Author: cclark

What We Learned From TV Episodes & Movies About Moving

Posted on by cclark

Are you stressed about your move? Here are some tips and tricks learned the hard way by our favorite movie and TV show characters. Moving doesn’t have to be as difficult for you as it was in these TV episodes and movies about moving.

“Friends,” The One With The Cop (1999)

Ross, Chandler and Rachel take on the impossible task of moving a giant couch up a tiny stair case. The frustration that ensues is enough to make you reconsider moving without a moving crew! Professional movers are trained on how to move heavy furniture in and out of tight spaces without damage. After watching this episode, you will agree that hiring movers will prove to be more effective than struggling by yourself! To get a free moving estimate, fill out our online form!

Sex and the City (2008)

 

When Carrie is struggling with packing her apartment, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha surprise her by coming over to help her pack. Once they get to the closet, an impromptu fashion show begins! Watch the scene from the movie to see how going through your clothes before packing will save time and space. You’ll also learn that having friends help you pack (and some wine if that’s your thing!) can lighten your day. For more on de-cluttering clothes and more before your move, see our blog.

Toy Story (1995)

 

Make sure you don’t leave anything behind! In this Disney movie, Woody and Buzz get separated from the rest of Andy’s toys and miss getting packed into the moving van. Make sure you start packing early enough so that you can be sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Prior to the movers departing the home, do a walk through to ensure everything made it on to the truck. Open all closet doors and cupboards. Only the absolute essentials; clothes for the remaining days, toiletries, and bed linens, should be packed last minute. See more tips about organizing a pack to move.

Inside Out (2015)

 

This is one of the best movies about moving for kids, about a family moving from Minnesota to California. Riley and her parents end up arriving at their new house to the news that their moving truck won’t be arriving on the day they thought. All sorts of things can happen when you’re moving, but especially when moving long distances.

First, research your moving company’s reviews before you hire them to see if they have a good track record of delivering when promised. Second, make sure you understand your interstate moving delivery spread. You can read our blog post on this topic to learn more. Third, make sure you pack enough in your car to keep with you, just so that if your moving truck arrives late, you’ll be prepared. You’ll want to take into consideration the window of time given by your moving company, and tack on a few days just in case.

This way you can feel “Joy” not “Anger” during your move!

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

 

When Tom and Kate Baker tell their 12 children that they will all be moving across the state, it is met with immediate rejection. Once they hear more about it, though, they begin to come around.

If your family is having a hard time accepting that they will be moving, just like the Bakers, try to frame it in a positive light. Focus on the fun and cool things that will be able to happen once at the new home. Make sure to reassure them that they will be able to keep in touch with their old friends back home. Soon enough, the new place will become home, and they are all sure to make new friends.

Here is some more advice for moving with kids.

Mean Girls (2004)

 

Moving to a new school can be tough, especially if you don’t have time before school starts to make new friends. Cady in Mean Girls was taken by surprise by the clique culture at her new High School in Illinois. Moving into a new school is less intimidating when you have already made some friends to go into school with. To help transition, try moving into the new area as early in the summer as possible. This way, kids can meet people in the neighborhood and around town, and they’ll have a handful of friends by the first day of school.

Follow our 9 week check list for a smooth relocation.

Now that you’ve watched some TV episodes & movies about moving, you’re ready to start planning your own relocation! Call us for a free moving estimate at 800-222-4744 or request an estimate online.

Guide To Moving a Washer and Dryer

Posted on by cclark

Moving a washer and dryer is a complicated process, and we often overlook specifics. Before you sell your home, decide whether you will be moving your appliances and make a plan. Often, sellers will decide to lump these large appliances into their closing instead. If you’re bringing your washer and dryer from your old house to your new home, follow these tips to safely and correctly prepare for moving a washer and dryer. Also keep in mind when moving a washer, it is an extremely heavy appliance and requires multiple people. However, depending on how accessible the appliance is, moving a dryer is much simpler as it weighs much less.

Steps to prepare moving a washing machine

Make sure you clean and safely pack your washer. Upack.com has great step-by-step instructions.  The most important detail is following the owner’s manual to secure the drum in place. It is very important to keep the drum stable, or else it will get destroyed on the moving truck. If the drum becomes compromised, your washer is as good as useless until you pay for an expensive repair. If you do not want to handle the drum yourself, a professional moving company can arrange this service for you.

To finish preparing the unit, safely disconnect the power and water. The water tubes may still have water in them, so be mindful for spills.  Place all the tubes inside the washer so they do not get lost. Duct tape the door shut as well as any openings or areas that need to be secured. Protect the unit by wrapping it with moving blankets or paper padding and strapping everything in place. Again, ask your moving company in advance if you need assistance with this process.

moving a washer and dryer

Steps to prepare moving a dryer

When moving a dryer, disconnect the power and gas if applicable, and disconnect the vent pipe. Secure all the cords to the dryer by wrapping the unit in shrink wrap.  If you are moving a dryer that is electric, it’s easy enough to unplug it from the wall, disconnect the vent and wrap and secure it to the body of the dryer.  If you have a gas dryer, you will need to contact a licensed plumber or work through your moving company as it can be extremely dangerous. In that case, ask your mover to plan this service for you. For step by step directions from Dolly.com, check out How to (Safely) Move a Washer and Dryer.

Other considerations for moving appliances

When planning,  consider the locations where you will be moving the washer/dryer in your new home. Will you have you lift it up or down a flight of stairs? Are you able to lift the machine? If there are doubts in your mind about being physically able to move them, you may want to enlist help from professions: moving a  washer and dryer is no small task.

At Olympia, we can manage this for you. If you’d like to avoid the added stress of prepping your washer and dryer unit, let your Olympia Move Coordinator know you will need help with these specialty items.

If you need to help moving a washer and dryer and/or the rest of your home, request a free moving estimate.

 

Checklist for Moving With Pets

Posted on by cclark

Moving with pets is a tricky situation for everyone, but if you or your pet has little or no experience moving, it is important to do your best to keep the move stress-free. Obviously moving companies cannot move animals inside the truck; however they can arrange to ship your pets through specialized pet relocation companies. Here are some tips to keep your pet happy and healthy during the transition.

Find a pet-friendly home

First and foremost, make sure your new place allows pets. Some landlords, apartment buildings, condominiums, and communities do not allow animals.  Often these details fall through the cracks in a transaction, so make sure you ask the listing agent during your search if your specific type of animal is allowed at the residence. If you are moving with pets to a new state, it is a good idea to look into pet regulations with the state’s department of agriculture.

Get new ID tags

Just as you and your family will all need your identification updated, your pet will too! Before moving your pet, get an ID tag made with your new address and contact information. Have your pet wear both tags in the time leading up to your move.

Reduce moving with pets stress

Packing, moving, and unpacking into a new home is stressful for animals too! If Snickers is always underfoot while you’re trying to pack, set up a space in the house where they won’t be bothered. Start packing far in advance. If you need to make interior changes to your home, like painting walls or rearranging furniture, do it over multiple days rather than all at once. Pets are very sensitive to sudden changes and will not react well if everything they know is different. Pay attention to your pet during this process. Keep feeding, walking, and play times as consistent as possible.

Pack an overnight box for the pet

Pack enough food, litter, treats, toys, and medications to get your pet through several days after the move. You won’t be able to fully unpack in one day, so make sure you have everything available to make your pet feel at home. If you need help packing your own first night box, check out our tips on what to pack for the first night. 

Moving day

The big day you have been waiting for has arrived! To avoid adding stress for yourself and your pet, see if you can arrange for Fido and Bubbles to stay with a friend, relative, or neighbor while the crew packs and loads the truck. This will also avoid any safety concerns for the crew, your pet, and your belongings! The less time you and the crew have to worry  about tripping over the dog, the more time and money you can save on your move.

Transporting your pet to their new home

If moving by car, be sure to bring food and water. Bring more than you think you’ll need, in case of delays, traffic, lunch stops, or any other unforeseen circumstance. If you will be staying in hotels, check that they are pet friendly in advance, and again, ask about your pet specifically.

Make sure you take the proper precautions when flying your pet. Bring the proper crates, supplies, pet records, and make sure you get to the airport early. Check out the Department of Transportation’s information on flying with pets, as well as your specific airline’s. Research which airlines treats pets the best in order to keep your pet as safe as possible.

If you need to transport your pet long distance or you are transporting larger animals like horses, consider a professional service that arranges for your pets to be moved and boarded via their professional services and network. Consider pet relocation services if you would prefer to pass the situation to the pros. Cosmopolitan Canine Carriers, Inc. and Air Animal Pet Movers are affiliated with the American Moving & Storage Association.

Unpacking with your pet

Adjusting to a new residence can be stressful for your pet. Your dog or cat may be more likely to run away during this time, so until they are comfortable be sure to always keep them on a leash while outside. Check your new yard to make sure it is safe and secure. Make the environment familiar by setting up a habitat that closely matches your old home.

Once you’re ready to plan moving with pets or just on your own, give Olympia a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate.

Calculating Interstate Moving Costs

Posted on by cclark

Relocation puts everyone under a large amount of stress. It is not only hard to pull it off, but it can also cost you a lot. Especially if you don’t even try to downsize your moving costs. In this post with guest writer Moving Offices San Diego, we will try to explain how to do it and how to calculate interstate moving costs in advance. Because – the more prepared you come – the better!

Prepare yourself physically and mentally

You don’t have to prepare only your budget; you will have to prepare yourself as well! Getting informed is the best way to calculate interstate moving costs, so let’s start.

Get a pen and some paper

It is time to start writing everything down. Everything. Even if it sounds silly or unimportant. Write down your every thought regarding the move. Every expense, every idea and every task that needs to be done. Save receipts and calculate how much you are already spending.

Make a solid strategy

Having a plan is a must if you are planning on interstate moving without breaking the bank. So, wait no more and start strategizing. If you think about your every step in advance – not many things can surprise you. And remember – those surprises are what can cost you the most. Make a timetable, and try sticking to your schedule. Postponing tasks is not a good idea, so try to avoid it. The more you do at this stage – the easier it will be for you along the way.

Calculate your budget

Keep it real. No one knows your budget like you do, so stop for a moment and think about it. Hard. Calculate and then do it once more. Try to save as much as possible. Little things add up fast – and you should really make a choice here. Do you want to save or to overspend? It is really your choice – you are the one who will have to pay for it.

Piggy bank
Are you trying to save money on your interstate move? You are in the right place!

Get moving assistance

Even if you can handle your interstate move by yourself – it might be a good idea to hire professionals to take care of everything for you. Why? There are really many things that need to be taken into a consideration when we are talking about interstate relocation and its costs. So many paperwork, tasks, and worries can make you forget other aspects of your relocation project. What will happen if you do? You will make a mistake. And then what? Well, you will have to pay for it! Making mistakes isn’t bad only for your budget, but also for everything else.If you are moving to the NYC area, Moving Offices San Diego recommends contacting NYC moving professionals for some assistance.

 Try not to overspend

We have said this before, but it is really important you keep this in your mind. Interstate moving costs can get greater than you are expecting – simply because you forgot your main goal. And what is that? Not to overspend. Say it again. And then, once more. It will help, believe us!

Communication is the key

It is quite impossible to pull off an interstate moving project by yourself. Even if you don’t hire moving professionals to help you, you might have to get some other services from some other service providers. It is quite important you have good communication with them. Get informed. Ask your questions. Read paperwork. There is a problem? Contact them and get it solved. Communication is really a key to pulling off an interstate moving project hassle-free. Your service providers should be at your service at all times, and ready to help.

Get moving quotes

The best way to estimate your interstate moving costs is to ask a mover for one. You can get moving estimates in one of three ways:

  • Over the phone. You will need to tell your mover everything. Every single detail can change moving costs of your interstate move. But, if you are not looking for the most accurate estimate – over the phone quote is right for you!
  • Over the Internet. This kind of the moving estimate is a bit more accurate than over the phone ones, but it is still not the best way to estimate the price of your relocation. Its accuracy depends on many factors, but mostly on the calculator moving company offers on their website. The more detailed it is – the clearer picture of your interstate moving costs you will get.
  • At your house. This approach is the most reliable and accurate one. Moving specialists will come to your house and estimate your relocations costs. You might feel a bit uncomfortable with estimator going through your every drawer – but if you want an estimate that is guaranteed, this is your way to go!
A truck on the road.
Rely on your mover for a help!

Interstate moving costs depend on many factors

Three main factors of your interstate moving costs are complexity, distance, and size of your relocation. Moving overseas costs more than moving to another state, and the more you have to move – the bigger the price will be. Also, if you are planning on transferring special items, such as pianos or pool tables – you should get ready to pay more.

Piano
Owning piano is great, but transferring one isn’t!

In the end, there is one more thing to consider – what services are you going to pay for? The more you need the moving company to provide you with – the more you will have to pay. If you are trying to save as much as possible on your relocation – maybe you should consider doing some tasks by yourself. You can try packing by yourself perhaps. Interstate moving costs depend on many factors, but your choices will decide the final number. So – be careful!

 

To book your interstate move, give Olympia a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate.

Moving In Together: Combining Two Spaces Into One

Posted on by cclark

Moving In Together

So you and your partner are moving in together, but now have the tough task of combining your two differently-styled places into one new shared space. How do you do this, and what do you do with your extra stuff?

Prepare!

You each have things you don’t use, clothing you don’t wear, and old broken furniture you forgot was in the closet. Go through everything and decide whether or not you need it. Will it get used in your new life together? If not, make the break and get rid of it. Whether it is clothing or dining room chairs, decide what you will keep, toss, donate, or sell. Remember that selling prolongs the time it will take to finish going through everything. If you want to sell most of the items you’re getting rid of, make a deadline of when they have to sell by. If it doesn’t sell by then, donate it! The more you keep, the more you have to both pack and move.

See our tips for moving your bed and larger furniture items.

 

Decide On A Style For Your New Place

By deciding together what you want your new space to look like, you can identify some easy packing guidelines. If an item fits the vibe you decided on, it can be packed up. If not, it’s an easy way to put it aside to donate, sell, or get rid of.
Choosing between a modern, sleek, or cozy look might be challenging. If you can’t decide on one overarching theme, decide on different looks for each room, or decide which of your items go best with those of your partner.

 

 

Mixing Styles When You Move In

Each of you will have different tastes in what looks good, different opinions on throw pillows, and a different idea on how to mix patterns. Try your best to mix and match your things with theirs, but if compromise is not in the near future, consider buying something new together. If you’re interested in unique and high quality home furnishings, Arhaus is a great place to start for stylish pieces, which have the added benefit of being made from recycled natural materials. New furniture is a huge investment, so be sure to do your research to find pieces that will last a long time and also appeal to both of your design tastes. Check out the Arhaus Instagram Page for some inspiration for designing your new home. Moving in together is a big step that will come with it’s own conflicts, so don’t spend too much time arguing over whose lamp works best in the living room. If buying new things will minimize conflict, try to shop together instead.

Dealing With Duplicates

Now that you’ve gotten rid of all the things you won’t need in your new place, you both need to decide which bed you’re going to keep and which TV is best.

First, each pick a small amount of things that you can’t live without and bring those to the new place, no questions asked.  Make compromises about whose furniture will be kept and who will get rid of what. Look at your furniture logically- have you had the same, ratty, hand-me-down couch since college? Is it worth moving that rickety dining room table? Make choices with the future in mind, and choose to keep the item that will last longer and serve you better. Decide what combination of couches, beds, coffee tables and chairs best fit the space you’re moving into. Keep the better quality kitchen appliances, plates, silverware, and glasses.

If you and your partner have similar interests, you’ll also most likely end up with two sets of the same books, movies, games, and sports equipment.
· If you have two sets of the same book series, keep the more valuable one. If you don’t read them or use them anymore, throw your old, dusty books away or bring them to your local used book store.
· If Netflix has become your primary source of on-screen entertainment, throw away the DVDs you haven’t watched in years.
· If your Monopoly set is missing pieces, or you don’t have all the letters to your box of scrabble, toss it. If you both have the same game, make sure you have one full set between the two of you, and keep the best looking board.
· Lastly, if both of you have masses of sports equipment or yard games, sort through it all together and only keep what you’ll actually use in your new space. If you still have multiple pairs of soccer cleats from club soccer in college, pick one and toss the rest. If you both have a bucket  of tennis balls, golf balls, or baseballs, trash all the dirty, ripped, or water-logged ones, and cut the amount you have in half.

After The Move

You still might have too much stuff for the space. Decluttering doesn’t stop once you move in, so be ready to continue getting rid of things and needing to buy completely new things. A new space is a big investment, but remember that you’re creating a new space for your new future living with your partner.

Once you’re both ready to move, contact us at  800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!