Moving Checklist

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

If you are preparing to move into a new place anytime soon you will need a moving checklist in order to stay organized. Prepare and collect all of these items beforehand so when you begin packing and moving things will go as smoothly as possible. On to the checklist….

Be sure to have:

• At least 15 small boxes, 15 medium boxes and 15 large boxes. These can be collected for free from local merchants or you can purchase them directly from a self storage facility or moving company.
• Bubble Wrap
• Newspaper
• Plastic wrap
• Packing tape
• Box cutter
• Markers

It will also be helpful to have a hand truck to assist your move. If you have belongings in a self storage unit, many storage facilities will offer a hand truck free for assistance. The hand truck will allow you to move several boxes and heavier items easier.

Be sure to label all of your boxes and take note of which ones are fragile. Labeling boxes will allow you to easily unpack necessary items in order and keep other items in their box until needed. Label glassware and antiques as “Fragile” and use newspaper or bubble wrap to fill in empty space in the boxes.

Lastly, remember to tape the bottom of your boxes so they don’t break when you are carrying them. You don’t want to add to your already stressful day by having the bottoms of boxes explode en route.

This moving checklist should provide a good start to your moving day. Be sure to have all of the items on hand the day of your move so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute.

This post comes to us from SelfStorageFinders.Com, and online portal of self storage units.

Twitt
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Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

This guest post comes from A1 Auto Transport.

When you are preparing to transport your vehicle over a long distance, you want it to be properly prepared. You may need to invest some time cleaning it both inside and out to ensure that it is as stripped down to the bare bones as possible. Keep a few tips in mind when preparing your vehicle for transport when using www.a1autotransport.com, or any other similar company.

  • Give it a good washing: This is not only a good thing to do because, well, your vehicle is going to be traveling a long distance and you certainly don’t want it to be caked up with mud while it does, but also because it allows you to properly assess it before you turn it over to the transport company. A clean vehicle means you can inspect it for scratches and other blemishes, so that you don’t inadvertently blame the transport company for an issue with your vehicle that may have been pre-existing, only you didn’t know it because your car was too filthy to see it.
  • Take everything out: This cannot be reiterated enough because even if you think that leaving your favorite sunglasses in the car is no big deal, if they aren’t in place for any reason, you will be upset. This is not to say that the auto transport company will be to blame; it might be as simple as the glasses ended up getting jostled out of place and falling under the seat during transport. The point is that if you don’t see them, you may be quick to be upset, so to avoid any misunderstanding and/or confusion, it’s best to remove everything. This is particularly so for important paperwork/personal effects that you want to assure are safe.
  • Get everything checked: When your vehicle is being delivered, you don’t want the engine to blow on the side of the road because you haven’t changed the oil in three years and this happens to occur while the transport company is bringing your vehicle to you. Have all fluids checked before you drop off your car or have it scheduled for a pick-up to ensure it is in the best possible shape.
  • Do leave one piece of information in the vehicle in the event of an accident or some other issue: Not that this happens, but something happen to your vehicle or the delivery driver during the transport, it is best to leave some sort of identifier in your vehicle so that anyone looking inside knows it’s yours. For example, a slip of paper taped to the dashboard with your name, phone number and the name of the transport company can ensure that if the vehicle is, for example, stolen and then recovered, the authorities know where to start. A1AutoTransport has never had this happen, but you can never be too careful should you find yourself in this situation with your vehicle. It’s always better to provide too much information than not enough.
Twitt
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How to pack fragile and odd-shaped items for your move

Posted on March 2, 2012 by admin

This guest post comes to us from Interstatemover.org

If a piece of furniture is too large to put in a box, you can still protect it for the move by wrapping the arms and legs of the item in packing material and taping it tightly. You should also cover upholstery with waterproof material and fasten it securely so it doesn’t get dirty or ripped during the move.

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No matter if you hire interstate movers or plan to move on your own. Fragile items need to be placed in the thickest wrapping you have, or cushioned with several layers of blankets, towels or bubble wrap. Position all mirrors, artwork and glass shelves upright in the boxes, and be sure to mark each box with arrows pointing to the top, and write fragile on each side and the top and bottom. You can also write that it should not have anything put on top of it.

Never overstuff a box, but do put as many things in it as there is room for, keeping the total weight in mind. Be careful not to pack boxes with a lot of heavy items in one box, since it can make moving it more difficult and it increases the chances that the box will break at some point during the move.

Try to pack your stereo components, televisions and computers in their original containers if possible, since those boxes may already have styrofoam inserts made to protect delicate items. If you do not have those boxes, then put bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts in a layer inside the bottom of each box, wrap each item well with more bubble wrap and add the heaviest item first. You might need a separate box for each piece you pack; it all depends on the weight and size of each item. After the box is filled, add a final layer of protection and securely tape the box closed, marking it right away with a description of its contents.

If your furniture can be taken apart, disassemble it and tape any screws or other parts to the undersides of the furniture so you can easily find them later when it is all reassembled. When moving bicycles, take off or loosen the front wheel first, wrap it in a blanket or thick cloth if possible, then place it on the truck.

Never attempt to move any flammable liquids or paint. Give these away or dispose of properly before your move.

 

Twitt
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All About Salt Lake City

Posted on November 15, 2011 by admin

This blog post was provided by our friends at FindGoodMovers.Org

Salt Lake City, Utah is a city that is known for many things including the warmth of its people and not to mention the inviting slopes at the popular ski resorts. But even more than that, Salt Lake City is the place where you can readily settle down with your spouse and kids since it ranked as one of the best family-oriented cities in the country.

Hire professional movers to move to Salt Lake City today.

Those who live in Salt Lake City would tell you that it is one of the more safe places that you can reside with your family. There is always something to do in Salt Lake City as well; the city is big on the arts and one can get their fill and enjoy performances from the Utah Opera Company, the Repertory Dance Theatre or even the Utah Symphony. There are over twenty art galleries that you can also explore; most of which are conveniently located in the heart of the city which is within walking distance from commercial and industrial sites.

The Mormon religion is also synonymous with Salt Lake City as the city was actually inhabited by Mormon settlers back in 1847. The Mormon Temple can be found downtown in the city; not far away is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Madeleine.

If you are contemplating moving to Salt Lake City, be prepared to spend a lot of time outdoors for no matter the season, one can always get involved in either mountain biking, rock climbing or even hiking. Salt Lake City can be humid during the summer months but the tolerable dry cold air in the winter months makes up for everything.

In addition, the cost of living in Salt Lake City is actually at 2.90 percent according to one report and it is actually said to be higher than the average percent in  other states. When it comes to purchasing real estate, Salt Lake City is a favorite among retirees. Purchasing a home in Salt Lake City can cost anywhere from $200,000 and upwards. One can get a two bedroom condo located just mere minutes from downtown in a gated community for only $132,000. Similarly house rental is equally inexpensive starting at $600 and upwards also for two bedrooms.

The job rate in Salt Lake City continues to be low as it is in the other parts of the country, still there are jobs that one can get in a specific industry providing that they have the skills to get the job done. Going back to school may be an option that one can explore; the University of Utah is also near Salt Lake City.

When it comes to schools for the children, both public and private schools in Salt Lake City usually yield students with high success ratings each year.

Get long distance moving quotes from top rated movers today.

Twitt
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Moving made easy

Posted on November 7, 2011 by admin

Relocating is stressful enough but when you also have to worry about packing everything up and getting it ready to move it can double the stress you are already under. To relieve some of the stress make sure that when you choose a moving company that you get a mover that will also come in and pack everything and unpack it for you. There are even some moving companies that will even put your stuff in your new home where you want it so you will not be faced with a mess when you get to your new home.

You should still pack your personal belongings and clothes yourself. Make sure that before you choose a moving company that you get the moving rates for at least three companies and do comparisons. Whichever company you choose make sure that you get some type of insurance from your mover just in case they accidentally break something or something gets lost in transit the moving company will be held liable and will have to pay for it.

If you have a family and there are children make sure that you explain to them why you have to move and get them involved in the packing and moving if you are going to do the packing yourself. Give the children a couple of boxes and help them pack up the toys that they are not playing with and even some of their clothes and books. If you are moving to another state you can help make the children feel secure and less scared by going on the internet and showing them where they are going to be moving to and some of the things that they are going to be able to do when they get there.

If at all possible make it a family vacation when you go to your new area to look for the new house so they will have a say in the house decision and they can see the area, the school they will be going to, and make sure that you visit some of the attractions in the area. If the children feel like they are part of the relocation process it will not be as stressful on them or you.

If there is no hurry to relocate try to take your time and do not rush into it. Take as long as a month or more if you can. Making a checklist will also help you make sure that you have taken care of everything at both destinations.

Twitt
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Getting ready for a move

Posted on June 21, 2011 by admin

When you have to relocate, or move, the more time you have the better, but there are times that you only have so many weeks such as in job relocation. As soon as you know you are going to be relocating, start going through your things and mark the ones that you are either throwing away, giving away, or going to sell in a yard sale if you have the time.

When you pack make sure that you pack lighter items in the larger boxes and the heavy items in the smaller boxes. This makes it much easier to load and unload boxes, especially if you are moving yourself and not using a moving company. When you are packing dishes make sure that you do not pack them stacked with padding between them, but instead pack them vertically on end. This will help to keep them from being squashed and broken.

If you have anything special that means a lot to you pack it in a special box and take it in the car with you. If you want to put them in the moving van then use your extra blankets, towels, and sheets to wrap them in to give them extra padding and to help prevent breakage. Make sure that you pack your address book where you can find it in case you need to get in touch with someone in the town you just left.

An important thing to remember is to pack a necessity box which should contain toilet paper, cell phone and charger, snacks, paper towels, flash light, screwdriver, and drinks to carry in the car. You should also pack one to have when you arrive at your new home with snacks, can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups, paper towels, drinks, and anything else to make your first night at your new home comfortable. You should also make sure that you have a box with your pillows and blankets plus tooth brushes and tooth paste. These should be packed last on the moving van so they will be easily accessible and marked with a bright marker so you know which ones to grab.

When you are ready to leave, if you are using a moving company, make sure that they have your cell phone number in case they need to get in touch with you and make sure that you also have their phone number. If they do not have a cell phone number to give you, at least have the company’s phone number and the shipment registration number. Make sure to communicate with a moving company.

Twitt
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DIY Move – Loading a truck

Posted on January 14, 2011 by admin

If you want to save a great deal of money in the process of your move is do to everything yourself. Even so, when you do decide to do everything yourself, you know as a fact that you have to be organized and start preparation ahead to make sure that you are able to pack your belongings and load the moving truck so that all of your items arrive from one place to the next safely.

If you are going to be taking on the process yourself, the first thing that you have to make sure that you have enough boxes and supplies that you will need before you start packing your items. If you don’t know how to handle the packing process, feel free to search online for moving and packing tips . There are many helpful sites such as ehow.com, doityourself.com, moverscorp.com that will guide you step-by-step how to accordingly prepare for a move. You’ll be amazed with the amount of information you could find on the net, even videos that will show how to do it.

Among the supplies that you need to get: cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packaging paper, tape, and markers to tag your boxes. For your furniture and larger items, you need to ensure that you have enough moving blankets.

There are a few other things need to be done to keep your belongings from being damaged while being transported; a lot of them relate to loading a moving truck. The first thing you should do is to lay down a sheet of plastic or a cardboard in the truck before you begin to load it; that way, you don’t need to worry about getting grease on your furniture and the boxes. Also, do not forget how you are going to load your possessions into the truck. No matter what is the size of your rented truck, you need to maximize the space and try to use it more accurately. It is always beneficial to load large furniture and appliances first(make a base for everything else), make sure everything is tight, prevent your items from shifting or falling along the way.

When it comes to loading fragile and light items, keep these items to the end so that you are able to put them on top of heavier items, make sure nothing else goes on the top of fragile items. This way you will save your fragile items from being damaged.

Twitt
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Types of moving boxes

Posted on January 4, 2011 by admin

A new year ushers change and what better way to ring it in than by moving into your own space. If you are making a fresh start in a new home within the next few weeks or even month, then the time to start planning and packing is now. The holidays allowed you the opportunity to de-stress and enjoy time well spent with your family so you should not be approaching this moving project with great anxiety or even fear. Instead look at your moving task as a way of working out all the holiday food; after all there is a lot to do to keep you busy and no doubt very active.

One of the more important part of moving is getting your household items packed and organized. And while some of you may be aware of the ordinary cardboard moving boxes you will find that plastic moving boxes are also another great moving storage option.

Plastic moving boxes are eco-friendly and just like its cardboard counterpart, they are available in every shape and size that you want and in varied colors too. What most like about using plastic moving boxes is that they are very durable and make packing and storing such a breeze. A plastic moving box is designed to hold all the heavier items that you may need to pack such as your encyclopedia set or college books; it can even hold a desktop computer as well.

You can pack a whole lot in the plastic moving boxes; practically stuff items such as clothing, linens, towels and the like and not have to worry about the box bursting at its seams when you are ready to transport it to the moving truck. These boxes are so versatile for moving that they can also hold your most fragile items and you would not have to worry about it breaking by the time you get to your new place. Plastic moving boxes can indeed lower the risk of damage to your household items when moving. When you have finished with your packing project you can close the box with the tight seal lid which eliminates the time it would take to tape and seal each box. Plastic moving boxes are highly recommended for do-it-yourself moving project as they are very easy to carry as they have handles which makes it quite easy to transport your items.

You may be wondering about the price of these very useful and durable moving boxes. Depending on the brand that you choose, you could pay anything from as low as six to 11 dollars for just one plastic box, a box that you can use repeatedly not just for moving but for just about any kind of storage.

Twitt
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How to Research the Neighborhood

Posted on December 3, 2010 by admin

One of the worst things that could happen when you move into your new home is to find out that there are problems that you never saw coming. This happens all too often for most people who are moving and one of the reasons why this occurs have everything to do with not doing your homework.

Before moving you would get a lot of advice one of which is to pay attention to the neighborhood that you are moving into as well as to look out for flaws in the house or apartment. However there are a lot more things that you need to pay attention to especially if you want to avoid living in a place that can ultimately make you unhappy.

It is truly a scary situation when you move into a home and do not have a clue about your neighbors. Are they loud and rowdy; do they play music very loudly at nighttime? What about the neighbor who lives in the upstairs apartment from you? Are their children constantly running around? The answers to these questions would determine if you move in or not. One of the ways in which you can get answers is by viewing your desired property during the evening when the neighbors are home.

If you are viewing an apartment in the evening, listen out for noise coming from upstairs or from the neighbor next to you. If you can hear your neighbors then the house is not sound-proofed. Also, parking in an apartment/ condo community can also pose a problem especially if people are not parked in their designated spots. Be sure to ask your future landlord about the parking space so as to avoid embarrassment for you and your friends.

In addition, if your neighbors were to host a party, they would more than likely do it on Friday evening or on the weekend. This would also be a good time for you to drive by slowly as you listen out for any loud noises emanating from one of the houses or even from the apartment building close to or where you would be living. Usually if there is a noise problem disgruntled neighbors would be sure to notify the local police department. You can probably call the police station and see if they would provide you with information of noise complaints in your neighborhood or even high criminal activities.

Experts also advice that a good way to find out about a new area is to talk to some of the people that live there. A good place to meet and chat with these people could be at a donuts or coffee shop or even at the supermarket at the checkout counter.

Finally, one of the biggest signs that you cannot ignore is seeing many “For rent” signs on the street that you wish to move into. This is never a good sign as it could very well indicate that people are moving out of the area for a good reason. Similarly, if you are searching the Internet eg. Craigslist.org for your dream home to rent, then pay attention to how long the property stays vacant on the website. Again, chances are that the are or property may not be a good or safe one.

Twitt
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Beware of scam movers for the holidays

Posted on November 23, 2010 by admin

The holiday season heralds an increase in moving jobs for moving companies. This increase is due to the fact that the moving prices around this time of year are much cheaper than other seasons. This time of year also signals the launch of new movers who are trying to cash in on the holiday money. These movers are usually people who have access to a few moving vehicles and a few men to assist them with the moving. They do not necessarily have an office from which to conduct business from or are they certified.

Their moving rates are very inexpensive and it is quite easy for most to ignore their negatives. What you would soon find out is that these new moving companies are known for doing the bait and switch of giving one low price and then another higher price by the time they get deliver the items to your new home. You would be lucky if they allow you to have your own household items; most new companies would not think twice before driving away with your items until you pay for it.

This is an indeed scary situation especially if you are in a hurry to move before Christmas is here. Just how can you tell if the company you are partnering with for your move is not legitimate or not. Thankfully there are quite a few warning signs that you should not ignore no matter how busy your move gets. For starters if while getting moving estimates the mover is reluctant to come to your home and view your household items to determine a price, this is indication that the company may not have your best financial interest at heart.

Legitimate movers are inclined to not over drop by and take a look at your property to determine moving capabilities as well as to view some of the items taking in consideration the unusually large ones and the ones that need extra care. This is clearly a company that is looking out for you.

Another way in which you can tell if you are dealing with a scam moving company is if they require that you pay a deposit before moving day arrives. The law says that companies are not supposed to accept a down payment before moving a customer. They can however give the customer the breakdown of the prices they they are going to charge.

As stated earlier, most of these scam movers operate from their own home or remotely which makes it harder for you to track them down. They are not listed in any moving company directory listing either which makes it hard for you to reach them should they offer shoddy business. Even if you decide to call them, their numbers are either disconnected as they change their numbers quite frequently.

Twitt
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