Five Red Flags When Selecting A Moving Company

Relocating to a new home is an exciting and often stressful event. The process of packing up all of your belongings and moving them to a new location can be daunting, especially if you have never done it before. That’s why it’s important to choose a reputable moving company to help you with the process. A good moving company can help to make the process of relocating a lot smoother, less stressful and more efficient. In this blog post, we will look at the importance of hiring a reputable moving company and five red flags to watch out for when selecting a moving company for relocation.

The first and most important reason to hire a reputable moving company is to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure during the move. A professional moving company will have the expertise and equipment necessary to properly pack and transport your belongings, reducing the risk of damage or loss. They will also be able to provide you with insurance coverage in case anything does go wrong during the move.

Another benefit of working with a reputable moving company is that they will have the resources and experience to handle any unexpected issues that may arise during the move. For example, if there is an unexpected delay in the delivery of your belongings, a reputable moving company will have contingency plans in place to ensure that your belongings are still delivered in a timely manner.

Working with a reputable moving company can also save you time and money. They will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to plan and execute a move efficiently, reducing the amount of time you need to spend on the process. They will also have the resources to negotiate with third-party services for special handling of certain items like appliances or unique furniture items such as grandfather clocks.

When selecting a moving company for your relocation, it is important to watch out for red flags that may indicate a less-than-reputable company. The following are five red flags to watch out for when choosing a moving company:

1.      Lack of transparency: If a moving company is unwilling to provide you with a detailed estimate of the cost of the move, or if they are vague about their pricing structure, this may be a red flag.

2.      No licensing or insurance: Make sure the moving company you choose is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case anything goes wrong during the move.

3.      Poor customer reviews: Do your research and check online reviews and ratings of the moving company you are considering. If they have a lot of negative reviews, be warned. Some companies may even change their name to avoid being associated with their bad reviews. Make sure the company you’re working with has a long and reputable history.

4.      No physical address: If a moving company does not have a physical address or a website that is professional and easy to navigate, this may indicate that they are not a reputable company.

5.      Request for a large deposit: If a moving company requests a large deposit before the move, this too may be a red flag.  At Hogan, we do not require “deposits”.  Our customers have options for payment and a professional move coordinator will discuss these options prior to the move.

Hiring a reputable moving company for your relocation is crucial to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure, and to make the process of moving as smooth and stress-free as possible. By watching out for red flags and doing your research, you can ensure that you choose a moving company that is reputable and professional. Good luck with your move!

Holiday Things To Do In Indianapolis

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and in Indianapolis during the holidays, you can’t help but be! Indianapolis has a ton of fantastic holiday events and traditions to give you and your family all of those warm and fuzzy feelings that make this time of year so special. If you’re ready to get into the holiday spirit, then read on because this list has events that the whole family will truly enjoy!

 

Festival of Trees

Presented by The Salvation Army, this year’s extravaganza features winter wonderland with more than 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, families, and organizations from all around Indiana. Eli Lilly Hall also features a massive, 30-foot centerpiece tree that you can catch a glimpse of throughout most of the building.

 

When: Nov. 11-Jan. 7.

Where: Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.

Ticket prices and other info: $5-$15. Free for members and kids under 5.

indianahistory.org/events/festival-of-trees

 

Circle of Lights

The public will be able to enjoy the “world’s largest” Christmas tree until Jan. 13. Each night, video projections with high-quality images and lights are mapped onto buildings on Monument Circle. Presentations on seasonal holiday celebrations will accompany the nightly Signature Salute to Indiana veterans.

 

When: Nov. 25 to Jan 13.

Where: Monument Circle

Ticket prices and other info: Free admission

https://downtownindy.org/events/circle-of-lights

 

Christmas Nights of Lights

The Christmas Nights of Lights Family is excited to be returning to Indianapolis for the 2022 season! They have brought some dazzling new light displays and have added even more music for your family and friends to enjoy! You are going to love their new mesmerizing RGB Field of Lights

 

When: Nov. 11-Jan. 1.

Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, Gate 12, 1698 E. 42nd St.

Ticket prices and other info: Cost is $30-$75 per carload, depending on the number of people. Advanced tickets are required.

christmasnightsoflights.com

 

Magic of Lights

Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, and it’s bigger and brighter than ever with more than a mile of spectacular light displays bringing to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and the life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! Pile everyone into the car and experience more at the same low price! One carload, one price for the entire family.

 

When: Nov. 18-Jan. 1.

Where: Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville.

Ticket prices and other info: Starting at $20 a vehicle for a limited time.

magicoflights.com

 

Winterlights

The gardens at Newfields are aglow with more than a million and a half lights for the sixth season of Winterlights.  Old favorites return, and new additions shine bright.

 

When: Nov. 20-Jan. 8.

Where: Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road.

Ticket prices and other info: Public: $22-$29, $2 access pass. Free for kids ages 5 and under. Members: $15-$22 adults, $2 access pass. Buy tickets in advance.

discovernewfields.org/winterlights

 

A Christmas Carol

Banish your bah humbugs, and celebrate the season at the IRT! Scrooge gets his visits from the past, the present, and the future and they bring us hope during the dark of winter. A Christmas Carol celebrates the power of kindness, family, and love in this treasured tale filled with laughter, tears, and redemption.

 

When: Nov. 19-Dec. 24.

Where: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.

Ticket prices and other info: $25-$94. bit.ly/3DT1KnB

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

The stage version that’s based on the classic movie focuses on George Bailey, who questions his purpose after encountering a string of difficulties and, thanks to his guardian angel and friends, realizes his impact. “Teacher says…”

 

When: Nov. 25-Dec. 23.

Where: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road.

Ticket prices and other info: $51-$76. beefandboards.com

 

Yuletide

Emmy-nominated Frankie Moreno returns to host and perform new music and old favorites with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly. The Moipei triplets will perform for the first time at Yuletide. Audiences also will be able to see the tap-dancing Santas, Holly Jolly Dollies, and more.

 

When: Dec. 2-23.

Where: Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle.

Ticket prices and other info: $32.30-$141. Prices are subject to change.

bit.ly/3hoGyyl

 

Christmas at the Zoo 

The Indianapolis Zoo was the nation’s first zoo to host a holiday lights event, and since it started in 1967, Christmas at the Zoo has become known for its beautiful holiday lights and displays. The event includes Santa’s Workshop, cookie decoration, carolers, a find-the-mistletoe challenge, carousel rides, 4-D theater, and much more.  Enjoying the cooler weather are seals, seal lions, polar bears, walruses, tigers, brown bears, red pandas, and other hardy, winter-loving critters. Zoo fare is served at Café on the Commons, plus guests get free refills on hot beverages, all night long at any food service location.

 

When: Nov. 19-Dec. 30.

Where: Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St.

Ticket prices and other info: Included with regular admission.

indianapoliszoo.com/events/christmas-at-the-zoo

 

Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure

The model railroad will travel past scenes made from natural materials that depict Indianapolis’ downtown, American West landmarks, Northwest Coast Native villages, the Las Vegas Strip, Grand Canyon, and more. This is an annual tradition for anyone that loves trains!!

 

When: Nov. 19-Jan. 16

Where: Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.

Ticket prices and other info: Included with regular admission.

eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/jingle-rails

 

Jolly Days Winter Wonderland

The Yule Slide, Giant Snow Globe, characters, and Ice Castle are back. This is the final year for the more than 25-year-old event. Don’t miss it!

 

When: Nov. 25-Jan. 1

Where: The Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St.

Ticket prices and other info: Included with admission. Other special holiday events require a ticket.

childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/jolly-days

 

Celebration Crossing

There’s a train ride through the forest, seeing critters don winter clothes, and a visit to the Reindeer Barn to learn about Rudolph before he takes flight. And of course, the big guy himself…SANTA!

 

When: Nov. 25-Jan. 1

Where: Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.

Ticket prices and other info: Included with admission.

indianamuseum.org/experiences/celebration-crossing

 

Does this list leave you feeling festive? These are just some of the wonderful things that you can do in Indianapolis during this very merry season. Pick your faves, or enjoy all of them for a December filled to the bring with Christmas joy!

 

Not from Indianapolis, or in the process of planning to move to Indy? Moving now could be the best time. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Contact us at (317) 639-9583.

Ways to Happily Store your Holiday Decor

Do you love decorating your home for all holidays, occasions, and seasons? There’s great joy in putting up decorations and getting into the holiday spirit. But as much as wishing every day is a holiday, they aren’t, and the decors must come down. From there, it’s up to you to decide where and how to store them.

Choosing your storage location is the first step to storing and organizing holiday decorations, which may be the toughest. Holiday decorations can take up a lot of room, and you only use them occasionally. So keeping them stored can be challenging. (I bet you didn’t think of that while buying those cute fall-themed home decors.) So your choice boils down to two options: your property or storage.

If you don’t want clutter at your home or don’t have any space for your decor, then it’s time to look for a storage solution. At Hogan Moving, we have a variety of storage solutions that will fit your needs. Just call us at (317) 639-9583 to discuss.

As you eagerly wait for the next holiday to put your decorations up, remember these tips on storing them in your storage unit once the festivities are over.

Declutter yearly
Decorations accumulate quickly; this first step is essential to store your decor. As you put away your decorations, decide if you need each thing. Answer these questions: Is anything broken? Does it still fit your style? Do you have too much of something? Before storing your decorations, take the time to declutter what you have.

• Plan for long-term storage
You may think you’re only storing holiday decorations for a couple of months, but those months happen every year. That means you need to pack and keep for the long haul.

Categorize by holiday
Categorizing your holiday decorations is a simple way to keep them organized. Seasonal decorations specific to a particular holiday need to be stored separately. That way, it’s easy to find the right decorations based on the season, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, or Hanukkah.

Invest in sturdy containers
You will be using your decorations yearly, so make a one-time investment to buy excellent quality storage. Invest in sturdy bins and storage with proper lids and compartments for ornaments, lights, and collectibles. You will not have to make this investment again for many years, saving you time, money, and stress.

• Label everything
Have a list of what’s inside each bin and tape it to whichever side of the container faces the front. This label will help you to keep your items organized and easily identifiable.

• Stack smart and stay organized
Inside your storage unit, stack your boxes according to weight: heaviest on the bottom, lightest on the top. For optimal accessibility, create an aisle or two within your unit and leave yourself a simple map in case you forget where things are.

We all know decorating your home for the upcoming holidays is a great mood booster, but storing it afterward could be a drag. We hope that these tips help you store your seasonal decorations with ease. Keeping them in a self-storage unit is a way of ensuring they are protected until the big day rolls around again, saving space in your home and ensuring they stay in pristine condition.

Tips on How to Have a Well-organized and Efficient Storage Space

Hooray! Summer vacation is here! It’s time for students to relax after 10 months of studying. For college students, it’s the perfect time to head back home and spend the summer with their families. It’s an equally exciting time for parents, as they welcome their children back from school.

As you welcome your child inside your house again, you notice that there are a lot of changes, not just the way they look, but also their likes, dislikes, and the things that they brought with them. Who knew that one college student can have that much stuff after just one year in school? To make matters more difficult, you have turned half of their room as your own home office, thinking that it’s a waste of space if you didn’t, right?

If you are in this kind of situation or something similar, we can offer you a solution! Hogan Moving has Long or Short-Term Storage Solutions that can fit your needs. At over 46,000 square feet, our warehouse facilities are safe, secure, and military-approved. Our warehouse offers dry fire suppression, state-of-the-art security systems, and regularly scheduled pest control. We also employ pallet racking and open floor storage for commercial products requiring easy access with inventory control.

Are you ready to place your items in the storage? Here are some tips to help you get organized so that you could use your storage space as efficiently as possible.

• Create a list of your items.

When placing a lot of items in storage, it’s difficult to remember all of them, especially your smaller items. To keep everything in check, you’re going to need a record of all items stored inside the storage. As you begin packing, Note down all the items included in each box to create a master list that will help you later on when looking for a specific item. Take photos of stored items to remember what’s in your storage. You could also create a map indicating where your belongings are located inside the storage unit.

• Store your items inside clear bins instead of cardboard boxes and use just one box size.

It’s a given fact that cardboard boxes are less expensive than plastic bins, however, plastic bins make it easier to keep track of what’s inside your storage. Unlike opaque cardboard boxes, clear plastic bins make it possible to see what’s inside a container without having to dig through it. This will make it easier and faster to locate what you need when you need it. Using the same size of boxes for most of your items will make it much easier to stack and access them.

• Label each box.

Each box should have a clear label on the top and at least one on the sides, indicating the nature of the items packed within it. It’s better if it includes the contents of the box, as well as the room the items came from.

• Reserve the front of your storage for items that you may need later on.

Even if you have long-term storage, chances are, there are some items you plan on using more frequently than others. If you are storing any seasonal items such as holiday items and decorations, summer or winter gear and clothing, or office documents, these types of belongings should be placed towards the front of your storage in well-labeled boxes or bins. Placing them in an easy-to-reach spot near the door will save you the trouble of having to dig through mountains of boxes every time you go into your storage.

• Store large and heavy items on the bottom, towards the back.

If you are placing large and heavy items in your storage, place them towards the back of the storage and on the bottom. This creates a stable base for lighter items and greatly reduces the risk of damaged items.

Follow these tips for organized and efficient storage. Remember that where you store your belongings is also important. With Hogan, you can schedule pickup and delivery of your items both to and from your residence or business. When it comes to storing your goods, we spare no effort to make sure your items are protected and cared for. Our professional warehouse staff allows only authorized persons into the facility with 24-hour video monitoring. Unlike public storage units which are similar to storing your precious belongings in a garage, Hogan offers containerized storage solutions with onsite personnel. We will make sure that your items are safe and well taken care of.

Interested in learning more about our storage options? Give us a call at (317) 639-9583, and we will discuss how we can help you with your storage needs.

Freshen Up Your Home With These Spring Cleaning Tips

After a long and cold winter, spring is finally here! Can you see flowers blooming outside your window, kids playing barefoot in their backyard, and lush green grass everywhere? Everything seems cheery and lively outside, but the inside of your home still feels cold and drafty. Brush those winter blues away by doing some spring cleaning. Freshen up your home to get that lively spring vibe flowing all throughout your household. It can feel like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some spring cleaning tips to get you started.

Minimize the Cleaning Products

Cleaning supplies can create unnecessary clutter and you probably don’t need all of them to keep your home fresh and clean. Microfiber cloths and a good all-purpose cleaner will cover the majority of surfaces in your home. You could then purchase other specialty cleaning supplies only as needed.

Clean Each Room One at a Time

Deep clean your house by cleaning each room one at a time. Create cleaning checklists for each room to help you organize each cleaning task for a specific area of the room. The different rooms in your house will require different cleaning methods so you need to be thorough with your checklist.

Make Spring Cleaning a Family Event

Cleaning while bonding with the family? Make it happen while spring cleaning. From your spouse to your kids, everyone could be an excellent helper. Assign age-appropriate chores, so everyone feels included. Try throwing on some music as you all clean or make a fun game with a reward as an incentive to get the work done.

Declutter and Organize

Decluttering is one of the highlights of spring cleaning. As you approach each room, have four boxes or piles set aside to help you sort. The four piles are for things to keep, throw away, donate, and sell. By the time you’re through your room, you’ll have a better idea of where each item is going and what the next steps for those items are. Don’t forget to move the clutter out as soon as possible, whether it’s bringing a donation box to a charity, planning a yard sale, or throwing them in the trash.

Tackle the Seasonal Chores

Incorporate the chores that are needed to be done seasonally in preparation for warmer weather. As soon as the weather warms up, do outdoor chores, such as cleaning the grill, patio, and outsides of windows. Store winter items like winter clothing, bedding, and decor, and pull out your spring items to give your home a refreshed look.

With these tips, your house will be clean and fresh and ready for spring in no time!

Preparing to make the move with your furry friends

Moving to a new home is an exciting yet stressful task. There’s a lot of planning and going into the unknown with a lot of uncertainties can be terrifying. The same feeling of anxiety can affect your pets, too. Dogs and cats can sense stress and they can be extremely uncomfortable with all the changes and entering a new environment.

If you’re moving and concerned about your pet’s well-being, here are some tips to follow while you are moving with pets:

1. Check the rules and regulations before moving your pets. Occasionally when you’re moving to a new country or state, you need to bring certificates with you showing that your pet has had the proper inspections and vaccines. Some apartment communities also require this information so having all your vet records on hand is a good idea.

2. Speaking of your vet, when you’re consulting your vet and checking up on all the health records and vaccinations you may also want to ask them for a referral to a new vet near your new home.

3. Make sure your pet is chipped.  If the pet is flying, many airlines require they have a chip.

4. Prepare your pets by gradually familiarizing them with their crates. First, place their food inside an open crate. As they get comfortable and over time you can eventually have them eat their meals in the crate with the door shut.

5. Bring in moving boxes early and keep your furry friends in a familiar room you plan to pack up last. Remember that pets aren’t typically big fans of change.

6. Make sure your pet has an identification tag. This is important even if your pet will travel with you. Remember, pets on the move will be confused and even scared and don’t act normally. This means if given the chance they may bolt. Information on the tag should include your pet’s name, your name and full address/phone, and your full destination address and phone. Most states also require dogs and cats to have a rabies tag on their collars.

7. Make sure to pack your pet’s necessities separately. Pack water, food bowls, grooming equipment, litter, medication, and a good supply of your pet’s regular food where you can get to it easily.

8. Pet-proof your new home. Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where your pet could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens. Cats are especially good at finding all sorts of tight spaces to get stuck in and when they’re scared they hide.

9. Keep your dog on a leash when outside – even if you’re at the door. Dogs in unfamiliar places can spook easily and run.

Moving into a new home with your pet is no easy task. But, with the right preparation, you can lessen their anxiety and help them feel safe while moving. Congratulations on your new home. We’re sure that your pets will love it, too!

Tips To Keep The Season Jolly If You’re Moving During The Holidays

Moving can always be stressful especially during the holidays. Holidays are the busiest time of the year – with all the festivities and holiday shopping, your calendar might be filling up fast but don’t forget to plan for your move!

This doesn’t mean you have to turn into a Grinch this holiday season. A little help from Hogan Transfer and Storage can help keep you in the holiday spirit and ensure that your upcoming move is as merry and cheery as possible. We’ve assembled a quick list of what to consider when moving during this – the most wonderful time of the year.

Tip 1: Plan your schedule ahead of time.
Moving in the holiday season can be really hectic as these months are the busiest months of the year. Check your schedule well in advance and mark off dates of things you can’t change. Then block off time for less essential commitments and use this time to prepare for your move.

Tip 2: Save holiday delivery boxes.
Love ordering online? Set aside all of your delivery boxes to use for packing. Saving those leftover boxes instead of tossing or recycling them can help keep your budget in check and lower your supplies cost. Ask your friends and family to keep theirs for you to use as well!

Tip 3: Buy moving supplies during holiday sales.
The holidays always are full of sales and discounts that you could take advantage of. Look into your local home office supply stores for sales on moving supplies especially around Black Friday, after Thanksgiving, and throughout December, when retailers often mark office supplies down.

Tip 4: Pack little by little to avoid burnout.
Once you have planned your holiday calendar, you can start packing for your move. Think about what to pack first. If you aren’t going to have guests over, you can start packing closets, guest bedrooms, and storage areas. Then, you can place your boxes in the empty room so your entire house won’t be filled with moving boxes.

Tip 5: Donate to those in need.
Moving during the holidays is the best time to donate your unwanted possessions to your local charity thrift store. You’ll not only lighten your own load during your move, but you’ll also help families in need.

Tip 6: Call movers for the heavy furniture and packed boxes.
Call movers as soon as you learn your closing date and make sure they are available. At Hogan Transfer and Storage, we have more than 90 years of moving industry experience to handle all of your moving service needs, large or small. We will safely and simply speed up your move and handle all your things with care.

Tip 7: Consider all unexpected moving expenses.
The holiday season may be the hardest time to stay on budget. Add in the moving expenses and you may need to juggle a little bit. Don’t fret. You may be able to save a few bucks by landing a mid-week move and avoid moving on a holiday weekend when moving companies have fewer staff members on hand. Call us at (317) 639-9583 to confirm dates and pricing. Keep records of all details in a binder or on your phone to ensure information can be pulled up quickly on the day of your move.

Tip 8: Prepare for inclement weather.
Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather on moving day. If you’re relocating to or from colder parts of the country, be prepared for cold temperatures. From icy roads to white-out blizzards, the holiday season can usher in dangerous winter weather conditions, posing serious challenges for moving. Make sure you have proper moving supplies and winter-ready garments to deal with these weather conditions. Boots, hats, gloves, and shovels may be necessary. Pack up your belongings in as many waterproof plastic bins as possible and don’t forget to have your heat and electricity turned on in your new home by the time you arrive.

Tip 9: Remember to enjoy the holiday season.
You may want to scale back on holiday decorating when you’re also planning a move. Minimal decorations will allow you to pack up some holiday décor for your next home, but you won’t be skipping the season entirely. If the timing makes sense, consider putting a few holiday decorations in a box for unpacking right away at the new place. Focus on what’s really important this season – celebrating the holidays together as a family.

At Hogan Transfer and Storage, we’ll make sure that moving doesn’t dampen this joyous season. Call us at (317) 639-9583 and let’s get ready to move you during this most wonderful time of the year!

How to Reduce Moving Anxiety

Moving can be an exciting time in one’s life. You’ll have a new home, new things, a new great environment, but I think you’ll all agree that it can be the most stressful thing you’ll ever do. With all the uncertainties, possibilities, and risks it brings along, it’s no wonder that moving is such a big emotional roller coaster.

There are many factors about moving that can create anxiety – from parting with friends, packing all your things and making sure they won’t be damaged during the move, facing difficult challenges, and facing the uncertainty of the unknown; these things could make you feel anxious and build up your anxiety.
Here’s what you can do to reduce moving anxiety and improve the moving experience.

1. Plan your move
Have a checklist so you’ll remember everything that you need to do. A little planning can reduce moving anxiety and keep your mind more agile to manage the unexpected.

2. Do your research.
Moving can be stressful because of all the significant changes in your life and leaping into the unknown can make your stress levels go into overdrive. Our tip, do your research before you move — familiarize yourself with your new location, figure out the roads to travel to and from work, where the nearest hospital, grocery stores, and restaurants are, and other things about your new home. With this knowledge, you can already start to feel comfortable with your new home.

3. Try to de-clutter.
Packing up your whole life into boxes can be a cause of anxiety. De-clutter your home now rather than moving it into your new place and then trying to figure out where to put it.

4. Don’t have a full schedule.
Clear your schedule during the move to focus your energy on moving. When you don’t have a packed schedule, you’ll feel more relaxed during the move.

5. Take some time to relax.
Give yourself some time to do de-stressing activities like yoga, exercise, meditation, or even just do things that relax you. Find the balance to eliminate moving anxiety.

6. Ask for help.
It’s okay to get as much assistance as you can. You can’t do it all on your own, and friends and family will be happy to lend a hand. Accept all offers of help and if a task feels like too much to handle, consider spending money on professionals to do it.
Follow these tips and it will greatly reduce the anxiety that you’re feeling about moving. To further reduce your anxiety, call a trusted moving company to make sure that all your things are safe during the move. That’s one less thing to worry about, right?

Contact Hogan Transfer & Storage at (317) 639-9583 and we’ll be happy to help you make your move a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

7 Things to Remember on Moving Day

When moving day arrives be prepared in every way possible so there is less stress on yourself and those helping you. Being organized before a  move helps to ensure a smooth moving day and an easy start to life in a new home or apartment. With a little planning, you can settle in and start enjoying your new home right away.

Here’s a list of a few important things to keep in mind.

  1. Keep a running list of all the little things that have to get done before moving day arrives. With so much to do you want to make sure that nothing gets overlooked. For example, you may want to have someone help with taking items out of boxes and organizing them or ask them to be available to run quick errands like picking up packing tape from the store. Share your to-do list with them so they can help make sure nothing gets missed.
  2. Do one last walk-through to make sure nothing has been forgotten. Check in the closets, cabinets, and counters for any items that may have gotten misplaced during the moving process, and remember to leave keys (don’t forget the mailbox key) and garage door openers behind.
  3. Pack all medicines you’ll need in a place you can get to easily where they won’t get lost during transport.  Packing all medicine in one place also makes it easier to have them handy and readily available. You’ll want to remember everything from headache medicine to heart pills, this is especially important when moving with children and seniors.
  4. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and you know where the charger is. This way if you need to make a call or check the weather for any reason during the moving process you are ready to go and easily accessible.
  5. Have cleaning supplies on hand and available so you can clean up after the movers have left. This way you can leave your old place in great shape and make sure everything is picked up, wiped down, and ready for unpacking at the new house or apartment.
  6. Have cash on hand to tip your movers. Tipping your moving crew is not expected but very much appreciated, especially if you feel strongly about the service they provided.

Be sure to keep a positive attitude throughout the entire moving process.  Moving is stressful and while having a great team of movers on your side helps, having a sense of humor during the move will put everyone in a better mood and make the whole process more fun.

8 Summer Moving Tips

We want you to have a great move, so we’ve put together actionable summer moving tips that will help your move go smoothly from the day you book until the day you move!

1. Plan ahead and book in advance.

Summer is undoubtedly the busiest moving season. It’s the perfect time to move for many reasons, like the end of a lease or renting agreement, kids being out of school, and more.

An article by Move Buddha in 2020 states that 60% of moves happen between May and August, and moving costs can be up to 30% higher during these months. As soon as you know when you’re moving, you’ll want to get your move on the calendar. Popular weeks and weekends get taken fast.

Because summer is the most popular time to move, it can also be more expensive. A general rule of thumb is that moving costs tend to be higher at the beginning and end of the month, and at the beginning and end of the week. So if you’re looking for cheaper rates, try booking mid-week and mid-month if possible. 

2. Avoid these moving rushes.

Here are popular times you should avoid: the week surrounding Memorial Day, June 20th to July 4th (ish), and Labor Day weekend. These time frames are equivalent to Black Friday for movers. If you’re not in a rush, we suggest avoiding these holidays for your big move. Save yourself the stress of trying to find a mover you can trust during this busy time, and wait for a week that isn’t already packed.

3. Pack important electronics separately.

If your moving day is going to be sweltering hot, you may want to plan to pack important electronics that could be damaged by heat separately. Damage to your electronics could depend on the length of your move and the heat of the day, but if you know you have heat-sensitive electronics, consider taking it with you in your AC.

Items could include laptops, personal computers, phones, chargers, iPads, video game systems, Kindles, DVD players, TVs, CDs, DVDs, stereo systems, etc.

4. Pack temperature-sensitive items separately.

We just talked about packing electronics separately, but you’ll also want to pack flammable, or temperature-sensitive items separately as well. You don’t want to open a box of melted wax or plastic or have a fire start in your hot moving van. Items could include candles, leather furniture, musical instruments, and hairsprays/dry shampoos. 

5. Prepare for rain.

The weather in summer can be unexpected, and if you’re facing a moving day that looks rainy, you’ll want to be prepared. Here are a few things you can do that Moving.com recommends:

  • Protect your belongings that you would’ve moved without packaging (like clothes and artwork)
  • Prepare your new home by having towels and tarps ready as a drying station for your belongings coming in

Know that no matter what weather affects your move, our team will be ready to assist as well.

6. Pack your belongings like a pro.

We’ll admit these packing tips are useful year-round, but you’ll especially want to use them during the busyness of summer. When your movers come, you’re going to want to be sure you’ve packed the right way and haven’t missed a step!

Some of these tips include marking boxes by room, packing heavier items on the bottom of the boxes, and packing a suitcase of essentials for each family member. 

Check out our packing tips that will help you have a successful move.

7. Turn on your air conditioning/bring out your big fans.

It can be difficult to remember, but make sure you turn on the air conditioning a day or two in your new house before your move. This will give the house a chance to cool down before you start bringing in boxes. Then, make sure you have fans at the ready!

Once your truck arrives on move-in day, you’ll most likely have the door open which lets out the precious and cooling air conditioning. Prepare for this heat by utilizing box fans that will help keep you and your movers cool throughout the process.

8. Don’t stress! You’re in good hands.

If you choose us as our professional mover, you’ll be in good hands. Summer can create tough moving conditions that may slow the moving process down, like extreme heat or summer storms, but no matter what our job is to protect and transport your items and get you into your new home smoothly.

Request a free quote and schedule your summer move today!