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News, Tips & Updates

Avoid These 6 Major Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Mover

7/20/2017

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Let's get real: Moving is stressful. And when you're busy finding a new place to live, selling your current home, and then packing up your entire life, selecting the crew who will move your stuff is likely last on your to-do list. That's ironic, because you'll be entrusting them with all your life's possessions.

Even if you manage to hook up with the most amazing moving company ever, they can't promise bad stuff won't happen. But you can prevent some unnecessary duress if you have the right team in place. The process starts by schooling yourself in what not to do.

​Read on for the top mistakes people make when hiring a mover.
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​1. Waiting too long

So you wait until the weekend before your move to make those calls to moving companies—after all, who cares? Well, if you procrastinate on your search, you won't leave any time to do adequate research and get estimates. That means you might not get the best rate (spoiler: Moving's expensive!), and worse—you could get scammed.
"There are times when last-minute booking can’t be avoided, but frequently it's just a task that's put off too long, delaying selecting a mover can reduce your options—and unfortunately, unlicensed and unethical operators rely on this aspect of human nature to take advantage of consumers."
Take the time to get three in-home written estimates, we recommend— time permitted, visit the moving company in advance of making your final decision.

​2. Being a total cheapskate

No, you don't want to pay more than you have to for a move. But beware of being too budget-conscious.

"The largest mistake you can make is going with the cheapest estimate, the cheapest bid typically means that the company uses casual, inexperienced labourers who don't care a whole lot about your things."

Conversely, higher-end estimates almost always assure trained, professional, and experienced crews who will show up, smiles on their faces, and move your stuff safely and efficiently.

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In other words: "If there is a hiccup, they will figure it out, they're not leaving your stuff on the front lawn. Disreputable movers often lure customers with lowball prices and then hit them with unreasonable charges or, in extreme cases, even hold their belongings for ransom." Yikes.

​3. Not asking the right questions beforehand

A professional mover will be happy to answer any questions you may have, so if they seem uncertain or won’t give you straight answers, that’s probably a mover to avoid.

​Ask them about the moving process so you understand what they will be doing and when they will be doing it, from start to finish.
Ask the following questions before selecting a moving company:
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  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • Are you a certified professional mover who meets the standards of the American Moving & Storage Association?
  • Are you a member of your state’s moving association?
  • What price are you willing to put in writing as a "not to exceed" threshold price?
  • What are the dates you can commit to for pickup and delivery for my move?
  • Can you give me some references of people you have recently moved?
  • How are your crews selected?
  • What actions do you take to ensure that the people who come into my home are skilled, professional, and safe?

​4. Falling for fakes

The internet is awesome. right? Whether you're looking for comprehensive info on the best mortgage rates, or you simply must know immediately why your dog's paws smell like corn chips, the web is there for you.

And it's there for you to find your next mover, too. But we shouldn't have to tell you that online info can lead you astray. Double check your info by getting moving company referrals from an industry trade association or use a site that verifies and vets moving companies.

Another word of caution: Beware of blindly trusting that the company you're hiring is who it says it is: "Some disreputable movers try to lure customers in by using names that are similar to reputable companies. Check the reputable company's website to make sure the local agent is affiliated with the brand name it is claiming." Also be warned to carefully consider low estimates from a company that hasn't been in business long—even if its Yelp profile seems solid.
"Responsible moving companies will provide in-home estimates and explain why the pricing is the way it is," The lack of a physical, local address is a telltale sign of a fake mover. Here are other red flags:
  • No federal motor carrier number, which shows the mover is registered with the federal government for a state-to-state move
  • Movers who refuses to visit your home to provide a written estimate for an interstate move
  • Companies that use unmarked, generic trucks
  • Movers who seem uncertain or unresponsive, especially when asked about their claims process if something gets damaged or lost
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​5. Agreeing to pay a deposit or pay in cash

If you're moving across town, this one's a huge red flag.

"Typically you should not be required to pay a deposit to have your items moved, most companies request payment at the time of delivery." If you're moving out of province, your moving company could request a deposit. But make sure it's reasonable. Avoid movers that demand cash instead of allowing payment by credit card.
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Advanced Floor Care: How to Polish Hardwood Floors

7/7/2017

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​What You Need to Know

An important part of hardwood floor maintenance, learning how to polish hardwood floors yourself adds extra beauty, shine and longevity to your floors. Applying polish on hardwood floors helps to restore a floor’s protective layer of finish and is a simple project that can be done by most people. Learning how to polish hardwood floors yourself is a relatively quick, cheap and easy way to properly maintain hardwood floors.
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Polishing vs. Refinishing

It’s important to know the difference between polishing a hardwood floor and refinishing one. Both tasks are similar, but when you polish a hardwood floor, you are keeping the finish that is on the floor intact—polishing a hardwood floor restores a floor’s existing finish, filling in microscopic scratches and evening out the appearance of the floor. When you refinish a hardwood floor, you are completely removing the floor’s existing finish and replacing it.

Advanced Tips

  1. Use Bona Polish to add a protective new layer, fill in micro scratches and even out the appearance of your floor.
  2. Always test polish in an inconspicuous section of the floor before spreading it on the entire floor.
  3. When applying polish to your floor, use the “feathering” technique to ensure a smooth finish without lines or “start and stop” marks.
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How Often Should I Clean and Polish My Floor?

Cleaning as often as you can will help minimize the dirt and dust on your floors that can act like sandpaper and wear your floor.  Bona’s line of specially-formulated polishes can be used multiple times per year. Frequency of use depends entirely on the amount of traffic your floor sees, but typical homeowner floor maintenance is every two to four months.

How Long Will Cleaning and Polishing Take?

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The length of time to clean and polish depends on the size of your wood floors.  It is a very quick and easy process when using Bona Cleaner and Bona Polish. 

Bona Polish provides a protective layer and evens out the sheen. It is an incredibly simple DIY project. No special equipment is needed. Simply remove furniture and rugs, then sweep, vacuum or dust mop your floor, and give it a wet cleaning with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Then squirt Bona Polish onto the floor, spread it with an applicator and allow it to dry. Let it dry one hour before you walk on it, and 24 hours before subjecting it to heavy traffic.

​Prepping Your Space

  1. Remove all furniture and belongings in the room. Clear the area. Be cautious when moving large objects and furniture. If possible, use furniture pads to help protect the floor from accidental scratches and gouges.
  2. Give the floors a good clean. Dust and mop your floors. Make sure the floor is completely dry before applying the polish.  If necessary, discreetly test the polish on a small portion of the floor.
  3. Make sure you have all the right tools. Polishes can be applied with an applicator pad or a high-density foam roller. Check the polish instructions to make sure you have all that you need to finish the job.
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Applying the Polish

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  1. Work in small sections. When applying the polish to your hardwood floor, work in small sections to keep the applicator pad/roller wet. Be sure to smooth out the polish along the grain of the wood.
  2.  Use a feathering technique. To avoid stripes of uneven polish on your floor, take a cue from interior painting and feather out the polish so that you have smooth transitions as you move from section to section.
  3. Plan your exit. Make sure you don’t paint yourself in a corner. Know in advance how you’re going to break up the floor. If possible, have a helper apply polish along the perimeter of the rooms while you follow close behind.

Finishing the Job

Once you’re finished, allow at least one hour for the polish to dry before the floor is exposed to light traffic. The polish should dry completely after 24 hours, making it ready for heavy traffic. Polishing your hardwood floor is recommended every few months, but this suggestion will vary based on how much foot traffic the floor experiences. Bona offers floor polishes and tools for hardwood, stone, tile and laminate. Hardwood furniture polish is also available to keep your rooms looking beautiful.

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    Authors

    Mark Jauck, Owner/Builder
    ​Andrea Jauck, Luxury Realtor, Pinnacle Group Real Estate Marketing

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