tip

Make a note of your shipment registration number found in the upper right hand corner of your Bill of Lading and keep it with you in case you need to call your mover with questions about your shipment

Preparation and Tips for a Move into Storage

How to Prepare your Items for a Move into Storage

Packing up a house and getting ready for a move is an exciting time, but a busy one.  Something that complicates a move slightly is if you don’t have the room to move all your belongings and need to put some of them in storage.  Don’t worry at all, with a few quick steps, you’ll feel confident about packing your items away for as long as you need.

As the premier movers in Kamloops, I would like to offer the following tips on how to prepare your belongings for storage.

Label Everything

You may think that you will remember exactly what is in each box, as you packed them yourself.  However, when you are looking at a stack of boxes, that you packed six months ago or even last week, I can guarantee you that it will be harder than you think to recall which item is in which box.

Make sure to clearly label everything that is in the box.  And furthermore, we suggest that you label the boxes on the sides and on more than one side so that when the boxes are stacked you will still be able to see what is in each box.  This will be helpful if you need to retrieve an item or remove one box.

Remember:

I always recommend that you do not over pack boxes or make boxes too heavy.  Instead, think about using two smaller boxes for items like books instead of one big box.

Don’t forget to bubble wrap or reinforce all fragile items such as mirrors or glassware.

Finally, properly seal each box and tape both the top and bottom with packing tape.

The Right Way to Pack your Storage Container

Once you have everything packed and properly labelled, it is now time to move these boxes into your storage container.  I suggest finding a storage unit that will accommodate all your belongings as well as a unit that is available for the duration that you will need to store your items.

Here are some of the most important points that I recommend to properly set up your storage container:

  • Put items that you will not need at the back of the storage unit.
  • Stack lighter and fragile items near the top, on top of heavier and more sturdy boxes to prevent damage.
  • Mirrors need to be stored upright.
  • If possible, take all furniture apart and store each piece separately to save space.

Other tips to consider, especially if you are storing your items in an area where moisture is a concern, are you may want to put mothballs in the unit or stack your boxes on raised pallets.

How We Can Help

We are professional movers that offer safe, secure storage for both the long and short term.  If you are looking for storage advice or storage units, give us a call.  I look forward to helping you with your storage needs today.

Self-Storage Mistakes to AvoidBroken Glass

Are you thinking about renting a self-storage unit to help with your next move? Maybe you just need a little room in your home for the time being. No matter the reason, a self-storage unit is a great way to get some extra needed space.

There are some very wrong ways to use a self-storage unit. Here are some common mistakes to avoid if you are planning on renting one of these useful spaces for yourself.

Perishable Items

Your self-storage unit is not a pantry. Storing anything that you can eat in them is generally a very bad idea. Most storage units are not sealed which means that pests can easily get into them. Food items are a great way to attract pests. Once they find a food source, you might find that they have taken up residence in the clothing or furniture that you have stored in your unit. If you need long term food storage, there are much better options. Keep food out of your self-storage unit.

Mystery Boxes

Now you have your storage unit all loaded with the boxes that you needed to clear out. It’s great until you need something in one of those boxes. Will you remember exactly what is in each box, and where you put that box a month from now? What about two or three months from now? Avoid having to search through all of your boxes by carefully labeling them.

Newspaper Wrapping

It might seem like a good idea when you are packing. Newspaper is cheap, readily available and seems to end up everywhere. The biggest problem with newspaper is that it has ink on it. That ink loves to run when it is in an uncontrolled environment.

You really don’t want your wine glasses stained with newspaper ink. While they may come clean, you may also find them permanently ruined. There are plenty of ink-free alternatives like packing paper or bubble wrap for you to use. Stick with those. You will be much happier for it.

Skipping the Insurance

Storage facilities are self-service for a reason. Part of self-storage contracts states that the company that is providing you the space is not responsible for any damages that might occur to your property. This means that if something happens, even if it isn’t your fault, your property might be a total loss. This is why insurance on your storage unit is so important.

Make sure that everything you have in there is covered by your homeowners or an additional rental policy. That way, if the worst does happen, you don’t lose everything.

Tips for Your Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit can be a great way to free up some room in your home or store things for your business. There are some things you may not be aware of doing that could maximize the use of the unit. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your storage unit and keeping your stored items safe.

Use Pallets as the Storage Unit Floor

Outdoor storage units are designed to let the water run away from the walls into floor drains in case something spills. Unfortunately, during heavy rains, snow melts, or even next door spills, water or other liquids can get inside your unit. If this happens, things on the floor can get wet; — unless you use wooden pallets. Pallets are a great way to keep your things up off the floor and out of harm’s way. Sometimes you can even get the pallets for a reduced cost or for free from stores that aren’t using them anymore.

Choose a Sturdy Lock

Most storage unit providers have great security to go along with their rental units. Even with that, you don’t want to choose an inexpensive lock for your unit. Make sure to pick a sturdy lock that can keep your items secure. Also, keep in mind that if you want a lock that can stand up to the weather. Having one that rusts might keep everyone, including you, out of your storage unit.

Can You Deal with Changes in Temperature?

Are the items you are storing sensitive to changes in temperature, or can they survive just fine in the heat and the cold? Ask yourself this question before you rent so you know if you should get a climate-controlled storage facility or not. If you do have items that are more sensitive to temperature swings, you should consider paying extra in order to keep them safe.

Stack Smart

When you rent a storage unit, you pay for how much space you get. You want to make sure that you get enough to keep all of your items without overpaying for space you don’t need. Clever stacking can help you get the most out of the space you choose. Remember to keep the heavy items on the bottom and get lighter as you move up. Also, make sure the bottom boxes can handle the weight!

If you are looking for a storage unit or movers in Kamloops, contact Pioneer Moving for a quote today!

More Information

If you would like more information on storage please see our Storage page or stop by today. We would love to be a positive part of your moving experience.

Keeping Safe During Your Move

Part of being prepared for a move is keeping in mind that safety can be an issue. As the day goes on, people may get tired, mistakes happen and sometimes so do accidents. There are ways to minimize the likelihood of an injury occurring. Keep in mind some of these suggestions for your next move in order to keep everyone, yourself included, safe and free from injury on moving day.

Stretch Out Before You Move

You wouldn’t hit the weights or the tennis court without stretching first, would you? Moving is a strenuous exercise that requires a good majority of the muscles in your body. That is why it is important to stretch out before your move to get your body ready for the activity.

Stretching is a great way to avoid back injuries, muscle pulls, and even more serious tendon or ligament problems. It only takes a few extra minutes, but it could save a trip to the emergency room.

Lift Properly

There is a right way and a wrong way to lift things. While you have probably heard it said more than once, lift with your legs, not your back. If you are bending over to lift something and feel any strain on your back, you are doing it wrong. Push your waist back and bend at the knees more. Then use your legs to push up and lift the load. This will save you from back strain and possible injury as the day goes one. You will never see a professional mover lifting from the back, so neither should you.

Dress for the Occasion

You are going to want to have loose clothing and closed shoes come move day. If you are moving in cooler weather, then you want to have enough layers to keep warm outside, and remove the layers to stay comfortable as you head back inside. Don’t forget to put them back on when you head outside again; that can be the quickest way to catch a cold.

Make sure that the footwear you have on has good gripping soles as well. You are going to want to have sure footing while carrying boxes or furniture. Having slick shoes can end up causing an injury.

Pack the Right Way

Did you fill your large boxes with books? Then you may not have been packing correctly. A good rule of thumb is that a cardboard box can support about 50 pounds of weight. Any more than that, and you risk the box ripping. You also risk injuring anyone carrying those boxes around.

Use small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for bigger but lighter items. If you have packed correctly and kept the weight down, then you have made a very important step in keeping all of your movers safe.

Hire Professional Movers in Kamloops

Of course the best way to prevent injuries is to hire professional movers like Pioneer Moving. Contact us today for an estimate.

How to Make Sure you Get Your Security Deposit Backmovers Kamloops

If you are moving out of an apartment, you may be hearing horror stories from your friends about not getting back their security deposit. The security deposit is one of those tricky items that it takes a steady hand and some preparations in order to fully get back. Never fear: Here are some tricks that you can use to help to ensure that you get a full return of your security deposit.

Damages

One of the most common ways that you lose money from your security deposit is by having them taken out for damages. This means things like holes in the walls, scratched hardwood floors or holes in the carpeting. Anything that is broken that shouldn’t be broken is going to be removed from your security deposit.

The best way to avoid having this money deducted is to do the fixing yourself. Instead of having costly repairs done by your landlord, you can take it upon yourself to fix the stuff that you know is broken. Essentially, when you move out, you want to make sure that the apartment looks exactly the same way it did when you moved in.

Having said that, there are some things that you are not responsible for. This includes normal wear and tear, such as discolored grout, loose handles on drawers or appliances, carpet wear in high traffic areas and nail holes. These are things that are expected to go wrong and therefore not your financial responsibility. If your landlord is taking money from your security deposit for these issues, it may be worth fighting over.

Unpaid Utilities

If you are responsible for some or all of the utility bills in your apartment, then any leftover balances may end up coming out of your security deposit. This can include things like shut-off fees or late charges.

If you are transferring your utilities back to your landlord’s name, make sure to get a transaction receipt for the date that it happens. If this detail is overlooked, you may end up being responsible for paying for utility costs that you did not incur.

A Proper Cleaning

After you have everything moved out, make sure you leave some time to give your apartment a proper cleaning. This means cleaning everything. Walls, door frames, blinds, bathrooms, kitchen appliances and anything else that may have managed to get used or dirty in the time that you were there.

Failing to clean up properly will mean that your landlord is going to need to hire a cleaning service to do it. Those do not come cheap, especially when compared to the cost of a carpet steamer rental from a local grocery store. Be particularly careful about getting pet smells out if you own pets. This can sometimes lead to costly cleaning charges that come directly out of your security deposit.

For help moving short or long distances, make sure to contact Pioneer Moving for a free quote today!

Professional Movers or Volunteers?Professional moving boxes

So it is time to move. There are a lot of costs that are involved with moving that might have you considering getting your friends to help you move instead of hiring professional movers. Even if you have a volunteer workforce there are costs involved. So what is the best option? While there is no easy answer here are some things to keep in mind when you are deciding.

How Far are You Moving?

Friends are great for a move across the city. They can come to your old house, help you load up, and then drive with you across the city to your new home. The farther that you move, the more complicated the situation gets. Asking your friends to drive several hours just to help you unload a moving truck might find you with a few less friends.

A long drive in a moving truck can also spell disaster for your items if the truck is not properly packed. Spending several highway hours bouncing around, items that are not packed properly can shift, fall and break.

If you are moving a long distance, it makes more sense to have professionals help you. They can do the long-distance drive without complaint and make sure the truck is packed so as not to damage your things.

What is the Time Frame?

How quickly do you need to get your move done? Are you pressed for time, or is this a long term move that allows you several weeks or even months to complete? If you are working to a tight time frame and don’t have the full day or two to spend moving (not to mention all the time gathering up your friends and finding a date that fits all their busy schedules). then you might want to hire professionals to get the move done.

Professionals are great at getting a move done quickly and efficiently. What professional movers can do in a couple of hours would take you and your friends all day. If you do have all day, then moving with friends can be fun. Sure it’s a lot of work, but in the end, spending a day with your friends is always a good time.

How Complicated is the Move?

Do you have a relatively small amount of belongings to move, or do you have a full house with lots of expensive and complicated to assemble furniture? Typically the more complicated the move, the more you are going to want to hire professionals.

Professionals can make sure that your complicated or expensive furniture is properly disassembled, packed up and reassembled at your new home. Your friends might make some mistakes and put some scratches and nicks in your antique armoire.

In the end, you might be able to compromise. Have your friends move the easy stuff and leave it to the professionals for the complicated and heavy items. If you are looking for professional movers in Kamloops, then contact Pioneer Moving for a quote.

 


We sell a complete line of packing and moving supplies, as well as providing professional Packing and Unpacking services.

Pioneer Moving and Storage

231 Andover Crescent Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada V2C 6X2
Tel: 250-573-6083
Cell: 778-220-3720
Toll Free: 1-877-746-5423

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  • Long time and active member of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and past President

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Kamloops Mover

Kamloops Mover