Moving Advice2


RMS_Helpful-TipsRidgewood Moving Services provides useful guidance to clients at every stage of the moving process, from selecting the right moving company to getting ready for moving day. Click on the links below for some helpful tips.

 

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Welcome to Ridgewood Moving Services. My name is Cindy Myer, and I am the proud owner and president of Bergen County, New Jersey’s most reliable moving company.

With this section of our site I’d like to provide our potential clients—and everyone interested in moving—with important information that will make your move easier.

What you’ll read here is the product of decades of experience and genuine love for the commercial and residential moving industry.

If you have further questions or would like to set up a consultation, please call us at 1 (201) 529 – 2211.

Moving means making a serious transition. Listed below are some of my favorite suggestions to help make your move as seamless and efficient as possible:

  • Don’t Trash the Move by Moving your Trash: Start preparing for your move as soon as you decide to relocate. Staging ones home for sale begins with the process of eliminating clutter and unwanted household goods. It’s amazing how much stuff we do accumulate over the years, we all do it and moving gives us a great excuse to visit that garbage can. You will be saving yourself money and time!
  • Be Organized: I suggest prior to a move you purchase a binder, folder or portable file case that can be used for centralizing your important papers. A one-stop place that you’ll be able to find documents, bills, prescriptions, bank records, keys, etc. any items you’ll need while going through the moving process.
  • Communication: A good question to ask your Moving Consultant during the estimate is how does the office handle communication between the customer (or shipper) and the moving crew. For example; one of our clients told me on an estimate that she was allergic to peanuts, which could be life threatening.  Our office documented this in her folder and this was communicated to the crew leader and other movers to refrain from eating anything peanut related the day of her move.. At Ridgewood Moving Service, we have a drivers sheet that includes all the important correspondence between the sales/office and movers. In addition, the paperwork is looked over by operations and key issues written on the job board. The crew leader becomes aware of all the details prior to the move. This includes materials needed for the move as well as concerns of the clients, like the peanuts!
  • Personal Items: We understand that your important personal items must be treated with extreme care. To make sure they are handled properly, we label these items with a VIP (very important piece) tag. Our movers take extra precaution with VIP items, in order to make sure they arrive in pristine condition. However, if you have any doubts or concerns about a certain item or piece, please take it with you. “When in doubt, take it out.”
  • Donate: When a client is moving into a smaller space they often have the problem of having too much furniture, whether it’s a home or business. There are so many charitable organizations ready and willing to take these items off your hands. I have a Resource List available if you need some ideas. Email me; [email protected] and I’ll email this list to you. You can also sign up for the Resource List at the top of each page of this website. This list was provided to me by one of my Professional Organizer friends and I find it to be very useful.
  • Ebay: I recently sold my swing set and trampoline that was unused in my backyard for years. This is a great avenue to get rid of backyard clutter, make some money and save the expense of having someone disassemble these items for you. I use a woman who specializes in the sales process from the listing to all of the correspondence and just takes a fraction of the sale. I can share her name with you or if you have the time, do it yourself!!
  • Staging: Since I recently sold my home and downsized, I feel I can share my personal experience. Before I even put my house on the market, I started shopping around. What I discovered was interesting! There were so many homes on the market that were cluttered, filthy and quite outdated, yet still commanding a pretty hefty price. The homes that I visited that were neat, freshly painted and de-personalized were appealing. I suggest, before you even consider putting your house on the market, you look into “staging”, whether it’s through a professional or just by your own research, it is worth the time. A few brush strokes can add many dollars to the sale of your home or business. In addition, when the time comes to get ready for your move, you’ve gone through much of the cleansing process already.
  • Cost Effective: The most cost effective move is the one that is boxed up and ready to go on moving day. Loose items such as wall hangings, artwork, pictures, lamps, cords and all loose contents are packed up. A local move is usually based on time therefore, the more prepared the quicker the moving process will be. All the moving crew will need to do is prep for the move by wrapping the furniture and any other floor, door or wall protection needed for a smooth move out. At destination, make sure that someone is present to direct the movers. If boxes are labeled and clear and you have pre-determined where items are to go, you’ll have a nice transition.
  • Packing: The most common issue that I see when dealing with a move is the packing part. Many times a client will have all good intentions of packing everything but life gets in the way. We try to anticipate what we reasonably think the client will get to and what we may have to pack up the day of the move. We have been in business for over 40 years, seeing the same scenario occur time and time again. Our expert packing team can pack up the entire home or business or just a portion. The Moving Consultant can provide you with an estimate for a full or partial pack upon request.
  • Recycled Boxes: We have been thinking green long before it was chic! After a move, we pick up used boxes and bring them back to our warehouse. These boxes are offered to our customers free and we feel it’s a great service and environmentally friendly at the same time. I suggest you take advantage of any moving company that offers this service. We recycle used paper as well, when available. This unprinted paper or newsprint is used for breakables.
  • Another packing tip: I suggest when packing dishes and breakables you use a “dish pack”. These boxes are of heavier weight and marked with arrows facing upward. When using these boxes; place heavier pieces on the bottom, layer with lots of paper, then wrap dishes and place them in the box like a dishwasher (vertically), place another layer of paper then place light cups or tea cups on top. Professional movers will know that fragile items are in these boxes and will handle with the utmost of care.

Here are some more general moving tips:

  • Heavy items belong in small boxes. Putting too many heavy objects in large boxes is always a disaster. Unloading them becomes that much more difficult and moving large, awkward boxes can slow down a productive day.
  • Label boxes. List their general contents, what room they belong in (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) and instructions for your moving company. This allows you to unpack these items room-by-room.
  • Measure doorways at your new house or office. Boxes and furniture must fit through at least one door if you’re going to live or work there! It sounds comical but it happens, and no one wants to unpack everything piece-by-piece only to take it inside in individual pieces.
  • If you need to move anything acidic, corrosive, or explosive, you should contact your moving company first so we can address this problem. Ridgewood Moving Services reserves the right to not move materials that pose physical and legal risks.
  • Changing your address will protect you against late bill payments or lost mail. Notify the post office, any creditors, and magazine or newspaper companies.
  • Consider organizing for your move by creating a “moving folder” of information, dates, statements, and agreements with your moving service. Your moving company will do the same for you.
Packing Tips.

Helpful Packing Hints

  • Lampshades- Wrap in white, clean tissue paper only, place in cartons, mark “Fragile.” Do not use newsprint. Lampshades may be nested but do not pack them in a way that will tear lining or puncture parchment shades.
  • Linens- Table and bed linens should be put into strong cartons or trunks.  They should be lined with tissue or clean white or brown paper to protect from dust. Do not use newsprint as a liner as the ink may soil fabric.
  • Linoleum- The moving company is not responsible for the safe moving of linoleum which has been used or tacked to the floor or which cracks and breaks when rolled.
  • Mattresses- Our moving men will protect your mattresses by wrapping them in shrink wrap.  Do not try to roll or handle mattresses as this may result in damaged springs or fabrics. You may protect mattresses with a sheet or mattress cover if you like.
  • Medicines- Seal bottles and jar stoppers. Wrap individually, placing them upright in small cartons or metal waste containers.
  • Mirrors- For storage or long distance moving, mirrors must be crated for safe handling. Wall mirrors will be removed by the movers if they are not fastened to the walls. Mirrors will not be installed on walls at the new residence, Mirror tops on furniture will be taken off and replaced at destination.
  • Mowers and Gasoline Powered Tools- Gas tanks should be drained and oil reservoirs emptied. No flammable mixtures or articles may be transported on public carriers.
  • Paintings/Pictures- Small pictures can be safely placed between the folds of blankets or pillows in drawers or cartons. Large and valuable pictures and paintings must be padded, wrapped, and crated for moving.
  • Stereos- Secure the tone arm and turntable against the movement by tying. Secure the changer to avoid its moving forward. On delicate, expensive players, it is wise to have this done by an experienced serviceman.
  • Records, Tapes and CD Players-  Pack records on end, side by side, to provide the greatest resistance to weight pressure. Use small cartons only.
  • Plants- These should be handled personally by you or given to your florist to send to your destination. The moving company will not assume responsibility for living plants.
  • Refrigerators- Defrost and thoroughly dry your refrigerator before moving. This is very important. The doors should be left open several hours to air after defrosting. All pans, trays, crispers, shelves or removable parts should be removed and wrapped separately. Have your refrigerator serviced. Motor may have to be bolted down before moving. Do not plug in at the new home until it has been unbolted.
  • Rugs- It is not necessary to remove rugs from floors. Our men will do this for you. They will be rolled to avoid crushing. If they are to be stored, have them cleaned. Tacks should be removed from carpeting before our movers arrive.
  • Sewing Machines- These do not need special servicing for local moving. For long distance, the driver will stuff paper in and around the machine and place paper between the lid and base to prevent rubbing.
  • Silverware- Leave in original containers or wrap in cloth or low sulfur-content paper or tissue and pack in boxes. Place padding in silver chests to prevent moving and scratching.
  • Stoves- Must be disconnected prior to pick up.  Be sure gas lines are shut off and capped.  For electric ranges, if the coils are loose, they must be removed together with griddles, deep fryers and removable parts, then packed separately.
  • Television Sets- Some sets require checking before moving. Some color TVs must be serviced both before and after moving. Television antennas should be removed from rooftops and disassembled.
  • Toilet Articles- Seal the corks and stoppers of cosmetics, medicine, and perfume bottles with natural nail polish, paraffin or masking tape before wrapping separately in paper and placing upright in cartons.
  • Tools- If they are valuable, wrap separately. Tools, as a rule, can be put into small, strong cartons without wrapping individually.
  • Valuables- Legal documents, all important papers, jewels, and currency should be handled by you personally. Keep them in your immediate possession.
  • Washers- Automatic washers must be serviced by an authorized serviceman.  Motors should be checked and secured, tumble action protected and fastened in place.
Specialty Items, i.e. Piano, art.

Trust Your Piano to Ridgewood Moving Services, Bergen County, NJ’s Premiere Moving Professionals specializing in pianos since 1966.

Moving a piano by yourself can be very difficult, and may result in damage to the piano, and/or an in-experienced  “mover”. We advise you hire professionals to move these instruments. At Ridgewood Moving Services, we have nearly 50 years of piano moving experience and understand the proper steps to take in order to get your piano moved safely.

Types of Pianos

Knowing what type of piano you own is important so that you may provide the proper information to your movers.  Piano’s can be classified into three main types; spinets, uprights and grands.

Spinets

Spinet pianos are relatively light and two men can lift them fairly easily.  Most upright pianos are provided with lifting handles at the back of the frame.  We load the piano onto a 4-wheel dolly as soon as possible.  It makes life much easier, even if you have to move it only a short distance.

Upright Pianos

Upright pianos are generally smaller than grand pianos, and usually carry all of their weight at the top.  In some instances, the legs and feet of an upright piano can be very fragile. Some types of upright pianos are Spinet, Console, Studio, and the Upright Grand/ Player.

Grand Pianos

Grand pianos, such as the Baby Grand, Boudoir, the ¾ Grand Semi-Concert, and the Concert Grand, are larger and more expensive. Grand pianos are a bit more difficult to move than uprights and require the proper equipment for safe transport.

Proper Piano Handling

Pianos are extremely sensitive instruments and need to be moved with the utmost of care with skilled professionals.   At Ridgewood Moving Services, we train our Moving team and come prepared with furniture dollies, piano boards, straps, blankets, and padding. We also have years of experience with moving pianos, and know how to transport them carefully. For example, the key lid on the piano must be secured in place. Never use tape for this, as it may damage the wood finish. Instead, either lock the lid or use the blankets and wrap to secure the lid as you wrap the piano. Usually, Grand Pianos and Concert Grands are moved with the lid off.  The Movers will wrap and secure the lid separately.  The piano legs are removed and marked 1,2,3 so they can be put back in the right spot once reassembled.  The main frame of the piano will be placed on a piano board.   Note, piano boards come in many different sizes and fits the various sizes of the special pianos.  The large Grands are moved on their side securely wrapped around the piano boards with padding and shrink wrap.  The music rack is removed and secured with its pins and kept together with the frame of the piano or the piano stool for safe keeping.

Don’t try to move a piano yourself—you’ll either damage the instrument or hurt yourself. Trust your piano to the professionals at Ridgewood Moving Services, who have the experience and tools to get the job done right!

Corporate move.

Ridgewood Moving – Your Bergen County Commercial Moving Service

We have earned the reputation of providing high quality, low stress moves for our customers because we are well versed and experienced in addressing the intricacies a corporate move entails. We are available 24/7 during the entire process and will help you every step of the way.

Start Your Corporate Move the Right Way

The corporate move begins with organization and project management, followed by packing and prepping any office materials, storage closets, and furniture. Because we value our customer’s time, we offer a 100% turnkey move and will have your firm in full operation as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Ridgewood Moving Service Provides:

  • Specialized cartons and packing materials for files and contents of employee work areas
  • Crews available for daytime, nighttime or weekend moves
  • Specialty wrapping and packing of artwork, high-value antiques, and specialty furniture items
  • Specialty materials handling equipment (dollies, jacks, library bins, panel carts etc.)
  • Specialty wrapping and packing of medical equipment, computers, and IT equipment
  • Insurance coverage for building owners and landlords, and indemnification declarations for client
  • Post-move involvement for changes after “move-in” is completed
  • Disposal of unused furniture, files, or IT equipment as required by recycling laws
  • Organize and manage a purge campaign to eliminate outdated documents using recycling or shredding services

Tips for Selecting a Corporate Moving Service in Bergen County

  • The lowest price is not always the best moving service provider
  • A seasoned “project manager/project supervisor” for a 5,000+ square foot move is very valuable in planning and executing  the move sequence
  • Project meetings with the building manager(s), construction manager, IT manager, new furniture dealer, department heads, and mover will assure complete communication on the move action plan
  • Predetermined action plan for vacating the origin space to comply with lease termination requirements should be established along with the move plan
  • Interviews with the management staff and project manager for the move is critical. A visit to the mover’s facility is always recommended
  • Corporate references and staff resumes are also important in selecting the best-qualified moving service

The Value of an Experienced Moving Service

It is vital to your organization to have as little downtime as possible, so we strive to make your move expeditious and efficient. Our team of professional, experienced movers will provide careful, detailed assistance to ensure the timely move of your entire office. We take extreme care with all of your items, not just the valuables, and we will guide you through all of the various phases of a complex corporate move. Don’t leave your valuables, documents, and important business equipment in the hands of inexperienced movers. Choose Ridgewood Moving Services for all of your specialty commercial moves, and you can be confident that you have selected the most experienced moving company in Bergen County.

   Latest Industry News.

   New Jersey Warehouseman & Movers Association (NJWMA).