Tips for Moving With kids

Whether moving out of state or around the block, children and adolescents typically are not too keen on this process. When the decision to relocate is finalized, discuss the move with your kids right away so they have time to adjust to the event. Now that your children are in the know, it is time to plan and prepare for the big day. Here are some helpful tips to make the moving process easier on the entire family. 

•            Get organized from 4 – 6 weeks before the actual move. Plan your moving and packing schedule, leaving room for error.
•             Depending on how young your children are they probably can’t do much in helping you pack, however they may be able to help you label the boxes. This process can be a learning one too, teaching your child while packing. Colors, shapes, words, numbers, etc.
•             Pack a bag of essentials for your child filled with all of their favorite things to keep them occupied during and after the move.
•             If your children attend school and you are moving locally on a weekday, you may not have to take your kids out of school. Not having to keep an eye on them will make your move easier and less stressful. You can focus on getting everything from your old home to your new home quickly and efficiently, without having to entertain your kids or reprimand them for getting in the movers' way.
•          If your children are too young to attend school or you are moving to another state, consider hiring a babysitter to keep them occupied and entertained while you get everything loaded onto the truck. This can take up to 4 to 5 hours, depending on how much stuff you have and if there is furniture that needs to be disassembled.
•             Hiring professional movers can get the job done much quicker and more efficiently. Which gives you the freedom micromanage and look after your kids, keeping them out of the mover’s way.
•             Once in the new house, let your child help with decorating his/her room. Do this together as a family
•             Get to know the parents in the area and arrange playdates. 

How To Move A Car

When shipping a car, whether interstate or overseas, there are many different shipping methods available to you, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Prep your car for shipping:

-       Wash your car thoroughly, to be able to easily note any chips, dings or other cosmetic damage accurately.

-       Make a complete report of any pre-existing damage to your car. Pictures can play a vital part.

-       Remove all your personal belongings from the car.

-       Shut off and disable the car alarm.

-       Don’t fill the gas tank, this will save quite a bit of weight.

-       Secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items, such as ground effects, spoilers, or for lights.

-       Fold back your mirrors.

-       Lower and retract the antennae.

-       If you own a convertible, ship with the top up and secured properly.

There are several ways to transport a car. The most popular one is using an auto shipper. Some auto shippers are known as carriers, these companies actually move the vehicle. Other transporting companies are known as brokerages, and they are the ones that will be arranging the vehicle transport between you and the carrier. They are the middlemen that offer convenience and reliability but will respectively run you a bit higher than hiring a carrier yourself. 

Most carriers will put cars on an open-air trailer, exposing your vehicle to the elements of nature and road debris while being transported. It is a more frequently used option and is normally cheaper than closed trailers. Open-air trailers are also lighter and more fuel efficient, therefore doing less damage to the environment.

If you are transporting a luxury car or a rare classic and are concerned about the effects of weather on your vehicle, you might want to consider using an enclosed truck. They offer protection for your vehicle from weather conditions and road debris. Enclosed trailers offer better overall security than open-air trailers. The cost of using an enclosed trailer is typically 60% higher than it’s counter part, although well worth it when transporting an expensive car.

If you are on a tight budget, you might want to look into Driveaway services. These transportation companies provide a driver to pilot your car from point A to point B. Although a much cheaper option, it leaves your car vulnerable to elements and potential driver error.

If you are shipping a car overseas, you have an option of using a sea freight service that will move your car via a cargo container. However you must do your homework when shipping a car overseas, it can quickly become a headache if you don’t have proper documentation. There are laws and customs regulations that vary from country to country. You may want to call the embassy of the country you are shipping to learn more. When you hire a professional auto shipper specializing in carrying vehicles across the ocean, they will guide you in acquiring all the necessary paperwork needed.

If you have no budget cap and want to have your vehicle delivered in a timely manner, consider using an airfreight service that will fly your car over to your destination.

Moving With Pets

Moving homes can be a stressful time in our lives. However, you may not realize how stressful moving can be for your pets as well. Here are some tips on making the relocation process less stressful on you and your pets.

On moving day, make sure your pets are secured in a crate or closed room of your house until you are ready to load them into your car. The activities and sounds of moving day may become frightening to your pets, so it is important that they are kept in a secure area to reduce their stress as much as possible. Place temporary ID tags with your new address and phone number, on your pet’s collar. If possible, try to keep to your normal schedule as much as possible. Routines are very important, especially when so much else around them is changing.

Always transport cats, small dogs and other small animals in a secure, well-ventilated pet carrier. It should be just big enough for your dog or cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down. Keep larger dogs leashed and under control. For long distance moves, make sure you give your pet potty breaks and fresh water whenever you stop for a break. If your pet is not used to a carrier, expose your pet to it well in advance to move day to get familiarized. If you are flying with your pet, ask about options for pet transportation when you book your flight.

Birds will need pet carriers too as conventional cages will prove to be insufficient. For birds or other small caged animals, remove dishes of water and food to avoid messy spills while the car is moving. Feed and water these pets at stops along the way. You might want to keep the bird’s carrier covered to help calm it. Small animals, such as gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs, are sensitive to heat and cold. Be mindful of this when in the car.

Be sure to pack a bag for your animal as well. Anything you think may be essential and comforting to your pet. Food, favorite toys, blankets, their medicine (if applicable), and a litter box if you are a cat owner.

When you arrive at your new home, set up their “home base” surrounded by their favorite objects, food, water, etc. Familiarity will aid in their transition to their new home.

WHEN PACKING FRAGILE ITEMS:

Kitchenware

-       Plates should be packed in small to medium size boxes; packing in large boxes can become quite heavy for adequate transportation. Line each box with your choice of either peanuts, crumpled packing paper or large sheet of bubble wrap. Wrap each plate in bubble wrap and secure with tape. Avoid wrapping with newsprint as the ink can rub off and embed itself on to the dishes. Plates should never be packed flat; placing them vertically will sustain a lot more pressure. Fill the space between each plate. Label the boxes “FRAGILE” and indicate their respectful location. (Repeat this step accordingly).

-       If you are unable to obtain corrugated dividers for glassware, wrap your cups individually with bubble wrap and fill with crumpled paper. Adequately line the boxes with bubble wrap or crumpled moving paper. Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter on top. Fill space with peanuts and or crumpled paper. Use the method of nesting for glassware without holders. Wrap and line the first glass with bubble wrap or few sheets of newsprint. Place the second glass inside the first and line with bubble wrap or newsprint. You may nest up to 4 to 5 glasses, laying each stack diagonally wrapped in bubble wrap. Fill space respectively.

Lamps, Vases, Etc.

-       You may need specialty boxes for larger items. In either case, line boxes with bubble wrap, corners extending outside of the box. Wrap each item in bubble wrap and fill any space with peanuts or inflatable bags if applicable.

-       Use this technique for any small, fragile items.

Bulky Items

-       When moving bulky, odd shaped items, depending on their size, specialty boxes may be needed.  Wrap each item in bubble wrap and secure with tape. Place similar shaped items together (depending on their size and weight, you don’t want the boxes to become too heavy to manage). Line boxes with newsprint or bubble wrap and try to fill as much space in between items using peanuts or inflatable bags.

-       Larger Items, such as antique furniture must be wrapped in moving blankets secured by plenty of moving tape and stretch wrap.

Entertainment Center

-       When packing flat screen TVs or any other electronics, original store packaging is preferred. In the case that you no longer have the original, investing in specialty boxes and sheets of Styrofoam padding is essential.

Moving can become costly and time consuming, but if not done right, it can cost you much more than originally anticipated. Cutting back on moving supplies can quickly become the least cost effective option if something gets damaged in the process. Your time is valuable and paying that little bit extra may also buy you a peace of mind and in the end be well worth it.  

History Of Moving Industry

It is estimated that our planet, Earth, formed around 4500 million years ago. Since its formation, the Earth has gone through several stages in which life has progressively evolved. The earliest anatomically modern humans are recorded to have arrived around 200,000 years ago, constantly changing and evolving into modern day people that populate the Earth today. Since the early human life, the development of agriculture permitted the creation of first cities. The development of cities gave rise to civilizations. This complex process of society development is ever changing. In the last century alone, Americans underwent radical social and cultural changes that strongly contributed to our way of life today. Clothing styles, jobs, living circumstances and modes of transportation vastly differ in comparison. The market for these goods and services has also undergone profound transformations. Consumer driven markets are constantly adapting to cater to our needs. One of the most distinctive changes in markets over time has been the expansion in the choice of goods of and services available to consumers. The relocation industry is amongst the many that make up the latter.

For thousands of years before the wheel was invented, people used wooden structures that resembled the modern day sled, which were then dragged behind horses or by hand. As humans entered the agricultural period, the wheel was invented, increasing efficiency in the relocation process. This led to people inventing the wooden cart, the wagon and the rail car. In the early days of civilization, only the wealthy could afford the luxury of transporting their goods. The average person didn't even have the need for relocation, because often time families stayed in the same home for many generations. Thus, professional moving was a rare occurrence. Years into the future, professional moving industry was developed in the U.S. after undergoing the expansion of the intercontinental railroads in the 1800s. Moving companies would then use horse-drawn wagons to transport belongings to warehouses strategically placed next to railroads, where belongings would then be packed and crated for shipping. The moving company would then load them into a rail car and unload them at another warehouse when they reached desired location. Motorized vans would then replace relocation via the railroad by the early 1900s. By the mid 1920s, motorized vehicles were an integral part of the industry and the moving industry consisted of a number of individual companies operating independently. Fast-forward into the 21st century, there are a variety of moving companies to choose, from large corporations to small companies. A variety of trucks that focus both on sustainability and the environment. Varying in price, services and even companies that are more conscious of the environment. From just a click of a mouse, and e-mail or a phone call, you can easily find a moving company to assist you on your move from the comfort of your home.

As the industry grew and expanded over the years, so did the competition. Old approaches to acquiring new customers and business proved to no longer be viable. Companies had to come up with new incentives to lure in prospective clients, by all means necessary. This gave rise to false advertisement, hidden fees and deception. From horse-drawn wagons to tractor-trailers, this industry has bloomed into estimated $12 million dollar revenue annually, with 8,000 companies across the U.S. One thing is certain, life on planet Earth is constantly evolving and changing, but not always for the better. The choices we make today, shape the environment we will be living in the future. Collectively and as individuals we need to proceed in a matter that ensures a sustainable and healthy future.