History Of Moving Industry

It is estimated that our planet, Earth, formed around 4500 million years ago. Since its formation, the Earth has gone through several stages in which life has progressively evolved. The earliest anatomically modern humans are recorded to have arrived around 200,000 years ago, constantly changing and evolving into modern day people that populate the Earth today. Since the early human life, the development of agriculture permitted the creation of first cities. The development of cities gave rise to civilizations. This complex process of society development is ever changing. In the last century alone, Americans underwent radical social and cultural changes that strongly contributed to our way of life today. Clothing styles, jobs, living circumstances and modes of transportation vastly differ in comparison. The market for these goods and services has also undergone profound transformations. Consumer driven markets are constantly adapting to cater to our needs. One of the most distinctive changes in markets over time has been the expansion in the choice of goods of and services available to consumers. The relocation industry is amongst the many that make up the latter.

For thousands of years before the wheel was invented, people used wooden structures that resembled the modern day sled, which were then dragged behind horses or by hand. As humans entered the agricultural period, the wheel was invented, increasing efficiency in the relocation process. This led to people inventing the wooden cart, the wagon and the rail car. In the early days of civilization, only the wealthy could afford the luxury of transporting their goods. The average person didn't even have the need for relocation, because often time families stayed in the same home for many generations. Thus, professional moving was a rare occurrence. Years into the future, professional moving industry was developed in the U.S. after undergoing the expansion of the intercontinental railroads in the 1800s. Moving companies would then use horse-drawn wagons to transport belongings to warehouses strategically placed next to railroads, where belongings would then be packed and crated for shipping. The moving company would then load them into a rail car and unload them at another warehouse when they reached desired location. Motorized vans would then replace relocation via the railroad by the early 1900s. By the mid 1920s, motorized vehicles were an integral part of the industry and the moving industry consisted of a number of individual companies operating independently. Fast-forward into the 21st century, there are a variety of moving companies to choose, from large corporations to small companies. A variety of trucks that focus both on sustainability and the environment. Varying in price, services and even companies that are more conscious of the environment. From just a click of a mouse, and e-mail or a phone call, you can easily find a moving company to assist you on your move from the comfort of your home.

As the industry grew and expanded over the years, so did the competition. Old approaches to acquiring new customers and business proved to no longer be viable. Companies had to come up with new incentives to lure in prospective clients, by all means necessary. This gave rise to false advertisement, hidden fees and deception. From horse-drawn wagons to tractor-trailers, this industry has bloomed into estimated $12 million dollar revenue annually, with 8,000 companies across the U.S. One thing is certain, life on planet Earth is constantly evolving and changing, but not always for the better. The choices we make today, shape the environment we will be living in the future. Collectively and as individuals we need to proceed in a matter that ensures a sustainable and healthy future. 

Green City Movers FAQ

•   How do I book a move with Green City Movers?

 There are several ways to plan and book with Green City Movers:

•   To begin, you can fill out our free online estimate tool and get an insight to what your move might cost.

•   You can also reach our customer care center directly by calling 1(718)-576-3736, to speak with one of our representatives. 

•   You can also speak to one of our representatives about scheduling an in-home estimate. 

If you decide to move with Green City Movers, a move coordinator will be assigned to you and assist you through out your relocation process.

•   Is your company licensed and insured?

Green City Movers is a fully licensed company under the Department of Transportation (DOT#39058). We are bonded and insured with general liability, cargo, auto and workers compensation. If your building requires we add them onto our insurance policy, known as "Additional Insured", please let your moving coordinator know at least a week ahead of the move date. Most buildings do not require this. 

•   What is your pricing structure and what can I expect to pay?

The cost of a move is based on many factors: weight, distance, length of time and the manpower involved. To get started, fill out our free estimate form online and one of our representatives will follow up with you within an hour or less. A non-binding estimate is an approximation of the cost for your move, based on the estimated weight of the shipment and accessorial services requested. A binding estimate is an exact cost for moving services and your final charges will not increase. You will discuss with your move coordinator the best options that suit your needs. 

•   Do you offer packing services?

Hiring full-service movers saves you time, stress, and possibly wasted effort. Our moving services are entrusted to highly trained professionals who can efficiently pack, load, unload and unpack your belongings. Heavy appliances, large furniture and fragile items are difficult to pack and load securely without incurring damage. In the end, hiring movers to pack your belongings may be the more cost-effective solution. You may inquire about this option through our estimate form or by speaking to one of our representatives. If you would like to pack yourself, just consult with one of our move coordinators for packing tips and advice.

•   Do you provide labor-only (no trucks) services?

Moving within the same building or already have a truck? No problem, here at Green City Movers, we provide labor-only crew to assist with pod and truck loading and unloading, as well as internal moves. Just select the labor option when filling out your estimate form or inform your move coordinator. 

•   Do you use temporary day laborers?

Never. We only employ full-time, highly experienced and skilled Green City Moving crewmembers. All of our employees have many years of experience and we consider them the best in the business.

•    Can you provide storage for my belongings?

Sometimes, even a local, small move must include storage. Your Green City Movers representative can help you with many storage options as part of your moving experience. 

•   How and when do I pay for the move?

 Tariff provisions require that all moving charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at the destination. Payments can be made using cash, certified checks or money order. Other payment options such as a credit card or debit card can be arranged your professional moving provider. Discuss these options with your move coordinator.

•   Do you accept tips?

Tip etiquette is a touchy subject under any circumstances and deciding whether to tip your movers is even more fraught with questions. Although they are being paid to provide a service, they could be worthy of extra recognition for a job well done. So, yes, please tip your movers if you are happy with your move.

Insightful Moving Tips

Pre-Move Preparation – Parking

Reserving parking is key as a distant spot means we have to carry items farther than necessary and this can add significant time and expense. A lot of clients underestimate this, but most of moving is just hauling possessions to/from the truck! If the truck is twice as far away, it will therefore, substantially extend your relocation process. 

Pre-Move Preparation – Reserving Elevators and Loading Docks

Reserve any elevators or loading docks that might be used. You generally do this by contacting the property manager of your building. Weekend and month-end dates are the most popular, sometimes getting fully booked weeks, even months ahead of time. Be sure to give us a heads up if you have limited elevator, dock, parking, etc. reservation window that could make things tight, or if there is a limit on the amount of time a move can take place within your building.

Pre-Move Preparation – Packing and Preparing your Possessions For Their Journey

1. If you decide to pack your belongings yourself, make sure to box up as many items

As possible. Hiring us to make hundreds of trips back and forth with small, loose items is not a good use of our time or, more importantly, your money.

It’s also recommended to use similarly sized and weighted boxes. This makes stacking for hauling to the truck, and packing into the truck much easier and simpler, and therefore faster and cheaper.

2. Remove and box up items from any dresser, desk, file cabinet, wardrobe or armoire. This makes these items easier and safer to move.

3. Disassemble large furniture items beforehand, if possible. Large appliances, such as washers, dryers, stoves, should be disconnected. Our crew can perform these tasks also, but please provide advance notice.

We strongly recommend you disassemble Ikea and other particleboard furniture. This kind of furniture is not meant to be moved in assembled form! We understand disassembly and re-assembly can be a pain, so we’re happy to help with this. If you want to leave particleboard furniture in an assembled state for the move, we will be very careful, and it generally goes just fine, but please be aware that we cannot be held responsible if damage does occur. See our policies page for more detail on our limits of liability.

4. Dense items like books and papers should be packed in small-sized book boxes. A large box with books my risk tearing apart and be difficult to maneuver.

5. Make sure you have plenty of boxes and tape. You’ll probably need twice as much as you realize.  We can also bring you cardboard boxes, tape, etc. if you would like us to pack for you (must be scheduled prior to your move).

6. Labeling a box’s contents makes a mover’s life (and yours!) simpler and helps us take better care of your possessions. It’s especially important to note if a box is fragile or extremely heavy. Also, unpacking will be significantly more streamlined if your boxes designate their new destination by room so we can take it straight there and you don’t have to face a Himalayan mountain range of boxes in your living room.

7. Leave yourself enough time for packing. This usually takes far longer than you expect! We ’ve had many clients still packing when we arrive, and it can really complicate the logistics of loading items into the truck in an optimal manner. We recommend trying to have it all done the night before to give you time flexibility and eliminating additional stress.

8. Pack a survival kit of essentials for your first night at your new home, such as your rental agreement, cleaning supplies, snacks, linen, toothbrush, etc.

9. If at any time you realize you have much more boxes or items than you initially thought, it’s good to let us know so we can judge if it makes sense to add a mover or send a larger truck. Having too small of a crew or truck can add time and therefore cost to your move, especially if we have to make two trips. It is also important to let us know of any unusual circumstances or particularly heavy or valuable pieces during the estimate process, not after we have arrived. This allows us to make special arrangements and make sure we are fully equipped for any situation.

10. Take especially expensive or valuable items yourself, if possible. Be sure to pack and pad fragile items adequately. It’s very important to label fragile boxes “FRAGILE” so our movers are aware. We also recommend you group them in a corner, out of the way of moving traffic. Lampshades and globes must be removed and packed. We strongly recommend you move plants yourself. If possible, pack electronics in their original boxes. Antique clocks you may want to dis-assemble, and pack the various moving parts (chimes, pendulums, etc.) separately. Please pack and pad picture frames adequately as well.

11. We cannot move anything hazardous or explosive! (Including propane tanks, paint cans, turpentine, gasoline, etc.). Nor do we move anything that would have to be hoisted up through a window. But if you need this done we would be happy to recommend some other high-quality moving companies that do offer this service.

Moving Into University Housing

Our lives consist of myriad of experiences. There will be many destinations, departures, arrivals, goals and events that bring us to the various chapters of our lives. Relocating places of residence undoubtedly sets forth a new and exciting chapter because it is filled with fresh beginnings and adventure. Starting university and moving out of your parents home for the first time is one of the most colossal transitions you will make in life. It marks independence and immense opportunities, which allow you to improve your knowledge and progress into adulthood. Any relocation process entails strategic planning and preparations. Especially if it is your first time moving out, it is understandable to feel nervous and not know what to expect. Lets take a look at some of the essential tips that will help set you on the right path.

Universities have different relocation policies that should not be overlooked, check your university's website for the details early on. This will give you enough time to prepare and if you happen to forget something, you can always get it at a later date, as you are not relocating your home, just yourself. 

Make sure to pack according to the dormitory that you will occupy. Some dormitories consist of an entire apartment, where you will get a personal kitchen and bathroom respectively. On the flip side, as in most cases, all you'll get is a small one-room dorm that you will be sharing with another person. In this case, bathroom will be shared with multiple people and all of your toiletries will have to be stored in your dorm. This will leave very little room for personal storage and over packing may easily become a huge inconvenience. 

Most dorms will come with basic amenities, such as a bed, a desk and some shelves. Adequate bedding is essential before moving into your dorm. This includes a couple of mattress covers, pillowcases, sheets and a blanket. Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc. should be bought prior to moving in. However, on occasion, these may also be purchased within or around the campus, in which case, certain laundry and kitchen items should be bought at this time as well. Make sure to pack a suitcase with comfortable clothing and footwear you will need on day to day basis, including under garments and plenty of sweaters. You may also want to pack going out clothing, as you will certainly attend a few social gatherings in your first year. Invest in a laundry bag, it will keep all of your dirty laundry in one place versus all around you. 

Since you are relocating for higher education purposes, make sure to pack all the stationery items you will need. You may even over pack on these essentials, because you will never have enough pens and pencils, as they will get misplaced or given out to fellow classmates who weren't being as strategic in their packing. 

Lastly, you may want to avoid purchasing expensive items, as most won't survive your first year and you will likely purchase these essentials multiple times throughout your entire stay. Your university will most likely provide a thorough checklist of the items you will need and accommodations that are provided upon your arrival. Follow their guidelines and plan accordingly before buying anything. 

If you are getting an entire apartment with personal bathroom and kitchen, consider hiring professional movers to help you with your belongings. Having an entire apartment to yourself leaves little room on restrictions on what you may bring, therefore enlisting your parents to help you move in may not prove adequate.