If you’re moving an office or a home, you’ve got a great opportunity to clear out the junk that we all accumulate over time and maybe make a little money by selling off items that you really don’t use. After all, there is no point paying long distance movers to carry things you don’t need or want in your new place, and getting rid of a few things can make your next living space seem bigger, airier, and more spacious. Some extra money never hurts either- moving into a new home can be an expensive affair.

Traditionally, the best way to have a clear out was to host a garage sale. A big family could expect to shift a lot of goods in a single day, but garage sale prices were always low because of the limited audience. If it wasn’t a bargain, most garage sale browsers weren’t interested. More expensive items could be sold through the local newspaper classified section or by sticking a note in the corner store window.

Happily times have changed. The internet has revolutionized the way we buy and sell both new and second hand goods. The best services (and there are plenty of them) are free and they reach a huge number of potential buyers. Specialists looking for something very specific can find it very easily, and that means it’s easy to get the best prices for niche-market items and clear almost anything out of your home before the packers and movers arrive.

eBay is the giant of the online shopping world. On any given day there are tens of millions of listings on ebay.com, across several different countries and an unthinkably large number of different products, new and not-so-new. Although it’s used to sell all kinds of everyday items from cars to shoes to iPods, eBay has a reputation as a place to buy and sell some very strange things.

Famous sales include a piece of toast with the face of Jesus on it, the toilet from a jailhouse, a second hand rubber duck (said to be haunted), and a half-eaten piece of Justin Timberlake’s French toast. The latter went for more than $3000 so who knows what you could get for your weird stuff?

Craiglist and Gumtree have one advantage over eBay- they’re local. That means delivery is easier to arrange or you can ask the buyer to pick up heavy items like tables and computers. Both are listing sites rather than an auction sites, so you can’t let potential buyers bid on your goods, but they are is simple, easy to use, and very popular.

Zaarly is an up-and-coming marketplace. Buyers generally don’t pay until they’ve received their package in good order. Like eBay, they have payment processing options on site. Those can be very helpful if you’re concerned about the possibility of fraud.

Wherever you sell, it’s worth keeping security in mind. That goes double if buyers will be picking anything up from your home. Keep your personal details personal- use PayPal rather than handing over bank details, and never give out your credit card number.

Over the years we’ve collected a lot of know-how from the professional packers we hire and intelligent new York clients. Here are a handful of our top storage & moving tips:

-Always pack boxes so that they’re full. That way you not only use space as efficiently as possible and minimise the number of boxes to be carried and stored, you also shore-up the box from the inside and prevent it from collapsing when other boxes are piled on top.

-Don’t leave paint, oil, or gas in a storage unit. If a professional company is storing or moving flammable products for you, make sure they know about it and can take appropriate precautions against fire and spillage.

-If there is a mattress moving to storage, make sure it ends up lying flat on a horizontal surface. Otherwise they can end up permanently deformed, saggy, and uncomfortable. Mattresses also soak up dust so make sure yours stays covered with a plastic sheet.

-Be aware of the possibility of water damage. Make sure vases, jars, and watering cans are empty before placing them in storage. Otherwise they can become corroded. At best, the water will probably be stagnant and foul when the time comes to take your goods out again. Oil wooden furniture before putting it away (this helps keep damp out) and cover wood and fabric items in plastic if necessary.

-Keep valuable furniture and cardboard boxes off the floor. If the floor gets slightly damp, a cardboard box lying directly on the floor will get damp too, and it will stay damp. Lifting items up off the floor prevents them from getting wet in the first place and also means airflow is maintained underneath, so any water that creeps in can dry out.

-If you do notice condensation, mildew, or wetness, a dehumidifier can be very useful.

-Get rid of perishable food. Not only will it go stale or sour, but food in cardboard boxes or containers that have been opened can attract vermin. That’s the last thing you want in a storage unit.

-Organization is key, especially if you will occasionally want to access certain items. Keep pathways through the goods open (yet another way to improve airflow and prevent problems with dampness) and locate anything you may need at the front or at the top of a stack. Label all boxes clearly and make sure the labels are easily visible.

-Nest items into one another. Garden tools can go an empty compost bin, and pots and pans can go inside a refrigerator or a chest of drawers. There is no reason that boxes of clothes can’t be stored inside a wardrobe.

-It’s worth paying extra for really good locks and security measures. Consider the total value of your goods before buying any lock. A top of the line product may cost a little extra, but it will help deter thieves- they’re more likely to take the easy option and find a weaker lock if there are plenty of boxes or storage units to choose from.

Most people think of moving to storage as a solution for space problems, but too much stuff in too small a home is just one reason you might want to place a few things in storage. Of course, it’s a very good reason- nobody likes living in a cluttered environment.

When moving an office or a home, we tend to get rid of a lot of things. Some papers are thrown away or recycled, some clothes we don’t wear get given to Goodwill or another charity, and sometimes larger items are sold or gifted to friends and family members. Moving provides the perfect opportunity to reduce clutter and start with a clean slate, but over time we all buy new things or get given more items, and if you’ve lived in a house or an apartment for a few years now and have no plans to move, it might be time to have another clear-out.

If it turns out that you have things that aren’t in regular use but are still precious or worth keeping for sentimental reasons, think about arranging storage for those items outside your home. Sometimes just moving an unused table or a set of drawers out can make a room seem bigger, lighter, and more open, so if you’re feeling like a change but don’t want to move house, try just transferring a few things to storage instead.

Moving to storage doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Sometimes all you need is a little extra space for a month or even just a few weeks. Got a few relatives staying over the holiday period and need to make room? Take a load of boxes to a storage unit and keep them there until your guests go home. It’s a quick and simple way of making more space in any home.

Of course, storing furniture and other items away from the home isn’t always about making space. Sometimes it’s for security or to protect valuables. A new puppy can reduce the value of an antique writing desk in moments- a quick chew and the legs will never be the same again. Dogs usually grow out of chewing furniture and being destructive around the home very quickly, so all you’ll need to do is store that beautiful mahogany desk somewhere else for a month or two while your pooch grows up.

Transferring stuff to a storage unit can also make renovating far easier and less stressful. It doesn’t just prevent paint from getting into soft furnishings and other places it shouldn’t be. Freeing up space also makes painting and plastering much quicker and simpler. Your decorators won’t have to worry about accidentally damaging furniture and they’ll be able to access all four walls without a struggle. The fresh paint in an airy, empty room will also dry much faster than the paint in a cluttered one.

There are a whole host of reasons to move furniture and boxes to storage. It might be about protecting valuable items or just having a little more room to breathe. If you’re not convinced, try moving a few things from a cluttered room and into the one next door as a test- you might be surprised how much of difference it makes.

Deciding on a storage unit size can be tricky, because you’ll probably have to arrange a space before boxing up all your stuff and shipping it to the storage location. Estimating just how much volume you’ll need can be quite difficult. Of course, you can always err on the side of caution and order a bigger unit than you think you’ll really want but more space costs more money. If you can do it, estimating fairly precisely will cut down on costs.

First of all, make an inventory of all the stuff that needs moving to storage. It’s always a good idea anyway, because sooner or later having a list of everything in your storage unit will come in handy. You might not remember whether or not you put something in there or you may have to decide what needs to be shipped to a new home in the future. It’ll also help you make sure all the boxes and packages arrive safely at the unit.

Take a box and fill it with items that you want to store. How much of the inventory volume can you fit in there? Is it one quarter or closer to one tenth? Answering this question will give you a rough idea how many boxes you’ll need in total. Allow one or two extra boxes as a safety margin, then calculate the total volume.

To calculate volume of a box in cubic feet, just multiply the three box measurements- width, depth, and height in feet. If a box is 15 inches wide, that’s 1ft 3 inches, or 1.25 feet. If it’s 30 inches long, that’s 2.5 feet. One foot is twelve inches, so take the number of inches and divide it by 12 to get the measurement in feet. If all this arithmetic seems complicated, you can use an online volume calculator.

The size of storage unit will need to be much more than your total volume calculation. The boxes and furniture you’re moving to storage may not fit exactly into a 10′ by 15′ unit and if you will want access to your things, there will need to be at least one walkway through the box towers.  To a degree, it is possible to reduce the need for clear spaces by putting high priority boxes towards the unit door- how much path space needs to be left depends on how frequently you will want access to the boxes at the back.

Airspace will also help your items dry out after a spell of damp or humid weather. All good storage units keep the rain out but humidity is harder to control, and wooden furniture and items stored in cardboard boxes can be vulnerable.

The smallest long term storage unit commonly available is 5′ by 5′. This is enough for one small piece of furniture (not a bed or a full sized sofa). The contents of most individual rooms in a medium sized home can be easily stored in a 5′ x 10′ unit. All the furniture in a big house can usually be slotted into a 10′ by 30′ unit. The same space will hold the contents of anything up to five or six offices, but that’s just a rough rule of thumb. Everyone’s home is different and offices vary widely in the way they are outfitted, so it’s best to make your own calculations.

If you’re currently doing your spring cleaning, going through a general de-cluttering process, or planning a move, then you’re no doubt faced with a mountain of stuff that needs to be put into NYC storage. For people who are fortunate enough to have both basements and garages, it is sometimes difficult to determine what should go where. Garages can be colder and dustier while basements can be damp and musty, so it is important to think before you store.  Nothing beats a climate-controlled unit, but if you choose to store items at home, here are a few recommendations.

Basement: Seasonal items such as holiday decorations, Christmas decorations, garden furniture, camping equipment, garden games and outdoor lights; sporting equipment such as skis, tennis rackets, soccer gear, balls, baseball bats, fishing and hunting gear; kitchen bits and bobs such as glass wares, dishes and all other similar items – all of these are suitable for storage in the basement. You can also keep your bicycles down there when they are not being used. In essence any objects that will not be affected by, or prone to, the possibility of mildew, mould or musty odours can be left down there. If you are uncertain of any item being left there, or simply want to add a layer of protection, then keep your items in plastic boxes or containers. This will not only protect them from water damage but also keep out any potential pests such as crickets, silverfish or rodents. Throw in a couple of desiccant packets to help absorb moisture and make sure you never, ever use cardboard boxes or plastic bags as they will not protect your stuff from moisture. In addition, where possible, try and store your stuff off the floor by installing metal shelving units around the basement.

Garage: There are certain things that are too prone to moisture and therefore should be kept in the cooler and drier confines of the garage. Spare or seasonal clothing, for example, might be better served being kept in plastic boxes in the garage. Things that are more valuable and more prone to damage from moisture will also have more chance in the garage. For example old DVD’s, CD’s, photos, wooden items, musical instruments, comforters, pillows, postcards, baseball cards, vinyl records – all of these, if needed to be put in storage, would be better in the cooler climes of the garage. However the garage will also be prone to dust and dirt as well as potential pests so it is worth adopting a metal shelving and plastic box system in there too. In addition, the garage is the most practical place to store your tools, both for the house and the car, as well as any cleaning fluids or items that might be flammable and that you might not want sitting in the basement of your house. Similarly, items such as spare pots of paint, oils for the car or bike, and aerosols that might be of use in the house or garage should be kept on the shelves in the garage. Even if you need to use them in the home, they are safer being stored away from the house where they can do less damage in an accident.

There is a wildcard in this equation – the attic!  Stay tuned for more on that home storage option.

When it comes to moving, a lot of people will go out and buy cardboard boxes, a massive set of fancy moving crates or nice looking plastic boxes specifically for the job.  And while this tactic can be convenient, there are other ways to ascertain boxes.  With a little planning, you can save a few dollars on boxes and spend the money on your new home!

By going out and finding free boxes you’ll not only help your wallet, but Mother Nature will appreciate it too!  But not any box will do.  Be sure to check every box that you acquire and make sure that it is sturdy.  After all, your world possessions are at stake!

When looking for free cardboard boxes, start off by visiting your local grocery store. I like to target mid-size stores (i.e.  Start with your local Associated rather than Stop & Shop).  If a worker delivers the boxes to you, it’s always a nice gesture to tip them a few dollars.  In most cases these boxes are being tossed out, but they still did not have to take the time out of their busy schedule to help you.  I also have had good luck with liquor stores.  These establishments are receiving heavy shipments, therefore requiring high-quality cardboard boxes.

Try to target boxes that were used to deliver heavier goods as these will be the sturdiest. Also, find out which is the best day to turn up after deliveries. By simply asking the store manager at a big box retailer like Wal-Mart or Target, you can be sure to show up on a day when you are likely to be helped.  Be sure to the employee know that you are willing to pick the boxes up at anytime, even if it means stopping by after midnight.  Many stores unpack during the wee hours of the morning, and that is a good time to get more boxes with less competition.

If you’re really organized for moving and storage, you’ll be saving these boxes a long way in advance of your move.  Most people don’t hold on to those nice corrugated shipping boxes when they get them from delivery companies or superstores. All of us move at some point or another so it’s well worth keeping a load of such boxes tucked away in the attic, both for ease of access and to save money.  Be sure the area is dry; water and mold are a cardboard boxes #1 nemesis.  Preserve your boxes by laying them flat and wrapping them in plastic wrap. (Spiders love cardboards, and the plastic keeps them out.)

Reminder: Don’t skimp on boxes. If you need to purchase a new set, do so.  However, with enough planning, a little luck, and a nice shopkeeper, you could save yourself some money by simply asking.

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.

We have talked in the past about the best ways to pack your goods for storage, but what about choosing the right storage facility? In this post we offer some tips to help you make that decision.

Know Your Options
There are two types of personal storage, with conventional storage you rent a room of a particular size and it is up to you whether or not the space is filled. FlatRate Moving offers another possibility. You pay per item for storage and to top it off your boxes are picked up and delivered by our courteous and professional movers.

Things to Consider
Consider facility conditions, ease of access, and hours of operation when choosing a storage facility. If possible, visit the premises to examine the cleanliness, organization, and location of available units. You can also ask for recent photographs of the facility. It is important you feel comfortable with leaving your possessions in their care.

Questions to Ask
•   Are they listed with the Better Business Bureau?
•   When can you access your possessions?
•   What kind of security systems do they have in place? (The issues are not just about your possessions, but your personal safety.)
•   Is there adequate fire and flood protection?
•   Is there air conditioning / climate control?
•   Have they had break-ins?
•   How long is the commitment period when moving in or vacating a space?
•   How much deposit is required?
•   How many elevators/loading bays do they have?
•   What do available units cost and how long are the rates guaranteed?

As I’m sure some of you have noticed the days have started to get shorter and the cool breeze of fall has begun to waft through the air. Today at 5:18 pm EDT the official first day of fall began. Gone are the days of lounging by the pool and sporting flip-flops, it’s time to pack up the summer gear and bring out the layers of fall.

To help you prepare we are going to share some tips on how to pack and store the shorts, t-shirts, and lines that encompass summer, so next year when you emerge from hibernation you are ready to soak up the sun.

To Store of Not to Store

The first step when getting ready to pack away summer clothes is to ask yourself “do I have the space to comfortably store these items without sacrificing personal space?” If you answered no, it would behoove you to rent storage space. FlatRate Moving & Storage offers various storage options, including climate controlled private spaces. Give us a call to find out more 1-800-486-3528.

Deciding on a Container

There are two important factors to consider when deciding on how to box your belongings: Are you storing them in a climate controlled facility or are they susceptible to the elements? If you are using a climate controlled facility gathering a few clean cardboard boxes will suffice, but if you are taking the risk of exposing your belongings to the elements then a sturdy plastic tub with a latching lid should provide the extra protection for your summer clothes.

Sorting Clothes

This is a great opportunity to give a something back to your community by sorting your summer clothes and deciding what to donate. I use the rule of thumb, did I wear it more than 3 times this summer? If not, it gets tossed in the donation pile.

Go through your sandals and flip-flops, bearing in mind that most inexpensive flip-flops are only good for one season. Save yourself the storage room and toss the worn flip-flops. You can easily pick up a new pair next year for usually less than $5. Once you have the keepers, clean them with a damp cloth to get the dirt and sand off and place them into a storage container.

Time to Pack

By now you have sorted though all you summer clothes and have a “keeper” pile. Now make a dark and lights pile and wash and thoroughly dry all your clothes. This will ensure your clothes are fresh, clean and ready to wear next year. Once the clothes have been washed and dried, sort them into tops and bottoms. Carefully fold the tops and bottoms and place them in the storage bins. Take some tissue paper (I use the tissue from gift boxes) and cover the top of the clothes. Place a dryer sheet on top of the tissue paper and either snap the lid shut or tape the box up.

Moving your office to another floor in the building or moving your entire company across the globe? No matter what your commercial moving needs are, it’s essential to hire a company with extensive experience in the corporate relocation sector. The number one priority of corporate relocation is to make a smooth, seamless transition that does not affect your business’ productivity before, during, or after the move.

From moving office furniture and fragile equipment to transporting important documents, make sure to find business movers who understand the ins and outs of corporate relocation. It might be enticing to receive multiple quotes and then choose a cheap mover in order to cut costs but it’s not worth it in the long run when you think about the possibility of the mover damaging your equipment or not getting your belongings to their destination on time. Find a mover that will do more than just lend you a helping hand and provide you with a truck rental – select a mover that can help you plan every aspect of your move.

The FlatRate group of movers is a specialist in the corporate moving sector. They provide our corporate clients with a corporate relocation specialist who will assess your situation carefully to create an optimal relocation plan. Thanks to our special corporate relocation checklist, our staff members can ensure that every aspect and detail of your move is assessed. If you are providing your employees with a relocation lump sum, you want to be sure that the moving services provided are as cost-effective and efficient as possible. Select an experienced mover like FlatRate for your local and nationwide office relocation needs to guarantee complete satisfaction with the end results.

Flat Rate Corporate Relocation

FlatRate takes care of all aspects of your commercial move from the planning stages to the unpacking. First, a corporate relocation specialist will meet with you to come up with strategies for an optimal relocation plan. In addition, a foreman will do a walk-through with you to assess every detail of your particular situation. Prior to your move, tags and boxes for all of your equipment and belongings will be sent to you for your convenience. Then our staff will visit your office in order to mark and label all of your items. The new office space will also be marked and labeled to ensure proper placement of all of the items.

The walls and floors of your office will be protected during the move. Your office equipment and furniture will be packed wrapped and packed efficiently as well. Our staff will load your belongings onto dollies for quick transport via elevator on the day of the move. Our specially trained crew members and a field manager will safely load your items onto our air-ride trucks and transport them to their final destination in perfect condition. Once your items arrive, our crew members will unload, unpack, and set up your new office to your complete satisfaction.

There are several commercial movers and interstate movers that offer corporate relocation services and they include Uhaul, K2, Atlas, and United and Van Lines. But when you measure customer satisfaction and reputation, the FlatRate group of moving companies clearly comes out on top. From offering challenging and rewarding careers to providing affordable moving services of the utmost quality, FlatRate is undoubtedly a leader in the commercial moving sector.

Storage

When you are planning a stressful move within the New York City area, the last thing you want to worry about is where to put all the company belongings. FlatRate will pack firm’s belongings and then transport them to your self storage units in New York without you having to lift a finger. If you end up needing an item or two from your storage unit, there’s no need to fret. Simply give them a call and they will bring whatever items you need back to your office on the same day. More about office storage >