Packing up a home office is somewhat like packing up any other room in the house, except that it does offer definite challenges. The home office may be the most important room in your home because this is where you may be working from home or even running a business. In all likelihood it’s where you take care of your household bills, file important personal and/or business documents, and keep your cheques, etc.
Packing Tips Because packing up a home office is such an important task we’ve decided to offer you some tips on how to manage this quickly and efficiently:
Preparation
The first order of business would be to make sure you have all the packing supplies you need before you begin. You’re going to want some heavy-duty sturdy boxes to hold all your paperwork and documentation as well as your office equipment. You can usually buy these items at an office supply store. If you can’t find everything you need, your moving company can certainly provide the supplies. In addition to boxes, you’ll need heavy-duty packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper and markers for labeling.
File Cabinets & Drawers
Once you have your supplies on hand you’re ready to get started. You can either pack everything yourself or have your moving company help. If you’re doing this on your on, get started early because moving always involves more than you think. Once you know you’re moving take an inventory of everything in your home office to decide what should be pack first. You can save yourself some time and money by not emptying out the drawers and files containing documentation. Most file cabinets come with locks, so lock those, keeping the keys safe. Tape desk and cabinet drawers closed that are filled with files and paperwork.
This allows you to pack more efficiently because your file cabinets and drawers can be moved with the documentation safely packed inside so you don’t have to remove, pack it all in boxes and then unpack the boxes and replace everything after the move. To save yourself the trouble, you can always have the movers pack everything while you guide their work. Professional movers are used to this and can work very quickly and efficiently when it comes to packing up a home office.
Paperwork & Documentation
Another thing you’ll want to do before you begin is to sort through your paperwork because offices tend to accumulate a lot of useless papers. There is no need to pack up and move stuff you’re only going to throw out in the end. In going through your paperwork start packing the files you’re not going to be working with until after the move.
Make sure you clearly label every box with its contents. Paperwork can get heavy so use plenty of tape when sealing these boxes. The last thing you want is for the boxes to come apart and papers to be flying all over the place!
Books
When it comes to packing books, they get very heavy very fast. It’s always best to put just a few books in each box and fill the rest of the box up with lighter items. Make sure you secure everything with crumpled packing paper for cushioning. Small boxes work best for books due to their weight. Small and medium-sized books should be packed upright with the larger books being laid flat for optimum protection. Large heavy books can easily become damaged if placed upright or placed on the sides of the boxes. Avoid packing sharp or breakable items with books to avoid book covers getting scarred.
Office Equipment & Electronics
You must take special care with your computers, monitors, scanners, printers and any other office equipment you may have. Ensure that you backup all information and data on your computers. If you have the original packing boxes that your office equipment came in, use those. If not, your movers should have the appropriate boxes for packing up office equipment. Your computer screen (monitor) is very fragile so you must use bubble wrap and packing paper to protect the screen before even placing it in the box.
Ensure that all equipment is unplugged from electrical outlets and all wires are appropriately packed and labeled as well as surge protectors. If there is any space remaining in the boxes you can fill in with lighter items securely packed with bubble wrap and/or packing paper.
Other Reminders
Once you have your home office packed up do not forget to fill out change of address cards for the Post Office so your mail can be forwarded. Prepare an email to notify your colleagues and customers of your new address and contact information. Explain to everyone that there may be a brief interruption in your work schedule due to the move and let people know when you’re “open for business” again.
People often view moving as one of the most stressful events that they’ve gone through in life, after divorce and the death of a loved one. In fact, on the Holmes & Rahe Stress Scale, moving is listed at No. 32, but it’s still clear that most people simply hate the entire experience of moving. It’s time-consuming, tiring and relatively expensive, so there’s no arguing about it being a total drag.
By implementing some tips from the moving professionals, you can save time, money and relieve a lot of the stress. One simple money-saving tip would be not to buy boxes. Just get them from your local supermarkets, hardware stores or other retailers. Call ahead to determine the best day and time to come by and get them. I doubt that any retailer is going to charge you for boxes they’re tossing out anyway. You’re already well on your way to saving money on your move.
1. Pack Everything Up Before Moving Day
This is a no-brainer but it is the No. 1 complaint of movers. Last minute packing will waste a lot of time and this only adds to the costs. The problem is that a lot of people think they’ve packed everything when they haven’t. So while the movers wait they rush around their home pulling out drawers, grabbing stuff out of the basement and stuffing things in random boxes they forget to label.
2. Pack a Survival Kit
Your survival kit will be a bag containing everything you’ll need to survive for 72 hours. You may not need this because it’s not as if you’re evacuating a disaster area, but the move will certainly disrupt your life, so packing a bag full of these items can relieve a lot of stress and may be a lifesaver in the end. Just having your essentials in one place can potentially save you a lot of time and money since you won’t be forced to search for them or buy replacements. This is what you’ll pack in your survival kit:
• An extra outfit that’s clean and ready to wear
• Toothbrush, floss and toothpaste
• Hairbrush, personal care items and any accessories
• Any medications you take and a first-aid kit
• Cell phone and charger
• Information related to the movers, company address, truck and other details
• Wallet and identification
• Keys
• Snacks and drinks
3. Devise a Loading Plan for the Moving Truck
Loading the truck properly is extremely important to avoid any damage to your belongings, and save the cost of repairing or replacing the items that end up being damaged. The order in which items are loaded into the truck is important. Load heavy furniture first, such as desks, trunks and dressers. Then load in soft furniture items, like sofas, and mattresses. Boxes come next, followed by lighter items like rugs, chairs, luggage, etc. If you’re handling the move yourself, this is the best way to load the truck to protect everything. If you’re paying movers, make sure you place the boxes in a separate area of the house so the heavier items can be conveniently loaded into the truck first then unloaded and easily placed in the right rooms.
4. Buy or Rent a Shoulder Dolly
Professional movers use these handy devices, which are essentially a two-person strap system to secure heavy items for moving. It has a sturdy strap that connects two shoulder straps similar to a backpack. You secure the shoulder dolly beneath a heavy items like a washers and dryers or heavy dressers, then you and your moving partner put the straps on, grasp the item and lift it. This redistributes the weight, making heavy items easier to move while leaving your hands free to handle the item as you maneuver through tight spaces and doors. It gives you more control while carrying heavy items and helps you to keep from dropping things, dinging walls and the costs that come along with doing repairs or replacing damaged items.
5. Use Blankets and Pillows to Protect Furniture
If you’re not using movers and want to keep from damaging your furniture you can use your own blankets, comforters and pillows to wrap delicate furniture and secure it with tape before you move it out of the house. If you’re concerned about damaging your blankets, just be careful and think about how much it would cost to replace the blanket as opposed to repairing or replacing that piece of furniture.
6. When Hiring a Moving Company Get an On-site Estimate
Before moving day, have the moving company send someone out to survey your possessions and have them provide a written estimate of the cost for the move. Moves usually take longer than expected, so ask them how they figure the additional hours. This way you will know in advance what the move will likely cost you.
7. Peak Moving Times Should Be Avoided
If you can avoid moving on the last day or weekend of the month, do so. Those are the busiest times for truck rentals and movers. Peak moving times run from the month of May to mid-September, so those months should be avoided as well to save money.
8. Inform the IRS of Your Move
If the IRS has not been informed of your new address you may not receive your tax refund check, which is what happens to thousands of people every year. The U.S. Postal Service forwards mail only for a set period of time, and certain types of mail are only forwarded for 60 days. You might also look at the IRS’s website to determine if you can write off the move. In general, if you have to move more than 50 miles to take a full-time job, you may be allowed to deduct your moving expenses on your tax return.
To help you get organized for a stress-free move, here are a couple of common mistakes that occur when people pack their belongings for a move. If you can avoid making these mistakes you will save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration:
1. Start packing with no real plan in place
People commonly make the mistake of packing their things up without any real plan in place. They just start boxing household items together without having a strategy worked out ahead of time. The main problem with randomly packing things up is that it may feel like you’re getting things done, you’re wasting time and energy because you’re not doing this in an organized manner. The last thing you can afford to do is waste time when you’ve got so much to accomplish as it is.
What you need to do is create a packing calendar that you can continually look at and stick to so that you’re working at optimum productivity. You’ve got to prioritize every task so the most important things do not get overlooked, keeping in mind that everything will need to be unpacked and put away at the new location.
2. Put off packing until the last minute on moving day
Procrastination can be disastrous, especially when it comes to moving. It’s easy to look around and think, “Well there isn’t so much to pack. I’ll get to it later.” Yes there’s a lot to do but if you leave most of your packing for moving day just because there are more important things to attend to, you’ll be in real trouble. What you need to realize is that no matter how much time you think you have before moving day, the more you put off packing boxes, the harder it gets to actually start the process. Every day you procrastinate the more stressed out you’ll become and eventually this will all lead to a major state of panic. When you’re panicked, that’s when you make mistakes.
You need to make note of the concept that the only way to get things done right, is to get going on whatever it is right away. And in this case we’re talking about packing things up so you can get through your move with the least amount of stress as possible. Once you’ve confirmed a moving date, start devising a strategy for packing, get your supplies and start packing.
3. Deciding that sorting through things is a total waste of time
Another common mistake people make when moving is deciding that they don’t need to sort through household items before packing them up. People who do this are reasoning that it will save a tremendous amount of time if they just pack everything up for the move because they can always sort it out later once they arrive at the new house.
The problem with this thinking is that this will actually waste more time because you will be packing things up that really need to be thrown out or donated. All these items weigh something and the heavier your shipment, the more you will pay for the move. It’s going to cost you money to ship things you don’t need or want and will just get rid of at the new house.
Do not skip the task of sorting through everything before you start packing. At the end of the day, you should only take those items that you will be using at the new house. Everything else should be sold, tossed or given away.
Long Distance Moves (4-6 months)
Generally speaking, the further away you are moving, the more time you will need to plan your move. A long distance move requires several extra steps in comparison to a move across town, such as arranging for an over-the-road carrier, purchasing moving insurance and preparing for your life in a new city and state. You will also need to be sure to budget enough time to compare potential new neighborhoods and schools. These are big decisions that require some thought and preparation. You’ll want to avoid rushing into a long-distance move if possible. Give yourself 4-6 months at the minimum.
Big Change in Living Space (3 Months)
Another scenario that will require more time for planning and preparation is one where you are moving into a smaller home than the one you are in now. Downsizing happens more often than most people think and it can present some unique challenges. For one, chances are good that you won’t be able to bring everything you have now with you. You’ll either need to arrange to store these items, or unload them in a jiffy. The time you will need to get rid of stuff depends on how much there is. Some things you’ll be able to donate to local charities, others you can sell on Craigslist or OfferUp. Plan accordingly so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute trying to figure out to do with that extra sofa or the dining table that just won’t fit in your new home. (more…)
If you’ve chosen to hire a professional moving company to handle your next move, it’s important that you do a little research to be sure you are hiring a reputable and honest crew. The last thing you want to do is put your valuable possessions in the hands of those who are unqualified or inexperienced. So how can you be sure that the moving company you choose is any good? Most moving companies are pretty good at putting up a good front. To really know if you can trust a moving company, you have to be willing to dig a little deeper. Here are a few things to look for:
1. How Long Have They Been in Business?
Experience is a big deal when it comes to professionally packing, loading and moving your belongings. Be sure to look to see how long the moving company has been in business before you hire them. Companies that have been in business for at least 10 years or more are usually pretty good at what they do.
2. Check for Reviews and Recommendations
It shouldn’t be too difficult to find reviews about the moving company you are checking out. Reviews can often be found on the company’s website. If you’d rather consult a third-party review site, be sure to check Google, Yelp and Angie’s List. Reading some of the reviews found here will definitely help you get an idea if this is the right moving company for you.
3. The Estimate Process
You will probably want to steer clear of moving companies that give very general or vague estimates for their moving services. These are the companies that might come back with additional charges at the end of your move. Look for a moving company that asks specific questions to get a better idea of what your move will entail or even make a visit to your home to see items that will be moved. This allows them to give a more accurate estimate so you know what to expect.
4. How Will They Protect Your Belongings?
A good moving company will talk to you about their strategies for protecting your belongings as they move from one location to the next. Beware of moving companies that do not offer to wrap furniture and secure boxes once they are loaded into the truck. You don’t have to wait until moving day to find out if they provide this service – it’s something that should be discussed in advance.
5. Preparation
What steps is your moving company willing to take in preparation for the move? Will they measure doorways, hallways and stairways in advance? Will they go over a moving plan with you to make sure everything goes in the right place at your new home or office? It only takes a few good discussions with your moving company to get a sense of how they plan to prepare for your move.
6. Crystal Clear Rates
When it comes to moving, most people want to keep the costs down as much as possible. There is nothing more frustrating to be quoted one price at the beginning of your move only to be charged a higher amount at the end. Make sure your moving company is very clear about their rates and expenses. If possible, get a signed contract that you can use to lock in the cost.
Get Your Move On is a family-owned and operated full-service moving company, based in the Phoenix metropolitan area and serving all of Arizona. We welcome each and every customer with the same promise: 100% Satisfaction, Guaranteed. We take great pride in offering well-organized, painless moving services for each of our clients. Find out how we can help you for your next move by calling us today – 480-695- 6621.
When it’s time to move, there are a number of strategies people turn to in an endeavor to keep the process as simple and as cost-effective as possible. Some of these strategies might include the use of used boxes instead of new ones or asking for the help of friends and family when it comes to packing and loading. Often people will rent their own moving truck and attempt to load and unload their possessions on their own. While this has become a popular option over the years, there are some important factors to consider when renting a truck. Here are some of the pros and cons of renting a moving truck:
Pros:
Control – By having a rented moving truck at your disposal, it gives you a sense of control as to when and how you will move your possessions. You can stretch your move out over a few days, taking loads when you are ready. This also gives you control over the time of day you move and how you load your belongings into the truck.
Time – Most moving truck rental companies rent their trucks out by the day and not by the hour. This gives you more freedom to choose how fast or slow you move. You don’t have to be focused on a set schedule or start and finish time.
Cons:
Hidden Costs – If you’ve ever rented a moving truck before, you know that the price you ended up paying at the end of your rental term was much different than the price advertised. Moving truck rental companies will often advertise a base rate without the extra costs for mileage and gas. These additional costs can add up quickly leaving you with an unexpected expense.
Extras – When you go to pick up your moving truck, you may be surprised to find out that some of the extras, like dollies, blankets and tie-downs are not included in the rental cost. These items must be rented for an additional fee and can be quite expensive.
Lack of Help – Keep in mind that when you rent your own moving truck, you are on your own for finding people to help you load and unload the truck. This can lead to problems if it’s a weekend when friends and family are busy or out of town.
Longer Moving Time – Completing your move using a rental moving truck can take much longer when compared to hiring professional movers. You can plan on spending quite a bit of time loading and unloading the truck, not to mention the time spent picking the truck up and returning it with a full tank of gas.
Lack of Efficiency – As you load your moving truck, you will want to be sure that you are loading it in the most efficient way possible. It’s easy to make mistakes when loading – mistakes that can lead to damaged belongings or multiple trips to and from your new home.
When all is said and done, it is often much more cost effective to hire a professional moving company like Get Your Move On LLC. Not only will we show up in a clean, ready-to-use moving truck on moving day, but we’ll also include a knowledgeable and experienced moving crew that can make sure your possessions are quickly and carefully loaded and unloaded. In the end, you’ll find that the cost for a professional moving company is similar to renting a moving truck and definitely worth it.
To get an idea of how Get Your Move On can help you for your next residential or business move, give us a call at 480-695-6621.
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