Tag: removals

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Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Why I wish I’d known about mobile self storage last year!

Sponsored by Super Easy Storage

Last year was not exactly relaxed; moving not once but twice (we had six weeks between homes, waiting for settlement), then when we finally bought a house and moved in, the renos started. There’s nothing like ripping out your kitchen and all your floors to make life interesting!

Something I really wish I’d known about last year was mobile self storage! This service, offered by Super Easy Storage, allows you to rent small (or large) self-storage modules for as little as $19 per week, and store them where you want. So, rather than do what we did when we sold our apartment, which was pay removalists to pack up and take everything to my in laws’ empty double garage and then unpack it, then do the same again six weeks later when we settled on the new house, we could have packed the modules at our leisure (rather than all on one hectic day), store them at their warehouse (you can store them on your property if that’s option but obviously we didn’t officially own ours at that stage), and then brought them to the new place, again at our leisure, later.

Not only does this often work out cheaper, but your belongings are safe and dry (and if you can store them on your own property you save there too). What happened with us is that when we removed everything from the in laws’ garage six weeks later, a lot of things had been hit by the dreaded mould and had to be thrown out.

Good to know for next time, eh?! I’m hoping you can all save yourselves time and money by me telling you about this!

The other time this would have been amazing, was when we did all our floors late last year. The thing about doing floors is you have to get everything off the floors and out of the way, and because we had a lot of levelling that needed doing, and a lot of wet cement around, we couldn’t really move things from one room to the next (which wouldn’t have been much fun either!). So, we had to pile everything up in the carpeted rooms we weren’t touching, and when I say piled, I mean poor Seb’s playroom was unusable, so we had pretty much no clear rooms in which to relax during the four-day process. It was so stressful!

Four days where we had to move pretty much everything for new floors to be laid!

We couldn’t fit everything in the rooms that weren’t being touched either, so ended up with our huge modular sofa and dining table on the patio outside, just praying that the roof over them wouldn’t spring a leak (and yes of course it rained). Everything was okay but I had a few sleepless nights there!

But what else could I do though, I thought?! Well, as it turns out, I could have packed everything into some Super Easy Storage modules and had them sitting in the front yard. Now they tell me!

There are so many situations where these self storage modules could make life easier and save you money. Renos in particular can be a real nightmare to live through, so if you can just get things out of the way while messy work is happening, while still keeping them safe and dry on your property, happy days! And all for an affordable price.

I love that mobile storage removes the travel time of getting your things to a warehouse, which is often out of town and not convenient or close by. It’s also a much more efficient process and I love that. Saving time and money (especially time!) and making life easier, especially when you have a toddler running around, is the best. Moving house and renovating are right upon there in the stress stakes so anything that minimises this is a Godsend.

Super Easy Storage (formerly known as Super Cheap Storage) either let you keep the modules on your own property (if that is possible) or they’ll come and collect them for you and take them to their warehouse. It’s just one less thing to worry about. And when it comes to packing and unpacking the modules, you can choose to do it yourself or pay them to do that too. You really can tailor the experience to your needs and budget. There’s also no lock in contract, you just use what you need for as long as you need it.

To give you an idea, one of their large 10m3 units (one of the largest on the market) will comfortably fit the contents of a studio apartment, including appliances. And they’re made of industrial materials so if you’re storing on site, they’ll be secure and dry and you’ll be the only one with a key. To work out how many or what size modules you might need, you can use their handy online calculator.

When else could you use them?

  • To declutter your home when you stage it for sale
  • If you’re renting your home out unfurnished while you move overseas for work temporarily
  • To store family heirlooms you don’t have space for in your current home but would love to keep hold of for when you have a bigger home later

They’re just a few of my ideas!

Find out more about Super Easy Storage’s flexible and affordable services.

 

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Expert Tips

10 questions to ask every removalist company

Summer is the prime time of the year for moving to a new home as typically the weather is good and public holidays mean you need to take less time off from work. Once you have made arrangements for your current home, chosen a new place to live, and you have a moving date ready… it’s time to choose a moving company!

You already know that getting quotes from several companies is always smart so that you don’t end up paying too much, and you know you are getting the best deal. But what else should you ask your moving company before hiring them? The following questions can help you interview moving companies and make a decision, so that you can get into your new home.

Moving Truck - Flickr
Image: Flickr

HOW will my belongings be moved?

Depending on what you own, how far you are moving, and the company you choose to hire, there are several options for getting your property from your old home to your new home. Will the moving company hire contractors, or do they have employees to move it? Do they have trucks, rentals, vans, helicopters, or airplanes, or are you required to provide transportation while they only provide movers? Do you need to pack your own property into boxes, or do they provide those and pack for you?

Are you insured?

Verify the company’s license number and insurance, and do not use an uninsured company. A company who is serious about what they do will take the appropriate precautions, and that means having quality insurance. Ask if your personal belongings are covered by the insurance policy, or if you need to get your own insurance for your property while it is in transit.

What is included when I hire this moving company?

Does the moving company pack your belongings, or do you need to do that beforehand? Do they provide packing materials? Do they help you unpack at your new home? Will your property be labelled and placed in specific rooms in your new home? Knowing what you are paying for can help you find the best deal, and help you understand how to prepare for moving day.

If you’re looking to save money and pack your own belongings our recent article on 24 DIY packing tips for moving house can help.

Will you protect my fragile items?

Even if you pack your belongings prior to the arrival of your moving company, large furniture will need protection to keep it from breaking during the move. Check to make sure the moving company will provide protection for furniture and other large items during the move.

How much experience does the company have?

Make sure that both the company, and the moving crew and drivers that will be moving your belongings have experience doing so. You wouldn’t hire a teen driver to move your property, so why would you hire a moving crew with an inexperienced team?

Will my belongings be transferred?

Sometimes, when you move long distances, a moving company will transfer your belongings from one vehicle to another, and you will move into your new home with a different crew than the one who moved you out of your old home.

How are the fees calculated?

Some moving companies charge by the hour, some by distance, some by the volume of property they are moving, and some by the necessary manpower. Ask how your quote was calculated so you have a better understanding of what you are paying for.

Can the company provide references?

Ask the company if they can provide you with references, or if they are active in the community. A company who cares about their clients will also care about their image, and you will likely find happy former clients. Check the internet for further references.

What makes this company stand out from the rest?

Sometimes you’ll find a company that offers extra services for an extra charge. Sometimes, you will find that you are already being charged for extra services that you don’t need. Extra services can include additional men, expedited service, or the newest moving truck.

Does the moving company have any questions for me?

If they are offering you an estimate without asking anything about the details of your move or your property, this company cares more about your money, and less about you.

Now you’re equipped with the right questions to determine your moving company, you can start further preparation for your move. The team at Budget Self Pack Containers has put together a handy Moving Checklist to help you out.

–Clive Smith is the interstate removals general manager for Budget Self Pack Containers, Australia’s expert long-distance and interstate container removalists.

Categories
Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

24 DIY packing tips for moving house

By Clive Smith

Whether you’re moving to the next town over, or to an entirely new area, packing your own things and moving them yourself or via a shipping container can be the most cost-effective way to go.

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DIY moving allows you to stay within budget and to have an environmentally-friendly move. Remember to use what you have. It’s likely you will need to buy some supplies, but everything you buy is one more thing you have to move.

So, here are 24 top-notch packing tips for your DIY move and to make your life that little bit easier.

Start early

  1. Start going through your belongings at least six weeks prior to your move date. Things you don’t use often, like seasonal decorations and out of season clothing, can be packed first.
  2. Schedule pickups or drop-offs to local charities, or post items that you don’t want on eBay, Gumtree or Etsy with enough time that you’re not scrambling.
  3. Leave everyday items until right before you move, and pack things you will need right away in an easy to access clear container.
  4. Don’t forget to change your address at least one week prior to moving.

Stay organised

  1. As you’re packing, label boxes with your name, the room it belongs in, and what’s inside. Each box can be moved to the room it belongs in at the new home, which will make the unpacking process easier.
  1. Using coloured packing tape can be an easy way to keep track of which boxes belong in which rooms. You can use colours or labels to let movers know whether a box is fragile or heavy.
  2. Keep track of all of your belongings by numbering the boxes. If, when you get to your new home, you are missing a number, you’ll know that it was lost in the move and you will be able to find it quickly.
  3. Keep track of what you need during the move with an overnight bag that stays with you.

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Use what you have

  1. Before purchasing boxes, look for any suitcases, duffel bags, or large containers, like laundry baskets, you may have in your home. You’ll minimise the trash, and the cost, of your move.
  1. Clothing can be moved in the dresser drawers. Keep clothing in place with Press’n Seal or plastic wrap.
  2. Heavy duty trash bags can be used to pack hanging clothes, they’re hanging. Tie the hangers together with a string and stuff the clothes in the bag.

DIY tips for a safe move

  1. Remove the lids of gels and liquids in your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, and cover the openings with plastic wrap before replacing the lids. This will keep them from spilling or leaking out during the move, even if the lids come loose.
  2. If you have powder cosmetics, place a cotton ball on top, inside the container, to keep powder intact.
  3. Pack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
  4. Put heavy items, like books, in smaller boxes to keep the box light. Put lighter items, like pillows, in larger bags or boxes for quick moving.

Protect fragile items

  1. If you have breakable items, they will need to be insulated in the boxes. Instead of using packing peanuts, try wrapping breakables in cloth you already have: Towels, clothing, bedding, etc. Clean socks fit well inside of glasses and stemware.
  2. If you don’t have enough, bubble wrap is a great solution, but newspaper is just as effective, usually less expensive, and can be recycled once you’re in your new home.
  3. Plates are less likely to break when they’re packed side to side, like in a dishwasher, instead of stacking them on top of each other.

Moving furniture & electronics

  1. Furniture is likely to be some of the heaviest things to move. If possible, take it apart prior to moving.
  2. Keep track of hardware, cords and cables by labeling it inside of individual plastic bags, or taping the hardware to a piece of paper.
  3. Take photos of the way electronics are plugged in before you take them apart. It’s easier to put back together with a photo to work from.

Prepare your new home

  1. If you are renting your new home, be sure to take photos before you move in. You’ll want a record of the condition of the home when you move in.
  2. Cleaning your new home before you move in will ensure that you can put everything away once the boxes arrive.
  3. If you’re planning to install shelving or paint, do so prior to moving your belongings into your new home.

You can also check out the Moving Interstate in Australia Checklist.

–Clive Smith is the Interstate Removals General Manager for Budget Self Pack Containers, Australia’s expert long-distance and interstate house removalists.