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To save time and money it may be a good idea to have your basic packing supplies ready when it is time to move. Start you move off right by purchasing needed packing and moving supplies ahead of time. You can cut down moving costs by watching for sales and stocking up. Here are some basic packing supplies that can help you during your move.

Moving boxes – Moving boxes are essential. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. You will always have items that will fit in small, medium, large, or extra large moving boxes.

Packing Tape – Clear, sealing tape is the most popular type of tape. You want to be sure that your boxes are secured and properly sealed. Packing tape is normally very affordable, but watch for bundle deals. Better yet, use a tape dispenser and save yourself the frustration of having to have scissors around.

Permanent Marker – Make sure you have one or two permanent markers on hand. Labeling your boxes allows the transition from home to home run smoother. Having a few on hand helps in case one marker starts to run out.

Labels – It may also be a good idea to some labels. If you write directly on some boxes the writing won’t show up. You can print up custom labels or leave the labels blank to write as you go.

Specialty Boxes – If you have specialty items, such as larger framed artwork or mirrors, you should purchase specialty boxes. Most lamp boxes, crib boxes, frame protectors, and specialty packing supplies are available for sale through online vendors or professional moving companies. Check with your local moving companies to see what they have available.

Packing Wrap – Use brown paper or plain newsprint to wrap items.
This will make it so you won’t have to wash the items once you have moved. Never try to wrap newspaper around delicate items, such as lamp shades.

Cushioning – Inexpensive foam will provide extra protection to your more fragile items. Bubble wrap is another inexpensive cushioning alternative. Remember to have things around to fill in empty spaces, such as inflatable bags, peanuts, or other foam pieces to fill empty spaces.

There are lots of reasons to have a garage sale before you move. Be sure to do it far enough in advance so that you have plenty of time to organize a sale before your move. Here are some tips to help you plan a successful garage sale.

First, you should look through your home to see if you have items that are worth selling. If you haven’t used an item in the past five years it is probably not going to be missed. Go ahead and sell it!

A lot of items may be more expensive to move and ship than to sell at a minimal price. Make a list of items that you don’t use or want to sell. With that list, write down a price next to the item so you know the price range you are willing to sell the item for.

Normally you will want to charge about 20% of the original cost of the item, if it is in good, working order. Bring the price much lower if selling used books or clothing. Place tags or stickers on each item and refer to the price sheet in case the price tags fall off.

Take a little extra time to make the items you are selling more appealing. Wash, iron, fold, clean and hang items to make them more attractive to potential buyers. Presentation is the key.

Consider having a block sale. Ask any friends or neighbors if they are interested in getting rid of extra clutter around their home. This can help you stay motivated, and will also increase the turnout.

If you are doing the garage sale on your own, ask for some extra help. It is safer to have two people manning a yard sale so you have an extra pair of eyes. It can be hard to conduct a garage sale by yourself.

Advertise that you are having a garage sale. Put up signs around the neighborhood, balloons and advertise in the classifieds. Check with your community to see if they have a website to post information about a moving sale.

While it is a good idea to take extra precautions to keep your items safe during a move, accidents can still occur. Boxes can accidentally bump into each other, or shift during the drive. Accidents sadly can’t be controlled.

What can be controlled, however, is how your moving company deals with such mishaps. A good moving company will be able to provide adequate coverage for your items. They should also have a good reputations for resolving claims in a timely manner.

Moving companies normally provide a type of insurance. They call it valuation, and it is a limit of liability that their company has when moving your items. Valuation, with most moving companies, automatically comes with your moving contract with no extra cost.

Free valuation normally has a certain declared value with your items. For example, it is based on the weight of the items they are shipping. So if your shipment weighs 10,000 pounds and you are covered for $0.60 per pound then the maximum amount the company is liable for is $6,000.

If you feel like you wouldn’t be adequately covered, or if your goods don’t weigh very much, good companies will be able to provide you with other options. You can usually purchase valuation for a specific dollar amount. This type of assessed value normally needs to be done with a signed contract.

Full value protection is also another option. It is more expensive, but will cover any items that are damaged, lost, or broken. The company then is responsible for repairing or replacing any items that are damaged.

If you ever need to make a claim for items that are damaged, refer to the specific type of valuation that you purchased. Usually you have a full 30 days to make a claim. It is important to make sure that you are covered adequately so you don’t run in to any problems with the mover’s maximum liability being less than the claim amount you are wanting.

There are certain items in your home that will need extra care when moving. These items need to be moved by competent movers that will handle them delicately and appropriately. Professional movers are a good investment for these sensitive items because they are already trained to remove these items.

Larger furniture items tend to break off easier during moves. Be sure to plan ahead and pack breakable and sensitive items correctly to ensure their safety on your drive. Here are some ideas of different furniture that requires extra care during a move.

Moving a piano can be really difficult- professional help is a good idea

Piano – A piano is one of the most difficult items for a mover to move. They are very delicate and awkward because of their shape and size. Find a mover that is specifically trained and experienced with moving pianos to ensure the best moving care.

Stove – Make sure your stove is disconnected before your move. Remove anything that can fall off, such as removable coils, and place them in their own separate box. When you are moving your stove be sure that all gas lines are properly secured.

Television – Televisions are also a risky object to move. They need to be packaged very carefully to avoid a break with the screen. Screens can break easily, so be sure to have a lot of protective padding around the television set before risking a move.

Washer and Dryer – These items both need to be handled with a lot of precaution. They are huge, bulky items and can be real headaches to move. Professionals have equipment to handle these large items and will do a good job with moving them from your home.

Freezer and Refrigerator – Its a good idea to defrost your refrigerator and freezer at least 2 days before your move. This will help keep the musty smell from settling in. Remove all shelves and package them in a separate box so they don’t break off mid-way through the move.

Sewing Machine – This item doesn’t need extra attention for small, local moves. If you are traveling long distance, however, it is a good idea to make sure it is properly packaged. Place paper or padding all around the machine, as well as in between the lid and base, to be sure there isn’t any unnecessary rubbing that will damage it during the move.

Your body can go through a lot during a move. Don’t wear yourself out by not planning ahead of time and taking extra care when moving your items. Even if you decide to hire professional moving company there are some precautions you should take for your safety.

Don’t put too much weight in one box. Put heavier items in smaller boxes, and lighter items in the bigger boxes. You should be able to lift the box without straining too much from the weight.

When carrying heavier items remember the proper way to lift. You never want to lift with your back. Use your legs by squatting down and then lifting with your lower body so you don’t put extra strain on your back.

Before carrying your boxes make sure you are steady on your feet. You may have to carry the box up and down the stairs, or long distances to and from the truck, so be certain you have a good hold on it. If you are nervous you may drop it, ask for assistance.

You can rent proper moving equipment to help move heavier items. This will help save your back from having to lift the larger items. Rent a dolly or two to stack boxes on or other larger items.

Watch out for any possible hardships with your environment. Move the truck as close to your home as you can so you don’t have to cross as long a distance when placing items inside. Look for any posts or poles that may get in the way of your movers.

Let your movers know which items are heavier. Set those boxes aside so the proper people can handle those loads. Its also a good idea to let them know which boxes are delicate so they can handle those with extra care.

Organize everyone so they have specific roles. Certain people are better suited to move heavier furniture and boxes. Assemble the movers how you would like them to avoid collisions and unnecessary people getting in the way when moving the heavier items.

Are you Moving? Are you confused with all the moving industry lingo and paperwork? Here are some tips to help you have a safe move.

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