With all the planning of moving to a new house, we may forget that we also have to hire movers. And the costs of moving quickly add up, which is why it’s imperative to keep tabs at every turn. You need to know when movers start charging, when your last payment is expected, and what they will charge for along the way. This way you can plan your budget and you won’t have to face any unexpected costs.

What to Expect When You Book Your Move

As with many service providers, an initial payment will be expected when you book your move, in order to secure your booking. Most movers will provide you with a refund if you cancel the booking in advance, otherwise, if you cancel at the last minute, you might lose your deposit–understandably. Your second payment is likely to be your last, and this is usually due on the day of your move unless otherwise stipulated in your contract. Each moving company has its own way of doing things, so it’s best to find out in the beginning so you don’t get caught with an upcoming payment you hadn’t expected just yet. Ask the mover about payments, or check the terms and conditions.

The Hidden Costs of Moving

Movers charge when you book your move, but after that, you could be in for more than you bargained for if you’re not careful. Professional movers are more thorough with going through the fine print and double-checking which services you want, and quoting you for those services. Still, now and then something may slip through the cracks.

Double-check that your quote includes or excludes these costs as necessary before you commit:

• Packing up of your belongings into boxes
• Packing material required to pack and wrap your belongings
• Wrapping your furniture
• Loading and unloading of your belongings
• Unpacking your belongings if need be
• Moving and wrapping delicate items such as artwork and musical instruments
• Temporary storage if necessary

How Most Moving Companies Charge

You’ll find that most moving companies have a super speedy calculator on their websites to give you an instant quote. These calculators are great because they base these calculations on their professional experience and their own rates. They have estimates on the cost of the time it takes to move the contents of homes of every size. They quote based on the number of belongings you have to move, the distance you are moving, and the moving services you require.

There may be other variables which the moving company will take into account such as access issues if you live in an apartment block or a double-storey home. Climbing stairs is time-consuming and moving large heavy items down and up stairs is also precarious. If your movers run over time, they will probably charge for their extra time, depending on your contractual agreement.

Don’t let the cost of your move spiral. Speak to our advisors, get the right advice, and get the right quote for your needs, without the pressure to accept the quote immediately.

Moving isn’t always a gigantic effort. Sometimes, people moving their homes aren’t taking too much with them. Those moving far away, moving from a small home or apartment or people who have said goodbye to their old furniture and make a fresh start don’t need a huge truck and a ten-person team for the job. That doesn’t mean they don’t need help though. That’s why there are movers who will assist you with a small move.

How to Get a Quote

Typically, you can get a quote based on the number of rooms you intend to pack up and the amount of furniture you have. They may give a quote online or in-person; either way, you will know soon enough how competitive their prices are and if they do small moves. Many moving companies will move a single item, a few items, the contents of a single bedroom, small apartment, or small business.

If you have little to move, it’s probably easier to get an online quote, you can specify a small amount of furniture without having to call first and ask if the move is too small. From there they will advise you what size truck they will need and how many movers you need to help you on moving day.

Why You Need a Moving Company for a Small Move

Even a small move requires an extra pair of hands. It’s easy to underestimate the weight of a bed, fridge, washing machine, or a couch. You could save money by asking a kind friend for help, but that’s not always an option. And even when you have a friend who can help you, you still need a truck to move the items. You could hire a truck, but do you have the right licence to drive it?

Professional movers make things faster, easier, simpler, not to mention, safer. As a by-product of their experience and training, they know just how to get awkward items through doors and down stairs. Also, they have all the necessary equipment at their disposal.

You Still Have to Pack Carefully

Before you consider loading a bunch of loose items into the moving truck because you may not be too worried about space, remember your items are still likely to get damaged this way, even if it’s a small move. Some items are tricky to pack and wrap but it’s still worth your time to either get your moving company to pack for you or take the time to pack them very carefully yourself. It will not only make the move much faster and easier, but movers tend to be pretty strict about this sort of thing. Movers are unlikely to move loose belongings.

Many companies specialise in moving large homes and businesses, but still, that doesn’t mean those with fewer belongings don’t need a moving service. That’s why it would be a missed opportunity for moving companies to turn such individuals down. You don’t have to look too far for movers for small moves. For more information or advice get in touch today.

Moving houses during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a tough task to navigate. It’s brought a whole bunch of new rules into our lives. One of the most obvious? Face masks. Depending on where you live and what you do for work, they’ve drifted in and out of our lives over the past year: like that Tinder date you were seeing for a while, but it kind of fizzled out. They probably wouldn’t stop talking about the Tiger King doco, and you weren’t about it…

But let’s get back on track. Different countries currently have different rules regarding face masks and who needs to wear them. New Zealand has had Alert Level 1 restrictions in place for a while now, which means that masks are not mandatory. So don’t panic if your movers rock up with naked faces.

While it’s not mandatory for your movers to wear masks, there are a few things they must do:

• Display QR codes for the COVID-Tracer app

No matter the alert level in place, all businesses have to display the official QR codes (i.e. those little pixely things that you scan with your phone) for the NZ COVID-Tracer app.

• If unwell, stay at home

This one applies to everyone, including your hired movers. Alert Level 1 guidelines say that if you’ve got cold and flu symptoms, you need to stay at home. This means your movers won’t be coughing and spluttering or infecting you with any nasties – even if it’s just a common cold.

• Use as many people as you like

There’s some good news. Under Alert Level 1, there are no restrictions on gatherings. This means you can enlist as many people as you like with the move, whether they’re paid movers or random people off the street. On second thoughts, maybe don’t use random people off the street.

• Follow all other government guidelines

You can find all the government guidelines which your moving company needs to follow at www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/.

Remember that these health guidelines are only applicable when we’re on Alert Level 1. If something happened to get us back to Alert Level 2 (touch wood) then lots of this would change. Convenient, huh? For now, however, you can rejoice in the fact that your friendly movers won’t have to wear masks – so you can see how happy they are to help you with the move!

No one plans to move in the rain but in New Zealand, you might not be able to avoid it. The land of four seasons in one day is full of surprises and along with its beauty comes weather patterns which aren’t always predictable. Rain can turn up uninvited on moving day, but professional movers are adept at dealing with rain and they can work in the rain. It takes planning and preparation but it’s doable.

Ask Your Moving Company First

Movers can work in the rain but are your movers willing and prepared to? They may choose to postpone your move if the conditions are too harsh. There is a big difference between heavy rain and light rain, so it’s best to get a clear idea of their procedures and protocols ahead of time to avoid surprises. Heavy rain won’t only dampen the mood but it may put the safety of your belongings and movers at extra risk.

Discuss the Details With Your Movers

Professional movers will ask you about the details regarding both your old home and your new home. Things such as the availability of parking spaces, the distance to your home from the parking area, whether they will be required to climb stairs, whether the ground may become slippery when wet and the types of flooring you have inside your old and new home. This information will help them prepare if they need to bring extra equipment and consider contingency plans in the event of rain.

Check the Weather Forecast

Even though weather reports aren’t always 100% accurate, it’s worth taking a look at the weather report in advance so that you can make provisions where necessary. Make sure that your box of essentials is weather appropriate so that when you arrive at your new home you have items such at a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee and soup to help you warm up. In addition, it’s a good idea to have dry clothes and dry towels. Having these items close at hand will help you get through the final stretch.

Get Help Packing

The best way to tackle packing is to allow your moving company to do it for you. They know all the best ways to protect your items from both damage through moving and damage from rain. They will wrap your belongings with the utmost care in high-quality packing materials and reinforced boxes. Second-hand boxes are more likely to have had their integrity compromised through damage.

When it comes to furniture and other large items, moving companies routinely use heavy-duty plastic to wrap items which are easily damaged by rain and moisture.

Items which need extra protection from rain:

• Wooden furniture which could stain, warp, and swell if exposed to rain.
• Mattresses don’t dry easily and could become mouldy
• Art, books, and picture frames can be damaged beyond repair
• Electronic items are very rarely salvaged from water damage
• Any items which will be put into storage are unlikely to dry easily and could become mouldy

Packing For The Rain

Movers have their fair share of packing techniques to keep your items safe:

• Line boxes with plastic to protect their contents
• Use reinforced boxes
• Put floor protectors down to minimise mess and prevent slipping
• Label boxes which are filled with items that are susceptible to water damage
• Seal boxes with tape around the edges, openings and the corners

For additional advice or to book your move, contact New Zealand Movers today.

Professional moving companies take their work seriously because not only is our reputation at stake, so are your treasured belongings. Movers want you to know that to ensure that everything goes smoothly, we can plan all the details in advance, and we appreciate your help in doing that. This way, your belongings are safe, and your move is as efficient and stress-free as possible. So, for your own peace of mind, here are a few important things that movers want you to know.

Read full articles below:

What They Are Good at and Why

There are several reasons why people use moving companies and it’s not only for their big trucks. While you can hire a truck, you will need a licence to drive a large vehicle. You can also pack the truck yourself, but it’s tricky to ensure things don’t move around in transit. More than that, having the extra hands on deck speeds up the process.

Packing Your Belongings

Packing boxes is labour intensive and stressful. There is a lot to remember, and there are a lot of methods you need to use to ensure the safety of your items. A smooth process will be greatly aided by creating an inventory, using custom-sized and reinforced boxes, properly wrapping fragile items, and careful labelling of boxes. Doing all of this on your own takes time, which you may not have. Movers want you to know that they are brilliant packers and loaders, and helping you is all in a day’s work for us.

What Not to Pack

There are a lot of items that you cannot pack, primarily to ensure your safety and that of our staff. Some things just shouldn’t be packed for the sake of mess and convenience.

Don’t pack:

• Anything flammable, from paint to fireworks; rather dispose of these items safely.
• Perishables such as food will either mess or no longer be fresh after a long trip in the moving truck.
• Some guns may be allowed if they are not loaded, but it’s best to double-check with your moving company.
• Anything poisonous such as pesticides, insecticides, or weedkiller.
• Valuables need to be kept with you rather than packed.

Be There on Moving Day

On the day of your move, it’s best to stay out of the way and keep your pets and children out of the way, but you still need to ensure that you are present and available. Professional movers will handle 90% of the process, but they may still need advice and help here and there. You need to tell them where to park, which elevator to use, and where you want your belongings.

Use Good Quality Packing Materials

As tempting as it is to go dumpster diving for used moving boxes, it is risky and not worth it. Second-hand boxes may have been damaged, destroying their integrity, and putting your belongings at risk. Look for boxes which are reinforced and available in various sizes. Good packing materials will keep your belongings safe and mitigate the risk of damage. Your best bet is to get boxes from your moving company.

It’s essential to ask your moving company for advice or additional information if there’s anything you aren’t sure about. If you’re ready to get going and plan your move, get in touch with us today for advice and to book your move.

If you have plants which are rare and treasured, you’re not alone. The thought of moving your pot plants or garden plants may be especially concerning, but it’s not impossible. While there are many movers that will move plants, there are also many that will not. Plants are much lower maintenance than pets, but they are still alive; so they need care, love and lots of attention. Here’s what you need to know about moving plants and how to help your movers move your plants.

Read full articles below:

What to Ask Moving Companies

If your plants are a concern, finding the right moving company is essential. Start by asking your chosen moving company if they move plants. If they say yes, there are a lot more questions you still need to ask before you book your move.

What you need to ask your moving company about moving your plants:

• What plants are they prepared to move, will they move houseplants and are they willing to move larger garden plants?
• What size plants are the moving company able to move? Some companies cannot move plants over a certain size.
• Is the moving company able to guarantee the welfare of your plants, and do they offer insurance for the transportation of plants?
• How will they transport your plants? Will the plants be loaded onto a flatbed truck, put into a moving truck, or will they be transported another way?
• Does their transportation have climate control and/or enough airflow? Your plants need to be protected from extreme heat and extreme cold.
• Will they wrap up and pack your plants, and how will they secure your plants?
• Are you allowed to move your plants across borders or state lines?

How to Prepare Your Plants for the Move

With all the preliminary information you need available, you can choose which plants you are going to move and begin to prepare them. Don’t underestimate the care required to ensure a successful move for your plants.

• A month ahead of the move you will need to transplant your potted plants into plastic pots, which will be lighter and easier to move than ceramic pots.
• You will need to continually monitor your plants for signs of disease or insect infestation.
• In the days leading up to the move, make sure you keep your plant hydrated but do not over water it.
• Consider taking cuttings from a plant if moving it is risky, many plants are easily propagated.

How to Pack Your Plants

Moving day is a whirlwind, but don’t get swept up and forget to properly protect your plants before you hit the road.

Here are some important tips:

• Trim any branches or stems which extend beyond the pot to prevent them from getting damaged.
• Put a plastic bag over your plant, poke holes into the plastic and secure the plastic at the base.
• Place your potted plants into a box surrounded by plenty of newspaper to keep the plant from shifting around. Label the box as ‘fragile’ and ‘live plant’.
• Pack your plants onto a level surface and don’t stack them.

How to Care for Your Plants After the Move

As you arrive in your new home, you need to unpack your plants immediately and make sure they have enough water and light. Your plants will go into shock if the trip has been tough for them, so you will need to monitor them while they adjust to their new home.

If you’re thinking of moving home or business, contact New Zealand Movers today. Let us give you a quote, answer your questions and book your move.

The word ‘essential’ is one of those words that 2020 has got hold of and simply won’t let go. It’s basically the modern equivalent of 2010’s ‘awesomesauce’. Thankfully, that’s over, right? It’s been the year of essential work, essential travel and essential activity and, essentially, we’re probably all a bit tired of the term.

If you’re moving houses during COVID-19, however, we’ve got some good news: movers and packers are essential workers. I repeat, they are. And there are a few different reasons for this:

They’re there for you in a crisis.

Say something happens to your house, like a fire or flood affects its liveability. Or you experience a domestic crisis which renders your home unsafe. You can’t live there safely anymore, so your moving company comes in to save the day. But instead of wearing flashy capes, they wear hi-vis shirts. Also, they can’t fly.

Not everybody can move on their own.
In fact, most of us can’t. If you’ve seen some of the junk I’ve hoarded in my garage, you’ll see why. On a serious note, if you live remotely, or alone, or live with a physical or mental disability, then it’s safe to say that you require some extra assistance in moving houses. Guess who’s here to help? You’re most-trusted moving company.

Not all moves are flexible.

We’ve all heard the saying “you gotta do what you gotta do.” Sometimes moving houses is one of those things you just gotta do. You may be moving to take care of a loved one or to start a new job in a new place as an essential worker (there’s that word again). But regardless of whether your move is based on a life-changing circumstance like that, or you’re just getting tired of your salmon pink wallpaper (yuck), your moving company can help you out during COVID-19.

Navigating what you can and can’t do within COVID-safe guidelines has been a tricky task. One minute you have to wear a mask, the next minute you don’t: one minute you can stand up in the pub, the next minute you can’t! But no matter how confusing the rules are, you can count on the fact that if you need to move houses, your moving company will be able to help you. But call them first to check. And don’t say the word ‘essential’.