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BlogPreparations for a moving dayQuestions & answers about moving

Top things movers want you to know

on June 8, 2017

Although moving companies have rules and regulations

That can’t and won’t be broken under any circumstances, there are particular components of your move only you control, even if its not being done in the most productive manner.

They will advise you and welcome any questions or concerns, but they can’t force you to do certain things, even if it will potentially make the entire move run smoother and quicker for everyone involved. For the purpose of this article, we will list a few important details the movers would like for you to take care of prior to their arrival or during the move.

You can count on your move to go smoother when you implement this information for your next move. Please continue reading below our list of top things movers want you to know.

Top things movers want you to know

 

  • Pack in advance

Unless you request full packing services from your movers, you will be expected to have most of your items packed before the movers arrive at your point of origin. It’s understandable if you don’t have your TV packed or another large valuable item.

You rather have the pros to do it. Whether you left a lot of things unpacked or just a few big ticket items, understand that it is additional time and effort spent on their part, which unavoidably results in additional costs to you.

If you’re not comfortable packing an item, don’t risk it! It may end up costing you more in the end to replace it. For the most part however, pack your stuff up before the movers arrive to avoid surcharges.

  • Valuables should only be moved by you

Most reputable moving companies will advise you ahead of time to keep your valuables with you at all times throughout the entire moving process. Any item that is not too heavy to be in your possession, such as cash, credit cards, important documents, jewelry, laptops, prescription medications, etc., should not be in movers’ possession at any time during the move.
Much heavier items, such as antique and fine art can be moved by the movers themselves but you are advised to first purchase extra insurance for the items.

Pro Tip  Packing and moving your valuables.

  • Label your boxes

It is important to label your boxes to keep inventory but it will also make unloading that much easier and quicker. Your movers will be responsible for unloading your items from the truck and assembling them according to your instructions.

When your boxes are properly labeled, it makes unloading that much easier for your movers.
It also gives you a chance to have them take the boxes to their respective rooms and not just any area that is convenient.

In the end, if you fail to label your boxes, you will be forced to do extra work that could have been easily avoided, causing lots of unpleasant stress.
This step may actually benefit you more than it would the movers, so don’t skip it!

Pro Tip  Llabel each box with its contents, destination, and any special handling instructions. Be sure to label the sides and not the top, allowing the label to be easily read even if boxes are stacked on top of one another.

  • Don’t pack these items

Items of hazardous or perishable nature will not be moved by your moving company, simply because the law prohibits them to transport any such items. For the most part your movers will provide you with a list of items they are not allowed to move.

Review this list carefully, and if you were not given one, ask for it yourself! You may spend a lot of effort and time packing these items only to find out on the day of the move that it was all for nothing.
Whether you pack these items unknowingly or consciously without the movers’ knowledge of them being on their truck, any damages caused by these items will be your full responsibility.

Pro Tip Full list of items the movers will not move.

  • Keep children and pets out of the movers’ way

Moving day safety is of paramount importance for everyone, especially for your movers. Although professional movers are trained with safety in mind, you must still do your part in keeping your family safe on the day of the move.

Your small children and pets need to be out of the movers’ way and away from potentially dangerous circumstances. If you can’t hire a baby sitter for your child or someone to take care of your pet, designate a room in the house for them to remain throughout the move. Keep familiar items in the room with them, comfortable and away from all of the action.

Pro Tip  Tips for moving with kids, Tips for moving with pets.

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hard to move
BlogMoving day tips and tricksPreparations for a moving day

Items that are harder to move than you think

on May 20, 2017

Moving specialty items that will require extra care.

To learn more please read our list of items that are harder to move than you think.

Antique

moving heavy furniture

  • While most professional movers have the knowledge, manpower, and equipment to perform even the toughest moves, moving on your own can get tricky. This is especially true if the move involves specialty items that will require extra care and attention.
  • Although nothing is impossible, some projects go much smoother when properly prepared for ahead of time. While professional movers are highly recommended for most of the items on this list, knowing what to expect can help you make a sound decision that works for you.

 

Piano

piano

  • It should come as no surprise that a piano made its way to number one on our list of the hardest things to move. They can be quite heavy, bulky, and very fragile. While they greatly vary in size, weight, and shape, the smallest piano can weigh up to 400 lb., while the largest a staggering 1,200 lb.
  • Try getting that up a 4th floor walk up! While pianos can be very challenging to move efficiently, the task itself is not impossible. Although you shouldn’t attempt to move a piano on your own, here is a link if you wish to learn more on how to move a piano.
  • The great weight of a piano and the dangers of inexperienced handlers should not be underestimated. Not only can you cause significant damage to your piano, but serious injuries to yourself and helpers as well.

Pool Table

pool table

  • A staple centerpiece in most entertainment rooms, a pool table requires a lot of effort to move safely. Not only does it require a near complete disassembly to be moved properly, it is also quite heavy and hard to handle.
  • The smallest scratch can affect the pool tables’ function once it’s put back together, therefore one wrong move can end up costing you hundreds.

Pro Tip How to move a pool table.

 

Fish Tank

Fish Tank

 

  • Fish tanks are not only heavy and fragile, but also require to be taken apart when being moved. As a result, the fish living in it endure a lot of stress, and some don’t even make it to the destination.
  • That’s why moving a fish tank is a tedious, and somewhat messy step-by-step process that must be done properly in order to increase chances of survival for your beloved fish.

Pro Tip How to move a fish tank.

Artwork

Art

  • Fine art moving can be especially tricky due its valuable nature or sentimental aspect. Pieces of various artwork can be especially delicate and particularly costly, closely linking its condition and value as a result.
  • Therefore when it comes to relocating artwork there is just no room for mistakes. Whether moving an expensive piece of artwork or one that has great sentimental value attached to it, professional fine art movers are highly recommended.
  • They will properly pack, handle, and transport your piece of art to your new home. But most importantly, they will provide you with a piece of mind.

Plants

moving plants not easy

  • Houseplants are among the most common items present in our household. We are also less likely to leave them behind during a move. Unlike most of the items on this list, houseplants are considered perishable.
  • Therefore they are also on our list of items movers will not move. Oftentimes the movers will advice you take the plants in the car with you rather than putting them on the truck.
  • Your plants are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and will require a temperature-controlled space, especially during transport.
  • To avoid damaging ceramic pots in transit transfer your plants to plastic ones for the duration of the move. Although most plants can survive for several days without water, be sure to check your particular plant species, and the duration of time they can last without water.

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BlogMoving day tips and tricks

Moving box mistakes that will cost you money

on April 28, 2017

There are many moving mistakes you can make, and one of the biggest ones involves moving boxes! After all, moving boxes are the staple in any relocation process. Not much can be achieved without moving boxes, other than some broken things. With a wide range to choose from, there is a moving box for all your specialty items, and every day things. Now that we have established the undeniable importance of a moving box, let’s move on to the main point of this article, and that is moving box mistakes that will cost you money.

Moving box mistakes that will cost you money

  • Not using moving boxes

One of the biggest moving box mistakes that is sure to cost you money is not using one to begin with. Using garbage bags instead of boxes will not only put the items inside at jeopardy, but will also make relocation more difficult. Moving boxes are designed to keep the items inside safe, and protected from the elements. Another advantage of using moving boxes is their convenient, uniform shape, ideal for stacking on top of one another.

  • Using grocery boxes

Large moves require a lot of moving boxes, and that can sometimes get expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, scavenging for second hand boxes at your local grocery stores may seem like the cost effective thing to do. While you may get lucky with some sturdy boxes that can be used for items that are of non-fragile nature, for the most part, grocery boxes should be used for just that, your groceries. Most grocery style boxes come in the form of a crate, which means they do not close. They are hard to stack, and leave your possessions susceptible to damage. Often times, boxes found in supermarkets can also house pests that you certainly don’t want to be moving with you to your new place, old place, or anywhere for that matter. In any case, proceed with caution. An idea that may appear to be saving you money can end up costing you much more in the end.

  • Making boxes too heavy

Making the boxes too heavy to handle safely, and efficiently poses a danger to the handler, and the items inside. Although professional grade moving boxes are designed to safely hold items within them, they too have their limit. Overstuffing the boxes can make them too heavy to carry, which can cause accidents, setbacks, and money. Also, be sure to avoid placing odd shaped items in boxes that are too small. Rather, place the object in a bigger box, and fill the gaps with packing peanuts.

Pro Tip  Avoid these top packing mistakes!

  • Leaving items loose within the box

Yes, under stuffing a box is a thing! Equally as important as overstuffing a box, leaving the items free to shift within the box should be avoided! This too poses a great danger to the items inside. To avoid your items from shifting, use bubble wrap, peanuts, or even newspaper to fill the empty space. Be cautious, when using print paper as the ink may transfer onto your items.

  • Having many different sizes

While the moving box size is vast, and for a good reason, try to limit your moving boxes to three different sizes at the most. As explained before, uniform boxes make stacking, and loading much easier.

  • Not using packing tape

Packing tape is designed to hold boxes filled with items in tact. Regular tape is not designed to withhold such heavy weight, and may result in your box exploding in transit.

  • Not labeling your boxes

If you are not labeling your boxes accordingly, you are setting yourself up for disaster. Label each boxes with its contents, and the room they belong to.

Pro Tip  Label boxes on the sides, not the top! This way you can read its contents when boxes are stacked on top of each other.

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