Moving companies are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Good Green Moving sets itself apart by continually staying on the cutting edge of its industry. “I believe we’re more than just a moving company,” says President and CEO Jonathan Cook. “Through our innovative, sustainable practices, we aim to be leaders in our industry and help move the world toward a better future.”

Good Green Moving has been providing residential and commercial moving services for clients throughout the Bay Area and beyond since 2012. The company has the training and equipment to handle every phase of its customers’ moving projects (including packing and unpacking), and it also offers storage services at its secure facility.

Unlike less experienced moving companies that are unconcerned about the environmental impact of their work, Good Green Moving is driven by a passion for ecological sustainability. “Our mission is to minimize our carbon footprint and consumption of natural resources so we can give back to our local and global communities,” explains Mr. Cook. “For example, we were the first moving company in the Bay Area to run our trucks on biodiesel fuel. We also utilize reusable packing materials and we’re involved in local habitat restoration projects.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Good Green Moving is its dedication to quality control in every aspect of its operations. “We address quality control on several levels,” affirms Mr. Cook. “We hold quarterly training sessions for our employees to reemphasize proper job protocol, and we follow up with our customers after their moves to make sure they had great experiences and address any issues they may have had.”

When it comes to ensuring a successful move, preparation is absolutely crucial.

Any time you waste during a moving project translates to wasted money, so the more you’re able to prepare beforehand, the easier your move will be. Consider the following preparation tips:

Go easy on the cushion wrap. When packing boxes, you can speed up the process by using newspaper instead of cushion wrap or packing peanuts. Some people feel safer when they cushion wrap everything, but it should be reserved for fragile items only. Not only is newspaper easier to work with than cushion wrap, it’s also less expensive and takes up less space in a box.

Use better boxes. It’s important to use strong boxes with plenty of tape to ensure they don’t collapse in transit. However, an even better alternative to cardboard boxes are stackable plastic storage bins. Not only do they conveniently stack upon each other, they’re also low-maintenance (no tape needed), sturdy and reusable.

Prepare fragile items. Remove light bulbs from lamps so they don’t shatter from the vibration of the moving truck. Also, smaller lamps and lamp shades tend to be very fragile, so box them up instead of keeping them out with standing lamps. Tightly wrap framed pictures in blankets and ask if your mover has a special rack in the truck for transporting them.

Consider the location. If you live in an urban setting, you might need to reserve a loading dock (particularly if it’s a high-rise building) or procure a street parking permit for the day. Remember, these details are your responsibility, not the moving company’s. To obtain a parking permit, you can either go to your local police station or visit the city’s website. Parking permits may not be cheap, but they’re less expensive than a parking ticket or rescheduling your entire move. Other factors that might come into play in an urban area are road closures for maintenance or street fairs, so do some preliminary research to make sure nothing is going to cause a delay on the day of your move.

Q: What makes your company sustainable?
A: Sustainability is our passion, so we utilize reusable packaging materials, run our trucks on biodiesel fuel and source our supplies locally whenever possible. We’re also involved in local habitat restoration projects. Currently, we’re helping rebuild a habitat for the endangered coho salmon at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Q: Do you offer long-distance moving?
A: Yes. We have a USDOT license, which enables us to move nationwide. We also have locations in Austin, Texas and Boulder, Colorado, as well as a nationwide network of high-level employees.

Q: Do you work on weekends?
A: Yes. Our office hours may be Monday through Friday, but we frequently handle moving projects on weekends.

Q: How much do your storage bins cost?
A: We charge $100 for as many bins as you need for a two-week rental. That includes drop-off, pickup and cleaning of your bins.