Archive for the ‘Prepare for a move’ Category

The Importance of Packing Properly

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Filling your suitcase before a big trip seems like total drudgery and is often put off until the last minute.  How much more, then, might Salt Lake City movers struggle when forced to pack away belongings before a big move?  Believe it or not, packing the right way will eliminate some of that pain and greatly facilitate Salt Lake City movers.

Before you start filling boxes, make sure you have great packing material.  Prepare yourself by picking up these items: durable boxes of various sizes, heavy-duty packing tape, scissors, and permanent markers for labeling.  Don’t forget the fillers:  bubble wrap, Styrofoam, packing peanuts, newspaper, or other materials to prevent damage to your items.

packing materialsAs you begin packing, start with one room at a time.  For example, have one box for all items belonging in the kitchen.  This will keep you at a good pace rather than running around, and makes it much easier to unpack when you’re done.

Before placing items into moving boxes, wrap them carefully with newspaper or bubble wrap.  Pretend like you’re playing a game of Tetris and utilize your space by filling in the gaps as best you can.  Start with the large items, and then fill in with those smaller.

Use Styrofoam, peanuts, or wadded-up paper to cushion empty spaces.  This will keep Salt Lake City movers’ items as protected as possible.  Don’t forget to label items “FRAGILE” on the outside of your box.

Keep your marker handy while you’re filling your containers.  List the items you’re putting inside.  Labeling will make things much easier to find later.

Pack the heaviest items at the bottom, and lighter ones at the top to protect them from being crushed.  Heavier things should go in smaller boxes, while belongings which are light should be packed in those larger.  Doing so will make your boxes easier to carry.

A good rule of thumb is to never pack a box heavier than the woman of the house can handle.  She will be the one most likely to pack and unpack during a move.  Having a box too heavy would make unpacking impossible for her, or extremely difficult.

Prepare for your Move with Salt Lake City Movers

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Rather than focusing on the drudgery of it all, keep yourself motivated by focusing on all the positive aspects of your move.  Using those positive emotions will continue to make your life exciting.  It will also give you more energy, performing tasks which you learn to enjoy.

Organizing yourself will streamline your success.  Salt Lake City movers will help you better if you have already helped yourself.  Keep yourself on task, and stress-free.

There are some steps you can take right away after deciding to make a move.  One of the most beneficial is creating a moving checklist.  Watch your anxiety lower reciprocally as you do.

Salt Lake City Movers

Salt Lake City Movers

Creating a moving checklist consists of simply writing thoughts down as they come to you.  Writing steps down will prevent them from constantly nagging your brain.  It also gives you a step-by-step game plan, putting the million-and-one things to do into bite-size pieces that are easier to deal with.

Including a calendar or some sort of timeline in your moving checklist is also beneficial.  Giving smaller deadlines along the way will make the final deadline that less daunting.  Some steps to include may revolve around preparation, packing, cleaning, moving out, and travelling – as well as plans upon your arrival.

After making your moving checklist and game plan, do your best to stick to it.  Keeping or exceeding your deadlines will prevent the explosive stress that comes from procrastination.  Make sure you give yourself enough lee-way to be flexible for the unexpected.

Notify necessary agencies of your move ahead of time.  These might include your utility, insurance, or phone companies, banks, or anything you can think of that regularly sends you a bill.  Don’t forget to update your address with friends and relatives, and fill out a change of address form at the Post Office.

Another way to reduce your stress is by contacting your Salt Lake City movers ahead of time.  Remove the fear of the unknown by getting the information now so you know what to expect.  Knowing that everything will be taken care of will give you added security and peace of mind.

Advantages of Paying for Employee Relocation Expense

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Relocating an employee to Salt Lake City can be an expensive process. You’ll want a Salt Lake City mover that will fit your budget and your needs. You’ll also need a Salt Lake City mover that is able to provide the proper documentation and paperwork that your company requires.

Salt Lake City MoversGenerally speaking, companies are more likely to pay for relocation expenses for upper level employees. Technical employees are usually not granted extravagant relocation packages. Upper level management may have very costly relocation expenses.

Here’s a little history on extravagant relocation expenses. Back in the 1980’s some companies would purchase their employees’ homes so they could move quickly. This proved to be very costly to the organizations that bought these homes and weren’t able to resell them at a profit.

Another problem with purchasing homes was that it would look a little shady on the company’s books. If an audit was performed on the company it didn’t look good that they were making large purchases of real estate that had nothing to do with their business. They also had the problem of paying the employee the fair market value for the home without being accused of over paying.

Besides paying for the mover there are other relocation expenses associated with moving. How these expenses are handled can vary as well. For the most part an employee is given a moving stipend or an expense account can be created.

Expense accounts usually require clear documentation. If you hire a good Salt Lake City mover they will provide the clear moving documentation that is needed. This discourages an individual or family from using the account for expenses that aren’t included in the move.

Before moving an employee it is advantageous to talk about their needs. If you will be providing housing for the employee it would be cheaper to put the employee in a condo close to work rather than a 3 bedroom house in the suburbs. If the employee will be provided a company car then miles driven and the cost to park the vehicle will also need to be kept in consideration.

Deciding on the amount to spend to relocate a new employee is a delicate process. Remember that you don’t want to have any problems in the move that may damage your relationship with the new employee. So it’s safer to choose a quality Salt Lake City mover over a budget mover.

Long Distance Movers in Utah

Friday, July 9th, 2010

According to professional movers, a long distance move is defined as moving at least 100 miles away from where you’re currently living. There are several Salt Lake City movers that provide assistance for long distance moves. There are a few things you should be aware of as you consider hiring a mover.

If you’re moving to another state the movers must be aware of local and state laws for truck entries into that state. Because of this it is a good idea to use a mover that is located where you will be moving to.

Not all movers are alike. When you call for a quote also ask if there are any other charges or fees. And remember that they’ll initially be giving you just an estimate so the actual cost may be different.

The estimate is usually based off of the distance of the move and the weight of the items to be moved. You can do the packing or, for an additional cost, you can have the movers do it for you. You also have the option of shipping terminal to terminal or door to door.

Additional costs may be incurred if there are stairs or elevators to go up. It is a good idea to factor into your budget additional moving expenses that may occur.

couchCreate a list of potential companies you wish to use. Most companies would like at least a month of notice if possible and you may end up paying more for a last minute move. Talk with your Salt Lake City mover’s customer support to get the details you need.

Movers may offer discounts or special offers, but you will most likely need to ask for them. In order to receive the special offer you may have to move according to how the Salt Lake City movers want you to, including their time frame.

Most moving companies will offer insurance as part of their service. Check to see how much insurance you need. It’s a good idea to keep personal items, such as important documents, in your own vehicle when you move.

What to Do When Hiring a Utah Piano Mover

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

If you own a piano, and are moving, you have the task of finding a Utah piano mover. Unless you want to wrestle the task yourself, and have a high chance of ruining your piano, you need to make finding a Utah piano mover a priority. Moving pianos can be very hard to do.

Before you look for a mover decide where the piano will be going. Are you moving the piano out of Utah? Are you moving the piano hundreds of miles away? Or are you moving the piano across the street?

How far you are moving will determine how much effort the mover will have to move the piano. Pianos need to be handled with care in every occasion, but transporting a piano in to a moving truck and situating it for a long journey is going to take more care then getting it settled for a drive down the street.

Look for Utah piano movers with experience. Before you decide on a company compile a list of questions for them. You want to be sure to ask about the amount of experience the movers have, as well as what type of equipment tutah piano movershey use.

You can search for Utah piano movers in a few different ways. You can look through the yellow pages for movers and see which ones are specialized in piano movers. You can also search for piano movers through search engines.

You can also talk to your piano retailer. Instrument retailers normally have a good contact person that they use for moving pianos. Ask if they have any recommendations for a specific piano mover.

Don’t forget to compare prices with various movers in the area. Price comparisons help you know the average price that moving a piano should be. Stay away from piano movers that charge very low or very high, in comparison to the other movers.

Pianos need to be handled with care. It is much easier to leave that move up to a qualified Utah piano mover. It is much safer as well.

Utah Resources For New Residents

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Moving into a new home in Utah can be very stressful.  You have to find a new home, pack up your belongings, drive it all to your new home, and finally settle in.  Moving with children is even tougher, especially if they are in school.

Education paves children’s way to success.  You might be stressed about finding your children a good school close to your new home.  There are several great schools in Utah.

Utah has 60 school districts.  Each of these school districts has several elementary, junior high, and high school buildings.  Utah schools integrate technology into their schools and 93% of all classrooms have the Internet.

Another factor to consider is whether or not you want to move close to the school.  You could move close to the school and walk or drive your children there.  But if you have a busy schedule, this might not be an option for you.

utah moving companies

If you choose to live far away from the school, your children could have the experience of riding a bus.  Often times children like riding in a bus.  One of the negative things about riding in a bus is that your children might have to be ready to go a lot sooner than if you were just to take them.

The student ethnicity within Utah is very diverse.  The population of students is mainly white at 83 percent, but there are still other backgrounds too.  The other student percentages are 11 percent Hispanic, 3 percent Asian, 2 percent American Indian, and 1 percent African American.

There are various websites available that you can research specific districts.  You can learn what kind of facilities they have in the schools and the student population.  You can also find out the teacher to student ratio.

Once you have decided which school and home you want, hire Utah moving companies to help you move.  These Utah moving companies will help transport your belongings from your old home to your new one.  Utah moving companies will even pack your belongs to make your experience more enjoyable.

Moving Your Items Properly In Your Moving Truck

Monday, April 26th, 2010

When it comes to moving there are several things you need to consider. You need to consider the time and effort that will be involved in the move, and decide what level you are willing to invest in. You also need to consider what things you can do to save yourself money, time, and stress during the move. Below are some reasons why it is important to pack your moving truck correctly, and things you need to know about how to pack your moving truck the right way.

Knowing how to properly pack a moving truck can save you from stressing out about the contents inside the truck. Don’t spend time stressing out about whether your items have been put in the back of the truck correctly. It can be hard not to worry about whether your boxes are going to topple over and ruin the contents inside.

Packing your truck properly can also save you time and energy. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out how to put items in a truck, you will quickly be able to place boxes in the truck in a constructive way so you can get it loaded relatively quickly. It will always take a little bit of time to pack any moving truck, but you will not be wasting time trying to coordinate where everything should be and fixing problems.

Knowing how to pack your moving truck properly can also save you money. You will have less items that need to be replaced from falls and tumbles. You also may be able to rent out a smaller moving truck and have a lower rate because you can fit more items efficiently in the truck.
movers
Properly packing your moving truck can keep movers safe. Movers who are faced with boxes and items that are unstable have a higher chance of injury than movers who have properly secured and placed items. It also ensures the safety of the items placed in the moving truck.

To make sure you are successful with packing your moving truck, it is important to get the correct size. You need to find a moving truck that will hold all your home items with only a little room left over. If you have too much room the items inside have a risk of shifting and falling over during the move, even if it is a few blocks. If you choose too small of a truck, then you have the hassle of exchanging it for a bigger vehicle and transferring everything twice.

Be sure to use pads to prevent rips and tears. Arrange everything in a neat fashion, pressing everything up against the truck walls and then moving inward.

When moving your items move the biggest items first. Most professional movers will have equipment to secure heavy items against the wall. Most professionals will also rent out moving equipment and padding to protect items when packing your moving truck.

Pack longer items next, then other furniture. Heavy boxes will go after that, because you can stack a few on top of each other if they are relatively the same size. Don’t stack the heavy items on lighter items or boxes not filled all the way if you don’t want to damage the items below it. Lighter boxes come last, and you can fill up the empty spaces.

Getting Your Home Inspected: Radon Testing

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Before moving in to a new home be sure that it has been tested for radon. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that causes cancer. Unfortunately, it is also tasteless, and you cannot see it or smell it.

Radon is very dangerous for your family. It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second cause overall. In America it claims about 20,000 Americans every year.

That is why it is vitally important to get radon testing done when moving in to a new home. Testing is the only way to know if your home has radon gas inside of it. Since you spend most of your time at home your home offers the most risk if it does have radon, though your office and schools should be tested as well.
professional movers
Each State has different radon protocols as far as testing is concerned. When testing the home be sure to follow your State’s guidelines. This is especially true if you will be doing the testing yourself.

There are professional contractors who can test your home for you as well. Some people prefer this option because they know they are hiring a qualified person to follow procedures and follow the EPA checklists precisely. If you would like to hire someone to do the testing for you you can ask your home inspector. They can either do it themselves or give your recommendations for someone else in the area.

If the homeowners before you had the house tested be sure to ask them a few follow up questions. If the test showed no harm with radon ask them what the actual level of radon was in the home. While it is policy to fix any homes with any radon level 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, your home can still be at risk if the level is lower.

If your home has a high radon level there are things you can do to correct the problem. Sealing cracks and working on the foundation is a great starting place since it significantly lowers the radon level. Other minor changes include using a system with a vent fan or pipe to stop radon gas from coming inside your home from outside or below the foundation. Each method will rely on the design of your home and other environmental factors. If you are moving you can also have your new home built with features that can be incorporated to reduce radon levels during its construction.

When choosing professional movers you are making a decision and choice to protect your possessions from harm. Professional movers have the qualifications and the equipment to keep your possessions safe during packing and transportation. Just like when you chose professional movers to protect your possessions, it is important to protect your family from harm by having your home tested for radon.

For more information regarding radon testing go to the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/radon.

Why You Should Have Your New Home Inspected

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

When you are looking in to buying a home you want to make certain that you are paying the right price for it. Having the home inspected can help with this. Home inspection is an inexpensive way to find out if you will need to put a lot of work in to your home once you move in, or if the home has only minor repairs.

Take advantage of a home inspection if your seller offers it. A professional home inspection gives you information regarding which parts of the home you are buying may need to be fixed up. If you are worried about the inspector the seller hired, ask to use one you trust.

Home inspection can help you know of any problem areas in the home that may need help. These repairs can either be immediate repairs or could be minor ones that do not need attention right away. A home inspection will also help you know which items in the home may need replacement.

Home inspectors will look at areas of the home and make sure they are in working order and in good condition. If there are any major parts of the home that need repairs, such as the ceiling, it can end up costing you thousands of dollars to repair. Know the actual living condition of your home by getting a home inspection done before you buy.

After the home inspector goes through the main areas of the home they may choose to go through minor areas of the home for good measure. If there are any major problem areas ask for a price adjustment for your new home. You could also request that the seller of the home do all repairs before you move in to your home.

moving company

If you have already bought a home you can still take advantage of a home inspection. Home inspectors can help you know ahead of time the type of repairs you will be looking at. This can help you decide on which repairs you need to take care of right away and which ones you can do after you move in.

If you want the peace of mind knowing that you are making a great choice in your home choice, a home inspection is the way to go. A home inspection can come back to report back that no repairs need to be done with the home. This can be very reassuring and help buyers know that they are not being taken advantage of.

Home inspections can be beneficial to those who wish to know exactly what condition their new home is in. Ask your moving company if they have any recommendations with home inspectors. If you have already bought your home this could be a great time to let your moving company know of your moving plans so your moving company can plan accordingly

Making Sense of the HOA

Monday, April 19th, 2010

If you are in the buyer’s market for a home, you are in a great place! Home prices are lower in some areas than they’ve been in decades. That being said, you couldn’t have picked a better time to purchase a house.

In your house hunt, you may have found homes that claim to have an “HOA Fee” in the listing information. Everyone knows that means an extra monthly cost for you, but what exactly is the HOA? That question and more will be explained below to help you in your big decision of becoming a homeowner.

The HOA is the Home Owner’s Association. You can think of it as a club that includes all of the people who purchase a home in your same neighborhood.  You are charged a fee to be a member of this “club” and there may even be benefits to having your home be part of an HOA neighborhood.

movers

The HOA will set standards for all of the homes under the HOA’s jurisdiction.  These standards or rules must be upheld by all home owners. In exchange for keeping the rules, your home can be protected from unnecessary value loss from negligent home owners.  What this means is that rules are created by the HOA in an attempt to keep home values consistent with market value.

An example of a rule you may encounter as a member of a neighborhood HOA could be vehicle regulation.  Most HOA’s will regulate how many vehicles can be parked at each home (and furthermore, the duration a vehicle can be stationary).  It may seem rigid to control something like cars on your property, when you are making payments for ownership of your home.

However, in this car example, regulation may protect you if you happen to have a neighbor that desires parking cars all over his/her front lawn.  In this case, the HOA rule will help set a standard that conforms a community and may keep home values from dipping.

Each HOA’s regulations will differ from another’s so it’s important to understand your prospective home’s HOA before you purchase your home and make it official by calling the movers.  So many home owners have resorted to filing a lawsuit with their HOA because of a regulation dispute.  Had the homeowner understood all the HOA rules before movers packed up all of their belongings and settled into the neighborhood, these lawsuits would never have been.

Our example on vehicle regulation above is typical, but some HOAs have completely different rules for their neighborhoods. Since an HOA board can decide on any number of rules they desire, home owners are pretty much at their mercy.  Some HOAs actually regulate if you can have pets on the premise or if visitors will have to check-in upon entering the neighborhood by showing ID—your movers could actually have to prove that you hired them before they could help you move in!

But some of these things could all be of benefit to you if you find the right neighborhood.  Like in these instances above, maybe you are looking for a neighborhood where all the lots only have 1 or 2 cars on them.  Or, maybe you want to live in a neighborhood without dogs on the street or barking.  Just make sure you research the terms and conditions of the HOA before you decide where to buy.