Helpful Moving Tips
Grace Moving Company Residential, Office and Senior Moving Tips
Residential Moving Tips
Change Your Address
With so much pre-move planning and packing, it’s easy to forget this (annoying) yet important step. First, make sure you have the correct address for your new home or office. Two-three weeks before the move, let the post office know by filling out a change of address form in person or online. You’ll want to do the same for all bills and payments, including utilities, cable/internet providers, banks, insurance companies, doctors, dentists, magazines, newspapers, Amazon.com, etc.
Scale Down
Moving is the perfect time to scale down. If you’ve been holding onto things that you no longer use, why put all that energy into packing, moving and unpacking them? Save yourself time, energy and moving costs. Grab a notebook, go from room to room, and honestly assess its contents. Identify items you use everyday, sometimes and hardly ever. Consider letting go of these “sometimes” and “hardly ever” items. It will be a relief when it comes time to unpack. You may decide to have a yard or garage sale, post some items on Craigslist or eBay and actually raise some money to supplement the move. There are also plenty of donation centers and thrift stores that would happily accept your unwanted items, and if you hold onto your receipt, you can claim a tax deduction at the end of the year.
Green Your Move
Set aside your clothes, socks, towels and linens to use in place of packing paper and bubble wrap where you can. You’ll not only save yourself money, you’ll “green” your move. For example, you can use clean socks for extra protection for glasses and small breakables, and towels to pack plates and bowls. By the way, don’t forget to pack plates vertically, not horizontally. They are less likely to break this way.
Get Creative
Label everything and have fun with it! Use colored markers and tape to color-code each room. Before the movers arrive, stick some colored tape on the door where the “red boxes” will be going, for example. In addition to color-coding your boxes, make sure to mark what’s in them. This will make unpacking a lot easier.
Take a Snapshot
Use your phone’s camera to take a picture of all electronic connections. It will be easier to reconnect them to if you can visually see where all the wires go. Do the same for other items. If you’ve taken great care to organize a particular room, closet or cabinet, take a picture of it; it might be nice to have some tried-and-true systems to go by when you set up your new place.
Pack an Overnight Bag
Include your essentials like medication, toiletries and a towel so that you have immediate access to them. You might want to include phone chargers, laptops and remote controls in this bag as well. If you’ll be moving into the evening, pack pajamas and some clean sheets to make your bed. If you’ll be working the next day, pack an outfit for work. That way you won’t have to rummage through boxes late at night or early in the morning.
Be Ready on Moving Day
If you’re self-packing, make sure loose items are packed, boxes are closed or stackable, and items are color-coded and/or labeled. Defrost your refrigerator the day before and wipe out any liquid. Hallways should have clear, easy access to prevent accidents, damage and to move in and out most efficiently. Consider hiring a sitter for children and pets if possible. We know of movers that unknowingly moved a cat across country because it jumped into a dresser to hide as it was afraid of the movers. Don’t let this happen to your pet!
Office Moving Tips
Form an Office Moving Team
Assign a team leader to manage the move. The team leader should distribute tasks to each department such as technology, sales, human resources, warehouse, etc. Consider appointing a department lead and schedule regular meetings with your team of liaisons to review each department’s relocation status.
Create a Budget
As with any project, define your moving budget in advance and have funds available for professional movers, well as any additional expenses associated with your relocation. New desks, chairs, partitions, decor? Will you be hiring other professionals (in addition to movers) to assist with your move; i.e. technicians, painters,
Plan the Move
Start reviewing your options months prior to your lease expiration if possible. If you are renting company space, will your move date coincide with the lease end date? If you wish to leave the space earlier, discuss your options with the landlord. Will you require safe temporary storage for furniture, equipment, etc.?
Seize the Opportunity
Consider scanning any documents you no longer need in hard copy (remember to dispose of these unwanted files securely). Secure storage and/or archiving of documentation is a safe and cost-effective solution to freeing up valuable and more costly office space. It can be accessed at any time by arrangement and provides excellent off-site backup. Moving your office is also a great opportunity to update to modern, efficient and space-saving furniture and equipment that truly reflects your brand and your company’s goals for the future.
Consider Current Projects and Deadlines
How will you manage projects and deadlines during the relocation? For example, how will you arrange deliveries? How will active projects be handled? In an effort to avoid any delays because documentation and/or equipment is inaccessible during the move, plan a short break period and communicate this to all staff and clients.
Pack an Overnight Bag
Include your essentials like medication, toiletries and a towel so that you have immediate access to them. You might want to include phone chargers, laptops and remote controls in this bag as well. If you’ll be moving into the evening, pack pajamas and some clean sheets to make your bed. If you’ll be working the next day, pack an outfit for work. That way you won’t have to rummage through boxes late at night or early in the morning.
Hire a Professional Moving Company
Working with the right office moving professionals is an important must-do for any company thinking of office relocation. Grace is a professional moving company and we will guide you through the process, save you money and hassle in the long run, and ensure you don’t make any critical mistakes during your move that could affect your business.
Moving Tips for Seniors
Moving can be especially stressful and emotional for Seniors and their loved ones.
We’ve put together some moving tips to help make your move as smooth as possible.
Gather a Team
Gather a team of family, friends and moving professionals to help you with your move. Family and friends can help sort through your belongings and decide what will be moving with you. They can also help you decide what to do with items you won’t be taking. This is a huge part of the moving process, and it is physically and emotionally demanding, so give yourself plenty of time. As for the packing and moving of your belongings, leave this part to moving professionals. You will be grateful you did!
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
Take inventory of everything in your home, and create lists for each room. Start with one room and work your way around the house. Create a column for the belongings you wish to “take” and those you plan to “leave.” You may be undecided on a few items so create a column for “undecided.”
Evaluate Your List
You will probably revise your list as you consider your new space. As you evaluate your first version of this list, ask yourself a few questions, such as “How much space do I have in my new home?”, “Will this item fit?” and, if so, “Where will I put it?” You may realize that not all of your items on your “Take” list will fit into your new space. It can be exciting to de-clutter and scale down what we’ve accumulated over the years, and it can also be a bit emotional. Begin the process early, take your time and ask for help.
Finalize Your List
After you’ve gone through each room on your list (more than once if needed), make a final decision about what items you are taking and leaving. Next to the items you are leaving, make a note of where you want these items to go. For example, a relative’s name, donation center, garage sale or classifieds.
Stay Calm
Moving is both physically and emotionally taxing. Sorting through a house full of memories and parting with objects of our past – connected to our memories – is not easy. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time time to not only physically sort through your belongings, but also to gently part ways with a lifestyle you’ve come accustomed to. That way you’ll be ready and happy to transition into your new home when the times comes.
Pack an Overnight Bag
Include your essentials like medication, toiletries and a towel so that you have immediate access to them. You might want to include phone chargers, laptops and remote controls in this bag as well. If you’ll be moving into the evening, pack pajamas and some clean sheets to make your bed. If you’ll be working the next day, pack an outfit for work. That way you won’t have to rummage through boxes late at night or early in the morning.
Let Us Help
The physical demands of packing and moving may be too strenuous to undertake. Packing and moving is difficult physical work and most people underestimate the toll it takes on their muscles and joints. Our team of professionally trained movers will make sure that you and your belongings arrive safely to their destination. While we handle the packing and moving, you can focus your time and energy on other important matters.
Move with Grace Moving Company,
The Best Movers in Modesto CA
Contact our moving professionals for a free quote on your next move. We are excited about the opportunity to help you enjoy a successful move that is carried out at top efficiency. Reach out to us today so that we can put together a plan to get you moved to your new location.
