Get Ready for the Move:
Moving from one home to another is one of the most stressful things people do in their lives. Even the thought of moving is stressful. But, careful planning, organization, the right packing and moving materials, and just plain old common sense go a long ways in alleviating the stress of moving.
Getting started is always the hardest step. So, in the words of Nike, ?Just Do IT.? The earlier you begin packing things up and getting yourself organized, the more time and headache you will save yourself further down the line. Having a written plan is a great way to stay organized. As you check things off your ?to do? list, you will have peace of mind in knowing you are taking care of every needful thing. You will also need plenty of moving boxes, tape, packing materials and markers for labeling your boxes. Another way to stay organized is to write down everything in each room and how you will deal with moving it. You will need to decide whether you want to do the packing and loading or whether you want the mover to do those tasks.
Packing is an art form. Moving authorities will tell you it is best to pack one room at a time and to carefully mark each box. Knowing what is in each box and what room it belongs in will make unpacking in your new home much easier. Remember heavier things go on the bottom and lighter things on top. Basic common sense will also help you pack things well. For example, do not pack heavy items like books all in a large box, making it awkward and difficult to carry. Moving is made easier when heavier items are placed in several small boxes rather than in one large box.
For items that take special consideration like large appliances, furniture, or really heavy items, like a piano, be sure to let your mover know about these items so they come prepared on the day of the move. For items that are difficult to immediately accommodate, storing them in a storage facility may be a good idea.
In the end, getting started early, being organized, and using common sense will help you and your family have a successful and less stressful move. GOOD LUCK!.
Everything Handyman [3] Need to do a little fix-up before you sell? This site is chock full of answers to your home improvement, repair, and handyman questions.
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Getting There:
Expedia Travel [4] Microsoft's site for travel, hotels, and rental cars.
How Far Is It? [5]Calculate the distance between two locations by putting in the addresses.
Zip2MyWay [6] get detailed driving directions from your location to anywhere you want to go.
Making the Move:
Moving-Guide [7] a directory of moving companies and services worldwide
Homestore [8] all sorts of help for your move including a moving calculator that will tell you the approximate cost to have a professional move your belongings.
American Movers Association [9] lists 3,000 movers and services.
Help-U-Move [10] is a rental truck alternative. You load/unload, they do the driving.
ABF [11] and Freight System, Inc. [12] moving alternative on the web.
The Do-It-Yourself Move
Moving yourself gives you the most control and flexibility, and can be cheaper if you don't have a lot of stuff and aren't moving too far away. Organizing and pulling off your own move can also be more stressful and time-consuming, so factor in what your time and sanity are worth...
If renting a truck [13], call at least two weeks before your move (earlier if moving at the end of the month) to get an idea of prices and what size you'll need. Check out our truck rental page [14] for a free quote online. You should also reserve any furniture pads, dollies, and hand trucks you'll need for the day of the move.
If you are driving a long distance and need to spend the night somewhere, try to pre-plan where you will stay. Choose somewhere in a decent neighborhood so you can park somewhere safe and invest in a good, strong lock for the truck to deter thieves.
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