There's lots of advice about how to pack, when and in how many boxes per room. But there are also a few important items to leave out of your packing routine and keep with you instead of putting them on the moving truck. Keep these three things with you to help make the process of packing and moving go more smoothly for yourself and your family. Kids' Favorite Toys and Clothes Help your children make the adjustment to their new home easier by keeping their favorite toys and clothes ready for them to use. Not only will it help reduce the meltdowns but it can also ease their anxiety about being in an unfamiliar place.  First Aid Kit It's easy to get small scrapes, cuts and bruises while packing boxes and cutting sealing tape to prepare them for the movers, and it's even easier to pull a muscle or strain your back. Avoid packing adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs and even elastic bandages to alleviate common concerns. Valuable Documents Keep documents like birth certificates, passports and medical records [...]

If you’re getting ready to move house, it’s important to have an effective strategy for making the process easier. Not only will the best packing tips ease any worry your family has about relocating but they will keep you from experiencing any unnecessary stress.  Use Checklists Making lists of what to pack ensures that you stay organized throughout the process. Boxing up items by room as well as often-used and rarely-used categories helps you know where to start when it comes to unpacking later.  Be Clear in Labeling Boxes While anything you write on the boxes will assist your movers in getting items into the right rooms, marking the ones you want unpacked first allows you to make your new house feel like home faster. Consider labeling boxes with bedding, daily-use pots and pans, and some sentimental items as priorities. Stay in Contact with Your Moving Company While professional movers can handle just about any kind of household item for transport, check your contract for the number of boxes and sizes permitted for your quoted rate. Going beyond that could cost you [...]

Even if you’re really excited by making a household move, you may find the process overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some great moving tips offered by professional movers to ensure you can stay on-track and experience minimal stress. Book Your Movers Early Summer is one of the most in-demand times for movers, as families with school-aged kids often wait until summer break to relocate. To avoid having to pick your second- or third-choice dates, schedule your movers as soon as you have a definite date to complete the move.  Consider Hiring Full Service Movers You might not want to handle packing all your personal belongings during the hottest months of the year. Movers can pack everything, including disassembling your furniture and saving you from the threat of exhaustion,  Make Time for Other Things, Too You’ll have a million things to do as part of your moving prep work, but it’s still summer, so don’t forget to have a little fun, too. Taking a break can also help you stay focused when you come back, motivating you to keep packing. Want More Moving Tips [...]

Are you considering hiring a professional moving company to coordinate your move to or from Anchorage? With rough terrain and difficult weather conditions, safely relocating your Alaskan household can be challenging. Fortunately, there are some companies who specialize in properly securing and transporting belongings during such transitions. Hiring a team of professionals can make the moving process easier and more efficient. Expert Packing and Crating Depending on your situation, there may not be a lot of time to pack your own belongings. Many moving companies can do this for you. A team of experts will take care of the heavy lifting while you coordinate the rest of your move. Wall and Floor Protection Whether you’re moving out of a home you own or you’re leaving a home you were renting, preventing wall and floor damage is a priority. Most moving companies offer a protection plan for both your home and your belongings, which will keep you from paying for any damage that occurs during the move. Many companies also offer full replacement coverage for your belongings. Debris Removal Moving can be messy. [...]

Would storage services make your upcoming move easier? Whether you’re hiring moving specialists to coordinate your relocation or not, getting a storage unit may be extremely beneficial. Every situation is different, but there are a number of great reasons you may want to secure these services. Downsizing & Moving Simultaneously Storage can make residential moving and downsizing a lot easier. This is especially true if you're moving to a smaller home. A storage solution can also make selling any unwanted belongings easier, as you can keep these items in the unit even after your move has started. Living in Temporary Housing Will you be living in temporary housing for some time before moving into your new home? Temperature-controlled storage can help make this process more comfortable. Instead of trying to cram everything into a smaller space or delaying your relocation, you can store your items safely as you transition. Staging a Home for Resale If you’re planning to sell your home, it can be important to remove your belongings from the space in order so a real estate agent can show it [...]

Are you interested in renting a temperature-controlled storage space? Whether you’re moving, don’t have enough space in your current residence or just need somewhere to keep a few items, a storage specialist can help. Benefits include protecting your belongings from extreme temperatures, dust, flooding and rodents. To ensure you get the unit you need, ask yourself these questions before securing storage services. What will you store in your unit? A temperature-controlled storage unit is almost essential if you’re planning to store valuable items, such as family heirlooms. Other items will also benefit from the protection offered, and you won’t have to worry about mildew or mold development as the climate shifts. Are the items valuable? It’s important to keep in mind the value of the items you plan to put in the temperature-controlled storage unit. This is relevant for both the residential moving company and the storage facility, which will both need adequate insurance to cover any potential damages. How long will you keep your items there? It is particularly important to select a temperature-controlled storage solution if you plan to keep [...]

Are you moving to or from Olympia but are unable to unpack your belongings right away? This isn’t an unusual issue to have and moving specialists help clients work through the details all the time. Whether there’s a transitional delay or you merely need some time to house hunt, temperature-controlled storage services may be the perfect solution. While standard storage units are probably easy to find, there are many reasons to opt for a unit with climate control. No Extreme Temperatures It may go without saying, but temperature-controlled storage ensures  your items are not exposed to extreme heat or cold. This is particularly important during the summer and winter months. Dramatic changes can damage many of your belongings, especially wood furniture, antiques and musical instruments.  Better Air Quality Temperature-controlled storage provides better air quality. This may not seem like a big deal, but storing your items in a space without air circulation can cause musty smells to develop. This can be particularly problematic in areas with high moisture levels. Safe from Dust, Flooding & Rodents Working with a residential moving company to [...]

Whether you’re relocating down the street or across town, it’s a good idea to downsize before scheduling residential moving services. Packing can seem daunting, especially if you have more stuff than you need. While hiring a moving specialist can help, reducing the number of belongings you own can make your transition go smoother and take less time. In many cases, the cost of moving services will also increase relative to the items being moved. Keep these tips in mind as you downsize before your relocation. Determine What You Can Donate Well before your moving services appointment, research what you can donate. Many facilities accept household goods and clothes, but not everything can be donated. Save time by determining what items can go where. Ask Non-Profits to Pick Up Furniture In some cases, non-profits will pick up large furniture donations from your home. Coordinate this early, otherwise your moving company may have to move the unwanted items to your new home. This can cause issues with space and time once your moving day comes.  Host a Garage Sale Hosting a garage sale prior [...]

Are you considering scheduling residential moving services for your upcoming relocation? Moving specialists offer more than just transporting your belongings. In fact, most companies provide a wide assortment of extremely helpful services. Consider incorporating some of these great options into your moving plans. Full-Service Packing & Unpacking Packing for your move can take a long time. In fact, most companies recommend beginning the process eight weeks before you schedule residential moving services. You don’t have to tackle this task alone. Your residential moving company probably offers packing and unpacking for a fee. Furniture Disassembly & Reassembly Larger items can often be disassembled to make moving easier and make room for other items during your move. While you can do this yourself prior to moving day, it’s often far easier to let the professionals handle it. They also have the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure your furniture is reassembled correctly and transported safely. Storage Services In some cases, you may not be able to unpack all of your belongings right away after a move. You should, however, be able to work with [...]

If you are having professional movers take care of your move, it's important to be prepared. Before hiring a residential moving service expert, formulate a plan. A checklist will help you organize your thoughts and keep you from forgetting important details. Eight Weeks Out Start the process at least eight weeks before your move. Create a folder for important information, including receipts and moving service company quotes. Six Weeks Out Hire a moving specialist and begin packing. If you’re tackling this task yourself, label boxes appropriately. This is also a good time to get rid of any that items you don’t need anymore. Four Weeks Out You’ll need to coordinate utility disconnections and connections. Additionally, remember to file a change-of-address with USPS and secure insurance for your move. While most residential moving service companies don’t provide these services directly, they can usually offer advice. Two Weeks Out Take time to ensure you have easy access to all prescriptions and confirm travel arrangements for yourself and any pets. Packing a bag with essentials for the first night is also recommended. Plan your meals [...]