Moving Blog - Statewide Van Lines

Spring Discount from Statewide Van Lines

2011-03-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

These days many families ask themselves time and again: how else can we save money? Well, If you are planning to move any time soon we have some good news for you. Statewide Van Lines will give you $150 off your move with us if the move day falls on any date in March or April (weekends included). Getting the discount is simple: 1. Follow our blog 2. Contact us at 1-866-259-3405 or visit our website http://www.statewidevanlines.com/ to get a free quote and mention the blog discount. And that’s all that is required. Well, there’s still a challenging task of planning how to spend the $150 that you saved but we are sure you won’t need help with that.

Statewide Van Lines is a fully licensed and insurance moving company. We take pride in offering affordable moving services on a highly professional level. For those who value their time – make sure to take advantage of our expert packing and unpacking services.

This is the first promotion in the series of upcoming discount offers – so stay tuned for more deals from Statewide Van Lines.

Moving and Sweepstakes: Where Will Your Prize Go?

2011-02-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

Changing your place of living can sometimes be compared to “burning the bridge behind”: some things will be gone from your life forever. You are unlikely to see again you neighbors, or your postman with whom you’ve frequently had a pleasant chat about weather; your kids will miss their classmates from the previous school – and even though they will keep in touch for some time, they will move on to new friendships rather quickly, making old friends history.

But don’t rush to abandon your old postal address: even if you notified your friends, employer, credit card companies and utility services where you now reside, there might still be some important mail cramming in your old box or getting thrown away by the new resident. A good example is if you were actively participating in various sweepstakes and contests. Sometimes it takes months for a winner to be selected but that could very well be you, so make sure you will receive notifications or prizes (if there are any) even after you move.

The first thing you should do is submit a change of address form to your local post office. Temporary mail forwarding will ensure that you get your mail that was sent to the old address forwarded to the new location for up to a year. Unfortunately some sweepstakes sponsors use express delivery services like UPS and FedEx to send your prize: the problem is these companies don’t have a mail forwarding option. Rather than giving up on your hopes of winning, you can take a few steps to increase your chances of receiving prizes you possibly won:

- Edit your profile if you participated in online sweepstakes and such an option is available

- Check your sweepstakes email address frequently: most people create a separate email account specifically for contests and other promotions that they want to participate in but then forget to check this secondary email

- Contact the sweepstakes sponsor and notify them of the address change; if that won’t work – follow up with them immediately after the winner announcement date and inquire if your name was selected by any chance

- Try to get on friendly terms with the new owners of your previous house/apartment: send them a welcoming note, maybe even a small inexpensive gift and ask them to notify you if there is any important mail/package in your name.

Participating in sweepstakes and contests is hard work and you shouldn’t let it go into waste just because you moved. A few simple steps will help the prizes find their rightful owner.

Packing and Moving Your Garage

2011-01-19T13:12:00.001-08:00

The moving date is around the corner and everything in your house is wrapped, folded, dismantled and packed up. The one area that you dread approaching is your garage – it’s filled with odd stuff, most of which you barely ever use but still like to keep just in case… Bulky items like lawn mowers or old deck furniture, some auto parts from extra tires to engine stands, children’s stuff and outdoor equipment long out of use, tools, pots, broken statues – you have to sort through it all and figure out what still has value and what can be sold or discarded. (“Garage Stuff on Garage Sale” is a nice title for your newspaper ad).

A few things to keep in mind when packing your garage for the upcoming move:

- Drain all the gas and oil from gas-powered items such as a lawn mower or snow blower since they are considered hazardous materials, which most movers are not licensed to transport

- Empty the draws of your desks and workbenches and pack their content into boxes

- Secure together all the tools of similar length using a strong plastic cord; if you don’t have a tool box use a thick-wall carton to pack your hand tools and small power tools. Use paper to fill extra space and prevent tools from shifting. Cover sharp edges of the tools with linen or bubble wrap to avoid injuries when unpacking the box.

- Disassemble metal shelves and tape them together in a bundle along with the bolts placed in a labeled zip lock bag.

- Label your auto parts prior to packing. If there are certain parts that you cannot identify or which origin/purpose are a mystery, you are very unlikely to make use of them in the future and might as well donate them to the local auto shop.

- Flammable or explosive liquids (fertilizer, gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, pool chemicals) fall under the hazmat category and cannot be transported by most movers.

Most importantly, don't leave packing your garage till the last moment, it is notorious for being the most cluttered area of the house and can take longer than you expect to prepare for the move.

Moving During the Holidays

2010-12-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

“To new beginnings!” is the toast you say as you watch the Times Square ball countdown on TV. And new beginnings they will be since you just moved to a new house just on time to ring the New Year in. In fact your boxes are still half unpacked and you are eating out of plastic plates after failing to remember where your best china was packed in. It doesn’t sound believable, does it? Who would want to mix the moving chaos into the holiday hassle?

You will be surprised how many people move during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year. Many families choose to move because that’s when the school is out or in hopes that the wide-spread holiday sale will apply to moving services as well. Some tenants’ lease expires at the end of the year and they may choose to move to a better apartment not to get locked in the new lease.

So if your moving date is during the holiday season, there a couple of things you want to be aware of. First of all you will not be one of the “few”, so don’t expect it to be a slow time in the moving season when movers are fighting to get business from you. Holiday discount on the move is probably just a myth so you shouldn’t count on that either. In fact the biggest challenge for moving companies around this time of the year is that they are short of hands because drivers want to take some time off to be with their families for the holidays. Hence, you might expect longer than expected delays for the delivery. So if there is a way for you to postpone your move till the holidays are over, you should give serious thought to the alternative option.

Have a Great Holiday Season!

What Men vs. Women Really Think before Spending

2010-10-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to see it full size

Source: GoBankingRates.com

Want to Move with Less - Have a Garage Sale

2010-09-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to move means that you might need to sort through your stuff and see if there is anything you can get rid of before the move. Why not hold a garage sale – not only will you dispose of the extra items you no longer need, you can also earn some cash that will help with the upcoming moving expenses.

Planning and organizing the sale will ensure a hassle-free day of parting with your belongings (and some of the memories too), counting the earnings and looking into a future that has more room for new things.

1. First thing that you should do is to check with the local authority if a special permit is required to hold a garage sale. In some places residents can only hold one garage sale per calendar year – so you want to be aware of this and similar rules.

2. Set the date. You will be better of to check the weather forecast first – a nice sunny day will bring in more buyers. Needless to say that weekend sales tend to do better but you want to avoid doing it on holidays.

3. Choose a place. The sale can be held on your patio or backyard, but it’s best if your display is immediately visible so try to arrange it closer to the street/sidewalk so that random passersby could stop by as well.

4. Advertise in advance. Run an ad in your local newspaper, put a sign in your window and spread the word through your neighbors.

5. Sort your items for sale – organize them into several groups by type, size or even assumed popularity (you may want to have a separate “hot items” pile displayed at the front for a better promotion of the sale).

6. Set the price. Think of a reasonable range to charge for items that are still in good condition – usually it would be 20-30% of the original purchase price. You may also use the Value Guide List provided by Salvation Army for the used household items.

7. Be prepared to bargain. Your buyers will want the cheapest prices so establishing a range rather than a set price will serve as a guide by how much you can lower the price for each item.

Enjoy your garage sale and don’t forget to take the signs down when it’s over!

Movies About Moving

2010-07-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

"Away We Go" (2009) by Sam Mendes

There are quite a few movies where the plot is based on the fact that the main character relocates to a new place and the story begins so to say. Most people move because there are better opportunities waiting at the new destination: a more promising job, good schools, great recreational activities. Yet some people move simply to escape their past and start life over – a lot of movies are inspired by this idea of a new beginning in life.

Change of Address blog has come up with a list of Top 15 Movies About Moving with the oldest version of "Karate Kid" being #1. This movie is a great example of how moving affects children and all the challenges they are forced to deal with. So it’s a good idea for parents to watch this movie again if they are planning to relocate with their children: they might anticipate some of the potential problems and take a proactive approach to prevent them from happening. Watching it with kids is a good way to prepare them for the upcoming move.

There is another list of Top 9 Movies About Moving on http://listicles.thelmagazine.com . “Piano” is one of them and I personally consider it one of the best movies of all time. It’s about moving to a less civilized world than you are used to, where nothing is like home or will ever feel that way. Not every move can bring about positive changes: sometimes moving to a distant location can cause so much nostalgia and homesickness that a person is simply unable to adept to a new life. Moving back to where you belong and feel safe because this is your home is then the only solution.

There are many other great movies about moving and how it affects people’s lives. In “Mona Lisa Smile” Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) moves to Massachusetts because she believes she can make a change by teaching more progressive ideas to the girls-students of a conservative school. “Away We Go” is about finding a perfect place on Earth to raise a child. Moving from place to place becomes a lifestyle of Chris “Alexander Supertramp” in the movie “Into the Wild”.

What’s your favorite movie about moving?

Choosing a Storage Facility

2010-06-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

It often happens that you are ready to move out – but it will be awhile before you actually move in: your new house may not be ready, or you don’t have a house yet and need to look for one, or you plan to go traveling for a couple of months. This means that your belongings need to be put into a storage facility - and possibly for an indefinite period of time. Choose a storage unit wisely to ensure that your things are protected while you are away.

Here are a few factors to consider:

Location.
Maybe you found a great deal in some ultra-modern storage where you will pay just a few bucks for a huge room. But the storage happens to be in the back of nowhere and getting there every time will be a pain. Choose a facility close to where you are currently staying, so that every time you need to pick up a thing or two (which will happen frequently), you can get there easy and fast.

Operating Hours.
Make sure you will have access to your belonging at reasonable hours. It’s best if your storage is open seven days a week.

Climate Control.
If you live in the area with high humidity, you want to choose a climate controlled storage facility to unsure that your things don’t get damaged especially if they are in for a long stay. Too much humidity can cause mold to form and lack of ventilation will result in unpleasant stale smell that will be absorbed by your possessions.

Right Size Room.
You may underestimate how big of a shipment you will have: getting a room that is too small will mean having to fix your things so tight, that you will have a real trouble accessing individual items. Nor do you want to get a room too big: you will end up paying more for the space you are not even utilizing in full.

Long Term Discount.
If you know for sure that you will be staying for a lengthy period of time, make sure to esquire about long term discounts. You might have to prepay for several months in advance but at least you wont have to worry about sending monthly payments promptly and will save some money too.

Good luck with finding your best storage option!

What Packing Supplies You Need for Your Move

2010-05-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

No matter whether you are moving long distance or across the street – without proper packing your belongings are likely to be damaged. Some items you can pack yourself, whereas others need to be packed by professional movers. Moving supplies can be costly so it’s a good idea to shop around in advance and see if you could find a better deal on boxes and tape. Should you discover right before your move that you don’t have enough boxes – no need to worry, all the moving companies come equipped with moving supplies including moving blankets, boxes, bubble wrap and tape. If you decide to move on your own and rent a moving truck – many truck rental companies such as U-Haul can also provide you with packing supplies. Some items such as boxes and tape need to be purchased, but things like dollies and moving blankets can easily be rented.

So here are the packing supplies you will need for your upcoming move:

• Moving boxes of various size(small boxes for heavy items such as books, large boxes for bulky items such as pillows)
• Wardrobe box
• Electronic box
• Moving blanket
• Mattress cover
• Crate
• Cushion foam
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Tape
• Carpet film protector
• Mover’s stretch plastic wrap
• Permanent box marker

Moving blankets are used to wrap your big furniture items such as couch, dresser, and coffee table. Using them requires some practice so you might want to leave this task to professional movers and devote your attention to packing smaller items such as books, clothes, bedding and dishware. Make sure to label each box as well as your furniture (the latter gets almost unrecognizable once wrapped in blankets). It’s a good idea to mark which room each items goes to – this way movers won’t have to check with you every time and the unloading part will move along faster. Don’t rush to discard your boxes once the move is finished, you might want to fold and store them to save some money on your next move.

We wish you a happy packing!

Surviving a Summer Move

2010-04-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Traditionally, summer is the most popular season for moving since people tend to move after their children finish school. This gives them a few weeks extra time to settle down and adjust to the new surroundings before the new school year begins. The percentage of moves in a year occurring in any given summer month peaks around 11% – 13%, compared to 8% or less for other months. Needless to say, the busiest and costliest moving season is the summer months.

We don’t always have control over when we move – if you are one of those people whose move is scheduled for the upcoming summer, there are a few things you want to keep in mind:

- If there is a slightest opportunity for you to avoid the peak season – do so, since the tariffs (the rates that moving companies base the cost of your move on) are actually lower off season, so you can save a lot of money on your move.

- If summer is the only time you can move, try to at least book the move for a weekday which is usually less expensive and easier to find available services, this includes truck rentals, too.

- Make sure to book well in advance. If possible, try for at least 8-10 weeks.

- Be prepared to lower-than-expected service quality: even the best moving companies struggle to perform when the season gets busy. They often overbook and then scramble to find an extra truck or crew to accommodate your moving needs. The schedule is tight and the movers are tired from working long hours in the heat and lack of sleep. Be patient and nice – make sure to offer them some ice water and towels.

- Ger ready for a wider than usual delivery window as a result of the heavy demand for movers and busy schedule – sometimes it can take up to 30 days to receive your shipment! Make sure you have you have all the necessities with you and be prepared to go by without the rest of your belongings for a few weeks.

Enjoy your summer (we hope it will be a hot one) and get your moving quote today!

Moving Out of Your Parents’ Home

2010-03-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

If you feel like you are ready to take on a more independent lifestyle, you can afford to do so both financially and emotionally – it’s time to move out of your parents’ home and start a new journey of independence. It might be scary and exciting, just remember – some good planning will ensure that your transition is as smooth as possible.

• What You Take
If you are moving out of your parents’ house for the first time, chances are you don’t own a lot of the necessary stuff such as furniture, bedding, home accessories. You might feel tempted to take or, rather say, borrow something owned by your parents till the better times. But think about all the gaps you will leave in the interior that your parents (as well as you) are so accustomed to by now. A couple of missing towels is one thing, but a missing couch might be too noticeable. You may try to utilize some of the old no longer needed stuff stored in the attic or the basement. You can also use the things that your parents were planning on discarding, or whatever they have in abundance (many moms have way more china or towels that they need or use). You can take your personal things (books, CDs, clothes, computer) and things that were given to you as a gift. You should leave the items of shared use ( a toaster or a big screen TV in the living room) – your parents’ life does not end with your departure and they will still be using those things.

• What You Leave
You will still visit your parents frequently so you might want to see your bedroom unchanged – with all your favorite childhood toys, trophies and posters. However it’s a rather selfish approach – maybe you should check with your parents first about their plans for the room. Maybe they want to turn it into an extra guest bedroom, or a home library, or a home office that your father has been dreaming about for the past 20 years. So you might have to sort through your things and whatever you are not taking could be donated, sold at a garage sale, thrown away or packed and stored in a public storage facility (unless there is some extra space in the attic).

• How You Move
You are unlikely to have a lot of stuff that needs to be moved – so maybe you shouldn’t bother to get a moving quote from a large company with 4 movers/6 hours minimums. Renting a moving van should be sufficient, sometimes it’s more than enough to borrow your father’s car and transport your things in 2-3 trips (provided you are moving within the same town). You want to save on moving expenses so that you have funds remaining to buy new furniture that you will need since you are beginning a new life almost from scratch.

3 Organizers That Will Change Your Life

2010-03-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Moving into a new place: freshly painted walls, clean windows, empty shelves…. Spacious rooms look so neat without furniture. But then you move in and your stuff fills all the space. You promise yourself to keep the new place in order, get more organized but before you know it your things begin to pile up everywhere. Empty perfectly-clean rooms are just a distant memory - this place is now a mess most of the time.

Celebrate moving into a new house by getting more organized. We found three great organizers that will help you sort things that tend to create the most mess: clothes, tools, bills.

1. Closet Carousel. Not only it’s convenient to use, but will also guarantee to make your existing closet space more efficient. It comes with a bunch of accessories such as handbags and baskets; it’s easy to assemble and its parts are adjustable to maximize the individual convenience. Getting a closet carousel will help you keep your wardrobe neat and all in one space. Finding the right clothes in the morning will no longer be such a daunting task: everything is visible and easy to pull out. You can order your closet carousel at Closets.net.

2. Tool Organizer. All your tools will finally be in one place: a great display, easy to take, easy to put back. Moreover, because it’s a clear pegboard that you get to hang on the wall, it minimizes the need for shelves and frees up lots of space. And it’s only $59.99 at Organize.com

3. Rotating Bill Organizer. It’s designed to organize your unpaid bills in corresponding date spaces (from 1 to 31 for each day of the month), which serves as a great reminder when it’s time to pay your bills. It also has a convenient stationery compartment to keep some of your desktop tools. You can buy your bill organizer at StacksandStacks.com.

Ready to win the battle with mess now?

A Useful Tip on How to Move Your Glassware

2010-03-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

You can certainly use china boxes to move your dishes and glasses since they have thicker walls and can carry more weight than a regular box. But you will need to wrap each item in paper or bubble wrap. Besides those china boxes (also called dish pack) may run expensive. So here is a better alternative: why don’t you use wine boxes instead? They will work well with their little cardboard dividers. Most liquor stores will give you as many as you need free of charge, they toss them anyway. It’s a great way to protect you glassware without too much extra packing and you will save a few bucks as well.

How to Conduct Inventory Check When Moving In

2010-03-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

As confused as you may be with all the paperwork your moving company will ask you to fill in and sign, it’s important that you hold on to all your copies. One of the documents that will help you make sure all your belongs have safely arrived to your new location is called “Inventory List Sheet”. All long distance movers are required to make one: they put numbered stickers on each and every one of your items – from large pieces of furniture to the smallest of boxes. Each sticker number is then recorded on the inventory list along with the item description. The mysterious “PBO” that you can see here and there on the list stands for “Packed By Owner”.

Once the movers arrive to your new destination, make sure to check-off each item on the list as movers begin to unload your belongings. The best way to do it is to stand in the doorway and check-off the items as movers carry them in – this way you won’t miss anything, since there can be several workers and they can carry several items at the same time. If you discover some missing or damaged items, make a notation on the movers’ copy of the inventory list prior to signing it. Ask the movers to look inside the truck – sometimes if there is more than one load they are carrying, the missing item could have shifted to another person’s lot. If movers are unable to locate the item, check with them about claim filing procedure.

8 Things To Do Before You Move In

2010-02-25T11:50:00.000-08:00

1. Change the locks: even though you receive your keys from the landlord/previous tenants, there is no guarantee they don’t keep an extra copy.

2. Clean the fridge: it’s been in use by other people for quite some time. You need to defrost it, clean and disinfect it, then leave the doors open and let it air for some time.

3. Arrange for utilities to be turned on: if you are moving into a private house during the winter, there will be no heating, so you want to make sure to have it connected on the day of the move. The same applies to the electricity – it’s no fun to sit in the dark just because you scheduled it last minute and the electricity company can only send someone in a day or two.

4. Check for bugs and rodents: if necessary, have the exterminator examine and spray your rooms. Open the windows to air the space before you move in.

5. Measure the rooms/doorways/elevator for the furniture: if you have big bulky items, you want to make sure they will go through the doorway or the elevator door. If they won't – you might have to arrange for hoisting services. Have a plan ready of where your big furniture will go so that the movers can put it in the right places.

6. Inspect for damages: big holes in the walls, stains, scratches, broken window glass – you don’t want to be held responsible for something that the previous tenants did. Inform the landlord about your findings and request for the damages to be fixed.

7. Check for lead paint: you can purchase a lead test kit at a local hardware store.

8. Window Guards: make sure you get them installed before you move in if you have children.

Things People Forget to Do When They Move

2010-02-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

- Return library books and movie rentals

- Cancel gym memberships

- Pick up items from Dry Cleaners/Shoe Repair

- Pack school records, pet records, legal records, property records, necessary financial records separately from the rest the stuff

- Discontinue services like cable, newspaper, etc

- Defrost freezers

- Extract gas and oil from the machines (e.g. lawnmower)

- Make childcare arrangements for the moving day

- Return borrowed items

- Check for items left behind (spots like top shelves, long-time-no-use closets, sheds, kitchen cabinet draws)

What’s missing on your moving check list?

Funny Moving Company Accident

2010-02-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Funny accidents happen in any industry. Moving is not an exception - every moving company should have a couple of funny stories to tell. We found the funniest video of a moving accident on YouTube - was it real or staged is highly debatable. We enjoyed it nonetheless.

Are Moving Expenses Tax Deductible?

2010-01-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

It turns out you may be able to deduct your moving expenses if you:

- moved due to a change in your job or business location
- moved because you started a new job or business

You need to satisfy two conditions in order for your moving expenses to be tax deductible:

1. Your new job must be at least 50 miles away from your old home
2. You must work at your job full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first year right after you move.

Those conditions however don’t apply to members of the armed forces who moved due to a permanent change of station.

If your moving expenses were reimbursed by your employer, you can no longer deduct them.

Visit the IRS.gov site to learn more about the topic.

How to Deal with Stress Caused by Moving

2010-01-26T08:54:00.000-08:00

When you are about to move to a new location you find yourself under a lot of pressure: finding a moving company, packing and discarding, living on suitcases, shutting down the utilities, starting them off again, address change, mail forward, waiting for a cable guy…. Your to-do-list seems endless and your comfort level is at its lowest.

But not all the stress is caused by dealing with the moving arrangements, part of the stress should be attributed to the effect of change and the necessity to adept to it. Your customary daily routine is disrupted, your surroundings are new and unfamiliar; you are a foreigner in the neighborhood you just moved in to and you miss your old life.

There are a few things you can do to regain your confidence and comfort sooner:

Unpack and organize.

Being unable to find anything among the numerous boxes and the mess caused by the move adds up to your frustration. You want to tackle the unpacking process immediately even if it means taking an extra day off at work. But once your items are all in place and the boxes are discarded, your home begins to feel like home, finding things gets easier, you are able to organize your days in a more efficient way.

Get New Stuff for Your New Home

Sometimes it’s simply weird to see your old furniture against the new walls. You move it around, try to find the optimal place for everything, but it still doesn’t look right. It’s like the old and the new fail to connect and you are stuck somewhere in the middle. Getting a few new items can be that connecting piece that you lack: bright curtains with some peculiar pattern, a painting, a new rug, a fancy chandelier. These decorative items will symbolize the change - your life is taking a new turn after all - but at the same time they will help your interior look complete and cozy.

Meet the Neighbors.

A friend of mine recently moved from Colorado to an apartment building in Manhattan. She asked me how weird it will be to bake a cake and offer it to her new neighbors. Maybe it will feel strange for them, chances are someone won’t even open the door, but I am sure there will still be people whose hearts will melt from such a nice gesture. But if it helps her feel more at home in a new neighborhood – why not? Don’t wait for your neighbors to start the conversation – introduce yourself first. The sooner you’ll get to know people whom you are likely to meet on a daily basis – the sooner you will feel like you belong here.

Have a House-Warming Party

Invite your old friends and your new neighbors. Connect the two dots together – your past and your future. Celebrate the change, after all partying, music and good food are all well-known stress-management tactics. Besides by arranging a house-warming party you sort of make it official: “I moved. Cheers to my new life!”

Common Misconceptions about Moving – Part II

2010-01-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

Estimate is what you will pay once the job is done. An estimate is only… an estimate. The actual amount can be close to it, or it can be nothing like it. But before rushing to accuse the moving company of hidden or unjustified charges, ask yourself if you provided your estimator with an accurate inventory. When you receive your estimate over the phone you have to describe the furniture that you have and give an approximate amount of boxes. It’s common when customers forget to mention certain items, or underestimate how many boxes they will actually have. So if you want to get a binding estimate – request for company’s representative to come in and take a look at your furniture. If you are fine with getting your quote over the phone – be prepared to pay a different amount for the actual move.

You can ride with the movers on the truck to your new location. Moving companies as a rule don’t allow customers to ride on their trucks. First of all the back of the truck might be the only available spot for you to sit in – since the moving crew occupies the cabin. And trailers are not designed to provide protection in case of a crash. Besides no moving company wants to be liable, if something happens to you on the trip. They have workers’ compensation insurance which protects their employees, but not you. So it’s a good idea to book a cab or arrange for a friend to give you a ride, if you don’t own a car.

Anything can be loaded on a moving truck. In fact by federal law or internal policy, professional moving companies cannot transport the following items:

Hazardous Materials
Items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive:

Aerosols
Ammonia
Ammunition
Car batteries
Charcoal
Charcoal lighter fluid
Chemistry sets
Cleaning solvents
Fertilizer
Fireworks
Gasoline
Kerosene
Lamp oil
Loaded guns
Matches
Motor oil
Paint thinner
Nail polish remover
Paints
Pesticides
Poisons
Pool chemicals
Propane tanks
Sterno
Weed killer

Perishables
Food, plants or living things that may die or spoil in transit:

Frozen foods
Plants
Produce
Refrigerated foods
Open or half used foods

Common Misconceptions about Moving – Part I

2010-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

Adjusting your expectations means being more prepared and less disappointed. When you hire a moving company, keep these common misconceptions in mind so that you know what to expect:

1. Movers are Always on Time. The truth is delays in moving are as frequent as those at the airport. However when your flight is delayed, you sit patiently at your terminal since there is not much you can do. When movers don’t show up at 9 am sharp, most people start calling the office at 15 minute intervals to express their rage and frustration. Don’t forget that you are dealing with transportation so delays on the road will affect you directly. Just sit back and wait till your moving truck gets through the heavy traffic. Keep in mind that many parkways are closed to trucks, so the driver might have to take an alternative route, which could take longer. Your moving crew will often consist of three of more people – all of them have to get to the company’s parking lot first, some of them taking a subway and occasionally being stuck there. And when one member of the crew is late, the rest have no choice but wait for him. If your move is scheduled for the afternoon, be aware that there is probably another moving job prior to yours, which may take longer than estimated. So thinking that movers are likely to be late is the right bet.

2. Movers Never Feel Tired. Or at least they shouldn’t on your move. Especially if you are paying by the hour. Some people expect the movers to work non-stop for hours: taking smoking, bathroom, or lunch breaks is not quite appreciated. Others find that their crew is not moving fast enough: could you guys run a little faster on the stairs with our extra-heavy grand piano? But speed affects the job quality: things get damaged more frequently if they are being moved in rush. So remember a simple thing: movers are humans, not robots! They need an occasional break and there is clearly a limit to how fast they move around.

3. Everything Can be Wrapped in Moving Blankets. And you can save on the packing supplies – who wants to buy boxes when blankets can be used for free? Some people go even further – they throw their small stuff in large trash bags instead of using the boxes. And they put little consideration how much weight those bags can really hold. Then they demand movers to use blankets to wrap their flat screen TV, an antique mirror and their glass china cabinet. To which the movers will respond, “We will, as long as you sign that you won’t hold us liable for damage”. The point is if you want your furniture intact, use proper packing supplies. Moving blankets are good for your couch, but not for your breakables.

How to Move Your Plants

2009-12-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Moving your house plants is a tricky task especially if you are moving long distance. The best solution is to move them on your own in your car: you can fix the pots inside so that they remain stable, regulate the temperature, and water the plants during the trip. None of this will be available on a moving van: they are not ventilated, the pots will be squeezed among big pieces of furniture which can easily shift and destroy them, no plant watering provided. Another issue is that long distance movers will not lock any perishables inside the truck – which means they may simply refuse to load your plants on their moving vehicle.

So to prepare your plants you should water them a day prior to the move. Wrap each pot with paper and bubble wrap to prevent its breakage. Adjust the bubble wrap so that it covers the soil as well –just leaving a small amount of space open around the plant. You may choose to leave the plant unwrapped, or cover it with one layer of paper, securing it with tape. The former is optimal since it will allow for the air access to the leaves. It’s important to place the pots firmly inside a vehicle, to minimize the rough movements. If the trip will take several days, come up with some sort of reminder to water the plants – you may simply forget because of all the stress associated with moving. If a plant is too big to be transported – consider trimming the branches or moving a cutting to grow it anew once you reach you destination.

Moving in Any Weather?

2009-12-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

Well, not exactly. Movers indeed work when most people would prefer to stay inside – in 100 degrees heat with equally intolerable humidity or when it’s pouring non-stop. But there are occasions when you might expect your move to get delayed or canceled due to the weather conditions. A severe snow storm is a good example. First of all some roads might get closed and movers simply won’t be able to get to your destination. Or your driveway will be covered with 20 inches of snow, which will make it impossible for the truck to park closer to the entrance. Don’t forget that it might be too slippery for the movers to carry heavy items: if they slip and fall, they can be seriously injured. Which is why a dispatch wouldn’t risk to send his men to do the risky work that day.

The good news is that nasty weather never last too long. The sun will come out eventually creating favorable conditions for a smooth umbrella-free move.

Unpacking Tips

2009-12-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

So there you are – in your new home. Movers are gone, now you are all by yourself … against your stuff. It took you days to pack, now you are afraid to even imagine how long it is going to take you to unpack. You have to find a new place for every single item that you have, moreover – you have to remember where that place is. But don’t panic: start with necessities, work it up to less frequently-used items – and with a systematic approach you will complete unpacking to turn your new home into a neat and cozy place.

It is a good idea to start off with the kitchen. Put whatever food you took with you into the fridge right away (make sure it’s plugged in). Stack your plates and pots in the kitchen cabinets, silverware goes to the draws. Now if you get tired from the overall mess in your house you can always take a break, go to the kitchen, make yourself some tea and sandwiches.

The bathroom is where you should turn your attention to next. Hang a couple of clean towels, unpack toiletries and put them in place. Once the bathroom is operational, shift the unpacking process to the bedroom. Make the beds, unpack your sleepwear as well as some clothes that you will put on first thing in the morning.
So mission is accomplished for the day. The kitchen is usable if you need a snack, you can now take a shower and brush your teeth, change into your pajamas and go to bed. Of course you don’t have to stop right there – if you wish you can keep unpacking all night long. But chances are at that point you will want to call it a day and get a good night rest. All the necessities are out, tomorrow is a new day and unpacking will no longer seem like a daunting task to you.

How Some People Manage to Have a Stress-Free Move

2009-12-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

This isn’t really a brain surgery – the secret is thorough planning and step by step implementation (no matter how corporate it sounds). Here is what some smart people do to avoid stress associated with moving.

1. They start shopping around for moving estimates at least 2 months prior to the move.

2. They compare the moving quotes, inquire about the extra charges, check the references, read BBB records.

3. They reserve a moving date a month in advance and confirm it a few days prior to the move.

4. They discard the unnecessary stuff rather than paying for transporting it.

5. They start packing early (they never underestimate the amount of stuff that needs to be packed – there are tons of it hidden in closets)

6. They pack as much as they can especially if they know they will be paying for the moving services on the hourly basis.

7. They label and color-code their boxes.

8. They clean out the fridge the day before the move.

9. They make their traveling arrangements (instead of asking to drive in the moving truck with their belongings).

10. They understand that moving is a delicate job and don’t rush the movers to finish faster. They just sit back and let the movers do the job.

Packing Tips from Statewide Van Lines

2009-11-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Packing your items with care will prevent any damages during the move. Moving supplies might run expensive especially if you need quite a lot of them. However the cost of repairing or replacing the broken items that result from improper packing can cost you much more. So investing in moving boxes, tape and bubble wrap can actually help you save. If you are ready to start packing, here are a few tips that can help you in the process.

• Pack one room at a time and label the boxes accordingly. This way you will avoid mixing up items from different rooms and will be more organized when you arrive at your new place. Color-coding boxes is a wise idea, it will make it so much easier for movers to figure out in which rooms the boxes should go upon unloading.

• Pack infrequently used items first. Since the packing process can take several days, start off by packing items you won’t need in the upcoming days - books, winter clothes (if you are moving during the summer), linen and towels. Save packing the items of daily use for the last day or you will end up unpacking you boxes too many times in search for something you’ve already packed but all of a sudden need now.

• Heavy items – small boxes, bulky light items – large boxes. Following this principle will ensure that movers will be able to lift up the boxes filled with heavy items like books, yet they won’t have to make too many trips carrying your light and bulky items such as pillows and blankets.

• Use original boxes for electronics. It will best protect your computer, printer or TV if you pack them in their original shipping boxes, since they are specifically designed for the size and shape of each item. This will greatly minimize the risk of breakage during the move.

• Bubble wrap your glassware and mirrors. Wrapping fragile items with just paper will not always provide enough protection. Use newspaper to eliminate any empty space in the boxes. Don’t forget to label those boxes as “Fragile” or “Glass – Handle with Care”.

Moving with Humor

2009-11-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

Some people go extreme when trying to save a penny or two on their move. The usual shortcut is to rent a truck, find a couple of muscular friends and move on your own – no moving company involved.

Others will make a hundred trips in their car between the old and the new places, this way transporting all the small stuff, leaving just big furniture to professional movers.

Yet certain people find such a unique moving solution, that it keeps others talking for years to come. Like moving their belongings on the roof of their van - in a huge huge pile visible from far away.

Moving into a Building in New York City

2009-11-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

If you are planning to move to a building in New York City, Manhattan in particular, you should keep in mind that extra preparation steps might be required.

Numerous buildings especially co-ops have very strict moving regulations to minimize the inconvenience that a move will cause to other tenants. There are usually limited hours when you can move in or out: thus, some buildings wouldn’t allow any moves after 6 p.m. or on the weekends. In addition to that you might be required to make prior arrangements and reserve your moving time.

Another important detail to consider is that some buildings’ management requires that your moving company provide them with liability insurance certificate set up in their name. The insurance will cover any damages that might incur to the building property as a result of your move: scratched floors, a hole in the wall, broken elevator. The usual coverage requirement is one million dollars, however some luxury buildings will request even more than that! Make sure that your moving company has a liability insurance provider, ask for the certificate to be faxed to the building management in advance to ensure you get the approval to move in. Keep in mind that moving companies charge an extra fee for each certificate they have to issue – sometimes you may require two of them for both the buildings.

It’s no news that to find parking in New York City is a big challenge. Especially if it’s a loaded truck that has to be parked as close to the building entrance as possible. Movers will often have no choice but to double park, so be prepare to pick up the cost of the parking ticket that they may get. Another option is to have someone stand near the truck or adding an extra mover to your moving crew, who can be fixing the items inside the truck while keeping an eye on the vehicle. You can also ask your building doorman if it is possible to reserve a parking space in front of the building entrance.

Moving and Extra Charges

2009-10-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Moving is never a cheap service because it involves hard labor, fuel expenses, packing supplies costs. If you are planning to move soon and shopping around for moving quotes, you should be aware that there are extra charges you might come across if you have any of the following:

- Very heavy items. If you have an upright or grand piano or a pool table – those are extremely heavy items that need to be carried by at least 4 movers to avoid damage as well as human injury. Most moving companies will charge anywhere between $75 to $250 as an additional fee for moving items of excessive weight.

- Bulky items. Some pieces of furniture are not only heavy but are also wide. A sectional couch, a huge antique chest, or a large flat screen TV may not fit into your doorway. In this case you will require hoisting - it is lifting up a large or heavy object on the ropes through a window or a balcony. This usually means an extra charge for a customer.

- Narrow driveway/street. Sometimes movers are unable to park their truck directly in front of the entrance to your house or building because the driveway is too narrow, or the street is so small that the truck cannot enter it. If movers park far away and have to carry your furniture for some extra distance, be prepared to pay an additional fee for that. When moving long distance, be aware that your shipment will arrive on a trailer, which frequently cannot squeeze into a narrow street. Movers will often rent a small truck, load your furniture onto it from the trailer and then charge you additional for the shuttle service.

- Flights of stairs. If you live in a building, it makes a huge difference for movers whether it has an elevator or not. Carrying heavy pieces of furniture up five flights of stairs is an extremely hard labor. Not all the moving companies charge extra for the stairs, but since some do, make sure you inquire about it when receiving a moving quote.

Using Wardrobe Boxes for Moving

2009-10-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

So you've packed most of your stuff for the move: your books, CDs, linen and dishes. But then you open your closet and immediately have this helpless feeling of desperation: you need to take your clothes off the hangers just to put them back on the hangers in a matter of hours. What a wasteful process. And you are going to waste even more time because you’ll have to iron many of your outfits after they stayed folded in a box for a few hours.
The solution to the problem is very easy – you need a wardrobe box. It’s a taller than usual box that has a metal bar inside on which you can actually hang your clothes without taking them off the hangers. Moreover – because the space on the bottom of the box usually remains empty, you can use it to put your other clothes – like jeans or t-shirts. There are many advantages to using a wardrobe box for transporting your clothing: not only you save yourself some time, but clothes won’t wrinkle during the move, because they remain on hangers. And if you overestimate and buy more wardrobe boxes than you actually need, you can always use them for light but bulky stuff like pillows or blankets, due to all the extra space they provide.
And here is your moving tip of the day: many moving companies offer two wardrobe boxes for free with each booked move. Some make sure you inquire your sales person about it.

Declutter Your Home before the Move

2009-10-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

It’s in the human nature to surround ourselves with STUFF: things we once used but no longer need, things we never used, outdated things, broken things – it’s amazing how quickly those unneeded things occupy a huge space of our house. And you definitely don’t want to take all that clutter into your new home: not only you will spend too much time packing, unpacking, storing the stuff you will never use, you might actually pay more for the move since many moving companies charge you by the weight. So getting rid of the clutter is definitely a thing you want to do before your move.

Here are a few helpful hints when you are ready to declutter your house:

1. Don’t try to do it all at once – it can be a daunting task that will exhaust you more than you expect, so you might give up before you finish. Do it systematically, focusing on one room at a time (or one part of the room in really complicated cases). Come up with a plan, write it down and follow you plan to stay on track. Keep a couple of empty boxes handy where you can put the unneeded stuff all at once, instead of building piles of it on the floor.

2. There will definitely be place for doubts, but it’s important to stay determined and face the truth. Do you WANT this thing? Do you NEED it? When did you use it last time: a month ago? Six Months? A year? If you haven’t used something in a year, chances are you won’t get to use it at all – discard it with no regrets.

3. Try to follow a split-second decision rule: take an object and immediately apply a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ reaction to it. ‘Maybe’ is acceptable, but you should impose second round questioning on your ‘maybe’ group of objects.

4. Decide how you want to dispose of the things you no longer need: garage sale; donation to a charity (they will actually pick them up for you); giveaways to neighbors and friends; or just throwing them out.

5. Think of the most cluttered areas in your house:
- Kitchen cupboards/ medicine chests – I guarantee that expired medicines and foods can be found in every house
- Books – what’s the point to keep books you are positive you’ll never reread
- Kids’ draws and closets: broken toys, endless drawings and other “pieces of art” produced by your kids, clothes they’ve long outgrown – that all can make a very impressive pile, but once it’s gone, its absence will hardly ever be noticed
- Linen closets: do you seriously need that many towels? What’s that on the bottom of the shelf? A sheet from your dorm times?

Decluttering your house has many advantages. It will keep you more organized because all your things will be neatly placed in order. As a result you will find everything you need faster and spend less time cleaning and putting things back to their places. It will give room to new things that you will inevitably end up acquiring because as you remember it’s in our nature. But at least you can rest assured that the new stuff won’t be put on top of the old stuff, making it harder to close the doors of a ready-to-explode closet.

The Positive Effect of Moving

2009-09-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

How many of us dread the upcoming moving because of all the stress that comes with it. Why not focus on the positive gains associated with changing one’s location instead.

First of all changing your surroundings will allow you to look at your life from a new perspective, to rediscover things that have become mundane and dull. You might wake up in the morning full of excitement because it’s not the same routine that you used to follow automatically. The day may actually be full of surprises: learning that your neighbor is a really nice guy and you can eventually become good friends; discovering a nice park near your new house; learning that your commute to work is now shorter and more convenient. You suddenly remember that you always wanted to jog in the mornings but kept putting it off because your previous neighborhood was too industrial. Or the magnificent view from your new window inspires you to throw a party for the friends you haven’t seen in a long time.

Sometimes changing a location is a form of an escape from unpleasant memories. A painful breakup or even divorce, rude neighbors, betrayal of a close friend, feeling that your life reached stagnation and you lost your purpose. You want to have a fresh start, to close that chapter of your life and start a new one. You want to feel hopeful and in control at the same time: you know that things can get better but you shouldn’t just wait for it to happen, you need to take action. If you were seriously hurt in the past, moving to a new place helps you heal and move on faster.

In many cases moving symbolizes your achievements and is a result of your hard work. People tend to improve their living conditions as they move up in age, they have careers and can afford to buy their dream house, which will be fun to compare to the first rented shoe-box apartment. It’s a feeling of pride and self-confidence that comes from living in a cozy house that you always wanted to have, but could only afford to buy now.

There are so many positive changes that come along with moving to a new place, you just need to remind yourself when feel too stressed out, that if you are open to change, it can bring new experiences and emotions that will make your life fuller and more joyful.

Things You Need to Do Before the Move

2009-09-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Moving is considered one of the most stressful experiences in a person's life. No matter how much planning you did in advance, on the day of the move you wind up discovering that you are totally not prepared. You thought the the packing process can be finished within a couple of hours whereas even after two days of non-stop packing there is still loose stuff all around you. So here are a few things you could do to make your life just easier.

Pick your moving date and stick to it.

Your planning will be more efficient if you know the exact date by which everything needs to be done. If you decide that you want to move some time at the end of October, chances are you will move in December, because you won't be ready on time. Moving involves many aspects apart from packing and loading, so make sure you give yourself enough time to do everything with no hustle. If you are moving interstate, you will need at least 4 to 6 months for making the moving preparations.

Prepare yourself to deal with a lot of clutter.

It's in a human's nature to keep bringing stuff in, but neglect taking it out. We've been living among our things for so long, that we actually stop noticing some of them. But once you start packing, you will be surprised by the amount of things you have no intention to take with you into your new dwelling. Discovering the fact a day before your move leaves you with little options - chances are you will just throw the unneeded things out. However if you start going through your belongings in advance, you can actually sell, donate or give away some of the things you don't need, but someone else might find them useful.

Know who you need to inform about your future move.

Letting your mom know that you are moving is not really enough. Make sure you notify other parties as well, even though your mom should probably be the first one to know. Send enough notice to your current landlord - many tenants end up losing their security deposits just because they neglected to give at least one month notice. Arrange for a change of address and mail forward service with your Postal Office. Don't forget your bank, insurance provider and utility services. Well, as always notifying your friends wouldn't hurt either, unless you deliberately plan to keep your new location a secret

According to D. Eisenhower, "plans are worthless. Planning is essential." You will save yourself a lot of headache if you start planning your move early.