Monday, September 28, 2009

Moving Day Tips and Tricks

Moving is a lot of work.  It involves a lot of time, work and planning to be successful.  So when it comes down to your actual Moving Day, you want things to go easily.  These tips are designed to make your Moving Day easier.

  1. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.  One thing you definitely don't want to be on your Moving Day is "unreachable."  That goes for both you and everyone else who will be participating in your big day.
  2. Start your day early. You'll want to make sure that one of the things you don't pack ahead of time is your alarm clock.  Set it for a wake-up time that's well before your help set to arrive.
  3. Recruit as much help as you can stand.   There are plenty of things to be done on Moving Day, even if you have professional movers showing up.  Make sure that each person has at least a general idea of which things are going and what rooms they are going to in your new place.  Have them help answer questions, run last minute errands, serve food- whatever will take the most stress off you.
  4. Use sitters- Kids and pets are your treasures, and they deserve to have full attention.  On Moving Day, that full attention should be from sitters, not from you.  It will make things easier on everyone.
  5. Food is your friend- Whether you have professional movers or friends and family, having coffee, orange juice, and bagels or donuts available will make it easier for everyone to get started on Moving Day.  It will also help reduce burnout as the day wears on.
  6. Keep cell phone numbers ready and programmed into your phone. Be certain you have the cell phone number of the driver of the truck entered into your cell phone, and that the driver has yours in case you get separated or have a problem.  That holds true for everyone else who might be lending a hand on your move.
  7. Have correct payment ready and waiting. If you're using professional movers, on Moving Day keep in mind that almost all of them will expect and demand payment in full and in cash before they will unload a single box from the moving truck. Make sure you have payment ready and in a form that they will accept as soon as they arrive at your final destination.
  8. Directions- You need to have directions and a map ready for anyone will be driving between your old place and your new place.  Have several copies ready just in case you need them.
  9. Label the rooms at your new place.   Tape a sheet of paper on the door of each room at your new place, using the same name you used on your box labels (such as BED1 for bedroom 1, etc.).  This will cut down on a lot of unnecessary questions when unloading the truck.

 

Following these basic tips can make a huge difference in making your Moving Day a smashing success!  For more FREE information, you might want to check out these blogs on moving tips:

·         One of our Wordpress moving blogs (http://www.movinghq.wordpress.com)

·         An excellent Blogger moving blog (http://www.moving-hq.blogspot.com)

Posted via web from moving-tips's posterous

Monday, September 21, 2009

Moving Truck Rental Guide

The moving truck rental is going to be one of the most critical tasks you'll need to accomplish if you're moving yourself. If you're not careful, it can also be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. With the tips in this article, you should be able to make things easier on yourself.

 

Moving Truck Rental: Step 1- Determine days you can move.

Having a larger number of potential days available for your move gives you many more options. The day you pick can determine not only whether a truck is available, but how much you'll be charged. Here are the guidelines:

  • Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekends are the hardest and most expensive times to rent. You typically need to book these months in advance.
  • Weekends are more difficult to book than weekdays.
  • The middle weeks of the month are easier to reserve than the first and last weeks.

 


 

Moving Truck Rental: Step 2- Identify how large a truck you want.

There are a few factors you should consider in determining the truck size you'll need:

  • the quantity of boxes and furniture you need to move
  • the availability and prices of trucks on your moving day ·your comfort level with driving very large vehicles (don't underestimate this one)

 


Trucks range in size from 10 feet (ideal for a 1-bedroom apartment) up to 26 feet (can handle up to a 4-bedroom house). Avoid the temptation to get a size larger than you need. Most rental agencies can help you determine the ideal size.

 

Moving Truck Rental: Step 3- Select your rental agency.

Three of the most common names for truck rentals are Budget Truck Rental, U-Haul, and Penske. Some car rental firms, such as Enterprise, offer large vans or trucks in specific locations. Make a short list of rental locations close to you. Then call and find out:

  • which trucks they have available on your intended moving days
  • which payment options are accepted, especially if you're planning on using anything other than a certified check or money order (many individual locations do not accept cards like American Express or Discover, and some don't accept credit cards at all)
  • operating hours, including the time when the truck needs to be returned before being charged extra ·whether they offer "one-way" rentals, if that's something you need
  • initial deposit(s)
  • base rate per day and/or hour
  • charge per mile (watch out for this one- many companies offer a low daily rate but charge a fortune for the miles)
  • cost for gas
  • additional fees for insurance, moving pads, hand truck, twine, etc.
  • any other charges (be polite, persistent and direct in making sure they have provided with ALL the costs. You might want to try a phrase such as, "So if I show up with only that exact amount, down to the penny, in my pocket, I will be able to pay the bill in full?")

 


Now that you have all the critical information, determine which truck option most closely meets your needs and budget. Once you've made your decision, you need to make your reservation, and sooner rather than later. This is especially true if your desired date is over a weekend or a holiday, in that those slots fill up first.

 

Moving Truck Rental: Step 4- The Big Day

  • Plan to be in line at the rental truck location at least 15 minutes before they open, in that the paperwork portion of the transaction can sometimes be lengthy, and if only a few people are in line in front of you, you could be in for quite a wait.
  • It's also a good idea to take a copy of your insurance card with you if you normally keep it in your car- you don't want to have to fool with a fine from a traffic officer.
  • Be sure to check the truck thoroughly for damage prior to signing the final contract, and mark any damage on the appropriate form.
  • Finally, try out driving the truck around the parking lot before heading out to make sure you can adequately control the vehicle. If there's an issue, you'll want to know before getting into traffic.

 


Once these steps are done, you should be on your way to a smooth moving truck rental experience!

 

Please visit us for more information on moving truck rentals at http://www.movers-edge.com/Truck-Rental-for-Moving-s/34.htm. />

Posted via web from moving-tips's posterous

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Basic Packing Tips, Part 2

Today I'm continuing the tips from my last post on basic packing for moving tips.  These ideas should help make the moving process easier and more manageable.  NOTE: Steps 1-5 were in my last post, and steps 6-10 are in this one.  :-)


6.    Furniture with small parts.

When taking apart items to be moved, such as tables, you want to make sure that all the screws and other small parts don't get lost or confused in the move. To prevent this problem, wrap all of the tiny parts in a freezer bag. Then securely tape the bag to the underside of the item. This keeps the parts with the item they came from, saving hours of time and worry.


7.    Alternate packing materials.

Here's a way to solve two problems with one solution. When packing fragile items, use old towels, pillows, sheets, rags and t-shirts to use as cushioning around the objects. This provides extra protection against damage in transit, and will save plenty of room in your boxes.


8.    Criss-cross tape on box flaps.

Tape boxes along the seams where the flaps meet together. Then tape perpendicularly at the center of the first tape, forming a cross. This method provides extra protection against seams bursting in the move. 



9.    Stacking boxes.

Stack boxes by putting the heaviest on the bottom and the lightest on top to prevent crushing. Don't stack boxes higher than shoulder height to reduce the chances of toppling. Where possible, stack them against walls, leaving plenty of open space to handle wrapping and moving furniture. Make sure there is an easy path to enter and exit the room.

 

10.    The 30-pound rule.

Keep each box below 50 pounds absolute maximum and below 30 pounds wherever possible. Heavier boxes lead to a number of problems, including injuries; rips, tears, and burst seams; and chances of being dropped when loaded or unloaded.  Keep a bathroom scale in the room you're packing so you can keep the boxes below the weight limits.

Here are some additional FREE resources to make your move easier:

  *  Finding outstanding moving companies and movers at http://www.movers-edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm.

  *  Easy moving truck rental guide at http://www.movers-edge.com/Truck-Rental-for-Moving-s/34.htm.

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Basic Packing Tips, Part 1

Packing for a move is never a fun experience.  The good news is that taking just a few steps can lead to less stress and better results.  I’m presenting the tips in both today’s post (part 1) and the one to follow (part 2):

 

1.    Luggage for Everyone.

Before packing boxes and wrapping furniture, pack a suitcase or backpack the same way you would if you were going on vacation for a few days. You'll nee top pack 3 full outfits, eyeglasses, toiletries, prescriptions (very important to include), etc. The idea is a simple one- if you have all the basics you'll need in the suitcases and keep them nearby (kept separate from all the boxes), you can avoid a lot of scrambling and hunting through boxes when you reach your new home.

2.   “Open Me First” boxes.


This is a similar idea to the suitcase suggestion listed in Step 1. For every room in your house, there will be certain items you'll need right away. Rather than mixing all your items together in different boxes, keep those "needed immediately" things in one or two boxes for that room. Label these special boxes with bright red markers so they'll stand out from all the others. This will make it easy to get the basics set up right away.

3.    Focus on one room at a time.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with packing all your treasures. That can tempt you into trying to pack parts of different rooms, then ending up with a sense of chaos and little actually finished. Instead, focus on packing just one room at a time. This will do wonders to keep things focused and organized.

4.    "Clean house" before "packing house."

One of the big reasons that packing takes so long is because of the shear volume of possessions we accumulate. Use packing as a way to clean out items for donations, a moving sale, and/or the recycling center. Aim to eliminate 1/3 of your belongings- that might be more than you can stand, but will give you a noble goal. You'll save time and expense.

5.    Try using a card table.

Whenever possible, use a portable table (such as a card table, a completely cleared-off furniture top or counter in each room for packing boxes. Using the floor limits your mobility and can cause aches and cramps. You'll find you get much more accomplished if you stick to the card table.

For tips on finding the right movers or moving companies, please visit http://www.movers-edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Moving with Younger Children

Moving affects everyone in the family, and it can be especially unnerving for younger children. Kids tend to thrive on the consistency of their surroundings, and moving eliminates much of that consistency. Here are some general tips on making the transition easier:
  1. Make sure you talk to your kids about moving, what the new place will be look, and what they should expect. Trying to keep it a secret is almost never a good idea.
  2. Be reassuring- kids will pick up quickly on the fact that everyone is feeling the stress of the upcoming move. Be honest in telling kids that things will be a bit stressful and "up in the air" for a short period of time, but that things will settle down and feel normal again after the move. Remind them of things that won't be changing, whether that involves possessions, daily activities, family members, etc.
  3. Let kids participate in age-appropriate activities prior to Moving Day, whether that's marking boxes, packing their toys or stuffed animals, organizing their belongings, etc.
  4. Get a children's book on moving for smaller kids. Consider “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day.”
  5. If appropriate, let children pick their room in the place.
  6. If possible, let kids pick a decoration (poster, light switch, name banner, etc.) for their new room. If that doesn't work, let them pick from two or three different paint colors that you pick out so that they "get a vote."
  7. Pack a kid's sized suitcase and let each child pick out a special toy to keep with them and a special outfit to wear on "new home day."
  8. If the child has a special dish or cup, include it in the kitchen "Open Me First" box so familiar items await them at their new place.
  9. Consider unpacking the kids' rooms first, or at least their "Open Me First" boxes to help them settle in.

Following these simple guidelines can remove a lot of stress in moving with small children. For more information, please visit our free moving checklist and moving tips at http://www.movers-edge.com. One of our more popular articles is on finding movers and moving companies, available at http://www.movers-edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm.