Alternately, if you did have a neighbor who made a kind gesture right away, then you know how appreciated and wonderful it felt when a stranger confirmed that you really did pick the right house and the perfect neighborhood. Below are a few ideas that are thoughtful, and sure to start things off on the right foot.

Folder of Essentials

You can pick up a decorative folder in the school supply section at the store. Inside should be takeout menus of all the great local spots. You might even want to highlight a few options that are recommended. Also inside could be your personal “go-to” list for babysitters, grocery stores, farmers markets, 24-hour medical center, vet, parks, etc. This will definitely be a gift that will get put to good use.

Food

If you pride yourself on your baking skills then by all means, prepare, and take over a warm apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, or cupcakes. Of course, if it is summer and all the produce at the farmers market looks divine, a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables would be nice. You can even cut some veggies in snack size (since their knives are probably still packed!), and include a container of homemade dip or hummus.

Local Goodies

If you have a local winery or brewery, or if there is a shop downtown that makes all handmade soaps and candles then perhaps a local gift is the way to go. It will let them know just one of the many things they have to look forward to living here. Plus, they are sure to appreciate that you support local businesses.

Stuff for Kids

If you have children of your own then you may know how exhausting it can be to move and try to keep a child entertained. Sidewalk chalk, coloring books, and even homemade “Play-doh” could be just what they need the most right now to keep little ones entertained while they unpack. A few healthy snacks might be a good idea, too. Keep in mind some parents do not allow their children to eat chocolate and other sweets, and there are always peanut allergies to consider. Cutie clementines, a container of bite-size fruit (skip the strawberries, as they are another popular allergy), granola, etc., are great ideas.

Pet Items

A gift for their four-legged critter may be the fastest way to spark a friendship. A few new toys and perhaps some natural treats would be perfect. Do be mindful to avoid treats made in China, as thousands of dogs have become ill and even died over the past couple years from eating them, and they are starting to slowly be pulled from shelves. Of course, if you have a dog, you probably already know this!

Odds and Ends

There are countless other things you can give. A new welcome mat, coffee mug, gift certificate to the corner café, keychain of the local sports team, watering can with fresh cut flowers, a plant, and reusable grocery or produce bags are all great ideas.

This article was contributed by Unpakt.com, the first online price comparison and booking site for reputable moving companies. Find, compare and book a reputable mover instantly.

The post Good Neighbor Guide appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Keeping a running inventory list of all of your items is extremely helpful. Not only will you be able to keep better track of your belongings in order to make sure everything you pack is going where it needs to be, but an inventory list gives you a perfect way to keep track of your items for insurance purposes. Should something get lost or damaged in your move or storage unit you will have a paper trail documenting your items.

Easy steps to make a list to help you organize your items

There are a few ways to create and manage your list. It is probably best to start with the bigger, more expensive items. Belongings such as jewelry, electronics, TV’s, furniture and computers should all be written down and have the serial number included if you can. Be sure to take pictures of all of these items as well. (Taking pictures and documenting serial numbers will help if you need to file an insurance claim.) This can also help if your possessions are damaged while in the storage unit or moving truck.

Once your bigger items are packed and documented you can move onto the smaller items. For pieces such as plates, glasses, pots, pans etc., you can simply place them in boxes. Count the number of boxes you have for each room and be sure to label the boxes in detail so you have an easy system once you need to unpack. For example, “15 kitchen boxes with 7 being dishes, 4 being glass, 2 silverware and 2 pots and pans”. Items which don’t need or won’t fit in a box can still be listed – 10 curtain rods, 3 shower rods, 6 lamps etc.

The inventory list is a great way to make sure everything goes to its intended destination and is a good way to double check you have everything you intended to pack. If you get to the storage unit and you only have 13 of 15 kitchen boxes, you know 2 are missing somewhere. The list is also a good way to keep your everyday items separate from your donation pile when moving. Keep a separate list of items you intend to donate in order to get the full tax benefit of your donation.

Using a list also helps you understand what is in your storage unit so you don’t tear through your home looking for 2 lamps and 1 kitchen box full of glass. Simply write down all of the items you are putting into the storage unit and keep the list handy. This way you cut down on time, stress and frustration looking for something you already stored. Bonus Tip: Make a rough diagram of your self storage unit and draw all of the items you have stored and in particular, where they are stored in the unit. This will be extremely helpful if you are looking for a few items as you won’t have to dig through the whole unit.

Creating a useful inventory list prior to moving and storing your belongings is a great way to know what and where all of your stuff is located. A list can minimize the stress on your moving day and keep your moving experience positive and hassle free.

The post Make a List to Help Organize Your Self Storage Unit appeared first on The Moving Blog.

With proper planning and preparation, the stress of moving can be greatly reduced. Estimating the number of boxes you need is nearly as hard as the packing process itself. A good way to begin your estimate of the number of boxes is to organize your stuff by category. Start by estimating the number of boxes for dishes, picture frames and mirrors, clothes, books and other supplies. Now, you can purchase the same style boxes for each item but you must be sure to pack them differently. Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in paper or bubble wrap while clothes can simply be thrown in a box or storage bin.

It always pays to be prepared!

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to purchase bubble wrap, paper for wrapping and several rolls of packing tape.

It is best to purchase small, medium and large boxes cardboard or plastic boxes/bins. These boxes will last longer and help protect your items better. Some boxes are designed for heavier lifting and fragile items. The smaller boxes can be used for fragile, small or heavier items such as books. Medium boxes can be used for kitchen items, toys, electronics, CD’s, DVD’s and books. The larger boxes are for bedding, towels, pillows, kitchen items and clothes. Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to purchase bubble wrap, paper for wrapping and several rolls of packing tape. (Newspaper will work but it will leave a black residue on your items.)

Also be sure to have a knife, screwdriver, wrench, hammer and markers on hand. You will most likely need to take apart furniture, cribs, dressers, entertainment centers, pool tables etc. and will need tools to take them apart. Markers will come in handy so you can clearly label each box. This will be especially helpful when you need to unpack.

So, estimates on the number of boxes…

For a place with only 2-3 rooms you will probably need about 10 small and 10 medium boxes to go along with 3 large boxes. You can get away with 1 roll of tape and 1 roll of bubble wrap and paper. You will most likely need a 10 x 10 storage unit to fit all of your items comfortably.

If you have 3-5 rooms to pack you will need about 15 small boxes, 20 medium boxes and 8-10 large boxes. You should have 2-3 rolls of packing tape and 2 rolls of bubble tape and paper. With 3-5 rooms, a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 storage unit will allow you to fit all of your belongings inside.

If you have 5 or more rooms to pack in your home, you will need about 25 small boxes, 25 medium boxes and 15-20 large boxes. Having 3-4 rolls of tape on hand should be enough. You will also need 2 rolls of bubble tape and some paper. A place with 5 or more rooms will require a 10 x 20 or a 10 x 30 storage unit to safely store all of your items.

This should give you a rough estimate on how many boxes you will need when packing your home. Remember, to make the residence more spacious, use SelfStorageFinders.com to find local storage units.

The post How Many Boxes Will You Need for Your Move? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

• Use a moving checklist. Making a checklist will help you to organize your time better. When you are running on a tight schedule it is very important not to miss anything.
  Make yourself a checklist in which you describe in details everything that needs to be done before, and after, your move. Put a time frame for every single job and then follow it precisely.
• Start hunting for off-campus housing before the beginning of the school year – many students save their housing search for the weeks that proceed the first day of college classes. Big mistake. Leaving this hunt to the last minute means there is far more competition to find a place to live. Instead, find a rental property when summer begins, and store your items somewhere like Texas storage. If you cannot afford to pay for the property before the beginning of the school year, or you don’t intended to live there, you have the option of finding someone to sublet the property.
• Inspect the property – unfortunately, college students have to fight against the stigma that they’re young, immature, and oblivious to life’s tricks (and in this case, when moving into a new house). Inspecting a house before you move in is crucial to a manageable year, and we’re not talking about “is the carpet clean” or “does the laundry machine work.” Inspect how cold it is at night, how warm it is during the day. Pay close attention to broken or damaged items like appliances, windows, even the structure of the house. The savvy resident will make a documented list of everything in disrepair so that they’re not left with a $1000 dollar repair bill on their last day.
• Decide what you need to bring – once you move to your off-campus housing location, decide whether that will be your permanent home base or if you will use it as your secondary residence. That will help you determine what you should take with you. If your new residence has limited storage, you can rent a storage space to store the things that you don’t need on a day-to-day basis. If you plan to return to your parents’ house often, then you can also leave some things there.
• Leave any unnecessary items. Avoid moving anything that you don’t really need. Give items you don’t need to a friend or sell them, but avoid moving them if they are useless. Probably if you don’t need them now, you most likely won’t use them later either. Plus, if you have some old clothes or books you can give them to charity. This way you will save a lot of your valuable time and most importantly, you will do something good.
• Packing Supplies. Get proper packing supplies from your mover. Most of the movers offer packing supplies at additional cost, but get the proper packing supplies. Yes, it will cost extra, but you will have the proper boxes and supplies and you will save a lot of time and further troubles. Take good care of all your belongings. The most important is to transport them safely.
• Pack your belongings room by room. Pack on a room-by-room basis will eliminate a confusion and save a lot of time when you’re unpacking. When you have to pack yourself everything packing room by room will significantly ease the whole job. Start with belongings that you use rarely and leave the most often used items for last.
• Use the A-B-C system. You don’t need to unpack everything right away after you have moved, so it’s a good idea to use the a-b-c system to label your moving boxes. Simply write “a” on the boxes that you need to unpack immediately after you’ve moved and “c” on the boxes that can wait. Using that simple system will help you to unpack much quickly after you have moved to your new apartment or house.
• Label you boxes carefully. It’s essential to label all of your boxes the right way. Be sure to write on each box what exactly you have put in it. It will be quite hard for you to find out everything when you have 50 boxes that look like pretty much the same. Felt pens are superb solution for labeling boxes. Write information such as their contents, destination room, fragile or this side up. It is a good idea to make a master list, so you’ll know what is in each box.
• Start packing early. Of course the best way to avoid problems and stress is to start packing early. Moving is a very stressful time, so start packing two or three weeks earlier if you can.
• Use a portable storage container to move large items – a portable storage container is convenient for moving large items that cannot be transported using a traditional-sized car. A lot of companies offer these portable containers, which are also convenient since items can be gradually packed away – something that cannot be accomplished when using a moving truck. Ideal for students with sedans and smaller cars.
• Ask friends for help – even if you have a low moving budget as a college student, you can make the process affordable by asking friends or family to help with the physical moving process. You probably have a friend with a truck – call them up! Moving into an off-campus house is great because everyone else is doing it, and you’ll have a better chance of finding help because people are expecting it. Don’t be afraid to gather some friends for some move-in assistance (that TV isn’t going to move itself) – just be sure to buy your friends lunch for they hard work.

Whether you are moving belongings directly to your new off-campus home or into self storage units, you can save on the cost of hiring a professional mover. Instead, order a pizza, get some cold drinks, and offer your services to friends who need moving help in the future as well. Remember: what goes around comes around.

The post How to Move Into Off-Campus Housing appeared first on The Moving Blog.

The Pure Excitement of Moving. 

More about the Popular Superstitions

Some superstitions are funny, others seem quite odd but people still stick to them. What are the most popular superstitions that people still use to bring them luck and prosperity?
One of the most popular ones is to have a full container of rice when you step into your new home. The same applies for salt and sugar. And the salt should be spread on the floor of every room in the place including over the front door to rebel evil. Perfectly fine, except for the fact that you will have to clean the salt then.
People still believe to the unproven fact that they should move into the new home when the moon is waxing (no one can say for sure where the roots of this superstition lay).
Also there are particular days when you should not move under any circumstances. But it is hard to say which these days are, some say Saturday is the best day, others say it is not. Some say you should definitely move in on Wednesday, others say do it on Monday (because that day symbolizes the new beginning). And these are as far as the quite normal superstitions go.
There are beliefs that you should choose to move on a date which number when written ends on its top rather than on its bottom (zero and eight for example). OK, now take the calendar and start writing.

Odd Practices around the World

Other very popular superstitions include odd and not so odd practices.
In the Philippines for instance it is believed that when moving to a new home the first time you get in you should carry a loaf of bread and a new broom with you. It is believed that you should never take an old broom into a new home.
Also make sure to leave your home from the same door you have enter it when you go out for the first time. Never accept knives and other sharp items such as scissors as presents. When choosing the home, make sure to count the stairs that lead to its door. Their number should not be in multiples of three under any circumstances.

It’s the Final Countdown

So, let’s start singing “It’s the final countdown” and head to the front of the home. And do not forget to scatter coins all over the place when moving in to make sure the prosperity will stay in the place and never leave. Bees inside the home are also believed to bring fortune to the home occupants but as far as the above stated superstitions are a bit odd but harmless, this one is definitely not for everyone. Whether you believe in superstitions or not, you can always enjoy the interesting and strange beliefs that people do when it comes to moving to a new home. And nobody harms to sprinkle some sugar around.

Author: Greg is an expert in the filed of moving and storage. It is a pleasure for him to share relocation ideas and tips with you .

The post Most Common Superstitions When Moving To A New Home appeared first on The Moving Blog.

So how exactly do you prepare for an overseas move? Even when the thought alone is overwhelming, it is best to get started as early as possible. Remember, the earlier you start getting ready, the more time you have to do what you have to do.

Your Moving Abroad Preparation Checklist

A checklist of things to prepare is a great way to get started so you don’t forget anything, and the following will be its most essential points: visa, employment, health insurance, driving license, housing/renting, banking, money and taxes, education, relocation services.

Visa

It may seem obvious that you need to get a visa where you’re relocating, but the point is to get the right visa. Have a clear plan about what visas you need during your relocation and be aware of the immigration standards and restrictions in the country of relocation. The last thing you want is to be sent back home because you didn’t have the correct visa.

Employment

Finding employment will be another point to consider when organizing visas. Many people move abroad for job-related reasons, which not only helps with your visa status but allows you to achieve financial security while abroad. The cost and standard of living in your new city could be quite different to what you are used to, so keep that in mind since you need to be sure your new salary can cover your expenses. By securing the right job, you can be assured of adequate regular income to enjoy your new home.

Health Insurance

Finding cost-efficient access to health services overseas could become a problem if you are not adequately covered as a non-citizen, so getting the right health insurance abroad will go a long way. After your relocation you could opt for either local or expat healthcare plans.

Local plans are generally cheaper compared to international insurance but will only cover you in the country where you have relocated and are often not as comprehensive. Whereas an international health insurance will offer coverage in multiple countries as you relocate and will usually have a higher level of cover. Additionally if you move to a country with substandard medical services and facilities, an expat medical insurance policy could be a lifesaver if you have medical evacuation or repatriation benefits.

Driver’s License

If you are intending to drive in your destination country, you may need to get an international driver’s license. You can always apply for one locally, but if you like the flexibility of being able to drive wherever you end up moving, an international driving permit is a good thing to have.

Each country has different rules and regulations in terms of licensing and driving, therefore you should always make yourself aware of them so you don’t end up in trouble with local transportation authorities.

Housing/Renting

One of the most basic aspects of moving preparations is finding a place to live. Unless this aspect is taken care of by your employer, you will have to look for a place to stay yourself. There are various methods for searching and the most effective means can vary depending on your location. However the internet has become an increasingly popular search platform with an assortment of websites dedicated to property and rental listings. Enlisting the services of a property agent is also a preferred method, especially if you don’t have much time to spend on doing research yourself.

It is also important to note your rights as a foreigner before looking into buying property, as many countries will have purchase restrictions for non-citizens. For example you may only be able to buy certain structures such as condominiums, townhouses, etc… Some countries will not even allow full property ownership to non-citizens. So always check the country’s real estate laws, if you don’t want to end up wasting time and energy.

You may only plan to rent, but you will still need to get to know the rules beforehand. For instance, find out about landlord-tenant relationships in your new country. Know what fees you have to pay upfront, your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and how long rental contracts usually cover. Make sure you read contracts carefully before signing to ensure no unexpected surprises pop up.

Money, Banking, Pension Schemes and Taxes

Before you get on that flight to your destination country, it is good to have some of the local currency to get around easily. International airports almost always have currency exchange booths accessible, but you can also check out banks or other exchange bureaus for better rates.

Setting up a bank account, whether it is a local or international account, is important so you can transfer money abroad to ensure your funds are available to you whenever you need it.

If you’re a pensioner, look around for schemes that can make you enjoy your pension with more benefits, such as the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. QROPS allows UK pensioners to pay reduced taxes and have more flexible investment options.

As for taxes in general, ensure that everything has been properly settled with authorities in your home country before leaving. Again, this is especially important if your home government requires you to continue paying taxes to them while you’re abroad. You also have to know what local taxes you are required to pay in your new country and when to avoid penalties. Often expats will hire a tax specialist to handle this job to ensure peace of mind that it is done properly.

Education

If you are moving abroad with school-age children, you will need to consider their educational needs. When possible, time your relocation so that you minimize disruptions to their schooling. There are education advisory services that you can find online and they can give you all the information you need, from educational costs to choices of schools and everything in between.

Many expats prefer to enroll their children in international schools because these institutions are specially designed to meet the demands of multicultural students and education. However with the continuing technological advancements, online schooling is another option which provides much more flexibility to those who move around a lot.

Relocation Services

You may already have good knowledge of what you need as you prepare to move abroad, but at some point or another, you may have to consider professional relocation services. This is especially true when you’re moving with your entire family.

Relocation companies nowadays are not just moving and packing services, they offer an extensive range of benefits. They can help you with several aspects of your move, such as your visa applications, finding housing, school advisory services, orientation services, pet relocation, career counselling, language training and much more. Relocation services can essentially organize most of your moving arrangements and can save you a tremendous amount of time, effort and stress.

To conclude, planning is crucial to a successful relocation, so you want to make sure you have plenty of time to get yourself organized. If you leave it too late, you most certainly will have forgotten something, which could lead to a very stressful situation. With or without professional assistance, the most important thing is your determination and willingness to make this chapter of your life work for all involved.

Author Bio: ExpatFinder.com is a free one stop website for people preparing to move or working and living overseas – Compare service providers, Find Relocation Providers, Insurance, Finance and more…

The post Things to Consider When Relocating to Another Country appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Choosing DC Area Movers Online, step-by-step Guide:

In this post we are gonna discuss the best practices in finding a suitable mover for your needs, but keeping some of the specifics of the DC area in mind. We’re going to make this even easier by going through it step-by-step.  Here’s how you should start:

1. Surveying – the very first thing a person, who is looking for moving services, would do is scour the internet in search of the best company for his needs. Ask yourself these questions : “How much time do I have before the move?”, “What kind of a service do I want and can afford?”, “Where am I moving to?”, “What kind of household am I moving – a house (X-bedrooms?), or maybe an apartment in a high-story building?” and so forth. BE CONSISTENT WITH THE ANSWERS OF THESE QUESTIONS! If you cannot easily answer them look at the chosen companies’ websites – can they help you answer them in any way? Some of them will, some of them won’t. That is your first clue on how to filter the “good” from the “bad” ones – do they have a free quote to estimate your costs? Do they have enough information about being legally registered (you can check their DOT number at the U.S. Department of Transportation)? Do they offer services that fit your planned time frame (if you’re in need of last-minute moving, or maybe you want to book a date in advance – be sure to check if they offer the particular service)? Nowadays we have review sites for almost anything, so make sure you read enough reviews so that you can make an informed decision. Do not be afraid to write a list with your questions, later you can contact chosen moving companies and ask their experts for advice.  Check our ” DC area movers ” site as an example – notice the “Registered with the Department of Transportation” stamp at the top, the free moving quote for a cost estimate, the tabs that offer access to other information that may concern the customer. That is what you should be looking for in a movers site.
2. Evaluation – now that you have a vague idea of the kind of companies you have chosen, it is time to evaluate each one. Here, the specifics of the region can play an enormous role, and planning is the key step that you should focus on. First of all, make sure you use the free online quotes, they are there for a reason. Write the result down, then call their experts and consult them on the matter. Now is a good time to ask the additional questions that you wrote down during step one. Secondly – MAKE SURE YOU GET A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITH AN ESTIMATED OFFER– this may be valuable later on, if the company decides to play dirty and change their rates or place hidden fees at the last moment. DC is an overpopulated area, and you will want to plan ahead of the move itself. While you’re choosing your moving company, try to figure out where will the moving truck park and for how long, how big should it be (to fit all of your stuff), do you have to reserve an elevator (if having to deal with a high-story building). If the company has to bring another truck that better suits the loading spot, they will charge you for that, so be careful what truck size you are ordering.
   

   Make sure you research all options and pick the best DC area movers

   When talking about DC, you would do well to pick a locally experienced company, simply because we all know how tight traffic and buildings are – a crew of 2-3 well-trained movers can do wonders, while inexperienced ones will be slow and inefficient, thus causing you to lose money if you’re paying by the hour. Do not compromise with that, you will get burned, as lots of people have been thus far. Do not fall for all the popular scams – super low rates (hidden fees emerge later),  fine print in the paperwork (again using this to overcharge you), movers dragging their work longer than they have to (resulting in you paying for additional storage and truck rental), same company offering you several different offers under different names (so you’d think you’re getting a deal, while actually you’re getting scammed)…

3. Informed choice– you have probably narrowed your choice down to 1-2 companies by now. Here are some guidelines to finalize the picking process: local companies have an advantage (most probably you will be paying for the travel time and gas of the truck to both your old and to your new home, which inflates the overall price), so the closer – the better; check the company’s renown online, review sites are recommended – trust me, you do NOT need bad attitude and scams on a stressful day like moving day; compare prices – of course, the cheaper – the better (but as we mentioned – too cheap should be a red light); use your common sense to be the final judge, but do not be too trusting – when it comes to getting your money, companies can resort to some really weird stuff, so be vigilant. When you have considered all of those points, you can safely choose a company and contact them over the phone for the details.

Although packed with people and buildings, life in Washington DC has its merits

In conclusion – use online information to filter and grade the various DC area movers, contact the chosen ones and get the best deal that you can.

So that concludes our quick list of things that you should consider when choosing a DC area mover online. It is really hard to mention the variety of moving challenges  that the district of DC can offer. Going into detail about every single instance that could cause trouble is impossible, but even good general advice will give you enough information to make a safe choice online.

Last, but not least, do not forget that the internet is not a 100% true and reliable source. Information can be shaped and manipulated, but if you read enough of it, you will still get the general opinion about something. Make sure you use it for your advantage.

The post Choosing DC Area Movers Online appeared first on The Moving Blog.

1. My Moving Reviews

If you decide to find a reliable moving company, then you need reviews you can trust. Proper filtering of reviews is very important. My Moving Reviews is currently the online dedicated moving reviews website that filters its reviews. Designed exclusively for the US and Canadian market, the website provides free registration for moving companies with the ability to answer to consumer reviews so customers can see both sides of the story. Check also our review of MyMovingReviews on The Moving Blog.
Website address: www.MyMovingReviews.com

2. Mover Reviews

The fist and oldest US moving reviews website, Mover Reviews started as a beta service in 2003. Its database consists of all major us moving companies. There is a free registration for moving companies that can include more information in their account profiles.
Website address: www.MoverReviews.com

3. Removal Reviews

If you are looking for moving companies in UK and Europe, try with Removal Reviews. This is a dedicated moving reviews website (movers in UK are called removals) for Europe, but there are mostly moving companies from UK and Ireland reviewed there.
Website address: www.RemovalReviews.co.uk

4. Moving Scam

MovingScam is a forum about all things around the moving industry. It is not a moving reviews website as the definition, but customers can leave its feedback on moving companies and get responses from professionals. This is a great place to ask a moving question and get a fast answer or just to share your moving experience.
Website address: www.MovingScam.com

Do you know a moving reviews website we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Top Moving Company Review Websites Online appeared first on The Moving Blog.

If you are a professional singer, you can hire movers specialized in transporting electronics and studio equipment. The cost of this service is significantly higher than hiring a regular moving company. In this guide we will help you plan and execute the move by yourself and save on your moving costs.

Moving Electronic Equipment

1. The first thing that you should do, is to check if you have any packing or moving instructions in the manual that comes with the device provided by the product manufacturer. If there are any packing or moving tips that are recommended or suggested by the manufacturer, then you should follow them closely. The product manufacturer knows best about what it takes to protect the product from damages when moved. Some expensive electronics should be configured for transportation mode to prevent internal damages while moving.
2. If you have enough storage space in your home, save the original boxes and packing materials of your electronics. They are specially made to protect your device, plus if you have the original box and packing materials that comes with your device, you will avoid the exhausting search for the proper packing materials to fit your device. If you are transporting an expensive TV and you don’t have the original box, buying one for your move will cost you about $150. Some professional moving companies offer renting a special moving box for around $70 during the move.
3. If the original packing is not available or if it is damaged, then you need to buy some professional packing materials. Start with these essentials: sturdy cartons, newsprint for wrapping things up, tape, scissors and felt tip markers to number and label each box. Ask your moving company to provide to you packing materials, but check their prices in advance. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy your moving boxes from the nearest Uhaul location.
4. When you disassemble electronics such as computers, stereos and other devices that have numerous cords, place small colored stickers on the end of each cord and the same color sticker where the cord connects to the device. This will save you a lot of time reading the installation instructions. Also if you don’t connect your devices properly you can damage them. Even if you have a warranty for the device, it is certain that you don’t need any additional stress of finding and dealing with the device manufacturer to cover your warranty.
5. To protect your electronics, you need to cover them with moving pads or light blankets, also seal the moving boxes with packing tape to keep the dust out. To secure your electronics further you can use bubble wrap, paper padding or Styrofoam peanuts.
6. Don’t forget to back up all software that comes with you electronics. Computes require specific software to run properly.

Finally, complete a full list of all electronic components and computer equipment (with serial numbers) prior to moving them. Submit that list to your homeowner’s insurance company.

The most obvious solution when moving expensive electronics is to hire a professional moving company that is fully licensed, insured and have a good overall reputation. Unfortunately that’s not always possible because of the costs, so sometimes you may need to do the packing all by yourself.

Have we missed something? Let us know in the comments below.

The post How to Pack and Move Electronics appeared first on The Moving Blog.

What to do when moving.

Here at The Moving Blog, we have numerous articles about the things we should do when moving. Now almost everyone knows the regular moving tips: Always research the mover, read moving reviews for your moving company, always hire a mover that is fully licensed and insured etc. But we often forget to do a couple of simple things that will make our move a lot more stress free. To help with your future move, we are going to define a couple of important moving tips we need to do, but we often forget to.

• Prepare a backpack. Put the things that you will use during the move in a backpack. It’s not enough just to put them in your luggage. There are important things that you need to access fast when you are in a hurry. A first aid kit, all necessary documents, two bottles of water and clothing should be put together in one place in your backpack, not separated in a couple of different cases.

• Gather all of your records together. Your medical, dental, yours and your children’s school records are very important. You need to make sure you got all at one place. Some schools accept only original documents, so copies will not do. Try to find all of your original records and gather them at one place. God forbid something happens to you before you find a new family doctor. But if you have your medical records on hand can alleviate this problem.
• Old phone books. Don’t forget to take all of your phone books with you. There is a great chance to loose them if you pack them with the move itself in one of the many moving boxes.
• Dry cleaning. Remember to pick up your dry cleaning. Also if you have left something for repair you need to pick it up before the move.
• Garage doors. It is something that we often forget when moving.  Get the garage door opener key or card out of your car.
• Bank accounts. If you are moving out of town or out of state, you need to set up a bank account ahead of time. Some banks put a hold on out of town checks and that is always a problem when you need to pay bills at your new place. Also some merchants won’t accept your out of town checks.

Being prepared and organized during your move is very important. Did we miss something important? Let us know in the comments and we will include your ideas in the post.

The post Things We Forget To Do When Moving appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Car Moving with Long Distance Movers

When it comes to moving with a car things get a little bit more complicate. This time we are giving you some practical tips  that will help you to choose the best way to move your car.

Choosing Long Distance Movers

Moving your car to your new home can be very stressful, especially if you’re performing a long distance trip. If you have more than one car, then things could get even more difficult.  Even though, sometimes shipping you car with a professional long distance mover can cost you more than moving it by yourself. On the other hand, moving your car with a long distance relocating company could save you a lot of time and troubles.

That’s why you should consider hiring reliable long distance movers to move your car. It may cost you much more, but safety always comes first.

Moving your car long distance or selling it right away?

As the long distance moving can be quite expensive, if your car is relatively cheap, then you better sell it. Moving your car to another state requires changing your driving license and the number plates of your car, so buying a new car is a good idea.  Also, emission and safety standards can vary in different states.  So, if you have any doubt that your car will pass all the tests, you should seriously consider selling it and buying another one in your new state that will meet all local requirements. You can contact the state Department of Motor Vehicle and ask them:

• What emission and safety test will have to pass your car?
• How much does the testing cost?
• If you buy a second-hand car, how much the testing will cost and what tests are required.

Since moving requires a decent amount of money, spending money on buying a new car is not always the best solution. That’s why we are going to give you some useful tips that could help you to choose a long distance mover to move your car.

Research your long distance moving company

Research is a vital key whether you are moving locally or long distance. Read some moving related reviews  before you make a decision and choose a mover. Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if your long distance moving fully licensed and always check whether your mover is insured. Find if there are any complaints or reports against your mover. There are great web sites where you can read useful information about relocating and moving reviews. However, if you read many positive moving reviews you should be a bit skeptical, it’s very rare that a moving company will not have any unhappy customers; Contrary, if there are too many negative reviews, there are more likely to be fake. Be careful, unfortunately there are fake reviews, as there are people who would write anything for money.

How is your car going to be moved?

Almost all long distance movers will give you just a moving estimate, pointing out when they can pick your car and when they can transport it to the new location.  Most long distance moving companies will offer you to store your car if the pick-up date is not suitable for you. Of course, you will have to pay extra for the time that your car was in a storage facility.

Don’t forget to ask your long distance moving company about the insurance options, your car must be insured properly. You better take safety measures prior your move.
Before the moving company drives off with your car they have to perform an inspection. So, be sure that the report they provide you with, describes accurately your car present condition. This way, even if you car is damaged during the move, you will be well compensated by your moving and insurance company. Actually, your insurance company will rely on that report to calculate how much the mover will have to compensate you.

Remember that most moving companies don’t take responsibility for any lost items left in your car. So, be sure to remove all personal valuable items.

A long distance moving company will be able to provide you with accurately moving estimate only after they know the following things:

• Moving Distance
• Model and Make
• Condition
• Weight
• Size
• Insurance coverage

In the end, hire a long distance professional moving company that will transport your car safely and secure at reasonable price.

The post Moving your car with long distance movers appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Student moving

You are a student and you have to move, but you don’t have enough time. You have your finals coming and you are already quite stressed. We offer you some key tips to pay attention at.  These will help you to cope with the annoying job much faster.

Student moving has its own unique specifics. If you are moving for the summer, you definitely need to find a summer storage facility for your belongings. This can be a bit stressful when you are rushed to do a couple of things at once. So you need to be well organized and prepared.

Here are some tips that will help you with your student move.

1. Use a moving checklist. Making a checklist will help you to organize your time better. When you are running on a tight schedule it is very important not to miss anything.
Make yourself a checklist in which you describe in details everything that needs to be done before, and after, your move. Put a time frame for every single job and then follow it precisely.

2. Leave any unnecessary items. Avoid moving anything that you don’t really need. Give items you don’t need to a friend or sell them, but avoid moving them if they are useless. Probably if you don’t need them now, you most likely won’t use them later either. Plus, if you have some old clothes or books you can give them to charity. This way you will save a lot of your valuable time and most importantly, you will do something good.

3. Get some help from you friends. Your move will be a lot faster and easier if your friends help you with the packing. Ask some close friends and colleagues if they give you hand. Your moving may turn into a pleasant teamwork.  The more help you get, the better results you will achieve.

4. Packing Supplies. Get proper packing supplies from your mover. Most of the movers offer packing supplies at additional cost, but get the proper packing supplies. Yes, it will cost extra, but you will have the proper boxes and supplies and you will save a lot of time and further troubles. Take good care of all your belongings. The most important is to transport them safely.

5. Pack your belongings room by room. Room by room. Pack on a room-by-room basis will eliminate a confusion and save a lot of time when you’re unpacking. When you have to pack yourself everything packing room by room will significantly ease the whole job. Start with belongings that you use rarely and leave the most often used items for last.

6. Use the A-B-C system.  You don’t need to unpack everything right away after you have moved, so it’s a good idea to use the a-b-c system to label your moving boxes. Simply write “a” on the boxes that you need to unpack immediately after you’ve moved and “c” on the boxes that can wait. Using that simple system will help you to unpack much quickly after you have moved to your new apartment or house.

7.Label you boxes carefully.  It’s essential to label all of your boxes the right way. Be sure to write on each box what exactly you have put in it. It will be quite hard for you to find out everything when you have 50 boxes that look like pretty much the same. Felt pens are superb solution for labeling boxes. Write information such as their contents, destination room, fragile or this side up. It is a good idea to make a master list, so you’ll know what is in each box.

8. Start packing early. Of course the best way to avoid problems and stress is to start packing early. Moving is a very stressful time, so start packing two or three weeks earlier if you can.

Think over your plan again.  Before you start packing revise your plan with everyone who is involved. This will help with your packing and will ensure that things will run smoothly.

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