How To Find, Compare, & Hire The Best Movers Near You

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Moving is often a wearisome endeavor. It takes time, energy, effort, and a whole lot of money. This is all the more escalated when you don’t have the proper help, or you underestimate the job itself and don’t hire the proper help you need to realistically carry out the moving process. Now, you’re probably telling yourself that moving companies are far too expensive and surely it isn’t worth paying a company to do something you think you can honestly yourself. Well, you could do it yourself. But, how stressed and overworked you honestly want to be? If the answer is you don’t want to be stressed, than this article is for you. In this article we will do our best to help you decide if weather or not a moving company is the right decision for you and your family.

The first thing you need to look at when trying to decide if you should hire movers is how far you are actually moving. If the answer is just across town, then no, you probably don’t need to hire any sort of moving service. And could save the money and use it elsewhere. On the other hand, if you’re moving several cities or states away, then hiring a reputable moving company may just be a must, especially if you’re going to be shipping a lot valuables and expensive items across the country. Really what it’s going to come down to is if whether or not you truly can manage the task of moving you, your family, and all your valuables across a great distance without any professional help.

If you do end up coming to the conclusion that you need movers, then the next phase is to actually find movers near you. Now, this can be tricky within itself. This is because while there are a lot of great moving companies out there, there are also a lot of scam artists. So, this is where you need to do your research and find a reputable moving company that can be trusted and is reliable. The best place to start in finding decent moving company is to get recommendations from people that you trust. Ask friends, coworkers, and colleagues if any of them know of a great moving company. Also you can check customer reviews online. These will be unbiased opinions of different types of moving companies that will give you a good indicator of whether or not one can be trusted.

Once you have narrowed your list down, now you need to focus on price. You need to make sure that when hiring a moving company that they gave you the full details of the move in black and white and have a set price. If they are refusing to give you a set price, or are hesitant then this could be cause for concern. Make sure that before you sign any contract everything is completely spelled out, and there is no hidden fees or costs that will incur along the way. Also, it’s important to discuss if they will be providing your packaging supplies, or if you need to provide your own packaging supplies. Sometimes moving companies will want you to use a certain type of packaging supplies, depending on the item, so make sure this is discussed in full detail long before they come to pick up your items.

Once you have narrowed your search down and have chosen your moving company, now is the time to make sure you give yourself plenty of time and schedule everything out in advance. The worst thing you could do is schedule a moving date with your moving company, and then switch that day at the last minute. This can incur all sorts of fees and costs that you definitely don’t want to have to pay. So, have a plan and know exactly what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it. If you can follow these things, you will be able to make you and your family’s move a breeze. Happy moving!

 

How To Budget For An International Move

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If you ever get the chance to move abroad, it could potentially be one of the most exciting, yet terrifying experiences of your life. There is so much that goes into moving overseas, that it can often times get overwhelming. Plus, once you count in the fact of how expensive it can get, it’s easy to start freaking out a little. However, there really is no reason too. With the proper planning, and a thought out budget, you can make even the most overwhelming move a breeze. And in this article, we will give you some tips on how to properly plan, so the only surprises you will have are the ones your friends will be throwing for you before you leave.

The first thing that you want to do in planning, especially when planning your budget, is to make a spreadsheet. You know that little program on your computer called Excel? Well, it’s time to get acquainted with it if you haven’t already. One of the best ways to create a budget and to stick with it is to provide yourself with a clear picture of the different expenses that you will incur. Go ahead and create a chart within Excel, and add any and all of the categories that you know will incur expenses along the way. Then, start filling in the actual cost amounts as you become aware of them. This process will help you clearly define how much you’ll actually have to spend to make your move, and therefore will be able to help you better budget and plan accordingly.

One important expense that you want to be aware of is a moving company expense. Often times, this will be your greatest expense so it’s important to make sure that you take your time and find a reputable moving company that will be the perfect fit for you. Be aware though, that there are several different moving companies out there that will try to take advantage of you. Avoid any companies that refuse to give you a solid price. If there are unwilling to give you a solid moving quote or price, it’s often times because there will be hidden fees or expenses that will accumulate along the way. So, make sure that before you sign a contract with the moving company you have the exact price of what they will charge in black-and-white.

Also, there are a few other moving expenses that you’ll need to be aware of when it comes to your moving company. For instance, you will have your moving company fee, but you also will want to purchase extra moving insurance to help cover the cost of your items if they are damaged or lost during shipment. This may not seem important now, but we promise you if anything were to happen you’d wish you had it. You also have to budget for tips to give to the movers on both ends of the move. Plus, don’t forget that you’ll need to purchase shipping supplies that will hold all of your items. Your best option is to find cheap moving boxes, if you can. Cheap moving boxes can be found almost anywhere, but make sure that you check with your shipping company in case they have any restrictions on the type of cheap moving boxes that you can use. Also, you may need to budget for storage unit in the country of origin for the things you may have to leave behind.

Other expenses that you may incur along the way will be your travel costs. This will include your flights, transportation to and from the airport, potential hotels if your new home isn’t ready, food along the way, travel documents that you may need to update, customs fees that you may have to pay upon arrival to your new country, and even vaccines that you may need to enter into the country are moving to. Just make sure that you are aware of all of the different types of rules and regulations that your new country will require of you, before even going.

Moving internationally doesn’t have to be stressful. Just make sure that you take your time, plan, be prepared, and expect the unexpected. If you can do these things, you will be able to help make your moving process a breeze. Good luck!

DIY Cardboard Box Ideas

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If there’s one thing you always seem to have a plethora of, it’s cardboard boxes. Normally, you’ll just fold them up and either burn them or recycle them. But, what if we told you that you’re missing out on opportunities to transform them into some pretty cool DIY projects. In this article we will share with you some ideas of converting cardboard boxes into functional and useful items you didn’t even know you wanted or needed.

Cardboard Playhouse

if you have a little girl, more than likely at some point she’ll be asking you for a playhouse. Unfortunately, playhouse’s can get expensive. So, create a playhouse by coming up your cardboard box into different pieces and taping them together in the shape of a house. This is easy and inexpensive to make, plus it folds up easily making storage a breeze.

Cardboard Tray

You can create cute and functional trays by taking the lid from a cardboard box and either gluing fabric or scrapbook paper onto its surface. This is a quick, cheap, and easy way to make cute trays that will leave your guests wondering where they can get one, themselves.

Cardboard Cathouse

Help make your feline friend happy by creating a cardboard cathouse. All you have to do is take a couple different cardboard boxes and stack them on top of each other. The, glue the surfaces together and cut out doors and little windows. Also, so they can climb through, cut out holes on the inside of where you glued the boxes together. Then, if you want to make it aesthetically appealing you can glue on fabric or scrapbook paper to help create a finished and sophisticated look.

Picture Frame

You can make adorable picture frames by simply using some cutout cardboard in the shape of the frame. You then can glue onto its surface any fabric or scrapbook paper of your choice. Or, you can paint the cardboard add a design to make it the especially unique. Then, fill it in with your most treasured memories.

Cardboard Clock

This project perhaps will take a little bit of extra time, but you could create a unique & fun cardboard clock simply by taking a cardboard box and cutting out a large circle. Then, attach on its surface a fabric color of your choice. Once that is completed you can then attach matching numbers. To help give the clock a more finished look, glue rope around the edges to hide any cardboard that may be showing. Then, drill a small hole in the center and attach the batter operated clock unit.

Gift Tags

You can always use gift tags, but you don’t have to pay ridiculous prices to get them. All you have to do is cut out different shapes from cardboard, and then take each piece and punch out a small hole at the top. Then, put in a rope or string of your choice to help tie them to any present or package.

There are literally dozens of different projects that you can make from cardboard boxes. The trick is to get creative and utilize things you already have to create interesting, fun and useful items that you can incorporate into your home. These projects are great to do on a rainy day, or you can even involve your kids to make it a family affair. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you happy creating!

How To Properly Ship A Large Area Rug

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If you are looking at shipping a large area rug then there are probably some tips of the trade that you might find useful in order to safely guarantee your rug reaches its destination. For instance, one of the first things you may want to do prior to shipment is give the rug a thorough and deep cleaning. Just make sure the rug is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Once your rug is clean and dry, you’ll want to make sure that it is folded as tightly as it can go. One way to ensure its tightness is by first folding it in half or in thirds and then rolling it up. This not only makes it tighter, but also easier to handle.

With that in mind, there are some area rugs that should not be folded. For instance, if you hear a cracking noise as soon as you begin to fold up your rug, you need to stop. The creases that are created by the folds could be permanent or extremely difficult to remove. Which could devalue your rug and certainly detract from its appearance. If you are not 100% sure whether or not a rug could be folded, you can consult with a rug specialist or a trusted freight shipping company that is familiar with these technical nuances and have all the shipping supplies needed.

After you have either folded the rug or rolled up the rug, it’s time to time off to tie it off with heavy-duty twine, box-sealing tape, stretch banding film, or other appropriate styles of packing supplies. It’s important to note that you probably won’t want to allow any of these packing supplies to come into direct content with the surface of the rug. So, before securing the rug, wrap the carpet in a bag or moving blanket.

When choosing what to wrap the carpet in, keep in mind there are several options. For instance, if you choose a polyethylene bag you will want to select an opaque colors such as black rather than transparent. Opaque bags help protect against UV rays and will protect the rug from sun exposure. Just make sure that there are no additives or coatings in the bag that will transfer to your carpet. Sheeting is also a good alternative to a plastic bag, and could be considered a better choice than a moving blanket because it provides more moisture resistance. Regardless of what you wrap your blanket in; just make sure your rug can breathe. Wrapping your carpet airtight can cause it to sweat. Which can create discoloration, warping, or a breeding ground for moths. You can help reduce the risk of moth damage by placing moth crystals on the rug before wrapping it.

Once your rug is packed and ready to go, you now need to choose a shipping option. Parcel shipping services are a good option when the area rug is smaller. Provided that it does not exceed weight or girth limits. However, the most cost-effective option is to ship your area rug with a less-than-truckload freight company. These companies specialize in transportation of smaller shipments consisting of various types of products. Often times these companies have a lot of experience with items such as rugs and other common household furniture.

Shipping a rug can be safe, easy, and hassle free. Just follow the tips we gave you, and we guarantee that your rug will get to its destination without a scratch.

 

 

How To Decide What Should Go In Storage When You Move

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There are many reasons why people decide to move, especially to a new city. Whether it’s to downsize, be closer to friends and family, or just move into a more exciting fast-paced lifestyle. Regardless of the reason, you will probably find that you will need some form of short-term storage space to help you transition into your new place. A storage unit is the perfect go-between if you’re trying to downsize, but still are still deciding on what you want to keep and what you want get rid of. Plus, it will give you some extra time to settle in if you’re moving in the midst of a busy season.

However, the question remains what do you put in storage versus what do you move into your new place right away? Well, here are a few tips to help you decide what would be best to put in storage, and what is best to take with you.

Organize your items by season

If you’re moving into a location that experiences all 4 seasons, you won’t need all of your items year-round. For instance if you are moving during the summer months you will not need your winter coat, boots, snow shoes, snowboarding gear, and so on. Vice versa if you’re moving in the winter months you won’t need your summer gear or things like patio furniture which take up a lot of space and are perfect to store as a whole ensemble in a storage unit.

Just keep in mind that if you are packing away a lot of clothes into cardboard boxes, make sure that your storage unit you choose isn’t subject to a lot of humidity or changes in temperature. And only pack away clean clothes. Otherwise you may find some not so savory items waiting for you when you get back.

Hang on to furniture that you might want later on

As you know moving into a new place is a great time to start over and redecorate. However, you may still decide later on that that coffee table you had or sectional, might actually fit very well into some part of your new apartment. Again, just make sure that when you’re storing furniture pieces you store them correctly in order to keep them from getting damaged during this waiting period.

Don’t throw away keepsakes or mementos

Once you start downsizing it’s very easy to get into a mindset where you no longer think you want to keep old photos or mementos. This is a decision you may regret down the road after you’ve been settled for a time. So, avoid unnecessary loss and opt for a high-quality storage unit where water damage or items getting lost, won’t be an issue. One way to better organize your things is by adding shelves into your storage unit. This way you can easily organize your cardboard boxes and keep them off the ground, further ensuring water will not reach them.

Antiques can also go in storage

Let’s be honest. You love your grandmother’s rocking chair because it’s an heirloom and has sentimental value, but it doesn’t actually fit into the decor of your new apartment. So, consider having your antiques professionally packed and take them to your storage unit for safekeeping. Just make sure that your valuable items are covered by insurance, just in case something was to happen. Once again, make sure that you are keeping your items organized, in order to create less of a headache later on when you are trying to unpack the storage unit. Happy moving!