How to Move a Piano?

Pianos are fragile, complex, and bulky musical instruments that require delicate handling before, during, or after moving. Otherwise, you risk damaging the frame, the keyboard, the cover, or the legs.

Tips for Moving a Piano Safely

As a homeowner, you need experienced and professional movers to help you move a piano safely because of their nature. Fortunately, this article will help you understand how to move a piano safely using the necessary tools and materials.

We at High Stream Moving Company take pride in moving pianos safely from your old residence to your new location. We have the experience and expertise you need to execute the process.

You should, however, understand a few things before you begin the moving process.

• Contact a professional piano moving company.
• Wrap the piano with pads to protect it from scratches.
• Map a route through the doorway to help in the moving process.
• Measure the piano before purchasing any wrapping material.
• Use the correct gear i.e. heavy-duty straps and a dolly.
• Close the keyboard lid and protect it.
• Always move the piano in an upright position.

Steps Involved to Move a Piano Safely

Always follow the recommended step-by-step procedure to avoid damage and scratches when moving a piano.

Step One: Hire a Team of Professional Piano Movers

Contacting a reliable piano moving company is the most integral step. Fortunately, at High Stream Moving Company, we have all the tools, team, and skills to handle delicate piano moves.

Also, research information about piano moving services to get a free quote or estimate before contacting the piano movers or even booking an appointment.

Step Two: Acquire All Moving Equipment

Here is a list of the necessary tools and utilities to move a piano safely.

• Gloves
• Tape
• Dolly
• Heavy-duty straps
• Blanket
• Plastic wraps
• Ramp
• Moving Truck
• Piano skid board
• Screwdriver

Step Three: Measure the Size of the Piano, Hallway, Doorway, and the Staircase

Start by mapping out a route of passage. Compare the piano measurements with the route.

Measuring all dimensions will help you tell if the piano fits through your home. You can also adjust the doorways if the piano does not fit through.

Step Four: Piano Moving

Step-by-step process:

Step Five: Moving the Piano Inside the New Residence

Slowly roll the piano out of the truck to avoid breaking the legs or damaging the frame. Repeat step three above and move the piano through your new home. Make sure the new position is clean before placing the piano into position. Reset the piano tunes.

Moving a Piano on Different Types of Floors

Hiring Professionals Vs. Doing It Yourself

You can either move the piano by yourself or hire professionals to help. However, moving a piano yourself has consequences (as seen above). So, hiring professionals is recommended.

Professional piano movers handle all the planning and moving processes. They have the necessary tools to secure and carry the piano compared to moving a piano yourself. In most cases, you might not have all the required tools and utilities.

At High Stream Moving Company, we have a special piano moving team that specializes in moving pianos. This cannot be compared to moving the piano with your family members or neighbors who might lack the experience and expertise.

Hiring professionals can be expensive. But did you know that moving a piano yourself can also be costly? For example, you will have to purchase a few essential tools for moving a piano (if you do not have them). Furthermore, repairing a damaged piano while moving by yourself is expensive.

The other importance of hiring a professional piano moving company is the convenience offered. Most homeowners do not have moving trucks parked at home. Hence, contacting a reliable moving company is the only logical solution. At High Stream Moving, we have several moving trucks that fit all household items, including pianos.

Remember that you should not load a piano in an ordinary car if you do not want to deal with accidents and damages.

Lastly, moving a piano yourself takes longer than moving the piano with professionals. At High Stream Moving, we guarantee efficient piano moves to your new residence.

Dos and Don’ts

There are a few things you should do and should not do as a property owner.

Conclusion

The bottom line of moving your baby grand or medium grand piano is to contact the experts. Professional movers have the necessary skills and tools to handle local and long-distance piano moves.

This guide has looked at how to move a piano safely, plus the importance of hiring professional piano movers. We at High Stream Moving, provide affordable and efficient piano moving services to homeowners today.

Contact us at (800) 430-1537 today and get an estimate or talk to our customer care agents.

How Long Is a Moving Truck?

Most professional relocation service companies have a moving truck and a team of experienced packers. All these are essential factors that boost the safe transportation of household equipment. However, you should know that it is not always about the moving truck but the precise size truck.

Remember that moving trucks are available in different sizes today. Thus, having the correct size moving truck comes with its advantages.

For example:

• The correct size moving truck accommodates all household items perfectly.
• It will cover the relocation distance once.

Most homeowners, however, ask one question. How long is a moving truck?

After reading this article, you will understand the correct size moving truck to get and its importance. But first, let us answer a few other significant questions property owners ask.

What Size Moving Truck Should You Get, And What Is The Importance?

It is always necessary to request the correct size moving truck for two reasons.

• A long moving truck will leave a space, and household items might fall while relocating.
• A small moving truck will not fit all household items. Thus, you need two or more small-size moving trucks to relocate.

Features to Look For In a Moving Truck

Apart from understanding the correct moving truck sizes, also consider a few factors. These include how many rooms are in your house, furniture size, and type, and the number of moving boxes required. These factors will help you determine what size moving truck to get.

Similarly, moving trucks have exceptional features that will help you determine what size moving trucks you need. Moving trucks with a loading ramp, for instance, allow efficient loading and offloading of household equipment. A moving truck with a towing ramp allows vehicle towing when moving.

Other features include:

• additional fuel tank,
• extended load capacity,
• increased space.

Understanding Moving Truck Sizes

There are different types of moving truck sizes for rental. The following are a few standard trucks available, depending on your items.

Small Load

These include household items from small apartments, studios, and dorms.

• Pick-up trucks: Pick-up trucks are smaller and ideal for transporting small loads. A standard pick-up is about 76ft and can carry approximately 2000 pounds.
• Cargo van: A standard cargo van is about 245ft and carries a load of fewer than 4000 pounds.
• Small-moving trucks: Small moving trucks have a volume of approximately 380-450ft. These trucks can carry between 3000 to 3500 pounds and are perfect for studios or 1 bedroom relocation.

Medium Load

Medium load is from a 3 or 4-roomed apartment. It requires larger moving trucks. These trucks have larger space than smaller trucks. A medium moving truck measures about 650-850ft and weighs between 3000 to 6000 pounds.

Large Load

The large load includes bulkier furniture and approximately 500 medium boxes. A few large moving trucks have containers attached at the back. These trucks can measure up to 1600ft and weigh approximately 7000 pounds.

Overview of Moving Trucks

How to Choose The Moving Truck Size

Choosing a moving truck size is not easy. Fortunately, you can follow these steps to pick the right moving truck size.

• Create an inventory of all household items
• Use the moving truck size calculator to determine which truck to request
• Contact High Stream Moving to rent a moving truck

How to Secure a Moving Truck

After choosing the precise size moving truck, contact us to get a detailed calculation and a quote. At High Stream Moving, we will rent the precise size moving truck no matter the distance covered. We have a fleet of moving trucks to facilitate efficient relocating.

What Do Movers Load First

When relocating, utilize the space available in the moving truck to fit all household items. Ensure to rent the correct size moving truck. High Steam Moving packers, fortunately, load heavy items first, then other medium-weight follow. Lastly, all other fragile items are put in the moving boxes, then packed.

How Long Does It Take Packers to Load a Moving Truck

This depends on the amount and nature of items available. Though, it takes less than six hours with our team of expert movers. At High Steam Moving, we have the necessary equipment and experience in relocating commercial and residential establishments.

Conclusion

Major moves are usually stressful. From determining a reliable company to selecting the precise size moving truck, most homeowners find it challenging. But do not worry anymore. At High Stream Moving, we can help you pick the correct size moving truck. Contact us today at (800) 430-1537 for more information and a quote.

How to Pack Crystal Stemware for Moving

Crystal stemware is luxurious and unique glassware that should be handled with care whenever you are moving. A crystal stemware has a flat base that supports the glass stem. These household items are brittle and can be tricky to pack.

Fortunately, at High Stream Moving, we offer different moving services, including secure packing of fragile household goods. Our professional packers will stuff all your valuable and fragile items using the correct padding. Moreover, we have all the necessary materials for packing crystal stemware.

Essential Tools and Supplies

Moving crystal stemware requires secure packaging – otherwise, they might crack or break. You need the appropriate materials, tools, and accessories to pack and seal these special household items.

Tools:

• Boxes
• Cardboard
• Knife or scissors
• Packing paper or newspaper
• Permanent marker pen
• Seal tape
• Wrapping material like bubble wraps

Wrapping Materials:

• Towel
• Bubble wrap
• Newspaper
• Tissue paper
• Paper rolls
• Magazine
• Sheets/pillowcases

Step-by-Step Process

Therefore, are you relocating and concerned about how to pack crystal stemware for moving? Here is the correct step-by-step process for packing your glass stemware.

Before the Move

Contact High Stream Movers! You need to request ‘packaging services’ from us before the relocation day.

Ensure to communicate the exact number of fragile items available to our High Steam Moving team. This information helps us to identify the required equipment.

Pro Tips:

• Make sure the set (s) of crystal stemware are clean before packing.
• Place all the glassware in one area for easy packing.

During the Move

Understand how to pack crystal stemware for moving. Packing the crystal stemware correctly eliminates the risk of damage.

Step 1: Gather all items together

Get the crystal stemware and place all the necessary tools on a flat surface.

Step 2: Gently wrap the crystal stemware

1. Use a wrapping material like bubble wraps to cloak the glassware.
2. Wrap the top, out, inside, base, and stem of the glass without leaving any part exposed.
3. Tuck the excess material on the base area or inside the glass to protect the glass.

Step 3: Prepare the packing box

Packing with dividers:

1. Cushion the bottom of the box with newspaper and add more padding to secure the bottom of the box.
2. Use cardboard sliders to partition the box for each glassware. (Make the sizes tight for each glass to make sure they fit precisely with minimum/no space left).
3. Gently place each glass at the partition. (Ensure to place the glasses facing up, straight, or lying on the sides for an easy moving process.

Packing without dividers:

1. Place enough newspapers to secure the bottom of the packing box. However, this depends on the size of the box.
2. Next, place enough cushion padding on the box. You can use thick layers of padding, but not up to a ¼ section of the box.
3. Place the glasses in the box closely to each other without leaving any spaces.

Step 4: Secure the top area

1. Add more padding at the top area to ensure the box is airtight.
2. Use bubble wrap, newspaper, or other wrapping materials and make sure every part is correctly tucked in.

Step 5: Sealing the Box

1. Close the box nicely by ensuring all the ends are inserted correctly, then use seal tape to close it.
2. Use a permanent marker pen to label the box for easy identification. You can label it fragile, glass, or crystal stemware.

After the Move

You are not done packing crystal stemware for moving until you load the box(es) into the moving truck(s).

1. Gently carry the boxes and load them into the truck.
2. Place the boxes on the truck’s floor to keep them from falling.
3. Secure the fragile boxes between furniture, confined areas, or cabinets to reduce movement during transportation.

Pro Tip: Avoid accidents by moving crystal stemware gently.

Moving Tips and Hacks

1. Use dish rack partitions rather than cardboards.
2. Fill any spaces left with wrapping materials.
3. Use small-medium-sized boxes for packing the crystal stemware.
4. Keep all equal-size glasses in the same box.

Packing crystal stemware in packing boxes has its advantages.

• All glasses are safe from damage.
• Make packing organized.
• Easy to identify the fragile items during a move.
• Easy to pack & unpack.

Conclusion

Packing crystal stemware for moving requires great care to avoid any damage. High Stream Moving, fortunately, is among the best relocation companies that guarantee efficient results. Our experienced packers understand how to pack crystal stemware for moving.

Additionally, our team will execute fast, safe, and correct packaging of crystal stemware. Contact us today at (800) 430-1537 to get all the above-mentioned services, plus the moving estimate and more packaging info.

How to Pack Mixtiles for Moving

Picture frames are delicate and usually get damaged if handled without care. Mixtiles, on the other hand, have revolutionized the photography industry with their easy-to-handle and versatile characteristics.

Mixtiles are fixtures used to decorate the walls without damaging the paint. Today, these particular accessories are stylish alternatives to mounting your family or pet pictures on the walls. Your family pictures and paintings often appear like real-life versions of the social media photo feeds when mounted on the wall.

Nonetheless, homeowners are usually concerned about packing mixtiles for moving. Luckily, this article looks at the most efficient methods to move your mixtiles from your old walls to your new home.

Tools Required for Packing Mixtiles for Moving

• Boxes
• Soft packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Marker pen
• Kitchen wax paper
• Scissors

Alternative Wrapping Materials:

• Parchment paper
• Paper rolls
• Plastic wraps
• Tracing paper
• Beeswax wraps
• Pillowcases
• Bedsheets

Steps-by-Step Process on How to Pack Mixtiles for Moving

Usually, there are seven steps involved when packing mixtiles for moving.

Step 1. Preparation

1. Gather all the necessary equipment to ensure a smooth packing process
2. Prepare a flat working surface and also make sure no water or dust is present on the surface. Clean the area with a dry cloth to remove any moisture or dirt.

Step 2. Unsticking

Hold the mixtile at the bottom and the top, then peel it off smoothly. Do this gently to avoid damaging the adhesive glue. Also, avoid peeling off the gum from the mixtile frame because it might damage the wall.

Mixtiles usually come off tidily if you do this process correctly. Do not touch the sticky backside of the mixtile with your hands or any other object. Touching the adhesive reduces the glue bonding when re-sticking the mixtiles.

Step 3. Protect the mixtile adhesive

It is necessary to maintain the mixtile adhesion because you have to re-stick your pictures and paintings.

1. Place a kitchen wax paper on the sticky side of the mixtile to maintain its adhesion.
2. Place the waxing paper on each mixtile. Do this immediately after peeling off the mixtile to avoid reducing the adhesion.

Remember: The longer you leave the back of the tape open, the more you compromise the adhesiveness of the mixtile.

Step 4. Packaging

You can pack the mixtiles in two easy-to-follow techniques.

• Pile the Mixtiles on top of each other, then wrap the entire stuck using bubble wraps.
• Wrap each mixtile individually with bubble wrap

Though, stack the mixtiles of the same dimension when using the first method. 

Step 5. Boxing

1. Place soft packing paper at the bottom of the box and use them as padding.
2. Gently stack all of them in the boxes for moving after you finish packing Mixtiles. However, use the appropriate boxes to ensure they fit tightly.
3. Add more padding at the top after the box is full.
4. Tuck the ends correctly and use seal tape to secure the box.
5. Label the box “Mixtiles or fragile.”

Step 6. Transportation

When loading the mixtiles, place the boxes in a cabinet and lock them. Alternatively, place the mixtile boxes between furniture or confined spaces to avoid unnecessary movement.

Also, do not place the box on the vehicle’s floor to avoid water damage when moving Mixtiles.

Step 7. Mounting mixtiles back

1. Clean the wallpaper using a dry cloth.
2. Remove the kitchen wax paper to re-stick the Mixtiles.
3. Mount the canvas board on the wall and use a spirit level or other similar tool to make sure it is straight.
4. Apply enough pressure to grip the mixtile on the wall.

Dos and Don’ts

Conclusion

Mixtiles are more delicate than you might be thinking. Any tiny scratch, bump, or tear on the frame can cause significant damage.

So, always ensure to use the correct materials and tools to avoid damaging the mixtile. Furthermore, safeguard the adhesive behind for re-sticking the mixtiles on a new wall. Add a little bee wax or mixtile glue if a mixtile does not re-stick.

Contact a professional moving company if you have trouble removing the mixtiles from the wall. High Stream Moving professionals have the expertise and the necessary tools to remove, handle, pack, and re-stick Mixtiles. They’re just a phone call away – reach us at (800) 430-1537.

List Of Things You Need When Moving Out In Canada

Many people moving to Canada are full of dreams. But moving into this land of endless possibilities is just as daunting as exciting. Packing your things and getting all your documents ready is quite stressful. The whole process requires some rigorous preparation, so you need to have a plan. Having a checklist is the only way you can be sure to bring all required documents.

Not sure about the things you need when moving out? You need not worry! We’ve put together the ultimate list to help you get ready in no time. This extensive moving checklist will give you information on the list of things you need when moving out in Canada.

The Preparation For Moving Out In Canada

To ensure that everything is taken care of, you should make a list of things you need when moving out.  Start your preparations months before the day you’re supposed to move to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some of the things you need to do in preparation:

• Research what vaccinations are required
• Book your plane ticket in advance
• Start looking for a place to stay. You can decide to stay at a hotel as you look for an apartment to rent or a house to buy.
• Find good schools for your kids if you have any, and get in contact with them to gauge one that best suits your needs.
• Start finding buyers for your household items if you decide to sell them
• Look for banking options in Canada where you can start saving the money you make after selling your household items
• Start looking for a job as early as possible because the employment process can take quite a while.
• Get a letter from your local licensing authority showing your past experience if you plan on getting a driving license in Canada.
• Ensure that all your travel documents are valid and won’t expire before the move
• Pack everything you’ll be bringing with you in suitcases and add labels if necessary. Don’t pack too early because you could pack some things you still need to use before leaving. Again, don’t wait till the last minute to start packing because you could easily forget important items.
• Don’t forget to pack any medications you might need to take while in transit in your carry-on bag.
• If you’re not planning on changing phones, purpose to have your current one unlocked so that you can use it with your new network provider

The Checklist For Moving Out In Canada

It would help if you had a checklist when moving out to Canada to help you gather all the essential items before your departure. To help you plan properly for your move, we’ve compiled a list of all the essential documents you should pack for Canada regardless of what time of year you’re traveling there. Make sure that you pack them somewhere they can be easily accessed while at the airport. The documents include:

• Printed plane ticket with all your booking information
• An up-to-date passport
• Valid visa or work permit
• Valid national ID or driver’s license
• Bank statements to show that you’re financially independent
• Travel insurance documents
• Doctor’s prescription or medical records if you have any medication with you
• Proof of termination of previous employment. Tax forms work in this case
• A resume matching the Canadian format
• Evidence of the place you’ll be staying, including the physical address

Other items to pack in your handbag or backpack include:

• Cash and/or credit cards. If you’re bringing liquid cash, ensure that you have a currency exchange receipt from the currency exchanging company where you exchanged your money
• Your phone, laptop, portable speaker, iPod, tablet, and chargers. Don’t forget to bring a universal adapter too
• Nice canceling headphones
• Water bottle
• A hygiene kit containing wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, etc.
• Cosmetics, including skin and hair care products
• Sunglasses
• Neck pillow
• A scarf or travel blanket to keep you warm
• Compression socks

Some of the items on this list can take a while to process, so you should get started on the application processes in advance (sometimes weeks or even months before your expected day of departure). Also, remember that you’re advised against booking your plane ticket before you have your passport and visa ready.

What Can’t I Bring To Canada?

You can’t bring just anything to Canada. The Canadian website is very clear on the rules. The Canadian Border Service Agency has put laws regulating personal items that fall under the duty-free category.

Some items that aren’t allowed across the border include:

• Illicit drugs
• Firearms
• Fireworks
• Firewood

Moving Out in Canada Tips

How can you make your ‘moving abroad’ experience? We’ve put together some tips to help make your moving and packing smooth and stress-free:

• Declutter everything you haven’t used/worn in the last half-year.
• Change your money from your local currency to Canadian dollars. Check the maximum amount of cash you can bring with you past customs.
• While healthcare is free for Canadian citizens and residents, get private health insurance as soon as you move there. Otherwise, you’ll be charged huge hospital bills upon hospitalization.
• While you have hard copies of the required documents, it’s advisable to scan all your paperwork and save the duplicates in your email. These will come in handy in case you lose the original documents.
• Take about an hour before going to the airport to check that you have everything on your checklist ready. Whether or not you bring all your documents can make or break your trip.

Conclusion

Moving is often associated with lots of stressful preparations and packing. Do you have any household items like furniture or appliance that you’d like to move with? Reputable moving companies like Highstream Moving will take the stress out of it all.

Thanks to their immeasurable international moving experience, they’ll help organize everything for you, ensuring that you don’t leave anything important behind. They’re just a phone call away – reach us at (800) 430-1537.

Happy moving, and we hope you found this list helpful!

How To Pack Glasses For Moving Without Paper

When moving houses, wrap your glasses to prevent them from chipping. It would be best to pack the glassware compactly in boxes to keep them from moving excessively.

Many people use paper to cushion their fragile items when moving. While this industry standard is affordable and easily available, it isn’t always effective. Sometimes the papers get torn, leaving the glasses exposed, or the ink could transfer to their surfaces, causing permanent damage. This article will tell you how to pack glasses for moving without paper.

What Are Some Effective Paper Alternatives?

If you’re packing glasses and don’t want to use packing paper or cannot seem to get your hands on good-quality paper, you can improvise and still pack them correctly.

How else can you pack glasses for moving without paper? Here are four alternatives to packing paper that you can easily find in any household:

Bubble Wrap

These are a great option if you want to pack glasses for moving without newspaper. This wrap works magic, especially if your glasses will have to travel over a long distance on bumpy roads. Bubble wrap provides close to maximum protection for glassware. However, these saviors are quite costly and less eco-friendly than other packing materials such as paper.

Choose a wrap with smaller bubbles for your glasses instead of larger bubbles. The former wraps around the items more effectively, protection against breakage.

Cloth Wraps – T-shirts and Socks

Another way to pack glasses and dishes when moving is by wrapping them in clothes. You can use t-shirts and socks to wrap your glasses. Try and wrap two glasses per t-shirt to save on space. Protect the small or oddly shaped glasses by placing them inside socks

The upside is that you can use whatever type of clothes you have available. The downside is that the clothes take up much space in the box.

Pillowcases, Sheets, and Towels

Most households have all these three items in abundance. When packing your glasses with pillowcases, sheets, and small towels, ensure that you provide enough padding between the items. Pillowcases are quite thin, so you can fold them so that they provide enough cushioning. On the other hand, towels are quite thick, so they provide enough cushioning for the items placed between them without needing to be folded. Unfortunately, towels take up lots of space inside the packaging.

Vertical Stacking

Stack the glasses vertically inside a compact space like a tray if you’re a minimalist. The glasses need to be packed firmly to minimize movement. While this is a simple and practical solution, it’s quite a high-risk option. It would be best if you were very careful while transporting the glasses.

Foam Plates

Do you have any remaining foam plates from the last party you held at your house? You can place these between your glasses to prevent breaking. They act as a barricade between the glasses bundled horizontally.

Foam party plates are thick and spongy and can, therefore, absorb any pressure that would otherwise break your glasses.

The Packing Process

STEP 1: Choosing the Right Container

When looking for a container to put your glasses in when moving, there are numerous options to choose from. Some of them include boxes, trays, and barrels. Ensure that what you choose is strong enough to hold the glasses.

STEP 2: Packing the Wrapped Glasses

Choose the most suitable packing solution depending on your needs. Once you’re done wrapping the glasses, place them inside your container of choice. Cushion the bottom of the container to prevent the glasses at the bottom. Pack the heavier glasses first, followed by the lighter ones.

You should also ensure that the glasses are not too squeezed in there as that could also cause them to break. If you have extra space on the sides or at the top, fill it up with bubble wrap or pieces of cloth.

STEP 3: Sealing and Labeling

Apart from boxes, it would help if you had other packing supplies such as tape. Use this to seal the topside. Once that is done, label the container describing its contents. Ensure that you indicate “FRAGILE” because glass breaks easily, and notify anyone moving it to be cautious.

STEP 4: Unpacking

Everything should get to your new home in one piece. Be extra careful when unpacking the glasses to avoid any last-minute accidents. Clean them and arrange them inside where they’re safe and easily accessible for daily use.

Conclusion

There’s so much to do before moving. Packing your household items should be the least of your concerns. Trust Highstream Moving to package your fragile glasses carefully, and you won’t come across any cracked ones after getting your new abode. They’ll always offer great professional services.

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!

Things To Get When Moving Into A New House

Moving into a new home can be stressful but also exciting. Whether you are moving into your first ever buy or into a new apartment (upgrading or downgrading), ensuring that you have all the basics covered is crucial. 

Getting together the necessary basic items is the first step into starting the process smoothly. It ensures that the move is successful and fulfilling. However, knowing what things to buy when moving into a new house can be overwhelming. And it has nothing to do with aesthetics. You need to buy these essentials to make the new home livable. 

Below is a room-by-room necessities checklist to help you stay on top of your game. 

Bedrooms

A bed is one of the main things you need for a new house. This is a no-brainer, so we can safely skip that. However, these other bedroom essentials might skip your mind if you do not have a list to tick off. 

• Bedside tables
• Lamps
• A wardrobe 
• Hangers
• Chest of drawers
• Curtains/blinds
• A mirror/vanity
• A summer duvet 
• A winter duvet
• Your preferred number of Pillows
• Duvet covers and pillowcases

Living room

The main advantage of moving into a new home is you get to style it according to your taste and preferences. For example, if you are into minimalism, you won’t need to buy too much and too large furniture to fill your living room. This saves you money and time when moving. Here are some of the essentials you might need:

• Couch, or comfortable chairs
• Coffee table
• A television 
• A TV cable
• Lamps
• Wi-Fi (if you need an internet connection)
• Cushions
• A rug  (Optional)

Kitchen

Now to the most crucial room in the house. It is the room that ensures you and your family stay fed. 

Depending on the house condition, you might need to upgrade the main items like fridge, cooker, microwave, etc. The other essentials that will help produce scrumptious meals for you and your loved ones might be:

• Crockery
• Baking trays
• Pots and pans
• Wooden spoons
• Oven gloves
• Table and chairs
• Toaster
• Kettle
• Waste bin
• Tea towels
• Drying rack
• Cutlery
• Set of knives
• Cleaning cloths
• Cleaning detergent/washing up liquid
• Tin opener
• Bottle opener

Bathroom

Do not forget the bathroom as it is just as important as the kitchen. It helps you and your family stay clean and maintain the home’s hygiene standards. 

 So here’s what you need to get:

• Soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toilet roll holders
• Hand towel
• Towel
• Bathroom mat
• Toilet brush
• Toilet roll
• Bin

General cleaning products

This is a list of items that are easily forgotten but are very essential. After all, every room in a home needs some type of cleaning. So you will also need to prepare the following cleaning essentials: 

• A vacuum cleaner
• Dustpan and brush
• Bleach
• Bathroom and kitchen spray
• A mop and bucket, or floor wipes
• Glass cleaner
• Feather duster
• Dusters
• Washing powder or liquid  
• Softener

Safety items

Most homes have these already prepared, but most new owners forget to check and confirm that these are available. Check and if they are not available, include them in your list.

• Smoke alarms (if not already available)
• Smoke alarm batteries
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Torch
• Fire extinguisher
• Fire blanket 

Other miscellaneous essentials

In addition to the above, there are other items that you might need when you least expect them—especially in emergencies. Therefore include the following on your list:

• Thermometer
• Nail scissors/clippers
• Scissors
• Painkillers
• Disinfectant
• Plasters
• Bandages
• Pens
• Paper or notepad
• Sellotape

Things to keep in mind

While checking the things to get when moving into a new house, remember that every home is different and what is essential for you might not be essential for the next person. Therefore it is advisable to take this checklist and tailor it to match your personal needs. 

Also, you don’t have to buy everything at once if your budget does not allow it. Furnishing and kitting a new home is expensive. So, avoid the pressure to go in perfectly and do it at your own pace. Pick what is crucial and start with that- the rest can be accumulated over time. 

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!

How To Wrap Dining Chairs For Moving

Are you thinking of moving? Or are you in the process of shipping dining room furniture to another state or country? Then you might be wondering what the best way to pack a dining room set to protect them from damage is. 

Like all the other furniture in the house, dining chairs need to be carefully packed and protected when moving. But the good news is, preparing dining chairs for a move is pretty straightforward. All you need is to prepare the right materials and figure out whether they are detachable or not. If they are detachable, you can decide whether to detach them or wrap them whole. 

Whatever your decision is, we have provided a step-by-step guide below on how to pack both disassembled and full dining chairs.  

How to Prepare Dining Chairs for Wrapping

So how do you wrap dining chairs for moving? Well, before you can start wrapping your dining chairs, you need to go through these steps to prepare. 

Step 1: Cleaning

Naturally, you want to start life in your new home on a clean slate, literally. The last thing you want is to drag dirt and dust into your new space. Therefore, before anything else, start by thoroughly wiping down the chairs to remove any dirt and dust. Use water and a mild detergent to wipe the sitting area, the back of the legs, and underneath the chair. 

Give the chairs time to dry before you go to the next step. 

Step 2: Disassemble 

If possible, disassemble the chairs (this will depend on the type of chairs you have). To confirm if you can disassemble them, turn the chair over and inspect underneath the seat to see if the legs can come off quickly and safely. 

If the legs are permanently fixed on the chair, do not attempt to remove them, as this will damage them. If they are removable  (have visible screws and bolts), use a screwdriver to detach them from the seat carefully. Ensure to keep the nuts, bolts, screws, and other fastening materials safe to avoid losing them. 

Wrapping Dining Chairs for Moving

Now that you have already prepared your chairs for wrapping, it is now to get to the actual work. We have prepared a guide for both disassemble chairs and non-disassembled chairs. 

Wrapping non-disassembled dining chairs

If your chairs are not detachable, then can easily wrap them whole using furniture blankets. You can also use the same method if you have detachable chairs, but you choose not to disassemble them. Here is how to wrap and pack full dining chairs:

1. Place a clean furniture blanket (or an old blanket) on the floor.
2. Place a chair on top (one at a time). Place the chair diagonally with the top of the chair facing you. 
3. Cover the back of the seat with one corner of the blanket. 
4. Now cover the left and right sides of the chair while pulling the blanket between the legs of the chair. 
5. Now take the hanging sides of the blankets that stretches out and then fold them inward and up between the legs of the chair, wrapping them tightly. 
6. Now put the chair back to an upright position and finish up wrapping the remaining loose ends. 
7. Now use a packing take all over the seat to snugly secure the blanket on so it does not come off and damage the chair during the move. 

Wrapping disassembled dining chairs

Good for you if you successfully disassemble your chairs. Now let’s wrap them. 

1. Label your chairs and their legs. The last thing you need is to start figuring out which leg goes where while assembling the chairs in your new home. So use sticky pads (or whatever sticky material you have) to number the chair and number its legs 1, 2, 3, 4. 
2. Number the legs such that you know what seat it belongs to and which side it goes. For example, you can use the same sticky notes to number the spaces on the chairs where each leg is attached. 
3. Now wrap each leg in bubble wrap and secure it with packing tape. This will help protect the legs from damage while moving. 
4. Now follow the same process as wrapping a non-disassembled seat above to wrap the legless chair. Wrap them in blankets, ensuring all the parts are covered, and then finish up by wrapping them with packing tape. 

Conclusion

Amidst all the stress and anxiety of moving, do not let packing dining chairs be a source of frustration. Protecting your precious chairs is not difficult at all. Thankfully, you now know all there is to know about how to wrap dining chairs for moving. 

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!

Checklist When Moving To A New Apartment

It is time to move into an apartment. Maybe you are moving out of your parents’ house or dorm room and getting into your first apartment. You are excited, and you are probably thinking, ‘it’s gonna be smooth sailing from here on’. Well, probably! Or probably not! 

At least not entirely. Before you get all delighted, let first ensure you have all the essentials. Ensure you know all there is to know about the move—know the whos, whens, where, and what to-dos of moving apartments. 

To help you prepare, we have designed this ultimate checklist when moving to a new apartment to help you through the process. 

8 Weeks Before the Move

You want to start the preparations early. Do not wait until it is too late to start, as this will only get you overwhelmed and inconvenienced. So, 8 weeks before the move, start preparations with the following:

• Give notice. Most landlords need at least 30 days’ notice before a move. However, it helps to notify the landlord now. Giving notice as early as possible can help get you on the landlord’s good graces, which can later work to your advantage.
• Prepare a ‘moving preparation’ folder. This will come in handy to help you get prepared. It can be a computer folder, a file, or just a notebook. This is where you will record all the paperwork related to the move. 
• Summarise all the basic details for the move. Research and summarize all the crucial information related to your move. Find out the legal requirements, the old and new landlord rules, etc.
• Tally the numbers. The move needs money. Take your time and draw a comprehensive budget.

7 Weeks Before the Move

After the initial preparations, it is now time for the next steps. So this week:

• Find a mover or a moving truck. It might seem like too early to book a mover, but moving companies book out pretty fast—especially during the high season. So do your research on the moving company and any official paperwork you need to prepare. If you are moving DIY, it is time to start looking for a rental moving truck. 

6 Weeks Before the Move

• Schedule your move with the movers. If you are not sure of any details, discuss with the movers to allow for changes. 
• Submit the necessary paperwork. Now it is time to submit all the paperwork you researched the previous week—things like parking permits, curbside-use applications, etc.

5 Weeks Before the Move

This week the move is getting more accurate. 

• Prepare the moving supplies. This is the right time to start looking for essential packing supplies. You can shop around for offers and discounts to save you a few coins. 
• Organise a car boot sale. If you don’t want to move with anything, it is time to make a few dollars—an easy way to recoup some of the moving costs.

4 Weeks Before the Move

Now things are getting more serious. It is time to get down to business.

• Handle a change of address notifications. It is time to start notifying your service providers of the move. Cancel service to the old home and organize for the new house. 
• Get your pet prepared. If you are moving long-distance, you might need to take your pet to a vet to acquire the necessary vaccines and certificates. 
• Send in your work leave application (or resignation). It is time to request time off work and notify your boss that you are resigning. 
• Sort out the home/renter’s insurance. Notify the insurer of the move and request a policy transfer to your new home. 

3 Weeks Before the Move

In this week, it helps to start:

• Decluttering. If you have made a car boot sale already. You have probably already gotten rid of most of the clutter you do not need. However, it helps to do another deep dive and ensure that you only have what is worth moving with.
• Donate. Donate as much as you need to.
• Call the cleaners. If you don’t want to do the cleaning yourself, it is time to schedule the cleaners. 

2 Weeks Before the Move

• Give the movers another call. Assuming you now have all the details figured out, it is time to call the movers to confirm the details with them. 
• Start packing. Believe it or not, you always have more stuff than you think. So do not think it is too early to start packing.

Moving week

Dedicate this week to finish packing. For efficiency, try packing one room at a time. In addition, tie up all the loose ends: 

• Check if anything needs repairs. 
• Change your address with the banks, credit card companies, and other relevant entities.
• Prepare bills for tips.
• Check the new apartment. If possible, do a run-through of the new home. Check for anything that needs fixing, check for areas that need cleaning, etc. Also, pick the keys.
• Make last-minute confirmations. Check the permits, the movers, meeting places and times, etc. 
• Prepare the fridge. The fridge needs special care during a move. Ensure you prepare beforehand to avoid frustration during the moving day. 

Moving day

Congratulations! The day is finally here, and you are ready. After you move your belongings, you might only need to let the cleaners do their work and then do a final walk-through of the old home to ensure you leave it in good condition. 

If you followed the above apartment moving checklist, the whole process might have been a lot easier if not enjoyable. 

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!

Good luck in your new home.

Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move

A lot goes into a successful move. In addition to months of looking for a new home, acquiring boxes, packing, hiring a moving truck (or contracting professional movers), you will need to notify various people/entities of your change of address—and not just your family and friends. 

You can notify them even after the move. However, it is advisable to do it as soon as possible to avoid the hassle of service errors or missing bills.  

Are you unsure where to start and who to notify when you move? Here is a list of addresses to change when moving that will help you determine who you need to give a heads up about your change of location. 

Gas and electricity

You will need gas and electricity in your new home. Therefore, you need to make this notification as soon as you find the new address and confirm the day you will be moving—or you risk getting into your new home without electricity or gas. 

Also, while registering your new address, remember to arrange it in such a way that service in your old place stops on the day you move. 

Water

This is the same as gas and electricity. Notify the provider that you have changed locations and will not use the utility beyond the date you move. 

Other Utilities

Even with water, gas and electricity set, other utilities could lead to frustrations if not set in your new home beforehand. These include: 

• Internet
• Cable
• Phone services
• Garbage and recycling
• Sewer services, etc

Post Office

After setting your utilities, the other top priority is to notify the United States Postal Services of your change of address. This will ensure that all mails—including mail to your old address—are forwarded to your new address. 

Plan to do it at least a week before you move so that there is no gap between when you move and when the mail forwarding service starts. You can easily update your address online here. 

Tax agencies and Social Security Administration

It is important to notify all the necessary government agencies of your address change—you can easily do this online. For your state tax agency, check online on their site for directions on updating the changes. 

The IRS has a simple online form to notify them of the address changes. The same applies to the Social Security Administration. 

Employer

Notify your employer of the change of address so they can update your official contact information. This will ensure that your cheques, pay stubs, tax forms, and other relevant details are sent to the right place. 

Bank, Credit Card Company and Loan Providers

Check online for information on updating the changes on your bank and credit card company. While at it, do not forget to check how to send this information to your loan providers. You are moving but not running away from your responsibilities. 

Insurance providers

As a priority, contact your home/renter’s insurance providers and let them know of the changes and where to transfer the cover. If you are moving to a rental, keep in mind that some landlords need proof of the insurance cover. So ensure that the changes are taken care of beforehand. 

While at it, do not forget to update:

• health insurance, 
• dental insurance, 
• car insurance, 
• and life insurance

Memberships and subscriptions

Update the changes on all the services you are signed up with and organisations you are involved in. These include:

• Online shopping services like Amazon and eBay.
• Magazines and subscription services
• Clubs and organisations, e.g. Costco

Family and friends

Last but not least, let the people who care about you know that you have moved. You can send a generic email to everyone on your contact list, or if you want to be more eccentric, you can design unique change of address cards and send them to the people you care about. 

Conclusion

Moving can be hectic. In addition, notifying all the necessary parties of the changes can be time-consuming. But it needs to be done and in good time. This will ensure that all these parties can update the changes to avoid problems like missing mail, missing a service, etc. 

Remember, although it is tiresome to make these notifications, it is even harder to track down missing or lost items. So the above change of address checklist when moving will help you keep track of this and stay on top of your game. 

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!