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Pro Mover Tips on Everything from Moving Supplies to Packing the Moving Truck

So you’ve decided to buy a new home or rent a new apartment. It may seem like the hard part is over, but it’s just beginning. If you’ve lived in any one place for long, you’ve probably never given much thought to exactly how you would gather and move your things to a new home.

If you find yourself in this position, don’t fret. Moving doesn’t have to be a harrowing nightmare, just as long as you approach it like a professional moving company. Here are a few areas to pay attention to that will make moving day a breeze:

Get Organized

First and foremost, you’re going to need to get a handle on what you’ll be moving. It’s possible that you don’t even want half of the things you have to come along with you. To get started, focus on an inventory of what you have. Decide what to keep and what you can do without. Go through every container and closet; don’t overlook anything. If you have things you’d like to get rid of, many donation services will come right to your door to pick up your unwanted items.

packing-like-a-pro

Gearing Up To Pack

To make sure your things arrive safely, you’ll need some supplies. Here’s a good starter list from Norfolk mover:

  • Quality boxes in at least three sizes, small medium and large
  • Packing tape
  • Masking tape for labeling
  • Scissors and utility knife
  • Packing paper (Bubble wrap if necessary)

You may encounter things as you pack that will require more specialized materials, but this list will cover most of your belongings. A more exhaustive list can be found here.

Packing Strategies

The first thing you’ll want to do is create a “day-one” box. Try to think of everything you’ll need immediately when you arrive at your new home. Remember that it’s going to take you a while to unpack everything else and you’ll need to get by for a little while. Next, group your items by which room they will belong in, and label them. If you’re dealing with a large home, color coding boxes could also be helpful.

Pay attention to wrapping breakables carefully. Keep in mind that the movers won’t know exactly what’s in your boxes, so if you want them to be safe, it’s up to you. Most movers will inspect your boxes to make sure they’re packed well because they’ll be liable for damages if something breaks.

 moving-tips-from-professionals

Loading The Truck On The Big Day

Believe it or not, there’s a right and wrong way to load a moving truck. If it’s done improperly, you could damage or destroy your belongings. First, put the largest, heaviest items in the front of the truck. Next, place furniture and heavy boxes in the center. Load mattresses and couches along the sides of the truck, surrounding the center items. Lastly, load all remaining boxes, with the heaviest items on the bottom. Make sure that you secure all large or heavy items to prevent shifting. If you’ve done it right, everything should be just as you loaded it when you arrive at your new home.

Need Some Extra Hands? From Moving Companies to Maids, These Are West Manhattan Services We Recommend

Let’s face it, sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the day. Luckily we’ve put together this list of local home services to help lighten your load.

Maid Service

Maid Service NYC

This cleaning service puts your home’s cleanliness and your personal time as their top priorities. They offer easy scheduling and efficient cleaning by their personable, trained employees. Transparent, flat-rate pricing ensures there are no surprises, just a clean home for you to enjoy.

Maid Service NYC
112 W 34th St.
New York, NY 10120
(212) 390-1761

Synergy Maids

This company offers excellent service with simple flat rate service pricing. Their cleaners bring their own supplies and will even use 100% Green cleaning products upon request. They are fully insured and bonded for your protection.

Synergy Maids
211 W 56th St. Apt 7M
New York, NY 10019
(347) 286-8882

Weekly Maid Service New York

Plumbing Service

Westside Plumbing and Heating

This fast and reliable company offers its services to residential customers 24/7. They handle plumbing issues and repair, drain cleaning, and new construction installation. Their engineers are committed to achieving high customer satisfaction, so you are guaranteed unmatched service.

Westside Plumbing and Heating
414 W 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 293-1600

Handyman

S & S Handyman-Got a small project you need to get done or want something installed? This company has you covered. They’ve been in business for over 20 years and can tackle anything you need to get done in your home. Their skilled employees are professional, friendly, and come HIGHLY recommended.

S & S Handyman
321 W 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 757-1925

Moving Companies

Cheap Movers NYC

With traffic, bossy landlords, and high rises, New York City is one of the worst places in the world to attempt a DIY move. Instead, call in the help of licensed and insured moving professionals with the help of Cheap Movers NYC. Submit your info for a free quote and receive bids from the best New York movers.

Cheap Movers NYC
433 Broadway #2
New York, NY 10013
(646) 570-1698

Big Apple Moving & Storage

Since 1979, Big Apple Moving has been helping New Yorkers with all their relocation needs. They guarantee 100% satisfaction with their NYC moving services, whether you’re moving down the street or to another state. Need temporary storage space during your transition? Big Apple can handle that too.

Big Apple Moving & Storage
83 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, 11217
(212) 505-1861

Manhattan Handyman Service

Locksmith

Allstate Locksmith

A certified technician will arrive at your location within minutes with all the tools necessary to complete the service. They are open 24/7 every day of the year for your convenience and all their work is covered by their 2-year warranty.

Allstate Locksmith Company
408 W 39th St.
New York, NY 10018
(646) 580-4003

SOS Locksmith

From lock installation, key duplication, and lock re-keying to safe and intercom installation, they’ve got what you need for your security needs. Their locksmiths are available 24 hours a day and offer professional, efficient service.

SOS Locksmith
197 7th St.
New York, NY 10011
(212) 206-7777

Movers Share 6 Facts About Relocating to NYC

With exciting attractions, tall skyscrapers, and crowds of people, New York City is a fun place to call home. If you’re moving to the borough of Manhattan for the first time, be prepared for several surprises that await you within the Big Apple. We spoke with one of our favorite New York City moving companies, Imperial Movers, to get their take on things you should know before moving to this bustling metropolis.

1. There Are Lots of Diverse Neighborhoods

Each neighborhood in Manhattan like a teeny country unto itself and contains different cultures and walks of life. For example, the touristy streets of Midtown are a lot different from the wealthy Upper East Side, which doesn’t compare to the quaint West Village, which also is nothing like the trendy area of SoHo! And because Manhattan has an extensive amount of neighborhoods to choose from, make sure to spend a significant amount of time getting to know each area and figure out which one suits your personality and lifestyle the best.

2. Rental Rates are Inflated

With skyrocketing rent prices, paying for housing in Manhattan tends to be expensive. You could end up paying around $2,000 for a tiny studio apartment in a not-so-great area or the same amount for a shared living space with roommates. Before you decide to move to the city, it’s important to make sure that you’ll be able to support your NYC lifestyle based on your current income, unless you’re fine with cockroaches and absolutely no closet space at all. The competitive real estate market is impetus for working with a professional realtor.

3. Streets Are Congested and Noisy

If you’re moving from another decent-sized city to the Manhattan area, you probably won’t be shocked by the amount of street noise that you hear. But to those of you who are eager to leave small Midwest or Southern towns for a taste of the Big Apple, you’ll find that the noise level within the city can be a big adjustment. Honking horns, police sirens, and the constant chatter of people can be heard around the clock in Manhattan, and if you’re not a fan of hearing consistent sounds during the day and night, you might want to rethink your big move.

4. Driving is Difficult

Hardly anyone in working-class drives in NYC because of the nightmarish traffic that takes twice as long to get anywhere. Parking can also be difficult and expensive, and opting to drive yourself means you’ll probably be late practically everywhere you go. And if you have to take a car, there are plenty of cabs or Uber services that can get you to where you need to go.

5. Apartment Move-In Day is Challenging

Imperial points out that the crowded streets, tiny apartments, and parking issues converge to make moving day a real challenge. While some people try to muscle up and do things themselves, we always recommend that our clients hire professional movers. These guys are used to dealing with landlords, doormen, elevator restrictions, crowded parking, and every other factor that could make your move-in more stressful, so it’s best to leave the heavy lifting to them. While there are plenty of Manhattan moving companies, our clients have given the most glowing reviews of Imperial:

Imperial Moving & Storage
83 Washington Place
New York, NY 10011
(212) 879-6683

6. Public Transportation is Easy

While it may seem daunting at first, using the city’s subway system is a lot easier than what you may think. Thanks to various smartphone maps that can show exactly which train to take and where each station is located, finding your way around the Manhattan area can be a breeze. And after living in the area for a good amount of time, you’ll learn how to familiarize yourself with the different lines and stops within the city.