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It’s common to downsize your belongings before you move. But, you might not understand the importance of it.

It’s a lot of work to pack items you don’t want or need. On a long-distance move, more belongings also add to the cost.

Here are five reasons you’ll benefit from downsizing.

1. Packing Takes Less Time

Most people don’t enjoy the process of packing. If you can, minimize this task as much as possible.

It’s not just that fewer belongings need less time to pack. It’s a matter of motivation and energy. The more time you spend packing, the longer it takes you to pack the last half of your stuff.

You’ll reach the finish line much faster if you can cut back by 20 percent.

2. You’ll Spend Less to Move

Moving companies estimate the total cost of a move on weight, size, and distance. You might not be able to influence the distance, but you can change the weight and size.

Moving can be expensive, particularly if you relocate hundreds of miles away. However, minimizing expenses is practical if your employer isn’t covering the cost.

Compare the cost of moving belongings to the price of replacing them in your new location. If you’re not using the items very much, you might save a lot of money by selling or donating them.

3. It’s Easier to Unpack

In most cases, packing is a two-stage process. Everything that you pack will be something that you have to unpack.

If you think the packing process is exhausting, keep in mind that it’s only half of the work.

It’s hard to justify the time to sort your items, particularly if you’re moving on a short timeline. But, the more time you invest in the beginning, the less you’ll have to spend at the end.

4. You’ll Have More Room

Rooms always feel larger when they have less furniture. So you might think you have more space in your new home than you do.

Moving to a new home usually involves a significant change in the floor plan. Things aren’t going to fit exactly the way they did before. So it might require some negotiation.

You must fill the home with less stuff if you want more room. Each space will feel more open that way.

5. Your New Home Stays Cleaner

By now, you probably know all the places in your current home where clutter tends to accumulate. You’ll have similar problems in your new home if you’re not careful.

Keeping a room clean and tidy involves managing the clutter. The more clutter you have, the more time you spend cleaning.

Although decluttering is something that you may have to do regularly, you can give yourself a better start. Downsizing things like decor and collections can keep them manageable.

An Easier Move

Downsizing your stuff is a great way to ensure you get a fresh start in your new home. For other ways that we can help to simplify your moving process, request a free quote today.

The phrase “moving season” is generally defined by spring and summer moves, with June being the busiest of all months. The reasons for this are clear – people don’t want the hassle of trying to move while their children are still in school, plus the weather is far more pleasant.

If you’re planning a winter move by choice or necessity, you’ll need to know what to expect. Here are seven tips for safely moving during the winter season.

1. Plan a Morning Move

Daylight is limited in the winter months, and it’s far more efficient to move when the sun is still shining. This way, you don’t have to worry about doing heavy lifts where you have limited visibility. If you relocate at night, the potential for trips, slips, and falls increases. Avoid these risks by scheduling your move when the sun rises to maximize daylight.

2. Track Weather Forecasts

Watch the weather forecast in the days before your big moving day. This way, you know what to expect and can proactively plan for wet weather. Then call your mover to ask how things will proceed if a substantial storm is imminent. Often movers have contingency plans, including scheduling an alternative moving day to keep everyone safe.

3. Carefully Store Weather-Sensitive Objects

Some of your belongings, including TVs, computers, and other electronics, may be sensitive to cold weather. Speak to your mover about how these are stored when temperatures are below freezing.

4. Check to Make Sure Utilities Are On

The last thing you’ll want to experience is arriving in the dead of winter at home with no lights or heat. Before moving day, contact the utility companies you’ll be opening accounts with:

• Electric
• Water
• Internet
• Gas or oil delivery, if needed

Double checking ahead of time ensures you have everything scheduled to be turned on as planned.

5. Clear Driveways and Walkways

If snow has fallen, clear the driveway, walkways, and stairs. Sand and salt any areas where someone can slip, especially if temperatures are below or hovering around freezing or if it has rained or snowed. To reduce stress and save energy, consider hiring a professional to remove and treat these areas.

6. Protect Your Home’s Interior

Mud, water, and salt can negatively impact your home’s interior. So, before furniture and boxes start coming in, lay down a tarp, cardboard, and other protective solutions to help protect your floors, especially if you have hardwood or carpeted areas that can get damaged.

Ready to Plan Your Winter Move?

Moving during winter can be challenging due to shortened daylight hours, frigid temperatures, and overall wetness. Working with a professional mover experienced in winter moves can make your relocation experience less stressful while ensuring your possessions arrive safely. To obtain a  quote, contact us today!

When you’re relocating, one thing’s for sure: Whether your move is across town or the country, you’ll need moving supplies.

But with so many options—some much more expensive than others—knowing which supplies you need can feel overwhelming.

Read on to learn which moving supplies are worth the cost and which supplies you can save on.

Packing Supply List

Let’s start with a list of supplies that you’ll need for almost any move:

• Corrugated cardboard boxes (various sizes)
• Packing tape
• Scissors
• Labels
• Marking pen
• Newspaper or packing paper
• Foam sheets or peanuts
• Garbage bags
• Bubble wrap
• Stretch wrap

Now let’s look at moving supplies and equipment that are nice to have but not always necessary:

• Box cutters
• Mattress covers
• Floor protectors
• Packing blankets
• Dolly or handcart
• Bungee cords
• Tool kit

What about specialty packing supplies? If you’re moving fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped items, you may need specialty supplies such as:

• Wooden crates to protect fragile pieces
• Wardrobe cartons for hanging
• Sturdy, thin cartons for mirrors and artwork
• Dishpacking cartons with dividers
• Mattress, TV, and bike boxes

Where to Spend

Now that you know which moving supplies you’ll need let’s explore which ones are worth investing in. One of the most common packing supplies you can find for low—or even no cost—is cardboard moving boxes.

Any quick internet search will result in plenty of advice on how to find boxes. The grocery store, Marketplace, department stores, big box stores, or even liquor stores may all be a source for free moving boxes.

But, just because you can get boxes for free, does that mean you should?

The answer is simple, and it’s all about quality. Look for free sturdy boxes that haven’t been bent, flexed, or punctured and—this is key—are made from corrugated cardboard.

The corrugated cardboard structure makes it especially difficult to bend or tear. Unlike regular cardboard, corrugated cardboard is made from triangle-shaped forms inside the outer layers. As a result, it’s flexible yet rigid. If you can’t find boxes made from corrugated cardboard, buying them is worth it.

As for other packing items that are worth the money, don’t skimp on packing tape. You risk having your boxes compromised during transit if you use low-quality tape. This can significantly increase the risk of damage to your items.

Where to Save

Regarding packing supplies, reducing, reusing, and recycling are worthy goals. And reusing bubble wrap, foam sheets, and packing peanuts is a great way to reduce waste and save a few bucks.

If these materials are clean and have some spring, reuse foam sheets, peanuts, and bubble wrap. It’s OK to substitute newspaper for packing paper, too.

Other ways to save on packing supplies include packing clothing and linens in large, sturdy garbage bags. You can also save money by using towels and blankets to fill empty spaces in boxes and provide more cushioning.

Correctly packing your items means using the right packing supplies. Knowing which supplies to choose, which to purchase new, and which to reuse can reduce stress and make a smoother move.

We Make Moving Easier

Check with your full-service mover for boxes and moving supplies. As a full-service moving company, we can simplify your relocation. So, contact us for a free quote.  

If you’re like most people, you have a regular job and a lot of extra responsibilities that keep you very busy each week. So it’s hard to find time for packing with an already busy schedule.

The good news is that there are many ways you can cut back on chores and other tasks, so you have time to pack. For example, try these five time-savers when preparing for a household move.

1. Prioritize Tasks

If you tend to do chores randomly, you’re probably losing time. Planning out your tasks can help you figure out what to cut.

Start by listing the most important things you must do throughout the week. Then, write down how long you think it will take if you can.

Emphasize tasks that keep your home running more than chores that make the house look good. That way, you’re not rushing to complete the crucial ones.

2. Schedule Grocery Pickup

Although you probably only shop for groceries once or twice a week, it can take an hour or two of your valuable time. Scheduling grocery pickup can simplify it.

Make a shopping list of your most common items. Then, see which grocery stores in your area offer pickup services and schedule one.

In many cases, you can save your favorites to make it easier to arrange for another pickup. Then, you can do your grocery shopping while waiting in the school pickup line or at another convenient time.

3. Hire Professional Cleaners

Although you might plan to hire professional cleaners right after you move, you can undoubtedly get their help while you’re packing. Cleaning companies have rates for general maintenance as well as deep cleaning.

Call one or two companies in your area to get a quote. Give yourself enough time to test out their services.

Having a company take care of your kitchen and bathrooms weekly could save you hours. And if you like their work, you’ll know just who to call for the final cleaning.

4. Find a Carpool for the Kids

If you have kids in grade school, you might lose a lot of time shuffling them to school and activities. Figuring out a carpool is a great way to shorten the number of trips.

Take the team roster and see if any of the kids live close to you. Talk to their parents about arranging a carpool. Make sure that everyone can share the responsibility.

If you can, choose families with which you and your kids can get along. You’ll have less stress that way.

5. Plan Meals

Meal planning is complex at the best of times. When your evenings go to packing for your move, it’s hard to make meal prep a priority.

Once a week, make an entrée that can become a part of several other meals. For example, pulled pork could become tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Leave yourself room to get takeout or delivery on busy days. You’ll appreciate not having to think about it after hours of packing.

Packing Plan

Finding ways to save time gives you more time to finish packing.

Another way to facilitate the packing process is to let us handle your packing for you. As full-service movers, we can handle that task for you and your family. Contact us today for more tips on simplifying your upcoming move.

So you’ve scheduled a move — congratulations! But, if you’re like most people, you’re probably dreading packing up one room the most: the kitchen.

It’s not hard to see why so many people procrastinate packing up the kitchen. It’s full of oddly sized, frequently used, often-breakable and sometimes-sharp objects. Plus, once you pack up the kitchen, you’re stuck eating out until after the move.

These pro tips will help you pack your kitchen with ease.

Use Proper Packing Materials

Packing kitchen items involves a bit of planning. You’ll need to take special care with fragile and breakable items, like glassware, and pack sharp items safely.

To start, gather the following packing materials:

• Small to medium cardboard boxes
• Specialty boxes for dishes and glassware
• Clean plastic tubs
• Packing peanuts
• Bubble or foam wrap
• Packing paper or newspaper
• Packing tape
• Labels and markers

You may also want to invest in specialty packing materials, dish pack boxes, dividers, or plate foam sheets. Always label your boxes on each side, indicating the contents, and write fragile for boxes with delicate items.

Clear the Shelves

Well before moving day, start editing down the amount of kitchen stuff you’ll need to move. That means eating the food you have in the freezer and pantry. The more non-perishable food you can use, the less you’ll have to pack and move. As a bonus, the more perishable food you use less food waste you will have.

Once you’ve reduced the amount of food in the freezer, fridge, and shelves, review the contents of your cupboards and drawers. Categorize your belongings into “keep,” “donate,” “recycle,” and “trash.” Why pay to move it if you don’t need or want something? So if you’ve got three spatulas, give one to a friend, donate one to a charity and pack one for the move.

Practice Packing Safety

When packing kitchen items, keep safety at the forefront. That means wrapping knives and sharp objects securely. Use multiple layers of paper, foam, and bubble wrap to prevent breaking glass or ceramics.

As for choosing box size, use smaller boxes to keep the weight manageable. Remember: The heavier a box is, the harder it will be to lift, the more likely it is to break — and the more likely the contents will sustain damage. So try to divide heavy and light items between boxes to keep the weight manageable.

You can still find a use for those big boxes, though. They’re perfect for holding lightweight kitchen supplies like plastic tubs or hand towels.

Pro tip: When you buy small appliances, like toasters or blenders, keep the box they came in, along with packing material. Reuse the boxes when it’s time to move.

Don’t Pack Non-Allowable Items

Did you know there are some items and substances moving companies can’t move? Certain chemicals and solvents are on the non-allowable list, and you can find many in the kitchen.

Your moving company will provide you with a specific list of restricted items. Here are some things that might be on that list.

• Household cleaning products
• Corrosives or poisons (such as rat poison and pesticides)
• Batteries
• Fuels, including cooking fuels
• Wax candles
• Live plants
• Flammable or explosive materials

Packing a kitchen is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Just be sure to gather the suitable materials and give yourself plenty of time to pack your kitchen like a pro. Contact us for help!