How to Load That Moving Truck
You got all the boxes packed up and ready to go to your new home. Now all you need to do is put them on the truck, or in the van. Along with the couch, and the love seat, and the dining room table and the…well you get the idea.
Your dad would tell you packing up the truck is an art known only by a few select journeymen. While it isn’t quite that complex, here are some tips so you can make sure everything fits and makes it to your new place in one piece.
Know Your Moving Truck Load Distribution
Large trucks need to have the proper weight distribution. The larger the trailer of the moving truck, the more critical it is to get this distribution correct. Typically you want to have about 60% of the weight of the load towards the front end of the truck, with the remaining 40% towards the rear. While this will vary from truck to truck, using this as a guideline is a good start. The company you rented the vehicle from can provide you with more details to the specific equipment.
Plan Your Load
Keep this mantra in your head: “First in, last out.” When packing your truck, remember that the items that you place in the truck first will be the last items you take out of the truck at your destination. Make sure not to pack anything that is critical to the move into the truck first, as you will not be seeing it for a while.
Once you know when something is going in the truck, you can plan what. Remember to stack your items with the heaviest on the bottom, decreasing the weight as you stack up to the top. Strong items should also go on the bottom, to make sure they can handle the load of things being placed on tip of them. If a box on the bottom collapses, this can cause damage and shift the load in transit.
Secure the Load Inside the Truck
Resist the urge to assume everything is okay because the trailer has a door. You need to make sure that the load cannot shift as you are driving the truck to your new destination. Shifting can not only damage your items, but it can also cause the truck to behave badly at high speeds. Tie you boxes and furniture down to tie points in the moving van, truck or trailer.
Also remember to secure any items that might swing open during transit. Empty drawers of items, and secure them so they do not open during the drive. Do the same to any doors your furniture might have.
Hire Professional Movers
When you add up all your time, effort and potential damage to items that might occur during a move, you might find professional movers cost less. Kootenai Moving are local Creston movers that have years of experience. Call us today for a quote!
Storing Your Valuables: Questions To Ask For New Customers
Storing valuables and other possessions can be a little nerve wracking. Objects we care about enough to store are also often things we would rather to keep a personal eye on. Space is a valuable commodity, though, and sometimes storing valuables and other possessions can’t be avoided. This is especially true during a move, as uncooperative possession dates, pre-move renovations, and downsizing can all necessitate storing items for a later date. That’s why as full service Creston movers we have our own storage facilities for clients who require them. You need to find the right storage facility for your needs, somewhere your valuables will be safe and sound until you find the space for them again. As a result, it’s very important that first time customers know what questions to ask when storing possessions to avoid an unpleasant surprise down the road.
One of the more anxiety inducing aspects of storing your valuables is the fear of theft. If your items are in storage for a long period of time without ongoing inventory, theft can go unnoticed. That is why it is important to ask if the storage unit you are considering is secure. In doing so, consider the number of entry points to the wider storage complex as well as how secure the individual space is, as it’s difficult to steal anything from a room you can’t get to. As a result, a storage facility with fewer points of entry is often a more secure choice.
Another part of theft prevention that is the responsibility of the storage facility is monitoring the storage units. You should always ask how much the facility is monitored and what kinds of precautions they take to keep your possessions safe. These precautions could include technological monitoring, such as with motion sensors or cameras. There should also be staff monitoring the facility. Some storage facilities are monitored 24/7 to make sure there is no opening for opportunistic thieves to access your unit after everyone goes home, which is obviously desirable. Even if you are taking these anti-theft precautions when choosing a unit, you should still try to have a full inventory of what went into the unit and what comes out when you are done with it.
Finally, you should ask about the features of the storage space itself. Is it climate controlled? For some possessions intense heat or cold can be problematic, so depending on what you are storing this may be a large or a small concern. Humidity can also be an issue, especially if you are storing paper items like books and magazines. It is also a good idea to check storage spaces for signs of water damage, as a leaky unit and a long period of time unchecked tends to add up to mold and rust. A storage facility with the right climate can preserve your items better.
We hope this information helps you to store your items safely and securely!
3 Tips to Help You Move on a Rainy Day
It is good to properly plan and schedule when you would want Creston Movers to assist you with your move. But in the event that there is a sudden and unexpected downpour, it will make your move a lot more complicated. If you are able to catch up with the news and keep up to date with your area’s weather report, you’ll be able to prepare in case it rains on your big move.
But how can you make your move worry free during the rain? Here are a few tips:
Prioritize your own safety
During a rainy day, make sure you check how strong the rain is and how long it will last. If there is a storm, it may be best to reschedule with your Creston Movers so you can keep yourself safe. But if the weather will not be a hindrance for the move, you can push through with your big move. Just remember that you need to keep yourself warm and dry at all times. You can do this by doing the following:
- Wear sturdy boots perfect for the rainy weather. You can also wear gardening gloves as your furniture and plastic boxes may be more slippery than usual.
- Instead of using plastic drop sheets, you can use old sheets on hardwood floors. This will prevent accidentally slipping on a wet floor.
- If you will be driving yourself to your new home, make sure to drive carefully.
Go with the right boxes
When cardboard boxes get wet, they lose their structure and become soggy. These boxes won’t be able to protect or hold their contents. Unless you would want your items to fall out, prepare for the rainy weather by using plastic moving boxes instead of the normal ones. Apart from remaining rigid in the rain, these boxes are also water resistant. With this, you are guaranteed that the contents of the box will remain dry during the move.
Protect your home
Another thing you have to remember is that you need to protect your home at all times. Since you wouldn’t want your home to have wet furniture or boxes, make sure that you protect the floors. As mentioned, you can use old towels or carpets to protect your hardwood floors. You can also move your things to one or two rooms that are near the entrance of your home. This way, you can limit the amount of leaves and water that get dragged along with the move.
Just because it’s raining, doesn’t mean you have to cancel your big move. There are some things you can do to go through with your move, especially if you have a busy schedule. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to move during the rain without any problems. Call us today so we can help you prepare for your move, no matter what the weather is like.
Tips for Settling in Your New Home After a Big Move
For anyone about to move to a different house, the process can be frustrating as it requires getting used to plenty of new things. In some cases, your family members may even feel disoriented since they will have to get used to the change. If you are leaving a place you have called home for the past years, it might be difficult for you to adapt to the changes quickly. Apart from leaving behind all your close friends, you also have to say goodbye to your old memories. This is usually what makes moving to a new home difficult.
If you have already contacted our Creston Movers to help you with your big move, the next thing you have to prepare for is the changes that will be happening in your life. Here are some tips to help you get accustomed to your new neighborhood and help make you love your new place:
Find the Essentials
The first thing you have to do when you arrive in your new neighborhood is to familiarize yourself with the essentials. Be aware of where the closest hospital, police station, vet, or dentist to your home is. With this, you won’t have to panic when there’s an emergency in your household.
Walk Around
One of the first things you should do when you move to a new neighborhood is to get acquainted with your surroundings. It is pretty normal for an individual to want to discover his new home the convenient way. But if you really want to be familiar with your surroundings, the best way to do it is to get lost. This way, you can find your way around and even discover new friends and delicious finds.
Learn to Make Friends
When you’re curious to know where to spot a good market in your neighborhood, the best way you can find it is to ask other people. See to it that you ask your neighbors where the best restaurants are so you can make friends with them too. This is a great way you can easily get over the anxiety of leaving home. At the same time, you can easily get accustomed to your new neighborhood.
Pay Close Attention to Posters
If you’re trying to find the nearest Yoga class, the best way to do it is to look around. Make sure that when you leave home, you keep an eye out on posters that are available. This way, you get to update yourself on the latest events and happenings in your new neighborhood.
Don’t be Afraid to Try New Things
Whenever you discover a new restaurant that you’re interested in, make it a point to visit at least once. This is a great way you can keep yourself entertained with the discoveries you’ve made. Soon enough, you’ll be knowledgeable of the dining options in your area. You can even start a food blog for all your latest food finds!
Go Online
If you can’t find a specific something that you need, the best way to do it is to go online. You can read up on reviews and discover the feedback of people so you get an idea on important matters.
By following the above-mentioned tips, you’ll feel like a local in no time! For more help on how you can prepare for your big move, contact our Creston movers for some valuable tips!
How to Pack a Dresser
Here are some tips on how to properly pack your dresser while maximizing your space and organization. Many people don’t take advantage of the dresser drawers, but the drawers are excellent for packing keepsakes in that would normally be on top or around the dresser in your new home. Please contact us for more information on our moving and storage services.
How To Tape Boxes
We wanted to offer a packing demonstration to help you pack more efficiently. We’re going to show you how to properly tape a box. The video offers helpful tips that will help you save your energy and time while packing. For more helpful tips visit our Kootenai Moving YouTube Channel which offers a 16 part series on smarter packing.
Nelson Movers’ Tricks to Moving During Halloween
Halloween is only a few days away. For a tight knit community like Nelson BC these seasonal affairs, even without an accompanying statutory holiday, are a big deal. Households are decorating and families are snatching up last minute candy and costumes from department stores. However there are those that are under the impression that they may have to skip the festivities this year because for them October 31st marks moving day for their home. Moving on Halloween can indeed be a bummer, but by following a few easy tips your family can still enjoy this annual tribute to ghosts, goblins, witches…and candy.
4 Tips to Moving While Still Enjoying Halloween
1. Decorate Your New Home, But Do So in Moderation
It’s important to make an impression in your new neighborhood. Instead of being tagged as those “new people” moving in on Hallow’s Eve, be sure let it be known how fun your family is by simply decorating the entryway of your new home, even if it will see more action from people walking in with boxes and houseplants as opposed to trick or treaters. No need to go overboard, simply stick to big impressionable decorations and leave the small ornate and cobwebby stuff for next year. Want to have more fun with the process? Have your family dress up in themed family costumes for the move as well – the neighbors will get a kick out of seeing the Munsters or Adams Family moving in next door.
2. Make Time for Your Kids’ Trick or Treating
If your children are still of the age that loves to go trick or treating then do not let moving day hamper this special time for them. Pretty soon they’ll be at a stage where they won’t want to and you as a parent will pine for those sweet days of old – don’t miss out on an opportunity to make more memories. Setting aside an hour or two is also a great way to introduce yourselves to the people who live in your new neighborhood.
3. Keep Plenty of Candy on Hand for Trick or Treaters
The worst possible thing you can do from day one when moving into a new community is to get in the bad graces of the kids living in the neighborhood. They’ll gossip about you faster than the ol’ blue hairs at the local bingo hall and will keep your house in mind when mischievously running around with rolls of toilet paper on every Halloween evening from here on in. If you’re moving in on the 31st be sure to keep a BIG selection of candy (think chocolate bars, not those cheap candy Rockets) on hand so that you keep your new mini-neighbors happy and well fed. You’ll fast become the favorite household in the community if you do.
4. Plan Events Before Moving Day
Regardless of how well you follow the above three tips it won’t exactly be the most memorable (for the right reasons) Halloween day for your family unless you spread out the celebrations somewhat. Thankfully as each year passes the allure of Halloween grows as community centers, shopping malls, cafes, and movie houses slot Halloween events into their schedule days and even weeks before the 31st. Be sure to attend as many of these events in the days preceding the final day of the month. This way, even if the 31st is spent haunted under a pile boxes and bubble wrap, you will still have made the most out of the season.
We hope these “tricks” help with your family’s Halloween household relocation. Should you be looking for a more effective way to take the load off of your move to free up time for festivities then do not hesitate to contact Kootenai Moving, your Nelson moving company.