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The “Best” Moving Company Near Me: What Does This Actually Mean?

By: Maddy Heuler

Moving can sound linear at first glance. Without experience, the concept seems self-explanatory. Yet the intricacies in moving are strongly overlooked. Proper training, time management, physical assessments, communication, all to ease the customers nerves, and make the job smooth. Not every company will go the extra mile to protect you and your family’s possessions. So how does one know a reliable and competent moving company from an inept one? How does the customer know they are getting the best service for them and their family?

1. Reputation

A good reputation in the moving industry is as important as a good reputation in high school. Chose a mover like one would choose a friend. What is their track record? How a friend has treated others is often the best indicator for how they will treat others. A bad track record or reputation in the moving industry is the largest red flag when choosing a mover. So, while there are important questions to ask before diving into a friendship, there are important questions to ask before hiring a mover. Does the company send trained professionals out on the jobs? Do the movers show up on time and ready, as well as finish timely? Are the hired movers full time employees? This can be a strong indicator to their experience and credibility. Are they accommodating and easy to work with? What is the company’s history? How long have they been in the business? Their track record often times is the best representation of how they will treat their customers.

2. Personable

Household moving is personal. The possession of personal items and family heirlooms requires trust. Uprooting families from their homes, elderly into facilities, or simply a move down the street all requires care. Hiring a mover that is accommodating to requests, willing to adjust and be a person leading the process can make things a lot less stressful. Before a great moving company, is a collective group of people first. A company that understands their customer’s needs.

3. Communication

The tie between a client and business is a relationship. And after all, all great relationships are built on great communication. Establishing a repertoire between the mover and client establishes trust and eases nerves. Without a line of communication, moving dates, load sizes and so on can be misinterpreted for extra costs and a longer move. Making sure your moving company travels to your home for an in-person assessment of load and quote is vital to avoid extra costs. A mover’s communication is key in every move to save time and money for their client.

4. Appearance of Movers

In what manner should a mover show up for a job? Appearance and professionalism coincide strongly within every walk of life. Even within a physical labor job such as moving, a mandatory uniform within movers sets a level of professionalism and trust within clients, as it does with every job. Establishing different uniforms for different levels of leadership all further aids the client from deciphering leaders and setting an organized image. How a mover shows up to the worksite, on time, informed, trained shows that your mover cares.

Moving is personal. Protecting personal products require personal relationships. With people who understand. Ensuring reputation, being personable, appearance and communication are just a few green flags to finding the best mover for you and our family. So, before your next move, ask yourself these questions. Identify the company that represents itself the way you would like to be represented.

Coakley Brothers – Things to Know Before Moving to Milwaukee, WI

Are you getting ready to make a move to Milwaukee? If so, you’re in store for a wonderful city. Before you move, take a look at our list of important things to know and do, in addition to some Milwaukee places you’ll want to be sure to check out.

Hire the best out-of-state movers.

The first thing you want to do when planning your move to Milwaukee is to hire the most reputable, experienced movers in the area.

 

Check out the community and culture.

There are plenty of historic homes, art museums, and sports venues to visit and explore in this culturally-rich city.

 

 

Make a list of your must-haves.

While you’re perusing various areas and neighborhoods to find your dream home, it is important to have a list of your “non-negotiables.”

 

 

Whatever your reasons may be for making a move to Milwaukee, Coakley Brothers is here to help! We are experts in every neighborhood in the area—and we have the experience needed to assist you with everything you need to know as you gear up to make your move.

Reach out today and get started on the planning process with a free, no-obligation move quote—you won’t regret it!

 

Long Distance Moving Checklist – Coakley Brothers

Making a long-distance move is quite an undertaking. Without planning properly, interstate moving can quickly become a major headache for all involved.

Luckily, there are some important steps you can take to avoid letting your out-of-state move spiral out of control.

Best Long Distance Moving Checklist

Read on for some wise ways to keep your long-distance move running smoothly and hassle-free.

Pick the best pro movers

The first thing you will want to do is recruit the services of a moving and storage company that is experienced and skilled in executing not only local moves but long-distance moves in particular.

Stay on track with your budget

Having a budget in mind is always a great financial move to make.

Become familiar with your new neighborhood

It’s easy to fall in love with your new home, but you can’t leave the surrounding areas out of the equation.

Are you ready to start planning your long distance move to Milwaukee? Look no further than Coakley Brothers. Coakley Brothers is a full-service moving and storage provider, making thousands of commercial, residential, local, and long-distance moves since opening their doors in 1888.

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

When it comes to moving to Wisconsin, you really can’t go wrong with whichever city you choose. This great state, the top producer of cheese in the country, has many wonderful locations to choose from. The beer industry is also a major part of Wisconsin’s economy, and the bevy of breathtaking sights add to the perks of living in America’s Dairyland.

Are you a fan of farm-to-table food? Half of the state of Wisconsin is farmland, so you’ll never be in short supply of fresh, “real” food to choose from.

Sports fans flock to Wisconsin for all of the popular teams based here, including the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers, and more. Sports enthusiasts can always catch a game somewhere within the state, at any time of year.

Whether you’re a single individual looking for new experiences or searching for Wisconsin family places to enjoy, we’ve got you covered.

Did you know that Wisconsin’s housing costs consistently rank as some of the most affordable in the nation? That’s definitely some food for thought!

Are you considering making an upcoming move to Wisconsin and wondering about the best spots to live in?

We’re here to help! Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in WI.

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a mecca for food and beer lovers—even affectionately nicknamed “Brew City.”

Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay is a small suburb of Milwaukee, known for its quaint, unique charm.

Shorewood

No matter where you decide to move in the Milwaukee area, Coakley Brothers offers unbeatable customer service and rates for stellar moving and storage services.

Call or visit https://www.coakleybrothers.com/ for your free move estimate.

The 10 Fastest-Growing Cities in the U.S.

Now is a great time to move. The real estate market is booming, and it’s a wonderful time to be a buyer in a number of U.S. cities. Despite the global pandemic, people continue to move at rising rates across the country. What are the best cities experiencing rapid growth? Let’s explore the 10 best places to live in the U.S.

Are you ready to make your move to Milwaukee? Call or fill out the form here and get your free move quote from Coakley Brothers today!

Best Charities to Donate Your Stuff to When You’re Moving

When you’re clearing the clutter and gearing up to move into your new home, donating unused or unwanted items to charity is a great idea for several reasons.

In addition to being one of the top organization tips when you’re moving, giving goods to those in need is always a proactive and positive choice—not to mention the fact that many charitable organizations will even come to your home to pick the items up!

If you’re preparing for an upcoming move and considering charitable donations as part of the process, let’s take a look at the best charities for donating your goods.

The Salvation Army

This organization, in business for over 150 years, is often one of the first charitable organizations that come to mind when you’re thinking of groups that do major good in the world.

 

 

 

Check out https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ for more information.

Goodwill

 

 

Check out https://www.goodwill.org for more information.

AMVETS National Service Foundation

Job training and community outreach programs are just some of what makes this veteran-oriented charity so great.

 

 

Visit https://amvets.org/ for more information.

Wherever you decide to donate your items, be sure to get a receipt of your donation to use as a tax deduction for the upcoming year. Do a good thing for others while organizing your belongings better when you donate your unwanted items!

 

Post-Crisis Moving – Safety Tips to Prepare for Your Summer Move

COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have taken a toll on the moving industry, from people not wanting to move, to moving companies altering their safety protocols. Coakley Brother Moving has made the difficult decision to only accept moving dates AFTER Memorial Day. But with the summer months right around the corner, moving season is sure to still pick up. Here are some safety tips to consider while planning for your post-crisis move this summer.

 

  1. Contact your movers way in advance – the more time you have to plan, the easier it will be to prepare for your move. Make a plan with your moving company to select the best date, and be in touch with them about how you will all implement social distancing on moving day.
  2. Clean as you go – while you’re packing, be sure to keep things clean and sanitized. Wipe down counters, disinfect items, and wash your hands often so as not to transmit anything onto your packed boxes.
  3. Buy new packing supplies – a pandemic is not the time to be reusing grocery store boxes. Get new boxes, tape, and anything else you may need. Try and get it all in one go, or order offline, to avoid needing to go out more than once.
  4. Finish packing a day or two before movers arrive – experts say that coronavirus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. If you finish packing 24 hours before movers come, you can limit the risk of accidental transmission.
  5. Provide hygiene products for movers – while some moving companies are providing their teams with hand sanitizer and face masks, it is a safe bet to get extra supplies. Having access to a sink with hot water and soap is especially important. Make sure that everybody is washing their hands on moving day.

 

While coronavirus is teaching us all to be extra cautious and considerate of others, it shouldn’t prohibit those of us who need to move in the coming months. Following these guidelines to make moving day as safe as possible, and contact Coakley Brothers with any further questions you may have at 414-278-7060.

Coakley wants water tower sculpture to be a colorful ‘beacon’ in Walker’s Point

A new water tower mosaic sculpture, rising high above the Coakley Brothers Co. building, could serve as a beacon to the redeveloping Walker’s Point neighborhood.

That’s the plan envisioned by Peggy Coakley, the CEO and fourth-generation member of the family that runs the  129-year-old company that specializes in moving, storage and business interiors. 

She commissioned Brooklyn, N.Y., artist Tom Fruin  to create a 20-foot-tall piece of art in the shape of the old water tower tank that sat on top of the company’s building at 400 S. 2nd St.

Constructed from thousands of multicolored pieces of plexiglass, the structure will be illuminated by sunlight during the day and by interior lights at night. It will be visible from downtown and the south and west sides of the city, including the Hoan and High Rise bridges.

“It’s really like a kaleidoscope,” she said. “It’s joyful.”

Coakley said she first stumbled on Fruin’s work when she saw his 2012 water tower sculpture in Brooklyn Bridge Park last November.

“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to bring this back to Milwaukee,’ ” Coakley said.

Although the water tank had been removed long ago, the 40-foot-tall platform it sat upon was intact on top of the seven-story Coakley building.

It took months for Coakley’s staff to connect with Fruin — they did so eventually by Instagram.

The sculpture will rise 20 feet above the platform, making it nearly as tall as the building itself. It’s a companion piece to the ongoing $6 million renovation  of the 175,000-square-foot building Coakley will use for its headquarters and West Elm office interiors showroom.

Fruin is creating the work in Brooklyn, and it will arrive in pieces in Milwaukee on Sept. 17. It will be assembled and lifted and welded onto the base on Sept. 21. Plans call for a Sept. 26 “illumination” ceremony.

The piece is the sixth water tower sculpture Fruin has completed, he said in an interview. Three are public pieces in New York and two are in private collections.

Fruin said he focuses much of his work on sculptures for gallery shows but enjoys doing occasional large public art pieces. He said the Coakley Brothers project was the largest, by far, of the water tower pieces he’s completed.

“It’s outrageous, it’s so big,” he said, noting that there are about 16,000 “studs” connecting the pieces.

“I think it will look different at different times of day from different angles,” Fruin said.

“It’s meant for everyone, not just for an educated ‘art’ audience,” he said. “I kind of like working outside of that system to reach everybody.”

The tower will be a colorful companion to the Allen-Bradley clock tower at Rockwell Automation a few blocks to the southeast.


The Coakley building is just southeast of the Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W. Florida St., and northeast of the new  Mobcraft brewery and taproom.

Coakley Brothers Co. has about 140 employees, and last year reported sales of about $17.6 million.

Coakley, who had no previous experience dealing with a public art project or the city’s arts community, said she was happy to handle the logistics of the creation, delivery, installation and red tape associated with the project.

“It speaks volumes for this area because of the investment that they’re making,” said Cindy Evinrude, property manager for the Brix Apartment Lofts, 408 W. Florida St., just across the street from the Coakley building.

Evinrude says she shows images of the water tower project to prospective tenants for the 100-unit Brix, and expects it to be appealing to others interested in the rapidly redeveloping area.

“It’s going to be very appealing for our units that face the south,” she said.

“You wouldn’t have seen this 10 years ago.”

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Coakley Brothers Commission National Work of Art to Crown Renovated Building

MILWAUKEE —Coakley Brothers, the legacy Milwaukee company known for its premier line of business services, is bringing back its iconic rooftop water tower — with a colorful, contemporary replica to pronounce the “gateway” to Walker’s Point and the growing design district.

Coakley Brothers has commissioned internationally-renowned, Brooklyn-based artist, Tom Fruin, to construct one of his signature mosaic sculptures of art at its 400 S. 5th Street business headquarters. The public installation project is part of Coakley’s $6 million building renovation which launched this summer and is seeking final BOZA committee approval next week.

The art installation reinforces Coakley Brothers’ dedication to the city of Milwaukee, and anchors its presence in the Milwaukee design community. While the company is well known for its commercial relocation, facility management, and self-storage services, it has seen tremendous success with the launch of its office furniture and business interiors design division, Brothers Interiors, which launched in 2012.

The move has lead Coakley to become “the official office furniture dealer” of the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as the state’s sole dealer and showroom for the West Elm WORKSPACE with Inscape line.

It was during meetings with West Elm in Brooklyn where Brothers Business Interiors owner Peggy Coakley first discovered Fruin’s work. She was driving through the borough when she spotted one of Fruin’s “Watertower” pieces on top of a building.

“My mouth dropped and I had my driver pull over to get a better look,” Coakley said. “The beauty of the piece was striking. I immediately thought of our own watertower base on top of our building and the possibility of putting one of these on our rooftop for the

city of Milwaukee. I knew I needed to find the artist and bring this home to Milwaukee.”
The Coakley watertower art project extends Fruin’s internationally acclaimed Icon art series. Similar to Fruin’s previous artworks, the soaring sculpture will crown the building and feature salvaged plexiglass, plastic and steel arranged in a chromatic patchwork pattern. The inspired design provides a unique, kaleidoscopic adaptation of the water towers that heavily punctuated the American urban skyline throughout the 20th century, including at this Coakley Brothers headquarters.

“Like the city, this piece is dynamic: a riot of color and vibrancy,” explained Fruin. “ In a way, the sculpture is inspired by the city. It’s a gift to the city. To have an opportunity to work at this size and scale is a dream come true.

Coakley says the prismatic water tower will certainly be hard to miss.

In the daytime, the sculpture’s multicolored panes will illuminate with the sun. At night, the sculpture will be lit to transform into a beacon of light from its central post in the Walker’s Point neighborhood.

Prime viewing locations for the artwork include Interstates 94 and 43; the archway of the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge; and from various points around downtown.

“You’ll get a glimpse of the watertower sculpture from nearby backyards and peaking out over factories — it’ll brighten your commute when seen from the freeways,” Fruin said.

Coakley hopes the public will see the sculpture as a symbol of pride for the city’s diverse and vibrant citizens and a symbol of how neighborhoods and cities can be progressive and forward-thinking, while still being true to their roots.

Upon a BOZA committee approval, the watertower installation will be commemorated with a formal evening lighting debut.

COAKLEY BROTHERS | BROTHERS BUSINESS INTERIORS
Coakley Brothers provides Wisconsin businesses, educational institutions and healthcare entities an unparalleled service experience for commercial moving, installation, storage and residential relocation needs. Commitment, integrity and reliability have been hallmarks of the organization since 1888, when the company was founded by three brothers in the heart of Milwaukee. Coakley Brothers approaches each customer interaction as a unique opportunity to enhance facility operations for the organizations they serve.

Brothers Interiors, the design and furniture division of Coakley Brothers, offers customers and partners real choices and tailored workspace solutions that truly align with their functional and aesthetic aspirations. As a Non Aligned furniture dealership, we design, furnish and install over 200 high-quality commercial furniture manufacturers. This expansive offering allows customers to find the right fit for their vision, goals and budget.

COAKLEY BROTHERS | BROTHERS BUSINESS INTERIORS
Tom Fruin (b. 1974) works in Brooklyn, NY. His work is a part of many international museums and collections, most notably The Hanck Collection at the Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf, Germany; the Richard J. Massey Foundation for Arts and Sciences in New York, NY; and the Buenos Aires Design Center (Centro Metropolitano de Diseño) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Coakley unveils rooftop art for renovated Walker’s Point headquarters

Coakley Brothers, which this summer announced and began a $6 million renovation projecct on its Walker’s Point headquarters 400 S. 5th St., has unveiled a rendering of a plan to bring back the building’s rooftop water tower, sort of.

Coakley has tapped Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin to create a mosaic sculpture version of the water tower to be installed atop the seven-story building that sits across from the Iron Horse Hotel on the roundabout at the south end of the 6th Street Viaduct.

The design, shaped like a traditional wooden rooftop water tower used to regulate pressure in taller old buildings, appears to be made out of stained glass.

Its variegated and bright design will certainly be eye-catching and will leap out especially at folks on the high-rise and the Hoan bridges. The colors will also likely have a prismatic effect, too, on sunny days.

The kaleidoscopic work – part of Fruin’s ongoing “Icon” series – will be made of Plexiglass, plastic and steel, and will sit atop the base that remains from the building’s original water tower, which was removed.

Coakley owner Peggy Coakley learned of Fruin’s work on a visit to Brooklyn, where West Elm – which is opening a showroom for its business interiors division in the renovated Coakley building – is headquartered.

Fruin’s water tower is atop the building at 20 Jay St. in the DUMBO neighborhood where West Elm makes its home. Another one is in nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park at 334 Furman St.

“My mouth dropped and I had my driver pull over to get a better look,” Coakley said in a statement. “The beauty of the piece was striking. I immediately thought of our own water tower base on top of our building and the possibility of putting one of these on our rooftop for the city of Milwaukee. I knew I needed to find the artist and bring this home to Milwaukee.”

The Coakley watertower art project extends Fruin’s internationally acclaimed Icon art series. Similar to

Fruin’s previous artworks, the soaring sculpture will crown the building and feature salvaged plexiglass, plastic and steel arranged in a chromatic patchwork pattern. The inspired design provides a unique, kaleidoscopic adaptation of the water towers that heavily punctuated the American urban skyline throughout the 20th century, including at this Coakley Brothers headquarters.

In the statement, Coakley said she hopes “the public will see the sculpture as a symbol of pride for the city’s diverse and vibrant citizens and a symbol of how neighborhoods and cities can be progressive and forward-thinking, while still being true to their roots.”

“Like the city, this piece is dynamic: a riot of color and vibrancy,” explained Fruin. ” In a way, the sculpture is inspired by the city. It’s a gift to the city. To have an opportunity to work at this size and scale is a dream come true.

“You’ll get a glimpse of the water tower sculpture from nearby backyards and peaking out over factories — it’ll brighten your commute when seen from the freeways.”

The installation of the work requires approval from the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. The item is on the agenda for the committee’s Sept. 14 meeting.

If it is approved, the water tower will be unveiled in what Coakley calls a “formal evening lighting event.”

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