Author: Sandhills Moving & Storage

Managing a residential move involves many lists and details to tend to, but one thing you don’t want to overlook is forgetting to turn off utilities in your old home and arranging to get them turned on in your new one. The following utility planning tips can help ensure you don’t end up paying extra or losing access to utilities.

 Current Home

Start arranging to shut off or transfer utility services around a month before your move. You don’t want to end up paying for essential services you aren’t using. In addition, you could damage your credit standing if you forget to close out utilities and miss payments. To achieve closed accounts, take these steps.

• Make a list of all utilities and recurring services (don’t forget newspapers, magazines, etc.)
• Contact each company to cancel or transfer (often you can do this online); be prepared to have the account number, account holders’ name, and stop/transfer date available.
• Send companies your new address, so you receive their final bill or get your deposit returned.
• Pay off any balances and return any equipment you may have rented from the company. 
• Get confirmation of termination or transfer of services to ensure you completed it.

As you’re closing accounts and settling with utility companies, you’ll also want to start planning for utilities for your new place.

New Home

Starting well ahead ensures you don’t find yourself without electricity, gas, internet, water, and other necessary services. To make sure you don’t overlook any details, take these steps.

• Research new utility companies to see which vendors cover your new neighborhood.
• See if any companies overlap with your existing accounts—if so, you can transfer services.
• If renting or owning a property with an HOA, speak to your landlord or HOA about which services they include with your rent or monthly fees.
• Upon arrival, as soon as possible, check to ensure utilities have been activated per your scheduling agreement.

Like closing out accounts, plan to start opening new utility accounts roughly a month before your move, so the companies have sufficient time to run a credit check or schedule timely appointments if a technician needs to be on site.

What Utilities and Services Should You Account for When Planning?

This will vary, of course, but most people find they need to contact the following types of companies. Doing so will ensure you receive timely service for either closing, opening, or transferring your accounts.

• Electricity
• Fuel (oil or gas)
• Internet/TV/telephone
• Cellular service (change of address)
• Water and sewer
• Waste removal
• Amazon deliveries
• Medication subscriptions
• Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
• Prepared meals

As you prepare to move, consider any recurring deliveries you may receive. One way to ensure you don’t miss anything is to look over your credit card bill, automatic withdrawals, and checkbook to pinpoint recurring payments you make.

Moving Made Easy

Moving is a massive undertaking with many details to juggle. Contact us today if you’re interested in hiring a professional moving company to remove some of the burdens and do the heavy lifting. We’re happy to provide you with a free quote or answer any questions you may have.

 

Moving on short notice can be challenging, especially if you own many things you need to pack. Fortunately, there are ways to make relocating easier for yourself and other household members. You can move quickly by maintaining a sense of calm, having a plan, and staying focused on your mission. Below, we’ve outlined six steps to making your last-minute household relocation a success.

1. Have a Plan

It’s easy to panic when you’ve got a last-minute relocation approaching. Making a quick plan can help squash feelings of panic and can also help you stay on task. Your moving plan should include details such as:

• What you need to do before your relocation
• Who is responsible for completing each task
• What is your budget for each task
• What materials you’ll need to get the work done

2. Stay Calm

It doesn’t help to lay awake at night feeling anxiety over your upcoming relocation. Take steps to promote feelings of calm. You might try meditating, napping, and taking time to engage in occasional recreational activities. The calmer you feel about your upcoming relocation, the easier it will be to get your work done.

3. Focus Less on Staying Organized – Focus More On Speed

When you’re moving on short notice, you need to find ways to streamline your work. Labeling boxes is essential but consider not listing every item in detail on each box. You also probably don’t have the time to do a thorough sort before placing your belongings into boxes. Instead, focus on packing as quickly as possible to get it done. Plan to sort out items when unpacking after you complete your relocation.

4. Spend Less Time Decluttering

Decluttering is a good activity — when you have lots of time. Downsizing before a standard relocation can help control costs by reducing the volume of stuff moving from your old home to your new home.

But decluttering and downsizing take time: lots and lots of time. You probably won’t have that time for this relocation. So, assume you’ll be moving things you don’t need. Then, you can declutter and downsize when you arrive.

5. Get Help From Friends

Now more than ever, you need help from your friends. Work together with friends to pack boxes, dismantle furniture, acquire supplies and keep the process moving. Don’t try to do this on your own!

To make this experience more fun for your friends and reward them for their help, buy pizzas to keep them fed and happy. Have packing “parties” with music or movies playing in the background.

6. Work With Professional Movers

Last-minute relocations are complex, but you can make them more manageable when you get help from professional movers. In addition, you’ll have less to worry about when you work with the pros.

Professional movers who provide full-service relocations can help you pack your belongings. They can also take some pressure off by handling logistics involving truck reservations and transporting your goods from one home to the other.

Working with the pros just makes the entire relocation go faster. So to get started with your last-minute relocation, contact us today.

Hiring professional movers reduces stress and makes moving day more manageable when it comes to moving. After all, a moving team knows how to safely and quickly get your belongings where they need to be, so you can relax and enjoy your new home.

But what’s the best way to help movers? Do movers want or need your help — or are you getting in their way? Read on to learn moving day secrets your movers wish you knew.

Review (and Follow) Moving Company Policy

Before moving day rolls around, read your movers’ policies. A reputable company will lay out its policy about how — and if — customers should help.

Your moving team will likely want you to let them do the work.

Reading the policy, talking to your moving company beforehand — and then following this policy on moving day — will eliminate confusion.

Get Packing Done Ahead of Time

While there will always be odds and ends and last-minute items to pack, getting your belongings packed before moving day is essential.

After all, you’re paying the movers to be there. If you’re not ready for them, you’re paying them to wait. So have everything packed, labeled, and prepared to go before your movers arrive.

Secure Pets and Kids

On moving day, doors will be left open. People will go in and out. Large items will be lifted and set down.

Add pets and children into the mix, and it’s a recipe for potential problems. Just imagine a toddler deciding to walk through an open door to explore or someone tripping over your dog or cat while carrying a heavy load.

Keep everyone safe by keeping pets and children off-site, if possible.

Practice Clear Communication

Don’t be afraid to give your movers direct, clear instructions. They need to know where things are and where things go, and good communication is how to do it.

Labeling boxes properly is a component of effective communication, too. For example, marking boxes with “Fragile” and “This Side Up” is vital.

Be sure to indicate where in the new house each box should go, as well. This keeps movers from having to ask you, which is a time-waster.

Know What Movers Can’t Move

Reputable moving companies can’t move certain items. These are known as non-allowable items; regulations don’t allow movers to transport these materials.

You’ll need to check your moving company’s list for specifics. Still, most companies won’t transport anything flammable, volatile, explosive, or corrosive, including batteries, solvents, fertilizers, gasses, firearms, and cleaning supplies.

Your moving day involves so many components. Worrying about how to interact with the moving team shouldn’t be one of them.

By practicing good communication and reading (and following) the moving company’s policies about helping, you’ll gain a clear picture of what your role should be that day.

Moving Help

Do you need help with your relocation? Contact us for a free quote. We can help make your move more manageable for you.

When you move into a new home, it’s common to consider replacing the flooring. However, replacing it before you move into your new home if it’s old or worn (or just not your style) tends to be a lot easier.

If you don’t have experience with this aspect of moving, you need to research your options. Here are some popular types of flooring for when you relocate.

Hardwood

If you’re hoping for a classic look that will never go out of style, it’s hard to beat hardwood flooring. As a result, these planks tend to be the favorite for most homeowners.

You can choose from wide or narrow planks in almost any color imaginable. And if you decide to redesign the room, you can put a new stain on the wood to match.

When you shop, be sure to compare solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Solid planks cost more, and you can’t install them just anywhere. Engineered hardwood might be more cost-effective but probably won’t last as long.

Carpet

Although carpet isn’t as popular as it once was, it’s still the staple for bedrooms and kids’ play areas. Carpet offers a soft landing and extra warmth on a cold day.

You can also install carpet within a few hours, compared to a day or two for other flooring types.

Choose the right thickness and design for the way you plan to use it. For example, tight loops are better for heavy traffic, while a plush carpet gives a softer look and feel.

Tile

Like wood, tile is another classic flooring style that will always seem in fashion. Ceramic tile is the most common, but you can also find it in natural stone.

Tile comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. It’s a tough surface to walk on, but it’s incredibly durable.

Tile can be one of the hardest to install since it needs grout around each piece. But once you seal it, it may last for decades with good care.

Vinyl

Vinyl is quickly rising in popularity. This flooring is waterproof, cheaper than wood or tile, and can mimic the look of almost any material.

Since vinyl is a resilient material, it feels softer than wood. So if you’re looking for a comfortable floor for the bedroom and don’t want carpet, it’s a suitable alternative.

Unlike wood, you can install vinyl almost anywhere, and it’s easy to place as a floating floor.

Green Flooring

If you want to choose a material with a high degree of sustainability, you should check out green flooring options. Bamboo or cork are just a couple of examples.

Bamboo contains pressed grasses that seal together to form planks. They’re as hard as hardwood, and the grass takes only a few years to regenerate.

Cork comes from tree bark. It offers a softer surface and good noise-canceling. It’s not as scratch-resistant as bamboo, but you can seal it for extra protection.

Moving On

Finding the right flooring for your home may be the easiest to do before moving. Contact us for more tips on the best ways to make your upcoming move a success.

 

Settling in after a residential relocation is essential. The faster you can do it, the quicker you’ll feel like you belong in your new home. In addition, settling in can reduce stress and help the people in your household feel better about the move overall.

Settling in can be difficult unless you’ve got a strategy. This article will discuss various things you can do to feel more at home in your new house.

1. Set Aside Time Each Day for Unpacking

Unpacking should take priority when you move in, but it shouldn’t take up every moment. Set aside a certain amount of time for unpacking. When your time is up, move on to other things. Managing your time in this way will make room in your schedule so you can focus on the other things that need to be done around the house.

Unpacking can be hard work. If you have time, get through unpacking in the mornings, when you have the most energy. Leave things that require less physical energy for the afternoon and evening.

2. Decorate

Decorating makes your house look like it is loved. You may have gotten rid of some of your old decor when you moved, either because you were decluttering or you knew your old decorations wouldn’t look right in your new home. If this is the case, buy new decorative items! Choose pieces that add flair and a sense of homeyness to your house. Some ideas:

• Find art for the walls. Hang art in each room.
• Buy colorful throw pillows and blankets for the living room, guest room, and bedrooms.
• Use an attractive rug for the entrance and back door.
• Buy new curtains.

3. Hold a Housewarming Party

Make memories on your new property with friends and family: have a housewarming party! Plan your party for some time within your first three months at your new house, but don’t pressure yourself to get your home ready for a party in the first few weeks.

4. Buy Plants

Buying plants is a fantastic way to make your house look and feel more like home. Plants add beauty and also make your home look more settled generally.

Buy a few mature plants that create a focal point in the room, then buy a few small plants that will grow with time. In later years, you’ll be able to look back on photos of your home’s interior and remember when those plants were so small – and you’ll be able to compare how they’ve grown and how far your new home has come.

5. Help Your Kids

Kids need to feel settled in their new home just as much as their parents. So help your kids develop that “settled” feeling by taking them to places in their new community and helping them to make new friends. Your kids will feel settled once they meet people and realize that their new home can be just as fun as their old home.

6. Set Aside Time for Fun

Give yourself a break! All that unpacking and helping your children and decorating can take a lot out of you. Set aside time for relaxing each day. Doing this will help you feel less stressed and more excited about your new home.

Contact the Professional Movers

Give yourself more time to settle in by working with professional movers for your upcoming relocation. Contact us today for a quote.

Employees are vital to organizational success. Developing a solid staff communication plan is critical for ensuring staff morale and engagement remain strong during an office move. In addition, if the relocation is long-distance, employee communication will be essential in helping to convince top performers to move with the organization.

Start Early

Develop a plan and begin communicating the move to employees early — as soon as you know, you will move. Decide the different ways you’ll communicate with employees and establish a communications timeline.

Appoint a manager to be in charge of the employee communications effort. The person you choose should be an organizer, an effective communicator, and people-oriented. Consider also appointing move champions in each work area.

Check Legalities

Moving can be tricky, especially if employees need to relocate. Check employment contracts, union contracts, and labor law to ensure you know the requirements and take those into account in your plan.

Plan to Listen

Be sure your plan includes scheduled one-on-ones with employees. Use the sessions to listen to their concerns. If you want the employee to relocate with you, find ways to alleviate concerns and discuss relocation packages at the meeting.

Also, include group listening and question and answer sessions in your plan. Designate one or two people who will be available to answer staff questions every day as they arise.

Develop Key Messages

Develop key messages to use when you’re communicating about the move. Will it be good for business, for example? Is it convenient for public transportation? Also, anticipate and answer questions about what precipitated the move. For example, is the new location less expensive? Is it closer to customers?

Use precise language and be honest. For example, is your relocation simply a change of location for your company, or will a reorganization be part of it? If the move is long-distance, will all employees be invited to relocate, and what packages will the company offer them?

As soon as you know move logistics, communicate those as well. Employees will be less stressed if they know exactly how the move will happen and what is expected from them.

Determine Methods

Use various methods in addition to emails to communicate with employees, including large meetings, one-on-one, team briefings, noticeboards, newsletters, videos, and the company Intranet. Provide regular updates using the same methods.

Remember that everyone learns information differently. For example, some are visual learners, others aural, and others social learners.

Involve the Staff

Involve the staff in the move every way you can. For example, give them opportunities to provide feedback on the design or select the meeting rooms’ names. Allow them to make choices about their workspace.

Develop Welcome Packets

Provide welcome packets to familiarize employees with the area around the new location. Provide maps of the area, with the company location marked. Also, provide places for amenities, such as the post office, gyms, eateries, child care, and banks. Also, provide information on public transportation and parking.

Plan for the Moving Weekend

Most moves occur on weekends. Send out reminders on Friday, specifying expectations for packing up. Remind employees of the new location on Friday and again on Sunday.

Follow-up Post Move

Remember to include check-ins with employees post-move to see how they are settling in. Use various methods such as one-on-one, team meetings, and meetings with move champions.

Office Relocation

Are you planning an office relocation soon? Contact us for a quote. We provide fast, efficient office moving services for businesses, non-profits companies, and various organizations.

Your kitchen would be an open, sprawling area with plenty of room for entertaining guests, preparing food, and getting a late-night snack in a perfect world. Sometimes, however, many of us have to settle for a much cozier or smaller kitchen than we’d prefer.

If you are making a household move to a place with a small kitchen, you can still maximize every inch for impact. We’ve compiled a list of hacks here. Whether tiny or massive, these hacks can make your kitchen more productive.

1. Figure Out What You Need

Your kitchen likely has a stove, an oven, some countertops, a refrigerator, and some cabinets above and below. If you’re working with less than this, you’ll have to get creative with solutions. Organizing works only if you buy products for specific needs.

Look at what you have and the constraints you’re facing already. Then, you can start with essential pieces and ensure they work for your space. For example, maybe a few hooks can help you keep pots and pans out of cabinets to make room for other items.

2. Reconsider Your Cabinets

Just because your kitchen comes with cabinets doesn’t mean you have to use them as-is. Some ideas to upgrade your cabinetry include:

• Open Shelving – You can remove your cabinets and replace them with open shelves. This way, it’s easier to see and grab what you need.
• Different Doors – If you’re constantly searching for the right item, perhaps some glass doors will work best to open up the space. Or, you can remove the doors altogether.
• Cabinet Organizers – The best way to utilize every inch inside your cabinets is to raise items off the shelf. Wire or plastic organizers allow you to double or sometimes triple your cabinet space.

3. Add a Mobile Counter

Rolling kitchen carts can make your space much more versatile and functional. These items allow you to use the countertop as a prep/work area, which you can move around as necessary. These products also often have hooks and shelves to store other kitchen items for your convenience. Then, when you’re done using it, you can roll it out of the way.

4. Use Your Sink

The kitchen sink is often an underutilized section of the kitchen. However, when you only have so much space to work with, you can’t afford to miss out on some prime real estate. Fortunately, many sink-specific gadgets can help you take advantage of this area. For example, you can chop and wash vegetables, prep meat, or use it as counter space when you’re not doing dishes.

5. Mount Folding Tables

One of the best ways to maximize your kitchen space is to install elements on the wall. For example, folding tables or shelves allows you to increase your counter space without major renovations.

Get Moving Help!

Whether you’re moving out into a bigger kitchen or a smaller space, you need as much help as possible. Contact us today to see how we can assist you in getting all your belongings inside without any issues.

 

Moving to a coastal town can be exciting! But, of course, living near the ocean can have its ups and downs. Knowing how to prepare for your new life in your coastal town can help you enjoy your first months in your new community. By understanding some of the pros and cons of your new home, you can make the most of your days as you settle in.

1. Traffic Issues Impact Mobility

Coastal towns draw many tourists that fill up the roadways on hot summer days. Unfortunately, reaching local businesses can be tricky when visitors pour into the beaches at times of the year.

As soon as you have an opportunity, find easy ways to reach your favorite spots around town without traversing the main roads. Instead, find back road routes to get to your favorite restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other hot spots.

2. Sand Gets in Everything

Of course, you’ll spend a lot of time at the beach, and of course, you’ll drag that sand into the house with you. Unless you want clean sand from your floors daily, you’re better off finding a way to deal with sand outside your home.

Install an outdoor shower for your family and friends who come back from the beach. Next, establish rules about leaving sand toys outside. And finally, ask everyone to take off their shoes before stepping in the front door.

3. Family Will Want to Visit

Do you like it when your family comes to visit? Hopefully, you do, because once you live in a high tourist area, your extended family is more likely to visit! Having your family visit can be fun if you can accommodate them. Have a plan for the family members who want to see you in your new house. Hopefully, you’ve got enough space for them to sleep! Consider buying a day bed or a pull-out couch, where visitors can spend the night.

4. Winters Can Be Cold

Winters in some coastal towns can be chilly! Find out what the winters will be like where you’re planning to move, and make plans. This may mean you’ll need to invest in some new winter clothes. However, getting ready for the coming year can make your transition to your new home a more positive experience!

5. You’ll Have a Blast Exploring

One thing is for sure: when you’re living in an area close to the ocean, every day can be an exploration of something new. You’ll have a blast exploring your new home, so set aside time from the start to ensure that you’ve got time to learn everything new and exciting about your new place.

Work With a Moving Company

You’ll have more time to enjoy and get used to your new home if you hire a moving company to get you there. Hire professional movers who offer full-service help. Contact us today

You may create a moving schedule at the beginning of the moving process. This list might include goals for various stages of the move.

Of course, it’s common to fall behind. And you might wonder if you will ever catch up.

Here are five tips that you can use to set a moving schedule that you can follow and then stick to it.

1. Give Yourself Enough Time

The first rule of moving is that nearly everything will take longer than expected. Therefore, giving yourself enough time for each task is essential.

Most people need at least 6 to 8 weeks to move everything out of a house. If you have a larger home, a busy job, or little access to help, it may take you longer.

Create a moving plan that gives you enough time to attend to other responsibilities. Remember tasks like changing your address or opening new accounts with utilities.

2. Balance Packing With Other Tasks

Packing is the most labor-intensive part of moving. It’s tempting to try to get it over with first, but this isn’t always the most practical choice.

Each week, plan to balance packing responsibilities with other tasks like cleaning, minor home repairs, or preparing for life in your new home. You don’t need to switch tasks every 15 minutes. But you shouldn’t schedule a five-hour wall of physical labor.

3. Make Progress Every Day

As you progress, you’ll probably have days when you feel like you just can’t work on moving. Perhaps your workload is too heavy at work or dealing with family responsibilities.

On these days, set goals for ideal progress and minimal progress. It’s tempting to give up if you don’t think you can get everything done. But some progress is better than none.

If you feel too overwhelmed to pack an entire room, pack one wall instead. Sit down in front of a familiar TV show or movie and wrap glasses. All progress is progress.

4. Avoid Burnout

Progress can encourage you to work longer hours towards your goals in the early days. It can be good to take advantage of momentum, but you should avoid burning out.

You’ll know that you have burnout when you start to struggle to do anything related to the move. For example, you might have signs of overuse in your muscles and joints, making it harder to pack.

When you notice burnout, try to give yourself more breaks and better motivation to make progress. Rewarding yourself for getting through can help to minimize feelings of being overwhelmed.

5. Update Your Schedule

At least once a week, it’s a good idea to check your progress and update the schedule. If you miss a few items, you want to ensure that you don’t forget them.

Be wary of using this approach as an excuse to procrastinate. Most people cannot pack an entire house in a week or two.

If you’re falling too far behind to get done by moving day, it’s worth investigating your options for help. Professional packers might be able to make more progress to help you catch up.

Sticking to a moving schedule is easier when you have these tips. For more information about planning your move, reach out for a quote today.

 

When you make a residential move, it’s easy for important items to get tossed into random boxes, disappearing for months as you take the time to unload things in your new home meticulously. It’s a good idea to place important documents in a safe box that you keep with you as you move (instead of risking the possibility of getting the box lost on a moving truck).

Here, we’ll take a look at everything you’ll want to include in your “do not pack” box.

A quick note: Be sure to clearly, brightly label your “do not pack” box and keep it separate from the boxes intended to go on the moving truck.

Must-Have #1: Birth Certificates

From signing little ones up for school to getting new identification, you’ll want to make sure you have birth certificates for everyone in your family. If you’re not sure where a birth certificate is, be sure to reach out to the governing body in the state in which you were born to get a new copy.

Must-Have #2: Passports

Whether you’re moving internationally or not, you’ll want to have your passports nearby as you go through the moving process. In many cases, passports are preferred for identification purposes over driver’s licenses. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to replace if you lose your passport in the moving process.

Must-Have #3: Social Security Cards

Much like your family’s passports and birth certificates, you must keep your social security cards near your person as you travel to your new home. You will sometimes need your social security cards as a form of identification in conjunction with a photo ID.  Keep in mind that social security cards can be a challenge to replace. being difficult to replace

Must-Have #4: Medication/Prescriptions

While you likely have medication in your overnight bag, it’s also essential to pack additional supplies and paper copies of your prescriptions in your “do not pack” box. If medication is lost or destroyed, you must be able to get a new prescription without having to wait to find a new doctor or urgent care center near your new home.

Must-Have #5: Custody and Other Legal Information

If you share custody of your children, you must have legal information with you in your “do not pack” box if you’re stopped or questioned by law enforcement. While this is rarely a problem when all parties are aware of a move, it’s wise to take the precaution of having your child(ren)’s legal paperwork with you.

Preparing To Move? We’re Here To Help

It can be hard to stay on top of everything you need to do as you prepare to move to your new home, and we’re here to help make the process as simple as possible. Contact us today for a free quote on our moving services.