The Moving Planner Blog

Moving is a stressful and uncertain time for the whole family, especially for household pets. Dogs and cats often have the most difficult time during a move, feeling out of place as their familiar surroundings are packed away piece by piece. Arriving at their new home causes just as much uncertainty as they are introduced to a new yard and have to locate a new favorite lounging spot.

FlatRate Moving & Storage, a nationwide leader in moving and storage, offers these tips to help your dogs and cats have a smooth transition to their new homes.

• Comfort Your Pets – Animals are great at sensing when you are feeling stressed or uncertain. Building up to and during a move, your calm and familiar voice will help to reassure them that everything is going to be okay.
• Have Something Special – Rewarding your dog our cat with their favorite treat or toy when first introduced to their new surroundings will help them relax and feel at home.
• Keep Them Occupied – Keeping animals out of the way of the movers will ensure both the pets and movers safety, while also allowing the movers to be more efficient. Plus with territorial animals like dogs, keeping them occupied will burn their energy so when they return to an empty house they are too tired to fuss.
• Use an Animal Carrier – Cats are especially sensitive to new surroundings so transporting them in an animal carrier will help alleviate some of their anxieties. When you get to your new home, simply set the carrier down, open the door, and let the cat’s natural curiosity do the rest.
• Place Familiar Things in Familiar Spots –Putting their bed, feeding dishes, kitty litters, etc. in locations similar to their old home, helps familiarize your pet with their new place.

Properly storing family heirlooms and antiques can be a daunting task filled with anxiety. Often antiques are oversized and difficult to move without the help of a professional movers and just storing your irreplaceable items in-doors doesn’t ensure that they will be protected from the elements. Spending a little extra time to research experienced movers and well maintained storage facilities can save your antiques from being damaged and your sanity.

Protecting antiques from dust, mold, and extreme temperatures is critical in ensuring the preservation of antiques. When researching storage facilities, be sure to ask about environmental conditions, and inform the facility manager that you are storing antiques. Do not assume there is climate control in all their vicinities, often climate and humidity control will cost extra.

To ensure your antiques arrive safely into storage, find a facility with a successful track record of handling antiques, which also offers moving services. The mover should utilize special crating, packaging, and padding methods; like anchoring crates to prevent motion and air controlled hydraulics to ensure a smooth ride for your possessions.

Finally, you may need to provide the storage facility with proof of insurance, before they will agree to store valuable objects. Do not just rely on the mover’s free insurance because it is based on weight, ask about a better insurance plan and consider third party insurance. Before purchasing coverage, inform the insurance company about your objects of value. Be prepared that some insurers insist on a formal valuation of antiques by an accredited appraisal expert.

Flying during the holiday season can be stressful, exhausting and consumed with unexpected delays and crowded airports. The last concern of a weary traveler should be whether or not their belongings will make it round- trip in one piece. Here are a few helpful tips and tricks to help your gifts and packages arrive safe and sound:

1. Transporting Gifts:

If you’re a big gift giver, you may want to send the gift ahead of you. This way you have more control. You can chose the best shipping carrier and spend extra time properly packing gifts. This is probably the best way to avoid the hassle of lugging gifts with you on the plane.

2. If you do decide to take gifts on board:

If you can, think small and flat…think gift card. If you are traveling by air, do not wrap gifts. Airport security will be required to inspect your gifts, especially if there is something in your package that they cannot identify by X-ray.

If you have room, you can put your gift in your luggage and check it to avoid the hassle of security. If your gift is breakable, pack it with bubble wrap and make sure that the airline personnel label it with fragile stickers so it is handled with care.

Take into account:
Every airline has a different procedure, weight and size restrictions for checked baggage. So it is best to check with your airline first.

3. What Else to Pack:

Once you determine the details of your trip, your bag pretty much packs itself. Take into consideration the amount of time you will be gone, the destination, any activities, etc. Since it’s the holiday’s, be prepared for formal AND informal situations. This includes evening wear, long pants, dresses, shirts and blouses, which should be packed in plastic dry cleaner bags to limit wrinkling. Also, remember to roll pajamas, t-shirts and other casual wear to fit into the nooks and crannies of your suitcase. But, be careful and don’t cram your suitcase full. You will end up with an additional charge from the airlines or even worst…underwear strewn on the belt of the baggage carousel.

With most buildings having various moving restrictions, coordinating a move in New York City requires some extra attention. To anticipate the special requirements many buildings have, here are some things to consider when starting the process.

BUILDING REGULATIONS
Many buildings, especially co-ops, impose strict moving policies to avoid monopolizing the elevators or inconveniencing other residents with noise. Learn about these restrictions, at both your current and new residences, as early as possible. If you are hoping to move on days surrounding the first of the month, it may be necessary to reserve a time slot. Always be sure to inform your building superintendent or doorman about your upcoming move, they can be an invaluable resource to figuring out the specific building moving regulations.

COVERINGS AND DOORWAYS
Buildings often require a freight elevator be used and protective coverings be placed, to avoid damaging floors, hallways, and elevators. At your new and old home, know the dimensions of the elevator, door openings, hallways, and staircases etc. to ensure your furniture will fit.

QUESTIONS TO ASK
•   Are there special moving hours?
•   Is it possible to reserve a time slot?
•   Are there restrictions on elevator or entrance use?
•   What precautions have to be taken to protect floors, hallways and elevators?
•   Is it possible to reserve space in front of the building entrances or loading docks, for trucks to load/unload?