4 Moving Tips To Consider When Packing

September 1st, 2009

Moving to a new home can be a stressing experience especially if you do not plan your moving well. With a few moving tips, you can move without a lot of stress and make an easy transition to the new home. Below are some tips that will help you when moving.

Get enough boxes supplies

You should have enough boxes at your disposal when you are moving. Whether you will get the boxes from the moving company or from a grocery store it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that you will need many strong boxes to pack your items. If you get more than enough boxes from the moving company, you can return the extra ones for a refund. Ensure that the boxes are strong enough, especially the bottom. You should also consider getting those that have reinforced edges especially if you will be travelling on bumpy roads to your new home.

Pack items according to type

While moving is a stressful activity, unpacking is even more stressful as people realize they cannot find a certain item. It is important to pack your belongings systematically. Get the kitchen items in one box and clothes in another. Ensure that you pack related items together. Also, get colored stickers to label the boxes. Use a marker pen to indicate the major items in the boxes.

Pack valued items correctly

Some items need special packages. For instance, jewelry, glassware and silverware may need to be wrapped in soft material and packed in boxes with shock absorbers. Make a note of your valued items and buy the correct wrapping and packing material that will be required. With such items, it is important to find out whether the moving company offers insurance for the items in case they get damaged on transit.

Start packing way before you moving day

Last minute packing makes the work very tiresome and things can be forgotten easily. Start packing way ahead of the day of your travel. Start packing the items you will not need during the days remaining and have them stored in their boxes according to your packing plan. This is one of the moving tips that will save you the hassles of last minute packing, during which things are done in a chaotic manner and you are likely to forget packing some items.

5 Top Things To Consider When Hiring Moving Trucks

August 31st, 2009

You have to get a good truck when you are moving. This will not only make your move stress free and you will also be assured that your items will reach the intended destination safely. There are a couple of things you should consider when getting moving trucks. These include:

Your new destination

Rental companies will easily accommodate your needs if you are moving across town. However, if you are moving to a different state, you should enquire beforehand from the company. This is usually expensive and shopping around the internet for an affordable service is important. Most of the time, there are extra costs that you will have to foot such as cost of returning the truck to the company. Get a company that fits within your budget.

Size of truck you should get

The size of the truck you should get will depend on the size of the home that you are moving from. Here, the truck company will advise you on the best truck to go for, whether it’s a 26-foot truck or a 10 – foot minivan. It’s better to get a bigger truck and be left with extra space than get a smaller one and run out of space. Make truck arrangements well in advance to avoid delays on your moving day.

What time are you moving?

If you are moving during the peak season, which is usually from May to September, ensure that you will have a truck on your moving day. Call the moving car agency in advance and reserve a truck. Many people move at the end or beginning of the month. If you are flexible with your moving, it will be easy to get a truck mid-month.

What additional vehicles are you moving?

If you have a car, you should consider whether you’ll be towing it behind the truck or driving it. Do you have snowmobiles, boats and motorcycles? Talk to the moving agency on the best way to move these items and consider the extra costs that you will incur.

Insurance

Most rental agencies offer insurance that can cost up to $40 for everyday that the truck is on the road. Before you get into the additional coverage, find out if your insurance company offers moving cover and whether moving trucks are catered for in the cover.

5 Important Things To Be Included In Your Moving Checklist

August 28th, 2009

Moving to a new home is a delicate time as you can lose or leave many important items that you have. It is therefore important to have a thorough moving checklist that outlines the small and large items that you have and how you plan to move them. Here are some things that you should not forget when planning to move:

Get your records together in one box

Have your dental and medical records packed together. Also, get your files on your bills, bank statements, school records, legal records, and other utilities receipts together. Contact your doctor, banker and other entities that you transact with regularly and update them on your moving. Also, find out whether these providers have offices or branches in the area that you are moving to.

Arrange for different shipment for valuable items

Get your glassware, jewellry, antiques and other valuable items shipped by certified mail. Also, get insurance cover for them. Some items like chemicals may need different packaging and shipment; arrange for this in advance. You should also be prepared to pay extra for the insurance cover.

Disconnect home utility services

Contact you home utility service providers and schedule a disconnection date. Then, ensure your new house will be connected one day before you arrive. Communicate your new residential address to companies that provide you with gas and water, especially if you have pending monthly bills.

Return items that don’t belong to you

Ensure you return items like library books before you go. Also, get your items such as those taken for repair, dry cleaning, items put on loan, and so on. For items that you do not need, you can hold a garage sale for them or hand them out as donations to a charity of your choice. Do not carry unnecessary items as these will increase your moving costs and can clutter your new home.

Arrange your travel

Get your car or truck serviced and everything packed well in boxes. Decide whether you’ll carry your flowers or will leave them. Do not forget to move with your pets in secure fastened boxes. Before you travel, close your bank accounts if need be. If you will still keep them, update the bank on your new residential address. Your moving checklist will help you in your transition to your new home.

Common Types Of Moving Boxes

August 28th, 2009

Moving boxes are a must have for anyone who is moving to a new estate or state. There are different types of moving boxes that are meant to pack different items. Some of the common boxes are discussed below.

Wardrobe boxes: These boxes are specially made to store belongings that can be hung. They are made of strong cardboard and have a reinforced rod for hanging. The boxes are good for packing shoes and pursues at the bottom, and clothes in the drawers.

File boxes: This are specifically designed to be used to pack and ship files. You can fold the boxes to form a box that opens in the front. A sturdy cardboard is used to make the boxes. Apart from files, the boxes are also perfect for storing financial records, school records, legal records, church records, and so on.

Medium moving boxes: These usually measure 18×14x12 and are good for packing clothes and other general items like cutlery and kitchen utensils. Most of them are made of reinforced cardboard while some have reinforced edges to absorb shocks when the items are being transported.

Large and extra large moving boxes: These are usually 20×20x15 and 23×23x16 respectively in size and can be used to pack anything in the home. They are versatile and strong and can fit nearly anything. They can be made of reinforced carton or layers of thin cardboard veneers for extra strength. Moving companies usually supply these boxes to their clients.

Picture moving boxes: These are flat types of boxes that come in one or two pieces. They are made from hardened cardboard and provide protection for antique mirrors and fine arts.

There are other moving boxes that are meant for moving art, lamps, electronics, china, tall lamp poles, and so on. Nearly all electronics come in moving boxes and you should store the boxes safely just in case you’ll have to move some day. If you get normal boxes from grocery stores or malls, you should consider reinforcing the edges with strong brown tape and the insides with cushions or soft materials.

When you are getting moving boxes, it is important to know what you intend to pack in the boxes. Some items will need special boxes while others will do just fine in normal boxes.

What to Look For When Choosing Moving Companies?

August 27th, 2009

When you are about to move, you should consider a number of moving companies in order to get affordable moving deals. Different companies offer different services and you have to scout if you are to find a reputable one. Here are some things to look for:

Office location and contact

Many moving companies allow you to make your bookings online. While this is a big convenience, it can be a big scam. Ensure that the company that you want to engage has physical offices. In fact, it would be advisable to visit the offices. Also, call the office and enquire about their services. Avoid companies that always have a voice machine attending to your queries.

Moving price

Get a company that you budget can cater for. Compare what different companies have to offer to get a good bargain. You can also consider moving during off peak season, such as mid month, as you can get good bargains then. Use the internet to compare quotes from different companies.

Find out your rights in the moving contract

Ensure that your items will be safe when being moved by the company. Also, read the fine print of the contract to find out who will cater for any damages that your items may encounter during transit. Most companies will not accept liability for such damages but some few will if the damage if caused by their staff. For important and fragile items, consider getting insurance cover for them and making separate moving arrangements with a certified mail company.

Look for the company’s reviews

Find out from the internet and your colleagues about their experiences with a certain company. Stay away from companies that have poor reviews and that have been red flagged by most users. Check for the company’s ratings in 3rd part review websites and find out whether there are complains filed against the agency at the consumer complaints commission in your area.

Where does the company operate?

Not all companies offer moving services across different states. Find out whether the company operates to the state that you are relocating to. Here, an inter-state moving company is your best choice both in terms of price and efficiency. Overall, you have to contact different moving companies in order to get one that offers affordable and high quality services.

4 Moving Tips To Consider When Packing

August 27th, 2009

Moving to a new home can be a stressing experience especially if you do not plan your moving well. With a few moving tips, you can move without a lot of stress and make an easy transition to the new home. Below are some tips that will help you when moving.

Get enough boxes supplies

You should have enough boxes at your disposal when you are moving. Whether you will get the boxes from the moving company or from a grocery store it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that you will need many strong boxes to pack your items. If you get more than enough boxes from the moving company, you can return the extra ones for a refund. Ensure that the boxes are strong enough, especially the bottom. You should also consider getting those that have reinforced edges especially if you will be travelling on bumpy roads to your new home.

Pack items according to type

While moving is a stressful activity, unpacking is even more stressful as people realize they cannot find a certain item. It is important to pack your belongings systematically. Get the kitchen items in one box and clothes in another. Ensure that you pack related items together. Also, get colored stickers to label the boxes. Use a marker pen to indicate the major items in the boxes.

Pack valued items correctly

Some items need special packages. For instance, jewelry, glassware and silverware may need to be wrapped in soft material and packed in boxes with shock absorbers. Make a note of your valued items and buy the correct wrapping and packing material that will be required. With such items, it is important to find out whether the moving company offers insurance for the items in case they get damaged on transit.

Start packing way before you moving day

Last minute packing makes the work very tiresome and things can be forgotten easily. Start packing way ahead of the day of your travel. Start packing the items you will not need during the days remaining and have them stored in their boxes according to your packing plan. This is one of the moving tips that will save you the hassles of last minute packing, during which things are done in a chaotic manner and you are likely to forget packing some items.

5 Tips on Choosing Moving Truck Rentals

August 14th, 2009

When it comes to moving out of an old house, an old job, or even from one state to another, moving truck rentals offer a great way to ease the whole transportation process.

Getting the best moving truck rentals in terms of pricing is hard but with all the right tips you can help get the best value for your hard earned money. Some include:

  1. Advance booking. Just like hiring a limousine or any other rental equipment booking in advance always guarantees you the best price. This with the technological factor playing a part can be done over the phone, over the internet, or if you have sufficient time on your hand by paying a personal visit.
  2. Hire on a weekday. No matter how busy your days are, taking a weekday leave when moving since the costs are often lower. The weekends are busier with most truck rental companies and thus finding a good bargain is more of a challenge. Weekdays are marked with slower business for the companies and you should take this advantage to score low prices.
  3. Location is a key factor. It is not saving when you look for a company that is miles away when there is one good one in your county. Of course it all depends on the quality of service that you are looking for, but it is better to look for a company within your geographical position. There is ease and time saving in doing this.
  4. If you don’t have to move too fast then you can wait for the summer to pass. Summers are marked with bright days and it is the season that most people are likely to move. In winters, the movement is less and therefore you may find great discounts with the moving truck rentals.
  5. If you are planning to move into a new house, then you should consider the houses that are foreclosed. Sure you may be feeling sorry for the owner but when it comes to getting the best price for a home then foreclosure should be what you are looking for. The banks or mortgage firms usually have the aim of disposing the property as soon as possible. You should buy the property since you will get a good price.

Services Offered By A Company International Moving

August 13th, 2009

You may have to move to a new country either due to a change in jobs or an official transfer. Relocating is not an easy task, let alone relocating internationally. To successful relocate with your property, you will need the services of a company international moving. These are companies that specialize in helping people relocate to other countries. They usually offer truck, rail, sea and air services, and will help you to pack, load and deliver your goods to your new home. Most of the firms offer customized services that will suit your requirements right from packing, storing and finally delivering your belongings. Their services are very important as they reduce the stresses usually encountered when moving.

You will have to do proper research in order to get the best moving company. Search the internet for companies that offer international relocation and compare different quotes from different companies. Check the services that the companies offer and whether they have tie-up agreements with reputable shipping companies. Find out how much your property is covered by the insurance and what your rights and obligations are.

Many international moving companies have comprehensive packages that suit different people. They will inspect and survey the items and pack them well in strong storage boxes. The most commonly used packing cartons are the standard two-ply ones. Fragile goods are packed in tear-off bubble wrap packing sheets while acid-free tissue paper is used to pack silverware. The goods are shipped in crates specially made for shipping or in a steamship container. The moving companies usually have agreements with reputable shiplines and airlines to provide shipping services. Sometimes, trucks may be used to transport the goods but most companies do not assume liability in case fragile goods break while on transit.

If you are moving with your car, the moving company will inspect it to ensure it meets with the packing safety standards. Most of the time, the company will have an overseas agent who will take care of the customs formalities and ensure your goods are delivered and unpacked at your new home. He will also take care of disposing off packing debris. A company will advise you to insure your goods against loss or damage in order to minimize risks.

What to Consider When Acquiring Moving and Storage Space?

August 12th, 2009

Your business might have inventories requiring moving and storage space for specific products. The items might be available but there might not be storage space. Storage and moving companies are here to change all this for you.

You can access self storage through leasing and renting, with the services ranging from individual to business establishment needs. Storage areas are safe, secure and clean environments. They are equipped with camera surveillance and climate controls which keep the surroundings desirable for your items. Renting storage and moving facility covers insurance expenses. The minimum charges can be very low and affordable though there are items, for instance dining-room sets whose calculation is according to the value percentage. In such cases, the cover is for just a percentage of the total value and not for the whole amount.

Before you acquire storage space, you have to know which items can be stored. Items that are flammable, perishable, explosive or corrosive aren’t allowed in any storage facility. Moving and storage space has guidelines that determine the kind of storage space you want. Make sure the items you are storing are relevant to you and you can use them later. Keep necessary and sentimental items of value to avoid unnecessary cost. You can sell the items you don’t need or donate them somewhere rather than store them without a thought of ever using them again.

Moving can be very stressful and you must get that company that suits all your needs. Choose a company that offers you a free estimate. This is a company which will come to your home and give you free estimation of the household goods you are moving. During the estimate show them all the huge items, for instance pool tables and pianos, which might dent the moving costs.

The best moving and storage space company is arguably that one which covers your goods and items with a good insurance cover incase of loss in transit or damage. Find out about the insurance incase you are keeping items for a longer period of time. Some companies pack items for their clients and you can find out whether the company of choice has the service. It might be an added cost.

How To Rent Moving Truck And Why?

August 11th, 2009

There comes a time in every family’s life when moving is a must. It could be it has got a great quote for a house that has been foreclosed. That is the good that comes out of foreclosure – another family gets to buy the house at a good price that cannot be seen on other houses on sale. When it comes to making the move the family can rent moving truck to ease the process.

Renting a moving truck is better than most other methods because. Truck rentals for one are way cheaper than the moving companies that throw a price at everything including movers and packaging supplies.

Moving rental trucks are more flexible since you get to chose exactly the truck size that you need. Depending on your availability also, you can rent a moving truck any time you want unlike the professionals who sometimes have to set a day for you. The rental trucks are also available all year round. Going for the laid back seasons like winter or fall is going to get you better prices than summer or spring.

Now that the benefits have been listed here are some things to look for when you want to rent a moving truck.

  1. Insurance: there is no telling the misfortunate events that could meet you on the road and getting a cover for that period is wise. When outsourcing for the rental truck, make sure there is the insurance part so you can secure all your family belongings.
  2. Get all the pricing details in print. Some companies have hidden charges and it is best to have a look out for every buck that you may incur to avoid any financial surprises.
  3. Despite the flexibility factor of rental trucks, you may want to consider making reservations so that you can have the truck to yourself for the day. If this means paying some deposit then don’t hesitate to do so.
  4. Compare costs for all the companies that meet your criteria. This way you can be able to settle for the best out there, and at the best price. Read reviews of the companies that rent moving truck. The internet is a ready platform where you can do all this.