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You look forward to moving to your dream home soon. But the thought of moving everything in your current home to your new home feels overwhelming.

The reality is, not every item in every nook and cranny of your current home has to go with you to your new place. You can decide right now what stays and what goes to make your new living situation as clutter-free as possible.

Whether you’re moving to an apartment or you need to declutter your life for your next home, this guide to the art of downsizing will help.

Put a Plan in Place

Before you embark on your residential move, begin by developing a moving plan as soon as possible. Ideally, you should create this plan several months before your move. 

During the planning process, you should envision your current home’s items in the new house. Decide which things would work best in individual rooms, focusing on a single room or space at a time.

If you have a detailed floor plan of the new space, this can be very helpful. It will help you to determine what items cannot fit in the new home. Don’t be surprised if you end up taking just a third or one-half of your existing items to your new place. 

Get Organized As Part of the Downsizing Process

As you begin the decluttering process, be sure to organize all of your items into multiple piles. These piles should include what you wish to keep, what you want to toss, and what you want to sell or donate.

Remember that many items can be recycled, so don’t toss things unless they are no longer useful or repairable.

Also, be honest and realistic when determining what things you want to keep versus get rid of. Don’t focus on what you might be losing. Think about the lower levels of clutter and stress you’ll be gaining in your new home. 

Go Digital Where You Can

These days, you can easily find efficient ways of electronically storing photos and documents to free up space at your new place. So, don’t be afraid to use a digital organizer or scanner to convert physical papers or photos to their digital versions.

Alternatively, you can hire a company to complete the conversion process for you.

Either way, the space you will save by electronically storing more items will be worth the fee or the time required to complete the conversion yourself.

How We Can Help

Besides guiding downsizing for a move, we offer top-of-the-line moving services for both residential and commercial customers. 

Our household relocation services include long-haul as well as local moves. We can help you whether you need full-service movers or need some heavy-lifting help.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our services can make your upcoming move a smooth one from start to finish. 

Why are storage units so popular? It’s simple—they’re an ideal place to store your stuff. You can put items there before, during, and after a move, freeing up space in the home while still keeping your valuable objects close at hand.

Are you preparing to move and wondering, “Where can I store all my belongings?”

We can help. Here is some information about storage for when you move. 

 

Why Should You Rent Storage to Store Your Stuff?

There are several reasons one might consider renting a storage unit.

For example, you may want to think about using a storage unit during the selling process.

As you host open houses, your home must remain clutter-free. Doing so allows the individuals viewing your home to see it as theirs—not yours. If your home is packed with knick-knacks, excess furniture, sports memorabilia, and more, it’s time to declutter.

Having a storage unit during your move can significantly help, too.

You may be moving into a smaller home, or you may want to keep some items around but not in the home. You might be temporarily downsizing into an apartment before moving into a larger house. The options are limitless to the individuals.

You also may want to retain your unit after you’ve moved in.

Maybe you have a son going away to college, for example. A storage unit allows him to keep his things but doesn’t force you to keep his old bedroom Stars Wars-themed. You can turn his bedroom into a guest room, and if he returns home after college or moves, you can discontinue renting storage.

How Do You Find a Reliable Storage Provider?

Storage units, and storage unit providers, aren’t one-size-fits-all.

It’s important to find household storage in a convenient location, not too far from your home. 

Look for a provider who can offer plenty of options, too. They should have one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and larger solutions that can fit three rooms or more. You should be able to comfortably fit your personal belongings and furniture in a size that’s accurate for you—without overspending on something too large.

You should also consider the security of your unit. Look for a service that can provide safe home solutions against various problems: weather, theft, fire, and more. They should provide 24/7 surveillance, at the very least, offering you invaluable peace of mind.

Lastly, your storage unit should be affordable. A high-quality provider will typically offer to give potential customers a free quote. If they’re not willing to do that, move on to one that will.

Moving and Storage Needs

There are various reasons to contemplate renting storage space. With storage units, you can store your stuff regardless of whether you’re selling your home, moving, or just need a temporary solution for extra belongings.

With Arrow Moving & Storage Co., you can have the perks of a moving company and storage provider all in one. We offer free quotes so you can work storage right into your moving budget.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

 

Are you ready to pack up and head cross country? While creating a life in a new place is undoubtedly exciting, we all know that the moving process is a challenge. 

There are ways to make it easier for you. Let’s look into how to make your cross country move a trip to remember — in a good way. 

Minimize as Much as Possible 

If you’ve been in your current place for a while, you won’t realize how much you’ve accumulated until it’s time to gather it all up and pack it away. 

Rather than pack up items you haven’t used in years, you’ll want to sort through it and determine what’s trash and what you can donate or sell.  Some charities will come to your home to pick up your large items. Online marketplaces like Craigslist and Letgo also help simplify the selling of your unwanted items. 

To make your life easier, start this process long before you intend to begin packing. This will prevent you from packing unnecessary items just for the sake of cramming it into boxes. 

Take Inventory of Items You Need to Keep Close 

If you’re moving cross country and planning on driving rather than flying, you’re going to need a few essential items to make your trip more comfortable. We suggest keeping items like toiletries, towels, cleaning supplies, bedding, and any other items you use daily. 

This ensures that once you arrive, you have all your necessities on hand, so you can start getting acclimated to your new space. 

Start Packing Early 

You’ll want to pack earlier than you think necessary. The most commonly recommended timeframe to start packing is within three weeks of your moving date. However, you may want to start even earlier.

Time tends to fly once you’re preparing for a long-distance move — particularly when you’re uprooting your life. Last-minute gatherings with friends and wrapping up any work requirements could leave you with even less time than you anticipated to pack. 

Once you have your moving date in mind, gather your boxes a few months before and start purging and packing. This will relieve the stress and allow you to pack the right way, rather than throw things into boxes in a frantic rush.  

Hire Full-Service Professional Movers 

Perhaps the easiest way to move is to hire a professional to handle the process for you. A licensed company can handle everything from packing to all the heavy lifting and unpacking in your new place. Some can also provide storage options if you need them. 

This enables you to focus on getting acclimated to your new surroundings and gives you time to focus on the fun stuff — like furniture shopping or determining the color palette for your new home. 

Move Cross Country With Ease 

Now that you know how to simplify your cross country move, you may be looking forward to it. Keep these tips in mind. They will make the process easier so that you can focus on settling into your new place. 

We can help. We simplify the journey so that you can focus on the destination. Get in touch with us to learn about our moving and storage solutions.

While it’s far from ideal, any number of circumstances can require us to pack up and move in a matter of days.

Family emergencies, job changes, or an immediate home sale can all be to blame. You may even have had plenty of warning, but time ran out sooner than you expected.

No matter the cause, moving quickly is difficult—unless you know how to approach it.

Read on for some helpful tips on how to pack to move in a hurry.

Be Decisive About Clutter

Figuring out how to move quickly is easier when you have fewer items to move. That’s why it’s important to be decisive about clutter as you pack.

When you’re putting your things in boxes, you’re bound to uncover items you forgot you owned. If you aren’t using them now, they’re likely to collect dust in your new home. Don’t be afraid to get rid of clutter—not only will it make packing easier, but it will also simplify the process of moving in.

Don’t Worry About Organizing

In an ideal world, your moving boxes would follow a strict organizational system. They might be color-coded, organized by item type, or packed based on the rooms they’ll end up in at the new house.

When you’re throwing together a last-minute packing list, though, there isn’t time for organizing. Instead, prioritize getting everything packaged securely. Pack your belongings wherever they fit and label the box with its contents.

The one bag or box you should keep organized is the things you’ll need as soon as you get to the new house. Pack an overnight bag for each person like you would if you were staying in a hotel. This keeps basic toiletries, a change of clothing, and other necessary items available, so you don’t have to unpack the minute you arrive.

Use Packing Materials You Already Own

One packing tip for moving in a hurry is using things you already own to package and protect your items. 

If you’re low on boxes, use the drawers of your dresser to move your clothing. You can use tote bags, trash bags, and suitcases to carry less breakable things. Use blankets and towels as a replacement for bubble wrap and pad your fragile items with them.

If you don’t own enough bags, boxes, or bins, you can often buy or rent supplies from your moving company.

Don’t Tackle the Move Alone

Even if you’ve moved several times before, the process can still be overwhelming. That’s why you should enlist the help of an experienced moving company whenever you’re faced with a looming deadline.

Their team knows how to move efficiently, but they can also pack your items for you with high-quality materials. It only takes a moving team a few hours to complete what could take you days on your own.

Still, Wondering How to Pack to Move in a Hurry? We Can Help

When you need to move all your belongings to a new home, no matter how short the timeframe, Arrow Moving & Storage Co. is there for you. Our household movers know how to pack to move in a hurry. We’ll get your belongings to your destination safe and sound, whether it’s across the country or just down the block.

To request a free quote, contact us today.

 

Putting a child through a move isn’t ideal, but it’s sometimes necessary. Whether it’s work-related or something else, you must relocate, and it’ll be hard on your children. All the stress you feel during the process, your children feel as well.

Make your move as stress-free as possible, and with as little Anxiety as possible, using the following tips. In our guide below, you’ll find several ways to help your children cope with their moving anxiety.

Continue reading to learn more. 

Talk to Your Children

If you leave your children in the dark about the situation, you’ll leave them feeling confused, which adds to their anxiety. Don’t avoid talking to them about the move out of fear for how they’ll respond. Instead, keep it an open conversation with them.

Explain why the move is necessary and allow them to ask any questions they have about the move. 

Give Them Some Control

Your children don’t have much control in situations like these, which can be stressful for them. To help ease their stress, consider giving them some form of control. 

Perhaps allow them to choose their own rooms or new furniture and design plans for their new bedrooms or bathrooms. Once they feel they have some control, they’ll begin to feel more relaxed. 

Teach Them How to Keep Friendships

One of the biggest issues of moving, in your children’s minds is losing friends. They’ll build relationships and friendships with several other children over the years and won’t want to leave them behind. This can become a difficult situation for everyone.

However, you can teach them how to remain friends with these other children even if they’re no longer in the same neighborhood. Consider throwing them a moving-away party where proper goodbyes can be said. You can then exchange phone numbers and contact information with other parents.

Your child can write letters or keep up with friends on social media, and you can schedule play dates if you’re ever back in your old neighborhood. 

Choose the Right Time

Not all move dates can be chosen. There are times when you have to pick up and move without an option. If you can select a date, be sure to select the right time for your children. 

Moving during the school year can be hard on them in several ways. To prevent added stress, try to plan your move for during the summer. Your children will then have a fresh start for a new school year, which makes the transition a smoother one.

Moving Anxiety Doesn’t Only Affect the Parents

Moving can be difficult for everyone because moving anxiety doesn’t discriminate. Help your children, and you’ll have the most enjoyable move possible by following these tips listed above.

Ready to make the move? 

Click here for a list of moving services we provide!

Are you planning to move and wondering when would be the best time? There are different factors to consider before planning what day of the week you will schedule your move. 

Keep reading for a breakdown of the pros and cons of moving on specific days so that you can figure out when is the best time to move for you. 

Benefits of a Weekend Move 

Weekend moves tend to be the most obvious choice. It can often be more convenient to organize if you work on the weekdays. Moving on the weekend will help you to avoid needing to take time off from work. 

By making your move on a weekend, you don’t have the stress of the move plus worrying about falling behind at work or upsetting your boss. If you want to save your vacation time for an actual vacation, a weekend move may be best. Don’t take an unpaid day of leave during this time if you’re stressed with your move financially. 

This will also be a more convenient day for people who can assist you with your move. More of your friends and family will likely be off work to offer a helping hand on the weekend.  Others can help with tasks like packing, cleaning, or taking care of your kids or pets on move-in day. 

Weekend moves will also allow you to unpack and settle into your new home, especially if you decide to move on a Saturday morning. You can return to work refreshed and rested after your big move. 

Benefits of a Weekday Move 

While weekend moves are the more popular choice, there are also some advantages to moving on a weekday. If you have certain weekdays off or can take time off with no problem, this may be an excellent option. 

If you’re moving into a busy neighborhood or apartment complex, moving on the weekday may allow you more privacy and mobility. With more people at work, there will be more room for parking for both you and your movers. With emptier halls, elevators, and stairs, the weekday can be easier for those moving into an apartment. 

During peak times like weekends, professional packers and moving companies tend to charge higher rates because those days are more in demand. On weekdays, moving companies are generally less, so a weekday move might save you some money with more cost-effective rates.

If you have kids, moving on a weekday can allow you to move while they’re at school, if you are staying local. Moving can be more difficult when you have to keep an eye on your kids and keep them out of your moving team’s way. 

When Is the Best Time to Move?

Consider your own needs, what kind of home you are moving into, and your personal obligations and responsibilities. The best moving day can differ for everyone, so make sure you take your schedule and lifestyle into account to find the best moving day for you. 

Are you looking for a team of movers to help make moving day a breeze? Contact us today to request a free quote and get started.

A household move has a lot of moving pieces. With the process so fluid, it’s easy to forget something important you need to do.

Some clear organization among the mess and the stress can help keep you on track.

Pull out your checklist and get ready to add these essential tasks to help make your move a success.

Take Photos of Electronic Setups

Right now, the cord configuration on the back of your TV and electronics seems straightforward. Wait until you go to take it out of the box in your new home, and you can’t remember how it was set up.

To avoid this frustration, snap a few photos of the setup with your phone before you disassemble everything. Keep the cords together in labeled Ziploc bags. When you arrive at your new home to set up, refer to the photos for a refresher on how to reassemble your electronics and cords. 

Note Your Change of Address

Don’t wait until the last minute to notify people about your new address. Plan ahead so that you don’t forget.

Register your new home address with the post office. Then make sure you notify your contact directly. Remember to reach out to your bank, insurance companies, credit card companies, and others about your move.

Collect Personal Documents

If you’re moving to a new town, you might be busy securing a reliable moving company, and packing, but don’t forget to obtain your personal documents before you leave. Make sure to collect your medical records, prescription information, veterinarian records, and your children’s school records.

Personal records are essential to take with you. 

Cancel Recurring Memberships and Fees

Notify your local gym, and any other place you may be a member to tell them about your upcoming move. Cancel what you can so that you don’t have to pay membership fees for services you won’t be using.

You might be able to transfer some memberships, so check to see if that fits with your plans.

Don’t forget to transfer any magazine or other subscription services to your new address.

Pack an Essentials Box

Nothing is more aggravating than arriving at your new home and not having the necessary things at your fingertips. Those essential items are spread out throughout numerous boxes yet to be opened.

Do yourself a favor and pack an essentials box. Make a note of all the items you use daily. Include things like toilet paper, soap, towels, toothbrushes, and charging cords. Accessing these items from a central point in one box will save you time and frustration.

Label Every Box

In your hurry to organize and pack up, remember to label all your boxes. Placing labels and identifying each box helps the movers and you when you go to unpack.

Label all of your boxes clearly on each side. Indicate what room each box should go in as well as the contents of each. This will make organizing at the other end much easier.

Add These to Your List

A household move should be an exciting adventure for you and your family. Maintaining a complete to-list will help keep stress levels down and help your move go smoothly. So make sure to add these things you list.

Need help with your move? Are you moving long-distance or local? Contact us today for a free quote!

If you’ve decided to hire the expertise of professional movers, how do you know you can trust them with all your worldly possessions? 

The key is to do your research beforehand, as with any significant life decision. Here are some questions to ask moving companies before you hire them.

Questions to Ask Moving Companies

1. How Long Have You Been in Business? 

Just because a moving business has a long business history doesn’t always mean their services are superior. But generally, the longer a company has been in operation, the more experience they have in different types of home moves. The only way to gauge this is through a proven track record of success and satisfaction. Don’t be shy to ask for references so you can research their track record.

2. What Company Licenses Do You Hold?

Confirm that the moving company has the proper licensing.

Federal law mandates that professional moving companies that work across state lines be licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Interstate movers should provide a copy of their federal tariff if you request it.

In addition, check with the FMCSA to see if that particular moving company is up-to-date with their operating license.

3. Is Your Business Fully Equipped? 

Make sure that the moving company you’re considering has all the necessary equipment for the job. This includes the right size moving truck(s), hoisting equipment, moving dollies, etc. Ideally, they should also have an inventory of specialist moving tools for specific items.  

4. What Are Your Rates?

A quality moving company will provide you with a quote for your move, and discuss any add-ons with you. The last thing you want is to learn that there were hidden fees connected with your move.

5. What Do You Charge for ”Extra” Services?

Extra services may include things like packing services, flight charges, long-haul transport fees, shuttle services, and storage-in-transit — not-to-mention fuel charges, fees for the disassembly, and assembling of furniture, handling special objects, etc.

Do a thorough check of what the company considers ”extra” services and how you’ll be charged. 

6. How Do You Prevent Damage to My Belongings? 

Preventing damage to your household goods should be a top priority for professional movers. So, how do they accomplish this?

Ask about preventative measures; how do they protect furniture and fragile items? To add to this, how do they protect both your new home and old home from damage? This includes areas such as the walls, skirting, railings, floors, and door frames. Do your research on all their preventative measures. 

7. Can You Provide References?

Ask your prospective moving company for references from residential moves like your own.

Also, do your own research and check Google, the Better Business Bureau, and Angie’s List to find a variety of reviews to provide you with a true impression of their business practices.

Looking For Reliable Movers? 

If you found this article on questions to ask moving companies insightful, then explore the rest of our blog for all the moving advice you’ll ever need. 

If you’re looking for reliable and professional movers, whether it’s residential or long distance, get in touch with us at Arrow Moving & Storage for a quote.

 

There are over 120 million TVs in American households. If you’re moving soon, then chances are, you’re planning on bringing one or more TVs with you.

However, these are very fragile electronics that cost a bit to replace, so you want to make sure you move it correctly.

Read on if you want to know how to move a TV without damaging it in transit.

Prep the Set

Before unplugging, disassembling, and packing your TV and accompanying electronics, take some photos of the set-up with your phone. Note how the cables are attached and plugged in. When you arrive at your new home, refer to the images for easy reassembly.

Then unplug the TV and various electronics such as the cable box, DVR, or Roku. Dust off your TV and accompanying devices thoroughly with a soft microfiber cloth.

Pack Accessories Separately

If your TV has an attached base, remove it. Put the screws from the base in a baggie and keep it with the base.

Take any related accessories like the remotes, wires, and cords and put them in a separate, labeled box, so they’re all easier to find later. By removing all the loose parts, you’ll make your TV easier to pack and transport, as there’ll be nothing to get loose and possibly damage your TV.

Use the Original Box

The best way to move a TV is in the original box it came in. After all, the manufacturer shipped it safely in that box, which means it’s meant to withstand the ruggedness of transport.

If you’ve saved the original packaging, then that’s the best TV shipping box to use. Moving a TV will be most manageable with this, as all you’ll have to do is fit it into the styrofoam parts, slide it back into the box, and tape it back up.

Use Specialty TV Moving Boxes

If you didn’t keep the original box, you could always buy flat-panel TV kits. These are available through your mover and other stores that sell boxes. Flat-panel TV kits are designed for various sizes and are specific to your TV’s dimensions. For most, they will hold TVs that are up to 70 inches wide and 1 to 4 inches deep.

Also, these come with foam edge protectors, which means once you slide your TV in the box, it’ll be well-protected for the move.

Avoid Using Regular Household Items

You might be tempted to save a bit of money by using regular household items to pack your TVs, such as a blanket or throw wrapped around the unit. But the reality is, a broken TV will negate the money you save by doing this in the end.

Moving a TV Safely

By knowing how to move a TV safely, you’ll be able to get your valued possession from point A to B in one piece.

If you need the help of some professional movers, then get in touch with us today. We can help both residents and businesses.

Planning for a household move involves many small details and moving parts. All of those details need to come together at the same time to pull off a successful, smooth move. That’s why you need to be prepared with the right materials and supplies.

To make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment to pack up your belongings, here’s an in-depth moving supplies checklist.

Your Complete Moving Supplies Checklist

Please note that this is a comprehensive checklist, and you may not need everything on it, depending on what you have to move. Take stock of all the belongings that are coming with you and create your unique checklist accordingly.

Boxes

When it comes to buying moving boxes, the trickiest part is figuring out how many to buy.

There are a number of helpful online calculators that can help you determine approximately how many boxes you’re going to need. And remember when it comes to buying moving boxes, it’s always better to overestimate how many you’ll need than wind up shorthanded.

It’s critical to have sturdy boxes in a variety of sizes to protect your belongings. Make sure these boxes are clean and dry. You don’t want worn or wet boxes to compromise the construction of the cardboard. 

Pack your heavier things in smaller boxes. Lighter items like clothes and bedding work well in large boxes. 

Packing Paper

Stock up on plenty of packing paper to wrap fragile or sharp items in. Packing paper can also be used as an excellent filler in the boxes, providing extra cushion and stability in each box. The ideal packing paper is ink-free since the ink on newsprint can bleed on to your belongings.

Bubble Wrap

Use bubble wrap to protect extra fragile items made of glass, ceramic, and porcelain. Leaving space in boxes for your items to shift around can lead to damage. Using paddings like bubble wrap paper will keep everything still and secure.

Baggies

Small, Ziploc baggies are excellent for storing little items that could get lost. For instance, when you disassemble something that has screws or small parts, place them in a baggie. Label the bag and store it with the item.

Packing Tape

Like with boxes, it’s always better to have too much packing tape than not enough. Also, investing in a tape gun can help make sealing boxes easier and cut back on wasted tape.

Labels and Permanent Markers

To make unpacking more manageable,  make sure you label all your boxes clearly. No matter how you decide to label your items, moving labels, colored stickers, and thick permanent markers can help.

A Toolbox 

If you plan on dismantling any furniture, a simple toolset is a necessity. A screwdriver, wrench with a variety of heads, hammer, and scissors should be included in your toolbox. Keep these tools handy; you will also probably need them on moving day.

Furniture Pads, Covers, and Wrap

Unfortunately, you can’t just box up your furniture. So, you have to find other ways to keep it all safe.

Furniture pads and covers are essential to protecting your pieces from bumps and scrapes during the moving process.

Furniture wrap can also help defend your items from the wear and tear of moving. It’s also essential for keeping drawers and cabinet doors shut and secure.

All that said, if you plan on hiring residential movers, then you probably won’t need to worry about buying any of these supplies. Your mover will have plenty of furniture pads, covers, and wrap on hand already.

Gathering Your Supplies

By following this moving supplies checklist, you’ll be able to collect all the supplies you’ll need to make your move a breeze.

Are you looking for a little more moving advice?

Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful guides, or contact our team of moving specialists to schedule a consultation today.