Author Archives: Hogan Moving

Five Red Flags When Selecting A Moving Company

Relocating to a new home is an exciting and often stressful event. The process of packing up all of your belongings and moving them to a new location can be daunting, especially if you have never done it before. That’s why it’s important to choose a reputable moving company to help you with the process. A good moving company can help to make the process of relocating a lot smoother, less stressful and more efficient. In this blog post, we will look at the importance of hiring a reputable moving company and five red flags to watch out for when selecting a moving company for relocation.

The first and most important reason to hire a reputable moving company is to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure during the move. A professional moving company will have the expertise and equipment necessary to properly pack and transport your belongings, reducing the risk of damage or loss. They will also be able to provide you with insurance coverage in case anything does go wrong during the move.

Another benefit of working with a reputable moving company is that they will have the resources and experience to handle any unexpected issues that may arise during the move. For example, if there is an unexpected delay in the delivery of your belongings, a reputable moving company will have contingency plans in place to ensure that your belongings are still delivered in a timely manner.

Working with a reputable moving company can also save you time and money. They will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to plan and execute a move efficiently, reducing the amount of time you need to spend on the process. They will also have the resources to negotiate with third-party services for special handling of certain items like appliances or unique furniture items such as grandfather clocks.

When selecting a moving company for your relocation, it is important to watch out for red flags that may indicate a less-than-reputable company. The following are five red flags to watch out for when choosing a moving company:

1.      Lack of transparency: If a moving company is unwilling to provide you with a detailed estimate of the cost of the move, or if they are vague about their pricing structure, this may be a red flag.

2.      No licensing or insurance: Make sure the moving company you choose is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case anything goes wrong during the move.

3.      Poor customer reviews: Do your research and check online reviews and ratings of the moving company you are considering. If they have a lot of negative reviews, be warned. Some companies may even change their name to avoid being associated with their bad reviews. Make sure the company you’re working with has a long and reputable history.

4.      No physical address: If a moving company does not have a physical address or a website that is professional and easy to navigate, this may indicate that they are not a reputable company.

5.      Request for a large deposit: If a moving company requests a large deposit before the move, this too may be a red flag.  At Hogan, we do not require “deposits”.  Our customers have options for payment and a professional move coordinator will discuss these options prior to the move.

Hiring a reputable moving company for your relocation is crucial to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure, and to make the process of moving as smooth and stress-free as possible. By watching out for red flags and doing your research, you can ensure that you choose a moving company that is reputable and professional. Good luck with your move!

7 Things to Remember on Moving Day

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When moving day arrives you want to be prepared in every way possible so that there is less stress on yourself and those helping you. Being organized before your move helps ensure a smooth moving day and start to life in your new home or apartment. With a little planning, you can settle in and start enjoying your new home. Here’s a list of a few important things to keep in mind.

  1. Keep a running list of all the little things that have to get done before moving day arrives. With so much to do you want to make sure that nothing gets overlooked. For example, you may want to have someone help with taking items out of boxes and organizing them or ask them to be available to run quick errands like picking up packing tape from the store. Share your to-do list with them so they can help make sure nothing gets missed.
  2. Do one last walk-through to make sure nothing has been forgotten. Check in the closets, cabinets, and counters for any items that may have gotten misplaced during the moving process, and remember to leave keys (don’t forget the mailbox key) and garage door openers behind.
  3. Pack all medicines you’ll need in a place you can get to easily where they won’t get lost during transport.  Packing all medicine in one place also makes it easier to have them handy and readily available. You’ll want to remember everything from headache medicine to heart pills, this is especially important when moving with children and seniors.
  4. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and you know where the charger is. This way if you need to make a call or check the weather for any reason during the moving process you are ready to go and easily accessible.
  5. Have cleaning supplies on hand and available so you can clean up after the movers have left. This way you can leave your old place in great shape and make sure everything is picked up, wiped down, and ready for unpacking at the new house or apartment.
  6. Have cash on hand to tip your movers. Tipping the moving crew is not expected but very much appreciated, especially if you feel strongly about the service they provided.

Be sure to keep a positive attitude throughout the entire moving process.  Moving is stressful and while having a great team of movers on your side helps, having a sense of humor during the move will put everyone in a better mood and make the whole process more fun.

What To Know About Moving In The Fall

If you’re looking to move during the fall months, there are a few key things you should know and few things you can do to prepare for this specific season. We’re diving right in by listing them below!

What You Should Know…

You’re Saving Money By Waiting Until After September

Summer is by far the most popular moving season, which means prices are generally higher for a mover anywhere you look. During the fall and winter months, there’s less demand. This means you’ll find lower prices for professional movers, like us!

You Should Be Able to Choose Your Ideal Moving Date

As an added bonus of the summer season being over, you should also be able to choose your ideal moving date more easily. However, you’ll still want to call ahead and plan your move as soon as you have that ideal date in mind!

What You Can Do…

Schedule Your Move to Make the Most of The Daylight Hours

During the fall, we lose more and more of our precious daylight. If you’re worried about getting everything done before nightfall, remember to check when sunset is and talk with us to calculate what time we should start the moving process.

Pack According to the Season

Save yourself the stress of packing summer items that you won’t be using again by going through your things before you move and seeing what you’ll want to keep. You can also group together key items you know you’ll be using as soon as possible in fall (like your crockpot, baking sheets, cookie cutters, etc.) and keep other seasonal items in storage. Make sure you have your rain boots and raincoats at the ready as well!

Try to Prepare Your Walkways For the Fall Season

Fall can be unpredictable, but one thing’s for sure in Indiana – the leaves are going to fall! Before you move, clear the pathways of both your old home and your new home of slippery leaves. One option is to keep a broom handy near the pathways, so as leaves fall you can sweep them away. This will help in the moving process and also will help to keep your house clean!

Also, you might want to place a tarp or two down inside your house if the weather is looking bad. This helps to keep your floors clean and dry.

Have a great fall move!

We’re here rain or shine to help you have the best fall move you could want. Request a free estimate today at the top of the page and see if this autumn will be the perfect time for you to move!

If you’re looking for more moving resources, you might find these helpful:

Resources:

https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2015/10/07/5-tips-for-moving-during-the-fall

Escape Winter in These 5 Top Retirement Cities

With winter on its way, many people are thinking about heading to a warmer destination for their retirement or just to escape the Indiana cold for a few months.

If you’re wondering what place you should head to this winter and why, we’ve put together a brief list for you!

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota is nestled on the Gulf and averages warm temperatures year-round. The town itself has a thriving downtown area but is also surrounded by smaller communities that allow you to have direct access to the beach.

Facts:

  • Population: 52,000 (not including metro area)
  • Average January Temperature: Low – 52, High – 71
  • Average Snowfall:  0
  • Unique Benefit: If you’re a fan of music and art, Sarasota is the home of the Ringling Museum of art and the Florida West Coast Symphony.  

Scottsdale, Arizona

Although Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix, it has its own atmosphere. The town offers plenty of ways to both relax and be active – with numerous spas, golf courses, hiking areas, and beautiful weather to make you feel alive during the winter months.

Facts:

  • Population: 227,471
  • Average January Temperature: Low – 43, High – 66
  • Average Snowfall:  0
  • Unique Benefit: If you’re a big fan of culinary delights, the Scottsdale’s Culinary Festival, is one of the longest-running food festivals in the U.S. The event showcases many of the restaurants, wineries, breweries and chefs in the area.

Fredericksburg, Texas

If you’re looking for a warm, small-town to move to, Fredericksburg, Texas could be your place. And although it’s small, it’s relatively close to two big cities – Austin, Texas directly to the east and San Antonio to the south-east.

Facts:

  • Population: 11,000
  • Average January Temperature: Low – 34, High – 60
  • Average Snowfall:  0
  • Unique Benefit: The town is quaint and packed with history, like the Nimitz Hotel that is now a WWII Museum.

Athens, Georgia

If you’re looking for a town that’s full of energy and activity to move or retire to, Athens is your place. It’s a college town that’s also known for its famous music scene and has a variety of housing options for all ages.

Facts:

  • Population: Just over 100,000
  • Average January Temperature: Low – 33, High – 54
  • Average Snowfall:  3”
  • Unique Benefit: Fourteen of Athens’ neighborhoods are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Wildcard: Asheville, North Carolina

Maybe you enjoy winter, but you’re just ready to do it in a different place. Asheville, North Carolina has been one of “10 Best Places to Retire” by US News & World Report. It’s located in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, next to the Great Smoky Mountains, giving you plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities.

Facts:

  • Population: 224,000
  • Average January Temperature: Low – 28, High – 47
  • Average Snowfall:  13.3”
  • Unique Benefit: Although you’ll have a more temperate winter, in Asheville, you’ll still get all four seasons and the ability to enjoy the snowfall for a bit!

Ready to move? Call us!

When you’re ready to pack your bags and boxes and move to one of these great destinations or another that’s on your own list, we’re ready to help. We offer free quotes on all moves, and we will send one of our moving specialist to come and help you understand the moving process.

Request a free quote at the top of this page or call us at (317) 639-9583/

Resources:

https://www.ashevillenc.com/area_info/facts_and_statistics

https://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Florida/Sarasota.html

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/sarasota/florida/united-states/usfl1072

https://livability.com/top-10/retirement/best-places-to-retire/2015/az/scottsdale

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/fredericksburg/texas/united-states/ustx0482

https://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Texas/Fredericksburg%20Texas.html

https://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Georgia/Athens.html

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/athens/georgia/united-states/usga0027

5 Reasons You Should Move During Summer

11.2 percent of Americans move each year (Census.gov). Are you considering being one of them?

If so, here are five reasons you should make the move now and not wait for the chillier days ahead.

1. NEW COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Moving during summer allows you to become involved in your new community faster than you could in other seasons. Most communities have fairs, festivals, and events that make for the perfect place to meet your new neighbors.

2. YARD SALE SEASON

Oftentimes when you move, you realize just how much “stuff” you have. If you don’t want to bring it along, take advantage of the nice weather to sell your extra belongings in a community or self-hosted yard sale.

3. A SMOOTH SCHOOL TRANSITION

During summer, you don’t have to worry about pulling kids out of school or trying to enroll them mid-semester. Instead, you will have plenty of time to make the transition and allow any children to get used to their new surroundings before school begins.

4. THE MARKET IS FAVORABLE

Did you know that the market in Indianapolis is so hot that some realtors are actually “cold-calling potential customers to let them know their home values may be at an all-time high. (IndyStar)” It’s true! The time might be right for you to sell your house at a record price, so find out from your local realtor.

5. AVOID THE HOLIDAYS

Sure, there are great summer holidays to enjoy, but as you get closer to the end of the year, many important holidays can dominate your time. By moving during the summer, you’ll avoid having to worry about being ready for any big holidays – at least for a few months!

Bonus:

As you might know, the weather in summer is much more favorable to move in than the weather in winter. Even though we will help you move in any season, you’ll be able to enjoy both the inside and outside of your new home if you decide to move during the warmer months.

If you’re ready to make the move now, just click here for a free quote. We’ll be happy to help you with all of your moving needs.

Sources:
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016/cb16-189.html
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2017/05/14/indy-area-housing-market-surges-record-prices/100885066/