Hire Short Distance Movers in Castlegar for your Local Move
Are you thinking that you can handle moving yourself because you aren’t moving very far? Any move, no matter the distance, is complicated. It takes time, planning and lots of effort on your part. Just because you are only moving a short distance doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be considering hiring movers.
Professional movers in Castlegar, like Kootenai Moving, can help make your local move cheaper, run smoothly and be less complicated than trying to do it yourself.
Stay Safe During Your Summer Moves
Lots of people move during the summer. It is actually the busiest moving season. The thing is the summer can actually be one of the most dangerous times to move due to the heat. Sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration and injuries can all occur during a summer move. Here are some tips for staying safe during your summer move.
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Moving a Piano
So you really want to move your piano? While it is great that you have a piano and you want to take it with you, you really should consider having yours moved by professionals. Not only is it complicated and dangerous to move a piano, but they can also be easily damaged or cause serious injury if you aren’t careful.
If you still think you can handle the job yourself here are a few of the things that you should keep in mind when you are going to move a piano.
How to Find Out About your New City Before you Move
Moving to a new city can be both exciting and stressful. If you have never been there before or have only been there for a short visit, you may be wondering about many things. Did you pick the right neighborhood to live in? Where are the best places to eat? Where is the nightlife located? All these questions and more are things you might be considering.
So where should you look to find the answers to these questions and more? Here are some places that you can check out for information on your new city before you move there!
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What to Do Right After a Move
All the planning has paid off. Your move went off without any major setbacks and you are sitting at your dining room table, currently in the living room, enjoying some pizza on the corner that you have cleared boxes from. The question is: so what’s next? There are some things that you should do right after your move is complete, and here is a list of a few of them.
Break Out the Camera
Are you renting? Then pictures of your blank walls and unadorned floors can be very important for the day of your next move. Security deposits are only returned if the apartment you are renting is left in exactly the same condition it was in when you moved into the place. That means you have to prove that you have done this. What better proof is there than photos of the place on the day that you moved in.
Taking photos like this can also help you to inspect the new apartment for any defects that you need to report to your landlord. Make sure to document anything that you find immediately to your landlord so they have a record of it on your move in day.
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
You may not have figured out where grandma’s lamp is going to go, but you should unpack it enough to make sure that there was no breakage done to it. Then repeat the process with everything you have brought along with you.
An inventory like this is very important if you had a professional moving company move your belongings for you. If things were broken, they will need to be notified so that they can file the appropriate claim with your move insurance. Some movers offer a limited amount of time to file breakage claims, so the sooner you get this step done the sooner you can get any breakage issues resolved.
Handle the Local Paperwork
Do you need to update license plates for your car or get your pets registered? If you haven’t begun the process before you moved, then you should get the ball rolling the day after. Most localities and provinces will give you a limited amount of time to have your paperwork updated after your move, so don’t delay.
Change the Locks
Do you know who the previous residents of your home gave keys out to? Are you sure that they gave you a copy of every key that was ever made for the door? If not, then you might want to get the locks on your home changed. It is your house now, so you should make sure to keep it safe and secure. This can prevent you from having to deal with any unwanted access to your home from people you have not authorized.
Need Quality Movers in Castlegar?
If you are looking for a moving company to help with your next Castlegar move, then check out Kootenai Storage and Relocations.
The Advantages of a Storage Unit for Moves
Thoughts of moving probably conjure up pictures of boxes, tape, bubble wrap and moving blankets. One thing you might not think about when considering a move is a storage unit. The thing is, a storage unit can be a great tool to utilize when you are planning your next move. Here are some reasons why you might consider getting one for your next move, courtesy of your movers in Castlegar.
More Flex in your Move
It’s moving day, and everyone is there to help you load up the truck. After all of the heavy lifting is done, it is now time to drive—possibly several hours—to your new home and then redo all of the work you have just done. Even worse, you might have less people to help you. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were an easier way?
Having a storage unit allows you more flexibility to your move. Instead of having to move everything in one day to beat the end of a lease or the sale of a home, you can actually move in stages. Storage units are a great intermediate step that allows you to have much more flexibility in your move. You can take the things that you are really going to need on your first trip then head back to get more when you get your essentials unpacked, and the home in some better order.
Resolve Timing Issues
Sometimes a move’s timing just doesn’t work out. You have to start that new job before you have found your new home, or if you need a few more weeks before the sale of your new home goes through. Whatever the reason, a storage unit can help you to resolve the problem of what to do with your things until the timing works out. You get to make the move schedule instead of having it dictated to you by job or other constraints that are out of your control.
Prioritization
Life doesn’t stop because you have to move. This means that you need to focus on everything in life you normally focus on, plus having to deal with a move as well. A storage unit can keep your focus on the things that you need to be focused on.
Don’t clutter up your already busy home with packed boxes that the kids or the pets are just going to get into anyway. As you pack your boxes, you can move them to your storage unit where they are out of the way. The same happens on the other end when it is time to move in. Unpacking doesn’t happen overnight, so a storage unit can hang on to the things that you don’t have time to unpack right away, allowing you to prioritize the process on what you need most. Think of all the energy you get to conserve doing it this way!
Looking for Movers in Castlegar?
If you are looking for movers or a storage unit in Castlegar, then click here to schedule an estimate with Kootenai Storage and Relocation.
Moving Your Pinball Machine
Do you have some unique items that you want to take with you to your new home? Many serious electronic gamers have pinball machines in their game rooms or man rooms. They can be somewhat problematic to move as pinball machines are notoriously sensitive. Here are some tips on how to move your pinball machine and minimize the impact on it.
Start with the Back Box
There are three main parts to a pinball machine, and you are going to need to deal with all three of them to successfully move yours. The first is the back glass or back box. This is the part that the ball doesn’t touch and usually keeps score.
Most machines, unless they are really old, will allow you to fold the back glass down. If you have an electromechanical pinball machine (from the sixties or early seventies), then you will need to disconnect the wiring harness. Do this by opening the back of the back glass and looking for the large wired connector. Once you have unplugged this, you can fold the back glass down.
Newer machines will either have a locking or latching mechanism. These can be engaged through the use of specialized Allen key tools or latching mechanisms right inside the back glass.
Older machines might require that the box is removed entirely. Open up your back box and look for two or four large bolts to remove in order to take the box off.
Remove the Legs
To make the machine easier to move, and to take up less space in the truck, you will need to remove the legs from the machine. This isn’t difficult, but it will require that you open up the pinball machine.
If you look inside at the corners, you will see two bolts in each corner. Those bolts run through the machine to the outside where they hold the legs on tight. You will need a socket or two in order to remove these bolts. Remember to support the machine as you take the legs off.
Wrap and Protect Your Machine
NEVER put the legs inside the machine or wrap them onto the pinball glass. They can cause damage. Use furniture blankets to wrap the back box and main body of the pinball machine. Carefully secure them to the machine using adhesive that you stick to the blankets, not the machine itself.
Use stretch wrap to protect each of the legs from scratches, then tie them together if you wish. Then wrap the package with blankets or something else to protect them during the move.
Remember to Get a Hand Truck
Pinball machines are notoriously heavy. You will need a hand truck to move it around and keep it from being damaged. Make sure to pad the truck as well in order to avoid damaging your pinball machine.
Let the Expert movers in Castlegar Help
Need help moving your pinball machine? Contact Kootenai Storage and Relocation for an estimate today!
Keeping Safe in Your Moving Truck
Looking to save money on your move? One of the best ways to do it is by renting and driving your own moving truck. Moving trucks are very large and can be somewhat difficult to drive if you have never had experience with one previously. Before you go and pick up your moving truck, here are some tips for keeping safe behind the wheel. That way you and the contents of your home will make it to your new home in one piece.
Give It the Once Over
Before driving your rental truck off of the lot, give it a good once over. Take a look at the tires and make sure they are inflated properly. Look to see if there is any damage to the truck that might cause it to function improperly. Make sure that the lights, horn, steering and turn signals are all working.
If you find any problems with the truck, report them immediately to the rental office. Do not drive away with a truck that is not in 100% working order.
Obey the Weight Limit
Don’t be tempted to overload a smaller truck just to save a few dollars. Moving trucks have very specific weight limits, and they are in place for a reason. Overloading a moving truck can compromise the ability of it to perform and put you and any passengers in danger.
Also remember to obey the proper weight distribution of the back of the truck. Typically larger trucks want 60% of the load towards the front.
Keep a Safe Traveling Distance
A large moving truck takes much longer to bring to a stop than a car. You want to make sure that you leave enough room between yourself and the cars in front of you to come to a stop, even if the car in front of you jams on the brakes. A good rule of thumb is to maintain double the normal distance between you and traffic in front of you than you normally would.
Beware Bad Weather
A large truck handles differently in bad weather than what you may be used to. You want to pay special attention to the speed limits in the area and remain about 10 kph below them to stay safe. Leave even more space between you and the traffic around you. If the weather gets too bad, pull over and wait for it to pass. It is much better to wait out a storm and pay some extra when you turn the truck in than to get into an accident.
Leave Yourself Enough Time
Your GPS might give you the right directions, but don’t trust the time estimate. GPS devices are geared for use in cars. Trucks, particularly loaded moving trucks, need to move much slower. Give yourself plenty of time and don’t rely on the GPS ETA.
Hire Professional Movers in Castlegar
Save yourself the stress of driving your own truck by having Kootenai moving do the heavy lifting for you. Contact us today.