Moving and Storage Blog

Moving Tips: Moving Your Gym Equipment

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Having a home gym is great. You avoid paying membership fees, sharing gym equipment, and eliminate the cost and hassle of driving to the gym. A home gym is a major convenience, that is, until you move. Many large workout machines, such as ellipticals, are difficult to disassemble, heavy, and challenging to fit through doorways. This step by step moving guide will help you relocate your gym equipment with ease.

1. Take inventory of your equipment to see whether you need to hire a moving company or not. If you decide to do it all yourself without evaluating the situation, you might get halfway through, discover that you have bitten off more than you can chew, and end up hiring a moving company anyway.

2. Check to see which items can be disassembled, and check their users manuals before taking them apart.

3. Keep items separated: Organize the machines separately. Package and label small parts such as screws and nuts. You have to put everything back together, which is a much simpler task when everything is organized.

4. Secure weights separately from the rest of the equipment. Dumbbells and similar weights should be secured before your relocation so that they do not roll around in the moving truck.

5. When in doubt, hire a professional moving company! Sure, you can keep the cost of moving down by doing it all yourself. But heavy items such as gym equipment can cause injury if not handled properly. Contact your local San Diego moving company if you have any doubts about your ability to safely move the equipment yourself.

Avoid These 10 Common Moving Mistakes

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:54:00 GMT

Take it from us, your San Diego moving experts - moving can either be very easy, or a complete headache. Avoiding the common mistakes outlined below can save you a ton of hassle, reduce expenditures, and simplify and otherwise difficult endeavor.

Mistake #1: Picking the moving company that offers the lowest price. Many of these companies are offering sub par services at a reduced rate. Avoid having to replace broken possessions by hiring a moving company that will care for your valuables and get the job done right.
Mistake #2: Getting moving quotes over the phone: A moving company cannot give you an accurate estimate over the phone. Have them take the time to come out to your house and go over your inventory with you.
Mistake #3: Not seeking estimates from multiple moving companies. Shop around a bit - it could save you a ton of money! Seek out estimates from at least three moving companies.
Mistake #4: Not researching the moving company. Go online and search for customer reviews for your San Diego moving company. If they are a quality company, their online reviews will reflect that.
Mistake #5: Not planning ahead. Choose a time of year that makes sense for your moving needs. For example, moving across the state of Nevada in the heat of the summer would be much more difficult than moving in the spring or fall.
Mistake #6: Not asking about extra fees that you may be charged.
Mistake #7: Not asking the right questions. Are they are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration?
Mistake #8: Not checking with the Better Business Bureau on the mover's complaint record
Mistake #9: Not informing the mover of any unusual situations that they may run into before the move.
Mistake #10: Forgetting to keep track of the different moving estimates your receive.

Move For Hunger Monthly - May 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:18:00 GMT

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Congratulations to AMWAT Moving & Warehousing - in Tallahassee, FL for being honored as our Mover of the Month for April 2012.

Since joining Move For Hunger in October of 2009 AMWAT has donated over 4,769 Pounds of food for America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend. This is enough food to provide over 3,668 life saving meals for those in need. In addition to food collections from their customers, AMWAT has held food drives with Gold's Gym, Publix Food Store, FSU, and even their local brewery!! Last month alone they hosted two food drives in addition to the food they collected from customers relocating.

To read more about AMWAT Moving & Warehousing's commitment to fighting hunger CLICK HERE.

Events Update

Move For Hunger recently held a HUGE food drive at the New Jersey Marathon. Move For Hunger went all out with the celebrity treatment, we let spectators and racers walk our red carpet and get their photos taken like the stars they are!! Click Here to See More.

Real Estate Agent Highlight

Linda Salkow (Prudential Arizona Properties) has been a part of the Move For Hunger - Real Estate Program since 2010. She recently held her 2nd annual Desert Mountain Food Drive and Collected over 2,000 Pounds of Food!! Read more about Linda's hunger fight CLICK HERE.

Our Newest Partners

A big thank you to our newest Mission Partners: Prudential Americana Group & Prudential Arizona Properties. Also welcome our newest Signature Partners: Rand McNally, Moveboxer, and Mango Moving !! Thank you for your commitment to our Hunger Fight.

Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with the relocation industry to pick up unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and deliver it to local food banks across the country. To date, Move For Hunger is working with over 330 movers in 41 states and has collected more than 480,000 pounds of food. With the support of its partners, Move For Hunger is turning the average food drive into one of the nation's largest, year-round service programs. For more information or to find out how you can help support Move For Hunger, visit www.MoveForHunger.org and make an online donation to help our hunger relief efforts.

Choosing a Reputable Mover

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:18:00 GMT

Here's an important "to do" list to help you select the right Carlsbad mover:

Get a written estimate from several movers.
The estimate should be based on an actual inspection of your household goods.
Make sure the mover has insurance and is licensed by the proper authority.
For moves from one State to another, a U.S. DOT number is issued by FMCSA. You can double-check a mover's license on www.protectyourmove.gov. For moves within a State, requirements vary. Check with your State, county or local consumer affairs agency or your State attorney general.
Remember your priorities when choosing a Carlsbad mover.
If you hire a mover based solely on the cheapest price, you may be sacrificing other things that are actually more important, such as getting your possessions moved and delivered on time. And remember, movers are required by law to deliver your goods for no more than ten percent above the price of a non-binding estimate. This is known as the 110 percent rule.
Do your homework.
Read "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move," a booklet from the Federal government that your mover is required to give you if you are moving from one State to another. This booklet also has information you'll need if your goods are lost or damaged during the move. Finally, check the mover's complaint history with local consumer advocacy organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau.

Guide from protectyourmove.gov

Want to Set Up a Moving Budget? Here's How in Four Steps

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:14:00 GMT

<a href="http://www.oakleyrelocation.com/">Moving to Poway, CA</a> is an exciting process...but also a very time consuming one; so time consuming that you may think you don't have time to set up a moving budget. Choosing to skip this step however can be very costly to you and your household. Here's how to make time and set up that <a href="http://www.oakleyrelocation.com/">Poway moving</a> budget!

Moving Your Wine

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:01:00 GMT

Wine collections can represent a sizable investment. You should first calculate the total value of the collection. Once that is complete, you can decide whether to move your wine in a traditional moving van or on a climate-controlled vehicle. A full service San Diego moving company will be able to guide you in this decision.

Getting it there!

If you are moving your wine collection in the summer or winter months, where temperatures can be extreme, you may want to consider requesting an estimate for moving the wine collection on a climate-controlled van line. Speak with the professional moving estimator who comes to your home about availability and cost.

Understand the value of your wine

High-value wine collections should have a professional appraisal completed prior to shipping. The best way to locate an appraiser is to contact a local, fine-wine distributor or shop.

If you have a small wine collection, it is recommended that you move the wine in your car. This will allow you to control the temperature.

Packing

Special care should be taken to protect the wine when packing. San Diego Professional movers are qualified to correctly pack the wine bottles. If you are packing the wine yourself, you may want to consider obtaining wine-packing boxes used to transport wine by the case on commercial airlines. These are made of Styrofoam or corrugated cardboard and protect the bottles well. You can purchase them at stores that sell wine in your area. You can also order wine-packing materials from: California Glass Co, 155 98th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94603, (510) 635-7700

Remember to pack the wine on its side, as it would be stored in your home.
Even if extreme care has been used in packing and moving, wine bottle shock may occur. The wine will shake within the bottle as it is moved. If opened too soon, a loss of flavor may result. Allow the bottles to rest for 7 days prior to opening.

For more information about moving wine collections, visit these Web sites:
www.wine.com
www.wine-lovers-page.com
www.winespectator.com
www.winecountry.com

Moving Seniors

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:41:00 GMT

Change is something most elderly have a hard time with. Moving to another home is stressful for even healthy young adults. Imagine when you have lived in the same home for many years and have settled in. Moving to a new place can disrupt their routines. The stress is increased when they move further away from old friends.

When moving seniors, it's best to do all possible to make a quick and easy moving day. It's best to do their packing for them, or move little bits at a time far ahead of the moving date. A whole lot of memories go into everything they own, give them time to sort through all their things, before packing or throughing something out. This time also helps in mentally preparation of relocation. If there aren't many to help, consider a professional moving company.

Those elderly that are no longer able to care for themselves, It would be strongly adviced to hire a moving company to help pack, move, and unpack belongings. Also consider a maid service to help clean up the old location after moving. This many strange people in their home may cause unease, agitation, upset, and create anxiety. Take them to the park or a nice restaurant while their stuff is being moved out. Take them to their new home to have them decide where everything is going to go, this helps them ease into the idea of relocation and lets them rest assured that their property has arrived safely.

Move Yourself or Hire a Professional Mover?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:47:00 GMT

There is perhaps no greater decision regarding your move than whether you are going to hire a professional moving service to help you with the move. This decision will affect your moving expenses as well as the time commitment required of you.

Moving Yourself
Some decisions are harder than others. If your main concern is adhering to a tight budget, perhaps moving yourself is the best option. However, if you are unable to devote the time to coordinate the move over the concerns of money, your best bet is to hire a professional full-service mover.

If you're moving your one-bedroom apartment across town or across state, it's probably just as easy to gather some friends to help you pack and load the truck. This will allow you greater flexibility and is sometimes less expensive than other moving services. However, you will be responsible for all the grunt work, including loading and unloading the heavy furniture and appliances.

But if you have friends and/or family willing and able to help, you have a couple options. You can save some money by renting a van or even a trailer to attach to your vehicle. Remember to carefully consider the distance of the move since driving a moving van/truck can be a stressful event considering your inexperience driving trucks or pulling a trailer. If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, there are hybrid moving services available such as the self moving services where you pack and load the truck and the professionals do the driving. It saves you the hassles of traffic while still giving you the comfort of knowing who is doing the packing and loading.

Hire a Pro
There are several reasons to choose a professional moving company over moving yourself, not the least of which is the fact that a moving company can save you time, effort, and stress. If you are moving a 3-bedroom house across the country, you might want to consider going with a professional moving service. While it may appear that hiring a full-service mover is more costly, you might want to consider that doing it yourself may require you to miss work and (possibly) a chunk of your paycheck. Hiring a professional will free you of the tedious planning, packing, loading, driving and unloading, thus allowing you to concentrate on the important stuff such as making sure you and your family is comfortable.

It is also important to remember that your belongings are important to you, regardless of their worth. While you may take every precaution in packing and loading your furniture and fragile items, you are not nearly as experienced in doing so as is the professional mover. They do this for a living and are skilled in handling your belongings. Should something happen to your items, the movers will be liable. However, if you should damage your items while moving yourself, you have no recourse.

Environmentally Friendly Moving Boxes

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Instead of just picking up the cheapest or strongest boxes, first do some research to make sure that your box is recycled or can be recycled. There are two types of place to pick up some moving boxes; from a supplier or from someone who is getting rid of boxes. The latter is obviously cheaper and environmentally friendly because you’re reusing a box that otherwise might’ve been thrown out. If you’re only in a position to purchase moving boxes, then there are certain things you should avoid to stay environmentally friendly.

Sometimes a cardboard box looks like cardboard, feels like cardboard, and may even smell like cardboard. But the truth is, it may not be 100% cardboard. Sometimes boxes are contaminated with other materials such as wood, polystyrene foam, metal, plastic, wax, and newspaper can be found within your cardboard boxes. What’s the big deal? The problem with these contaminates is that they interference with remanufacturing the boxes because they have to be separated from the actual cardboard. This is a difficult, time consuming, and expensive process. Consequently, contaminated boxes often get thrown by the wayside. Although cardboard is biodegradable, the process is long and slow resulting in a large buildup of cardboard waste in landfills. To help prevent this needless waste, be green with your moving boxes.

So what can you do? Ask friends, co-workers, local supermarkets, and anyone and everyone if they have extra boxes that you can use for your move. This is a cheap and environmentally friendly way to obtain cardboard boxes. Or, if you buy moving boxes, make sure that they are not filled with contaminates and can be recycled. When you’re done with your moving boxes, you can then pay it forward and see if anyone you know needs any cardboard boxes or just recycle them yourself.

Although 65% of cardboard is recycled per year, and is the most recycled material in the United States, it is up to all of us to keep that number steady if not raise it. Who knew that something as simple as cardboard could be so complicated? This being true, it is extremely simple and uncomplicated to make sure you’re being green when choosing cardboard boxes for your upcoming move.

Moving Boxes and Packing Materials

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:53:00 GMT

What is a move? It’s not just finding a new home, it's not just finding a moving company, and it's not just paying loads of money to get everything done. There’s also loads and loads of packing to worry about. Minutes, hours, days, weeks; packing takes different amounts of time for different types of people with different amounts of things. And packing can be considered the most important part of moving. Packing your stuff in moving boxes as opposed to plastic bags can be the difference between a broken set of dishes and an unscathed one.

Let’s take a look at the different types of packing materials you can use

Moving Boxes

These boxes are not your average boxes. Don’t just use some boxes you had left over from your microwave and toaster oven. Moving boxes are tough and strong and can really keep your things safe and intact. With other boxes, you’re dealing with cheaper, unreliable materials that will not be able to bear the burden of your move.
Peanuts and Bubble Wrap

As a kid you loved playing with these fun but useful packing materials. Peanuts are those little figure eight pieces of Styrofoam. They’re used to cushion the items inside your moving boxes. Your stuff will be kept safe, and they’re great fun to play with once your move is over. The other fun piece of packing material is bubble wrap which is also used for insulation. Again, great fun to play with at the end of your move.

Miscellaneous

This includes tape, scissors, rope, twine etc basically anything and everything you’ll need to help keep your moving boxes closed and secured.

Now that you know what you need, you're ready to pack!

San Diego eWaste Drop-Off Events

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Never Overlook San Diego eWaste Drop-off Events

There has been an increase in awareness about recycling and green issues in recent years, but one thing that many people don’t stop and think about often is the recycling of electronic waste, or eWaste. This is overlooked so frequently because most of us don’t think about our electronics as being recyclable. The truth is, there are many individual components of our electronics that can be repurposed or broken down and recycled, and there is no need to throw all that valuable material into a landfill.

Click here to see the next scheduled FREE eWaste Drop-off Event for San Diego

What eWaste Is

The first thing you need to be aware of is that your electronic waste actually contains harmful and toxic substances in many instances, in addition to all of the great reusable materials. You can’t just throw away your computer monitor, television, or printer for this very reason. Heavy metals from these electronics is in danger of seeping into the soil and contaminating our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Exposure to heavy metals can be lethal. That is why it is so important that you turn your old and broken electronics to a company trained to handle the disposal and recycling of electronic waste.

Recycle San Diego

When you need to recycle your electronic waste in the San Diego area, you can turn to any of our green locations in San Diego, or take advantage of our free eWaste events. California law requires you give us your name, address, and phone number along with your old electronics. You’ll get a certificate of recycling that guarantees your old electronics have been properly disposed of and have not ended up in a landfill somewhere.

Safe and Convenient

This certificate releases you or your business from liability regarding the recycling of your eWaste, and it gives you peace of mind knowing that you’ve not only complied with the law, but also given those materials a fresh purpose. Recycle San Diego is properly permitted and fully insured.

3 Unknown Moving Tips

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:52:00 GMT

When you move you should always have an emergency backpack ready. It should be filled with at least 2 water bottles, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, and a change of clothing. You may be asking yourself, “But I have all of these things in my luggage”? But the truth is, even though you can put them in your luggage, with a backpack you have easy access. These are the items that when you need them, you won’t want to rummage through your luggage for them. For example, you just moved a large screen TV up a stairwell; you need water, just reach into your backpack instead of looking for the boxes where you put the water.

While cleaning your new home you amass a large amount of sweat. Instead of looking through all of the boxes for your clothes, just reach into your backpack for a new shirt.

Small TV/Stereo

When you get to your new home there is a chance that you may not get everything settled on the first night. In this case, you still want to be able to relax once you lay down but your big screen TV or entertainment system is still packed away. No worries, just pull out the small TV or stereo you took with you in your car and you’ll be able to relax on your first night even though your major electronics are still packed.

Pre-game

You don’t have to necessarily move everything at one time. If possible, move some stuff before your official moving day so when it comes, you’ll be more prepared. For example, maybe you know someone with a truck and they can move your bed for you before your moving day. If you can do this then you’ll be able to just lay down for a quick rest once you’ve moved in. There’s nothing worse than realizing after a long day of moving that you still have put together your bed before you can go to sleep. With theses 3 tips, your move should become a lot easier.

What’s the right Air Conditioning Unit for You?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:55:00 GMT

What’s the right Air Conditioner for you?

You’ve just moved into your new home or a plush apartment but there is one thing missing to help you through those hot summers, an air conditioner. For the ignorant individual, buying an air conditioning unit can seem difficult with the different weight sizes or horse power or volts and Btu’s also know as British thermal units. It can get a little hazy. Before you install a new air conditioner into your new home make sure you have the right one suited for your place of residence. The most notable types of air conditioning units are the window AC, the split air AC, the packaged air conditioner and the central air conditioner.

Window Air Conditioner

This type of ac unit is typically used a single room. You’ll notice these in most bedrooms or dorm rooms.The window air conditioner is normally has all its components such as the compressor, condenser, expansion valve/coil are encompassed in a single box. This unit is usually fitted in the wall of the room.
If you’re looking to cover more than one room, the split air conditioning unit might be the right choice for you.

Split Air Conditioner

The split ac unit is typically comprised of two sections, the outdoor and indoor unit.
The outdoor part of the ac unit is obviously portioned outside the room; inside the outdoor unit are the compressor, condenser, expansion valve and so forth.
The indoor section of the air conditioner contains the evaporator or the cooling coil and the cooling fan.
A slot in the wall isn’t required for this AC. Split air conditioning units are a bit more decorative than other units. It isn’t hard at all to find one that will add to the splendor of any room.
If you are looking to cover a bit more than two rooms, you might be in need to have an ac unit for your house then the packaged air conditioner is the path for you.

Packaged Air Conditioner

The packaged air conditioner can be made two different ways. The first would be where all the components, i.e, compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator are all included in a single box.
The condenser can be air cooled or water cooled.
The cooled air in the first alignment is pushed by a high capacity blower, allowing it to flow through the ducts leading to various rooms of a house.
The second alignment consists of the compressor, the condenser all in one shell. For this section, the compressed gas passes through single units, each of which have their own expansion valve and cooling coil, located in rooms throughout a house or a small building.
Other than these units, there is the central air conditioner. The central AC is used for enormous buildings like hotels or offices.

Central Air Conditioner

If you own a hotel or a giant building the central air conditioner will save you a lot of money. You won’t have to place an air conditioner in every room of the building.
Essentially, it’s a huge compressor that has the ability to make a lot of air conditioning. It will cool a giant mall, big halls, pretty much any huge space.
Hopefully you have a general idea on which is the right air conditioner for you. Before you by one though, ask about Btu’s and the energy efficient ratio otherwise known as EER’s.

Btu’s

British thermal unit’s will run from 5,000 to 18,000 in most air conditioners. Make sure you have the right amount for your place of residence. 18,000 Btu’s might be too much for a studio apartment, just a tad bit.

EER’s

The higher the energy efficient ratio the more affordable the ac unit is to operate.
This is just general knowledge to lead you in the right direction to your air conditioner utopia.

Types of Moving Insurance

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:56:00 GMT

Have you reached that point in your life where it’s just time to move? Do you need to relocate for a new job? did you decide to live closer to your parents? Whatever the reasons are that you have to move, either way, you’re in for a certain amount of stress. While moving is a burden, you can alleviate some of the hardship by having your belongings covered by insurance. Having insurance during your move is not only a smart idea, but an absolute must. You never know if your mover will accidentally break your TV. Make sure for your next move you’re things are properly insured so your moving stress can immensely reduced. Here are the different types of insurances you can get for your upcoming move:

Full Value: This, like its name implies, will cover your entire shipment. This is the most comprehensive and expensive plan, but it puts more pressure on the movers to be careful with your things. Under this plan, if anything is lost, damaged, or destroyed, the movers can either offer to repair the item, reimburse you with cash, or replace it with a similar item. Some movers may limit their liability for expensive items (>$100), so make sure to ask them about their policy regarding this. The price for this protection plan varies and is subject to different deductible levels.
Released Value: This is the most affordable option, but it leaves you the most vulnerable. Under a released value plan, movers are only responsible for 60 cents per pound per article (intrastate moves may differ). So let’s say you packed your new iPod that weighs 5 ounces, if it breaks during transport, the mover is only liable to reimburse you approximately 20 cents. So you see that this type of insurance does not really do much in your benefit. The only plus side is that it comes at no additional cost to you. But be wary; if you do not say you want released value insurance, the mover will automatically give you full value.
Third-Party: If you choose released insurance, some movers may allow you to obtain third party insurance. This is an additional cost that must be purchased separately by you. With this coverage the mover will be liable for the 60 cents per pound per item. The additional losses can be recovered from the third party company that you purchased the insurance from. If this insurance is purchased through the mover, they are liable to present you with a written record of this purchase. If you use an outside company, check to make sure that your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t already cover you.

Keep in mind that there are some actions that may limit the mover’s liability of your things. These include:

Packing hazardous or perishable items without informing the mover.
Packing your own boxes.
Choosing Released insured.
Failure to notify the mover about expensive items (>$100).
Language in your contract that relinquishes the mover from any liability.
If you wait over 9 months to issue a written claim of your losses.

So now that you know your options, play it smart and always make sure that you’re covered from any accidental and purposeful damages. For more information, visit the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) article on this topic: Understanding Valuation and Insurance Options.

Seasonal Storage & Vacation Rental Homes

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:59:00 GMT

Vacation rental homes are a time honored tradition among American families, especially during the summer months when the kids are off from school and can enjoy themselves at the beach. Many vacation homes have weekly or even monthly rates, but a majority of these vacationing families rent the house for a month or more. While many of your personal belongings will be left behind, unattended for long periods of time and without any supervision, it is important to make arrangements for a neighbor or family member close by to act as a caretaker to ensure you come back to your home in the same condition as when you left. If you do not have anyone to do you this favor there are companies available, for a fee, that offer personalized home care services.

A great option to consider is self storage or even seasonal storage facilities where you can save money over a house sitting choice and store your most prized possessions in a secure, climate controlled environment that has full CCTV (closed circuit television) security systems and twenty-four hour watchmen patrolling the premises. Depending on the amount of storage space you need, this could range from $40.00 to $300.00 per month in fees.

There is never any contractual obligation or lease involved with renting a storage space; this is a month to month agreement with payment due usually at the beginning of the new month and notification of cancellation required 2 weeks prior to moving your stuff out. Upon renting your storage space, most facilities offer either a complimentary rental truck for do it yourself moves or they have relationships with several local moving companies that can help you by doing all the heavy work.

Storage options don’t have to be just relegated to the renters themselves, the owners of these vacation homes can benefit greatly as well from having reserve furniture, carpets, extra appliances and more in storage, near at hand for any emergency and readily available for seasonal changes.