Category: Moving Tips

Moving your business is exciting, but it also requires a lot of planning and attention to detail. While preparing, you may be tempted to focus only on those things related to physically moving your equipment and furnishings and continuing operations. 

Moving, however, also provides an opportunity to re-energize your brand and show you are investing in your business’s future. By taking a few steps, you can assure your move renews your brand and your new space.

Tell the Traditional Media

Send a press release to your local paper and to all newspapers where you have key clients. Say where you are moving and why; for example, are you moving to expand or into a location that fits better with your brand or is more advantageous for customers? Include a quote about how excited you are about the opportunities in the new location. Buy ads in the local paper or on the radio or in trade journals.

Engage through Social Media

Engage with customers on social media. Photos, videos, and updates will help them feel a part of the move and create excitement.

Tell Networking Groups

Let your local business association, Chamber of Commerce, and other leadership groups know about your move. They can also spread the word and may feature you in their newsletter.

Communicate Directly

Use direct mail and email to tell clients about your new location and when you will move. Remember, you don’t just want to communicate about a move; you want to unveil your new plans for your brand.  Stress the positives of your new site from the customer’s point of view, such as more parking, more spacious office, or your ability to serve them better. Also, stress how the move prepares your company for growth in the future.

Redesign Collateral

The new location necessitates the re-printing of business cards, letterhead, brochures, and other collateral. Use the time leading up to your move to consider whether the logo, design, and messaging still represent who your company is now. If they don’t, now is the perfect time to refresh and redo.

Boost Your Website

Make sure your address, phone, and name are shown consistently on sites such as Facebook, Yelp, Google, Crunchbase, and the Better Business Bureau. Update your Google maps pin, rewrite web copy as necessary to boost your search engine rankings, and consider a website redesign to match your new office or image better.

Update Your Email Signature

Include the new address and any new logo in the email signatures for you and your team. Create excitement by setting this address off under a heading such as “VISIT US AT OUR NEW ADDRESS” in your signature color or in green, which evokes feelings of abundance and refreshment.

Create Signage

Work with a local sign company to create eye-catching signs outside and inside your building that reflect your new image.

Take Care of Employees

Customers assign value to your brand through the quality of their interactions with your staff. Make sure employees know about and have input into new logos and collateral. Include them in early planning discussions about the new location to make sure you are meeting their needs. Remain engaged with them throughout the process and after the move.

Business on the Move

If you are making your office move plans, contact us. We will provide a free quote. We can help you with your upcoming office.

About 40 million Americans relocate in a given year, and it’s often a long-distance move. Whether it’s a relocation for a job or another life event, the packing procedure before moving to a new city can feel daunting, so consider these tips.

1. Create an Inventory List

An inventory list is essential when organizing and packing items for a long-distance move. Make a list using a computer spreadsheet, a to-do app, or standard paper and pen. Organize the list by room and add subcategories for areas like “closet” or “bookcase.” This list can help you decide what items you may not wish to move. Sell, donate, or discard anything not being packed.

Create a column for box numbers; this lets you know that the toaster is in Kitchen Box 3. Another column to add is: “notes.” In the notes column, enter additional information about the individual item or its box; fragile, unpack first, and storage. Be sure to have more than one copy of your inventory list.

2. Box Labeling and Color Coding

When packing for a long-distance move, box labeling is crucial.

●   Name of the room the box goes to —  kitchen, bedroom, etc.

●   Sub-category for the contents: books, collectibles, baby toys

●   A number that corresponds with the inventory list

●   A color dot if using a color-code system

Assign each person in the household and each room a color label for the move. Each box for that individual and room gets their specific color dot. It’s an easy, visual way to organize the boxes pre-move and after arriving at the new home. Color-coding often works great with kids; they can quickly identify their boxes and relieve some stress when relocating.

3. Handling Important Documents

Make copies of everything when possible. Electronic copies are often best, but if not available, copy what you can, including, but not limited to, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, wills, insurance documents, and vehicle titles. Keep the originals separate from the copies.

File boxes work well for moving documents and important papers, which may also include family photos and diplomas. Consider placing items like passports, social security cards, and other sensitive information in opaque envelopes and then in a sealed file. Label the box and, if possible, move this box yourself.

4. Open-First Box(es)

The open-first box typically gets packed last. It’s the box or boxes with things needed for the first day/night. Everyone’s open-first boxes vary, but they usually contain things like toiletry items, towels, bedding, blankets, pet dishes, and a few essential kitchen items. Be sure to label these boxes as open first.

5. Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes make packing and unpacking closets fast and easy. It eliminates having to remove items from hangers and packing in regular boxes. They may be available in different sizes and found at home improvement stores or through your moving company.

6. Extra Care for Fragile Items

Fragile items need extra care — bubble wrap and packing paperwork for glass, porcelain, and other breakables. However, you can also use tee-shirts, pillowcases, and towels as extra padding to keep fragile items safe.

7. Designated Area for Packed Boxes

To keep your living space organized while preparing for a long-distance move, designate an area for packed boxes. These are the boxes that are labeled, sealed, and ready to go on the moving truck. It can be helpful to get packed boxes out of a room, allowing you to see exactly how much is left to pack, donate, sell, or trash.

8. Straight to Storage

You likely have items that live in storage, maybe in an attic, closet, or basement. If not already boxed, pack the items in boxes or totes, and then label “storage.” These are some of the first items to pack, and when they arrive at the other end, these “storage” boxes don’t need to be unpacked immediately.

Additional Moving Help

Be sure to check with your long-distance moving company for any specific packing instructions and for their list of items that they don’t move. You’ll need to make other arrangements for do-not-ship items.

Moving into a new house, apartment, or townhome is an excellent opportunity to simplify your life and free your space of unnecessary clutter. The tricky part when reducing your household bulk is deciding what to move into your new home – and what items should be donated, given away, or discarded.

Tips for Decluttering

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Go through your current home one room at a time. Start with the least used room and pack the items inside this room first. Tape the bottom of a few different size cartons based on the contents in the room. In your notebook, write down each room’s name, number each box, put the number in your notebook with a list of contents, and write that number on the box with a brief content list.

Pack everything you know you want. You’ll know what those items are because you won’t have to ask yourself if you really want to take them. When a carton is full to the top, seal it with tape. 

When you have packed all the things in that room that you know you want in your new home, leave the room and close the door.

Repeat this process with every room in your home, including the basement, attic, shed, and garage.

When every room has packed boxes in it, start the process over again. Go to room one. Look around. If there is something you really want, pack it. If you’re on the fence, leave the room and close the door

A few days before move out day, contact friends and in exchange for pizza, have them pick a room, and take whatever is left inside to the donation station or to the trash bin. Provide large trash bags.

Bonus Tip:

If you’re packing yourself, buy supplies from a professional long-distance mover. 

Professional movers buy from suppliers who adhere to specific and strict guidelines. Cartons are tested, inspected, and rated to hold the amount stamped on the bottom. This means they won’t crush when stacked levels high inside a moving van and driven across the country. They will withstand being stacked and placed into a wood container and shipped by van, or loaded into a warehouse storage vault. 

Buy the packing paper and tape from the professional mover as well because they buy in bulk and will charge you a few cents over cost. 

Follow the 6-Month Rule

There are exceptions to this rule, of course, but get rid of things you haven’t used in the past six months. Usually, if you haven’t used an item in six months, you’re probably never going to use it.

As noted, this does not include the obvious things like seasonal clothes, holiday decor, and momentoes with sentimental attachment.

Instead, eliminate items that are unnecessary, duplicates, broken, or just not used anymore.

Bonus Tip:

You might find that you have a couple of oversized items that are logistically tough to get rid of. Tell your move estimator which large items you don’t want to take and ask if the company will dispose of them for you. Often, if there are a few items, the movers will take and discard at no cost. But if it’s an old solid oak baby grand piano and you live on the third floor without an elevator — that may cost you!

Lessen Your Stress

Moving is stressful enough without the additional pressure of having to make tough choices about decluttering and downsizing. There is no need to stress yourself out further by struggling with whether or not to take something you own and love with you or toss it out. 

Give yourself a break. When in doubt, pack the items and take them with you. It’s okay to keep your belongings until you truly know and are ready to part with them. Timing is important. Give yourself all the time you need. When the time is right, you’ll know what to do.

Moving Made Easy

Whether you’re downsizing or moving to a larger space, it’s good to have a friend look at what you own with a critical, non-emotional eye to help.

Moving into a new home can be a fresh start. You will want to keep the things that bring joy or purpose to you or your family.

Are you still looking for moving help? Contact us for a free quote today.

Moving can be emotionally and physically challenging. With so much to keep track of in your current home plus the details essential to your new home, it’s easy to get bogged down.

Your reasons for moving might be for an excellent new job opportunity, or you merely want a lifestyle change that comes with a new city. In any case, some specific steps and details will help make that transition a little easier.

Preparing for your relocation is vital so that it goes as smoothly and as hassle-free as possible.

Set Some Goals

Before you pack and leave, be sure you know precisely why you’re moving and what you want to achieve. A list of personal, professional, and family goals will help you stay focused on your new life in your new city.

Investigate the New City

If you are preparing to move, you likely have some idea about the area you have committed to moving to. Spend some additional time researching your new city or town by exploring the internet. Check out everything from local weather to school ratings. You might even locate the nearest grocery and convenience stores, pizza places, and coffee shops.

Reach out to friends and followers on social media who might have knowledge and information about your new hometown. This is an excellent way to get personal recommendations about the area as well as its attractions.

Connect with Friends

Before you move, take the opportunity to connect with your friends who live in the area you are headed to. Even though some of these might simply be acquaintances or people you knew years ago, make contact. You might be surprised by how much value their experience or guidance provides. 

Also, making contact with these individuals might allow you the opportunity to socialize once you make the move. Perhaps you will have a network of individuals to rely on if you need any help in your new city.

Discard Non-Essentials

Relocating to a brand new city is the ideal time for a fresh start. A big move is a considerable change that allows you to purge and donate items you no longer need or use.

As you make your way room to room packing your things, hold yourself in check. Before you pack an item, ask yourself if it is something you need. This process will allow you to let go of things and lighten your load. Ultimately purging the non-essential stuff will make moving and unpacking much easier.

Secure a Moving Company

Eliminate moving anxiety by hiring a moving company.

A residential moving company can help you pack, load, and transport all your belongings to your new home. They will also help set it up how you want it. 

Moving to a New City

Ease the demands of moving to a new city by being proactive and prepping for the experience. If you do, you are sure to get to your new city, and hit the ground running.

Do you need help moving to your new city? Contact us for a virtual survey and quote.

Moving is overwhelming for most people. This is especially the case for children making a long-distance move and leaving behind everything they’ve ever known.

We have gathered a list of suggestions for prepping your kids for an upcoming long-distance move.

Promote the Positive

Share your excitement about this next chapter in your family’s life. It’s tough for kids to be enthusiastic about a new home if they’re not convinced that you’re excited too. Avoid complaining about the stress of moving when they are around because they will regard moving as an adverse event.

Discuss fun activities they can pursue in your new community after the move. 

Explore Through a Virtual Tour

Register them up for local activities where they can meet others their age to explore their hobbies and talents.

Use technology to explore not only your new home from afar through virtual tours of the house itself, but use Google Maps to tour your new street, neighborhood, and community. Being able to see where they are headed will help them feel more comfortable when they actually arrive.

Scope out local parks, playgrounds, sports fields, museums, and other local attractions. Help them get excited about the new activities that await them.

Viewing their new community through a virtual tour will help them visualize themselves living there. The goal is to make the move feel less intimidating.

Allow Them Some Control

Let your kids help you pack at least some of their things. This way it, won’t feel like you’re throwing their life into boxes, and they won’t ever see their stuff again. Label the boxes so that you can prioritize the unpacking when you get to your new home.

As you pack up, make sure that your kids have some of their favorite things available to them. Leave out items that provide security to your kids. Whether it’s a few favorite stuffed animals, cherished toys, or comforting books, make sure some things they love can stay with them to provide entertainment and comfort while making the trip.

Pack your kids their own personal essentials bag. Use a small backpack for the items they need to have with them throughout the trip. With a long-distance move, the moving truck might not arrive at your new home for a couple of days, so pack another box with clothes, supplies, and other favorite items to get your children through this time. This larger essentials box will stay with you in the car when you arrive at your new home. 

Plan Some Activities

When preparing for a long-distance move, it’s wise to make some plans for activities to do while traveling.  It’s challenging to keep kids entertained during a long-distance trip to your new home. 

Your kids will have selected items for their essentials backpacks, but you should also put together some additional activities or car games.  Identify activities they won’t get bored with quickly and that don’t require a lot of supervision or assistance.

Bring along tried and true favorite activities but bring a couple of new ones to add to the mix so they can rotate with a variety of and avoid getting bored as quickly.

Discuss Staying Connected

Talk with your kids about various ways they can stay connected to your current neighborhood and friends. 

Exchange phone numbers and social media information with current friends and neighbors so that you can keep in touch.

Take lots of photos to maintain the memories.

Long-Distance Move

Listening to your kids about their fears and feelings and providing support will help them deal better with a long-distance move. Need help with your move logistics? Contact us for a virtual survey and quote.

Are you preparing for a residential move? Staging your home to sell is an art. When you create a look that entices potential buyers, it’s easier getting offers on your home. While working with a professional for staging your home is one option, there are plenty of ways to stage your home on your own. 

Take a look at these tips for creating the looks that buyers want.

Get Rid of the Clutter

A clean home is a happy home. Potential buyers will love seeing your home when it is free of clutter. 

Minimize or eliminate distractions that might take buyers’ focus away from the positive elements of the house. Remove as many personal items as possible. Get an early jump on packing by packing up things like family photos, large collections on display such as trophies, as well as unusual decor.

Potential buyers will be able to envision it as their own functional space when you eliminate your own personality from the home.

If you’re a pack-rat with overstuffed closets, clear those out as well. An overstuffed closet might be interpreted as a house without enough storage. The same idea applies to garages, basements, laundry rooms, and storage areas. Eliminate the excess so that your home looks big and inviting. 

When potential buyers see that you keep your home free of mess, they’ll be impressed that the place has been well taken care of. Simply taking an hour or two to clear up all clutter in your home can be one of the biggest changes you can make to draw in potential buyers.

Do a Deep Cleaning and a Little Fixing

While decluttering, take the opportunity also to do a thorough cleaning. Scrub and polish each area of your home from top to bottom to make it shine.

Clean the tile in the bathrooms and kitchen. Make sure to eliminate all cobwebs and dust bunnies. Clean the baseboards and remove smudges from walls, doors, mirrors, and windows.

Now is the ideal time to fix those small items you’ve had on your “to-do” list but haven’t gotten to. Regrout or replace any chipped or broken tiles. Repair cracks and holes in the walls. Consider touching-up and painting any areas that are worn, like doors and high traffic areas.  

A clean and well-maintained home shows potential buyers that you have taken excellent care of the property.

Let The Light In – Literally

The chances are that your potential buyers are looking for a home that’s light and bright, so you’ll want to do all you can to bring light into your home. 

Open all curtains and blinds, and strategically place some mirrors around your home to reflect light into dark areas. Your realtor can help you with strategic placement. If it’s cloudy outside on the day of your showing or open house, strategically placed lamps can add a warm glow that makes the home feel more inviting.

Clear Out Non-Essential Furniture

While it may sound odd, removing some furniture from your house can make it more appealing to potential buyers. You don’t want the furniture to crowd your rooms. Instead, you want them to feel spacious. This might be challenging if you’re still living in your home. Renting a storage unit for a few of the non-essential pieces of furniture can help give your home an open and roomy feel.

Rearrange Furniture

When you’ve gotten rid of non-essential furniture, rearrange the rest of the furniture away from the walls. This creates an open and inviting space and allows your guests to imagine themselves relaxing with family. Think about the cozy furniture in a coffee shop — that’s the look you’re after when you stage your furniture.

Add Some Extras

Think about what would wow you if you walked into a nice hotel room. Welcoming folded towels in the bathrooms, fresh flowers on the kitchen table, and bowls of fresh fruit strategically placed around the home can go a long way to impress.

Freshly baked cookies and clean linens also add inviting smells to your home.

Staging it Right

Properly staging your home can make or break a sale. You must take the time necessary to make your home appealing. Be sure to chat with your realtor about any specific tips they have for boosting your home’s appeal.Need help planning your residential move? Contact us for more information.

If you are moving soon, chances are you are prepping for your move and reviewing your moving options. 

Using a full-service moving company is a brand new experience for those who have only completed do-it-yourself moves in the past. If you are weighing the alternatives, you may be unsure of what to expect.

Let’s take a look at what to expect when you utilize the services of a full service moving company.

Full-Service Moving

A full-service move means the moving company handles all the heavy lifting related to your move from beginning to end. Full-service moving is ideal for those who aren’t able or don’t want to deal with the physical challenges of a move, like packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, and driving the truck. Full-service moves are also excellent for people who prefer not to manage the details of moving on their own.

Moving companies that provide full-service moving packages save you stress and hassle as well as time and money. By delegating the time-consuming details of your move, you can concentrate on your day-to-day responsibilities leading up to your relocation. 

Typically full-service moves include:

• A personal move coordinator to handle the details
• Qualified drivers and equipment
• Loading, transporting, and unloading of household belongings
• Full Value Protection
• Standard transportation of appliances (excluding service, disconnect, and reconnect)
• Disassembly and reassembly of bed frames
• Furniture placement

Additional Moving Options

Check for ways to customize your moving experience when reviewing moving companies. Depending on your needs, these extra options will make your moving experience that much smoother!

Here are some additional options that excellent full-service moving companies also offer.

Packing and Unpacking

Without a doubt, your daily life is hectic, and even more so now that you are moving. If you find that you are too overwhelmed or don’t have the time or energy to pack your entire house, look for a packing and unpacking option from your residential moving company.

Professional movers are systematic and organized about packing. They will ensure that your belongings are packed, protected, and safe for the move. They’ll go room to room and box up your items, dismantle any furniture that needs to be taken apart, and even take your artwork off the walls.

Handling Special Items

Sometimes there are belongings in your home that require more than just a standard packing job. Make sure that your valued items make it to your new house intact.

If you have fragile items that need special attention — from artwork to antiques or heirlooms to wine collections — inquire about special or custom crating or handling of these things. A full-service moving company can create a custom crate or another custom packaging to get them there.

Storage

You may have a unique moving situation. Perhaps you sold your house faster than expected, and you are still searching for your next dream home. You may be in a situation where you need to store your belongings in the interim.  

Full-service movers provide short-term and long-term storage options so that you can stash your belongings until you are ready.

On the Move

The best residential moving companies offer optional moving services in addition to their basic package. Look for one that is well-equipped to assist you with all aspects of your move. These customized services might be your key to a successful, smooth move. 

If you are planning your move and are looking at full-service movers, contact us for a virtual survey today.

Getting ready to move can be tough on every member of the family. 

You’re trying to make your new home perfect. Your children may be adjusting to switching schools or playing in a new neighborhood. When you’re working to keep your family happy during a move, it’s easy to forget your pets. 

However, your furry family members need some extra love and care when you’re moving. Check out these tips to make relocation to a new house less stressful for your dog or cat.

Check-In With Your Vet

If you’re moving to a new home that requires you to change vets, be sure to check in for an appointment. Even if you’re close enough to continue using the same vet, talking to your vet can be a smart move. 

Your vet knows your pet. They might have some tips and recommendations that can be helpful during the move. This is also an excellent time to get your pet up-to-date on shots. If you’re registering your dog or cat in a new county, you’ll need to provide immunization records.

Be sure to get their microchip records updated to your new address.

Snuggle And Play

Giving your pet some extra attention and affection is essential during your move. As you transition to a new home, reassure your pet that your love hasn’t changed. Give them some extra walks or playtime to relieve some pent up anxiety. 

If your pet wants to be alone, don’t feel that you have to force them to play (especially true for cats). When they’re ready, engage with them, pet them, and let them know that you’re still there, even though you’re in a new home.

Explore Slowly

You want to see your pet explore your new home, but be cautious. While it’s fun for pets to check out new areas, it can be overwhelming if it happens to fast. 

Limit your dog or cat to one room of the house, and slowly expand their territory. This helps them learn the space, feel safe, and keep stress levels low.

Stay Consistent

Your pet knew your routine at your old home – do your best not to change it. Keep feeding times and exercise times the same. If you usually place their food and water bowls near the door, try to accommodate a similar spot in the new house.

Provide them with their favorite treats. Pack their crate or bed in your car – not on the moving truck – so you can get it set up right away. The more consistent you can keep their life as you move to a new home, the better.

Give Them Time

It’s normal for pets to act out as they get used to a new home. Know that this will pass in time as they go through the adjustment to a new space. Urinating in inappropriate places, being destructive, and showing anxious behaviors (hissing or barking) are all normal things for pets who are learning something new. If you’re concerned, reach out to your vet. For most pets, these behaviors usually pass within a few days or weeks.

Smooth Move With Your Pet

Moving is tough. Don’t forget that this is true for your dog or cat, too. Providing your pet with some extra love and care can go a long way in helping them make the transition to your new home.

Phase 1: Clean Out

1. Prepare a designated area at your home to use as a storage spot for when you clean out each room. This area could be the garage at your house or storage area at your condo. Define two areas: one for items to toss out and another for items to donate
   
   
2. Put an empty box and a few trash bags in every room.
   
   
3. Go through one room at a time. Put all give away items in the box and any items to toss out in the trash bags. Bring them to the designated area. Complete one room each day. This will keep the task from being overwhelming. Save your bedroom for last, as this may take the longest.
   
   
4. Place all high-value items together in one area of the room. Make a List of each high-value item. Include the item name, brand, make, style name, etc.
   
   High-value items need to be inspected by the mover before the box is sealed. If you are packing yourself, put the high-value items and an empty box with packing paper next to the high-value items. The mover will list each item on the “High-Value Form.” The mover will then wrap each item, pack it into the box, seal, and label the box “HV.”
   
   The mover will list each item on the HV inventory sheet. At your destination, the mover will bring all boxes labeled  “HV” to you. Together you will open and inspect each item. There is no extra charge for this.
   
   
5. Pack any personal high-value items, including important papers inside a box labeled ‘personal,’ and put them in a closet. On packing or moving day, remove them from the closet and put them in your car or the truck. Be sure to lock your car.  

Phase 2: Get Estimates

Moving estimates are good for 90 days. Make sure the quote is binding with a weight credit. If the weight goes under the estimate, Mayflower automatically sends the customer a ‘weight credit’ refund. 

Phase 3: Packing

1. If you are packing your own belongings, use the survey with the moving estimate to determine the number and sizes of boxes you will need for each room.
   
   
2. Buy or obtain moving boxes from your mover. These boxes from your moving company are specially rated for moving, unlike those at big box stores. Your belongings will be more protected during the move with boxes obtained through your mover. Keep in mind, if boxes obtained from an outside source crush during transit, the movers aren’t liable unless carrier mishandling is proven. 
   
   Steer clear of using plastic totes for moving boxes. They are not moving industry compliant. They are made to be stacked on a stationary shelf in a climate-controlled atmosphere. They’re not meant to be packed and stacked inside a moving truck that will be subjected to road and temperature conditions.
   
   
3. If you’re packing your home yourself, pack up one room each day. Continue packing one room a day and save your bedroom for last. Be sure to label every box.

Phase 4: Appliances, Special Services, Disassembly

Call to schedule third party services for all belongings that require professional attention. This includes things like preparing front load washing machines, disassembling grandfather clocks, pool tables, and exercise equipment, and removing TV and surround sound systems from the walls.

Phase 5: Pack Day

If you hired the moving company to pack — sit back and relax! The packers will pack and inventory each room. The basic contents of each box will be labeled on the box and inventory sheet. The moving crew will know where to put every box when they arrive at your new home. 

Phase 6: Move Day

The driver and crew arrive. They put down floor protection, and pad wrap other areas of your residence to avoid damage.