and taking everything they own.  You can only begin to imagine the intense feelings that sometimes accompany this difficult job of a mover.  Being kind and compassionate, treating the furniture like it belongs to your grandmother – this is what a great mover can do.

The best moving companies hire movers who frankly just love to move.  They love the daily challenge that moving a person’s household goods comes with.  Those are the movers I would want to move my home.

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers


I must say, I have been patiently waiting to write this post on the worst advice we’ve heard about movers for a long time.  Having been in the moving and storage industry for over 20 years, we have come across our fair share of horrible advice when it comes to movers.  Here is our all time crappy advice list:

moving advice
Movers

  1.  Use a Van Line for Long Distance Moves – Just. Don’t.  I cannot believe the moving and storage industry is so out-of-touch with current business practices.  Millennials, baby boomers and those in-between have grown accustomed to getting anything they want – fast.  Long gone are the days of a van line sticking your stuff on a truck and delivering it 14-21 days later!  This just doesn’t make sense anymore.  There are innovative moving companies applying tech and big data to their systems making long distance movers ultra-efficient.
  2. Trust Moving Reviews.  Okay – this one you can take with a grain of salt because some moving review sites work, like moving company reviews from customer lobby.  Others, like yelp and bbb are actually paid sites.  Movers will have to pay to post reviews on yelp and pay to become “accredited bbb movers.”   Now researching the BBB isn’t a bad thing – this outlet gives a rating and if you see a big fat F or even a E or D – stay away.  BBB “paid members” always have A ratings even if  the reviews are horrible so… I would suggest the best movers have a ratings without being accredited which means they didn’t pay for their A
  3. You Don’t Need Insurance.   It is more likely that your things will be damaged in transit than sitting at your house.  If you do have homeowners/renters insurance, I would always suggest purchasing additional coverage.  All movers in the USA are liable for $.60/pound/article which doesn’t equate to much.  Find movers that offer additional coverage for a reasonable rate – this should be around $200 for a 2-3 bedroom home or up to $750 for a 5000 + sq. foot home.
  4.  The Best Movers Rank High on Search Engines.  The “internet of things” tends to rank national sites like yelp and van lines over smaller niche markets which seem to rank movers instead of a higher quality move.  Searching with the term movers near me will give some great local results – you can even search at www.moversnearme.com . The best movers are active in their state/community and have a long history.  You can do a corporation search to see how long your movers have been in business.
  5. You can move yourself.  LOL, No ROFL.  Please, hire movers!  The damage you can do to your vehicle, back, friend’s backs, furniture, dishes, etc.  is not worth the amount you save.  Trust me, hire professional movers – they do this everyday and are experts!  Moving is so hard if you aren’t properly trained.  And, if your friend, etc. gets hurt you could get sued!

I hope this article on the worst advice about movers has helped you in your search and shed light on some of the “good advice” you have heard!

7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies


7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies


Moving Companies have a notorious history of scamming consumers.  Even movers with stellar customer reviews have been known to take advantage of customers.  This handy-dandy article will guide you through 14 of the most common misconceptions about moving companies so you can protect yourself.

  1. All movers that operate are licensed.  Licensing of moving companies requires the movers to have insurance as well as a drivers license, etc.  Make sure your mover is licensed and check the numbers!  There are estimates of approximately 25% of movers are not licensed, which usually means the company in uninsured
  2. All moving companies do background checks on their employees. A simple CORI check is so easy these days – find a mover who, at least, checks to make sure employees are not felons.
  3. All long distance movers are created equal.  Long distance movers need a specialized license awarded by the DOT.  Find  a long distance mover that gives a flat-rate price and guaranteed moving dates, trust me.
  4. The movers are responsible for any damage.  Moving companies are responsible, by law, for $.60/lb/article.  Essentially if you have a table that weighs 100 lbs – you mover is responsible for $60.  The best moving company offers full replacement value coverage as well – you know you are getting great movers or they would not offer this option.
  5. All movers are shady.  Some untrustworthy moving companies have really ruined this industry’s reputation.  Truthfully, most moving companies are going to do a great job for you but consumers expect there to be an issue.  Relax, hire Monster Movers.
  6. Moving companies are disorganized.  These days, movers have updated systems like truck tracking, moving company software and advanced logistical systems that make the industry much more smooth and organized.
  7. Moving companies are too expensive.  Whether you have a small studio moving in-state or a large home going across the nation – moving companies are always the better option.

movers
Movers

MOVING IN THE SNOW

MOVING IN THE SNOW BY MOVER HELP


Moving in the snow is probably one of the most annoying things in the entire world. Carrying a 200 lb. dresser across slippery ice – a problem for most moving companies but movers in Boston and other New England movers have been practicing the art of “moving in the snow” for many cold, frost-bitten years. Our moving crews have been moving for over 37 winters of snow and are happy to share some really important moving tips for those wintery months.

  1. SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE – There are so many things that can go wrong during winter moves. But safety of the crew members, you and your furniture is the top priority. We highly recommend hiring movers during winter months. The inside of your home and the truck itself can get as slippery as the ground outside and most people don’t realize this until its too late. All of our moving crews carry shovels, rock salt and sand with us but you should always call your mover anyway and make sure they have these things handy.
  2. DRIVING A MOVING TRUCK IN THE SNOW – Unless you are an expert truck driver – don’t do it. I have seen other moving trucks literally slide down the hills of Boston. Snowy roads are not something for an awkward moving truck to be travelling in – leave this feat to the experts. In the case that you do get stuck – call roadside assistance immediately and place the orange markers out. Our moving trucks get winter overhauls but renting a truck you may be shocked to find the lack of winter snow tires and/or moving chains.
  3. BE PREPARED – Things you will need for a move in the snow – ice melt/salt, sand, shovels, window scraper, floor and truck runners to minimize slipping, heavy-duty gloves – hands get slippery in the winter too.
  4. DON’T RISK IT – I remember a customer who wanted us to move a hot tub that had just been unhooked ( leaking water ) across a football field of ice an down icy steps. We did everything we could to get that across but the ice was a foot deep and did not melt with all of our salt, ice melt and sand. We did our best without it but in the end we needed to use a crane to get that bad Larry out. Sometimes there is nothing that you can do about the weather – better safe than sorry.
  5. WATCH THE WEATER – It can change drastically. A sunny day in the North East can easily turn into a blizzard before your offload.
  6. WINE BOTTLES BREAK IN COLD WEATHER – I know, it’s not fair. If you are doing a long distance move – or one that is going into storage during winter months, please make sure you hire a mover with climate-controlled storage or your expensive wine collection could be ruined. Also, overnight storage is not recommended for bottled liquids. They may break overnight in the cold.
  7. ELECTRONICS and PLANTS DON’T LIKE SNOW – Like wine, plants don’t fair well during winter month moves. When hiring long distance movers in Boston or other snowy cities, make sure your mover is using climate-controlled storage facilities and not offloading your shipment into a warehouse. Electronics generally do fine in the winter but may need a thawing period.
  8. TURN THE HEAT ON – Make sure your heat is on in the new house or this will only prolong your moving issues.

Moving in the winter can be a challenge but by following our mover help, you will be prepared to weather any winter storm.

Moving in the Snow
Moving in the Snow

Moving with a Pet

 

Moving with a Pet

Moving with a Pet
Moving with a Pet

 

Somehow my post on moving with a pet ended up longer than my previous post about moving with kids…  The actual moving with a pet does present more of a challenge – unless your kids are “animals” too.

Here is a long-winded list on how to handle moving with a pet.   The first section of this post is really for moving long distance with a pet.  If you are moving close-by you can skip to the bottom of the post to where I discuss getting your new pet acclimated to his/her new abode.

If you are hiring movers, make sure your pet is at a relatives house or  put in an area of your house so they do not feel threatened by the new movers.  Also, when the movers are there, it may be unsafe if a pet is running around.  Let your movers know that you have a pet and hire pet-friendly movers.

 

Section 1 – Long Distance Moving with a Pet

Call the vet and schedule an appointment as soon as you can. If you wait until the last minute you may not get an appointment – my vet is scheduled 3 weeks in advance
If your pet has a condition your vet will suggest treatment or sedation techniques for the ride/flight.
You will need vaccine records and licenses if you are traveling.  If you are moving to Canada – you will not cross the border without this.  I should mention those moving to Hawaii will need to quarantine their pet for months before their move.  This can be an annoyance most are not aware of.
If you are flying, you will need a sedative for your pet.  I don’t suggest putting your pet on a plane in winter as it gets really cold for them.  My vet has always given me a light sedative so my pets are not “out cold” but they are comfortable – this really eliminates the stress of the situation.. This is also helpful if you have a pet that you know doesn’t travel well, is cage aggressive or could bite movers.
Get copies of vet records and vaccination certificates. You need to have actual license papers for any long distance moves or when you are flying with your pet.  If your pet has a rabies tag – this does not count!  They won’t let you fly without paperwork from your vet.
If your pet is traveling by air, you will probably need a health certificate from the vet, and there may be a time requirement so plan accordingly.

Make your airline reservations directly with the airline if you are flying to your new destination with your pet. Cats and small dogs can often fly in a small carrier with you in the cabin. Larger pets and large carriers may require transport in the cargo area. The latter is probably the most stressful and dangerous mode of transportation for your pet–see Warnings below, and check out How to Minimize Risk to a Pet in the Cargo Area of an Airplane.
Confirm they accept pets. Keep in mind airlines have very specific regulations for pets transported in the cargo area. They will not allow a pet to fly in temperatures in departure, layover or destination cities if the temperatures are too hot or too cold. It may be a pleasant 75 degrees F in Atlanta but it may be 40 degrees F in Chicago. The decision may not be made until the day of your flight.
Travel on the same flight as your pet if your pet is going to be in the cargo area. Ask the airline if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold. When you board the plane, notify the captain and at least one flight attendant that your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. If the captain knows that pets are on board, he or she may take special precautions.
Find out what additional cost is involved.
Inquire if you must fax your vet records beforehand (always keep a copy with you).
Ask what specific maximum carrier measurements are allowed. Your pet should be able to turn around freely and not be cramped. Food and water should be available for cargo transported animals. You may be able to buy a cheaper carrier online so shop around if you have time.

Section 2 Local Moves with a Pet

Schedule your dogs to be groomed the week you leave. They will smell clean, their nails will be trimmed so not to ruin your car’s interior and you won’t be taking a dirty dog into a new home. Consider having long hair dogs shaved or heavily trimmed. You may also want to give your cats a good brushing, since they might shed more when they’re stressed.
If you are sensitive to scents, make sure you agree on the fragrances/cologne spray used. Some shampoos also help with shedding and itching. Ask your groomer. You don’t want your dog itching for the entire trip. Not only is it noisy but it is also hard on the pet since the dog may not have enough room to scratch.
Make your grooming appointment early and don’t wait until the last week. You’re making special requests and you should give them plenty of notice about what you want done so they can schedule the appropriate amount of time and personnel needed Make your reservations early to make sure you can bring your pet and get one of those rooms. The most important thing is to speak with someone directly at the hotel. Make a note of their name and department. Get a direct phone number if you can. Do not make assumptions based on what you read online!.  Make sure to plan ahead and book pet friendly hotels!

Make a list of things you will need for the road and make sure they aren’t packed to go on the moving truck. Always bring a plastic bin with your pets things with you while you are in the process of moving.  Give your pet  plenty of love during th e move.Let them sleep in the bed, take them for walks, take time out to play and feed them their favorite food or treats. It will improve their spirits for the actual move day. Pets are often the last thing on people’s minds during a stressful move. The pets begin to feel unloved and neglected which can bring about more stress and bad behaviors.It is not uncommon for pets to refuse food and water while away from home or in a stressful situation. Keep a close eye on their intake. Try to take time every few hours during moving and travel to walk your pet, set out food and water and try to get them to drink. If their appetite doesn’t improve, you should contact a vet. Some sedatives can cause your pets to become thirsty and if not addressed they become dehydrated. Make sure they have access to plenty of water.Keep a log of when and how much sedative you give. It will prevent you from double dosing should you forget in all the chaos of moving.

Here is a moving checklist to help you decide what to do when with your pet.