When planning a move—whether it’s across town or across the state—hiring a local moving company can make the process smoother and less stressful. But how do you choose the right moving company, especially if you live in Plymouth, Michigan? While cost is often a top priority, there are other critical factors to consider to ensure a safe and hassle-free move.
Did you know that moving rates for trips over 40 miles within Michigan are regulated by the state? This means that if you’re moving from Plymouth to Lansing, for example, all licensed moving companies must charge the same rate. However, not all movers are created equal, and unfortunately, moving scams are a real concern. A little research and due diligence can go a long way in protecting yourself and your belongings.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you avoid moving scams and find a trustworthy moving company in Michigan.
The first step in finding a reliable mover is to do your homework. Here’s how to get started:
Once you’ve shortlisted a few companies, reach out to them directly. Speaking with the owner or manager can help you gauge their professionalism and legitimacy. Here are some key questions to ask:
If the company is evasive or unwilling to provide clear answers, consider it a red flag.
Don’t just take their word for it—verify the information they provide. Here’s how:
A professional-looking website or a fleet of branded trucks doesn’t always guarantee quality service. While these can indicate legitimacy, they should be considered alongside other factors like reviews, licensing, and customer service. Compare this to a mover operating out of their home with a single truck and temporary helpers—it’s clear which one is more likely to be reliable.
The last thing you want is for an unmarked truck to disappear with all your belongings. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you’d think, especially when people prioritize the cheapest price over quality. By following the steps above, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a moving scam.
At Men on the Move, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, affordable moving services across Michigan. Our team is licensed, insured, and dedicated to making your move as seamless as possible. Have questions? Contact us today, and let us guide you through every step of the moving process.
For a full 10 step guide on how to find a trustworthy moving company in Michigan Click here.
Winter is harsh and cold weather moving can make a difficult job even worse, especially if you are moving. Between the snow and freezing temperatures, home owners have to find the best way move without causing too much stress. While hiring a professional moving company like Men on the Move can help, there are few things you should know to help your winter move along.
On moving day, you need to remember you hired a moving company on moving day not a snow removal company. Moving companies will not clear the snow for your move. So, before they arrive, people need clear the driveway, walkway, sidewalks, back decks, and basement walkouts. Leaving snow and ice covering these areas are potential hazards that can injure the movers or others. That is why it’s important the pathways a clear for the moving process.
For a homeowner, there are few things you need to prepare for the movers. First of all, you need to make sure you have a friend or family member playing doorman for the movers. You wouldn’t want a moving technician carrying your expensive flat screen TV while trying to open a door. If you aren’t against a little cold, you could also keep the front door open.
Protecting your floors and carpet from winter sludge and mud should be a priority. Typically for an additional fee, the moving company will lay plastic carpet protector along the main walkways of the home before the moving begins. There are logistical, liability, and safety concerns associated with movers wearing any type of disposable shoe covers. Check with your moving company before the scheduled moving day.
Another thing you should keep on an eye on is your electronics. Extreme temperature changes can cause condensation build up on the high tech circuits. Consumer electronic items such as computers, laptops, DVD players, TVs, stereos are subject to this. It is best for your electronics to acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours before plugging everything in and setting it up.
If you are moving appliances into your home, you need to make sure it ready.
Washers
Even though your washer should be drained before moving it, the washer will always maintain a little water. Components like the mixer valve, pump housing and internal hose areas may have moisture. Using your washer while water is frozen in these components can result in damage to belts, hoses and other internal parts of the washer. Your washer should only be operated at a temperature of above 60°F.
Dryers
Like most things when subject to freezing temperatures, igniters and heating elements in the dryer can become brittle. Operating the dryer will cause a sudden temperature change and may damage internal parts. Your dryer should only be operated at a temperature of above 60°F.
Refrigerators
A refrigerator may be plugged in for use the day of the move, but the ice maker should not be connected to the water supply for at least 24 hours. Moisture in the solenoid valve, supply lines and cold-water reservoir may be frozen. This will hinder the normal operation of the icemaker. If the cold water reservoir was not drained before the move started, it could be frozen solid causing hairline cracks in the water reservoir. It is very important to let all components of the ice maker system reach operating temperature first. Then a thorough check can be completed after hooking up the water supply.
Open doors and lower thermostat settings are typical moving day phenomenon. So remember to think of your pets and indoor plants as well when moving in winter.
Decorating for the holidays is one of the best parts of being a homeowner. Nothing makes a home more special than being able to decorate it for different seasons and holidays. However, finding the right decorations and placing them can be fun but stressful. After all, many people cannot afford to get new decorations every year so you need to budget and choose items that you love. Fortunately, Men on the Move has festive tips to get you into the holiday season!
Think of a theme you want for your house. A theme can help downsize the amount of decorations you will have to look for. If you want your house to look like a winter wonderland, get blue and white decorations and fake snow to make your space look magical. Or if you want to do Santa’s workshop theme, get some cute elf figures, decorative toys, and even some Santa paraphernalia. If you are looking for full sets of themes, stores like Home Goods and At Home have plenty of options to get your house ready for the holidays.
Most of the time, people only decorate the common rooms which everyone will use. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself. Decorating for the Holidays should include all of your rooms. You should consider adding garland around your bed or holiday throw pillows. Another great idea is adding smaller Christmas trees to your children’s room to leave some small presents on Christmas Eve. This gives your kids an extra surprise and prevents them from running to wake you up right away!
During the Holidays, people tend to overthink their decorations. As a result, homeowners can feel the pressure to get the house perfect. However, you don’t need your house to be perfect. If you don’t want to do some elaborate theme, go for some classic decorations. After all, these decorations will probably be used for years to come.
There’s an old wive’s tale that leaving your holiday decorations up past New Year’s Day that your year will be full of misfortune. Even if you don’t believe in that superstition it gives you time to prepare for the holiday! In addition, a lot of lights are not meant to last for an extended period of time, meaning you have to pay for replacements if they burn out.
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It’s getting hot. The last stretch of the summer and people are experiencing the hottest part of the summer. While people are enjoying these sunny days, it is not the same when you are moving. Moving during the Summer is difficult. Regardless of experience, people need to prepare when moving in the heat. The summer heat can lead to a lot of health risks. Too much exposure can cause sunburns and skin damage, experiencing variations of heat stroke, and lack of hydration. All of these can make moving dangerous without the proper precautions. But what do you need for summer moving? And how do you keep yourself safe? It is time for some Men on the Move moving tips!
When it comes to relocating to a new place, moving can be a hassle. There is a lot of steps that go into the moving process. The most noteworthy is packing. Before moving into your new home, you have to pack all your belongings away. Some people underestimate how important it is to pack their possessions properly. Others, who are moving for the first time, have hard time understand how they should place things into boxes. For new or experienced movers, here are a few helpful moving tips to preparing your move.
Like everything else, preparation is key. It is hard to pack things away properly when you don’t have the material you need. It is like a chef without cooking supplies. But in this case, it’s moving supplies. It essential to have tools to even start the moving process. Different sized moving boxes to handle smaller or larger objects in your house. Packing tape to keep your boxes shut tight. Packing paper or plastic wrap to protect your fragile items from a break during the move. Invest in bubble cushioning to protect your ceramic, glass, and porcelain. Also, don’t underestimate the power of plastic sandwich bags to make sure you keep your nails and screws from being misplaced. After all, getting to your new home and finding out you can’t put your bed together is stress that no one should deal with.
Now that you have your supplies, it is time to pack! But how should you pack? More importantly, what is the best way to pack?
First of all, you have to remember to use the right sized box for the item. Use small boxes for books and other small objects. Also, try to put heavier objects in smaller boxes. Filling a large box with heavy items will make it difficult to move. Furthermore, it is important to use all your space in the box. This prevents items from shifting during the move.
Put all your fragile things together. Although it seems nerve-wracking, having specific boxes that hold your breakables makes it easier. Singling them out will make sure that your movers know they need to handle them with care. You can use packing paper and plastic wrap to make sure they are snug and protected. However, another suggestion is to use your blankets and other soft items to cushion them as well.
Now that your belongings are packed away, labeling them is vital. Writing down what is in the box can make sure the movers know where to put the box in your new home. In addition, you can make it clear which boxes have valuables that are breakable. This makes sure that all your boxes are handled with care while they are being loaded and unloaded.
Now that you are an expert at packing, it’s time for moving day. But don’t rely on any moving company, trust Men on the Move. For over 20 years, we have been helping families and companies move all across Michigan. We only hire experienced workers to make your move easier. We offer supplies to help you prepare for your move.
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Moving can be a stressful, time-consuming, and expensive process. Costs for supplies, company labor and time, and transportation can pile up. Fortunately, we have some time saving moving tips to make your move less time-consuming and less expensive!
By having everything packed and ready to move, you can save some time. Make sure all of your small belongings are in boxes and all of your appliances (including the gas lines) are unhooked.
You can save some time by removing mirrors from dressers and disassembling beds and bookcases. This will make it easier for us to move you in a timely manner.
By cleaning up your house and choosing what you pack, you can save money on supplies! When moving, you should only pack the necessities and important belongings. So, throw away those old magazines and free up some space for the important objects! This will save you time and money!
Most of us have cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and tape laying around the house. You can collect what you can for your move to save some money on moving materials. The other materials you can purchase from Men On The Move for fair prices.
Make sure you hire an insured moving company that has experience. The more experienced the company is, the more time-efficient your move will be! Have you heard about May? Find out why May is National Moving Month.
Here at Men On The Move, we can help you save time and money on your move. Also, we have decades of experience moving customers residentially, long-distance, and out-of-state. Contact us today for a free quote and check out our tip page for more helpful information!