Moving from New Jersey to NYC | How to Plan Your Relocation

By Triad Group on May, 2018. Posted in NJ to NYC. Tags: , , , , .

You are taking the plunge and moving to the big city! Making the move from New Jersey to New York City may seem simple. It’s the next state over, right? Yes and no. Geographically, they are neighbors but in most cases, making the move from suburbia to a big city will have its challenges. If you are moving from NJ to NYC, be sure to consider the following tips.

Downsize

When moving to New York City, in most cases, space may be a potential issue. In a recent analysis, the lowest price per square foot in a Manhattan apartment was an astonishing $437 per square foot. Before making the move, sell, donate, or throw away items that you no longer need. Bulky items may be difficult to store, and you want to make the most out of the space that you have. For a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t touched it or used it in 6 months, it’s time to say goodbye.

Measure

Buying new furniture for your home can be exciting and overwhelming. Before shopping, measure the entrance areas to your home. In NYC, some of the doorways and hallways are much smaller than average. Ask yourself the following questions before buying:

  • Will it fit through the door?
  • If applicable, will it fit in an elevator?
  • How many flights of stairs will I need to travel?
  • How heavy is the item?
  • What are the dimensions of the room?

Knowing the answers to these questions will eliminate a lot of the stress that comes with planning a move.

Transportation

In New Jersey, parking is everywhere and is not a concern for most. When moving to the city, you need to plan your vehicle storage. Find out if your new home has a private garage or if there is ample street parking. Because public transportation is a popular way to get around, you may want to consider whether having a car makes sense.

If your commute to work is relatively short, it may be more cost-effective to travel via bus, train, or subway. When conducting a cost analysis, account for storage fees, gas, mileage, car payment, and convenience.

Choose Your Move In Date Carefully

If you are hiring professional moving services, save yourself some money and choose a date that falls within the second or third week of the month. Everyone plans their move for the last day or first day of the month, so Great Guys Moving Company says movers are in high demand at these times. If you move during an off-time, you might be able to get a discount on your move.

Finally, plan for special events. Is there a parade or any other significant celebration during that week in your new neighborhood? If so, roads may be closed and your move-in day may be very hectic. Take the time to learn about your surroundings to save your sanity.

Steps to Prepare Wooden Furniture for a Cross Country Relocation

By Triad Group on March, 2018. Posted in Wooden Furniture. Tags: , , , .

When moving to a new home, it is common to take substantial steps to protect breakables from damage. For example, your plates, bowls and drinking glasses may all be individually wrapped and carefully placed in boxes for safekeeping. While many fragile items can be handled this way, these steps are not ideal for your fine wood furnishings. Wood furniture is often large, heavy and even irregular in shape. It also can easily be scratched or dinged. You understandably do not want your precious wood furniture to be damaged while en route to your new home. If you are preparing for a cross-country move, follow these steps from this Atlanta moving company to protect your belongings as much as possible.

wooden-furniture

1. Disassemble Furniture

You may have a few wood pieces that are made out of solid wood without any screws, bolts, drawers or knobs. However, many items can be disassembled. By disassembling them, you can make it easier for your movers to handle them carefully. They may also be easier to protect with moving supplies. To avoid losing any pieces, place small items in a well-marked box. Furniture disassembly may include removing legs from the dining room table, removing the upper section of your hutch, removing the mirror from your dresser and even taking the drawers out of your dresser. The alternative to removing the drawers is to secure them with rope or twine. However, the furniture will be lighter and easier to handle when the drawers are removed.

2. Wrap Furniture Carefully

After you have disassembled your furniture as much as reasonably possible, you will need to wrap the pieces carefully. There are different strategies that you can use for this process depending on the size and shape of the pieces. Some people believe that simply placing moving blankets over wood furniture in the truck is all that it takes to protect these pieces. However, blankets rarely cover all surfaces of the furniture. Also, items can be dinged or scratched while they are being moved up and down stairs or in and out of doorways. All furniture should be carefully wrapped before it is loaded onto a truck. You can use corrugated cardboard sheets over the entire surface of the pieces, and these can be secured with a plastic stretch wrap or tape. Bubble wrap is not ideal for these items. While you need to protect your furniture, you also need to make sure that the furniture is as easy as possible to lift and maneuver.

3. Handle With Care

Because wood furniture can be difficult to load onto a truck and later to unload from the truck, hiring movers is a smart idea. Movers may use special equipment to handle your items with care. They also have considerable strength and may know smart handling strategies. When selecting a moving company, look for a company that is fully insured. Their insurance may pay for a replacement or repair if your items are damaged en route. However, their insurance may only cover damages if they disassemble and wrap your furnishings. Ask the moving company about this before you begin preparing your furniture for relocation.

furniture

Your wood furnishings are an important part of your home’s décor and functionality. They also can be easily damaged during a move. If your relocation plans will take you cross-country, use these tips to protect your belongings from unnecessary damage, and don’t forget Cheap Movers Atlanta when searching for the cheapest Lawrenceville moving prices!

Single Girl’s Guide to Moving Across the Country

By Triad Group on March, 2017. Posted in Moving. Tags: , , , , , .

You’ve dreamed about it for years. Moving to the other side of the country. You know, setting up shop somewhere else. Finding adventures in strange new places. Making new friends in some strange new local brew pub. Oh, you can practically taste that local microbrew now! But you’ve never done it because let’s face it: […]

What To Clean Before Moving Out Of Your Apartment Rental

By Triad Group on December, 2016. Posted in Moving. Tags: , , , , , .

The process of moving is not cheap, so many renters worry about the added expense of losing their security deposit on top of having to pay for a moving company. While according to the Legal Information Institute, rental law varies depending on where you live, in most cases, your landlord can keep your security deposit if your unit is not clean when you move out. If you want to make sure you get your deposit back, keep reading. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make your rental spic and span.

The Bathroom

Nobody likes cleaning the bathroom, but sometimes it’s just a job that must be done. You can make this job less irksome by using the right cleaning supplies. For tough grime in the toilet or shower, use cleaning products specifically formulated to work in the bathroom. Of course, as the CDC recommends, always keep these cleaning agents out of the reach of children and pets. Start cleaning by scrubbing your bathtub and shower. Then, wipe down any cabinets and storage areas. Make sure you throw away any old soap bar remnants or old toiletries. Then, scrub out the toilet with a toilet brush. Clean the floor last, and then move on to the rest of your apartment.

Personal and Storage Areas

Your landlord will not be pleased if they inspect your rental and find your unwanted belongings or any trash. When you clean your rental, make sure that you leave absolutely nothing behind. If you have belongings that you no longer want, make sure you dispose of them properly before your move. For large trash items, you may be able to schedule a large item pickup with your city’s sanitation department. If you have items in good condition that might be of use to someone else, consider donating your unwanted belongings. Some organizations will even pick up your donations, saving you a trip. Movers recommend getting started with the clean-out process at least a month before your actual move.

The Kitchen

Even if you clean your kitchen regularly, the kitchen is typically one of the dirtiest rooms in an apartment. Grease from cooking and food spills can lead to sticky, dirty messes that are difficult to clean, so give yourself plenty of time to tackle this room. When you clean out the refrigerator, throw out any food you cannot take to your new place and wipe down the shelves and drawers. You should also make sure you thoroughly clean all surfaces, including tabletops and counters. Many tenants forget about cleaning the oven and microwave, and leave a nasty mess behind. You should also wipe down the faces of your kitchen cabinets, as these are also often overlooked.

Remember the Floors

One of the last cleaning tasks you will want to tackle before moving out is making sure your rental’s flooring is in good condition. While some wear and tear is to be expected, you want to leave your unit’s floors in as good a condition as possible. If there are pet or food stains or the carpet is excessively soiled, consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional. Sometimes hiring a professional makes sound financial sense. Paying to have the carpets cleaned is less expensive than losing your entire deposit.

With a little bit of elbow grease, you can get your apartment gleaming again. Not only will your landlord be thankful and impressed, you’ll have a better chance of getting your entire deposit back! If you run out of time trying to clean the unit yourself, you can always call upon the skilled hands of professional cleaning company. Handy and themaids.com are two cleaning services with nationwide reach, to get your home cleaned no matter what part of the country you’re in.

 

9 Moving Tips to Make Your Life Easier

By Triad Group on October, 2016. Posted in Moving. Tags: , , .

The moving process may be tough, but it seems an inevitable fact of human existence. Whether you’re moving down the street or to another country, here are 9 moving tips to make your life easier:

 1. Be Frugal

Moving is expensive, but there are many ways to get creative and save money on your move. Great Guys Moving (facebook | dribbble) recommends the following hacks to save money on long distance moves:

  • Getting rid of extra belongings prior to moving day
  • Move during off-times, like during the winter months and on weekdays
  • Scrounge for free packing materials by picking up boxes from grocery stores, clothing, stores, and other retailers
  • Do as much as you can yourself (but know your limits)
  • Take a tax deduction for your move

In addition to these great tips, try to trim transportation expenses while driving or flying to your new destination. The cost of hotels, gas, tickets, and food can really add up!

2. Lose Some Weight

During the packing stage, you realize how many belongings you actually own. Drop the pounds by purging items you no longer need. Broken or damaged items, forgotten items, and ‘rainy day’ items can go to the dumpster, a thrift store, charity, or on eBay/Amazon/yard sale. Not only will this cut down on the cost of your move, but you will have less to unpack and organize once you are there.

3. Capture Installation on Camera or Phone

In the months or years since your last move, you may have forgotten how challenging it can be to get all of your electronics hooked up and working properly. One nifty trick to eliminate the stress of reassembly is photographing or videotaping wires from electronics, routers, and appliances. This makes reconnecting a cinch!

4. Create a First Night Box

When moving, it can be easy to get carried away with packing. However, immediate use items such as oral health products, facial/body/hair products, toiletries, snacks, medicine, computers, phone, and a few clothing items should be left out of the boxes you send with the movers. Use a backpack, purse, box, or bag for these essential items and carry them with you on moving day. Having the things you need handy will make your first night in the new house so much easier! Check out this essentials box checklist from Bournes Moves.

5. Pack Boxes by Room

Make moving easier by concentrating on one room and boxing or tossing belongings in that room. After completion, pack the next room, and so forth. This process is better than overwhelmingly packing the entire house simultaneously and will help keep everything organized for unpacking purposes.

6. Label Boxes

After packing things by room, make sure to label your boxes. Label boxes on top and the side with the room name and the general contents inside it. You may even want to add different colored tape to the box depending on its destined room to make it visually easy to see what goes where. On moving day, having everything clearly labeled makes it easier for the moving company to know what goes where. Plus, it’s nice to be able to read the box, rather than opening it to figure out what’s inside.

7. Use Boxes Correctly

You might assume that it’s best to pack heavier things in large boxes and lighter items in smaller boxes. The opposite is actually true. Pack lighter items (clothes, bedding, pillows, etc.) in larger boxes. Pack heavier items like books in small boxes. It’s easier for lifting and carrying items to and from the moving truck, and will help you avoid back injury. Read more helpful tips on box sizes from relocation.com

8. Embrace Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap and saran wrap are a lifesaver for keeping things together while you move. Try using a layer of movers wrap underneath the lids of cleaning bottles to keep the contents from leaking. It’s also great for wrapping dresser drawers so the drawers and contents inside won’t fall out.

9. Choose a Good Time

The peak moving time is summer. Most people move then due to convenience and warmer weather. Additional times to avoid are Fridays, last days of the month, and holidays. To get better prices on homes or leases, and the lowest rates from moving companies, try to move on a weekday during the fall or winter.

The moving process never gets easier, but these tips will save you time, money, and energy.

 

Professional Movers on How to Properly Wrap Furniture for Moving

By Triad Group on October, 2016. Posted in Moving. Tags: , , , .

How to Properly Wrap Furniture for Moving

Have you ever moved and later found your furniture covered in dents and scratches, or worse, broken, when you go to unpack? Properly wrapping your furniture keeps it from getting dinged up or gouged during transport. Additionally, knowing how to strategically place it in the moving truck is essential to getting it to your new home in one piece.

If you hire a mover, they’ve been trained in how to properly handle all types of furniture – from antiques to grand pianos – so you shouldn’t have to worry about proper moving technique. However, if you’re moving yourself, or relying on the help of family and friends, it’s critical that you know the best techniques for moving furniture. Here are the best words of furniture moving advice from professional movers:

Disassemble the Furniture

It is easier to wrap smaller parts of the furniture than one huge piece. Take apart dining tables and chairs, as well as beds frames and anything else that is designed to easily break down into smaller pieces. Additionally, remove drawers from dressers and wardrobes so they are easier to lift. Wrap each drawer in plastic wrap to keep the contents from falling out during the move. Be sure to place the nuts and bolts of the furniture in clearly labeled plastic bags or containers to make reassembly easier. Keep the plastic bag or container with its corresponding piece of furniture; you can easily attach the plastic bag to the furniture using movers wrap, which unlike tape, won’t stick to the furniture and cause damage. Most furniture that can be assembled comes with a user’s manual. Use it for safely dismantling the pieces of furniture and keep it handy for reassembling at your new home.

Use Bubble Wrap and Plastic Sheets

Wrap the delicate wood and glass pieces in the bubble wrap. This is ideal because bubble wrap offers more cushioning than plastic sheets or blankets. Sofa sets and other upholstered pieces like mattresses, can be covered in plastic sheets to prevent tears or stains. There are special plastic sofa and mattress covers on the market that are more effective than the normal plastic sheeting since it is thicker. Though more expensive, these are worth the investment.

For more delicate pieces like mirrors, Cheap Movers NYC (cheapmoversnyc.net) recommends using old blankets and packing blankets for additional protection after they have been wrapped up in bubble wrap. When you finish wrapping them, put them inside specially designed boxes which fit into each other, known as telescoping boxes. The telescoping boxes offer more support when carrying the glass. Place newspapers and old rags inside the box to secure the glass in place. To support the furniture and keep it from bouncing about while moving use corrugated cardboard and packing blankets between the pieces.

Use Rope to Secure Furniture

Tying the furniture down will secure it and keep it in place. Moving trucks have hooks inside for this purpose. After securing the furniture onto the hooks, it’s still a good idea to place blankets and mattresses around them for extra padding. Ensure that the rope doesn’t end up damaging the furniture by tying it properly.

Loading the Moving Truck

When loading your moving truck, place the heaviest items like appliances at the front of the truck. Load couches and mattresses along the sides of the truck. Then, place tables in the middle of the truck. You can most effectively use space by putting boxes and sofa cushions underneath the tables. Finally, pack boxes and other small items on and around the furniture.

When loading the moving truck, make sure you have enough hands to help so you don’t strain your back. Also consider making use of dollies to ease the load, and always use the loading ramp.

There is no need for nail biting when you are moving. The key is to know what materials will keep your furniture safe. Now with a little more planning and care, your furniture will arrive at its new destination looking as good as when you packed it.