Guest post provided by MyMove.com(written by Nancy LaFever), an online moving authority where people planning a move can find information, products and savings to streamline and save during this exciting life stage.
Moving during the holidays is not the most convenient time, but moving disrupts routines any time of the year. If you’re scheduled to move over the holidays, celebrating will definitely be different than other years. It may take some extra effort, but you can still make it memorable. No matter which end of the move it falls for you—in your old place or settling into the new house—here are some moving tips:
•Acknowledge the sentiment. The holidays trigger all kinds of emotions for people and when you add moving to the mix, there’s a large emotional component to the process. Leaving your old home with its memories can be tough. If you have children, you want to acknowledge that they will be missing their “usual” holiday, but keep an upbeat attitude. You can set the tone.
•Maintain some traditions. Involve the whole family in planning some holiday activities. If you normally bake cookies, find a way to make that happen even if you forgot where you packed the cookie sheets! Locate holiday decorations when packing your old house and be sure to set aside a box, including ornaments, wrapping paper, etc. If you normally put up a tree, make room for a small one with a few decorations.
•Plan some outings. Plan some time away from those moving boxes. Drive around the neighborhood to look at lights and decorations, go to a holiday craft fair or have a holiday meal at a favorite restaurant. If you have extended family you’ll be leaving, make sure to schedule some time with them.
•Confirm moving plans. Things get rushed and busy during the holiday season. People take vacations and may be hard to reach. Be sure to call and confirm your move date with the movers or rental truck company. Make sure your utility companies know when to turn off or turn on your utilities.
Don’t forget to sit down, take a few deep breaths and make time to enjoy the holidays!
This is a guest post by our friends at MovingCompanyRates.Net
It has been said that moving is one of the most stressful events that a person can experience. This checklist can help to make moving less traumatic.
Compare moving company rates side by side and save on your next move.
–Make sure that you have submitted a change of address form to the local post office branch. You can do this by mail, in person or online. There is a small fee to do so online. If you subscribe to magazines, you need to cancel delivery or notify the companies of your new address, since the post office does not forward magazines.
–Arrange to have your utilities turned off after you have completely moved out, in case there is any delay in your move and you need an extra day or two-it will cost less than reconnecting the utilities. Be sure to call to cancel your trash pick up and recycling, too. Don’t forget about the cable or satellite companies as well, and internet service. Sewer and water services have to be discontinued too.
–Do you have a health club membership? Check to be sure that your locker is empty before your move. If you have any library books or video rentals, return them so they do not get lost or forgotten in the confusion of packing.
–If you use a dry cleaning service, don’t leave any items behind. How about your neighbors? Have you or another family member lent them tools or other things that you want to take with you?
–Decide what to do with any houseplants. They will not survive a long move without air and water.
–Professionals to give your new address to include: doctors, dentists, insurance agents and accountants. Do you have official school records and transcripts and medical records? Have you closed any bank accounts that you will not be using? Have you got sufficient cash to pay the movers? You might need cash for other purposes too, and you should plan accordingly, to avoid any bank delays when cashing or depositing out of state checks.
Once you get settled in at your new place, be sure to apply for a driver’s license and register any vehicles as soon as possible. Also make sure you do your homework when looking for the best car movers in your area.
If you have cats and dogs to take with you on your move, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that the trip goes smoothly and that the animals are as comfortable as possible. Also be sure find out if the local or cross country moving companies you are planning on hiring know you have pets as well. Although most moving companies will be fine with this it is normally better if they are a full service moving company.
Any major change in their living conditions may cause stress for animals, particularly cats, which are not used to riding in cars as much as dogs are. Try to keep your pets’ feeding schedules as close to their usual times as possible. In addition, make sure that they always have access to clean drinking water, since spills are likely with all of the car’s turns and stops, and the animals could also tip the water bowl over if they move around a lot.
Before you move, check to see if your pets’ vaccinations are up to date, and keep the records some place where you can find them if you need to. It is important to look up the phone number of the local veterinarian’s office you will be using in the new location as well, in case there are any emergencies. The vet can also let you know if the state or region you are moving to requires any vaccinations that your pet has not yet had.
Be sure to stop as often as necessary to let your pets exercise and get fresh air. When traveling with cats, it is usually a good idea to confine them to a sturdy cage and put their favorite toys, blankets and other items in the cage, which will bring them some comfort. Even if your cats are well-behaved it is a safety hazard to have cats running around unleashed in a vehicle. Your cats might complain loudly and frequently if they are confined, but they will eventually settle down and get used to the situation.
Upon arrival at the new home, you may want to lock your cats in a room for a week or two, so the animals can slowly become accustomed to the unfamiliar surroundings. You don’t want any pets to be confused and try to escape, following their instincts and trying to return to their last home. After some time has passed, carry each cat around the new home to all the rooms, and do not let it outside until you feel it is ready.
The article was provided as a guest post by Full Service Movers, a moving portal of long distance movers.
So you have decided to pick up and move to a brand new place. That is an exciting and scary thing to do. Moving all of your belongings from one home to a new one, can also be very stressful. If you are moving in the dead of winter, the stress levels will increase dramatically. If you are in a place that has harsh winter weather, or moving to a place that does, you have many potential hazards and obstacles to encounter in your move. There are some ways to prepare yourself to combat frigid or dangerous conditions while moving into a new home.
The first key to doing this efficiently and successfully is to plan. The weather outside means you will want to avoid going outside until you absolutely have to. Begin packing and preparing your belongings as far in advance of the move as you can. Pack little by little so you do not get overwhelmed; one of the best ways is to go from room to room. This way you can note the progress and feel accomplished; you can also be sure that you do not miss anything, and you can clean as you go. Once you are packed, cleaned and ready to go, you need to plan transport.
The ideal form of transport in the winter months would be something that could move all, or at least most of, your belongings in one trip. This will save you the hassle and stress of having to go and come back; multiple trips will just keep you out in the cold longer and put you at risk of injury or sickness. Move as much as you can in as few trips as possible. This could mean renting one large moving truck or even getting all of your friends and acquaintances with trucks to show up at the same time. Having a lot of helping hands for the move will also be beneficial. Bribe your family and friends with hot chocolate or cheap food or guilt them with the “I’m family” line so that you have as many able-bodied people around during your move. Teamwork will make your move smoother and more efficient, and can also be an opportunity to bond with people you may not get to see as often as you like.
The key is to plan and pay attention. Figure out what you need to do first, and then figure out the best way to do it. Optimize your time, and get as much help as you can. Make sure that there are warm drinks, clothing and blankets available to that no one gets sick. You want to move as quickly as possible so that you can settle into your new, and hopefully very warm, home.
The article was provided by MoversCorp.Com, an online marketplace of local movers and labor providers. You may follow them on twitter at MoversCorp or get connected on Facebook here MoversCorp
There are a lot of people who are choosing to move out of their current state of residence do to either the desire for the change of environment or simply for a job opportunity. Whatever the reason, long distance moves are not as easy as it sounds so it normally makes sense to hire long distance moving companies. For, unlike a city to city move, long distance moves mean that you would have to plan way ahead of time to be able to move cross country without feeling flustered or frustrated.
When moving long distance, you would more than likely be spending a lot of time packaging your household items to ensure that you do not forget anything. Of equal importance when moving is tying up loose ends with your service providers so that you won’t be stuck paying two bills.
Just a week or two before you move out of state, you should contact the utility company to get them to transfer your bill from one state to the next. Usually to get that done you may have to come up with a down-payment. That down-payment would cover the credibility costs for the next utility company that you subscribe to. Remind the utility company to disconnect your service at the old place when you have moving day confirmed; this would avoid double charges until your name.
Similarly, your telephone and cable services should also be disconnected some three weeks before you move. If you are keeping your telephone and cable services provider, it would be wise forward all your new information to the companies so that they can get your services turned on prior to moving in.
If you have valuable items such as heirlooms or paintings, then you can either hire a professional who is experienced in packing delicate items such as these or you can purchase specific cardboard boxes that are specific for these items and get them done yourself.
Following the packing of all your household items in sealed and labeled boxes, you can then get the mail company involved by asking them to change your address to the new address. Usually if you change your address at the USPS website, you would incur a charge of $1 to make complete your mail forwarding.
Remember moving pets and plants can be tricky for a low distance move. If you are driving your vehicle to the new state, you may want to keep the dog with you. However it is not advised that you take along your plants as the Department of Transportation (DOT) forbids it especially since your plant could contain a disease that could contaminate an entire crop when replanted in another state. Similarly, when moving with your pets you can drive cross country with them in the car however don’t expect the inns and bed and breakfast establishments to accommodate your dog; they do not usually do so without an extra fee. An extra fee is also required to fly your pet to the new state as well.
Finally, get help from a few friends so that you can clean up the old place and put it back in order so that when inspection time comes, you would pass it with flying colors and get your security deposit back. Make sure the walls are cleaned, the electric outlets are in tact and the floors well mopped and vacuumed.
This article was provided as a guest post and was written by FindGoodMovers.com, moving portal for local and long distance movers.
Packing is probably what makes our whole moving experience stressful. Not only that it is time-consuming, but it is difficult as well, especially if you have delicate artwork that needs to be packed in a specific manner to avoid damage.
Hiring an art moving company is the best option for you if you have prized possession such as paintings, antiques, sculptures and statues. They require a massive amount of work from packing, extra cushion to customized crates. Art moving companies have specific tools for fragile items and are very knowledgeable about taking extra caution on delicate items.
Professional art movers are equipped with all the necessary materials needed to pack sensitive and valuable items. They are knowledgeable and have proper training on meticulous packing techniques. They can give assurance that every aspect of the move and packing is well taken cared of.
A good art moving company will offer several protection plans for you to choose from. You can be assured that your belongings are being handled expertly and securely. For added protection, you contact your insurance agent and inquire about rider’s policy.
Hire a professional appraiser to assess current value and replacement value of your artwork.
If you decide to pack your delicate belongings yourself, make sure to have enough supplies and proper tools to safely secure sensitive items. You have to put extra cushion that will protect your things during transportation. Be prepared to spend most of your time packing. Art pieces are one of the most difficult things to pack.
Save yourself the hassle and contact a professional art mover and get quality service. They offer free estimates and conduct home visit for proper assessment of your valuable things. A licensed art mover will respond to any service and give excellent output. They can do the job faster and deliver your things on-time.
Relocating, whether it is across the country or another state, is hard enough on adults, but on children it can be rougher. If they are school age children they are leaving friends and teachers they know and going to a new school where they will be a newbie. If your children are in high school it may even be more difficult if they are ready to graduate and have a boy/girl friend they have to leave behind. If at all possible, get them involved in the moving process and make the thought of moving exciting.
When you find a place to move into, try to give the children some input as to whether they like it or not and you can even let them pick out their own bedroom. Give each child, if they are old enough, a chore to help with the moving. Make sure when you know that you are relocating that you sit down as a family and discuss the move, why it is important, the positive things that are going to come out of the relocation, and make sure that you listen to the children as they tell you their fears and why they do not want to move. When they get upset about leaving their friends assure them that they can keep in touch and maybe come back for a visit during the summer, and they will make new friends.
Ask your child if they want to help with the packing, and let them pack their own bag to take in the car with you on the trip to the new home. Make sure that if your child is young, that they have a favorite toy with them on the trip. Also, make sure that they have things to entertain them while traveling.
Go on the internet and bring up the city where you are going to be moving to and with your children look up things that they can do in this new city that interests them or find new things that they may find interesting. If you are moving to a small town and it is not on the map look up the closest big city. Find attractions such as amusement parks, water parks, museums, etc that you can visit as a family once you get settled in your new home.
Moving with kids can be made easier just by getting the children involved before, during, and after the move. Make the move an adventure, not a chore.
If you have fragile items in your home that you plan to take to the new house on moving day, you may be compelled to pack them yourself just so that you are sure that they would get there safely. You may also want to package and move your fragile items because you may not have the money to afford it. For those with extra money, we would suggest that you invest your income tax return into hiring an expert who can package your fragile items. However, if you must do this project by yourself, then be prepared to exercise a lot of patience and of course help from your friends.
Packaging fragile items are very tricky; you have to be very careful that you not only wrap and pad the items well but that they are also transported carefully. With fragile wrapping and packing projects such as these, both bubble wrap and extra padding should be your near and dear friends; you truly cannot have too much of those.
When wrapping and packaging items such as pictures and paintings, you would definitely need to use some corner protectors which would help to keep the frame intact. You would also need to protect the front of the picture or painting and this can be done by making an “x” formation on the picture with masking tape. For the painting you should tape cardboard to cover the front of the painting, not necessarily letting the tape touch the painting as it would ruin it. Once this is done then you can start applying a generous amount of bubble wrap to your items.
Also, when packaging other fragile items such as a computer monitor or a TV, your best bet would be to also tape on some cardboard to the screen followed by two layers of bubble wrap before you place them in sturdy boxes. These boxes should also be padded so that the items can fit snugly rather than having it shift around.
Newspaper is great for wrapping your chinaware and dishes but no one wants the ink stains that it can sometimes leave behind. If you live close to a newspaper or printing company, you can visit them and ask for plain rolls which are usually free or available at a very low price. The paper is also good for padding your moving boxes and not to mention it is also good for providing that perfect shine for your mirrors as well.
We all know how stressful moving can be. In fact the statistic shows that moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death of a loved one and divorce. Finding reliable cross country movers can reduce the stress and make it a little bit easier for you.
Choosing the right company
But how to choose between all those cross country moving companies our there? How to make the right choice? Here is a small guide for a smooth moving experience:
- The first step is to request multiple professional moving companies to estimate moving costs for your upcoming move. That way you will be able to compare all the movers and receive multiple price estimates to choose from. Going with the lowest estimate is not always a good idea, since the overall quality of the service might be significantly lower.
- Select two or three from the moving companies based on your observations by speaking with the representative and the price estimate. Make sure all these companies have provided you with written estimates with all the taxes and fees included. Also do not forget to ask for a price list of the packing materials provided by each of the movers in advance.
- Check if the companies are licensed and insured with the US Department of Transportation. Every professional moving company should have a DOT number of registration to operate as a carrier.
- Research the selected movers online. Reading reviews on the cross country moving companies before hiring in multiple review sources is a must. Companies with 4-5 star ratings are ok. Avoid using companies with one or two stars ratings. Another thing you might want to research is if the companies are BBB accredited.
- After having all your findings in place, you can easily select your mover and you can be sure you will get professional attitude for your upcoming state to state move.
No matter if you are looking for reputable Boston movers or affordable cross country moving companies cost to California or New York, make sure you have selected a moving company with acceptable moving reviews and ratings. As there are so many moving companies out there, you have to be sure you make the right choice.
Preparing to move across the town and it is as complicated as moving to another state. The hardest job is boxing up your belongings and transporting them to the new home. Furthermore you would also be consistently worrying about trusting your valuable items to strangers. Finding a dependable moving company would certainly cause the stress levels soar. So it is best to comply certain steps for choosing a proper moving company.
Choosing a moving company is the thing you should do and this is not a complicated process as it appears to be. Ask your friends, neighbors and family members about movers that they have employed in the past. Sometimes the estate agent that you deal with can provide you with a list of local companies since they deal with movers all the time.
When you have gathered some phone numbers and names, you should call those companies and ask some questions such us offered services, prices, insurance coverage, policies and etc. Ask for their DOT number and check up on it on Department of Transportation website. Make sure you hire a company that is accordingly licensed with your state. The next step is check the dependability of the company with Better Business Bureau or any other consumer organization.
Then cut down your list to the movers with good reputation and get the address of at least two or three companies. You will be able to avoid scammers by easily voiding companies that do not have a physical address.
The next main thing is to get the quote for your move. It is always recommended to arrange on-site estimates which are normally provided at no cost. Keep in mind that some moving companies will give the moving quote over the phone without evaluating the possessions to be transported. The moving companies apply a broad variety of rates. Some companies would charge by an hourly rate while other would go by total weight. Usually local moves are charged by the hour and long distance moves are charged by the weight of the shipment. Some movers would charge extra for large furniture, supplies and stairs, make sure to have all this information in writing
With the moving quote in your hands, it is time to select the moving company that is right for your needs and budget. You should evenly deliberate your feeling, provided services as well as the price while making the final choice. Get a written agreement from the movers before the moving day. Now you will be able to relax and spend more time on other things.
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