Advertising a Moving Company

Winter is upon us and many moving companies see a drop in business with the change of the weather. Now is the time to work on advertising your moving company. Many movers spend all spring ramping up for the moving season. Think of winter as your chance to ramp up towards advertising season.

We have put a lot of time and effort into our moving company advertising and moving company search engine optimization. Of course there is the biggest and best advertising yet, Google Local Business Listings. Often these improvements take weeks if not months to filter through the internet. To make a difference in your business for summer, now is the time to start.

Of course much of our effort was before the American Moving Labor Professionals Association came along.  We have learned a lot of things from them and we share a lot of information on their forums. Little tricks and secrets like how to get Google to find your website and list it in days instead of months.

If you are a moving labor service the AMLPA wants to help you like they have helped us. We had advertising companies trying to charge us anywhere from $60-200 a month to help us with our online mover's listings. The AMLPA offers all that free to any of its members.

Trust me, membership in the AMLPA has done more than just save us time and money, it made us a more profitable and better company.

Skating on Fountain Square

We were in downtown Cincinnati doing an apartment move and noticed that they were doing some construction work on Fountain Square. Once again its that time of year when they convert the Square into one big ice skating rink.

If you aren't familiar with this tradition the city builds a fair sized ice rink and its open to the public for skating. It opens on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2009. They charge $2.50 for admission and $2.50 if you need to rent skates.

Ohio State Buckeyes Special

OSU 21 - Michigan 10

4WeHelp Cincinnati movers are celebrating a 6th consecutive Ohio State University win over Michigan. We knew our Bucks could do it and the interceptions at the end were awesome.

Show your Buckeye pride and get $25 off any move this year.

Just say "BUCKS WIN" when you schedule your move.

(If you are a Michigan fan let us know and you will get the $25 pity discount)

Use up that leftover bubble wrap

There is only one person in this world who loves bubble wrap more than our boss does. That would be my 7 year old son.

Of course with a little bit of imagination you can come up with more uses for bubble wrap than protecting your china or amusing a child. Here are a few different ideas for you and your leftover bubble wrap.

1. Protecting plants - You can wey a paper towel and wrap it around the stem and roots of plants, then use bubble wrap to protect the plant and hold in the moisture.
2. Camping - If you plan to rough it in the woods, make your sleeping on the ground a bit more bearable by placing your sleeping bag on top of a sheet of bubble wrap. 
   
3. Storing broken glass - When you break a glass it may shatter into a thousand pieces. Bubble wrap can hold the pieces until you can find a sturdy trash can to throw them in.
4. Toolbox lining - Putting bubble wrap in your tool box will keep your tools from banging around and being so loud. It also helps to reduce scratches and rust on your tools.
5. Decoration. Because of its unique raised texture, bubble wrap can be used to paint rooms. Simply dip the desired length and shape of bubble wrap into paint and apply to your wall. Try applying the bubble wrap in various directions to create a different visual affect.
6. Play - This is my son's favorite and I have to admit it is a lot of fun. The Japanese even created an everlasting bubble wrap toy! For a homemade version just cut the bubble wrap into tiny squares, and then insert a rubber band through a hole in the corner.
7. Lining - Popped bubble makes a great lining under carpets and doormats.
8. Insulation -  Bubble wrap will help keep drinks or food cold.
   
9. Protect the fruits and vegetables - Put bubble wrap in the vegetable drawer of your fridge. Then they aren't as likely to be bruised on the hard plastic surface of the crisper drawer
10. Staying dry - Tie flattened bubble wrap around boots or shoes when traveling through snow or mud. This keeps out the wetness and helps keep in the warmth. It is like an extra layer of waterproof insulation
11. Wrap children's gifts - We know kids like bubble wrap so why not use it instead of wrapping paper for presents.
12.  Window insulation - Taping sheets of bubble wrap over your windows is a fairly good insulation that keeps heat in and cold drafts out.
13. Recycle - Lots of places recycle bubble wrap, just ask at your local recycling center. If they don't take it you can mail it to the Sealed Air Corporation (the maker of bubble wrap). They make new bubble wrap out of it.
    

If you have any other great ideas for bubble wrap, leave us a comment!

Do you need help loading a Budget moving truck?

Are you loading a Budget truck in Cincinnati? Then you have come to the right place.

Budget Truck Rental offers good trucks at fair prices. There are other companies that are better known but ask any moving labor company and they will explain why Budget has good trucks.

With all the different truck rental companies out there, an experienced moving company will know those differences and how to pack the different kinds of truck. One of the big differences with a Budget Truck is how your belongings need to be packed and tied off because of the height of the cargo area.

If you aren't looking for movers in Cincinnati you can find insured and experienced movers across the United States to help you load your Budget rental truck at www.amlpa.org

Cincinnati's Music Hall

In 2007 we had a chance to be the moving company of The Cincinnati Ballet offices. While we were there we got a chance to see some of Music Hall. If you haven't been we really recommend a trip.

Cincinnati's Music Hall was designed by Samuel Hannaford and built in 1878. Since then it has been home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Ballet. Many experts believe that Music Hall is not only the most beautiful concert hall in the world, but more importantly the most acoustically theater in the world.

Whether you are new to Cincinnati or a native, Music Hall should be one of those places on your list of places to see. Both the ballet and symphony also have programs for families.

Cincinnati Wins Cash for Cans

We like sharing news about our hometown. Cincinnati. This morning "Keep America Beautiful" and the American Council Of Mayors gave Cincinnati The American Recycler Video Award.

Check out all the videos in the running.

Here is Cincinnati's award winning video.

Video Moving Tip - Moving Lamps and Light Fixtures

As Cincinnati's #1 Moving Company, we want to share our experience with our customers so that they can have the very best move possible.

Today's moving tip is all about moving lamps and light fixtures. Getting a lamp or light fixture ready to move is pretty simple.

Step 1: First remove any any lapshades and box them.
Step 2: Because a moving truck is constantly vibrating light bulbs can easily come loose and shatter from those vibrations. Remove any light bulbs from all your lamps. Also make sure to check entertainment centers, cabinets or any other furniture that might have a light bulb.
Step 3: and other items to prevent shattering during your move. What most customers don't know is that the inside of a moving truck is constantly vibrating.
Step 4: If you are moving a floor lamp, take it apart. Many tall lamps have sections that come apart to make them easier to move. If you leave a floor lamp as one long piece it is more likely to be bent or broken.
Step 5: Wrap any cords around the base and tape the ends so they don't come loose or get tangled.

Atlantis Sculpture at Summit Behavorial Center

In 2006 Rubenstein Studios chose our company as the Cincinnati Movers for their "Atlantis" sculpture. One of our movers mentioned how much fun that was and that we should post a picture of it.

The Atlantis project was commissioned by Summit Behavioral Center here in Cincinnati. With months of work behind him, Barton Rubenstein finished his his sculpture and loaded it into two different rental trucks. After traveling more than 500 miles the 13 pieces of stainless steel arrived in Cincinnati. When we opened the trucks they were a web of ropes and supports, hanging in those supports were the beautiful pieces of metal. We carried them into the assembly area one at a time and laid them on soft blankets so the highly polished steel wasn't blemished. With each piece weighing several hundred pounds it took several of our crew to move each piece.

Once they were safely inside, the assembly began. With some pieces being 25' tall, the plan was moving and erecting them would take 3-4 days. Each piece was raised, measured to make sure it was in exactly the right place and then lowered again so foot deep holes could be drilled to put the steel supports into. Once the holes we drilled and the bolts in place we lifted the pieces and lowered them on their support bases. We used 3 crews in tandem, a total of 6 men to get the job done in 2 days, half the time we planned. When all was done, this is what it looked like...

Choosing a mobile storage unit

As Cincinnati's #1 rated moving labor service we are often asked about the various different moving containers. They are also sometimes called "mobile storage". We thought it might help to give a break down of the various different companies.

UPDATE: Since originally writing this review, UNITS Mobile Storage has contacted us and told us they will offer our Cincinnati costumers $25 off. Just tell them 4WeHelp movers sent you.

UNITS Mobile Storage are our personal favorite. Very well constructed, use steel and aluminum. They have the track system every few feet so that you have plenty of places to tie off and you can use rope or straps with them. Lowest price but small national network.

PODS is the biggest and best known but in our opinion the cheapest construction. That doesn't matter to you as a consumer, just something we notice because we load/unload them constantly. They use eyelets for tie off which are ridiculous and useless. They are basically small steel rings at the top and bottom of the brace beams on the wall. The eyelets are spaced about 4 feet along the wall and only show up twice. Even a professional has a hard time making his walls line up just in time to use one of the only sets of eyelets so they are useless. Price is a little on the high side but they have the widest network.

ABF ReloCubes are pretty good. Metal construction but small. No tie offs but they are small enough you don't really need them. They measure 6x8 so it takes about 2 of them to equal a pod. Mid price range but good network. These are great if you live in a city or congested area where a larger container can't be dropped.

Pack-Rat is good. Metal construction and comes in the standard 12ft and 16ft lengths. Their pricing seems to vary more than the others, often much higher or much lower than other quotes.

GetaSam is the same 16ft length as many others. Their construction is average and so is the pricing. We haven't seen many of these in Cincinnati and their network seems to be smaller than PODS and ABF.

Whatever your choice, find a solution that works in your budget and what you need to accomplish. It doesn't matter if a POD is the cheapest but you can't get a parking space to leave it downtown or if the ABF Relocube fits but is to small for everything in your 4 bedroom house.

AMLPA Membership Drive

The AMLPA has announced a membership drive until the end of 2009. The American Moving Labor Professionals Assocation is a NON-PROFIT group that works to raise standards for all moving labor services.

Moving labor companies that join receive benefits like advertising advice, website design help, special discounts on insurance and credit card processing and a moving forum where you are free to ask and speak whatever you like.

If you join before the 12/31/2009 the membership fees are half of the normal dues. Non-Certified Membership is $50 and Certified Membership is $100. All membership levels enjoy the same benefits.

Of course the greatest benefit is being part of a network of movers nationwide that refers business to you for FREE.

Click here to join.

Box Springs and why a king bed is easier to move

As movers in Cincinnati we get to visit a lot of beautiful, older homes. While certainly beautiful with their style and hardwood floors, sometimes our customers find that their furniture will not fit up a narrow or winding stairwell.

First a little explanation. If you house was built before 1950 it was built with a completely different person in mind. The average American weighed less and slept in beds half the size we do. They may have had a single large piece of furniture but most were smaller than 4 or 5 feet tall. Most people slept in twin beds and if a married couple wanted to share a bed they simply pushed their two individual beds together.

Many people do not think about trying to move a bed up stairs because we think of our beds as being soft and flexible. That is the somewhat the case for a mattress but obviously not for the box spring. Box springs are normally a wood or steel frame with fabric stretched over it. Without the support a box spring gives your matters, your sleep will be much less comfortable.

King size mattresses always come with a "split box", meaning the box spring is in two identical pieces. These are very easy to move and most king mattresses have a hinge that allows them to be folded in half so they fit through smaller doorways or hallways Queen beds however do not and they are the mattress size we see most often as a moving company in Cincinnati.

There is a simple solution for all this. Many mattress stores sell a "split box" for queen size beds. When you buy your next bed make sure you ask for one. They may cost a little extra but they are worth it. If you already have a queen size matress and need to find a split box for it here in Cincinnati try The Original Mattress Factory or Cincinnati Craigslist

Don't use newspapers for wrapping fine china

Recently we unloading a rental truck our customer had an unusual problem. She had used regular newspaper to wrap her fine china and collectibles. When she unwrapped her good dishes some had text from the newsprint on then.

While newspaper is great for protecting dishes from breaking, it is also good for staining porcelain. Think of it this way. Have you ever read a newspaper and noticed your hands had black powder on them? That is the same substance that stains your dishes.

If you have dishes that can be scrubbed, it will easily come off. Collectibles and fine porcelain are not so easy to clean. The best way to pack your fragile items is to use plain packing paper. It is basically newspaper without any printing or ink on it.

If you need help with any packing or moving questions, feel free to ask by leaving a comment.

Loading or unloading a Penske truck in Cincinnati?

If you are loading a Penske truck in Cincinnati we are the company to call.

First of all, we highly recommend Penske Truck Rental. The guys with the orange trucks like to make a lot of claims but any moving labor service will tell you Penske has much better trucks. Penske also have a nifty little tool to help you pick the right size moving truck.

There are a few differences between truck rental companies and an experienced company will know those differences and how each truck needs to be loaded. Little things that make a big difference like knowing how the rails along the side tie off differently from one kind of truck to another.

If you aren't looking for Cincinnati Movers you can find professional and experienced movers across the United States to help you load your Penske truck at www.amlpa.org

Planning Your Move - Part: 4 Moving Day

Before moving day try to get all of your goodbyes said. For a moving company it can be very frustrating when a neighbor "pops over to say goodbye" and stands in the door as we are trying to carry furniture in or out. Also if we have to find you  everytime we need to know where a piece or furniture or some boxes go, it really slows things down.

A good moving day is a VERY organized moving day.

Last but not least, do not be afraid to friends and family asking for help moving. You probably don't want to have to look after children and direct your movers at the same time. You certainly don't want pets underfoot. Recruit family or friends to help you out.

Some other tips for moving day are...

1. If you are using an elevator, make sure you contact your building management about reserving one. Sharing an elevator will really slow down your move.
   
2. Make sure you have plenty of water or soda, especially if its a hot day.
3. Remember your dishes are packed so have a meal plan
4. If you are moving out of an apartment, many management companies will charge you if your apartment isn't clean so leave cleaning supplies out or hire an apartment cleaning service.
5. Make sure you keep a copy of your inventory with you.
6. Walk through your house before the movers leave and make sure that you didn't forget anything. Check closets, cabinets and shelves.
7. Make sure there is plenty of room for parking a moving truck. If you have to park on the street call your local police department, many have special arrangements for moving trucks.
   
8. If you are towing a car behind a rental truck, leave it at the pick up location so the trailer isn't in the way while you are loading your truck and then they can make sure the car is properly secured on the towing trailer.
9. Leave your car at the drop off location, again so it isn't in the way unloading your truck and then you have a ride home after you drop your truck off.
10. Have your payment ready ahead of time. Some moving companies charge their hourly rate until they are paid and you don't want to have them waiting while you look for your purse or checkbook.
    

With planning and organization you can save time, money and effort with your move.

Planning your move - Part 3: Packing

This step is really the most important. If you decided to hire professional movers to pack your belongings, then the hard part will be done for you. Many moving companies offer a professional packing service. These services are normally very good but also very expensive. Keep in mind though, movers use lots of wrapping and boxes. The average 2 bedroom apartment uses between $200 and $300 in just packing supplies so that is a large part of their costs.

If you are packing yourself here is an easy checklist

1. The first step is to get rid of what you do not need to move. A wise customer once told me that for every item he packed, he asked himself "Is this one item worth half an hour of my life?" He figured that each item needed half an hour to pack/load/unload/unpack. You can sell items you don't need in a garage sale or on Craigslist. If you decide to donate them some charities will even come to pick up larger items like furniture at no charge. Charities are a good way of helping others in need while reducing the time and cost of your move.
   
2. Gather your supplies. If you have friends or family that have moved recently, ask if you can have their leftover boxes and supplies. Some people sell their used boxes and moving supplies through Craigslist. Instead of buying bubble wrap, use crumpled newspaper, bedding and towels for fragile items.
3. Start packing as far in advance as possible. Many families make a goal of packing one room or a set number of boxes every day. This way it doesn't become overwhelming and you aren't scrambling to do everything at the last minute.
4. Try to use standard size moving boxes. Uses dozens of oddly shaped or different sized boxes will make it harder for your movers to pack the truck neatly and safely.
   
5. Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in larger boxes. What you don't want is to have a large box that is to fragile to stack other boxes on and to heavy to stack other boxes underneath.
6. Mark your boxes clearly. If you are reusing boxes take a piece of colored tape and cover old labels so they don't confuse your movers. Be sure to label fragile items and mark boxes with an arrow pointing up if they need to stay upright.
7. Box your lampshades and take the lighbulbs out of any lamps you are moving. This is the best way to protect them during your move.
8. Separate fragile boxes and put them in a special area, then point that out to your movers.
   
9. Clean out and defrost your refrigerator the night before your move. If you put a dirty fridge on a moving truck it may smell very badly when it comes off because their was no electric to keep it running and cold.
   
10. Leave items you will need on the day of your move to pack last. Pack a box of documents you might need in case of emergency and make sure it stays with you.
11. If you have kids make sure you leave a few items out for them to play with.

Packing may be the most daunting part of your move but with good preparation you will do a good job.

Featured member of AMLPA

Our company has been featured as one of the top moving labor services in America for November 2009 by the American Moving Labor Professionals Association. This is a huge honor for us and even though we just found out about it today, we wanted to toot our own horn.  Because this honor only lasts for one month, here is a copy from the AMLPA website.

Each month, the AMLPA will proudly spotlight one of our certified members that continually goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide excellent service. The featured Certified Member for November 2009 is:

4WeHelp Movers of Cincinnati, Ohio

About Our Featured Company:
4WeHelp Moving Services is a local moving labor company that has been providing Cincinnati movers since 2004. 4WeHelp movers are never inexperienced temporary workers or day laborers. This guarantees that your movers are always friendly and courteous professionals. We are fully insured and that is always included, we never have any hidden charges.

As the first licensed moving labor service in Cincinnati, over the years we have moved several athletes and celebrities. Our favorite is Cincinnati Bengals players Jonathan Luigs, he and his family were about the best customers anyone could ask for. We have also moved the Cincinnati Ballet and one of our favorite moves, the "Atlantis" sculpture at the Summit Behavioral Center.

We strive to be the best moving choice in the Cincinnati area. That is why we joined the AMLPA. We knew that we had a good business but we wanted to make our service even better. With the help the AMLPA has provide us, we are definitely the best moving service in Cincinnati.


If you want to see the current http://amlpa.org/members/featured-member

Planning Your Move - Part 2: Choosing a Mover

Choosing your mover can be the hardest part of your move. With budgeting and the rest of your planning you can rely on numbers and facts. With hiring a mover the choice is often based on reputation and word of mouth.

Regardless of what you decide, you should contact several respected local movers and ask for a free estimate. Be suspicious of quotes done over the internet or phone, low-ball estimates and references you cannot verify. If you are looking for a moving labor service they often provide service at an hourly rate. Here are a few things to consider when you choose a moving company.

1) Are their any local services that provide ratings of moving services. Google Local and Angie's List are good places to start. Many people check the local Better Business Bureau but the BBB is a service that a business can pay to join and improve their ratings.
2) Ask if they have different pricing for weekdays versus weekends. Some moving companies charge more if you move on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
3) Ask what their insurance claims policy is. Some movers have a $500 deductible or only cover the value of your belongings up to $0.60 a pound.
4) Check if the movers are member's of any professional organizations. A company that isn't a member of any organizations may not meet the criteria to join one. These organizations are often self policing and the best judge of a company's reputation.
5) Ask if they charge any additional fees for stairs or to move any large or unusual items you might have.

4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers partners with Maid In Cincinnati

For years we have been helping Cincinnati with both moving and cleaning services. Cleaning has always been a very small part of our moving company. Earlier this month we realized that Google had combined one of our online listings with another local company that provides residential cleaning services. As you can imagine this caused a lot of confusion for us and our customers.

We had quite a few conversations with the ladies at Maid in Cincinnati. After talking to them we decided that we could refer business to a cleaning company that would do an excellent job and allow us to focus on continuing to be the best movers in Cincinnati.

Since October 10th we have been notifying our current customers of the change and today we make it public.