Moving Checklist For Your Big Move

As a moving company we come across a lot of information to help our clients. Moving can be a huge undertaking and overlooking the smallest detail can dramatically delay your timeline. Planning is crucial! We believe the key to a stress-free move is organization and preparation. That's why we love this little checklist so much. It's a simple approach to getting your belongings organized and shipped from your old home to your new abode. Put this checklist to good use for your next move and let us know if it helps!

Credit: HomeTalk

Messy Movers: How Dishonest Moving Companies Scam Unsuspecting Customers

You might have heard a horror story from a friend or family member about a bad moving experience, or a good move gone wrong when the bill arrives afterward. The moving industry as a whole has a spotty reputation due to scam tactics, but you don't have to become a victim of shady movers!

Congratulations, you found a super low quote online on your upcoming move. The bulk of your move is priced by the pound. You're not sure how much your furniture weighs exactly, but you trust the company will take care of you. The contract is signed, your furniture is all loaded into the truck, and now you're presented with the final cost-- but it's more than double what they quoted you. Where did all these charges come from? Now, they're saying if you don't pay the unexpected fees, they'll lock up the truck and take your belongings with them. This is called the Bait and Switch.

The contract Movers are even advertising their companies without real licenses! Being pulled over and caught mid-move without a valid business license means the truck gets impounded-- along with all of YOUR belongings. Another thing dishonest companies love to do is change their names once they've been blacklisted for dirty work. Make sure to do your research before settling on a company. They may not be who they say they are.

All this information about moving scammers is enough to make you consider doing it yourself with a pickup truck, but even DIY has its setbacks. Far too often, pricing quotes on rental trucks don't include insurance on the vehicle or furniture. How will you know which size truck to rent? The associates leasing you the truck aren't trained to direct you to the vehicle best fit for the job, as their work isn't geared towards moving large pieces of furniture. Don't forget about the price of diesel, and several other hidden surcharges that aren't mentioned until you return the vehicle, including but not limited to, refueling and cleaning charges.

And remember: Bulwark Moving has no hidden fees or upcharges-- none. Don't fall for these moving company tricks, and you'll be well on your way to your new home.


To read more about moving companies, click here. To read about common moving scams, click here, and for more about the scams we uncovered, click here.

Bulwark Moving Has it All!

If you’re moving in the Phoenix area, call Bulwark Moving at 602-454-2267. They have it all if you need packing supplies! Not only will they move you, they will assist you from beginning to end. Where in Phoenix will you move today? Bulwark is prepared to help you!

Come to Bulwark Moving and see the difference between us and the other moving companies. You will not be disappointed! We enjoy what we do, and we would like to assist you in your next office relocation or residential move.

How to Pack Your Lamps and Lampshades

Lamps are awkward items to pack, as they are bottom-heavy and often breakable, with delicate, space-consuming shades on top. 

Avoid the temptation to try to move them without the use of a box. 

Follow these tips to ensure your lamps are ready to illuminate your new home in style upon arrival.

Remove the bulb from the lamp. Remove any collected dust on the lampshade and then the base with a clean, soft cotton rag. Remove the shade from the lamp base and lamp “harp” frame if it has one, being careful to replace the screw-on finial at the top to the lamp harp. Gently wind the cord around the base of the lamp, and then wrap the lamp base in bubble wrap. Please the lamp (or lamps) in a large cardboard moving box with a height that allows the lamps to clear the closed box. Stabilize and cushion the lamp bases with pillows that also need to be moved. Throw pillows can be used for this.

Pack the shades in a separate box. You may stack shades of the same dimension and shape if you have matching lamps. Use plain recycled paper (unprinted newsprint) to cushion the shades and also wrap the lamp harps which will be added to the same box. Seal the box and mark it “fragile” as well as identifying the boxes with their contents and the room they are designated for upon arrival.

Get Your Rental Deposit Back!

If you're preparing for a move read this article first! Get great tips and tricks for winning in the great damage deposit wars between most landlords and tenants. Learn what not to do and ensure the return of your rental deposit.

Typically, reputable landlords don’t hold residents liable for minor wall scratches and scuffed floors. Even so, you can never be sure how reasonable a landlord is until your deposit is safely returned. Each tenant and property manager is different, so we turned to personal finance writers to provide insight on their personal experiences with damage deposits. 

— Jennifer Riner

Professional Phoenix Movers

Never trust your belongings to a company that moves this way! At Bulwark Moving we take moving seriously. Your valued belongings deserve the best service and moving process to ensure their preservation. That's what we deliver! Our local Phoenix moving trucks are clean and well maintained. They come equipped with furniture pads, hand trucks, dollies, stretch wrap and straps.

How to Move with Pets

Pets are a huge factor to consider when planning a move. Keeping your pet occupied during the packing and loading phase can be difficult. Remember to secure a pet sitter for the day of festivities and call us to handle the move! Visit www.bulwarkmoving.com for more info.

Don't Miss Your Moving Discount

Can you remember the last amazing movie you saw? Did you tell a friend about it? Did the movie theater send you a discount coupon for your next ticket? Bulwark Moving will! Don’t forget we offer discounts for referrals and repeat customers! Call us for more info 602-454-2267!

Out of Your Old House and Into Your New One

If you're ready to get moving but your current home isn't attracting enough potential buyers read this article! It's chocked full of ideas to get you out of your old home and into a new one. You handle the sale and we'll handle the move. Keep reading to learn more...

A serious, motivated seller doesn’t simply list their home on a whim. It’s something that happens over the course of time. A life change generally dictates a home sale and, although there are times when life changes happen abruptly, generally you know about them in advance and have time to plan. Deciding to sell your home, whether you’ve been there two years or 22 years, is a decision not to be taken lightly.

— Brendon Desimone

What About Your Builder's Warranty?

You're building your dream home. Do you know what's included in your builder's warranty?  Knowing what's covered and what's not covered in your warranty is very important for protecting your home and family. This article explains new home builder's warranties and what's normally included or omitted in their coverage.

Most warranties for newly constructed homes offer limited coverage on workmanship and materials as they relate to components of the home, such as windows, siding, doors, roofs or plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. Warranties typically provide coverage for one to two years, although the specific time period may vary by from component to component; coverage may last up to a decade on major structural elements. Warranties also routinely define how repairs will be made and by whom. Warranties generally do not cover household appliances, tile or drywall cracks, irrigation systems or components covered under a manufacturer’s warranty.

— Mary Boone

Home Design Remix

Your apartment is new but your furniture is not. So what should you do to warm up your interior decor skills? Turn your new place into the showroom featured home you've been dreaming of! First things first, survey all of the items you currently have. Then read the article below for great tips on remixing your recycled pieces.

The most important design feature of a room is functionality. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about detail and finishing touches, but if a room does not function well, all the vignettes in the world are not going to make it a happy place. So, I would start with determining how that room needs to function. Ask yourself, “What is going to go on in here?” Then decide how to furnish the room. From a purely design sense, every room, no matter what the function, will benefit from beautiful molding. Molding is also relatively inexpensive to install. The impact it makes when done right is definitely worth the minimal cost.

— Kelly Wilkniss

Experienced Phoenix Movers

We are the Phoenix Movers you've been waiting for... Our trusted and experienced movers can handle your relocation from beginning to end. We offer a wide range of services, including packing and unpacking. We always handle your belongings with the best of care and extreme caution so that they arrive in mint condition. If you're looking for Phoenix movers you can trust call 602-454-2267.

Packing 101

We've all experienced a dreadful move at one point or another. So how can you make moving easy? Our first tip is to call movers you can trust, like Bulwark Moving. Our second tip is to read this article and get tons of great advice on simplifying your move. For more moving tips check out our free moving resources online. It's free!

Packing supplies can be purchased at a local moving retailer, a mail service store, or an office supply outlet; however, for the best choice and most variety, go online. By taking the time to surf the Internet, you can compare prices and find specialty items that may be difficult to purchase at a local retail shop. Be aware that some packing suppliers deal with large companies, so you will need to make sure you are able to purchase smaller quantities. Just remember that buying the right supplies from the beginning will save you time and energy.

— Diane Schmidt

55 Moving Tips You Need in Your Life

Looking for great packing tips for your move? We found them. Well we found 55 to be exact. This article gives 55 tips for making your packing and unpacking a breeze. It even shares how to use moving as a time of reorganization and purging. Check it out in the article below.

See moving as an opportunity to organize and purge. Make "donate," "pitch," and "sell" piles in each room for belongings you no longer want or need. Arrange for a charity to come pick up items you plan to donate at the end of your packing schedule. Paper is heavy and there is no need to move junk mail or outdated documents. Shred paper with personal information and send it all to the recycling bin. Packing can become a trip down memory lane. Resist the temptation and get items packed rather than reminiscing.

— Moving Tips

10 Tips for Moving In

There are a million things to do and plan before moving but what about after the move? What's the best way to unbox your life and settle into your new space? This article suggests 10 things we should all consider when moving into our new place of residence. Most of these tips can also be applied when moving your business. What plans do you have for arriving to your new place?

You've got a copy of the floor plan, which is all marked up with where everything needs to go, and your copy of the mover's inventory list is tucked in the big folder right beside it. The kids are happily playing with their cousins at your sister's house, and your brothers-in-law are meeting you at the new house. You know you'll need them to help unload the truck and arrange the furniture. But what else do you need to do when you arrive at the new place? Check out the next 10 pages to find out.

— Katherine Neer

Relocating to Phoenix?

Are you looking to move to the Phoenix area? Considering a relocation to Arizona? Here's a great article to help get your search started. A long distance relocation can seem overwhelming. Visit our free online resource for moving tips and relocation advice.

Research neighborhoods first. Before you start seriously honing in on an apartment, study the neighborhoods in the city where you’re moving and get a sense of which ones are right for you. The key categories: the personality of the neighborhood, the price of the neighborhood and the time it will take you to commute to work. Do some research online: Read the local papers and look through brokers’ and real estate agents’ websites. They’ll give you a taste for what each neighborhood is like, as well as approximate pricing. If you’re worried about crime, most city police departments will provide crime statistics for each neighborhood. Also use an online mapping website to check the commute times. 

— My First Apartment

Must Have Moving Tips

Here are five packing tips you can use no matter how large or small your move. There are many factors and tasks in transitioning your entire life to a new location. Whether you're moving your home or your business this article offers five moving tips you can't afford to miss.

Getting all your furniture, clothes, kitchenware, electronics and valuables from one place to another is no simple task – whether you’ve hired professionals or are managing the move yourself. The specifics of each move are different. Moving down the block, from one studio apartment to another, is less complicated than moving from a 3,000-square-foot home in New York to a similarly sized house in California. No matter how or where you’re moving, preparation and careful planning will make the process smoother. 

— Mary Boone

How-to Estimate Shipping Costs for Your Move

Be sure your shipping measurements are accurate. Many unsuspecting movers get taken advantage of by moving companies looking for ways to add on additional fees and up charges. One of the most common up charges are estimated shipping costs. At Bulwark Moving, we educate our clients about these potential mishaps to help them plan properly for their move. Don't be fooled! Visit our free online resource tool to keep your move within budget.

The True Cost of Moving

 When it's time to move you must do your homework. Unexpected costs in moving can completely overwhelm your budget. Securing a trustworthy moving company can save you hundreds of dollars in the process.  You'll never encounter hidden fees and up charges with Bulwark. This article shares three important tips to remember while planning your next big move.

"People need to do their homework on the moving companies that they use," says Rick Gersten, CEO of Urban Igloo, an apartment finding service in the Washington D.C., and Philadelphia areas. "Where people tend to get hurt [is] they hear a low price going in, and then they find out it's hourly, but they forget to look into the details of what that means."

— Geoff Williams

How Dogs Can Impact Home Owners Insurance

Did you know that your dog may be the cause of your increasing property insurance costs? Many insurance companies have strict policies on dog owner applicants. The breed of dog can also impact your premium costs. This article shares details on twelve different dog breeds and how they are calculated for home owners insurance policies.

You love your dog, but your home insurance carrier doesn’t. Even though your dog has never bitten anyone, your provider considers it aggressive, simply on the basis of its breed. The result: You could be denied a policy for your home or be charged much higher premiums.Some carriers will cover the house for fire, wind and other specified damage but exclude any claim related to the dog. Sound unfair?

— 12 Dogs Breeds That Could Jack Up Your Insurance Costs