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Even with the number of Americans moving at a record low, 9.8% of people in the US still packed up and moved in 2019. That’s over 40 million people!

If you’re relocating your household this year, there are a lot of stressors on your plate.  There are many factors to consider when heading to a new location — from deciding on a new place to live —  to securing a new job. On top of all that, trying to box items, especially ones that are easily breakable, can understandably send you over the edge.

Read on to learn how to pack fragile items before your big move!

Use Appropriate Packing Materials

When packing fragile items, you need to start with the right materials. These include tissue paper, bubble wrap, small to medium-sized boxes, labels, tape, and markers. 

Consider using specialty boxes for your fragile items. Your moving company most likely has dish pack boxes. These boxes are extra durable, made with a double layer of corrugated cardboard. The extra-thick walls provide an added layer of protection for the items inside.

How to Pack Common Breakable Items

For unusual fragile items, you might need a little creativity when it comes to packing. Below we will provide a few suggestions.

Reinforce the bottom of your fragile item boxes with extra packing tape. Then place several layers of crumpled paper or bubble wrap on the inside bottom of the box. Put heavier objects in first so that they are at the bottom — separate layers of fragile items with more packing paper or bubble wrap. 

Once your items are in the box, fill any empty space with crumpled paper. This will prevent the items from shifting and getting damaged.

Dishes

Use small to medium-sized boxes to pack dishes since they tend to be heavy. Wrap each plate individually with paper or bubble wrap, secure with scotch tape, then place them vertically in the box. Place several sheets of crumpled packing paper between each plate to keep them stable and in place.

Glasses

Place crumpled packing paper inside each glass to prevent crushing. If the glass has a stem, wrap the stem with bubble wrap or a folded piece of packing paper and secure it with tape. Then individually wrap each glass with packing paper or bubble wrap. 

Picture Frames

Place a large “X” of painter’s tape over the glass of the frame to prevent shattering. Wrap the frames in bubble wrap then tape the bubble wrap to keep it in place. Set the frames on crumpled paper at the bottom of the box. If the frames are more than eight inches tall, pack the frames standing up instead of flat.

Mark the Boxes “Fragile”

Label your boxes “fragile” on every side. Also, indicate which end needs to be up.

Separate the boxes marked “fragile” from your other boxes. Inform your movers or helpers about the fragile things in those boxes so they can be handled with special care.

Bring In the Professionals

While moving can be a stressful chore, it doesn’t need to be incredibly difficult and grueling.

Before you get too far into the moving process, contact professional household movers to discuss your options with them. In addition to moving all of your goods, you might decide to have the movers pack and unpack for you.

Our residential moving experts offer services for people moving both locally and out of the area. This means that no matter where you intend to go, there’s always an option for you.

Contact us about any questions you may have and to set up a time for us to come and help you move your fragile and valuable items.

There’s a lot of work to be done when moving to a new home. And, if you’re not adequately prepared for it, your moving day will be one big, dangerous mess.

But don’t worry. All the common moving day pitfalls can be avoided. And we’re going to show you how.

In this guide, we’ll teach you the proper preparations and etiquette to make your move as smooth as possible. Follow these tips for a low-stress moving day.

1. Finish Packing Before Moving Day

This depends on if you’re paying for a full-service move or not. If you’ve arranged to have the movers pack for you, all you have to do is stand back and wait while they take care of everything—the packing, lifting, and shipping. 

If you haven’t made this arrangement, you must make sure you’re packed and ready for moving day. When the movers arrive, and you’re still finishing up your packing, it makes moving day troublesome for everyone. 

For one thing, you’ll be in the way of the movers while they’re trying to lift and move heavy boxes and furniture. For another, you’ll be paying the movers to wait for you to finish.

2. Have Your Travel Bag Packed

Even if you did purchase a full-service move, you still have some packing to do. First, you need your moving day luggage.

You need to pack your bathroom bag, medication, and clothes, just like you would if you were traveling for vacation. You may also want disposable tableware and any kitchen items you’ll need for dinner.

3. Prohibited Items

Beyond your travel bag, there is always a list of items your moving company will not accept in the moving van. This typically includes perishables, hazardous materials, high-value items (like jewelry), and documents/devices containing personal or sensitive information.

For a full list of prohibited items, refer to your moving company. You’ll want to have these items moved or packed before moving day, so you’re not in the way.

4. Stay Clear and Available

Give your movers space on moving day so that they can do their job. You can prepare for this before moving day by parking vehicles out of the way of the moving vans and building entrances. 

Also, clear the pathways in your home of boxes, trash, or other trip hazards. Stack boxes in an organized line against the wall. Make everything accessible for the movers. 

Being out of the way doesn’t mean gone. You need to be present the whole day of the move in case the movers have any questions or concerns they need to discuss with you.

5. Keep Children and Pets Out of the Way

Have a plan in place for your children and pets on moving day. You can’t leave them free to run around while the movers have their arms full of heavy things. This is hazardous to the movers, your children and pets, and your possessions.

It’s best to have pets contained in crates or carriers on moving day. Or have somebody watch them at another location.

Children can remain with you if you can watch them and make sure they stay out of the way. But you (and they) may want to have them stay with a friend or family member that day.

6. Label Boxes Clearly

Boxes should be labeled clearly, especially the fragile ones, so movers know what to expect. Make sure you have the room destination marked on each box.

7. Don’t Overpack Large Boxes

Large boxes are awkward to carry, especially if they are loaded with heavy items. Too many heavy things in a large box will make it too heavy.

Make sure you pack lighter weight, bulky items in larger boxes. Things like pillow and comforters are ideal in large boxes.

Make Moving to a New Home Easier

Moving to a new home is challenging. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Follow these tips to make moving day easier.

Now, read Making Moving Easy: Simple Unpacking Tips.

You may find de-cluttering before a move as another chore to get through. But, you should see it as an advantage to moving.

By getting rid of unwanted and unneeded belongings, moving becomes an easier and cheaper process. Don’t forget that weight, along with mileage and labor costs; all contribute to your moving costs. With fewer items to load onto a moving truck, you’ll save more money and time.

One of your options for de-cluttering is to hold a moving sale. Understandably, you may have hesitations, especially if you’re pressed for time. Here, you’ll learn why a garage sale before a move is worth the extra effort.

How a Well-Planned Moving Sale Pays Off

Rather than discarding usable items, it’s better to sell them and earn some extra cash. Plus, if you’re able to sell a lot, you may even have enough to cover some of your moving costs. 

Another benefit of holding a yard sale is you’re prepping your new home to be clutter-free and organized. Since you’re only bringing the things you need, clutter doesn’t have a chance to accumulate yet. If you make sure it stays that way, then maintaining a clutter-free home over the long-term shouldn’t be a problem.

Some Tips for Holding a Moving Garage Sale

One thing you have to remember about moving sales is if you can’t plan them right, it’s better not to hold one at all. Just as planning is the key to a successful move, you’ll want to spend some time and effort organizing your moving garage sale. 

This should start with evaluating items you can sell. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you can’t donate them, you probably shouldn’t sell them. Think older TV sets or old copies of Reader’s Digest magazines. 

And of course, if something’s broken, dirty, or in otherwise poor condition, don’t bother selling it. Recycle it instead. 

Other things to plan include the date and time of the moving sale if you need special permits from local authorities, advertising, and pricing.

What to Do with Leftovers

If you weren’t able to sell everything, you might consider posting them on auction sites. But, make sure you still have some time to do this before your actual move.

Another way to deal with the unsold items is to donate them. The good thing about this option is if you get a receipt, those leftover items can be tax-deductible. 

Bonus: If you make donating a part of your de-cluttering routine, it’s going to be a lot easier for your home to be clutter-free.

Need More Moving Tips and Advice?

Now that you know some of the benefits of holding a moving sale, why not take this opportunity to learn more about moving and storage?

For more moving tips and advice, check out simple unpacking tips and essential things to consider when moving to a new area.

You may also browse the site if you need information on our moving services and the areas we serve.

 

 

If you’ve decided it is time to list your house for sale, you’re probably getting anxious about the next steps. While preparing your home for sale, there are several things you can do to get it ready to hit the market.

From purging to giving your home a fresh coat of paint, spending a little time on your home can go a long way toward getting your house sold.

Why Knowing How to Prepare Your House for Sale is Important

Preparing your house for sale is an essential part of getting it sold for several reasons. First, the more home prep you do before you list your home, the less you’ll have to do when it is ready to hit the market.

Prepping your home for sale can also help you sell it for more money. If some of the repairs and projects are done before buyers see it, you’ll make a much better first impression, and you’ll also be able to list your house for a little more.

Buyers want to see a house that needs very little work. If you properly prepped your home, buyers won’t be faced with as many projects, and it will make the house look cleaner and more updated.

Purge

One of the best things you can do before you list your home is to purge anything you don’t use.  Buyers don’t want to see all of your garbage, old boxes, and piles of mail everywhere. Realtor.com recommends the nine items to donate. 

The more you can part with, the bigger your home will feel. Try and empty as much as you can so you don’t have to pack it and unpack it when you move.

Declutter

People who have lived in a home for a long time tend to have a lot of clutter. Trinkets, photos, and personal items should be kept to a minimum during the home sale process. Forbes notes that moving is the best time to declutter. 

The cleaner your space is, the more potential buyers will be able to see your actual home. You want buyers to see your home’s assets and not just your clutter.

If you have a lot of items you want to store until you move, put some things in storage. The best part is that everything will be packed and out of your home until you move.  

Re-paint

If your home is explicitly painted to your taste, it may not be everyone’s preference. When listing your home for sale, you want it to appeal to the majority of buyers.

Before you put your home on the market, paint your walls with a fresh coat of neutral paint. This will make your home look cleaner and even larger. 

Hire a Local Moving Company

When you list your house for sale, you should probably start looking at some local movers. Professional household movers can help you with packing, moving, and even unpacking.

If you’re ready to get in touch with a local moving company, visit the contact page here to get a free estimate and get prepared for your upcoming move.

Moving can be stressful, scary, and a hassle. But you can make it easier by getting rid of clutter as you pack up your belongings.

So what things should you not pack up with you? We have a list of six things you should get rid of when you move.

1. Papers

We tend to hold on to paper for way too long. Toss old receipts and shred personal documents older than seven years.

Get rid of magazines, instruction manuals, old coupons, and other paper products. Some of them just seem to appear, so get rid of them.

If there’s something you want to hold on to, consider taking a picture of it instead. This is especially useful for recipes. This way, you still have a copy, but you don’t have the clutter.

2. Clothes

Does it fit properly? Does it match anything else in your closet? Do you feel good wearing it? Does it have holes, rips, or stains? When was the last time you wore it?

You shouldn’t discard your entire closet. But moving is a great time to purge your wardrobe.

When you sort through your clothes, consider the questions above. If it’s a piece you love and use, keep it. If not, donate it.

3. Bathroom and Cleaning Supplies

Our bathrooms are hoarding spots for barely useful supplies. When you’re moving, it’s time for a clean start. So, start by getting rid of all your unused and expired products.

Discard the bottle that only has a small bit of lotion left. The makeup that expired six months ago – toss it.

4. E-Waste

Do you have old phones, TVs, laptops, and speakers? What about that random box of cords in the drawer?

Go through all your old electronics and recycle them. E-waste has a substantial impact on the environment. So dispose of your electronics responsibly.

5. Bad Memories

Do you still have remnants of a broken relationship lying around your home? What about gifts you hate but you’re holding onto out of guilt?

Sort through your clutter. If it doesn’t make you happy, let it go. Your new home should be a place where you can create new, happy memories.

6. Anything Damaged or Broken

If you can fix it right now, go ahead. If not, it’s time to get rid of it. Taking damaged and broken things with you isn’t practical for a move.

Don’t move into your new home with a pile of projects. Start a clean slate. It’s time to move on.

Here are more common moving mistakes you should avoid. 

Get Rid of These 6 Things Each Time You Move

Get rid of clutter, things with bad memories, and more when you move. Doing so makes it easier to start over in a new place. And it makes your move easier too. You can make it easier on your movers by doing these six things. 

Is there a move in your future? Figure out your moving costs with a free quote today.

 

Moving is a stressful and chaotic experience, but the mayhem doesn’t stop once the truck is unloaded.

That’s only half the battle. 

Unpacking at your new home is exciting but a daunting task. Here are a few expert tips to help with the unpacking process. Use them to get organized and start off in your new home right.

Start With Good Packing

Begin packing with a strategy and a checklist. Make sure that you incorporate the following items on your to-do list.

Declutter Before you Pack

A household move allows you to decide which of your things are most meaningful to you. 

Go through your home room by room. Discard broken items. Then donate the other things you no longer use to charity.

Don’t move the stuff you don’t need or want! 

Create an Essentials Box

Pack a special essentials box filled with items you’ll need right after the move, in case you can’t get everything unpacked quickly. Make sure to include the following:

• Self-care item and medicines 
• A change of clothes
• Snacks
• Chargers, batteries, and cords
• Tools and Accessories

Label Everything Clearly

Unpacking is easier if your boxes are labeled. Include a brief inventory and room destination on each side of every box. 

Proper labeling also allows you to prioritize which boxes to unpack first and which ones can wait.

Prioritize Rooms to Unpack

Your efficient labeling will guide your boxes to the appropriate rooms at your new home. Have a plan to unpack rooms by priority level.

Start by unpacking the bathroom, bedrooms, and then the kitchen. Make sure the beds are made right away so that at the end of your long moving day, you have a place to crash and get a good night’s sleep for the next day of more unpacking and organizing.

Take Your Time With Additional Things

Once you’ve got some of your primary rooms unpacked – take your time with the secondary spaces and items. Rooms like the guest room and den can wait as can items like artwork, books, and decorative pieces.

There’s no rush to get these extras just right, but if you still haven’t unpacked those boxes after three months, set a deadline to motivate yourself!

Keep Trash Under Control

Between the bubble wrap, packing paper, and boxes, you’re sure to have lots of trash. Designate a place for all your moving-related trash so that you won’t have to go back through later to clean it all up.

Select a large, empty moving box or two and make those your “temporary trash cans.” Use one for recycling and the other for disposal.

Break down and fold the empty boxes and stack them. Have a plan ahead of time to recycle or pass on your gently-used boxes.

Enjoy the Moment

Appreciate your new home quicker by following these unpacking tips.

If you need help packing or with your household move, we can help. Contact us today so we can make your move the easiest one possible

Are you planning to move?

Moving requires preparation to ensure it all goes smoothly. Long-distance moves pose different challenges than a local move.

Keep reading to learn all about local vs. long-distance moves!

A Guide to Local vs. Long-Distance Moves

Knowing what to expect when moving locally as opposed to moving far away can help planning for your move easier.

Let’s compare!

Short-Distance Moves

Moving short distance, referred to as a local move, can mean shifting one street over or skipping over a few towns. Local moves don’t cross state lines and are usually less than 60 miles.

With local moves, you often have friends and family available to help with the entire moving process. For many, the self-move is a great option when staying local. But, there are advantages to hiring a residential moving service, including taking the pressure off your family and friends, ensuring items are properly packed, and doing the heavy lifting

With a local move, you will likely be charged by the hour for the movers, and possibly a fee for the truck and equipment. 

Long Distance Moves

A long-distance move usually means changing states. With these moves, you should hire a professional moving service.

The pricing for a long-distance move is different than that of a local move. Rather than an hourly rate, professional movers will charge by weight and per mile. 

Professional estimators will come to your home to assess the items to be moved, and provide an estimate for the weight. Be sure to review the estimate carefully so that it includes all the things you want the moving company to transport.

The distance of your move will impact the time between pick up and delivery. What may also impact the timing is the size of your move. To be more efficient, movers may combine smaller moves into a single load if moving a greater distance. So, the time to drive between your old home and new home may not match with the delivery time. Be sure to discuss the delivery date with your movers before you sign any documents.

Also, note that you may need to follow special requirements for moving your pets across state lines. Expectations vary from state to state, so look into this before making the move. Many long-distance moving companies can help point you to the right resources.

International Moves

For international moves, you will need help with packing and transporting.

International moves involve special packing and crating, ocean shipping, and longer timeframes. But, they also require a much more complex set of paperwork. Each country has different rules about foreign shipments, moving personal belongings, and setting up residency. Be sure you are familiar with the necessary documents.

Relocating to another country, discovering the new culture, and learning the country’s national language is all very exciting. By hiring professional movers, experienced in international relocation, you can spend more time learning about your new home and less time worrying about the details of the move.

Congrats on Your Move!

Moving may take a lot of work, but it also brings you to an exciting new page in your story! Understanding the difference between local vs. long-distance moves will help you know what to expect during your move.

We want your move to go as smoothly as possible. Request a free quote for our services that you may require!

 

Moving can be stressful, fun, and also life-changing. But no matter how many times you do it, it always comes with a unique set of surprises. It’s essential to be as prepared as possible when making any move, big or small. And the more you know, the more ready you’ll be for whatever might come your way.

To fill you in and help prepare you for your upcoming move, here are nine fun moving facts that might surprise you.

1. Who Moves?

A lot of people move each year, but the typical people on the move are married couples between 25 and 44 with one to two children.

2. Life Beyond the City 

A 2019 census shows that many millennials are discovering a quieter country life. In particular, they’re leaving cities like San Fransisco, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. Seeking family-accessible amenities, they tend to be moving to the suburbs and more affordable, metropolitan areas.

3. Skip the Rush

Historically, the most popular months for moving are May through September. The beginning and end of each month also tend to be busier than the middle of the month. If you’re able to avoid these times, your move could be a lot easier and possibly a bit more cost-effective. 

4. Neighborhoods Are Key

Daily commute time is a prime factor for most when selecting a new community to move to. Understandably, few enjoy the hustle and bustle of traffic and long distances to and from work.

Also, parents often place the quality of the local school districts on the top neighborhood wishlist.

5. Movers’ Rights

If you’re working with a professional mover, make sure they give you Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. It’s a free guide that is required by law to be given out by professional movers and contains helpful information for first-time and experienced movers alike.

6. Weigh-in

The weight of your belongings may not be the first thing you consider when moving, but it can really add up and may be important for longer distance hauls. In fact, an average move weighs over 6,000 lbs, and a five-bedroom house can be as heavy as 15,000. To save time and costs, declutter and downsize before you start packing.

7. So Many Boxes

It’s hard to determine how many boxes you’ll need for any one move, but there are some numbers out there to help you along. Roughly, for an average-sized move, you’ll need five big boxes, eight medium, and ten small to pack up a single room. 

Pack heavier things like books in small boxes and save the large boxes for lighter items like blankets and pillows.

8. Just Next Door

We know that people like to move a lot, but it turns out a lot of them don’t move very far. The average distance of a move is only 32-miles, meaning many people stay in the same state, or at least very close to it, most of their lives.

9. Why We Move

According to one survey, the main reason 16% of people move is to upgrade to a better home than the one they already have, while 11% are establishing their first home. Job transfers are also up there, along with 5.5% who want a quicker commute. There are certainly a lot of worse reasons to move.

Looking for Moving Tips?

Now you know a little bit more about the ins and outs of moving, and you’ll be much more prepared for the big day. And if you’re looking for more tips, lists, or information on moving, please contact us anytime and visit our website for up-to-date moving facts and statistics, as well as services.

Did you know, over 35 million Americans move each year? With careful planning, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are five things to avoid when planning your move.

1. Waiting and Not Planning Ahead

Moving is a tremendous job, and procrastinating, without a plan, can make it even harder than it has to be. 

Whether moving from a studio apartment or a four-bedroom home, there are a lot of steps involved. Everything goes more smoothly when there is a plan in place. 

Create a notebook or binder and put your daily checklist in it. Use your notebook and checklist to plan everything from getting your moving estimates to scheduling your utility services.

2. Hoarding Too Much Stuff

There is no need to bring unnecessary items to your new home. If you have accumulated lots of stuff over the years, this is the perfect time to unload some of it.

Before packing, go room to room and sift through your possessions. Ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I love it?

2. Do I really use it?

3. Would I repurchase it?

If your answer to these questions is no, donate or sell the item. Eliminating the clutter will save time and money in your move. Don’t let your excess clutter get in the way of a stress-free moving experience.

3. Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Box 

When you get to your new place, there are things you’re going to need right away that you’ll wish you hadn’t packed. Towels, toiletries, necessary kitchen utensils, sleeping clothes, etc. Even if you’ve labeled your boxes you could still spend hours going through them all to collect everything you’re going to need just to survive your first night.

Avoid this inconvenience entirely by packing an essentials box. Include a couple of changes of clothes and all your necessary toiletries and medications. Also, include cleaning supplies, a small tool kit, phone chargers, towels, basic kitchen essentials, and snacks. 

Your essentials box will be your go-to box the first day or so in your new home.

4.  Forgetting to Label Your Boxes

Labeling your boxes is essential when packing for a move.

Be sure to label what each box contains, how it should be handled, and which room the box should be placed in at your new home. If a box contains delicate items, make sure those are properly packed and label the box “fragile” so that the movers know they should take special care when transporting it.

If you take care to label your boxes thoroughly, you will save time and frustration when it’s time to move and unpack them.

5. Packing Last-Minute 

It can be tempting to leave things to the last minute when moving, and that includes packing!  

If you wait until the last minute, you can end up overwhelmed and stressed. You run the risk of not packing things properly and possibly even running out of time. You don’t want the movers arriving while you are still packing!

Make a schedule for you and your family of when to pack up each room and about how long it will take. Allow yourself a few extra hours for packing each room, because it usually tends to take longer than you expect. That might mean doing a little every day in the weeks and months leading up to move.

Come moving day you’ll be relieved you had a plan.

Home Sweet Home

There’s no doubt that moving is a stressful process. It’s often the test of patience and tolerance for families and friends. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can smooth out the process for everyone involved.

Are you in the market for a professional moving company to take the stress out of your move? Contact our team of moving specialists today and see how we can help you. Also, if you’re looking for other expert moving tips and tricks, then check out our blog.