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Moving is stressful. Whether you’re moving across town or to another state, mistakes can happen, or you can inadvertently overlook details. Here are six common moving missteps to avoid.

1. Taking on More Than You Can Handle

It’s tempting to try to save money by taking the DIY moving route, but sometimes people take on more than they can handle. As a result, they end up physically hurting themselves, damaging their possessions, or end up paying more to move than they would have if they’d hired professionals. When planning a move, it’s essential to be realistic about what you can reasonably handle. For some DIY works, for others, it’s too big of a challenge.

2. Packing Carelessly or Rushed

Waiting until the last minute to pack usually results in not getting it done in time, possessions getting misplaced or broken, or merely adding unnecessary stress. If you’re not planning to hire professionals for this aspect of the move, start packing ASAP. Do it in stages to ensure the job is done right. This way, each box is filled correctly, taped, and labeled.

3. Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Kit

Forgetting must-have items needed for the first few nights in a new home can result in extra stress and inconvenient errands to the store to pick them up. Packing an essentials kit box can come in handy. This box, which can include toothbrushes, sheets, PJs, coffee, dog food, toilet paper, and any other essentials, makes the first night or two in a new home far more comfortable.

4. Moving Too Much ‘Stuff’

Often, people don’t realize they are packing – and paying to move – belongings they no longer use, need, or even want. They just pack everything in their home or apartment and bring it to put back in storage in their new place. By discarding, donating, giving away, or selling possessions not wanted or needed, you decrease expenses associated with the move and eliminates clutter in your new home.

5. Neglecting to Change Address

Neglecting to notify a change of address with banks, credit cards, doctors, employers, and other essential organizations can result in missed bills or someone else inadvertently getting ahold of sensitive mail, resulting in identity theft. Forgetting to change an address with gyms, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and other services, you can get billed for services you didn’t use. Start this about four weeks before the move.

6. Not Researching Movers

Sometimes people who do hire movers fail to do their research and can lead to a challenging experience. Before hiring a mover, get a few estimates – a good rule of thumb is to get three. Ask lots of questions, check the Better Business Bureau, verify licenses, and read online reviews. Moving companies are happy to answer any concerns, share information, and offer helpful advice, so don’t be shy in raising questions when talking to them.

Make Your Move a Success

Organization and planning can eliminate – or at least – reduce problems cropping up. Avoiding these six mistakes can help your move be a smooth one. Need help with an upcoming move or just have questions about a future one? Contact us today to learn more about our various moving services.

Any move is stressful for those involved. Often, office moves involve many employees, magnifying the stress. To keep the pressure manageable and to ensure you retain top talent, human resource professionals should play a vital role in all stages of the move, from planning to settling in at the new location.

Planning

If additional or fewer employees are needed at the new site than the current one, the company should develop a plan to hire or reduce staff. HR leaders will also determine how to handle the separation of those employees not invited to move or choose not to do so, including severance packages.

For those who are relocating, HR will determine whether the new location has a different cost of living than the old one and how to adjust salary to accommodate it. Paying for moving expenses for relocating employees is a short-term hit on the company’s budget but pays rewards in employee productivity retention.

Companies should articulate the reasons for the move clearly to employees. They also will be careful to provide facts about the new location while dispelling myths so that employees can make an informed decision about relocating. Providing information about the quality of life in the new city for long-distance moves or new commuting routes for shorter moves may help deal with reluctance to relocate.

During this period, the company also should provide space for employees to air their views about their new location. When possible, HR might help employees find housing, child care, jobs for spouses, and other services in the new place.

During the Move

Employees often become anxious during the moving process about whether their files, computers, and favorite ergonomic chair will make it to the right place. Providing a calming presence and providing immediate help when issues arise will help ease anxiety.

Settling In

Employees will require several weeks to settle into the new environment, mostly if the move is long-distance. Providing orientations of the new facilities and information packets about the new office area, including good lunch spots, child care facilities, and gyms will help.

Suppose the move is a long-distance one and new employees are to be hired. In that case, HR specialists will participate in recruiting and hiring, and bridging local cultural differences.

Family picnics and other types of mixers might be scheduled to enable the hires from the new location and those who relocated to get to know each other better. Company culture may slowly evolve to match that of the new area. Long-term employees may feel anxious about this change, as well. By continually supporting employees, companies will reap productivity benefits over the long term.

Office Moving

Planning an office move is overwhelming. From disassembling to reassembling your office furniture and equipment to ensure everything is up and functioning in the new space — endless steps are involved. Any delays in the moving process can cost your company money. It’s essential to select the right office movers for your move. Contact us today for a quote. We can help reduce the stress. 

Moving day is right around the corner. You’ve checked almost everything off of your to-do list, including making one of the smartest moving decisions you can make: hiring professional movers. But if you’re like most people, you’ve still got a few questions.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get the most out of your professional moving service, you’re not alone. Many people wonder if there are things they can do to help their movers — or if it’s better to simply stay out of their way.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to optimize your moving service. Here are a few tips the moving pros want you to know.

Advance Logistical Planning

You know all the details of your home (and neighborhood) in a way that movers don’t. That means you can speed moving day along by scoping out any potential logistical issues ahead of time.

From steep driveways to narrow staircases and tiny elevators, consider factors that may slow movers down. You may want to take action such as:

• Securing close parking spaces, both at your current home and your new home
• Noting narrow hallways, steep walkways, stairs, and other obstacles
• Reserving a cargo elevator, if possible

Let your moving company know about any potential issues well in advance. That way, they can plan to have the right crew and equipment on hand for moving day.

Pack it Up

Hands down, the best thing you can do to help your movers is to have things ready for them when they arrive. But what does being “ready” mean?

For a self-pack move, you’re ready for your movers when:

• All of your items are all packed, boxed, labeled, sealed, and ready to be loaded on the truck
• Appliances are properly prepared
• Furniture is disassembled
• Drawers are emptied
• Walkways are cleared
• Driveways at old and new home are cleared

The more you get done before movers arrive, the better they can do their job — and the faster you can get to your new home!

Stay Clear, But Stay Available

It’s usually best to stay back and allow the movers to do their job. Pro movers know how to pack up a home efficiently, and they know the best order to load the boxes onto the truck.

It’s essential to keep clear as the movers work; it’s also necessary that you be available to answer questions that only you, as the homeowner, can answer. You can also ask questions and voice concerns if things come up.

Secure Your Pets

Moving day is chaotic and stressful for pets, and you don’t want them getting underfoot, getting hurt, or possibly running out an opened door.

For both your pets’ and mover’s safety, make arrangements before moving day to secure your pets. 

Provide a safe room, already emptied of moving boxes, for your pets with an appropriate sign outside the room indicating that they are in there. Or, better yet, have friends or family take your pet to their house on moving day. 

Keep Children Entertained and Safe

Your small children might be upset, confused, or overly excited on moving day; for everyone’s safety, your kids need to stay out of the way as well. Make plans to have your kids stay with a friend or family member. Or consider designating an older sibling or another adult helping out to keep your children entertained and out of harm’s way on moving day.

Pro Moving Tips and Help

Your moving company wants to provide you and your family with a safe, smooth move. Following these tips will help your movers do their job quickly and effectively.

If you need moving assistance, we’re here to help. Contact us today with a free moving quote.

Moving on short notice is seldom a choice, but sometimes it is a necessity. Perhaps you’ve received a job offer in another city and need to start work in a month. Or, maybe your house sold faster than you expected, or you’ve abruptly ended a relationship. Moving on short notice is challenging but doable.

Here are some ideas on how to make that quick move work for you.

Make a Plan

List all the tasks that you need to accomplish before you move. Then, working backward from the date you need to be in your new home, fill in dates by which each task needs to be complete. Tasks will include finding a new home, packing (or hiring packers), notifying landlords and utilities, reserving a moving company, then moving. 

If you can’t find a new home right away, you may consider storing your items and living in a small furnished apartment or with friends or relatives until you find the right place.

Notify The Necessary People

If you are renting, notify your landlord as soon as possible to avoid having to pay an extra month’s rent. Examine your lease and state laws to determine whether you are potentially liable for the months remaining on your lease and, if so, how you can avoid this.

If you own your home, contact a real estate agent as soon as possible to put your home on the market or to rent it out.

Develop a Realistic Budget

The more items you have to move, the more you’ll need to spend. If you are relocating for a job, ask about what type of relocation assistance the company might provide. Consider whether you will have the mover pack or do all of it yourself or with friends. 

If you need to store items, plan to build that into your budget as well.

Packing

Begin packing seldom-used items right away. As you are packing, sort through, and eliminate the things you don’t use or no longer need. You’ll save time and money by taking fewer items with you, especially if you’re going to need to store things.

Ask for help. Just one or two friends can make packing go a lot faster. You also may want to consider having your moving company do some or all of the packing. When you interview movers, ask how much packing services will add to the cost. In many cases, the additional cost is worth the time it will save you.

Browse New Homes

Begin browsing immediately to get a feel for neighborhoods and homes that will work best. If you have children in school, you might research local schools or school districts. Or, perhaps, being close to work or public transportation is critical for you. Determine what you want most in your new home, then use the Internet, real estate agents, and friends to help you find a suitable home within your budget.

Interview and Book Movers

Begin by asking friends for recommendations. Interview at least three movers, and be sure you understand each estimate or quote and what it includes so you can compare accurately. If possible, plan to move midweek. Companies are more likely to have time available then rather than on weekends.

Once you’ve decided on a company, make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure your first-choice mover is still available.

Without a doubt, packing up a kitchen can be quite a chore, and that’s why you need a moving checklist. Numerous gadgets, fragile dishware, flatware, pots and pans, and heavy appliances can make this the most challenging and time-consuming room to pack up.

Let’s explore a few kitchen packing tips to ease the transition and ensure items transport safely.

Be Selective With What You Keep

Sort through everything, taking time to pick through items you need and use. Consider having a garage sale or donating the rest to simplify packing, loading, and unpacking. You’ll thank yourself, especially if you’re downsizing to a smaller home.

Prepare With the Right Packing Materials

You’ll probably discover that you’ll need more supplies to pack the kitchen than anticipated. You will need a variety of sturdy boxes in various sizes along with:

• Packing Paper
• Bubble Wrap and Packing Peanuts
• Packing Tape
• Labels & Markers
• Box Dividers

Put Aside Essentials

If you plan on cooking meals at home before the move, keep out items you’ll need like a coffee pot, ingredients for meals, utensils, and plates for mealtime. Keep aside some dish soap, a towel, and sponge for cleaning up afterward and for last-minute cleanup before departure. These items will also be easily accessible when moving.

Pack Larger Items to Create Space

By getting the larger items like pots, pans, bakeware, mixing bowls, and storage containers out of the way, more room is created to sort the smaller kitchen goods. Nestle pots and pans, putting packing paper or dish towels between them.

Oven mitts and towels serve as excellent box stuffers to fill any gaps. Be sure to wrap glass lids or ceramic cookware and pack them in a separate box. Attempt to keep the weight minimized, and pack like items together for easier unpacking.

Tips for Packing Stemware, Glassware, Plates, and Bowls

Pack glasses and fragile stemware with care; using those specialty box dividers helps prevent breakage. Wrap individual items in packing paper or bubble wrap—stack plates and bowls on top of each other with protective paper or wrap between them. Avoid placing heavy boxes on top of glassware, and don’t attempt to overpack the boxes—even if there’s still room.

Flatware and Utensils: Pack Cautious

If you don’t have an original box to place flatware in, the drawer tray can be wrapped in plastic and put into the box. Larger serving utensils fit nicely on top, and many use large baggies or packing paper to keep things organized. Rollup knives in heavy paper and tape them securely. Pack them on their side, blades down to prevent injury when unpacking.

Transporting and Packing Foods

Attack the spices first, wrapping them in paper or baggies. Be sure to remove anything that is expired or nearly empty to lighten the load. Pack pantry items next, making sure that they are sealed up tightly before boxing them up. Consider giving your non-perishable food to neighbors, a food pantry, or Move for Hunger. Check with your mover to see if they participate in this program where their crew will pack up your unperishable food and deliver it to a food pantry.  

Moving Kitchen Appliances

If refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers are on the moving list, a professional mover will come in handy. Strong arms and good dolly are required, along with a moving truck with a ramp for loading. Check with your movers about appliance preparation before moving to ensure the appliances are fully ready to go when the movers arrive.

Need Moving Help?

Our pro team of movers can help you pack and move your kitchen and the whole house! Contact us today to learn more about or moving services and to receive a free quote.

Moving your home or office comes with some level of stress at any time of year. But frigid temperatures and the possibility of snow makes more than a few people anxious. 

When fear drives our decision-making process, we typically miss opportunities. These may include buying a home during the winter months at a reduced price or taking advantage of prime office space that has become vacant. By adopting strategies that help overcome the fear of moving during winter, you will be positioned to make informed decisions.

1. Pack Unessential Items Well in Advance

Taking the first step in any journey tends to be the most difficult. In terms of moving, packing tends to be the first major activity. If you are considering buying a new home or relocating your office, take advantage of the time you have right now. There’s no pressure to put everything in boxes and no reason to start packing up non-essential items. By having a portion of your belongings ready to go, you’ve taken the first step.

2. Consider Hiring Experienced Packing Professionals

One of the primary fears people experience is that their valuables will get damaged due to slip and falls on icy surfaces. You can just see that box of formal dishware hitting the pavement. This is not an unreasonable fear given the fact we’ve all landed on our backside at least once.

Perhaps the best way to alleviate this fear is to work with a professional moving company that offers packing services. People who carefully wrap fragile items daily do this with the idea of protecting them from hard impacts. Pro movers can add additional bubble wrap and employ other strategies to deliver the best possible moving protections.

3: Work with Professional Movers to Account for Holidays

One of the major issues that typically hold people back from winter moves is the holiday schedule. No one wants to have everything in boxes when family gatherings are imminent. Rather than kick the relocation plan into spring, consider working with professional movers. 

Moving companies work seamlessly with people every day who have concerns about wide-reaching issues. They routinely help families and businesses navigate around holidays, birthdays, weddings, and leases that are timing out.

4: Plan for Winter Storm Delays

The trickiest part of moving at any time of year is the impact severe weather can have on your schedule. Some people think that spring and summer are safe bets in terms of weather. That’s not necessarily the case. Torrential downpours, high winds, and hailstorms can crop up at any time. The point is that no one can anticipate foul weather weeks in advance.

Consider discussing this issue with an experienced moving company that can provide an alternative date if a snowstorm does descend. Expert movers usually understand the time it takes to clear streets and can work out fallback schedules. The delay might be hours or a day or two, depending on ice and snow accumulation. But having a moving date and snow date in hand can certainly minimize any fear of long-term delays.

5: Moving Day Strategies Worth Considering

Winter presents unique logistical challenges that professionals negotiate all the time. But if you’re handling a move on your own, you would be wise to consider investing in items such as floor protection and snowmelt products, among others. Consider putting down plastic or other protections over carpet and flooring to avoid tracking mud. 

Whether a DIY move or using a professional moving company, make sure that walkways are shoveled and doused with a suitable product to prevent a slip and fall.

Take a moment and review areas that require secure footing and take precautions. Knowing you have these and other winter protections in place will likely make you feel more confident about a winter move.

Winter Moving Reinforcements

Let professionals help you with your move. Contact us for a free quote. We can help make your winter move stress-free.

Even undertaking a small apartment move can be a challenge, and packing up for a large family brings about even more complexities. To help you avoid as much stress and inconvenience as possible, here are some tips for simplifying your next move to a new home.

Tip #1: Declutter Your Home

It only takes more time and energy to pack, move, and unpack household items that you really don’t need, want, or use. Tame the clutter through donations, trash, sales, or recycling as far in advance of the move as possible to have a more realistic picture of what you’ll face on moving day.

Tip #2: Prepare a Detailed Moving List

Taking time to prepare a master moving list is essential to a smoother move all around. Outline a plan of essentials to-do, and create a timeline to achieve each task, including obtaining supplies, packing, utilities, school and medical records, and hiring movers.

Tip #3: Secure Essential Moving Supplies

The need for boxes and tape is evident, but that’s only the beginning of having a solid packing plan before moving. Easing the transition also requires labels for boxes, scissors, packing paper, and bubble wrap. Pick up a handy carryall to tote items from room to room and keep them organized. Having a dolly on hand to prevent injuries and back strain might be a good idea, too.

Tip #4: Research Food Options in Your New Town

One thing you likely won’t have on hand right away—especially during a long-distance move—is food. Take some time to explore the various delivery services for groceries and restaurants to ease your duties as you unpack and get settled in.

Tip #5: Arrange for Essential Home Services

Be sure to search for the best utility companies and arrange for service to be connected a day or two before your arrival. You’ll want to have scheduled providers for essentials such as electricity, gas, Internet, television, water, and a security system.

Tip #6: Transfer Vital Records

Families with children will want to officially arrange for a transfer of documents to confirm their new school status. You should secure medical records from providers or make arrangements to get pertinent health documents and current prescriptions sent to new providers. It will be especially useful if you contact local schools and doctors beforehand to streamline the process.

Tip #7: Pack an Essentials Kit

There will be items that you will need to access right away after or during the move. Pack an essentials kit, a personal suitcase with ample toiletries, and clothing in your vehicle for convenience and comfort. If traveling with pets, include a bag with food and water along with bowls to meet their needs. If you’re moving with kids, a cooler of beverages and snacks will make their journey (and yours) more pleasant.

Tip #8: Employ Movers for Packing Help and Transportation

Packing can be exhausting but not as much as loading and unloading it from a moving van or truck. Those heavy couches, mattresses, and chairs can be loaded and transported to your destination with caution by a professional moving company, along with the dozens of boxes you have.

Movers can even handle packing for you if you don’t have time or energy to do it yourself. Contact moving companies for quotes as soon as you know you are moving.

Time to Move

We can help simplify your move. Contact us for more information. We’ll provide you with a free quote. Let us help get you into your new home.

In a perfect world, any time you relocate, you would have months to prepare. Sometimes quick property sales, a new job, or other life circumstances can have you moving in an all-out rush. If you have just a few days to get your belongings packed up and on their way, you may need a few time-saving moving hacks to help you set a quick pace.

1. Skip serious sorting and pack things where they are.

The standard moving process involves carefully sorting everything according to the room and where it will eventually be. However, if you’re short on time and need to get moved quickly, skip the major sorting and pack your belongings where they are in the house. 

This kind of packing might take you a little longer on the other end to unpack, but by then, you will be in your new place with more time to spare. For example, if you start out in your bedroom and find a lot of odds and ends that belong in the bathroom or living room, skip bolting from room to room to relocate these items and simply pack them where they are.

2. Create a designated spot for discards or leave-behinds.

If you’re moving in a hurry, you may have to leave a few things behind or discard some items, especially if you’re downsizing or moving in with family or friends. Pick a designated spot in your home that is out of the way and use this area to stash the items you plan to discard or leave behind.

3. Pack your clothing as it is.

Clothing is not necessarily hard to pack. But it does take up a lot of time if it must go from its current location into a box. Instead of handling every piece of clothing you own, pack your clothing as it is. For example:

• Leave your clothing in your dresser drawers and tape the drawers closed
• Leave hanging clothes on hangers and place them in a portable wardrobe box, large box, or large garbage bag
• Leave stored clothing in its storage container and move as is

4. Get all hands on deck.

Moving in a hurry means you will need all the help you can get. Every family member should have a list of jobs to tackle. If you have kids, put them in charge of packing their own rooms. You can always pop in from time to time to make sure they are doing things properly. If you have a few relatives who can help, it would be a good time to call in a favor or offer dinner at the new place in exchange for a little help. Even a few extra hands for a few hours can make a big difference.

5. Schedule pro movers ASAP.

As soon as you find out you have to move, reach out to professional movers to schedule a moving truck and some professional help. Keep in mind that some moving companies stay pretty busy with their services in high demand. The sooner you can secure a spot for service, the better.

Take the Sting Out of Rushed Move with Professional Help

Having a professional moving company on-site for a hurried move means you can carry larger loads at one time. And possibly get help with packing, packing supplies, and even securing storage if needed. Reach out to a professional household moving company in your area to get the help you need during a last-minute relocation from one home to the next.

As COVID-19 continues to inflict the United States, we are gaining a better understanding of the disease’s effect on people’s behavior and mindset.One interesting way the coronavirus is affecting people is its impact on their decision to move. Not only does the disease contribute to people’s desire to move, but many households have expedited the moving process because of it. 

Below, we’ll take a look at how exactly COVID-19 has impacted movers’ mindsets and behavior.

COVID and the Decision to Move

Although the first COVID cases in the U.S. appeared in January 2020, the virus’s widespread impact wasn’t felt until March when lockdowns were first initiated. By mid-summer, nearly 15% of people moving cited COVID as a contributing factor in their decision to move. The four most common reasons that 15% of movers cited were:

1. Personal health and well being (60%)
2. Desire to be closer to family (59%)
3. Change in employment status (57%)
4. Family health and well being (53%)
5. Live in an expanded living space (45%)

Roughly two-thirds of the movers above reported that their moving process was expedited because of the virus.

Overall, however, the U.S. experienced a shift in peak moving season. While typically, most moves occur in May through late August (between Memorial Day and Labor Day), that timeframe was pushed back by a month or two. Interstate move requests jumped by 27% and 32% in August and September, respectively.

Where Are They Going?

As expected, the top outbound states for which COVID was a factor include the states hit hardest by the virus or most impacted by lockdowns, including Washington, D.C., New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and California. 

Also, unsurprisingly, the top inbound states for which COVID was a factor in the decision to move include states with lower population densities such as Vermont, North Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Ohio, and Utah.

The data from New York show a pretty dramatic shift in moving trends over previous years. In May and August, moving requests increased by more than 50% over 2019.

But that pales in comparison to a city like San Francisco, whose requests skyrocketed 59% for August year over year and 129% in September!

COVID-19 is changing our behavior in many ways. While some are content to simply adhere to recommended precautions like mask-wearing and hand washing, others either feel the need to take more drastic steps to protect their family or escape the partial lockdowns and mandated safety measures. 

For the time being, the virus isn’t going anywhere. However, you can feel safe when conducting a move with a reputable moving company that follows the recommended guidelines and safety precautions like Schroeder Moving Systems.