10 Tips to Make Moving Less Stressful

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences you encounter during your adult life. From finding a new place to call home, to bidding farewell to your current place, to all the logistical details in between, a move can be an extremely overwhelming process. However, one way to alleviate some of the anxiety around moving is to prepare properly. There are several strategies you can utilize to tackle your next big move with ease, including hiring professionals from your local moving company to help you handle the job. If you’re planning to relocate in the near future, read on for some helpful tips and tricks so you can enjoy a smooth move.

1. Plan Ahead

With so many details to work out, moving often takes longer than you anticipate. Even tasks that seem like they will be quick might reveal time-consuming complications once you begin. The process is exhausting enough without adding additional stress from rushing at the last minute. That’s why it’s wise to start taking steps toward your move as soon as possible, such as contacting leasing agencies to schedule apartment tours or visiting potential areas where you can see yourself living months in advance.

2. Hire Your Local Moving Company

Some independent individuals insist on attempting everything themselves. However, your local moving company is ready to help you! There’s no shame in calling for backup. In fact, professional moving companies assist Americans with about 650 thousand moves every year, according to OnCue.

Movers have the experience, knowledge, and equipment necessary to handle your move with ease. Rather than risking injury by improperly lifting heavy objects, wasting time with inefficient strategies, or possibly causing a traffic accident by driving an unfamiliar moving van, let the professionals handle your move. You’ll have plenty of other tasks to take care of during the process, and relying on your local moving company frees up time and energy for you to handle the rest of your checklist.

3. Book Your Services Early

If you have a tight schedule, you’ll want to book your rentals as far out in advance as possible. Some days are more popular than others, such as weekends when people have the free time to devote their day to a major project. Contacting your local moving company ahead of time will ensure that you’re on their calendar and have the date and time that works the best for you secured.

4. Stay Organized

Set yourself up for success in the future by remaining organized while you pack and prepare. It’s always a good idea to pack everything you need for a room together. For example, keep all your kitchen utensils, appliances, and towels together and clearly label them. When you arrive in your new kitchen, you’ll have everything you need to start cooking readily accessible. Taking the time to pack with care will make the process of unpacking so much simpler and help your local moving company know where each box needs to go. You’ll be thankful to your past self for making your life a little easier!

5. Keep Track of Important Documents

There are certain documents that you’ll want to set aside for easy access throughout your moving experience. Passports, marriage certificates, Social Security cards, and other legal documents should all be handled with caution. Save yourself from the nightmare of having to dig through all of your boxes if you realize you need something! Set them aside and designate a specific and secure place to pack them so you never lose track of them.

6. Pack Fragile Items With Care

If you have special or fragile items to transport, they need extra care to ensure they arrive at your destination in one piece. Artwork, ceramics, family heirlooms, and other delicate objects should be packed with extra consideration. It’s also wise to clearly label any containers you pack them in. The movers will know that they should handle those boxes with extra care. Do you need help packing your valuable items? Your local moving company has strategies to make sure your precious belongings stay safe during your move.

7. Get Rid of Clutter

One great way to make packing a breeze is to make sure you aren’t dealing with anything you don’t want! Sifting through your belongings and removing things that are broken, worn out, or don’t fit your style anymore will save you time and space when you pack up your home. Donating items that are still in good condition to local clothing drives or charity stores is also a wonderful way to give back to your community. If you’d like to earn a little extra cash, you might be able to sell some of your books to a used book store, clothing via thrift apps, or bigger electronics to friends. A garage sale is another fantastic idea! You can use any earnings toward moving expenses, killing two birds with one stone.

8. Be Strategic When Grocery Shopping

While it’s important to be properly fueled up with nutritious meals during a physically demanding experience, be smart about how many groceries you purchase leading up to moving day. If your fridge is still full of perishable items, it’ll be difficult to keep them cold during a long move. Frozen items pose even more of a challenge. One helpful guideline is to make your last grocery run two weeks before your moving day. That way you can cut down on buying extra food items that you simply don’t need, giving yourself less to transport and avoiding any food waste.

9. Consider Hiring a Packing Service

In addition to helping you move all of your items, your local moving company can handle your packing, too! You can turn to them for a packing solution that’s speedy, efficient, and will protect all of your belongings. Save yourself hours of stress and labor by turning over this task to the experts. You’ll be amazed at how much easier moving can be!

8. Schedule Utilities for Your New Address

During the moving process, it’s easy to be so focused on your current address that you forget to think ahead. However, your new home needs attention as well! Make sure you contact the appropriate providers so that you’ll have all the utilities you need by moving day. If you’re moving to an apartment, your landlord should be able to provide you with details about which utilities are your responsibility and which companies you need to call. Some companies will have a delay between receiving your request and commencing services, so arrange this as soon as possible. You don’t want to be left in the dark or without water after a long and stressful day of moving!

10. Pack an Overnight Bag for the Big Day

Pack yourself a bag for moving day just like you would for a weekend trip. This will make sure you have access to all of your essentials such as clean clothing, electronics chargers, and toiletries without needing to dig through any of your boxes.

By using these strategies, you can reduce your stress and maybe even look forward to your move. After all, getting a fresh start in a new location is an exciting opportunity! If you need help with your move, be sure to give our team a call at Olympia Moving & Storage. As a licensed and insured local moving company, you can trust us to handle the entire process with incredible efficiency and high-quality customer care. Just reach out to us today to get started with an estimate. We would love to assist you!

How to Prepare Your Belongings for a Moving Company

Are you moving to a new home? If so, this is probably an exciting and challenging time for you and your family. According to OneDesk, the average American moves 11 times in their life. Whether this is your first move or your eleventh, moving is always a stressful experience. One of the most important steps in the moving process is preparing your belongings for the move. This is where you will ensure that your possessions are protected during transportation and arrive safely at your new home. If you don’t prepare your belongings correctly, you could end up with broken or damaged items when you get to your new home. Below are seven tips to help you prepare your belongings for moving companies.

1. Declutter and Downsize

When you’re preparing to move, it’s a great time to declutter and downsize. The more items you can discard, the less you will have to pack and unpack during the moving process. As you’re packing your belongings you’ll probably find many items that you no longer have use for. You may even find things that you forgot you had. This is the perfect time to go through all of your items and decide what you need to keep, what you can donate, and what you can throw away. You may even want to rent a dumpster to discard items as you’re packing. You could also have a garage sale or simply give items away for free by posting them online. By reducing the number of items you need to move, you’ll reduce the number of belongings that need to be packed, transported, and unpacked. That could reduce the amount of time you need the moving companies onsite and ultimately save you some money and stress.

2. Pack Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make when preparing to move is waiting too late to start packing. It may be because they underestimate how long it will take, or it may be simply that they’re overwhelmed by the task. The result is that they’re not prepared when the big day finally arrives. Either way, it pays to start packing early. Start packing your belongings several weeks before the moving companies are set to arrive. You can start with items that you don’t use on a regular basis, like things in storage or clothing that is currently out of season. As the big day gets closer, you can start packing things that you use on a more regular basis. Starting early allows you to take your time and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This will make it easier for you and the movers to unload and unpack everything at your new home.

3. Protect Fragile Items

There’s nothing worse than moving into your new home, opening up boxes, and discovering that items were broken in transit. While moving companies will usually do everything in their power to keep your belongings safe, there’s not much they can do if fragile items aren’t packed properly. You can use packaging materials like bubble wrap and foam peanuts to protect fragile items. It’s also important to label boxes as ‘fragile.’ This lets the movers know that the boxes should be handled with care and shouldn’t have other boxes stacked on top of them. Some moving companies also offer packing services. You could hire movers to pack your most fragile items. That way you can be sure that the boxes were packed properly and will be handled with care during the move.

4. Disassemble Furniture

Want an easy way to save time and make your move as quick as possible? Disassemble the furniture before the movers arrive. This includes beds, couches, tables, and anything else that needs to be broken down into parts before it is loaded on the truck. When the moving companies get there, everything will be ready to load directly onto the truck. While many moving companies will disassemble your furniture for you, you can save a great deal of time by doing it yourself. An added bonus with this is that you can keep track of all the nuts, bolts, screws, and other hardware so you know where it is when you get to your new home. Put these parts in baggies and label them so you can quickly reassemble your furniture.

5. Pack Valuables and Important Documents

There may be some items that you want to transport yourself so you can be sure they don’t get lost or damaged. This could include things like valuable jewelry, family heirlooms, and even important documents like Social Security cards and birth certificates. Put these items in a safe container that is clearly marked, and drive them with you in your vehicle. That way you’ll know exactly where they’re located and won’t risk losing them. Do not pack these items in boxes that will be loaded onto the moving truck.

6. Prepare Appliances

Appliances are always tricky in the moving process. You may be leaving some of your appliances behind, but there could be some that are coming with you. Before moving, appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers should be cleaned and emptied of all food, liquids, and personal items. It’s a good idea to plan your meals in advance of the move so you can use what is left in your refrigerator. If you have food leftover, you may be able to pack it in a cooler with ice, especially if you have a short trip to your new home. Either way, make sure the refrigerator and other appliances are clean and ready to move when the movers arrive. This will make it easier for moving companies to handle these items, and will also prevent any spills or leaks during transportation.

7. Plan for Pets and Plants

It’s also important to plan for plants and pets on moving day, so they survive the trip with as little stress or trauma as possible. If you have pets, you may want to make arrangements for them. Consider putting them in a boarding camp, or even have them spend the day with a friend or relative. Even if your dog or cat will be riding with you, they should be out of the way when the movers are there. The stress of having strangers in and out of the home could be too much for your pet to deal with. They could also get in the way of the movers, making their job more difficult. For plants, make sure they have all the water they need and consider transporting them in your car, so they still get sunlight. You can also pack them in boxes with ventilation, but if you do, be sure to label the boxes as fragile plants so other boxes aren’t stacked on top of them.

Ready to start planning your big move with one of the top moving companies around? Contact Olympia Moving & Storage today. Moving can be a stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be. We can help you plan every aspect of the moving process. We can even help you determine how many boxes you need when you should start packing, and how long it will take to load and unload your belongings. Let’s connect today and start planning your move.

Decorating a Home

Home is where the heart is. You want to make sure that your home is a space you’d want to return to at the end of the day. Decorating it to your preferences is one of the best ways to accomplish that. Here are some tips and guidelines to follow when you have the chance to decorate your home.

Set a Theme

Are you more of a traditionalist? Or are you more of a modernist? Do you like botanicals or the sea? Questions like these can help guide you in finding the right furniture and decoration. There’s nothing worse than a clash of two or more styles. Once you settle on a theme, use resources like Pinterest to find more unique ideas to further customize your home. 

Stay Consistent

There is nothing worse than a break in consistency. This leads to eyesores that will live rent free in the back of your mind until you fix it. Here are some thighs to keep in mind

  • Stay within a set color pallet so thing would stick out
  • If you’re using wood, make sure the color and grain of it stay consistent (floor, tables, furniture, etc.)
  • Use similar shapes. If your home is using more geometrical décor, avoid circles. Vice versa
  • If you have dated and mismatched handles, replace them all with new ones.

Optimize Your Space

Balancing your space is just as important as decorating it. Too much décor can lead to clutter. Try out some of these tips to optimize your space.

  • Use mirrors wherever possible to give the illusion of a bigger space.
  • Paint your ceilings white to give a sense of a higher ceiling.
  • Layer different light sources.
  • Measure twice so you only have to buy once. 

Preparing for a move and don’t want the hassle? Have lots of ideas but don’t have the manpower to execute it? Feel free to reach out to our team of professionals as our crew can make sure everything is placed properly. Contact Olympia for a free quote today!

Feng Shui

Feng Shui, in a very literal sense, means “wind-water”. The idea behind it is to balance buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Natural elements often play a crucial role in balancing out all of these elements, hence why this practice is called feng shui. While it is impossible to compile even a fraction of the practice in this article, with different regions of China practicing differently from one another, and feng shui changing from year to year, there are some core foundations and ideas that can be outlined. Here are some core ideas.

The Four Concepts of Feng Shui

Each of these concepts can be an article of its own, with how in-depth and complex each concept can be. But generally speaking, the four concepts are the five elements (fire, water, earth, wood, and metal), the Bagua areas (energy map of your space), color, and a “command location”. The Bagua would tell us what element each part of your space needs, while the color will help supplement the space

5 Elements

The five elements of feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Utilizing them properly in your space stimulates energy and promotes wellbeing. Each element has its own properties for specific effects.

  • Wood: Wood promotes health, vitality, and growth. It is often expressed with green and brown. Decorations like lush plants, green cushions, botanical imagery, etc will promote it.
  • Fire: Fire promotes creativity, love, and passion. It is often expressed with different shades of red and yellow.
  • Earth: Earth is the element of nourishment, protection, stability, and support. It is often expressed with beige and other sandy colors
  • Metal: Metal is the element of structure and discipline, efficiency, and productivity. It is often expressed in white and grey.
  • Water: Water is the element of harmony, flow, and renewal. It is often expressed with blue and black.

Bagua Area

Bagua is an energy map of your space. It divides your space into eight areas, defined by the compass direction of your front door. Each of these eight areas corresponds to one of the five elements, which needs to be supplemented in its corresponding area for good feng shui energy. This whole process is a bit complicated and can change depending on who you ask and where you are, so finding an expert in your area will be optimal.

Color

Different colors carry different energy qualities. According to feng shui, it corresponds to the energy of the five elements. This is one of the easiest ways to bring some elements into your home without buying any major decor or making any major changes.

Command Location

The command location is essentially the best place you can be in a room to get the most optimal energy flow. Thus, major furniture pieces like a desk, couch, and bed can be placed with feng shui in mind. The process of deciding where these pieces should be is complicated, but a general rule of thumb is to ensure that you can see the door from where you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.

The next time you move with Olympia, make sure you let your team know if you have anything you want in any particular place. Our team of professionals will be sure to accommodate to the best of their abilities. Contact Olympia for a free quote today!

For Sale by Owner

Selling your home can seem like a complicated and overwhelming task. The standard, most well-known process would include leveraging a local real estate agent while you sit back and see the offers roll in. And the extent of your involvement, apart from ensuring the house is staged and set to show properly, would be to accept or decline offers. And the costs? A hefty percentage of the selling amount.

In this day and age, especially given the market conditions and the level of demand, you may feel underwhelmed at the amount you pay your agent for the amount of work that’s put in. Meaning in a hot neighborhood, the agent may just have to set the price, show a house for a weekend, and boom! You have an offer with tens of thousands in commission headed to the agent. Is there a way to avoid this hefty commission rate?

For sale by owner is an option to consider, but there are factors that need to be accounted for when making this decision. FSBO (For sale by owner) is an effective way to save some of that money while still being able to market and advertise to a similar size audience. In the past, it used to be that the seller had limited access to the marketing vehicles agents did. The seller did not have the network or system access that a typical agent did. However, in this day and age all that has changed, and if you’re willing to spend some money (but still fractional compared to an agent’s commission).

These type of sellers now have access to website such as Zillow, Forsalebyowner.com and FSBO.com just to name a few. There is also the possibility to get it listed on MLS for a flat fee and of course if you’re attune to website creation and development, create your own listing page. These digital activities, combined with the analog activities of yore such as word of mouth and distributing self-made brochures, could garner that audience you need to find that buyer.

Keep in mind though, researching the market and following the correct legal process to properly sell your home are a requirement to ensure that you for sale by owner listing closing holds up to your legal and personal expectations. From a market standpoint, make sure pull your comparables to understand what has sold in your area that is most like your house and use that as a bellwether to price appropriately. If you have limited insight into the condition of key elements of your house (roof age, basement moisture, radon, etc..) that impact pricing, then it may be wise to pay for a professional inspection so you have a complete view of issues that may impact the price of your house.

As far as the rules go for selling, make sure you engage a real estate lawyer and seek the professional advice to help guide you through the necessary documentation for a FSBO listing.

According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2020 approximately 7% of homes were for sale by owner. While clearly not a large portion of home sales are FSBO, it is a significant enough number that had made its way as a mainstream option.

And remember, selling your home is just half the battle! Once you have identified the buyer and signed your papers, there’s still the actual process of moving. As we always recommend, research your moving company and ensure they have the reviews and experience to provide a move that meets and exceeds your expectations.

Moving Costs

One of the most stressful times in your life is moving. Not only does the act of moving require significant preparation, but it’s usually the little things that keep you up at night, and most notably the associated costs which can escalate the anxiety. Let’s take a high-level look at the moving costs that can be expected before, during and after your move.

Travel and time to find a place

This can be defined as a passive moving cost. While there may not be an explicit bill for your time, like most people you need to take time and energy to locate your next home, whether its an apartment in the city or a house in the suburbs. As the adage goes, time is money, and this is no different. Especially with the current housing and rental market, you may be spending more time than anticipated or traveling further than you thought. This is a hidden moving cost to consider.

Realtor fees

Depending on the location and type of home you move into, you may require the assistance of a realtor. Your agreement with your realtor may or may not require you to pay a fee. If you are buying a home,

chances are the seller will take this cost on, however if moving into an apartment in a desirable area, you may need to fork over some cash as a realtor fee. This is a moving cost that could be significant.

Closing costs

For those purchasing a home, this is a moving cost that can be somewhat disheartening. From lawyers fees, to homestead to the realtor’s cut, these bills add up and could be a significant hit to your bank account. This is usually an unavoidable part of your moving costs that cannot be overlooked as a part of your budget.

Packing supplies costs

You’re almost there! You found your next home, all the papers are signed, and now comes the hard part, the physical packing of items. Sometimes you can underestimate how much stuff you really have and how much of it you want to transport. From closets, to under beds, to that junk drawer, you will most likely need packing supplies, and it is not cheap! If you’re lucky, you can stumble upon free supplies (usually boxes) from members of a local Facebook group. And that’s half the battle! Keep in mind, you may need tape or some sort of void fill or protective wrapping to ensure your items stay secure during transport. Maybe you want to hire your movers to provide full-service packing as well? While expensive, it’s a tremendous way to optimize your move and limit your stress.

Cleaning Costs

This is another sneaky cost that you may not consider when calculating your moving costs. Whether it’s hiring a professional cleaner, or spending your time scrubbing, sweeping, wiping, and more, this is a cost to consider as a part of your move.

Daycare/pet care (if required)

Some people like to focus completely on their move. Whether you have a pet running around or younger children that can potentially interfere with your packing plan, these are in part moving costs to consider. If you have a short window of time to pack, and require the most efficient and distraction free situation, this may be an additional moving cost to consider.

Rental truck/Movers

You’re there! It’s move day and your boxes and furniture are ready to go to your new home. How will you do it? Most people don’t have access to a vehicle that can haul everything at once. This is an integral part of your moving costs, and usually the biggest one to note. Make sure you do your research and identify the mover with the best reviews and the expertise to provide you a worry-free service. Keep in mind, cheapest is not always best, and those cheapo movers could cause additional moving costs due to inexperience, inefficiency, or carelessness. If you’re moving yourself, time and gas are considerations as well.

Storage(if required) Can all your stuff fit in your new home? Are you in between homes for a little bit? Storage is something to consider as a part of your moving costs in the case that you will need to utilize some extra space.

Things to consider when renting a home or an apartment

Renting a home, buying a home, finding an apartment and similar real estate activities go hand in hand with moving. As the experts in moving, Olympia Moving & Storage is here to help. As we near the end of 2021, we have experienced an unprecedented moving year from labor shortages to material shortages to a historic spike in moving demand. We offer some advice on whether you’re renting a home or trying to find an apartment.

2021 will forever be known as a seller’s market. Data across the country showed houses sold for prices way above asking with numerous bidders, and contingencies being waved left and right. Anecdotally, we heard a lot of sellers taking advantage of being able to sell high, gaining an influx of cash, however with no place to go. This result is renting a home or finding an apartment to rent. It’s a hot topic still to date, because as this seller’s market continues to drive prices higher, finding an apartment or renting a home becomes pricier. We see our customers and buyers across the country not able to find their next permanent residence in a timely fashion. The only solution becomes opting for a “temporary home.”

These solutions may be renting a home in your desired town, playing the waiting game for a forever home that is affordable to pop up. The other option is finding an apartment either in your same town/city of choice or looking at surrounding areas that keeps you close to your ideal location. Keep in mind, whether deciding to rent a home or find an apartment, the responsibilities may vary. With a home and depending on the state, the renter may be responsible for the care and maintenance of the home, including lawn mowing, snow shoveling and similar weather-related activities. An apartment may be a lower maintenance option; however you sacrifice the privacy you would have with a home rental. Since this is not a topic to take lightly, we suggest researching additional advice about the pros and cons of renting and buying.

In both cases, there is the argument to make that if you can be patient and wait out the market, you would benefit from the additional cash gained from the sale and you find the home of your dreams. Patience is the determining factor here, so make sure you set your own expectations to deal with an extended timeline. And with this extended timeline, understanding the lease and the termination clauses will play a big part in the whole process. There are a large number of factors that will affect your decision so make sure to do your research. There are government and private move websites that will tediously identify all the things to consider. Moving is one of the most complex and stressful things to go through in life, so make sure you’re prepared and do your homework.

Also keep in mind, when renting a home or trying to find an apartment, you’ll still have to move all your belongings. Whether you keep it in storage with a trusted provider or find storage on the temporary property, you most likely will need help. With 30 years of expertise, and the ability to move anything to anywhere, Olympia can provide the guidance and help to get your move completed effectively and efficiently.

Why rent a truck for moving?

A simple question however, extremely loaded at the same time. The easy answer would be that you are looking to save money and control your own destiny. The complexities are layered, although it appears to be a straightforward decision. The multiple items to consider when renting a truck include:

  • The size of truck
  • How long the move will take you?
  • How comfortable are you driving a large vehicle around (possibly with through narrow streets)?
  • How does insurance play a factor?
  • Will you have enough room?
  • How to pack to avoid damage?
  • Do you have help moving?
  • Do you need parking or elevator permits?

And what about the cost? Does the rental company charge by mile or what happens if you’re just moving one way? Look out for those extra fees, and don’t forget the gas! Those massive rental trucks have voluminous gas tanks and are not shy about guzzling down.

We get it, sometimes it just makes more financial sense to rent a truck, relying just on yourself. But think of the timing, if you’re moving during peak months or heaven forbid on the first of a month (yikes, September!)  near or in the city, you are going to encounter a significant headache which may not be worth it. Balancing all these factors is overwhelming in it of itself, now throw in family and work obligations, and boy oh boy, have you got a big nut to crack. So, the question becomes, is it worth it?

What is worth it? Would it be worth it to work with an expert in the industry, replete with awards, 95% satisfaction rate on the last 10k moves, and hundreds upon hundreds of reviews praising the personnel and the overall experience?

Consider going with a moving service that you trust, with the experience and customer reviews to provide you the comfort knowing this will not be a nightmare scenario. When making your final decision, look at the big picture and see if renting a truck is the most effective use of time, money, and overall impact to your mental health.

There is a common cliche that moving yourself is one of the most difficult and aggravating things you can do. When you are weighing your options, and apart from all the costs incurred from both sides, make sure you factor in that most intangible and very hard to measure cost – aggravation and frustration. And what cost will that have on top of all the truck rental associated fees? When you weigh those factors against the ease and professionalism that comes with hiring a seasoned and expert moving company, you will find that sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze. That way, instead of managing through layers and layers of complexity during the move itself (and don’t forget the packing!), reach out to a moving company that can handle your move, providing a dedicated representative to walk you through the move from start to finish. Sounds like you should reach out to Olympia Moving & Storage for a free estimate. You stressless move starts with us.

Car Shipping Cross Country

When making a move across country, one of the more challenging decisions will be identifying how to ship your car to your destination. Unfortunately, you can’t just stuff it in a box. With options out there such as open trailers or enclosed trailers, we look at some of the most important things to consider when moving your car across country:

Due Diligence is even easier this day and age:

There are many auto transport companies out there, and they are not all equal! Depending on your origin and destination, type of service required, there may be multiple service providers. Do a thorough look into the company, digging deep into their social reviews across multiple platforms (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc..) Take a look at their business summary on Better Business Bureau as well, which will speak to their history and accreditation. The internet is your best friend for this type of initial vehicle transport research. Always cross reference and check various sites to get multiple perspectives on car shippers. This will help form a holistic perspective of a company’s reputation.

Read the fine print!

Many times, an auto transport provider will look good due to their marketing efforts across social media, but it’s the contract and the fine print that will tell the real story. This paperwork includes the contract and well as the Bill of Lading (the legal document issued by the carrier) that will highlight the scope and details of your move. Ensure they are no questionable items or any critical info missing that are directly related to the details. This includes insurance, damage, items left in car, shipping duration or any other details specific to having your car transported safely between states.

Your car’s condition

There’s always the potential for damage when shipping your car, or anything, long distance. The best way to protect yourself and hold the right party accountable is documentation! In this case, when we’re talking shipping your vehicle, both you and the carrier/driver should agree and document your car’s condition. The best strategy is to have a nice clean car(both inside and out) ready for pickup. This will provide the highest visibility for the shipper(and you) to notate any damage upon receiving the car. If you take a walk around and agree upon the condition and (most importantly) note in on the documentation, this will offer clear evidence of any damage, if any was to occur.

Should I pack my car to ship across country?

A common best practice is that if you’re moving across country, then filling your car full of items may seem like an efficient way to ship these items. While this is definitely a good way to possibly save some

money, discuss this scenario with your insurance agent so that in a worst case scenario, your items will be covered.

As will all things moving, reputations and reviews, in this day and age, matter above all else. Whether you’re shipping your car from Boston, Austin, NJ/Philly or Washington D.C. area, make sure you work with a company that has the experience and expertise to provide the optimal transport option and the best customer service overall.

How to Move a Home Gym

For fitness enthusiasts, your home gym is your hub. However, moving your gym equipment may pose some challenges if you don’t know where to start. Figuring out how to move a home gym can be a breeze or a major headache. We share your concerns and can help you make a workable plan that is stress-free. Whether you hire a moving company or choose to pack it yourself, here’s how to get started.

If a Mover is Handling the Gym

The most painless way to move a home gym is by utilizing a moving company. Since exercise equipment is often heavy, fragile, and valuable, the best choice may be to leave it to the professionals. When you are getting a moving quote, be sure to point out the gym equipment to the moving company’s representative, and ask how they will handle it.

A good mover will work with a specialized tech to disassemble and reassemble your home gym equipment. This will cost a bit more, but you will have the convenience of not having to disassemble complicated gym machines. This is also the best financial protection if your equipment is damaged during the relocation. A moving company is not liable for broken gym equipment if the customer does not choose to use a recommended tech. If you are looking to save money on your move and would like to disassemble your equipment on your own, your mover will ask you to sign a waiver clearing them from any liability of the equipment.

Have a plan

Organizing your gym pieces will help you track the items and figure out a plan to pack and move.

packing small items from your home gym

Start by grouping by larger equipment such as:

  • Rowing machines
  • Elliptical
  • Treadmill
  • Weight lifting machine
  • Weights
  • Weight benches

Smaller pieces include

  • Jump ropes
  • Indoor cycles
  • Steppers
  • Kettle balls
  • Hand weights
  • Portable steps
  • Yoga mats
  • Barbells
  • Dumbells
  • Free weights

Prep, Clean, Repair

Clean each piece of gym equipment before you begin to box up or disassemble them. Give each item a thorough wipe down with multi-purpose cleaner and fresh rags to remove any dust or dirt. Clean the hand and foot supports, and every surface your body touches while exercising.

Next, check each piece or parts that may be loose, broken, or missing. Locate any extra parts and label them for easy retrieval and assembling.

Select the right packaging for your home gym

Choosing the correct packing containers is essential to ensure your equipment will not roll or break the packaging. While ordinary packing boxes may not work for heavy pieces, use them for lighter items like yoga mats and jump ropes.

Here are some items that may be useful for packing your gym:

  • Newspaper
  • Packing paper
  • Unused towels, blankets, and bedding
  • Bubble wrap
  • Plastic tubs or bins
  • Milk crates
  • Plastic bags
  • Zip ties
  • Rope
  • Furniture dolly
  • Tie-down straps
  • Bungee cords
  • Packaging tape

Moving Stationary Bikes

While moving a stationary bike is somewhat easy, there are a few things you need to know. Disconnect the current, and place the power cables in bags with labels. Next, cover the bike with a sheet or blanket and protect your flooring with items like towels, furniture slides, towels, or cardboard sheets. Movers will use floor protection made from polynite or similar material.

Get some extra hands and wheel the stationary bike out and onto the moving van.

How to move an elliptical machine

Moving and packing your elliptical

Deciding how you’re going to move the machine helps determine how much help you will need. You will need:

  • Blankets, sheets, or towels
  • Ratchet ties
  • Tie-down straps
  • Furniture dolly

First, switch off the machine and remove the plug from the socket. Tip the machine to a side and push the tie-down straps under it. Next, bring the straps over the footholds and legs. Fasten the straps with the ratchet tie to keep the machine steady when moving.

Place the furniture dolly alongside the elliptical. You and your helper will now flank the machine on either side. Get a firm hold and move in sync with your helper to lift it onto the furniture dolly. Secure padding like blankets, sheets, or towels over the machine to protect it from scratching walls, doors, or other surfaces.

You’ll also need some help if you have to maneuver the machine down the stairs. Slowly lift the machine from the dolly and place it on the moving van. Take off the covering and ratchet tie and check to see if the legs are moving freely.

How to pack collapsible gym equipment

If your machine parts are collapsible, fold them down and set them in the lock position to avoid movement during transport. For power cords and other electrical components, use  masking tape or packaging tape to stick them onto the machine for safe keeping.

Moving lightweight home gym items

Use storage boxes for packing up your gym bags, yoga blocks, mats, blankets, and towels. Newspaper or bubble wrap is ideal for covering items like barbells, kettle balls, hand weights, and barbells. Make sure you use several sized containers to balance the importance of the things you place in the crates, and that you pack items like weights in the smallest possible boxes for easier lifting.

Moving Free Weights

Make sure that the crate or box you are using is strong and sturdy so your weights do not fall through. Depending on how much weight you have in your container, a cardboard box may not be suitable for the job. Pack these separate from other gym equipment and materials to avoid damages. Be mindful of how much free weights you are putting into a single container. The box will be too heavy to lift if your weights are not distributed evenly. Wrap the weights will bubble wrap or newspaper to protect the weights. Fill the container will towels or some type of cushioning to prevent the weights from shifting and sliding in the container.

packing and moving a treadmillHow to pack your treadmill

Before you start, switch off the power supply and unplug or detach any electrical wiring nearby. Fold each section of the treadmill following the instructions in your manual. If there’s a belt on your machine, roll it up and secure it to help reduce any scratching.

Lock any moving parts to avoid shifting while on the road. Now you have the treadmill ready, lift it onto the furniture dolly, and then to the moving vehicle. When lifting off the van, slide it onto the furniture dolly and carefully roll it into your new location. To re-assemble, unlock the moving parts and set up according to your manual.

How to move weight machines

Weight machines can be a bit tricky to move, but quite doable. Some parts may have uneven shapes that may not fit into traditional packing boxes. First, follow the instructions in your manual to ensure you detach the parts correctly.

Use storage bags to pack smaller items like bolts, screws, and nuts. Use some tape to stick them onto the appropriate piece of furniture to re-attach when setting up in your new place. Wrap any bulky items in old sheets, blankets, or towels if they cannot fit into moving crates.

The padding will help reduce any friction that may cause damage to other items during transport. Likewise, use some padding to wrap metal bars and weights to help protect against scratches.

Wrap It Up

Your home gym is a considerable investment in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle from the comfort of your home. Always check your manual to ensure you secure each item to avoid damage during transport. This can help you a ton when figuring out how to move a home gym.

Make an inventory and stick smaller parts to their appropriate attachments. Cover each item to avoid damage to your flooring, walls, and other equipment and furniture pieces.

While moving can be stressful, our handy guide is a sure way to make it as seamless as possible. If you are looking for a team of professionals to handle the move for, you can get a free estimate by clicking here.