Moving Tips

Packing Tips

Packing up for relocation is probably the most cumbersome of all tasks. It is also the time when you suddenly become aware of the amount of stuff in the attic and basement that you never even knew existed. And what’s more- so much sentimental value attached to even the cob-web covered things. However, while relocating you have to first and foremost plan and assimilate the special packing material to move your unique collectibles, electronic equipment and other fragile items will require. There are certain packing tips that are worth considering when relocating. These include:

Pre-plan and prioritize the items to be relocated. Pack well in advance and with the help of special material available in the market. If you are taking the assistance of a moving company for packing, ensure that they can provide you with all the concise material like bubble wrap at reasonable rates. Effective and efficient packing helps limit the scope for error, damage and loss.

Have the whole family pitch in and help. This makes everyone responsible for their own things and lessens the burden on one person. This also gets senior citizens and children better prepared for the move.

When packing your expensive electronic items, always invest in open ended containers or boxes. These not only lessen long packing time, but also ensure that the wiring and machinery is well-aired. However, a lining with tissue or fine cloth in the rainy season is worth considering.

Always mark each box as you seal it. In fact, it helps to prepare a list of the items within, as this makes unpacking and placement of the sealed boxes at the new home or office easier. By marking each box, you can also identify the items that can be unpacked later at the destination.

Never compromise on the quality of packing material, if you are engaging the services of the moving company for this service. They are well equipped to address the need for packing boxes of various sizes and material designed to pack delicate items.

When generating an inventory of the items to be relocated, it pays to sift the articles to be moved from those that can be given away/donated or sold. The money you save could help you address some other expense.

Office relocation should be handled by a few select people only. It makes better sense to hand over responsibility to specific people and prioritize the relocation of the various departments.

Packing kick starts the relocation process and is the most important part of the whole move and hence, should be addressed with a lot of planning and careful consideration.

Storage Tips

When planning relocation, it makes sense to segregate those items which can be moved at a later date and those that would be required immediately. This is especially so in the case of an office relocation. There are a number of relocation companies that offer you the exclusive facility of storage pods, where you can store heavy and light items for relocation on a later date. The storage pods are large enough to store furniture and even vehicles.

The storing of family heirlooms needs to be as meticulous as possible and carefully packing them with bubble wrap and leaving them in a storage unit till you are all settled in makes mores sense than dealing with issues on insurance claims. The storage pods are reasonably priced and worth the investment. They are reputed for temperature control and humidity control and low cost storage options to ensure that your possessions remain in their original condition for as long as you desire.

Low cost storage units may run multiple floors high and there is always ample of space to accommodate more consignments. The storage pods are theft and damage proof and come with security systems in place, 24x7. The items are packed well and stacked pressure and humidity proof and are even exposed to yearlong climate control! There are a number of online and offline resources that offer instant access to storage pods and enable comparison shopping for the best rates.

Moving With Pets

When planning relocation, along with the shifting of family and possessions the onus of safely relocating your pet or pets is on you and this needs dedicated planning. Moving with pets involves careful consideration of certain dos and don't s and these include:

The travel arrangements should be made well in advance for an easy and successful transfer. There are special containers, baskets, bags designed to relocate your pet. They need to be marketed for and access in advance to get the animal used to it.

You need to take your pet to the veterinarian for a pre-move check up and obtain travel/ health documents. Your vet is also the right person, other than the airline or relocation company, to find out about any special state entry regulations for pets. It is important to comply with the laws and regulations of the state to which you are relocating to avoid prosecution. Some states even maintain border control and inspection of the animals being brought into the state.

You need to safeguard the animal against travel sickness and even consider prior sedation if the animal is known to get agitated while in transit. You should comparison shop for a travel identification tag, just in case. The tag should include pet’s name, your name and the destination address. You should also include an alternative contact information slot on the tag, in case you are not available.

The documents pertaining to your pet’s health are very important. You should secure a Pet Health Certificate and Pet Entry Permit.

If the relocation means traveling by a motor vehicle with an overnight stay at a hotel or a motel, you should ensure that the motel or hotel you plan to stop over at is pet friendly. The same goes for the airline. If not, then look for local pet care centers to help out. When traveling by air, make sure that the pet carrier meets airline regulations. It helps not to feed the animal too much before the trip and make take the animal for a walk prior to travel.

It makes sense to opt for a portable carrier that offers the pet a “home-away-from-home” feel. Remember, just like the safe relocation of the family is your responsibility, so is the relocation of your pet. Never let the animal loose in a strange place.

Prior to actually moving off to the new destination, you should consider keeping the animal away from the main movement areas and the movers themselves. Consider keeping the animal in a vacant room or even outside and don’t forget to keep fresh water and the animal’s favorite toys close at hand. Many animals take a lot of time and sometimes never even adjust to the relocation. Keeping familiar food/water dishes, toys, bed, etc close at hand helps a lot.

There are special pet transporters who help organize every aspect of the relocation. They help you and the animal to deal with the unique set of challenges that relocation ushers in. They help making the move as easy on the animal as possible. They provide you with all details of the move including access to moving crates and cool vehicles to keep the anxiety at an all time low. The pet transporters are professionals who are adept to the sensitive requirements of the pet. They plan the move stopping every few hours for the animal to ease itself and stretch a bit.

You could even consider a local pet care for the animal and consider relocating the animal after the family has settled into the new home. While some of the pet care centers charge by the pound, some demand a pet deposit.

Moving with your pet demands planning, time and patience, just like the rest of the relocation.