Moving

How to Make Moving Less Stressful

Make moving less stressful! It is easier said then done. Moving to a new home is considered one of the most stressful events in your life, but you can make it easier by following the tips from other individuals who have gone through the process. Here are some recommendations for you. Follow these and make moving less stressful and much easier.

Make moving less stressful Tip 1: Contact Professional Movers Right Away

Begin by contacting local movers right away so that you can request quotes for the services that you need along with scheduling a moving date. It is better to get a written contract from the movers to avoid any problems in the future. Remember that you may need to pay a deposit for the move. Also, read your contract carefully to understand how the financial aspect of moving can change.

Make moving less stressful Tip 2: Begin Looking for a Place to Live

You may need to search for a home on the internet along with making telephone calls to landlords. Perhaps, you must contact real estate agents instead. You may need temporary housing while looking for a new home or apartment. This can lead to needing a storage unit for your possessions. Keep track of this information so that you can find a new place to live as soon as possible.

Tip 3: Renting a Moving Van or Truck

Rather than hiring professional movers, you may want to move on your own by renting a moving van or truck. In addition to understanding how to drive a larger vehicle. You may need to recruit your friends to help you load and unload the truck or van. It is essential to rent a vehicle that is in good condition and that has locks to prevent theft when you stop at night at a hotel.

Tip 4: Get Rid of Your Clutter

Don’t waste your time moving clutter from your home because it is time-consuming and expensive. You should sort through all of your possessions to clear away the things that you no longer need, including old textbooks, clothing and documents. This process is strenuous and emotional, but it will make your moving day less stressful. Give things away to friends or charitable organizations to help you feel better. Alternatively, you can have a garage sale to eliminate your clutter while making some extra cash.

Make moving less stressful Tip 5: Buy the Supplies that You Need for Moving

Make sure to have the moving supplies that you need for moving to a new location, including numerous cardboard boxes, tape, labels and plastic totes. Have an assortment of container sizes to make it easier to pack things correctly. In addition, have packing materials to cushion your things along with waterproof bags or liners to prevent moisture damage.

Tip 6: Recruit Your Friends

This is a good time to recruit your friends to help you with packing and moving your furniture from one location to another in your home. Your friends can help you to get rid of things that you don’t need while moving to a new home, and in some cases, they may have large trucks to help you move to a different apartment.

Tip 7: Place Similar Items Together

Organize your possessions by placing similar items together, making it easier to pack. You may have books in different areas of your home, or perhaps, you use multiple closets for your clothing, but by having the same types of things together, you can pack faster, and it will make it easier to unpack at your new destination.

Make moving less stressful Tip 8: Organize Your Electronics

If you have several electronic devices such as computers or televisions, then organizing these items is vital. First, look for the manuals and CDs that go along with these devices along with the electrical cords and peripheral equipment. If you have the original boxes for your electronics, then you may still have the cushioning materials required for protecting television or computer screens. However, you may need to buy cushioning materials, or you can use bath towels or bed linens to protect these items from damage.

Tip 9: Contact a Real Estate Agent

When you own a home, you will need to list it on the real estate market. Your real estate agent will want to take photographs of your home to advertise it to potential buyers. This means that you must clean, repair and organize your home at the same time that you are planning on moving. Listen to the real estate agent’s advice concerning preparing your home for viewings by buyers.

Tip 10: Prepare Your Appliances for Moving

You must prepare your appliances for moving to a new location. You should clean a refrigerator and learn how to protect it from damage while it is being moved. For stoves, you should clean the top, drip pans and oven thoroughly. You will want to understand how to disconnect the gas lines or electrical wires.

Make moving less stressful Tip 11: Rest and Eat While Packing and Loading

How to make moving less stressfull — How to make moving less stressful

Think about your physical health while packing and loading, remembering to eat food and drink beverages. Set an alarm on your smartphone to remind you about taking breaks. This is a good time to consider having food delivered to your home, or alternatively, you can plan how to cook fast and easy meals.

Tip 12: Get Plenty of Sleep While Moving

Don’t neglect your sleep while moving. This is because it can lead to illness, and you don’t want to become sick when you are packing and moving. Make sure to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night, especially when you are driving a rental truck or van.

Tip 13: Find Your Important Documents

Make sure to use a special container for your important documents that are difficult to replace and that you will need in your new destination right away. These documents might include passports, birth certificates, insurance information and medical forms. If you have a large family, then you may need to file these documents carefully to remain organized.

Tip 14: Have a First Day Box When You are Moving

It is a good idea to have a first day box when you are moving to a new home or apartment. Keep this box in your own vehicle or load it last on the moving van. This way you can unload it first at your destination. Some of the things that you will need include dishes, utensils and cookware along with cans of food and glassware. In addition, have items for the bathroom such as towels, shower curtains, soap, shampoo and rugs. If you have a pet, then make sure to have food for your animals along with leashes and pet carriers.

How Box-n-Go can help

Box-n-Go is a local moving and storage company that offers a wide variety of services. All designed to help you save money and reduce the stress. Simply call us at 1-877-269-6461 and we will show you how we can help you save as well as feel at ease with the moving tasks.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Moving Company?

One of the more stressful things in life can be when you have to move to a new residence. Almost everyone has to do it at some point, and it is never an enjoyable experience. It can be difficult to organize every single one of your possessions, pack them up, and transport them without forgetting or breaking anything. This task becomes even more of a burden if you have over sized or heavy items. Moving costs vary as well. With all this in mind, it is always easier to have an extra set of hands to help you out. Enlisting some friends might seem like a good idea, but you should also consider hiring a professional moving company.

Why Use Moving Companies

Moving companies have experience that is valuable when you are thinking about changing residences. They know how to handle a wide range of household objects. Movers will be able to safely pack and carry fragile, over sized, or heavy items. This will save you the headache and backache of doing it yourself. However, you should be careful, not every moving company is created equal.

Before you select a business to help you move there are a few things that you should consider. First, you should determine how far you will be traveling. The cost of a local move will be significantly less than a long distance move. Second, you should figure out how many items you are moving. Are you packing up a single room or a whole house? Third, you should research your moving company. Some will be better suited to your move over others. Lastly, you should take into account anything that might turn into an extra fee. With the information provided below, you will be able to know how much it will cost to hire a moving company.

Since the moving business is very seasonal, so is the cost of moving. In the summer, when a lot of people are moving, the costs are usually very high. Movers availability is also limited.

Moving Costs for Local Movers

A local move is going to be less expensive than a long distance move. Most companies that specialize in short distance moves will charge by the hour and provide at least two people and a transporting vehicle. While this is a common practice, it is not a mandated rule, and you should do some research so that you are not surprised later. Asking for more than this standard will increase the price. There are a handful of variables that could also affect the cost including location, preparation, and time.

In general, most moving companies will charge you approximately $80 an hour for labor only and $120 an hour for two people and a truck. If you require more than two people to help you, there will be an additional cost, though it is usually a decreased amount. More help will be around $25 a person. Another important factor to consider is the number of boxes you will need to be moved. When estimating the number of objects you want to transport you should try and group them into rooms. The majority of moving companies use rooms to predict cost and the number of movers needed to complete the task.

Moving Costs Example

A single room or a studio apartment should only require two movers. The whole process should only take two or four hours, depending on how far you are moving. This would only cost you about $300-$500.

A regular, single story two bedroom home would take around four to seven hours to move and a three men crew. It would cost around $600-$900. A three bedroom house would add another two hours and a four men crew. This would cost approximately $900-$1,400

Residences that are larger than this will most likely have additional costs on top of the hourly rate. This is due to the amount of time necessary to complete the move. You can lower the cost of the prices estimated above by hiring another worker. This will also lower the number of hours it will take.

Moving Costs for Long Distance Movers

Moving out of county or out of state is going to cost much more than what was listed above. Unlike local movers, long distance movers include the weight of the items you ship into their cost. It is usually just under $0.90 to $1.20 a pound, but this could increase the farther the distance is between point A and point B. The standard distance for travel is 1000 miles. The cost of moving this way has a wide range since it is determined by weight and not by room.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Moving Company — Cost to Hire a Moving Company

A single room or a studio apartment has around 1500 lbs. to 2000 lbs. of items. This would be $1050-2000 to make a move within the standard 1000 mile allowance. A single bedroom is estimated to have items weighing from 2000 lbs. to 3300 lbs, and it would cost approximately $1400-$3300.

A two bedroom home is around 3500 lbs. to 5000 lbs. This would total $3450-$5000. A three bedroom house can have about 5300 lbs. to 9000 lbs. of items, and it would cost $3710-$9000.

Moving Estimate

Due to the high cost and uniqueness of this type of transportation, it is common for a company to do an in-house inspection. This is so you both can have an idea about the scope of the project. This also allows any risks to be noticed and taken care of. Researching to find the best match is a wise move. It will give you an idea of the average cost across different companies. There are a few things you should look out for when searching. Beware companies that have significantly lower prices for their services. This could be a sign of moving fraud. You should also be highly cautious of moving companies that do not offer an in-house estimation or companies that have a standard flat rate.

A good option for small moves can be using moving containers that can be shipped to your new destination. this would allow you to do some work yourself and save.

Additional Costs

It is important to remember that the price estimates listed above are not the only thing that you will be charged for when hiring a moving company. They are just the base cost. There are several other components that can increase how much you will have to pay. They are different for each business and could be a deciding factor when choosing. Luckily, knowing about these ahead of time can help you determine a more exact price.

Experience

You want to choose a reputable moving company that has experience. There is less of a chance of items being scratched, broken, or even stolen if you do. Also, the amount of time it takes to pack up and relocate your home is more likely to be handled in an expedient way. However, this experience comes with a price. There is a noticeable trend that the more professional and knowledgeable a company the more expensive they are. Fortunately, there is only so much that movers can charge before their inflated prices become too much for prospective clients.

Moving Costs – Location

Using a large truck to transport your possessions takes up a lot of room. Due to this factor, t location of your starting point and ending point could raise the cost of your move. For example, if one of the destinations is a crowded city with limited parking, you might be charged more than a rural area. While this might seem unfair, try and think about it from the moving company’s perspective. Less room or unsuitable parking could lead to additional fees or fines on their part. It might even mean that they have to expedite their job to fit into specific hours. This extra work comes at an extra cost.

Moving Date

Believe it or not, there are certain times of the year where the cost of moving is higher than average. Between the months of May and September, the price of hiring a moving company can increase up to 20%. Choosing to move during this time of the year can greatly increase your necessary moving budget. Spring and summer months see more homes bought and, in turn, more people are moving. This means that the demand for moving services is high. Their time is both valuable and limited.

Moving Costs – Packing

Part of a mover’s job is to make sure your household items are transported from one destination to another. Not every business considers packing said items into boxes. This is a task that you will have to do yourself, or you will have to pay more. Depending on what type of moving company you choose, having someone else pack up your home can cost anywhere from $20-$50 an hour. This might not seem like all that much. However, it will take movers much more time collecting, organizing, and storing your items than it will for them to actually carry the boxes out to a truck. Having movers pack for you could easily double your bill.

Specialty Items

While the majority of the items in your home may be common household items, there may be some that are difficult to move. These items need special attention when packing or moving, and they will need to be handled differently. For example, it isn’t hard to pack away a box of your clothes. However, moving a grand piano or packing a collection of china dishware has certain requirements. These extra requirements cost more. You will have to hire more movers to carry oversized items, and experienced movers to know how to properly wrap delicate items. Although specialty items drastically increase the price of moving, it is better to have your possessions safely handled instead of damaged.

Insurance

When you are choosing a moving company it is wise to see what type of insurance they have. Most businesses have a basic protection plan that will cover common household items. Some movers have better rates than others. The average cost to insure your possessions can be up to $0.60 per pound. That can add up fast. This is usually included in the cost estimate of the service. This won’t protect more expensive items, and a suitable insurance policy will have to be arranged. You also have the option to choose a third-party insurance company if their rates are better.

Moving Costs – Extra Fees

There may be a chance that the move to your new home might not be as straightforward as planned. You might live on the top floor of an apartment building, or you might need to stop somewhere in the middle of your move before the final destination. These are just a few of the extra fees that you could be charged with. There can be heavy lifting fees, stairs fees, extra stop fees, storage fees, delayed delivery fees, and pickup fees added on to your bill. Some companies will have this in their contract, or at least mention it to you. However, not every mover will fill you in on these other charges.

Tipping

Giving a little extra money to the people who assist you in moving is common after the job’s completion. This might not seem like a huge cost that you should budget for. Especially when you compare to the rest of the expenses. But you should always be ready for this additional expense. For the most part, you should tip movers at least $5 for every hour that they were working or 10-15% of the total moving cost. If you only had a one bedroom apartment and you were moving locally $20-$40 might not seem like that much. Think about having to move multiple rooms or having a long distance move. Suddenly tipping can be hundreds of dollars per person.

How to Save Money While Moving

Looking at all the prices above, you might not be feeling entirely confident about your future move. Don’t let that worry you. While it is true that there are a lot of factors that can add to the cost of hiring a moving company, there are several things that you can do to save money as well.

Taking time to research your moving options is an important step that can be rewarding. Choosing the right moving company can make a stressful event less so. The best thing you can do is look and see how long a moving company has been in business. Long-standing businesses have a higher chance of being a decent choice. Next, look at customer testimonials and ratings. This should fill you in on what type of people you will be hiring. Also, it might turn out that a new business is doing really well and you find a good deal. Lastly, look at prices. There is no point in looking at the cost of a moving company if they have a horrible rating.

One of the easiest things that you can do to save money is throw out some of the household items that you do not need anymore. This task isn’t all that difficult, and it should be one of the earlier assignments you undertake when organizing your possessions. Limiting what you need to have transported will both lower the number of boxes you will need to take with you and the amount of time that it will take to clear out your current living space. Depending on how much you choose not to take with you, you can save a significant amount of money.

Another Option

Another thing you can do to lower the cost of moving is to prepare ahead of time. Leave yourself enough time to choose a moving date that does not fall between May and September. This will make sure your moving estimate will not increase by 20% due to demand. Once you have a date selected, pack all your items yourself, even specialty items if you feel sure of yourself. You will not have to pay movers to store things for you or pay higher prices to use their packing products. Next, you should contact friends to see who can help you during this process. It might be possible to have them work with your selected moving company and save some time and cash. Also, try and limit the number of extra fees you might incur by making proper arrangements ahead of time.

Conclusion

Moving can be a burden even when things go smoothly. Taking the time to organize your possessions, pack them up safely, and transport them is enough stress without having to go through the time and effort of trying to find a good moving company. Luckily, there is information available for you to use so that you can make an educated choice. There are numerous things that are out of your control, but there are ways to be ready.

Moving is not an act that should be rushed. There are several factors that you need to review before deciding on the best path to take. It is important for you to prepare and even over prepare before your actual moving date occurs. Overestimating the cost of moving will save you in the long-run by covering any additional costs that may spring up the same day as your move. Hopefully, with the information mentioned above you will be able to predict how much hiring a moving company will cost you and make the best decision.

Consider Box-n-Go

Box-n-Go is not a conventional mover. Box-n-Go is a portable storage company. You can use Box-n-Go services for self-moving options. As such the costs of your move will not change and you will know them in advance. However, Box-n-Go has an agreement with a full service moving company. With that customers can choose from a wide range of options, self service to full service. call us 1-877-269-6461 to learn more.

Moving on a Tight Budget

Moving can be a time consuming and expensive endeavor. Moving on a tight budget is very hard. Especially if you go the route of hiring a moving company. Additionally, moving is actually ranked just below divorce and death of a loved one as one of life’s most stressful experiences.

Moving on a Tight Budget

Of course, a big part of the stress involved in moving is figuring out how you will pay for the move. A typical in-town move performed by a professional moving company costing over $1,000. So there is a lot of figuring out that must be done. However, there are less stressful ways to get the job done for just a few hundred dollars. Here are some tried-and-true tips for moving on a tight budget:

Tip 1: Get Rid of Things You Don’t Use

The best moving tip of all is don’t move anything you don’t absolutely have to. A good rule of thumb is to get rid of anything you haven’t use in the last six months or longer. Obviously you will want to keep sentimental items. However, if it has no value to you then help yourself out by getting rid of it.

There is something psychologically rewarding about getting rid of old, never-used things. However, it will save you time and or money when moving day comes. These things can include clothes, kitchen items, books. Anything else that is just taking up space in your current home.

While you can quickly rid yourself of unwanted items by donating your stuff to local thrift shops, remember that your trash is likely someone else’s treasure. You can generate some extra cash to defray the cost of the move by selling your unwanted things online. You can do this on sites like Craigslist or eBay.

If you have tons of CD’s you can transfer all you tunes onto your computer and then lose the discs. All those movies you have on DVD can probably go as well. Nowdays most any movie ever made can be streamed online. Books can be kind of tricky. Many people like having a large library. On the other hand, just a few books weigh a lot and can cost you if you use a moving company. Never-used kitchen items, like that fondue set you got for a house warming present, can be nixed. And how many coffee mugs do you really need? The kayak you haven’t used in five years will surely be worth some cash to someone.

Moving on a tight budget: Tip 2: Move During the Off Season

Because people are justifiably apprehensive about scheduling their move during times of bad weather, the off season for movers is the late fall and winter months. Here rates can be as much as 30 percent lower! Of course, you may not be able to take advantage of the low-season rates if you are renting or moving in a hurry because of a new job. However, this is a great tip for homeowners. It usually takes a few months to sell a house and you may be able to schedule your move as you wish.

Tip 3: Don’t Pay for Moving Boxes

Free boxes are available everywhere and are yours for the asking. Check out the recycling bins behind larger stores, after you ask for permission. Here the boxes will be broken down and all you will need is a roll or two of packing tape. Get these from the Dollar Store to reseal the bottoms. You can ask smaller stores without recycling bins to save their boxes for you. Also, heavyweight boxes, like those used to ship liquor bottles, are great for packing those books you just can’t bear to part with.

Tip 4: Save on Packing Materials

Unless you have a lot of fragile items, you really don’t need to shell out for a lot of packing supplies. These are bubble wrap and peanuts. Instead use sheets, blankets, pillow cases, towels and old newspaper and plastic shopping bags to cushion fragile items. Of course those dreaded plastic shopping bags can be used yet a third time when you get to your new home as small trash-can liners. Nothing should get broken, if you wrap and pack carefully, and you will save yourself a nice chunk of change.

Moving on a tight budget: Tip 5: Only Use a Flat-Rate Mover

You may have heard horror stories about people who were given a price by a mover and then had the “quoted” price increased for spurious reasons. In some cases it has been reported that disreputable movers have held belongings for ransom if the customer didn’t agreed to the inflated price. To protect yourself, be sure to get a quote in writing. Also, check online and with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against a prospective moving company for any such monkey business.

Tip 6: Write Off The Cost

This is not an option for everyone, but if your move is job related and at least 50 miles from your current residence you can claim a tax write off for at least a portion of your moving expenses. You should check with a tax expert to find out if, and how much of, your moving costs are tax deductible.

Tip 7: Shop Around

Never take the first quote your are given. Get at least three hard quotes before picking a company. If one quote is more than 20 percent below the others check that company out thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

Tip 8: Use Portable Containers

This is a semi do-it-yourself move, and it can save you some cash. A company will deliver a portable storage/shipping container to you that is about the size of the cargo area of a small box truck. You pack and load your things into it. The company then comes to pick up the container and transports it to your new home and you unload it. Additionally, you have the option of having the company store the loaded container for you on either a short- or long-term basis. Kind of a neat idea.

Moving on a tight budget: Tip 9: Do It Yourself

This is the least expensive option. Draft a couple of your friends. Rent a truck and have a pizza party. You can rent very large moving-van style truck for just a few dollars a day, plus mileage. Get everything packed up ahead of time. Use your free boxes and ask your buddies to just help you load and unload the truck for a pizza and beer party at your new place. After the move is finished of course. Alcohol and moving are not a good mix!

A do-it-yourself in-town move will save you the most money. It can literally be done for less that $100, including the pizza and beer. Alternatively, as painful a realization as it might be, if you don’t have any true friends you can hire two strong guys for $100 apiece. The total cost for a local move will only be about $300. Even if you are not doing the moving yourself, packing and unpacking your own boxes will save you money over paying the movers to do it.

Tip 10: Don’t Pack Too Soon!

This last tip is more about saving yourself a lot of aggravation than it is about money. Unless you have a ton of things you just can’t part with, packing will not take as long as you might think. It is absolutely zero fun having to live out boxes for days or weeks after you pack everything up. To avoid this, pack up everything you don’t use on a daily basis first. Leave the rest until the day of your move.

Try Box-n-Go

Box-n-Go offers portable storage container for simple budget and do-it-yourself moves. Box-n-Go also offers loading services and full service moving. Whatever your situation may be, please contact us at 1-877-269-6461. Our Southern California experienced movers will be more than happy to advise you on how to save on your upcoming move.

How to Properly Move Kitchen Appliances

Moving can be a task in itself, especially when it comes to items that need a certain layer of protection. Your kitchen, in particular, is one part of your home that tends to have a number of items that can be incredibly fragile. Moving these about appropriately is essential if you want to have a smooth move. One of the biggest concerns when trying to move is the appliances that you have in your kitchen. These are some of the heaviest items that are going to be a part of your move. Which is just one of the many things that make the move harder. If you are moving them on your own without the help of a professional service, paying attention to a few details is absolutely essential to have a smooth move.

Why Should You Pay Special Attention To Your Kitchen Appliances?

Before we go on to the precautionary measures that you should be taking, it is important to note why kitchen appliances need special tending to. Knowing these reasons can also help you take much better care of your kitchen essentials that you may need in your new home. Here are some of the reasons you should be paying attention to your appliances:

1. They Are Fragile

One of the biggest reasons to properly package and take care of your kitchen appliances is because of how fragile they can be. Sometimes, kitchen appliances can have parts that are made of glass and other materials that are prone to damage. If you want to maintain their condition, paying heed to their packaging becomes incredibly important.

2. They Have A Number Of Components

More often than not, kitchen appliances tend to have a number of different components. These need to be disassembled when storing and packing them up to take along with you. In these instances, there can be several parts that have to be accounted for such as add-ons and wires. Packing your kitchen appliances properly can also mean that you store everything that it needs in a much more efficient manner, making them easier to find after your move.

3. You Have To Install Them Yourself Again

If you are conducting the move yourself, the chances are that you are also going to have to do the set up at home yourself too. If you want to have an easier time doing this, packing your kitchen appliances in the right manner along with all their different components can make this process of assembly a lot easier.

Tips To Make The Kitchen Packing and Moving Easier

Not all kitchen appliances need to be moved in the same manner. Some of them may need special packaging and care to ensure that they are in good condition when you reach your new home. Here are some of the tips that you can implement to make this process significantly easier:

1. Moving An Oven

Moving an oven is sometimes challenging. Especially if your oven has been mounted to the wall or if your oven is an older model. One of the first things that you need to do is read the manual of the product that you own. If you don’t have the manual on you, simply search for the manual of your oven online.

Once your oven has been detached from your unit or wall take out all the inner components that are detachable. Make sure that these are kept well since you will need them in the future.

Once you have removed all the components and kept them aside, package the main unit with protective packaging. Make sure that the package is secured well to prevent it from breaking.

The best way to move your oven from the kitchen onto your transportation is to use a dolly. This ensures that the oven doesn’t scratch the flooring of your home and the base of the oven isn’t damaged by the contact.

2. Moving A Washing Machine

Moving a washing machine is fairly similar to that of an oven. Just with a few more steps added to it. Because this tends to always be a heavier device, you may need another set of hands to help you with it.

Start by unplugging the washing machine from the primary power source and the water source. Close up the tap of the washing machine before you do this. The hose is also something that needs to be shut off. Simply remove the screws that hold it together. Once again, the user manual is incredibly beneficial for this since it tells you what needs to be removed. Don’t forget to drain out any water that might still be in the machine or the hose before you package it.

Tape the hoses to the side of the machine and package it with the appropriate packaging. You can also leave your washing machine as is since the body is sturdy enough to handle transportation.

3. Moving A Dishwasher

A dishwasher is an important part of your home. If you have a full unit dishwasher, moving this can be a little harder than usual. This process is fairly similar to that of a washing machine, which means that this is also something that you will need another person for.

Start by unmounting the dishwasher is it is attached to a wall. Once you have done that, take out all the individual components and place them in a box that is easy to find. Remove the hose of the dishwasher and properly drain it out to prevent water from leaking into your boxes.

Package the dishwasher in the appropriate packaging to ensure that it stays well protected all while you are moving.

4. Moving A Fridge

A fridge is by far one of the hardest parts of the kitchen to move. It is something that you have to be incredibly careful about when packaging. You first need to start by removing everything from the inside of the fridge. This means that you have to move the food and all the detachable shelves and drawers inside the fridge. Make sure that these components are kept in proper boxes to make them easier to find.

Next, unplug the fridge to stop it from cooling. It is important to note: please do this around six to eight hours before you package the fridge. Since this is how long it generally takes to defrost all the ice that has been built up inside the fridge.

When you are ready to move your fridge, close the fridge. Secure it with chords to ensure that it doesn’t open up during your move. The next step is to move the fridge to your transportation. This again is something that you might need some help with. Once you have reached your transportation, lay the fridge onto its side so that it can stay in the safest position while you are moving.

Business Relocation Packing Tips

Business relocation tends to be a very strenuous activity. However, it is possible to simplify the process by having access to the right tips and tricks. Your business move should never have to be a backbreaking exercise. You can make sure that it goes smoothly by making sure that you have planned ahead as well as in investing in the services of a professional mover.

Moving Tips for Business Owners

Simplifying the packing and moving process. Prioritizing, organization and safety are additional ways of simplifying your upcoming business move. You can use the tips below to guarantee the success. To ensure that the next commercial move you make will kick off in earnest and come to its end. Without having to deal with nasty incidents.

Business relocation tip #1 – Start the Preparations Early

We recommend that you start the packing process as soon as possible. This is particularly important for large commercial businesses. Ones that have many moving parts. You will find that the process of relocating a business will, in many cases, involve moving more possessions. That is when compared to a home relocation. This, therefore, means that this particular move will require a considerable amount of time to complete. As such, do not underestimate the value of time. Start making moving preparations as early as possible. It is the only way to avoid making last-minute dashes.

2. Acquire the Right Packing Supplies

Relocating a commercial venture will involve moving many if not all your assets. Many of which are quite costly—from the old venue to a new one. Therefore, you will need to acquire the right packing materials. These will guarantee that your items will reach their destination intact. Always procure the materials in advance.

Common materials you will need for a commercial move include markers and pens for labeling purposes. You will also need cardboard moving boxes, clear zip-locked bags, moving blankets or bubble wrap, and packing tape.

Business relocation tip #3 – Try and Donate the Items You Do Not Need

Regardless of whether you are operating a small, medium-sized, or large enterprise, a relocation will normally present you with a good opportunity. That is to either upgrade or downgrade. During the packing process, you are likely to come across items that are not used often. Also items that do not serve a lot of purpose in your operations.

Old copiers, stray office supplies, office furniture, PCs and even printers. Many of these will be the ideal candidates for bestowment. Donating such items will reduce the amount of work that has to go into the packing process. All the while also presenting you with a rare and unique opportunity to earn some extra cash. That is in the form of a tax write-off. In case you are not interested in writing-off the items being donated, ensure that you confirm that the items will go to registered charity organizations.

4. Labeling

This is one task that you cannot afford to overlook. Once you start the packing process, you will need to make sure that all the packed items are properly organized. The recommended way to keep abreast of things is to make certain that each box is properly labeled. Labeling makes it easier for you to find the items that you require to get started once you arrive at the new business premises.

Consider using a label numbering system. we strongly recommend this to keep track of things. Especially when you are using a commercial moving company. This system will make sure that each box is labeled and a brief explanation of its insides noted at the top or on the side.

In addition to making sure that you will track all your possessions, it will also simplify life if anything goes wrong. It will help in the process of filing a claim in case the moving company misplaces some of your items during the move.

Business relocation tip #5 – Confirm that Cables and Computers Are Packed Correctly

Company computers tend to be some of the most critical and costly components of any commercial venture. To guarantee their safety during the relocation, be sure to follow these guidelines when packing:

Ensure each computer is properly protected through the use of the correct packing supplies. This means that each machine should be covered using a heavy blanket. Then secure the blanket by packing tape to keep it still. Make certain that computers are not on top of other items or vice versa.
Safeguard the business data. You can do this by dismantling the hard drives and packing them separately. This is in a bid to make sure that they will not sustain any damage. Alternatively, consider backing up the data in your drives into a cloud storage service or into a removable hard drive.
Use bubble wrap or a thick blanket to wrap the monitors. Wrap each monitor individually. Many business owners make the mistake of placing monitors in boxes. We do not recommend it. Monitor can easily move around leading to its breakage. When taping the blanket, make sure that the packing tape stays clear of your monitors. They can cause irreparable damage to the screens.

Pay special attention to the cables when relocating. If you are not careful, the cables may entangle. Which will then lead to a frustrating and time-consuming process of trying to disentangle them on arrival at your new location. Unplug the cables from each computer during the packing process.
It is best to acquire some large zip-locked packing bags. Heavy duty bags that can be used to hold the cables during transport. Label each bag to denote the computer where each cable belongs.

Business relocation tip #6 – Be Careful with All Your Furniture

The most popular kind of furniture that you are likely to find in any commercial venture includes work, storage, and seating surfaces. The following are a few tips to make sure that each category is safe during the relocation:

Work Surfaces: This often comprises of items such as desks. Confirm that all their drawers (removable components) are out of the desk before loading into the relocation truck. If the drawers are non-removable, tape them shut. Be sure to pack all your glass surfaces separately.
Storage: Pack the shelving units and file cabinets keeping the issue of space in mind at all times. Where possible, try and remove the shelves. You can use the remaining space to hold light items in a bid to utilize all the available space.
Seating Surfaces: Office seating furniture can take on very odd shapes. It is, therefore, best to try and dismantle the chairs so as to prevent breakage and conserve the available space. If there are fragile components, make sure to secure them using bubble wrap or thick moving blankets.

Summary

It is always best to hire professional help when the business relocation is in the plans. The personnel from the moving company will assist with the shuttling as well as with the heavy lifting and business self storage solutions, thereby helping you save countless man-hours as well as conserve your energy for the duration of the move.

Give Box-n-Go a Try

Box-n-Go is your one stop shop for all your relocation needs. We can help you with moving as well as storage. Simply call us at 1-877-269-6461 and we will take care of the rest.

How to Avoid Moving and Storage Scams

Moving is no different from anything you do in life: There’s always someone out there trying to take advantage of you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a big residential move or you’re just a college student looking for summer storage. It’s a confusing and potentially risky market that can cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful. Luckily, we’ve got just the guide to help you avoid any pitfalls.

woman taping storage box — Packing for Storage

What Can Go Wrong

For a task that, at its simplest, is just about moving some of your things from point A to point B, there’s a surprising amount that can go very bad very quickly. Leaving your stuff in the wrong hands can not only mean that you end up paying far more than you should be but also result in:

Missing or damaged items
Items held for “ransom”
Overpriced and improper boxes and packing materials
Poorly protected temporary or campus storage

What You Should Be Watching For

Fortunately, there are a few simple things that you can look out for to keep your most treasured possessions safe. Many scams and dishonest companies operate in the same way, so, once you know how to spot a fake, you’ll save yourself some big headaches every time you move.

In particular, you should check the following:

That the company has a physical address – Also look for a phone number listed on their website which is answered when you call. If anything goes wrong, you need to be able to get in touch with your movers.
That the company is rated well by other users – Thanks to the internet, it’s now easier than ever before to check out genuine reviews of the moving company you’re considering. Many review websites exist—do your research and examine the feedback before you commit.
That they don’t give quotes without looking at your stuff – It’s next to impossible to give a final quote for storage and removals without first examining what needs to be moved. So, if a company can give you a fixed quote over the phone, and you don’t see them before moving day, it’s a little fishy.
That you’re not being asked for big money upfront – While deposits aren’t unusual, large deposits which are close to, or over, the cost of the move are highly suspicious. Almost all companies will charge you only once the move is completed. Insist on this and, if they don’t agree, then choose another company.

man holding storage box shaking hands with woman — Professional Movers at Your Service

How to Find the Professionals

If that seems like a lot to consider when all you want is to move your stuff to student self-storage, don’t worry. There are still many reliable, honest, and professional movers out there who just want the best for you and your belongings—like the experts at Box-n-Go Storage and Moving, your trusted name when it comes to moving and storage units near UCLA.

With no hidden costs and a friendly, straight-forward team, our solutions will save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle. Don’t just take our word for it—read our reviews and call us today at 877-269-6461 to find out more!