Category Archives: Move Planning and Management

More Moving Do’s and Don’ts

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Last August, we brought you some Do’s and Don’ts for a move.  Some bear repeating and others are new suggestions for when you are considering a local, intrastate, or interstate move.  Understanding what to expect, and your role and responsibilities as well as those of the mover, can make the process run more smoothly.

DO the hard work of sorting through your goods and dispose/donate anything you no longer want.  Thinking “I’ll just sort it when I get there” means that you’ll pay extra in both time and money.  Interstate moves are based in part on weight, so you don’t want to pack unnecessary items you don’t need... Read the rest

Energize Your Home With Feng Shui

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Employing the ancient practice of Feng Shui (“fung shway”)  is a perfect way to establish a fresh, vibrant energy in your new home or reset the energy in your current home.

The Move Makers Project Manager Paivi Panttila Vargas is a certified Feng Shui practitioner, and advises on the positive elements of the practice for those who have been in their home for some time, or wish to incorporate it into a new space..

“Creating a good energy for a new home makes it possible to get settled faster and unlock new opportunities for the new life phase,” said Paivi.  “Feng Shui and other methods like Vastu and Wabi Sabi are there to give you inspiration and guidance on how to look at your home in a new, deeper way... Read the rest

Pack The Right Way For A Move

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When it comes to moving, packing is the task that many people dislike the most.  If all decisions have been made and you have gathered the proper packing materials, the task is much easier. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your beloved items are not only efficiently packed, but safely, too.

Not all boxes are created equal – This may seem obvious, but some items can be damaged if transported in the wrong box. While liquor store boxes with their compartments may seem handy for your stemware, they are often not strong enough to sustain the normal jostling on a moving truck, and their thin sides can buckle easily if something is placed on top or shoved next to them... Read the rest

Why You Should Sort Before You Pack

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You’ve found the house you love, and best of all, sold the one you’re in.  Now the real work begins – getting ready to move. Your first instinct may be to start packing up everything and organize it later. What you may not realize in your hurry to get the task accomplished is the longer-term negative effects of that decision, like the costliness of time, money and stress.

Here are four points to consider before you decide to pack up for moving day.

Saving Money:  Moving is costly, and whether you’re moving locally (where movers charge an hourly rate, or out of state, where the move cost is based on weight and distance), you should ask yourself if the investment in money up front and the time spent later, is going to be worth it to you... Read the rest

Selling Your Home – Simple Steps for a Big Impact

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You’ve found the perfect home, so now the pressure is on to sell the one you’re living in.  You know you have work to do to get it ready, but where do you begin?  The outside, for first impressions, or the inside, where the potential buyer needs to see how they’ll live in your current space?

Make a List. Before taking on any one project, take a long, objective look at your home, at those small things that you’ve ignored over the years, like the mismatched switch plates, the creaky bathroom cabinet, the dented wall by the back door.  Making a list is a simple task and as each item is addressed and corrected, you know you’re on your way to showing your home in its best light... Read the rest

How do you want to live in your space?

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If you’re thinking about moving this year, or considering a refresh of your current space, one of the first things to think about is: how do I want to live in this space?  We take for granted that at least some of our furniture will work in our new space, no matter where that may be.  But it might be a good idea to look around and really SEE your furniture, and whether it’s functioning well for you. Are you looking for less upkeep?  Is mobility a factor?  Scaling furniture to your room can take some practice and knowing what to keep and not keep depends on the life you want to lead in the space... Read the rest

Holding On: Why it’s So Hard to Let Go of Stuff

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One of the most daunting things about moving is dealing with our stuff. We surround ourselves with things that represent “home” to us: keepsakes, papers, books, dishes.  Sorting through them in order to let some of it go is much harder for some than others, and can be such a seemingly impossible task that some of us simply stop the process altogether.

What makes us hold onto things we no longer want or need, even if keeping them is a roadblock to moving forward?

The main reason we hold on to things is comfort – being surrounded by things we love can provide a sense of well being and groundedness... Read the rest

Do This, Not That When Preparing for A Move

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Moving is one of life’s occurrences that can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful.  But there are few practices to consider that can ease the pain of moving as well as the expense.  Here is a look at things NOT to do, and things to DO instead:

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DON’T wait until the last minute to get ready to move.  The longer you wait, the more stumbling blocks you may encounter, like running out of time, not enough boxes, no place to dispose of your items, and moving companies that are too busy to help you.

DO make a plan before you move.  Planning out an overall timeline to prepare all of the components of moving (including sorting, organizing, packing, and arranging for help), goes a long way in making move day go more smoothly.

.. Read the rest

The Language of Interstate Moving

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If you’re considering an interstate move, there are several terms that may come up in your search for an interstate mover.  Knowing the language of the trade can save you time and money, and provide a full understanding of exactly what you can expect when you deal with an interstate carrier.   Here are a few trade terms that can help you with your search.

  1.  Shipper – contrary to how it sounds, YOU as a client are considered the shipper in moving, both local and interstate.  The interstate moving company is the carrier.
  1.  Bill of Lading – this is a binding legal receipt that lists the belongings that you’re moving as well as the contract for the move itself. 
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Making Move Day a Little Less Maddening

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The boxes are packed, the movers are scheduled, the new home is ready for you.  You’ve got the big moving day coming up, but will you be ready?  With a little preparation, move day can be a breeze.  Here are some ways to prepare that you may not have thought about:

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1. Pet Care

While you’re excited about the move, your pet may be very confused and scared when the door is flung open wide and strangers are toting his favorite couch out to the truck.  Consider an offsite pet sitter or doggie daycare for the day, so you won’t have to worry about your pup hiding somewhere or bolting out into the neighborhood. 

.. Read the rest