Author: Sandhills Moving & Storage

Are you planning a cross-country move for your family? Maybe you are looking for ideas to make the best use of your travel time while professional movers transport your belongings?

One of the major concerns working families have about moving across the country involves time. Moving companies typically require days and sometimes weeks to load belongings and transport them thousands of miles. If you enlist a professional moving company to wrap fragile items and pack them securely as well, that could add an extra day or two to your moving timeline.

Rather than hole up in a stuffy hotel room while waiting for the moving trucks to arrive at your new home, it may be worthwhile to make good use of the time. The great American family road trip might be precisely what you and your loved ones need to bond before immersing yourselves in a new home and community.

Prepare for the Big Day

When moving day arrives, the last thing most people want to deal with is overwhelming last-minute decisions. That’s why it’s essential to conduct a thorough review of your household goods long before the big day. Consider purging unused or rarely used items and:

• Sell items on Craigslist or a local platform
• Donate items to charity
• Hold a yard sale
• Give away things to family or friends
• Put items at the curb with a “Free Stuff” sign
• Discard any lingering items

By lightening your moving load weeks in advance, you’ll have adequate time to run through a moving checklist and ensure your plan remains on schedule. 

Part of this process can involve mapping out the family road trip.

How to Travel the Country Inexpensively

A successful family road trip generally requires some outside-the-box thinking. Many people would run a Google Maps search that indicates the fastest route from Point A to Point B. Although that may seem logical at first, you’re not necessarily trying to get there as quickly as possible. Consider this moving hiatus a way to see as much of the big, beautiful country as possible in one week. These travel suggestions may shine a light on road-tripping.

• Check for non-commercial attractions
• Set your travel route to maximize leisure enjoyment
• Consider camping at national or state parks
• Stop for a night of skiing or another family activity you all enjoy
• Pack a cooler with food that you can grill outdoors
• Stay at budget-friendly motels if it rains
• Turn off electronics and enjoy each other’s company
• Spend a day at the beach or a lake along the way

What’s truly important is taking time out of the hustle and bustle of daily life. Communicate to your employer or employees that family time is precious and should not be interrupted with anything short of a crisis. 

Making it Home

When you hire a reputable, experienced long-distance mover, you can be sure that your household belongings will arrive safely at your new home.

Do you need a quote? Contact us today. We will provide you with a free quote. Let us help you with your long-distance move.

 

When you live in a rented or leased apartment or home, getting your security deposit back can be one of your biggest concerns when you decide to move. 

The average price that a renter will pay for a security deposit is one to two times the cost of one month’s rent. Therefore, you could be anticipating a fair amount of money that you could use toward paying for your move. Here are a few tips, so you can get your security deposit back once you make your residential move.

1. Go over your rental/lease agreement.

Hopefully, you retained a copy of your lease and a receipt for your security deposit when you moved in. Go ahead and retrieve these documents and take a look at your lease agreement. Find out what stipulations are given in the contract that could affect the portion of your deposit returned. Most property owners will clearly state in the lease what actions could affect the return of your security deposit.

2. Be sure to give the property owner adequate notice.

Giving your landlord a notice allows them to prepare for you to leave the property. Most property owners will prefer a 30-day notice before you plan to vacate, but even earlier is better. Remember that some landlords will keep a portion or all of your security deposit if you don’t give proper notice.

3. Tend to any damages you may have caused during your occupancy.

Your landlord can keep portions of your security deposit to pay for any damages you may have caused, but this can apply to even minor damages, such as:

• Missing electrical outlet covers
• Broken toilet seat
• Crayon marks on walls/flooring
• Missing cabinet handles
• Broken glass in a window

Repair any damages you may have caused, even the small ones, before you move.

4. Remove all of your personal belongings.

As you are packing and preparing to leave the premises, be sure you gather all of your belongings. Some landlords will specifically charge you if they have to hire someone to remove the personal belongings from the house after you leave. Junk removal can also be detracted from your security deposit. A few pointers to remember:

• Take care of all trash on the property
• Avoid leaving anything inside cabinets or closets
• Check the garage for tools or other objects
• Clear out the basement, attic, cellar, or any outbuildings on the property

5. Clean the property.

If you leave the property in disarray, the landlord can keep your security deposit to cover the costs of cleaning the property. Therefore, pencil time into your schedule to ensure you place a good cleaning before you go.

6. Gather proof of the property’s condition.

You may have taken pictures of the property when you moved in. Retake pictures now that you have cleared and cleaned the property. You can show these images to the landlord to document the condition at the time of move-in and move-out —  in the event there are disagreements about any damage you may have caused.

Work with Professional Movers

Get everything out of your rented place and to your new home with the help of pro movers. If you are preparing to relocate, reach out to us to discuss a free moving quote today.

Preparing to move can be a complicated experience for pets, just like people. They can get confused and worried.

You don’t want them to stress out on the trip. You also want the whole moving process to run smoothly.

If you’re bringing cats or dogs with you, you’ll need to do a few extra preparations. Here are a few things you can do to make it easier.

Prepare Your Pet for Moving

Pets notice changes in the home, but they don’t understand it. They’ll see the boxes and that you’re packing things away. They may act out as a result.

The best way to help your pets stay calm during the move is to keep things as normal as possible. Stick to your pet’s routines. Let the boxes sit in the home for a few days before packing them.

On moving day, keep your pet in a separate room with food, water, and their favorite toys. You won’t be able to eliminate all the stress of moving. But you can make it as comfortable as possible.

Choose an Appropriate Carrier

Whether you’re moving by car or plane, you’ll need a suitable carrier or crate for your pet. Cats and dogs don’t enjoy crowding inside a carrier that’s too small, so aim bigger if you can.

When you browse carriers, think about your transport method. Hard crates are heavier, but they can provide more protection while moving.

If you’re driving, be sure to stabilize the crate in transit. Smaller, hard carriers may fit in a seat, while bigger ones might need to go elsewhere.

Before your move:

1. Prepare your dog or cat by gradually acclimating them to their crater.
2. Help your pets create a positive association with the crate by giving them treats and playtime at the end of crate time.
3. Make sure you also take some short drives with your pet in the crate to get them used to it in motion.

 

Get Your Pet’s Vet Records

Before you leave, call your vet to request records for all of your pets. You’ll need vaccine records and their medical history.

The vet may need a few days to get this together—plan to do it at least a week or two before moving.

On the road, it’s wise to search for possible vet clinics in case of an emergency. Look for options with off-hours or overnight service.

Choose Safe Resting Places

If you’re staying at hotels along the way, make sure that they are pet-friendly. Pay attention to the policies, as the hotel may charge more for different types of pets or damage.

Keep your pets in the carrier until you can be absolutely sure they won’t escape. Don’t let them loose in a vehicle unless you can use a leash to allow them to walk.

Settle In Slowly

When you arrive at your new house, take time to settle in. Pets don’t necessarily like to explore a new area all at once. A place full of strange smells and sights can be scary, not thrilling.

Designate a room in your home for your pet to acclimate. Set this room up as soon as you can, so it doesn’t change much. Make sure everything your pet needs is in it.

After a day or two, let your pet explore other rooms of the house with you. Limit outside trips until your pet feels more comfortable.

Plan for Movers’ Help

Moving with pets doesn’t have to be a bad experience. By following these tips, you’ll avoid a lot of hassle. For more assistance in planning your move, contact us to request a quote.

Making a long-distance move adds logistical challenges you don’t have when moving across town. One of the easiest ways to reduce your packing stress and keep costs down is to scale down your belongings. Why pay to pack, store, and move possessions you don’t really need – or even want? Deciding what to leave behind can be tricky, though. Here are some ways you can downsize without leaving behind the things you love.

Furniture

Start with the oversized items that are bulky and more expensive to move. Do you have furniture stored away in the attic, garage, or basement your household doesn’t need? Or furniture you have no attachment to? If so, sell, donate, or give these pieces away. Unless items are family heirlooms you want to pass on, you don’t need to bring excess furniture. Instead, treat yourself to new furniture as you settle in your new home.

Clothing

Before you start putting items into boxes, go through your closets and your dresser drawers. Make three piles of things you:

• Wear regularly (including special occasion items you wear even if not all the time)
• Don’t ever wear– because they don’t fit, or you don’t like them
• Are on the fence about

Pack up the clothes you actively wear, donate or sell the clothing you don’t wear. Carefully go through the third pile and decide item by item if it’s worth packing – you might be surprised at what clothing you’ll decide you don’t want to bring.

Books, DVDs, and CDs

Years ago, people actively used books, DVDs, and CDs, but today’s digital and streaming options make them less of a commodity. These items take up a lot of space, so eliminate those you genuinely don’t use and only bring those collectible, first edition, or hard to access things.

Mattresses and Pillows

Moving is a great excuse to start with new mattresses and pillows. Unless these items are new (or new-ish), consider leaving them behind. Mattresses only last about ten years these days anyway, so it might be worth investing in new bedroom sets instead of paying to move these large items. You’ll also leave any potential dust mites behind.

Blinds and Curtains

Chances are your new home’s windows won’t be identical to your current ones, and your blinds and curtains won’t fit. You don’t even have to donate or sell these – you can simply leave them behind for the new occupants to use should they want.

Kitchen and Bathroom Items

Moving is an excellent opportunity to declutter. You probably have a ton of excess in your kitchen and bathroom that doesn’t need to be moved long-distance. In the kitchen, first, go through your pantry. You probably won’t need to bring most of these items. Get rid of expired foods and donate nonperishable foods to a local food pantry. Next, weed out chipped dishware, mismatched pieces you don’t use, duplicates, take-out condiments and menus, and any unused small appliances. 

Next, move into the bathroom, get rid of almost-empty shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. Discard used toothbrushes, loofahs, razors, and old makeup. Plan to buy new toiletries and shaving products when you get to your new place.

Pro Movers Can Help

Eliminating the items that you don’t need makes a move less expensive, easier to pack, and ensures no clutter in your new home.

Are you getting ready to move? Call us for a free estimate today!

There’s so much to think about when you’re planning an office relocation! Location, amenities, and size are all factors that must be taken into consideration when you’re trying to choose an office space for your business. If your business will soon be relocating to a new office building, here’s what we recommend that you consider

1. Commute

Where do most of your employees work, and what will their commute be like when you relocate? A longer commute can negatively impact employee morale and quality of life. Choose an office in a location that is easy to reach, near major roadways, interstates, freeways, or public transportation.

2. Employee Willingness to Relocate

Employees who are not willing to relocate may take the opportunity to find another job, which could ultimately leave your business looking for new employees fast! Take a temperature check of your staff before signing a lease in a new location. Find out how the majority of your employees feel about the new site, and if there is a lot of unhappiness, this is a red flag.

3. Site Amenities

Site amenities matter! The more amenities and useful features in a single location, your office relocation will be better received by your employees and clients.

• Parking lot. A spacious parking lot is essential, especially if your business is growing. Make sure you have enough spaces for current and future employees, visitors, and customers.
• Nearby attractions. Will your employees be able to walk to nearby attractions while on their lunch or their break? This can help with employee retention.
• Modern facilities. Is the office space newly remodeled? Is the HVAC system modern and efficient? How is the lighting and are the windows large? These are the kind of amenities you can expect to find in a modern facility.
• Beauty. Are there any beautiful landmarks nearby, like a body of water, a mountain range, or a wooded area? A beautiful setting can make going to work a pleasure.
• Wellness. Is the office located in a walkable area, where employees can get exercise? This will help you retain employees who care about their physical fitness.

4. Client Experience

How convenient is your office space for any clients or stakeholders that might need to visit? Will there be enough parking for them? Will they be able to access the property easily? Explore these issues, especially if you expect regular visitors at your workspace.

5. Owner and Property Manager

It’s essential to choose a space owned and managed by entities or people you like and get along with. After all, you’ll be working together for a long time. Spend some time talking to the office owner and property manager where you’re thinking about moving to get a better sense of how you would get along.

6. Room to Grow

Is your business growing? If so, don’t sign a lease on a building that is “just barely big enough.” Leave yourself plenty of room to grow, including storage space, cubicle space, and conference space.

Moving Soon? Contact Us

Work with a professional moving company to make your upcoming office relocation easier! Call today to make an appointment to discuss your relocation.

 

Making a move—especially one far away from your old home—means that it will be necessary to learn more about the new community as soon as possible.

Knowing where to shop, where jobs and schools are located, the best places to eat, and where to have fun around town is sure to ease the entire family’s transition.

Check out these methods and resources that can streamline the adjustment to a new community.

Use Every Resource to Familiarize Yourself With the Area

Once you have settled into your new home, it’s time to start exploring the neighborhood. Having an idea of where the main roads are and what’s near your home eases the mind—especially during those first couple of weeks as you get the hang of things. Get a head start before moving day using interactive online mapping services like Google Maps to find your way around.

These free maps let you zoom in easily to identify landmarks, thoroughfares, and even individual businesses. Detailed directions are available with a click! Another click takes you further by tapping on map locations to see hours, ratings, and links to their website.

When possible, drive around the community. Visit the city center, and take walks around the area with your dog, kids, or just to meet some neighbors. These actions are essential in adapting to a new city quickly.

Quickly Start Meeting People and Embracing the Community

Beyond meeting neighbors, meet more local people by participating in local causes and volunteer organizations. Get closer to the community as a whole by attending local events, festivals, or joining local classes.

Remember, the whole town’s eyes often stay on ‘newbies,’ and showing an interest in local happenings is likely to quickly encourage them to welcome your family’s presence.

Explore the Community’s Entertainment, Food, and Fun

Connecting to a new place and meeting new people is eased by getting out and about to check out great locations to eat, relax and get some thrills. Check out some local cuisine to discover regional flavors and top restaurants around town.

Finding good eats is simplified with recommendations and the online service Yelp, a place to find reviews, specific cuisines, and see a mapped location.

Of course, you’ll need to find a great local grocery store, places for clothing, areas of interest, parks, and recreation, and entertainment venues. Beyond recommendations from people you meet, check out TripAdvisor for insider tips on the best of the best around the community.

Find New “Go-To” People for Necessary Services

Those moving long distances will likely need new service providers for auto services, lawn care, child care, house cleaning, and other types of specialized services. Check out websites like Angie’s List, in addition to Yelp, to find reviews for a wide range of categories. Knowing your providers have an excellent local reputation is sure to put you at ease.

Ready to Move?

With a better knowledge of your surroundings and where you can find what you need around town, you’ll start feeling right at home in no time.

Our local and long-distance moving services are here to help you get started on the right foot with affordable, professional full-service moving options. Contact us today for a quote.

Many people choose to buy a smaller home when they get older. There are many good things about owning a small house! Little homes are easier to maintain, easier to navigate, and easier to clean. 

However, anyone who owns a lot of furniture and years of accumulated belongings will tell you that downsizing isn’t easy. Making your things fit into a small space after living in a large area for many years can be time-consuming and emotionally challenging. After all, letting go of your beloved objects can be tough! 

Here’s what you need to know about making downsizing your stuff easier and faster before your move.

Declutter the Right Way

Decluttering is one of the most challenging parts of downsizing your home. It’s time-consuming! You can make it less time consuming by handling it in an organized and decisive fashion. Here’s what you need to know.

Give Sentimental Items to People You love

Getting rid of sentimental items can be much harder than getting rid of everyday objects. Giving your sentimental items to people you care about, like family members and friends, can help you maintain a connection to those items.

Make Two Piles Only

Some people make three piles when they’re decluttering: a pile for keeping, a pile for throwing away, and a maybe pile. The maybe pile only makes problems because it draws out the decluttering process and forces you to make more decisions later. Take a keep or get rid of approach to keep the decluttering process faster and more cut and dry.

Get Started Early

You didn’t accumulate all that stuff in a day, so you probably won’t be able to get rid of it in a day either! Give yourself several weeks or months to declutter your home. If you have distant plans to move in two or three years, start the decluttering process now, so you’ll be ready when the time comes.

Declutter in Manageable Chunks

Declutter one room at a time, or one closet at a time, as you declutter your home. Decluttering in manageable chunks makes the process less overwhelming and can help ensure that no part of your house goes untouched.

Getting Rid of the Room? Get Rid of the Stuff!

If you’ve already bought a home and know that you’ll be losing some rooms in your house, get rid of the furniture and other items that no longer have a place to go.

Know When to Get Help

Decluttering and downsizing can be hard on the body. Know when to get help from friends or relatives to make your downsizing experience more manageable, less stressful, and safer. Don’t try to drag all the boxes out of your attic on your own! Get help from a family member who can help.

Focus on Multi-functional Furniture and Spaces

During the home buying process, look for a house that has a lot of storage space. A shed, walk-in closet, or a loft area in the garage are all potential storage areas. If you must buy furniture for your new home, look for furniture with hidden storage compartments to help you stay organized in your small space.

Get Help Moving from a Professional Moving Company

Make your upcoming move a positive experience by working with a professional moving company. Call movers today to get a quote and put your relocation on the schedule.

 

Moving can be a stressful transition for anyone but particularly trying for kids. Getting adjusted to a new home in a new city and leaving behind their school or friends often leaves children confused or even scared.

Following these tips and techniques for easing a child’s moving process’s stress can help them acclimate to their new environment easier.

1. Maintain a Typical Routine

Kids will still need to follow their usual daily activities once in the new home. Try to stick with their previous routines such as meals, wake-up schedules, hygiene, and previously established rules. A steady routine creates a greater sense of security in their changing world.

2. Familiarize Kids with the New Community

Youngsters might enjoy a trip to the playground or head to a local park. This often helps them feel more comfortable when it’s time for school to start. Check out city landmarks and the potential family stops like the local grocery store, pizza, or donut shop.

3. Make a School Visit Before the First Day

If possible, schedule time to visit your children’s school to look around and meet their new teacher. This helps the kids—especially younger ones—feel more at ease on their first day.

4. Create Opportunities to Continue Their Hobbies

Find local groups, clubs, or activities like sports or art clubs for children to continue involvement in reasonably quickly after the move. You might even look into options before arrival.

This allows them to meet new friends their age with similar interests, which tends to make the transition smoother.

5. Tips for Younger Kids

If possible, take youngsters to visit the new home if it’s nearby. It’s best to hold off packing up their bedrooms as long as possible.

However, bringing a few toys or boxes during these visits lets them into the idea of moving. Gradually transitioning them can get them more excited about the entire moving process.

6. Tips for Tweens and Teens

Older children tend to be the most resistant to moving to a new home. They have likely formed strong bonds with their friends at this age and aren’t too eager to make new ones.

Consider ways that will allow them to stay in contact with their current friends. If the new home is nearby, visits might be possible.

However, if it’s not feasible for in-person contact, look into ways such as social media, phone calls, or online communication that lets them maintain connections to ease their fears and lessen reluctance about moving.

7. Unpack Kid’s Rooms ASAP

Alleviate any fears or sense of discord by unpacking their rooms first after getting vital areas as the kitchen and bathroom prepped.

Allowing kids to start settling in offers a sense of stability. Let them help with unpacking, so they’ll know where their prized possessions are placed.

If redecorating is in your plans, let them help make any design and color choices that create a feeling of ownership and belonging in their new room.

Ease Moving Day with Professional Moving Services

Whether you are making a local or long-distance move, professional movers can streamline the process. If you need experienced movers, contact us today!

When you’re packing for a residential move into a new home, there’s one particular room that tends to inspire a bit of dread — the kitchen.

Not only is this important room packed with lots of fragile, oddly-shaped, breakable, and various-sized objects, it’s hard to know what to pack and when. After all, you still want to be able to grab a snack or a glass of water, even as moving day approaches.

Packing up such a bustling, highly-trafficked room can feel intimidating. Fortunately, a bit of planning and organization simplifies the kitchen packing process. Read on to learn how to pack and move your kitchen like a pro.

Edit Your Items

Start the kitchen packing process well before moving day. Your first mission — to eat as much perishable food from the freezer, fridge, and pantry shelves as you can. This will both cut down on waste and optimize packing space.

Next, edit the non-edible contents of your cupboards and drawers. Separate the essentials that you’ll keep from the items you can donate, sell or give away.

Focus on duplicates or items you don’t use regularly; they’ll simply take up valuable space in your moving boxes. Do you really need three colanders? Can you get rid of that ice cream maker that you forgot you even owned? As a general rule, if you haven’t used something for over a year, get rid of it.

Gather Packing Materials

Your kitchen is filled with items of all sizes, shapes, and levels of fragileness — and that makes it hard to know what kind of packing materials you need to keep it secure.

Start by gathering the basics:

• Sturdy cardboard packing boxes in various sizes
• Packing and labeling tape
• Plastic and bubble wrap
• Newspaper or packing paper
• Appliances’ original boxes and packaging (if you still have them)

Plan Ahead

Make a list of the kitchen essentials that you need to get by until moving day. After all, you don’t want to pack up the whole kitchen too soon and get stuck eating take-out three times a day for any longer than necessary.

Think about which items each family member needs: a cup, plate, mug, and set of utensils. Then think about the cookware you may need to make simple meals. Usually, a couple of pans and bowls will do. Keep out a few cleaning supplies, too, such as dish soap and a sponge.

Finally, consider items such as a coffee maker, dish towels, napkins, and a few spices that you can’t live without. All of these items can go into a special “essentials” box on moving day. Bonus: they’ll be easy to find once you’re in your new kitchen.

Pack Smart

Kitchen items can get heavy quickly, making them difficult to move. Pack larger boxes with lightweight items such as plastic dishware, dish racks, small appliances, and light metal bakeware.

Use medium and small boxes for heavy items, such as pots, pans, cookbooks, utensils, and silverware. For breakable items, such as dishes and glassware, choose thick, heavy-duty boxes that add a layer of protection.

Wrap each fragile item in bubble wrap, place them in the box, then fill in the gaps with packing paper to keep breakables safe. Consider packing dishes vertically, rather than horizontally, whenever possible. This will prevent the delicate items on the bottom from getting crushed from the weight.

As for glasses and stemware, use cardboard separators (often found at liquor or wine stores), so each piece has its own separate compartment.

A Little Prep Goes a Long Way

Packing your kitchen doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of preparation, you’ll be packed and ready for moving day in no time.

If you need help with your household packing and moving, contact us. We can make your move simple.

Moving is a busy time with many tasks to manage. One important detail you don’t want to overlook is prepping your breakable items for safe transport during your move. Taking proactive steps before and during your fragile items’ packing goes a long way toward ensuring they arrive at your new home fully intact.

Wrap Each Piece Individually

Separately wrapping each delicate piece is the best way to prevent any cracks or breaks because it helps prevent items from accidentally hitting up against one another during transport. Use a combination of bubble wrap to cover the item entirely and packing peanuts to cushion it in the box. If you’re looking to pack with less waste, repurpose old clothing, towels, or use thick layers of recyclable packing paper to wrap and cushion your belongings.

Use Extra Padding and Double Box

Using extra padding for fragile items, especially those valuable and sentimental objects, provides additional protection. Padding, along with a double box strategy, ensures safe and sturdy packing to accommodate delicates.

Pro Tip: Be sure to fill up all available space in both boxes to ensure there is no shifting of your belongings while in transit.

Use the Right-Sized Boxes

When moving breakables, be sure the boxes you choose to pack your items in are:

• Small to medium size for ease of handling.
• Sturdy enough to hold the size and weight of your belongings.
• Contain enough extra room to fit packing materials to cushion your possessions.

Whatever type of boxes you choose, be sure not to overpack any of them because this can increase breakage during the moving process.

Position Heavy Items on the Bottom

After you wrap your fragile possessions, strategically pack these items by positioning the heaviest items on the bottom. This approach helps to prevent heavier items from crushing the lighter and more delicate pieces. It also ensures enough weighted support at the box’s base to keep it firmly in place during the move.

Tape the Bottom of All Boxes

Securing the bottom of any cardboard packing boxes with a generous amount of packing tape ensures they don’t separate under their contents’ weight. Be sure to avoid using rope, duct tape, masking tape, or another type of tape that is not designed for this purpose. Use packing tape that is at least two inches wide and apply it using the H-taping method to secure your boxes.

Clearly Label Each Box

Clearly labeling any box or plastic bin containing fragile items lets anyone handling them know to take extra care. Use a black Sharpie marker or buy packing tape that is stamped with the word “fragile.” After labeling, write “this side up” on the box to ensure that people handling them don’t accidentally turn the boxes upside down.

Looking for Help With Your Next Move?

When it comes to packing your breakable possessions, this is one job you don’t want to rush or take any shortcuts. Hiring an excellent moving company can ensure your valuable and sentimental items arrive safely to your new home. Our experienced movers have the experience and the equipment to get the job done right. For help with your move, call us today for a price quote.