You have been busy working on packing up the house and you think you have everything under control until you go into the garage! Packing up the garage can be a little more time consuming than you first think. It’s usually filled with an odd mix of stuff, from lawn mowers to tools to sports equipment and beach chairs. Here are some tips from SMARTBOX for getting your garage equipment ready to move:

Gas-powered Machines
To prepare your gas powered equipment for moving, drain them of all harmful liquids. This includes oil and gas from lawn mowers, weed whackers and chain saws. Remove all attachments and pack these separately in well-protected boxes. Be sure to label them. Purchase protective covers for chain saws and lawn mower blades.
Tools
Gather your tools that are the same length and secure them together using strong plastic tabs or cord. Keep your small tools in the toolbox. For tools that do not fit, use a strong box and pack the items well to ensure they don’t shift during the move. Protect any sharp edges or blades with bubble wrap, or rags before you pack them. If you’re packing sharp-edged tools in a box, make sure you label it.

Are you considering a move over the next year?

Maybe you are making a long distance move in the future, or your house is on the market and you are looking for a larger home in your area. Maybe you are considering temporary storage. Either way, SMARTBOX wants to help you plan. Join the SMARTBOX mailing list today.

We will send you periodic emails with moving tips and coupons. When you are ready to move, we are ready to help. Rest assured, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone.

If you would like to join our mailing list, click here.

SMARTBOX – The smart way to plan a move.

All storage facilities are not created equal. When you are looking to use temporary storage in between moves, for home staging or while you are remodeling, it is important to choose the right storage company.

You may not be an art dealer and have priceless paintings, but the paintings you do own should be kept in a climate controlled storage facility to prevent humidity from ruining the print or the frame. All of your furnishings will benefit from climate controlled storage. Paintings, antiques, prints, and upholstered furniture can easily get damaged when placed in an environment with a high level of humidity. It doesn’t take long for humidity and inconsistent temperatures to ruin your belongings.

With SMARTBOX, our storage containers are made out of durable wood which allow the contents to “breathe”. The combination of good air circulation in your storage container stored within our temperature controlled storage facilities equals well stored and preserved furnishings. Be SMART about storing your valued possessions, choose SMARTBOX temporary storage.

Proper planning is critical when it comes to moving. At SMARTBOX, we have some tips for your next move when it comes to moving furniture. Furniture can take up a lot of room in your SMARTBOX, so there are a few pieces of furniture you should disassemble before moving if possible. You will need a wrench, a screwdriver, and some plastic bags.

Here are some suggested pieces of furniture to take apart in order to move:

Desks – Most desks will break down for easier moving. If so, mark where the screws go as you take them out. Grab your digital camera and take pictures as you take it apart. You can refer to the pictures when you put it back together. Put all the screws and small pieces into a plastic bag and tape them into one of the desk drawers.

Entertainment centers – Large pieces of furniture like entertainment centers can get damaged during moves because of their size. Taking it apart will free up space in your SMARTBOX, make it easier to move and prevent possible damage. You should take a picture of what your entertainment center looks like before you start dismantling it and throughout the process. Mark where the pieces that join together go with tape. Keep all loose pieces in a plastic bag.

Tables – Take the legs off your dining room table if at all possible. This will make it much easier to store in your SMARTBOX. Tape all the legs together, along with the screws so they do not get misplaced during the move.

It can be so frustrating when you first move and you can’t find anything you need. At SMARTBOX, we have the solutions to make your move frustration free. Whether you are making a long distance move or simply moving across town, you can count on us for your moving needs plus smart tips to help you every step of the way.

As you pack, create a priority box for every room of the house. This will be a clearly marked box with the essential items you will need to use within the first 24 – 48 hours of being in your new home. Here are suggestions for packing your kitchen priority box:

Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
Trash bags
Paper towels
Scissors
Coffee maker – don’t forget coffee and filters
Plates, cups, flatware – disposable recommended
Dish detergent
1 Frying pan and spatula
1 saucepan
Salt and pepper
Pet dishes and pet food

It is time to move! At SMARTBOX, our goal is to make your entire moving experience as easy as possible. When it comes time to notify individuals and businesses of your new address, here is a quick list to make sure you don’t forget anyone:

Post office – fill out a change of address form on-line or at the post office
Family members and friends
Power company, phone service – home and cell
Doctor, Dentist, Orthodontist, Pharmacist, Physical Therapist, Chiropractor
Veterinarian
Social Security Administration, Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Passport Office
Schools – get a copy of your children’s transcripts before you move
New employer, previous employer
Banks – savings and checking accounts, mortgage loans, auto loans, home equity loans, IRA’a
Credit card companies
Professional organizations, Alumni organizations, health club
Insurance providers – auto, health, life
IRS – fill out form 8822, Accountant/tax preparer
Maid service, lawn care service, pool service
Child care provider, babysitter(s), pet sitter(s)
House of worship
Magazine subscriptions, newspaper subscriptions