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.

MOVING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY!

Whether you haven’t moved in a very long time or you seem to move almost yearly, having a professional on your team makes all the difference. Please let us know how we can help. At Seamless Moves, our answer is always: “Yes!”

Moving can be stressful. Sometimes in the rush and commotion of a move there are things we forget to do or to pack. Aside from the obvious filling out a change of address card with the post office, here are a few things to consider:

Don’t forget to return library books, transfer or cancel gym memberships and pick up things at the dry-cleaner or shoe repair shop.

What about the spare keys you left with the neighbor or any hidden valuables? Be sure you collect all your records, including medical, dental, vaccine and veterinarian, school and a prescription list from the pharmacy.

Gather all personal files (marriage license, passport, birth certificate, wills, insurance papers), home movies, photo albums, tax records, car keys, safe deposit box keys, deeds, checkbooks, jewelry, stocks, school records, medicine, etc. These items should travel with you to ensure they don’t get lost in the move.

On moving day for a local move, use travel coolers for refrigerated/frozen items or line small boxes with a plastic bag.

Tape the remote for the cable TV to its box for easy return to the cable company. Check inside the washer, dryer, oven, microwave and dishwasher to ensure nothing is left behind inside them.

Make up a HARDWARE BOX to put all hardware in when packing–shelf pins for bookcases, special picture hanging items, small tool kit, hardware for dressers, etc. so that everything is handy when you arrive at your new home.

Designate one box or drawer in the home you are leaving for items that need to stay behind and add to it as you come across things when packing, e.g., appliance manuals that stay with home, mailbox keys, access codes for garage opener, etc.

Can you add anything to this list?

One of the perks of our business is the great people we meet and have the pleasure to work with. Today we’d like to tell you about our clients, Kathryn and Clayton.

Their goal was to make the move from their house to a condo as stress-free as possible for themselves and their special needs son, Connor. Moving can be particularly disruptive for children. Factor in a special needs child and a smooth transition becomes critical.

“After the movers left the boxes, Seamless Moves unpacked the kitchen and made up all the beds, which made my life so much easier,” Katherine says. “But most importantly, they made the move a much easier transition for Connor. They unpacked his room and made sure it was set up just the way it was in his “old” room.”

Here are a couple of tips from Katherine for moving with a special needs child:

“It has helped us to talk about it as a positive experience and ‘an adventure.’ However, talking about it too much or giving too many details/information too soon may just raise anxiety levels, as in my son’s case. Once you know where you are going to move, take your child to the new house so they can have a picture of it in their mind. I took my son to the new house about a week or two before the move. We also took a photo of the outside in case he wanted to talk about it. He had it in his backpack so if need be the school staff could talk to him about it as well.

A huge tip: Hire a moving company and an organizing company – they work incredibly well together! My son is now 20 and we’ve moved 2 times in his life. Both times I’ve done it this way and it’s made it easier on all of us! On moving day, when the movers arrived at our new home, Seamless Moves was there and immediately started unpacking. The team was professional and careful to make certain everything was set up the way we wanted.

I suggest that the child be somewhere else on the day of the move, if possible, so they don’t have to experience all the commotion of the physical move. Whatever part of the house is their ‘safe special place’ at the current home is the area in the new house that should be set up first. Having familiar things around them similar to the current home should help keep anxiety lower. To my son, this place is his bedroom. Once his room at the new house was set up (exactly like our old home) his grandma brought him over and I was able to greet him, and excitedly take him to his ‘new/old’ room.

Seamless Moves’ service is incredibly valuable to a busy family and it made such a difference to our son.”

As if moving to a new home isn’t stressful enough, add in a baby or toddler and you can have REAL chaos and life can be downright EXHAUSTING!

Thanks to Baby Zone for some helpful hints on making the move easier:

Get Help: Enlist the help of friends, schedule some play dates to help you get things done. Or (shameless plug), you can call Seamless Moves and we’ll pack up for you while you take the kids to the park.

Help Your Child Feel Secure: Even if you think that your baby can’t understand, talk to him. Using simple phrases, such as, “The truck is coming today,” or “Soon we’ll be driving to our new home.” An infant will  be reassured by the tone of your voice, even if he can’t understand your words.

Make the Move Special: Having a favorite Elmo doll or well-loved afghan on hand can go a long way toward helping your child settle in to a new home. Try to pack up your child’s room last and unpack it first. Consider including a surprise box containing new toys and knick-knacks for your child to open along with her familiar belongings.

Moving can actually be fun for toddlers. Empty boxes offer hours of excitement. Children can decorate the moving boxes with colored markers or watercolor paints. With a little imagination, large boxes can be turned into castles, cars, or firehouses.

The Day of the Move: Moving day will be frantic no matter how well you’ve prepared. If at all possible, have someone watch your children at another location. Kids can get hurt or lost among piles of boxes and stacks of furniture. And having a rambunctious toddler on the loose is one thing you just don’t need when there’s an enormous moving van jockeying around your driveway.

Remember to set aside some key items that you and your children will need in the short term. Pack a separate bag for your shampoo, brushes, makeup and an extra change of clothes for yourself, along with pacifiers, bottles, and can’t-live-without toys for the kids. Even if you’re only moving across the street, hand-carrying these essentials to your new home will ensure that you won’t have to unpack endless boxes looking for a precious blanket.

When we blogged about moving with a cat it required a 2-part blog post to cover what to consider. Moving a dog is a much simpler job. Our first thought was, “What’s the big deal? Just put the dog in the back of the car and go.” Basically that is correct, but here are a few tips that may help reduce the stress for you and your dog.

Visit ~ If possible make a few visits to the new home. Let the dog explore all parts of the house and property.

Hire a Dog Sitter ~ Take the dog out of the chaos of movers and boxes and the trips in and out of the house.  This will reduce the anxiety of wondering what is happening.

Favorites ~ Before bringing into the new home have his blankets and favorite toys ready and waiting for him.

That’s about it…If you are looking for a few laughs check out this humorous dog moving story here.

How about you? Any dog moving stories to can share?

Last February, a home located in the 6400 block of Lake Washington Boulevard S.E. caught fire. Initial damage was reported at $500,000.

According to the Newcastle News, “The fire was caused by radiant heat from the home’s fireplace that ignited a pile of boxes stacked nearby. The fireplace was located in the home’s sun room area. It progressed through the home by burning through a nearby sliding glass door and entering the kitchen. “

Bellevue Fire Department Lt. Troy Donlin said the residents had just moved into the home less than three weeks before the fire started. (emphasis ours)

Thankfully, because of working smoke detectors, a 22-year-old woman was able to leave the home without injury. Her stepfather was taken to the hospital, but luckily he suffered only minor burns.

We were relieved to see that the loss from this fire was, while substantial, only property-related. It did make us wonder, however, whether a fire of this type could have been prevented if this family had had professional assistance unpacking and removing the cardboard moving boxes at the time of their move. We usually market our service as saving people time and stress. Now we wonder if there may be an important safety aspect as well.

OK, you’ve moved to your new home; now what to do with the cat?

• First, make sure you cat-proof the new house. Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where a cat could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house. Immediately take your cat to a room that will remain relatively quiet. Before opening the carrier, set up your cat’s food and water dishes, litter box and bed. Place some cat treats around the room to encourage your cat to explore.
  
• Keep your cat in this “home-base” room for his first several days in the new house. This will allow him to gradually get used to the sights, sounds and smells of his new home without feeling overwhelmed. Keeping your cat in one room will also make it easy for him to find his litter box, food and water.
• Spend time with your cat in his home-base room, at first doing low-key activities like reading or watching TV. When he begins to explore, offer your cat attention, treats and playtime.
• When the flurry of unpacking is over, gradually give your cat access to the rest of the house, one room at a time. If it’s not possible to close doors to limit his access, closely supervise your cat during short exploration sessions.
• Provide a second litter box where you’ll want to keep one permanently. Keep the box available in the home-base room for at least a few weeks. Once your cat has settled in, you can remove that box. Alternatively, you can keep the home-base litter box but gradually transfer it to a preferable location.

A major worry when moving with a cat is what will happen when they first venture outside their new home. There are never any guarantees that a cat will not decide to try and find his way back home, but you can reduce this happening:

• Try and keep your cat inside for the first three weeks. This is not always possible and some cats adjust to their new surroundings much quicker than others. Only you as its owner will recognize if your cat is relaxed enough in the new home to allow them to go outside for the first time.
• Let them out just before meal times, and then you can call them back with their favorite food.
• Go outside with your cat and stay with them for a while. This will help your cat feel secure. If your cat doesn’t want to follow you out, do not force them to go.
• Leave the door open so that your cat can return to the house when they want to. It might be a bit scary out there at first.
• Keep the first few times they go out short. This will build up the bond to the new home.

Always make sure your cat is wearing a tag on its collar with your name and phone number. Check the rules in your new city regarding whether your cat needs to have a license and/or rabies vaccination and whether they must wear those tags on their collar. You may wish to look into a microchip for kitty as well.

How about our readers? Any tips for moving a cat to a new home? Have a great photo of your cat moving?

Again, thanks to WEBMD/Pets for the great cat tips!

Moving to a new home with a cat can be hard on both you and your cat.  So making the move to a new home as stress-free as possible for your “kitty” can have big benefits, including reducing the risk of fear-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

Moving a cat successfully to a new house does involve some planning and preparation. Here are some suggestions from WEBMD/Pets:

Before the Move

Get the cats used to the ‘evil’ carrier. Place a favorite blanket or piece of your human clothing (that you’ve worn but haven’t washed) inside the travel carrier. Drape a blanket over it for an instant play cave.  Leave the carrier open near a favorite hangout and place stimulating kitty toys inside or some favorite treats.

If your cat is very skittish, nervous or easily stressed, speak to your vet about using anti-anxiety medication to make the moving process easier on him/her.

On Moving Day

• To prevent your cat from dashing out the door while movers are going in and out, close kitty in a bathroom with food, water, a bed and litter box. Place a sign on the door asking the movers to keep the door shut.
• Feed your cat a very small breakfast on moving day to reduce stomach upset.
• The last thing to do before leaving your house is to move your cat. Pop them in their carrier with a comforting blanket. By leaving them till the very last, it will help to reduce stress and also keep the trip as short as possible.
• While in transit, resist the urge to open your cat’s carrier to soothe him. A scared cat may try to escape.
• All cat lovers know, cats are not to be transported in the moving truck or the trunk of the car.

Tune in next week for some tips on settling your cat into her new home.

While doing our research, we ran across this funny cat moving story.  How about your last cat move?   We’d love to hear your cat moving stories.

On Friday we feature homes for sale by our clients and/or Realtor partners as a way to add value to their Seamless Moves moving experience. Enjoy!

Today’s Friday Featured Property showcases a lovely 2,692 sq. foot  home in the Trilogy neighborhood of Redmond Ridge.  This Alder floor plan home is adjacent to a greenbelt with unique features throughout, including leaded glass windows and bamboo floors. There are many options for relaxing and entertaining in the formal living room and dining room, family room and private courtyard.  You will want to see the loft with a balcony and bonus room for hobbies.  The dramatic kitchen has slab granite counter-tops and cherry cabinets, plus a nook. You’ll also enjoy a study with stylish french doors, and a master bedroom with a bay window and 5-piece master bath. Upstairs there is a loft and guest suite or 2nd master bedroom.

With all this home has to offer you will enjoy the social opportunities of the Trilogy Community (55+) Resort Lifestyle. The listing price of this home as of today is $609,000.

If you are a Luxury Home Realtor or home buyer interested in this property, you may view it here or MLS#270919 or by contacting the seller’s agent, Pat Wenzel, at 206-650-6356.

Getting yourself settled into a new home is more than unpacking all the boxes. Here’s a list of a few things you may overlook in the chaos of the move.

Things to do right away:

Have mail forwarded automatically from your old address.

Update your address for all these:

• Tax forms, new bank account, credit card statements, professional memberships or licensing boards, rewards programs, magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
• Any regular deliveries that are made to your home.
• Insurance policies (health, car and home).  Note that the move may affect your coverage.
• Financial and legal documents such as retirement accounts, investment accounts, attorneys and social security.

During a move, you can be particularly susceptible to identity theft if mail is not forwarded properly. Watch your credit card and bank accounts carefully and check your credit reports two months after a move.

• Replace the locks if you’re uneasy about keeping the locks that came with the house.
• Update your Driver’s License and license plates.
• Register to Vote and don’t forget to get a new library card.
• Call the department of sanitation in your new city to find out which day the trash is collected and about  recycling programs.
• Keep all receipts related to the move in a folder. Some expenses may qualify for tax deductions.
• Make arrangements with service providers including cable television, newspaper delivery, bank, cleaners, pharmacist, etc.
• Obtain information from the local Chamber of Commerce on libraries, schools, community activities and emergency calling services such as 911.

Speaking of emergencies, here are a few things to do before you have an emergency:

• Locate the nearest hospital.
• Find a new primary care doctor, dentist, and veterinarian and have records forwarded.
• Write down emergency phone numbers, including doctors’ offices, poison control, police and fire department.  Post near the kitchen phone.
• Make sure your home, mailbox or driveway is clearly marked with the house number.
• Make sure you have working fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors with fresh batteries.

Of course, to make your next move stress-free call Seamless Moves ~ “We manage your move, while you manage your life!”

Have you ever received a gift and wondered, “Do I need to keep the box this came in?” With the Holiday Gift Season upon us, here are our Top 5 Tips to help you decide.

1. Flatscreen Televisions: We recommend ALWAYS keeping the original box and any included styrofoam and screen protection. If you don’t have the original box next time you move, the moving company will charge you between $75 to $135 for a new one.

2. Other electronics: Stereo speakers, turntables, computer printers and monitors – keep. DVD players, desktop towers and other “square” items – keep if you’ll be moving across country; maybe not if just across town. Your decision may be determined by the amount of dry, clean space you have to store boxes.

3. Collectibles: We don’t profess to know which collectibles are more valuable if you have the original box, but we do recommend keeping boxes and associated packing materials for extremely breakable or fragile items. WE know how to wrap a figurine for shipping so that it arrives with all 5 fingers intact, but do YOU want to pack that item yourself?

4. Toys: We recommend keeping boxes for toys that have many small parts and for toys that may be handed down to future generations (such as a train set or special doll).

5. Kitchen items: Unless the item is extremely fragile, a professional packer can pack your item to move as well as or better than in the original box. Therefore, keeping the box is not necessary.

Additionally, any items that you only use occasionally, such as holiday decorations and entertaining dishes, should be kept in their original boxes as your space allows when not being used.

Now that you have boxes figured out, here are some great wrapping tips: GiftWrap1, GiftWrap2 and GiftWrap3. Have a wonderful Holiday!