How To Pack Books For Moving

Posted on November 6, 2020November 6, 2020 by jstfort

Some consider books or a library collection among their home’s most prized possessions. For many, books are akin to cherished friends. It’s no fun to set up your new place and find books with torn pages, or twisted and scratched covers.

Packing and moving books cause damage if done incorrectly. Let us show you how to pack your books to arrive in the best shape possible.

Materials:

Boxes or crates
Packing paper
Packing tape
Markers

Before You Start To Pack

Organize your books according to the sizes, including books, magazines, and periodicals. This will allow you to properly distribute them into cartons.

Decide which books to take

Now that you have your books in groups, assess what you need to move. If there are books that you no longer need, set them aside. Make piles for friends, neighbors, or donate to your local library or reading group. Keep in mind that some move pricing, especially for interstate moving, is weight-based. Since books are very heavy, part of your collection may not be worth moving.

Select the boxes you’ll need

Since books are very dense, book boxes can get heavy fast. Only use the smallest boxes, ideally 1.5 cubic feet, to pack books. Do not overstuff the boxes and make them too heavy to lift when moving. Aim for at most 50 pounds in each box.

Secure the boxes

Next, seal the base and sides of the box with packing tape to strengthen the package and ensures the box will not fall apart when lifted. Properly sealing boxes protects your books from damage from water or other liquids during moving.

Now you have the basics; it’s time to start to packing

Begin unpacking the books from the bottom of the bookshelf and work your way to the top. It also helps minimize any back strain from constant bending.
First, place some sheets of packing paper to the bottom of the moving crate.
Start packing the heavier volumes, then the medium-sized, and finish with the lighter books at the top. Placing the light volumes at the top also helps reduce any damage from the weight of other volumes.

Here are a few methods of packing book boxes for you to consider:

Standing up Method

The standing up method of packing books is similar to how the books lie on your bookshelves. Pack the spines of the books next to the sides of the box or crate when packing. Continue stacking books spine to spine in at least two rows to start.

Cover the layers with packing paper before starting the next row. Use some newsprint or packing paper to plug any extra spaces, but not too tightly to cause friction.

Flat on the back Method

Packing books flat on their backs is an ideal way to get more books into your box and prevent pages from bending or tearing. It’s also the best way to pack books of similar sizes in one location for a snug fit. To avoid tearing or other damage, avoid placing books with their pages facing each other.

Packing precious tomes

Everybody has a set of unique books they like to keep for a lifetime. Packing costly or rare volumes will help ensure they arrive intact when moving. Wrap each book in sheets of packing paper. Fold each section to help create a buffer to minimize damage.

Continue to wrap each book and stack them inside the box or crate. Fill any open spaces with packing paper to help cushion the books during moving. Label the containers to help locate them quickly when unpacking.

Magazines

Magazines can lie flat at the top of your regular books as you pack to fill up any remaining spaces. Organize them according to size and let the larger volumes lie flat in the box.

Sealing & Labeling

Place a sheet of packing paper to the top of each box: close, and seal, then label. Do not over-pack the boxes. Leave enough room to help seal the box on an even plane. When you seal the boxes, try lifting them to see if you can handle the weight of moving. Ensure the base of the box can handle the pressure.

Labeling helps keep track of what’s inside to help organize the moving and unpacking at your new place. Label as you go to ensure you give specific handling instructions to protect your books from damage.

You did it, your books are packed!

Moving is always a challenge, and protecting your books is paramount. Organizing your books in groups will help you pack them in the best possible way to avoid damage. Correctly packing your books ensures they arrive in good shape and are ready to sit comfortably in their new space. If you are looking to get your books packed and packed by professionals, click here and get a free estimate.

How To Pack Clothes For Moving

Posted on October 30, 2020December 10, 2020 by jstfort

Packing and moving are never easy, and when moving clothes and shoes, it takes special care to prevent damage. Clothing and shoes represent a large portion of our belongings, as it includes a range of items for the entire family. Our packing tips will get your clothes and shoes in order. Let’s take a look at some proper strategies on how to pack clothes and shoes for moving.

Required Materials:

Packing paper
Boxes of various sizes
Suitcases
Duffel Bags
Vacuum Seal bags
Shoe boxes
Markers
Sealing tape
Tissue Paper
Where to start

Categorize your closet

It’s necessary to have a plan in place to get your items of clothing and shoes ready for packing.

Sort items of clothing in categories. For example:

immediate needs
long-term needs
short-term needs
seasonal

Check the condition of the clothes for any tears, fraying, stains, or other damage.
Launder everything and dry thoroughly before packing away.
Making clothing piles can help get everything in order:

Keep
Donate
Toss
Repair or repurpose
Piles for each season
Piles for each family member

After making each category, pack off-season or storage items of clothing first. These are items you and your family will not likely wear soon. Store off-season items by vacuum sealing in bags to reduce bulk and save storage space. Make sure you pack with breathable material that helps let air in to reduce moisture and mold. Label each box to identify what will go into storage to unpack as needed.

Pack clothing you won’t be wearing soon, such as formal attire, in a waterproof suit or jacket bag to protect them from moths, mold, dust, dirt, and moisture.

Finally, pack the clothes you’ll need immediately as you settle into your new place. Packing these clothes separately will help you find clothing for each family member to use while unpacking and setting up your new home.

Set aside a complete set of clothing items for each member of the family:

Pants
Tops
Shoes
Pajamas
Socks
underwear

Packing delicate clothing items

Delicates can tear and suffer other damage during moving. Pack them in separate boxes to help reduce friction during transit. Use sheets of silk paper to wrap delicate clothing items to help protect them from heat, moisture, or damage.

Methods of Packing Clothes

The goal of any packing method is to prevent friction, save space, and ensure your items arrive in good condition. Each technique will ensure you pack each item appropriately to help minimize the risks.

Bundle packing

Start with a bulky item like a winter jacket or coat at the bottom. Next, place a smaller item of clothing atop the coat or jacket. Make the third layer with a smaller item of clothing. When full, wrap the coat or jacket’s ends around the smaller things to form a bundle.

Repeat for other items, and continue to place complete bundles in the packing boxes.

Rolling Method

Fold and roll items like tee shirts, socks, light items and pack them side by side to help save space. You can also fold items within other clothing to save even more space. Rolling clothing also helps reduce wrinkles after unpacking.

Flat Packing

Laying items flat inside packing boxes will also help save space.

Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are an excellent way to store your clothing upright and avoid any wrinkles during moving. They are ideal for packing shirts, jackets, pants, coats, and dresses. They make packing, unpacking, and re-hanging clothing a seamless exercise when you arrive at your new location.

Place heavy items like blankets or pillows to the bottom of the box. Ensure there’s enough space to hang your clothes comfortably without any wrinkling.
Wrap and store shoes to the base of the hanger boxes to help save storage space.

Sealing and labeling clothes boxes

Ensure you have the right size box to help avoid overloading moving containers. 4.5 cubic foot boxes are the best size for most clothes.
Assemble boxes carefully. Seal the bottom and edges to help prevent any spills while lifting.
Form protective layers on the bottom and sides of boxes to help protect clothing from moving rigors.
Always cover the top layer of clothing in each box with packing paper before closing the lid.
Cover and seal each box with packing tape.
Label each box to help locate clothing categories quickly when unpacking

Packing shoes

Shoes can suffer from scruff marks easily, and especially when moving. Pack them in shoe boxes, shoe bags, suitcases, or at the bottom of regular packing boxes. First, wrap each shoe in packing paper and place them at the base of your moving boxes.

If you’re using a suitcase, place small items like socks to help cushion the shoes in the suitcase. It also helps minimize any squashing or scratches on the shoes. Stuff shoes with items like foam, rolled up socks, newsprint, and other items to help keep their shape when moving.

Shoeboxes: Seal the sides of the shoebox with tape or enclose it with a rubber band or string to help protect the box’s base.

Packing A Suitcase For A Long Distance Move

It is a good idea to pack a suitcase on a long-distance move. Depending on how your travel schedule works out, you may not receive your move inventory until a few days after you personally arrive at your new location. Packing a suitcase with enough clothing to make it through the few days while you are waiting for your inventory to arrive will be very important.

Now your clothes & shoes are ready to go!

Protecting valuable clothing and shoes when moving is essential to ensure they arrive without wrinkles or scratches. Each packing method in our useful guide will help equip you with everything you need to pack them properly. If you are looking for Olympia to do the packing and unpacking for you click here for a free estimate.

How to Pack A Computer and Electronics for Moving

Posted on October 20, 2020October 20, 2020 by jstfort

Almost everything we do today is tech-driven. Computers and electronics play a significant role in our lives, whether at home or at the office. Electronic devices represent some of our most expensive and treasured items, and we should take special care to protect them, especially when moving. There are some best practices when it comes to how to pack a computer and electronic for moving.

These devices include laptops, Pcs, tablets, printers, cartridges, TVs, DVDs, CDs, VCRs, keyboards, remote controls, Blu-rays, speakers, video games, and consoles. Packing electronics and computers for moving can be seamless. Here are some crucial tips to guide you to avoid any damage or loss when you pack a computer and electronics for moving.

Packing Tools You Will Need

Packing boxes
Wrapping Paper
Packing Tape
Cardboard
Scissors
Markers
Colored Stickers
Plastic Storage Bags
Cushions or blankets

Where to Start

Keeping a range of cables, accessories, and other electronic parts together can be a challenge. Start by grouping items according to size and how you plan to pack them.

Unplug all cables. Remove any batteries from all equipment to reduce any chances of overheating during travel. Keep these items one location to assemble them later without hassle. It is important to keep in mind that lithium batteries are not allowed on your move because they are fire hazardous.

Disconnect any Blu-ray, DVDs, or CDs from your electronic devices. Use packing tape to keep any portals or print heads shut while moving. Make a list of the equipment and accessories so you can keep track of them during set up at the destination.

Printers

Remove toner cartridges from printers and wrap them in plastic to minimize dust or liquid damage. Stack them from heavy to light, and keep the wires, cables, and other accessories together.

Wrap each item in wrapping paper. You can place the cables atop or to the side of the equipment as you wrap.

Packing Computer Monitors

Place rolls of packing paper to the bottom of the moving box. Wrap the monitor in wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Place the equipment in a side-standing position inside. Fill in any empty spaces to help protect sensitive parts when moving.

Computers

Office and home computers store highly sensitive information. Keep your data safe by backing it up to your cloud or rigid drive systems before the move.

Secure your passwords in the unlikely event your equipment becomes lost or stolen when moving. If you’re able, remove the card of your Pcs motherboard to help keep it safe. If possible, it is recommended to move your laptop or computer yourself in your own vehicle due to the high value of both the device and its contents.

Clean your PC to ensure it is free of dust particles that can shift and clog your system during moving.

Disconnect any cables, dongles, and other accessories from your system before placing it in the moving box. Roll each wire and secure it with a band or twist tie. Place the cables in a storage bag for safe-keeping. You can also tape each cable to the device in the same package.

Wrap the PC in packing paper and place everything together in the box.

Additional Electronics Moving Tips

Avoid using Styrofoam packing chips around your computer. Some experts suggest the chips may allow static to form that can damage your equipment.

Do not use newsprint to wrap your monitor screens. The print may cause scratches that may be hard to remove. It is better to use non-static padding or non-printed packing paper.

After packing each box, place a cushion, folded blanket, or balled-up packing paper atop the equipment to provide another buffer layer when in-transit. Close the lids, seal, and label the box, including any handling instructions. This is key when you pack a computer and electronics.

Moving Flat Screen TVs

It’s best to re-pack flat-screen TVs in the original box, if possible. The styrophon modeling will secure the TV in the box so it doesn’t move or slide. It will also protect from some impact it will take while moving.

Your second alternative is to purchase a TV box from your mover. These boxes are specially designed for TVs and will provide similar protection to your TV as the original box.

Labeling

Labeling will help locate your items when you begin to unpack at your new worksite or home.

Label each box after sealing it to ensure you can quickly identify the items and where you plan to set them up.

It’s a good idea to color-code each item and all accompanying parts or accessories to organize them and minimize loss or displacement.

Place color-coded markers or stickers on each piece of equipment and its other parts and group them. Use stickers to mark the tips of cables to help you remember which device they will fit.

Attach color-coded marks on the sockets for each device and cables to help re-attach them easily.

Setting Up At Your New Place

Re-connecting electronics and computer equipment can be tricky. Always refer to your manuals to ensure you understand how to set up at your new location.

Unpack one packing box at a time, beginning with the more oversized items like your PC or television.

Remove the cables and accessories for each item. Set the equipment in place, and connect the cables to the power supply. Refer to the color marker or stickers to guide you when re-assembling parts.

Afterwards, run the system to ensure it’s working correctly. After you’re satisfied, move on to the next packing box. Repeat the setup steps until you complete the process.

Finishing Touches

Many people rely heavily on technology to drive their day-to-day activities at home and work. Therefore, computer and electronic equipment constitute a considerable investment that requires protection when moving from one location to the next.

Securing your valuable equipment is easy if you plan to organize the assembling, packing, and re-assembling of each item. These activities will help keep parts and accessories together and ensure your entire relocation process goes off without a hitch. These methods can be extremely affective when you have to pack a computer and electronics. If you are looking to have professionals pack your computer and electronics, click here for a free quote today.

Tips for Moving Outdoor Gear

Posted on June 19, 2019 by rhunt

Warm weather and warm water makes summer a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts. Summer is also a popular time to move. Often, the greatest challenge of a move is knowing how to safely pack your favorite equipment.

Here are Olympia’s tips for moving your outdoor gear!

Canoes and Kayaks

Never fear water warriors! Your kayaks and canoes can be moved just like the rest of your belongings. Inform your moving crew ahead of time that you have a large specialty item and they can handle packing and loading it for you. Prior to that, it’s important to dry and clean any watercraft you are moving. You won’t want old, scummy water dripping on your furniture in the truck.

For older wooden canoes, consider wrapping the seats and interior with a moving pad or bubble wrap so that the entire item is secure. Wooden bench seats are especially vulnerable to chipping during transport.

Moving Fishing Gear

Fishing rods are at high risk of breaking during a move. Prevent this is to purchase a fishing rod case. However, if you are more of a DIY fan, use a length of PVC pipe, some Styrofoam, and packing tape to construct a protective shell around your best angling rods.

Your tackle box should be secured with packing tape as well, just in case a lot of loving use has weakened the clasps.

Moving Tents

Don’t be the poor soul who tossed your tent bag. Tents are one of the few pieces of gear that come with easy moving. Pack your tent bag as is. If you need extra protection to prevent tears in the canvas, wrap the bag in plastic wrap.

Moving Bikes

Bikes are incredibly awkward pieces of equipment to move. Unfortunately, in the absence of a bike rack and a car, the only option to move a bike is on a moving truck.

The first step to moving a bike is considering disassembly. If you can, removing the pedals, seat, and wheels will go a long way to making transport easier. The second step would be finding an appropriate box to store the bike. Unless you had the foresight to keep the box your bike came in, regular moving boxes won’t do the trick. Bike shops are a good place to go to pick up discarded shipping boxes from inventory deliveries. Leave the handles out when you pack the frame–it will give your movers something to hold when carrying it.

For the high-end bike own, there is an option to purchase a bike box. Bike boxes aren’t made of cardboard. Bike boxes are hard cases that certain bike frames can be stored in. Cyclist Weekly has a list of their top six bike boxes and bags.

Moving Skis and Snowboards

Much like tents and fishing rods, cases and bags can be purchased for skis and snowboards. They can be transported in your own car, especially if there’s fresh powder in your destination. However, if you plan on loading skis or snowboards into a moving truck, a long box may be preferable to a bag. UPS has a store locator to find somewhere to purchase large equipment boxes. Alternatively, wrap this winter gear in moving pads to prevent scratching and load into a wardrobe or lamp box.

Moving Gardening Tools

Not all outdoor gear is for sport. If you’ve got an armory of gardening tools, now is the time to start sorting. Much like fishing tackle, smaller items like spades and pruners should be locked in a tool box and secured. Tie together larger tools like shovels and wrap them in one or two moving blankets. For extra protection for you and your movers, use bubble wrap or towels. The key is to cover up any sharp edges so you and the movers are not hurt in transit and the tools do not scratch your other items in the truck. After wrapping and bundling the large tools, you can load them into a wardrobe box.

If you are moving to chase more outdoor adventures, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

What is an Interstate Move Overflow Shipment?

Posted on June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 by rhunt

Space is major concern when you’re moving. Fitting your whole life into a truck is a daunting task. If you are moving interstate or internationally, sometimes an overflow shipment can occur. However, with the right planning and communication, your move can still go smoothly if an overflow happens.

What is an Overflow Shipment?

An overflow shipment occurs when there is not enough room on the truck to fit all of your belongings. This means a second truck will have to be brought in to ship the remaining inventory.

For an interstate move, if a driver realizes that everything won’t fit, he will call in a second truck to load the remainder. This truck will bring your belongings to temporary warehouse storage until it can be loaded onto a truck heading to your destination. This is to ensure that all of your belongings will still be packed and removed from your old home on time on load day, and does not cause delays in clearing your origin home.

What Causes an Overflow Shipment?

An overflow shipment can have multiple causes.

The primary cause of overflow shipments generally occurs when either you or one of the other homeowners on the same shipment exceed the space estimate determined by your moving company.

Some people like to get a head start on their new home before they’ve arrived, but do not realize the effect of taking up extra space. Try to avoid buying items in advance that you will have to transport to your new home. Or, you may decide to bring items that you originally planned on tossing or selling. It can be tempting to add to the amount of items you are shipping, but we recommend avoiding adding to your inventory once your estimation is complete. If you decide to move additional items above what was originally discussed with your estimator, give the moving a company a call to let them know in case they need to adjust the planning for your shipment.

The second most common cause of overflow shipments is inefficient packing. Even with an accurate volume estimation, if your belongings are poorly packed, you will have more boxes than needed. Ensure that you pack smart–too much in one box can be as much of a problem as too little. For more information on packing, head over to our Move Planning Center, watch our How to Pack Video Series, or consider Hiring Packing Services.

I Need an Overflow Shipment, What Now?

An overflow shipment is rare, but sometimes unavoidable. The moving team will work with you to minimize the hassle. Ensure that the items you really need–beds, clothes, kitchen utensils–are in the first truck. Everything you pack will still arrive at your door, but make sure the important stuff arrives first. A professional moving company will stay in contact with you about your send shipment and work with you to make the process as easy as possible. Clear communication is the key to making sure that all of your belongings end up where they need to be.

For all of your moving needs, contact Olympia Moving & Storage to plan your move. Fill out our estimate form online or give us a call at 800-222-4474 for a free estimate.

Moving? Get Rid of the Plastic in Your New Home

Posted on June 3, 2019 by rhunt

Moving often reveals just how much junk we accumulate in our homes. Because of this, a move is the best time to get rid of the plastics weighing you down. By making a few simple changes alongside the major change of your move, you can reduce the amount of waste you generate on a daily basis. Evaluate the plastic in your home has you pack and declutter. Make a resolution to ditch these plastics and make it a greener start in your new home.

Plastic Water Bottles

Cleaning up reminds everyone just how many plastic bottles they go through. If you’re shocked to find mountains of Poland Spring in the nooks and crannies of your home, it’s time to switch to a reusable bottle. Hydro Flask, S’well, and Nalgene are some of the most popular kinds of reusable water bottles. You could also install a water filter in your new home, or use a pitcher filter like Brita.

Plastic Baggies

Most people, especially families, go through thousands of plastic baggies a year. Packing sandwiches and saving leftovers consumes a lot of plastic, but it doesn’t have to. Products like Juco sandwich bags, Bee’s Wrap, and (re)zip washable, resealable baggie can all replace the Ziplock in your cupboard. You can also replace plastic and aluminum wrap with reusable wax wraps like Bees Wrap.

Tupperware

Similar to baggies, plastic tupperware can be recycled and replaced with an alternative. Glass containers are easy to clean and last longer than their plastic counterparts. They are also readily available in most grocery stores.

Trash Bags

Sometimes, it’s not just the trash itself that is the problem. Trash bags are their own source of waste. Biodegradable trash bags eliminate a little-considered source of plastic waste. Biobag and If You Care are two examples of eco-friendly trash bags available to consumers.

Toothbrushes

Plastic toothbrushes are actually one of the biggest sources of ocean plastic waste. Bamboo toothbrushes are a better, anti-microbial alternative to the chemical-filled plastics most people use. Check out Bustle’s review of the 5 Best Bamboo Toothbrushes.

Floss

Yeah, floss! Floss and plastic floss containers build up in your garbage over time. Cocofloss, Eco-dent, and Humble Co. floss picks can be great substitutes for the classic plastic case and fiber.

Moving With New Habits in Mind

Moving is a big change. It can be very scary to leave the home you’ve known for a new one, even if it is just five minutes down the street. That newness, however, doesn’t have to be just about adjusting to new surroundings. Making a major change in your life leaved you receptive to new habits. Use this period of time to make changes for the better and you’ll feel better, too.

For more on eco-friendly moving, take a look at our blog posts Eco-Friendly Moving Tips and How to Recycle or Repurpose Your Moving Boxes.

If you have an upcoming move, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

How To Pack Records and Record Players

Posted on May 22, 2019 by rhunt

How To Pack Records and Record Players

Donna Summer, Fleetwood Mac, and Creedence Clearwater Revival all have to travel to your new home — make sure they get there in one piece! Follow our tips for safely packing records to move.

Use Quality Sleeves

Remove records from their jackets and paper sleeves. Toss the paper sleeves in favor of a poly sleeve for the record itself. Slide the jacket into its own outer sleeve, but do not reinsert the record into its jacket. Stack records vertically against their jackets when packing them into their box.

Invest in high-quality sleeves to prevent wear on jackets and records.

Pack Records Tight

Don’t leave records free to shift around in their boxes or they might chip on the ride to your new home. Pack them as tight as you can in 1.5 cu. ft. size (small) box, the best size for the width and weight of the records. For extra protection, fill your boxes with foam inserts, packing paper, or bubble wrap. Records can be heavy, so an additional benefit to a small box is separating your collection into manageable weights for moving.

If you’re unsure about the general best practices for packing, check out Olympia’s How To Pack series.

Keep It Cool

If you’re moving in high heat, your records are at risk of warping. Avoid leaving your records in the heat of the moving truck for an extended period of time. Interstate moves with records can be risky for this reason, so if you have the option, consider bringing your records in your car with you.

Make a Packing (Play)List

Keep a detailed list of all the records you own and their current condition to avoid unhappy surprises during unpacking. This also helps speed up organization when you arrive in your new home. Alphabetical order by artist is the most common method, but you can always pack your records in the order that you want to display them to save time.

How To Pack Record Players

If possible, remove the platter, tone arm, and turntable from the record player. Individually wrap each piece in packing paper or anti-static bubble wrap. Pack the player and its parts into a secure box with the heaviest pieces at the bottom. Fill any empty space in the box with foam, bubble wrap, and other sturdy material. If these parts cannot be removed, particularly the arm or needle guard, secure them with tape or twist ties.

If you are unsure about removing parts on your record player, focus instead on keeping all the components as secure as possible. Tape down any moving parts and secure the entire object in bubble wrap and foam. Just like your records, if you are putting you record player in a box, pack it with as little space as possible to prevent it from knocking around during the move.

If you and your record collection are ready to move, contact Olympia Moving & Storage to plan your move. Fill out our form online or give us a call at 800-222-4474 for a free estimate.

On the Move: Belmont, MA

Posted on May 17, 2019May 21, 2019 by rhunt

Location: Belmont, MA

A Belmont-to-Belmont move | May 2019

Move Overview

Flowers and fresh green grass lit up the front of this charming single family home in Belmont. We sent four movers and one truck to complete this partial pack, load, and deliver. The job was completed in one day between the two Belmont locations.

This move posed some unique challenges. The front door opened into a cornered staircase, so every item on the truck had to be carried up to the second floor at an odd angle. There were also a few items that needed to be disposed of at the destination, including a large sofa.

The move went quickly, however, and our team definitely enjoyed the warm weather after a long, cold spring. Plenty of birds from the next-door park cheered our movers on during the move.

Partial Packing

The move also involved the packing of antique mirrors and lamps. The homeowners packed a large portion of their own items, but they requested that Olympia pack their more fragile items. A partial pack can ease the stress on homeowners who want to do most of their own packing, but are unsure about handling delicate items. In this case, several mirrors and lamps needed protective packaging for the journey. Thanks to our crew, everything arrived at their destination safe and sound.

Olympia offers partial and complete packing services to its customers as part of the move process. We can also provide packing materials to the DIY homeowner.

Great feedback from our client

“This team was extraordinarily thoughtful and felt their way into our needs in such a way to leave us feeling very satisfied and in fact quite pleased…” the homeowner wrote in their review. “In particular we appreciated how the team took the time to move the furniture into positions in our new home that were pleasing to us as well as to disassemble and reassemble those pieces that needed to be separated and reassembled in order to be moved from our previous residence to our new home.”

“Lastly, we were deeply touched by the fact that one member of the team took the time to remake two beds that had been transported from our previous residence to our new home,” the homeowner told us. “As a result of all these factors, we felt the entire team was doing all possible to make us happy and comfortable in our new home. Thank you all.”

If you are moving in the Belmont area, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

How to Safely Pack Gaming Equipment

Posted on December 11, 2018July 31, 2019 by cclark

Your Xbox, Playstation, and consoles are sometimes among the most valuable items you are moving. It essential to safely pack gaming equipment so it does not get damaged during the transit of a move. It’s dangerous for your gaming equipment to go alone – take this advice from Olympia for moving your consoles safely.

The Tips for Packing Gaming Equipment

First things first, give your game consoles and electronic equipment a good cleaning or dusting. You don’t want to pack dusty equipment.

Find good packaging

Gather all the packaging you’ll need. The original packaging is the best choice, since it has already been optimized to provide the most protection to your device. If the Xbox or PlayStation box is long gone, check out allcases.com to find the right size hard shell electronics box. Though it is not the best choice, a regular cardboard box close in size to your device will do, as long as you only pack gaming equipment in that box.

Protect your valuables

If you’re not using an original or specialized box, it’s essential to add padding to protect your devices from rattling around, cracking or breaking. Avoid packing peanuts – they give off static electricity which can cause your electronics to short out or reduce their life span. The best packing materials are newspapers, clothes, or anti-static bubble wrap.

Organization is your best friend

Keep cords and controllers with their console. Don’t forget to protect your controllers too! Improper packing can cause loss of sensitivity in the controller’s buttons and joysticks. Neatly wrap the cords and protect each controller individually. Put all the parts of each console into the same box, which will keep each gaming system separated and organized. Avoid packing anything that is not gaming equipment in the same box.

Label your boxes

Meticulously labelled boxes are an unpacker’s best friend. Keep a list on a pad of paper as you pack each item. Noting even the smallest of things will save you time later!

The Best Method to Pack Gaming Equipment

Follow these step by step instructions to safely pack your gaming system:

Before you unplug anything, make sure you take out any discs or games inside your system. Leaving it inside can damage the game.
If your system has a rechargeable battery, remove it from the system before packing.
Wrap the console, controllers, and any accessories per the tips above
Place a layer of padding on the bottom of the box before putting anything in it. Learn the “burrito method” in our packing basics video.
Put the individually wrapped items in the box with the heaviest items on the bottom and the lightest on the top
Fill in any empty spaces with extra padding or paper to make sure pieces don’t shift around during transit
Place a second layer of padding across the top before you close the box.
Label your box with everything in it! The more specific you are, the sooner you will be playing games in your new home.

By following these instructions you’ll be able to get to your new home and switch from Pack Man to Pac Man. When you’re ready to move, give us a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!

How To Add Value To Your House For Selling

Posted on December 5, 2018January 4, 2021 by cclark

When you’re moving, you may hesitate to put more money into your soon-to-be old home. This mistake will cut into your bottom-line, or even prevent your home from selling at all. Considering these 6 upgrades that are sure to sell your home and Follow these tips to upgrade your home and your listing price.

1. Decluttering!

First things first, to upgrade your home you need to get rid of all the junk hanging around the house. Clearer spaces make rooms look larger. Say goodbye to the old sports equipment and dried out art supplies. Start with the goal of cutting your stuff in half. Olympia Moving & Storage has a free storage promotion to help, learn more.

2. Give some TLC to your Kitchen counters

Redoing your kitchen counters is a game-changer. Making your kitchen look as clean and new as possible is essential to selling your home. Who wants to buy an old, crumb-riddled kitchen? An upgraded kitchen allows buyers to focus on the home’s real features, not the peeling linoleum counter tops.

3. Upgrade the Bathroom

Another upgrade to sell your home is a modern bathroom. Installing new, clean utilities can make a world of difference. At the very least, replacing the shower curtain and toilet seat can change how people view your home. Potential buyers will be admiring the bathroom upgrades, not a dirty, well-used restroom.

4. Lather up a Fresh Coat of Paint

To brighten your whole house, invest in a new coat of paint for the walls and trim. Choose a neutral color like white to give the buyers a blank canvas, or choose another neutral like cream or a light taupe to make the rooms seem bigger and more open. If you’re looking for something more colorful, check out these tips from Business Insider.

5. Install New Hardware on Cabinets

There is nothing like shiny silver hardware to light up a room. Remove dull and worn out hardware and head over to a hardware store to stock up on handles and knobs to upgrade your cabinets. The new installations will brighten up the room and create a new, finished perspective for your home.

6. Landscaping

Last but certainly not least, you must landscape your yard space. The exterior of the home is a buyer’s first impression, so it is important to impress. Mulch the gardens, mow the lawn, trim bushes, and edge the walkways. Do everything in your power to make your yard appear taken care of and welcoming – you want to invite buyers into your home, not scare them away with unruly plants and spotty grass.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to complete this by yourself, it is worth researching professionals who can help complete these upgrades that will sell your home. The more you put into your property, the higher you can list your house for!

Once you sell your home, give us a call at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form for a free moving estimate!