Archive for the ‘Moving Tips’ Category
Tips And Tricks For Moving Into Your New Home
I have moved many times over the course of my years and have gained some valuable tips and techniques that I pass on to my customers.
When first time home buyers have completed the closing, many times they are often overwhelmed by what occurs next, what to do and how to do it.
Moving into a new home can be a very confusing time for new home owners. Often times new home owners will focus on the immediate obvious tasks of moving and omit or not realize the importance of the little details.
Every one is different and their priorities tend to be focused on what they believe to be of importance. The finer details of a move and some of the tasks of making the transition from one home to another often sneak up on new home owners and make the transition a more tedious stressful affair then it has to be.
With that in mind, I present my customers with a short list of the necessary items they may not think of while they prepare to move into their new home. I provide this information as a service to all home buyers, and welcome additional insights and tips that others have used to make transitioning from one home to another easy, stress free and as enjoyable an experience as possible.
When I begin thinking about the move, I setup an outline and 2 task lists: list of physical items I will need to purchase or obtain for the move as well as a to-do list.
These lists provide me with an accurate measurement of what tasks are left to be accomplished prior to moving day and help me to remember items of importance.
Here is a list of some of the physical items needed for a move:
Boxes
You can never have too many boxes. You can either purchase them from a moving supply store, find them behind department stores, or some movers will also supply a given number of boxes. You will need various sizes and types of boxes for the move: small, medium and large boxes, Wardrobe boxes (these have a cross beam so you can hang clothing items within) etc. I also use boxes of various material types: Cardboard and plastic as an example.
Packing Material
Newspaper, bubble wrap, towels etc. Newspaper can be shredded to protect fragile items from impacts when moved. Bubble wrap I use for the more delicate items including fine china, art work and other fragile knick knacks. Towels I use as box stuffers. Towels are placed inside the walls of boxes to give fragile items such as dishes a cushion from impacts.
Packing and marking Tape and dispenser
It’s always a good idea to seal the boxes. Interlocking the flaps of boxes does not provide enough lock for the box and may open during transfer. I will usually interlock the flaps, and then tape over the seams to secure the box further.
For marking tape I use either the blue painters tape, or white duct tape. I place a strip of tape on everything that is either boxed or wrapped and mark the room in which it belongs.
Twine or rope
I use this material for several reasons: to secure box flaps that may come undone and I always bind books in rope for easy movement. Books in boxes can get very heavy and often times the boxes break or are too heavy to transit. Binding books in rope gives everyone, even small children the ability to pickup a stack and place it in a vehicle. It also saves your back from trying to lift a box full of books!
Movers Wrap
Movers wrap is a large roll of saran wrap like material. I use this to wrap furniture, TV’s and other large items that either don’t fit in a container or require additional protection. It also allows me to add impact protection to the items.
Example: I have a coffee table made of wood , I place rolled towels around the corners then wrap the table with movers wrap. This provides extra padding for the table which lessens the chance of it getting scratched or broke during the move.
Extra light bulbs
I pick up a few extra light bulbs just in case they’re needed. Don’t forget to have a flashlight on hand as well!
New Locks
For safety and security, I change all the locks in the house (front, back and side doors) either before moving day or on moving day. One never knows who has keys to the new home.
You may require additional items on your physical list. Personalize the list to your requirements so you can have any necessary items readily available for your move.
To-do list
My to do list will include all the tasks needed to be accomplished before, during and after the move. This list includes:
Movers/Truck Rental
Some of my moves I have had friends and relatives help with the move. Others, I have hired professional movers. Either way, it is important to make sure all the necessary people and vehicles are scheduled for the correct day of the move.
A few years back, I hired what I thought was a professional moving company (a very well known company) for my move to a new home. The day before the move I had not heard from the company and telephoned to make sure all was well. They told me they had my move scheduled for the following week! I was livid! I had previously verified the date with the company 2 weeks prior! Now I had to rush to find a new moving company for my actual moving day since the family moving into my old home was due to arrive the day after I moved out! Needless to say, I’ll never use that moving company again (nor recommend them) and I always confirm the day of moving with the company twice after my initial contact: 2 weeks before and then again 2 days before the move!
Packing
When packing, I always pack first in last out. What I mean is; if you think you are going to require an item quickly during or after the move, place it last in a box or container so it is on top and readily available as you open the container. Likewise, items on the bottom are those that won’t be needed right away.
I always pack by room. I will place several boxes and packing materials in each room and Label the box by the room in which it belongs. In the case of personal rooms, such as children’s rooms include their name on the box. If there are several of the same types of rooms such as offices, I mark them specifically as well. And don’t forget to mark boxes for storage rooms and garages!
I bubble wrap all delicate items before placing them in a box. I also bubble wrap all electronic items to prevent and lessen damage to the item due to shock or impact. I try not to mix rooms in the same box. It is much easier to unpack a room when all the items and boxes for that room are located right there.
I try to move delicate and fragile items myself. Whenever possible, I move the fragile boxes and items prior to the big moving day. When that is not possible, I place these items in my car. I know that moving day will be a rush and to minimize the confusion that day, it’s best for me if fragile items are not part of the rush.
I place comfort and hygiene items in their own small box, tooth brush and paste etc. for easy access.
I also am certain to have one small bag with paper plates, cups and disposable utensils for dinner and lunch the day of the move.
Contact Phone Numbers
I make certain I have called the necessary services prior to the move: Water Company, electric company, Gas company, refuse management company (trash pickup) and have these numbers readily available the day of moving just in case. A real estate agent can and should provide these numbers to you.
Also, if obtaining a new phone number contact the Phone Company and schedule an installation date as close to moving day as possible.
Change of address
Many new home owners often forget or don’t realize the importance of changing your address with the post office. The post office has a package you fill out and can leave with your post person or drop off at the post office. I always make sure this is done so my bills and correspondence can arrive at the new home in a timely manner. The last thing I want is to have bills show up at the new home after their due date!
Get Cash
Moving day is a very hectic day. The last thing I want to happen is to not have enough cash on hand for: tipping the movers, purchasing beverages, lunch and/or dinner etc.
Moving day
Now that I’ve prepared for moving day, I am ready and anxious for the day to arrive. If you are like me, you are excited to start your new life in your new home.
On or before (whenever possible) moving day, I go to the new home and place signs on the entrance to each room. The signs are the descriptions of the room (matching the box descriptions) so the movers will be able to place the appropriate boxes and items in their assigned rooms. Children’s rooms get a sign with their name on it, living room, dining room etc. How I intend to use a room, may not be readily evident. It also allows me to direct the process much easier as the Movers don’t have to ask where to put items.
Once moving day arrives, I am on top of my game. All items in the old house are packed and labeled and ready for the movers, all fragile items are loaded into personal vehicles or have already been moved to the new home. I then let the movers do their thing and load the truck. Most professional movers have a system for packing their trucks so I let them do what I hired them to do. Many reputable movers will examine and verify that delicate or fragile items such as televisions etc. are packed and protected appropriately.
For lunch and/or dinner I order something easy to be delivered and don’t forget the drinks. I’ll always pick up some bottled water and sport drinks to keep everyone involved hydrated.
Even though I had a home inspection prior to closing, when I arrive at the new home, I check and make sure every thing still works. I or someone I assign will go around the house and turn on all the lights, use the garage door opener, run the sprinklers (after the movers leave and there is nothing left outside on the lawn), run the dishwasher, dryer and clothes washer and check the pool or spa pump. If there is a problem, now is the time I want to find it.
I also go around the house and acclimate myself to all the various wall switches. Some of the switch uses may not be obvious. If there are allot of switches, I place blue painters’ tape (it doesn’t leave marks and is easy to remove) and mark the switches use until I become familiar with its usage.
If you’re like me, you have pets. I always put the pets in the backyard during the move and while the movers are there. I let the pets get accustomed to their new yard and give them plenty of water and some chew treats to keep them busy. Once the movers have left, I let the pets in the house and give them some time to smell around the home and acclimate themselves. After all, pets are people too!
After moving day
Now that I’m all moved in and begin to unpack, I’ve learned a few handy tips that I hope will help you settle in to your new home with ease:
Put out the welcome mat! If you don’t have one think about getting one to welcome visitors to your new home. It helps your neighbors feel comfortable in welcoming you to the new neighborhood.
Assign weekly family project tasks for maintenance and general upkeep for your new home. Assigning family projects is a great way to motivate children to do chores and give the family some quality time together.
More tips
Here are some handy cleaning tips I’ve learned for the house:
To clean a lavatory bowl:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the bowl and… Let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers:
Fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.
Summary
Moving into a new home, if properly organized before hand can be a great day for everyone involved. Creating lists to prepare for the move, marking items and the rooms in which they belong assist the helpers and make the move much easier. Many times it can also save you money by reducing the time needed to use professional movers.
There are many more events and tasks that can occur prior to moving. Creating a list will help minimize the tasks and items that need to be completed for a move to a new home.
Oh, and don’t forget… You are allowed to paint the walls, hang pictures and shelves and get new carpeting or other floor covering.
After all… It’s YOUR home now!
As a Century 21 Real Estate agent and REALTOR® (member of the National Association of Realtors) working in Panama City Florida, my mission is to provide the public with quality Panama City Florida Real Estate services!
I believe the future of Real Estate sales will be maintained and driven by the online power of the consumer. I provide quality service for Panama City Real Estate investors, from Commercial income properties to 1031 Tax Exchanges.
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Often when we move, we’re so busy with packing and preparing for the move that we forget to give proper attention to our pets. But we shouldn’t. For dogs, like for many other pets, a move to a place with new sights, sounds and especially smells can be a challenge or even a trauma. Especially it concerns dogs which never leave the house but for a veterinary clinic. It’s harder for them to adjust than for the dogs that are used to new experiences going out every day. The most important thing in moving with a dog is to make it feel as secure, calm and comfortable as you can, otherwise your move can turn to nightmare. The following suggestions will make the dog moving easier:
Start packing 1 or 2 week before the actual day of the move in order not to get a dog overly excited when you try to pack everything in a rush during the last couple of days before movers arrive. Do not pack your dog’s favorite toys or move the bedding if possible. Sudden change of safety environment will make your dog anxious and may lead to unpredictable behavior.
Don’t change the feeding schedule of your dog and keep doing the regular walks with it on, before and after the move.
If the place you are moving to is located not far from the place you are moving from, try bringing your dog there so it can explore new sights, sounds and smells during the walks. In this case the change of moving won’t be as stressful for your pet.
Prepare the new id tag for you dog and be sure that the dog wears it on the day of the move, especially if you’re moving long distance. This is in case the dog gets scared and runs away or gets lost in the turmoil of the move.
It is strongly recommended that you leave your dog at your neighbors’, friends’ or relatives’ your dog is familiar with on the day of the move. If you have to use a pet care center for the move day. This will serve several purposes:
a) – the dog will not feel invaded, threatened by seeing the strange people entering its space. This can trigger the aggressive behavior and may lead to accidents if the dog encounters movers; dog can damage the furniture if it is locked in a room. Other dogs may feel frightened and this can lead to runny stomach and accidents of other sort.
b) you do not have to tend to him while the moving men are around packing your household goods and loading the van.
c) moving men will not be distracted or scared to do their job and this will also result in a faster and more efficient move.
If you have no other option – then lock your dog in a room where it feels comfortable and make sure the dog has its favorite toys and a bed. Try to and make sure the room is empty of the boxes and furniture your movers will need to take. Often dog’s anxiety can turn to aggressiveness to strangers so it might be even better to put a sign on the door like “Dog. Do Not Open.” so your pet won’t be disturbed and excited by the sight of the moving men.
Transporting the dog to a new place can also be problematic, unless it is so close so you can walk there. Do not put your dog in the back of the truck. When truck body is closed, conditions are very adverse: it is dark, noisy and scary. Shipment may shift, boxes and furniture might fall. It is extremely hot inside in the summer.
If you do not have a car – then use a pet-friendly taxi to get you to the moving destination with a dog. When moving your dog by car, make sure you prepared a sheet or a blanket for the car seats, paper towels, food and drink if the trip takes more than two hours. If you’re traveling far, don’t feed the dog at least 3 hours before the trip and don’t forget to make stops every 2 hours to get some fresh air and drink for you pet. You can put one of the favorite toys of your dog in the car for it to relax. Check the pet friendly hotels you can stop at on your way.
If you are traveling by air, take into consideration that no airline can guarantee acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Make sure you’ve got all the necessary documentations, proper carrier markings and sizing, and food and drink for the flight. You can check with Delta Airline recommendations on shipping your pet.
Usually interstate health certificates for dogs have to be obtained before entering most states. Rabies vaccine is required for dogs to enter most states. Hawaii even requires that dogs be quarantined for the period of 120 days. Be sure your pet wears identification tags with your pet’s name and description, your name, address and phone number; vaccination tags are often required as well. For more detailed information on each state requirement for pet’s travel go to USDA Veterinary Services.
Airlines generally transport animals in the cargo compartment of the plane, but small dogs are allowed to travel in airliner cabin with their owners, provided they are placed in an approved carrier that will feet under the seat. Dog kennels should be roomy enough to allow you pet sit, stand and lie naturally; they must be easy to open, strong enough and leak proof; kennels should have proper ventilation: at least 14% of the total wall space and at least one third of the openings must be located on to the top of the kennel with the rims on the sides to provide at least an inch of clearance in case the opening is blocked by another cargo. The kennel should have handles to lift it and marked “live animals” with the directional arrows showing the proper position of the kennel. Also the instructions for feeding and watering you pet should be attached to the kennel. Food and water must be provided for puppies every 12 hours and for mature dogs should be fed every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours.
Feed your animals no less then 3 hours before the flight and take it for a long walk. It would be better if you arrive to the airport early so you have enough time to take care of your pet according to the airline regulations. When you reserve the flight make sure it has as few stops and transfers as possible and try to avoid peak travel periods. Also when you make your reservation tell the airline directly that you are traveling with the dog and ask what requirements they have. The law is changing and airlines often require animals to be prepared by professional transport companies with all necessary documentations.
If you are planning to use sedative for your pet consult your veterinarian to be on the safe side. Generally it is not advised to use sedatives because animals lose balance and control over their bodies what may hurt them during turbulence or other unstable conditions of a plane. You get a word about using sedatives from American Veterinary Medical Association .
At the place you move in, find again the small and comfortable room for your dog to lock it in while the moving men unload the truck.
Make sure your pet knows where his stuff is: bed, crate, litter box, toys, eating area. And don’t interrupt the day routine for you dog. Give the dog the water from the previous home, gradually mixing it with the water in the new one. Leave as little surprises for it as possible. Get your dog acquainted with the new home gradually: don’t let it roam around everywhere at once.
Keep the dog at home for few days for them to adapt before letting it out to the street. Try not to leave the new home to eat out at first, do it at home so your pet won’t feel forsaken.
And, lastly, be human – don’t punish your pet for initial misbehavior, find some way to reduce their stress. But should your dog leave some “accidents”, be quick to get rid of it, so the odor won’t attract it again.
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Moving can be a very stressful time in a person’s life, especially if he or she has not hired appropriate help to move their furniture. Piano moves can be especially stressful, because the mover needs to have special knowledge and skills to safely move the piano. In this article I have outline a few frequently asked questions about piano moving in order to help understand what is involved in moving a piano and prepare you with the information to choose the right mover. At the end of the article, I have listed some questions that you can ask to help you choose your piano mover, as well as the information that you should have ready in order for the mover to be sufficiently prepared for your move.
Why do I need to hire a professional piano mover?
Many of you may be wondering why you would need to hire a professional piano moving company to move your piano, rather than using the household mover who is moving the rest of the contents of your house. The main reason for hiring a professional piano mover is that many household movers do not have adequate training or equipment to properly move a piano.
The average upright piano weighs between 400 and 900 pounds. Grand pianos can weigh between 650 and 1300 pounds. The value of a piano can vary from a few hundred dollars to 500,000 dollars depending on the make, model, age and condition of the piano. The majority of piano moves involve moving the instrument through a tight space such as a small door frame or staircase. In some cases, the piano may need to be dismantled in order to get it out of your house. Using and experienced professional piano mover will drastically minimize the risk of damage to the instrument and to your home.
As a piano mover, I have come across many cases where a customer has hired a household piano mover to move their piano and has had to make an emergency call to us because the household mover could not get the piano out of his or her house. In other cases, I have received calls from customers who had hired a non-reliable piano mover because their price was much lower, and had to book an emergency move with us, because that piano mover did not show up to move their piano or call to explain why they were not there.
How are pianos moved?
When you hire a professional piano mover, you can expect 2-3 people to come to your home equipped with piano skids, moving pads, ramps, slings, and the knowledge of how to move your piano safely. They will use special techniques to maneuver the piano out of your house. When the piano is put on the truck, it will be safely secured to the vehicle in order to avoid damage during transport. In the most difficult moves, 4-6 people may be used. Generally when a piano is moved by someone other than a professional piano mover, this equipment, knowledge and these safety precautions are not employed. While hiring a professional piano mover does not completely eliminate the risk of damage, it will drastically reduce this risk. Furthermore, a good piano mover will assess the situation and inform you if there is a chance of damage before he or she begins the move, and will give you the option of proceeding or not.
Are all professional piano movers equal?
Unfortunately, as in any trade, each piano moving company varies in their level of quality and experience. Some piano movers are better equipped and more prepared than others and act with more care and integrity than others. The best way to find a good piano mover is to call around to your local piano stores, piano technicians and piano teachers to find out which company they use. Piano stores in particular have a high stake in ensuring that they use reliable, high quality piano movers who have the least risk of damaging their instruments and are properly insured in the event that the unforeseen does happen.
Are all piano movers similarly insured?
Sadly, the answer to this question is no.
There are 3 types of insurance to consider when hiring a piano mover:
1. Commercial/automotive insurance: Is the company insured against damage to property and or vehicles?
2. Cartage/content insurance: Is the company insured against damage to the piano?
3. Workman’s Safety Insurance: Is the company insuring its workers against injury?
Some piano moving companies are insured for 1 or 2 of these types of insurance, but not all 3. It is the buyer’s responsibility to make sure that he/she is properly insured, not the moving company. It is a good idea to ask about these 3 types of insurance when you are phoning piano moving companies, and also to ask what amount of insurance your piano will be covered for. A properly insured moving company should provide you with a Bill of lading, which is a legal document stating what is being moved, the names of all parties involved in the move, where the piano is being moved from and to, and the full declared insured value of the instrument. The Bill of lading should also include the moving company’s terms of cartage. As a legal document, a proper bill of lading helps to ensure that the piano mover will repair any damages that were incurred during the move (unless a damage waiver was signed). It is also important to note that any damage caused to your piano or your property must be noted on the bill of lading to ensure that you have proper recourse if any action is needed.
Why is worker injury important to me?
You may be wondering why it is important that you ensure that the piano mover you hire has Workman’s Safety Insurance. When you contract a moving company, they are considered your employee for the time that they are working for you. If you hire a moving company that is not covered for Workman’s Safety Insurance, you are accepting full liability for any employees who are injured while working for you. Your liability will extend to medical bills, lost wages and possibly civil law suits. A company who is covered for Workman’s Safety Insurance will take care of most of these problems for you. Some companies do not pay their required insurance premiums and are therefore not covered for all injury insurance claims. You may ask the company that you are hiring to provide you with an up-to-date workman’s safety insurance clearance certificate, in order to ensure that you are properly covered. To be absolutely sure that the moving company’s coverage is up to date, you can contact your local Workman’s Compensation or Workman’s Safety Insurance board to check on the company’s status.
Does moving the piano affect the sound of my piano?
The actual move of the piano does not affect the sound or tuning of a piano. Generally piano tuning is affected by changes in temperature and humidity which cause the wooden and steel parts of your piano to expand and contract. You will probably need to tune your piano a few weeks after moving it, after it acclimatizes to its new location. Other factors that may affect the sound of your piano are the size and acoustics of the room in which the piano is located. Carpet absorbs sound, while hardwood reflects it. Sound reinforces in small spaces, seeming louder, while in large spaces the sound gets lost, seeming quieter.
How much does it cost to move a piano?
Piano moving is generally billed in one of two ways:
1. The household mover way – hourly rate, with a minimum number of hours (usually min. = 3 hours)
2. The professional piano mover way – flat rate based on the following factors:
a. Type (upright, grand) and size of piano
b. Distance being moved
c. Difficulty level due to stairs, grass pulls, tight turns etc.
d. Time restraints place on the move
e. Waiting time that might be incurred.
The advantage of a flat rate system is that, barring any unforeseen events, you be able to get an accurate idea of what the move will cost you before the movers arrive at your house and it is often less expensive than the hourly rate.
How much notice do I need to give the Piano Mover?
The amount of notice needed will depend on when and where you need the piano to be moved. Most piano movers book their deliveries on a first come, first served basis. If it is a high traffic time of year, you may need up to one month’s notice. In a lower traffic time of year, you may only need one or two day’ notice. Generally, if you need your piano moved on a specific day, you should book the delivery well in advance to make sure it’s available to you.
Below are listed some recommended questions to ask when you are looking to hire a piano mover:
1. How long have you been moving pianos?
2. Do you have any references?
3. Do you have full-time, trained staff moving pianos for you?
4. How do you charge for moving, and what are your rates?
5. What days of the week do you move pianos, and what is your availability?
6. Are you covered for Commercial/automotive insurance, Cartage/content insurance, and workman’s safety insurance?
7. Will you provide me with a copy of your workman’s safety insurance clearance certificate?
8. What amount will my piano be insured for during the move? What does this insurance cover?
9. What are your terms of cartage? Will you provide me with a copy?
10. Will I be provided will a bill of lading when my piano is moved?
Listed below is the information that you should have prepared when you book your piano move:
1. What type of piano is it that you require to be moved? (Upright or Grand Piano)
2. What size of piano is it? (upright pianos are measured by height [floor to lid] and grand pianos are measured by longest length [keyboard to curve in bow end])
3. Where is it being picked up from? (Have full address including postal or zip code)
4. Where is it being delivered to? (Have full address including postal or zip code)
5. Are there any stairs that the piano needs to go up or down (inside and outside)? If so, how many? Are they straight, spiraled or curved? Based on what you tell the piano mover, he/she will tell you how many people they believe it will accomplish your move. Missing important details or difficulties, or miss-estimating your move based on the information you have provided could mean that your piano move might not happen that day, and could incur you more charges.
6. When are you looking to have the piano moved?
7. Are there any time restraints involved? (As time-restraints tend to hamper the efficiency of the mover’s day, placing a time-restraint on the mover could more than double your cost.)
8. Inform the piano mover of any problems that you can foresee ahead of time.
The more information you can provide the piano mover, the more accurate your quote will be. If you are vague and provide few details, do not be surprised if you incur extra charges for your move. A good, reputable piano mover will make the process as painless as possible for you and usually be the highlight and most stress-free part of your whole moving process. They key is ensuring that the mover meets all of your requirements and providing them with the information they need to help you properly.
Jason Martin is the owner of Braymore Delivery Service, the largest piano delivery and storage company serving Southern Ontario. Braymore Delivery Service has been in operation for 25 years. For more information on Braymore’s services, visit their website at http://www.braymore.ca.
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What is a REAL moving box? Do you know?
The term “moving boxes” has been grossly overly-used to the point that it has lost its meaning for most consumers. Most people associate moving boxes with any old box that they can find around the house, or one that is sold in the stores. After all, if the store calls a box- a moving box, then it must be right? Wrong! Most people unknowingly believe that a box is a box, and a moving box is just any type of box that you move with. Although this is logical, it is not true and has led to unnecessary moving damages across the United States.
The term moving boxes actually refers to a type of box that is specifically manufactured and designed to be used for moving and storing. These boxes are industry standard with professional moving companies, and are typically not even sold in most retail stores. Certified moving boxes have a stamp on them that certifies them as certified, providing the highest level of protection for your valuables when moving or storing.
- It is ironic that many people spend extra money purchasing third party moving insurance in the event that their belongings are damaged, yet pack their belongings in any old box they can find. There is a better way. Using high quality, certified boxes is the best prevention to decrease or eliminate moving damages.
How are certified moving boxes different then regular ones?
They are Designed Not To Compress When Stacked on Top of Each Other in a Moving Truck or Dolly
The first aspect that makes certified moving boxes different is how the box is manufactured and designed. Certified moving boxes are manufactured and designed to be stacked on top of each other in a moving truck and a dolly without compressing; thereby withstanding pressure in bumpy environments. (Moving trucks are very bumpy)
- Certified moving boxes are designed NOT to compress when they are stacked on top of each other in a moving truck, dolly or at your house, where regular boxes are not designed to be stacked and have a much higher probability of crushing your valuables.
The stacking of boxes will occur throughout your entire move. For example, your movers will stack your moving boxes on a dolly, then they will stack them on a your truck, and then they will stack them at your home until you unpack them. Then long after the move, many people will continue to stack their boxes in a garage, or a storage unit. As a result, it is very important that when they they are stacked, they don’t compress.
Industry Standard Sizing To Help You Pack & Protect Your Valuables
The second aspect that differentiates certified moving box is sizing.
The moving industry recommends industry standard sizing for certified moving boxes. Your entire home should be packed with these different sized boxes. Using industry standard sizes makes it easy to stack the boxes tightly in a truck so your movers will not need to make as many trips (this will save you money on the cost of your move) and your movers will even be faster because the boxes are meant to stack on top of one another.
The four sizes of certified moving boxes are:
1. All Purpose Moving Box (1.5 cubic)-The most important box in moving. Most of your home should be packed inside this box. It is large enough to hold a lot of belongings, yet not too large that you will over pack the box making it too heavy to carry.
2. The Kitchen Moving Box (3.0 cubic)-Ideal for pots, pans, small appliances.
3. The Pillow Moving Box (4.5 Cubic)-Only to be used for large lightweight items like pillows, otherwise the box is too heavy for movers to carry.
4. The Wardrobe moving box-This box has a bar inside and is ideal to hang clothes inside of.
Special Labeling on the Box
The third aspect to what makes a certified moving box different is the labeling system.
Certified moving boxes have labels on them where you can indicate what is inside of the box and what room it should be placed in. (Please note, some boxes are sold with labels that are not certified moving boxes.) If you don’t label your box, your moving company will only be able to drop all your boxes off in your main room and you will waste time opening boxes, carrying them to their appropriate rooms and organizing. This can add 50% or more time to your unpacking efforts.
- When moving, it is important to label each box with what room they should be placed in and to indicate what is inside of each moving box. This helps moving companies prioritize the stacking of boxes.
Who Sells Certified Moving Boxes? Most major retail stores DO NOT sell certified moving boxes. I imagine they don’t, because these boxes are heavier, and more expensive to buy and stock then ones that are lightweight. Since most consumers don’t know the difference, most major retail stores charge hefty prices for boxes that will provide little protection for your valuables when moving, are not designed for this purpose, yet still have signs over them calling them moving boxes.
You can find certified moving boxes at discounted prices online at http://www.movingboxdelivery.com or from local moving companies across the country.
In conclusion, most people believe that all boxes are the same. They believe that they can use any old box they find and not worry about their belongings being damaged while moving. This is not the case. Although using certified moving boxes alone will not guarantee a damage free move, it will greatly decrease your chances of damage.
Back to the real definition of what is a moving box? Know you know. I hope this article helps educate you about the difference between boxes and moving boxes. After all, the next time you move, use “certified moving boxes’ and you will drastically reduce your chances of needing to execute moving insurance options.
Best wishes to you and your family for a successful move.
Written by:
Kirstie Anne Berzanski
President of Moving Box Delivery, Inc.
Certified Moving Boxes & Moving Supplies Delivered at Discounted Rates with Free Shipping. Moving Box Delivery Inc. sells high quality certified moving boxes and moving supplies designed to pack the size of home you have. With Moving Box Delivery you will save time, money and protect your valuables when moving or storing.
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