Moving Televisions

When the time to move calls, all of us think of how we are going to safely and efficiently move our clothes, books, or furniture, but how about a man’s most prized possession? The television. Moving a television can be very strenuous and stressful because of its size, weight and frailness. In addition, now that most people own flat screen TV’s, which require installation, moving a TV also calls for extra fees to move it out of and into a new house. Therefore, if you are not familiar or experienced with the process, it's probably a safe bet to call in the professionals.

If you’re willing to spend a couple of extra bucks there are actually companies that specialize in moving TV’s that will ensure you reliability, experience, and great service. Some companies may help with installations or work with an installation company to get your TV up and ready for viewing. Be sure to ask your mover about their policy on installations and if there are fees included. This leaves you to kick your feet up and relax, knowing your TV is in good hands and that it will reach its destination in one piece.

Packing Your Plants

Plants are living things and need special care when you are moving. If you are moving a long distance please consider that plants need air, comfortable temperatures and water. Most moving insurance does not cover damage or loss of your plants for this reason. Also some moving companies may not move your plants for any distance over 150 miles. Confirm with your moving company about their policy before you move. You can take your plants in your car with you, and follow these tips!

• You cant move your plants in their ceramic pots. They are breakable and filled with dirt, and there is bound to be a mishap in the moving process
  
• Transport all your plants into plastic containers that fit the size of the plants. You can find these at your local hardware store
• It is best to plant them in the plastic two or three weeks in advance
• Use new soil to pack plants into plastic containers. This eliminates the possibility of moving any insects with you.
• Two or three days before your move, prune your plants. The only only plants exempt from pruning are succulents and ferns.
• Water plants as normally scheduled.
  
• Pack plants in boxes according to size. Wardrobe boxes are great for taller plants.Make sure that plants are packed tightly together, so that the pot bottoms support each other, and don't move around.
  
• Put plastic drop cloth at the bottom of the box if the plants have just been watered.
  
• If you are moving in the summer , wrap damp newspaper around the plants to keep them cool while you are in transit.
  
• If you are moving in the summer, make sure to park in the shade. In winter, park in the sun to give plants more light while you are moving.
  
• Punch holes in boxes so the plants can breathe. Mark " Live Plants" on the box
• Water plants as soon as you arrive at your new home
• Put plants in direct sunlight
  

Packing Your Computer

There is only one way to be completely safe when moving your computer is to get your computer insured. There are many options in terms of insurance, Mac and PC alike. Also you should always back up all your files to multiple sources. You can use a flash drive, a portable disc drive or even a DVD to back up your files.

• Once you back up your files to either a flash drive (which tend to be extremely small) or any other disc, make sure you know where your information is. Use extreme care with your back up drive, and put them in a locked box where they are wrapped and protected.
• First see if you can locate the box that orginally came with your computer. If you have disposed of that box you can contact a speciality moving store to see if they have computer boxes. There should be separate monitor boxes for your desktop computer.
  
• After you locate your speciality box store, measure your computer and monitor to let them know the dimension of your computer. Once they let you know about the boxes, ask if they also sell styofoam inserts that would fit inside the box.
• Once you have retrieved the boxes, take all discs out of the disc drive of your computer.
  
• Turn off the power off both monitor and computer
• Label all cords for your computer so it is easy to put it back together. Take a piece of masking tape, wrap around cord. Leave enough space on the tape to label the cord.
  
• Once cords are labeled, disconnect all cords. Wrap tightly and pack into a ziploc bag.
  
• Put your computer and moniter in theior respective boxes. Label fragile in large letters, and write the contents on the box several times.

Packing Your Kitchenware

Here are some tips for packing your pots and pans. Sometimes these boxes are the first to be unpacked, so make sure everything is clearly marked!

• Wrap all breakable items (everything with the exception of your tupperware)
• Separate all items, keep all cups together, plates together, separate china from cutlery, etc. You will be thankful that you did this when you are unpacking.
  
• Take sheets of newsprint to cover each piece of kitchenware. I use recycled newspaper (better for the environment and more cost effective) However, if you are concerned about the ink on your dishware, you can purchase ink-free newsprint which is just as effective. Crumple the newsprint to fit each piece of kitchenware
• Cover delicate pieces with bubblewrap over the newsprint.
  
• For extremely delicate items, wrap with newsprint first, then follow with bubblewrap. If it very delicate, purchase cell packs to separate each covered piece from one another.
  
• Use cell packs to separate layers of dishes.
• Pack boxes putting the heaviest items on the bottom, lightest on top
• Seal with extra cell packs
• Use packing tape to seal box
  

Packing Your Artwork

Your artwork is precious, whether it is your own personal work or was passed onto you. Artwork and framed photographs are extremely fragile, so here are some great tips for packing.

• Pack all artwork in a box larger than the piece. This way you can properly protect the frame of the piece. You can find "art" boxes at your local packing store or moving company.
• Carefully wrap your artwork like a present in bubble wrap. Use packing tape to tape down the edges
• Tape one side of the down and keep the other side open.
• Carefully slide the artwork into the box
• Seal any excess space with bubble wrap
• Mark "Fragile" in clearly many places on the box
• Keep box on horizontal on moving truck. Keeping the box vertical makes it more susceptible to damage, due to the fragility of the frame.
• Try to keep the fragile box surrounded by other boxes on the moving truck, so that it is packed in tightly

Packing Your Clothes

Ive been packing for an upcoming move and I wanted to blog about Packing Clothes. While clothes usually seem like the easiest thing to pack when you are moving homes, I have helpful tip for all you movers out there.
I have a lot of coats so I had a dilemma last night looking at my collection of jackets. I am on a budget and got all my boxes from a local supermaket and a liquor store. So no expensive "Wardrobe Box" for me. Instead, I kept all my coats on their hangers and got to thinking. I had an idea to take 5-8 coats, take a twist-tie and twist around the top of the hangers to keep all the coats together. Then I took a black garbage bag (any color will do!) and poked a hole through the top using the hangers themselves. I doubled bagged with another garbage bagged and used some packing tape to create a completely covered package (with hangers!) A great cheap alternative to cut on the cost of moving.

Packing Books

Heres something you might not have thought too much about; moving your books. While it may seem like an easy item to pack, books can be easily damaged and lost in the packing mess. Heres a set of tips on moving said books:

• Write down which books are in which box. You should also write a certain number for each box (e.g. Books 1) so that on moving day, you wont leave any behind by accident.
• Make sure you don't overload your box's. Its better to have less books in every box and have to carry more box's that to have one burst open en route to your new home.
• Tape the bottom of every box about 3 times to ensure that there will be breakage of the box.
• If you have valuable books, line the sides of your box with bubble wrap and cover the books in a cloth or towel. This can and should be done with less valuable books as well.
  
• Pack larger books (coffee-table books) on the bottom of your box horizontally, and all other books with their spines facing downwards.
  

Moving With Kids - International

If you think moving to a new country is hard, just think how hard it is on your children. They are leaving one of the only places they've known, and will be separated from all their friends and their comfort zone. Some may even need to learn a new language! Heres a helpful set of tips to help your kids with their international move:

• If your visiting your new home and country before you move there (which is recommended) , bring your child(ren) with you. They should be as much a part of your decision as you are and this will give them a chance to get to adjust to their new surroundings and help calm them down about the move.
• Answer all their questions.Tell your kids why your moving, how long you will be moving for, and ways they can deal with the stress of the move and their new home.
• Help you child keep in touch with his/her friends (yours as well). Get address books for them and explain the moving situation to their teachers.
• Find and research a new school. Depending on why your moving and your situation, you may want to enroll your child in a private international school or in the public school system. Private schools are especially helpful for children who speak a different language than your new home country does.
  

Moving your Car

If you are moving a long distance (nationally), such as from New York to San Diego, you will probably have to move your car(s). There are several companies that specialize in moving automobiles, and there are several things you should remember when using them:

• Request Door to Door delivery. This will mean your moving company will pick up your car at your old home and drop it off at your new one, thus saving you the troubling of going to drop it off or pick it up.
• Remove all your belongings from your car.
  
• Let the automobile moving company know a few weeks in advance that you are planning on using their service. Doing so on short notice may not be possible, and if it is, may be more expensive.
• Find out your car's travel and delivery time.
• Find out if your car insurance covers automobile moving. Most do, but some don't. The company moving your car may offer insurance on their own, but it can be very expensive.

For International Movers:

• Some countries (England, Australia, Japan, Ireland) have their cars drive on the opposite side of the road. Cars that have their steering wheels on the left side cannot be driven in these countries, so you will have to get a new car. A good idea is to sell your previous car and use that money to purchase your new automobile.
• If your employer is not paying for your cars transportation, it may be a good idea just to sell your car and purchase a new one. Many countries have very high automobile tariffs and it may not be worth it to spend the money. Also, gas prices can be significantly higher in certain countries (European countries especially) so buying a more fuel effecient car may be a better monetary plan.
  

Moving Furniture

Moving your furniture can be one of the most stressful parts of a move. Simple furniture like couches and tables can be intimidating to move at first, but are actually much easier to move than you may have thought. Here are some basic tips on how to move your furniture:

• Disassemble everything you can from your furniture. Take off table and couch legs, bed frames, pillows, removable glass, etc. This is especially important for international moves, as every little bit of space that you will save by removing these things will save you money. Put all the items you detached in a box and label appropriately.
  
• Save all nuts, bolts, screws, etc. in a plastic or ziploc bag, as these will not tear or break easily.
• Tape shut all drawers. If the item with said drawers is being stored in a box, its drawers do not need to be taped shut.
• All glass (especially those removed from other furniture like a glass table top) should be carefully wrapped in a large blanket or cloth to prevent both scratches and cracks (not to mention breakage).
• Bubblewrap all exposed legs of couches, table and chairs that cannot be removed. This will protect them in transit.
• International Movers: Don't worry so much about your larger furniture. Do what you can do make it smaller and safer to move, and your movers will handle the rest.
  

Get Started Moving Internationaly

Moving to another country is probably the most intimidating move there can be. Its a very different experience than moving down the street or to another state, and so you need to take appropriate measures to accommodate your move from say, New York to Shanghai. Here are some tips on how to get started:

• Research, research, research. Look at pictures of your new home online and try to visit it. I know how difficult it can be to go visit a home your thinking about buying if its all the way across the world, but believe me, its worth it.
  
• Think about moving some of your belongings by boat if possible. Its much cheaper than moving by air, and you can send it a few days before you move and have it at your home when you get there. Your heaviest items will be much cheaper to ship by cargo ship as well, so it might be a good idea just to ship your closets, TV's, dishwashers etc. by boat.
  
• International Movers are experienced professionals and will help you pack and move your most fragile and difficult to move items, so don't sweat much over them. The moving company you have chosen will advise you on how to pack your belongings and what type of container to put them in.

I will post more tips on moving internationally in the future, but these should get you started!

Start Packing!

No matter where your moving, your going to need to pack your belongings. This can be one of the most overwhelming parts of the move, but it really doesn't have to be. Here are some tips on how to make packing much, much easier:

• Get boxes. Its a better idea to get more boxes versus less boxes, you never know how many you might need and its better to have too many than too little.
• Get Packing Peanuts, corrugated paper (e.g. for fragile figurines) , tissue paper (for breakable items like glassware), tape and scissors.
  
• Make sure not to pack things you use very often. Save those to pack until a few days before the actual move.
• Label. Label. Label. Make sure to label every single box you pack, and make a checklist for said box's as well. This will help you know that every box you have is on the moving truck, ready to move.
  

Welcome to our new Blog!

Hello and welcome to Inter S&R's new blog! I know how stressful and intimidating a move can be, and through this blog, I hope to help tone down some of that stress and make your move safer and easier. I will be posting some helpful information and tips about the moving process and they will help you whether your moving from New York to Berlin or just down the block. I will be posting some general packing tips, as well as well as tips for people who are moving internationally. As always, Inter S&R is dedicated to helping you with your move and helping you to enjoy your move. Stay tuned for more posts and tips shortly.