Avoid These Common Moving Blunders
There are some common mistakes that are made when choosing a mover and during the moving process. Knowing these “blunders” can help an individual make the right decisions and can also help the whole moving experience.
Here are some moving blunders that Chicago movers frequently see:
#1 Make sure the mover is one that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Not choosing the right company is something that many encounter and this can result in finding a Chicago moving company that is not quite what they say they are.
#2 Packing the heaviest items in large boxes, resulting in the bottoms breaking out of the boxes.
#3 Packing materials that are flammable, toxic, or corrosive. This is dangerous for everyone.
#4 Not measuring the clearance space in the new home. The result is finding that furniture won’t fit through the front door.
#5 Not labeling all boxes. The Chicago moving services have no idea where they go when they are not labeled and the customer has no idea what is in which box, making the unpacking process a long one.
#6 Forgetting to notify the United States Postal Service of the change of address. This means mail will not be forwarded and important documents could be missed.
#7 Misplacing the bill of lading after the move. If something would happen after the move that requires this important document, an issue may be harder to resolve.
#8 Not taking advantage of tax deductions. There are some deductions that customers may qualify for, especially if moving for work reasons.
#9 Packing items in used boxes that are worn. This can result in damaged items if the box breaks.
By knowing these blunders, you can avoid them. By avoiding them, you and movers such as New City Moving can experience a much smoother move. A move doesn’t have to be more stressful than it is exciting.
Tips on Disconnecting and Connecting Utilities
Here at New City Moving, it is important to advise you of the importance of making sure your utilities are disconnected at your old residence and reconnected at your new residence in a timely manner. This is because you want electricity, telephone, and heating or cooling while the Chicago moving company is loading you up. However, you want those exact things when you are in your new place unpacking.
The most important thing you want to do before the Chicago moving services show up at your door is go to the websites of your utility companies or give them a call to find out what the disconnection rules are. It is ideal to contact your utility companies 2 to 4 weeks before you move so that you don’t leave yourself in the dark, without communication, or too cold or too hot. This advance notice also gives the utility companies time to get a last reading, allowing you a chance to take care of that last bill.
If you have any bills that are late or unpaid, it is important that you get that taken care of before the Chicago movers come to your door. This is so you can get your new service connected. Utility companies will not connect services until any outstanding bills are taken care of.
Now you want to make sure on moving day that your utilities are active to the very last minute because you don’t want to be in a bad situation in case an emergency strikes. It is important for both you and your Chicago moving services that electricity, heat, or cool air is available, as well as a telephone for emergency reasons.
Here are some helpful tips you can use during your move:
#1 Let your appliances return to room temperature before you plug them back in.
#2 Know where the cable and phone jacks are located, as well as electrical outlets in the new home.
#3 Tape doors shut such as on microwaves and even your refrigerator. Remove any glass plates or shelving.
Don’t Self-Destruct Your Family by Moving
Moving can be both stressful and exciting. Some, however, can let the stress get to them to the point that they literally self-destruct their family.
So the first thing you need to do is hire a Chicago moving company to take care of some of the tasks. Those tasks include loading your packed items into a moving truck and transporting the items to your new home, unloading the items upon arrival into the correct rooms. New City Moving will also pack your items for you to make the process easier. The easier the process, the less stress you will encounter. The less stress, the better your entire family will feel.
Be sure to make everyone within the household a part of the move. This means making each family member in charge of a specific room.
There are, however, certain things that occur after the actual move that can be stressful to the family. This is after your Chicago moving services has done their job. It is the aftermath. For instance:
#1 There may be new economic realities such as higher heating and cooling expenses due to a larger home and a larger mortgage payment. Perhaps it was necessary to move into a smaller home due to job loss or another financial change.
#2 It does take some time to become adjusted to a new community. You have new neighbors to get to know and they have to get to know you.
#3 If you moved because of a job change, your adjustment period may be difficult on your family. Try to leave work at work and not bring it home. However, that is sometimes easier said than done.
So keep these things in mind. There are those challenges while you and your Chicago movers are moving you and then there are those challenges after.
What to do with Moving Boxes after You Unpack
The Chicago moving company has moved you into your new home, you are unpacked, and now it is time to get rid of all of those moving boxes, but what do you do with them?
Well, you definitely don’t want to give them to the garbage man to throw into a landfill. This is not too friendly to the environment. So here are some ways you can get rid of them and keep a clear conscience:
#1 Go to Craigslist and post that you have moving boxes you want to sell, exchange, or give away.
#2 Boxcycle.com is also a great place to sell your boxes.
#3 Most people decide to use their moving boxes as compost. Cardboard breaks down well, making this an ideal compost material.
#4 You can always call a charity and see if they need boxes. Food pantries can also use boxes because they load them with food items for needy families.
#5 Cardboard can also be recycled, so you may want to take the boxes to a recycling center.
New City Moving sells moving boxes when you need them and the above are different ways in which you can get rid of them when you’re done. Some people do like to keep a few around for storage, so you can consider that as well. No matter what you decide, you can simply give them away or you can make a little bit of money off of them. Just know you can’t charge a lot because they are used. Nevertheless, reusing the boxes is much healthier for the environment and you’ll feel good about your decision.
In the end, you are doing yourself and the earth a really big favor.
Additional Moving Costs You Should Know About
There are some additional moving costs that are the result of the Chicago moving company and other costs are the result of the move. It is important that you know exactly how much moving is going to cost you in the end. Here are some valuable tips from New City Moving!
Here are some costs that are the direct result of your Chicago moving services:
#1 Additional insurance that you request
#2 You may request additional services such as packing services
#3 You may find that you need packing boxes, so you buy those from your Chicago movers
#4 The size of your load may change and this could affect the price in a number of ways, such as the number of trips it takes to make the move happen and the manpower needed
Those are perfect examples of additional costs that can be accrued with the moving company. Costs that are not due to the moving company include:
#1 Increased property tax due to larger property
#2 A difference in school tax
#3 Increase in home insurance costs
#4 Home maintenance
#5 Commuting costs because you may be further away from your workplace
The locality can have long term effects, causing you to pay more living there than at your old residence. However, this should not be a deterrent to move because when you have to move you have to move.
So keep all of this in mind when you are trying to figure the true cost of moving. The cost of moving just doesn’t involve the cost of moving your household items, but has some other direct and indirect costs as well. Some of these you control, such as those with the Chicago moving company, and others you don’t. This can help you budget your money to the best of your ability so that the impact is not so rough on your bank account.
When you only have a month to plan your move
Some of us don’t have the luxury of having 8 weeks notice when moving. Some of us only get 4 weeks. Although that may seem like a lot of time to some, it is not really a long time at all. There is a lot of planning, packing, and organization needed when moving.
So here is how you can handle moving when you have only 4 weeks to make it happen:
#1 Call your Chicago moving company immediately to set up the date in which you need for them to arrive and help you pack up and go.
#2 If you don’t have a lot of time to pack, know that the New City Moving offers packing as a part of our Chicago moving services.
#3 Two weeks before the move, make sure you are packed. If you haven’t had a chance to pack, New City Moving sells boxes or we can pack for you. If you insist on packing on your own, don’t try to do too much at once. Pack a little bit at a time.
#4 If you live in an apartment building, reserve the elevator one week before the move. To make room in your home so that you can clean it up, place heavy boxes on the floor and stack lighter boxes on top of them.
#5 You will also want to reserve a parking area one to two weeks before the move so that the moving truck has a place to park.
#6 A few days before the move, double check everything. Ensure that you are good to go and make sure that your old home is cleaned up. You may also want to take a trip to your new home and make sure it is clean before the Chicago moving company places your belongings inside.
Believe it or not, most people do move in only a month and they make a success of it. When you have a quality Chicago mover helping you out, the process can be much smoother.
What Questions Should You Ask Movers?
Most people like to shop around for a Chicago moving company before making a final decision. If that’s the case, there are certain questions that you want to ask. When you ask these questions, you want to hear solid answers so that you know whether or not you are dealing with true professionals.
Some of those questions are:
#1 Do you give binding quotes? This one is important for the fact that binding quotes means you are not dealing with a mover that is going to change the figure on you when it is all said and done.
#2 What extra charges may I incur? You should check for charges such as those involved when large items are being moved or there is a little distance to be traveled.
#3 What forms of payment do you accept and what are the terms?
#4 What type if insurance do you include with your quote? What are all of my options?
#5 What is the process if something is broken and who is responsible for the broken item(s)?
#6 What sort of affiliations do you have? Affiliations show that the company is credible. Look for Better Business Bureau ratings and also look for involvement in community groups.
#7 What is your level of experience?
You also want to make sure the Chicago movers have an actual office. You don’t want to talk to a broker. You want an actual company with a physical location within Chicago. You should be able to physically go there if you would have to.
Lastly, check for testimonials and even referrals if you want to find out what others have experienced. Seeing what others have to say about Chicago moving services can help you in your decision. Your goal should be to have the best moving experience possible.
Baby-Proof Your Bathroom when Moving
Next to the kitchen, the bathroom can be a dangerous place for your mobile baby. As a matter of fact, bathrooms tend to be smaller, resulting in less room to move around. They are also a place in which harmful things are stored away.
Before your Chicago movers move you in, it’s a good idea to baby-proof your bathroom. That way when the Chicago moving company brings the boxes in, you’re not trying to do it during one of the busiest times of your life.
Here is what you can do:
#1 Medicines and cleaners need to be locked up. Medicines should be in a medicine cabinet above the sink where baby can’t reach. If cleaners must be stored beneath the skink, child safety locks should be placed on the cabinet.
#2 Install toilet locks so baby doesn’t fall in and doesn’t throw things down the toilet.
#3 Non-slip mats should be lining the tub so that baby doesn’t slip and fall while taking a bath. Protective padding can also be placed on the faucet and the sides of the tub in case a fall happens.
#4 Install a door lock release so baby doesn’t get locked in the bathroom.
#5 Place outlet covers on the outlets to avoid little fingers from picking at them. As a matter of fact, outlet covers can be placed all over the home.
When you do this before your Chicago moving services move everything in, you won’t have to worry about it while unpacking.
Although the bathroom is one of the most hazardous places in the home, be sure to comb the entire home before New City Moving moves anything in. When the home is empty is the best time to see if there are any hazards that could seriously harm baby. When it’s all said and done, you and your child will feel much safer.
Moving After Your College Graduation
Even when you are living in a college dorm, you may need Chicago moving services to help you with your move. Just because your area is small doesn’t mean that the amount of belongings you have is small. As a matter of fact, you can fit quite a bit in a small space. Chances are, you’ve accumulated more stuff since living in your dorm than what you arrived with.
You will also need to take advantage of Chicago Movers because you may live on an upper level and this can make moving out difficult. Items have to be maneuvered around tight corners and through small spaces without breaking anything.
Here is how you’ll go about moving:
#1 Contact New City Moving as soon as you know you’re moving.
#2 Pack your belongings in sturdy boxes.
#3 Make sure you clean your area of the dorm so that you are not leaving your soon to be former roommates with anything to clean up. This also includes cleaning the carpet.
#4 You will also need to replace light bulbs, especially since they were most likely already there when you moved in.
If you have to move fast, then you can take advantage of the packing services offered by New City Moving . You can receive as much or as little help as you need during the process so that you can get out of your old place and into your new place as fast as you possibly can. It is very exciting to move, but stressful. Fortunately when you have the right services next to you, it really doesn’t have to be that hard. You can focus on the things in life that are important rather than what may go wrong during your move.
Give Yourself a Housewarming Party after moving within Chicago
Some may think it to be a little ridiculous to throw themselves a housewarming party, but the truth is that it isn’t ridiculous at all. This is a great way for you to become acquainted with your neighbors and for you to reconnect with others you may know. Basically, once the Chicago movers have moved you in and you’ve packed everything away, it’s time to get settled into your new community.
Here are some tips to help you plan your party quickly:
#1 Figure out the type of party you want to have. Do you want to have a party of just adults or do you want to involve families? Perhaps a dinner for adults or a backyard barbecue for families are two options to consider.
#2 You will need to decide on food, beverages, etc.
#3 Once you have decided the type of party and what you want to serve, drop of invites to your neighbors. You can talk to each neighbor personally or drop an invitation in their mailboxes.
Being that New City Moving will place your boxes into the right rooms, unpacking goes rather quick, so planning your party shouldn’t take long. Tidying up shouldn’t be difficult either, but it is a good idea to do a run through a couple of days before the party and make sure everything is in place.
A couple of days before you can also buy the supplies that you need, which include disposable plates, cups, and flatware if you are having a party that is a little less formal.
If the party is inside, make sure you arrange furniture. Yes, your Chicago moving services placed your furniture precisely the way you wanted it, but it isn’t an insult if you need to move these items.
Right before the party, you can set out the cutlery and everything you’ll need for the evening. From there, simply have fun getting to know your new neighbors.
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