Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Save Money on Your Next Move

A promotion or a job transfer or even the need to upgrade your home-all these necessitate a moving. Moving across a country or a town is not only an exhaustive task. It is also a very expensive endeavour. Your employer may reimburse the moving expense. Yet moving is generally associated with a lot of hidden and uncovered costs. But there are ways to limit the moving expenses. Here is the money saving tips for your next move, listed for you.

•Get boxes instead of buying: From local grocery or liquor stores you can get empty boxes for packing instead of buying new ones. This way you can save up to $100. You can get boxes also from just-moved-in new tenants. If your employer is sponsoring your move save the new boxes for future use.
•Packing Tape: Buy this from a hardware store instead of from a grocery or an office supplies shop. If you do, you surely will save up to $5 per roll.
•Truck Rentals: Comparison is the key. Make a survey of few truck rental companies and compare their prices before deciding. Also, as you are going to bear the gas cost get an idea abut the average mile-per-gallon of the truck you reserve. You may be renting the truck at one place but may be moving to a different city or state. So ensure that your homeowner’s insurance will cover your household goods and your auto insurance covers for the truck so that you need not go for additional insurance from your rental company.
•Storage Facility: Decide on a storage facility after considering space, security and accessibility aspects. Never sign a contract with the storage facility company if you are not confident of making the payments. You can always use your credit card for the recurring monthly costs. But you have to pay off the balance in full every month. Enquire about the partnership pricing that may be available. You could get a storage facility for just $1 for the first month if you rent the truck at the same time.
•Packing the Fragile: Safe packing of fragile goods need expensive packing material. What you can do is to use towels, bed linens, blankets, shower curtains, rugs etc. instead. This is a better alternative than the newspaper as there will not be ink residue. Also you can save the cost of special packing materials.
•Essentials: At your arrival at the new home you immediately need the necessary items like toiletries, toilet paper, change of clothes, towels, bed linens etc. Pack these essentials in an easily identifiable and readily accessible place like the top drawer of a furniture piece.
•Utilities: Cancel the utilities at your old home a day after your move. Also start the utilities at your new home a day before your arrival. This may cost a few dollars extra but ensures your comfort and convenience. Because the utilities companies generally don’t give assurance on cut-off and start-up time. Electricity, gas, water, phone, cable and garbage are the utility services you need. Contact information about companies offering these services can be had from the property management company or the Chamber of Commerce in your new area.
•Sell Empty Boxes: You have to spend around $25 for your empty boxes to be picked up by the private trash collecting service of your complex. Instead you can donate the boxes to a new neighbour.
•Address Changes: It is important that you intimate the change in your address to your banks, credit card companies, doctors, insurance companies, U.S. Post Office, magazines, and utility companies.
•Save the Receipts: Your moving expenses are tax deductible if your employer is not sponsoring your relocation. So, save all your moving receipts.

Seeking Moving Companies

Like technology, companies are on the rise. It’s easy to list them yet when it comes to finding a perfect one; it becomes a rather hard task. Choosing a moving company could be one of the most difficult decisions to be taken when the need arises. But once you look into the services and make your decision after considering it from every angle, you would be surprised to know that making the right choice is easier than it seemed. There is not much to worry about as there are a number of companies you can choose from. The only thing you have to make sure is that you decide to choose the best. At www.arrowflightvanlines.com we want the best for you and your move. Still, here is some information you need to know about selecting moving companies, then the decision is yours!

Gathering Information
It is always wise to gather information before you undertake anything. This is particularly applicable when seeking a moving company that would fit your needs. Enquire around and make assessments on as many companies you can find. Make sure that you grasp the pricing of services. But before that you should be certain of the number of items to be moved.

The Better Business Bureau, an agency that operates on information on the business in your area would be worth reaching out to. They would put their files at your disposal which makes it possible for you to research a moving company. You can also gather the required information from the Department of Transportation. Since it is a government agency which licenses all interstate movers, you can be secure about the services once you locate a company that suits your purpose. Approaching the American Moving and Storage Association would be another option for you. They would give you an estimate of costs besides providing you the moving information.

Besides reaching out to these agencies to seek information for your move, it is also advisable to ask your friends and relatives. They might know some or must even have used the services of a certain company in the past. This would be reliable as they would know more about the thing you are about to venture into. As moving out requires taking along all your treasures as well you would want to entrust the job to a reliable company which would safely move your belongings.

Moving Out Securely
You are likely to come up with a good list of moving companies once you have explored the avenues of finding one. Let them know your destinations and the timings. Get a copy of their moving services and ask them to provide you with all the necessary details. Having done that, scrutinize the companies one by one and pick the moving company that suitably fits your needs and budget. Do not forget to make sure that you have chosen a company that will take care of your belongings and reach them to your destination safely.

How to Move Your Antique Furniture

You could find many tips on how to move your antique furniture but there may be companies who do not train their staffs regarding this. This requires a lot of attention and care because they are almost priceless. First thing that comes to mind when the need for moving antique furniture arises is the kind of object that you are dealing with. Whether it is a chair, table, a desk, a coach, or the like, they all have a construction where the bottom gets all the weight. And it is the right place for lifting.

Handling Furniture

•The objects lifted from the top may cause a lot of complications where the screws or dove tails attached to it may come out. It could even break. Using a foam wrap is highly recommended.
•You should also consider the types of finishing that your furniture has. It could be oil based, alcohol based, liquid based and water based. Excepting the last type, the other three requires extra care.
•To be on the safer side, it is advisable to package the object in a wooden crate or box.
•You may not be clearly certain of what finishing your furniture has but if they are wrapped with sufficient amount of cushioning material they will be protected somehow from the extreme temperature conditions.

It is advisable to check your furniture before moving them out. See if they are any loose or damaged joinery.

•Chairs are to be carried by the seat rails as opposed to the back splat, top rail or arms while tables are to be carried by the apron or legs instead of the top which could pull loose from the base.
•Huge objects should never be dragged across the floor.
•Remove the shelves, doors and drawers before transporting.
•When there are glasses to be handled use moving blankets as support. Make sure that the owner is informed and has agreed to it all the same. Cover the box with cardboard and write the name of the objects, even state that it is fragile.
•You would also need a climate controlled vehicle.

Antique Care

Antique furniture is valuable stuff. Much care has to be taken to preserve them.

•Do not place antique furniture in front of a window or direct sunlight nor near air conditioning or heating vents. Keep them away from fireplaces and stoves and you’re your valuable furniture frequently with a lint free cloth.

Since a lot of investment goes into getting them, you may not want your prized furniture to just lie there in the room for the heck of it. Some antique furniture may be short of significant monetary, artistic or historical value. However when you believe that you possess one of those significant antique furniture it is always advisable to consult a licensed appraisal for values and conservator for any repairs or restoration. Without doubt, the furniture you bought with a great prize deserves the best care. Make sure that you give all that your antique furniture deserves. You will be well rewarded.

The Moving Adventure

Moving into a new home has so many memories attached to it. Besides the excitement and adventurous experiences that come as a part of the package, it would also require you to go through some complicated moments. Everything would need reorganizing because it’s almost like starting everything anew. You would be actually setting into a new destination to create a new home. The task wouldn’t be easy but following a few important steps would make the whole process of moving a great adventure.

Organized Packing

In order to have your things packed without getting confused, keep a record of your items. List the things to be carried. Get a print out of the list or maintain a spiral-bound notebook. It would prove to be really useful. Then mark the packed boxes with a number. Label them to easily locate your things later. Make sure you have enough boxes.

When you think the packing is done, you would be surprised to see that there are last minute items to be packed like your bedding, clothing and cleaning supplies. Get strong plastic tape to securely close your boxes.

Your wardrobe also needs attention as there may be clothes that should not be folded. For this, get wardrobe boxes depending on how many you would need. You could even use them to pack your shoes, fabric bolts, large baskets etc. However, do not overload the boxes as it can create complications on the way. Even better if you keep your things together like bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps etc.


Getting started before time

Moving is not something you plan and succeed overnight. It needs days for you to figure out the whole thing and put the plan to action. The more advanced you are, you are likely to gain better results.

There may be things you might not need for the remaining days at your old home. If you are moving in summer, you certainly do not need your winter clothes. Accordingly, pack the things that will be of no use for the rest of your stay.

Moving valuable possessions

There is a high risk of destroying your valuable items if you do not take extra care while moving them. As much as possible, keep them with you. Things like silverware, collections or antiques are fragile valuables. Make sure you get an insurance just to get them delivered safely to your destination. Important papers attached to it must be kept safely. You may need them to claim your things in case of any loss. Documents like birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, recent bank records etc are also important papers.

Another systematic way of moving out is getting hold of personal boxes, each for every member of the family. Each one can fill their boxes with items that would be of immediate need once they get to the new home. This would make the whole plan of moving into a new home free of chaos and more welcoming as each one’s basic requirement would be met right away once you get there.

Unpacking Your Packages

Say, you are already there, but your new home might feel empty with no things put on yet. How could a house simply be called home till you give the entire loving, hang the pictures, place you furniture at the right place, arrange your rooms and make it fell like home? Well it would seem a long way to go but once you begin unpacking. You will be surprised to see how it goes.

The huge disorder may get to you. To say the least, you might want to put it all in place. But take time, be patient, analyse your new home, think for a while because there is no such rule that you have to put up things immediately. It doesn’t matter if it takes a few days. It will be worth it. For a start, consider your basic needs- food, rest and bathing.

Setting the Rooms
Set your kitchen. At least everyone can come together and relax for a while. Don’t think of unpacking right away. Do the basic requirements in the kitchen and slowly and eventually move on to other necessities in the other rooms. Bathroom is the first place you would need it done. Unpack your toiletries; see that they are put in place and check the functioning of the bathroom. Having that done, you could move on towards putting up your rooms in style without a rush.

Time to get to your living room. First think of how you would want it to look, and then slowly start putting things at the right place. Arrange it just the way you want. Don’t worry if your bedrooms are still in a big mess. Drag your mattresses and pillows together in one room and for a change have a family camp-out. Come together to keep the furniture in place. After moving the heavy loads, let each bedroom dweller take charge and arrange his/her belongings.

In the midst of the unpacking periods, do not forget to take breaks. Unpacking would call for a busy time ahead but keep your cool and stay organized. Do not be in a hurry to get your things done. Enjoy all you can. It can prove to be an adventurous experience. Don’t go bonkers arranging the things. Take your time. It’s certainly worth all the time you can give because it’s a new home you are going to make. Make sure that you make this experience of moving to a new destination and setting up your new home a very memorable experience. Give all it takes to make all the troubles you had taken worth.

If you still find some things you don’t need, don’t hesitate to throw them. Those unnecessary stuffs may just pile up your work. Why keep them when they only act as barriers? Keep the broken items aside. If any, till you claim your insurance. Put in all you creativeness and make unpacking an enjoyable experience. Make your new home a lovely place to live in.