Figuring Out Your Roommate Situation

College Moving

College is an Entirely New Experience

Going to college for the first time can be exciting, but it can also be terrifying.

What should you expect? Are you ready for the coursework? What about the party scene? Will you have local Tucson movers get all of your stuff in there?

There’s a lot to think about and a lot to worry about. One thing that can be especially worrisome for college prospects is the thought of sharing a room with someone else.

But honestly? There’s one big thing you can do to make your roommate situation go as smoothly as possible.

Talk About Your Expectations

In most cases, you’ll be given your roommate’s name ahead of time. You can use this to try to reach out to him through Facebook before your college orientation actually starts. This can make things a little less tense, because you’ll get to know your roommate before you guys have to deal with living with each other.

If you guys keep talking past the icebreakers, this could also be a really good time to ask him what he’s expecting from the college experience. Is he going to want to go out and party all the time? What are his thoughts on doing the dishes? Does he see himself as a clean person or a messy one?

You may or may not like what you find out about your roommate. But either way, it’s much better to find this stuff out before you move in, than to have it be a huge surprise during your second week of classes.

Communicate Your Feelings Throughout the Year

Communication doesn’t end when the semester starts, though. You’re also going to want to make sure you’re communicating your expectations throughout the year.

Your roommate situation shouldn’t be a source of stress — you’ll probably get plenty of that elsewhere due to schoolwork, if nothing else — so you want to make sure you and your roommate are respecting each other’s boundaries.

If you two talk about your problems and can’t come to a compromise, there’s no need to worry. Roommate transfers are very common, especially during the first year.

Need Help Moving Into Your Dorm?

Of course, before you get a roommate, you have to get to college! If you need help moving into your dorm, trust Zooz Moving. Give us a call at (520) 447-0900 or fill out this contact form.

The Ultimate Guide to Interstate Moving

Interstate Moving
Moving from one state to the other? That means you’re making an interstate move. (This is the opposite of an intrastate move, which essentially means you’re moving within the state.)

If you’re making an interstate move, there are a couple things you’re going to want to know. An interstate move is a big undertaking, due to both the distance involved and the fact that you are crossing state boundaries. Therefore, we’ve written this post to inform you some of the things you might want to know about the interstate moving process.

Now’s a Good Time to Get Rid of What You Don’t Need

Over time, there are a lot of objects that accumulate in our day-to-day lives. Clothes, furniture, books, and movies. If you have children, the toys by themselves can take up a massive amount of space.

It is hard to get rid of these things.

When you go to throw them out, you might think to yourself, “What if I want this in the future?”

The truth of the matter? You’re not going to want a lot of the stuff you have lying around.

You shouldn’t get rid of the important stuff, of course — the stuff that makes you smile when you look at it, the stuff you use, the mementos for memories you really want to keep. But the truth is, the vast majority of people keep way more stuff around than they need.

When you’re making an interstate move, all that junk can cost you money. So be smart before the move. Get rid of all the stuff you don’t need. By getting rid of junk, you’ll be able to keep some of your hard-earned cash.

Take Care of Your Utilities, Subscriptions, and Billing In Advance

If you’re like most people, a lot of the services that you use rely on your address. You’re going to want to make sure to notify all of them that you’re moving. This will help ensure a smooth transfer process.

Some of these transfers won’t be a big deal, they’ll just be nice. This will ensure that you don’t miss an issue of your newspaper or magazine of choice.

Some of these are much more important. If you don’t get the utilities connected to your new home before you get there, for instance, you may have to go without running water and electricity for the first few days.

Also make sure to contact your old bank and transfer your account to the new one.

 You May Not Have to Pay For the Entirety of Your Interstate Move

If you’re moving because you need to relocate to a new job, there are two ways you can reduce the personal cost for your move.

The first is to reach out to the company you’re moving for. When you’re negotiating salary and benefits with them, it may be worth it to ask if they will help you with relocation expenses. Depending on the size of the company, there is a chance they will have money set aside for that.

Your second option is to use your moving expenses for tax deduction. This only applies if you’re moving for your job, and it comes with both distance and time requirements. Check out this IRS page for more information.

 Find an Interstate Mover You Can Trust

Zooz Moving is always a good option. If you’re looking to get a quote for an interstate move, call us at 520-447-0900, email us at info@zoozmoving.com, or contact us by using this form.

Downsize Your Home in Just 3 Easy Steps

Zooz Moving Guide to Downsizing Your Home

Moving is rarely an easy task. From organizing and labeling moving boxes, to hiring professional movers and packing services, juggling so many responsibilities on moving day can be an overwhelming experience.

For many, one of the most challenging relocations is downsizing from a home to an apartment. On top of decluttering every inch of your home to purging every unwanted item in sight, it may be difficult for you to decide what’s worth taking and why.

This month, we gathered four easy ways you can prepare for your upcoming move:

The Professional Mover’s Guide to Downsizing

Step 1: Can You Use It?

When downsizing your home, the first question you must ask yourself is, “Can I use this item at all?”

There may be items in your home that are broken, torn, or worn out. In other words, they’re no good.

Why not throw them out? Chances are you no longer need ten different Chinese takeout menus or a broken stereo system. Save yourself the added stress of moving old junk and toss anything that no longer serves you. Better yet, make some extra cash by selling your lightly used items. Donate old clothes and furniture to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or homeless shelter.

Step 2: Is It Outdated?

The process of downsizing your home becomes easier when you know what you need to get rid of.

If you have any outdated clothing, electronics, or appliances you’ve been neglecting, you may want to get rid of them. If you haven’t used it for the last two years, it is likely you may never use it again. Go ahead and throw it away.

Step 3: Do You Have Room for It?

Before you start packing, consider the dimensions of your new home.

At first it may seem like you’ll have more space to pack because you have less furniture to move, but that is not always the case. It’s important to take measures of your future home and decide what will and what will not fit. Create a floor plan of your next home in order to make the estimations right.

As you prepare for moving day, know when it is time to let go of belongings that are no longer of use to you.

It may be helpful to think of downsizing as a fresh start for a simpler life. Less clutter, more room to breathe. If you follow these three steps, we guarantee your move will be a whole lot easier for you and your family.

Local, Long Distance and Commercial Moving Services in Tucson, Arizona

Are you in the process of downsizing your home? If so, then you deserve professional Tucson movers you can trust.

At Zooz Moving, we understand that a move is a big project, whether you’re moving down the block or halfway across the country.

Zooz Moving offers a wide variety of different moving services, from local and long distance residential moves, packing services, transportation, and commercial moves. With every move, we aim for 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Let Zooz Moving be your solution to a stress-free move.

Call Zooz Moving today and receive a free estimate on your next move! For more information on how we can service your next local, long distance, residential or commercial move, contact us at (520) 447-0900.

How to Choose a Great Professional Mover

Professional Tucson Movers

A move to a new residence, no matter how far the actual travel distance, comes with the concern of how to move all your stuff in a safe, cost effective, and timely manner. This is known by most Tucson moving companies, though Zooz’s local Tucson Movers are especially practiced in this.

In many cases people simply cannot muster up enough manpower to make the Tucson local move by themselves. Sometimes it’s because the timing of the move conflicts with the availability of friends and family to be able to help. Other times it is simply because no one is willing to help. No matter what your reason, choosing a professional Tucson moving company is often not just the best choice but the only choice.

Since hiring a Tucson moving company may be an absolute necessity for some, how can we ensure that we are getting a great deal on our money and are placing our precious belongings in good hands? Well, keep reading and you will find out how Zooz (with their local Tucson movers) can help!

While you may be tempted to simply pick the cheapest mover you can find, that is a terrible idea. Don’t get me wrong – doing the opposite is just as foolish. The best Tucson moving company is not simply the most expensive one, but you often do get what you pay for, so be wary of those willing to move you for dirt cheap prices. Also, many of those offering extremely cheap upfront prices will end up tacking on the extras for things almost everyone needs when moving.

Call around to some well regarded Tucson moving companies in your area. You can choose them based on word of mouth, of course, but you can also do a quick internet search to see indicators of their reputation from various web entities like Google, Yelp, and Angie’s List. The Better Business Bureau and the Arizona Trucking Association will also be a great resource for reputation checking on local Tucson movers. Once you have seen some reviews, choose at least 3 of the companies with better reviews and check out their websites. Note the facts such as price, timetables, and stipulations. Give them a call and ask for an estimate on what your local Tucson move would cost, how long would it take, and if the Tucson moving company will be available when you need them. Don’t simply choose according to price, but do factor it into your decision.

Once you have chosen your trusted mover in Tucson, follow their instructions to a T. Not only will following your local Tucson Movers instructions make the move go over smoothly, it will minimize any blame you may have in something going wrong. Also, take photos and document your items once they are packed. This will help you keep track of everything quickly after arriving at the new residence.

Remember, the more professional Tucson moving companies perform background checks on their employees and have systems in place to ensure standards are kept on a regular basis. Cutting corners is not a good idea when your valuables are on the line.

Ready to prepare for your next big move? Let our professional local movers in Tucson handle it. Whether you’re moving across town or across state lines, trust in Zooz Moving, Tucson’s preferred moving service. Call Zooz Moving today and discover what our movers can do for you! For more information, contact us at: (520) 447-0900.

How to Pack for a Move Quickly

checklist for a quick move

Getting everything you own packed before your big move can feel like more work than actually moving the stuff. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can streamline the moving process by making smart choices early on. If you follow this advice on your next move, you will forever see each following move as a new opportunity instead of a new burden.

Quick Moving Checklist

  • As with most things in life, you are rewarded for getting started earlier rather than later. You always have more stuff to pack than it looks. Begin with the things that you do not use on a regular basis, like seasonal clothing or family heirlooms.
  • Make your first day in your new home easier by marking the boxes containing things you will immediately need to unpack. This is for your toiletries, work clothes, etc. You don’t need a complicated inventory system when packing for a move, just a simple star or other basic mark on the box will suffice.
  • Get situated for an efficient packing experience. Set up a packing station in one room or clear some space in each room. The key is to have all your packing materials laid out in a way that allows you to access them quickly and easily. This will help you maintain a good pace so the job will be done faster.
  • Don’t overload the biggest boxes you have. Save the big boxes for lots of lighter items, and use the smaller boxes for fewer, heavier items. If you pack lots of heavy items into a large box, the total combined weight of the box may be so heavy that it slows down your moving process or even breaks the box and allows for items to become damaged.
  • Using trash bags to store soft things like clothes, towels, and linens is a great idea. These malleable storage containers can even be used to secure or cushion other items in the moving truck and they can be made to fit into empty spaces.
  • Place a mark on the boxes so you know where what room they will go to, and signify that there are items in need of special handling. Anything that is fragile or combustible needs to be clearly marked as such.
  • All furniture that needs to be disassembled should be done so before it is time to move. Save the moving energy for actually moving stuff.
  • Finally, if you are doing this move yourself, load the truck with the heaviest items first and down on the floor. Keep working like this as the items you load onto the truck get progressively lighter. You will end up with a moving load that is well balanced and secure because the heaviest items will be lower and lighter items will rest on top.

That checklist will make packing for a move in Tucson much easier. If you want to make things really easy? You can call Zooz Moving at 520-447-0900.

3 Tips to make Moving Heavy Furniture Much Easier

tips for moving heavy furniture

Most people never move heavy furniture at all. If we do, it is usually by sliding it on the ground a few feet from the corner of a room to another corner in the very same room. Actually lifting a large, heavy piece of furniture and taking it to a moving van is something most people’s bodies are simply not used to doing. Even for the very strong and physically fit among us, the knowledge of efficient and safe moving best practices is not common sense.

Moving heavy furniture without damaging it or yourself is possible for the novice, but you should take these three tips into consideration before you attempt it.

  1. When it comes to moving storage items like dresser drawers, it is very tempting to try to move them with all their contents still contained inside. We all want to cut a few corners and in some cases that is actually fine to do, but on a more ambitious move with long distances to travel, large amounts of stuff to move, and complicated terrain such as stairs to navigate, it just makes sense to empty out those drawers. It will reduce the weight you have to carry and improve the balance so it is easier to handle.
  2. All the moving parts of heavy furniture should be made to stay in a closed, stationary position. Not only will this contribute to improving the balance of the furniture, it will reduce the likelihood of the furniture hitting walls or other structures as you try to move it through various spaces. Some pieces of furniture are so large that you will have to tilt it in a way that would cause drawers to slide out, doors to open, or pieces to fall off, so you must either remove those pieces or strap them down. You can use anything that won’t damage the finish of the furniture, like rubber bands.
  3. Of course, safely lifting heavy furniture usually requires the help of at least one other person, and it is very important that all people involved are working in unison every step of the way. Someone should take the lead and alert every lifter of every action that will need to be taken before it is taken. This means when it is time to lift, when it is time to move, when it is time to rotate the furniture, when it is time to lower the furniture, etc. The leader needs to communicate this so it is done in a coordinated fashion. People acting on their own can get someone hurt or the furniture damaged.

If your back just is not up to it, or if you think that even with these tips moving heavy furniture is still not worth it, then you can take the easiest option and have the experts at Zooz Moving do it for you. Give us a call at 520-447-0900 and let us take care of the rest!

Hiring a Moving Company is a Must for Your Commercial Moving Needs

You are busy enough just trying to transport your business operations and even personnel to your new office location. That doesn’t even cover the transport of physical assets as well. Not to mention, you have to manage this commercial move while minimizing the disruption to your firm’s services. Every hour you are not operating is money lost. Moving is not your core competence, so trying to do this on your own is taking an unnecessary risk with expensive equipment. A Tucson commercial moving service is certainly the way to go, but how do you choose the right commercial moving company?

Only Trust Your Company’s Equipment and Furniture to the Best Commercial Relocation Services

Placing everything your company owns into the hands of someone else is certainly a major worry, which is why you have to be very selective. You must choose based on quality, professionalism, and assurances that the commercial moving company will do its best and cover you with adequate insurance. There is no substitute for simply searching directories and checking out a list of moving companies who do commercial moves and evaluating what they have to say. Checking with the Better Business Bureau and any word of mouth you are privy to is also a great help.

Getting the Best Prices on Commercial Moving Services is Not as Simple as the Lowest Rate

Many of the commercial movers you find in Tucson will have different ways they come to the final price on a job. Some bill you by a flat rate based on an estimation of various factors such as load size/weight, time of year, date of delivery, etc. Others will bill you based primarily on the mileage between point of origin and the destination with other fees added on top of that. Neither is an inherently better deal. Flat rates are easier to understand, and the more complicated billing schemes do allow you to find more ways to reduce the overall cost. Get estimates from the top two or three companies on your list and get a solid breakdown of why the price is what it is.
If saving money is absolutely important to you, you may find that you may be able to eliminate some of the services. Keep in mind, however, that you often really do get what you pay for. Insurance coverage is the last thing you should ever go without!

You Have a Partner Here in Tucson Ready to Help You!

Choosing the best commercial moving service in Tucson will make this transition as smooth as possible, allowing you to get back to business as usual with minimal interruption. A full corporate relocation can be stressful but take heart in knowing that there are true experts in the industry who have seen it all, done it all, and perfected strategies to do it better each time. It doesn’t matter if your company needs to make a local or long distance move; Zooz Moving is here for you. Call us today at (520) 447-0900.

Which is Better: Day Laborers or Professional Movers?

Wondering if You Should Use Professional Movers?

professional moving servicesIf you’re looking to make a Tucson, AZ move, there’s a decent chance you’ve wondered who you should hire to help you move.

Obviously the professionals are the best when it comes to actually making the move. That just makes sense. However, the price point that day laborers offer can be very appealing.

Of course, you know the old mantra, don’t you?

You get what you pay for.

Despite what you might think, there’s a pretty decent chance day laborers might end up costing you more money than a professional mover would.

There are many reasons for this. But the two most important are

  1. Day Laborers Charge Per Hour
  2. Day Laborers Don’t Have the Same Level of Expertise

Day Laborers Charge Per Hours

You’d be hard-pressed to find day laborers who didn’t charge per hour.

Why’s that a problem? Well, oftentimes, when they charge per hour they drag their feet. It’s not necessarily an act of laziness — it’s in their economic interest to make the job last for as long as possible, so they drag their feet when making the move.

Day Laborers Don’t Have the Same Level of Experience

At Zooz Moving, we’ve dedicated our careers to the moving process. We understand the ins and outs of it. We know how to do it correctly.

That just makes sense.

When you’re hiring day laborers, you’re hiring professionals. But you’re not hiring experts.

When someone is moving all of your stuff — your furniture, your valuables, your memories — don’t you want to watch the process with the knowledge that the movers know what they’re doing?

Zooz Moving

At Zooz Moving, we pride ourselves on our ability to move your possessions quickly and safely.

Does that sound like a good deal to you? If so, call now. Our number is (520) 447-0900.

Do you Really Need Moving Insurance?

Finding ways to save money during a move is a concern for many, so movers’ insurance often goes completely unused. On the opposite end, some others are very skittish and will purchase all kinds of coverage without really understanding what they are getting for their money. Both of these approaches to handling the unforeseen events that may happen during your next move are not the best way to go about it. In today’s blog post, we will discuss your moving insurance options and when you should consider investing in some.

Most homeowners have access to three different kinds of insurance that covers events that occur during a move. There is Actual Cash Value, BASIC, and Replacement Cost Insurance. Here’s what you need to know:

Actual Cash Value insurance

Actual Cash Value insurance attempts to place a value on your belongings that reflects their perceived level of wear and tear at the time of a damaging incident during the move.

In some ways, this insurance is great because it only costs a few dollars per thousand dollars of coverage. The major drawback, however, is that depreciation is stacked on top of a deductable that is fairly high relative the average value of household items likely to be lost or damaged during your move. Let’s say you have a television that cost you $1000 a couple years ago and it gets destroyed during your move. That TV may be depreciated to about $500 in value, and then you may face a deductable as high as $250. You are now only getting $250 on your TV, which will certainly cost you much more than that to replace it with a new TV of similar size and quality.

BASIC Insurance

Basic Insurance has no premium but all damage is compensated by approximately sixty cents per pound. This gets included automatically for many professional moving service. This level of coverage is functionally rather useless for anything of real value. At sixty cents a pound, you would only get back around $15 on that broken TV.

Replacement Cost Insurance

Replacement Cost Insurance is a more robust coverage plan. If you are ever going to pay a deductable, it should be for this movers’ insurance plan. It isn’t based on depreciating the value of your items, so that TV that was broken can be valued at $1000, minus a deductable of $250 would come to $750. The catch is that you are paying more money per thousand dollars of coverage. You may have to pay closer to $8 or $9 per $1000. So this plan is more expensive if nothing goes wrong, but far better if something does.

Zooz Moving Insurance

At Zooz Moving, we work with the world renowned company Baker International to provide you with the moving insurance that fits your need. Visit their website and please call us with any questions. We’re happy to recommend an insurance plan that best covers your local, long distance, or commercial move.

Trying to Figure Out When to Make the Long-Distance Move to Tucson, AZ?

If you’re planning to move to Tucson, AZ, there’s a good chance you’ll want to know when to make the move. The time of day when you choose to move can have a big impact on the experience of the move, as well as the pricing.

Let’s get some moving basics out of the way, then talk about what is specifically relevant to Tucson movers.

When Not to Make the Move

In general, you don’t want to make your move between May 15 and September 15. This is the period of time in which students are unleashed onto the housing market. With so many people deciding to move so quickly, you’re going to have a harder time getting a moving van.

You also don’t want to move on the 1st of any month. It’s appealing to move on the 1st because you want to move as soon as the lease comes through, but the fact is that it’s appealing to everyone. With so many people moving on the 1st of the month, moving van prices are probably going to be higher. This makes it actually cheaper to move in the second week of the month.

It’s also best to avoid the weekends. With so many people on the road — some of them drunk drivers — it’s not worth moving Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Best Times for Tucson Movers

Now that we know some of the general don’ts of moving times, let’s talk about when it’s best for Tucson movers to make the move.

First off, you’re going to want to start your moving day as early as possible. It may be painful if you’re not a morning person, but dawn is your best friend for two reasons.

One, moving can take a while, so you want to have as much of the day as possible to get things done. Two, the Tucson sun is hot, so you want to start your day before it’s beating down on the city too much.

As for day of the week, you’re going to want to avoid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the aforementioned reasons. You’re also going to want to stay away from Monday, because that’s the day when traffic is heaviest in Tucson.

How can Zooz Moving Help?

To summarize, you want to start your move as early in the day as possible. Ideally, you want to move during the second week of any month between October and April. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best days for moving.

Now that you know some best moving practices, call Zooz Moving and let us help you out some more! Get in touch now at (520) 447-0900.

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