Nowadays, rope knots are used in almost every field, including paddlers, scouts, boaters, search and rescue teams, mountain climbers, and arborists. Another popular area where knots come in handy is during a move.

During a move, they are used to complete a wide range of tasks, from tying various items together to fastening heavy stuff onto the moving truck so that they remain firm.

However, while these knots are useful during a move, you have to choose the right one for each specific task. Tying the wrong knot for a certain task may end up doing more harm than good.

Let’s look at different types of moving knots to help you choose the right one for each task.…

All licensed movers must carry cargo insurance, for the customers and the company’s protection. This translates into cargo valuation coverage in the amount of 60 cents per pound per article.

Obviously, this is basic and limited coverage for covering your belongings.

illustration of a person putting moving boxes in a moving van to prepare for an interstate moveRemember: Movers Are Not Insurance Companies!

Some moving companies offer different options for increased coverage, but you should remember that no interstate moving company is an insurance company.

If your long-distance mover has offered to sell you increased insurance coverage directly, then this is increased valuation, NOT INSURANCE.

This increased valuation means that for your interstate move your relocation company has agreed to be liable for damages above the $.60 per pound limit (usually this maxes out at around $5.00 per pound).…

When you have an internal plumbing problem, you go to a medical professional. When you have a household plumbing problem, you hire a professional plumber.

In other words, we all seek out specialists who are the best at what they do.

It’s a similar story in business. Manufacturers, for example, are best at making stuff. Retailers are best at marketing, merchandising, and sales.

Professional movers, like Elephant Moving & Storage, are best at logistics – moving office and household furnishings efficiently and carefully from Point A to Point B.

This is why some of the biggest names in retail rely on Elephant Moving & Storage in the Austin and Central Texas area for what the logistics industry calls, “white glove delivery service.…

Elephant Movers and StorageDo you know the difference between a moving company vs a moving broker?

A moving broker is definitely not a mover!

What Is a Moving Broker?

Moving brokers are basically a sales team that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company, so the day of the move you would get a surprise: the mover you chose after long research, to trust and move your home, is a different mover – not the one that you picked!

Why Should You Avoid Using One?

Brokers do not have the operational and logistic capabilities that moving companies have.

They do not have moving trucks, professional movers, proper moving equipment, and in a lot of cases not much moving experience.…

We have received a number of inquiries lately about the shipping website uShip.com, which is an online marketplace for shipping services. Service providers bid against one another for customers’ shipments.

While you might be able to get your items shipped for dirt cheap using uShip, you should be aware that uShip is simply an online marketplace for helping parties connect.

What’s The Problem With uShip?

Licensed MoversuShip provides a venue where a shipper and a service provider can agree on a price for service, but uShip is not actually involved in the transaction. Most importantly, you should be aware that uShip;

“does not prequalify or validate the claims of transportation service providers with respect to their license, insurance, or other operating authority.”

…

When it comes to selling residential properties, market research indicates that word choice and phrasing really do matter. While “location, location, location” is still paramount, certain words and phrases can influence both the perceived value of a home and the time it takes to sell, according to research by CoreLogic, Inc.

A CoreLogic analysis looked at more than 1 million single-family transactions that were closed in 2016 nationwide. Days on market is defined as the time between the list date and the date a contract is signed.

Distressed properties, including real-estate owned (REO) and short sales, were excluded from the analysis since they are usually priced lower and tend to sell faster than non-distressed properties.…

It hardly seems that long, but sure enough, this July marked 10 years in business for Austin-based Elephant Moving & Storage – our favorite Texas moving and storage company. Happy Birthday to us!

Wow. From just an idea we had to start a small business in Austin, to a moving company that now operates throughout Texas and even beyond, in only 10 years. In case you missed it, here are some highlights from our first decade in business:

  • Launched the business in July 2006, handling both local residential and commercial moves;
  • Expanded to include moves between the Houston and Austin areas, between San Antonio and Austin, then all of Texas;
  • Expanded again to provide interstate moves;
  • Added warehouse storage as one of our services, and now manage a facility encompassing 25,000 sq.
…

compare moving quotesSince this is the peak of the moving season, it seems like a good time to talk about movers, compare moving quotes and estimates, and how to compare apples to apples. To keep it relatively simple, we’ll limit our focus to local and intrastate moves. We’ll talk about long-distance/interstate moves in another post.

First of all, realize that the moving business is a highly regulated industry — and for good reason. Individuals and families entrust their valuable property with movers, and unfortunately problems can arise.

That’s why legitimate, professional moving companies, such as Texas-based Elephant Moving & Storage, play by the rules and are fully licensed, bonded and insured.…

If it’s the last week in July, that means it’s moving time for thousands of Texas college students. Moving is never fun or without hassles, but here are a few tips to help minimize the negatives, so you can enjoy the positives of your move.

student movers texas

1. Do your homework. If you’re trying to decide whether to do it yourself or hire a professional moving company, carefully research the costs. After you add the basic cost of renting a truck or trailer, plus insurance, plus gas, plus other fees, you very likely will find that hiring a professional moving company, like Austin’s Elephant Moving & Storage, is only slightly more expensive.…