Month: February 2017

Chances are once you’ve settled into your new place post move, you’ll be stuck with a plethora of cardboard moving boxes. Simply throwing them in the trash or taking them to the dump are viable options, but there are more environmentally conscious ways of ridding yourself of your new cardboard collection.

Take a look at some of the ways you can get rid of your moving boxes by reading the short list below.

1. Donate them

Be sure to recycle any boxes that were damaged during the moving process. If you haven’t been provided with a city recycling container, be sure to locate the facility closest to you.

Once you’re left with fully functional boxes, start calling around to local charities that could use them. Consider organizations such as libraries, Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and schools.

Chances are the local library will need boxes for book storage and sales. Schools may need them for storage purposes. In any case, you’ll feel good about having donated the boxes to a good cause instead of tossing them in the recycling bin.

2. Continue to use them

If you’re left with sturdier boxes after the move, it may be best to continue using them. You can even use the boxes to stay organized by grouping like items together such as your entertaining China or Christmas lights.

If you plan to move again in the not-so-distant future, be sure to hang on to your boxes. If you don’t need to use them, be sure to break them down for easy storage. This way you won’t have to invest your time and money locating more boxes for your next residential move.

3. Ask a friend or family member if they need boxes

If you have a friend or family member that’s preparing for a move, be sure to offer your boxes to them. Even if they’ve hired a professional mover, your friend will still be saving time and effort by using your boxes.

If you’re moving into an apartment complex or a condo, be sure to offer the boxes to other residents who may be moving. Apartment managers, landlords, and associations may be aware of a tenant’s upcoming move and can password along for you.

4. Get some of your money back by selling them

If you purchased your boxes from a professional mover, you should consider making some of your money back by selling them. Often times, there are local companies who buy and sell moving boxes. Once you find a local company, be sure to ask if they offer pick-up services, saving your time and gas money.

If you’re having trouble finding a local company that will buy your used moving boxes, be sure to check out online sources such as BoxCycle.com.

Be sure to try one or more of these methods for getting rid of your boxes after you move. If you plan to hire a professional residential moving company, you can also ask them if they offer box removal services.

If you have a move in your near future it’s important to remember that your breakable items are, well, breakable. If packed improperly, dishes can be easily cracked, mirrors can be reduced to shards, vases can be shattered, and antique heirlooms may become bits of dust. Since you’re thinking ahead about handling your delicate possessions, and how to avoid breaking them during your relocation, you’ll have to take some extra steps to store and pack them. To help you avoid having to clean up a mess, here are some tips for packing and storing your breakable items like a professional residential mover.

Save your fragile items for last. Most residential movers will tell you that packing your breakable items generally takes longer than packing your less delicate items. For this reason, you’re going to want to save your fragile pieces for last. If you pack everything else first, then you’ll have dedicated time to focus on properly packing your breakables.

Prevent any future trouble by packing your breakable items in appropriately sized boxes. Stuffing your fragile items into a box that’s too large can lead to overloading, which would make the box too heavy. Once you’ve secured the correct boxes from your residential moving company, store dishes, cups, and other small breakables in a dish pack. Dish packs are boxes that are made specifically for breakables. Dish packs feature thicker cardboard and typically have dividers that can be inserted to help absorb the shock of swift movements.

Be sure to sufficiently protect your breakables. When boxes are loaded into a residential moving truck or storage unit, they’re typically stacked several boxes high. While this is convenient for movers, it does make breaking your fragile possessions more likely. To ensure you’ve packed your breakables properly, start by packing each box with a soft layer of tissue paper, newspaper, or packing paper. This will serve as a shock-absorbing cushion. Then line each side of the box with crumpled paper to ensure your items are protected on all sides. Try to create a layer approximately 6 inches thick on the top and bottom of the box. Keep in mind that the box should be somewhat overfilled with your chosen cushioning material so that you can’t push it down easily after taping it shut. A good trick of the trade is if you can hear the items clinking around or rattling in the box, then there isn’t enough packing material inside.

Pack your boxes with the hardiest breakables at the bottom and the more fragile ones on the top.

Avoid leaving empty spaces in your boxes. Make sure you pack each box tightly and that you take the time to fill the empty spaces with other items or additional packing material to absorb the shock. Be aware that you can nest small wrapped items inside larger ones to create more support. If you still have empty spaces in your breakable items boxes, fill them with packing peanuts or pieces of styrofoam you purchased from your residential mover.
Any professional residential mover will tell you that the most important part of packing breakables is to wrap them individually. Start by placing your item in an upright position on a sheet of packing paper. Then thoroughly wrap the piece in paper and put another crumpled sheet of paper inside. Items like vases or jars should have tight layers of paper around them for increased protection.

Don’t be afraid to use lots and lots of tape! Packing tape is wider and stronger that other kinds of tape, therefore you should use it to tape the bottom and the sides of your boxes. If you feel it’s necessary, you can use other kinds of tape to make sure the ends are securely shut.

One of the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to hire a professional mover to help you with your residential move. A residential mover eliminates all of the headaches that come with moving such as hauling heavy furniture, boxes, and then placing items in their appropriate places. Once you’ve done your research and chosen a reputable residential moving company, there are several ways you can ensure their job is easier and that the events of moving day go smoothly.

Organize Your Items

If you’ve decided to pack most of your items yourself, properly packed and labeled boxes will help your residential mover move quickly. Take the time to ensure all items are packed carefully and fit inside your properly sealed boxes. Avoid letting sharp items stick out from any boxes as they could cause accidents that will stall or slow down the moving process. Labeling all of your boxes will help your mover know where they should be placed in your new space. This will also let your mover know what items are breakable and should be handled with caution.

Remove All Obstacles

On moving day, your residential movers will be making multiple trips from your current house to the truck while carrying heavy things. In order to help them, be sure to create a clear path that’s free from boxes, tools, and furniture. Remember that children and pets may accidentally get in their way, so ensure pets are properly leashed or in their carriers until the movers are done. If necessary, consider taking your pets to an animal daycare. This will allow them time to run around and play with friends while you don’t have to worry about them running out of the house. Try to keep your young children busy and distracted with their favorite toys, activities, or coloring books so they’ll remain out of the way.

Keep Supplies Handy

No matter how cautiously you pack, be aware that boxes do break on moving day. Keep a roll of packing tape handy in case a box or two comes undone during the moving process, especially if you elected to pack up the items yourself. Another great tip is to keep a small paper or plastic bag filled with handy supplies such as packing tape, a box cutter, a permanent marker, and some trash bags in case boxes do come undone. Surprisingly, trash bags come in handy during the moving process because they can be used to carry extra lightweight items that won’t fit into boxes or those that you forgot to pack.

Offer Your Movers Something to Drink

Moving is hard work, which means your movers will need to stay hydrated in order to keep their energy levels high. Stock up on bottled water and Gatorade so you can give them to the moving team before they start their work. That way, they can keep them handy and swig them when they’re feeling thirsty. You can also grab a few snacks from the convenient store as an offer of thanks to the movers once the work is done. Avoid any messes by ensuring the snacks can be eaten on-the-go in case the movers need to leave right away. While the gesture of keeping drinks and snacks on hand seems simple, this kind gesture will help you establish rapport with the movers, which in turn may result in fewer breaks throughout the day. If the moving team is happy, they’ll work faster and more efficiently.

Though exciting, moving can certainly be stressful. While it seems like moving your belongings on your own will save you time, it can be highly beneficial to work with a professional moving company. The fact is that there are many things you can do to make you move smoother, whether you’ve chosen a residential moving company to help you or not. Below are some things you can do to make your move easier as well as some things you should avoid.

What you should do

• Make sure you take the time to analyze what you really want to keep. Go through every room in your home, spending at least one day each, and throw away your unwanted items and pack what you do want. As you go through each room you can create a third pile made up of items you’d like to donate. It seems like this will add to your packing time, but it will prevent you from having to go through your items again at your new place.
• Check up on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Your personal property is covered no matter where it is, assuming your policy is up-to-date. Your professional mover should have coverage should anything be damaged during the moving process, but your homeowner’s policy should pick up the difference if there is any.
• Be sure to take measurements at your new home ahead of time! There’s nothing more frustrating than finding out your dining room table is too big or your large sectional sofa won’t fit in the living room. Taking measurements beforehand will give you time to prepare and come up with a plan, which will make moving day go so much faster.
• If you’re looking to save yourself some cash, you do have the option of packing non-breakable items yourself. Most professional residential movers will let you do this while they handle the fragile china, glass, and antiques.
• In an effort to make packing easier, keep heavy boxes small. Pack canned goods, books, and other heavy items in smaller boxes so that when you or someone else goes to move it, it’s still manageable. If you’re okay with mixing items, you can pack heavier objects such as books with your clothing, which distributes the weight.
• Don’t cut corners – remove the bulbs from all of your lamps and other light fixtures you may be taking with you. Wrap the shades carefully so they’ll be protected in their respective boxes.
• Designate a place for fragile items so the professional moving team can easily work with them. Glass shelving, wall hangings, and mirrors need to be handled with care, so it makes sense to place them together in one easily-accessible spot.

What you should avoid doing

• Don’t hire a professional or residential mover without doing your research! Meet with the movers ahead of time at your home so they can see the size of your home. Meeting with them in advance will also allow them to provide you with a more accurate estimate. Plus it will give them time to plan and strategize, which will make moving day easier for everyone.
• Don’t put your valuables in a moving truck. Items such as money, jewelry, and private documents should be carried with your personally so place them in your bag or car.
• Try to avoid annoying the movers while they’re working, especially when they’re in the process of moving heavy objects. Unnecessary distractions can cause accidents, slip-ups, and damage to your property.
• Do not hire a residential mover that is not insured. Professional movers should carry general liability, policies that cover the value of your property, workers’ comp, as well as auto insurance for their moving vehicles. If you discover that the moving company you’re working with doesn’t have these policies, find someone else!