Seven Signs That Show You Need Help Moving to Your New Home

Are you moving to St. Louis or to another part of the country? Regardless of where your move takes you, when relocating, it can be tempting to try and move all your belongings by yourself. It may seem like a simple matter to pack up your things and transport them on a truck. However, in most cases, this is a risky undertaking that can lead to financial loss and tragic damage to treasured items. Here are seven signs to be aware of that mean you should hire professionals to help you move.

1. You don’t have the right tools

Moving fragile items or heavy furniture requires a variety of tools and supplies that most people don’t normally have on hand. Heavy items move around during transport, and they’re prone to damage unless they’re properly secured with padding and binding cords. Fragile items are likely to break if they are not packed correctly. Professionals have thorough procedures and the right tools to protect items in transport.

2. You’re busy

Many people who have busy lifestyles may not realize how time-consuming it is to pack and load a truck with all the items in their house. When you get to the new home, the job is only halfway done because the unloading process is another lengthy ordeal. If you have a busy schedule, it stands to reason that you’ll need professional help to get the move done without disrupting your life.

3. Your furniture needs to be disassembled

Some large pieces of furniture have modular designs that are meant to be disassembled before they can fit through doorways and safely transported. If you’re not very handy at assembling and disassembling furniture, you need a professional moving team that is trained and experienced at moving all types of furniture.

4. You’re inexperienced at transporting furniture

People tend to make mistakes when loading and securing furniture on a truck because they have no experience or training in the proper techniques of doing this. If you have a typical family home filled with furniture, you’ll need professionals who know how to transport these items properly.

5. You’re not in your best shape

If you’re living the typical modern lifestyle, it’s likely that you’re not in the same shape you were in high school. Moving a lot of heavy boxes and furniture is not only strenuous, but it could be hazardous for a person who is not in good physical condition.

6. You have items that are dangerous to move

If you have items that are difficult to secure properly, such as a large piano or a heavy safe, it’s too risky to attempt moving them without professional help. Legitimate, professional movers in St. Louis have the training and equipment to safely move bulky and cumbersome items like these.

7. You have a stressful life

If you are already experiencing a lot of stress from your job or family issues, a full-scale move to a new home could be more additional stress than you can bear. Don’t let your move become the final straw on the camel’s back. There’s no shame in getting help, especially when the daily routines of life are already overwhelming.

Which is Better? Renting a Moving Truck or Hiring a Moving Company?

You’ve decided it’s time to move. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you’ll need to decide whether to hire a moving company or handle the move yourself. Some pros and cons come with each choice, and you’ll want to consider them when making your decision. If you have time and the physical … Continue reading Which is Better? Renting a Moving Truck or Hiring a Moving Company?

10 Tips On How To Make Fewer Packing And Moving Mistakes

Moving is a mundane task. Even if you are excited about your new home, the process of getting from point A to point B can be quite an undertaking. It’s easy to make many mistakes as you get tired and frustrated. When you are overwhelmed, things get broken, and errors happen. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t make common moving blunders.

1. Avoid procrastinating.

Procrastination is the biggest folly of any mover. It’s not like you don’t have 100 things on your plate already, and finding the time to move is stressful. If possible, start early and do a little bit of packing at a time. If you save all the work till the end, it will only stress you more. Doing a little at a time keeps you from being too overwhelmed.

2. Create a checklist.

You need to make lists, especially when you are moving. There is no way that you are going to remember everything that needs to be done. When you have a list, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you cross off completed items. Also, you won’t need to worry about forgetting something because you will have it all written down.

3. Label your boxes.

Whether you’re moving a one-bedroom apartment or a three-bedroom home, you must label your boxes. There’s nothing worse than trying to find toiletries and other essentials and rummaging through boxes to do so. When you clearly label everything, you can choose what boxes need to be unpacked now and what can wait till later.

4. Turn on utilities in your new home.

You would think that turning on the utilities would be simple, but there are often waiting lists. Try going two weeks without cable or satellite when you have little ones running around. Call in plenty of time to make sure that you have electric, gas, and cable service on the day you move in.

5. Transfer the mail service.

They call it “snail mail” for a reason. However, the change of address procedure can take one or two weeks to process. The sooner you turn in this form, the better. You don’t want bills, checks, and other essential items to be stuck in limbo.

6. Reserve a rental truck.

Rental trucks can be hard to come by, especially when you try to move in prime season. You may need to book up to a month in advance. Most people move at the first of the month, and the demand may make finding a vehicle impossible. If you choose the middle to end of the month for your move, then the prices may be less.

7. Don’t try to do it alone.

You need to realize that you are only one person and have limited time. You need help in this undertaking. If you don’t have friends and family readily available, then you may consider using a moving service. They can pack, move, and unpack all your items, and they are licensed, bonded, and insured, for your protection.

8. Don’t use makeshift packing materials.

You can get recycled boxes from just about anywhere for free. You don’t want to try to pack your things in flimsy containers and without proper packing materials. Always pack your most cumbersome items in smaller boxes, and reserve larger boxes for lighter items.

Moving can be a smooth transaction if you take your time and make sure that you do things right. Don’t make these common mistakes as your journey more complicated than it needs to be. If possible, hiring a moving company will allow you to focus on your family while they handle the move.

9. Measure your new home.

When you’re moving to a new place, you might forget to consider that some dimensions in any given room aren’t going to be the same as in your previous home. It might even be a big enough issue that you might not also be able to fit some of your items inside the house!

You can take apart most things to fit through doorways, but the real question is, are they going to match where you want them to go? Taking some time to measure some spaces in the new home will save you some heartache when planning on where to place your possessions. Odds are, you won’t be able to have the setup 100% how you would have wanted it, but at least making sure it will fit will go a long way.

10. Throw out old, unused junk as you pack.

A move is an excellent opportunity to get rid of old stuff you don’t use anymore. You don’t need old junk taking up valuable space in your new home, so it’s good to make plans to offload anything that isn’t necessary. According to cheapmoverssandiego.com, decluttering will not only save space, but it could save you money on your move too!

For old clothes, toys, and equipment that is just going to waste, you could put them to much better use than being dragged along with you to a new place where it’s only going to get thrown into a closet and remain there indefinitely.

You could have a yard sale to get some quick money from the items, see if your friends would like it (maybe even use it as payment for their help in moving), or go the donation route. Whatever you decide, remember that the goal is to leave behind anything you don’t need.

Everything to Know Before Moving and Transporting Your Kayak

Before you buy a kayak, it’s essential that you learn how to transport it properly. You don’t want to buy it and then ruin it before you can even get it out on the water! Here are some tips from the professionals at Cheap Movers Chicago so that you get your kayak to where you want it in one piece.

1. Buy an extender for your pick-up truck

A pick-up truck is probably the best way to transport a kayak. It’s big, you don’t have to lift it too high, and the bed of the truck is pretty secure. However, the kayak will not completely fit in the bed of the truck. It will stick out a tad. For this reason, it’s a good idea to get an extender to keep it sturdy on your travels. Don’t forget to use the ties to keep the kayak from sliding around!

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2. Lock the straps

If you put the kayak on top of your car, you have plenty of viable options. It’s a good idea also to buy a lock for the straps. This can help you feel better when you run into the store or go for a hike with the kayak still in your car.

3. Use towels and blankets

You don’t want to scratch your truck or car when getting your kayak into it. Whether you’re putting it in the bed of your truck or on the roof of your car, be sure to protect your vehicle with towels or blankets. Otherwise, you might accidentally get a dent or scratch on your car.

4. Get help

The best way to transport a kayak is with other people! Doing it by yourself can be tricky, so be sure to bring someone along with you. They can help you life it and get it in your car undamaged. They’ll also be able to help you carry it to the water when you get to your destination. Even better, they will help you paddle while you’re in the water!

5. Check the kayak after driving

After you drive for roughly fifteen minutes, be sure to stop and check the kayak to make sure that it’s still tied down properly. You should be able to tell after a couple of miles of driving. After the initial check, you should be good to go for the rest of the trip.

6. Talk to a professional

When you buy the kayak, talk to a professional at the store to get their help attaching it to your car. They can help you get all of the tools you need and help you use them properly. After one good lesson, you should be able to do it yourself in the future.

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Kayaks can help you explore the beautiful waters of this planet, but you need to get it to the water first. Use these tips to get it there.