HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CURB APPEAL

Whether you are looking to sell your home, or create a warm and inviting exterior for your house, there are many cost-friendly, easy, fun, and beautiful ways of increasing your curb appeal.

Because, after all, first impressions count.

The tricks to remember are: keep it simple, and keep it cohesive. Don’t go out of your way to build intricate and involved facades, and don’t break the bank collecting all of the details to put it all together. Stick to one aesthetic that works for you, your family, and your space. If you try and combine too many ideas, your end result will feel disjointed and messy.

So ask yourself: What do I like? Country chic? Modern minimalism? Big, bright, and brilliant colours?

Answering these questions will allow you to build out your plan and decide what areas are best to focus on. You can also incorporate the following four tips to boost your home’s curb appeal.

FUN WITH DOORS

A statement door can be a great way to catch the eye of a prospective buyer. If your home’s paint colour is a neutral tone, play up the contrast by painting your door a rich red or deep purple. You might also think about going retro by outfitting an antique wooden door or choosing one with beautiful stain glass woven throughout its design.

If you like to adorn your door with simple and sweet accoutrements, think about hanging a beautiful wreath (that you can change to fit the different seasons) or placing a beautiful welcome mat at the entrance to your home.

KEEP IT CLEAN

The exterior upkeep of a home greatly impacts how potential buyers feel about a place. Dave Notte, Managing Director of Shack Shine, a house detailing service, and sister brand to You Move Me, recommends power washing walkways and patio spaces to make these areas more inviting. When they are clean and tidy, buyers will imagine themselves using these spaces all year round.

Try to keep any outdoor tools, bins, and furniture to a minimum, and be sure to clean your windows. Squeaky clean exterior windows will make your home literally shine, creating a warm and welcoming environment.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Outdoor light immediately makes a space inviting and cozy. Plus, it adds an element of safety and security - a must for both potential home buyers and new resident

You can use low-voltage lighting to highlight your favorite parts of your garden and lawn, a well as illuminate pathways and stair cases. Solar lights are great for low-rise lighting fixtures, and you can also have fun hanging beautiful fairy lights or small lanterns from both trestles and trees alike.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW

Flowers in the front garden; flowers in clean, freshly painted window boxes; flowers in beautiful, symmetrical pots placed one each side of your front door - no matter how you plant it, you cannot go wrong with flowers.

You could also consider purchasing a few hanging baskets that you could attach as fixtures on your porch, or just off to the side of your front door.

Flowers add beautiful pops of colors to your yard and the outside of your home, and are a great way to create a friendly, approachable feel to your house. Plus, depending on the type of flower you choose, they will keep coming back every year, without any work on your part!

There are so many different ways to boost the curb appeal of your home. Have fun incorporating color, light, and nature into your look. No matter what you do, you’ll create a space that you and your family love.

Vanessa Woznow is the National Public Relations Manager for You Move Me and sister company WOW 1 DAY PAINTING. Having spent much of her life moving between the East and West Coasts of North America, she now mostly moves around Vancouver wearing her running shoes.

How to find a reputable moving company:

Finding a reputable moving company is not an easy task. There are many movers websites that claim to be reliable companies with upfront pricing. Actually, hiring a moving company should be a very careful decision.

Important things to look for when hiring movers

There are several important factors to check before hiring a moving company. If you execute some simple steps, you may save a lot of troubles. Here is a list of a must do jobs when it comes to moving:

•  Ask if your moving provider has BBB accreditation. Look at the movers website for the BBB logo and search the company in the BBB database.

• Search for a US D.O.T. (US Department of Transportation) license and registration number. All registered and licensed companies under the U.S Department are obliged to respect the rules. Make sure that the US DOT number is under the same moving company name.

• Run some background check about your future company on internet . Read some moving reviews online to see what other customers are telling about this moving business you are about to hire. There are many places to do that online. Make sure you share your moving experience after the move.

• Ask for a binding estimate by an e-mail. Most moving companies offer free moving quotes and some of them are pretty close to the final amount. Make sure you check all aspects of the move and all moving fees that may apply. Also request the packing supplies price list before the move.

•  Avoid using moving brokers. Using a broker does not guarantee the quality of the moving service. Most moving brokers work with more than 50 different moving companies, and every moving company provides different moving service. Try using real moving companies with a reputation in the industry and request a moving estimate.

In conclusion, we may say that having a reputable moving company could cost you the same as a self service move, but you have to choose the right professional moving company for the job. Ask all your questions regarding your move and expect clear answers. If you are not sure about a particular clause in the contract, do not sign anything.

U.S. City Guide by Atlas Van Lines

Are you moving your family to experience something new? Are you being relocated by your employer? Are you moving your own company? Whatever the reason, there’s so much involved when you are planning a residential or office relocation! Whether you are using Ace Relocation Systems to handle your residential or commercial move, or another moving company, you can make the transition easier by taking time to learn about the city in which you will relocate.

Click this U.S. City Guide to get started!

Sacramento Movers Are Here To Help!

Move Pro’s is proud to be part of the Sacramento community. We aim to please all of the community members who are in need of our services. We know that this can be a stressful time, that is why we offer the widest range of services and moving packages to accompany you when you are in need. We know that the number one thing holding most people back from hiring a moving company is trust. Don’t just take our word for it; go learn what our other customers have said about us in our Sacramento Mover Reviews section.

Sacramento Movers are here to make your life easier. When it comes time for your family to move, you will need to choose a company who has the exact service you are looking for. We will work with you hand in hand to create a custom solution to your problem. This is ideal when it comes to choosing services such as full service packing. This service is perfect for the family on the go who might not have time or the confidence to pack their own items. We will have our professional packers help you with this job.

Move Pro’s will continue to provide the top notch moving services the Sacramento area has come to love and adore. Move pros will continue to grow their service list as customers wants change. We know that the evolution of technology will change the way w run our business that is why we will always be working to become better and more adept.

When Moving to the Bay Area – Get Advice from the Experts:

Before you decide to conduct a residential move on your own, think about the difficulties that you will come across. People often assume that hiring a moving company is a waste of money. Little do they know, that it can cost you more to conduct a move on your own than it will hiring a company. Unless you already have a large trailer, all of the packaging supplies, and free help, moving is expensive to manage alone. Collect quotes by using the free quote calculators on the movers’ websites or by calling each one individually so you can get other details at the same time. Ask their customer service representatives any questions that you might have before deciding on whether or not to hire them for the job.

Save Money after Buying Moving Services

After hiring a mover in the Bay Area, start thinking of ways to save on the rest of the relocation. Pay attention to the following and try to utilize any of the advice pertinent to your move.

• Save newspapers, purchase Styrofoam plates, and save old blankets and clothes for packaging purposes.
• Try to find free help. For instance, ask a family member to babysit the kids, and find others willing to help you pack.
• Opt out of full packaging services and pack away your own belongings.
• Ask local businesses if they have any extra boxes to spare.
• Have a garage sale to earn money off of items you do not wish to relocate.
• Purchase insurance offered through the movers so that if something ends up damaged or lost, you do not have to repair or replace it with out of pocket cash.
• Purchase refreshments and snacks for the movers instead of tipping them

THIS IS HOW TO TAKE YOUR STARTUP TO SUCCESS IN ONE YEAR FLAT:

When he first became a franchise partner with You Move Me, Mike Dahlman set a larger-than-life revenue goal. He knew it crazy for his first year in business, but he was buzzing with the excitement of joining a new, emerging brand. By the end of the year, Mike’s franchise was so busy that they added five trucks to their fleet just to keep up with demand. And his team didn’t just hit their target — they beat it. This is Mike’s story.

O2E: How did you take a startup and turn it into a revenue-smashing business?

MD: I first got involved with You Move Me when the business was only six months old. I loved the brand and the concept; plus it was young and new and I’d basically get to help build it from scratch.

At the time, James Alisch was running the local franchise. We met years before while working at College Pro, and we had been looking for a way to work together again. James believed I was equipped to take the business to the next level — and I agreed that You Move Me was the perfect opportunity. James is now my business partner, along with founder Brian Scudamore.

So I came on board and then the previous general manager left at the busiest time of year. We were slammed. While it was tough to be thrown into that so early on, it also allowed us to smash our goals.

O2E: What surprised you most about owning your own business?

MD: How fast we were able to grow it! The really confident, positive part of me had set an over-the-top goal. But part of me also knew it was a pretty aggressive target. To have gone above and beyond the goal was both shocking and impressive.

O2E: What are the benefits of going into business within a franchise system?

MD: When you join an established franchise system, you get instant credibility. Two weeks after startup, I could walk into someone’s house and they knew who we were because of our connection to O2E Brands. There’s a story and a history here that people understand and respect, so it makes it easy for them to connect to us. People love the name and look of the You Move Me brand, and that’s what makes us memorable.

O2E: What advice would you give someone who is looking into buying a franchise?

MD: Be willing to be hands-on. Get on the trucks and learn the business from the frontlines. It’s a challenging business but the people make it rewarding. If you’re not connected to who and why you’re doing it, it will be frustrating.

O2E: What has been the best part of owning a franchise?

MD: I work with people that I like and trust on a different level than I ever have before. With other jobs, you inherit a team and there’s always some people who are there for the wrong reasons. What I love most about owning a You Move Me franchise is that I get to create my own team. Building our team, from where we were to where we are at this point, has been really rewarding. Two of the first people I hired are still with me, and a guy I worked with at College Pro is now one of my crew leaders 16 years later.I really believe that with the right people, the right energy, and the right message — big things can happen.

Need Help Moving? Try HireAHelper to Find Labor Professionals in Your Area:

A DIY move doesn’t mean a do-it-by-yourself move. In fact, anyone who intends to move without the help of a professional moving company should absolutely plan to either enlist friends or hire moving day labor to assist with the job. From lifting heavy boxes and bulky furniture to loading and unloading the moving truck, moving is a big job. For this reason, I don’t recommend moving alone (hello: potential injuries, stress and serious back pain).

Those relocating to a new city or moving during the workweek will, undoubtedly, have a harder time finding available friends and family to help out. Even if you’re moving to a town with familiar faces, the kind of people who are willing and able to spend the majority of their day assisting with your move are few and far between.

Enter HireAHelper. This online marketplace allows those moving to locate and book moving labor professionals in their area. To find moving labor, check out Moving.com’s search engine, powered by HireAHelper. For a more in-depth look at this helpful moving tool, take a look below.

What is HireAHelper?

As mentioned above, HireAHelper is an online marketplace helping people locate and book moving labor professionals in their area. According to the company’s website, the professional movers on HireAHelper are either labor-only moving companies that specialize in load and unload services, or they’re full-service moving companies that send workers out on labor-only moving jobs. Users can view up-front pricing and reviews on the website to help with evaluating the options.

How does it work?

On HireAHelper’s home page, simply type in the date of your move and your zip code. Then press “compare labor prices” to see various labor-only professionals in your area. Tip: If you’re moving to a different city, you may need to book two separate labor companies to help with your move. On the comparison page, customers will be able to see a helper’s: hourly rates, availability, customer reviews, business details (such as what equipment they provide) and credentials. Once you’ve selected the helper you want and your preferred arrival time window, all you have to do is reserve the mover via credit card. According to HireAHelper, your payment will be held in escrow. Once the job is complete, HireAHelper will send the payment to the movers.

Why should I choose HireAHelper when moving?

For starters, HireAHelper is a one-stop shop for finding and booking quality labor-only movers in your area. The website allows customers to see up-front pricing for labor professionals and with 3,400 companies in the HireAHelper network, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding helpers. All you have to do is rent your own truck and the HireAHelper movers will do the rest for you. Hiring moving labor also ensures a smooth, more efficient move overall. HireAHelper movers can take care of all of the furniture disassembly and reassembly (think: beds, tables and sectionals), as well as loading and unloading of your belongings. Given that these HireAHelper movers are professionals, you can take comfort in knowing that your household’s worth of items will be in good hands.

Are they licensed and insured?

According to HireAHelper, “a special license isn’t required for lifting things in and out of a truck or storage container.” However, before hiring moving labor, it’s important to find out whether the individual moving company is otherwise licensed and insured. Most moving companies will list their insurance credentials and business licenses on their HireAHelper profiles, as well as on their business website. If anything breaks during the move, HireAHelper states that the individual moving company should resolve the damage claims on their own.

However, if they don’t, you have a backup option. HireAHelper provides complimentary mover’s insurance when you place your order for the mover through HireAHelper. This insurance covers $.60 cents per pound, up to $10K. Those that hire a moving day helper with an average review of 4.5 stars or higher are eligible to purchase Full Value coverage from MovingInsurance.com. According to HireAHelper, the rates begin at $12 per $1,000 in coverage.

Does HireAHelper bring a moving truck or moving supplies?

Labor professionals booked on HireAHelper will not bring a moving truck. You are responsible for providing a moving truck. Each individual HireAHelper mover lists what equipment they provide (and whether or not they charge extra for it) in their profile.

Will they help me disassemble and reassemble furniture?

Yes. However, you’ll need to include whether or not you need furniture disassembly and reassembly in your order form. Since helpers charge by the hour, you should take this extra time into account when figuring out your moving budget.

How long will the move take?

HireAHelper recommends looking at their labor guide to get a good idea of the time required for the move. I recommend also speaking to the helper directly to see how much time they think the job will require.

Should I tip a HireAHelper mover?

While tipping your helper certainly isn’t required, it is a nice thing to do – assuming the mover does an excellent job. HireAHelper states that the typical tip amount is $10 to $20 a worker.

What are other moving labor options?

A few other labor alternatives to HireAHelper include:

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving – College Hunks is a licensed and insured moving and junk removal service. For those who need help moving, the company can help pack and load/unload your moving truck. College Hunks charges by the hour.

Moving Help – Moving Help provides customers with an online marketplace for local moving labor services in their area. The website ranks all Moving Helpers based on the company’s star rating. It also allows customers to read reviews and assess ratings for each moving company.

Enlisting friends and family – Of course, you can always ask friends and family to help with your move. If lifting heavy furniture, I recommend recruiting at least four additional people to help with the move.

Need full-service moving?

If you decide that your complicated relocation needs the help of full-service movers, you’re in luck! Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!