TIPS FOR PURGING YOUR HOME

Moving can be pretty stressful and one of the most difficult parts of moving is the packing of your home. As professional movers we always advise to purge your home of unwanted items. Here are some tips to follow when cleaning and purging your home.

• Questions to ask yourself when removing clutter
  • Do I love this item?
  • Have I used this item in the last year?
  • Is the item sentimental?
  • Does the item remind me of a time that would be better left forgotten?
  • Do I really need two?
  • Can it be reused by someone who will use it?

• When you get a new piece of clothing, shoes, or handbag give an older item away! There is always someone out there who could use the item that you donate, even if it is to a good friend.

• Does an item look well-worn or past its lifespan, it may be time to purge it.

• If a non-perishable food item is sitting in your pantry collecting dust, it may be time to donate it to your local food bank.

• Have you cleaned out your spice rack, get rid of old spices that you have not used in a while, they most likely are past their shelf life and don’t have the same zing!

• Have a party where you trade household items among your friends. It is a great way to maximize the saying “Out with the old, and in with the new!”

• Work on one room at a time and keep working until the job is finished.

• Get your family involved. The task of organizing and purging your home is something the whole family can be involved in.

• Try to use as much of your food as possible. Only buy fresh produce and essentials as you need them. When moving it is best to use as much as you can instead of throwing it all away.

• If you find that there are items that you would like to keep but have nowhere to put them, storage is always an option!

Remember that it may seem like a daunting task but it is something that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can help with. We can do as much or as little packing that you would like us to do. We have started selling box packages that come with everything you would need to pack your home; we have packages of all sizes. Give our office a call and we can get you all set up!

This recipe comes from Donna, our customer service represenative. She would like to wish everyone a wonderful and happy holiday!

Farro Salad with Tomatoes and Herbs

Ingredients:

 4 cups of water

12 ounces of Farro (i.e., Organic Nature’s Earthly Choice Italian Pearled Farro)

2 tsp salt

1 pound tomatoes chopped

½ sweet onion chopped (ideally Walla Walla)

¼ cup diced chives

¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1 large garlic clove diced

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Combine water and farro in a medium saucepan. Add the two teaspoons of salt.

Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium-low and cover, and simmer until the farros is tender. 15-20 minutes.

Drain well and then transfer to a large bowl and cover.

Add the tomatoes, onion, chives and parsley to the farro and toss to combine.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil.

Add the vinaigrette to the salad and toss again.

The salad should be served at room temperature.

This recipe comes from our bookkeeper, Buffy! She wants to wish everyone a warm and loving holiday!

Next Best Thing to Robert Redford

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix
• 4 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 ounces milk chocolate candy bars, grated

Directions:

1. For the crust, mix flour, butter and pecans until crumbly, press into 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
2. Cool completely.
3. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar on high with a mixer until smooth.
4. Fold in half the whipped topping.
5. Spread over cooled crust.
6. Mix the puddings with milk, beat slowly with mixer until smooth (2 minutes).
7. Spread on top of cheese layer.
8. Let stand a few minutes, then spoon remaining whipped topping over top and spread carefully.
9. Sprinkle with grated milk chocolate bar.
10. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

               There are three questions that are most commonly asked when someone calls TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. The first being “How many movers will I have on my move?” The answer: 2 men! The second most common question is “Are you licensed and bonded?” The answer: yes we are! The third most common question that is asked of our staff is “Can you do this type of move?” The answer is not as easy to define, most of the time we can but there are occasions that we do not have the training or capability to perform a certain type of move. In following blogs we will discuss some of our favorite moves and some special items we have moved before. For right now I want to go over the types of moves we do.

• The first type of move we do is the local home move. This is our most common move and can be done on very short notice (but it is always best to try to plan ahead to reserve a spot on our schedule). These types of move are charged by the hour from the time that we leave our office to the time that we get back as per Washington State Regulations.
• The second type of move we do is a local business move. Not as common as the home move but we still move them. These moves are charged at the same hourly rate as home moves and follow the same regulations as home moves.
• The third type of move we can do is an in home move. This is where we move various furniture or appliance items around the home for someone who is not able to move the items themselves. It is charged at the same rate as the other moves but is usually done much faster.
• The fourth type of move we do is a load or unload of a rented moving truck or container. These types of moves are usually performed for people either moving into or out of the state. These types of moves are charged at the same hourly rate as our other moves.
• The fifth type of move we do in a long distance move (over 56 miles) both in-state and out-of-state. These are priced differently than local moves; it is priced by weight and mileage.

All moves are different and our crews are trained to adjust to any situation that is presented to us. Give us a call if you would like an estimate provided to you by one of our helpful office staff. We do offer free in home estimates, too.

Our first recipe is from our Operations Manager in our Kent office, Anthony Clendenen.

He wants to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

$20.00 – 30 MINUTES – DINNER FOR 6

Chicken Tostadas

Chicken tostadas make a quick and easy dinner.

What you need

Leaf Lettuce

Cilantro

Onion

1 pound of chicken diced raw

1 pack of Corn Tortillas

Refried beans

Taco seasoning

Sour cream

Taco sauce

Your favorite Cheese

Pam

Olive oil

What you need to do

Before anything set your oven temperature to 350 degrees

 Sauté the chicken in a small amount of oil

Then prepare following the directions on the taco seasoning mix.

Combine some of the Taco sauce with the sour cream until it tastes good to you.

Once your oven is up to temperature spray the tortillas with pam and place them on the oven rack.

You will have to watch them pretty closely and turn them throughout the cooking process.

Cut your vegetables and heat up your beans

The lettuce is best served shredded, for a neat little trick take about 4 leaves and roll them into a tube. 

Then it is easy to shred just watch out for your fingers!

Then you can shred up the cilantro and slice the onion thin, If you don’t like cilantro or onions you can omit them

.

Remember to watch those tortillas!

I put the cilantro, lettuce and onions all together.

Then gather all of your prepared ingredients

You can then start stacking the items, I started with the beans, followed by a little cheese,

lettuce, chicken, a little more cheese and topped off with a dollop of sour cream!

As we get to the holiday season we are reminded that it this time of year is a time for love, caring, and food! A lot of food! Each week we will feature one of our office staffs favorite holiday recipe. So check back each week for a fun and festive recipe that you may just want to impress your friends and family with!

The old saying goes “How do you ask someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest what the weather is like? And their response is to tell you to look outside!” Well it’s that time again, when the sun heads into hibernation, leaving us dreary and remembering the almost record breaking year of sun.

As we move into the wet season we are reminded that life does go on, and so does moving. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we do move in the rain, snow, sleet, and yes even freezing rain. Some things to remember when moving in the rain is to be prepared, things do get dirty and wet so to avoid the dirt here are some helpful things to have on hand during wet weather;

• Have an extra door mat outside so the movers can wipe their feet.
• If there is new carpet inside, we do sell carpet mask. It is a great tool to have to save your carpets from the dirt and debris being tracked on your beautiful new carpets!
• If you do have new carpets recently installed, ask the installer to save some of your old carpet to have outside in place of a door mat. As the movers walk in they will be able to wipe their feet on the old carpet.
• All of our trucks are equipped with extra floor covering that we place inside your home to walk on, but if you have a large home ask for our office staff to make a note to bring extra.
• We do sell mattress bags and can bring them on your move. Just ask your customer service representative for prices and to add those to your move.

We may not be able to control the weather, much to our dismay, but we can make your move in the rain with as little stress as possible.

In our last post, we gave you some questions to ask prospective moving companies to be sure you hire a reputable firm. We touched briefly on cost and some of the things you’ll want to know. Let’s expand on that.

1.    For your move, will you be charged by the piece or by the hour?

2.    Is there a minimum charge for the move? How will you be charged after that minimum is met – in 15 minute increments? 30 minute increments?

3.    Are there are extra charges for larger items like plasma TVs or pianos or for moving during the evening or on a weekend?

4.    Will you be charged for travel time from the moving company’s location to my home? [This is a common charge, but when comparing one company to another, you’ll want to compare one set of fees to another.]

5.    What payment options does the company offer?

6.    When will you be expected to pay for the move? Is a deposit be required? When and how do you need to pay that?

7.    What is your cancellation policy? If you don’t cancel within the required time period, what charges will apply?

Ask each moving company you interview to answer these questions before selecting a company, and remember that price is not always the best comparison. Working with a company that you trust and that can meet your needs is more important.

As always, if you have any questions, please call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. We’re happy to help you understand what’s standard and what’s unacceptable. Just call us at 253-235-4090 or request a free quote online now!

One common question we hear about our industry is “how do we choose the right moving company?” That’s an important question, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you choose the wrong company, you may overpay for your move, have your furniture or possessions broken, or you might have them taken from you altogether. Remember those horror stories from so-called moving companies that swooped down on unsuspecting customers after Hurricane Katrina? You don’t want that to happen to you.

Here are 8 questions you should ask to be sure you hire a reputable company to assist with your next move:

1.    Is the moving company licensed? If you’re moving in Washington State, the company will have a five-digit license number (e.g., HG #00000).

2.    Is the company insured and bonded?

3.    Will the company provide a free estimate?

4.    Ask for a copy of the company’s damage cover and policy, so you know how to proceed if something is damaged or broken during the move. Be cautious if the company won’t provide you with a written copy.

5.    Are the employees temporary or permanent?

6.    How does the company ensure that the move occurs on time and to your satisfaction?

7.    How will you be charged for the move – by the piece or by the hour?

8.    Is there a minimum charge and, if so, what is it? How are you charged after the minimum is met?

In our next post, we’ll cover more questions regarding the cost of the move, so be sure to check back or subscribe to our RSS feed! In the meantime, if you have questions, please call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle at 253-235-4090.

This year TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is participating in Movers for Moms®, a program that honors mothers in shelters across the country with gifts, personal items and creature comforts. The program was started by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® in 2008 and has spread to 24 states and 80 franches. This year's goal is to collected 100,000 items for abused moms.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is collecting items now through Friday, May 11 to be delivered to DAWN's House on Mother's Day weekend. DAWN's House is the only confidential domestic violence shelter for women and children in South King County.

If you'd like to help, please donate any of the following items in new or gently-used condition at one of our drop off sites:  Shoreline Christian School, Renton Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership, the Mint (Enumclaw) or iLoveKent.net.

Needed items include:

• Women's and/or children's new or gently-used clothing and shoes
• Personal products such as soap, deodorant, lotion
• New or gently used toys or games
• Books and maagazines
• DVDs and CDs
• Luggage
• Alarm clocks
• Gas gift cards
• Grocery gift cards
• Gift cards for haircuts
• Slippers, slipper socks, socks
• Brushs and combs
• Hair products
• Make-up kids and nail polish

For more information on how you can help, or to make a monetary donation, contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle at 253-656-4322. Ask for Tera-Rose or Glenna.

Thank you!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle launches Movers for Moms®, a local campaign to collect personal items and creature comforts for mothers living at DAWN’s House, a domestic violence shelter serving South King County. True to its mission of being “movers who care,” TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle will accept donations of robes, slippers, socks, brushes, combs and other personal items to be distributed Mother’s Day weekend.

The program was started in 2008, but this is the first year TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle will be participating in the program. The program has spread to 24 states and more than 80 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchises. This year’s goal is to collect more than 100,000 items for moms in need across the country.

Collections for Movers for Moms® begin this Friday with a kick off at Shoreline Christian School, a drop off site for the program. During the event, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle representatives from the Kent and Kirkland locations will pass out flyers describing Movers for Moms®, hand out coloring sheets and crayons, hear from a DAWN representative, and ask kids and their families to “Help Mom” this Mother’s Day. Other drop off sites include Renton Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership, the Mint in Enumclaw and iLoveKent.net. Donations will be accepted now through Friday, May 11.

“DAWN’s House relies on the generosity of the community members and partners like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle to provide abuse survivors with much needed items during their stay,” said DAWN’s House Director Andrea Paine. “Most women arrive at our shelter with very few belongings, so even items that seem small can make a huge difference in a woman’s day and in her entire experience of starting over.”

The idea behind the program is to collect items and gifts in honor of Mother’s Day for women and children currently staying at local women’s shelters like DAWN’s House, because all moms should have something to celebrate on Mother’s Day, regardless of their situation. Suggested items include new or gently used clothing and shoes; personal products such as soap, deodorant and lotions; new and gently-used toys and games; books and magazines; and DVDs and CDs.
 
“As active members of the community, we see parents and families in all kinds of different living situations. Seeing abused mothers and children is one of the most heartbreaking,” said Glenna Clendenen of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. “We want to do our part to make this one weekend special for moms who give their all every day. We invite our communities to help by making donations to help moms in need.”

To learn more about the program, or to find out how you might help, contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle at (253) 656-4322 or visit TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle online.

About DAWN’s House:

Dawn’s House is the only confidential domestic violence shelter for women and their children in South King County. The shelter serves women with children from birth to age 18, and provides an array of advocacy and services including support groups, housing search assistance, children’s groups, mental health and legal and one-to-one advocacy. For more information about DAWN, visit http://dawnonline.org.

About TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle:

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland and actively participates in the communities it serves. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services, senior move management, packing services, supplies and workshops. To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com or call (253) 656-4322.

For more information, contact:

Glenna Clendenen
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© of Seattle
1119 Central Ave. S., Ste. 203, Kent, WA  98032
(253) 656-4322
Glenna.Clendenen@twomen.com
http://twomenandatruckseattle.com

People ask us all the time where we move to. The short answer is “everywhere.” We have two offices – Kent and Kirkland – which serve as central dispatch locations to send our drivers wherever they need to be throughout the Seattle area:  Auburn, Kent, Bellevue, Bothel, Des Moines, Black Diamond, Federal Way, Seattle, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, Shoreline, Gig Harbor, Arlington and more! No matter where you are in the Seattle are, we can help you move. Request your free quote now!

Kent Office:  253-235-4090

Kirkland Office:  425-823-1999

Office Hours (for both locations):

Monday-Friday:  8 am – 5 pm
Saturday:  8 am – 12 pm
Closed Sunday

Check us out on Facebook. On our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle Facebook page, you'll find

• Testimonials from clients
• Pictures of recent moves
• Safe Driver Awards
• Mover of the Month Awards
• Community Service pix
• ...and more!

Like Us on Facebook to stay up to date on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle news!

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, we’ve moved hundreds of individuals, families and businesses of all kinds. We’ve learned some valuable tips on packing along the way, and we want to share them with you so you can master your upcoming move!

1. If you plan to use a moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, contact them two to four weeks in advance to schedule your move so you can get your first choice of dates.
   
   
2. Start packing several weeks before your move, focusing on nonessential items first (e.g., seasonal items, china, etc.).
   
   
3. Always tape your boxes with packing tape. Never “interlock” the tops or seal with duct tape.
   
   
4. Label boxes on the top and sides so you can tell what’s inside at a glance, include what room they’ll go to. (e.g., Clothes - Master Bedroom)
   
   
5. Create a “day of” box for all essential items you’ll want handy the day of the move. Include things like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, paper towel, paper plates and cups, medications, a first aid kit (hopefully you won’t need it!), snacks, bottled water, clock radio, etc. Pack this box in your car, so you have it when you need it.
   
   
6. Pack dishes on edge, rather than stacking them flat. Each dish should be wrapped in blank newsprint or with bubble wrap (both are available at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle). Label the boxes "FRAGILE."
   
   
7. Personally transport important documents and valuables including jewelry, medical records, insurance policies, wills, etc.
   
   
8. Let children pack their own toys and games, and leave a favorite out to keep them occupied en route to your new home.
   
   
9. Try not to over pack boxes. Heavy items should go in smaller boxes, and vice versa.
   
   
10. When taking furniture apart, keep the hardware together in a sealed, labeled plastic bag. Tape the bag to the underside of the furniture or put it in a box specifically for those items.
    
    

If you’d prefer to have someone pack for you, or simply run out of time, we can help. Call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle at 253-235-4090 or visit us online for more information.

Making a decision to move your business is challenging enough without the added stress of managing all of the details of the move itself. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle can help you relocate to ensure that your business makes a smooth transition from one location to the next. We can complete the move in a designated time frame and within your budget constraints. We can also minimize your downtime, so you are back in business quickly.

Here are a few tips to help your corporate move go smoothly:

• Conduct a pre-move meeting with your managers to discuss what is to be moved and when.
• Explain to your employees what their roles and responsibilities will be for the move.
• Limit employee participation on move day.
• Notify customers and vendors of your new address and any potential interruption in your service.
• Keep clients and prospects in the loop by updating your website, blog and social media accounts.
• Hire a moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle who has experience with corporate moves.
• Get references from past customers of the moving company you’ve selected.

Click here to request your free moving quote now!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is proud to support Movers for Moms® to support mothers in need.

So what is Movers for Moms®? Started in 2008, it is an initiative to collect gifts for women in need to be delivered on Mother's Day each year. In 2011, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® had 85 franchise locations participate to support than 50 shelters across the United States. Isn't that awesome?

Staff and volunteers collect and deliver thousands of gifts each year on Mother's Day to women who are victims of domestic violence and/or homeless. We want to be sure these moms know that someone cares...in fact, a lot of us care!

Our Seattle franchise will be participating in this worthy fundraiser and awareness campaign thoughout 2012. We'll post updates here and show you how you can help, so stay tuned! These moms deserve are support and, after all, we are "Movers Who Care." What a great way to show it!

When you’re getting ready to move, you have lots of details to manage and so many people to call. For some of us, that gets overwhelming. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle, we try to make it easy for you to get a moving quote, so you can check that off your “to do” list. Just visit our FREE QUOTE page online, provide us with some basic info., and we can give you a moving estimate. Here’s what we’ll want to know:

• Your Name
• Date of Move
• Current Address and New Address
• Contact info.
• Type of dwelling – home, apartment, assisted living facility, etc.
• Approximate square footage
• Number of floors

In addition, in the Comments section, you can identify factors that might impact the cost of your move. For example, maybe you have a baby grand piano to move, your grandmother’s hutch or a 10-piece patio set, or maybe you just want us to move the furniture while you handle all of the boxes. We can do as much, or as little, of the move as you’d like.

We’ll review the info. provided and get back to you quickly with a quote. It’s that easy! Prefer to talk to a customer service rep? No problem. Call us during business hours at 253-235-4090 and one of friendly customer service representatives will gather the needed information, and get back to you with a quote.

Let’s face it. Moving isn’t fun. It has its upsides, of course – a new home, a new beginning, possibilities! But it is a lot of work. We try to take the burden off of you and, when we get testimonials like this from our clients, we know it is all worthwhile!

“Zele and Cedrick did an amazing job from the minute they arrived. Took extra care of the more sensitive items like our new bedroom furniture and specially our 58 inch plasma tv. Getting all the big items upstairs was very impressive without one ding or scratch. They did an amazing job. If I haaaaad to move again, I'd call you guys back.”  ~ Jimmy from Snohomish (12/29/11)

“The guys were great and we enjoyed working with them!! They wrapped and cared for our articles as if they were their own...very impressed. Two Men and a Truck will get our referrals and if we move again, you will be the ones we will call!!! Thank You for a wonderful, professional service!!” ~ Sharon from Sammamish (12/13/11)

“The two young men that moved us (Anthony and Juan) were so respectful and concerned about us and our moving. They offered advice and knew our concerns before we did. They were courteous, caring and moved my things as though they were theirs. Thank you for sending and hiring such nice and thorough employees. You can use me as a reference at any time.” ~ Wilma from Bellevue (11/21/11)

If we are the kind of mover you want to work with, give us a call at 253-235-4090 and tell us how we can help you with your Seattle area move.

Now that the holidays are over and the New Year is underway, many people are thinking about getting organized at home. They’re gathering tax records together, cleaning up and storing holiday decorations and, in general, “nesting” during the winter months. You might be surprised to learn that we can help with that!

We offer a wide variety of moving supplies which are ideal for the storage of holiday decorations and other valuables that you just don’t have room for anymore. Our dish packs, for example, are great for breakable holiday ornaments. And skip the newspaper please! We have great, plain newsprint paper and tissue paper which not only store your breakables safely and effortlessly, but there is no ink on them, so you those lovely Christmas ornaments and figurines don’t get ruined.

For super fragile items, we also offer bubble wrap and different sizes of boxes perfect for storing summer clothes, holiday dishes, Christmas wreaths and more. And, once those goodies are packed up, you’ll want to be sure you tape up the boxes and label them accordingly so you know exactly what’s inside. Yep, you guessed it! We’ve got stuff for that, too.

So think of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle as you get organized in the New Year. Our packing supplies are great for long-term storage. Call us at 253-235-4090 for more info. or visit our Supplies page online.

P.S. – If you are out of storage space, there is a local storage facility down the block from us that we just love – Central Avenue Mini Storage!

Everyone at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle wants to congratulate our very own Fawn, a customer service rep in the Kent office. She was “mystery shopped,” and she received 100%. Based on her friendly, professional attitude, we aren’t at all surprised…but we are glad that she’s been recognized for being so dedicated to her work. She is the type of person our clients love working with - warm, friendly and helpful. Congrats, Fawn. We are very proud of you and glad to have you onboard!

Whether you buy your moving supplies from us, or you buy or borrow them elsewhere, keep these tips in mind to protect your valuables:

Dish Packs:  Dishes should be packed carefully to avoid breakage. Boxes with compartments like our Dish Packs are super strong and are ideal for packing fragile items like china and crystal. To avoid having to rewash all of your dishes after the move, skip the newspaper! Use plain newsprint instead.

Picture or Mirror Moving Boxes:  Need to move a large picture, painting or mirror? Our four-piece moving box, available in small and large sizes, helps keep your treasured pictures protected with crumpled packing paper. For added protection, wrap your items in bubble wrap.

Wardrobe Boxes:  No time to fold and pack your clothes? Use a wardrobe box. With a metal bar along the top, these boxes are ideal for storing clothes on hangers. This eliminates a lot of work for you while ensuring that your clothes are well cared for during the move.

Used Boxes:  We recommend that you use brand new, clean, sturdy boxes when moving. While used boxes may save you money, the cost savings isn’t worth it if you break household items along the way.

For more tips like this, and a list of our moving supplies, please visit our website or call us at 253-235-4090.

To make moving easier for seniors and their families, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle specializes in senior moves through our senior move management service. How does this work? We provide an organizer to pull together all of the details of a move, so you can focus on adjusting to the new space.

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle, we tailor our services to meet your exact needs. This can include packing, moving, unpacking, arranging furniture, hanging pictures or even making beds. We can also help transfer utilities, update your mailing address, set up cleaning services and help you decide how to dispose of unwanted items like clothes and furniture.

Not sure if we’re the right mover for you? Consider these questions when “shopping” for a mover for this type of move:

1. Is the moving company insured and licensed?
2. How do they charge – by the hour or by the project?
3. Is the company a member of the National Association of Move Managers?
4. Will there be a move manager on site during the move?
5. Will the move manager help with organizing, sorting and downsizing prior to the move?
6. Can the move manager arrange for the disposal of items to be donated, sold or given away?

We can do all of this and more. To learn more about our senior move management services, visit our Senior Move Management web page or call us now at 253-235-4090. We’ll tell you how we can make the overwhelming task of moving easier!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle, Movers Who Care

Moving around the holidays can be challenging for any family, even if you’re only moving across town. Here are some special holiday moving tips to make this a little easier:

•    Plan a family meeting to explain what will happen and when, so everyone knows what to expect.
•    Find a way to incorporate your family traditions in spite of the move. Decorate your Christmas tree, enjoy a family meal (even if it is take-out) together, sing Christmas carols while packing and unpacking, watch your favorite holiday movies, and exchange gifts.
•    If you are moving with small children, their attitude toward the mood will mirror yours, so make the best of it.
•    Drive around your new community to see the holiday decorations and discover your new surroundings.
•    Keep familiar things close by – the quilt your grandmother made, a stuffed animal, your favorite music, comfort food. These things can make even the busiest of moves a little less stressful.

For more moving tips, visit our Home Moving Tips page or give us a call at 253-235-4090.

If you know your proposed move date in advance, we recommend that you schedule it at least two to three weeks ahead of time. This is particularly important if you are moving around the end of the month, when a lot of moves take place. To secure your preferred date and time, call us at 253-235-4090, and we'll get you on our schedule.

When you call, it is helpful to have this information handy:

• Address moving from
• Address moving to
• Preferred date and time
• Services desired (packing, moving, unpacking)
• Number of rooms being moved
• Large items or other items requiring special handling (e.g., piano, aquarium, etc.)

These items impact pricing, so having this info in advance is helping in providing a moving quote and securing the right amount of time for the move.

Questions? Concerns? Ready to schedule? Call us at 253-235-4090. We're here to help!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle celebrates the holiday season with community service throughout the Puget Sound. In November, the local franchise assisted World Association for Children & Parents (WACAP), ARAS and Kent Downtown Partnership.

Last weekend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® team members Scott Doyea and Anthony Roberts picked up items at WACAP and delivered them to the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle for the Children’s Hope Gala. Approximately 300 people attend this auction, raising $300,000 annually to help the organization find homes for abused and neglected children. On the event’s Facebook page, a volunteer posted this:  “TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® rocks! We couldn't have pulled off this auction without your help! Thank you!”

In addition to this event, team members Anthony Canfield and Colin Gibson worked with Mary Trask of the ARAS Foundation to coordinate pick-up and delivery of donated items for the organization’s annual Harvest Festival on November 19. This year’s event was held at the Highland Community Center in Bellevue. During this annual event, low income families can “shop” for food, clothes and toys and receive free services like haircuts. This is the third year TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle has participated in the event.

“This is a fun time of year for a lot of us, but many in the Seattle area are struggling this holiday season,” says Rick Clendenen of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. “We like to help out where we can, particularly in the communities where we serve. These communities have been good to us, and we want to give back wherever we can.”

From November 26 to December 3, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle will also participate in the Find It In Kent Holiday Scavenger Hunt, a week-long event sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership. The goal of the project is to celebrate local small businesses and to introduce local shoppers to Kent’s downtown businesses. “Hunters” pick up a passport and map at participating locations, visit each business to locate the special holiday nutcracker and then turn in their completed passports at the Kent Library to be eligible for prizes. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is one of the stops on the map. To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com or call 253-656-4322.

Many people like to save money when moving by taking the do-it-yourself approach. Others like to hire a moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle to help with the move. If you opt to hire a professional mover, be aware that not every Seattle moving company is reputable. Here are our tips for hiring a moving company you can trust:

•    Avoid moving brokers and be wary of movers advertising on sites like Craigslist.
•    Hire a company that is licensed in the State of Washington
(HG # 00000).
•    Call the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission at 360-664-1160 to inquire about a specific company (you’ll need the company’s five-digit HG #).
•    Ask if the mover is insured and bonded.
•    Request a free, “on site” moving estimate and get the estimate in writing.
•    Ask about any minimum charges that may apply and about “extra charges.” Sales tax will not apply.
•    Request a written copy of the company’s damage coverage and policy.
•    Find out if the employees are permanent or temporary.
•    Ask how the company ensures good quality work and customer satisfaction.

If you still aren’t sure about a particular moving company, or want to compare services, please contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle at 253-235-4090.

When packing to move across town or across the country, here’s what you should plan for:

1.    Gather materials including moving boxes, tape, markers, newspaper or bubble wrap.

2.    After packing items in the boxes, tape the boxes closed and mark each box with the box’s contents and the room it will go in. Be sure to add any extra descriptions that might be useful to you or your movers. For example, “Books – Den” or “China – Dining Room – Fragile.”

3.    Some stores like Costco or Washington State liquor stores give away boxes. You can also purchase boxes and other moving supplies at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle.

4.    Wherever you purchase your boxes, make sure they are good, quality boxes that can hold the items you need to pack.

5.    Ask friends and family to help you pack, or hire someone to help you pack (about $50/hour).

6.    Most rooms take one to two hours to pack. Some rooms, however, will take longer. Kitchens, dining rooms, basements, attics and garages will take about four to eight hours.

7.    Pack a “day of move” box which contains all of your essentials like medications, toiletries, change of clothes, non-perishable snacks, pet food, etc.

For more tips like this, visit us online:  Home Moving Tips from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle.

People often feel that they are defined by their possessions, or stuff, but why? Our stuff seems to say something about who we are, who we’d like to be, or how we want people to see us. Our houses, for example, can show that we work hard and are successful, or they can simply be places to hold our stuff. But possessions are only things that fill a purpose in our lives temporarily.

Yet we find it hard to give up certain possessions. In fact, some of us have such a hard time giving up even the simplest of objects that we become hoarders, unable to let go of anything that might someday have a purpose. Why do we hoard? Here are 10 reasons* we don’t want to let go of our stuff:

1.    We might need it someday.
2.    We feel guilty getting rid of it because it was a gift, belonged to a family member, etc.
3.    We paid a lot of money for it.
4.    The item needs to be repaired.
5.    We don’t know how or where to dispose of it.
6.    We promised someone we’d take care of it “forever.”
7.    We need a few more pieces to complete the set.
8.    We can use the original item for parts.
9.    We are identified by friends and family for collecting a certain item (e.g., antiques, Barbie dolls, vintage watches, Pez dispensers).
10.    We think we might lose a part of ourselves if we get rid of the item.

*Original source unknown

We have found that moving a senior from one home to another,no matter what the circumstances (e.g., downsizing, moving to assisted living facility, etc.), can be a big job. To make it easier for senior adults and their families, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK™ of Seattle specializes in senior moves and senior move management, providing an organizer who can pull together all of the details of a move. Here’s what you can expect from this service:

•    Serve as a single point of contact for the entire project.
•    Meet the senior in his or her home to create a plan and time line for the move.
•    Create a custom floor plan layout to be used when selecting furniture to be moved.
•    Help sort and separate items and identify them as items to keep, pass on to family, sell, donate or discard.
•    Provide referrals for other needed services such as cleaning, antique dealers, charities and more
•    Advise or help with packing, unpacking and organizing.
•    Arrange for moving services, overseeing the move out of the initial home and into the new home.
•    Help with stopping and starting utilities and other support services.

We can provide as much “hands on” help as is needed, or we can serve in an advisory capacity. We’ll price our services accordingly. For example, an initial meeting with a few follow-up reviews would cost about $100. Regularly scheduled assistance can also be offered at an hourly rate of $35. Contact us to learn more about our senior move management service and how we can streamline a senior move for you or your loved one.

To make moving easier and more affordable, we offer moving services customized to meet your individual needs. We won’t cover all of your options here, but we will describe a few of our more commonly used services:

Full pack: Packers come to your home and expertly wrap and pack all of your items. Each box is labeled to ensure they are delivered to the desired spot in your new home.

Partial pack: Packers wrap and pack one item, one room or the entire home – you decide what you need help with and we’ll get it done!

Load only: Our movers load your furniture and belongings onto a rented truck or trailer which you drive to your new location, ideal for long distance moves when you prefer to do the driving.

Unload only: Movers unpack your cars, vehicles or rented trucks and unload to a specified location.

Full-service home moves: We pack, load and unload locally or long distance.

One item home moves: We move one item such as a piano or antique desk from one location to another.

For a complete list of our home moving services, visit our website or call us to customize a moving package that meets your needs.

Moving can be a stressful experience for individuals and families, but did you know that pets are affected too? To help your pet’s move go more smoothly, we offer these pet moving tips:

•    Pets need time to adjust to their new home. Take their favorite food dish, toys and bedding to help them feel at home in their new surroundings.
•    Keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible.
•    Take photos of your pet in case he or she gets lost during the move.
•    While traveling, be sure to regulate the temperature for your pets, particularly small animals like gerbils and hamsters. Not too hot, not too cold. Use your own comfort level as a guide.
•    Before your move, select a sturdy, comfortable pet carrier that is big enough for him to stand up, turn around in and lie down. Add Fido’s favorite blanket to make it cozy.
•    Don’t let your pet loose in a strange place, especially cats. They should be kept indoors for several weeks to prevent them from wandering off.
•    Upon arrival to your new home, birds should be kept undisturbed until they get used to their surroundings.
•    Fish should be moved in complete darkness. Test the water supply in your new home to see how similar it is to your old home.

Have a favorite pet moving tip? Contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. We’d love to share it with our readers!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle works out of two central locations in the Seattle metropolitan area:  Kirkland, Washington and Kent, Washington. However, our service extends well beyond those two offices. We work and participate in other Seattle area communities including Everett, Lynnwood, Redmond, Bellevue, Renton, Auburn, SeaTac and surrounding towns and cities.

This includes community service and donations to local nonprofits, core beliefs at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. Here are just a few of the community events and organizations we have helped this year:  Big Truck Day, Redmond; KDP Hot Rod & Custom Car Show; Find It In Kent Business Expo, Kent; Kirkland Uncorked, Kirkland; Bikes to Africa, Sammamish; and Magnuson P-Patch, Seattle. For more information and photos on our community service projects, check out our website and our Facebook page.

Our company slogan is Movers Who Care. Sure, it is a nice, neat little phrase that’s easy to remember, but it also happens to be true. It is a motto we live every day. When hiring drivers and office staff, we are careful to hire the kinds of people our customers would want to work with. We also instill “movers who care” during employee training. We want to ensure that our customers’ experience with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is a positive one, starting with the initial contact. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some of our customers said about us:

“Chris, Sean and Anthony were WONDERFUL! These guys made moving the best it could be. They were friendly and fun, yet professional and they worked their behinds off. I couldn’t have been happier with them. My kids were even sad when they left at the end of the job! Thanks for the great service!

~Jeni, Redmond, WA

“The crew I had was awesome. I was helping carry something out to the garage when I heard the two guys laughing in the moving truck! What a great thing to hear – people enjoying their job. I would definitely refer TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle to anyone I know who might be moving. Thanks for the superior service!”

~ Jeff, Renton, WA

“We’ve recently used your service twice and will happily recommend your firm to others. Both office staff and moving guys have been outstanding in every way. AND you’re competitively priced. Thanks!”

~ Keith, Kirkland, WA

We get asked this question all the time. Our general guideline is that if something can be moved, we can probably move it – flat screen TVs, china cabinets, buffets, copy machines, filing cabinets, refrigerators, and even baby grand pianos! To protect your valuable items, we shrink wrap and/or box the items.

For pictures of some of our “big” moves, visit our Facebook page. To find out how we can help you move that big, bulky piece, visit us online to get a free quote or call us anytime for more information at 253-656-4322.

When people think of moving, they usually think of moving one household to another, whether it is an apartment, condo or house. We love helping with home moves in the Seattle area and can do long distance moves throughout Washington as well as moves down the hall or across the street.

We are also Seattle commercial movers who move businesses from one location to another, including everything from equipment and supplies to files and furniture.

Another popular service TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle offers is our Senior Move Management program. We help seniors and their families to downsize at the appropriate time, including managing the move, packing, moving and unpacking.

To learn how we can help you with your move, visit us online or call us with your questions at
253-656-4322.

One of the hardest things about moving is that there is so much to do and so many details to keep track of! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle can help with your Seattle home moving checklist. We’ll give you tips on things you need to do a month before the move, one to two weeks in advance, the week before and the day before your move. For example, about a month before your Seattle area move, transfer school records, host a garage sale and notify others of your change of address.

Click here for more Seattle moving tips. Have questions? Call us anytime at 253-656-4322. We’re prepared to help!

Seattle, Washington, September 9, 2011 – True to the company’s motto “Movers Who Care,” TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle recently participated in two local events, showing their commitment to the communities they serve.

The first event was Big Truck Day, an annual event hosted by the City of Redmond. Now in its ninth year, Big Truck Day was held August 26 and featured 22 big trucks including police cars, an armored vehicle, a recycling truck, a school bus and a moving truck from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. More than 215 kids participated in this year’s event which was held at Farrel-McWhirter Parker.

“It’s an opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with the big rigs,” explains Cindy Johnson of the City of Redmond. “TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle was a great addition to our event. They had these darling little moving boxes shaped like houses.”

Tera-Rose Layton and Anthony Clendenen of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle participated in the event as well, passing out the moving boxes and letting the children and parents walk inside the truck. Layton says the kids enjoyed running up and down the ramp into the truck, as well as getting “hands on” experience inside and receiving the moving boxes for their own personal treasures.

In addition to Big Truck Day, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle participated in Kent Downtown Partnership’s (KDP) first ever Hot Rod & Custom Car Show on August 27. As a member of KDP, owners Rick and Glenna Clendenen wanted to support the event which drew 75 cars and brought residents and visitors to downtown Kent. They passed out cup holders, pens and other goodies to attendees.

“This is one of the reasons we love TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®,” says Rick Clendenen. “We not only get to know and help our customers, but we can also be active in communities in the Seattle area.”

To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com or call 253-656-4322.

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. Originally from the Midwest, the couple moved to Western Washington to expand the popular moving franchise. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland. In addition to back-to-school moves, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services including senior move management. The company also offers packing services, supplies and workshops.

For more information, contact:

Rick Clendenen
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK©
253-656-4322

Rick.Clendenen@twomen.com
http://facebook.com/twomenandatruckseattle
Twitter:  @TMAATSeattle

Choosing the right Seattle moving company is an important detail to consider when planning your move. Many people call the first place that comes up in their Google search. Sometimes this might pull up the best Seattle mover for your situation, but it may not. To ensure you’ve got a reliable mover with a good reputation, ask these questions.

Moving is often a bittersweet experience. On one hand, it is hard work with lots of details to manage, and you are leaving family and friends behind. On the other hand, you’re going somewhere different with new possibilities.

To ease the stress of moving so you can look forward to the good stuff that follows, consider these 10 moving tips. They’ll help your Seattle move go much more smoothly.

1. Reserve the moving date with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle two to four weeks before your desired move date. This ensures you can move on schedule.

2. Begin packing as soon as possible, starting with items you won’t need right away.

3. Organize boxes by room type (e.g., living room, bedroom, kitchen) and avoid packing items from different rooms in the same box. It will make unpacking much easier!

4. Used boxes aren’t reliable. Use new boxes with lids that are strong enough to support your belongings. For a guide on how many boxes you’ll need and what size, visit our Supplies page.

5. Tape every box with packing tape, not duct tape as tempting as it may be.

6. Clearly label every box on the top and sides so you and your movers will know where everything goes.

7. Pack important papers like birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, etc. in one clearly-labeled box so you have easy access to it.

8. When possible, pack electronics like computers and TVs in their original boxes. Be sure to include instruction manuals, cords and accessories in the box too. If you don’t have the original box, let us know. We have boxes available for moving high value items.

9. Pack a box of essentials – toilet paper, cleaning supplies, snacks, etc. – that you’ll need right away and put it in your car or the moving truck LAST.

10. When the movers arrive, explain what needs to be moved and provide them with any specific instructions.

For more tips on home moves, visit our Home Moving Tips page.

Seattle area college students and parents, schedule your back-to-school move by August 26, 2011 and receive a $20 pizza gift card free, compliments of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. Moves include local (55 miles or less one-way) and long distance moves in Western Washington such as dorm moves, moves to off-campus housing and moving items into storage. This offer is ideal for students of the University of Washington in Seattle, Western Washington University in Bellingham, Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and other area colleges and universities.

“We do a lot of moves this time of year, so our schedule is already filling up,” says Rick Clendenen, co-owner of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. “We encourage students and parents to take advantage of this special offer by booking their move now.”

Ideally, Clendenen explains, back-to-school moves should be scheduled two weeks in advance to ensure availability. This also helps to lock in pricing for weekday and weekend moves. Per Washington State regulations, different minimums apply to weekdays versus weekends. By booking ahead of time, parents secure their spot while students get the benefit of the free pizza!

To schedule your move with Seattle movers who care, call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 253-656-4322 or visit their website at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com.

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. Originally from the Midwest, the couple moved to Western Washington to expand the popular moving franchise. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland. In addition to back-to-school moves, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services including senior move management. The company also offers packing services, supplies and workshops.