The Professional Movers Blog

Moving can be a very stressful time for anyone involved. From the packing to the unpacking, it can feel like your life is a jumbled mess. For the first-time mover, however, the knots in the stomach can be even worse. Questions will, no doubt, arise about how to handle a move, whether to tip movers, when to shut off the water, etc. In the case of the dealing with professional movers, there are some basic rules of the road to follow.

The first thing to keep in mind when it comes to handling the movers themselves is that tipping is optional in this industry. That means the movers in question do not rely on tips to get by. This, of course, isnt to say they dont appreciate them when they get them. However, a tip at the end of the job is not expected.

That said, there might be times when tipping movers is in order. If you feel the job has been done exceptionally well, its perfectly acceptable to give your thanks in the form of a cash bonus. Before you jump in and expect to pay a ton in tips over and above the moving fees, however, ask yourself a few questions. Remember, tips in this industry are optional, so service should be spectacular to warrant them.

Before tipping consider these things:

• Did the movers you hired work in a timely fashion? Did they arrive on time and deliver your belongings within the stated window?

• Did the movers on the job treat your belongings like they were their own or did they act as if it was just another job on just another day?

• Were the movers polite, courteous and willing to work with you?

• Did the movers go above and beyond to get the job done well?

If you answered yes to these questions, a tip for the moving crew is probably in order. There are two basic forms of tips that are standard in this industry. Either is more than appropriate in the case of a job well done. They are money, refreshments or both!

If you decide to tip your movers by offering them lunch on you, this is a more than acceptable way to show your appreciation. Go the extra mile though and find out what theyd like to eat and drink. While moving means pizza and beer day for you, its likely pizza day comes a whole lot for your movers. With this in mind, its a very nice gesture to let them pick the place or style of food.

Tipping in cash is also more than acceptable when a jobs been performed to the highest standards. Dont worry about trying to figure out percentages to pay each mover based on the job, however. A flat tip is more than fine. On average, most movers will get a $20 tip for a full days work and $10 for a half day. You can, of course, go over or under this amount.

Moving can be a real nightmare. From figuring out a timetable for getting everything done to deciding whether to tip the movers, the process can seem like an endless stream of questions. When it comes to paying the movers a little extra for their troubles, remember this is an expense you dont have to incur, but it will be appreciated.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17 NIV

There is a very interesting word in the English language called a “pattern.” It has several meanings and thus serves numerous purposes while trying to convey a thought. Some of the meaning would include: design: a repeated decorative design, e.g. on fabric; plan or model: a plan or model used as a guide for making something; prototype: an original design or model from which exact copies can be made; or a good example: a model that is considered to be worthy of imitation, just to name a few. Jesus Christ is often referred to as the “Pattern Son.” In other words, He is a Model, a Prototype or Good Example, that has been used by the Great Seamstress or Tailor of Heaven, as a guide for making something or an original design from which exact copies can be made and is considered worthy of imitation. With Christ solely established as our “pattern” in life, ministry, business, etc, let’s take a look at how He built His ministry.

The scripture above says that Jesus’ original offer to His first members, first leadership team, first staff, was: ‘Come, follow Me, and I will make you to become….!” What a deal! He didn’t lure them with a promise to hold a title. He didn’t negotiate with them for a good salary. Jesus didn’t hire a Human Resource Manager to sell the disciples on the 401K Plan and other “bennies” (benefits). Jesus offered them something greater, an opportunity to “become.” Jesus was and still is a MAKER.” He is in the Making business.

My question to the Church is, “who are the Movers and the Makers in the Church?” It seems like few are in the “making” business anymore. I get such a holy anger when I hear leaders talk about how one day God is going to send lawyers, doctors, professionals and millionaires to their church. Well, I’m all for evangelistic efforts and agree that these people have to go somewhere to be discipled, by why “your church?” Why can’t you follow Christ’s pattern and look your members in the face and say as He did, “Follow me, and I will make you become…” This is the language of a builder. Many leaders have gotten out of the making business and have resorted to the “taking” business. This mentality has originated in the world. The world calls it mergers and acquisitions. This strategy is everyone is quite while you are growing. No one seems to pay you any mind. But once you start growing, they start watching you. The moment you start becoming powerful, you are viewed as a threat or as an asset. When they can’t stand you any longer, they merge with you or “take” you. That’s the taking spirit. That devilish spirit has crept into the Church. Instead of looking at the resources that God has drawn to your house as raw material poised to be transformed into greatness, many leaders look daily at their church’s front door waiting and praying to God to send ready made product through the door. We want other people’s singers to lead our choirs; other people’s intercessors to lead us in prayer; other people’s ministers to preach to us and other people’s leaders to lead us. Trading talent in the Church has become rampant and fierce. But why? Because it has become much easier to “take” than to “make”. Take my word for it; the “making process” takes hard work. It’s tedious and strenuous. The making process takes patience and endurance.

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

In Hebrews 11:10, the Bible records that when Abraham was called to do what he had never done before and go where he had never gone, he obeyed and went looking for a city. This wasn’t just any city but a city whose foundation had been marked by a Maker, a Builder- God. The word “maker” in the scripture means a builder, a framer, an artisan.

That’s what sons in the body of Christ need today-master builders, framers, artisans. Those that will “make them become.” The sons of today no longer need the experience of the “takers.” These are leaders that are so inundated with trying to build a dynasty that they have neglected to build those around them. And as a result, they continually pray to the Father for Him to send them “trained servants.” This is especially true in the Western world because we vie for a life of luxury where everything is pre-made for us. We live in “prefab” homes built in factories, wear synthetic hair, glue on acrylic nails, implant silicone breast, get our ordinations and doctorate degrees online and are now trying to perfect facial transplants. Who has the time to “make” anyone become anything? I hear God speaking.

There is a gold mine in every local church. The challenge is that the “gold” is in a raw form in the beginning. They are called the Ministry of Helps. They are the Ephesians 4:12 saints that are to be perfected (equipped, completed, made) to carry out the work of the ministry by the 5-fold ministry gifts (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher). The raw form needs to come in contact with builders and framers that will make them become something. Every leader must recognize the potential of their ministry of helps (see I Cor. 12:28). God has already sent enough help and resources in what you have already to maximize the level that you are on right now. Your Ministry of Helps just needs to be identified, refined, activated and then mobilized.

The ministry of helps is more than a group of volunteers, more than individuals who say, “Pastor, you can count on me this time,” more than a bunch of folks saying, “I want to try this area out, and if it doesn’t pan out, I’ll try this. Just as long as the Pastors see me, I’ll eventually get to where I’m going!” No! The ministry of helps is not a springboard for someone’s own “higher calling.”

The Ministry of Helps is a supernatural calling. Just what is a “calling”? A calling is a “divine invitation,” to be called forth by name, by God.

People who are called to the ministry of helps are to carry the same burden and vision of carrying the Gospel as the Pastor or other five-fold ministry gift. Responsibilities will differ, but the heart cry should be the same. The sooner the ministry of helps see themselves as extensions of their pastors, the sooner ministries will begin to experience the full manifestation of God’s Presence in their church services. The ministry of helps plays a very important supportive role in ministry.

In conclusion, remember this: when it was time for Abram to go pick a fight with his enemy, he didn’t go hire help. Do you know why? He had built men, strong warriors, trained servants from the inside. They were born and raised in his own house. He probably never prayed, “God send me mighty men to come help me.” But he probably did pray, “Make the men that You’ve given me mighty!”

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. Gen. 14:14 NASB.

When a decision to move overseas is made, many difficult decisions have to be made. Little details that were once insignificant will exponentially rise in value when it comes to moving overseas. Hence, many people cannot face it all alone. They try and delegate their tasks to various firms that help in moving overseas. Many people are under the wrong notion that overseas moving services means that they help you in packing your stuff, shipping them and delivering them to your new home.

1. Relocation services: They solely help in relocation of the houses that is they help you in finding a new home that fits your requirements and do so by questioning you on the requirements and expectations you have and then they narrow down their resources to match your requirements and find a perfect house for you. They usually have links with real estate businesses.

If they find that an estate matches your preference, they negotiate instead of you and finalize a deal for you. This will solve your accommodation problems and allows you to concentrate on other things. Another service provided by them is the disposal of the property that will be left behind you. Many people forget about their current houses when they move about because of other things on their minds and finally their residence would fall into disrepair once they have moved out in no time and would become useless.

They even offer a variety of options in which your old property can be dealt with like selling or leaving the property on lease so that it does not become a waste.

2. Assistance: As is the case with people given great responsibilities, when put forth with the decisions that are to be made while moving out, people panic and get confused with their priorities in doing things. Hence, people prefer getting assistance while moving out. One type of moving service specialize itself in assisting people and handling the paper work and procedures that are required to migrate out of a country.

Many services involved have personnel that are specialized in such paperwork and if they are indeed trustworthy you can be assured that your work is in good hands and that your work will be completed without you having to take a lot of tension. This is because those people know who to contact and where e to go exactly so as to get the work done in the least amount of time with maximum proficiency and efficiency.

3. Shipping: Also, one other major thing that is to be considered is shipping. Many companies offer shipping facilities along with relocating facilities also. The only thing to be kept in mind is to choose the right company that you should go with. You will be putting your belongings and money in their trust and this trust must be well placed, else you will suffer a huge blow. You must ensure that your goods are respected by them and also that they ensure the safety of your goods. Even though many companies offer insurance for the possessions you carry, money cannot always be a supplement when it a cherished treasure that is damaged. Hence, when a contact is made with such a company, you must be sure that they can be trusted and that they are even trusted by other people.

All said and done, you are putting your money and belongings on the line.

Moving can be local (within 50 miles), long distance, or international. It may be domestic or commercial, a single piece or a whole range of goods. The delivery required is door-to-door, warehouse-to-warehouse or port-to-port. Irrespective of the type, moving involves careful planning, packing, documentation, and, in the case of international transporting, customs clearance. Professional expertise makes the process much simpler and efficient than the do-it-yourself approach.

A number of dependable and efficient movers, who charge reasonably, are available all over New York. Most of these van lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The vehicles they operate have air-ride suspension, which reduces the possibility of damage to the materials transported. They also carry dollies for material handling, fire extinguishers and blankets for protection, and toolboxes for dismantling furniture.

Movers normally charge by the hour for local jobs. For longer transfers, the pricing criteria include weight and the distance involved. Ask half-a-dozen movers to send representatives to give on the spot quotations. Look for hidden costs. Discounts may be possible on interstate moves. Good movers settle damages quickly even though regulations permit 120 days for resolving claims. Check about insurance coverage.

County and city lists of movers are available. Apart from quotations, ask them for references. The list of past and present customers could give a fair idea of the dependability of the mover. If necessary, you can directly contact the customers and verify the credentials of the mover.

All reputable movers would have the requisite licenses from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) or Federal Highway Administration, and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The NYSDOT, American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) and Better Business Bureau list movers. A dependable mover would be found on all the three lists.