Tips and Techniques to Help You Prepare for the Stresses of Moving Day

Tips-and-techniques

Moving is stressful, and if you forget one tiny detail, the whole day can unravel. Obviously, no one can predict everything that will happen, but preparing for some common moving day mishaps can keep you one step ahead. If you have a solid plan, you will probably avoid any major catastrophes and make it to your new home with all of your belongings and sanity intact. The following tips can make moving day simpler.

Take Your Time

Maybe this goes without saying, but so many times, people put off packing until the last possible minute and end up throwing everything into boxes without organizing. This leads to kitchenware in the same box as toothbrushes and tennis shoes, and socks and hairspray sharing crates with the family china. Then when you arrive at your new home, you end up having to unpack everything all at once just to find what you need.

 

Instead, take the time to organize your packing. Pack one room at a time and carefully label each box so you know where everything is. If you’re packing up your home office, labeling boxes becomes absolutely essential. Even if you don’t have as much time as you’d like to pack, you can still use the time you do have to streamline the process.

 

The Spruce notes that you can also take this time to host a garage sale for any items that you don’t plan on taking with you to your new home. You should get rid of items you don’t use or need to make the moving process smoother.

 

Lastly, practice techniques that can help you keep your stress levels under control during this time. For example, learning breathing techniques that can calm anxiety can help, as can learning to identify and stop stress trains in their tracks. What’s more, once you learn these techniques, you can apply them to other areas of your life.

Ask for Help

One mistake a lot of people make is assuming they can do all the packing and moving on their own. Or they want help, but they don’t want to trouble their friends. Don’t try to tackle this big step without some help. If you have trouble asking, find some nice ways to recruit your friends and family, like baking them some cookies or offering to help them with one of their projects. You might be surprised by how many people will say yes, so don’t feel like you have to do all the work yourself.

Do Your Research

Depending on where you live, there are probably at least a half a dozen moving companies to choose from. But not all of them are legitimate. With the rising number of scams out there, it’s important to know who you’re giving money to. Consumer Reports warns that you should be wary of moving companies that require large deposits. Check their references to make sure they have satisfied customers; you can often find very helpful customer reviews online.

 

Of course, for those living in the Bronx, J Sutton & Co. can make moving day a breeze. In  addition to providing container delivery, they can assist you with delivery and loading, driving, and clean-up. Get in touch to discuss your schedule.

Don’t Pack Essentials

You should make a list of essentials you will need during the move and right after you arrive. Designate an essentials box you can get to easily anytime you need it. Some things to include might be medication, pet items, phone chargers, toiletries, important papers and contact information. Keep the box in your vehicle with you or pack it in a place where you can easily access it.

Check the Weather

If you have some flexibility when choosing your moving day, try to choose the day with the best weather. The weather isn’t always predictable, but if there’s a 99.9% chance of snow on Thursday, maybe pick Wednesday instead. If you absolutely have to move in inclement weather, take some precautions to stay warm and safe. Board your pets in a local kennel while you pack up the van, and shovel and salt the driveway and walkways a couple of hours before you begin. Make it as easy on yourself and the people helping you as you possibly can.


Do your best to take some of the stress out of moving by preparing for common moving day mishaps. Give yourself as much time as possible to prepare for the move, stay organized, and gather help. If you start out with a solid plan, you might even find moving days can be fun.

How To Plan a DIY Move Without Losing Your Mind

Plan a DIY Move

How To Plan a DIY Move Without Losing Your Mind

Written by: GregCreates

Getting ready to move, maybe from an apartment into your new home or from your current home into a new one? If yes, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is this; do you move everything on your own (a so-called DIY move), or do you hire a moving and storage company to take care of everything for you?

The decision you make could have a real, and raw, effect on your move, as well as your finances and mental well-being. That’s because, as stressful situations go, moving from one place to another is right up there with the death of a family member, a wedding or a divorce, and can sometimes feel like all 3 rolled up into one! In this blog post, we’re going to assume that you’ve made the decision to move yourself and give you the advice and tips you’ll need to do it right and come out the other end smelling like the proverbial rose.

Bronx movers

Packing Tips

Unless you’re moving very close and can take everything in your car or truck, all of your worldly possessions are going to need to be packed into boxes. This will protect them from damage and from getting lost or stolen and, frankly, it’s one of the most tiring parts of any move, especially if you have a lot of fragile or valuable items. Packing takes a lot of time and energy, not only to wrap and pack but also to find and purchase all of the materials you’ll need like boxes, wrapping paper, tape and bubble wrap.

Tip – Start as early as possible. Packing takes time and if you wait until the last few days (or even the day before) to get started, you’re going to regret it.

Tip – Boxes made for moving are the best. Random, mismatched boxes you get for free from the store are weaker, sometimes dirty and, since they’re mismatched, harder to load on the truck correctly.

Tip – You can sometimes find used moving boxes for free (or very, very cheap) on Craigslist.

Tip – Movers will sometimes sell you used boxes. If you buy them, make sure to ask for any brochures or handouts they have with packing tips. (You’ll need them, trust us.)

Tip – Don’t overpack. If, for example, you fill up a large box with books, you’ll spend years dealing with the hernia you get when you try to lift and load that box(es). Better to have more small, lighter boxes than fewer boxes that are bigger and much heavier.

Tip – Use paper instead of bubble wrap except on the most fragile items. Bubble wrap costs more and takes up much more space, meaning you’ll need more boxes. If you pack correctly you should need very little, if any, bubble wrap.

Rental Moving Truck

Renting a Truck Tips

While this might seem like the easiest chore on your list, renting the right truck is vital to a less stressful move, especially if you’re moving far away. If you rent a truck that’s too small, for example, you might find yourself with a loaded truck and some (or a lot) of your stuff that doesn’t fit, meaning you’ll have to make a 2nd trip to go back and get it, and spend that much extra on truck rentals and gas.

Tip– Estimate that every room in your home (except bathrooms) is approximately 1200 pounds or about 180 square feet of space. If you have a 3 bedroom home with a living room, dining room, and garage, you’ll have 7200 pounds of household goods and need approximately 1000 cubic feet of truck space to move it all.

Tip– Get insurance on your moving truck. Once you hit the road you never know what will happen but, if Murphy’s Law is to be believed, it will happen. If you don’t have insurance and your truck crashes and burns, you’ll be very sorry you didn’t spend the few extra bucks on insurance so that you can replace everything.

Tip– Get a truck that’s 25% bigger than you need. You’re not a professional loader so having the extra room will likely come in very handy.

Tip– Reserve your truck early. On weekends (and especially at the beginning and end of every month) rental truck companies sell out and, if you haven’t reserved a truck, you might be stuck.

rental truck loading

Loading Tips

Like packing, loading is an art that very few people outside the moving industry will master. If done well your stuff will make it to your new place in great shape and, if not, well, you could end up with a bunch of broken, busted furniture and household goods.

Tip – Do not load all of your boxes first, or together. You’ll need them to mix and match with your furniture as you load and, if you load them all right away, you’ll be stuck trying to figure out how to load all your pieces of furniture on top of each other. (Hint: it’s very difficult.)

Tip – Load in tiers or rows, loading up to the ceiling before you start again with the next tier. Start with heavy boxes or furniture and load lighter and lighter boxes and furniture on top until you reach the truck’s ceiling. 1 tier done, now start again.

Tip – Load large sofas standing on their side with padding underneath the arms. Then, after wrapping it well with moving pads, strap it to the wall so it stays in place during the drive to your new home. Load other furniture and boxes around it like above, tier style.

Tip – Designate one person as the loader and let them do that while the others bring furniture and boxes. If you have someone with experience this can be a big plus.

Is a portable storage container a good idea?

If you’re moving out of one place on, say, the 1st of the month, but your new place won’t be ready until the 10th, a portable storage container might be a good idea. That way, your stuff can stay in the container until the day comes that you can move into your new home and you’ll save money and time, Plus, the less handling, the less chance of damage and breakage.

Should you use a service that packs, loads and unloads your truck for you?
By all means, if financially possible, yes! If you haven’t guessed by now, moving is a very stressful task. Yes, if you’re young, strong and have plenty of friends (and beer), you can make a DIY project out of this, especially if your furniture is all hand-me-downs and 2nd-hand used stuff. On the other hand, if you’re a busy professional with a life, children, nice things (and enough on your plate already) hiring a company to pack your things, load them onto the truck you’ve rented and unload them at your new place isn’t just a luxury, it’s darn near a necessity.

Hiring a crew who knows what they’re doing will make a world of difference and, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, could have a real, and raw, effect on your move, as well as your finances and mental well-being. If you have more questions or need advice about your DIY move, please contact us using the form, below, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

The Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

moving in New York City

The Big Apple is one of the most iconic cities in the world. With everything it offers, this city of many names provides the perfect backdrop for thousands of dreams coming true. Thus, it is no surprise that NYC is one of the most densely populated cities in the US. Its five boroughs are further portioned into myriads of neighborhoods, catering to the lifestyle preferences of just about anyone. Many newcomers flock to NYC daily, and many often change address within this electric megapolis. With that said, the challenges of moving in New York City are numerous. Navigating the moving process successfully calls for solid professional assistance. Besides, knowing what to expect in terms of the major strains of moving in NYC will make your experience easier. Here is all you need to know on the matter.

Aerial view of New York City

The Challenges of Moving in New York City

With a population of nearly 8,250,000 residing on a mere 300 square miles, NYC is among the most populous urban areas globally. Everyone is constantly on the go in the City that Never Sleeps. This concrete jungle pulsates with an electrical vibe, and daily life unfolds at a fast pace. Hence, you will encounter multiple stumbling blocks when moving in The Big Apple. 

While landing a job here should be relatively quick and easy, the high cost of living presents a significant challenge for most people. Of course, mindful budgeting will help you overcome the strains of NYC living expenses in the long run. But, what exactly should you brace for when planning a relocation in New York City? Here are the biggest challenges that will undoubtedly come your way.

Finding an Apartment in NYC

One thing is for sure – you should not plan a move in NYC unless you have found an apartment first. Remember that you are competing with 8 million other people! Whether buying or renting, the prices are sky-high. Besides, you will have to put down a hefty deposit to secure the place. This alone is one of the significant challenges of moving in the Big Apple.

The best way to tackle it is to have a solid housing budget in place and to know exactly what you are after. So, determine the size of the apartment and the specific location you want to live in. With this hitch out of your way, start looking for a dependable moving professional to help you coordinate your interstate move and clear all other difficulties of moving in NYC.

Traffic on the streets of NYC

Heavy Traffic and Limited Parking Space

While public transport is effective in helping New Yorkers commute daily, the streets of the city are nevertheless busy. Gridlocks are not uncommon in peak hours, and heavy traffic is expected at any time of the day when NYC is in question. Although you may consider the traffic as a variable and hope for the best come moving day, it is better to count on the fact and be prepared to face one of the most common challenges of relocating in New York City. The traffic often causes delays and consequently an increase in moving expenses. You may consider short-term storage to facilitate your transfer in the Big Apple.  

Another thing closely related to the notorious lack of space in NYC is the lack of parking space. You will have to coordinate the parking spot with your mover in advance. This will help you avoid paying penalties for pulling up at an unpermitted place.

Moving to Manhattan is among the Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

The five boroughs that make up New York City are all unique in their own way. But the one that stands out from the rest in many regards is Manhattan. This small island with 75,000 residents is the most densely populated county in the US. On top of that, thousands of tourists crowd the most famous NYC borough daily. So, the challenges of moving in the Big Apple are especially prominent if you plan to make Manhattan your new home. After all, this is the beating heart of the City that Never Sleeps, and moving to Manhattan is not for the faintest of hearts.

Apart from adapting to the ever-present crowds, you will have to be smart about managing your budget as well. Where the competition is high, so are the prices, and Manhattan is no exception. So, be diligent in your research, and have yourself steadily on your feet long before your target move date. Needless to say, choose a reputable moving company to lead the way of your transfer here. Like so, you will swiftly overcome some of the greatest strains of moving in New York City and cut unpredictable costs and unforeseen mishaps.

Part of Manhattan, NYC

Old Buildings and Few Elevators

New York City is built on 400 years of history. While many of its elegant buildings are beautiful architectural gems, they represent a range of challenges when we talk about moving. Many of NYC’s buildings are walk-ups with no elevators. Besides, a lot of them have narrow hallways and staircases. And, as you may expect, squeezing bulky furniture through them is a tricky task. 

So, hiring experienced movers is the right way to simplify these hurdles of moving in NYC.

Besides, consider benefiting from mobile storage solutions to make it easy and convenient for yourself. It is of utmost importance to do your due diligence and hire a top-rated moving company you can fully depend upon. Opting to handle your NYC move otherwise puts you at high risk of further complicating the hindrances of transferring in NYC. Therefore, make it easy on yourself from the very start. Do not settle for dubious movers in hopes of saving money. Give priority to reputable relocation businesses and the quality of services instead. This way, you will stay safe from costly damages and moving accidents.

Final Thought on The Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

Organizing a move is always tricky, but NYC comes with additional considerations. However exciting this event might be, it is a massive project requiring detailed planning and solid moving support. It only makes sense to hire reliable moving professionals who will help you jump through the many hoops safely and with no issues. And, it goes without saying that the substantial expenses are one of the biggest challenges of moving in New York City. Hence, plan your move with time to spare and team up with the most dependable NYC movers you can find!