When you are moving over long distances and your belongings won’t make it to your new home on the same day, consider putting your belongings in storage. It shouldn’t be a problem for movers to hold on to your stuff, in fact, it could be considered the norm. Many people move long distances, move to smaller homes, or have homes that are still being built or just aren’t ready to take delivery of all their furniture immediately. And they all have a need for movers to hold onto their stuff for a while.

There are a few things you want to look out for though, so you find the best service and solution to meet your needs.

Do You Need Short-Term Storage or Long-Term Storage?

If your moving company is holding onto your belongings, you may not immediately think of such a service as storage.

For safety, security, and logistical purposes, it’s not as simple as hanging on to your stuff. The length of time you require storage is also an important factor. Some moving companies may not offer long-term storage if your move is taking place over an extended period; short-term storage, however, should not be a problem—be it overnight or for a few days. But the only way you will really know for sure is by asking your moving company what their policy and storage facilities allow for.

What Kind of Facility is on Offer?

The next thing you have to find out from your storage company is how safe and secure your belongings will be. Regardless of how long they are holding your belongings for, you need to do some due diligence. A reputable mover will have a storage facility which offers 24/7 CCTV coverage and round-the-clock security.

The next most important factor is whether your boxes and furniture are protected from the elements. Rain, dust, vermin, and insects could cause damage even over a short period. Your storage facility must be properly sealed and secure.

What Items Can You Put in Storage?

There will always be items which you cannot put into storage. Other than pets and valuables, there are a lot of practical considerations regarding the storage of your belongings.

Items your movers will not hold on to:

• Solvents
• Paint and paint thinner
• Petrol or gasoline
• Anything perishable such as fresh food or even pet food
• Plants or other living things
• Illegal substances
• Weapons

Take caution when storing the following items:

• Pressurised items such as gas or dive cylinders need to be completely empty before they are put into storage
• Lawnmowers, motorbikes or other items which are powered by petrol or the like must be emptied entirely

If you are looking for a moving company able to hold on to your stuff, New Zealand Movers are always happy to help. For a free quote or advice, get in touch with us today.

If you’re looking for movers and packers in Auckland, you need to remember they aren’t all created equal. Finding the best movers and packers in Auckland means doing a bit of research.

Finding the right company can be tricky, which is why we’ve made this handy guide to point you in the right direction and help you find a moving company that meets your needs.

What Moving Services to Look For

With a glut of movers and packers in Auckland, the best way to start your comparison is by pinpointing which services you need most and which you can do without.

The best professional movers and packers offer some or all of:

• Packing your belongings—this service goes a long way to ensuring a less stressful move. Movers will pack all your items carefully, wrapping them and making sure your fragile items arrive safely. Great movers can unpack your belongings too.

• Supplying packing materials—even if you pack your own belongings, a professional moving company should be able to supply you with good quality, reinforced boxes, packing tape, wrapping materials, and more.

• Wrapping your furniture—regardless of whether your furniture is old or new, without carefully wrapping it in plastic and heavy-duty foam you risk scratches and dents.

• Creating an inventory—a good moving company will create an inventory of your belongings as they pack to ensure that nothing gets left behind and unpacking later is easier too.

• Loading and offloading your belongings—loading your belongings into a truck can not only be back breaking, it also requires equipment and experience to ensure the safety of your items.

• Transporting your belongings safely—your belongings also need to arrive safely; professional moving companies have experienced truck drivers and reliable trucks.

• Storing your belongings—in the event there is a delay or you don’t have enough space in your new home for all of your belongings, your moving company should be able to store your belongings in a safe and secure storage facility.

• Offering moving insurance—it’s a hassle to use several service providers to move to a new house; ask your moving company if they offer moving insurance in the unlikely event of accidental loss or damage.

• Planning international moves—more stressful still is an international move. The best moving companies have global industry accreditation and can move your belongings via sea or air freight.

• Moving large vehicles and awkward items—be it a pet, a piano or a yacht, a good moving company can handle it all.

• Clear communication—professional movers with pride in their work will be attentive and communicate with you, their staff and partners clearly for added peace-of-mind.

Don’t book the first mover you find because of the friendly voice on the other end of the phone; make sure they offer everything you need. Check out their reviews online and double check your quote for a clear breakdown of the services you want and the cost.

The best movers and packers in Auckland will safeguard your belongings and offer an efficient, stress-free move.

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.

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.

It’s essential to consider what might happen in the event that your belongings are damaged during the course for your move. Are movers responsible for damage? The short answer is sometimes. The next most important question is how to protect yourself from incurring financial loss through damage to your belongings. Professional movers take pride in their work so you can be comfortable knowing that they will not engage in risky practice or intentionally damage your belongings. Accidents do happen though and it’s best to prepare for the ‘what ifs’.

What is the Law in New Zealand?

The consumer protection laws in New Zealand are helpful. The Contract and Commercial Law Act ensures that movers are liable for the loss and damage of your belongings while they are in their care. The Consumer Guarantees Act covers your losses if the mover doesn’t provide their service with reasonable care and skill.

You still need to understand the finer details in the contract between you and your moving company. A signed contract between you and your mover is legally binding, so your contract will be the final say in the event of damage or loss.

Goods carried at ‘owner’s risk’, means that your moving company is not liable for any unintentional loss or damage.

Goods carried at ‘declared value risk’, means that the carrier is liable for loss or damage up to an agreed upon amount as specified in the contract.

Goods carried ‘on declared terms’, means that the mover and the customer can negotiate all the terms of the contract.

Goods are carried at ‘limited carriers risk’ if there is no contract in place. In this instance, the mover is liable for unintentional loss or damage of up to $2 000 for each separate item.

In addition, in the case of intentional damage by the moving company, they will be held liable for the full cost of your damages regardless of the contract in place.

Get Insurance for Extra Protection

Some moving companies offer insurance but others will require you to get insurance directly through an insurer. Many movers stipulate that your goods will be moved ‘at owner’s risk’, in which instance insurance is essential. Even if your moving company offers some protection, you may still need third party cover in the event of fire or theft. Read your policy thoroughly so that you know exactly what your cover entails.

Damage Through Negligence

Your moving company won’t take the fall in instances of negligence. If you pack and unpack your own belongings, they are unlikely to take responsibility for any damage. The same goes if you insist on helping with the move on the day, these conditions are in place because professional movers have the expertise and experience to mitigate risk to your belongings. Another area of negligence is that of packing items which are flammable, valuable, illegal or perishable.

Reporting Damage

In the unlikely event that your moving company has incurred damage to your belongings, you have to double-check your contract and your insurance before reporting it immediately. Your contract is likely to stipulate a time period in which your claim must fall. If you have trouble settling the claim, you can lodge a claim with the dispute’s tribunal.

New Zealand movers have thorough and carefully constructed terms and conditions to avoid any confusion. For additional advice, contact us and we can advise you accordingly.

There are heaps of professional movers who can pack your belongings for you. Some are unable to take on the responsibility, but those who are, are adept at the art of packing in such a way as to mitigate the risk of damage or loss. They know that by taking on a task which may appear immense for you, they are able to ensure a smoother and more efficient move. In short, movers who pack for you are probably the only movers you want to deal with.

Some Movers Can Insure Your Belongings

One big reason movers are willing to take on the responsibility of packing is that it also mitigates risk on their side. A professional moving company will use high-quality packing material, they know the best packing methods and because of this, it is easier to insure your belongings during the course of the move. Many moving companies will offer you moving insurance and those who don’t can point you in the direction of a good third-party insurer. If you choose to use a third-party insurer, and if your moving company doesn’t pack for you, your insurance coverage may be limited.

Packing For International Moves

The importance of using a moving company who will pack for you is ten-fold when you are moving internationally. Your belongings are at greater risk because of not only the distance and form of transport but also the fact that your belongings may be subject to more handling. Your furniture and boxes will go from the truck to the container and then into your new house. Movers who pack for you will take even more precautions in order to keep your belongings safe.

High-Quality Packing Materials

When you’re looking for a mover who will pack for you, you want to make sure that they are using high-quality packing material. Most do, but you need to know what you’re paying for.

Good moving companies will use:

• Reinforced boxes
• Custom sized boxes for items such as TVs and electronics, clothing, artwork and more.
• Polystyrene inserts
• Heavy-duty foam wrap and bubble wrap
• Heavy-duty plastic wrap or bags to cover your furniture
• Thick furniture blankets
• Custom made crates

Packing Techniques

Moving companies take all manner of things into account. Because of their experience, they are able to foresee any potential problems and mitigate risks. They will ensure boxes aren’t too heavy and where there are heavy boxes, they will be packed strategically in order to not squash and damage other boxes and fragile items. Movers also have the superhuman ability to pack their trucks in such a way that there are no gaps and thus less potential for items to shift around.

Movers who pack your belongings are worth the additional cost because without them there may be a higher risk of damage or loss to your belongings. The bonus is that insurance is easier to procure. New Zealand movers are pros at packing and wrapping your belongings and we offer moving insurance. For more information, get in touch today.

When we think about moving our furniture, the logistics immediately pop into our heads. Getting that couch down the stairs, that dining room table out the front door… and then comes the thought of scratches, dents, or scuffs. Before you gasp and vow to never move house, take a moment to think about getting a professional moving company to not only move your furniture but also wrap it.

Carefully wrapping furniture is the best–and in fact the only way–to move your furniture safely, which is why you want to know how movers wrap furniture using advanced packing techniques.

Movers Use Professional Packing Materials

Many of us get swept up in the excitement of moving to a new house and start gathering empty boxes from friends and discarded boxes from shops in a rush to get started, but these boxes are likely to be damaged, not strong enough and purpose-built. The same goes for the materials with which you might consider packing and wrapping your furniture.

Many people underestimate the potential for damage, but movers know how to wrap your furniture to the highest standard with the best materials for maximum efficiency and protection. Items such as thick furniture blankets, heavy-duty plastic wrap or bags, protective bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, crates, and mattress protectors are purpose-made and substituting these items with whatever you can find is unlikely to do the trick. Not to mention the trusted, professional methods movers use to wrap your furniture.

How to Wrap Your Furniture

• Movers will wrap your mattresses and couches in heavy gauge plastic bags to prevent scuffing and soiling of the fabric.
• For items which are more delicate in nature–such as highly polished timber–movers will cover your items in thick foam wrap and sometimes add an extra layer of corrugated cardboard if necessary.
• More unusually shaped items and for international moves, items will be wrapped in a heavy-duty bubble wrap, sometimes referred to as tuff wrap or put in custom-built crates.
• For even more protection, when loaded into the moving truck or shipping crate, all good movers will use thick moving blankets to further prevent damage.

How Movers Pack Other Unusually Shaped Items

Professional movers will also assist in the packing and wrapping of items such as instruments, bicycles, motorbikes, artworks, golf clubs and more. In these instances, they will use custom-made, reinforced boxes for lighter items or crates for heavier, more fragile items. Crates are used especially in international moves, and for when your items are put into storage; for extra protection above the foam or bubble wrap.

Furniture isn’t only expensive to replace, but it can be sentimental if it is an antique or an heirloom. Professional movers know how to wrap your furniture to mitigate as much risk as possible and get your furniture to your new home in the same condition they wrapped it in. For additional advice, to get a quote or to book your move, get in touch with us today.

It’s not unusual for people to shy away from moving for the simple reason that it’s one of the most stressful things you can do. The thing is, movers simplify and speed up the process greatly. So, when people ask are movers worth it, we say yes, every time. Even if you’re only moving a few items of furniture, movers know what they are doing, and they ensure your move is stress free. How? By doing pretty much everything for you and keeping your items safe.

Movers Pack and Unpack

It has been said, perhaps more than a few times, preparation, preparation, and more preparation. With moving, packing is easily the most daunting aspect, and it’s where professional movers can help the most. Movers will help you pack all your belongings swiftly and safely. They know all the best methods to keep your belongings safe and greatly mitigate the risk of damage. Movers do this by wrapping things carefully, putting them into the right size box or specialised crate, labelling them and making sure the boxes with fragile items are taken extra special care of. To make things even easier, you can ask them to unpack for you too.

Movers Create Inventories

Inventories can be a big job, but they are essential if you’re planning to run a tight ship—rather than a loose mess. Movers will help you by creating an inventory as they are packing your belongings. This time-consuming task ensures you know exactly what has been packed and where it goes so you don’t lose track of anything.

Movers Load the Truck for You

As with packing, there are methods that movers use to load the truck. They ensure that they place each box in such a way that it does not damage them, they don’t shift around and are unpacked in the right order. Keeping bigger items such as furniture safe can also be risky if you aren’t sure how to prevent them from shifting around, how to pack them, wrap them or load them.

Movers Safely Transport Your Belongings

Even if you are prepared to take on the risk of packing, loading and hiring a truck, are you able to drive a truck? Depending on the size of the vehicle, you may require a specialised licence to drive that truck.

Movers Offer Moving Insurance

If you go it alone, you might be able to cover your belongings with household insurance, but it is likely the coverage will be limited. Movers mitigate a lot of risk through careful loading, packing and transportation of your belongings but without that, your insurance company may not be willing to risk covering your move. Movers offer insurance specifically for this purpose.

Movers Offer Storage

Another delightful aspect of movers is that they can put your belongings straight into storage if there’s a delay between moving out of your old home and moving into your new one.

In conclusion, for the sake of your mental health, movers are worth it. The stress is overwhelming when you are worried about many other details such as switching your service providers and getting your children into new schools. For more information and advice, just give us a call 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!