Tips for Moving Your Fine Art

Moving fine art is a delicate ordeal and one that must be taken very seriously. Your art may be worth thousands of dollars. You don't want to trust just anybody to move it. Whether you just have one large piece to move or many smaller pieces, the right fine art mover will make a difference. However, not all moving companies are qualified to move fine art. Here are a few tips to help you move your fine art successfully.

Don't Cut Corner

When you are moving fine art, it's not a good time to cut corners just to save a few bucks. This is the time to spend the money to get it done right. Even the smallest damage could cost you big in the value of the item.

Make sure you spend the money to have a professional moving company pack and move your fine art. They will know the best ways to pack the art to ensure it arrives at the new destination unharmed and in the same original condition.

You don't want to put this type of move to chance. If you do plan to pack the art yourself, don't use the newspaper you just received. Instead, make sure you choose the proper packing materials. Using newspaper will cause the ink to rub off on a canvas and could destroy your fine art.

Using reinforced boxes specially designed for art is the best way to go. This will ensure you have the best possible packaging to keep your art from becoming damaged.

Does Temperature Matter?

Some types of fine art could be destroyed in very cold or extremely hot temperatures. If this is the case, you need to take temperature into account.

Hiring a moving company specializing in moving fine art will allow you to move it without any worry. They will be able to use the right packing supplies and the right equipment to ensure any temperature sensitive items are not damaged.

Do your Own Research

While it's always a good idea to trust the professionals to move your fine art, you should know what they are doing throughout the process. Research specific tips about how to pack different types of fine art. This will ensure you understand why they are doing what they are doing with your art throughout the process.

Bigger is Better for Packing

Maybe you plan to pack your art yourself. Remember, this isn't the same as packing up a set of dishes from your kitchen. Don't be afraid to choose a much larger box to ensure you can use enough bubble wrap to protect your art. Bigger is always better with fine art and you don't want to skimp on the bubble wrap.

Talk to the Movers about the Art

When you talk to your movers about the piece of art they are moving, you get the opportunity to express how important it is to you. This will help to ensure they treat the box with your fine art with extra care because they will understand how important it is to you.

Moving fine art isn't as easy as moving a few boxes from your kitchen. It requires special attention, special packing and special consideration. If you want it done right, hire a professional moving company to pack and move your fine art.

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5 Benefits of a Commercial Mover for your Business Relocation

When it's time to move your business, multi-office facility or even your warehouse, the help of a professional moving company is priceless. Moving all your equipment, furniture and everything else can be a huge hassle. Using a commercial mover for your business relocation comes with plenty of benefits. Here are just five of the benefits you gain when you hire a professional to handle your business move.

No Reason to Rent Equipment

Without a commercial mover, you will have to rent the equipment necessary to move all your larger items. A commercial mover will provide you with the necessary trucks, packing materials, crates and cranes for your move.

Not only can it be expensive to find all of these things on you own, but it will probably take up more time than you expect. You, or a member of your staff, will have to take time away from their regular work to locate all the necessary equipment. This process may include multiple phone calls to compare prices and it can take up many hours of your time.

Stress-Free Transition

Moving your business can be a very stressful thing. When you choose a commercial mover for your business relocation, you won't have to worry about employees stressing out about the move. The worries are minimal with a professional mover with a proven track record. Hiring the right mover will give you a reliable company with the right resources to make your move stress free.

Employees Won't Be Alone in the Process

Putting your employees in charge of the move may seem like a great way to cut costs. However, when they are alone in the move, they may have to figure out how to move large items they've never moved before.

When you need to move your business, don't put it solely in the hands of your staff. Everything your business owns is an asset and needs to be protected. Make sure you protect your assets with a professional commercial mover.

Nothing Gets Missed

Hiring a professional mover for your business relocation gives you a second set of eyes. It allows you to move your business without missing anything.

A commercial mover may notice things like overlooked cables or smaller items you may have forgotten. They can also help when it comes to finding electrical outlets and troubleshooting problems during the move.

Additional Man Power

You may have some man power with your staff, but you know you don't have enough. Maybe you cannot spare the man power it will take to move. If this is the case, a commercial mover is the perfect solution.

With a commercial mover, you will have professionals ready to do the heavy lifting for you. Hiring expert movers will allow you to get the man power you need without giving up your entire staff just to move your business.

There are several benefits of hiring a commercial mover for your business relocation. Whether you are moving a single office, retail store, multi-office building, warehouse or any other type of business, the right professional moving company will make a huge difference. If you want your business moved right, hire a commercial mover for the relocation.

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6 Winter Moving Tips for Cold Chicago Days

Moving in the winter isn't nearly as easy or as straightforward as moving in the summer, especially in Chicago. The winter months can be very cold in the windy city. If you plan to move during the winter, make sure you are prepared. Here are six tips to help prepare you for moving during a Chicago winter.

Keep Your Heat On

It may be tempting to save a little bit of money and have the heat turned off, especially if you’re sleeping somewhere else. However, if the heat is off come moving day, it will get very cold inside your home or apartment. You will probably have the door open quite a bit and the cold air will get in fast.

Cover the Floors

When winter comes, it tends to bring all types of slush, mud and snow inside. The last thing you want is your movers tracking dirt into your new home or even the old home you just cleaned up. Put down protective drop cloths and anchor them well to ensure they don't rip.

Keep Walkways Clear

Whether you have a driveway or a sidewalk, you want to make sure it's clear. Shovel any snow and put salt/sand down for any ice you may be dealing with. This will make it easier when the movers come and there will be less of a chance of one of them slipping and falling.

Be Aware of Temperature-Sensitive Items

Some of your items may be damaged by cold temperatures, such as house plants. Make sure you are aware of these items and take the necessary precautions to ensure they are moved properly. The last thing you want is for an old set of china to arrive with cracks due to extremely cold temperatures.

Pets Go First

Moving your pets first is a good idea any time of the year, but especially in the winter. You dog or cat may get cold if they have to wait at your current home for you to pack up and move. Moving them to the new place will ensure they are warm and secure before the movers arrive at your old home. This will also help to eliminate any chance of your pets escaping your home and getting lost in the cold city.

Be Prepared to Be Flexible

Winters in Chicago can turn ugly fast. Even moving companies with a reputation of reliability cannot control closed roads or blizzard-like conditions. Whenever you are moving in the winter, you should have a contingency plan in case of bad weather.

Moving during a Chicago winter presents many unique challenges. Navigating these challenges on your own may be more than you can handle. When the winter hits, moving becomes much more difficult with the cold temperatures and potential of ice and snow.

If you need to move your home or business during the winter, trust a professional mover to help. They will understand the risks and challenges you face. Since a professional Chicago moving company works with clients every day of the winter, they have the necessary experience to ensure your move happens without nearly as much stress.

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Tips for Avoiding Shady Movers in Chicago

Moving is stressful. Items might break, get lost or you might have to deal with a late moving truck. All of these issues can cause stress, but they certainly don't compare to dealing with a fraudulent moving company. Shady movers may try to take advantage of you by holding your items hostage and demanding more money. This is just one of the many types of things a rogue mover may do and it can get as bad as the shady moving company stealing all of your belongings. Here are a few ways to help you avoid getting ripped off by shady movers in Chicago

Do some Research

A little online research can go a long way. It's not hard to dig up consumer reviews and find out whether your mover has the federal seal of approval. You can use protectyourmove.gov to check for the seal and many sites, such as ripoffreport.com will give you reviews of moving companies.

Get Multiple Estimates

Securing more than just one written estimate will give you not only an estimate to compare, but also the interaction with the company. Most of the best moving companies will not provide a firm price online or over the phone. They will provide an estimate free of charge, however.

Price isn't Everything

A low-ball moving estimate may end up costing you in the end. You want to look at more than just the price and choose a moving company with a solid reputation in Chicago.

Avoid Brokers

When you try to hire a mover, you may run into brokers. These are middlemen between you and the mover. They don't own the trucks or provide any moving labor. You want to go directly to the moving company, even if you do go through a broker.

Make Sure they have Insurance

Every reputable moving company should have insurance o cover your goods while in transit. You should look for a "full value protection" policy, which may make the moving company a bit more expensive, but will also provide you with peace of mind.

Don't Skip the Paperwork

If you simply skim the paperwork, you might mist something important. The moving contract may be boring, but you need to read it thoroughly to ensure you understand what you are getting into.

Don't Pay a Large Deposit

None of the top professional moving companies in Chicago charge a large deposit for your move. You don't want to pay a large deposit up front, especially if the mover demands cash. This could be a sign of a shady mover.

Hold onto your Valuables

You don't need to allow the moving company to move important papers, jewelry, cash, coins and other valuables. Instead, ship these items with UPS or FedEx or move them yourself.

There are several good ways to avoid shady movers in Chicago. You don't want to get taken advantage of and if you follow the tips above, you will be in a better position to hire a professional moving company ready like The Professionals Moving Specialists to help you instead of a potential shady mover looking to steal from you.

What Should You Look for When Hiring a Moving Company?

The Pro Move - Chicago Movers

Moving is an expensive and stressful experience for most people. Nobody really likes to go through the process, but sometimes, it's necessary.

Finding a moving company you can trust will help to relieve your stress. There are several things you should look for before hiring a moving company. Here's a short list of the most important things.

Reputation Speaks Volumes

Any moving company worth using will have a great reputation online and offline. You can easily check out their online reputation by reading customer reviews. Of course, there may be a few poor reviews here and there, as nobody is perfect. However, you want to see the positive reviews outweighing the negative reviews.

Experience Plays a Factor

Another thing to look for when hiring a moving company is their experience. They don't need to be huge or even nationwide. However, they do need to be experienced. The last thing you want to do is hire some new moving company and find out they don't have a clue what they are doing.

It takes more than just a few guys with muscles to move your things. Experienced movers know how to lead their team and they know how to get your things from one place to another without damage. Check their website for an about page and find out how long they have been in business before hiring.

Proper Licensing

Every moving company should have the proper licensing for their business. If you run across a moving company without the right licensing, don't hire them. This could cause more issues than it's worth.

Check the Better Business Bureau

There are a few reasons why you always want to check the BBB before you hire a moving company. First, this will be the place you will find any serious complaints and discover if the company is a repeat offender. Second, a moving company with a high rating on the BBB is always a good sign. Finally, you will be able to search for any other business names they have used to see if they are avoiding a bad rating by switching names.

Get References

It may seem like a hassle, but any moving company worth hiring will be able to provide you with references. You can call the references and verify the company is a good choice by asking specific questions.

Watch out for the Large Deposit

When you hire a moving company, they may ask for a deposit up front. This isn't a good sign, in most cases. Reputable movers won't ask for any type of cash up front or large deposit before moving. They will ask you to pay upon delivery.

If you pay a moving company in advance, you lose control over the situation. You may never see your things again, they may not show up on time or at all or you may become a victim of some other type of scam. It's best to use a credit card, if you feel it’s okay to pay a deposit. This will give you at least some level of protection from fraud.

Whenever you need to hire a moving company, it's important to find the right choice for your specific needs. Don't take this process lightly, as there are many fly-by-night companies and scammers out there ready to take your money. Make sure you hire a reputable moving company with plenty of experience.