Cold Weather Moving; Be Prepared

Although on the east coast it doesn't seem like winter is coming soon, parts of the west are experiencing colder temperatures, and snow!  Particularly if you plan to move a long distance, you should be aware of colder weather in portions of the country that you household goods may be traveling through.

Moving vans that are used to move your household goods are not heated!  What this means is that your belongings may be passing through areas where temperatures are freezing; creating a potential hazard for things that may freeze.  Since drivers are restricted to operating a certain number of house each day and do require rest and sleep the truck may be sitting overnight in a location that is COLD.

Be careful of transporting items that maybe adversely effected by extreme cold.  Plants, wine, or other liquids can freeze and not only ruin that item but cause damage to the surrounding shipment if they freeze.

Check the weather reports across the country ahead of time just as you might if you were making the drive yourself.  Severe weather may delay the shipment so prepare accordingly.  The van lines are subject to the same potential delays due to severe weather and snow/ice storms that anyone traveling might be.  If severe weather is in the forecast, perhaps make a back up plan if the shipment of household goods is delayed.

Since Consumers Relocation is located in Vermont, we are particularly well tuned into dealing with severe weather, cold, ice and snow.  The picture above was taken during a powder day at a local ski resort, Magic Mountain in Londonderry, VT.  An area well known for its great powder skiing when it arrives.

Great time of year to move

Oh yes, many of us truly like the changing of seasons.  From our headquarters building in Weston, Vermont the colors are beautiful right now. Rt 100 is buzzing with tourists taking pictures of the Fall Foliage.

Now is also a great time of year to move.  The van lines have quieted down from the crazy summer moving season.  Drivers and crews have had a chance to rest a little. prices in many case are better now, and dates for move are readily available.  The pace of the move will be less strenuous.

Availability for booking dates easing some in 2nd half of July

Wow. what a June and early July in the moving industry.  Advanced dates for moving filled up very quickly starting in May!  One of our moving partners experienced crazy demand in the Southwest and is till restricted through 8/1!  Another is open for scheduling moving dates after 7/6, but in some areas local agents are not available to do the packing.  Good news some of our larger partners are looking good for availability after 7/5 and after 7/13.  

Call us we have been able to work out alot of dates during very busy weeks for our customers through many of our flexible and creative moving partners. 

The picture is of Main St.  Weston, VT!  Home of Consumers Relocation and the Vermont Country Store

Moving discounts lower with movers to capacity

This year with capacity stretched, van lines are forcing discounts down during high demand.  In the past discounts have been lowered to small degree, but this year the highest discounted shipments may not be a priority load.  Smaller shipments (under 4,000 to 5,000 lb)  as well, are being priced with much lower discounts or offered a "crate and ship" option at a premium price. 

We expect this pricing to continue through the summer as the capacity issues in June spill over into July and eventually August.  As a result, be prepared to pay a little more for your household goods move this summer.

Consumers Relocation Box Store

Shop for your moving boxes online with Consumers Relocation!  We have partnered with a new fulfillment company to supply boxes and moving supplies to our customers at excellent prices.  Your boxes will be shipped anywhere in the US.  Just visit our website at www.consumersrelocation.com and click on the Box Store icon.  

June booking volume surged dramatically

Available dates for loading in June are getting fewer and fewer,  In the past 5 days, availability for dates to be packed and loaded have dwindled tremendously, and the first half of June is pretty much booked solid with most van lines. 

Second half of June is closing out quickly as well with many movers. In some cases if the van line has availability for moving the local agents do not have the ability to service the move at origin. 

As one mover put it. we have 10 pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag.

For people just starting to plan their move and get estimates, we advise they now push their move into July!  Getting on their move planning now and pushing the move to July will better insure greater availability at this point.

Trends with smaller household goods shipments

During the Great Recession the moving industry contract as did many other industries.  Most van lines and local agents reduced their assets as well as their employees.  Capacity as a result was reduced across the board.  With the rebound of the economy and the improving real estate market van lines are scrambling to cover the increased demand on their services. 

During the past several years smaller shipments periodically ended up being picked up by a local agent, brought to their warehouse in anticipation that room on a van line truck would be found to the longer interstate shipment.  Some of these shipments ended up being delayed in loading and delivery.  Van lines are working on better ways to accommodate these smaller shipments in a more effective proactive way.

Most van lines are offering customers what is known as "crate and freight" among other names.  In actuality, these shipments when properly planned for are a great solution.  Many of the companies offering these services will pack shipments under say 4000 lb. into liftvans; which are used as "crates" for international shipments.  What is called an "international pack" is utilized in packing the items. An international pack is one that is very carefully done due to the rigors of shipping household goods overseas on ships.  This provides a very good solution to the smaller shipment logistics. 

When receiving estimates the local company will offer these services if their van line offers. and provide pricing for this service.  There may be added charges for this type of service due to the amount of packing and the more specialized way of handling.  One van line told me recently that the military actually considers this method a "premium service" and pays accordingly.

Call Consumers Relocation for more information on moving during this busy moving season.

Busy moving season started early

The 2015 moving season started early in most parts of the country.  April proved to be a busy month for many van lines.  It looks like its going to continue throughout the summer.

Fueled by an improving real estate market, it seems houses were selling earlier and that moving dates were being pushed up.  May has proven to be a very busy month with most van lines closing out availability by mid month.

June moves should choose and book with a mover as soon as possible,  The first week in June is very tight, and the balance of the month is expected to fill up quickly.

Due to CRS' priority with the Van Lines, we can in many cases. get moving dates that most people or smaller accounts can not on there own.  Call early to plan your move to insure you can move when you want to.

Also, plan on discounts on moves declining as movers have less available moving dates.  Many van lines have been saying that this year they plan to not discount as much during the summer months.  If you had an estimate done earlier in the year, and the effective period of that estimate has expired, plan on the cost of the move being revised upwards when you as for your estimate to be updated.