Moving By Car? Calculate the Gas for Your Trip

One of our drivers happened to stumble upon this wondeful site while calculating a multi-stop trip from Charlotte, North Carolina to Moving On Up's South Florida dispatch in Hollywood, Florida, so we decided to share this with all of our customers who are planning to drive to their new homes.

This calculator determines the cost of gas for your one-way or round-trip travel based on the mileage to your destination as well as the year, make and model of your car! The gas prices and statistics are gathered by AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

Hope this helps when planning your move! Thanks for reading and good luck!

Before You Move | Long Distance Moving, Part 1

The following series of articles is written by Mary, a long-time employee of our company who is moving through our company to New York in January. Follow her trials and tribulations as she embarks on a last-minute interstate move from our sunshine-y South Florida to the Big City.

Preparing Your Move - Transitioning into Your New Home.

Set the Date: Negotiate Your Last Day with Your Landlord.

For renters, notify your landlord a good month in advance of your intentions to move so you can plan your moving day on both your needs. If you're going to break your lease, discuss security deposit arrangements with your landlord and find out what his or her terms are. Schedule your last day a few days after your move day! When it comes to moving, anything that can happen probably will, so think ahead and give yourself some wiggle room in case your moving day doesn't go exactly as planned.

Tell Your Boss: Schedule a Window for Your Move.

It's usually best to schedule your move when you have a day or two off, or days you can get excused from work. Movers typically schedule multiple moves in one day (yeep, just like your darn cable company), so be prepared for any possible delays or rescheduling. Stress to your mover the window that you absolutely need to move, but also remember that your movers are people too, subject to traffic and the elements and whatever else the world throws at you on your moving day. If you are moving with your spouse or family, arrange a back-up in case you have to work so your partner can meet the movers, or the cable company, and everyone else involved in your move.

Post Office Pit-Stop: Changing Your Address.

I usually forget to change my address until long after I've moved and actually lost my tax refund as a result a few years ago. If stopping at the post office simply isn't worth the time and gas to you, sit your but in front of a computer and fork over a dollar processing fee at the USPS website and change your address online.

Clean Up & Save! Getting Back Your Deposit.

Based on your conversation with your landlord, it's probably a good idea to clean up your apartment and get deposit back. Recruit your friends, family and Roombas and get to scrubbing! A returned deposit is usually upwards of $700.00 in your pocket to put down on your new place.

Pre-Move Utility Savings: Call FPL & Disconnect Your Power.

Contacting the power company before you actually move is a great money-saver. When FPL closes your account, the power is switched back to your landlord (or future tenant) to be paid at a later date. But don't worry, the lights will still be on, even if you physically move out a few days later. :)

Phone a Friend: Crashing on Your Friend's Couch (Back-Up).

Interstate moves can be a tricky move, so I personally move out of my house a week before with a friend (or mom, depending where I am). Making a back-up call beforehand keeps you from having to sleep in a cold, empty house or forking over even more money for hotel and food expenses in case your truck is delayed or your move-in date at your new house or apartment is post-poned.

But Most Importantly of All...

Do NOT Multi-Task on Your Moving Day!

In early February, I received the outraged call of a customer who had scheduled the pick-up for her move on her wedding day - which she was flying to in another state! At this point, I've moved seven times in and out of state and no amount of planning has ever prepared me for the anomalies that delayed my long distance moves. These included a flipped tractor trailer on I95, a major hurricane back in 2005 in Broward County, and my house not closing the day before my stuff arrived in the city. Always, always have a back up plan prepared from the moment you decide you're going to move.

Happy hunting and good luck on your move!

Moving Single Items | Moving Furniture Cross Country

Today we had a call in from a customer who wanted to move a couch and an arm chair from Palm Coast, Florida to Ohio. If you have a small move for only one or two items, long distance movers that perform full-service moves are not your best option. Movers typically have minimum rates for interstate moves, so piggy-backing your small moves or single items of furniture can be more expensive than you hoped.

For moves of this nature, Moving On Up strongly recommends GoNavis as the affordable alternative to using a moving company. GoNavis even has an estimate weights chart with a vast list of home goods so that you can calculate an accurate low price for your small move. For more information, learn more by visiting the GoNavis furniture moving page.

How to Move Your Pets

Recently, quite a few of our long distance customers have asked if Moving On Up™ can relocate their dogs or cats in our moving vans and interstate trucks. It is not safe nor legal to move pets in the back of our hot and enclosed trucks, nor would it be very comfortable! Federal regulations prohibit any moving company from moving live animals or plants, and for good reason. So how, do you ask, should you move your pets? The following is Moving On Up's two cents on animal shipping.

Before You Move: Preparing Your Pet

Make Sure Your Friend Can Move Too.

State Regulations: Different states have different regulations on what animals (or plants, for that matter) can cross their state lines, such as California, so be sure to check with the Department of Agriculture for the state you're moving to to find out if there are any special restrictions or regulations you need to follow before you move your pet.

Community Restrictions: Many apartment communities and condo associations restrict the kinds of dogs you may keep by breed and weight. If you have a dog that is considered an aggressive breed (i.e. pit bulls, rottweilers, dobermans; etc.) or any other dog that is over 25 lbs. (standard leasing weight restriction), you should research what communities will allow your pet before you book your move. Many communities also restrict the amount of animals you can move in as well, so call ahead and ask about your local communities pet policies.

Exotic Pets: Most reptiles (snakes, iguanas, turtles; etc.), insects such as tarantulas, ferrets and even most rodent pets are considered exotic pets and are typically not allowed in rental communities. Reptiles also cannot be shipped on an airplane and must instead be shipped by parcel. We suggest using ShipYourReptiles.com to ship your snakes and other reptiles safely to your new home.

Pets Requiring Permits:If your exotic pet is genuinely exotic, such as a monkey, wolf, or even a large cat, ownership requires a permit, so check the state agencies to find out if you can move your special pet. This also applies to farm animals such as goats, cows and chickens.

Visit Your Vet.

Update Your Pet's Shots: Airlines require updated rabies tags and health certificates in order for your pet to board the plane. If you're planning to drive, updated shot records are also required to cross some state lines.

Obtain Your Pet's Health Records: Get a copy of your pet's records from your current vet or have your vet forward them to your new vet if you have already selected one.

Update Identification Tags: Your pet's ID tag should include their name, your name, and your best contact number and/or destination address. Birds should have an ID tag around a leg as well as on their carrying cage. Microchipping your dog or cat is a good way to prevent your pet from getting lost.

Moving Options: By Car or By Air

Driving to Your Destination with Your Doggy or Kitty.

Small pets like birds, rabbits and hamsters, can be transported in their cages. Birds are cold sensitive and frighten easily, so keep your bird cage covered and do not move in cold weather. Secure water bowls to prevent spills and feed regularly.

Cats and small dogs should be moved in carriers unless your dog is comfortable taking long trips in cars. Large dogs should be properly restrained with dog harness designed for cars or restricted to the back seat for safety.

Book a Flight for Your Friend on Animal-Carrying Airlines.

If you are flying, a small dog or cat can fly in the cabin with you on some pet-friendly airlines for an additional fee. Be sure to check with the airline to find out what regulations you and your pet must abide by in order to fly together.

Large pets can only be flown as air freight.Dogs, cats, birds and even fish are accepted by most airlines but exotic pets such as snake will require an alternate shipping method.

Moving On Up™ strongly recommends Animals Away Pet Relocation and Air Animal Pet Movers for door-to-door safe shipping of your beloved pets.

Moving On Up would love to help you and your pets move safely and comfortably to your new home. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss how to coordinate your move with your pets travel plans, contact us at 1 (800) 945-9569.

Moving On Up is Now on Facebook & Twitter

Big changes are on the horizon here at Moving On Up! We are embracing the Information Era and trying our best to meet the demands of our customers, providing as much information for before, during, and after your move as we can.

Due to increasing demand, we are currently working on providing up-to-date truck status updates on Twitter and an Existing Customer center on our website and Facebook page to better serve you.

Stay tuned!

Give Us Your Two Cents!

A Letter from One of Our Customers

Commercial Delivery in Oakland Park, FL.

We greatly appreciate your feedback regarding your move with our company. Providing the best service possible is our highest priority, so if you are about to move or have already moved with Moving On Up, please give us a ring or send us a note and let us know how we're doing or what we can change to better serve you.

If you are planning to move with a moving company, check out our 9 Tips for a Hassle Free Move for useful information to move as efficiently and safely as possible. If you still need more information, or have not found quite what you're looking for, please give us a ring at 1 (877) MOV-ONUP or 1 (800) 945-9569. We'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Happy Hunting and Best Wishes from the Moving On Up Crew!

9 Tips for a Hassle Free Move

Taking the right steps to preparing your move makes all the difference between an easy transition into your new home and a moving nightmare. We at Moving On Up, Inc. put together a list of the top 9 things one should do when preparing to relocate with a moving company.

1. Research Your Local Moving Companies.

Rather than submit your contact information to a moving directory and be assaulted by hungry salesmen competing for your business, try to locate movers in your area. We all know how confusing it can be to differentiate from dozens of similarly named moving companies all with similar emails and phone calls. Choosing your own local mover will save plenty of room in your voice mailbox. Familiarize yourself by browsing through company websites and FAQ pages. If you find a few that seem reputable and fair, simply submit a quote and they'll be contacting you. No muss, no fuss.

2. Be as Accurate as Possible with the Items on Your Inventory Checklist.

A fixed estimate is based on what is listed in your inventory. Be very thorough, and if need be, overestimate, so that upon physical inspection you can expect a lower price instead of higher. Any additional items left unnoted will affect the price of your quote.

3. Schedule an In-Home Estimate.

After you have provided your preliminary inventory checklist to a potential mover, arrange for an in-home evaluation of your items for the most accurate quote possible. Be specific and make sure that your inventory list matches that of the movers. If for any reason you decide after the home evaluation to add or remove items, please contact your movers immediately.

4. Try to Schedule Your Move 60 to 90 Days Prior to the Actual Move Date.

Securing a moving truck is first come, first serve. Booking early avoids scheduling conflicts and delays. Moving dates around the end of the month and especially the end of the year book very quickly because many consumers are looking to move days before their lease ends. If this is your situation, try to schedule your move no less than three weeks before you need to move out.

5. Avoid Moving with a Broker.

Brokers habitually outsource your move to other moving companies - without notifying you, the customer. Chances are that you will not be able to contact directly, making customer service frustratingly difficult.

Read more about brokers at the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)'s website, www.Moving.org. It discusses all your options prior to your move to prepare yourself for any unforseen mishaps that could happen with your move.

6. Familiarize Yourself with Your Moving Company's Valuation Policy

Check out this very useful article from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Understanding Valuation and Insurance Options.

7. Invest in Moving Insurance to Protect Your Belongings.

As stated in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)'s Understanding Valuation and Insurance Options, moving companies offer a basic coverage of no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000, you would only receive $6.00 in compensation (60 cents x 10 pounds). For this reason it is very important for you, the customer, to ask for moving insurance for your more expensive or irreplaceable items.

Moving On Up, Inc. uses MovingInsurance.com to cover our customer's valuable items. Please ask about our insurance options when receiving your quote.

8. Discuss Special Accommodations Prior to Pick-Up.

If your delivery address does not have access for a large semi-truck, be sure to discuss this with your movers prior to your move. Moving On Up does not charge additional fees for stairs or elevators, but some companies do, so be sure to mention if there are any.

Additional special circumstances include company packing on pick-up, multiple pick-up locations, and assembling and disassembling furniture, among others. For an in-depth description of unexpected moving situations, please read About.com's article, Extra Charges On Your Moving Bill - What Do They Mean?

9. Thoroughly Read All the Paperwork Given to You By Your Movers.

Don't just Christmas tree through your contract, bill of lading and inventory lists. Be sure to read every document you sign carefully so that what you know about your move matches up with what your moving company knows about your move. Doing so will avoid any confusion or disappointments later. Also be sure to ask about the company's policies, such as how they handle Ready to Assemble (Particle Board) Furniture or boxes Packed by Owner with unknown contents packed in undetermined conditions.

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The best prepared customer is the most informed customer. Any reputable company will be more than happy to answer all of your moving questions, so be sure to ask. If you currently are moving with us and have any questions or concerns, please call us at your earliest convenience at (877) MOV-ONUP.

For more information, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)'s consumer advocate website, www.ProtectYourMove.gov.