It can be surprising the things that people want to move when switching homes or offices, but the longer that you are involved in the moving business the less shocked you get. I remember one client including a picket fencing on his itinerary! He explained that it was from his boyhood home in Virginia and he wanted to make use of it now that he was moving his family from an apartment to a house with a garden.
In any case, the point to my wanderings is that these days, a moving company of note will be flexible and experienced enough to move practically anything. However, it's true that fine art is amongst the most precious items that you'll find movers handling, and it is not something that every one of them are willing to undertake. The principal reason why is not particularly big news; it's the insurance cost to cover anything going wrong.
The truth is that moving art of any description requires some logic and a little extra care. While your regular items of furniture need to be protected against the possibility of scratch or bump, but paintings (for example), need protection against much more - air, damp, temperature etc. This is where expertise comes in to play, with the knowledge of how to protect your art from the elements.
So, what is the difference between accomplished art movers and those that you don't want to invest such trust in. Basically, it comes down to equipment. For example, can the mover's truck temperature be regulated to humidity level reduced? Or, can do the movers have special-fibre jackets which can protect the pieces effectively?
Also, does the mover's truck have the necessary suspension mechanism to provide the smoothest journey. Sometimes, no matter how well wrapped up a painting is, vibrations from the road can damage its frame.
When it comes to choosing a moving company to move your finer things in life, such as top quality art work, then the question above are a good set to go by.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Knowing your Weigh In Options
There is a tendency for people to believe that to have their possessions moved is a long and difficult thing, filled with complicated criteria to be met - but that's not completely true.
For some newcomers to the moving experience, the official weigh-in is one of the most confusing things, since most would believe that a price is agreed when calculating the estimate and that is that.
The weigh-in itself takes place at an officially recognised weigh-station that is strictly controlled by government legislation. The whole exercise is designed to calculate the true weight of the load to be moved. This is done by weighing the empty moving truck, loading it up and then weighing it again. The difference is the weight of the load.
How valuable this information is all depends on the estimate that was agreed; namely, was it a binding or non-binding estimate? If it was binding then the weigh-in hasn't much meaning other than to confirm to you that the deal was a good one, but if it was non-binding then it can potentially save you move money.
An estimated price is calculated based on the dollar-per-pound weight of the total load to be moved, and it is possible that the weight can be over-calculated at the time that the moving company rep is estimating your load. So, at the weigh-in you could find yourself facing a bill that will be less than what you had expected to pay.
What's even better is that if the true weight is more than that estimated, you won't face any increase is price. The weigh-in can lead to a reduction in cost, but a moving company is not permitted to increase their price if their estimate is incorrect to their disadvantage.
In case you're wondering, the average weight of contents of a three-bedroom house is about 8,000 lbs, while a two-bedroom apartment is around half of that. Weights can vary, of course, as can the dollar-per-pound rate.
Just remember, the weigh-in can prove to be a fully worthwhile exercise, particularly if is saves your some more cash!
For some newcomers to the moving experience, the official weigh-in is one of the most confusing things, since most would believe that a price is agreed when calculating the estimate and that is that.
The weigh-in itself takes place at an officially recognised weigh-station that is strictly controlled by government legislation. The whole exercise is designed to calculate the true weight of the load to be moved. This is done by weighing the empty moving truck, loading it up and then weighing it again. The difference is the weight of the load.
How valuable this information is all depends on the estimate that was agreed; namely, was it a binding or non-binding estimate? If it was binding then the weigh-in hasn't much meaning other than to confirm to you that the deal was a good one, but if it was non-binding then it can potentially save you move money.
An estimated price is calculated based on the dollar-per-pound weight of the total load to be moved, and it is possible that the weight can be over-calculated at the time that the moving company rep is estimating your load. So, at the weigh-in you could find yourself facing a bill that will be less than what you had expected to pay.
What's even better is that if the true weight is more than that estimated, you won't face any increase is price. The weigh-in can lead to a reduction in cost, but a moving company is not permitted to increase their price if their estimate is incorrect to their disadvantage.
In case you're wondering, the average weight of contents of a three-bedroom house is about 8,000 lbs, while a two-bedroom apartment is around half of that. Weights can vary, of course, as can the dollar-per-pound rate.
Just remember, the weigh-in can prove to be a fully worthwhile exercise, particularly if is saves your some more cash!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Organized Unpacking Saves Time
I've mentioned before about the importance of making sure that you have things organized for your move. It might have escaped my attention, though, to mention that things need to be organized fully at both ends of the move. That's right, moving out is one half of the job!
Knowing where everything will go and how to unpack them safely is just as important as locating everything and packing them into the boxes. Many people will take a fairly relaxed view of this when moving home, which is understandable. Usually, they're just happy to get everything into their new place and after the stress of checking, packing and double-checking everything, they opt to relax for a few days before dealing with the next burden.
However, this doesn't apply with commercial moves. Commercial moves need to be the smoothest operations that involve the absolute minimum in delay. The reason, of course, is money. Office moves usually involve a temporary shut-down of some or all of a company's services and departments. The longer the shut-down the more money the company can loose.
That's why having a perfectly organized unpacking schedule is highly advisable. But how can you do this? Well, there are a few pointers that you could take:
1. Have an accurate checklist ready at the destination, so that everything coming off the truck is accounted for in the quickest time.
2. At the packing stage, make sure to label boxes accurately. Don't just writes 'PCs' on the side; write 'PCs at Pod 1', or maybe the name of the employee who uses it 'Jenny's PC, Pod 1'. This way allows you to make a visual checklist (office map).
3. Forget about a central drop-off point. Get the moving team to bring the boxes to their actual locations; again a visual checklist is perfect for this.
4. It might help considerably, if the office furniture is the first to be unpacked and reassembled. It could help the movers to identify the correct location for everything. Otherwise, handing them a clear map of the office as it will look is the best option.
While it's worth handing the moving organizing job to a small group of employees to co-ordinate everything, you might also want to consider using a moving consultant. This sort of service is available from most moving companies; we at Sage certainly have one!
Speed in doing anything requires a lot of planning so it's best to get it done - especially if it is your office that you're moving.
Knowing where everything will go and how to unpack them safely is just as important as locating everything and packing them into the boxes. Many people will take a fairly relaxed view of this when moving home, which is understandable. Usually, they're just happy to get everything into their new place and after the stress of checking, packing and double-checking everything, they opt to relax for a few days before dealing with the next burden.
However, this doesn't apply with commercial moves. Commercial moves need to be the smoothest operations that involve the absolute minimum in delay. The reason, of course, is money. Office moves usually involve a temporary shut-down of some or all of a company's services and departments. The longer the shut-down the more money the company can loose.
That's why having a perfectly organized unpacking schedule is highly advisable. But how can you do this? Well, there are a few pointers that you could take:
1. Have an accurate checklist ready at the destination, so that everything coming off the truck is accounted for in the quickest time.
2. At the packing stage, make sure to label boxes accurately. Don't just writes 'PCs' on the side; write 'PCs at Pod 1', or maybe the name of the employee who uses it 'Jenny's PC, Pod 1'. This way allows you to make a visual checklist (office map).
3. Forget about a central drop-off point. Get the moving team to bring the boxes to their actual locations; again a visual checklist is perfect for this.
4. It might help considerably, if the office furniture is the first to be unpacked and reassembled. It could help the movers to identify the correct location for everything. Otherwise, handing them a clear map of the office as it will look is the best option.
While it's worth handing the moving organizing job to a small group of employees to co-ordinate everything, you might also want to consider using a moving consultant. This sort of service is available from most moving companies; we at Sage certainly have one!
Speed in doing anything requires a lot of planning so it's best to get it done - especially if it is your office that you're moving.
Knowing What you Can't Store
An interesting story was relayed to me the other day.
A client of another company had taken the self-storage option because he had a large number of things that he didn't need to move with him straight away. That makes perfect sense but the problem was that amongst the items were some gardening equipment, which included a hedge trimmer (the type run on gasoline).
When he moved his things into his storage space, one of the staff members at the facility lifted the hedge trimmer and heard some of the remaining gasoline sloshing around in the tank. "I'm sorry sir," he said, "but we can't accept this item. You'll have to remove all of the remaining gas inside."
He became a bit annoyed and argued that it was already inside the machine, and not in a can on the floor so it was perfectly safe. The staff member disagreed and the argument continued for quite sometime until finally the storage company called the police to calm the situation down.
The point to this story is that the staff member was completely within his rights to insist that the tank of the hedge trimmer be emptied. The simple fact is that it's against the law for storage companies - either self-storage facilities or the storage departments of moving companies - to store any type of flammable items. In fact, there is a lengthy list of illegal items, which I'll include at the end of his piece.
The reason is pretty simple: safety. It doesn't take much for an accident to happen. If the trimmer was to fall, or the fuel to leak then it could cause all kinds of problems, the least of which would be the smell of fuel all over your possessions. A fire could not only destroy your things, but also destroy or damage others' if the blaze should spread. It's simply too dangerous.
The list of items not permitted to be stored includes not just flammable liquids, but also acids and narcotics and radio-active substances (but I'm sure you won't have any of those!). In any case, here is a brief list:
Gasoline
Acid
Lighter fluid
Aerosols
Car batteries
Pesticides
Paint
Propane/Oxygen/Kerosene tanks
Ammunition/Weapons
Explosives
Toxic waste
Narcotics
Perishable food
and
Animals or plants
When you look at the list, it all makes logical sense but don't be surprised if a staff member of a moving and storage company tells you suddenly that something is amiss. Co-operate with them as it is the safety of your possessions as well as the facility itself that is at stake.
A client of another company had taken the self-storage option because he had a large number of things that he didn't need to move with him straight away. That makes perfect sense but the problem was that amongst the items were some gardening equipment, which included a hedge trimmer (the type run on gasoline).
When he moved his things into his storage space, one of the staff members at the facility lifted the hedge trimmer and heard some of the remaining gasoline sloshing around in the tank. "I'm sorry sir," he said, "but we can't accept this item. You'll have to remove all of the remaining gas inside."
He became a bit annoyed and argued that it was already inside the machine, and not in a can on the floor so it was perfectly safe. The staff member disagreed and the argument continued for quite sometime until finally the storage company called the police to calm the situation down.
The point to this story is that the staff member was completely within his rights to insist that the tank of the hedge trimmer be emptied. The simple fact is that it's against the law for storage companies - either self-storage facilities or the storage departments of moving companies - to store any type of flammable items. In fact, there is a lengthy list of illegal items, which I'll include at the end of his piece.
The reason is pretty simple: safety. It doesn't take much for an accident to happen. If the trimmer was to fall, or the fuel to leak then it could cause all kinds of problems, the least of which would be the smell of fuel all over your possessions. A fire could not only destroy your things, but also destroy or damage others' if the blaze should spread. It's simply too dangerous.
The list of items not permitted to be stored includes not just flammable liquids, but also acids and narcotics and radio-active substances (but I'm sure you won't have any of those!). In any case, here is a brief list:
Gasoline
Acid
Lighter fluid
Aerosols
Car batteries
Pesticides
Paint
Propane/Oxygen/Kerosene tanks
Ammunition/Weapons
Explosives
Toxic waste
Narcotics
Perishable food
and
Animals or plants
When you look at the list, it all makes logical sense but don't be surprised if a staff member of a moving and storage company tells you suddenly that something is amiss. Co-operate with them as it is the safety of your possessions as well as the facility itself that is at stake.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
When Its Fragile Take Extra Care
We all have a habit of thinking to ourselves "it'll never happen to me". I know because that was my attitude when I first started to drive my Dad's car on the streets, not just in our own neighborhood. Sure as snow is white, I had an accident (minor, no broken limbs) and my Dad gave me that "I told you so" look.
It really isn't an interesting story. I was looking for an empty parking space and neglected to keep an eye on cars that were reversing out of taken parking spaces. I was very sure of myself up until then but afterward I took a lot more care.
Anyway, the point is that you can never rule out the chance of something going wrong, and when you're moving house or office, that fact is all the more important to consider. That's why, when preparing your possessions for the move, you really do need to take the utmost care and pack them properly.
Strangely, some of the most fragile items are amongst the most poorly packed. Perhaps there is a little confusion over how best to wrap and protect them. I'm talking about things like glass fruit bowls, your Waterford Crystal glasses and pitchers, your China tea set and things like that. So, here's a brief guide to how best to prepare your fragile items for the move.
1. Bowls, glasses and cups often fall victim to their designs. Basically, they have all got hollows that can crack if they are not supported properly. It doesn't take much, just stuff the centres with paper or line it with cardboard (though this is trickier) or with styrofoam pieces cut to fit.
2. Second, wrap each item in a set separately; don't stick three or four glasses together.
3. Third, take care when stacking them in boxes; don't put any unnecessary weight on the top, and make sure there is plenty of packing between the items.
4. For bigger items, like mirrors, get generous with bubble-wrap. Put it all around the mirror and make sure that the corners of the mirror frame (or the furthest points if its round or oval) are properly cushioned too. You can do this with cardboard pieces or styrofoam taped securely.
5. For heirlooms or antiques, the same principals of bubble-wrap generosity and frame/edge protection stand. You may wish to consider transporting your heirloom yourself though, especially if it is of extreme value to you.
We hate to see disasters strike but sometimes they happen. At Sage, we know from our vast experience that the only thing you can do is be prepared, as much as possible at least. So, don't take risks! Spend the extra time providing extra protection to your fragile items. It'll worth it, believe me!
It really isn't an interesting story. I was looking for an empty parking space and neglected to keep an eye on cars that were reversing out of taken parking spaces. I was very sure of myself up until then but afterward I took a lot more care.
Anyway, the point is that you can never rule out the chance of something going wrong, and when you're moving house or office, that fact is all the more important to consider. That's why, when preparing your possessions for the move, you really do need to take the utmost care and pack them properly.
Strangely, some of the most fragile items are amongst the most poorly packed. Perhaps there is a little confusion over how best to wrap and protect them. I'm talking about things like glass fruit bowls, your Waterford Crystal glasses and pitchers, your China tea set and things like that. So, here's a brief guide to how best to prepare your fragile items for the move.
1. Bowls, glasses and cups often fall victim to their designs. Basically, they have all got hollows that can crack if they are not supported properly. It doesn't take much, just stuff the centres with paper or line it with cardboard (though this is trickier) or with styrofoam pieces cut to fit.
2. Second, wrap each item in a set separately; don't stick three or four glasses together.
3. Third, take care when stacking them in boxes; don't put any unnecessary weight on the top, and make sure there is plenty of packing between the items.
4. For bigger items, like mirrors, get generous with bubble-wrap. Put it all around the mirror and make sure that the corners of the mirror frame (or the furthest points if its round or oval) are properly cushioned too. You can do this with cardboard pieces or styrofoam taped securely.
5. For heirlooms or antiques, the same principals of bubble-wrap generosity and frame/edge protection stand. You may wish to consider transporting your heirloom yourself though, especially if it is of extreme value to you.
We hate to see disasters strike but sometimes they happen. At Sage, we know from our vast experience that the only thing you can do is be prepared, as much as possible at least. So, don't take risks! Spend the extra time providing extra protection to your fragile items. It'll worth it, believe me!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
How Safe is Storage Anyway?
It's understandable for someone to have concerns about something before they actually have all the details. When you are buying a car, don't you examine the doors and the hinges and look under the hood? Don't you kick the tires to check if they are soft? And when the salesman tells you about the special deals that are available "for this week only", don't you take time to wonder where the catch is?
Yes, it's completely natural, which is why when I was interrogated by a client recently about the level of security that storage facilities really offer, I didn't take it badly. The gentleman was clearly entitled and I was happy to pass on all the information that I could.
He was moving to the west coast and his belongings were going to be transported quite some distance. It meant a short-term storage period at around the midway point, of two nights. He could understand why but he was concerned about losing items that were "important, not expensive", as he put it.
So what type of security should you be looking for? Well first of all, it's worth keeping in mind the fact that without good security a storage facility just isn't going to stay in business. It's only logical then that the facility will put everything they can into making it as secure as possible.
Second, the days of seeing old padlocks on metal latches are long gone. Modern facilities can have electronic keys and digital codes on the doors, as well as technology to adjust the storage environment (the air temperature, for example).
Third, facilities usually have guards on duty 24 hours a day. They carry out regular patrols to make sure everything is okay. There are also CCTV cameras that can record everything that happens.
Basically, storage facilities should be as safe as Fort Knox, though with a significantly smaller military presence!
At Sage, of course, we've been keeping our clients' belongings safe for years. We take security extremely seriously and, as such, guard what we are storing as if it was our own. I guess that's why we've had so many satisfied customers.
This particular client seemed at ease when we had finished our conversation, and of course, his move went smoothly with nothing missing when his things arrived in San Diego!
Yes, it's completely natural, which is why when I was interrogated by a client recently about the level of security that storage facilities really offer, I didn't take it badly. The gentleman was clearly entitled and I was happy to pass on all the information that I could.
He was moving to the west coast and his belongings were going to be transported quite some distance. It meant a short-term storage period at around the midway point, of two nights. He could understand why but he was concerned about losing items that were "important, not expensive", as he put it.
So what type of security should you be looking for? Well first of all, it's worth keeping in mind the fact that without good security a storage facility just isn't going to stay in business. It's only logical then that the facility will put everything they can into making it as secure as possible.
Second, the days of seeing old padlocks on metal latches are long gone. Modern facilities can have electronic keys and digital codes on the doors, as well as technology to adjust the storage environment (the air temperature, for example).
Third, facilities usually have guards on duty 24 hours a day. They carry out regular patrols to make sure everything is okay. There are also CCTV cameras that can record everything that happens.
Basically, storage facilities should be as safe as Fort Knox, though with a significantly smaller military presence!
At Sage, of course, we've been keeping our clients' belongings safe for years. We take security extremely seriously and, as such, guard what we are storing as if it was our own. I guess that's why we've had so many satisfied customers.
This particular client seemed at ease when we had finished our conversation, and of course, his move went smoothly with nothing missing when his things arrived in San Diego!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Who Turned Off The Lights!?
It sounds like the plot to a comedy movie, like 'Home Alone'. You forget something when everyone is already out of the house and on the road but you just can't put your finger on it until much later, then panic sets in when it is remembered. You've forgotten to turn off the utilities and you know there'll be an unnecessary bill coming with your name on it.
Home Alone saw the family's youngest being left behind to fend for himself, with hilarious consequences. It was a nice movie with plenty of laughs but if you've left the electricity on, or even gas boiler or water heater on, then it's certain you won't be laughing. If you're moving a few blocks away, it's an inconvenience, but if your moving a state away or a few hundred miles, then it can be a real problem. That's why including utilities matters on your checklists is useful.
The thing is that it's very easy to get lost in the wrapping and packing of moving, and forget the extra things that need to be looked after. That's why to see it included on a list can help you to take care of it.
There are two key things to remember: Contact and Timing.
You need to make contact with all of your utility service providers in plenty of time - usually around a month before the actual move. You'll need to give them the exact date you want your service to be cut off, and a final bill will need to be forwarded to your new address. You might also need to arrange to have your utilities turned on at your new address.
Timing is vital because you don't want your electricity or water services turned off three days before your move. Remember, you're going to want that last cup of coffee or last lunch in your former home before finally leaving. That's why you tell your service providers to cut their services off at, say, midnight on the final day. This gives you some room to manoeuvre should there be a delay of any sort.
I haven't actually come across a client that forgot to turn off all of the utilities yet. Generally, the guys working at the Sage Customer Service desks make a point of reminding them that it is one of the things that need to be done. However, it does happen - and understandably so.
Still, if you are moving home (or even office), don't be caught when someone asks: "Who turned off the lights?"
Home Alone saw the family's youngest being left behind to fend for himself, with hilarious consequences. It was a nice movie with plenty of laughs but if you've left the electricity on, or even gas boiler or water heater on, then it's certain you won't be laughing. If you're moving a few blocks away, it's an inconvenience, but if your moving a state away or a few hundred miles, then it can be a real problem. That's why including utilities matters on your checklists is useful.
The thing is that it's very easy to get lost in the wrapping and packing of moving, and forget the extra things that need to be looked after. That's why to see it included on a list can help you to take care of it.
There are two key things to remember: Contact and Timing.
You need to make contact with all of your utility service providers in plenty of time - usually around a month before the actual move. You'll need to give them the exact date you want your service to be cut off, and a final bill will need to be forwarded to your new address. You might also need to arrange to have your utilities turned on at your new address.
Timing is vital because you don't want your electricity or water services turned off three days before your move. Remember, you're going to want that last cup of coffee or last lunch in your former home before finally leaving. That's why you tell your service providers to cut their services off at, say, midnight on the final day. This gives you some room to manoeuvre should there be a delay of any sort.
I haven't actually come across a client that forgot to turn off all of the utilities yet. Generally, the guys working at the Sage Customer Service desks make a point of reminding them that it is one of the things that need to be done. However, it does happen - and understandably so.
Still, if you are moving home (or even office), don't be caught when someone asks: "Who turned off the lights?"
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Gym Equipment: No pain, Serious Gain
Maybe we are still only getting the winter cold out of our systems, but there is no getting away from the fact that spring is here and summer is on its way. It means there will be a lot of outdoor activity in our lives again soon. Well, yours probably as I've found myself getting lazier as I've gotten older.
But it reminds me that a lot of people moving enjoy active lives, and they usually have gym or fitness equipment. In my time at Sage, we have moved thousands of clients who included gym equipment on their checklists. Of course, that's no problem for us, but there are some factors you might not be aware of which can guard against accidents while moving.
The chief problem with moving gym or fitness equipment is not the weight (and they can be very heavy) or the space (and they can be very cumbersome), but their proper packing away. It isn't strange for people to forget to disassemble their machines properly, leaving a loose wire hanging or unsecured weights that can fall onto someone's foot.
That did happen to a colleague of mine; three toes were broken and he was out of work for about a month. Thankfully, the proper insurance policies were in place here and so there was no real fall-out but it's still an unwanted (and painful) event. It's always best to be safe rather than sorry. So, keep in mind these three things as you pack your home gym equipment for your move.
1. Disassemble your machines carefully: be more clinical than with any other item. Don't rush it, be methodical and you'll pack safely.
2. Tie away all the loose ends: cords and wires can draw-back and hit you, causing some real damage. When they are packed away, make sure they are not going to unfurl while being loaded so use plenty of duck tape to secure them.
3. Make sure the boxes used are strong enough: You don't want the boxes tearing. If you're using the equipment's original box, then use tape to secure the corners and seals - even if the box still looks new.
Basically, be extra careful when moving your fitness equipment. It can save you and your moving team a lot of trouble - even a life!
But it reminds me that a lot of people moving enjoy active lives, and they usually have gym or fitness equipment. In my time at Sage, we have moved thousands of clients who included gym equipment on their checklists. Of course, that's no problem for us, but there are some factors you might not be aware of which can guard against accidents while moving.
The chief problem with moving gym or fitness equipment is not the weight (and they can be very heavy) or the space (and they can be very cumbersome), but their proper packing away. It isn't strange for people to forget to disassemble their machines properly, leaving a loose wire hanging or unsecured weights that can fall onto someone's foot.
That did happen to a colleague of mine; three toes were broken and he was out of work for about a month. Thankfully, the proper insurance policies were in place here and so there was no real fall-out but it's still an unwanted (and painful) event. It's always best to be safe rather than sorry. So, keep in mind these three things as you pack your home gym equipment for your move.
1. Disassemble your machines carefully: be more clinical than with any other item. Don't rush it, be methodical and you'll pack safely.
2. Tie away all the loose ends: cords and wires can draw-back and hit you, causing some real damage. When they are packed away, make sure they are not going to unfurl while being loaded so use plenty of duck tape to secure them.
3. Make sure the boxes used are strong enough: You don't want the boxes tearing. If you're using the equipment's original box, then use tape to secure the corners and seals - even if the box still looks new.
Basically, be extra careful when moving your fitness equipment. It can save you and your moving team a lot of trouble - even a life!
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