Tag: planning a move

The First Steps to Organize a Pack to Move

Posted on by Nicole Longo

When you start to pack your home it can be overwhelming. It is hard to know where to start. To minimize the chance of losing something the best thing to do is take a step back and plan. The key to success for the steps leading up to move in day is organization. Here are some tips on how to execute a smooth pack from the start.

1. Walk around the house with a pad of paper and pen and make a plan on what rooms you’re going to pack first. The office full of stuff you haven’t touched in a few months could be first, and maybe the kid’s room one of the last. Prior to packing it is essential to have a solid plan.

2. Acquire packing materials before you dive in to packing. Olympia has excellent packing materials available for purchase & delivery. Click here to order.

3. Learn how to pack using Olympia’s “How to Pack” video series. In these videos Olympia’s training manager, John, demonstrates how to pack even the most fragile items to arrive at your new home safely and in one piece. Click here to view them now.

4. Pack one room at a time. While this sounds like an obvious solution, it is crucial for when you move in to your new house. You will have boxes labeled by room and you’ll be able to find things quickly. If you’re really feeling organized keep a running list of what is going inside the boxes and place it on top. Utilize Olympia’s free printable box labels to help keep organized.

5. Pack the most important items separately: When you’re in the process of packing it is hard to gage what you will and will not need. To be safe, make a separate box of all of these things and label it “IMPORTANT” for now put everything you might need in there, from laptop cords, TV cords, remotes, headphones, and passports. If you may need it, put it in there for now. Learn more about packing what you need right away in our blog about the “First Night Box.”

If you don’t want to pack at all, no worries! Ask about a quote for Olympia’s full-packing services by calling 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

How to Recycle or Repurpose Your Moving Boxes

Posted on by brandt

After moving and settling into your new home, there are always going to be those empty cardboard boxes left over. Olympia Moving & Storage has some ideas for how you can reuse or recycle these used boxes.

So you’ve finally moved and began the process of unpacking your life in your new home. Soon everything is going to have its place in your new space, but what to do with the moving boxes you painstakingly collected for weeks or even months? Inexpensive boxes can be hard to come by, but you probably won’t want to keep them after your move. The most eco-friendly way to dispose of your boxes is to reuse or recycle them.

Give boxes to a friend. Do you have a friend or relative that’s close and moving soon? Save them time and money and gift any boxes that are up to another move. The boxes will be out of your home and you’ll save your friend the hassle of finding their own boxes.

Use boxes for storage. You’ll still need storage in your new home. You can continue to use moving boxes as storage in closets and basements, or even on shelves or in corners with some redecorating. You can use fabric or colored paper to make the boxes more aesthetically pleasing.  Yes – really!  Check out this DIY.

Sell boxes. If you want to try to profit off your materials, you can try selling moving boxes and other packing materials on a variety of websites. Just keep in mind that this could be more of a headache than it’s worth: demand could be low, and people may be unwilling to pay even a small amount of money for used boxes. Some good sites for selling used boxes include:

Recycle your packing materials. Any boxes that have been damaged in the moving process will ultimately need to be recycled. If you visit your town’s website, there should be a link about how your town handles recycling, and what can and cannot be recycled. You will need to break down the boxes before recycling them, in order to make them easier to transport. Oftentimes, they can be left in your regular recycling bin on pickup days. If you live in an apartment complex, you may have a specific cardboard recycling bin. You should contact your local recycling service to be sure of the specific requirements for your area.

Schedule a debris pickup.  If all else fails, an easy solution is to schedule a debris pickup with your moving company.  Many moving companies will come by your home to pick up the used boxes for recycling for a small fee.

To order moving boxes or to schedule a debris pickup, you can contact Olympia Moving & Storage at 800-222-4744. Just starting to plan your move?  Request an estimate online.

Apartment Move in Tips from a Property Management Pro

Posted on by olympiamoving

Whether you’re a parent sending your child off to college or someone moving into their first apartment, moving can be a daunting task; from the apartment hunt to the move. But just because you’ve unpacked the last of the boxes doesn’t mean it’s over, there are still some things to remember and apartment move in tips to take to heart.

It’s important to know that a loved one is safe and settled in their new surroundings, even if they’re just down the street, so we spoke with a Boston property manager and compiled some apartment move in tips.key in door

  • Lock your doors and windows especially those that are easily accessible to unwanted intruders. Windows on the first floor or basement levels should always be locked.
  • Don’t leave valuables where they can be seen from outside your apartment.
  • Know your neighbors and keep an eye out for them and their property.  Don’t let strangers inside the building, this goes for when you are entering/exiting and when people buzz you via the intercom.
  • Packages are typically left in the foyer and subject to being open or stolen, if it’s something important send it requiring a signature.
  • Call 911 to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
  • Poor housekeeping leads to unsanitary conditions, contributing to pest problems. Some new residents have little or no furniture, and thus are inclined to pick up infested items off the street or buying secondhand, bringing in new pests. Should you suspect you have a pest infestation it is important to report it to management right away to prevent the spread if bugs or vermin.

A new city comes with new places to explore and new practices to put into place, so help your loved ones transition safely and informed with our move in tips!

Haven’t moved yet but ready to start planning a move?  Click here to request a free, no obligation moving estimate. 

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