The Moving Planner Blog

This digital document is came across my eyes. It is an article from San Diego Business Journal, published by CBJ, L.P. on December 4, 2000. The length of the article is 1264 words.  

Murphy’s law couldn’t fit any situation more perfectly than a corporate relocation. No matter how organized, capable or experienced you think you are, things will go wrong. Obviously, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try your hardest to make sure that they don’t. Following are some things that may help ensure you are still employed after the dust clears:

• Realistic Schedule
  • Probably the most critical part of every move is scheduling. It happens all too often when a company tries to create unrealistic schedules; it’s usually not until they get down to the wire that they realize it’s not going to happen.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Find-Ways-Ahead-Moving-Business/dp/B0008J98ZG/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204230634&sr=8-15

“Commercial moving is a highly specialized field that requires knowledgeable personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and advanced technology dedicated to exclusively servicing the transitional needs of businesses…” Read more on http://www.flatrate.com/new-york-commercial-overview.html

Don’t pack these:

• Flammables. This includes: Paints, thinners (paint removers, etc.), lighter fluid, liquid reservoir lighters, cleaners, adhesives,  fuels (not even for lawnmower), glues, inks, acids, corrosives, or pesticides.
• Gasoline (also called petrol). More details here.
• Perishables, plants, flowers and food.The golden rule for perishables food (eg meat, dairy foods, salad dressings, eggs) is to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Bacteria grow at temperatures between 5 and 60 degrees C. Keeping food either below or above these temperatures will keep your family safe from food poisoning. Keep perishable foods in an esky along with an ice brick. Throw away leftover BBQ meat that has been sitting around at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Do not place medicine in the same box as food.
• Do not pack kitchenware or other heavy items in the same box with dishware.

Pack a “survival” kit which you carry in your car, or have first off the truck:

• Basic Tools Hammer screwdriver, knife, tape, etc.
• Bathroom products Soap, toilet paper, towels, etc.
• Kitchen items Disposable utensils, cups, plates and snacks, drinks, etc.
• Cleaning products Cleansers, broom, dustpan, sponges, etc.

By: Alicia Crowder

I recently moved from Houston, Texas to Denver, Colorado and then, 7 months later, moved back from Denver, Colorado to Houston, Texas. The move back to Houston was really no big deal because I had already spent many years in Houston and knew what was what, where to go and who to talk to.
However, moving to Denver was much more of a challenge than I expected it to be. I was fortunate that within a couple weeks of my arrival, I found a nice house within a five-minute drive of my new job. However, what I didn’t count on was how difficult it might be to handle all of the little moving details.

View Larger Map

In Houston, I can find nearly everything I ever need on-line by using a simple keyword search and poof, I have the information that I need to do anything that I need to do. I never gave the level of appreciation that was owed to such magic though, until I moved to Denver, Colorado.
I found it to be an interesting place, with quite a variety of people who had moved there for the amazing scenery from all over the world. It is also quite a hi-tech town in a lot of ways. It seemed that majority of coffee shops all had free wi-fi, and almost anything you wanted to purchase was extremely easy to find on Denver. Craigslist.org. It was amazing.

However, try to find a garbage disposal service that will come to your house in the suburbs by looking online…. Trust me, it is not an easy task. I looked up every keyword I could imagine only to be hit with one brick wall after another. When I finally found my neighbor at home, they were able to go rummage through their bills to get me the name of the company that they used and finally the struggles were over in that arena, but I was living there for over a month before that miracle occurred.

Had I not been able to get my neighbors to speak to me, I would have either been SOL or I would have had to stay home from work and stalk the garbage man, standing in the middle of the street and preventing him from moving forward without threatening my life in order to get this little, simple piece of information.

I (NOT exagerrating!) called about 20 different places before receiving my neighbor’s help and of course, I couldn’t do this all in one day, as I had to work during the working hours that the other businesses were open. Ironically, none of them “serviced my area!”

Then there was the water company, the cable company, the electric company AND the gas company all to deal with. I have moved many times around Houston area, but never found it to be so amazingly complicated as it was there.

This was also not my first rodeo where cross-country moving was concerned. I have moved from Minnesota to Nevada. I have moved from Minnesota to Texas. Both of those experiences were relatively smooth and simple. There were usually moving packs that came in the mail or simple web or phone book searches always provided me with a few minutes of work and suddenly, I was moved and could focus on the important part…..unpacking!
Basically, this experience taught me that you never know what you will expect when you move somewhere very new. One lesson is to NEVER assume a house that you are moving into has air conditioning. It may not.
Wow, how spoiled we are down here in Houston. The house I rented in Colorado only had a swamp cooler, which, I’ve been advised, isn’t worth much. Not to mention that it was only located upstairs!

I never ended up getting water put in the swamp cooler and seeing how well it would do though, but don’t take my laziness in that regard to mean that it doesn’t get hot in Colorado during the summertime, because that would be another sad mistake to make. I was told that it didn’t get all that hot in Colorado, but it was all lies.

I’ve found that there are certain, favorite places that many people visit and overly romanticize. When you choose to move somewhere new, just expect that there will most likely be problems you may experience that you never even imagined having to deal with until you have moved across the country and into “unfamiliar territory.”

No matter what anyone tells you. No matter how nice a place may have seemed when you visited. You still may be hit with any number of little complications or very strange, peculiar little scenarios when you move across the country.

I’m publishing here some letters that came to my desk.

Pleased to say that the move was excellent. The four men acted as a smooth working team each knowing his responsibility. Not only were they performing physically perfect during the move but their attitudes were more than pleasant. We’ll move again in a year or two and will call Flat Rate San Francisco once again.
Flat Rate Los Angeles movers showed up on time, and did the job quickly and efficiently.

---

Flat Rate San Francisco movers were excellent - very efficient regarding time - extremely polite & helpful. Flat Rate San Francisco was very easy to work with and very helpful!

---

I hate moving but Flat Rate Los Angeles made it easy. The slight premium over the competition was worth it to know there would be no last minute charges.Like most people, I absolutely dread moving. Flat Rate San Francisco made it easy. I would use them again in a heart beat.

---

EXCELLENT, PROFESSIONAL MOVE. THANK YOU FLAT RATE SAN FRANCISCO. I WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. YOU RESPONDED FOR A MOVE WITHING 24 HOURS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE AND PERFORMED THE JOB PERFECTLY!

---

What an easy move. Flat Rate Los Angeles staff from start to finish was so marvelous to deal with. Many thanks for a great job!

---

Gregory and his staff, Eric and Louis, were our movers and they provided us with excellent service. They were very courteous and hardworking. We were very surprised with how neatly and secure all of our belongings were packed. It only took us a total of six hours to move, the guys were great. I’d recommend your service to anyone. Thanks Flat Rate Moving Los Angeles!

---

Not only did you match my every expectation, but you far exceeded them. Agi was terrific on the phone helping us decide to use you and get everything coordinated. Jake and his crew arrived on time, took exactly the length of time they said it would were so careful and protective of my property and artwork, and in general were a pleasure to work with. When the concierge arrived at my office to see how everything was going, I was blown away with your commitment to customer satisfaction. I have already recommended them to 2 other tenants in my former office building, as why call anyone other than flat rate movers? Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco for making a stressful experience a pleasure.

---

THANX SOOO MUCH! The complete Service was GREAT!!!!!! Thanx again Flat Rate Los Angeles & I recommend you Guys 2 Everyone!!!! The guys were great!! Very respectful with my belongings. They even got a telephone booth down the stairs in ten minutes! Would definitely recommend to everyone I know. Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco for making my move smooth!!

---

Everyone at Flat Rate Los Angeles was very easy to work with and very helpful!

---

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!! I WOULD RECCOMEND FLAT RATE LOS ANGELES TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME. THIS IS MY THIRD MOVE WITH FLAT RATE LOS ANGELES IN 3 YRS, ONE CROSS COUNTRY. YOU GUYS HAVE MADE THE FACT THAT I TRAVEL SO MUCH WITH MY JOB “OK”! ALL THE BEST!!!

---

Very good thorough job on my furniture: I had United moving me (for a much higher price) just a few months ago and they didn’t wrap most of the wood furniture so I found scratches and corners buffed…all the pieces were carefully wrapped up by Flat Rate San Francisco movers, and carefully unpacked and laid out…I’m very thankful! Forgot to mention the two guys that unloaded my stuff, super nice and friendly and helpful and cheerful, which helps! Ivan and Ernesto Good job!

---

Flat Rate Los Angeles movers, Juan 1, Juan 2, and Grayson were great! Thanks!

---

Everything proceeded without a hitch. Thanks for your professional handling of my move Flat Rate San Francisco. The movers arrived early and worked very quickly. Not only that, but they were very careful with our furniture and put it all back together very nicely. Our belongings are in great shape still. Thanks Flat Rate Los Angeles!

---

Manny and his team were amazing! We truly appreciated their professionalism and promptness. Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco. Manny and his crew were very professional, patient, and fast. I would definitely use those same guys again.

---

Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco, I was very satisfied by the willingness of Ivan, Ernesto, Abundio??, Richard and Jose (I hope I got all their names correctly) to accommodate me during the packing of my things. When I asked for extra care, they gave it. They were friendly and cheerful even though they did not eat lunch on the second day because they wanted to finish and did not want to delay by taking time for lunch. It was fun working with them and I am looking forward to them returning my things in a few months.

---

Flat Rate Los Angeles men were really very quick, fast, efficient and caring.
I had a wonderful experience - both with Flat Rate New York team and Flat Rate Los Angeles team…they were professional, very polite, and respectful of my things. I would gladly recommend your service to friends and family.

---

I used Flat Rate for two separate moves recently, both from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Without exception, every representative was kind and willing to help. I had contemplated using a specialized mover to ship some very important recording studio items, but after having them move my personal items, there was no need to go anywhere else. In fact, there is no need to EVER go anywhere else. Ina Korac was an incredible help in both instances. Igor & Juan’s crews treated our possessions with care and respect. You give your life over to someone when you move - I’d give it over to Flat Rate for the next one, no doubt about it. Thank you so much Flat Rate Los Angeles.

---

The movers worked fast and efficiently. My whole 2 bedroom apartment was moved out and into the new place in under 4 hours. Perfect! The team consisting of Juan, Enrique, Abundio, and Federico we’re courteous and friendly. I would give them an A+! Flat Rate San Francisco is the best moving company I have ever worked with, and will continue working with them.
Movers were very professional and hard-working! I had a horrible experience with another moving company and was delighted with your company. I’ve already recommended Flat Rate San Francisco movers to a few people.

---

Thanks Flat Rate Los Angeles! Cleo and his crew were extremely efficient and very courteous. I would highly recommend them all and thank all of them for a job WELL DONE!!!
Boris is a great foreman; Jose and Abundio were fantastic! All three guys worked their

---

#$%^s off and took great care of my furniture! Please give them all raises! Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco!

---

I want to thank you Los Angeles Movers, for making our first cross country move as easy and stress free as possible. The movers that showed up were polite, friendly, and very professional. Our furniture was delivered as promised, on time and in good condition with no damage. Again thank you and your team very much.

---

The team made my move so easy and quick. They were so friendly and careful with my things and made the whole process stress-free. I will use them again and have already recommended Flat Rate San Francisco to others. Excellent customer service and follow through. Troy Amidon was great to work with and really helped us thru the process. The moving company were extremely thorough and hard working. Juan and his team did an amazing job packing and moving all of our furniture and belongings! Will HIGHLY RECOMMEND Flat Rate San Francisco Movers!!

---

I had a wonderful moving experience. As much as I hate to move I never thought that would be something I would say. But, the movers were very professional and worked quickly and got my move done in only 3-4 hours. Julio, Jaun 3, Omar, and Rigoberto did a WONDERFUL job and if (hopefully not too soon!) I have to move again I will ask for them by name. I will definitely be recommending Flat Rate Los Angeles Movers to my friends!

---

Fast, friendly, and efficient - I couldn’t ask for more! Thanks Flat Rate LA!
I appreciated the promptness with which a representative contacted me once I asked for more information (24 hours). The follow up via phone and email was also really friendly and helpful. The movers did a tremendous job. They were fast, careful, and friendly. They packed our belongings in 2.5 hours and unpacked them in 2 hours. It was a great relief knowing our move was being handled in such a professional manner. It made moving 400 miles a breeze.

---

Thanks Flat Rate SF for hiring such reliable people.
Moving is never easy but my wife and I were very happy with our experience. Manny and his crew did a great job and I will be sure to use them when I move again. Thanks Flat Rate Los Angeles.
Thank you Flat Rate San Francisco. My move was excellent - my movers were the best I’ve ever had. They made my move simple and stress-free!
I could not have been happier with the entire experience. All the movers were professional, courteous and incredibly hard working- it could not have gone better. I would recommend Flat Rate Los Angeles to anyone who is planning a move.
Really nice crew: fast, efficient & friendly. Thank you Flat Rate LA. Since our stuff just went from your storage facility to our new one, we haven’t unpacked to check everything. So far we’re happy with the move. The salesperson gave very good information and quotes. The crew was timely, very friendly and helpful, even with the extra that was needed to help the move successful. It is wonderful to know that a storage facility is available if you do not have one of your own. Thank you Flat Rate San Francisco.
The crew was great! Cleo really took charge and provided excellent service. Each one worked really hard, Cleo, Ryan, Gregory and Eric. They showed real team work and when I first met them they shook my hand and introduced themselves. Great Crew - I would highly recommend Flat Rate LA. They went up and above and did a wonderful and careful job of moving everything.

---

I would like to tell you that my move exceeded all of my expectations.
My movers: Jose, Pasha, and Ivan were incredibly efficient, courteous,
and professional. I would recommend Flat Rate San Francisco to anyone, and the movers that worked my job were top notch!

---

The move was great. I really want to complement Julio Lozano and his
team. They did an excellent job– very professional. Also, I really
appreciated the gesture that Mr. Vilchez came by to check if everything
was all right. All in all, a great job. Thanks Flat Rate Los Angeles.
Thanks Flat Rate San Francisco. I have used your services 4 x in the last 2 years and I would strongly recommend your moving company.

Most of us will own at least a couple of houseplants that we want to take with us on the move. Keen gardeners amongst us may also want to take garden plants with us. Plants are probably one of the Top 5 things we don’t think about much during the moving process. After all, we have a lot of bigger things to think about and plants often just get put on to the moving van at the last minute. But they are also very fragile things and get damaged very easily. Even if they survive the move the trauma of the process can kill them off later!

If you’re fond of your plants it’s therefore wise to put some time and effort into making the moving process as quick and painless for them as possible. The majority of moving companies will NOT cover plants in their insurance policies. They’re just too easy to damage. So, you need to take extra care yourself. You also need to bear in mind that certain movers will not carry plants or may have restrictions on those they carry according to your destination. Chances are you won’t be allowed to move any plants internationally. Talk to your movers to see if they have any restrictions.

As gardeners often claim, plants have feelings too! You can move a plant apparently successfully from one house to the next only to see it wither and die a couple of weeks later. To avoid this you need to do some preparations well ahead of your move to get them in peak condition. Firstly, you need to think about how you will transport your plants. Your best option is to get hold of some sturdy boxes - you should line these with plastic ready for your moving day.

Assess all the plants you want to transport a couple of weeks before you move. Prune them, feed them and administer any pest control treatments to get them into peak condition. Think about the pots they’re in - if you’re worried about transporting stone pots, for example, repot the plants into plastic ones. Also, take some time to check that all pots are whole and not cracked. A cracked pot stands more chance of breaking in transit and thus damaging the contents. Make sure that the pots aren’t too big for the actual plant - this can cause them to move about and damage themselves.

On your moving day (or the day before if you’re pushed for time) make sure that none of the plants are water-logged and drain away any excess water. Pack them snugly (but not too tightly) into the boxes you’ve set aside and put some packing in place to hold them firmly. Do tell your movers that these boxes contain plants - although you won’t have any insurance cover they will still take care with the boxes if you ask them to. Plants in large pots should be wrapped in plastic or placed in bags - you can also wrap the actual plant in plastic to avoid damage and to keep the plant together. If you do this be careful to make sure that the plastic is not tied together too tightly - they still need to breathe!

If you’re moving garden plants (in this case it’s always wise to tell the people that are buying your house in advance just to be polite) then the best time to dig them up is on your moving day. This minimizes disruption. You should dig up the plant so that you have a ‘root ball’ at the base. Wrap this in plastic and make sure that the earth in it is not too dry. If you want to move larger climbing type plants it’s wise to tie supports to the stem to avoid them snapping in the moving process. Plants can be quite successfully transported in a dustbin liner that is tied at the top. This will help them retain moisture - although you do need to be careful as this isn’t the sturdiest of solutions and you might want to put the bag in a box for extra security.

If you don’t want to empty your old garden of plants then you can always take cuttings with you instead. Put them in a bag on damp paper or cotton wool. This should keep them going through the move for a few days and you can transplant them when you’re ready.

Once you have packed up your plants for the move and transported them don’t forget them! It’s easy to get caught up with sorting out your new home and getting everything unloaded and unpacked but spare some time to sort your plants out early in the process - it’ll pay off. You don’t need to replant your garden plants straightaway - you probably won’t have time for this. You can just dig a quick hole in your new garden and put them in it. Cover their roots to protect them, give them a quick water if suitable and then you can forget about them for a while until you’re ready to plant them properly. Houseplants don’t have such urgent needs as they’ll still be in their pots but don’t forget about them either. Take them out of their boxes and any wrappings as soon as you can and leave them in a quiet corner while you get on the rest of your unpacking.

If your move will be a long-distance one you might need to think about moving your plants in your car. You’ll be able to manage the moving environment much better than if they are just stuck in the back of a van. This works just as well on short journeys if you’re particularly attached to your plants and you’re worried about the effects moving will have on them.

Your moving plant care doesn’t stop once the move is done. Plants are living things and are sensitive - keep an eye on both house and garden plants for a few weeks after the move and make sure they are well-watered and fed as necessary. Your garden plants may be transplanted into soil that is different to that they are used to and they may need extra help and attention. Give all your plants a bit of tender loving care and they’ll flourish in your new home! 
 

Source : European Kitchens

Once you know you’re moving, you can begin packing your kitchen right away. Start with your rarely used serving dishes, seasonal items and minor appliances. Next, tackle your large serving bowls, tablecloths, and specialty pots and pans. Keep your everyday dishes for the last week before moving. Many people are buying some disposable plates, cups, and utensils for those last few nights when everything is packed away.

Food Items
Use or drop all perishables before moving. Boxed or canned goods should be packed in small boxes. Dispose of any open packages and wrap glass jars to prevent breakage during moving. Don’t risk moving food products during the summer. The inside of a moving van (especially at Florida) can reach 155 degrees.

China & Glassware
Wrap all pieces of tableware china and glassware individually for moving. Old newspapers will do. Extra care will require for Italians or Europeans Glassware which are very delicates. A generous amount of paper padding and cushioning is required for all china and glassware. Label moving cartons with room, contents and “FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP“.

Larger china and glass plates, platters and other flat pieces are excellent as the lowest layer in a dish pack. Place cushioning material in the bottom of a moving carton. Wrap each piece individually with clean paper, then wrap up to three in a bundle with a double layer of newsprint. Place these bundled items in the moving carton in a row on the edge. Surround each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave no voids or unfilled spaces. Add two or three inches of wadded paper on top of the bundle to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier. Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers level. Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls could make up a second layer. Wrap and pack in the same way as larger items.

Bowls and Odd-shaped Items
Depending on their weight, these might be used for either the bottom or middle layers. Wrap the same way as flat plates. Stand shallow bowls (soup plates, etc.) on edge in the moving carton and deeper ones (such as mixing bowls) nested two or three together, upside down on their rims. Wrap sugar-bowl lids in newsprint, turning them upside down on top of bowls. Then wrap both together in newsprint, followed by a double outer layer. Wrap sugar bowls, cream pitchers, sauce containers, gravy boats, and similar pieces in newsprint and then a double outer wrapping. Place all upright in the moving carton, then top off the layer with wadded newspaper.

Pots & Pans
Pots, pans, and similar items should be wrapped and packed in medium-size moving cartons. Depending on their weight, these might be used for either the bottom or middle layers.

Cups
Even when using a dish pack and cellular dividers, wrap china cups individually first, protecting handles with an extra layer of clean paper. Then, pack cups upside down. If not using cellular dividers, wrap cups individually first in a double layer of paper and place them upside down on rims in a row on an upper layer with all handles facing the same direction. Top off the layer with wadded newsprint.

Silver & Flatware
To protect silver pieces from tarnishing during moving, they should be completely enclosed in newsprint or plastic wrap. Hollow ware including bowls, tea sets, and serving dishes should be wrapped carefully like fragile items and packed like china. Loose flatware may be wrapped individually or in sets, and in paper, clear plastic bags, or small gift boxes that are then secured with tape. Even if silverware is in a chest, consider wrapping the pieces individually and repositioning them in the chest. Or fill all voids in the chest with newsprint to prevent shifting while moving. The chest can be wrapped in a large bath towel. Figurines and Other Delicate Items be sure the items are well protected with plenty of cushioning. Extra care will require for Italians or Europeans Tableware which are very delicates. Wrap first in tissue paper, paper towels, or facial tissue. Then wrap carefully in paper that has been wadded and flattened out. Small mirrors, plaques, and pictures should be wrapped individually in tissue paper with an outer layer of newsprint. A bath towel or small blanket makes an excellent outer wrapping and padding for glass. Place items on edge in a moving carton.

Small Appliances
Items such as clocks, small radios and other small appliances should be wrapped individually and packed in a moving carton cushioned with crushed paper. If their cords disconnect, wrap them in plastic and secure them to the appliance they belong to. Make sure cords are wrapped so as not to scratch or damage items while moving. Steam irons should be emptied of all water, wrapped and placed in the cushioned bottom of a box. You can make cardboard dividers to use between layers by cutting up small book cartons.

Cookbooks
Pack cookbooks of the same general size together, in small book cartons. Pack books either flat, or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton. Do not pack with spine facing upward, as glue can break away from the binder. Expensively bound volumes or those of sentimental value should be individually wrapped before packing.

More info links
New York Movers Organization
Los Angeles Movers Organization

This category will help you to answer “What should you look for when moving house?” (A) In terms of the “mover” or “moving company” (B) Watch out for those “little things” you tend to forget.

The perfect moving company

Ask yourself how the perfect moving company should be:

1. I’m not going to have anything like the moves I had before!
2. Is this company worth every penny?
3. Are they professional and friendly?
4. Flatrate they promised was exactly what I paid
5. cares for my furniture and does not screwed up on the day of the move
6. I didn’t pay a cent more than what we agreed on
7. the trucks are clean and stylish looking and most important
8. My furniture arrived in one piece
9. Ask friends if they used them in the past and will use them again?
10. Are they coming on time? Would they leave you in the middle of work?
11. How many years are they in business?
12. What would they do with challenging set of stairs, or unexpected situations?
13. Abundantly clear moving team has well established procedures & training
14. Are they licensed?
15. I can move without my husband! Movers will take care for the details.
16. Can I get stress free, piece of mind move?
17. Mover not only move me but packed the apartment as well
18. Boxes are clean and placed in the correct rooms at the new location
19. They pay for they broke!
20. Some moving companies send teams that are scary - Are they?
21. Am I trust the team and not be worried things will be stolen?
22. Are team prepared for any exceptionally bad, or rainy weather?
23. They have clean record and no complains in Better Business Bureau reports.