Category: Moving Tips

When making a residential move, many homebuyers compromise on selecting their house, intending to make changes to their new place. Sometimes the changes are minor, and they are much more involved in others. For example, if you’re buying an existing home, you might have plans to fix it up.

There are reasons to do it now and others to wait until after you move in. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if you should begin immediately or wait.

If you want to make some upgrades for your new home, consider the following things.

Time Before Moving

It’s easy to imagine remodeling projects before you move. However, making sure you can complete them is a different matter.

Evaluate the time that you have remaining before your move-in date and determine if that’s enough time for the project. If you’re hiring a contractor, you’ll need to check their availability as well.

Keep in mind that projects sometimes have delays that can last for weeks. So if you start the project, you’ll need to plan what to do if it isn’t done by the time you move.

Budget

Buying a home can be expensive, especially if it’s your first home. Planning remodeling projects take funds that you might not have. You’ll need to set a budget.

Some projects cost little within a limited budget and may not be too difficult to DIY. For example, putting in a few garden beds or painting the interior shouldn’t break the bank.

For larger projects, get estimates from contractors. Be wary of choosing the cheapest one. You might compromise on quality if you pick the lowest bid.

Complexity

Home remodeling is a broad category. It covers projects that take a day and projects that take months. Be sure that you understand the complexity of the one you’re planning.

Complicated projects cost more, but they also take more time. You might not be able to balance moving responsibilities while keeping track of the remodel.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to compromise. For example, instead of completely redoing a room, you might replace the flooring and windows and paint the walls.

Inconvenience

Of course, there are many reasons to remodel before you move, and inconvenience is a big part. Once you unpack, it’s so much harder to move everything around.

It’s essential to consider the inconvenience of some projects, like remodeling the kitchen or the main bathroom. A whole house remodel usually requires homeowners to relocate temporarily.

You can stay in your home while you remodel it, but you should make a plan to manage those inconveniences. For example, eating more takeout or setting a shower schedule might be a simple solution.

Experience

Many remodeling experts recommend that people move into a home before they decide to remodel it. That way, you get more experience with the space.

Specific projects are easy to complete ahead of time because they don’t take as much planning. For example, if the flooring is old or worn, you can choose to replace it without feeling like you have to live with it first.

Other projects may take more familiarity. For instance, a complete overhaul of the kitchen may require you to understand what works and what doesn’t in the existing one. After having it for a while, you’ll do a better job with that.

Moving Made Easy

Remodeling a home is an integral part of moving for many people. With these tips, you’ll know what to do. To learn more about your moving options, contact us today.

 

Routines and the familiar are essential to children, so learning that they are moving can be challenging. However, children can also practice resilience if you’re there to help them. Here are ways to talk to your child about your upcoming residential relocation.

Tell Them Early

Children need time to process a significant change, so resist the urge to put off telling them. Instead, use clear, age-appropriate language. Then, answer their questions and continue talking about the move to re-enforce its occurrence.

Stress the Positive

Stress the most positive aspects of a new move. For example, a larger home, their own room, being able to walk to the ice cream store, or the opportunity to explore a new place.

Preschoolers tend to have no concept of what a move entails. They may ask questions such as, “do I have to leave my pets and toys for the new family?” Answer their questions and reassure them.

School-age children are apt to become excited about new opportunities, but teens sometimes struggle because of the importance of peer groups or special events such as prom. If your teens struggle with this, stress that they’ll be able to maintain contact with their friends. Consider setting a date to return to visit friends before the move.

Allow Them to Express Emotions

Negative emotions are part of coming to terms with a move. While no one likes to see their child cry, crying is a normal reaction. Acknowledge negative feelings and share your sadness.

Provide Opportunities to Say Goodbye

The closure is essential. Talk with your children about ways to say goodbye to their friends. For example, do they want to host a party or make something for friends to keep? Establish an email address they can use to exchange photos with their old friends once they’ve moved.

Listen

Listen to your child’s concerns and opinions. Sometimes, adults try to convince their children that a decision is correct, but just being present and listening is often the best option. If your child isn’t ready to talk, don’t push them. Instead, wait for them to approach you.

Involve Them

Involve the children in the relocation as is appropriate for their age and personality. Even preschoolers can “help” by packing some of their books or games. Allowing them to “camp” in the boxes may make the move more fun.

Older children can help plan how their new room will look. Then, if the budget allows, let them buy some new things for the room to have something to look forward to.

If the move is close by, take children or teens on a tour of the new home and neighborhood so that it will feel familiar when you arrive. If an in-person tour isn’t possible, use Google maps to find photos of the house and area.

Let your child suggest ways to stay in touch with their friends and ideas for making new friends. 

Ready for Your Move

Let us help make the transition smoother for you and your family. We can help pack, transport, and unpack your belongings at your new home. Contact us today for a quote.

 

Although moving can be fun and exciting, it also comes with various challenges and expenses. Whether you’re moving across the country or locally, you might wind up spending more than you want.

Here are some recommendations on how to save money on moving costs.

Downsize Your Life

The simplest way to make moving more manageable and more affordable is to get rid of junk and clutter from your life. The challenge, however, is determining what the clutter is and what items are necessary. Downsizing is not only an excellent way to cut down on moving costs, but it will help you stay focused on your goals.

Even better, if you can sell some of your belongings, you can offset more of your costs. That said, if you can’t sell items, donating them is another excellent option. Helping those in need can make you feel even better about moving.

Get Gently-Used Packing Materials

One moving cost is buying boxes or containers to fit all your stuff. But utilizing gently-used materials can help you save money. Check with friends, family, and social media sites like Nextdoor to secure gently used boxes. The chances are that some people you know have moved relatively recently, so they might have the items you need.

Another option is to start saving boxes as soon as possible once you know you’re moving. For example, if you order products online, you can keep the packages in which they arrive. You might also try local grocery and liquor stores. Often they have boxes available for reuse.

Get Help With Packing

If you’re going to ask friends and family for used boxes and packing tape, you might as well ask them to help you store your items as well. Depending on the situation, it may be hard to enlist help for moving day, but it’s much easier to pack boxes and consolidate furniture and other items.

If you want to seal the deal, you can have a pre-moving party a week or two before your move-out date. Not only can a party encourage people to come and help pack, but you can also use it as an open house for anything you’re donating or selling. So, whether guests put your belongings in boxes or take them home, it’s a win-win.

Use a Moving Service

At first, hiring professional movers might seem like a way to increase costs, not save money. However, that depends on how you look at the situation. After all, isn’t your time and energy valuable? How many hours will you spend on packing, moving, and unpacking? If you have a busy lifestyle, it’s often more efficient and cost-effective to hire moving services.

Also, you can pick and choose the options that work best for your budget and your situation. For example, you might not need a “white glove” service where movers pack and unpack your boxes for you.

Finally, what happens if you or someone you’ve enlisted to help gets injured? What if you break something valuable? When using professionals, you can protect your items. Doing it all yourself means that you pay out of pocket for injuries or breakage.

Move More Efficiently With Us!

Moving brings many challenges and obstacles, so don’t let them get in your way. Instead, contact us to see what we can do to make your move as streamlined and affordable as possible.

 

As you prepare for your household move, you’ll read a lot of guides about how to pack. But what about removing the stress once you finish?

Decompressing after a long day of packing is essential. It helps keep you ready for the next day.

Here are a few ways you can take care of yourself during the packing process.

1. Finish Your To-Do List

When you finish your packing day, it’s important to feel ready to move on. You can achieve this by following some finishing rituals. This might include checking a few boxes off your list or making a new packing list for tomorrow.

This step shouldn’t be time-consuming or overwhelming. Instead, you should choose a task that will give you a sense of relief and allow you to transition to the rest of your day.

2. Take Time to Transition

When you have a lot of tasks on your plate, it’s tempting to rush from one to the other. But sometimes, the transition process is just as necessary. Some people need extra time to adjust from one responsibility to another, especially if they both require a lot of energy.

Pick a task that you can do after packing that helps you relax and doesn’t require a lot of focus. For example, you might make yourself a cup of tea or browse social media for a few minutes.

3. Relax Sore Muscles

Packing is a lot of physical labor, and you may feel the results in the hours afterward. Therefore, it’s essential to stretch your muscles once you finish the day. For mild pain, heat works well for muscles, while ice is more likely to help joints.

If you feel exhausted and sore, it’s easy to camp out on the couch for the rest of the evening. Instead, make sure you get up once an hour, even for just a few minutes. It will help keep you from getting too stiff.

4. Do Something You Enjoy

Doing something you enjoy is a mental reward for your hard work when you get to do something you like, it’s a mental reward for your hard work. That’s why you should include a pleasant task at the end of your day. Pick something that doesn’t require a ton of setup, especially if you don’t think you’ll have the energy.

A fun activity doesn’t have to take a lot of money. Just think of something you enjoy doing or look forward to as you pack. It will serve as its own motivation, and then you’ll get the benefit of doing the activity as well.

5. Appreciate the Break

Once you start packing, it’s easy to agonize over the things you didn’t finish. But to have a break, it needs to truly feel like a break. That means you’ll need to look for ways to set aside the packing task until you can return to it.

Allow yourself to stay in the moment without worrying about your to-do list. Instead, occupy yourself with activities that provide a healthy distraction, like exercise or entertainment. That will make it easier to focus on what you’re doing instead of other worries.

Moving Help

Decompressing after you pack gives you the staying power to do it every day. To schedule your upcoming move, contact us to request a quote.

Moving from an old home to a new one can be challenging, especially if you cannot control the timeline. Thus, sometimes you may need to move from your old house before finding the perfect new one.

Many options will involve storing your possessions. If you need to move early, inquire about storage possibilities with your professional mover. Most movers can easily store your goods until you need them.

Here are some options if you find yourself needing to move before you’ve found a new home.

Bunking With a Friend or Family Member

If the time between moves is short, you may consider moving in with a friend or family member temporarily. This option works better if you are single or have a small family. This option may be free or relatively low cost; however, it could damage your friendship if it continues for too long.

House Sitting

Some companies send employees on extended work assignments in other locations and may seek someone to stay in that employee’s house during that time. In addition, institutions, such as universities offer sabbaticals to faculty members, which may also provide an opportunity for house sitting.

You might find these opportunities by inquiring locally, but you can also join one of several online platforms for a nominal fee. You may even receive a small stipend, which would cover the cost of storing your belongings.

Short-term Rentals

Short-term apartment rentals are another option. Standard lease lengths are three or six months, although some apartments rent month-to-month. Short-term rentals typically come furnished, so you could store your furniture and belongings with the moving company until your long-term home is ready.

Calling a property management or leasing company is one way to find a short-term rental. You can also ask around; sometimes, people seek to sublet their apartments for short periods. Online platforms also offer the opportunity to search for short-term apartments with specific features.

Extended-stay hotels and corporate furnished housing are other options if your stay is short. These tend to be a little more expensive, however.

Leaseback Agreement

If you own your home and sell it before finding a new place to live, a leaseback agreement is another option. In a leaseback agreement, sometimes also called a sale-leaseback, you close the home sale as usual and then become the purchaser’s temporary tenant after closing. The rent will cover the cost of the buyer’s mortgage payment.

In some markets, leaseback agreements occur in about 25 percent of sales. The buyer must have a flexible moving date for this option to be feasible. If feasible, you could save the storage cost and only need to move once.

When the Time is Right

We can help you relocate to your new home. Contact us for a free quote. From packing to storage and more, we can help you plan your upcoming move and make it easy.

If you’re relocating your company to a new city, you will likely want many current employees to relocate, too. The key to successfully relocating employees is good communication. An employee relocation letter, which invites employees to relocate and explains their assistance, is part of that communication.

You could follow a template for your relocation letters. Or, you might consider the following tips for writing one yourself.

Identify the Reason for the Relocation Letter

No doubt, you’ve already announced that you will be relocating offices. However, stating the reason for the relocation and why you want the employee to be part of the relocation is essential for the record. Seeing the reasons listed in writing also may help the employee feel good about their contributions and be more likely to agree to relocate.

State the Effective Data

State when the move will take place. Set realistic dates to allow the employee a little time to settle into the new community before beginning work.

List What the Company Will Cover

According to the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council, the average relocation package for renters is about $21,000 to $24,000, and for homeowners, it’s between $61,000 and $74,000. To be clear, you’ll list which relocation expenses the company will cover. They might include:

• Moving expenses
• A paid visit to look for housing in the new community
• Temporary housing expenses
• Familial support such as job search help for the spouse or assistance in locating an appropriate school for a child
• Costs associated with selling a home, such as making repairs
• Cost of living salary adjustments, if relevant

The letter also should provide information about how the employee and their family can access the promised funding. For example, do they pay the moving company upfront and seek reimbursement later, or has the company contracted with a specific mover and is being billed directly? Is the company using a specific corporate housing organization for temporary housing, or is the employee to seek temporary housing on their own?

You may also want to consider adding a payback clause. The payback clause says that if the employee leaves the company within a specific period after relocating, they will have to repay some or all of the relocation costs.

Mention Tax Differences

Employees’ tax rates will differ if your new office is in another state. Letting them know the differences ahead of time can help them plan their budgets.

Highlight Bonuses

Depending on the situation, you may want to offer critical employees a relocation bonus. If so, you will highlight this in the relocation letter.

Note Details of the Job

The letter should note the employee’s job title and duties, especially if the relocation results in any changes.

Contact Details

Provide a name and contact information for someone the employee can call if they run into snags in their relocation. If they report to a different boss after the move, list this information, too. Encourage the new boss to make contact with the employee before the move.

Reassurance

Close by reassuring the employee of their value to the company. Tell them that the company is ready to help them throughout the relocation.

Company Relocation

Planning a company move takes a lot of planning, and we can help you develop an office moving timeline. Then we assign tasks and duties to our packers and drivers. Our team works together to minimize your business’s downtime. Get your free moving quote today!

 

Moving collectibles can be painstaking work. Often, collectibles are easy to break, so you must pack them carefully. If you have an extensive collection of something – whether that’s knick-knacks, china dolls, or toy trains – you have to be careful in packing, wrapping, and handling your collection. Following these tips can help. 

1. Declutter and Dust

Before putting your collectibles in boxes, dust them to ensure they’re in the best condition possible when you unpack them. Be careful when dusting your collectibles to ensure that you don’t break them or cause them harm.

Use a soft duster or paintbrushes to reach down in small nooks and crannies without doing any damage. This is also a great time to get rid of things you no longer want in your collection. Finally, cutting down your collection’s size makes moving easier!

2. Gather All In One Place 

Gather your collectibles in one place so you can pack them all at once into the same box or groups of boxes. This makes packing your collectibles more efficient. If your collectibles are incredibly fragile, heavy, or unusually shaped, you may need to get specialized cartons for them. Talk to your professional moving company to see if they can supply you with the appropriate boxes. 

3. Have the Right Tools

In addition to whatever boxes you need to pack your collectibles, you’ll also need bubble wrap, packing paper, packing tape, markers, and other supplies to keep your collectibles in good condition. Gather all your tools together for the packing process to keep your packing efforts moving along. 

4. Wrap Everything for Safe Transport

Wrapping fragile items is a delicate task. Use bubble wrap or packing paper for your collectibles. Use tape to keep the wrap gathered around each item. If the items are loose in the box, even wrapped in bubble wrap or packing, use additional crumpled paper or packing peanuts to fill the space and keep your things from shifting around. 

5. Keep the Boxes Together, Numbered

Label your boxes clearly to show what’s inside. If you have more than one box, number them to show several boxes in the sequence. Keep those boxes together during your relocation to avoid losing one box. Don’t stack anything heavy on your boxes of collectibles since the boxes could cave in and break the contents. 

6. Don’t Put Anything Else in the Box

Don’t pack your collectibles with anything else except other collectible items. This will prevent your collectibles from becoming damaged by something heavier or, in some other way, capable of damaging delicate items. 

7. Don’t Unpack Until You’re Ready

Collectibles don’t need to be unpacked first. Wait to unpack your collectibles until you unpack your other boxes and you’ve identified an area specifically for your collectibles. Waiting for the right moment will ensure that you’re able to position your collectibles in a way that you find desirable. 

Use the Right Movers

Are you moving delicate items during your relocation? It’s crucial to find the right movers to help. Contact us before your relocation to get a quote. We will make sure your relocation is a success.  

Do you need to sell your house fast? You can do several things to make your home more appealing to home buyers and help ensure a fast sale. By fixing up your house, improving your home’s curb appeal, making repairs to your house, and by working with a professional stager, you may be able to sell your house faster and for more money.

1. Improve Curb Appeal

One of the easiest ways to make your home more appealing to buyers is to improve your home’s curb appeal. There are many ways that you can make this happen. Some suggestions include:

• Improve your home’s landscaping. Trim the grass, plant colorful flowers, and prune back overgrown shrubs. 
• Clean up debris. Rake fallen leaves, remove twigs and debris. Make your lawn as tidy as possible. 
• Repaint or clean your home’s siding. Painting your home’s siding is one way to make your house stand out on your block. If your home doesn’t need to be painted or can’t be painted, clean the siding with a sponge. 
• Paint the front door. Make your entryway as inviting as possible. Consider a welcoming color on the front door or, at the very least, a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space.

2. Make Repairs

Deferred maintenance is a red flag for home buyers. Make repairs to your house by checking off all the chores on your to-do list. This may include minor repairs like oiling a squeaking door and fixing a broken doorknob. Your to-do list may also include more significant repairs like repairing or replacing appliances. Make these repairs to ensure that your house is move-in ready for potential buyers. 

3. Get a Storage Facility, Declutter

Clutter makes your house look smaller and more cramped than it is. Decluttering is an excellent way to make your home look tidy, organized, and spacious. If you don’t want to get rid of your clutter, at least get it out of your house while you’re selling it. Consider putting some of your possessions in storage. 

4. Work With a Professional Stager

Take your home’s decor to the next level with help from a professional stager. They may help you by suggesting small things you can do to make your home more appealing. However, if you’re not sure that a professional stager is right for you, you can take small steps to stage your house without help from a professional. 

• Make your home feel cozier with touches like throw pillows and throw blankets. 
• Turn on all the lights during home showings to ensure that your home is well lit.
• Replace dark curtains with sheers in rooms like the living room to let in the light. 
• Clean your house well before every showing to ensure that your home looks its best for all buyers. 

5. Price It Right

Pricing your home right is essential for ensuring that your home will be attractive to buyers. However, pricing your home too high can cause problems by scaring off buyers that would be interested in homes in your price range. On the other hand, pricing your home too low can lead to lost profits. 

Work closely with a real estate professional to ensure that your home is priced right for its size, condition, and location. An excellent real estate professional will know how to find that sweet spot between too much and too little.

Be Ready With Movers

Once your home sells, you’re going to need movers to be ready for your relocation. Contact us for a quote and ensure that you’re prepared to move when the time comes. 

When you’re preparing to move, it can be hard to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy. Buying a home is a choice that will probably affect your finances for decades, and it’s essential that you carefully consider whether it’s the right decision for you. 

You’ll want to consider the following factors to help you decide whether it’s time to rent or buy a home.

1. How long will you stay in the area?

If you’re in the area for a short time only or could potentially move within a few years, it may make more sense to rent than buy. A general rule of thumb is to consider buying your home if you’re likely to stay in an area for at least five years and rent it if you expect your time in the area to be shorter than that. 

2. Are you prepared to pay for the expenses of owning a home?

The ability to afford a mortgage payment isn’t necessarily the same as affording a home. Homeowners aren’t just responsible for their mortgage costs — they also need to pay for upkeep, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, closing costs, and more. So you’ll want to carefully consider all the costs associated with buying a home to make sure you’ll be able to comfortably make your monthly payments, plus the other bills that come with homeownership. 

3. Is customization vital to you?

When you own your home, you can customize it to your liking (as long as you stay within your budget). Don’t care for the style of the kitchen cabinets? Knock them out and install new ones. Always wanted hardwood floors? Tear up the carpet and install the bamboo flooring of your dreams. If you have young children or a dog, you may want to install a fence in the backyard. When you rent, you can’t change your home to match your preferences. If you’re particular about what you want to come home to at the end of every day, buying may be a better fit. 

4. What are your long-term financial goals?

Consider where you’d like to be financially in a few decades, and decide if investing in a home makes sense for moving forward. For example, if you have a career that requires frequent moves to advance, it may be a better choice to rent while you continue to climb the ladder. On the other hand, if you know that you’re going to stay put and you have the money to invest in a home, it makes sense to begin to build equity. 

No Matter What You Decide, We’re Here To Help You With Your Move. 

Moving is challenging, whether you’re transitioning into a new rental or you decide to buy a home. We’re here to help take some of the stress out of your move. Reach out to us today for a price quote and learn more about how we can help make the moving process easier. 

 

You’ve scheduled your moving company, and you’re ready to get packing — but before you start filling boxes, there’s one thing you should consider: non-allowables. 

But what, exactly, are non-allowables? They’re things that moving companies can’t move. Sometimes, laws prohibit the transport of hazardous items, such as certain chemicals. Other items may be “restricted” or only allowable after proper preparation.

A reputable moving company will provide you with a list of non-allowable and restricted items. Other items may be allowed but not recommended. Check your moving company’s list before you start to pack.

Prohibited Items

It’ll probably come as no surprise that most of the items on the “Prohibited List” pose potential safety risks. Many of these items are flammable, corrosive, explosive, or toxic.

While each moving company will have its own list of prohibited items, here are a few that you’ll find on most “no transport” lists:

• Ammunition and gunpowder
• Batteries: Lead-acid, alkaline, and automotive/marine
• Cleaning products such as ammonia and bleach
• Corrosive chemicals like hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, bromine, hydrogen peroxide
• Chemicals used in the yard or garden, such as pesticides and fertilizers
• Flammable and explosive substances, such as lighter fluid, gas, oil, kerosene, antifreeze
• Fireworks
• Oxygen tanks
• Paint, primer, paint thinner, acetone, and other hazardous solvents
• Propane and other compressed gas cylinders
• Yard equipment that contains fuel

Of course, any illegal substances or items are a no-go. Many moving companies draw the line at live plants and animals, too. So before your move, give prohibited items away, or dispose of them safely and correctly. 

Restricted Items

Some items are restricted rather than prohibited. That means that you may pack and transport these items on a moving truck as long as you prepare them correctly and submit appropriate written notice before the move.

Restricted items may include:

• Alcohol
• Batteries used in personal mobility devices, such as power-driven wheelchairs or scooters
• Clean, empty gas and fuel tanks
• Cordless power tools

Before moving these items, check with your moving company and fill out any necessary paperwork.

Not Recommended

Some items aren’t prohibited, but most moving companies don’t recommend their transport on a moving truck. As a result, such things may be ruined during the move, while others hold great value or are irreplaceable. 

If your move is more than just a couple of hours’ drive away, don’t pack perishable foods. This includes refrigerated or frozen foods, anything in an open container, and produce. Food can spoil or spill and may attract pests.

You probably don’t want to pack items with great sentimental value (or small things with monetary value) either. This includes:

• Children’s artwork
• Jewelry
• Heirlooms
• Photographs and photo albums
• Precious metals

Finally, don’t pack important documents and items onto the moving truck. Rather, keep these things with you during the move:

• Birth certificates
• Computers
• Contacts and eyeglasses
• Financial documents, checkbooks, and credit cards
• Government-issued IDs
• Keys
• Marriage licenses
• Medical and health records
• Medications
• Passports 
• School records
• Titles

Remember: Reputable moving companies will provide you with a list of prohibited and restricted items. So before you start packing, ask your moving company what they don’t move. 

Contact us for a free quote today. Then, we can help with your moving needs.