Ok, you have just found yourself the perfect little city to go start your beautiful family in, and an equally beautiful house you will soon call home.  But the only problem is it’s on the other side of the country.  Maybe it’s in Oregon, or perhaps Seattle?  So the question is do you hire a U-Haul truck for the move, or do you find a local Oregon or Seattle moving company and save yourself the hassle.  Well, before you can accurately answer this question you need to weigh both options.

Renting a U-haul truck can be an affordable and convenient option for moving your valuable belongings from one place to the next.  By renting a U-haul you can do it all yourself, and you don’t have the hassle, and the cost of hiring an outside moving company.  However, using a U-haul truck is not always the ideal option in all moving circumstances.  If you have a lot of valuable possessions that can’t fit in one, or two, or even three trips, it might better to hire a moving company instead.  This is also the case if you are moving long distances, where you can only, economically, afford to take only one U-haul truck.  If you have more items than can fit in one U-haul trip, then you definitely want to be calling a moving company as soon as possible.

If you have decided that hiring a moving company would be the best option, there are a few things you need to consider.  Are you going to use a moving company that is from the town you currently live in, or from the town you are moving to?  Also, what will the cost be?  Will it be much more than what you can afford?  The cost will vary depending on the distance, but you will find that local movers can be a bit more affordable than using the major corporate moving services.  Movers will typically charge a certain dollar amount for each mile they have to drive.  When moving long distances this might be a very expensive option, and if you don’t absolutely need to hire a moving company, you might be better off doing it yourself.  But when this is not an option, make sure you get the most for your buck.

When deciding on hiring a moving company, there are other factors you need to consider.  You might have to pay extra gas for the movers, if it is not already factored into the mileage surcharge.  You may have to supply some necessary equipment for the movers, especially if moving high end valuable items.  Also, you may want to buy extra insurance from the moving company, if you are worried about delicate items that might get damaged in the move.

All in all, after weighing these options, you need to consider what is the best option for my own moving situation?  Can I affordably do it myself; can I afford not to do it myself?  Maybe you just want to relax and have someone do it for you, regardless of the cost.  Making such a large transition as moving to a brand new, far off city, can be stressful enough, without the added pressure of how you’re going to get everything moved affordably.  If it’s not going to put a major whole in your budget, then make it easy for yourself, and your family, by hiring a professional moving company to do the job for you.  It will be well worth the price and save you a lot of time and hassle.

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Seattle moving companies can vouch for the number of people who move their belongings only to decide they don’t want them when they reach their new destination. The solution? Get rid of unwanted household items beforehand with a yard sale. You’ll save on moving costs and might even make enough to contribute significantly to your move!

We’ve compiled a list of 10 things to help you host a good yard sale:

1. First find out if your community or housing association has any rules regarding yard sales - there might be certain days, times or areas where you are not permitted to hold them.

2. Contact your local paper or community website to advertise your sale. Some offer cheaper prices for posting yard sale ads (or let you do it for free!). Then tell as many people as you know - advertising is important!

3. Post a sign the day before, e.g., ‘Yard Sale Tomorrow’ and put up signs on the day of the sale. Make them easy to read from a distance. Once again, check with the local authorities to find out where you are allowed to post your signs.

4. Make sure the goods you sell are in the best condition possible, e.g., give cooking utensils or bowls a good clean, dust ornaments, check pockets of clothes or inside books to make sure you haven’t left anything in them.

5. A good rule to follow is to price items at about 20% or 1/3 of their original price. But apply common sense if you think certain items are worth less or more. Be prepared to lower prices later in the day if goods are not selling.

6. Make your yard display as attractive as possible. Group similar items together, e.g., kitchenware or baby toys. Good presentation will help sell your wares - place CDs and books into boxes where they can easily be rummaged through with their covers showing, hang clothes on hangers so they aren’t crumpled, display jewelry in individual food storage bags so they don’t get tangled.

7. A good selling tip is to group items according to price, e.g have a $1, $2 and $5 table or box. Also, display your most interesting items in the area closest to the street - that way those driving past will see them.

8. Offer free coffee or soda - or start a small concessions stand for small snacks. If you have kids, get them involved in helping out with this. Refreshments will tempt customers to stay longer at your sale.

9. Wear a fanny pack or fabric wallet you can tie around your waist so you can take your money with you. Have plenty of change to hand as well as a calculator.

10. When you’re yard sale is done, take the rest of your belongings to a charity store - there’s no point in keeping items you don’t want.

Good luck with your sale!

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So the big day is almost here.  Time to check the list and make sure everything is ready to go.  The only things left to consider are those big items that the moving company has to take care of.  Thank goodness it’s not up to you to figure out how these things get moved!  All you care about is that they arrive safe and sound and in one piece at the new location! Here is a list of the Top 5 most difficult things to move and how movers such as Seattle movers do it, and what you can do to help.

Aquariums
If you have an aquarium, most movers agree that expecting all your fish to arrive alive is very optimistic.  If you can, you may want to consider giving your stock away to friends or family and just moving the tank.  You will have to disassemble the tank for the move. This means taking out your plants, stones, decorative items, and the filtration equipment.  These should all be packed like any fragile item.  The aquarium itself will then be wrapped and packed as a fragile item on its own.

Big Screen T.V
As with all electronic items, moving them is best done in their original packaging.  However, since quite often these items are not still at hand, here is the best way to prepare that star of the living room, your big screen TV.  The top, bottom and sides of the TV should be protected with foam forms available from moving and packing companies. The whole TV is then slid into a large box and empty space is also filled with foam forms.  The box should then be taped shut and marked fragile.

Plants
No one wants to lose a favorite houseplant collection when they move.  Your moving company should be able to help you relocate with all greenery intact.  In some cases, plants and flowers are not allowed to be moved within a moving van.  You should check with your mover to see if your move is one that allows their transport.  In cases where plants cannot be moved, proper packing materials and helpful hints for how to pack your plants are available through most moving companies.  One of the most harmful things to living plants is extreme temperatures.  Try to keep your plants in the same kind of environment that they are used to.   Plants can be moved successfully if placed upright in the proper sized box surrounded by clean newsprint.

Art and Mirrors
Moving companies have an amazing variety of packing boxes available and there should be one to fit any sized art print or mirror.  They are generally large and flat to allow for little movement of the piece inside.  Each piece is wrapped in newsprint and bubble wrap before being placed in their snug cardboard box.  Large, bright “FRAGILE” stickers are always placed on such boxes for instant visibility.

Computers
Like that big screen TV, your computer system is another difficult item to have packed to move.  When you have invested thousands of dollars into something, you definitely don’t want it damaged.  Before you start packing, be sure you have backed up all the data on your computer just in case.   Rigid foam forms again are often used to protect a computer system when original packaging is not available.  Monitor screens should be protected with bubble wrap to prevent scratching.  Your computer tower should be packed upright and in the right sized box surrounded by bubble wrap or another type of shock resistant insulation such as Styrofoam popcorn.

Taking the extra time to discuss moving these items with your moving company will ensure a safe and secure move for all your important belongings.

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Moving home? Anxious about your moving day and how smoothly the process will go? Well the good thing is you don’t have to panic. Read on to discover the five most common mistakes people make when moving home - then vow you won’t do the same!

1. Not doing research
You’ve probably got a thousand things to do now you’ve decided to move home. But make sure you don’t neglect to spend time on good research into the best moving companies in Seattle, LA, or wherever you happen to be. Most people end up staying with the first service they contact. The reality is you could do yourself a great favor if you call around, make thorough enquiries and check important details to find out how trustworthy your service is. You might not just save money, you’ll end up with the best value for the service you need. Be cautious of scam movers who like to trick customers with appealingly low moving estimates - then will add extras on the day. And always be sure to check your moving company is licensed and insured.

2. Not planning well and planning ahead
Planning, coupled with good time management, is the key to a successful move. Pack well in advance - don’t leave it until the last moment. This will mean you have more time to pack your belongings with more care so they are not damaged while transported, and you can organize your boxes for easy sorting. It could also save you money as you can anticipate when your moving company is likely to require higher prices because of high demand - usually during the summer and the first and last weeks of the month when renters leave their residences.

3. Not being honest
Most respectable movers will create an estimate for you - but be sure to be upfront and honest with the company. Is your new home on a high floor apartment? Is your new street too narrow for a moving truck? Have you added additional items to your moving inventory and hope no-one notices? You’ll find yourself with additional costs on your moving day if you do not disclose things that will require your movers having to do extra work. Make sure your estimate is fair and accurate by being realistic about your moving needs.

4. Not checking and checking again
The inventory sheet that you sign will be documented proof of the items you have handed over to be moved. It’s important to spend time going over it and double-checking everything you need is present and included.

5. Not keeping hold of your most precious items
There are some items you won’t feel comfortable letting out of your sight. Pack a briefcase or box with valuables like passports, financial documents, jewelry, and laptops -all those items you feel are irreplaceable or you won’t want misplaced or damaged during the move. Then take them with you. This will give you extra peace of mind.

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You’ve chosen the day for your big move, picked out your Seattle moving services, and now it’s time to get your precious household items packed. You might know exactly what you’re taking with you, but how do you make sure they get to their end destination in the same condition they started off? Follow these essential packing tips and make sure you protect your possessions as best as you can.

1. Make the most of suitcases
If you have luggage boxes to spare, don’t send them off empty. Fill them with your clothes - it saves space and keeps your favorite wardrobe items in pristine condition.

2. Worried about expensive rugs or drapes?
Chances are they might benefit from a cleaning. Get them professionally laundered and keep them in the wrappers they will be returned to you in. Then enjoy them in your new home - fresh, clean and looking their best.

3. Say no to newspaper
Newspaper may be the cheapest material to use for packing delicate items like plates or vases, but often the ink will run and stain them. Invest in some bubble wrap instead. It offers better protection and won’t leave marks. You can then use newspaper for additional layers of protection over the wrap.

4. Be careful with your bed
Buy mattress bags and cover your mattress and box spring. The last thing you want is for your bed to end up damp, dusty or damaged during your move - it might ruin your chances of sleeping peacefully in your new home.

5. Shrink wrap your furniture
A roll of shrink wrap doesn’t just stretch far in the kitchen. Wrap your furniture like sofas or wood chairs and you have an instant waterproof barrier of protection. While you’re shifting and rearranging these items, the wrap will help prevent scratches and scruffs too.

6. Choose your boxes wisely
Use sturdy, quality boxes for your fragile items, so there is less chance of them collapsing. Use bigger boxes for lighter items and for your heavier goods like books or DVDs, use small boxes as they become heavy fast and you’ll need to move them around easily.

7. Time makes a difference
Be cautious - if you plan to store your homeware for periods longer than a week, using sealed plastic covers could combine with moisture and turn your furniture moldy!
In these instances, resort to canvas tarps or sheets.

Good luck on your big move!

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The process of moving is not only physically and mentally laborious and tiring for you but can also be traumatizing for your kids if it is not handled adequately.  Put yourself in their shoes and think how unsettling it can be to think about losing your best friends and everything you know and cherish at a time when those are the most important things in life.  Some kids may feel like their whole world is coming apart, and although they will need time to completely recover and understand that it is not the end of the world, if you make them an active part of the move and give them some control, by making them feel useful and allowing them to help, it will be easier on them, and they will cope with this big decision in a better way.

Friendly Seattle movers have provided some tips to get your kids involved in the process, allowing them to be very helpful, before and on moving day:

1.    During the early stages, make sure you inform your kids about the move, its reasons, and smallest details.  Give them room to ask all the questions they need to ask and ensure them you will answer honestly and thoroughly.  You can ask them to write down all the questions they can think of, then plan a fun family meeting and answer them or discuss them openly.  Honesty will convey confidence in your kids that this is the best way to go.

2.    Invite them to share their opinions and suggest solutions to certain issues or situations, specially the ones that involve them or relate to them.  You will be surprised at how practical and intelligent their opinions can be.  If possible, take them to see their new home in advance and let them choose their bedrooms.

3.    Allow your kids to sort their things.  Give them a list of categories: keep, donate, recycle, and throw away.  Explain each category, but let them decide, with your assistance, what they want to add to each one of them.

4.    Put your kids in charge of packing their stuff in a supervised way.  Work a plan with them based on the new home’s layout and their possessions.  Teach them how to correctly label, pack boxes and categorize items, so that everything is organized when the time comes to unpack.  To go a little further, put them in charge of labeling the rest of the boxes for other rooms in the house, according to your instructions and needs.  They will feel really useful and involved.

5.    Put your kids to work on an address book so that they can keep in touch with their old friends and family, while helping you sort out all the contacts you need to keep.  Explain to them that moving doesn’t mean people have to disappear from their lives; they just have to learn to stay in touch in different ways.  Teach them how to use electronic media to call their friends.  This will give them a sense of security, giving a positive outlook to the move.  They will even be excited about inviting their friends to visit at their new home.

6.    Give your kids the responsibility for the “special box” of moving day essentials.  This box should contain all the essentials they will need during that day.  They can decorate it as they like.  Let them make it fun!

7.    Older siblings can take care of the younger ones if their age allows it.  This responsibility will make them feel very important and useful, and they will have the opportunity to exercise their older brother/sister power in a controlled way.

Your kids can be a lot of help if you know how to channel their energy towards things they are able to do well and interest them.  If anything, kids can make a move much more fun than it really is, taking away the stress and exhaustion of the process, at least psychologically, with their lively participation.

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