A word we all dread but eventually have to do at some point in our life… move.  Whether it’s to your first apartment, your dream home or a relocation for a new job, we all have to pack up at some point.  Never fear, there’s help out there and it’s at your fingertips.  These five moving apps will help make moving easy.

Move Advisor

This free app will help get you prepared to move even if you’re organizationally challenged.   With a week-by-week moving checklist that’s incredibly detailed and user-friendly, you won’t miss a beat (or a box) as you pack up.  All you need to know when you start is your move date and if you’re hiring a moving company or doing it yourself.  Then leave the details up to the app and it will tell you what you need to do every week to be ready for the big day.  Some of those details include an ‘action’ button below some tasks that you can tick off quickly so you feel accomplished and even better, if the task is related to hiring someone or researching something, you can visit websites that correspond with that task to make it easier on you.  You can use the home inventory tool to create a detailed list of everything you own.  You can even calculate the approximate weight and volume of your stuff so you’ll have an estimate of how much your move will cost you if you’re hiring movers or know how big of a truck to rent if you’re moving yourself.

With Move Advisor, moving has never been easier.

MyMove

Being organized will make your move less stressful on both ends and MyMove will give you information on what to expect from your move, help you find a moving company you can trust and get organized for your move.  From the get go, MyMove provides articles on how to choose the best moving company and  with that valuable information you’ll be ready to make calls and get ready to move.  Also, the app has a ‘Moving Tips’ list that gives you access to a constantly updated database of expert moving related articles with moving tips, relocation guides, moving checklists and moving industry news.

Another great feature of MyMove is that it helps you find the best movers for your relocation.  You can easily request free estimates, search moving companies by name or state and read reviews from past customers.

MyMove is a good app to have ready for your relocation and is available for both Android and iOS devices.

State Farm Move Tools

This interactive, user-friendly, free app will help you get organized for your move by providing many tools to make the job easier.  First up is the to-do list which is a detailed week-by-week checklist with tasks that you can check off and even add to if you’re a detail-oriented person.  The packing tool helps you keep track of items in your house so you have a complete inventory of what leaves and goes into your new home.   The smart labels functionality gives you the option to print out the app-generated labels and attach them to your packed boxes.  No more permanent marker for you.  Finally, this app has a ton of articles with moving tips, how to decide between hiring a moving company or moving yourself, moving insurance and things you should do before your move.

This practical app will help keep you on track for the big day.

Suddath Moving Guru

Another app to help make your move easier–Suddath Moving Guru lets you customize your move between domestic, international or government.  This feature then gives you a to-do list based on the move you’re making.  The task list isn’t as detailed as some of the other apps but with the international and government features, there are tasks that you need to think about that you don’t with a domestic move.

This app also gives you detailed instructions on how to pack each room which is a huge benefit on the other end when you’re looking for pillows and the blender in your new space.

Sortly

With the free Sortly app, you get a moving checklist that starts eight weeks before your moving day and a week-by-week checklist.  Unfortunately, the task list is short and not super detailed so if you’re a person that needs that, don’t use Sortly.  If you want a list just to tick off the big items you need to get done, like hire a mover, then Sortly is the app for you.

When DIY Moving Goes Wrong

The do-it-yourself (DIY) craze is upon us and while your cousin’s homebrew might be the best beer you’ve ever tasted, there are a few things you should leave to the professionals rather than trying to do it yourself.

Like re-wiring your own electrical system, moving your home is best left to the professionals for similar reasons. You wouldn’t mess with the hard wiring behind your walls without knowing what you were doing first because you could risk serious injury. Likewise, moving on your own if you do not know what you are doing carries the risk of injury.

You probably won’t get electrocuted if you attempt to move all of your belongings from one place to the next (unless you’re tearing out wiring as you go) but you can seriously injure yourself in many other ways.

Some common injuries for people who attempt to lift and move heavy items that they are not used to moving include:

• lower back strains
• pulled muscles
• broken or pinched fingers
• hernias, if you’re not careful

DIY Moving Risk – The Cost of Medical Bills

Let’s think about the cost of these potential injuries for a moment.

First, if you’re injured enough to require medical attention, you’ll have to pay for a hospital visit one way or another. If you hurt yourself severely enough to miss work, that’s more money out of your pocket. When considering the cost of hiring professionals versus medical expenses, you may find that the costs of DIY moving can add up to much more than making a phone call to a professional moving company like Mountain Moving.

Hiring professionals can also save you the trouble of hurting yourself while moving your couch down three flights of stairs and reduce the overall cost if you strain your back in the process. For many people, a lower back strain is more than an inconvenience; it can mean the loss of valuable work and cause severe discomfort.

On average, a lower back injury can take at least 2 to 8 weeks to heal. While there are many factors that might contribute to recovery time, such as age and fitness level, one thing is certain – the chance for lower back strain increases as you get older.

When you consider opportunities lost because of having to recover from a lower-back injury, you have to ask yourself, “is it really worth it?”

Avoiding Common DIY Moving Risks

Avoid the many common injuries of lifting and moving heavy things by getting professionals to do it. They have the right equipment and they know how to use it to save their bodies. They are able to carry more things faster to and from the moving truck. If you’ve ever had to move your things to the next home by yourself, you know how long it can take to carry every last box and piece of furniture to the truck. Professional movers can get your possessions into the moving truck and to your next destination much faster than you and your friends can move them on your own.

Everyone needs help sometimes, and in the case of Mountain Moving, you’ll get a great value on a moving service that can get you from your old home to your new home as quickly and painlessly (literally) as possible. Instead of burning yourself out in trying to move everything you own to your new home, hire a team of professionals who are all trained to avoid injury and move heavy items quickly and efficiently. The pricing of Mountain Moving’s services is very reasonable and worth it in the long run because you’ll avoid injury and the many costs that hurting yourself can have.

You’re all ready for the new adventure that awaits, but… you have to move.  If only there was a magic wand for packing, moving, and unpacking everything you own. But since there’s not, it’s important to make sure you’re budgeting your move accurately.

The first thing you have to do is figure out how much it’s going to cost to move in 2016.  Estimating the costs of packing up and shipping out can be complicated. Don’t just open your wallet and hand over a huge wad of cash and hope for the best.

According to the American Moving & Storage Association, the average cost of an intrastate move is $1,170 and the average cost of a move between states is $5,630.  That’s based on a load size of 7,100 pounds.

Getting a quote based on the following parameters will help you compare moving companies easily.  Those factors include where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, the move size (how many bedrooms and how many total rooms), and when you want to move.

Now that you’ve gotten several quotes, it’s time to ask even more questions so that you don’t plan on one cost and get a bill for a very different (and much higher) end cost.  You don’t need any surprises before uprooting your life.  Here are a few questions you might want to ask to get a better picture of what moving will cost.

• Does the moving company provide all packing materials or is that an extra charge?
• If the company charges hourly, how many hours did they estimate for your move and if they go over that, how much is their hourly rate?
• How many people will be moving your things?

By doing your homework, you’ll be prepared for the day when they show up to pack your treasures.  Beyond thee questions, it’s also a good idea to be prepared for the unplanned parts of your move that you didn’t think about until they are knocking on your door…rather loudly.

Keep in mind as you estimate the cost of moving in 2016, if you’re delayed because your new house closing is postponed, then you’ll need to put your belongings in storage.  The cost of a self-storage unit can vary widely, depending on location and if it’s a climate controlled unit. You should plan on $95-$155 for a 10’ x 20’ unit.

Also, if you decided to purge a lot of what you owned so you could move less, remember that you’re going to have to buy those new items when you start unpacking. Otherwise, you’re going to be left without that trusty toaster or those cleaning supplies.

Now, it’s time to hire the movers.

You might think you can move on your own if you collect enough free boxes and tape, but hiring a reputable company to move your belongings will ultimately save you time, money, and a large piece of your sanity.

Make sure you hire movers that are insured, ethical, and transparent with their costs so you have peace of mind, knowing everything you love will get to your new house safely and quickly.

Now all you have to do is unpack!

When Considering Moving, How Much Is Your Time Worth?

Moving to Fort Collins is a great idea; there are many lovely areas perfect for homeowners. Moving your belongings can be a tiring task, and selecting a professional moving company is one of the best steps you can take during this process. It is important to research which moving company to choose to move your belongings. A professional Fort Collins moving company might save you time and money during your move, not to mention taking the stress of moving off your shoulders.

Here are 3 benefits of using a professional moving company like Mountain Moving:

Packing
Packing items takes a lot of time and work. It can take days or even weeks to pack all your stuff. A professional moving company can pack your stuff quickly as well as professionally. Additionally, it uses the right packing material so that your belongings are well protected.

Familiarity With The Location
Are you familiar with your new residence? Driving through an unfamiliar location with a vehicle full of your belongings can be tough. You may waste a lot of time asking for directions every now and then. However, a professional Fort Collins moving company will be very familiar to the area you are moving to. They will get your belongings intact and on time.

Quick Unpacking
Unpacking boxes can be a time-consuming task and let’s be honest; you’d rather be out experiencing all Fort Collins has to offer. Mountain Moving can make this task effortless. You also have the option of having the Mountain Moving unpack your items and set them up before you arrive.

Working with a professional moving company is the best way to save time when you are moving, their strength and experience can’t be matched by the an amateur service. So choose an affordable, trustworthy and qualified company in the Fort Collins area such as Mountain Moving.

Fall colors in Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado is considered one of the best places to live in the United States for many reasons.

One is the size. With only 128,000 people, Fort Collins has a small town vibe with all of the big city benefits. Fort Collins boasts a vibrant and active atmosphere, located about 65 miles north of Denver, with access to the mountains and great weather. The city has a long history of celebration and beer brewing, which come together during one weekend in September called FORToberfest. This new event is a great end of summer celebration and very welcoming to new residents.

Are you considering moving to Fort Collins? Give us a call, we’d love to help get your belongings from “here to there.”