How to Prepare Your Furniture When Moving to a New House: Follow These Steps

by acamovers on in Moving

Moving is one of the most stressful events of your life. One thing you don’t need to stress about is damage to your furniture during the moving process. With a bit of preparation, you can get everything there safely with these tips from Cheap Movers Tampa (http://www.cheapmoverstampa.com/).

Gather Supplies

First, you need to gather supplies. You will need:

  • bubble wrap
  • a heavy-duty packing tape dispenser
  • moving blankets or furniture pads
  • boxes
  • Ziploc bags
  • a dolly
  • plastic wrap
  • a Sharpie marker
  • large plastic furniture bags

All of these supplies can be purchased from a home improvement store. If you are looking to save money, you may be able to rent some of these supplies.

Protecting Your Possessions

Readying your furniture for the move should happen towards the end of your moving preparation. Your boxes should be almost packed, with only some essentials remaining. It will allow you to disassemble your furniture without having to do annoying little tasks like wrapping knick-knacks beforehand. It is especially important if you are renting equipment, as you will want to return the equipment as soon as possible.

Once you’ve packed your little stuff and gathered supplies, you are ready to start prepping your furniture. One mistake that people make is leaving their furniture intact and trying to wrap padding around it. It is better to disassemble your furniture as much as possible. For example, many kitchen tables have legs that can be easily removed. It will allow you to wrap your tabletop and table legs separately. Smaller pieces are easier to move, decreasing the likelihood that the table will catch on a corner and be damaged while moving it.

After you have disassembled your furniture into manageable pieces, store the hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.). in a Ziploc bag. Label the bag (e.g., “kitchen table”), and tape the bag to the furniture, or put all of your labeled bags in one box.

Moving blankets and furniture pads are excellent for furniture with hard surfaces that you want to avoid scratching (tables, headboards, dressers, etc.). Wrap a furniture pad or moving blanket around your furniture, then secure the pad by wrapping plastic wrap tightly around it. Wrapping also helps to avoid any doors swinging open (on a refrigerator or armoire, for example). For soft furniture, furniture-sized plastic bags will keep the surface clean during the move. The bags work great for mattresses and may even work well for couches. However, it is a good idea to remove the feet from a sofa before placing it in a bag. Items that are very fragile, such as mirrors or glass tabletops, should be wrapped thoroughly in bubble wrap and taped around the outside.

Once your furniture is all prepped, remember to load the truck with the heaviest items at the bottom. Use ties to secure furniture and fragile items, so they don’t slide around in transit.

Hiring Professionals

There are a lot of reasons to consider leaving your move in the hands of professionals. Hiring a moving company eliminates much of the stress of moving. Professional movers are experienced and will know what to do to keep your possessions safe. They often have their supplies (like moving blankets and furniture pads), so you won’t have to worry about buying or renting your own. Also, they typically work more quickly than you would be able to on your own. Best of all, you won’t wake up in the morning with a sore back!

Whether you try it on your own or leave it to the experts, happy moving!

 

What You Need to Know Before Your Midwest-to-California Move

by acamovers on in Moving to California

California has always been a popular destination for people looking to move. Most other regions of the U.S., however, especially the Midwest, are vastly different from California in both culture and climate, so it helps to know what to expect before you make the decision to move.

Here are a few things Cheap Sacramento Movers thinks you need to know before making a Midwest-to-California move.

1. There Isn’t Just One Climate

Because California covers such a large geographic area up and down the West Coast, the state contains a variety of vastly different ‘microclimates.’ When they think of California, most people think of SoCal’s constant sun and balmy temperatures, but this doesn’t hold true of the entire state.

In the Bay Area, typical weather is the mid-60s and cloudy, while the northernmost regions of the state can hit freezing temperatures and feature nearly year-round skiing.

Before packing up and moving to California, you’ll need to decide which microclimate you’d most like to live with.

moving-to-california

2. Rent Prices are High

In many parts of the Midwest, it’s easy to find cheap houses or affordable apartments, but this is rarely the case in Cali. Of the three most expensive areas to rent in the country, three of them–San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland–are in California, and even outside of these cities the rent will be higher than you’re used to.

Landlords won’t hesitate to list sky-high rent prices for people they see as naive Midwesterners, so keep this in mind when searching for a place to live.

3. Taxes are High, Too

California features some of the highest income taxes in the country. You’ll get a lot for your money, such as excellent public schools, but it’s something to be aware of. Despite the high-income taxes, though, California property taxes are actually below the national average in most areas of the state.

4. Food is Healthy and Varied

Coming from the Midwest, you’re probably used to simple comfort food and fast-food chains. While you can find these in California, many people in the state commit to healthy living, which is actually quite easy thanks to Cali’s abundance of fresh fish and produce.

You can also find a wide range of different cuisines in California, especially if you live in or near one of the major cities. If you haven’t eaten much Japanese or Mexican food, prepare to have your taste buds educated.

moving

5. Nature is Everywhere

If you’re a nature lover or outdoor recreation enthusiast, California has plenty to keep you busy. When it comes to natural beauty, Cali is best known for its gorgeous beaches, but there are also a variety of state and national parks where you can enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, and other activities.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly entertainment, you can head outside almost anywhere in California and explore without paying a cent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Relocating Across the Country for a Job

by acamovers on in Job Relocation

It can be an exciting journey to relocate for a new career, but there are several options to contemplate before accepting the final job offer. The following are common questions to consider when moving across the country for your new job.

Is the company reputable and stable?

It is critically important to research the company before relocation. There are online resources that allow you to view company ratings and finances. It will not be beneficial to uproot your life for a company that is not performing well.

relocation

What will the cost of living be like in your new area?

You will want to weigh options for renting versus purchasing a new property. Check local taxes of the new area to compare with where you are currently. Have a clear understanding of what your new wages will be. Compare this with the cost of living to see if it will be worth the move.

Is there a relocation or benefits package available?

Many job offers that require relocation provide some sort of relocation package. This helps to offset costs of moving to a new area. It is best to be sure you are satisfied with the relocation offer to prevent being stuck with unwanted expenses.

Moving expenses are the primary relocation expenses that are covered when moving across the country. These expenses can include:

  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Gas and mileage expenses
  • Temporary housing
  • Moving vans/moving companies
  • Airfare
  • Vehicle shipping

Cheap Movers Chicago – cheapchicagomovers.net, a cross-country moving company based out of Illinois, recommends getting quotes from moving companies before speaking to your boss. Coming up with a list of expenses that have been well-researched can go a long way towards negotiating a solid relocation package.

Will this be the best decision for the family?

Relocating across the country is a major move that will take a toll on you and your family. Explain to your new employer why the move will need to be suited to meet the needs of your family. Factors to consider are caring for minor children or older relatives. Child care and healthcare are major expenses for many families. Research area schools to find the best fit for your children. Some families have pets as well. Check to be sure that your new living space will allow for pets.

family

What is the best way to become acclimated to the new area?

It can be daunting when moving to a new area. Ask for guidance from your new employer. Find resources on entertainment options and social venues. Partner with your future coworkers to get advice on if they made similar moves as yours. Take time to get acclimated to your area. Nothing happens overnight.

What about compensation and miscellaneous expenses?

The amount of money you will be earning is the biggest factor in making the final move. Discuss compensation with your employer as soon as they begin asking you about making the move across the country. You will also want to account for unforeseen expenses that could arise. Check for any available stipends to cover these expenses.