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So you’ve got to make a move. Maybe it has to do with work, perhaps it’s the kids, or even just wanting a new spin on the neighborhood feel. Whatever the case, you really are looking forward to moving out and living someplace new.

Sounds great and all except that you didn’t really factor in the long distance moving companies rates.

Of course, the further you move, the more it’s going to cost you; that much is obvious. But what else goes into the long haul, and how does it compare to the shorter journeys?

Well, you’re about to find out all about it.

All About Long Distance Moving Companies Rates

The cost of long distance movers consists of various things that you need to consider before you sign on with a company. Read on to find out more.

How Long is Long?

The first thing you need to know is how long a trip has to be to be considered a long one. The length of a long trip can vary from mover to mover, but in general, if your trip is anywhere under 400 miles, it is considered a short trip.

More likely than not, your trip won’t be that long, but in any case, it’s a good idea to make sure you know the distance you plan to travel to be sure.

How Much Are You Taking?

Another critical factor is how much you’re hauling to the other side. Even if you aren’t traveling 1,000 miles, if you carry boatloads of stuff, you will be charged as if you are.

This makes sense, of course: if you carry a lot of items, the company has to use a lot of resources to move them – and someone has to pay for all the costs.

Think about what you do (and don’t) need to take with you before you start packing. You might just find that it’ll save you a pretty penny.

How Much Does It Weigh?

Let’s say that you aren’t going far and you aren’t carrying many items. Sounds good, but how much do your items weigh? Most people don’t tend to have a bunch of really heavy items just lying around, but if that’s your case, expect the company to charge you the long haul cost.

Again, this makes sense because the movers have to use heavy-duty trucks to move your heavy duty stuff. That’s a lot of machinery and fuel that has to be taken into account.

Knowing these factors, it’s best for you to go back and check your inventory so you can be prepared to pay for the short – or the long – haul.

We Can Get You Moving

Now that you know how the considerations for calculating a long distance moving companies rates, you need to know who you can count on to move your items for the best price. That’s where we come in.

At Browning Moving, we make sure to give our customers the best we have to offer in the moving business for a great price. We offer packing and unpacking services, as well as storage and auto transport for local, long distance, and commercial moving.

Relocating to a new home and hoping to start fresh? Sort through all of your old belongings first so that you take only what you need. Not only will this save you valuable time later, but it may also save you money.

One person’s trash may be another person’s treasure. So, before you reach for that trash bag be sure to check out our top tips for donating items.

Sell Unwanted Clothes Online

A few extra dollars in your pocket may come in handy when moving.

List some of your unwanted items on a resellers website. There are a many different websites to choose from, such as ebay.com, Poshmark, and Thredup. Before signing up check how much commission the site will take for each item sold.

Donate Clothes to a Local Charity

This one is easy. If your clothes no longer fit or you simply don’t like their style, you can donate them to a local non-profit such as Goodwill or Salvation Army, or a local church or shelter. Many of us tend to hold onto clothes much longer than other items.

Save space in your new house and ask yourself, “Do I really need three plaid shirts? Should I hold onto my old prom dress, just in case it comes in handy?”

The answer to both of these questions is probably, “no.”

So, search online to find a local cause that you can support with a clothing donation. Remember, the more room you have in your closet, the bigger excuse for shopping.

Take Books to a Library for Others to Enjoy

Reading a good book can transport you to a fantasy world. But, books are heavy items that take-up a lot of space.

Take a look at your book collection and determine of there are some that you can part with. Contact your local library to see if they take donations. Or, locate local thrift shops that will.

If you have a lot of children’s books, consider donating to a school.

Deliver Gently-Used Furniture to Furniture Banks

Choosing to take or leave your furniture when moving can be a difficult decision. Remember that all of your furniture will need to fit through the door of your new house. If it does not, you will have to either dismantle them or donate them.

Some organizations offer a pick-up service for furniture donations. This will save you time, energy and money during your move. Consider donating your furniture to a local Furniture Bank; the store in Tallahassee remains the only free source of furniture in the area.  

Sell Electronics

Used cell phones and other handheld electronics such as Kindles and iPads can be sold to Decluttr. They even buy used Legos by the pound.

Let’s Get Packing

As you start packing up your house to move you might not realize how much you have and how much you might be able to part with. After all, moving is a great time to purge and start fresh in your new home.

Need help with packing and your move? Contact us; we can help!

“When is the best time to move?” This is a frequently asked question.

If you’re considering a move to a new home, it’s critical to know that prices and quality of homes will fluctuate throughout the year. The timing of your move is essential for various reasons. Here is a guide of the best times to move to a new home.

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Moving is a lot of work but selecting the best time of year, month, and week to do it can save you money and effort.

Therefore, before planning your move, refer to this guide for help in selecting the best time to move.

Best Time of Year to Move?

Are you looking for cost savings for your move? Avoid the peak summer months.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day tends to be peak moving season.  Summer months bring mild weather and children are out of school making it a favorite time to move for many people.

Instead, select a moving date between October and April. The rates tend to be lower for professional movers during this non-peak time frame. Also, moving companies will have more availability for booking.

Also, winter months often turn into a buyers market. Though there might be less housing inventory available, you might get a better deal on a house since sellers are looking to make the sale during the off-peak time.

Not everyone has the flexibility of choosing the season in which they move. But, other scheduling opportunities might help to save money and time.

Best Time of Month to Move?

Moving companies tend to be busiest the last week of each month as well as the first part of each month since leases typically start at the beginning of each month.

So, plan a mid-month move!

And, avoid the beginning or end of the month. This timing might help with some cost saving because professional moving companies trying to distribute their scheduling evenly throughout the month.

If your schedule allows for it, choose a mid-month move.

Best Time of Week to Move?

As you can imagine, weekend moves are most in demand.

Therefore, a Tuesday through Thursday is an ideal time to move during the week. This mid-week window is less in demand than the coveted Friday, Saturday, and Sunday slot. As a result, moving on the weekends might increase your cost with the moving company.

An added advantage of a weekday move is that it gives you the weekend to unpack and settle in.

If you can swing that day off work to handle the move, take advantage of the timing.

Best Time of Day to Move?

This is an easy question to answer – early in the morning.

Finishing the move early in that day means movers avoid working during the warmest part of the day. Therefore, most movers would like to complete the unpacking as early as possible, particularly if you’re relocating to a hot climate.

Even if you are managing the move yourself, the morning is still the best bet. I fresh start at the beginning of the day means you will have more energy to get the job done.

If you are in a hot climate and can’t fit that morning move in, delay the move until the evening hours when the temperature cools off.

Selecting the Best Times

Are you ready to move? We can help! Reach out for a free quote today.

When contemplating your big move, one of your considerations may be whether you choose a furnished or unfurnished property. Here’s a list of the pros and cons for each option to help you decide.

Furnished Properties: The Pros

Depending on your budget you might find anything from a property that has the necessities such as kitchen appliances and beds to a move-in-ready, fully-equipped location with top-of-the-line furnishings. Some good reasons for moving to a furnished property:

1. Make your move less of a hassle

Organizing and moving your large furniture can be challenging. Not only do you have to have the skill to wrap it, but you also need to measure the item, and decide where it will go in the new house. The final hurdle is if it will even fit through the front stairs and up the turns in the staircase. So, simply put, no furniture equals less to move. You will only have boxes to organize.

2. Save money

This is both a pro and a con. Not having to splash the cash on expensive furniture will make your move much more affordable. However, furnished properties are generally more costly than unfurnished ones. Research properly to see which option is financially viable for you.

3. Ideal for short-term leases

Unfurnished properties are ideal for people looking for a short-term rental and anyone who is moving for the first time. They provide an added sense of flexibility while still offering an excellent home.

Furnished Properties: The Cons

We’ve taken a look at the pros, but what about the flip side? There are some aspects of moving into a furnished property that people are less fond of.

1. Less able to personalize

Moving into a furnished property means that the decoration and furniture have already been decided. At this point, you should hope that your landlord has good taste. Some landlords may allow you to repaint the walls, but not much else. The downside is that this may affect how ‘at-home’ you feel in your new property.

2. Expensive initial purchase or higher rent

Furnished properties are designed so that you can move into them right away, completely hassle-free. As a result, the price tag of furnished properties are considerably higher than their unfurnished counterparts.  

Quick and Easy

We think it is relatively safe to conclude that furnished properties are a great option if you have no furniture of your own, are looking for a short lease, or you want a quick move.

Unfurnished Properties: The Pros

Properties that are unfurnished are an empty box on which you can put your own stamp. They do not include beds, sofas or any equipment. Depending on the terms, some of them may consist of items such as a washing machine and refrigerator. You will need to provide everything to fill the property.

1. Make your house your home

With a full artistic license, you can decorate your house however you want. Being able to turn your house into an area that represents your own style will make you feel settled.  Decorating is an element of moving that many people love the most. You can get really creative and start a decorating board on Pinterest to help with your design ideas.

2. A shopper’s dream

There is nothing like a blank slate to get the creative juices flowing. Think of your new unfurnished property as one giant empty canvas and write a list of what you would like to see in it. After this, the only thing left to do is go shopping!

Unfurnished Properties: The Cons

So far it sounds great, but what are the cons for considering an unfurnished property to call home?

1. Living in a blank space

Although the blank canvas was on the ‘pro-side,’ it also features on our cons list. If you do not have the furniture to fill the property, then you may end up using plastic outdoor chairs with a television on a box in the living room. If this doesn’t sound like fun then either avoid unfurnished properties or make sure that you have everything you want in advance of your move.

2. Less maintenance support

With an unfurnished property, you really are on your own. If something breaks down or goes wrong, then you will be responsible for fixing it.

You Like Things Your Way

Unfurnished properties are ideal for anyone who has a lot of furniture or is looking forward to creating their own space from scratch. It gives you the flexibility to furnish and decorate as you like. You have ultimate control.

Let Us Help You

Whichever option you decide, we’ll gladly help you successfully plan your move today.