Name: The Holm Group
Item: The Holm Group
Author: Andrew Holm

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company in Your Area

February 9, 2023

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company in Your Area

Finding a reputable moving company when you’re pressed for time and money can be a trying process. After all, if you’ve ever had to move quickly and on a budget, you may have fallen prey to rogue movers. These swindlers start by giving you a low-ball estimate without ever seeing the items you need them to move. Then, when they have your stuff packed up, they hold it hostage until you agree to pay a higher fee.

In situations like those, most people just want to have their property back where it belongs. So, in the end, they usually fork over the cash — even if they have to borrow it. In any case, the best way to combat these kinds of scams is to make sure they never happen. Rather than hiring the first movers that give you a good price, take the time to vet several candidates.

But hey, if you’re not sure how to find a reputable moving company in your area, there’s no reason to worry. These tips should help you get the ball rolling on your upcoming move!

Pro Tips for Finding a Reliable Moving Company

When looking for reputable movers in your city, it pays to have a professional in your corner. Luckily, that’s exactly who we consulted to get you these tips for moving. Having worked at an NYC moving company for many years, the General Manager at Oz Moving & Storage, Nancy Zafrani, had many insights to share. So we asked her what should be our first step in finding a responsible moving crew.

Compile a List of Candidates

According to Nancy, the first thing we need to start our list of potential candidates is the recommendations of the people we trust. So, if any of your friends or family have moved Recently, ask them about their experiences. If nothing else, that might give you enough information to cross a moving company off your list.

Another thing you could do is call local real estate agents and ask them if any companies have a particularly good — or bad — reputation. Between these check-ins and your basic Internet search, your list will start to grow before you know it.

To keep things organized, make sure to write down the full name of the companies you come across, as well as any DBA names they might have. Additionally, you’ll want to jot down the:

Company address and website
Its email and (local and toll-free) phone numbers
DOT and MC license numbers (which will help you vet them more thoroughly)

Lastly, you should try to find out how long the companies you’re looking into have been in business. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t work with companies that don’t have at least 10 years’ worth of experience under their belts. Once you have all that information, you’ll be ready to start crossing some of those businesses off your list.

Look Into the Moving Techniques

Now, it’s time to make some calls or, better yet, visit the company headquarters. During the initial conversation with the companies on your list, you’ll want to ask them about the materials (such as moving blankets) and the techniques they use. If you have any concerns about a specific piece of furniture in your home, ask how they would handle getting it out.

Additionally, you can ask to see the company’s vehicles. Many rogue movers have only magnetic signs attached to their trucks. That may be a signal that they’re not in the moving business all the time. Needless to say, you’ll be better off with companies that have permanently marked vehicles.

Ask for References

Before wrapping up the first conversation with all the different moving companies, ask to see some references. Any legitimate company should be able to provide you with at least three contacts of the people they have worked with. The clients they provide should have moved to your general area within the past three months.

Potentially shady companies may try to sneak in contacts of people who are associated with the business. However, you’ll probably be able to pick up on that during your conversation. If anything feels off, just cross that business from your list. In the end, you should have between three and five companies to choose from.

Get Quotes

Once you narrow down your list of potential movers, you should introduce some numbers into the game. Right off the bat, Nancy Zafrani says you shouldn’t do business with any company that will give you a definitive price without seeing the property.

On the one hand, some businesses do have algorithms that can help them calculate the approximate estimate without seeing the house. Still, coming up with a price out of thin air is usually a bad sign. Instead, the company should offer to do an in-home estimate.

If nothing else, you should get one or two movers to give you an in-person estimate. That would show you how far off the sight-unseen offers were, letting you decide for yourself whether you want to strike them from your list.

Read Through the Paperwork

Last but not least, if you’re looking to get strangers to handle all of your worldly possessions — you’d better read the fine print. Moving companies in the U.S. are required by law to give you a pamphlet explaining your consumer rights and responsibilities. Make sure you go through those carefully.

Additionally, each moving company has its own set of rules and service levels. Each of your front-runners should either provide you with a list of services that cost extra or make them evident on their sites. As you’ll find, many companies charge extra for packing — which is understandable. Still, if you want to avoid that cost, you can pack most if not all of your stuff before their arrival.

When you settle on the company, you’ll probably get some paperwork to sign. If the representative gives you a blank contract — go with your second choice. On the other hand, if you just don’t fully understand the document, take the time to read through it carefully. If a company is legitimate, it won’t mind waiting while you decode the meaning of every little line in there.

Just remember to sign the contract only after you’re fully satisfied with it. That will make both you and the movers happier in the long run!

Top Moving Tips for New Homebuyers

July 12, 2022

Top Moving Tips for New Homebuyers

If you’re a new home buyer, then you’re probably wondering what the process of moving actually entails. It can be daunting to think about packing up all your belongings and transporting them to a new location. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best moving tips for new homebuyers. By following these tips, you can make the moving process a lot easier and less stressful. Let’s get started!

Start packing and planning early to avoid last-minute stress

Home buying is always filled with stress but there are ways to minimize it. Packing is one of the main causes of stress because it seems like there’s never enough time to do it. This can be especially true if you’re buying a home and have to move out of your old one on the same day. While it’s impossible to avoid all stress, there are some things you can do to make the process easier. First, start packing early. This will give you time to sort through your belongings and figure out what you need to take with you and what can be left behind. Second, compare car shipping companies. This will help you find the best deal and make sure your vehicle arrives at your new home safe and sound. Finally, try to relax and enjoy the process. Remember, this is a new adventure for you and your family! Embrace the change and have fun with it.

Label your boxes clearly so you can find what you need quickly

Good labeling practices will save you time and frustration when you’re looking for something specific in your storage unit. Use a dark permanent marker to label the sides of your boxes, and be sure to include both the contents of the box and the room where it belongs. For example, you might label a box “kitchen – dishes” or “office – printer paper.” You can also use colored tape to color-code your boxes by room; for instance, blue tape for the living room, green tape for the kitchen, etc. In addition, it’s a good idea to take a quick inventory of your boxes as you’re packing them up, so you’ll know at a glance what’s inside each one. With a little bit of planning, you can make sure your storage unit is well organized and easy to navigate.

Pack heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top

When you’re packing a box for shipping, it’s important to keep in mind how the weight of the contents will affect the box itself. The heavier items should always go on the bottom, with the lighter items on top. This will help to distribute the weight evenly and prevent the box from becoming top-heavy and tipping over. It’s also a good idea to pack fragile items in the middle of the box, surrounded by padding on all sides. By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your package arrives safely at its destination.

Use bubble wrap and packing peanuts to protect your fragile items

When it comes time to move or even to just pack up some items for storage, you want to make sure your fragile items are well protected. Using bubble wrap and packing peanuts is a great way to do this. Bubble wrap is great for wrapping around delicate items and providing a cushion of protection. Packing peanuts can be used to fill in any empty space in the box, providing additional support and preventing items from shifting during transport. When packing fragile items, be sure to use enough bubble wrap and packing peanuts so that the item is completely surrounded and well supported. This will help ensure that your fragile items arrive at their destination safe and sound.

Make a list of important phone numbers and email addresses for easy reference

Moving is always a stressful time. There’s so much to remember and keep track of. To help make your move a little easier, be sure to make a list of important phone numbers and email addresses for easy reference. This way you won’t have to go searching for them when you need them. Here are some of the most important contacts to include on your list:

-Your current landlord or property manager. Be sure to have their contact information handy in case there are any problems with your current residence during the move.

-The utility company for your new home. You’ll need to contact them to schedule a disconnection/connection of service at your old and new homes.

-The moving company you’ve hired (if applicable). Include their contact information so you can reach them easily on moving day if there are any changes or problems.

-Your friends and family! Make sure your loved ones have your new contact information so they can stay in touch.

With this helpful list, you’ll be one step ahead in the moving process. So sit down, make some calls, and get ready for your big move!

72SOLD & The Holm Group

March 1, 2022

72SOLD & The Holm Group

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Arizona contact Andrew at 480-206-4265

Are you looking to purchase a home or second home in the Phoenix – Scottsdale area?

We have exclusive access to over 600 listings a month before they are released to the general public. Ask us how?
Let our experienced buyers agents guide you through the process starting with pre-qualification, offer, inspections and successful closing.
Not sure where to move when you get to Arizona? We will give you tours of communities to give you an idea of what each has to offer.
The Holm Group has been representing buyers successfully in the valley for the past 22 years.
Our team approach assigns each buyer to a buyer specialist in your specific area within 24 hours that will assist you all the way through the buying experience

Are You Interested In Selling Your Home?

Our home selling program is Federally Trademarked and is featured on CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC, and Forbes Magazine
Our brokerage is spending over 2.5 Million Dollars a month for marketing in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.
Our marketing authorization time commitment is only 30 days as compared to the traditional listing timeframe of six months or more
Want to avoid the hassle daily showings? We can show you how.
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Take a look at our brand new video that covers are home selling program by clicking on the link below.

What To Do When Getting Ready for Your Next Big Move

October 18, 2021

What To Do When Getting Ready for Your Next Big Move

While it can be fun to move to a new area, the stress of moving makes it feel like it’s not even worth it. There’s so much you have to do, and it never feels like there’s enough time to do it all. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on what to do when getting ready for your next big move. We don’t want it to be a huge struggle for you, so these tips should help.

Take Some Time Off Work

We can’t stress this first point enough. If you don’t take at least a few days off of work to focus on this move, you’re going to stretch yourself way too thin. Not only will you struggle to get everything done on time before the moving date, but your output at work will suffer, too, due to all of the worries that’ll be rushing through your head. Do yourself and your employer a favor by taking a week off to get everything ready.

Hire a Moving Company

Many people these days try to do the move entirely themselves in order to save money. While that’s not a horrible idea, you’ll reach a point where you simply can’t do it all on your own. If you have some friends nearby, they can always come help, but nothing beats the efficiency and hard work of a professional moving company. They’ll handle all the heavy lifting which will ease your mind and give you time to finish other tasks.

Label Everything

This step in our guide on what to do when getting ready for your next big move is probably the most crucial. Whether or not you decide to go with a moving company, you must ensure all your stuff is packed together in categories and labeled for future reference.

Not only will this help when it comes time to unpack in your new place, but it will make the move easier since you’ll know which boxes belong in which rooms. Nothing’s worse than having to carry all of your kitchen stuff back downstairs because the movers put it in your bedroom.

Personally Take Care of Your Valuables

If you have precious valuables—such as jewelry, expensive electronics, or firearms—pack and handle those yourself. It’s especially important with guns since you need to follow specific instructions when you’re traveling with them so you don’t break any laws. If you’re moving here to Arizona, you won’t have to worry about concealed-and-carry laws as much. You don’t need a permit to carry guns as long as you’re over 21 years old. Still, you should be careful when you transport such valuables.

The main reason why you’ll want to handle these valuables yourself is so they don’t get lost, broken, or stolen during the move. If they never leave your sight, you won’t have to worry about them.

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company in Your Area

September 27, 2021

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company in Your Area

Finding a reputable moving company when you’re pressed for time and money can be a trying process. After all, if you’ve ever had to move quickly and on a budget, you may have fallen prey to rogue movers. These swindlers start by giving you a low-ball estimate without ever seeing the items you need them to move. Then, when they have your stuff packed up, they hold it hostage until you agree to pay a higher fee.

In situations like those, most people just want to have their property back where it belongs. So, in the end, they usually fork over the cash — even if they have to borrow it. In any case, the best way to combat these kinds of scams is to make sure they never happen. Rather than hiring the first movers that give you a good price, take the time to vet several candidates.

But hey, if you’re not sure how to find a reputable moving company in your area, there’s no reason to worry. These tips should help you get the ball rolling on your upcoming move!

Pro Tips for Finding a Reliable Moving Company

When looking for reputable movers in your city, it pays to have a professional in your corner. Luckily, that’s exactly who we consulted to get you these tips for moving. Having worked at an NYC moving company for many years, the General Manager at Oz Moving & Storage, Nancy Zafrani, had many insights to share. So we asked her what should be our first step in finding a responsible moving crew.