7 Apps That Can Transform Your Relocation Experience from Stressful to Simple

If you have ever moved before, you know the stresses and pitfalls that come along with relocating yourself and your family. Luckily, we have looked into several free apps with the help of this Miami, FL moving company that will surely contribute to a more seamless move.

1. Zillow

Zillow is a great place to begin once you decide to take the plunge and relocate. There are countless free real estate apps on the market, but Zillow stands out above the rest. With Zillow, you can research real estate and rentals, view maps, calculate your mortgage, find an agent, utilize affordability calculators, and even find home design ideas. (zillow.com)

2. Moving Organizer (LITE)

Moving Organizer allows you to organize your move by cataloging an unlimited number of boxes and items, as well as tracking pictures of your boxes. Moving Organizer is unique in that it enables you to search and find specific items in your boxes, and you can even back up your move so you can look up items much later (we all know those boxes can sit around for quite a while after a move!).

3. Dolly

Dolly is a great place to begin your search for movers so you can have assistance loading, hauling, and delivering your belongings on the big day. This app connects you to fast and affordable services, and will surely make your moving day a breeze. With this app, you can shop around to set up a moving day that fits your schedule and budget. (dolly.com)

4. Lugg

Lugg is similar to Dolly but differs in the sense that it is designed to assist you in renting a truck to load and transport your belongings, eliminating the need for local moving companies. Lugg is guaranteed to be a less expensive way to access the equipment needed for moving, on your own time and budget. (lugg.com)

5. Sortly

Sortly is an app used to track your personal inventory and organize your move. Sortly allows you to catalog your belongings, which in turn makes it easier to figure out the items you do not need and the items that you can’t live without. (sortly.com)

6. Letgo

Once you have used Sortly to figure out the items that you must get rid of, power up the Letgo app to easily get these items off your hands! Letgo allows you to list your unwanted items and either sell or give them away to local residents who are in need. Set your own price, or negotiate. (letgo.com)

7. ThredUP

We know how out-of-hand your closet can become when you have lived in the same place for a while. Luckily, there is an app called ThredUP that can assist you in listing your unwanted clothing items and receive money for them! ThredUP specializes in second-hand style, so gather all of your gently used and stylish clothing to send them to a new home! (thredup.com)

Now that you have the tools you need, it’s ready to start your move. We hope your move is organized, seamless, fun, and most importantly…cheap!

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Get an In-Home Moving Estimate Via a Video Survey

The rise of the internet has fundamentally changed the way we do business, but it might seem like moving companies are inherently resistant to the rise of new technological solutions. After all, the fundamentals of picking up and transporting goods have remained largely unchanged since the rise of automobile culture. But more and more companies are taking advantages of internet platforms to provide their customers with cheaper and more convenient moving packages. One of the most prominent new platforms is using video surveys. According to Cheap Movers Kansas City (www.cheapmoverskansascity.com), these surveys allow moving companies to reduce the labor involved in estimating moving costs, and they’re usually able to pass on the savings to the customer. There are some distinct advantages that come from using a video survey as opposed to a traditional estimate.

How it Works

There are two main companies that handle video surveys for relocation specialists.

iMover is a dedicated app that you can download directly to your phone and use on your own schedule. You simply use your phone’s camera to take video of each of your rooms and the materials you’re looking to move and then upload them directly to your moving company. You don’t even need to speak directly with your mover, as iMover will upload your videos directly to them, but the option is there to schedule a one-on-one conversation with your specialist. iMover even offers free plans so that it can be an eminently affordable option.

SurveyBot does things a little differently. Rather than charging your moving company a subscription cost, they offer transparent rates based on the survey (starting as low as $20), and they allow movers to oversee the survey themselves while also offering third-party services where the SurveyBot team oversees the evaluation themselves. It can be a simple and affordable choice, but if you’re looking to know you’re speaking directly to your moving crew, it may not be the best option.

Even if your moving company doesn’t subscribe to one of these two services, you can often arrange for a video survey using the free technology you already have access to. Skype and FaceTime require a little more coordination to use, and they lack some of the more convenient and specialized features, but they can work well in a pinch.

Why Go With a Video Survey?

There are some distinct and tangible benefits to using a video survey rather than a traditional estimate. The most obvious is cost. When you’re dealing with an in-home estimate, you aren’t just paying for the expertise of your moving company and the time they have to spend providing your estimate. You also have to take into account the time it takes them to reach your home and the various travel expenses. Even if your company offers free in-home estimates, the chances are good that you’ll end up paying the difference in moving costs. And since interstate moves are charged according to weight, movers can usually provide you with an accurate estimate without having to be there in person. The average cost of an in-home estimate is $250 and takes four hours to complete. Video surveys can be performed for a fraction of the cost and completed in as little as 15 minutes.

Then there’s the aspect of convenience. With most of these services, you won’t have to worry about setting an appointment and waiting around for your movers to arrive. You can get an estimate handled on your schedule, often without having to set aside time to interface directly with the crew.

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Uber for Moving | How the Sharing Economy is Shaking Up Relocation

On its surface, the moving industry may seem like a service resistant to change. After all, the fundamentals of getting your property from one location to another are pretty basic. But up until the rise of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, the taxi industry seemed equally immutable. While the concepts are still in their infancy, some entrepreneurial startups are looking to fundamentally shake up how relocations work, and they’re using the model introduced by Uber as their main point of reference. Most of these services are only available in limited markets, but you can expect to see their exposure to only grow in the coming years. Here are some of the best.

BuddyTruk

Available Markets: Orange County, San Marcos, Austin, Los Angeles

BuddyTruk is one of the pioneers in the industry, and they have an implicit understanding of the strengths that come from the Uber model as well as the unique demands of the moving industry. Their claim to fame is the option to take a picture of your belongings so that you can get matched to a driver with the appropriately sized pick-up truck. Drivers even help with loading and unloading, and rates are assessed according to both time and mileage once the relocation is complete.

Dolly

Available Markets: movers in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Diego, Portland, Boston, Seattle, Denver

The two big advantages of Dolly are the scope of its markets and the sheer wealth of options at your disposal. You can choose from a variety of different service levels that range from curbside delivery to precise setup at your destination, and you can also select how many movers you need, making it a great option for full residential moves. While there are a large number of factors that determine your cost, you’ll receive a guaranteed price before you even schedule your move.

Burro

Available Markets: Austin, San Marcos

GetBurro may be available in only limited markets, but the transparency of their services are refreshing. Mileage and time are the only two factors in their rates, and they boast that they can provide their services at a third of the rate of a traditional moving company. Specialized equipment like dollies and padding are provided completely free of charge.

FleetZen

Available Markets: Seattle

FleetZen isn’t a practical choice if you’re looking for someone who can move everything for you, but they’re a reliable option if you just need to move a single heavy appliance or piece of furniture. All you have to do is set up a pickup and drop-off point, and you can handle the entire process remotely. A robust communications system allows you to track your driver and speak with them directly throughout the whole experience.

Haulor

Available Markets: San Diego

Haulor puts you in control of who you hire. Scheduled moves allow you to take a picture of the items you need moved and set your own rate. Drivers will apply for your job, and you can pick the one that’s right for you. If you need immediate service, they’ll match you to the closest appropriate driver in your area and charge you a flat rate of a dollar a minute.

Though these companies make local relocation cheaper and easier, keep in mind that they don’t offer everything that a traditional moving company offers. If you need packing services, storage, or other common moving services, you may need to go with a regular mover.

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