Month: January 2018

If you’re like one in every five American families, you’ll be making a move this year. Since moving can feel like an organizational hazard, the best thing you can do is start getting things in order as early as possible.

The thought of packing up everything you and your family own is daunting, especially when you start to go through each room. However, disassembling and reassembling your life doesn’t have to be a horrible experience.

Taking some easy steps to get yourself organized can make the moving experience more enjoyable. Here are the key things we recommend:

Start purging

Though it might not shave off the bulk of your moving time, getting rid of the items you no longer use will make the whole process a lot easier. Start taking a serious look at everything in each of the rooms in your home to decide what can be eliminated and what needs to go with you. Don’t forget to look in your closets too – they have a way of storing a lot of items you’ve forgotten about!

Get a handy dandy notebook

Head to your local office supply store and pick up a quality notebook or binder that will withstand the entire moving process. Use it to document as many things as you can. From phone calls with the moving company or meetings with your realtor to business cards and paint swatches, use this notebook to keep track of it all.

Talk to your school

Speak with your child’s school regarding the upcoming move. This will give them time to transfer your kid’s records to the new school and give teachers the opportunity to update their grades.

Gather packing supplies

It’s wise to start packing items you don’t use every day as soon as you can, so make sure you have the supplies to get started. Invest in some quality boxes, packing tape, sharpies, and labels that will help packing go smoother. At the very latest, start packing two weeks before moving day – you’ll be surprised by how much stuff you have.

Create a floor plan

Get the dimensions of your new space and start planning where your furniture will be placed. Determine the layout of each room ahead of time so moving day is smooth for you and your moving company.

Do some housekeeping

Try using up things you might not want to move such as cleaning supplies and frozen, perishable, or canned food.

Label everything

Once you start packing, you’ll accumulate a lot of boxes. Unpacking becomes a lot easier if you know what boxes go where, so label each box by room and write a one-to-three-word summary of what’s inside on each one.

Keep track of your valuables

Special items such as jewelry, financial records, and identification cards should be kept in a safe box that you’ll transport yourself. Pro tip: keep the moving company’s estimate in this box so you can reference it on moving day.

If you’d like some help with your residential move, reach out to the professional team at White Glove Movers. We specialize in intrastate and interstate moving and would love to make the moving process as easy as possible for you and your family.

Before moving day ever gets here you’re already frazzled. You’ve rented a truck, met with movers, consulted utility companies, done a million other things and now you need to finish packing. Moving is tricky enough for us humans so imagine how confusing it is for your pets when things inside the home start getting shuffled around.

Your pets will become stressed and anxious when the unexpected activity starts to go down and after that, they’ll need to acclimate to their new surroundings. Since moving with pets comes with its own challenges, we’ve put together a list of things to consider and steps you can take to make the process easier for you and your furbabies.

1. Pack a bag for your pet

Designate a bag or suitcase that will be used only for your pet. Fill it with the essentials like food, treats, grooming tools, medications (if applicable), and toys so you can have easy access to the things your pet needs to be comfortable. This bag will allow you to easily feed and care for your pet if you’re making a long distance move. You’ll also have an easier time taking care of them during the first few days in your new home.

2. Talk to your vet

Make sure to let your veterinarian know you’ll be moving so they can update your pet’s records. You should also renew any prescription medications your pet needs so you have enough until you find a new vet. If you’re moving far away, you can ask your current vet for recommendations on one in your new neighborhood.

3. Place your pet in a quiet spot

Animals tend to be more sensitive to commotion than we are, so the best way to reduce stress is to keep them in a quiet area. If you prefer to keep your pet with you on moving day (otherwise you could kennel them or take them to a friend’s house), keep them away from the action. Empty one bedroom on another floor, place them in there and keep the door closed. If someone in your family can manage to entertain your pet during this time that’s even better. Be sure to check on your pet regularly throughout the day so they have enough food, water, and bathroom breaks.

4. Bring your pet along for the car ride

Transport your pet to the new space in your own car. Cats and dogs can be placed in their pet carrier in the back seat and larger dogs can hang out in their kennel in the back. If possible, put the seats down so you can accommodate your pet. If your pet is uneasy in the car, encourage them to relax by placing a blanket over their carrier but try to follow the same routine you would during any regular road trip with your pet.

5. Introduce them to the new space slowly

Use caution when transporting your pet to your new neighborhood. Your pet can easily get lost if they get out, so use a leash or keep them in their carrier even if your pet is usually calm or well trained. If you’re the owner of an outdoor cat this could be a good time to help them transition into being an indoor cat.

6. Update their contact info

Moving is strenuous enough and the last thing anyone wants to go through is losing their pet. Take a moment to update your pet’s contact information before moving day. Go to your local pet store, make new tags, and attach them to your pet’s collar. If your dog is registered with the AKC, update your contact info on their official website. If your cat or dog has a chip, make sure your vet updates it to the new address.

As a midwesterner, you enjoy your outdoor furniture when the sun is out and the humidity is low. Of course you’re going to take it all with you when you move, but how do you pack your outdoor pieces? As a professional moving company, we know all about moving the odds and ends of your home, which is why we’ve put together this list of tips for moving your outdoor furniture.

• Clean ‘em up: Outdoor furniture can get dirty, but that doesn’t mean you should take the dirt with you. Make time to clean your outdoor furniture so you can enjoy it right away when you get to your new home.
• Do an inspection: The last thing you want in your new home is unwanted pests, so make sure there are no bugs or other critters lurking in your furniture.
• Disassemble them: Certain patio pieces can be tricky. Take the time to wrap your glass tabletop so it’s protected during transit.
• Use proper packing methods: If your furniture comes with loose pieces, take time to pack and secure them properly. Put all hardware pieces in a storage baggie and label the bag so you know which piece it goes with. You can also tape the bag to the chair or table.
• Tend to your plants: You’ve worked hard to grow your houseplants and keep them healthy and now it’s time to pack them up. Moving can really take a toll on your plants if you’re not careful. Make sure all of your delicate plants are packed in boxes with ventilation holes so they can breathe. Plants that already have branches should be tied up so the branches extend in the direction they’re already growing.
• Watch state laws: If you’re moving to another state, make sure your plants can cross state lines. Many states require plant inspections – California, Arizona, and Florida are among the strictest.
• Take some cuttings: If it’s too much of a hassle to move all of your plants, consider taking some of the cuttings instead. Wrap them in wet moss and newspaper and put them in unsealed bags. Put the bags in a carton and fill the space with light packing material. The cuttings should survive this way for a couple of days and can take root in your new garden.
• Empty play equipment: If you have sandboxes or water toys for your kids, empty them so they’re much easier to pack. Disassemble all play structures for easy transportation.
• Take care: No matter what you’re moving, make sure you’re following correct lifting methods. Lift from the knees to avoid throwing out or doing damage to your back. Avoid wearing sandals or flip flops during the moving process, otherwise your toes will be easy targets. Of course, if you have any existing injuries, get someone else to do the heavy lifting for you.

If you’re looking for a residential company that makes the moving process smooth, give White Glove Movers a call today. We’re a locally owned and operated company that’s happy to help you move to the other side of town, across the state, or to another region. We’ll also take care of the packing for you!

Regardless of the season, making a household move is difficult. If your schedule and timeline are flexible, there are multiple factors you should consider when booking your moving date. Don’t forget to make these factors part of your negotiation deal if it’s your current or new employer who wants you to move.

If we had to recommend an ideal time of year, it would be spring or late fall. Why? These are the best times to find professional movers and rental companies that aren’t charging outrageous rates.

Do you think you can manage to complete your move during the week? We suggest this because weekend rates are usually the highest for both truck rental and moving companies. Moving is at its peak in the summer and the first weekend of each month is the most common. Granted, you’ll need to think about all considerations including your spouse, kids, jobs, school, and other factors when choosing a moving date.

Here are some of the most common factors you should think about when picking a moving date:

The school year

If you have children that still live at home, the best thing you can do is work around their school calendar. Summer is the best time because they’ve completed another grade, have said their goodbyes, and are no longer under academic obligations. Careful not to move right after school is over, however, as doing so won’t give your kids enough time to adapt to the idea. Give them time to say their farewells to neighbors and school friends. Try to also allow for a few weeks in your new home so your kids can meet other children and make neighborhood friends before school starts up again.

It might feel like you’re taking away some of their summer fun, but your kids are more likely to be excited about their new school if they’ve already made friends.

As the new school year approaches, create some time where you and your child can see the new school, meet their teachers, and determine the best transportation method so you both feel prepared.

Special events and holidays

Major holidays are less than ideal for moving. Avoid relocating during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Ramadan since the focus should be on spending time with family and friends. Moving on or near birthdays, anniversaries, and other family events can be challenging too. Try to buffer in some time between your move and any major events or holidays so you can get settled into your new home. Doing so will also give you time to make new friends that would love to have you over for the holidays.

The changing of the seasons

The average person would say that summer is the best time to move because kids are out of school, the weather is great, and friends can usually lend a hand. If this is the moving season for you, make sure you do your research on moving company rates and schedules. As we said, most companies have peak times and will charge more, so don’t be afraid to shop around.