How to Move Optimally with Pets

Moving is generally classified as one of the most stressful life events — and if it is a stressful life event for humans, imagine how stressful it can be for your pets.  Your pet’s entire world is your home and your immediate surroundings and when it’s time to move, spending some time thinking about making the transition a smooth one for your pet is important.

Tips for Making a Move Easier for your Pets

1. Keep to your schedule:  Pets are creatures of habit, so anything that you can do to keep the same schedule for them is helpful as you move from one home to the next. For example, try to keep the time you feed and walk them consistent as much as possible. This will also minimize accidents in your new home.
2. Keep them contained:  When you move, it is critically important that you keep your pet safe in their new surroundings. If you have a dog, you should only let it outside on a leash and if you have outdoor cats, do not let them wander too soon. You want them to have time to adjust to the sights and smells of their new environment before they venture away.  Some pets have been known to travel miles to get back to their original home.
3. Move your pet last:  As you take boxes and furniture to your new home, plan to leave your pet at your old home for as long as possible with a few favorite items (blanket, toy, etc.). They are safer there unattended and will be comfortable knowing their surroundings if left alone. Move your pets when you are ready for it to be permanent.
4. Play:  Playing with your pet in your new surroundings can quickly calm your four legged friend and reassure him/her that you are still their favorite human.
5. Safe Space:  When you get to your new home, create a safe place for your pet so that the new space will not seem so overwhelming. It is often wise to confine a pet to one area of the home as they get used to the new surroundings a few square feet at a time.

Free Moving Quote, Hampton Roads, VA

Brooks Transfer & Storage is a professional moving company based in Virginia Beach, VA, serving those in the Hampton Roads area for more than a century. We can help you with every detail of your move so that you can focus on making sure that the transition for your family and your pets is smooth and easy. We are a reliable, efficient and dependable team that you can trust. Call us at 800-544-1265 for a free quote!

The Hidden Costs of Complete DIY Moves

Sometimes moving can be overwhelming, particularly if you decide to go it alone to save some extra cash. The problem is that total DIY moves don’t always save you money. There’s hidden costs that go into complete DIY moves.

The Costs of DIY Moves

The Potential for Property Damage

When moving furniture through narrow doors or hallways and up steps, there is always the potential that bulky, heavy furniture items could leave a dent in the wall or chip off quite a substantial amount of paint. Without the proper equipment and training, moving these items yourself isn’t always the best idea. Additionally, you don’t want to run the risk of that new, favorite TV of yours being damaged during the drive over to your new home or carrying it into your living room.

Time Off from Work to Pack and Move

Packing and transporting all your possessions on your own can be incredibly time consuming and could require you taking time off from work to make sure that it all gets done in time. These hours away from work could add up in your next payroll check. Don’t forget about how inefficient moving will be on your own without the proper loading solutions and the furniture re-assembling that will be involved.

Renting a Moving Truck and Paying for Gas

Unless you plan to make dozens of trips in your car, you’ll probably be renting a moving truck and unloading equipment to transport your items into your new home. Moving trucks alone can cost you significant money, with additional costs for gas and mileage on the vehicle.

The Price of Insurance

When transporting delicate and expensive items to your new home, insurance is essential to invest in. Most professional moving companies already have insurance when you hire them. The cost of insuring that huge flat screen TV you’re moving yourself can add up, and you know you don’t want to run the risk of not having it insured.

Work with Professional Movers for a Better Return on Investment

When transporting your belongings to your new home, think about hiring Brooks Transfer & Storage. As a leading professional moving company in the Hamptons Road area, we have been servicing the needs of the community since 1878. Our loyal customers know the value they receive when hiring Brooks Transfer & Storage. To let us handle the heavy lifting for you, reach out to us today at 1-800-544-1265 or fill out our online contact form to receive a free quote!

3 Tips to Make Moving Cheaper in the Virginia Beach Area

The Virginia Beach area is a wonderful place to live. With beautiful beaches, historic sites, and endless outdoor activity possibilities, there’s plenty of things to do. Moving in the Virginia Beach area doesn’t have to be expensive either. With proper planning, you can save money and not have to do all the moving yourself.

3 Ways to Cut Costs Moving

• Choose an Advantageous Moving Date and Book It Early

Certain times are more beneficial than others when it comes to cost-effectiveness when hiring a professional moving company. This includes:

• Colder times of the year
• The second half of the month
• On a week day

When you figure out a date that best works for you, contact your affordable moving company right away. The sooner you schedule things, the more likely you are to receive the best possible deal. Contacting professional movers the last minute could result in some additional expenses in order for them to change around their schedules and hurry to accommodate you.

• Sell or Donate the Things You No Longer Need

Weight is one the factors movers consider when charging you for their services. The less boxes you have and the less they weigh, the lower your moving costs. Over time, you’ve likely accumulated things in your old home that you no longer use or like. Additionally, you need to take into consideration what pieces of furniture or appliances won’t be able to fit through doors transferring them to your new place. Plan for this ahead of time. Donating these items will save you in tax deductions. Selling them online or to a consignment shop could help generate some extra income for you. The less items you bring into your new space, the less there will be to unpack – making it easier for you to settle in quickly.

• Pack Smarter

Maximize space in your moving boxes so that items are more tightly packed together. This means fewer containers for you to buy and less time for movers to relocate your things – resulting in positive cash savings. Additionally, the more tightly packed your boxes are, the less likely you face the risk of damage to your items transporting them. Less empty space, less shifting around of items within the containers is a win win for you as well as the affordable movers that you hire.

Additionally, it is smart to label where each box goes so your unloading crew can move your things in more quickly.

Hire Professionals to Optimize Your Move

Working with experienced, highly-qualified professional movers many times ends up being cheaper than a DIY move. There are many hidden costs and increased risks involved when moving yourself. Hiring a professional moving company like Brooks Transfer is a smart idea. Our team is highly trained and offers top-notch customer service that can’t be beat. Contact us today for a free quote.

Why it Pays to Hire an Experienced Moving Company

Experience is critical in the moving industry. With so many moving companies in the Hampton Roads area, it can be hard to determine which one to choose. One key way to find a reliable moving company is to choose one with lots of experience. Would you rather trust your belongings to a company that’s only been around for a few years or one that’s been around since 1878? The answer is simple. At Brooks Transfer & Storage, we are the most experienced moving company in the area. You’ll be pleased with our turn key moving service from start to finish.

Moving Peace of Mind

By choosing Brooks Transfer & Storage, you can rest easy knowing that your personal items will be transported safely and securely to your new home. Just the thought of moving is stressful enough for most people, so let our professional movers provide you some peace of mind with your upcoming move. We have a passion for making the move as smooth as possible for our clients.

Packing Assistance

Another reason why it pays to hire an experienced moving company is for the help it can offer with the preparation. If you plan to pack your home up on your own, we advise that you start at least a month in advance. The alternative is to leave this overwhelming task up to our packing team at Brooks Transfer & Storage. Over the years, we’ve mastered the packing process and we make sure to provide all of our customers with a full inventory list that you can sign off on at the end of the move. Additionally, if you’d like some assistance unpacking once you arrive at your new home, we can help you with that process as well!

Protection

At Brooks Transfer & Storage, we keep your belongings protected every step of the way. Our moving teams are trained on the best ways to store your belongings for the move. We do not cut corners when packing up or transporting your possessions to your new home. Instead, we employ a patient, experienced and reliable crew that will always have your best interests in mind as a moving customer.

These are just a few of the reasons why it pays to hire an experienced moving company. Over a century of experience in the moving industry simply cannot be matched by the other moving companies in the Hampton Roads area. To request a free quote from our professional moving team at Brooks Transfer & Storage, give us a call today at (800) 544-1265 or email info@brookstransfer.com.

Moving Checklist – 3 Things to Remember for Your Next Move

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of your upcoming move? The good news is that you don’t have to tackle this project on your own. Instead, you should team up with an experienced moving team that can take some of the moving stress off of your shoulders. If you are in the Hampton Roads area, there is no better professional moving crew to partner with than Brooks Transfer & Storage. We’ve been handling moves across this area since 1878. There’s not another crew in the area with that kind of experience. Today, our moving professionals are eager to share 3 key things to remember for your next move.

Preparation

A big move across town, the state or the country is something that takes preparation. You can’t wake up the morning of your move and expect that things will go smoothly if you skipped over the preparation aspect of the move. Give our team at Brooks Transfer & Storage a call early so that we can be sure to have a crew available at your designated moving date. Preparation also involves cancelling your utility bills such as electricity, water, cable and internet at the home you’re moving from. Contact the postal service to setup mail forwarding so that you don’t miss out on any important documents that come in the mail. Don’t forget about setting things up at your new home so that nothing is delayed once you arrive.

Pack Early

Procrastination will get you in trouble when it comes to packing. If you plan to pack up your home on your own, make sure that you give yourself enough time. Packing is an important process and ensuring that your belongings are secure is critical for a move of any size. Our recommendation is that you start the packing process a month before your move is set to occur. Another great option is to have our moving specialists at Brooks Transfer & Storage pack your home up for you. We’ll provide you with an inventory list tracking all of your items during the move.

Availability

On the day of your move, we require that you or someone that you designate be present with us during the whole loading process. Should our movers need to contact you for any reason during the transport of your belongings, be sure to have your cell phone handy at all times. Once we’ve arrived at your new home, you, or someone that you designate, must also be at this location during the whole unloading process. We’ll request that you check off the entire inventory list to make sure that no items are left behind.

With more than a century of experience in the moving industry, our team at Brooks Transfer & Storage knows the keys to a successful move. To learn more about these tips and how we can help you with your upcoming move, give us a call today at (800) 544-1265 or email info@brookstransfer.com.

What to Look for on a Moving Estimate?

Anytime you are preparing for a big move around Virginia Beach, VA and beyond, the financial side of the project is always a priority. How much is it going to cost to hire a moving company? Are there hidden costs? The good news is that most moving companies will provide you with a moving estimate before starting the work. It is important to make them aware of all items that you need moved so that this can be included in your estimate. Don’t forget about those items that may be in your attic, shed or garage! There are certain things to look for on a moving estimate when trying to find the right moving company to partner with. At Brooks Transfer & Storage, we make sure that all of our moving estimates have exactly what you’re looking for so that there are no surprises down the road.

What Goes into the Estimate?

There is not a one size fits all way for moving companies to complete their estimates. Some providers base their charges off of a flat, per hour charge. Others consider other factors such as the number of movers you’ll need and the size of the moving truck. For longer distance moves, the weight of your belongings and the miles traveled can have a direct impact on your estimate. Before having a moving company come over to provide you an estimate, go ahead and ask them how they determine their charges. By choosing Brooks Transfer & Storage, we are happy to break down our standard fees before we show up to provide the estimate. Since we’ve been in the moving industry for more than 138 years, you can bet that our prices are affordable and our movers are reliable!

Common Estimate Styles

There are a few standard categories that most moving estimates fall within. These include:

• Non-Binding – You have to be careful if you are offered a non-binding estimate. The reason is because your final charge could be very different than the original estimate. The movers are not bound to the original estimate cost, so what you end up paying could end up being more than expected.
• Binding – This type of estimate is more preferred for individuals because it forces your movers to stay true to the price on the estimate. This allows you to plan properly with the confidence that your estimate is the true cost of the move. With a binding estimate, the cost doesn’t change even if the actual cost of the move ends up being lower than the estimate.
• Binding Without Exceeding the Moving Estimate – With this type of estimate, you’re never required to pay anything above the estimated cost. If the final cost ends up being less than the estimate, you pay the lesser amount. If possible, this is the type of estimate you want to get from a moving company.

At Brooks Transfer & Storage, our customers are the number one priority, even before we start the moving process. When it comes to a moving estimate, we stay true to the estimate to ensure that you are receiving a fair price. To request a free quote on your Virginia Beach, VA move, give us a call today at (800) 544-1265