You’ve chosen a new home, selected a mover, and now comes the task of packing for the move. There are 3 important things you should remember that will save you a lot of time and frustration later:
• Collect all the materials (boxes, tape, paper) you’ll
need to pack.
• Don’t put packing off until the last minute.
• Stay organized!
Here’s a list of the materials you’ll need to pack efficiently:
• Paper for wrapping your items:
Many people collect old newspapers and use them. Just remember that the news ink never dries and will come off on your belongings. If you want to avoid the need to wash everything when you arrive, you can purchase packing paper from your mover.
• Boxes:
You can collect boxes from your local supermarket and other businesses. Select strong boxes in good condition and make sure they have covers. Divided boxes like liquor boxes are great for glasses and stemware.
Your mover can also provide you with boxes especially made for moving. However, these boxes are expensive and you may want to purchase only those which are usually necessary like wardrobes for hanging clothes, mattress cartons, and cartons for large pictures, mirrors and table lamps.
• Sealing Tape - Use plastic tape that’s 1½-2” wide
• Magic Marker – to mark boxes for contents and special instructions like “fragile”, “this side up”, etc.
Now that you have all your materials, you’re ready to start packing! Start as far ahead of time as you can. Waiting until the last minute will create a nightmare you don’t want to experience! If you begin early you can pack a few boxes a day and have everything completed without stressing yourself unnecessarily.
It’s really important that you keep your packing organized; it will save a lot of confusion later. It’s best to pack a room at a time so that you can keep everything thing together that belongs together.
Start in areas containing articles that aren’t used frequently such as your attic, basement, garage, etc. You can leave an extra box to hold items that can’t be packed early.
Packing Up the Kitchen
The hardest room to pack is probably the kitchen so let’s discuss that in detail.
Remember when you’re packing fragile items to pad the bottom of the box with several sheets of paper. Place the heaviest items on the bottom of the box and the more delicate things on top.
When you pack flatware like plates, saucers, etc., wrap each item separately and then combine in groups of three. Rewrap that group in more paper and seal with the plastic tape. Each group will then be better protected. Stand them on end in the box.
You can nest glasses and cups 3 or 4 together and separate with small sheets of paper. It’s best to pack them in divided containers if you have them. If the box isn’t full to the top, stuff with additional paper. If you don’t have divided containers, you can place them in other boxes where you have empty space; just be sure to fit them in toward the top of the box so they aren’t crushed.
Don’t nest Goblets and stemware, wrap them individually.
Try to keep small kitchen appliances like the toaster, crock pot, etc., all together rather than mixing them with other items. Wrap them individually with 2 or 3 sheets of paper and wad up paper to fill any empty space. However, if you have a lot of extra room you can add some pots and pans.
You can nest pots, pans and large bowls in groups of 3 with a couple sheets of paper between each of them.
When you pack boxed foods such as cereal and rice, be sure to seal the tops with plastic tape. (Remember to do this for salt and pepper shakers also!) If your things are going be stored for very long, you may want to discard these items to avoid rodents or insects.
You can pack filled canisters as long as they are individually wrapped and the tops are sealed with plastic tape.
Finally, here are some miscellaneous tips to remember:
• Don’t pack anything that’s flammable, combustive or explosive. This includes items like aerosol spray cans, gasoline, and paint thinners.
• Empty all drawers.
• Pack heavy items like books and canned goods in smaller boxes.
• Pack bulky and lightweight items like toys, blankets, and pillows in large boxes.
• You don’t need to wrap toys, books and shoes individually.
• Stand books and records on end.
It isn’t as hard as it sounds, but it you don’t want to deal with packing, your moving company will be happy to pack for you ~ of course, that service comes with a very hefty price tag!
Happy Moving!
Showing posts with label movers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movers. Show all posts
Friday, November 25, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
How To Move With Young Children
Moving can upset children of any age. It frequently causes them to feel apprehensive and insecure. But, don’t despair; there are many things you can do to make the moving experience less scary for your children.
Involve Them from the Very Beginning.
Tell your children as soon as you know you’re moving; don’t spring it on them at the last minute. Explain why you’re moving in terms they can understand. Do you need more room? Are you relocating because of a new job? Be sure to explain what will happen so they’ll know what to expect. This will remove a lot of the fear and confusion they may be feeling. Tell them when the move will take place and how their things will get from the old house to the new house. Be sure and answer their questions as fully as you can. Remember that your attitude about the move will rub off on them, so stay upbeat and positive. To help prepare them further, you canchoose from among many children’s books available on moving. Just a couple of these are “Berenstain Bear’s Moving Day” by Sam Berenstain and “Goodbye House” by Frank Asch. Check your local library for more.
Make the Move an Adventure.
If you approach the coming move as an exciting adventure for the entire family, it will help to calm your children’s fears. The more positive you are about the move, the more positive they will be. Make sure they understand they won’t be left behind. Ask for their suggestions and involve them in the plans. If it’s possible, show them the new house and let them spend some time exploring it. Show them where their rooms will be. Help them visualize where their furniture and toys will go. Show them the yard and help them imagine all the fun they will have there. If it’s impossible for them to visit the new house, take tons of photos so they’ll know what it looks like and can become familiar with it. Talk about all the fun things the family will do there.
Let Them Help.
If you give your children an active role in the move they are much more likely to accept it and even grow excited about it. Let them pack some of their own belongings, even if you have to go back and repack them later. This will help them feel a part of the move. If there are old toys you don’t plan to take, let the kids help decide which of them should be given away for other children to use and which should be discarded.
What to Do on Moving Day.
The best plan is to have the children stay with a family member or trusted friend on the day of the move. If this isn’t possible, be sure and involve them in the moving activities. If you have a moving company, introduce your children to the workers so they’ll know who’s taking their stuff away. You can give them a box of their own to pack. This could be the box of special belongings you’re taking in the car with you. It should include all the things your children can’t live without ~ favorite stuffed animals, that special blanket, maybe their favorite pajamas. This will accomplish three things. It will keep the children occupied and feeling useful and it will also ensure that you know exactly where these special items are. You would never want to arrive at your new home not knowing where to locate Susie’s scruffy old bear or Johnny’s favorite action figure! It will also help the children feel secure since they have their most important belongings with them.
You’re on Your Way to Your New Home.
If you’re driving to your new home, make the trip exciting! If the kids can relate the move to family fun, they’ll enjoy it so much more. If it’s a long drive, be sure and have lots of games or books to keep the children occupied. Maybe each person could tell their own story about what they think living in the new house will be like. You’ll arrive happy and anxious to start this new phase of your lives.
Involve Them from the Very Beginning.
Tell your children as soon as you know you’re moving; don’t spring it on them at the last minute. Explain why you’re moving in terms they can understand. Do you need more room? Are you relocating because of a new job? Be sure to explain what will happen so they’ll know what to expect. This will remove a lot of the fear and confusion they may be feeling. Tell them when the move will take place and how their things will get from the old house to the new house. Be sure and answer their questions as fully as you can. Remember that your attitude about the move will rub off on them, so stay upbeat and positive. To help prepare them further, you canchoose from among many children’s books available on moving. Just a couple of these are “Berenstain Bear’s Moving Day” by Sam Berenstain and “Goodbye House” by Frank Asch. Check your local library for more.
Make the Move an Adventure.
If you approach the coming move as an exciting adventure for the entire family, it will help to calm your children’s fears. The more positive you are about the move, the more positive they will be. Make sure they understand they won’t be left behind. Ask for their suggestions and involve them in the plans. If it’s possible, show them the new house and let them spend some time exploring it. Show them where their rooms will be. Help them visualize where their furniture and toys will go. Show them the yard and help them imagine all the fun they will have there. If it’s impossible for them to visit the new house, take tons of photos so they’ll know what it looks like and can become familiar with it. Talk about all the fun things the family will do there.
Let Them Help.
If you give your children an active role in the move they are much more likely to accept it and even grow excited about it. Let them pack some of their own belongings, even if you have to go back and repack them later. This will help them feel a part of the move. If there are old toys you don’t plan to take, let the kids help decide which of them should be given away for other children to use and which should be discarded.
What to Do on Moving Day.
The best plan is to have the children stay with a family member or trusted friend on the day of the move. If this isn’t possible, be sure and involve them in the moving activities. If you have a moving company, introduce your children to the workers so they’ll know who’s taking their stuff away. You can give them a box of their own to pack. This could be the box of special belongings you’re taking in the car with you. It should include all the things your children can’t live without ~ favorite stuffed animals, that special blanket, maybe their favorite pajamas. This will accomplish three things. It will keep the children occupied and feeling useful and it will also ensure that you know exactly where these special items are. You would never want to arrive at your new home not knowing where to locate Susie’s scruffy old bear or Johnny’s favorite action figure! It will also help the children feel secure since they have their most important belongings with them.
You’re on Your Way to Your New Home.
If you’re driving to your new home, make the trip exciting! If the kids can relate the move to family fun, they’ll enjoy it so much more. If it’s a long drive, be sure and have lots of games or books to keep the children occupied. Maybe each person could tell their own story about what they think living in the new house will be like. You’ll arrive happy and anxious to start this new phase of your lives.
Friday, April 1, 2011
How to Pack for the Movers
You’ve chosen a new home, selected a mover, and now comes the task of packing for the move. There are 3 important things you should remember that will save you a lot of time and frustration later:
• Collect all the materials (boxes, tape, paper) you’ll
need to pack.
• Don’t put packing off until the last minute.
• Stay organized!
Here’s a list of the materials you’ll need to pack efficiently:
• Paper for wrapping your items:
Many people collect old newspapers and use them. Just remember that the news ink never dries and will come off on your belongings. If you want to avoid the need to wash everything when you arrive, you can purchase packing paper from your mover.
• Boxes:
You can collect boxes from your local supermarket and other businesses. Select strong boxes in good condition and make sure they have covers. Divided boxes like liquor boxes are great for glasses and stemware.
Your mover can also provide you with boxes especially made for moving. However, these boxes are expensive and you may want to purchase only those which are usually necessary like wardrobes for hanging clothes, mattress cartons, and cartons for large pictures, mirrors and table lamps.
• Sealing Tape - Use plastic tape that’s 1½-2” wide
• Magic Marker – to mark boxes for contents and special instructions like “fragile”, “this side up”, etc.
Now that you have all your materials, you’re ready to start packing! Start as far ahead of time as you can. Waiting until the last minute will create a nightmare you don’t want to experience! If you begin early you can pack a few boxes a day and have everything completed without stressing yourself unnecessarily.
It’s really important that you keep your packing organized; it will save a lot of confusion later. It’s best to pack a room at a time so that you can keep everything thing together that belongs together.
Start in areas containing articles that aren’t used frequently such as your attic, basement, garage, etc. You can leave an extra box to hold items that can’t be packed early.
Packing Up the Kitchen
The hardest room to pack is probably the kitchen so let’s discuss that in detail.
Remember when you’re packing fragile items to pad the bottom of the box with several sheets of paper. Place the heaviest items on the bottom of the box and the more delicate things on top.
When you pack flatware like plates, saucers, etc., wrap each item separately and then combine in groups of three. Rewrap that group in more paper and seal with the plastic tape. Each group will then be better protected. Stand them on end in the box.
You can nest glasses and cups 3 or 4 together and separate with small sheets of paper. It’s best to pack them in divided containers if you have them. If the box isn’t full to the top, stuff with additional paper. If you don’t have divided containers, you can place them in other boxes where you have empty space; just be sure to fit them in toward the top of the box so they aren’t crushed.
Don’t nest Goblets and stemware, wrap them individually.
Try to keep small kitchen appliances like the toaster, crock pot, etc., all together rather than mixing them with other items. Wrap them individually with 2 or 3 sheets of paper and wad up paper to fill any empty space. However, if you have a lot of extra room you can add some pots and pans.
You can nest pots, pans and large bowls in groups of 3 with a couple sheets of paper between each of them.
When you pack boxed foods such as cereal and rice, be sure to seal the tops with plastic tape. (Remember to do this for salt and pepper shakers also!) If your things are going be stored for very long, you may want to discard these items to avoid rodents or insects.
You can pack filled canisters as long as they are individually wrapped and the tops are sealed with plastic tape.
Finally, here are some miscellaneous tips to remember:
• Don’t pack anything that’s flammable, combustive or explosive. This includes items like aerosol spray cans, gasoline, and paint thinners.
• Empty all drawers.
• Pack heavy items like books and canned goods in smaller boxes.
• Pack bulky and lightweight items like toys, blankets, and pillows in large boxes.
• You don’t need to wrap toys, books and shoes individually.
• Stand books and records on end.
It isn’t as hard as it sounds, but it you don’t want to deal with packing, your moving company will be happy to pack for you ~ of course, that service comes with a very hefty price tag!
Happy Moving!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Moving Checklist
MOVING! The very thought of it can send chills down our spine and can cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that any kind of "change" creates "stress". Moving, (and especially if we are relocating to a new city or state), represents a huge change and naturally brings a great amount of stress along with it. This can be a double whammy, because stress can lead to a lack of energy and motivation. Many of us tend to procrastinate during stressful periods of our lives. This is one time, though, when we must rise above that. When preparing for a move we need to put the pedal to the metal and get a lot of things done. This checklist contains many suggestions that may seem like "no-brainers". However, the very act of printing out these simple suggestions and reminders can become a significant security blanket as the dreaded time approaches. Moving and relocating calls for being proactive, grabbing the bull by the horns and actually completing certain chores well in advance of their deadlines. Hopefully this little paper will help you to accomplish that. In this particular article we are leaving out the "big things" such as finding the best moving company, researching your new neighborhood's transportation, parking, employment, etc. Those are for other articles on another day. Today we are concentrating on the basics of planning and preparation.
Get rid of what you don't need.
Many of us are "pack rats". One thing that we can accomplish immediately is going through all of our "stuff" and getting rid of what we don't need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and bric-a-bracs from one place of residence to another is a great waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in control we feel once we start narrowing down our "inventory" to what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items can be done by having a garage sale long before moving time and then donating the leftovers to the Salvation Army or other charitable groups.
Get all important papers and documents together and secure them.
Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we absolutely must not lose or misplace should certainly be hand carried, not put in a box for the movers:
Address Books, Birth Certificates, Bank Statements, Checks, Credit Cards and Statements, Home Movies, Irreplaceable Memorabilia, Insurance Policies, Marriage Records, Medical and Dental Records, Military Records, Passports, Photos and Photo Albums, Resumes, School Records, Stock Certificates, Tax Returns, Telephone Numbers, Valuables, Vehicle Documents, Wills.
Prepare well in advance for living at your new location.
There are many things that we can do at our new location well in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs: Open up new bank accounts. Open up a new Safe Deposit Box. Contact the new area utility companies and arrange for your new services. These can include Cable TV, gas, electric, oil, telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV and get forms necessary to re-register your vehicles. Contact your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance, homeowner's insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.
As the time approaches, get a nice new legal pad.
As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually begins, you don't want to be hunting for phone numbers in wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new legal pad ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and legibly for both your old and new contacts: Banks, Doctors, Emergency contacts, Family members, Friends, Landlords or Real Estate Brokers, Movers, Pharmacies Schools, Storage Facilities, Utilities.
With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though never fun, can at least be sane. With proper planning and preparation the utilities at your present address can be disconnected the day after you move and the utilities at your new address can be connected the day prior to your arrival. With proper planning and preparation you will not be frantically searching for a new doctor or pharmacy, if that unfortunate need arises. With proper planning and preparation you will have all of your important documents at the tip of your fingers at all times. With proper planning and preparation your mail will start arriving the day after you move in to your new abode and your life will endure a minimum of chaos and clutter.
Good luck with your move and good luck in your new home or apartment.
Get rid of what you don't need.
Many of us are "pack rats". One thing that we can accomplish immediately is going through all of our "stuff" and getting rid of what we don't need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and bric-a-bracs from one place of residence to another is a great waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in control we feel once we start narrowing down our "inventory" to what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items can be done by having a garage sale long before moving time and then donating the leftovers to the Salvation Army or other charitable groups.
Get all important papers and documents together and secure them.
Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we absolutely must not lose or misplace should certainly be hand carried, not put in a box for the movers:
Address Books, Birth Certificates, Bank Statements, Checks, Credit Cards and Statements, Home Movies, Irreplaceable Memorabilia, Insurance Policies, Marriage Records, Medical and Dental Records, Military Records, Passports, Photos and Photo Albums, Resumes, School Records, Stock Certificates, Tax Returns, Telephone Numbers, Valuables, Vehicle Documents, Wills.
Prepare well in advance for living at your new location.
There are many things that we can do at our new location well in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs: Open up new bank accounts. Open up a new Safe Deposit Box. Contact the new area utility companies and arrange for your new services. These can include Cable TV, gas, electric, oil, telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV and get forms necessary to re-register your vehicles. Contact your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance, homeowner's insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.
As the time approaches, get a nice new legal pad.
As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually begins, you don't want to be hunting for phone numbers in wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new legal pad ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and legibly for both your old and new contacts: Banks, Doctors, Emergency contacts, Family members, Friends, Landlords or Real Estate Brokers, Movers, Pharmacies Schools, Storage Facilities, Utilities.
With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though never fun, can at least be sane. With proper planning and preparation the utilities at your present address can be disconnected the day after you move and the utilities at your new address can be connected the day prior to your arrival. With proper planning and preparation you will not be frantically searching for a new doctor or pharmacy, if that unfortunate need arises. With proper planning and preparation you will have all of your important documents at the tip of your fingers at all times. With proper planning and preparation your mail will start arriving the day after you move in to your new abode and your life will endure a minimum of chaos and clutter.
Good luck with your move and good luck in your new home or apartment.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
5 Ways to stop scam moving companies this season
Listed below are the five most important things you can do to protect yourself from the growing threat of becoming victim to a moving company scam. The moving industry was deregulated in the early 90's and has been a shambles ever since. Scam movers have taken over the industry and the honest movers can
hardly compete. Still over 15% of Americans move each year for a total of over 40 million people. That’s a lot of moving and packing for these bad movers to rip people off. By following a few simple steps you can have the advantage over your movers and protect yourself, your family and everything you own.
1. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself when hiring a moving company is to hire only licensed movers as regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA). By dealing with licensed moving companies you are entitled to certain Rights and responsibilities When Moving as outlined in this Federal Brochure (http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/rights/rights.htm). You should be given a copy of this document by your moving company before you. Be certain you are dealing with an actual moving company and not moving brokers. Moving brokers are licensed and regulated by the FMCSA but are not required to have trucks. Most brokers are nothing more than a sales force booking deals for companies with trucks. As soon as they have your money they are no longer interested in you or your stuff. You can read more about the horrors of the moving broker scam at www.movingscam.com.
2. The best place to find a moving company is through your local resources like the newspaper, yellow pages or by word of mouth. Ask local friends what movers they have used. Once you find a moving company you should ask for referrals. Don't trust the junk you read on someone’s website. Ask for a phone number to the last 3 clients. If they won't produce a phone number than ask that they call you instead. If they are unwilling to do so then you can expect their service wasn’t so spectacular. Make certain you get a written binding estimate based on 400n tariff weight and not cubic footage. Paying for the actual weight of your household goods can save you money. Why let a crooked moving company pack your stuff in boxes when they are charging you by the cubic foot? They love the full service pack and move jobs because they charge more. Be armed with knowledge like that available to you at http://www.protectyourmove.gov and know your rights.
3. The safest way to move your stuff is to move yourself. Self service moving has become quite the rage in recent years and companies that offer various self move services are fast becoming industry leaders. Moving trucks and drivers are as popular as ever with over 1 million moving trucks rented per year. Moving containers are a new service which provides a storage container delivered to your home. You are allowed to pack at your own pace while the box stays near your home safe and secured. Once you are finished packing your moving pod can be delivered to your new home in the same city or another state. If you’re not interested in loading or driving a truck maybe you would prefer to hire a truck and driver with you pack and load they drive moving services. Packing supplies and services add quite a bit to your move cost. Save money by packing your own stuff and ensure it was safe before you packed it. Beware, scam movers like to blame you for damages to items already packed.
4. Loading and unloading are the most dangerous times for you and your things. Packing your own things is the safest way but if you use a moving service to pack your things is sure they use quality packing materials and supplies. Some moving companies have special rolls of tape that are shorter and cheaper than regular rolls. They use cheap moving boxes which may not support your stuff and they may under pack boxes in an attempt to use more boxes and space on the truck. Moving blankets, hand trucks and wheel dollys are all tools of the trade for a professional mover but foreign objects to scam movers. Don't let them bust up your furniture and have them pack and load your things properly. Most movers will not be qualified to do things like setup your electrical equipment or some appliances. Take care of these things yourself in order to make certain your home is safe from any potential harm.
5. After your mover has unpacked and delivered your goods you should check for any obvious damages immediately. By law you have 90 days to file a claim with your mover but it’s always best to do so right away. Offer photo of video evidence of the contents of your home before and after the move as evidence of any damages or items missing. Missing or stolen items should be reported to the police right away. No matter what the movers say you have the right to complain about your items not arriving as they were supposed to. File any complaints with your movers right away and follow through, if they resist then take it up with the FMCSA. Obviously this is not a complete list of things you should do before you hire a moving company. Good sense and judgment should be used whenever you hire any company to perform a service for you. When they are packing up everything you own and stuffing it in a truck for a cross country trek you take extra precautions. Please review the list of resources below for more information on moving and relocation services.
Resources available online
Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration - http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Check your movers Motor Carriers License - http://www.safersys.org
Find an affordable moving company - http://www.affordablemovingcompany.com
hardly compete. Still over 15% of Americans move each year for a total of over 40 million people. That’s a lot of moving and packing for these bad movers to rip people off. By following a few simple steps you can have the advantage over your movers and protect yourself, your family and everything you own.
1. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself when hiring a moving company is to hire only licensed movers as regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA). By dealing with licensed moving companies you are entitled to certain Rights and responsibilities When Moving as outlined in this Federal Brochure (http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/rights/rights.htm). You should be given a copy of this document by your moving company before you. Be certain you are dealing with an actual moving company and not moving brokers. Moving brokers are licensed and regulated by the FMCSA but are not required to have trucks. Most brokers are nothing more than a sales force booking deals for companies with trucks. As soon as they have your money they are no longer interested in you or your stuff. You can read more about the horrors of the moving broker scam at www.movingscam.com.
2. The best place to find a moving company is through your local resources like the newspaper, yellow pages or by word of mouth. Ask local friends what movers they have used. Once you find a moving company you should ask for referrals. Don't trust the junk you read on someone’s website. Ask for a phone number to the last 3 clients. If they won't produce a phone number than ask that they call you instead. If they are unwilling to do so then you can expect their service wasn’t so spectacular. Make certain you get a written binding estimate based on 400n tariff weight and not cubic footage. Paying for the actual weight of your household goods can save you money. Why let a crooked moving company pack your stuff in boxes when they are charging you by the cubic foot? They love the full service pack and move jobs because they charge more. Be armed with knowledge like that available to you at http://www.protectyourmove.gov and know your rights.
3. The safest way to move your stuff is to move yourself. Self service moving has become quite the rage in recent years and companies that offer various self move services are fast becoming industry leaders. Moving trucks and drivers are as popular as ever with over 1 million moving trucks rented per year. Moving containers are a new service which provides a storage container delivered to your home. You are allowed to pack at your own pace while the box stays near your home safe and secured. Once you are finished packing your moving pod can be delivered to your new home in the same city or another state. If you’re not interested in loading or driving a truck maybe you would prefer to hire a truck and driver with you pack and load they drive moving services. Packing supplies and services add quite a bit to your move cost. Save money by packing your own stuff and ensure it was safe before you packed it. Beware, scam movers like to blame you for damages to items already packed.
4. Loading and unloading are the most dangerous times for you and your things. Packing your own things is the safest way but if you use a moving service to pack your things is sure they use quality packing materials and supplies. Some moving companies have special rolls of tape that are shorter and cheaper than regular rolls. They use cheap moving boxes which may not support your stuff and they may under pack boxes in an attempt to use more boxes and space on the truck. Moving blankets, hand trucks and wheel dollys are all tools of the trade for a professional mover but foreign objects to scam movers. Don't let them bust up your furniture and have them pack and load your things properly. Most movers will not be qualified to do things like setup your electrical equipment or some appliances. Take care of these things yourself in order to make certain your home is safe from any potential harm.
5. After your mover has unpacked and delivered your goods you should check for any obvious damages immediately. By law you have 90 days to file a claim with your mover but it’s always best to do so right away. Offer photo of video evidence of the contents of your home before and after the move as evidence of any damages or items missing. Missing or stolen items should be reported to the police right away. No matter what the movers say you have the right to complain about your items not arriving as they were supposed to. File any complaints with your movers right away and follow through, if they resist then take it up with the FMCSA. Obviously this is not a complete list of things you should do before you hire a moving company. Good sense and judgment should be used whenever you hire any company to perform a service for you. When they are packing up everything you own and stuffing it in a truck for a cross country trek you take extra precautions. Please review the list of resources below for more information on moving and relocation services.
Resources available online
Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration - http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Check your movers Motor Carriers License - http://www.safersys.org
Find an affordable moving company - http://www.affordablemovingcompany.com
Friday, January 8, 2010
Finding Your Perfect Home
If you have decided to pick up everything and move to a new city, you are probably full of mixed emotions. It can be exciting to move but it can also be a nerve-racking experience. How can you find a neighborhood that is right for you without ever having lived in that city? Its a difficult decision if you are renting and an even tougher decision if you are committing to buying a home. Read along, and this article will give you some tips on choosing the perfect neighborhood for you and your family.
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is what kind of home you are looking for. Do you want a house, a condo, an apartment or a townhouse? Do you want to live in an active city or a slow paced suburb? Is it important that you be close to shopping, restaurants, or parks? Before you start looking, decide what type of home and area you want. It will save you quite a bit of time.
Once you find a possible area, you need to take into account the crime rate. Everyone wants to live in a safe neighborhood. The easiest way to find crime statistics is to call the local police department. They should be able to give you statistics. You also want to look at the sex offender registry to make sure that your area is not heavily populated with sex offenders. Lastly, look around closely at your neighborhood for signs of crime. Look for broken glass, bars on windows and doors, graffiti and people loitering. If you can, drive the neighborhood at night. Many neighborhoods look like heaven in the daylight but quickly become hell when the sun goes down.
If you are moving with children, you will want to look at the local school system next. Are the schools in walking distance or will your kids have to ride a bus? How do the schools rank? You should be able to do a search online for the school district and come up with rankings. Even if you do not have kids, you should probably look into the school system. Who knows, you might one day decide to have children. Also if you are buying the home, you want a good school system. Bad schools make for lower property values and homes that are harder to sell.
If you are purchasing your home, you must also look at what the property values are doing. Are they moving up or are they stagnant or even falling. Your realtor should be able to let you know. If they aren't much help, do a search for the county's tax appraiser online. They will probably have a searchable database with previous years home values. If that fails, look to see if the neighborhood is kept up. Are yards neatly trimmed or are they overgrown and full of weeds. Do people pick up the trash or are cans, cigarette butts and bottles thrown about. If the neighborhood isn't kept up, you can probably bet that it is on a downward slide.
It might seem like a lot of work to do this much research on your new home, but it is better than choosing a bad one. If you sign a lease on a bad home, you might be stuck there for one or even two years. If you buy a home in the wrong neighborhood, you might be unable to sell it and may be stuck there longer. Do your research however and you will dramatically improve your odds of finding your perfect home.
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is what kind of home you are looking for. Do you want a house, a condo, an apartment or a townhouse? Do you want to live in an active city or a slow paced suburb? Is it important that you be close to shopping, restaurants, or parks? Before you start looking, decide what type of home and area you want. It will save you quite a bit of time.
Once you find a possible area, you need to take into account the crime rate. Everyone wants to live in a safe neighborhood. The easiest way to find crime statistics is to call the local police department. They should be able to give you statistics. You also want to look at the sex offender registry to make sure that your area is not heavily populated with sex offenders. Lastly, look around closely at your neighborhood for signs of crime. Look for broken glass, bars on windows and doors, graffiti and people loitering. If you can, drive the neighborhood at night. Many neighborhoods look like heaven in the daylight but quickly become hell when the sun goes down.
If you are moving with children, you will want to look at the local school system next. Are the schools in walking distance or will your kids have to ride a bus? How do the schools rank? You should be able to do a search online for the school district and come up with rankings. Even if you do not have kids, you should probably look into the school system. Who knows, you might one day decide to have children. Also if you are buying the home, you want a good school system. Bad schools make for lower property values and homes that are harder to sell.
If you are purchasing your home, you must also look at what the property values are doing. Are they moving up or are they stagnant or even falling. Your realtor should be able to let you know. If they aren't much help, do a search for the county's tax appraiser online. They will probably have a searchable database with previous years home values. If that fails, look to see if the neighborhood is kept up. Are yards neatly trimmed or are they overgrown and full of weeds. Do people pick up the trash or are cans, cigarette butts and bottles thrown about. If the neighborhood isn't kept up, you can probably bet that it is on a downward slide.
It might seem like a lot of work to do this much research on your new home, but it is better than choosing a bad one. If you sign a lease on a bad home, you might be stuck there for one or even two years. If you buy a home in the wrong neighborhood, you might be unable to sell it and may be stuck there longer. Do your research however and you will dramatically improve your odds of finding your perfect home.
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