Making moving easier for dog

Moving is chaotic for people--that’s why there are so many blogs about moving to help us out--but if things can get this overwhelming for people, can you imagine what moving is like for your dog? Not only does he have zero verbal confirmation of what is going on around him, but he also has no control or say over the situation. So how do we make this easy for our four-legged best friends? Our professional movers at Moving Forward have moved plenty of families with dogs, and we’ve learned a few key ways to make the move easier for Fido.

Keep His Routine The Same

While certain details about your dog’s routine will be difficult to keep the same, the more you can keep normal, the less stress your dog will feel. Make sure meal times, bed times and bathroom times are around the same time of day. Keep your dog comfortable by maintaining the everyday routine.

Keep His Toys With Him

The house is going to start to get messy as you prepare to move, but you will want to make sure your dog’s toys and bed stay with him or where they always go. If he usually sleeps in the living, do your best to makes sure it stays that way. Again, any change in routine will cause your dog to stress out, which could leave to destructive behaviors.

Hire a Dog Sitter

During the actual move, hire a dog sitter or take your dog to a friend’s house to keep him comfortable and calm. All the moving boxes and strangers (i.e. professional movers) will only stress him out.

Exercise Your Dog

When you arrive to your new location, take your dog to the park and play some fetch. Get as much energy out as you can, so that way your dog will sleep well on his first night in a new home.

After The Move: Be Compassionate
 
Your dog will be in an unfamiliar place once you move, and he will need to take some time familiarizing himself with the new environment. Be patient. It could take a few weeks for your dog to assimilate, and it’s possible that they will pee in the house or start digging through the trash.

Have any tips for making the move easier for a dog? Share them with us! We want to help make these moves as stress-free as possible for all of our customers.

Getting ready to move yourself? Call Moving Forward today for your free estimate!

How to find Professional Movers in Palo Alto

Finding professional, trusted Palo Alto movers can feel pretty overwhelming. From licensure to reputability to customers reviews, there’s a lot to consider! With a little focused and organized research, you could save some money, avoid scams and find the perfect professional movers for your needs. Here are 6 surefire tips for researching movers in Palo Alto. 

Get Recommendations

It’s important to get several opinions before making a decision. This company will be moving your personal belongings after all, so it’s best to be confident you’ve made the right choice. Take a look at Yelp! reviews, as well as testimonials from the the website of the companies that you’re looking into. Get in the ear of local real estate agents, friends and coworkers too.

Get Your Estimate In Person

Do not rely on online services to find estimates. It is best to get in-person estimates from each moving company. Once you have a list of 4 or 5 recommended options, you can weed out movers based on the way they provide estimates. Don’t rely on someone who is giving an estimate without seeing your house, there’s no way of getting a proper estimate that way. Make sure to get estimates from a few companies, big corporations and the little guys too. You never know who will have the best offer.


If you are moving to another state, ask for a bind estimate or binding-not-to-exceed estimate. These estimates limit the amount you can be charged. For moves within the state of California, movers are required to provide a signed binding estimate. Unlike non-binding estimates, movers can charge you for a binding estimate, though most movers give it to you for free.

Do A Background Check

Head over to the Better Business Bureau and get a quick background check on each company. You can also contact the American Moving and Storage Association to see if they are a member. While it is not necessary for a moving company to be a member of AMSA, it certainly speaks to their professionalism. For more in-depth background checks, the Better Business Bureau also has a scam tracker on their website. 

Be Thorough

When it comes time for your in-house estimate, make sure to show the movers absolutely everything that is moving with you. Show them the closets, the garage, the backyard, the attic, the basement, and every corner of the house.


It is also crucial to show the movers any areas that might complicate things on moving day: tight corners, grand pianos, stairs, or antique furniture. This will remove any possibility for movers to increase the estimate on move in day. While you’re at it, find out as much as possible about the logistics of the move:

Is the company physically moving you or will they be contracting that work out (opt for a company that is doing it itself)?

Do you have the full name and contact information of movers, including references?

License information (USDOT)

Moving guide pamphlets (Movers are required by law to provide you with something).

Compare Bids

Now that you have your bids, it’s time to compare. Be skeptical of super cheap bids, but don’t assume the highest bid is the best value either. Look for hidden fees and don’t hesitate to call the company if you have any questions. If a company doesn’t want to answer a question, or keeps handing you off to someone else to speak to, cross them off the list. If you have a few bidders around the same price, go ahead and negotiate prices. Palo Alto movers are familiar with negotiations because the competition is so high. It’s called an estimate for a reason. 

Double Check Licensure

Once you select the right moving company for you, double check to make sure they have all of the licensure necessary to move you. This includes the U.S. Department of Transportation license. Search the company’s USDOT number and check the following important information:

The names on this document should be the same as the names the company gave you.

The truck to moves per month ratio should be realistic (it’s not likely a company owns 2 trucks and does 150 moves per month).

They should be authorized for hire.

They must have bodily-injury and property damage insurance (BIPD).

The safety reviews must be “satisfactory” or better.


Congratulations on your decision to move, we hope this information from Palo Alto movers at Moving Forward was helpful for you.

How to Help Your Teen Adjust to a Move

Younger children are often considered first when a family makes a decision about moving out of their community. How will the relocation affect them? While it is important for younger family members to understand reasons for the move, it is also important to remember your teen during this time. Teens have a big investment in their current neighborhood, such as friends, school, and activities. Your highly-trained Sunnyvale movers want you and your teen to become well-adjusted to your new community. Consider the following to ensure your teen is prepared for a move:  

Inform

To keep your teen informed, take time often to discuss details of the move, such as the new house, neighborhood, and school. Be sure to point out the positives that this move will bring. Attempt to guide them away from talking in excess about what they will leave behind in the move.

Research

It is important to keep your teen's school curriculum consistent whenever possible to ensure a successful adjustment to his/her new school.  

Involve

Encourage your teen to assist with the moving process, such as packing, locating quality Sunnyvale movers, and planning fun activities in your new neighborhood. Getting your teen involved helps them look forward to arriving at their new home.

Prepare for Your In-Home Estimate with These Tips

When moving to a new location, having at least two in-home estimates prior to hiring a Redwood City moving company is recommended. This allows you to locate one that is best for your needs. Consider the following tips before the survey professional arrives: 

  

 Make an Inventory List 

As you lead the survey professional around your home, write down or make a mental note of all the items you intend to take with you on your move. In addition to helping to keep you and the moving company on the same page is also helpful in speeding up the estimate process.  

 Label Items 

Label any items the moving company will not be taking on the move. This ensures that the estimates you receive are accurate as well as speeding up the estimate process. Bright colored tape or sticky-notes are great to use.  

 Plan Your Questions 

Make a list of questions to ask, such as:
Are there any unexpected costs I should be aware of?
What services are included in the price?
Is the estimate guaranteed? 

Be sure to show any hidden locations to the Redwood City moving company, such as attics, garages, and storage spaces. During the appointment, consider

using a caretaker for children and pets. 

Helpful Tips for Decluttering Before Your Next Move

Moving your belongings from one location to another is an enormous responsibility. It can be difficult to know where to begin with all the careful planning, organizing, and packing of your items. This task can look to be overwhelming due to the amount of stuff you have in your home. Your high-trained Palo Alto moving company have gathered some useful tips for you to help you declutter, ease the stress, and be ready for your upcoming move. 

Sort Items into Categories 

Moving to a new home is a great time to sort through all of your items and discard anything that is not useful or no longer holds some purpose for you. Moving items to your new home that you no longer use or need make no sense. To begin this process, simply sort the items in each room and divide into three categories: toss, donate, and keep.  

Have a Sale 

When sorting through all your belongings, if many of them are still in good condition, consider having a sale or possibly sell them online at sites such as Craigslist or eBay. In addition to decluttering your home, this is a way to earn some extra money to put towards moving expenses.  

Develop a Plan 

Sorting through all your belongings takes time. Set aside specific times where you can go through each room. Do not try to accomplish this large task in one or two days. Having the ability to relax without rushing through the sorting process allows you to reduce stress and make packing your belongings go much easier.
  
Assign Task

If you have friends or family nearby, ask for their support during the moving process. Having assistance from other people with organizing and packing allows you to get more accomplished in less time, and is also is also a clever way to have an objective view on items you are having difficulty parting with. 

Carefully Label

While you are going through and packing all your items, take the time to carefully label each container or box that you fill and make a quick note of the contents inside. This is an ideal way to see a breakdown of your items and help you stay organized. 
Before your next big move, contact your trusted Palo Alto moving company to learn more useful tips and tricks to help your moving experience go smoothly.

Top Reasons Why You Should Not Hire Non-Professional

People have found new ways of outsourcing their packing and moving needs with sites such as Craigslist and mobile apps like Dolly. For pennies on the dollar, you can hire a resourceful individual or even your neighbor to help you move to a new location with just a couple of click of a button. 

While this new approach may be convenient, it comes with its share of problems when compared to traditional moving practices. In the long run, many of these issues may impact you and your family.  

 

You should not hire non-professional movers due to the following reasons: 

Do Not Have the Proper Equipment 

There a numerous variable to consider the complex process of moving. For example, are there stairs or another structure that might be difficult to maneuver? Will a moving truck be too large for your street or will another alternative be needed? Professional Sunnyvale movers are prepared to handle every situation and will not let these troubles interfere with your move. 

They Lack Oversight

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration placed regulations on all professional moving services to provide customers with a copy of their consumer rights and responsibilities. This resourceful guide summarizes everything you must know, such as how to lodge a complaint or important contact information. Non-professional movers do not cover this irreplaceable form of protection, in the event, something does go wrong, you will be on your own. 

Non-Professionals Do Not Provide Protection

Professional movers offer some sort of protection, unlike non-professionals. While it is not identical to standard insurance, a similar level of protection is provided for your possessions. A few different forms of valuation are usually offered by the best professional Sunnyvale movers, such as full value or minimal protection. However, protections such as these are not provided by non-licensed movers, leaving the cost to replace or repair damaged items solely on the homeowner. 

Do Not Provide Planning or Support

Most moves not only require various pieces of equipment, but some can be quite complex, logistically speaking. While moving to a different town may not be as complicated as moving to another state, considerations must still be made for such things as possible lodging, times, and dates for the whole moving process. Also, how much gas will be needed to travel as well as other vital considerations that must be made. Professional moving companies understand the distinctions between any size move, ensuring the correct planning and support is put in place to make your move successful.

Time to Move

 

There are numerous songs that talk about moving on, whether its relationships gone by or time to let go of old projects or old friends; one thing is true though, physically moving is a whole different ticket. If you are planning on moving, there are probably a number of things going on through your head. You might be worrying about whether your new place will be as comfortable as the one you’re leaving behind; you might be moving because of a new job that has caused you to spend several sleepless nights thinking about what it will be like or you might even be moving because of a personal issue that has got you worried and stressed.

No matter what your situation is, there are things you shouldn’t have to worry about. Your moving company is one of them. If you are looking for a Redwood City moving company, you probably want to check out Moving Forward. This is precisely the kind of company that can help you figure things out so that there’s one thing less in your list of things to worry about.

Moving Forward is a Redwood City movers company created by a guy named Luis Aviles, who understands how moving represents a big change in a person’s life, not just in their daily commute, but also in a number of ways that people tend to realize only once they’ve moved. With their great service, they can guarantee that all your belongings will arrive at your new location safely, taking some weight off your shoulders and helping you take care of, at least, this aspect of your upcoming life change. They initially offer a free estimate so that you can have a general idea of how much it will cost; they do this to make sure you feel safe and confident that they will not want to rip you off. They are upfront and honest about all the work they do.

Along with moving, they also offer packaging, preparation, and even shipping services to compliment what you need, whenever you need it. With their team of professionals and an insurance to cover any major damages, you can rest assured that the best team will be taking care of everything you need to move from one place to another, including not only furniture but also clothing, delicate pieces such as clocks, musical instruments, and even antiques. Give them a call or check out their website to find out more.

Three Things to Look for in a Moving Company moving forward

There are a number of things you should look out for when hiring a moving company, but there are three main ones you will definitely want to consider. First off, you want to make sure the price offered is fair and affordable. You will find that there are very different prices offered in the market, each one of them offers a series of things that others might not. Some will be all inclusive and others will come with extra fees and payments. 

Once you’ve considered the price offered, you will need to take a look at the job they do. If you know someone who has hired a Palo Alto movers company you are considering, ask whether their belongings were properly treated and whether there were any damages.

Finally, you need to consider the people. It is extremely important to find a company that will be able to offer a team of people in their best disposition to help and who are trained and prepared to get the job done efficiently. Moving Forward is a company of Palo Alto moving that meet this all and can help you move. Check out their web page to get a free estimate and ask about their services and the team of people working for them.

The Cost of Moving services in California

When you move, the whole experience can turn into a distressing moment easily. You might be moving because you want to, because you found a better place, have gotten married or your family is growing and you need more space. But there’s also the possibility that you will have to move for other reasons, and you might find yourself in a moment when you are dealing with a series of expenses that put you on edge, and you still need to pay for them all.

 In this case, you might want to consider hiring a Palo Alto moving company that can offer you affordable payment options that will allow you to make the move without it hurting your pocket too deeply. Moving Forward is a Palo Alto movers company that can offer you this option. As a small company that understands each person’s needs, they want to make sure you get what you need, at a reasonable and affordable price, and will be willing to offer payment options that will allow you to breathe and relax a little. Their moving services cover pretty much anything you can imagine, so no matter what your situation is, check out their web-page and give them a call to get a free estimate and learn more about the payment options you have.

Get Benefits of Using a Moving Assistance Firm for Seniors!!

Moving is never easy. This is because you are uprooting your life in one location and moving it to another. This process can be hard especially for seniors. Between the physical hardship itself to the emotional challenges, seniors and their families need a lot of care and attention during and after the moving process. However, all of this is made easier with the presence of a professional moving company which specializes in moving the elderly and their families. 

Why do you need to hire moving assistants?

Moving assistants essentially take the hassle out of moving. Basically, it helps create a smooth transition from one residence to another for the elderly. As a sign of professionalism, Moving Forward company is the only Michigan based company with a NASMM A+ Accreditation. Their mission is to facilitate the emotional as well as the physical needs of relocation for the seniors. These are some of the reasons why hiring a palo alto moving company is such a good thing.

Eliminates financial exploitation

Many times, we have seen the elderly deceived and exploited for unscrupulous persons’ financial gain. As such, due to their illnesses and sometimes frailty as seniors, they are often at a disadvantage. This is why when it comes to moving, an assistance company is of great help. NASMM members are bound to a great level of professionalism and an uncompromising code of ethics.

Move or downsize with dignity

Many seniors have lived in their homes for decades. Due to that, they have sentimental attachments to most of the things they have in the property. Many moving companies will come in and rush things as they want to finish the task within the shortest possible time. This doesn’t consider how much work has been put in to accumulate those possessions. With a professional group, they appreciate how much time and effort went into making something. As such, they operate with the highest respect and regard.

Expert attention to the details

We know that the important things are in the details. And as such, we strive to give you the very best service which means that your wishes are of utmost importance to us. We follow given directives to the letter and make sure that you are 100% satisfied with the work done.

Decreases family stress

Everyone worries about the well-being of their elderly loved ones. This is why engaging the services of the best moving assistance elevates the family’s stress in the matter. Especially when they are not around to supervise the move themselves. Having the Professional Sunnyvale moving assistance for seniors goes a long way in relieving the family’s worry about their loved ones.