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Arizona relocation made simple – step by step guide

Organize your Arizona relocation with ease and start a new life stress-free. You can do it by following these simple steps and creating a moving checklist. If you are moving to Arizona for the first time, don’t panic, because we are here to help you with our long experience.

Continue reading “Arizona relocation made simple – step by step guide”

The ultimate guide to moving from Kuwait to Arizona

Moving to the United States is a very common goal for many people from all over the world. And a lot of people have been moving from Kuwait to Arizona over the last few years. This is an international relocation and moving internationally is not an easy task. It requires a lot of planning and it can be very stressful. Even if you have moved such long distances before, reading this guide to moving from Kuwait to Arizona won’t hurt. We prepared some tips for you as well that are going to make your international relocation as easy as possible. Continue reading “The ultimate guide to moving from Kuwait to Arizona”

Moving from Arizona to Ohio

Moving from one place to one another involves more than you think. Between properly saying goodbye to your old place to settling in a new home, there are a lot of different tasks that require organization. So, it’s not without a reason that so many people are afraid of moving. After all, moving truly is a complicating and exhausting process, even when moving around the corner. And this is especially the case when moving long-distance, like moving from Arizona to Ohio. Luckily, there are ways to make it easier and we’ll show you how. Continue reading “Moving from Arizona to Ohio”

Tips for Moving to NY with Kids During the School Year

Moving to the Big Apple can be really scary and stressful for everybody. But, when you have to be moving to NY with kids and during the school year, things can get a bit too complicated. Not only will you have to worry about all the process of finding a new home, finding a reliable moving agency, packing and relocating, but also you will have to take care of your children and prepare them for the move too! Yes, this does seem too much. But, do not worry, we are here to help you out. If you start your moving preparations on time and follow or advice, your moving to NY with kids during the school year.

Have a Talk With Your Child First

Before you start packing your belongings and the dorothyandmarthamoving.com come to your home to relocate them, it is of key importance to discuss this move with your children. So, order some pizza and start talking. Tell your child why this move is necessary and how your family will benefit from it. Try to focus on the positive aspects of this family relocation. For example, talk about how amazing New York is and how much fun they will have. Then, tell them about all the new friends they will meet, and all the experiences they will have. You can also show them pictures of fun activities in New York as that will probably get them excited. Do everything in your power to motivate your children for the move. That way, your moving to NY with kids during the school year will go a lot smoother.

Family talking in the kitchen  about moving to NY with kids.
Having a family meeting before Moving to NY with Kids During the School Year is a must!

Research Schools before Moving to NY with Kids

It is of key importance to research all the schools in your new area before you actually move there. You can start this process several months ahead of time. Education of your child is the most important thing, so you must do everything in your power to find the best possible school. So, research all the aspects. For example, what is the quality of education in each school? Or, what kind of extracurricular activities do they offer? Do not forget about the commute. Bear in mind that New York City is huge and that you will probably have to drive your child to school every day. This is why it is very important to explore all the options until you choose a school that suits your child’s needs the most. However, do not worry much, as most of New York City’s schools have a good reputation.

When Moving to NY with Kids During the School Year, Visit the Chosen School First

After you have explored all the options, it is time to visit the chosen school together with your child. As it is mid of the year, make this visit during the weekend. If possible, prepare all the documentation and enroll your child on time. Do not wait for the last minute to do this when moving to NY with kids during the school year. Then, talk to all the teachers and the principal. Discuss with them about your child and your move. Also, try to show your child the school as much as you can. Maybe you can ask a teacher to help you out. At least try to see the schoolyard, the gym, some classrooms and similar. Also, if possible, try to introduce your child to some of the other classmates too. That will make this NYC relocation a lot easier.

Father and son walking.
The best way way to get your child excited about transferring school is to show them how great the new one is. Focus on the more exciting parts of the new school.

Help Your Child Say Goodbyes

As you are moving to NY with kids during the school year, things will get crazy and hectic. As previously mentioned, you will have to prepare your entire household for the relocation while preparing your child for their school at the same time. It would be best to hire movers and let them pack your belongings and store them in Brooklyn or bring them directly to your new home. Use that time for more important things like helping your child say goodbye to his or her teachers, classmates and everybody he or she knows. You can, for example, organize a goodbye party. Let your child make the invitations and choose all the snacks for the party. This will get them so excited they will forget about their fears of moving. If possible put some party decorations, play some music and prepare a lot of food and drinks.

Girls hugging.
Make sure that your child says goodbye to all the best friends.

Prepare Your Child For School

Even though you are moving to NY during the school year, you must prepare your child as if it was the first day of school. As previously mentioned, you must prepare all the necessary paperwork and documentation form the previous school as well as everything that is necessary for enrolling into the new one. If your budget allows it, you can surprise your child with some new school clothes and shoes. Also, make sure that you have all the necessary books. Talk with teachers and see what you need to buy when it comes to textbooks. Finally, take your child to some school supply shopping. Kids love it. That will be a great thing to do to get your child excited about going to a new school. If you follow these steps, moving with children will go smoothly.

How to move a piano without breaking the bank?

Every relocation is an operation that requires a great deal of time and effort on your side. When it comes to owning a piano, it is a totally new level of serious planning, preparation, and stress you might want to avoid. There are many things to consider that will ask for careful problem-solving skills. Dealing with staircases, tight doorways, and sharp corners can easily put you in an awkward situation. For every heavy furniture moving you will need a lot of strength, experience, and teamwork to complete. But for a piano, you will have to be extra careful since they are fragile no matter their size and look. Not to mention a budget calculation you will have to do for every situation you can find yourself in. So, how to move a piano without breaking a bank? Maybe the best solution would be to hire a professional moving company.

Size is an important factor when you need to move a piano

Most pianos come in a weight range from 300 lbs to 1,200+ lbs. A small upright piano can weigh about 300 to 400 lbs, while some larger examples can be even more than 800 lbs. Their height can go over 60 inches and are pretty robust to deal with when you need to move. Most of their weight comes from cast iron harp that holds the strings. Grand pianos can weigh between 500 to 1,200 lbs and can be somewhere from 54 to 108 inches long. There are even bigger examples like the customized Liberace piano with 1,500 lbs and 12 foot in length. The common misjudgment is that piano is a strong instrument. On the contrary, they are very delicate to deal with. Pedals, keys, legs, and even strings are very susceptible to damage. Most piano finishes are sensitive to scratches, dents, and nicks.

For all the above-mentioned reasons, professional movers are the best solution. Choosing a company like Tik Tok Moving and Storage Queens is an excellent decision, for example. These reputable movers have all it takes to move your piano smoothly and safely.

A cast iron harp inside a piano which can cause problems when you need to move a piano.
A piano is a beautiful and large yet very fragile instrument.

How-to, and should you?

Moving a piano goes with a lot of responsibility. It takes a lot of preparation because of the safety of the movers as well as the surrounding of your home interior. And of course for the piano itself and its value. Whether you need to move your piano locally or long distance, to the storage or just upstairs, you might want to consider professional movers. Saving money here can easily result in injury or damage to your piano. Having the right equipment is a must. If you do not own this equipment, don’t have a strong team of people to help you, or don’t have valid knowledge about moving a piano, you shouldn’t test your luck. Avoid injury when moving, especially with grand pianos which are exceptionally difficult to move and experienced professionals are better for handling this difficult task.

A packed piano ready for transportation.
There is a proper way to balance the weight of your piano when moving.

The next few tips are highly helpful when you need to move a piano

These tips include:

  • Never lift a piano by its legs.
  • Never push a piano around by its casters.
  • Secure the lid and wrap the piano.
  • Know your route beforehand.
  • Do not endanger yourself.
  • Know when to quit.

The cost of moving a piano

The cost of moving your piano can range from just $100 to around $1,000. Long Island based moving companies aren’t expensive, for example. Another factor that can affect the cost is the distance. The long-distance moving demands more work, and better security measures for transportation. It’s up to you to calculate the expenses and see if it’s a better option to do it yourself or to hire a moving company. For example, you will need to rent a truck, do the hard work, get additional men to help you, and maybe even spend money on equipment. You will need four-wheel piano moving dolly, hump straps, locking piano belt, piano skid board. Let’s not forget moving pads, blankets, boxes, and tape. It doesn’t look good for tactic on how to move a piano without breaking the bank.

Quotes

Moving a piano is a delicate process which requires more than a few steps. For you to do the packing, securing, loading into the truck, transporting, and removing it from the truck can be a tiresome job. Not to mention that you can injure yourself, injure others, or even damage your precious instrument. For that matter, professionals provide security and save you a lot of time and effort. Moreover, you are staying away from the harm’s way, and you have insurance provided by the moving company. Call a couple of moving companies and ask for a moving estimate for your piano transportation, and ask about insurance coverage.

On the other hand, there is one way your piano can be transported at a low cost. The service can be part of a full household move which is a lot better option than paying for just a piano.

A damaged upright piano.
Be careful when moving your piano, an accident may happen in a split second.

To conclude, a piano moving company will ensure that:

  • The piano is properly packed
  • It’s mounted on appropriate moving equipment
  • It’s highly secured inside the truck
  • Efficiently delivered to the desired destination
  • You have all the information about moving insurance, and that your piano is fully covered

Moving a piano to your new home, storage, or any other location is a tough job. Sometimes it is worth to cut the corners but when it comes to a piano it is not recommended. You can end up with a cost far more greater than you can imagine, just for trying to save a few bucks. To answer the question of how to move a piano without breaking the bank is to recommend a good company. However, research is a thing best to be done by yourself. After all, you should focus on other things. Things like planning and preparing your new location for a piano since they are very sensitive to major temperature shifts. It’s good to avoid heating ducts, fireplaces, windows, and doors. In general, you need a place where room temperature and humidity are stable. Tune your piano after all the trouble and you are ready.

How to Organize Your NYC Move?

Moving, whether to another state or just around the block is nerve-racking. There is no doubt when it comes to that. But moving to New York is another story. There is a reason why so many people want to move to the city that never sleeps and the city where dreams come true. It is a place full of opportunities. However, since so many people want to live here, the competition is huge. You need to be prepared! So, organize your NYC move as soon as you set a date for it with this simple guide.

New York View
New York City goes by many names – The Big Apple, The city that never sleeps, The city where all your dreams come true… So, do not wait, organize your NYC move immediately.

Why Do People Move to New York City?

So, before we start talking about organizing your NYC move, let us first tackle the issue of why so many people love the Big Apple and want to move there. Here are some of the most common reasons:

  • Job Opportunities – New York is a place for everybody, especially for those with big dreams. There are countless job opportunities lurking behind every corner.
  • The Challenge – Although this place seems amazing, there are some downsides. Things like extremely high rent, small homes, noise and high prices for pretty much everything can scare a lot of people. But, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. And that is why people move to NYC, they love the challenge.
  • Status – Well, this is simple, everybody will envy you!
  • Freedom – Here, you can be as weird as you want to be. You can do whatever makes you happy, and people will not look down on you. Every life decision is acceptable.
  • Eternal Youth – There is no need to grow up. You can stay forever young in NYC.
  • Cultural Diversity – You can meet almost every nation here, and you do not even have to leave your neighborhood.

Hire a Moving Company to Help You Organize Your NYC Move

In order to organize your NYC move, you need to be prepared well. But, you can never be really prepared without the help of professionals. It is advised that you start looking for a moving company as soon as you know the right date of your NYC move. It is necessary to start early if you want to find a company which is both reliable and within your budget. So, begin by getting recommendations from your friends, family members, colleagues, or anybody you know who has moved recently.

Then, check online reviews, read the comments sections and choose two or three moving companies and ask them for an in-home estimate. That will give you a precise and final cost of your move. Moreover, do not forget to ask about additional costs and insurance.

A man moving boxes during a NYC move
Moving in a place as big as New York can be complicated. So, save yourself from all that trouble, and hire professional help.

Find a New Place to Live In

Before you start packing your bags for your NYC move, you need to know where you are moving to, right? So, do some research and see which part of New York will suit your needs the most. Basically, there are five boroughs in New York:

  • Manhattan
  • Brooklyn
  • Queens
  • The Bronx
  • Staten Island

Each borough has plenty to offer, it just depends on your needs. And that is the first thing you need to pay attention to. For example, if you want to be in the center of happenings then, Manhattan is the best choice. If, however, you are moving with your family and need something more affordable, then you should choose Brooklyn. One thing is for sure, you need to have a place ready for you to move in before you hire a moving agency. In that way, you will know with how much space you can work with, and start downsizing if necessary.

Before Your NYC Move – Downsize!

One thing is for sure, New York City is extremely expensive. Rents are high, and, houses are nowhere to be found, and you will probably end up living in a small apartment. So, prepare for that! Downsize before your NYC move. Get rid of all the junk that is laying around. You did not come here to live with your stuff, but to pursue your dreams. You will not spend that much time indoors anyway. So, before the moving company comes to put your boxes into a moving truck, make sure to have a small amount of them. Do not be over sentimental with your belongings. Things are replaceable. Pack only what is necessary and what has sentimental value. And, things that are left, you can either sell online, organize a yard sale, donate or throw away.

a room full of boxes
When living in New York, you will have to learn to live with less. But, do not worry, you will not miss material things at all.

Pack Properly and Look for Storage

Professional movers use high-quality packing supplies. Their plastic packing supplies are eco-friendly and they also make your items completely safe. Moreover, they do all the packing for you. However, if you decide to save some money and do all the packing by yourself, you will need to start preparing for it at least a week early.

Try to find moving supplies like cardboard boxes and plastic bins in your local hardware store or stationery shop. Remember to buy moving blankets, packing peanuts, tape, and scissors. Capital City Bins can provide all of the above and more! Then, start packing each room at the time. Moreover, it is quite possible that your New York City apartment will be too small. So, if you have a lot of stuff that you do not want to get rid of, consider putting them in a storage facility nearby. NYC has a lot of options when it comes to storage, so it should not be hard to find one.

Fine art handling – tips and tricks

They say that the transportation of fine art, antiques, and valuable furnishings is in itself an art. For most people, the artwork they own is very special to them. Not only because they are expensive and valuable but because of the beauty they bring to their home. If you are moving to another city, country, or just another house, learning how to move art and other valuable and fragile items is an important part of the moving process. It is important to do research – proper preparation is the key to fine art handling when moving. Keep on reading if you are interested in all the tips and tricks for fine art handling.

Hire Professionals

When it comes to fine art handling, be careful. It is a very delicate job that must be taken seriously. Some of your art may be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. So, do not trust just anybody to relocate it for you. However, not all moving companies are the same. You will need to find professionals who specialize in fine art handling. Go online and do some researching on how to evaluate fine art movers. When you are moving something special like this, it is not a time to cut corners. You will regret in the end. So, do not think much and let professionals handle your art collection when moving.

A truck to do the fine art handling.
In situations like this, just call the professionals. You will not have to worry about packing materials and safety. Moving companies will do the job fo you.

Do Some Researching

As previously mentioned, companies like DA Moving NYC can do all the work for you. You will not have to lift a finger. However, if you are looking for some DIY moving tips and trick, we got you covered as well:

  • Do not try to cut corners and save some money – this is the time to go all out.
  • Use proper packing materials (never use newspaper to pack your art, because you might damage it). Instead, use reinforced boxes specially designed for artwork.
  • Pay attention to the temperature – some types of art can get destroyed if they come in contact with extremely low or hot temperatures.
  • Bigger is better – try to use much larger boxes when packing art. In this way, you can use enough bubble wrap to wrap your items.
A very expensive bowl
Moving fine art and expensive furniture is not as simple as moving a few random boxes. This type or relocation requires special care and attention. If you want to do it right, hire professional movers.

Packing Paintings with Glass

If, however, you think that you can tackle this job by yourself, you will need to purchase quality packing materials. Before putting paintings with glass into the box put masking tape across the glass. The “X” pattern works best in these cases. You should also cover the glass with a thick piece of cardboard to protect it. You can also use a foam sheet. After that, wrap the entire picture with bubble wrap.

Pack separately – never put two painting together. Fill the extra space in the box with shredded paper. Remember to secure the outer part of the box with extra tape.

Packing Oil Paintings

This can be tricky since oil paintings require special care in order not to damage their surface. If the painting is too large and very valuable, it is best to have a custom built crate made for this item. This will provide the best protection. However, if you do not want to order a special crate, buy a lot of packing materials.You should try to find wax paper, designed especially for the protection of oil paintings. After that, use the bubble wrap. You can also try to create a styrofoam crate. This will provide more safety.

An oil painting
Some oil paintings require special temperature. So, try to talk to professionals about climate-controlled environment to protect the pigments. Fine art handling can is best done by specialized professionals .

Packing Sculptures and Figurines

And now, the hardest part. Packing things like fine china, crystal, and other fragile items can be a nightmare. At least, consider having your moving company handle this one for you. However, if you are determined to this yourself, remember to use special boxes and be very gentle. Wrap each figurine with bubble wrap. Do not try to cut corners with this one. Wrap each piece many times. Purchase specialized boxes for fine art form your mover. As with paintings, you should fill inside of the box with shredded paper. Secure every box with large amounts of duck tape.

China plates
Packing plates really does require fine art handling. Always pack plates on their end, never place them flat.

When the Moving is Complete

So, the moving process is finally over and you are starting to unpack. Let the movers unload trucks for you. After unloading is completed, check each and every piece of art. Carefully open the boxes and examine everything. If some of the boxes or items are missing, immediately notify your mover. Also, accidents happen. Things as delicate as fine art can easily get damaged. So, you should consider having insurance for these kinds of things. If something does get damaged, talk to your movers about it before signing the receipt. Whatever happens, do not get too stressed out. Everything can be fixed.

Fine Art Handling – Conclusion

We covered most of the important things when it comes to fine art handling. It is up to you whether you want to do this by yourself or let professionals do this for you. If you are moving to New York, there are many people who specialize in this kind of relocation processes. Also, consider Queens when moving to NY City, it is much cheaper, and you can get more for your money. There, you can buy bigger houses or flats where you can show your art. But if your move is not local, do detailed research. Find what is best for your possessions. Whatever you decide, get insurance. Good luck!

Local moving tips

Moving is one of the most demanding projects you will ever have. It takes a lot of time, money, planning, and dedication to organize everything and move without problems. But, moving can be fun and exciting as well. There is no need to stress about it, especially if you start preparations on time. Important to realize is that not all relocations are the same. For instance, local moving is one of the most common relocation types, and it doesn’t take that much time to complete it successfully. And today we are going to share a lot of useful local moving tips, that you can use to ease your upcoming relocation. Keep in mind that proper planning and organization are essential for a successful move.

a man writing
Make thorough research before moving

Make a good moving plan

One of the most important parts of local moving is making a good moving plan. As there are many things you need to cover, you will need to organize yourself and prepare everything. In order to do that, you will need to make a thorough research. Relocation is a demanding project, and you need to be aware of all details prior to making a plan. Luckily, there is much useful advice on the internet you can find. Additionally, if you know someone who moved recently, make sure you ask them for advice.

Once you finish research, it is time for conducting the local moving plan. The first thing you need to realize is that you will have to write down everything. It is not that someone is doubting your remembering skills, but there are a lot of information and details. And, as there is no place for mistakes, you will need to have everything written down. Always keep your plan close, and check if you are following it from time to time. here are some of the things your moving plan should cover:

  • Moving preparation
  • Paperwork
  • Moving budget
  • Hiring a reliable local moving company
  • Moving day
  • Post-moving activities

Keep in mind that you will have to deal with moving stress. In order to avoid unpredicted situations, always double check everything. If you are not sure about some part of the relocation, consult with your movers. As they have a lot of experience with a similar undertaking, they will be able to provide useful guidelines.

Think about your moving budget

As mentioned before, moving is an expensive undertaking. Even though you are moving locally, you will need to have a certain budget for it. Moving expenses can be pretty high, and you can’t allow sudden changes or unplanned expenses. Therefore, you should conduct a moving budget and decided on how much money you can spend on above-mentioned moving activities. In order to make a proper calculation, try to find usual moving expenses during local moving research. There can be your guidelines and help you make good decisions and proper moving budget. Keep in mind that you should be a bit flexible, and have at least 10 to 20 percent more money in your pocket comparing to a final figure on the paper. Sometimes a situation that has to be covered with some money occur, and you need to be prepared for such. You can’t allow stops while relocating.

a calculator
Calculate costs in advance

Find a reliable local moving company

One of the biggest tasks you’ll have when preparing a local moving is to find a good, reliable, and experienced movers. As the moving industry is getting bigger every day, the offer of moving services is enormous. Important to realize is that not all moving companies are good. And not just that some do not have enough experience, but there are fraudulent activities some companies are trying to pull in order to steal your money. Luckily, these scammers are not hard to recognize. All you need to do is to know questions you must ask your mover in order to check its expertise.

The first thing you need to check is that your movers have an active moving license. This is proof that they are doing their job legally. It is a first thing every decent moving company must have before start advertising their services. Next, a moving company you hire should have moving insurance. This is the best way for you to be sure that nothing will surprise you during the move. Even if something gets broken or damaged, you’ll get the compensation that will cover your loss. Finally, check the reputation of your movers. If they have enough experience, their previous clients will leave positive feedback on movers’ website or somewhere on the internet. In case you know someone who used moving services in the past, ask them to recommend you some good moving company.

Check everything twice

a checklist
Make sure not to forget something important

As you can see, there are a lot of things you need to cover. Local moving isn’t that complicated, but it is not you should take for granted as well. Therefore, start on time, and make sure you plan every detail. Do not forget to make a watertight moving plan that will help you track the progress. That is the best way for you to be sure that you did not forget anything. Even the smallest mistake could cost you a lot, and additional expenses are not something you need during the move. Remember to make a thorough research and find a good moving company for this project. There are things you can’t be cheap about, and hiring good movers is one of them. Do not take any risks – better safe than sorry. And that is it. Now you can start with research and other preparations.

How to deal with moving stress

Life changing decision such as moving is never easy to process. It doesn’t help that the relocation process is so demanding and stressful. While it can be very overwhelming, there are a lot of effective ways that can help you deal with moving stress. When you take the edge off, you can actually start to enjoy the moment and look at the move in a positive and rewarding experience. Continue reading “How to deal with moving stress”