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Monthly Archives: February 2016

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23
Feb

How to Prepare Large Appliances for Your Move

Posted on Categories Moving Tips Author By Robert Sabo

If you’ve spent money on valuable appliances, you shouldn’t have to leave them behind when you move. Luckily, as long as you learn the proper way to prepare appliances for relocation, nothing can stop you from enjoying their use in your new location.

Below, you’ll find the necessary steps to prepare any large household appliance for travel. Whether you plan to store the appliance or immediately transfer it to your new home, use these tips to successfully relocate your washing machine, dryer, or refrigerator.

Washing Machine

Clean
Before you do anything, clean your appliance inside and out. Use a cloth and all-purpose cleaner to wipe off the exterior of the machine. Next, gently clean out the drum and lint filter with warm water. Leave the lid open to let any moisture evaporate.

Service
Many moving companies offer safe loading, storage, and transit of large items like a clothes washer. A moving company won’t accept responsibility for water damage that may occur while disconnecting an old appliance, so you should disconnect it before the company arrives.

Older appliances may have corroded shutoff valves that won’t turn off completely. This corrosion often leads to flooding. Keep your appliances up-to-date, and store the owner’s manual in a safe and accessible place.

If you find damage, read your owner’s manual to find out how to fix the drum or tub. Repairs will keep your machine from having problems upon reinstallation. Make sure to turn off the water, release pressure from the hoses, and drain out any liquids. Once disconnected and unplugged, you can proceed to packing and loading.

Dryer

Clean
Remove any debris from inside the machine, including emptying the lint trap and lint hose. Use a gentle cleanser to wipe out the inside and exterior, ensuring a smooth and clean surface.

Service
If your dryer runs off of natural gas, make sure to get the gas shut off the day before you move. A professional should handle this step in the process. Next, unplug your dryer. Make sure to disconnect and remove any hoses. If your dryer has a moveable drum, secure it. Your dryer is now ready to move.

Refrigerator

Clean
Although you might think it’s easier to transport all your food items in the fridge, this strategy can cause major problems. No moving company can guarantee that all your food items will stay at the proper temperature while in transit.

Furthermore, refrigerator units aren’t designed as shipping containers. When moved and stored at different angles, the storage shelves may crack and break, causing food to spill if stored inside. Remove all food from your refrigerator and freezer unit to avoid mold, odor, and other types of damage.

After you’ve removed all food items, clean the inside with a light detergent and soft rag. Make sure to mop up any spills and remove all food bits from the entire surface.

Service
Depending on whether you have a water dispenser, you’ll likely need to disconnect the water line. Turn off any water sources and empty the ice maker/water taps. Make sure to also empty and clean out the water reservoir.

Older models may require further securing with the motor or compressor. Luckily, most modern units keep the compressor in a sealed compartment.

Packing and Loading

After you clean and service everything, you still need a way to safely move your appliances. Tools such as furniture sliders, bungee cords, and a dolly are all useful. Make sure you have people to assist you when you move any of the above appliances as well.

As for loading, don’t take any chances. Use only an industry-approved truck ramp. For best results, discuss any loading plans with your moving provider beforehand.

Tagged in: Appliances, Dryer, moving, Refrigerator, Washing Machine

17
Feb

Just Moved In? Do These 6 Things Before You Go to Sleep

Posted on Categories Moving Tips Author By Robert Sabo

Once you’ve packed your life into boxes and moved miles away to a new location, you might feel exhausted when you arrive at your final destination. But the first few hours in a new place can make a huge difference. When used wisely, this time will help you adjust to your new space, get your life in order, and prevent problems with your landlord or property later on.

Read our tips below for the six most important things to do the first day in your new home.

1. Do a Walk-Through Inspection

The things that attracted you when you first looked at your new home will remind you why you decided to move in the first place.

Now that you’re ready to move in, you may start to notice a few details that didn’t cross your mind before. For example, when you use the stove or the sink for the first time, you’ll probably observe some quirks and things that need to be repaired.

When you take the time to thoroughly examine your new home on the first day, you reduce the likelihood that you’ll run into surprises weeks and months down the road. You’ll also have the ability to call your landlord or previous owner with any complaints or requests.

2. Take Pictures of Any Trouble Spots

For big problems that affect the integrity of your home, like a bug infestation or water damage, take a photo of the issue and document the date. Send these pictures with a brief written description to your landlord. These photos let the landlord know of any problems he or she needs to fix and prevent you from getting charged for previous damages to the property.

If you own your home and notice sizable problems that could decrease your home’s value, consult with your real estate agent or attorney for the best way to get compensation.

3. Make a To-Do List 

 
For minor repairs, like a dripping faucet or cracks in the ceiling, jot them down onto a master list. Write down your findings as soon as possible. You might not notice tiny problems once you fill your home with furniture, so this list will remind you what items to take care of. In a few days, prioritize this list and set goals to fix the problems in order of importance.

4. Clean the Surfaces

Though you shouldn’t have to deep-clean your new space, you’ll feel better knowing that the counters, floors, and other open surfaces are clean.

Pack a broom and dustpan into an accessible box and sweep the floors in your new home before you unpack your belongings. You should wipe down open surfaces with disinfecting wipes as well.

5. Unpack One Day’s Worth of Supplies

When you start unpacking, don’t overwhelm yourself. Look at your box labels and find the items that you need to use every day. (You will need toothbrushes and towels on the first night, but you might not need lamps or silverware right away.)

If you feel ambitious, you can place your moving boxes into the rooms where they’ll eventually end up, but don’t worry about unloading all your knick knacks during the first 24 hours.

6. Start to Set Up a Room

After you’ve found the necessities, start to unpack one room before you go to bed. For example, if you have kids, it might help them feel comfortable if you help them get settled into their new bedrooms.

Make sure they have sheets and blankets on their beds, and tuck them in with a favorite pillow or stuffed animal. They’ll sleep well, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed at the task ahead of you.

If you’re moving alone, start with your own bedroom on the first day. Leave large projects, like the kitchen, for another time when you have more energy.

For more professional tips and tricks for moving, keep reading our blog.

Tagged in: Moving Day, Moving In, Organizing, unpacking

09
Feb

5 Ideal Color Palettes for City Apartments

Posted on Categories Organizing Author By Robert Sabo

When you move to a city, you encounter a myriad of new opportunities, from the people you meet to the locales you frequent.

Your new housing also represents an opportunity. When you move to a new city apartment, whether it’s a SoHo studio or a Georgetown townhouse, you use design to define the space and even redefine yourself.

In the city, design often comes down to optimizing space in an impactful way. The color palette you choose determines the entire atmosphere of your apartment, whether you want simple and chic or bold and vibrant.

Learn how a specific color palette can help you achieve specific atmospheres below.

1. Artsy Adventure

Rich or warm colors stimulate the mind and imagination. If you want to create an air of artistry and adventure, choose one of these palettes.

•    Dark: Choose a deep foundation color, like blood red, and elevate it using earth tone or urban complementary colors.
•    Light: Keep the walls a subtle, warm pastel and use a more saturated color version in your decor. For example, use pale pink paint with daring fuchsia or maroon accents.
•    Cool: Rely on deep eggplant or navy, accented with a bright teal or Kelly green.
•    Warm: Pair bold reds or oranges with stark whites or eggshell tones.

2. Casual Bohemian

Light, natural hues give the illusion of wide open spaces and outdoor oases. Whether your inner bohemian longs for the forested mountains or sweeping beaches, showcase your connection in one of the following palettes.

•    Dark: Surround yourself with chocolate browns and emerald greens. If you opt for a dark palette, use colors that appear in nature or ones that exaggerate natural hues. Choose a single light accent color to open up your space.
•    Light: Hint at ocean waves or seasonal breezes with sea foam greens, stormy grays, or stimulating yellows.
•    Cool: Create a beach paradise using varying blues, beiges and tans, and hints of distant purples.
•    Warm: Fill your apartment with light using a spectrum of warm colors and earth tones.

3. Delicate Sophistication

Intricacy and subtlety create understated class. Create an air of sophistication in these color schemes.

•    Dark: Pair royal purples, crimsons, or blues with complementary metallic accents for Old World elegance.
•    Light: Choose an unobtrusive alabaster or mother of pearl. Highlight your main color’s subtleties with a single dark accent, such as smoky gray.
•    Cool: Blend lavenders, grays or silvers, or white for simple grace.
•    Warm: Rely on bronze or gold to craft an inviting air of sophistication.

4. Modern Minimalist

To find beauty in simplicity, create a distinct, stark palette like those below.

•    Dark: Find your inner minimalist using black, white, and a dark accent color like Tyrian purple.
•    Light: Use a steel gray rather than black to create bold, geometric designs. Pair your chosen gray with white and a light accent, like powder blue.
•    Cool: Don’t hesitate to call on bold, cool colors when you aim for minimalism. Use color blocking to let a range of blues, greens, or purples play off each other.
•    Warm: To create warm minimalism without overpowering a space, pair a shade of white with punchy red or orange accents.

5. Vintage Couture

The distinct vintage look relies on muted colors and whimsical charm. Find both in the following palettes.

•    Dark: If you like deep colors but want a vintage look, consider distressing. With a little sanding or extra layer of sponged paint, you can age dark teal, brown-black, or ruby reds.
•    Light: Vintage palettes rely on tiny variations to create depth. Choose a range of pinks, beiges, or whites to get the look.
•    Cool: For a timeless cool palette, pair distressed white furniture with a range of matte blues or pastel greens.
•    Warm: Evoke antique warmth using brown and gold with warm pumpkin or mustard colors.

As you settle in and work to pair decor with your new paint, consider the purpose of each room. For a more intimate setting, opt for a darker overall palette. To expand a small space, choose the lightest and brightest colors in your scheme.

Use one of these timeless color palettes to make your new apartment the ideal space for entertaining, creating, or relaxing.

Tagged in: Bold, Chic, Color Palettes, Decorating, Minimalist, New Apartment, Painting

02
Feb

4 Questions to Consider Before You Relocate for a New Job

Posted on Categories Moving for Work Author By Robert Sabo

After weeks of searching, calling, and interviewing, you finally managed to land a new job. You feel excited about the new opportunity, as well as a little nervous about the responsibilities you will have.

But not long after you shake hands and accept the offer, your employer says, “We’re opening a new branch in another state, are you willing to relocate?”

You pause and ask for a few days to think about it. You don’t want to lose the job or disappoint your employer, but you don’t know whether you feel ready to pack and move so quickly.

Before you decide to stay or go, carefully consider the following questions.

1.    Can You Afford the Move?

Sure, your new job offers a pay increase as well as a stable income, but is it enough to cover the costs of a move?

As you plan your future, take a few minutes to calculate your budget. Some states have higher costs of living that could take a significant bite out of your income. Furthermore, you might lose money in an attempt to sell your home in time for the relocation. And you need to anticipate the expense of hiring a professional moving team and account for transportation, temporary housing, and fuel.

If possible, ask your employer about whether the company will cover some, or all, of these relocation costs.

2.    Does Your Family Support the Move?


When you’re young, single, and free to travel, you may have no qualms relocating to another state, or even another country. However, if you have a family, you need to find out their feelings about the move.

Your spouse, for example, might receive a promotion soon and would have to sacrifice his or her career to join you in another state. Or, your teen may have just joined a school sports team and would have to re-take specific classes to graduate. And your younger children may feel uncomfortable making new friends in a new place.

According to a study published in the “Journal of Social and Personality Psychology”, moves disrupt important childhood friendships. The study also noted that children who move frequently often scored lower on well-being and life satisfaction tests and had fewer high-quality relationships as adults.

Make sure you ask your family for advice before making such a life-changing decision in their behalf.

3.    What Are You Leaving Behind?

Although your new move may present new opportunities to grow and discover, your current situation may have a lot to offer you as well. Your parents might live just around the corner, or your best friend from high school still plays video games with you on Saturday nights. You might be a few months away from paying off your mortgage, or you attended the local school and want your children to follow in your footsteps.

When you have to sever these emotional ties or uproot your entire history to relocate, you might not feel as comfortable packing your photos into boxes or selling your favorite furniture.

On the other hand, if you had a negative experience in your current area, or you formed few friendships over the years, you may feel thrilled at the idea of starting fresh.

4.    What Does Your Heart Tell You?

While you could argue for or against job relocation with your brain, your heart may disagree with your arguments, as cliché as that sounds. Your instinct may tell you that you should jump at the chance, or it may nag at you that something doesn’t seem right. Of course, some doubts are normal, but if you face complete dread at the idea, you may want to reconsider the move.

As you consider these questions, don’t forget that though moving represents a big commitment, it doesn’t have to be a permanent decision. If for some reason the new job or new city doesn’t work well for you or your family, you can always move back.

Tagged in: Jobs, Moving for Work, relocating