Broke & Need to Move? Learn Some Tips that Can Save You Money

Moving to a new home is not an easy task. It requires a great deal of effort, money and your precious time. There are certain cases when it becomes difficult for you to make the move by yourself and your friends can certainly help you with the task. Here are a few instances when you can ask your friends to assist you with the hectic task of moving:

When You Are Tied Down By Budget Constraints

Jacksonvillle Moving Companies can be a blessing in transporting your belongings from one place to the other and some even offer packing services to further assist you in the burden of moving. But what do you do when you’re tied down by budget constraints and hiring the services of a moving company may present a welcome luxury you cannot afford? You can turn to your friends for help!

When moving companies are charging costs that are too high for your budget, it is a fitting solution to ask your friends for some much needed help. With the assistance of your friends, you can assure your move is done smoothly, but make sure you ask them way in advance so that they can confirm their availability and you know for certain that you will indeed by receiving the help you asked for.

When You Live Alone or Are A Single Parent

Whether you live by yourself or are a single parent, clearly one person cannot handle a move on their own. If your budget is sufficient to hire movers, do so, if not, you will need to seek the assistance of around three to four friends to help you complete the difficult task of having your belongings transported to your new home.

You should try to do the cleaning and packing on your own, but if you think you could speed things up with some help, then don’t hesitate to ask for their help. After all, they are your friends and will help you in any way they can.

Here are a few protocols you should keep in mind when you ask your friends to help with your move:

1. §  You must make sure you ask for their help a few days before your moving date and not at the very last minute.
2. §  They are your friends, not a hiring company. So be sure to provide refreshments and some mode of transportation so that they have some incentive for helping you.
3. §  Avoiding shouting out orders at your friends. Try to make your moving day as fun and engaging as you can.
4. §  When the move has been completed, treat your friends to an amazing home cooked meal and free drinks at your new residence, or at a nice restaurant as a way of saying thank you and being appreciative of their hard work and effort.

You can ask your friends to help you move if you find yourself stuck in any of the two situations mentioned above. Hopefully you’ll get the assistance you need and will be able to enjoy the company of your friends while you move to your new home.

In the event you have unreliable friends, turn to the expert movers at Royal Moving and Storage. We have been local Movers in Jacksonville for over 30 years. We specialize in residential, commercial, apartment and relocation services throughout northeast FL. Call us today for a free estimate (904) 724-6683.

Tips to Childproof Your Move

Moving is strenuous. But try moving with little kids- stress takes on a whole new meaning when you do that. The safety and care of kids when you are making your big move is of utmost importance.

Here is how you can childproof your move for your own peace of mind:

Keeping Kids Occupied

If you have kids around when you are making arrangements, then a great way to childproof your move would be to ensure that they remain busy. Bored children are often the ones getting restless and boisterous. This could make you lose your mind trying to keep them out of harm’s way. The idea is to keep them occupied with some activity. So make sure you have a bag with coloring books and crayons to help keep them occupied. If your child loves to play on your IPad, IPhone or handheld game console then set them up so they can entertain themselves while you get things done.

Scheduling Intelligently

Packing with kids roaming about the house is an arduous task. So how can you really make you packing attempts worthwhile and less time consuming? It is simple really; you schedule the activities when your kids are not at home, that is, when they are either at schools or their swimming or music class etc. If for some reason this is not possible, consider asking a friend or close relatives to babysit your children for a couple of hours.

Making Use of Baby Gates

Baby gates help in securing the premises. Install them at the entrances of kitchen and other rooms. Secure the stairways with them too. The gates will prevent the toddlers and little kids from escaping when the doors are open.

Cautiously Placing Heavy Items

Heavy items such as television sets and personal computers must be wrapped up neatly and placed closer to the walls to avoid causing accident. Heavier objects must be kept at the bottom whenever you are stacking them one on top of another for additional security.

Keeping the Hazardous Items Locked

Firstly, get done with all of the dangerous items like tools, objects with sharp protrusions, toxic cleaning supplies and medications. Wrap them up and pack them away, securing the bags or cardboard boxes firmly with tape. Keep all such things locked away in a relatively secluded region of the house, like the garage or the highest portions of cabinets so that these hazardous objects are away from the reach of your children.

Childproofing the New House

If the new home is closer to the old one, it would be a good idea to visit a few days before you make the move and childproof the premises as best as you can in the time available. This includes covering all visible and reachable electrical power outlets and making use of baby gates to detain kids from entering out of bound zones. By acting upon this advice, you will undergo a hassle free moving process on the day of the move.

To make your life even easier call the professionals at Royal Moving and Storage for all of your moving needs. We understand moving with children can be extremely difficult which is why we offer packing and unpacking services. If you are in need of a professional residential mover call us today (904) 724-6683. 

Is It Better To Move Before Or After Having A Baby?

Is your family expanding and you are looking forward to the next big move? But you might ask yourself, is it better to move before or after having a baby? Some people believe that moving homes postpartum is better than before having a baby.

Well, both options have their pros and cons, so we decided to present you with an objective overview. Read on to see both sides of the picture and make the best decision for yourself and your family.

Pros of Moving Before Having A Baby

Availability for Open Houses

Since the baby has not yet been born, it means that you are not occupied with changing soiled diapers and you do not have to compromise on baby nap time. So shifting to a new home is relatively easier when you can make yourself available for open houses and your mind does not keep on fluttering back to your baby’s nursing or nap time and you have a lot of time to make a judicious decision.

Ample time for Bonding

Since moving takes up a lot of you energy, you will not really be able to give the necessary time to your newborn child if you shift after the delivery. Moving before the delivery will give you ample time to bond with your child and your family in a better way as there is no hassle of packing cartons and wrapping items.

Making Use of the Nesting Instincts

Generally, the third trimester is when a mother starts nesting. Shifting when the nesting impulse is strongest might be a great idea for you will be on your toes to do everything in your power to make the environment comfortable, safe and secure for your new child. Once you have settled in your new home before having the baby, you can invest time to make your home comfortable and secure by leveraging your motherly instincts.

Post Natal Recovery Time Period

It takes time to get back on your feet after having a child. Worse still, if you had a C-section, you may forget the entire idea of getting organized in your new home until you have fully recovered.

Saving Money

You do not have to procure all of the baby’s furniture and then take it to the new house, or transport the gifts received at baby shower; so you obviously save a lot of money on transportation.

Pros of Moving After Having A Baby

Packing is Simple

After having your newborn, you more than likely have lost a good amount of weight and can see your toes again. Stuff that appeared challenging previously now becomes just as easy as a flick of a finger. With the baby slings, you can take your baby along on the packing chores, especially between naps.

Understand Your Needs

Now that you have spent some more time with your baby, you might have gotten some clarity as to what sort of a home you want your child to grow up in. Maybe you want a house with a bigger nursery or backyard.

Whether moving before your child is born or after, let Royal Moving and Storage make your next move a breeze. Call the trusted moversJacksonville residents have relied on for over 30 years. 

How to Move Your Pool Table the Right Way

Moving a pool table is one of the most strenuous chores that you may have to do as it consumes a lot of energy and effort. Moving pool tables requires a lot of muscle strength, so it is advised to get professional assistance when moving pool tables. They are quite wide and bulky, yet delicate. Even a minor damage could cause hundreds of dollars in repairs.  Moving the pool table around the house is still simpler (you can make use of dollies) than moving it to an entirely new location. To find out the right way to move a pool table, read this blog.

Moving the Pool Table to another Establishment

Pull the Table Apart

The right way to move the pool table to another location is to dismantle it. It is a foolish idea to move the pool table to another location in one piece. You must follow this method of pulling it apart even if you just want to move the pool table upstairs.

Label

Before you begin disassembling, it  would be a great idea to label all nuts and bolts, for there could be a mix up, or worse – they could be lost.  And you really don’t want all that extra fuss that comes with finding the exact same hardware fasteners.  

Get the Tools

You will need to get these tools:

·        Flathead screw driver

·        Staple remover

·        Socket wench

·        Power drill

·        Goggles for safety purposes

Follow the instructions for dismantling and read through the guide.

Remove the Staples

Begin with removing the staple. This is required so that you can unfasten the side pockets of the pool table. It is possible that the pockets for the pool ball are not stapled in but fastened with screws, so you may need to use the screwdrivers at this stage as well. 

Handling the Bolts

If there are bolts present, then make sure that you make use of the socket wrench to hold the rails into position while you take off the bolts. Only then go on to remove each rail. Make sure there is somebody else to assist you with the task, especially if the rails are connected to the corners – for you will have to flip it over to remove them.

Take off the Felt

The most complicated part of dismantling the pool table is to take off the felt. Removing it ensures that it does not get damaged during the movement. Carefully remove the staples from the felt.

Removing the Slate

Make use of the power drill to take the screws away from the slate. You will require a lot of assistance when you are doing this. Pull the frame out and wrap it with caution. Take it to the truck and place it there. Now drape the legs and the rails as well and keep them on top of the main frame. If the slate gets damaged, the functionality of the pool table will be affected.

Reassembling the Pool Table

After you have taken all the parts to the new location for your pool table, you will the face the most challenging part – reassembly. The process will go as follows:

1.       Leveling of the slate according to the floor by using shims

2.       Waxing the seams

3.       Adding the felts followed by the rails.

If you want to avoid the headache of moving a pool table call the professional pooltable movers in Jacksonville. Call Royal Moving & Storage today for a free estimate (904) 724-6683.

What to Pack In an Overnight Bag before You Move

You are moving to a new home. If the new place is distant then chances are that you might have to stay the night at a friend’s place or at a hotel. Even if you will not be making unnecessary stops, chances are that you will be extremely exhausted to unpack and rummage through your bags looking for an important item. So you need to have an overnight bag prepared before you make the journey and keep it securely in the car. Apart from a set of clothes, here are a few things that you must pack in an overnight bag to make your move trouble free:

Important Personal Documents

You should not pack away your personal documentation on a truck. In fact, you should keep your ID card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, licenses, academic transcripts, tax statements, passport, bank statements, real estate documents, medical records and bills with you to avoid the risk of misplacing or damaging them.

Cash, Credit and Debit Cards

Keeping money in a box that you intend to pack away on a moving truck is a bad idea. You should keep your debit and credit cards along with any ready cash in your wallets. This avoids any safety concerns during the transportation of luggage and also allows you to easily procure the supplies while you are on your way to your destination.

Toiletries and Cleaning Supplies

Keep your daily toiletries with you. This may include toothbrushes and toothpastes, perfumes, make-up, shaving-kit, deodorant, sanitizer and soap. Also pack a few cleaning supplies like napkins. You may want to keep some disposable plates and cutlery with you if you are planning to eat at home as you wouldn’t like to rip away the tape from the cardboard boxes searching for cutlery at your new home the day you arrive.

Medicines

Keep your supplements and other medications with you in the overnight bag so that you can have them whenever necessary, especially any prescription medications.

Water Bottles and Edible Items

When you are making a long distance move, it is essential that you remain hydrated so keep water bottles with you. Also keep chips and snacks with you especially if you have children.

Jewelry and Other Valuables

Jewelry and valuables like expensive watches and family heirlooms must be kept with you. You must transport them personally. Pack them in your overnight bag even before you initiate packing other items.

Electronic Gadgets

Seriously, we cannot imagine a day without our electronics like cameras, tablets, laptops and mobile phones. It is also important that you keep their chargers with you.

Kid Supplies

When you are making the big move, it is also essential that you keep your kids in mind. Apart from packing their clothes and diapers, don’t forget to keep their favorite teddy bear, books, handheld games, favorite snacks, etc... These little things will keep them occupied and entertained. When your kids are surrounded by familiar things, they tend to handle a move much better.

As with any move it will be chaotic, however use common sense. Make a list of the most important items you need on a daily basis, or items that need special care prior to the move. Keep and label the items you are taking separate from what your Jacksonville Moving Company will be moving for you.

Pack for several days this way it will give you a little time to get organized within your new home, without rushing to find items or tearing open boxes because you need something right away.

Call Royal Moving and Storage today for you next residential or commercial move (904) 724-6683.

Things to Look For When Comparing Moving Companies

Before hiring a moving company in Jacksonville, it is best to go through some considerations to form the basis of a comparison with a few moving companies to ensure that you are hiring a company that is reliable, reputable and one that will ensure the safety and security of your belongings. Following are some considerations that will help you in deciding the moving company that is best for you in terms of safety, security and reliability:

Price

A price comparison is essential so that you can discover the moving company whose price rates are a perfect fit in accordance with your budget and affordability. A company with skyrocketing prices is quite obviously overcharging you while a company charging too low is doubtful and most likely a scamming trap. A company charging average price rates is a safe option and probably one you should go for, especially if the charges of others are too high or too low.

Reviews, Testimonials, and Experience

Feedback in the form of customer reviews and testimonials matters a great deal. They display the level of satisfaction and the nature of the experience customers had with these companies when their services were hired. If there is limited information online, you can ask moving companies to provide you with customer references and testimonials themselves.

Also, if you know someone who has hired moving company services before, you can ask them about their experience and the company they hired. The experience level of a company is showcased in the number of successful moves they have accomplished and the number of years they’ve been in the moving business. If these two aspects are strong, you know the company is one you can rely on and one that will ensure the smooth success of your own move.

Service

Service requires the manner adopted by companies when it comes to moving your belongings in terms of the nature and state of the belongings. It also refers to time they take to respond to your queries, their availability and the condition of the vehicles they use for transporting your belongings from your old home to your new location. If storage is required for moves at longer distance, you need to check the type of storage options they offer as well. A company that maintains good standards for such things will definitely be a good hiring choice.

Registration and Insurance

In terms of damage to your belongings, the liability of a moving company extends out to the insurance you have for your possessions. This is known as valuation and is declared either on the weight of your belongings into the amount paid for them, the item costs, or on the entire value payable for replacement and repairs. Make sure you know the type of insurance offered by moving companies as it will impact your recovery amount in the event of any damage.

Packing Supply

Some moving companies also offer the services of having your belongings packed for you. If this is the case, you should inquire the packing methods they adopt, especially for valuable and fragile items and also the furniture. Bubble wrapping fragile and delicate items will protect them from breakage and secure and sealed boxes are another essential.

Before hiring a moving company, it’s best to make a comparison on the basis of the considerations mentioned above so you know the company you are hiring is dependable and efficient at the same time. 

How to Protect Your Furniture When Moving

When you are moving to a new house, your belongings need to be packed in a proper manner so that they can be protected from any damage and harm and arrive at the new location in a safe manner, in the same state they were packed in. Here are a few tips on how you can ensure the protection of your furniture while moving:

Cleaning

Before packing your furniture, you need to dust and clean it thoroughly because if furniture is packed without being cleaned, debris and dust can cause scratches which could be a threat to the cosmetic appeal of the furniture pieces and can also lead to further damage and decay.

Dismantling

If a few pieces of your furniture can be dismantled, like beds and chairs with removable legs, then it would be best to do so. When your furniture is dismantled, you can transport it to the location in a much safer manner and will also save a lot of space and will not be as heavy.

Wrapping

Even when your furniture is in a dismantled state, it needs to be wrapped in a secure manner to protect it from damage such as scratches, tears, dents, and breakage. Bubble wrapping is useful in protecting wooden pieces that are fragile and delicate and also for securing mirrors and table tops made of glass. Sofa covers and plastic wraps are useful in the protection of upholstered items or leather. You can also make use of blankets and towels to secure your furniture pieces, especially the ones that have sharp ends.

Placement

After all of your furniture has been safely packed and wrapped, it’s time to safely place it either in transportation vehicles that are responsible for carrying them to their new destination or having the pieces stored until the day of the actual move. If your furniture is to be stored, it’s best to properly cover the items to keep them safe from dust, and furniture dollies can be used to transport large or heavy items into trucks. Moving companies in Jacksonville excel in this department and can complete the process with much more ease and efficiency.

You can use the tips mentioned above to protect your furniture during your move, but it’s always best to leave it to the experts who know the exact precautions needed to protect your furniture from damage during a move. Hiring a moving company will add to your moving costs, but it will surely save you time, a whole load of effort, and repair expenditures that could potentially arise in case you damage your furniture while trying to move it yourself.