Tip #3:
Utilize wardrobe boxes
Your Austin moving company has found a lot of ways to maximize wardrobe box use. These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Our standard wardrobe boxes are 24 inches wide – so 2 feet of your hanging clothes will fit in each box. Measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you will need. You can also use wardrobe boxes for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes. Wardrobe boxes work great for securing odd miscellaneous items you are unable to fit in other boxes for interstate moving (i.e. vacuums, ironing boards, brooms and mops, non-fragile lamps, fans, space heaters, folding chairs, etc). Just don’t make the boxes too heavy to lift! Wardrobe boxes are not meant for books, bricks, bowling balls, dishes, or other small, heavy items that can easily be packed in smaller boxes.

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Tip #2:
Have plenty of supplies
Don’t make us say this twice—you will need LOTS of boxes—probably more boxes than you ever imagined, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from us here at your local Austin moving company keep in mind that we offer free delivery! No hauling or schlepping – we do the heavy lifting for you.)
Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You will need strong packing tape to close up the boxes securely (and please don’t forget to tape the bottoms of the boxes, too!). Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion your fragile household goods. Use paper to fill in any spaces left in your boxes so they do not crush when stacked in the moving truck. Again, you will need lots more supplies than you think, so get some extras so the packing can go smoothly. Simply return any unused supplies after the truck is packed (we don’t charge you for what you don’t use!).
If you are moving out of state remember that everything must be packed in boxes – unlike a local Austin move, nothing can go loose. If you are unsure how to pack something just ask us; we’ve packed it all before and can offer a lot of useful packing tips and tricks!

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Your friends at Elephant Moving & Storage know that moving may not be the most fun you’ve ever had, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the process bearable. Leaving everything until the last minute will only stress you out. A little preparation will help make you feel better about your local Austin move or interstate move. Nothing is worse than the feeling of helplessness that will overcome you if you schedule a move and are completely unprepared when the movers show up. Following are some simple tips and tricks to help you make the most of your moving experience, whether your move is a local Austin move or a cross country long distance move. And of course you can always contact our friendly office staff for additional suggestions or to ask specific questions about your move. We’re here to help!

Tip #1:
Make a list
Write everything down! Trust us, you will thank yourself later (like when your 8 year old is inconsolable and wants only his spiderman jammies…). Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. Place a number on EVERY box you pack and specify the contents on your list. Don’t put the list down unless it is in a place you will call Packing Central. This is where you can find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific — “A-D files” is better than “files”, and “flower dishes” better than “misc. kitchen”. The more specific you are, the less you will have to dig for necessary items later on.

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When packing up your home or business it is important to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that your move experience is a positive one. Your Austin movers at Elephant Moving & Storage have a lot of experience in this department! If you have any questions we encourage you to call our office anytime for assistance.

The most important thing to remember when packing boxes is to use the proper size box for each item. Book boxes are so called for a reason – they are designed to hold books and other small, heavy items. Large boxes and wardrobe boxes are NOT suitable for this purpose! This is not laziness on the part of your Austin mover; not only is it unsafe for the movers to haul extremely heavy boxes up and down stairs and in and out of the truck, but it will ikely result in damage to your items. When a large box has been filled to capacity with books and other heavy items the box is likely to rip and spill your possessions all over the place. Stick to packing books in book boxes for best results.

If there is space in your boxes use a filler, such as packing paper or blankets or towels, to avoid having the boxes crush while in transit. This prevents the items inside being smashed, and also prevents damage to items while in transit as crushed boxes do not stack well.

Remember to securely tape the bottoms and tops of all your boxes! Leaving boxes open while in transit will result in lost and damaged items. Folding the bottoms of the boxes is also guaranteed to result in lost and damaged items; when your Austin movers pick up these boxes chances are the folded bottoms will fall away and send your things showering down to the ground.

Fragile items should be packed with appropriate padding! It is a bad idea to fill a box with plates or glasses and not pad them with any foam, paper or bubble wrap. Being cheap with the packing materials will result in expensive damages later!
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At Elephant Moving and Storage we strive to maintain the highest quality services. Our movers work hard to get your valued possessions moved safely across town or across the country. Ocassionally, however, despite all efforts and precautions, small damages may occur. It is important to remember that all claims must be submitted in writing. A phone call will not be sufficient to process your claim! If you have a damage claim the best way to begin the claims process is to submit your claim to our claims department by emailing claims@elephantmovingaustin.com. Please include your name, the date of your move, a description of the item and the damage that occurred, the value of the item, and what you are asking for as compensation. If you have photographs of the damage please send those along with your claim.

Be advised that damage claims will be limited to $.60 per pound per article as noted on our local and long-distance moving contracts. This is the basic level of liability that is included in the rates for moving. If you purchased additional moving insurance coverage through MovingInsurance.com then you must submit your claim directly to them online at http://www.movinginsurance.com/claim/login.asp. For any damage to floors, walls, doors, and painted surfaces, Elephant Moving’s liability is limited to $50.00.

Also, please note that pressed wood and particle board furniture are exempt from any insurance or valuation coverage (this includes the basic $.60 per pound and also any additional coverage from www.movinginsurance.com). This furniture is not stable, and is not meant to travel fully assembled. For further discussion on this topic please visit the pressed wood section of our blog. If you have questions about the claims process or insurance for your move please feel free to call our office and we will be happy to assist you.

This is a question the sales staff at Elephant Moving hears frequently. Many customers want to know why we need an accurate item list from them if we are charging by the hour.
REASON #2:
An accurate item list helps our moving crews keep their schedule. If a crew shows up to a move and there is more to move than on the list then the move will take longer. This means that the crew will be late to the moves after this one, which is not fair to the other customers. Just as you expect your Austin movers to arrive on time, so does everyone else who schedules a move with Elephant Moving & Storage. We know that it is sometimes hard to know if your list and box count are wrong until you have finished packing. Every customer receives a confirmation email at the time of booking; this email summarizes your move and contains a copy of your inventory list. Every customer also receives a confirmation phone call the day before their move. At any time leading up to your move appointment, including during that confirmation phone call, we encourage you to inform the office of any changes to your list. This will allow us time to inform other customers that their start times will be later or earlier than originally stated. If the crew shows up to find a lot more or less than on the list there may be additional charges on the day of your move. Please try to keep your Austin movers updated so move day is smooth for all!

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This is a question the sales staff at Elephant Moving hears frequently. Many customers want to know why we need an accurate item list from them if we are charging by the hour.
REASON #1:
The most important reason is to make sure that we are sending the right size crew of movers to each and every move. We want to make sure that your moving experience is a positive one! Elephant Moving strives to maintain a consistent level of quality and service. If the crew is too small for the job the move will not go well. The crew will become fatigued and that leads to damages! A larger crew on a larger job will not only help prevent damages, but it will also save you money! We structure our rates so that the larger crews cost less per man than a 2 man crew, which means in the end our customers save money. For example, if a 2 man crew would need over 7 hours to complete a particular job the cost would be $90/hr x 7 hrs = $630. This same job would take a 4 man crew 3.5 hours to complete at a rate of $150 per hour = $525. Who doesn’t like saving money?!

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That’s right, summer is here, and that means moving! Did you know that 70% of all moves take place during the summer months? Elephant Moving would like to wish Austin a safe and successful summer moving season! Here are a few tips to help you get through your summer move:

-As always, be sure that your mover is a licensed moving company that carries the proper insurances. Check with the Texas Department of Transportation (for local moving) and/or the U.S. Dept of Transportation (for interstate moving) to make sure your potential movers are currently licensed.

-Be aware that all movers charge higher rates during the peak season. If you are trying to save money on your move try to move before May or after August to get the lowest rates.

-Summer moving may be your only option (time off work, kids out of school, etc). You will want to shop around and get a few quotes before making your final decision on a mover. If you are moving a house or large apartment get an on-site estimate to ensure you have the most accurate quote and avoid extra charges on moving day.

-As you compare estimates pay careful attention to the services that you will receive for the price. Make sure each moving company has the same information from you (complete item list, location info such as curvy staircase, long carry, steep driveway, elevator, etc). Look carefully at the details of each price quote. How many men will be on your crew? How many trucks will the crew bring? Is disassembly/reassembly of furniture and disconnection/reconnection of appliances included, or is that extra? Will the movers wrap your furniture before moving it to protect against damages, or do they take it as is? Look for the differences between the services included with each mover and choose what’s best for you.

-Remember that cheapest is not always best! Do some research and read reviews on independent local message boards such as Citysearch and Yahoo! Local to find out how your potential mover has been doing at keeping customers happy before, during and after their moves!

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

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After Your Move

Moving can be unsettling, but it can also offer the opportunity for a fresh start. Here are some things to remember along the way.

Take it easy
Don’t feel like you have to unpack right away. Focus on the essentials and take your time in addressing the less important stuff.

Have fun
Take the time to enjoy your new surroundings with your family and make exploring a fun event. Take walks and visit a local park, or check out local shopping, entertainment and restaurants.

Include everyone
As you settle into your new home, make a point to include all family members. Allow each member input in planning and decorating, and be tactful in making compromises. When all is done, each member should feel like they contributed to his or her “space.”

Get involved
Be on the look-out for neighbors and introduce yourself to them. Ask them what organizations they recommend and see if you can find one that fits your needs. Involvement in a church group, athletic club or volunteer organization is likely to help you feel more like a part of your community.

Keep your receipts
If you misplaced your Elephant Moving & Storage receipt from your recent move contact our office to obtain a copy.

An interstate move is different from a local move. Since your things are travelling much further than on a local move it is important to package them accordingly. On local moves you may notice that your local Austin moving company is able to move some items that are not boxed. This includes TVs, computer components and other small electronics, items in certain types of bags, and awkward items such as fans, lamps and humidifiers. On local moves Elephant Moving Company has specialized bins in our moving trucks that allow your crew to wrap and protect these things and secure them for transport.

However, because your things travel differently on an interstate move they must be prepared a little differently. For a long distance move your shipment gets transported on an 18-wheeler. To conserve space, prevent damages and avoid mixing up items, there are no special bins in the trucks for loose items. Everything must be boxed! Duffel bags and suitcases may be used, but no garbage bags, shopping bags, or any other lightweight or open packaging. Standing lamps, fans and humidifiers should be packed into tall wardrobe boxes to avoid damage. All electronics must be boxed – large TVs should be pad wrapped and crated with cardboard and flat panel TVs should be crated in our custom built wood and foam crates. Mattresses must be bagged or boxed as well.

If your Austin moving company is doing your packing just sit back and relax – you are in good hands! If you plan to pack yourself in preparation for your interstate move you should be sure that everything is boxed appropriately or be prepared to pay the crew to finish up those last odd items when they arrive for your pickup. If you are unsure what to do with something do not hesitate to ask your Austin moving company how to handle it. We are here to help and will gladly give tips on how to package anything you can possibly want to move! We sell all materials needed for your long distance move, including mattress bags, shrink wrap, all sizes and shapes of boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and custom wood crates.

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