Category: Moving Tips

Packing before a big household move feels overwhelming to most people. To simplify the process, start in the least-used areas where clutter tends to accumulate. Areas such as your basement and attic are great places to start. Here are top tips for decluttering these spaces before your move.

1. Ask Yourself These Questions

Unlike other areas of the home, you might not want to go by the “used in the last year” rule because you might find there are family treasures you want to keep but don’t necessarily use. To help decide, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have more than one of these items?
• Will this item simply be collecting dust in my new home?
• Where in the new house will this item go?
• Is the item in good working condition?
• Does the item need repair?
• How sentimental is this item?

If your answer to these questions determines any items aren’t something you need or even use, make a plan to eliminate them.

2. Set Up Areas to Place Items

Plan to sort out possessions by creating piles while going through your basement and attic spaces.

• Keep
• Recycle
• Toss
• Donate
• Sell

Knowing where items will go will streamline your packing process and, in some cases, put some money back into your pocket.

Pro tip: Pack the “must keep” items as you sort to save time. Just be sure they’re items you genuinely need.

3. Be Mindful of Paperwork

You may have boxes and bins filled with old paperwork in your attic and basement. Be sure to carefully review these before throwing them out or recycling them because they may have personal information. Shred any documents containing sensitive information. 

Pro tip: Avoid accidentally mishandling essential documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, old family documents, and photos. Safeguard these in a box and clearly label them.

4. Factor in Your New Surroundings

When deciding what to keep, think about where you’re moving to. If you’re moving to warmer climates, you probably don’t need to keep the heavy winter gear, snow blowers, and sleds.

5. Make Donation Pickup Arrangements

If you have large items or too many bags/boxes to transport yourself, arrange a donation pickup. Many companies will come to you to transport usable items at no cost.

• Habitat for Humanity
• Goodwill
• The Salvation Army
• AMVETS National Service Foundation
• Greendrop

These are only a handful of organizations that will pick up household items. Check with any charity you’re interested in, and then ask about the types of items they’ll take and how to arrange a pickup.

6. Hire a Junk Removal Company

If you’re not going to move a large portion of your basement and attic, you might consider hiring a junk removal company. This will save you time, and you won’t have to worry about how to get these things out of your home. Many will dispose of trash and donate usable items to charity for you.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

Going through the attic and basement can be an arduous process as you’re trying to plan your move. To help reduce your stress on moving day, contact our professional moving experts today to learn more about our services and get a free quote.

Moving for a new job can be thrilling and scary. If you’re taking on a new job and home all at once, making the relocation more manageable and less stressful can help you maintain your calm. These tips will ensure a successful relocation while keeping you calm and organized.

1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time for Relocation

It’s tempting to say you can start the job ASAP. Still, you’re going to need time for your relocation. Your relocation is likely to take up even more of your time and energy than you expect.

Create a timeline for packing, finding a new home, and moving from here to there. For many people, packing and moving takes at least two months.

Once you’ve made a timeline, give yourself at least an extra week or more before starting your new job. If you must start your job sooner than that, plan to work with a full-service moving company to get through your packing and unpacking process as quickly as possible.

2. Keep All the Job Info In One Place

It’s easy to lose track of your essential papers while in the middle of a relocation. As you gather information about your upcoming job, like your offer letter, start date, and benefits information, start a binder and keep all that information in one place. Don’t pack it. Doing this will help you be more organized when you show up for your first day on the job.

Consider digitizing this paperwork so that even if you lose the binder of information during the relocation, you’ll still know where to find the digital files.

3. Find Out About Moving Benefits

Some workplaces offer moving benefits. For example, your new employer may pay a percentage of your relocation expenses or hire movers. Ask about moving benefits when you accept the new job. If your employer offers relocation benefits, get the details as quickly as possible so that you can jump-start your relocation.

4. Take Time For Yourself

During all this work to start your new job and move out of your old home, you’ll have little time for relaxation and peace. Take time for yourself periodically to manage the stress of your upcoming relocation.

Try meditation, watching movies, taking naps, or going for walks. Taking time for yourself can help you throughout the relocation process and can help you feel less frazzled when it’s time to start your new job.

Find the Right Moving Company

Finding the right company to help you with your upcoming relocation is essential. Having the right partner at this busy time can make your experience more positive. You’ll also free up time for yourself if you work with a full-service moving company. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to get your upcoming relocation scheduled.

Garages often become spaces that collect everything from tools to holiday decorations. Indeed, organization experts estimate that only about 30 percent of people put their cars in their garage because they have too much other stuff.

Moving to a new home provides a fresh start at organizing the garage. Here are some tips.

Declutter Before Your Move

One of the best ways to easily organize your new garage is to start only with the necessary items. Before moving from your old home, set aside a weekend to clean the garage and take inventory. Then, donate, sell, or discard what you don’t need.

Safety First

Storing some items in your garage is unsafe or unwise. Among these items are:

• Propane. Propane can catch fire easily.
• Paint. Extreme temperatures can ruin it.
• Pet food. The smell will attract unwanted wild animals.
• Paper products. Paper attracts bugs.

Also, ensure your garage door opener is safe. The safest openers include a U.L.-listed motor and automatically stop closing if a child or animal runs underneath.

Lockable storage cabinets are a great way to prevent kids or pets from accessing lawn chemicals and other harmful materials. Also, mesh bags are an excellent way to store balls to prevent them from rolling away and becoming hazards.

Develop a Floor Plan

Note the dimensions of your garage, then create a floor plan. Create zones and store similar items together so that you can find them easily. Store your lawnmower and bulky items in corners. Store frequently used smaller items near the door.

Keep the Floor Clear

Move items off the floor when possible. You can buy or easily make many storage solutions that organize items and are raised. For example:

• Pegboards for tools
• Slat walls for ladders, baby carriages, and similar items
• Wall hooks for hanging items
• Wire shelving or cabinets on legs for placing storage bins

Use Overhead Space

Garage ceilings are usually high to maximize your garage space with overhead storage. Mounted overhead racks are great for storing totes or items you use only seasonally. Overhead racks are also great for storing kayaks or bikes. You can also hang ladders from the bottom of high shelving.

When looking for overhead space, remember the space above the garage door. It may be perfect for items such as inflatable pools or plastic planters.

Move Large Items to a Shed

Move large items such as lawnmowers and wheelbarrows to a shed if possible. Moving these items will free up significant space in the garage. Since lawnmowers often contain gas, storing them away from the house is much safer.

If you don’t have a shed, a pulley shelving system may be a good option for heavy items. You can store the items up high, then use the pulleys to move them to the garage floor.

Consider a Portable Workspace

If you like to use your garage as a workspace, consider a portable option on wheels. You can use the portable workstation independently or with a workbench or desk. You can also use it as a mobile bar or snack cart.

Moving Simplified

The right residential moving company can make moving to a new home more manageable and less stressful. Contact us today for your free quote. We can help simplify your relocation.

Moving can be expensive, so budgeting for the right amount when planning your upcoming household relocation is essential. Everything from travel to move-in costs should be on your list when deciding how much to budget and how much you can afford. Here’s what you need to know about the costs of relocating.

1. Professional Movers

The cost of hiring pro movers can vary depending on many things, including how much stuff you have, how far you’re moving, and which company you’re hiring. Plan to spend anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Decluttering before you pack can keep costs down and make your relocation easier at the same time.

Remember that the lowest-cost movers are rarely the best movers for the job. Hiring an inexperienced moving company might save money initially, but it can cost more in the long run if the company is inexperienced and unreliable.

2. Travel Costs

If you’re moving over state lines or across the country, you may have travel costs associated with your relocation. Know how many nights you’ll be on the road and how many hotel rooms you’ll need.

If you’re flying, you’ll need to budget for plane tickets, and keep in mind that you may have to pay relocation fees for your car. Travel costs under these circumstances can vary, so plan each step of your trip accordingly. Remember to budget for incidentals like food and gas.

3. Move In Costs

When you move into your new home, you must buy blinds, curtains, rugs, or carpeting. You may also decide to paint. These costs can range in the hundreds or thousands, depending on how much needs to be done. If you’ll be staying in a hotel while the work is being performed, remember to budget for that as well.

4. Cleaning Services

You may need to pay cleaning service costs to move out of your old home or may need to pay a cleaning service to move into your new home. Get a quote in advance for each cleaning session. You can save money on this by shopping around.

5. Take Out

Many people eat takeout while they’re packing and unpacking their things. Eating take-out food can get expensive, but you can save money by saving the leftovers and making a second meal out of it. Buy snacks to tide you over, and limit the number of take-out meals you eat daily.

6. Packing Materials

Packing supplies can add up fast. Budget for boxes, rolls of tape, bubble wrap, and more.

7. Storage Rental

You may need to store your furniture and other oversized items in a storage unit while waiting to move into your new home. Storage rental costs vary. Check with your moving company to see if they offer storage options.

Find Movers You Can Trust

Trust a moving company with a good reputation and integrity. Contact us today to get a free quote and schedule a consultation to discuss your upcoming relocation.

It takes a lot of moving supply material for a successful move. If you’re moving soon, it’s important to start collecting the materials needed to make your relocation happen. Below are eight essential supplies that most people need when they decide to make a residential move.

1. Boxes of Various Sizes

You’ll need large, medium, and small boxes of good quality. 

If you hire a moving company, they can help you determine how many and what size boxes you need. Additionally, you can buy the boxes from them. Although it might seem pricey, moving companies also provide specialty boxes designed for things like dishes and glassware. These will help prevent damage to your belongings during the move.

2. Padding for Fragile Items

Fragile items need to be specially wrapped, or they can break during your move. Having a variety of padding materials can help ensure that you’ll have the correct type of material when you need it. Some examples of padding:

• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts
• Packing paper

You can use materials you have at home like towels or newspaper, but remember that towels can get flattened and may not be as soft as you need, while newspaper can get ink on anything it’s wrapped around.

3. Scissors

You’ll need several pairs of scissors for cutting packing tape and opening boxes when it’s time to unpack. Buy several pairs of scissors to keep around the house in different locations while packing. This way, you won’t have to share scissors with someone else from your household.

4. Packing Tape

Packing tape goes fast when you’re taping up boxes. Buy packing tape in cases of half a dozen or a dozen just to ensure you have the necessary packing tape when the time comes. You’ll also need at least one packing tape dispenser or more if multiple people are helping with the packing.

5. Permanent Markers

Permanent markers are essential for labeling boxes. Thick markers are better for making big, bold marks you can easily see on a box.

6. Box Cutter

You’ll want a few box cutters to open your boxes after you’ve reached your destination. Look for box cutters with safety features like a retractable blade to prevent accidents.

7. Tool Kit

You may need to disassemble furniture before the moving truck gets loaded up. For this, you’ll need a basic tool kit set. You can buy a pre-made kit or assemble your own. It’s essential to keep your tools in one space to stay visible, so be sure to use a kit in a container.

8. Stretch Wrap

You can use large rolls of stretch wrap to wrap up your furniture and protect it from damage. Stretch wrap can be challenging to find, but your moving company or home improvement store may sell it.

Find the Right Movers

The best moves involve reputable moving companies. Hire the right movers for the job to make your move a success. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discuss your upcoming relocation.

People stressed out about moving often make mistakes that cost them money and cause frustration. Preparation is essential for any significant undertaking in life. And being aware of the things not to do when moving is among the best places to start.

Here are some of the most common mistakes that movers see people make when they move. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure a smooth residential move.

1. Failing to Declutter

Decluttering your belongings before your move is critical. Since moving companies base their cost on the amount of stuff you have, decluttering will save you money. Decluttering also has psychological advantages. It allows you to organize quickly and start fresh in your new home, lowering stress.

Decluttering also increases productivity and concentration and lowers blood pressure. It reduces allergies and improves sleep.

Start by creating three piles in each room: one to throw away or recycle, one to give away, and the other to keep. Throw out items you haven’t used in two years or no longer fit. Also, weigh the pros and cons (including cost) of moving items vs. replacing them with new ones.

2. Starting Too Late

Begin planning as soon as you know you’ll move. Interview and book your movers early to get the day you want—ideally, book movers 12 weeks in advance during peak season and eight weeks during non-peak times.

Avoid procrastinating about packing. Packing usually requires several weeks. Having to pack quickly dramatically increases your stress level and the possibility that you’ll fail to pack correctly. If you have to move in a hurry or have a lot of stuff, consider having the mover pack for you.

3. Having Too Few Supplies

You almost always need more boxes than you think. Start saving delivery boxes as soon as you know you’ll move. Ask your mover about obtaining used boxes. While you can always buy extra boxes if you need them, you’ll save money by gathering as many as you can ahead of time.

4. Forgetting to Forward Mail or Connect Utilities

Every moving checklist should include the task of forwarding your mail. You can forward your mail by going in person to the post office or using an online form.

Some people also forget to have utilities connected at their new home or to have them disconnected at the old home. Failing to connect to utilities beforehand may mean spending your first nights in a cold, dark house. Failing to disconnect utilities at your old home means you’ll pay more than you need to.

5. Failing to Measure Furniture

As soon as you have secured your new home, measure each room. Use a pencil and drafting paper or an app to draw a floor plan to scale, including doors and windows. Then, measure your furniture. The last thing you want is to pay to move a big piece of furniture that won’t fit in your new home.

6. Not Making Arrangements for Pets

Pets can quickly become anxious or injured with strangers in the home or heavy furniture being moved in and out. Crate them or leave them with friends or neighbors during the move. Also, pet-proof your new home, removing safety hazards and securing fenced areas. Stick to your feeding and walking routines as closely as possible.

7. Doing Everything Yourself

Moves are complicated and stressful. DIY is tempting; however, DIY moves often result in significant damage to furniture or injuries. Also, the more you try to do yourself, the more stressful the move will be. 

Contact us to find out how we can make your move mistake-free.

Gathering packing supplies is one of the most critical organizational tasks before your residential move. This way, as the big day arrives, you won’t be scurrying around trying to gather everything to put into the moving truck.

You can steadily pack by gathering your supplies in the weeks before your move. This will make your packing more efficient and ensure you stow everything securely with less chance of breakage or creating a chaotic mess at the other end of your move.

Using the right moving supplies will help keep your move organized and less stressful. The following is a general list of what you will need.

Moving Boxes

Various moving boxes are a good idea to ensure you can easily organize, secure, and fit your belongings. The following types help with an easier move:

• Obtain small, medium, and large boxes
• Get a few specialty boxes
• Dishes and glassware boxes with dividers
• Lamp boxes

If you want to keep costs down and reduce the number of items you’ll be moving, plan to pack belongings in suitcases, duffle bags, backpacks, hampers, and laundry baskets, to name a few.

Packing Tape and Dispensers

After you pack your boxes, you’ll want to secure them tightly with durable, quality packing tape. Don’t rely on masking or other lightweight tapes because they can pop open during transport. A refillable tape dispenser makes the job easier and reduces costs. 

Cushioning Materials

In many of your boxes, you’ll want to layer and cushion. This way, the items you place inside won’t bump and break. Depending on the items you protect, you’ll probably want to use various cushioning materials.

• Packing paper
• Newspaper (be cautious and don’t wrap paintings or other delicate items that might absorb ink)
• Bubble wrap
• Foam wrap sheets
• Peanuts

Other items you can use include towels, linens, and even clothing, such as sweatshirts, if you want to go a little greener with your move or scale back on moving costs.

Labeling Materials

Labeling is an essential part of the process. After all, you don’t want to have to guess what’s inside each box when you arrive at your new home. Depending on the level of organization you want to achieve, you can label your boxes in a few different ways.

• Use dark, waterproof markers 
• Buy color-coded moving stickers (e.g., each room is assigned a specific color)
• Invest in packing tape pre-labeled “fragile” to use for breakables

Whatever method you choose, be sure you understand it and communicate it to your movers. Also, for fragile items, clearly label them for your movers or anyone else handling them.

Miscellaneous Packing Materials

Other packing materials you might want to acquire before you begin loading boxes include:

• Scissors
• Box cutter
• Plastic stretch wrap
• Tool kit
• Moving blanket (for oversized items to avoid scratches)
• Furniture sliders

Also, grab some sandwich or quart-sized baggies. These are great for holding small items, such as jewelry, nuts and bolts, furniture screws, small toys, or other items you want grouped together.

Ready to Schedule Your Move?

Booking early is the best way to save the date you want, along with the best prices. If you have a moving date and are ready to get planning, contact us today for a free quote.

Winter residential moves are not as common as those in the warmer spring, summer, or fall, but many people make them. Relocating during the winter can be challenging because of the unpredictable nature of winter weather, which includes snowfall, sleet, and ice. If you are facing a winter move, look at a few tips to help you navigate and stay safe despite the potential for bad weather.

1. Watch the weather forecast.

Winter weather can be unpredictable in many parts of the country, so it is advisable to take some precautions. Pay attention to the forecast. Your mover might want to reschedule if there is a significant snowfall or ice storm. Prepare to be flexible.

Moving can also be riskier during the winter months. Remove the snow from the driveways, porches, and sidewalks of your old and new homes using a snow shovel or a snow blower in preparation for the move. Utilize salt and sand to enhance traction. Also, make sure there is a place for the moving truck to park that will not obstruct any snow routes.

2. Plan for the unexpected in advance.

While you can make plans based on weather forecasts, the winter is still less predictable. Unfortunately, an unexpected snowstorm or freezing rain can throw you behind schedule. For this reason, leave a little wiggle room in your moving timeline for unforeseen weather events. For example, if you wait until the last minute to gather packing supplies and a winter storm develops, this could be problematic. However, if you have a few days extra penciled into your schedule, the setback may not be a big deal.

3. Ask your chosen moving company about what to expect.

If you have already hired a moving company, be sure to touch base with them to find out what happens in the event of inclement weather. Most moving companies will have plans for what happens during a snowstorm or winter weather event. For instance, they may alert customers if they have to reschedule and adjust the scheduled move to another date and time. The moving company will also be able to tell you what weather they can continue to function with and what may spur a rescheduled move.

4. Choose safety over speed.

Staying safe during a move becomes even more difficult during inclement winter weather. Over 150,000 auto accidents happen every winter due to ice-covered or slippery road conditions. When inclement weather settles in, keep your safety a top priority. If you have to adjust your moving plans, drive more slowly, or otherwise adjust plans to stay safe, doing so is far more important than staying on schedule.

5. Dress properly.

Even if you hire professional movers, you may still be exposed to the weather. Layer your clothes to adapt to the changing temperatures as you move from room to room and outside. In your first-day essentials box, put extra blankets and warm clothes in case the ones you are wearing get wet or something goes wrong on the way to your new home.

6. Prepare your car.

Before moving, ensure your car is in good shape and get winter gear like ice scrapers, tire chains, and jumper cables. In case you become stranded, store food, water, a blanket, a hat, and an extra pair of gloves in your car.

Allow for potential detours when you plan your winter route. Remember to allow yourself extra time to reach your destination as well. If you are meeting the movers at your new home, contact them in case the schedule changes.

7. Verify utilities are on.

Before you move, ensure you have had the utilities turned on at your new home. You do not want to spend your first night in a cold, dark house. Also, plan to keep your old home’s utilities on for at least a few days after you move out. Because of the winter weather, you may have to delay your relocation.

Reach Out to Professional Movers for Your Winter Move

Contact a residential moving company for assistance with your winter move. We can help you get started with a no-obligation moving quote.

Going through your things before you move and purging items you no longer need can simplify your move. When you arrive at your new location, you’ll also have a tidier home. Here are nine things to consider purging before your residential move.

1. Clothes You No Longer Wear

Go through your drawers of clothes, closet, and boxes of seasonal clothes to remove clothes you no longer wear. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn it in two or more years, you probably won’t ever wear it again. Give it away or donate it.

2. Books

Books are heavy, and many people own a lot of books they no longer care to read. Aim to eliminate a percentage of your books, then stick to that goal. Don’t throw them away or recycle them; donate them to organizations that can give them away or sell them.

3. Damaged and Defunct Electronics

Many people have old computers and phones in their house. Recycle old electronics at dedicated recycling centers. Call your sanitation department to find out where to find recycling centers in your area.

4. Expired Food

You might clean out your refrigerator frequently, but how often do you clean out your pantry? Don’t bring those expired boxes of pasta, jars of sauce, and salad dressing bottles. Make time to go through your pantry and kitchen cabinets to remove these items before you move.

Donate unexpired food. Ask your mover if they participate in Move for Hunger. You simply set aside your unopened, non-perishable food items. Move for Hunger crews will pack your food items and deliver them to a local food pantry. From there, they will sort your donations and provide them to local families in need.

5. Cleaning Products

Most likely, your movers won’t allow you to bring your cleaning products in the moving truck. Find a neighbor or friend who would like your unused cleaning products. Also, check with your mover about other restricted items you can not pack.

6. Surplus Dishes

Many kitchen cabinets hold extra dishes, pots, pans, and silverware. These are useful items that could be helpful to someone else. Take a critical look at your own cabinets and make up a box of the surplus dishes and other things you find. You can donate these items at the same time you donate your clothes.

7. Junk Drawer Items

Go through your junk drawer and get rid of those cracked, broken rubber bands, broken twist ties, and expired batteries. 

8. Expired Medications

Many people have expired medications in their medicine cabinets. Many communities have take-back drives where they collect expired medications to be disposed of safely. Call your physician, pharmacy, city hall, or local law enforcement officials to find out if there is such a drive in your area.

9. Makeup You No Longer Wear

If you’ve changed the type of makeup you wear recently, ditch the old makeup you no longer need. This is safe to throw in the trash, or you can give it to a friend.

When You’re Ready, Call the Movers

When you’re ready to relocate, we can help you move by transporting your essential items to your new home. Contact us today for a free quote.

Moving into a new rental home can be a hectic time. Having a list of things you need to accomplish when moving into your home can help you stay organized. Below are six things to do when moving into a new rental home.

1. Take Pictures of Everything

When you vacate your rental property, you will be liable for any property damage. However, you want to avoid being held accountable for anything wrong with the property when you moved in. Use your camera to take photos of your apartment when you move in.

Pay close attention to any scuff marks or nail holes on the walls, carpet stains, appliance damage, and other things that are clearly wrong. The time and date stamp on the picture file will show that these pictures originated from when you moved into the house, should your landlord ever have questions about when you took the photos.

2. Try Appliances, Lights and Fixtures, Report Problems

Test out all appliances and light fixtures, switches, and gadgets that come with the apartment, and report any problems you’ve detected to your landlord. Test the thermostat to ensure that your heat and air conditioning are working.

Try the shower to ensure the bathtub or shower tub drains appropriately. If you discover any problems, contact your landlord or property manager immediately to ensure that they address them quickly before they inconvenience you.

3. Update Your Renters Insurance Policy

Renter’s insurance is a low-cost way to protect your belongings in a disaster like a fire. If you already have renter’s insurance, update your policy to ensure your belongings are covered in your new apartment. If you still need to get renter’s insurance, contact an insurance agent in your area to get a policy. You’d be surprised by how inexpensive renter’s insurance is, and if anything ever happens to your apartment, you’ll be happy to have the protection.

4. Get Groceries

Now is the time to stock up on food. While unpacking, you’ll need easy-to-eat high-protein snacks, like cheese sticks, peanut butter on crackers, granola, and boiled eggs. Get groceries that you can snack on while you’re going through the process of moving into your new apartment.

5. Buy Window Treatments

Measure the windows and buy window treatments if they’re not already included in the apartment. You’ll want window treatments soon after moving to have privacy from your neighbors.

6. Unpack

Once you’ve moved in, it’s time to unpack. When you pack, identify your essentials in your essentials box and unpack those boxes first. You can set your less important boxes aside for later. Once your clothes, furniture, television, pots, and pans are unpacked and assembled correctly, you can unpack less critical things.

Need a Moving Company? Call Today

Your upcoming relocation gets easier when you work with the experts. Call a reputable, trustworthy moving company to get started with your relocation. You’ll enjoy a smoother, less stressful move working with the professionals. Contact us today.