Month: August 2018

One of the biggest concerns homeowners face during the moving process is cost. On top of the cost of your new home, you now have to think about all the supplies you need, phone calls to make, services to switch, and movers to pay.

As a team of experienced professional movers, we’re here to give you some important money-saving tips that will help you keep money in your pocket as well as alleviate some of the stress surrounding your move. 

1.Get an early start

When it comes to moving, the early-bird gets the cash. Starting your prep work early means you’re more likely to stay organized but it also means you can save coins. The moment you find out you’re about to move, start creating a list of items you’re donating and those you’re selling.

2.Make some extra cash

Procrastinating leads to last-minute franticness and nobody has the time for that. Start posting the items you’d like to sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace early. This will help you avoid the setup hassle and marketing fees for garage sales. You’d be surprised by how much you can get for your items online whether it’s children’s toys, electronics, unused makeup, or furniture. 

3.Avoid leaks

 As a professional mover based out of Cedar Rapids, we’ve seen our fair share of liquid leaks. While our team is happy to provide you with packing services, we understand if you’d prefer to do it on our own.

Because items such as toiletries can shuffle around in their boxes, we recommend you remove the cap to each item and place a layer of cling film on top. Then, replace the cap to seal the item thus preventing leaks! This money-saving hack will spare you the unwanted clean-up and save cash by not having to purchase replacements. 

4.Eat up

You know that spare freezer you have in your garage or basement? It’s time to clean that baby out. Frozen foods won’t survive a long-distance trip and since your deep freeze will be out of commission during the move, it’s best to eat those foods now.

5.Pack carefully

Though professional moving companies such as White Glove Movers have insurance, it’s best to avoid breaking items altogether. Here are some money-saving hacks that can prevent the loss of valuables and keep some cash in your pocket:

• Store glasses in wine glass boxes: Stop by your local wine and spirits store and ask if they have any extra wine glass boxes. These boxes will protect your cups, glasses, and wine glasses!
• Stack plates: This is an easy way to protect your glass plates. Swing by the local grocery or dollar store for a pack of those cheap foam disposable plates. Then, slide one foam plate between each glass plate to prevent them from moving around during your move.
• Protect valuables with clothing: Save yourself some money on bubble wrap by using clothing to protect your dishes, glassware, cups, and more. This will kill two birds with one stone and spare you the expense of extra wardrobe boxes.

Book us for our move today

As a professional moving company that’s been in business since 2004, White Glove Movers knows how to make the moving process a smooth one. We’d love the opportunity to work with you on your residential, commercial, long-distance, or short-distance move. Give us a call today to receive a quote.

Moving can be a stressful time but the entire process doesn’t have to make you miserable. As a team of professional movers in Cedar Rapids, White Glove Movers knows how to make moving a smooth process.

To avoid injury, headaches, and frustration, follow these 5 moving tips on the big day:

1.Work with a professional moving company

To be honest, letting a team of professional movers help you relocate can be one of the best decisions you make regarding your move. A professional moving company will take a look at your possessions, give you an estimate, help you do the packing, and move all the bulky stuff. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.

At White Glove Movers, we’re locally owned and operated which means we have a low overhead cost. As a result, we pass the savings on to customers like you!

2.Avoid overpacking

If you opt to do the packing yourself, try not to overdo it. Just because you can fit 75 books in a box doesn’t mean you should. Moving boxes are designed to hold a certain amount of weight and putting too much in one box will strain your back, knees, and other joints. As an experienced Cedar Rapids moving company, we know you shouldn’t pack more than 50 pounds in a small box, 65 pounds in a medium box, and 70 in a large moving box.

3.Wrap sharp objects

Any professional mover will tell you to wrap sharp objects, especially gardening tools and cutlery. Because our knowledgeable moving staff provides packing services, we’ll take the time to wrap sharp items such as knives in packing paper and bubble wrap. If you want to do the packing yourself we recommend doing that and wrapping the item in a dish towel and then securing it with a rubber band.

4.Dress for the weather

Moving involves going in and out of your new space plus protecting yourself. Since Iowa weather can be unpredictable, we recommend paying attention to the forecast a day or two before the move. Avoid wearing baggy clothing that can get caught on furniture and boxes. Instead, opt for something that’s tight-fitted, flexible, and breathable. You should also wear tennis shoes or boots as opposed to flip-flops or sandals that can trip you up.

5.Lift what you can

Moving day is not the day to turn into Superman. Stay safe and avoid causing injury by lifting only what you can handle. If you’re working with a professional mover, let them do the heavy lifting and stay out of the way to avoid any confusion or disruption. When lifting heavy boxes, bend at your knees instead of your waist. Avoid twisting your body while lifting and carrying items. If you do have to maneuver, turn your hips first and not your feet.

Is a residential or commercial move in your future? Speak to the professional movers of White Glove Movers. We’re happy to help you move to the other side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or the country! Give us a call today to receive an estimate.

Moving requires planning, making phone calls, organization, and patience. It’s one of the busiest times you’ll ever experience, which means it can also be a waste of resources if you’re not careful.

In our modern times, we each have a responsibility to look after our planet, which means looking at things from an eco-friendly perspective. Moving day is no exception.

To remain eco-friendly during your move, we suggest implementing the following tips:

1.Donate your unwanted items

The moment you start evaluating the items you have in your home is the moment you realize you have more than you thought. Moving time is the perfect time to donate clothing items you no longer wear, kitchen items you no longer use, and unwanted holiday decorations that are collecting dust in your storage area.

Taking your unwanted items to the nearest Cedar Rapids Goodwill or Salvation Army will ensure you’re not contributing to the 9.8 million tons of landfill waste that pile up each year. If you have some high-quality items that you’d like to get some money back on, consider hosting a garage sale or consigning them at Stuff Etc.

2.Recycle EVERYTHING

One of the nicest things about living in eastern Iowa is that cities such as Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha have clean-up days where local law enforcement assist with the disposal of used batteries, prescription medication, eyeglasses, paint cans, and more.

Take advantage of these opportunities and if there isn’t a clean-up day during your moving prep, take your old appliances to Best Buy and your batteries, medications, etc. to the local recycling center.

3.Reuse moving boxes

Do you have a family member or friend who recently moved? Ask them for their moving boxes! You can also check out Craigslist, social media, and your workplace for sturdy boxes.

At White Glove Movers, we have the packing and moving supplies you need to make moving a breeze, but we fully support your efforts to be eco-friendly. Just let us know if you need some moving boxes on top of what you collect.

4.Forward your mail

You probably have forwarding your mail toward the top of your moving list because of the convenience factor, but have you also considered how much this benefits the environment? If you submit a forwarding request ahead of time, it will save the post office the trouble and fuel (that means C02 emissions) to deliver your mail to the wrong address.

5.Stop after a couple quotes

Most professional moving companies need to visit your home to give you an accurate quote. While this is convenient for you and necessary for the mover, it’s a waste of gas if you call mover after mover.

Arrange for two to three professional movers to come to your house after doing your initial research online. Look for moving companies that have excellent reviews, proof of insurance, license numbers, and packing services. Then once you find a few you’re comfortable with calling, invite them over for a quote.

Start planning your move today

Here at White Glove Movers, we strive to make the moving process an easy one. We’re a locally owned and operated moving company based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa that offers residential and commercial long and short distance moves.

If you’d like to be kind to the environment during your move, we suggest that you follow our eco-friendly moving tips and give us a call today to receive an estimate.

As a professional moving company that’s been in the Cedar Rapids area since 2004, we can tell you a few stories that are sure cause some puzzled looks. Moving might seem like a mundane career, but we can honestly tell you, it’s not.

Professional movers are asked to move some bulky, strange, and downright weird items. In some cases, homeowners have been shy about asking while others simply look at you with a “well, there it is” expression.

Here are 5 bizarre items moved by professional moving companies that we just have to share:

1.Taxidermy

Customers of professional moving companies come in all shapes and sizes. Things get really interesting when customers are game hunters. At a hunter’s house, it’s our responsibility to make sure trophies move to their new destination as safe and sound as fine china. When customers have extensive collections of stuffed deer heads, bears, buffaloes, pheasants, and more, it takes an expert’s touch to get them all packed and loaded onto the moving truck.

Carrying all of those animal heads onto the truck can be quite entertaining, but you can count on our Cedar Rapids team to wrap them in packing paper, bubble wrap, and to treat them with care during the moving process.

2.Your family pets

Speaking of animals, most moving companies don’t transport animals or plants for that matter. If you have one family pet that’s safely tucked in their pet carrier, you might be able to talk your moving company into transporting them for a short distance, but asking your mover to transport your ten cats or four dogs is pushing your luck.

If you identify as a crazy cat lady or an avid dog lover, make arrangements to have your pets transported to your new space with friends or family members.

3.Adult items

Every homeowner is different and each one has their own comfort level, but sometimes professional moving companies get too close for comfort. One of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to take your valuable (and “special”) items with you to your new home so you can keep track of the boxes.

No matter how much you trust your professional movers, there are certain items you should just move yourself including adult toys. Handling a box of your more personal adult items can result in some unwanted buzzing that leads to laughter and embarrassment.

4.Loved ones’ ashes

While we’re on the subject of valuable and sensitive items, let’s talk about cremation urns and ashes. Every moving company should carry insurance for short and long distance moves, but there are certain objects that can’t be replaced if broken. If possible, don’t take a chance on your family member’s ashes. Plan to transport the urn with you to your new home so you can make sure it arrives safely and doesn’t stress anybody else out in the process.

5.Doll collections

As a Cedar Rapids moving company, we know that the midwest is home to people from all walks of life. We’re not quick to judge, but we’ve seen the darker side of collections. There have been a few people over the years who collect odd items such as baby dolls. Now, we’re not talking the cute kind such as Precious Moments, we’re talking creepy dolls that look like something out of a Stephen King movie.

We’re happy to pack up and transport your items for you, but if you’d rather handle items from your strange collection yourself, we’re all for it.

Get a moving estimate

Whether you’re moving to the other side of town or across the country, White Glove Movers is here to help. We specialize in residential and commercial moves and can give you an estimate as soon as you call us.