Is your Moving Day Approaching?

Moving Terms You Should Know

When you’re planning a move, there are a lot of things that you need to consider, most importantly what moving company you are going to use. However, something my customers aren’t always aware of is that movers have their own language, with terms that may be confusing to laymen. Because communication is important when you’re planning a move, I’d like to explain a few of the commonly used moving terms that you should be aware. Read on to learn some moving terms you can expect to hear when you’re working with movers Kamloops.

Bill of Lading

One of the terms I’ve seen many of my customers stumble over is “bill of lading”. The reason for this struggle is that “bill of lading” is a leftover term from the days when moving was primarily done on the high seas. The term lading actually means “to put cargo on a ship.” In modern moving, however, the term has a slightly different meaning.

A bill of lading now refers to the document that movers such as myself use to track what is being moved. It lists everything that has been loaded onto the truck and, in theory, should be everything that will eventually make it to your new home.

I tell all my customers to make sure that you read over and understand your bill of lading so that you know exactly what is being moved and what their movers are responsible for.

Dunnage

Dunnage is yet another moving term that dates back old sea days. Dunnage is what was used on a ship to protect the cargo from all of the things that salty water could do to them.

These days, I and other movers use dunnage to refer to things like padding, shipping blankets and even the filler material that is put into your boxes to serve as padding.

PBO

To make documentation easier, movers like me tend to right things in shorthand, including reference to moving insurance. During the course of your move, you may see the term PBO written on certain items. PBO simply means packed by owner. In many cases anything that was packed by the owner will not be covered by mover’s insurance, but you should be sure to ask me or any other movers to be sure.

CP is another shorthand term that means carrier packed. These items are typically covered by insurance. Make sure to look over anything that has been marked PBO to ensure they were actually packed by you and are not subject to damage coverage.

Consignor

This is a fancy term for the shipper. In legal terms the consignor is the person who is doing the sending. They are shipping to the consignee. In most cases that is going to be you.

Remember to keep these terms straight so you know who is sending and who is receiving!

Binding Estimate

A binding estimate is the kind of estimate that you want. When I give a binding estimate it means that this is your guaranteed final moving price.

Unless specifically designated, it’s important to remember that all estimates are not binding. This means that they could change based on additional weight loaded into the truck or other considerations. You may find yourself paying more if you have a non-binding estimate.

Hire Trusted Movers Kamloops

If you’re looking for movers in Kamloops you can trust, then you can partner with me and the rest of the team at Pioneer Moving. We’ll move your items safely, securely and at a price you can trust. Contact us today!

Speed up your Packing and Unpacking with the KonMari Method

We have all heard the phrase “cluttered desk, cluttered mind.” Simply put, if you have an untidy workspace (or car or home), you are more likely to have other parts of your life in disarray, such as your schedule, a relationship or even your finances. Self-help gurus have, for decades, been espousing the virtues of living a clutter-free life, as this simple step will snowball into other areas of your life, making it more streamlined and efficient all around. Japanese writer and consultant Marie Kondo has developed a unique and intriguing system that helps you to declutter your life that she calls the KonMari Method.

In this article, we will explore how the KonMari Method can help speed up the packing process for your move. Contact Pioneer Moving & Storage, your Kamloops movers, today!

What Exactly is the KonMari Method?

While most self-help writers will advise you to get rid of the clutter by looking at what you have and deciding what it is that you don’t need, the KonMari Method advises you to take stock in your possessions and rate which truly “spark joy” in your life. By only holding on to the things dearest to you, you will find you are surrounded by peace and happiness. This method promotes a positive energy and attitude towards cleaning out your clutter, as opposed to getting rid of your belongings out of an air of distaste or unused.

The Process

Marie Kondo advises a five-step method that must be strictly adhered to in order to gain the maximum benefit. The five-step method includes sorting through:

Clothing
Books
Papers
Miscellany
Sentimental Items

By starting with your clothing, and moving closer to the things that you will naturally cherish the most, you take a gradual approach to breaking any unnecessary hold you have (or it has on you). By the time you have gone through clothing, books, papers and random items, it will become easier and easier to part with more of your belongings, even some of the more personal effects. By the time you are through, you can look around your home and see only those items that mean the most to you.

The KonMari Method and Moving

An impending move often means having to make some decisions on what needs to stay and what can be thrown away or given to charity. There is no better time to go through a cleansing process like the KonMari Method than this. It is recommended that you go through the KonMari process all at once, which is how most people pack. If you take the time to value your possessions as you go, you will find that your move will become lighter and your unpacking process that much easier.

Pioneer Moving & Storage, Your Kamloops Movers

If you have the need for Kamloops movers in your area, Pioneer Moving is the place for you. We offer professional moving services for both local and long-distance moves, even internationally.

Countdown To the Big Day

Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, the final weeks leading up to the big day can be hectic. Simplify the process by sticking to a checklist to ensure that you don’t forget anything, from switching off your utilities to moving your pet. If you need professional assistance, be sure to consult the experienced movers Kamloops.

Four Weeks to Go

Gather packing supplies like boxes and packing tape.
Pack up items you won’t need over the next month like books, out-of-season clothes and anything stored in your attic or garage.
Reserve a moving truck if you’re moving everything yourself, or contact your moving company to confirm that you’re still on their books.
Gather copies of your personal records like medical and dental records, passports and birth certificates.
Make arrangements to transfer your children’s school records.
Fill out change of address cards online or at the post office for credit card companies, employers, your car registration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, insurance companies, social security, magazine subscriptions and your bank. Don’t forget to notify your friends and family of your change of address too.

Three Weeks to Go

Make sure utilities are ready to go at your new place of residence, including your gas, electricity, water, cable, internet and telephone service.
Arrange for these same utilities at your current residence to be shut off after you move.
Schedule a pet sitter or a babysitter for moving day if necessary.
Begin packing up certain rooms and objects that aren’t heavily used.

Two Weeks to Go

Plan to move your houseplants, since moving companies generally won’t move plants.
Cancel your newspaper delivery.
Make arrangements for moving your pets.
Get rid of anything that you don’t want to take with you or that you’re not allowed to move like propane and gasoline.
Request refills for all your prescriptions, and transfer your prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new residence.
Continue packing non-essential items, and begin disassembling shelving and storage units that you are taking with you.

One Week Until Your Big Move!

Pack everything else in labeled boxes specifying what’s in the box and where to put the boxes in your new home.
Set aside items you need like toiletries and necessary clothing to pack in a suitcase that you can keep with you.
If you hired movers, make sure that they know what they need to pack and what you want to pack on your own.
Open your new bank accounts where you plan to move.
Defrost the freezer and fridge two days prior to moving day.
Before you head out on the big day, recheck every room to make sure you didn’t leave anything behind. Close every window, turn off every light and lock your door behind you.

Contact Movers Kamloops

The professional and experienced movers Kamloops can ease the burdens of your move. We’ve been helping people move locally within the Kamloops, BC area and over long distances since 2000. Contact us at Pioneer Moving today to see what we can do for you.

Protecting your Floors and Walls

Now that it is moving day, there are some steps we need to take to make sure that the house we are moving from and the new house is protected.

One of the most overlooked parts of any move is protecting your walls, furniture and flooring. If any of these items or fixtures are damaged or broken during the move, your moving costs will quickly escalate. As the premier movers in Kamloops, here are some tips on how to protect your floors and carpeting during the move.

Do Not Drag Heavy Items

This may be more common sense than a tip, but most floors are damaged, scratched or broken because heavy items are dragged or dropped on the flooring. If you are moving large or cumbersome items, use a dolly with wheels or use rubber sliders.

You can also use a professional moving company that has experience moving heavy furniture and can maneuver these items through your house without damaging or scratching the floors.

Furniture Blankets

Cover furniture with a thick blanket. This will act as a buffer against any sharp edges that may come in contact with your walls during the moving process. The furniture blanket will also act as a barrier between heavy items and the floor, in case of an accidental drop.

Reinforce all Boxes

When you are packing up items in boxes, it is so important to not over pack them. Make sure that all boxes are:

Light enough that they can be easily moved and carried up and down stairs.
Sturdy and intact – do not use boxes that are torn or have been damaged as they may fall apart at the worst time causing unforeseen damage to contents and floors or walls.
As an added precaution, reinforce your moving boxes with packing tape. This added protection will prevent any unwanted spills from occurring.

Dolly’s and Sliders

Furniture sliders can help you move the heaviest of furniture across any type of flooring without damage. High quality sliders are made of a hard plastic or rubber and minimize the friction between the object and the floor. This will allow you to slide your furniture with ease across even the most delicate of floors.

Rubber wheeled dollies make any move that much easier. Make sure to use a dolly with non-marking rubber wheels, so you can wheel out the heaviest of items without any worry about damaging or leaving scuffs on your floors.

The Right Moving Company

The best way to ensure a damage and stress-free move is to hire professional movers. Well-trained movers know how to avoid damaging floors or walls and have the knowledge and skills to effectively and efficiently move all your belongings safely.

At Pioneer Moving, we offer competitive pricing and free estimates for your local, provincial and even long-distance moves. We have over 16 years of experience and our attention to detail combined with our professional, friendly customer service have made us Kamloops’ premier moving service. If you would like any more information about our services, please contact us today.

Protecting your Furniture

One of the most expensive investments in your home is your furniture. When you are moving, you want to take it all with you. How can you avoid all the dings, scratches and tears that are waiting to happen as your furniture is moved into your new home?

Here are some tips on how to protect your furniture from damage while you move.

Wrap Everything

If you are afraid of something getting a scratch, wrap it to protect it. Bubble wrap held in place with shrink wrap is a good choice for protecting things from scratches.

If you are in a budget pinch, consider using towels and packing tape. Just remember, when wrapping anything, you do not want the packing tape to contact the surface of what you are trying to protect. Tape sticks and can cause damage when you take it off.

Tie Items Together

If you are packing long thin items like lamps, tie them together with rope after wrapping. If they are tied, you prevent them from shifting around in the moving truck and causing damage to themselves and other items in the truck.

If your lamp stands have sharp edges, make sure to wrap them up. They can damage items nearby.

Use Your Pillows

Couches and chairs that have removable pillows are typically moved without them in place. When you take those pillows off, wrap them up in a trash bag to keep them clean and then use them for padding in your moving truck.

Try to avoid using bed linens, they can be fragile and tear if you are using them as padding. Sturdy blankets can be used if you have them, just be sure to wash them after your move.

Use Cardboard for Pictures and Mirrors

For fragile items like picture frames and mirrors, you may want to protect them with cardboard. Ideally, packing them back in their original boxes is your best option. If you no longer have them, moving companies sell boxes specifically designed to protect picture frames and mirrors.

Another option for packing these things is bubble wrap. Layering bubble wrap over the frame, and using extra to reinforce corners so that they do not poke through the bubble wrap and rip it during the move.

Wrap Up Things That Stick Out

Chairs have arms and legs. Anything that might be sticking out is usually a place that can be banged during a move.

Wrapping them will prevent damage. It will also minimize the damage to other items around them should they shift during transport.

Hire Movers

While it might seem like a smart move to save money and have friends help you, it might surprise you how little local movers can cost. Professional movers know how to get you into your new home without damaging your furniture.

For all of your Kamloops moving needs, contact Pioneer Moving today!

How To Reward your Volunteer Movers

The word reward may conjure up images of buried treasure or a pot of gold but the whole reason that you suckered your friends into helping you move in the first place was to save some precious money and time. While they probably volunteered not expecting to get any monetary compensation, there are little ways that you can reward them for their labor. The interesting thing is that the rewards should start before the move and continue until after the move is done.

Start the Day off Right

Moving isn’t fun. Everyone knows that but they are your friends which is why they are helping. Start by rewarding them with a move that goes smoothly at the beginning.
Make sure that you get started on time and when you told your friends to arrive. If they show up at 8am only to find you still packing boxes for the next two hours then that is not starting the day off right.
On the subject of packing, make sure to pack your boxes correctly; heavy items in small boxes, medium and large boxes for the lighter stuff. You don’t want to injure any of your movers by having boxes that are too heavy for them.
Organize your boxes with labels and by room. That way it is easy to see where things are going to go and how to organize them in the truck.

Keep Things Rolling All Day Long

Your friends are there as volunteers not slave labor. That means that if they see you giving them all of the heavy things that are hard to move while you point, shout orders and carry pillows they are not going to feel much like helping.

Also make sure to compensate them for any gas that they might be using to get to and from the move. A nice gesture might be to pay for their fill up and then give them a gas card on top of it. Nothing can ruin a friendship quicker than being the “friend with the truck” and ending up with an empty gas tank at the end of the day.

Make sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks for your movers. Take frequent breaks to keep everyone hydrated and energy levels up. The longer the move goes and the more tired people get, the more chance there is for an injury.

End the Day Right

Don’t end the day by serving up warm beer and leftover pizza from lunch. Make sure that everyone gets plenty to eat or drink and if you have the time, head out for a quick thank you dinner. Before the day ends make sure to tank everyone personally. They are your friends after all so make sure that they feel your gratitude for their help.

Have Professional Movers in Kamloops do the Job for You!

Why not show your friends how much you care by hiring professional movers in Kamloops at Pioneer Moving! Contact us today for a quote!