Month: July 2015

Written by Daniel Menchinion July 23, 2015January 31, 2018Posted in Cost of moving, Dan's Discussion Den, Moving, Moving preperations, Student movingTagged cost of moving, Moving tips, preparing to move, Residential move, student moving

Student Moving services. How to move on a limited budget

Moving to and from college can really take a bite out of your limited budget if you’re not careful. But with careful planning, a few tricks in your back pocket, and a professional and reasonable student moving service, you can keep your college moves low key and affordable.

After working with many students over the years, we’ve put together some tips to help you with your moves to and from college.

Communicate with Your Roommates

To begin with, talk with your roommates about moving day. If you’ll all be arriving or departing at the same time, you’ll run into traffic problems. It’s helpful to agree on time slots for loading and unloading your belongings.

Additionally, you’ll want to talk about details like who will pick up the keys from your landlord and how you will get the place cleaned up after you move out. Good communication among roommates will keep you all on the same page and working cooperatively.

Roommates. Student moving services, moving company, U. Santini moving and storage, Brooklyn movers — Important Roommate communications….

Communicate with Your Student Moving Service

If you hire a moving service to help you with your college move, be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your moving service as well. If your plans change at all, or if you end up bringing more or less with you to college, be sure to keep your moving service in the loop.

Communication center, moving company, office move, U. Santini moving and storage, Brooklyn mover — A good communication system is essential for a successful office move

Stay Organized

Since you will probably be moving in to an apartment or dorm room with other people, it’s important to stay organized. Instead of just piling your clothes and books into the back seat of your car, take the time to pack your items in boxes, which can be stacked more efficiently and labeled with your name and the container’s contents.

A box of trash bags can be very useful during a college move. You can toss miscellaneous items into trash bags and then label the trash bags. They also can be helpful for keeping bedding and coats from getting dirty during your move.

Usantini moving and storage will move you — Label your boxes clearly

Eat!

Moving is hard work, and you’ll maintain your energy and make friends when you order pizza, bring donuts, or pack along some deli sandwiches. And don’t forget to stay hydrated as you work. Packing, moving, and cleaning is hard work, especially in warm weather, so buy a case of bottled water and encourage anyone who comes to help you to drink often.

Food truck, moving company, Brooklyn movers — Feed your moving crew well…

Book Your Moving Service Early

Certain times of year are busier than others for moving companies, and the beginning and ending of semesters are certainly busy times. To make sure you book the help you need, call your moving service well ahead of time and get yourself on their schedule.

It’s not just the people who are busy, it’s also the equipment. There are only so many trucks, dollies, and moving blankets. If you want to make sure your move runs smoothly, reserve your equipment early.

Book your move a month in advance, usantini moving and storage — Book your move a month in advance

Think About Your Next Move

When you’re in college, your next move is never too far away. If you think ahead to the next move, your life will be much easier at the end of the semester. Instead of tossing all of your moving materials each time you move, flatten your boxes and store them somewhere out of the way until you need them again. Keep extra packing tape and packing papers with your boxes and you’ll be ready to go next time you move.

USanitni moving truck, Usantini moving and storage, Brooklyn moving, long dsitance moving — Hire a reputable moving company…

Moving in college can be exciting, and it doesn’t need to be difficult. For more information about a student moving services, or for tips about how to move on a budget, contact us at U.Santini. We have been moving New Yorkers for more than 80 years, and we’d be happy to move you. 718-768-6778. Ask for Dan.

Written by Daniel Menchinion July 15, 2015January 31, 2018Posted in Dan's Discussion Den, Moving, Office moving, Office relocation, Packing, Storage NYCTagged moving, moving offices, Moving tips, office move, office moving, office relocation, packing, packing your office, U. Santini moving and storage

Commercial relocation. How to find the right office movers for your business

Moving offices is different than moving households. When you move your personal belongings, you can be fairly flexible because your income doesn’t depend on how quickly you get your boxes unpacked. With your office, however, every day you find yourself in moving limbo is a day that you’re not being optimally productive.

If you’re looking to move your NYC office, you’re going to need the help of professionals with experience, resources, and the proper equipment to get the job done. Commercial relocation requires detailed planning and impeccable communication, and your challenge is to find the NYC office movers who can take care of your office move with courtesy and professionalism.

U.Santini moving and storage, Office move, office relocation brooklyn mover
Office moves are always fun!

Here’s what to look for in office movers for your business:

Communication Systems

There are lots of people involved in a commercial move, so communications are extremely important. You’ll have many people within your own business who need to be kept up-to-date on details about your move. Additionally, there will be property managers on both ends of your move, building staff, doormen, transportation authorities, moving truck drivers, packers, and more.

A moving company with systems already in place to handle communications will help your move to go much more smoothly. You’ll avoid frustration when everyone knows what’s going on and feels included and accommodated.

Customized Packing Solutions

Many of the items in your office can be packed in standard moving boxes, either by your employees or by professional packers. These items include standard furniture, manuals, files, and records. But many offices have specialized equipment that will require extra care. If you have sensitive electronic equipment, expensive servers, or unusual tools, you may need customized packing crates.

It’s possible to find outside sources that will create these custom packing solutions for you, but if the company that is handling the rest of your move can also take care of our unusual packing crates, everything will be much simpler.

Office moving equipment, moving crane, moving company — Customized office moving equipment

Short- and Long-Term Storage

It’s not uncommon for companies to need temporary storage during office moves. This can come up when renovations have to be done in the new office space or when the facilities aren’t quite ready when the old lease ends.

Whatever the reason, it’s helpful to work with an office moving company that offers storage as part of their standard services. When you don’t have to work with an outside storage company, scheduling and access are much simpler and easier.

storage, U.Santini moving and storage, Brooklyn mover — Storage

Experience and Customer Service

As you evaluate NYC moving companies to help you with your office move, ask about experience and customer service. As mentioned previously, it’s important to keep the impact of the move on your business to a minimum, and one of the best ways to do that is to hire a moving company that is experienced and treats you and your employees in a respectful, professional manner.

One of the best ways to find out about experience and customer service is to read testimonials and find out about the companies’ BBB ratings. The Better Business Bureau tracks complaints about different aspects of local businesses and then rates the businesses on a scale of A+ to F. Working with an A+ office moving company will be a pleasant experience, and that’s what you should provide for your employees–and for yourself.

Customer service representative, moving company, office move, commercial move, Brooklyn mover — Professional customer service is essential

Here at U.Santini, we like to put our 80+ years of experience to work for your fellow NYC businesses. We have the contacts and communications systems in place to keep everyone in the loop during your office move, and we have the experience and commitment to high-quality customer service to keep your move low-key and professional. With our own storage facilities and professional packing services, your office items are in good hands during your move so you can get back to business as soon as possible.

For more information about office relocation, or for any other moving questions or concerns, contact us at U.Santini. We’ve been successfully moving New Yorkers and their businesses for more than 80 years. 718-768-6778. Ask for Dan.

Written by Daniel Menchinion July 10, 2015January 31, 2018Posted in BBB A+ Movers, Cost of moving, Dan's Discussion Den, Moving, Moving preperations, Packing, Professional movin serviceTagged BBB A+ Moving company, moving, moving company, Moving tips, Moving your plants, professional movers, U. Santini moving and storage

How to choose a professional and affordable mover in NYC?

Are you looking for a professional and affordable moving company in NYC? Moving can be an expensive proposition, and if you can find an affordable moving company with years of NYC experience, your will have a much better moving experience.

But how do you go about finding such a moving company?

After all, some moving companies have very little experience and even less insurance, and you don’t want to entrust all of your worldly possessions with an unproven company. In the best case scenario, you’ll hire an affordable company that has decades of New York-specific experience under its belt. Here’s how to find such a company and ensure a successful move:

Find a Moving Company With Experience

Moving a household from one location to another seems like a fairly straightforward, simple task, but in New York City, it’s important to find a moving company with plenty of experience. Moving requires attention to detail, proven logistical systems, and contingency plans, and brand new companies tend to be shaky in these areas.

U.Santini has been serving NYC for more than 80 years, and over the decades we’ve learned many ways to move our clients more efficiently and affordably, and we’ve incorporated new technologies as they come along. This experience, plus the benefit of years of loyalty to existing customers, makes for pleasant, stress-free moving.

How to choose a mover, Moving company, U.Santini moving and storage, Brooklyn mover — Honest Moving Company

Check With the Better Business Bureau

When people have problems with local companies, they report their experiences to the Better Business Bureau. BBB standards for trust are high, so when you find a moving company that is accredited by the BBB, you know you’re in good hands.

We’re proud to have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau on a scale of A+ to F. This rating is based on the fact that we have no complaints within the last three years. Another factor for our A+ rating is that we’ve been operating for so long.

affiliations-BBB — http://www.newyork.bbb.org

Get Estimate Quotes

Once you’ve narrowed your list of movers down to those with high ratings from the BBB and those with significant experience, go ahead and gather estimate quotes. Be sure to ask for details about the quote. Ask if there are any hidden fees, and find out exactly what the quote includes.

Here at U.Santini, we offer free moving estimates. We’ve designed our estimates to help you think through your moving plans so you can consider all the resources you may need. You can sign up for an estimate here.

Dan Menchini, U.Santini moving and storage — Always get an honest estimate for your move

Look For a Full-Service Moving Company

Even if you don’t plan on using all of the services offered by a moving company, it’s a good idea to go with a company that provides many different services. Why? Because moving can be unpredictable, and it’s helpful to have back-up resources.

For example, if your home loan doesn’t close on time, you may need to put your belongings in storage temporarily. If you have decided to work with a moving company that has its own storage facilities, your life will be much easier during the interim between when you move out of your old home and into your new one.

It’s also nice to work with a moving company that offers professional packing services, supplies, and custom services like office and international moving.

U. Santini moving and storage trucks, moving company, Brooklyn mover — Hire an experienced and reputable moving company

Choose the Right Time to Move

You’ll likely get a better price on your move if you choose a moving day that is less busy. These days include mid-week days in the middle of the month or during the winter months. Weekends during the summer, especially at the beginning or end of the month, are extremely busy, and you may have a difficult time scheduling your move during these times. If you can be flexible on your moving dates you can usually get a better price.

Moving company, U.Santini moving and storage, moving, packing, Full length portrait of a happy family holding cardboard boxes. — Pack early. Make it a family activity…

When you follow these tips, you can find a professional and affordable mover in NYC. For more information about moving in NYC, or to get a quote for your move, contact us at U.Santini. Ask for Dan at 718-767-6778.

Written by Daniel Menchinion July 1, 2015January 31, 2018Posted in Dan's Discussion Den, Home organization, Moving, Moving preperationsTagged BBB A+ Brooklyn movers, Moving tips, moving your pets, Moving your plants, prepating to move, Residential move, U. Santini moving and storage

10 top moving mistakes and how to avoid them

Moving is hard enough without making mistakes. And believe us, we’ve seen it all. After 80 years in the moving and storage business in Brooklyn, we’ve collected enough moving wisdom to write a book. But we’re busy, so we decided to write a blog post instead. Below are the top 10 moving mistakes we’ve seen and how to avoid them.

1. Failing to Purge

There’s a reason people have Moving Sales. It’s much easier to let your neighbors carry off your never-used fondue pot and your twice-used treadmill than to move it to your next home where they will continue to collect dust. Set all of your unwanted items out in the yard on a sunny Saturday morning, and send all of old stuff to new homes. Plus, you get to earn a little cash.

donation box, moving, purge your apartment, moving company, U. Santini moving and storage — Purge everything you are not going to use in your new place

2. Using Sub-Par Supplies

It’s great to find ways to keep your moving costs down, but using sub-par supplies can lead to frustration, broken items, and inefficiencies. When you buy high-quality moving boxes, tape, and packing papers, your goods are better protected and the boxes stack nicely in storage and in the moving truck.

Packing your bathroom, moving company, Brooklyn movers — Beware of wet boxes…

3. Neglect to Planning Ahead

Planning is essential for a successful move. If you procrastinate and fail to plan, moving trucks may all be booked up. This is especially true during the busy summer months. Make your reservation with a moving company early.

Move planning, Moving truck with crane, Moving company, U. Santini moving and storage — Some moves are more complicated than others….

4. Forget to Plan for Pets

With so many things on your mind, it’s easy to overlook the fact that your pets have to move, too. It would be easy if you could pack them in moving boxes, but of course, you can’t. If you don’t already have a portable kennel, acquire one ahead of your move so you pet can get used to it. If possible, find a friend who is willing to keep your pet during moving day so he’s not underfoot.

Packing tropical fish, aquarium, moving, moving company, U.Santini moving and storage — Pack your aquatic pets carefully….

5. Neglect Your Plants

Like pets, plants don’t do well in moving boxes, so you’re going to have to make special arrangements for them. A few weeks ahead of your move, transplant your plants into lighter weight, unbreakable pots that will be easier to move. If you can’t move some of your plants, donate them to friends or a local retirement home.

Pack plants or moving, moving company, U. Santini moving and storage — Pack your plants carefully

6. Count On Your Friends to Load the Truck

Yes, you may have helped your friends pack of your moving truck in the past, but counting on return favors can be risky. By the time you’re ready for loading, you’ll probably already be exhausted. Hiring movers who are insured and trained can make all the difference during your move. And your friends will thank you for it.

Friends screaming at each other. Moving, moving company, U. Santini moving and storage — Want to lose a friend? Ask him to help you move…

7. Winging It

Before you pack a single box, sit down with a calendar and a piece of paper and start writing out the details of our move. Get estimates from moving companies, think about your specialty items that will require extra care, think about both ends of the move. Will you need temporary storage? Do you need custom packing supplies? It helps to walk through each room of your home and to visualize everything in boxes.

Moving boxes on motorcycle, — Plan your move carefully

8. Forgetting to Pack a Survival Kit

When everything you own is in a moving truck, you can find yourself without any clean clothes or even your tooth brush. To avoid this problem, pack a survival kit ahead of moving day. Include basic tools like scissors, a screwdriver, a flashlight, pet food, your pajamas, toilet paper, soap, and regular medications. It always helps to have cash on hand for grabbing a quick meal.

Survival kit, moving company, moving, U. Santini moving and storage — Make sure your survival kit has everything you might need…

9. Forgetting to Label Boxes

If you do the packing yourself, adopt the habit of carefully labeling each box. Be specific in your labeling. Instead of writing “Kitchen” on a label, write “Kitchen–Coffee Maker and Toaster.” You’ll be thankful you were specific when it’s Sunday morning at your new place and you’re scrambling through fifty boxes looking for the equipment you need to make breakfast.

Label boxes, moving, moving company, U. Santini moving and storage — Label your boxes carefully

10. Hiring Newbies

You’ll run into fly-by-night moving companies that offer tempting deals, but it’s possible to find a high-quality, cost effective Park Slope moving company that has been successfully moving New Yorkers for generations. Experienced moving companies have tried-and-true systems and the experience to help make your move a success.

Moving, Usantini moving and storage, Brooklyn movers — Hire professionals for your move.

To start planning your move, contact us at U.Santini. We’d like to put more than 80 years of moving experience to work for you. We’re the original cost effective Park Slope professional moving company, and we’ve been helping people move since 1930. Our family-owned business takes pride in being the best BBB movers in Brooklyn. To learn more about what we can do to help you with your move, contact us at 718-768-6778.