Month: April 2018

Moving to a new home in a new location is an exciting time. This time of transition is full of new possibilities, challenges, and a fair share of anxiety. Not only do you have to get used to a new routine, possibly in a new city, but you also need to get through a long list of to-do items.

The thought of disconnecting and connecting utilities, transferring medical records, updating personal information on your accounts, and switching virtually everything over can be overwhelming.

When you factor in the stress of cleaning, organizing, and packing, it can be too much for one person, or an entire family, to handle.

To ease the tension in your household, you should consider working with a residential moving company versus going completely DIY. If you’re moving to the other side of town, to a different part of the state, or to another part of the country, White Glove Movers can help you.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to hire a professional moving company:

1. You get a detailed estimate

When you work with a professional mover, you’ll receive a consultation before the process begins. Your mover will come to your place and assess how much time and money it will take to move your household to your new location. They will be able to tell you the best options for your budget and situation so you don’t have to worry about fitting into a specific mold.

2. Peace of mind

Knowing that a team of professional movers is handling everything does wonders for your nerves and stress level. A professional moving company will know the best route to get to your new space and how to get your items there safely.

3. They’re reliable

Professional moving teams are the most reliable option compared to asking your friends and family. When you work with a residential mover, you don’t have to worry about your brother’s truck breaking down on moving day or your friends bailing on you at the last minute. A moving team undergoes several hours of training to learn the best moving techniques so your belongings will stay safe throughout the entire process.

4. You don’t have to do the packing

Professional movers often provide packing services, so if you’d prefer to skip this step, ask them how much it would cost to do the packing for you. Moving becomes significantly easier when you don’t have the stress of locating high-quality packing materials and making sure things are packed properly.

5. Improved efficiency

Because professional moving companies do this for a living, they’re the experts at efficiently handling bulky items. Residential movers know how to handle large belongings such as furniture, pianos, and heavy boxes, which prevents injury and wasted time. Plus, you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting, and what could be better than that?

Are you getting ready to move to another part of the state or across the country? White Glove Movers is here to help! We’ve been specializing in residential and commercial moves since 2004 and would love the chance to make your moving day go as smooth as possible. Give us a call and we’ll get started on your estimate.

You got the big job you’ve been wanting for so long and now you’re faced with the challenge of relocating. You’re not alone. In fact, According to the US Census Bureau, 20% of movers relocated because of a new job.

Moving to the other side of the state or to the other side of the country are both challenging, however, they’re both exciting and full of new opportunities.

Unfortunately, you’ve got a long list of things to do before that first day on the new job. You should also keep in mind that the average cross-country move can cost upwards of $5,600.

Let’s talk about some key things you should consider when planning your relocation.

1. Come to terms with your new cost of living

The new job may seem exciting and perfect for you, but is it going to cover your new cost of living? In Iowa, the cost of living is much lower than a lot of other states, so this should be one of your first, if not the first consideration you think about.

Go over the numbers and use a cost of living index to compare things such as home prices, the average gas price, and the cost of a gallon of milk in your new area. You should also research the local tax rates so you can prepare for everything your new position needs to cover.

2. Start planning and saving

A new job offer is exciting, which means it’s tempting to put in your two-weeks notice and tell your new employer you’ll be ready within the next month. In truth, there are several financial reasons to take it slow.

Even if your new company is offering to help with moving costs, their coverage may be limited. Then there’s the down payment or security deposit you’ll need to place on your new living space. If you’re in the middle of a lease or you need to sell your home, you could be paying double the living cost for a while.

The moving process may require you to stay at hotels, eat meals on the road, get moving insurance, and more. Are these all things your new company is willing to pay for? If not, guess who’s footing the bill.

3. Are you working with a team of residential movers?

There are plenty of people who move because of a new job and do it all by themselves, but that doesn’t mean they’re not stressed along the way. Finding an affordable residential moving company willing to help you relocate is something you shouldn’t rule out. They may even offer packing services and large-item hauling that can prove useful.

White Glove Movers is a full-service moving company that helps with everything from packing to moving and unpacking. Whether you’re moving across the state for your new job or to the other side of the country, we’re here for you. Give us a call today to discuss your moving needs and we’ll get you an estimate.

Generally speaking, moving can be quite the challenge. Throw in the fact that you’re moving across the country and you’ve got a long list of additional things to determine and consider.

If you’re in the beginning stages of planning a cross-country move, here is a list of six things you should consider.

1. Create a Game Plan

Every good move starts with a plan. Take time in the beginning to make some key decisions such as where you’re moving to, what your new home will be, if you’re working with a residential mover, and when it will all take place.

Then, once you’ve got a rough outline to work from, start to fill in the details. Decide when you will start packing (start sooner rather than later), when the move will take place, and when utilities need to be switched. You should also consider all of the routine things that will change such as cable, internet, phone providers, doctors, pediatricians, schools, and more.

2. Determine Your Move-Out Date

All of the steps you take will be centered on your moving date. Once you know this date, you can start to make plans to switch utilities, bring in a moving company, rent a truck, and cut off services.

3. Clean Everything

One thing about moving is certain: you’ll be surprised by just how dirty things you haven’t touch in a while can get. If you live in a house or a condo, you’ll have to go through the selling process. If you live in an apartment, it’s time to seriously clean so you can try to get your deposit back. Start going through the nooks and crannies, even the hidden spaces in closets, so you can tackle any surprises from the get-go.

4. Eliminate the Excess

Paring down your belongings always feels good. We tend to forget how off-putting clutter can be until we’ve gotten rid of it. If you discover items you haven’t touched in years such as DVDs, books, decor items, electronics, and knick-knacks, now is a good time to let them go. If you have time for a yard or garage sale, start organizing the items you want to sell. If you’re short on time, consider donating the items you can. Keep your receipts for tax purposes!

5. Hire a Packing Service

The act of moving itself is stressful. Add coordinating all of the dates, time spent cleaning, looking for new service providers, and packing on top of all of that and you’ve got one stressed out household. You can always let a team of professionals handle the packing for you. Professional residential movers have the quality packing materials that will help your items get to their destination safely. Plus, they know how to pack your items quickly and efficiently

6. Work with a Professional Mover

You can rent a moving truck and handle the cross-country move, but why put that extra burden on yourself? A professional moving team moves families across the country all the time, which means they know all the tips and tricks for making it a smooth process.

If you’re in the Cedar Rapids or Marion area and are planning a cross-country move, reach out to the team at White Glove Movers. We’ve been helping families move since 2004 and take pride in our dedicated services. Give us a call today to schedule an estimate!

First thing’s first. Before you can choose the style of home you want, you have to determine where it will be. Once you know the city you want, it’s time to get more specific.

With so many housing options out there it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. So how do you know?

Let’s take a look at the most popular home options, their pros, and their cons to help shed some light on the right home style for you.

Condo

Not an apartment fan? A condo might not be the right thing for you if you have neighbors on multiple sides. With shared walls, a shared parking garage, and common areas, you might feel boxed in since you won’t have much control over your property. There’s also the matter of those pesky homeowners’ association fees and rules that can impact your budget.

If you’re a person who can get along well with others and apartment life doesn’t bother you, then you may want to consider condo life. Once you get past the monthly association fees and shared space, you benefit because you don’t have to maintain a yard or the exterior structure of the property. If you live alone, then you have the added security of having others around you. Condo life is also beneficial for those who travel a lot because it’s not like your house is sitting empty and isolated while you’re gone. Condos are usually more affordable for first-time buyers, so give it some thought!

Townhouse

A townhouse or townhome is a cross between a condo and a house. These homes are usually two to three stories, which means you don’t have neighbors above or below you. A lot of people enjoy townhouses because of the added privacy and peace and quiet. Most townhouses have attached garages on the ground level, making it easier to get to the car and store your items. Townhouse developments often have fewer units than condo buildings do.

Just like condos, townhouses have monthly association fees but again you don’t have to maintain the building’s exterior. As far as pricing, townhouses are typically similar to condos of the same size. If you’re in the market for something that’s strictly entry-level pricing, a townhouse probably isn’t the way to go because they’re usually larger in size. You might even find one with a small yard.

The differences between townhouses and condo tend to blur. You’ll discover that what’s referred to as a condo in one area is a townhouse in another, so don’t box yourself in by paying too much attention to labels.

House

Of the various styles of homes, houses tend to be the most expensive option. The total price and ongoing maintenance add up, but it’s hard to beat the level of independence and privacy they offer.

No more shared walls, floors, or ceilings. You’ll have a yard and a fence to keep your neighbors from getting too nosy. A yard is the perfect place for your kids to play in, have a barbecue with the family, or put your pool, or hot tub. And most homes are larger than condos, which means you’ll have plenty of space to spread out and decorate!

The biggest downside is that whatever challenges the structure throws at you, it’s your responsibility to fix it. You’ll be the one maintaining the yard unless you can get one of the kids to do it. Your monthly mortgage will be higher than it would be if you had an apartment or a condo, but you’ll be the one calling the shots.

Regardless of which home style is right for you, having your own space is exciting. If you need some help with the moving process, White Glove Movers is happy to help! Give us a call today regarding your next residential move and we’ll be there.