It’s not always easy to know what to do with your kids when moving day arrives. Some parents want their kids to be involved in the move while others would rather keep them away from the traffic of movers with heavy loads. Once the moving truck is loaded and ready to go, some families will have a lengthy car drive before they arrive at their new home. How will you keep your kids happy during that road trip?
No matter what you choose to do with your kids during a move, it’s definitely a good idea to plan ahead so you’re prepared. Here are some ideas on how you can keep your kids happy and entertained during a move:
Let Them Help Pack Their Own Room
Help your child identify the items that are going with you to your new home and which items may be staying behind or are being donated. Then set them up with the right size boxes and let them start packing up. You will probably need to work alongside them to ensure boxes aren’t packed too heavy and that the right things are packed in the right box. Your kids will be happy to be involved and it helps them look forward to the move.
Make an “On-The-Move” Bag
Give your child a backpack or other small suitcase and let them choose a few favorite items that will stay with them through the duration of the move. Along with a few toys, games and books, you might also encourage them to pack some pajamas, a favorite blanket and other items they might need for the first night in the new house.
Snacks
Food is always a winner with kids! Before moving day gets underway, be sure to stock up on snacks for your kids, keeping them separate from other food in the kitchen that might get packed away. Snacks are especially good to have on hand when you’re traveling in the car for long periods of time. You may want to steer clear of snacks with too much sugar.
Movies
You can keep your kids entertained for at least an hour or two when you put on a movie. This can help as you’re packing at your soon-to-be previous residence or in the car as you travel to your new home. You might even designate a room in your home that is just for the kids on moving day to keep them away from the heavy moving.
Books and Games
Picture books, road-trip games and even audiobooks are all great ways to keep your children happy and entertained as you move. When you reach your limit with movies on your trip, books and games are perfect alternatives. Games are a great way to involve the entire family and can make the time pass by in a jiffy.
If you and your family have a move coming up soon, consider using a professional moving company like GetYourMoveOn to do the work for you. This allows you to focus on your kids. Call us to learn more about our services or for a free estimate – 480-695-6621.
Get Your Move On, LLC Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award
Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service
Get Your Move On has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015.
“We take pride in making sure that we do whatever it takes to make sure that every customer receives the best service possible, every time” said Derek Greene President/Owner of Get Your Move On.
“Only about 5 percent of the moving and storage companies in Arizona have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.
Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.
Among the many different challenges that moving presents, keeping yourself and others involved in the move healthy and free of injury is one of the most important. One wrong move can cause a serious injury that will not only slow down the moving process, but could also have much longer implications. It’s important that you are aware of the potential hazards that moving presents so you can avoid these types of injuries.
When people move, they are typically looking to do it quickly and efficiently. Being prepared as you begin the moving process can help you achieve these goals while staying safe. Here are a few tips on how to keep your moving experience a safe one:
Dress Appropriately
When you’re wearing the right type of clothing, you are able to move more efficiently and avoid injury. It’s best to wear loose clothing and closed-toe shoes. Your shoes are of particular importance. You’ll want to wear shoes that protect your feet and give good support and grip. Remember that moving is not a time to worry about being fashionable and more about being practical.
Proper Body Mechanics
There’s no way to say enough about how important it is to protect your back and other parts of your body when lifting heavy items. Remember to always lift with your legs – not your back! It’s also a good idea to spend a few minutes stretching before you begin to move so you avoid strain on your back.
Use the Right Equipment
Many of the most common injuries sustained during a move happen when someone decides to forego the use of moving equipment such as a dolly. Dollies and furniture rollers come in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate even the heaviest pieces of furniture and appliances. Of course, it never hurts to wear gloves while moving too to prevent blisters and splinters.
Don’t Pack Too Heavy
It’s easy to see a large moving box and feel tempted to fill it to the brim before wrapping it up. Extremely heavy boxes can be a nightmare to move and often end up breaking loose. A box full of heavy books that breaks through the bottom as it’s being moved can be dangerous. Be sure you test your boxes as you load them so they are not too heavy.
Be Aware of Hazards
As you move, pay attention to areas in your old and new home that could be potential hazards. This might include a slippery floor or a step that is easily overlooked that could cause someone to trip. By identifying these hazards and pointing them out to those involved in the move, you reduce the risk of injury.
Hire Professional Movers
One clear way to avoid personal injury during a move is to enlist the help of professional movers who are trained and experienced in proper moving tactics. Even if it is just for the heavier items in your home, a professional moving service like GetYourMoveOn will ensure everyone stays safe and healthy during the move.
To learn more about our moving services or to get a free estimate, give us a call at 480-695-6621. We’ve been serving people on the move throughout Arizona for 10 years now and are ready to help you!
Many people reach a point in life when their next move is to a place smaller than where they are now. While downsizing to a smaller home can relieve financial stress and make things simpler, it can actually make the moving process a little more complicated. Suddenly you are faced with deciding what things go and what things stay. You may also find some of your furniture and other belongings just won’t work in your new home.
There are some things you can do to help prepare for the downsizing process. Here are 5 basic tips that can help as you look to downsize:
1. Unload the Clutter
If you’ve lived in your current home for a considerable amount of time, chances are you’ve accumulated some clutter. Downsizing is the perfect excuse for getting rid of some of the stuff you’ve held onto for too long. It might be the broken electronic gadgets you plan to fix one day or boxes of scrap material that you never seem to get to. This is a good time to get ride of broken or outdated items that you’re not really using anymore.
2. Create a Floor Plan
By mapping out where furniture and other items will go in your new home, you will get a better sense of what will fit and what won’t. You may have a large dining room table, for example, that is just too big for your new, smaller home. Rather than guessing if it will fit or not, take some time to measure both the table and the space of your new home. You may find that decisions about what to keep are quite easy when there is no space.
3. Consolidate
As you look through the items you have in your home, try to identify how you might consolidate and condense to make more room when you downsize. You might find that your books can actually all fit in one or two bookshelves instead of 3 or 4, for example. Or maybe your storage bins have a bit more room than you realized. Downsizing is all about condensing and consolidating.
4. Emotional Attachments
Preparing to downsize may also lead you to take a closer look at what possessions you have and why you keep them. We often tend to hold onto items that we feel we have an emotional attachment to. Now is the time to determine how strong that attachment is. Maybe there are things that you have carried with you for too long and it’s time to let go. Consider taking a picture of some of these items so you still have something to look at that doesn’t take up as much space.
5. Find a Storage Solution
If your downsizing is only a temporary situation, you may find that storing your possessions is a viable option. The Phoenix area is loaded with self-storage solutions and locations that are convenient and reasonably priced. If you find that you simply cannot part with some of your possessions, but can’t realistically keep them in your smaller home, find a storage facility nearby to keep them in.
GetYourMoveOn offers storage in our warehouse as part of our many services. When you need to store furniture, appliances, boxes, etc., call GetYourMoveOn and talk to us about our storage services. We can schedule to pick your items up or deliver them from storage when you need them.
Call today for more information about our moving and storage solutions. Let’s make your downsizing process a breeze!
As moving day approaches and you find yourself hustling to take care of last minute details, it can be easy to overlook one very important step – creating a floor plan for your new home. You may already have some ideas of what furniture will go where in your new place, but actually sitting down and mapping out those ideas can be a huge benefit to both you and everyone else involved in the move.
Here’s why it’s always a good idea to create a floor plan before you move:
Out With The Old…
There may be some items that you have now in your soon-to-be old home that won’t be making the trip to your new home. Whether you’re downsizing or not, moving can be the perfect time to get rid of items you just don’t need anymore. A floor plan allows you to see exactly how your furniture will fit in your new home and can help end the debate over whether or not you should keep your older stuff.
In With The New…
A carefully thought out floor plan can also help you identify any new items you may need or want for your new home. For example, let’s say you have a sectional in the living room of your current home. After creating a floor plan for your new home, you realize that the sectional just isn’t going to work. Now may be the right time to get that new sofa you’ve had your eye on.
Judging Your Space
When you go to check out your new house or apartment, it will always seem much bigger when it’s empty. It’s easy to misjudge how much room you will actually have. When you start moving things in, suddenly you realize that things just don’t fit the way you imagined. GetYourMoveOn suggests that you take the time to do some measuring of both the space you’re moving into as well as your furniture so you can make an accurate floor plan and avoid surprises on the day you move in.
Efficiency
Perhaps the biggest advantage of having a well-thought out floor plan in place as you move is that it will save you a great deal of time and energy. You’ll be able to tell movers exactly where you want your possessions to go and not have to stop to reposition or try different arrangements in order to make things fit. The goal is to get you moved in quickly so you can start enjoying your new home as soon as possible.
Having a floor plan before you move can also help you with the smaller details like décor and lighting. It can also help you identify heavy traffic areas and open spaces. You’ll feel more in control as you move in when you have things mapped out ahead of time.
Remember that GetYourMoveOn is ready to help make your move as easy as possible. For tips and ideas on creating a floor plan, or for a free estimate, give us a call at (480) 695-6621.
Moving is a time of organizing and packing. Once you get started, it’s easy to get into
a rhythm and before long you may even start to feel like a professional packer! In
fact, there’s a chance that you become too proficient and pack away the things you
will need on moving day! The last thing you’ll want to do is spend time on moving
day searching through boxes for something you need for yourself or the kids.
Below is a list of the top 10 items it’s good to have with you on moving day. Most of
these items can fit into a small bag or suitcase so you can keep them handy.
1. Packing Supplies
It’s always surprising how often items such as scissors, tape and markers are
needed on the day you move. It never hurts to have a small packing supply kit on
hand just in case.
2. Stuff for the Kids
Moving day can be rough on the kids. Make sure they keep a couple of their favorite
toys with them. You might consider preparing a couple of games for them to play or
movies to watch if you’re traveling a long distance. This will help keep your children
entertained and help you keep your sanity during the move.
3. Toiletries
If your move involves you being on the road for a day or 2, it’s a good idea to have
your toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, razor, soap, hairbrush, deodorant and any
other toiletries you may need on hand.
4. Medications
Any prescriptions that you or your family members take on a regular basis should
be kept with you during your move. This might also include allergy medicine and
contact lens solution. It also never hurts to have some aspirin on hand in case
someone gets sick.
5. Phone and Tablet Chargers
These are the things that can easily get packed away without thought and leave you
in a lurch on moving day. The last thing you need is to spend extra money on
replacing a charger while you’re in the middle of a move.
6. One Set of Utensils for Each Person
There’s nothing worse than getting in late to your new home on moving day and not
being able to eat until you unpack all of your kitchen boxes. Be sure to have one set
of utensils for each person on hand.
7. Stuff for Pets
Don’t forget the essentials for your pet, including their food, dish, leash and bed.
8. Water
Having extra water on hand is especially important if you are moving during the
summer months in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Depending on how hot it is outside, it
may be worth having a small cooler with you as well to keep the water cold.
9. Snacks
In the hustle and bustle of moving day, you will need to keep your energy up. Be
sure to bring a few of your favorite snacks with you that you can grab when you
need a boost.
10. Basic Cleaning Supplies
When you first arrive at your new home, you may not feel like doing a deep clean
that first day, but there will be some surfaces that need a quick clean. Have some
basic cleaning supplies with you so you’re prepared.
Other honorable mentions that didn’t quite make our top 10 list would be a shower
curtain, pillows and a portable speaker for listening to music while you move.
GetYourMoveOn has been helping people in the Phoenix area move since 2005.
We’re ready to provide our professional moving, storage and delivery services when
you need us. Just give us a call at 480-695-6621 for a free estimate.
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