On the Move

As your big move approaches and you survey your prized possessions, you may ask yourself, “How am I going to get all of my furniture and things from Point A to Point B?” Well, finding a moving company doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal.

Here are a few questions to ask furniture movers that will help you to know if your valuables are in good hands.

Is there a cost for your initial consultation? Will I receive a written estimate?

How much experience do you have? Do you provide local references?

How many people will be working with you? Are they employees or subcontractors? Are they covered by worker’s compensation insurance?

Are they licensed for interstate moves?

Do they offer storage?

If, even armed with this information, you’d like some help deciding on the moving company or need some help getting packed up, consider hiring a Move Manager like Seamless Moves to consult with you and help you make a plan to get everything accomplished before you move.

Whether your last move was across the country or across the street, it probably ended with two words: “Never again!” But you don’t always have the luxury of staying in the same place forever. 

Since moving pretty much always takes longer than you think it’s going to take, be smart and plan ahead. There’s lots of packing and organizing you can get out of the way a few months in advance of your move.

Make a few decisions about how to approach moving based on how far you are going and who will be assisting you with the move.

Go Through Everything and Identify Unwanted Items  Moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of unwanted items that have collected in your house over the years. The rule of thumb is: If you haven’t used it in about a year and it doesn’t have any sentimental value, get rid of it. It can be hard to let things go, though, so you may need to go through each closet or storage space twice. On the first run, you’ll remove the obvious unwanted things, and on the second run you’ll remove the items you’re a little more attached to.

About now is when you start realizing you have accumulated stuff you may no longer want or use. It is a good idea to plan a yard or garage sale, donate to you local thrift shops, give charities any items they could use, and throw out the junk. 

Begin Packing Little-used Items. You may think it’s silly to start packing two months in advance but if you’re like most people, there are many things you don’t use on a regular basis that can be packed well ahead of your move date. For example, if it’s summer, start packing your winter items — winter clothes, heavy blankets, holiday decorations. Or you can pack by the room — and perhaps the guest room is a good place to start, since it’s used the least. You decide.

Now that you are about to move every article you own, it’s a smart idea to make an inventory of your personal belongings. Not only will the list be valuable for insurance purposes but it will also help you organize your move, keep track of your home’s contents while they’re in transit and ensure that your belongings are placed in the right rooms on moving day. 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners website is making free Home Inventory applications for iPhone and Android users as well as a home inventory checklist (PDF).

A couple of other mobile apps: My Home Pro for Android and Home Inventory for the iPhone are available at a low cost.If you are looking for software for your PC, you might want to check out Know your Stuff and What you Own; both are free.

If, even armed with this information, this all still seems overwhelming or time suddenly becomes an issue, consider hiring a Move Manager like Seamless Moves to consult with you and help you make a plan to get everything accomplished before you move. It won’t help your job or family if you are too stressed out to enjoy your new home!

Our thanks to digitalart at freedigitalphotos.net for today’s  image.

Photo by Mel Evans / AP

Winter is coming; it is already snowing on Washington’s mountain passes. Here is something you will want to consider when moving across the mountains during the winter months.

According to WSDOT beginning Nov. 1, state law requires commercial vehicles and combinations of vehicles heavier than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating to carry sufficient tire chains. This law also affects some larger passenger trucks, SUVs, recreational vehicles and trucks hauling trailers that exceed 10,000 Gross Vehicle Weight. That includes Moving Trucks, both “U-Haul” and commercial van lines.

State Patrol troopers will strictly enforce the Nov. 1 deadline. The Washington State Patrol will have a special chain-emphasis patrol in early November to ensure drivers are carrying the appropriate number of chains, including spares. Failing to carry chains will cost drivers $124.

When highway advisories call for chains, drivers who don’t chain up will face a $500 penalty. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend against the use of tire chains, so the State Patrol provides a list of approved, alternative traction devices when chain requirements are in place. Drivers are encouraged to visit a tire dealer to learn more about tires that provide traction and are legal for year-round use.

Always “know before you go” and get the most recent roadway information, winter-driving tips, car-preparation advice and information on the Washington State Department of Transportation’s winter driving website.

Moving is work enough without the hassle of being “stuck” or fined because the truck and driver are unprepared!

“I know what I own, why do I need to have an inventory of everything?” OK, try this: Close your eyes and try to name every item in your kitchen pantry; and then imagine having to do that for the entire house! We all have a lot of stuff: Furniture, dishes, flatware, appliances and, of course, all the personal electronics, video games and books. All of this costs money, and if it is lost in a move or other catastrophe, you need to replace it. If it is insured, your insurance company won’t simply take your word about those Faberge eggs and that Picasso. They will want proof.

As Nick Sooy of Farmers Insurance recommends, “In the event of an insurance claim, it will be up to you to provide proof of ownership and value.  Your things are most vulnerable when being moved. An inventory of what you are moving, with its value and condition documented, allows you to determine if you need to buy additional insurance before the move.”

If you don’t yet have a home inventory, the idea of creating one can seem over- whelming, especially if you have been living in your home for a long time. First, start with one room and move to the next. Try to get serial numbers for the big ticket items and write down when, where, and how much you paid for the item. Don’t forget the closets, cupboards, holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, etc. Photographs and video tape items and document a brief description, including age, purchase price and estimated current value.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners website is making free Home Inventory applications for iPhone and Android users as well as a home inventory checklist (PDF).

A couple of other mobile apps: My Home Pro for Android and Home Inventory for the iPhone are available at a low cost.

If you are looking for software for your PC you might want to check out Know Your Stuff and What you Own; both are free.

As an added bonus, as you go through this process you may find yourself with a Do Not Need List and an opportunity to downsize or de-clutter along the way.