Questions to ask a mover before you hire them...

So you have been putting it off but you cannot wait any longer. You are moving and you need to choose your movers. So how do you decide which moving company to pick?

While we would love for you to trust that you don't have to look any further than 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers, we realize people will shop around. And there is nothing wrong with that. Here are a few things you should ask and don't hire a moving company that doesn't give you the right answers.

Questions to ask your movers before you hire them:

1. Are you a broker or the actually company that will move me?
   A broker is a company that charges you a fee to subcontract the work to someone else. Often they charge the real movers a fee too. This fee may be hidden but you are paying it. UHaul and many other large companies offer broker services that you should avoid if at all possible. Real movers easy to find, check your local yellow pages or Google Maps.
2. Are you members of any professional associations?
   It is relatively simple to buy an old UHaul truck, get a cell phone number, put an ad on Craigslist and call yourself a mover. One of the hardest things to do is join a professional moving organization if you aren't really professional movers. Organizations like the AMLPA and AMSA verify and certify their members. Cheap movers, the ones you don't want in your home won't meet their standards and can never be a member.
3. Do you give binding estimates?
   A company that only gives you non-binding estimates is a BIG red flag. A non-binding estimate means they can change the price when your move is over. Always request a guaranteed price before your move and in writing. Never sign an estimate that isn't completely filled out and never feel pressured for a decision. A real moving company's price should be the same whether you decide tonight or tomorrow.
4. Will you send someone to survey my move?
   This means they physically send someone to your home to look over your move and get an exact idea of what is involved. Movers do this for a few reasons. It helps eliminate surprises which keeps the customer happy and protects their reputation. It allows them to quote a fair and accurate price. A real mover makes their estimate based on how hard your move will be, how much your items will way, how much space they will take up and how long it will take to move everything. Anything done online or over the phone is just a guess. Doesn't your family and their belongings deserve better?
5. Is your company licensed and insured?
   Cheap movers are cheap for a reason. They skip on permits, workers compensation, and licenses established by your state's government to protect you. Licensing have to be approved and renewed every year. Insurance premiums have to be paid up or the policy will lapse. Of course they claim to have all this but the documents may no longer be valid. Again, this is where members of a professional organization like the AMLPA make a difference. If a moving company doesn't have these, odds are when you have a problem they just disappear and you are left with no recourse.
6. Do you offer different levels of service?
   Many moving companies offer different levels of service to fit different budgets. Some customers prefer to pack theit boxes themselves and get those boxes from the grocery store. Other customers are willing to pay more for a company that provides packing services using professional moving boxes. Still other customers may want help unpacking and organizing too. Decide which is for you and make sure thats included in your quote.
7. Where can I get references?
   Ratings online are easy to fake. Websites like the Better Business Bureau give companies who pay a membership fee the highest ratings. Websites run by truck rental companies let anyone join and don't verify their claims are honest and factual. Any company can give you the phone numbers of friends or families and pretend they are former customers. Unless you are members of a paid service like Angie's List, it is hard to trust references these days. Check with any government run websites that may regulate movers in your state (like http://www.puco.ohio.gov in Ohio). The best way to find good references is to ask people you trust like friends and family.

Moving can be stressful but being comfortable with your movers and the service they provide is a good way to have a great move.

Emergeny Moving Service - WE FIX BAD MOVES

Even during the slow winter season we receive a few calls every month that start out like this...

"I hired some movers off Craigslist because they advertised how cheap they were. They haven't shown up and I have to be out of my apartment today. Is there anyway you can help me?"

Of course the story changes somewhat but the situation doesn't. Whether is is your help didn't show and they did show but you are afraid to let them near your family, We fix the problems caused by cheap movers!

We realize with the bad economy everyone tries to save money anywhere they can.

We know that it will cost you more in the long run to hire cheap labor but you have to try.

We understand nothing we can say is going to keep people from hiring illegal workers and cheap movers.

So when you have that nightmare situation call us. WE FIX BAD MOVES!

We offer emergency service throughout Cincinnati. Our emergency moving service will have real, uniformed and insured movers at your door in 3 hours or less. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For full details about our emergency moving service go to our website at http://www.4wehelp.com/emergency-moving-service/

UNITS Mobile Storage of Cincinnati

Often our customers need to find short term storage for their belongings. It may be because they are remodeling or that they have sold their former home and they cannot move into a new home yet. Whatever the reason you are between homes, we have a possible solution for you


Traditionally you would hire us to help you move out of your home and into a storage space. Then we would hire us again to move you out of the storage space and back into your home. 

As an alternative we often recommend UNITS Mobile Storage of Cincinnati for short term storage.


Basically the way it works is that UNITS will deliver a very well designed storage container to your home or business. 

Step 1: 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers will load your home into the UNIT. 
Step 2: The UNIT can then stay on your property or UNITS will take it to their climate controlled warehouse.
Step 3: When you are ready they deliver it and 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers return to unload it. 

With this alternative you are only loading and unloading once.


Many of our customers have been very happy with their service. If you have any questions about UNITS contact Gordon at (513) 242-8648 and tell them 4WeHelp sent you.

Two long weekends

We have had two long weekends in a row, which is exciting as this time of year is normally slow (if you say that out loud it rhymes).

We will be posting more tips and have a few more things coming up. Until we have a bit more time for that, we just wanted to post and that everyone again for their business.

Thanks Cincinnati!

Cincinnati Reds offer 4 pack of tickets with a ballcap

We love to help people moving to Cincinnati find fun things to do. One of the best promotions we have seen around here is the new Cincinnati Reds 4 Pack of tickets.

Basically you get a total of 4 tickets to 4 different games (Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Indians). Prices start at $28 for bleacher seats which is $7 a ticket, decent deal but nothing spectacular. Then the Reds through in a ballcap from a different Red's era for each game. That is 4 different hats! Then on top of everything else you get vouchers for 4 free McDonald's value meals.

Let's review because the Reds don't explain it well in their TV commercials. Each person gets 4 tickets to 4 different games,  4 different Reds ballcaps and 4 free value meals at McDonald's. All for $28 per person.

Now we aren't big fans of McDonald's but the hats alone are worth the $28. If you like some of us who have constantly complained about the cost of a family outing to the Great American Ball Park, this is definitely a big help.

A family of three, with the online service charges,  can go to 4 games, get souvenirs and eat for about $26 a family outing. That is an awesome deal. And if you want to upgrade to better seats, it is still a decent discount.

Kudos to whoever in the Cincinnati Reds that came up with this one.

For more info go to Reds.com

Moving in the snow

We have been fairly busy for this time of year and even with the snow it isn't that bad to be a  mover in Cincinnati. We just want to remind people of a few things they should do if they are moving in the snow.

1. Shovel walkways and then brush them clean with a broom. A lot of people try to back up their trucks to a garage door. That doesn't work because the height of the truck makes the ramp to high to walk up without hitting your head on the garage ceiling. It also makes it to high to carry anything big up. There is no way of getting around it and doing the work of removing your snow. Also make sure you have salt for the ramp because they do get icy.
2. Protect your floors. Most home improvement stores sell a sticky plastic roll that is great on carpet but can sometimes take the finish off wood floors. For wood floors use red rosin paper and tape it down (you can't use paper on carpet, the ink can discolor carpet).
3. Make sure you move all your houseplants in your car. Putting them in the truck, even for a few hours can kill them when it really cold.
4. Wine should be moved in a warm vehicle, and kept out of freezing temperatures.  Remember wine should be kept at about 55 degrees.  Anything less than that will affect the taste and value of your wine.
   
5. Make sure you have a good doormat or a few towels for your movers to wipe their feet. Smart movers never remove their shoes, its just not safe
   
6. If it is actively snowing while you move, keep a broom handy and sweep the walks before the snow has a chance to collect.
7. Make sure your heat system works before you move in. You don't want to show up on moving day and have to worry about finding a HVAC repair company in the middle of your move.
8. Get some bottled water and leave it at room temperature. As movers we don't want hot water but when its cold we don't want cold water either. We appreciate it when the customers do little things like that.
   

Really, it is common sense when you move in cold weather. Just keep safety in mind and ask your movers, they will be able to help you make the right decisions when moving this winter.

Real Moving Help for those who REALLY need it.

The economy for the past two years has been hard on many of us. People have lost their homes and many businesses have gone bankrupt. We are thankful that while times have been hard, our little moving company has survived.

We have definitely noticed a change in the moving industry. We have seen many customers lose there homes and not be able to afford to take all their belongings with them. In years past we had seen many moving from an apartment into a house. This past year it seemed the exact opposite, many moving from a house into an apartment or with family.

We have also seen many people who simply could not afford to move. Either through foreclosure or job loss they had to make a change. They take a few of their belongings that will fit into their car or a friend's truck and leave everything else behind. That has always bothered us the most. On moving day we often see people at their worst, these situations only magnify that.

We constantly ask our moving crews, "What can we do to offer our customers the best service?"

Our most recent plan is to help those who need our help the most. While we cannot fix the economy or help someone save their house, we can help people move.

Anyone can give money to a charity and claim to support them. We prefer action over words. Since we started as a company, we have worked with Clermont County Senior Services to provide low cost and no cost moves to seniors in need.  This past year we realized there are many more families that need our help.

In 2010 we will offer free moves for charity. We plan to do several of these throughout the year, based on the needs and support of our community. You provide the truck and we will load/unload it anywhere in the Cincinnati area at no charge. If you are moving outside Cincinnati, as AMLPA members, we will assist you in finding trustworthy moving help wherever you are going.

If you or someone you know needs moving help, let us know. Send us at least a page describing the situation and why you think we should help them. Please include photos of their home.

You can email your story and photos to charity@4wehelp.com. Of course the more support we get, the more we can do. If you are a charity or business  that would like to work with us, you are also welcome to contact us.