Category: Moving Tips

If you’re a book lover, chances are you know the pain of a ripped page or a bent cover. Packing to move to a new home is challenging. But, it’s more challenging for book lovers.   

Why? First, books are among the heaviest items in your home. Second, you don’t want to damage them. And lastly, books require some special attention when packing.

Read on and learn seven tips on how to pack books for moving.

1. Curate a New Library

We all love good books, but there comes a time when you have to let some of those books go. This is difficult for book lovers but not impossible. Here is what you need to do.  

Gather all of your books in one spot, sort through them, and check all the titles. As you do so, decide what to keep and what not to keep. Start the sorting early because you have lots of titles to go through.   

You can donate the books you no longer need or sell them.

2. Group the Books in Sizes

Now that you have streamlined your library sort the books according to size. This gives you a preview of how they are going to fit in the boxes.

3. Find Sturdy Boxes

Despite streamlining your library and grouping the books, they are still heavy. To ensure easier transportation, find sturdy boxes. This will keep your books manageable and safe.  

As you pack, we recommend that you distribute the weight in the box. How? By packing the bigger books at the bottom with the spines alternating up and down.

4. Use Packing Paper

Protect your books by lining the boxes with packing paper. This adds an extra layer of cushioning, thus protecting your books from dirt and liquids and prevents them from shifting around.

Add extra tape to the bottom for extra reinforcement.

5. Go for Rolling Suitcases

Can’t find sturdy boxes at the store, at work, or social media groups? Why not use rolling suitcases? 

Rolling suitcases are generally deep and sturdy — ideal for transporting bulky books. Also, the wheels make them even more convenient. When it comes to unpacking the truck, all you have to do is roll the suitcases from the moving truck into your new home. 

6. Don’t Overfill the Box or Rolling Suitcase

Although boxes and rolling cases provide space for your books, don’t overfill them. It is important to leave space between the top and your books. This helps to ensure that you don’t have bent covers on arrival. 

Plus too many books make the box too heavy to lift.

7. Pack with Care

Take your time when packing your books. To ensure you pack with care, start early. If you have any expensively bound volumes, wrap them individually.   

Also, store them separately in the box with the spine straight. This prevents side to side friction, which could damage the cover.

Label the book boxes so that movers know how to handle these heavy items appropriately.    

Moving Help

Looking for moving experts with the right experience? We at Arrow Moving & Storage Co can help. Contact us today and let us help with your move.

Easing the Transition: Moving Schools Mid-Year

With nearly 40 million Americans moving every year, many families can’t avoid moving during the school year. Although you may not want to mid-school year, there are steps you can take to ease the transition.

We put together a list of helpful tips to aid the process of transferring school during the school year.

Planning is Everything

For families, a big part of the moving process involves researching the local school districts in the area. Finding out exactly which schools your kids will be attending is the first step.

Once you know which schools serve your area, give them a call and ask them for instructions and advice on paperwork and the transferring process. Schools deal with many cases like this every year so they should be happy to help you out.

Here is a brief checklist of the process:

• Inform the school and let them know the dates they’ll begin classes.
• Handle the paperwork before the move itself.
• Request all the necessary records from the old school.
• Ensure your children’s physicals and immunizations are up to date.
• While you’re packing up, make sure to find important documents and keep them handy during the process; don’t lose track of them in the chaos of moving.

Involve Them in the Process

One of the best ways to ease the transition is to be open with them and let them in on the process. Let them know when you’re moving, when they’ll be starting school, what you know about the school and their future teachers.

If you’re able, take them on a visit to the school before they start. Or if you aren’t able to, let them see pictures or videos of it online.

Be sure they keep up with their studies during a move. They’ll likely miss a few days or weeks of school during the move. Talk to their new teachers about the curriculum and what you can do to help them into the new subjects.

Do your best to empathize with them. Kids will all handle a move differently so it’s good to determine whether your children need space during the transition or if they need you to help them along. Make sure they know you’re there for them.

Helping Them Through the Transition

Take your time with the process. Don’t send them back the day you get to your new home, especially if you’re traveling a long distance.

If you’re able, plan the move around a holiday. This will allow kids the chance to take some time to acclimate to the new environment and get to know the neighbors and adjust to their surroundings.

Depending on their age, you may be able to spend some time at your kids school their first day back. This gives you the opportunity to meet teachers, administrators, and get a feel for what they’ll be experiencing every day.

Getting Ready to Move

Moving in the middle of the year can be a stressful event for anybody. But kids can bear the brunt of the anxiety. That’s why it’s important for you to be there for them to ease the transition. 

If you’re in need of professional movers to help you with your move, contact us for a free move quote today!

Are you planning a move?

If so, you’re not alone. Roughly 40 million Americans move every year.

Moving across the country, or even across state lines, can be a stressful experience. The good news is that there are things you can do to alleviate some of that stress.

Check out these five long distance moving tips that will make your life easier.

1. Declutter and Minimize

First things first, when preparing for a long distance move, take the opportunity to declutter and minimize your stuff. You accumulate many things throughout the years, and there’s a good chance that you don’t need it all.

Now is the ideal time to downsize your home. This prevents you from taking unnecessary clutter to your new home. Many people plan to discard things out once they reach their new home, but save yourself the trouble and do it before the move. It can save you money now and time later.

2. Organize and Label

Before you start packing the truck, make sure that your belongings are well organized. This helps save time when unpacking. Label each side of every box with what’s inside and what room it will go in.

Staying organized will save you the headache of wondering why the silverware is packed with your DVD collection.

3. Keep Your Essentials Separate

Before you load up the long distance moving trucks, you should separate your essentials. This includes essential documents, a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, and your phone charger. Pack things that you’ll need for your arrival and keep those with you.

Unexpected things happen in life, and your move is no different. Make sure that you have all the essential items with you in your car.

4. Are You Insured?

An important tip when it comes to figuring out how to move long distance is to be sure that you’re insured. This may not be something you think of, but you want to ensure that your belongings are protected.

You have several options when it comes to insurance.

• basic coverage
• expanded mover coverage
• possible coverage through homeowner’s insurance

It’s important to research what type of coverage is best for you. When using a moving company, discuss the standard protection plan and determine if more is needed.

5. Hire a Reputable Moving Company

Above all else, you need to be sure to hire a reputable moving company with experienced long haul movers. Your items are precious to you, so you want to trust the company to get your belongings to your destination safely.

The long distance movers you hire will be carrying your furniture as well as memories, so choose a company that you feel confident in.

Long Distance Moving Tips Can Make Your Life Easier

You have a long list of things to do before you start your move. You can rest assured that these long distance moving tips are sure to take some weight off your shoulders.

Are you planning a move soon? Contact us today and request a free quote. We can make your move safe and hassle-free!

 

7 Hacks to Reduce Stress on Moving Day Most of us are no strangers to the stress and anxiety caused by a household move. From worrying about your new utilities, to remembering where everything is packed, to handling kids and pets on the big day, there are a ton of stress-inducing factors when conducting a big move. That’s why we’ve put together a list of things we’ve learned over the years of moving to help you out on the big day. These are seven hacks that will help relieve the stress of your household move. 1. Downsize before packing Before you start the long process of packing up your home, identify the items you don’t wish to bring with you. You can sell or donate these items, saving you the space on the truck and in your new home. Plus, donations can be written off come tax time so it’s a win-win! 2. Good boxes are a lifesaver Cardboard boxes are a great cheap option for moving but if you really want to make the process easier, get yourself stackable boxes with handles. If all you have access to are cardboard boxes, no worries! Just cut holes in the sides and use them as handles. And don’t forget to use detailed labels to pack unpacking so much easier. 3.  And label your cords While we’re on the subject of labeling, be sure to label all of the power cords, HDMI cables and any other cord you’ll be disconnecting. That way you’ll know which device each one belongs to. Which will save you a major headache trying to sort through them all to find the right plug. 4. Take pictures of your electronics set up Just in case labeling cords isn’t enough, it’s a good idea to photograph your electronic devices so you don’t have to try to remember how to set them up correctly. Reassembly will be much easier once you get to your new place. 5. Keep track of bolts and screws Labeling is one of the most important ways to keep organized during a move (in case you haven’t noticed). Keep bolts and screws in a labeled ziplock bag and tape the bag to the object it belongs to if you can. 6. Prepare a bag for your first night  Keep a bag or a box filled with essential items for the first night or two of a move. Things like toothbrushes, clothes, food, and toiletries that you’ll need easy access to. 7. Set up your utilities in advance Make sure you call your electric, gas, and water companies before moving day. It’s an easy thing to forget but having light the first night in your new home will make a huge difference. You’re ready for moving day! Hopefully, these tips can be of use to you and your family on moving day.

You’ve signed the contracts, you’ve planned how to use each room, and you’re looking forward to moving into your new home. If you miss one of the many details that moving requires, it will put a serious damper on the fun.

It might not be as exciting as choosing paint colors, but setting up utilities for a new house is an essential step. Where do you start and what do you need to know?

Here’s your handy guide.

Setting Up Utilities for a New House

The last thing you want to do is forget about your utilities and show up to a new home with no power. Here are the primary services you need to consider.

Gas and Electric

Depending on your home’s power source, you’ll need to set up your gas, electric, or both. Ask your property manager or real estate agent who the providers are for your new house.

If you’ve never had an account with this particular provider before, they may request a utility deposit. The deposit is usually a few hundred dollars that they retain as good faith money. They credit it to your bill after a set number of months.

You may be able to avoid a deposit by getting a letter of good standing from your previous power company. This process can take time, though.

Start the process of setting up your power a few weeks before your local or long-distance move, so you have time to complete all these steps.

Water and Sewer

Your new home’s city will most likely handle the water and sewer. Call them a month before your move to set up your account because it’s not always a quick process.

If your new home is an apartment or townhome, you also need to find out how the water is metered. Does each unit have a separate meter or do they add the whole building’s water together and divide it among the units?

Cable and Internet

While most utilities can be hooked up with a quick phone call, your cable and internet may be a different story. You’re likely to need an installation appointment. To make sure you can get the time frame you need, call about a month in advance.

Keep in mind that you probably only have one or two options for cable and internet providers. Your real estate agent or property manager will be able to tell you what they are.

Trash Pick-Up

Depending on your new home, your trash and recycling pick-up may be the apartment complex or homeowners association’s responsibility.

In other cases, your city or village works with a waste management company to collect trash and recyclables. Contact your city hall to find out if your city handles this arrangement.

Other times it’s your responsibility to subscribe to a local refuse service. If that’s true for your home, it’s a good idea to ask your real estate agent who the primary providers are. You may be able to call around for price comparison.

Getting Your New Home Ready

As excited as you are for your new home, it won’t be nearly as thrilling if it doesn’t have power, running water, or entertainment available. Use the list above for setting up utilities for a new house, so you have everything ready in advance.

Need help with moving to your new home? Call our skilled movers to work out the details.

Almost all of us have experienced the stress of a big move in our lives. And if you’re stressed out, just imagine what your canine pal is going through.

Moving can be a major cause of stress and anxiety in pets as well as humans. This can cause loss of sleep and appetite and other distressed behaviors. As a loving pet owner, of course, you don’t want to see your pooch stressed out.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips for your furry friend. Here are some of the top ways to relieve your dog’s anxiety after a move.

1. Keep their old toys around

Dogs don’t like to break from their normal schedule. They like to maintain their habits and see the people and places that they know. Needless to say, moving can be a source of stress.

One good countermeasure to this is to arrange their new space in a similar manner to their old space. Putting their toys, bed, and things the way they were is a good way to put their mind at ease.

2. Show the dog around

Once you’ve arranged everything like their old space, take them around the house and let them explore.

It may take some time to adjust so give them some space.

Allow them to sniff around the house and get a feel for the layout and familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Let them go at their own pace

Do this a few times a day for the first couple of days and your dog will make the new house their home in no time.

3. Keep your old routines

As mentioned, dogs don’t like to break from their normal schedule. They like to be fed and walked at their regular hour.

This is why it’s important to set a routine early on following the move. The closer to their old routine the better.

Walking, feeding, and playing with them at regular times can greatly reduce the stress they feel during the chaos of a move.

This may be a bit difficult to do during moving time but it’s one of the most important things for your dog.

4. Exercise patience

Moving can be a lot to put a dog through. That’s why it is important to exercise patience with your dog during the process. Perhaps even a little more than usual.

It’s not unusual for pets’ behavior to change a bit following an event like a move. Don’t be alarmed if there’s extra kibble leftover in their bowl or they seem more anxious than usual. They may even have a few accidents in the first several days of living in the new place.

Be sympathetic and patient, especially the first night. It’s probably been years since your dog slept anywhere other than your old house.

Tips for Reducing Your Dog’s Anxiety After a Move

Make sure you give your pooch some extra attention during the moving process. They can experience just as much stress as you and you’ll have to be there to help them manage it.

If you’re looking for a reliable moving company to help you and your pet’s relocation, contact us today.

MOVING A BUSINESS? FOCUS ON THESE THINGS TO MAKE YOUR MOVE GO SMOOTHLY.

Packing up and moving a business is a stressful endeavor. It can be expensive as well as disrupt normal operations. 

As an employee, if you want to help your company relocate, follow our set of tips we’ve put together. It’ll help your company and ensure that everything you need to do your job gets there in one piece.

Commercial relocation can be costly. Whether it’s to another state or even just down the street. Here’s how you can make the process go just a bit more smoothly and easier on everybody.

Familiarize Yourself with the Plan

Communication is a crucial part of a business and in the midst of a move is no different. Familiarize yourself with the plan during a move and make sure you and your peers know your role. What’s being left behind? Are you taking the furniture with? Is anything being replaced in the process?

Ensure you know what’s going on. Know who’s responsible for what. Who’s packing what, what’s getting discarded, what’s the timeline, what are the deadlines.

File Cabinets

If you’re the one responsible for the file cabinets, find out your company’s retention policy. You don’t want to get rid of any files you’re meant to hang on to.

Sorting and staying organized is an important part of this job. You’ll likely have three piles: file you’re taking with, ones you’re shredding, and those you can recycle. Getting rid of redundant or unnecessary files is an important part of the process since it can cut costs during the move and make unpacking and setting up a much easier process.

Packing Up Your Own Desk

Packing up your own space is obviously a very important part of the move. Go through every drawer and wrap anything that’s fragile in bubble wrap or packing paper. Don’t put off packing either. Be conscious of your deadlines and make sure you’re on schedule.

Don’t forget to label your boxes and clearly mark who it belongs to so you can avoid any confusion.

The Computers

The moving company your business hired should provide a set of instructions on how to properly pack and protect your computer. Follow these directions carefully. You don’t want to damage expensive equipment like that.

Before you begin the process, backup your data. Take out all disks and drives before the movers get there.

Follow Directions

Your boss and movers should hopefully provide a specific set of instructions for your move.

Follow these carefully and be mindful of the set timelines. Contact your supervisor right away with any questions or concerns you or your peers have.

Working together is a crucial part of a successful move.

Make Yourself Useful

We hope these tips have been useful to you and your upcoming office move. A move is a great time to step up and be a leader for your team. 

For help on your move, contact Arrow Moving & Storage today!

4 Tips for Moving Long Distance on a Budget

Fun fact: Every year, nearly 40 million Americans move their residences.

For some, it’s just a move across the street. While others are packing up and trekking across the country. If you’re planning a long distance move, chances are you’ve looked at the costs are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

But there’s no need to fear.

In this guide, we put together a few tips to help you execute a cross country move on a budget.

1. Downsizing is a Crucial Part of Moving

One of the most important parts of decreasing the cost of a move is decreasing the number of items you’ll be moving.

If you aren’t going to need some of your belongings, don’t bring them. Most household items can be replaced later if you realized that you do need them.

The weight of all your belongings plays a big part in the cost of shipping. Therefore, you should be willing to put the time into deciding what’s really worth bringing.

If, for example, you’ve kept items in storage before your move, chances are you don’t need whatever was in there. Downsize to decrease shipping costs.

Keep in mind bulky and unnecessary items such as oversized entertainment centers, weight sets, etc. Particularly large items cost extra money to ship. Don’t forget to compare the size of your new home and current home to be sure everything you’re planning on taking with you will fit. That’s an easy way to decide if things are worth bringing or not. If they can’t fit, don’t bother.

Additionally, if you have cheap furniture, it may actually cost more to ship than it would to buy new furniture once you arrive.

2. Reuse Materials for Your Move

Rather than go out and buy a ton of moving boxes, it may be worth it to recycle certain materials.

If you’ve got an upcoming move, start saving cardboard boxes.

Hang on to boxes that could be reused during your move. Amazon boxes, cereal boxes, diaper boxes, can all be reused to decrease the amount you spend on moving supplies.

Another great way to get a hold of boxes for free is to ask your local grocery or retail stores if you can have the boxes they use for inventory. These stores usually end up throwing them away anyway so it would be no big deal to pass them along to you. Sites like Craigslist or Freecycle could be great sources for supplies as well.

Your moving company may also offer used boxes at discounted rates as well. So definitely ask them about that.

3. Select the Right Moving Date

The most common time for people to move is during the summer while the kids are out of school. This is when the demand for moving is highest and usually prices are higher during this time.

If you have a flexible timeline, choose time periods that are not as busy. That way rates for moving services and vans are not as expensive. Winter is a cost effective time to move. Just be sure to take weather conditions into account.

Hiring an experienced moving company will also help as they will be familiar when dealing with those adverse conditions. 

4. Research Relocation Packages

If you’re relocating across the country for work, your new company may offer financial assistance.

If you’re lucky enough to have a company that offers assistance, they’ll help with things like moving services, flights, storage, etc. Be sure to give them a call and inquire about any packages they may have.

For long distance moves, that can be a crucial part of decreasing the cost.

Moving Across the Country

For more help performing a cross country move, be sure to talk to professional movers near you.

For moving services in the Cheyenne, Salt Lake, Colorado Springs, or San Antonio area, contact Arrow Moving & Storage for a free moving quote today.

You’re moving with your family. It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. It’s especially emotional when you have children. There are ways to help make a move less stressful (and less scary) for young children. Here are a few tips to make moving with kids easier.

Time to process the move

Give your children time to process the move before it happens. It is sometimes easier to wait to have the hard conversation. But, when it comes to moving, you should let the kids know sooner rather than later. Combined with some additional tips below, this will give them a chance to absorb and process the change rather than be shocked by it.

Get excited about the new home

Find things for your children to be excited about. It can be as simple as a nice backyard or fun playroom to bigger things like the “big city” or “great outdoors”. Try to envision the new area through the eyes of your children. What will get them excited? Perhaps you’ll be closer to a park or pool. Maybe there is a great sports team or theaters. By taking your children’s perspective, you can find things to talk to them about to get them excited to live in the new area.

Be part of the move

Let them be part of the move planning. Children already feel a lack of control, and a move can make that feeling more acute. While planning the move, keep your children in the loop. Where appropriate, ask for their input. The move should not be something that is “happening to them,” it should be something the are apart of.

Get to know the new town

Help them get familiar with the new place before the move. It may not be possible to visit, but if you can, that’s a great step. If not, see about sharing videos or photos of the new house and the area around it. Another great tool is Google Maps. You can take a virtual drive around the new town and neighborhood on the computer. This will help them know what to expect and alleviate some of the uncertainty.

Have a place to be

When it is time to pack, be sure the kids are involved. They should pack their own “essentials box” (you can pack the real one). This is a box of items that they will want to open as soon as they arrive. Having their own box will give them a sense of control both before and right after the move.

Make time for the family

Unpacking can be a consuming process. Before you get to the broader household items, be sure the kids’ rooms are set up. This will help them settle in and give them a comfort zone during those times when you are focused on other parts of getting settled in.

Have an activity plan for the weeks following your move. It is tempting to spend all your time unpacking to get it done. But, your kids need to see where they live and get to know their new home. Make a plan and set aside time for the family to explore the new town, even if it means unpacking takes a little longer. The time you spend early on will help them be happier in the long term.

By communicating, taking your kid’s perspective, and setting aside time, you can help your children make the most of the move. Keep them in the loop and focused on the positive to make them feel good about their new home. We have moved many families over the decades. If you need help or are looking for a professional mover, give us a call.

5 Tips for Performing a Move in a Hurry

Moving is sometimes be an overwhelming process. And if you’re in a situation where you need to expedite your move, it can sometimes be too much to take. That’s why we’ve compiled a set of tips for those who need to move in a hurry.

1. Get your help ASAP

If you need some help during your move (and you probably will), you’re going to want to contact help as soon as you can. Soliciting help may be tricky depending on how short notice the move is.

You can reach out to friends and family or possibly a professional moving company to lock-in their help right away.

2. Come Up With a Checklist

Write down a checklist of moving priorities. This will help things go smoothly in case you forget something. It’s a good way to prioritize too. You’ll have to accelerate your timeline in this case so keep that in mind.

Checklists not only help you organize your goals and timeline but the act of writing things out can help you come up with steps you might not have thought of.

It doesn’t matter how detailed you want your checklist to be. Just having one can be a huge help in expedited circumstances. 

3. Moving is a Great Time to Downsize Your Belongings

Getting rid of anything you don’t really need is a crucial step in a move, regardless of the timeline.

Get to work right away designating “donate” and “throwaway” piles. 

In the circumstances of a short notice move, you don’t really have time to be nostalgic. You’ve got to get everything out ASAP.

Once you’ve got your donate and trash piles boxed up and ready to go, get rid of the trash and take your donate box to your local charity organization.

4. Gather Moving Supplies

Stock up on lots of moving supplies. It’s always a good idea to check the return policy on items you may not use. Then, overstock your materials. Buying too many supplies is better than having to make multiple trips if you didn’t buy enough.

You’ll definitely need the following materials:

• Boxes
• Packing paper/bubble wrap
• Markers
• Labels
• Packing tape and dispenser

5. Organize and Label Your Boxes

Knowing exactly what you have in each box will save a huge headache once you get to your new place.

It’s important to create an organized labeling system for all your boxes. Your label should have both the contents of the box as well as the room it belongs in. Label every side of the box as well.

Bonus Tips

If your move feels too big to handle by yourself or even a few people, it probably is. Avoid headaches and mistakes by planning as best you can ahead of time; however much time that is.

If you like these tips and would like to read more, check out our blog. 

And if you’re looking for professional movers in the Colorado Springs, Salt Lake, San Antonio, or Cheyenne area, fill out our form for a free quote today.