Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Online Moving Estimates Made Easy

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Elephant Moving & Storage offers an easy to use Estimate Request Form that is available to fill out 24×7.

Receive Your Moving Estimate Today!

Elephant Moving Austin will contact you quickly, normally within 2 hours of receiving your inquiry.

We also invite you to call us at: 512.442.6622 for an on-site estimate.

Can you move my pool table?

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

The short answer is yes, we do move pool tables. We can disassemble most pool tables (please keep in mind this is usually a labor intensive project that will add quite a bit of time to your move), and we can safely and easily transport all the pieces of your pool table to a new location. However, be advised that we are unable to reassemble pool tables due to the fact that each pool table must be re-felted and re-levelled by a professional pool table technician. There are several vendors who offer this service in the Austin area. Take this into account when you consider purchasing a pool table from a friend or from Craigslist. These items, much like a piano, are not as cheap as they seem once you factor in the cost of moving and reassembly by a specialist.

Get your local or cross country residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Try Our Plastic Crates to Simplify Your Move

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Are you moving locally in the Austin area? Elephant Moving & Storage is pleased to announce our new plastic crate program. It’s a cheaper and more environmentally friendly approach to packing than the traditional cardboard box route!

Our plastic crates allow you to pack up your whole house without spending a fortune on cardboard boxes or wasting tons of time scrounging for free used boxes around town. The plastic crates can be rented in groups of 25 for a flat price that includes 2 full weeks (14 days) – this price includes delivery and pickup. Unexpected delay? Don’t worry! You can add an extra week for cheap! There is a small additional charge if we have to carry the crates up stairs, enter an elevator or load them into your place, not just the garage. Add some packing paper or bubble wrap for your fragile items and/or wardrobe box rentals for your hanging clothes and you are ready to pack up your place.

The best part: you won’t be drowning in a sea of cardboard once you unpack! Clean, efficient and environmetally responsible – what could be better?!

Depending on the size of your move there may even be a free or discount crate offer that applies to your move! Call us today for more information and stay tuned for additions to our website for ordering crates and learning more about this convenient and earth friendly program.

Get your local Austin moving estimate or interstate moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Does Everything Need to be Packed…?

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

We know packing is hard work. At Elephant Moving & Storage we make every effort to keep moving simple and as easy as possible, as well as most cost effective for our customers. For local moves we have a number of systems at work in our trucks that assist in keeping costs down and packing to a minimum. All small items (clothing, shoes, dishes, books, knick knacks, etc) should be boxed to ensure they are protected while they are being relocated. However, certain items, such as TVs, mirrors, glass tops, glass shelves, framed pictures, small electronics, computer components, and lamps can remain unpacked. Our trucks are all equipped with special bins that allow our crews to take care of these items without the bother and expense of packing them.

Flat items such as pictures, mirrors, glass or stone tops and flat tvs are placed in the long narrow picture bin after being wrapped in heavy duty quilted blankets. The bin is then padded with more blankets to ensure the items do not shift while in transit. All of the items in this bin ride on their side or edge, so nothing is stacked on them and they are well protected.

Bulkier items such as small electronics, computer components and lamps are placed in a commercial bin, which is similar to the picture bin but wider. All items are individually wrapped in quilted blankets prior to being placed in the bin, and then the bin is padded with more pads to ensure the items are secure and can not move around.

For larger flat panel TVs we can provide a custom made wood and foam crate that is similar to our picture bins but sturdier. All of these bins and crates are provided free of charge for use on local moves. This saves quite a lot of money for our customers because these types of items usually require a lot of packing material. Simply inform our office that you have items of these types so that they can note it on the order for service. All trucks are equipped with a picture bin that can hold up to 7 pictures/mirrors and one to two commercial bins. If you have a lot of these items or have a large flat panel TV then the office will need to make sure the movers know to bring additional bins/crates.

For cross country moves these items will need to be packed, but ask your salesperson about the option to purchase cardboard bins – this may end up costing less than individual boxes.

Get your local or cross country residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

A Note About Scheduling & Start Times

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

If you booked a move with Elephant Moving Austin you should receive a confirmation email from our office. This email is important because it is proof of your reservation with us and also provides you with some very important information regarding your move and Elephant Moving’s policies. Please read all information carefully and contact our office if you have any questions.

What does your move start time mean? If you have scheduled a morning appointment for 8am or 9am then your moving crew should arrive at the scheduled time (sometimes they are a few minutes early or late depending on weather or traffic). If your move is scheduled for a late morning or an afternoon time slot then we have provided you with an estimated 1-2 hour window for your start time. However, due to the fact that the crew will be coming directly from another move this estimated time is subject to change. Once the crew finishes their first job(s) the office will call to let you know their estimated arrival time. We do not expect you to sit around waiting for your movers for hours, but we do ask that you please remain flexible on your move day. If it becomes evident that your crew is running late for the day Elephant Moving will call to let you know.

The most common reason for a delay is incorrect or incomplete information provided by a customer. This is why your confirmation email asks that you double check your inventory list and let us know if there are any changes by the day before your move. We also need to know if any item(s) require significant disassembly or if you have more than 8 items that will require disassembly or disconnection. If the movers show up to a move and find that they are now being asked to move 4 extra pieces of furniture and 15 additional boxes then they will finish their move later than anticipated. If a wall unit has dozens of pieces of hardware and requires 40 minutes of disassembly then the movers will be behind schedule. Every extra item or service takes time, and while we are happy to assist you with whatever you need we do ask that you provide us with that information beforehand to avoid inconveniencing other customers. If our crew shows up to a move to find a big difference between their list and what is in front of them there may be additional per item charges or the office may require that another man be sent to get the move done in a timely and efficient manner. Please keep this in mind on the day of your move and try to give us the best information possible. If your crew is running late it is usually because another customer has not given us good information. We will do our best to get you moved at the scheduled time, but unless your move is the first of the day for your crew Elephant Moving cannot guarantee start times.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Why choose Elephant Moving for your Commercial move?

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Is your company moving soon? Actively looking for a new location? Growing out of your current office and just thinking about relocating? One of the most important decisions you will make regarding your move is what relocation company will assist you with the transition. At Elephant Moving & Storage we understand how critical this time is for a business. Our commercial moving specialists can assist every step of the way, from planning to execution, to ensure that your company’s move is carried out with professionalism and a minimum of disruption to your business.

On every commercial move we provide a knowledgeable and experienced move consultant. Your consultant will help design a comprehensive move plan, including mapping out the layout for your new location so the movers know where to place items and a color coded labeling system to ensure items make it to the right floor, section or office. The more efficient we can make your move, the faster you can get back to business as usual!

What sets Elephant Moving apart? Our crews are all well-trained employees, not subcontractors or day labor. They know how to wrap your furniture and take the utmost care with your move. We send large crews to every commercial move to cut down on fatigue and eliminate carelessness. Nearly every local commercial move can be completed in 1 day, minimizing down time for your business. We carry a $2 million general liability policy that meets or exceeds the requirements of every commercial building in Austin, and will provide a certificate of insurance to your property management upon request. We provide basic floor/wall/door protection free of charge, and have additional protection options available to meet specific conditions should your building require it. Schedule a free, no obligation on-site estimate with one of our professional estimators and see how we can make your business’s transition smooth and efficient!

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #12

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Tip #12:
Personal boxes
Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let each family member fill their box with items they will want ‘right away’ in the new home — a set of sheets, a towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address book, pens and paper, keys, tissues, travel cosmetic case, and so on. Make sure that the personal boxes are easily distinguishable from, say, the two dozen plastic bins you have used to store holiday decorations, board games, or other items that you do not need access to right away. Buy a different, bright color so you can find the personal boxes quickly and instruct your Austin moving company to place them in each person’s room or in a central location to avoid having them buried and inaccessible. The more organized you can make your move, the easier the transition will be.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #11

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

Tip #11:
Keep important papers with you
Your list of “important” papers might include: birth certificates, school records, moving estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don’t leave these with your Austin moving company. Keep them with you! This way, you will have immediate access to them without having to dig through a dozen boxes or hunt all over your new house for the box you need. You may think you labeled your box of important papers well enough, but quite often it can be difficult to locate one particular box when you have your entire house packed into 100+ boxes spread all around. Keep in mind that although it is rare, occasionally boxes or small items are misplaced during a move. Your Austin mover will make every effort to get your mis-delivered item back to you as quickly as possible, but in the interim it could be frustrating to be without some of those essential documents. Better safe than sorry!

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #10

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Tip #10:
Safeguard valued items
It is a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as jewelry, silverware, collections, or antiques, with you. If you have a long move and no room in your car, bury the items in a box titled “Misc kitchen pantry”. Either way, check your homeowner’s insurance to see how you are covered during the move and if you need additional insurance from your Austin moving company. Also, find out what paperwork (receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in case of loss. If you purchase additional insurance for your move, be sure to read your moving insurance policy carefully so you are aware of all conditions and exclusions of the policy. Some items will require additional packaging (for an additional cost) in order to be fully covered. Certain valuable items, such as jewelry, watches, gem stones, cash/currency/bank notes, deeds, travelers cheques, coin/stamp collections, sports memorabilia, alcoholic beverages, furs, plasma televisions, and firearms/ammunition, are not covered by any mover or third party insurer regardless of the policy or coverage purchased, so make sure your homeowner’s policy does cover these items if you plan to ship them with the moving company.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Tips for Moving – #9

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Tip #9:
Use your luggage
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local Austin moves you will be able to quickly spot your green suitcase holding your favorite sweaters, whereas “Box #97″ might remain elusive for days. Avoid packing books or heavy items in large suitcases, as these can be extremely difficult to move and may damage the luggage. Also avoid packing dishes or fragile items in suitcases or duffel bags, as luggage generally does not offer the same protection as boxes specifically designed for china and other delicate items. Be sure your Austin moving company knows that your inventory list will include suitcases and/or duffel bags. For local moves this may add to the time your move takes, and for interstate moves it will increase the weight or volume of your shipment. Either way, you want to be sure your estimate is as accurate as possible by providing your mover with the best information prior to your move.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!


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