Tools to Create a Floor Plan For Your New Home

Not every part of moving is fun. One of the most enjoyable things about relocation is planning your new house and how you’re going to make it feel like home.

One useful exercise for your planning is creating a floor plan for your new home. Floor plans can help you:

  • Decide the right spot for each of your furniture pieces in the new space
  • Determine whether to sell some of your furniture because it will not work or fit at the new house
  • Figure out whether any furniture you’re considering purchasing will work in your new home

Ultimately, figuring these things out in advance can help you save money on your move!  The crew rearranging furniture until it’s in the place you want can add time and money to your bill. Spending the cash to move furniture that you end up deciding to sell is also a waste of your hard-earned money.

It can even be fun if you use one of these easy and free tools to create a floor plan:

floorplanner

Floorplanner.com

This free website makes creating a floor plan fool proof, and is probably the most robust free floor planner online. Their drag and drop tools make it easy to add rooms, doors, windows, all types of furniture and more. It’s also easy to customize the size of all the items to fit your needs. You also have the ability to add your own photos and videos to the floor plan so it feels like your real home. Floorplanner.com lets you save multiple options and designs in your account.

 

 

 

 

MagicPlan

Magic Plan mobile app

This mobile app actually works in conjunction with floorplanner.com. Magic Plan makes getting started with a floor plan even easier. All you have to do is take pictures with the app and it will draw your floor plan with measurements for you! Then, import what you started with Magic Plan into your floorplanner.com account to customize and play with it.

 

 

RoomScan

Room Scan mobile app

Room Scan is another popular and highly rated mobile app for floor planning that will automatically draw a floor plan for you. The main difference is this app automates the plan and measurements by holding your phone against each segment of wall, which reviews say create very accurate results. This app is a little more popular than the Magic Plan app, which is the similar app above that automates the plan through pictures. The drawback is that this app does not integrate with other tools like Magic Plan does.

 

 

HomeStyler

HomeStyler

Like floorplanner.com, Homestyler has a website tool and mobile component. HomeStyler has a heavy emphasis on home design. One neat feature of this tool is that in addition to the ability to drag and drop furniture, you can insert real furniture from dozens of real home design brands such as Ethan Allen and Jonathan Adler. The mobile app specializes in placing real furniture products in photographed layouts of your actual room. This tool is much sleeker than floorplanner.com, but floorplanner.com is a little more practical and easier to use.

 

 

4 Moving Mistakes to Avoid During National Moving Month

National Moving MonthHappy National Moving Month from Olympia Moving & Storage! May kicks off the busiest moving season. Relocating can be tricky enough, but moving during the most popular season can add some complications.

Moving isn’t something most of our clients do very often, so it’s understandable why families sometimes make mistakes that can add stress to the relocation.

Here are the four most common moving mistakes we see, and how you can avoid them:

1. Scheduling moving dates too late.

Risk: The most popular summer moving dates can fill up a month or more in advance! If you procrastinate to call movers, you could lose your preferred date. That could complicate your closing or other relocation plans.
Olympia increases capacity every summer to accommodate as many of our clients as possible, but we encourage clients to contact us 4 weeks prior to move day to ensure availability. Check out our moving planning calendars to stay on track!

2. Hiring a “rogue” mover.

Risk: An unlicensed, uninsured company may have a lower price, but may result in a costly moving horror story. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard about movers sending untrained crews, hiking prices prior to delivery without reason or holding shipments hostage. This is all easily avoided by just checking for a few warning signs.
Olympia is a licensed, insured, full-service mover, a member of the American Moving & Storage Association, and was Wheaton World Wide’s 2013 Mover of the Year among other awards and recognitions.

3. Packing procrastination.

Risk: If you’re packing yourself, not finishing packing by move day leads to disorganization and stress. If a crew arrives a home expecting everything to be packed, they may not have enough extra supplies to finish the job for you. Worse, now that the crew has to finish your packing it could lead to your move going over estimate, as the estimator based his quote on a fully packed home.
Olympia checks in on clients’ packing progress the week prior to the move. We also provide full or partial packing services customized to our clients’ needs and budget. Use our free printable moving box labels to keep organized.

4. Not communicating with your moving company.

Risk: Planning a successful move takes time! Not filling in your mover on details or changes to your move (such as changes to your inventory, access to your home, or the addition of extra stops) results in an unprepared crew.
Olympia assigns each client a dedicated move coordinator. The coordinator stays in constant communication to ensure that both Olympia and our clients are fully prepared for move day.

Now that you know which mistakes to avoid, let Olympia deliver a smooth move for you! Request a free moving estimate, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Also check out:

Choosing a Mover: Making My Decision Easier
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
Change of Address Checklist

Free Printable Moving Boxes Labels

Nobody likes packing, but the moving process is always much smoother if you keep organized. That’s why Olympia offers free printable moving box labels to their clients, or anyone who’s moving. These pretty labels are sure to brighten your boxes, and may even motivate you to keep packing!

We’ve designed unique, color-coded labels for every room in your home to help the movers easily differentiate the boxes during delivery. Be sure to write descriptions of each box’s contents to aid in locating specific items while unpacking. Believe us, you’ll thank yourself later!

Also included are “fragile” stickers to warn movers of breakable contents like glass, dishes, figurines, and pictures. As a bonus, we also created adorable kids’ moving box labels to help your little ones find their toys as soon as playtime in the new home begins.

All labels can be printed on standard blank Avery or shipping labels using a laser printer, just be mindful that these boxes are meant to used on boxes, as they will be difficult to remove on furniture.

You can also purchase pre-printed moving box labels from us, along with other packing materials.

Moving Box Labels

All labels are 3.33″ x 4″ and are laid out 6 per sheet. We recommend using Avery Shipping Labels for Ink Jet Printers, 3.33 x 4 Inches. However, take care to only use the labels on boxes, as they will be difficult to remove from furniture.

Click on each link to download the respective PDF, or you can download all the moving label PDFs using [this link].


Living Room Moving Box Label
Dining Room Moving Box Label
Kitchen Moving Box Label
Storage Moving Box Label
Continue reading “Free Printable Moving Boxes Labels”

Olympia Moving is the Relocation Partner for the New Millennium Place Luxury Condos

Millennium Place luxury apartment moving The new Millennium Place condos in the heart of Boston’s Downtown Crossing are the definition of luxury.  Developed by Millennium Partners (who also developed The Ritz Carlton Boston Common and the upcoming Millennium Tower), their website boasts “more than a place to live, this is a way to live,” a promise delivered by the building’s many unique and exclusive luxuries.

For relaxing, Millennium Place offers a lounge, wine tasting/dining room, courtyard garden, an in-building Legal Seafoods restaurant, and an HD movie and TV screening room.  Active residents can use a first-class gym by SportsClub LA which includes a spa, yoga, and Pilates studios.  Families can enjoy the children’s room. For socializing, Millennium Place created the “La Vie” program which offers exclusive theater events, wine tastings, parties, and outings designed to create a tight-knit community.

The managers of Millennium Place also recognized that the move-in would provide an essential first impression.  Millennium Partners needed a fully accountable, full-service mover that knew how to handle every detail of relocating high-end clients. That’s why they asked Olympia Moving & Storage to be the preferred relocation partner for Millennium Place.

Millennium Place Condo

Olympia was already up to the challenge, but we also wanted to ensure that not a single detail was missed. Olympia’s coordinators worked closely with the building managers to customize the move plans based on our walk-troughs with staff and the building’s floor plans. In order to accommodate the construction of the condo’s finishing touches, Olympia tailored the schedules to fit Millennium’s evening move-in slots.

By offering Millennium Place clients exclusive free replacement value protection, Olympia ensured that in the event of damage Olympia would be fully accountable, with no reverberations to Millennium. Most importantly, Olympia provided full floor and wall protection through the halls and units so that the moves don’t cause a single scratch to Millennium’s new construction.

When Millennium Place opened its doors to the first few residents last week, Olympia was proud to move them in! The first Millennium Place resident we relocated said “Never met a better group of professionals and I have moved a lot!”

Also check out:

Fastest-Growing Boston Neighborhoods

Tips for the Perfect Housewarming Party

Protecting Your High-Value Items

Smart Packing with Adam of Benezra Boxes

Benezra BoxesWhen it comes to moving, Adam Benezra, entrepreneur and owner of Benezra Boxes, is an expert. He was a mover for Gentle Giant for four years, but even after a back injury, Adam wasn’t ready to leave the moving industry.  Instead, he started his own business.

Says Adam “At the time, recycling was really gaining steam and using used moving boxes wasn’t anything new.  I just decided to market it more aggressively and also add my moving knowledge to help give customers free advice.”

Benezra Boxes was born.  Fifteen years later Adam still maintains his business in Winchester, MA.   Benezra Boxes focuses on picking up and selling used moving boxes.  Adam also leverages his industry expertise to offer relocation management services.  Customers who utilize Adam’s service can sit back and let Adam plan their move and procure estimates, as well as managing their packing.

When our clients ask us how to get obtain or get rid of used boxes we know to send them to Adam. It’s great to see someone conquer this needed niche in the moving industry.

How did you come up with the idea of Benezra Boxes?

“When I was a kid, I was raised by my aunt and uncle and my aunt started the recycling program in Melrose. And my uncle was always encouraging me to start my own business, they were very supportive.”

Continue reading “Smart Packing with Adam of Benezra Boxes”

May is National Moving Month!

Olympia Moving CrewHappy National Moving Month from Olympia Moving & Storage!

May kicks off the summer moving season.  Due to school vacation and good weather, the majority of moves take place from May through September.

Movers have a lot to celebrate this May.  Over 36 million Americans relocated in 2012, and the 2013 moving season is expected to be even busier.  Thanks to organizations like the American Moving & Storage Association, the industry has made great progress protecting consumers by weeding out “rogue” movers and helping relocating Americans find not just reputable companies, but companies that will deliver a great experience.  Many movers are also planning for the future.  By integrating mobile phones, tablets, and web resources into the relocation process, moving companies are making your move more efficient and a better customer experience.

Here at the Olympia offices it’s no question that moving season has arrived!  The phones are ringing off the hook and the schedule is quickly booking up.

Every summer our staff works long hours to accommodate as many Olympia customers as possible.  As we transition into the moving season, we always like to remind our customers of a few key steps they can take to ensure their move is executed as planned:

1. Plan Early

Contact Olympia early in the process to ensure availability.  Each company only has so many trucks and crew members available, so the most coveted moving dates can fill up as far as a month in advance!  If you’re moving at the beginning or end of the month, pay special attention to this tip, as those dates are the first to reach capacity.

2.  Protect Your Move

While there are several excellent moving companies in Greater Boston & Washington DC areas, there are also a host of bad movers. Your clients should understand that when it comes to moving, price and value are not synonymous.  Make sure the moving company you select is registered, licensed, and insured on protectyourmove.gov.  You can also check that the moving company is reputable by checking out their BBB.org profile.

3.  Use Resources

To mitigate stress, utilize Olympia’s extensive moving resource center to guide you through every step of the relocation process.  You can find dozens of articles and videos on every moving-related topic, including moving tips, packing tips, choosing a mover, and protecting your move.

4.  Communicate

Effective communication, planning, and preparation are essential to a successful move.  Keep in touch with your move coordinator as you have questions and changes for your move.  It’s important to give as much notice as possible for changes in the move plan, such as shifting dates, adding extra stops, large changes in the size of your shipment, and requesting packing help.

What is a Moving Shuttle?

Smaller Shuttle Truck

There’s usually a few components to interstate moves that are industry standards, but unfamiliar to moving newbies.  One such component is a moving shuttle.  Below are some of our frequently asked questions and answers around shuttles to help our customers understand why they’re a necessary element to many interstate moves.

What is a shuttle?

A shuttle service allows us to serve customers who are moving into or out of homes that are difficult to access with a tractor trailer truck.  The shuttle is a smaller truck that the customer’s goods are loaded onto at their home.  A shuttle truck allows the driver and crew to bring the vehicle close to the residence and load or unload your possessions as safely and efficiently as possible.  A shuttle is sometimes also called an auxiliary service.

How does it work?

Before the pick up or delivery occurs, the moving consultant or driver will scope out the residence to determine if a shuttle is needed.  If it is determined that the tractor trailer cannot access the home, the driver will rent a smaller truck.  He will leave his tractor trailer in a safe location (usually at a fellow Wheaton agent’s secure warehouse), and bring the small truck to the residence to expertly move the household goods out.  The driver then drives the loaded shuttle truck back to his tractor trailer, and offloads everything onto the tractor trailer truck.  Now that the customer’s items are safely loaded onto his truck, the driver can hit the road and make his way to the customer’s destination.  The process is the same but reverse if the shuttle occurs at the destination address.

What are situations in which a shuttle would be used? 

Movers need to use shuttles in any situation where the tractor trailer cannot access the home.  Most shuttles are needed for urban residences due to the narrow streets, lack of parking, and limited space to maneuver in cities.  Some neighborhoods and apartment complexes do not allow tractor trailers on the premises.  However, sometimes shuttles are also needed in even the most rural areas due to unpaved driveways with wet or loose ground, access that is too steep or includes a tight bend, or clearance problems due to tree branches or power lines.

Why are there extra costs associated with shuttles?  If I don’t use it, do I get charged?

Yes, using a shuttle adds additional costs to the price of the move, the cost is based on a per hundred rate and dependent on the size (weight) of your move.  Shuttles cost money because it’s almost like adding a local move on top of your interstate move, renting the truck and the additional time and labor to transfer everything from the small truck to the tractor trailer can all be costly.  For this reason, drivers like to avoid using shuttles unless they are absolutely necessary, shuttles are not profitable for drivers, and the extra time slows down their trip.  It is ultimately up to a driver whether or not a shuttle will be used.  Even if your moving consultant includes a shuttle charge on your estimate, you will only be charged if the shuttle actually occurs.

Why doesn’t the driver use a smaller truck for the move instead?

In order to make interstate moving cost effective for both customers and moving companies, an interstate driver and moving truck almost always has multiple customers’ shipments on his truck at the same time.  If the driver used a smaller truck, he could only bring one customer’s shipment from Massachusetts to Florida.  With a large tractor trailer, he can also services several other customers along that route, making moving much more inexpensive for everyone.

If  you have any other questions about shuttles, reach out to your moving coordinator.

Now that you have a better understanding of shuttles, request your free estimate for your interstate move.

Other great tips for Interstate Moving

Moving Tips in our Resource Center

When is the Delivery Date For My Interstate Move?

Moving Appliances & Special Furniture

Floor Planner

Floor PlannerAs indicated throughout the Olympia Site, the success of a move largely hinges upon planning and preparation.  The more prepared that you are for move day, the smoother the relocation process will typically be.

Aside from our Move Planner, we recommend a tool called Floor Planner to prepare for your move.  This tool allows you to design the layout of your new home, create 3-D maps, and play with some different ideas in terms of how and where to position your furniture.  It is very intuitive to use and, most importantly it is FREE!

This tool is also not limited to residential spaces, and can be a great resource in planning out office configurations.

Planning Calendars for Moving

To help with your move, download these Planning Calendars.  Remember that preparation and communication are the foundations of a successful move. Be sure to save yourself plenty of time to get your house packed properly so you are ready to move. Check out Olympia’s Packing Tips if you’re feeling overwhelmed with your move.  Contact Olympia Moving and Storage online or call 800.222.4744 if you have any questions regarding your upcoming relocation.

72 Ways to Save Money on Your Interstate Move

The following is a list of 72 easy ways to save money on your next interstate move. Of course many of these tips are also helpful when moving to locally to places such as Boston, PhiladelphiaWashington DC, or Austin. This is also available as a PDF download here.

Relocating is hard. Saving money is easy.

Wheaton World Wide Moving and Olympia Moving and Storage make it easy to move your life.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re moving into a five-story mansion or an apartment on the fifth floor, relocation
comes with more than its share of expense. Extra costs are the last thing you need — on top of the stress and
anxiety caused by moving. Wheaton wants to help ease the burden a bit by offering you tried and true suggestions for minimizing your moving costs.

The bottom line is simple: The more stuff you move, the more it’ll cost you. On long distance moves, the
main cost factors are weight and distance, while local moves are calculated by handling time and added services,
like packing.

Creative Approaches to Reduce Moving Costs

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you can also browse www.wheatonworldwide.com for more tips
on packing, what not to pack, a move calendar as well as video vignettes that will give you a better idea of what
to do and how to do it when preparing for a move.

Eliminate Rather Than Relocate

1. The floor plan. If possible, get a floor plan of your future residence, or make one to scale on graph paper. Try to fit your furniture in the mock up. If it won’t fit on paper, it won’t fit when you arrive. That means you’ll have to make other arrangements.

2. Color-coordinate your move. If the sofa just won’t match, don’t move it. Often you can replace appliances or furniture more cost effectively than you can move or reupholster them.

3. Ignore the “I might need it someday” syndrome. Don’t move the riding mower to an apartment. Part with tools you won’t use. And remember, junk is junk — you don’t need a furnished attic.

4. Book learning. Condense your library as much as possible and then investigate the cost of mailing treasured volumes compared to the cost of moving them. The special postage rate for books might save you money.

5. Plan for plants. Check with your mover. It’s illegal to bring plants into many states. And, even if it is possible, it may not be sensible.

6. It’s not dirt cheap. If you’re determined to take your huge outdoor planters, fill them with miscellaneous items instead of dirt. Same goes for the sandbox. There will be dirt and sand where you’re going.

7. The shirt off your back. While one dress or one suit doesn’t weigh much, the average full wardrobe carton weighs 75 pounds. So, if you’re never going to wear it, don’t move it. Contact your local Goodwill agency and make a donation — there may be tax benefits.

8. The sound of money. Hundreds of CDs and DVDs can make for a heavy box. Go through your collection and eliminate DVDs that you’ll no longer use. Sell the rest for cash.

9. The kids’ toys. Now’s the time to clean out the toy box. If the kids are old enough, give them incentive. Let them stage their own garage sale and keep the profits to buy something special — after you’ve moved.

10. Your toys. If your treadmill hasn’t gone a mile in months, moving it won’t help. Considerselling weight-lifting equipment and replacing it at your destination. Remember, weight equals cost. Sell any hobby equipment you no longer enjoy.

11. Food for thought. Frozen foods cannot be shipped, so eat up. Consume canned goods and food staples, and don’t replenish them. Plan menus to make the most of what you have. Be sure to empty your refrigerator completely and clean thoroughly to prevent odor problems.

12. Handyman heavies. The workshop is a storehouse of bulky, heavy items. Evaluate them carefully — from the workbench to the tools. It might be advantageous to replace them when you get to your new home.

13. Rugs. Unless they’re valuable, or you’re sure they’ll fit and flatter your new residence,get them out from underfoot.

14. The swing set. You’ll probably come out ahead if you replace it rather than move it.

15. Firewood. Burn your firewood prior to your move. Sell or give remaining wood to friends or neighbors. Don’t move it, especially if your new home doesn’t have a fireplace.

16. Cue clues. A pool table requires extra costs and special handling. To save money, your best shot might be to sell it and then replace it at your new destination.

17. Musical notes. Pianos and organs also require special handling and should be tuned after a move. If they’re an enjoyable part of your lifestyle, move them. If your furniture is just impressive trimming, you might want to trim your moving cost.

18. Bah humbug. Be Scrooge when it comes to special holiday decorations. Don’t move what you can’t or won’t use.

19. Don’t be fuelish. Do not — under any conditions — move flammable items; it’s illegal. Empty fuel from the lawnmower, power tools or kerosene lamps. You can’t take paints, bleach, cleaning fluids, lighter fluids, matches, ammunition or any other type of combustible. Check the kids’ chemistry set. Propane tanks cannot be loaded into a moving van. If you have doubts, don’t take it. Better safe than sorry. For a complete list of moving “violations,” take a look at our What Not To Pack brochure.

20. Can your aerosol cans. A seemingly innocent can of aerosol hairspray can explode and endanger your whole
shipment. Eliminate all aerosol cans — hairsprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, car cleaners and others. For a complete list of moving “violations,” take a look at our What Not To Pack brochure.

Liquidate or Donate

Once you decide what to part with, decide how. If you’re selling a home, the buyer may be your best customer. In fact, there are all kinds of ways to get rid of unwanted items and make a good profit in the process.

21. Have a garage sale. Organize it, advertise it and manage it. You’ll be amazed to see how profitably your trash can become someone else’s treasure.

22. Advertise in the classifieds or online. For more valuable items, post a classified ad in your local paper or online. Many Web sites offer free or low-cost listings that can reach hundreds or thousands of people. Including a photo of the item can enhance its value and exposure.

23. Donate to your favorite charity. Itemize each donation and keep a receipt. It may help you qualify for a tax deduction.

Sell It Like It Is

Before you put your residence up for sale, carefully consider extras that can be included to increase the appeal and the value of your home — and cut moving costs in the process. Discriminating buyers will probably want everything but your family portrait. Many extras add more value to the house than they actually cost in the first place. This is even true for apartment dwellers, who may find the future tenant a ready and willing buyer.

24. From chandeliers to ceiling fans. Most buyers assume that such fixtures are included with the home. Unless there’s a special sentimental reason, they probably should be. Bulky, fragile ceiling fixtures require special packing and handling that will cost money.

25. Appliances. Consider the age, size and color of your appliances. These are very heavy items and usually require professional servicing before the move and special installation after the move. So, if your stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer or freezer won’t fit or match in your new home, perhaps it’s time to start anew.

26. Verify type of power. You can prevent wiring damage caused by temperature changes when you unplug all electronic items 24 hours before loading. Then, wait 24 hours at your new residence before plugging them into an outlet. Check to be sure you have the proper power connections and sources for your appliances in your future residence. Don’t move a gas stove or dryer to an all-electric house.

27. Hearth and home. They go together. Special fireplace screens and tools are hard to move and may not fit where you’re going. Consider selling them with your home.

28. Shelving systems. If you have a built-in shelving system, leave it that way. No new owner will appreciate holes in the wall where the shelves used to be.

29. Satellite dishes. Check to see if the same company services your new city before you move your satellite dish.

30. From flag poles to basketball goals. Sell them with the house and save yourself time, trouble and money.

31. Arrange for the transfer of valuables. Start with the contents of your safe deposit box. You should carry with you small valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents, stocks and bonds, etc. Or send them by insured or registered mail. Items of such unusual value should not be included in your shipment. The same is true for important computer CDs that can warp and become unreadable.

Miscellaneous Money, Time and Headache Savers

Once you’ve organized your belongings, it’s time to organize your move. The things you don’t do can cost you both money and time. Here’s a listing of small details that can save you dollars and headaches.

32. Coordinate your move. Give your mover plenty of notice and, if possible, arrange occupancy dates in your new residence to avoid an end-of-month or peak season move. This will cut down storage costs or delays.

33. Notify telephone, electric, gas and water companies. Set a specific date for service discontinuation. Request a final meter reading. Don’t forget to connect utilities in your destination city prior to your arrival. Otherwise, you might have to stay at a hotel until they are connected. Use Wheaton’s helpful Utility Connection Center to disconnect and reconnect many of your utilities. Visit www.wheatonworldwide.com.

34. Notify your cable company and local newspapers to discontinue service. You can use Wheaton’s Utility Connection Center to do these tasks as well.

35. Change your magazine subscriptions. Make sure to change the address on your magazine subscriptions in advance to ensure you don’t miss any issues.

36. Cancel security company, lawn service or any other type of regular service.

37. Check your bank and savings accounts. Arrange to transfer deposits so you don’t lose interest. Use your bank as a credit reference.

38. Advise your post office of your new address change in advance. This will prevent a delay in service.

39. Contact former employers and the Social Security Administration. This will simplify obtaining future information for income tax purposes.

40. Collect any deposits. Whether it’s a landlord or a utility company, it’seasier to get deposits back in person than via long distance.

41. Check with orthodontist, obstetrician, etc. If any members of your family require ongoing medical or dental treatment for which
you have paid, arrange with the practitioner to pro-rate payments with a professional in your destination city.

42. Check your homeowners insurance. It may be possible to have it applied to your future residence, or reassigned to the future owners and pro-rate payments. If not, you may qualify for a partial refund. Be sure to coordinate insurance so that you’re covered in your new residence immediately.

43. If you sold it, don’t move it. Be available on moving day to make sure that anything that was supposed to stay with the home doesn’t go on the van. If these items are shipped, it’s going to cost time and money to send them back.

44. Membership fees. Depending on the clubs or organizations to which you belong, you may be able to sell memberships or get a partial refund on dues.

45. Lockers and cleaners. Be sure to collect all your belongings in club or school lockers as well as your suits, shirts and blouses at the cleaners.

46. User names and passwords. Keep user names and passwords for important accounts in a safe place.

47. Check on car or installment loans. You may be required to notify the lending company
of your move.

48. Transfer all insurance records. Verify that your car insurance is adequate, as rates vary from city to city and state to state.

49. Close any revolving charge accounts with department stores or specialty shops without locations in your destination city.

50. Notify national credit or charge card companies to change the address on your account.

51. Try to complete closing and any other legal matters before you move. It’s costly to make a return trip to take care of details.

52. Arrange for payment of your mover at destination. Unless charges are to be billed to your employer, payment by cash, certified check or money order is required at your destination.

The Better the Packing, The Better the Move

Professional packing is an added expense, but it often pays for itself in convenience and safety. Your mover has the expertise and materials to protect your possessions. Even if you have the time and energy to pack, consider leaving your delicate or fragile items (china, glassware, silver, clocks, etc.) for the professionals. If you’re a determined do-it-yourselfer, do it right. Ask your Wheaton agent about specially designed containers and materials. You can buy them at minimum cost to assure maximum protection of your belongings. For more information, request Wheaton’s What Not To Pack pamphlet.

53. Don’t use newspaper for packing. Newsprint fades, and the ink runs easily, possibly ruining the items it was supposed to protect. Instead, use newsprint, which is unprinted newspaper. It’s available at reasonable prices from your Wheaton agent.

54. Pack toiletries separately in small containers. Be sure corks and caps are secure.

55. Don’t pack too compactly. Give fragile items “breathing room” to avoid breakage. You can leave clothing in drawers — overstuffing can cause drawers to warp.

56. Arrange for proper servicing of your appliances. Contact a professional or ask your Wheaton agent to arrange service for you.

57. Leave fitted sheets on mattresses to protect them.

58. Spread your linens around. Instead of putting them all in one carton, use your linens as fillers to cushion other items.

59. Put heavy items on the bottom and then fill up with lighter items. Use smaller cartons for books, cast-iron cookware, etc.

60. Package stereo equipment and plasma televisions in original packaging, if possible, or have them serviced by professionals.

61. Indicate contents on the outside of the carton. If possible, designate which room the carton should go in — it’ll simplify things at your destination. Be sure to indicate on the outside of the carton if the contents are fragile.

62. In one box, combine items you’ll need immediately upon arrival. Designate it “Unload First.” Include necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, cups, a can opener, soap, etc.

Save on Taxes

There are many small things that could save you big money on your taxes at the end of the year. Be sure to keep track of each of these items.

63. When you donate items to charity, request and keep an itemized receipt. It might help you qualify for a tax deduction.

64. Keep a detailed record and receipts of your moving expenses. Include transportation, lodging, meals, etc. If you are moving because of a change in your principal place of employment, such reasonable expenses are deductible. Check with the Internal Revenue Service or your accountant for specifics.

65. Keep a record of home improvement costs. That includes improvements made to your home through the years and any expenses associated with the sale of your home, including realtor fees or classified costs.

66. Inventory. Your possessions are worth as much in transit as they are in your home. Make sure you know what you are moving. Your Wheaton agent will be glad to give you a complete inventory form. It can save you money moving — and afterward. The ideal time to prepare your inventory list is while you organize for your move. List your possessions and their approximate value. Photograph or videotape your items room by room.

67. Valuation. You’ll be amazed what your possessions are really worth. Keep your completed inventory in a safe place. If you have extensive household damage in the future, you can establish accurate, comprehensive insurance claims. Also, request a copy of Wheaton’s Carrier Liability Options brochure for more information.

68. Pick your mover like you picked your possessions. Very carefully. Because it’s not just anybody’s trinkets, treasures, furniture or heirlooms — they’re yours. Your possessions are a part of your personality and lifestyle. They’re what will make your new home uniquely you. A proven, professional mover is your best assurance of a good move.

69. Don’t be sold by a low estimate. Estimates are exactly that. The actual cost of your move will be determined primarily by weight and distance, plus the cost of any extra services you require. So, if one estimate is significantly lower, be suspicious. That way you won’t be surprised on moving day.

70. An estimate is only as accurate as you are. Be precise and thorough when you show your Wheaton agent what is to be moved, and what, if anything, is not to be moved. Canvass everything from the attic to the basement. The more thorough you are, the more accurate your estimate will be.

71. Check the record. Although movers are no longer required by the government to furnish customers with information about their performance, it’s a good idea to compare movers. You’ll find that Wheaton World Wide Moving has one of the best records in the moving industry for estimating accuracy, as well as on-time pickup and delivery.

72. Ask someone who knows. At Wheaton World Wide Moving, most of our moves come to us through referrals. We’re proud of that fact and strive to perform at a high level all the time, giving our customers the confidence to recommend us to their friends and colleagues.

Revolving Around Your Needs

Wheaton World Wide Moving has hundreds of agents nationwide so you can be assured of finding a relocation solution that fits your needs— and your budget. From packing and loading at your point of origin to unloading at your destination, we’ll manage the entire process.

We move your life® is a registered trademark of Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. © 2008 Wheaton Van Lines, Inc. USDOT 70719 MC 87113 5.08