Moving Tips
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Moving Tips
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the more of the work you perform on your move, the less the move will cost you. Here are a few tips to help you do as much or as little by yourself as you choose.
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Moving can be broken down into these basic stages: Packing, Loading, Driving, and Unloading. Often you can rent a truck and hire all of these elements out to professionals and still realize significant savings. It’s not unlike building a home and being your own general contractor. You don’t have to do the work yourself, you just have to organize the players. It’s actually not that hard; feel free to call us at 573-348-5152 if you have any questions.
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The next easy way to save money once you’ve rented your own truck is to drive it yourself. You can have professionals load and unload the truck, and all you have to do is pack the boxes and drive the truck. Depending on the size and distance of your move, you could save yourself thousands of dollars!
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The rest of this page will focus on packing. Many people prefer to do this themselves as it saves money, and it allows you to organize your effects at the same time. Here are a list of things that will help you pack efficiently and securely:
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Have packing materials on hand: packing paper, tape bubble wrap, markers, and lots and LOTS of boxes. Keep them in a centralized location – that means when you are finished with the tape and markers, you put them back in the centralized location. You will save a lot of time by avoiding having to hunt and search for the items you need or having to run to the store for new ones. Estimate what you think you need and double it. Fewer trips to the store for more supplies translates into more efficient packing. Unused items can be returned after you are completely packed.
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Pack your boxes with items going to the same destination. You’ll save yourself time and frustration when unpacking by having items delivered to the room in which they belong.
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If you have property going to various sites, have the boxes stacked accordingly. The more organized you are on the front end, the less stress you’ll have on move day. You’ll also avoid wasted labor, which is especially good if you’re paying for it!
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Hazardous materials shouldn’t be packed. Items such as cleaning chemicals, gasoline, propane, ammunition, and solvents are against the law for most household movers to transport.
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When you find yourself stumped on whether you want to take something, put it aside in a “Decide Later” pile. Keep moving, without breaking your stride. Towards the end of the project, you can address the pile with a different mindset.
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Label your boxes clearly enough that you’ll know what’s in them and so that helpers know where the boxes should be placed. Keep in mind though that marking boxes too specifically might invite theft. “Kitchen Items” is a much safer description than “Silverware.”
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Set aside items that you should take in your car – items of sentimental value, items that are extremely fragile or delicate, items of significant value, etc.
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Be sure to mark boxes with warnings like “This Side Up” or “Fragile” or “Open First.”
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Use sturdy trash bags for soft goods such as linens and pillows. They can be stacked on top of the load.
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Buy bags for your mattresses and box springs. They’ll protect them from soiling.
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Amerigo offers wardrobe boxes for the day of the move at no cost. Load your shoes, sweaters, or other closet items in the bottom, and then put your hanging items on the support bar. We’ll bring the wardrobe boxes the day of the move, and you can pack them as the truck is being loaded. Then, you can unpack them as the truck is being unloaded. We’ll take the emptied wardrobe boxes with us, and you won’t be charged.
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Amerigo also offers thick, double-walled dishpack boxes for your kitchen items. These sturdy boxes can hold up to the weight of the load while still protecting the contents. They are also useful for stereo equipment, televisions, and computers.
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Don’t pack items that may be damaged by the heat of the truck such as DVDs, CDs, video tapes, and candles.