Month: May 2021

Table of contents

• Moving Hack #1: Buy Disposable Dishes
• Moving Hack #2: Fill in Nail Holes with Soap
• Moving Hack #3: Create a Box for Essentials 
• Moving Hack #4: Visit Your Local Craft Store
• Moving Hack #5: Tape Your Mirrors 
• Moving Hack #6: Make Use of Laundry Baskets
• Moving Hack #7: Turn to the Professionals

Moving can be a pretty dreadful process. There’s so much to organize, so much to pack, and who’s going to move your old piano?? The good news is, there are some tried and true moving hacks to make the process a bit more simple. 

Moving Hack #1: Buy Disposable Dishes

When you’re in the process of moving, the last thing you want to think about is dirty dishes. This hack will also allow you to pack up your dishes ASAP without having to worry about what your family will eat off of for the foreseeable future. You can also use disposable foam dishes between stacks of any breakable dishes or items to keep them protected.

Moving Hack #2: Fill in Nail Holes with Soap

If you don’t have time to buy spackle or caulking to fill in any holes in your walls before you move, grab a bar of white soap from your bathroom. Rub the bar into nail holes to fill them in. Now, this option will only work on white walls. If you have different colored walls, you may need to paint over the filled-in holes.

Moving Hack #3: Create a Box for Essentials 

Just like packing can take weeks on end, so can unpacking. Instead of stressing out about where your toothpaste is or where that last roll of toilet paper that you know you set aside went, designate a box for essentials. Make sure it’s marked clearly and include the following to immediately have access to when you get to your new home:

• Disinfecting wipes
• Hand soap
• Dish soap
• Disposable plates, cups, and silverware
• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Moving Hack #4: Visit Your Local Craft Store

Head to your local craft store and pick up some bead boxes to use as you disassemble your furniture. Bead boxes have little compartments in them that make the perfect home for nails, screws, and other small items you need to keep organized for the move. You can also use small Ziploc bags to hold tiny items in.

Moving Hack #5: Tape Your Mirrors 

Take some masking tape to create a giant X across the surface of all mirrors you are moving. The tape will absorb any shock the mirror sustains during the move and will prevent it from breaking.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN Read More Reviews

Moving Hack #6: Make Use of Laundry Baskets

Gather up all of the laundry baskets in your household and fill them with clean clothes, towels, and linens for easy transport during the move. Make use of all baskets, trunks, and other large containers by filling them up with items you are moving.

Moving Hack #7: Turn to the Professionals

We know that moving can be a stressful process. Don’t feel overwhelmed by your upcoming move when you count on moving professionals to help you. We can help with all sorts of things from packing and organizing to heavy lifting and disassembling and assembling furniture. Sit back and enjoy your new home when you trust the team at Primetime Movers to handle the tall tasks.

If you’re looking for a stress-free move, contact Primetime Movers. We have years of experience helping countless Memphis homeowners and businesses with all of their moving needs. From local to long-distance, our team of professionals understands what it takes to plan and complete a successful move, caring for your possessions every step of the way.

• 10 Reasons to Hire Professional Movers
• Moving Help/Labor
• Local Movers
• Local Movers: Why Local Moves are Just as Hard as Long-Distance
• Do Movers Pack Your Stuff For You?

Budget Moving Gameplan

• Create a Well-Planned Moving Calendar
• Know Your Budget
• Start Saving for Additional Expenses
• Use Technology to Help You Stay on Budget
• Movers That Fit Your Budget

One of the most stressful parts of moving is the cost. That’s why setting and sticking to a budget is a critical piece of the moving pie. In this post, we will give you some of our expert tips on setting a budget for your big move.

Create a Well-Planned Moving Calendar

In order to come up with an overview of your moving budget, you must carefully plan your move with great detail. You can do this by creating a calendar to outline the process, from packing to moving dates, and information about your movers. Reliable moving companies offer custom services for the unique needs of their clients. For example, packing services, moving oversized items, and household storage units. It does require that you ask about it and schedules the additional services in advance. So get organized and prepared with plenty of time.

Speaking of calendars, some months are just more expensive to move in than others. Moving, just like anything, has a peak season. Did you know that moving between October and April is about 20-30 percent cheaper than moving in the summer months when moving season is in full swing? If you can, plan your move for the off-season to make your budget stretch further.

Know Your Budget

You must be clear with how much you can afford to allocate towards your move. Keep in mind, your budget needs to be realistic in terms of both what you can afford and reasonable prices for the services you need.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN

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Start Saving for Additional Expenses

You never know when you’re going to need more room in the truck or little extras like snacks and more packing time. Account for these scenarios in your budget. Extra moving costs can easily and quickly add up, this is why it’s important that you take the time to carefully consider all minor and major details you may run into.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Use Technology to Help You Stay on Budget

From Microsoft Word and Excel to more advanced apps you can download, there are a lot of options out there to help you stay on track.Once you’ve created your budget, you need to excuse an easy, stere-free moving plan. Hiring a team of experienced and professional local movers, like Primetime Movers, is the only way to guarantee your belongings will arrive safely and timely to your new home.

Movers That Fit Your Budget

There’s a lot that goes into the moving process, but finding ways to stretch your budget doesn’t have to be a complete nightmare. Use a little bit of common sense, creativity, and patience, and you’ll be well on your way. Follow our tips to keep more money in your pocket and your sanity in check during your move.

At Primetime Movers, ensuring that your entire experience with us is stress-free and satisfactory is our top priority. We take great pride in giving our customers a service that is unmatched. Contact us today to find out how we can help you stay on budget and handle the heavy lifting.

How to Move a Rug to Your New Home

• Need professional movers in Memphis?

If you’ve got rugs to move, you may think you’ll be able to scoop them up, roll them up, and throw them in the back of your moving truck. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. But, don’t worry, Primetime Movers is here to give you some of our expert tips on moving rugs to your new home. 

The Rug Moving Process

1. Prep and Clean the Rug Before Moving
   The first step is to get your rug as clean as possible. To keep your rug in tip-top shape, vacuum it with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaner regularly to eliminate shedding, dirt, dust, and pests. 
   
   Before moving your rug, you can also put the rug outside in the sun and beat it to get rid of accumulated dirt, dust, and pet dander. On the other hand, if you have a Persian rug, don’t do this step, though, because the sun can damage them.
2. Gather Moving Supplies The next step is to gather your packing materials to move the rug. The good news is, it doesn’t take many supplies to pack up a rug. For large area rugs, you should gather:
   
   – A string or rope to tie the rug after you roll it up.
   – Packing paper to protect and wrap the rug with.
   – Packing tape to secure the packing paper.
   
   If you have a smaller rug, you should be able to simply put them back in their original cardboard tube packaging.
3. Get Some Moving Help Depending on the size and weight of your rug, you might be able to move it without needing an extra set of hands. But, if you have a large rug, we suggesting rounding up the troops to help you because it can be extremely difficult to move a heavy, oversized rug by yourself. If you hire a professional moving company, they will be well-versed in moving rugs and happy to help you.
4. Flip the Rug Over Before you move your rug, you will want to flip it over and have the back facing up. That’s because a rug’s backing is fragile and vulnerable to damage when it is rolled up. This is particularly true if the rug has a stiff backing that can easily crack or become strained when rolled up. So remember, in order to ensure that your rug doesn’t get damaged during the move, flip it over so that its back is facing up.
5. Roll the Rug from the Short side Once you flip the rug over, start rolling it from the short side rather than the long side. Be sure to roll the rug as tightly as you can. Whatever you do, do not fold the rug. When you roll a rug, you help keep its fibers in good shape during the move.
6. Tie the Rug Up Next, you will need to have a helper hold the rug in place while you tie the rug with a string around the top, middle, and bottom to ensure it stays in place.
7. Wrap the Rug in Something Thick We recommend packing paper. It’s easy for a rug to become damaged or stained during the move. Protect your rug with something thick like packing paper or a large blanket. Just wrap the rug in the covering from top to bottom and secure it with packing tape. Make sure you don’t place anything on top of the rug during the move.
8. Unroll Your Rug When you get to your new home, it’s time to unroll your rug and let it start enjoying its new home. Make sure you do so slowly and carefully and after you have moved furniture out of the way and swept or vacuumed the rug’s new area.
9. Straighten Out Your Rug When unpacking a rug, you may notice that the corners have become warped or curled up during the moving process. To straighten out your rug, fold the curling ends under for several days or put heavy furniture on top of the ends to flatten out the rug’s backing.

Need professional movers in Memphis?

Whether you need help moving rugs or pianos, count on Primetime Movers, we have years of experience helping countless Memphis homeowners and businesses with all of their moving needs. From local to long-distance, our team of professionals understands what it takes to plan and complete a successful move, caring for your possessions every step of the way.

Moving out of your home can seem overwhelming for anyone. For senior citizens, the task of moving can be daunting now that they’re older than when were when they moved in. Senior citizens tend to move in order to downsize or be closer to family, and this can be a great way for them to save money in the long-run. If you’re a senior citizen and are looking to move, Primetime Movers can help you to move out of your old home and into your new home with ease.

Here are some important moving tips for seniors to be aware of as you get ready to move.

Accepting When It’s Time To Move

As a senior citizen, you’ve spent an enormous amount of time and made so many memories in your current home. It’s no surprise that it can be tough to accept when it might be time to move into something new. When other family members and kids have moved out, it can make the home seem a lot bigger and emptier than it usually is. Downsizing to something that is more accommodating is often one of the first moving tips for seniors that is recommended. If you find that you no longer need lots of space, or have some difficulty with amenities and stairs, it may be time to consider the option of moving to something more accommodating.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN

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Parting With Belongings

When you prepare to move, you know that you can’t take all of the belongings with you. Some items will have to go. Going through your belongings and deciding what is worth keeping or what can be donated or thrown away can be a tedious task, but it also can let you reminisce and think about the good memories that you’ve made in your home. Having other family members and friends help you can also make the process of parting with belongings you don’t need easier, and gets the job done faster. One suggestion for senior citizens is to have a garage sale to get rid of items you no longer need.                        

Packing Up

Packing up is time-consuming, and can give homeowners unneeded stress as moving day approaches. For senior citizens, having to pack up your possessions, furniture, and any remaining items before moving day can seem like an impossible task. With the help of our moving professionals at Primetime Movers, we’ll handle all of the packing required for your move, eliminating stress and making sure that you’re set and ready for moving day.  

Saying Goodbye

You’ve spent years in your current home. When it’s time to move out, you may not feel ready. And that’s perfectly okay. The idea of moving can be exciting, but also emotional. A lot of times homeowners are so focused on packing up and preparing for the move that they forget about how emotional it can be. Taking photos to remember your old house, or throwing a little moving party to celebrate the accomplishment of packing up and getting ready to move can be great ways to get some closure over the idea of saying goodbye to a home that you’ve lived in for a long time.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Moving Into Your New Home

When moving day arrives, Primetime Movers will make sure that all of your belongings get to your new home. When it’s time to move in to your new home, make sure to devote some time to celebrating the accomplishment of moving to a new place! Your new home will bring many new memories that you can share with family, friends, and neighbors.

Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially if you’re a senior citizen. Primetime Movers has a team of skilled moving professionals who can help you to pack up and get settled into your new home. It can be hard to say goodbye to a place that you’ve spent so much time in, but moving to a new home can also be an exciting new chapter!

When people are planning to move, many wonder what tasks they should do themselves and what tasks should be left to the movers. You may think that the professional moving company you hired will only assist in getting your belongings from point A to point B, but there are a variety of services that are offered to help you out and make your move as smooth as it can be. At Primetime Movers, our team of moving experts is ready to handle whatever parts of the moving process you need us to do. When it comes to moving your belongings to your new place, here are a few things that you should consider:

Packing Services By Your Mover

Packing up your belongings can be a time-consuming process. A lot of times you have to decide what items you’re taking with you and what items you no longer need. Then you have to figure out what items to pack together and how to fit them all into boxes so that they’re safely stored for your move. At Primetime Movers, we can help you to pack up your things and organize them efficiently so you’ll be able to find whatever you need when it’s time to move in. Our packing experts will come ready and equipped with all the necessary materials like boxes, bubble wrap, and tape to pack your items up safely.

Have big furniture that you don’t know how you’ll get to your new place? No worries, we can pack that up as well. Many furniture pieces can be taken apart and put back together, making that couch or table of yours a lot easier to transport. Our moving experts can answer any questions that you may have able big, fragile, or precious items that you have specific requests for when packing.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN

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What About Distance?

Whether you’re staying local or moving across the country, our moving experts are readily available to help you out. The moving process can be a big task for anyone, even if you don’t have a ton of belongings. Some people freeze up at the idea of packing up all their belongings before their big move. At Primetime Movers, you don’t need to worry about how much stuff you should fit in one box, or if that one box you packed is too heavy? With the help of our moving experts, your stuff will be organized, packed, and ready to go on moving day.

Loading and Unloading

When moving day arrives, it can be a hassle to load up a moving truck. Our moving and packing experts are skilled at making sure all of your belongings are safely packed and ready to go on moving day. We’ve mastered the task of loading and unloading the moving truck, in order to provide you with a hassle-free, smooth moving experience. In no time at all, you’ll be settling into your new place, with all of your belongings with you.

Packing up your belongings can be time-consuming. You have to sort things, organize things, discard things, and moving day is only getting closer and closer. With the help from a professional moving company, you don’t have to pack up your stuff alone.

At Primetime Movers, our moving experts will speed up the packing process, having you and your stuff ready for moving day faster. We’ll make sure that all of your belongings are organized and packed away safely so that they can be brought to your new place when it’s time to move. If you have questions about the packing services we provide or are looking for more information, contact us today.

Saying Goodbye

You’ve spent years in your current home. When it’s time to move out, you may not feel ready. And that’s perfectly okay. The idea of moving can be exciting, but also emotional. A lot of times homeowners are so focused on packing up and preparing for the move that they forget about how emotional it can be. Taking photos to remember your old house, or throwing a little moving party to celebrate the accomplishment of packing up and getting ready to move can be great ways to get some closure over the idea of saying goodbye to a home that you’ve lived in for a long time.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Moving Into Your New Home

When moving day arrives, Primetime Movers will make sure that all of your belongings get to your new home. When it’s time to move in to your new home, make sure to devote some time to celebrating the accomplishment of moving to a new place! Your new home will bring many new memories that you can share with family, friends, and neighbors.

Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially if you’re a senior citizen. Primetime Movers has a team of skilled moving professionals who can help you to pack up and get settled into your new home. It can be hard to say goodbye to a place that you’ve spent so much time in, but moving to a new home can also be an exciting new chapter!

Moving? Here are Five Expenses You May Not Have Thought About

Moving to a new place can be exciting, but most people agree that it’s a lot of work. Unfortunately, it can be pretty expensive as well. Even if you’ve got your moving budget all worked out, expenses you may not have thought about have a way of popping up when you don’t expect them. When you have a moving company doing the job for you, there may be surprise fees at the other end of your move. Not because anything shady is going on, but simply because you have different expectations from the moving company. There are enough possible surprises when moving into a new house, don’t let your budget be one of them.

Surprise moving fees you may not have taken into account:

Do You Need Your Movers at a Certain Time?

Don’t forget that the moving company won’t necessarily be unloading at your house at the exact time you’re expecting. If you have a small window where things need to be moved, you need to tell them ahead of time. This can happen if you’re local, and closing on a new house while your buyers are getting ready to claim your old one. It’s best to be specific with the hours you need the movers to be at your new house. If this window is less than a few hours, you might need to pay extra, so make sure you ask for this upfront.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN

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Moving to a higher floor?

If you are moving into anything but a first-floor apartment, you want to notify your moving company of this before the move. Especially if there is no elevator, or if the stairway is narrow, steep, or otherwise difficult to maneuver. Moving companies may charge up to $75 extra per flight of stairs, so this is an important thing to take into account. And don’t discount this extra fee just because you are moving into a single-level house. If you have items that need to go in the basement, the fee may still apply, so make sure you ask before the move.

Do You Own Heavy Things?

Sure, everything feels heavy when you’re lugging it up the stairs to your new home, which is why many moving companies weigh their shipments and charge you by weight rather than the number of boxes. They will also re-weigh if they suspect that items are heavier than you told them in the estimate. If they are right, and you were off in your estimation, they will likely charge you for the extra pounds. It’s always best to try to be as accurate as possible when estimating the weight of the items in your home.

Did You Leave Extra Work for the Movers?

Moving companies usually have a set of directions they want you to follow. Usually, they want everything in boxes, certain items plastic-wrapped, and large items may even need to be crated. If the moving company gets to your house and things aren’t packed correctly, they will probably charge you extra. If they need to crate or box an item that should already have been done, they will probably charge you quite a bit extra. So, either make sure that everything gets done according to the moving company’s requirements or estimate a couple of hundred dollars more into your moving budget.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Is Your Home Difficult to Access?

Most of us don’t drive a tractor-trailer around town, so we don’t always think about the fact that moving trucks are considerably larger than our personal cars. If your new or old home is on a main road, for instance, there may not be anywhere for a moving truck to park while the movers load or unload. The same applies if your house has a long driveway that can’t be accessed by the moving truck. The movers may need to use a shuttle to move your things, which is obviously going to cost you extra. If you think that your old or new house might be difficult to access, make sure you ask ahead of the move how the moving company would handle a situation like this, and how much extra they would charge you.

Make Sure the Charges are Correct

If you see any charges on your bill that you don’t understand, make sure to ask until you get a satisfying answer. Some companies will attempt to charge you extra for no reason other than to make money, so always ask until you understand exactly what you are paying for.

No Surprise Moving Fees With Primetime

The most important thing to remember to avoid unexpected moving expenses is to make sure that you have a clear understanding of how much stuff you’re moving, where you are moving it to, and just that you are on the same page as your moving company about the job that needs to be done.

Happy moving!

Congratulations, you’re almost done! By this point, you’ve likely called tons of different movers for quotes, booked the mover that best suits your needs and budget, packed up box after box, and watched the moving men haul everything you own away in their truck. Now, it’s time for the fun part..arranging the furniture in your new home. It is essential now that you put some time and care into arranging your new place’s furniture to make it feel like home. Here are some of our tried and tested tricks and tips for arranging furniture without breaking your back or the bank.

Bring out the measuring tape

The smartest approach is to visit your new home before move-in to take some general measurements. Visiting the home and seeing for yourself the layout will help ensure that your favorite pieces of furniture and decor will fit appropriately in your new space. Be sure to pay close attention to any oddly-shaped rooms or tight fits that may become a problem when moving in your furniture. The sooner you spot the potential issues, the sooner you and your moving team can come up with solutions. Once you’ve done your general measurements, it’s time to move on to the more detailed measurements. For example, measure how much room is between the window and your nightstand to ensure you will be able to fit all of your current items without clutter. If you find a new space is too big or too small, it may be time to sell some of your things at a garage sale or go shopping to find some new pieces.

5 / 5

These guys were great! They were very professional, polite and friendly. They made a very stressful situation much better. They took excellent care of my furniture and things. I would highly recommend them. Matt has an awesome group! Beth R., Memphis, TN

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Take a few pictures

Snap a few pictures of as many rooms as possible before move-in. This will be a lot more reliable way to gauge what and where the furniture will fit in your new home instead of just relying on your memory. Flip back to your photos for reference as you’re planning the layout and deciding whether to purchase any new items for your new house. These images can also be shown to moving companies when you are describing a specific area or how you want something placed.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Talk to your movers

Most importantly, know that our team of moving experts is your team of moving experts. We are here with the sole purpose of making your move as convenient and quick as possible. After all, we are the experts, and we’ve come across a lot of different challenges in our day. Don’t hesitate to come to us with questions during the moving process, and on Moving Day, we are more than happy to help you out. When you develop a clear plan and know exactly what you want and where you want things ahead of time, you will make the job that much easier and seamless for your moving team.

If you are getting ready for a move of your own, please reach out to us today to get a free quote. We look forward to working with you!

Moving into a new house is exciting and stressful all at once. There is so much to do that it can be overwhelming, and yet, the anticipation for new beginnings is at the core of every action, every step you’re taking.

You’ve found your new house, you’ve signed the paperwork, and moving day is on the horizon. The anticipation is growing, and so are the nerves, as you try and remember every little thing you need to do before you move into your new home.

Things You Don’t Want to Forget Before Moving In

You want things to be as simple as possible. You want to make sure you get every detail taken care of. So, here are the top 10 things you need to remember to do before you make that big move:

Change your locks

When you move into a new home, it’s always a great idea to get the locks changed for both your safety and your peace of mind. You have no idea if the keys that were given to you are the only keys out there.

The previous residents may have made keys for family, friends, or neighbors, and while it most likely wouldn’t be an issue, who wants to live in a house where an untold number of strangers have keys?

Do yourself a favor and get your locks changed. That way, you’ll know you’re safe and secure.

Check the insulation

One thing that new homeowners often overlook is their insulation. Yet, forgetting about your insulation can lead to high energy bills. Houses need to have their insulation updated every so often in order to maintain efficiency. You can have an expert come out and check your insulation to see if it needs updating, as well as do any required work.

Paint!

If you want to completely change, or even just touch-up, the paint on your walls, you’ll want to do that right away, before you move your furniture in. Oftentimes people are so excited to get inside their new place, they move everything in and start to decorate before they realize they had wanted to paint.

So, whether you are giving yourself a completely new paint job or just touching up the walls, make this your first step before you move anything inside.

Add new gutters

Check and see if your home has adequate rain gutters to prevent any water from leaking into your basement, or damaging your siding. If you need new gutters, have them installed as soon as possible.

Moving In Memphis?

Check out what local areas we offer moving services around Memphis.

Install new flooring

If you think you’re going to want new flooring, you’ll want to get it installed as soon as you have the keys in your hand. You definitely don’t want to move your furniture in and then have to move it back out in order to redo your flooring.

Take a bit of time to consider whether or not you’re going to install new floors before you move in. It will save you loads of time and hassle.

Get new toilet seats

If you’re moving into a house that isn’t brand new, then someone has lived there before. That means that someone has used your toilet before you. Which means that someone’s behind sat on that toilet seat before you. Do yourself a favor and just buy some new ones.

Change outlet covers

Outlet covers are often overlooked during cleaning and during repairs. There’s a good chance your home’s outlets are covered with the old, dirty covers. You’re starting fresh, and since it’s likely you won’t ever think of changing those outlet covers again, get them changed out now.

Ensure there are working smoke and carbon dioxide detectors

Even though your home may have carbon dioxide and smoke detectors, that doesn’t mean they’re in working order. They may be broken, installed incorrectly, or could simply be out of batteries.

If there is a problem with your detectors and you don’t check them, they won’t be able to warn you if it becomes necessary. Not having working smoke and carbon dioxide detectors could end up creating a devastating situation for you in your home. Check them right away to ensure you and your family will be safe.

Figure out lighting

You’re sure to have a few surprises when you move into a new home, and you don’t want your home’s lighting to be one of them. When darkness falls on your new home, the last thing you want is to discover that some of your rooms have no light fixtures and need lamps.

By checking into the lighting situation ahead of time, you’ll be able to save yourself from being left in the dark.

Change filters in HVAC system

You will want your HVAC system to run seamlessly and efficiently, which means you’re going to want to replace your HVAC filters. Very old and used filters will keep your HVAC system from functioning at peak performance. After you move in, you’ll want to have your filter changed as soon as possible.

6 ways to plan for an out-of-state move

Moving to a new state can be fun and exciting. People move to begin a new career. They also pack their bags to mark a fresh start or live closer to family. A growing to-do list may start to feel overwhelming, though. Here are 6 ways to plan your out-of-state move and make it a smooth one.

1. Mark your calendar Set a moving date early and plan around the big day. Whether you have a few weeks or a few months to prepare, don’t wait until the last minute. People choose a moving date for many reasons. This includes everything from a customer’s budget to the first day on the job. Leaving a property and finding a new place to live also plays a role. For a weekend moving date, contact movers at least one month in advance. If you choose a weekday moving date, you have some flexibility. Contacting movers two weeks ahead works fine. Waiting too late may force you to pick a moving date that isn’t ideal for your schedule. Limited time also impacts your ability to compare quotes. Start early to leave room for making the best decision.
2. Map out your out of state move Before the to-do list becomes overwhelming, write down a master list. This includes everything from a packing schedule to the list of utility providers. If you’re moving with your family, it is best to get everyone involved. Teamwork is one way to consider all the moving parts. When thinking about your packing plan, don’t forget about supplies. Buy boxes, padding, tape, and other items in advance. This is also the time to donate or discard items that won’t be coming along. For utility providers, determine which services are available in your new state. If they don’t transfer, begin contacting new service providers. Arrive at your new home with everything ready to go.
3. Choose how to move Will you gather friends or call a professional moving company? Some people choose a combination of both options. First, they move smaller items in a personal or rented vehicle. Then, professional movers break-down, transport, and set-up larger, more awkward items. Another option would be to hire movers to drive the already-packed moving truck. This helps to reduce costs. You do the packing — not the moving company. Make a decision based on your schedule, scenario, and cost preference. Hiring a professional moving company may be one way to lessen the stress of an out-of-state move.
4. Research your decision If you choose a professional moving company, make a wise decision. They will be transporting your household items to another state. Spend time researching and comparing moving companies. Reviews are a great resource, and asking neighbors is also helpful. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration licenses moving companies. Choose from among these options. Interstate companies must also have a license and a Department of Transportation number. Gather quotes from at least three companies to guide the decision-making process. You have three options for estimates: Non-binding
   Customers receive an estimate before the move. The final cost is the weight of the shipping goods and the cost of the moving services. Binding
   Customers receive a written agreement of the moving cost based on an assessment. The cost will not change. Guaranteed-not-to-exceed
   Customers can pay the lowest cost between the binding estimate and the actual cost.
5. Pack with purpose Pack with a plan. Think about grouping items based on a room or category. Keeping this tip in mind, avoid overloading boxes. Heavy boxes are hard to stack and are unstable. You also risk damaging your items. Here’s a tip: If the box doesn’t close, take some things out. Heavier items go on the bottom of the box. Before moving, buy extra padding and packing supplies. Packing in advance makes things easier for the movers. It also helps when it is time to get settled in your new home. Set time aside to disassemble larger items before the movers arrive. This speeds up the process.
6. Keep important items with you Don’t pack everything during your out of state move. Set aside toiletries and medications, cleaning supplies, and other essentials. What are the go-to items that you will need in your new house? If you work from home, for example, pack your office supplies. You will also need helpful tools on your moving day. This includes boxcutters, markers, and tape. Always keep important records in your possession. Examples include birth certificates, financial records, and Social Security cards. Carry jewelry while moving other sentimental items.

Ready To Plan Your Out-Of-State Move?

Congratulations on your next chapter. Mark your calendar early, make a decision and enjoy your move.  Ready to schedule your out-of-state move?  Contact our team today for a free quote!

Thinking about moving with kids soon?

Moving can be a stressful situation no matter how you approach it, but when you are moving with kids in the mix, this stressful situation can turn downright impossible. But don’t worry – whether you’re moving across country, state, city or just to a new house, there are plenty of ways you can handle moving with your little ones.

Don’t believe us? Here are our tips for involving your kids in the moving process, easing their nerves and turning your move into a positive adventure rather than something to be dreaded and feared. So if there’s a move on the horizon for you and your family, read on so you can be prepared.

Frame Your Move As a Positive

Sure, not all moves come out of positive situations – there are obviously less-than-ideal times when a move is necessary, such as losing a job or going through a separation from a spouse. Even if you’re dealing with one of these situations, you should still try your best to frame your move as a positive and fun adventure, not impending gloom.

Of course, there are plenty of positive reasons that you might be moving too such as: a new job opportunity, promise of better life quality or other positive life change. If this is the case, take full advantage to get your kids excited and ready for the move that’s coming.

Talk About It Often With Your Children

You might think that “leaving your kids out of it” is a good way to save them from getting anxious about the move, but you’ll actually be doing the opposite.  Many times, kids just need to be included and clued in on what to expect in the future.  It can feel very frustrating to have no place or say in the matter, especially when it threatens to overturn the life your kids have grown to know.

As the time of the move approaches, you should make it a daily topic of discussion.  Keep things upbeat and positive, but be on the lookout for signs of growing stress or any issues your kids might voice.  Doing this ahead of time lets you gauge how your kids are coping and feeling about the life change.  If you notice any issues, you’ll be able to step in and try to resolve them before the actual move, which can make an already stressful time overwhelming.

Involve Them Over The Entire Moving Process

Talking to your kids about moving is just part of the equation of making them feel included in the process.  You should also encourage them (if they are old enough) to help out around the house in preparation for the movers to arrive.  Let them help in packing their stuff and place all their important toys and objects into a special box or bag so they can keep them close – this will help easy any anxiety or nerves they may have about putting them away.

You can also busy your kids with helpful tasks during the move, but make sure they’re simple enough for them to accomplish, such as helping wipe down the counters or getting a glass of water for the movers.  Make your child feel like they’re a part of the team and they’ll be much better prepared for the emotions that come naturally with moving.

Hire Professional Movers

It might be tempting to just DIY the whole move, but hiring professional moving help where you can will make your entire moving process smoother and easier on everyone involved.  This is especially true when you are moving with kids and cannot dedicate hours to packing and dragging boxes to and from a moving truck.  Hiring movers also simplifies your travel needs, because you won’t need to drive your belongings all the way to your new place.

Keep Your Children Busy

There can be a lot of work involved with moving and it can take up much of your time and attention.  To make sure your kids don’t feel left out or get in the way of important work, keep some staples on hand to keep them distracted.  Whether it’s a book, coloring materials, a toy or even a video game, use it wisely to help you keep your kids happy and busy.

Build Excitement About Your New Place

Once you’ve moved yourselves and your belongings to your new place, take some time to decompress and enjoy your new surroundings before diving right into unpacking.  Don’t worry – your boxes will still be there for you to unpack later.  So take some time to look around your new neighborhood.  Have your kids look for a new park, playground, pizza restaurant or any other attraction to make them excited for their future here.

The same goes for your new home and neighbors.  Go ahead and let your kids pick the kind of color they want to pick for their room and the types of decorations they can use to make the space their own.  Also introduce them to any neighbor children to get them familiar.  Before you know it, you’ll be adjusting to your new life and making new memories to share.