What's Your Moving Sign?

Hey!  Not sure if you've noticed, but we've recently relocated to bigger offices in Chicago, IL.  We're expanding our business, hiring more people, and adding more trucks to our fleet!  So in celebration of this, let's we've surfed the internet for some cool "we are moving signs"!  You never know when you might move and why use that stereotypical ones you find in hardware stores when you can use one so much more interesting and eye catching? 1.  You like cute?  I like cute and this is definitely cute.  I mean a giraffe driving a car with a cat and a bird riding in and on the trailer.  The kids will love it!

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2. Check out this puppy.  If you're able to break away from his soulless stare, you'll see that he's being very informative about the move.

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3. I quite like this one.  It has a simple, but eye-catching design and the desaturated color scheme is very complementary.  I'd use this if I was a more serious type of business, but still wanted to be a little unique.

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4. This one is just fun.  I mean, men with mustaches carrying a piano.  There's a joke in there somewhere.  I'm just not sure where....

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5. This is along the same line as the top one, just less colorful and a teensy bit less funny.  It's okay, though.  I've always liked the vintage art style.

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6. What's a post without our favorite sarcastic, writing, daydreaming dog?  Just a normal boring post.  Snoopy makes everything better, including your move.

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7. This moving sign is really cute.  It's not too out there, but it's different enough to catch your attention.

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8. Alright, this is one of my favorite.  It doesn't outright state that you're moving, but the sentiment is there.  It's laced with the subtle cynicism that can only be found in today's society.

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9. Little girl and Superman!  What's not to love?  (I like the girl.  She's smart.)

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10. I swear, there is nothing else better in this world than a bad pun...except maybe fried oreos...maybe.  Nothing makes the day better than a groan inducing pun so horrible you can't help but laugh.

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11. Are you a pessimist?  Then this is the sign for you!  I mean just look at it!  It's all looping swirls and elegant calligraphy and then BAM! Depressing message. (however true it may be.)

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12.  This one is so sweet....literally.  Why not soften the blow of stressful moving by a picture of a cavity inducing gingerbread house?  It's perfect for bakeries and the sorts.

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13. This one is just funny, like "I have no idea what is going on" kind of funny.  But hey, they're version of moving looks rather convenient even if it is scientifically impossible.

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14.  Make your own sign!  It's a nice little personal touch and it means that no one else will have the same sign as you.  Have a huge storefront window?  Grab some window paint and have a little fun!

Free Things To Do In Chicago

CHICAGOSUMMER

The sun is out, the air is warm, and there’s nothing to do.  That’s a lie.  The best part about summer is the abundance of activities available for you, especially the ones that are free.  Chicago, like all the great cities, has her list of summer fun so check them out when you have time.  Who needs TV and air conditioning when you can be having a great time with your family and friends and creating new memories?  Not to mention, all of it is free!  What are you waiting for?

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Part of the Chicago Park District, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is the place to go for all flora lovers.  Inside, the conservatory is split into four houses: the Palm house, Fern House, Orchid House, and Show House.  Each has a different display, some of exotic tropical plants and others of local flora found around the area.  Check out the dates and maybe you’ll even be able to catch one of the many flower shows that are held in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Jane Addams Hull House Museum

If history is your thing, the Hull House is a definite place to visit.  Step into the past and experience Jane Addams’ dream of helping the less fortunate.  Go through the house and check out the exhibits.  In Jane Addams’ room, you can find her personal history through pictures and diary entries.  In the gallery, you can see photographs of the house and the surrounding area when it was up and running.  For more information, check out the website:

Dearborn Observatory

For all the stargazers, Dearborn Observatory is opened to the public from 10PM-11PM on Fridays.  However, if you want to guarantee a chance to peer into the telescope and admire the stars, you can reserve a group tour for an hour earlier.  Located on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University, it’s a great place for a twilight stroll before a chance to see the stars.

Dance All Summer

For those more interested in physical activities check out Dance Chicago and the Chicago Summer Dance.  Get free dance lessons at the Park.  Afterwards, join the huge dance party as everyone rocks out to the theme of the night.  Whether it’s swing night or disco night, grab your partner or grab some friends and dance the night away for free.

International Museum of Surgical Science

For something out of the box, check out the International Museum of Surgical Science.  Explore and learn about the history of surgery and be amazed and the latest innovations and discoveries.  DNA science, plastic surgery,  human anatomy; if these are the things that perk your interest, definitely check out IMSS.

The Illinois Movers' and Warehousemen's Association

IMAWA

We, The Professionals Moving Specialists, are fully licensed and certified.  While this may sound impressive, they are only words of a page.  So what exactly do these words in relations to us as a company and you as a consumer?

Basically being licensed and certified is a guarantee of our honesty and ability.  In order to get the credentials, the company has to go through an approved and recognized association.  Here at The Professionals, we are associated with the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association.

The IMAWA was founded in 1906.  For over a hundred years, they have been servicing the Illinois area and helping moving companies.  Not only do they provide education, but they serve as a liaison to the government as well.  They help both large and small businesses, educating them when needed and aiding them with any problems to ensure only the best work in the Illinois area.

The main purpose of IMAWA is to help the customers.  They provide these services for the company not only to help them be the best they can be, but also to guarantee that the consumers are getting the help they paid for.  Along with brochures and various media references on how to choose the right mover, they also have consultations if needed.

The association works very closely with the government.  Some examples are the Illinois Department of Agriculture which deals with warehousing, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which is involved with interstate moving, and the Illinois Commerce Commission which regulates moving in general.

Having existed for so long, the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association did not get its current name until 1953.  Instead, they cycled through various other names before finally deciding that this was the one that best fit their purposes.  Currently, 80% of all licensed movers in Illinois are part of IMAWA.  About 44% of all these companies have been with the association for twenty-five years or more.

The best way to avoid getting swindled by a fraudulent moving company is to make sure they are properly licensed.  If the information isn’t on their website, then contact them and ask them to provide the information.  It may seem tedious, but the information is there for you, the consumer.  Legitimate companies want you to know that they can be trusted.  Fraud companies rely on the fact you might not want to bother.

The Professionals Moving Specialist are proud to say that we are licensed by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association.  Look us up before you hire us and see some of the reviews that were given about us.  We have nothing to hide.

How To Avoid Moving Scams

stopmovingscam

Scams are everywhere.  Internet scams, phone scams, bank scams, get rich quick scams, etc.  With today’s technology, it is getting harder and harder to tell what situation is a scam and what isn’t.  This goes for moving as well.

Nowadays, everything is searched for online.  Because of this impersonal form of communication, it gets harder and harder to tell if the business is as real and upfront as it claims to be.  Here are a number of waysand tips How To Avoid Moving Scams in Chicago, IL

Inspections

After giving you a quote online or on the phone, a real, licensed business will always have an in home consultation.  Why?  Because you can say you have a certain amount of stuff, but it translates differently once it’s all packed.  Experts are able to see this and calculate accordingly.  They may ask questions about your furniture and what may need to be disassembled and reassembled.  The estimate they end up giving you will be as close as possible to what they charge you.

Scam movers, on the other hand, will not give an in-home consultation.  Instead, they will quote a price over the phone or online and low-ball it.  Though everyone loves to save money, you would do well to be a bit cynical.  If it’s too good to be true, it almost always is.

Payments

Legitimate moving companies will ask for payment after the move.  That way, you are safe in your knowledge that nothing is broken or lost.  And if something is, the moving company has insurance and paperwork for you to fill out.

On the other hand, rogue movers will do one of two things.  They will demand payment upfront.  Once you hand over the money, they no longer have to worry about treating your belongings well.  If anything breaks, you can’t take it out of the money you paid them or withhold paying.  Or they will give you an incredibly low estimate and raise it substantially once your belongings are on the truck.  They will force you pay the amount as they hold you items hostage.

Paperwork

As a legitimate business, there will always be paperwork to fill out.  There are federal regulations when it comes to moving and all the rules have to be abided by.  You should always be given a “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet if you are moving out of state.  For instate, there are various insurance forms and contracts.

If you mover has little to no paperwork for you to go through, they are doing it wrong.

Location

Movers usually have a place where their offices are located.  After all, the trucks have to gather somewhere and most companies offer storage services and packing supplies as well.  There is usually an address on the website you can go to.

If there is no address, we weary that the movers are not legitimately licensed.  If there is, you might want to visit.  The state of the office can tell you a lot.  Or maybe the office doesn’t even exist and the address is a local lake!

Company Name

What else is there to look for?  The company name of course.  When your call is answered, the first thing out after “hello” should be the company’s name.  If it’s not and something generic like “moving company” is used instead, there is a high chance that the business is not legal.  Also, look at the trucks.  Legitimate moving companies all have their company name and logo on the side of the truck.  It is an indication that it is family owned and part of a fleet of trucks meant specifically for moving.

The Professionals Moving Specialists

Now that you know all the signs of an illegal moving company, See Chicago Moving Company!  The Professionals Moving Specialist is based in Chicago, IL .  Our moving Company is a legitimate business, properly licensed, bonded, and insured.  If you have any questions or worries about moving, call us and ask!  Our aim is to provide the best service for you during the stressful time of your move.

When Couples Move In Together

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So your significant other is moving in.  You’re ready to start a new chapter of your lives together and this consists of coexisting in the same home.  And you guys have chosen your home for whatever reason.  Maybe it’s bigger or maybe it has a better view or maybe couples spend the most time there anyway.  Whatever the reason, there are some things that need to be before your couples move in together.

The Closet

The worse feeling is looking into your closet and knowing you have too much clothing, but never having anything to wear.  Well, you’re about to have a bit less.  There is no way you are going to fit both your clothes and your partner’s in the same closet considering the state it is in now.  This of course means it’s time to clean it out.  Throw or donate anything you haven’t worn in a year.  Old sweatshirts, t-shirts with holes in them, faded jeans, whatever it may be.

Hide Your Stuff

Or not, it’s up to you.  It depends on how comfortable you are around your partner.  But remember, the only kept secrets in a relationship are the bad ones.  So maybe you’re not ready to show your significant other your collection of limited edition signed Lord of the Rings novels or the pristine condition miniature figurines of all the Sailor Scouts that you usually keep in a glass case.  That’s okay, for now, but they will find it eventually.  There are only a number of hiding places in a house.

Fridge

Food is one of the most important things in…well, life really.  You and your partner may not have matching taste buds.  Maybe he’s allergic to nuts or she’s a huge fan of red meat.  Maybe you like tofu and have an affinity to cayenne pepper most shudder at. Whatever it is, you’ll have to reach a compromise and accommodate your partner’s taste as well as your own.

Chores

You know the drill.  You’ve had enough roommates in this lifetime to know how important it is to split up the chores.  I know you probably imagined endless cuddling in front of the TV and romantic take-out dinners when you both come from work exhausted.  You’ll still have those.  Except you also have to figure out who takes out the trash, who cleans the bathroom, who does the laundry, who washes the dishes, and more!  Keeping a home inhabitable is no easy task!  Especially when double the people means double the stuff and double the waste.

Enjoy It

Not that you don’t already enjoy each other’s company, but there’s just something about living together.  There’s no need to wake up early in the morning to go home and change before work.  Instead you can sleep in and know that everything is in your shared room, bathroom, home.

Read more moving tips from Chicago Movers The Professionals Moving Specialists