Tips for a Stress-free Moving Home Packing

January 28th, 2009

Moving house can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience. Just thinking about the planning, preparations and the work involved can sometimes dampen whatever enthusiasm you have of moving. And one of the tedious part of moving home is packing your belongings.
Here is a moving checklist to help you pack efficiently and properly.

  • To begin with, buy all the packing materials that you will need such as tapes, boxes, scissors and labels.
  • Dispose of unwanted items. You can either sell them, give them away to friends or donate them to local thrift stores or recycling centers.
  • If you started your packing early and have ample time before the big day, itemized each box. Segregate items by room and label each box for easy identification.
  • If you own a firearm, be sure to have all the necessary permits needed to transport them.
  • Familiarize yourself with declaration and transport rules.
  • Confirm the time and date of your move with a moving company provider and those you have requested for moving help. If possible talk to all people concerned to avoid miscommunication.
  • Arrange transportation of your family members and pets.
  • Pack your essentials together such as toothbrush, toilet paper, toothpaste and medicines. This way even if you delay unpacking the other boxes after you arrived in your new house, you have already separated the items that you will need immediately.
  • Make sure that your cleaning equipment and products are not packed because you will use them for cleaning the house that you will vacate.
  • Clear out food from the refrigerator, pantry, freezer and cupboards.
  • Arrange all boxes in such a way that moving people have clear access on what should be loaded first into the moving trucks.

Be flexible for any delays and unexpected situations during the day of moving. Moving can be a stressful but rewarding experience at the same time.

Moving Costs to Prepare For

January 26th, 2009

Making sure that the moving van is all ready is just one step in making the transition to a new home. Knowing the essential moving costs will prepare a new home owner for the big day.

Packaging Materials

Newspaper may be cheaper than bubble wrap, but compare the costs of damaging a beloved heirloom to getting some old newspaper, and bubble wrap wins hands down. Boxes should be clearly labeled using black felt tip marker and secured with packing tape. Ask grocery and liquor stores for free boxes or check from listings in the internet from people who just moved in your community. Alternatively, prepare a few months in advance and just collect the boxes.

Insurance

Check with agents for the coverage of homeowners’ insurance. To get the best protection, it is advisable to get full-replacement valuation from the moving services. One can also avail of the cheapest valuation which will only cost 30 to 60 cents per pound per article, depending on the distance of the move. However, cheap protection cost also means minimal insurance.

Extra Charges

  • Expensive items like pianos or art collections may incur special handling charges and extra insurance coverage. Third-party movers may also be required for items that need disassembly like gym equipment.
  • Professional movers are usually tipped 25 dollars for each crew member. Food and drinks are not required, but encouraged.
  • Travel costs, including gas and meals. The farther the move, the higher these in-transit costs would be.
  • Unforeseen costs caused by delays.

Lately, there has been an increase in complaints against moving companies who hijack their clients’ stuff for additional charges. Homeowners need not worry about scammers if they get referrals from friends and family, and complete a background check first.

Be sure that a written moving quote and all other necessary paperwork are also provided by the company. Still, it is always wise to save a little extra for unfortunate events when computing for moving costs.

Tips on Packing and Dealing with Moving Companies

January 23rd, 2009

Moving home is not a walk in the park. Sometimes the planning and preparations can take a toll on a homeowner’s health. There are numerous packing to do and you have to find moving companies that can transfer your belongings securely and safely.
The following are tips on how to pack and find moving companies to reduce the stress of moving home:

  • Start packing early. Since packing can take up most of your time when transferring to a new house, you should start doing it early so you will not feel harass. Because you have plenty of time, you can organize your things properly and pack them securely. Develop a packing schedule for each room and set a deadline.
  • Find a good moving company. You can do this by comparing moving quotes and the quality of service they provide. After finding a moving service, ask for an advice about packing. Good moving companies have lots of experiences with packing. You can ask them about packing materials, moving timelines and other pertinent information on moving.
  • Reduce your clutter. Transferring to a new house is the best time for you to sort through your belongings and discard or give away items that you do not need anymore. It will be easier and faster for you to pack if you have already sorted your things and set aside those that you will not bring to your new home.
  • Proper disposal of hazardous materials. Some hazardous materials that should not be packed are motor oil, pain, solvents and fireworks. Ask moving companies about a complete list of hazardous materials.
  • Labeling boxes. If possible, itemize every item you placed inside every box. But if you do not have the time to itemize, just label boxes with colored markers to indicate which box belongs in which room of your new house.
  • Properly tie cords. Each electrical cord should be wrapped properly to prevent tangling. Use baggie twist-ties or rubber bands to secure and prevent cords from unraveling.

Moving Home? Pack Securely and Safely

January 22nd, 2009

Moving home involves a lot of planning and preparations. And along with it are stress and anxiety. To make moving easier and stress-free, you should pack your belongings properly and hire the right moving company. There are many moving company services out there and choosing one can be a daunting task. Follow these tips on […]

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The Best Moves to Save on Moving Costs

January 21st, 2009

Moving on is always considered good advice. But when it comes to moving on to a new home, it takes more thinking if a homeowner wants to save on moving costs. Here are some moving tips to consider before calling the movers. Plan the budget. Calculate fixed costs (unavoidable expenses) and other extras. Fixed costs […]

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Cut Moving Weight, Cut Moving Cost

January 19th, 2009

If you are planning to move out of state or planning a long distance move within a state, you can cut your moving costs by cutting your total truck weight. Usually, moving companies base their total moving costs on three factors: the number and volume of stuff you are moving, the total weight of your […]

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How Sure Are You of Your Moving Service?

January 16th, 2009

When selecting a moving services, feeling good about the moving quote is not enough. Making sure that the company keeps a good record only takes a few clicks in the Federal Motor Carrier Administration Website. But how would you know from there that moving company are legit and have good reputations? Just make sure that […]

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The Many Faces of Moving Companies

January 16th, 2009

Know the hidden aspects of moving companies and save yourself from stress. Hijackers and Extortionists Just when all your stuff is ready for unloading, the mover presents a bill 300 percent higher than the agreement. Refuse payment and the goods stay in the moving van. This is an often successful modus operandi of movers, especially […]

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Moving During the Cold Months

January 15th, 2009

The cold months are certainly not a great time to move. But if you have already planned to do so, there are some things that you might want to consider in order to make this move a lot more convenient. Stay Warm – whatever happens, you should make sure that you have brought or packed […]

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Moving? How to Pick a Great Hometown

January 15th, 2009

Moving to a new hometown is indeed exciting for it entails the start of a new life. However, before you contact any moving company or hire movers to help you pack your things, there is still one thing that you need to take care of choosing your new hometown. Obviously, this is easier said than […]

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