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electronics

How to Pack and Move Electronics

We all know the delicate process behind packing items such as family photos and delicate antiques. However, when it comes to electronics, most people tend to pack these more carelessly, and unfortunately, one drop can result in all sorts of damage being done that could potentially be irreversible.

Here are the proper steps in which you should pack and move your electronics when moving to a new home.

Back It Up

First and foremost, take the time to backup all of your data and files prior to putting any computer equipment into storage. One drop can end up causing all kinds of damage to your computer, as well as your data and files if they aren’t saved.

Watch Out for Corrosion

Prior to moving any electronics, be sure to remove all batteries. This is because corrosion from the batteries themselves can also cause damage to electronics.

Check the Slots

Remove all DVDs, video games, etc. from any electronics prior to packing them. If they are left in a machine, the media can end up getting deformed over time.

Unplug it All

Be sure to unplug all cables, wires, and accessories from your electronics. This is a great way to prevent any potential metal-to-metal damage during transport.

Keep the Original Packaging

If possible, place all electronics in their original packaging during the move, as these will contain the pre-shaped foam pieces that they can easily fit into.

Use Bubble Wrap

Any television sets and computer monitors with fans should be wrapped in bubble wrap and tape to help prevent dust.

Utilize Extra Blankets

Use padded moving blankets to help protect flat-screen televisions from getting broken during a move. Additionally, store them against a wall for extra support.

Thank you for visiting the Real Men Moving blog, an Austin 24 hour moving company. Contact us for a free quote on your moving costs.

 

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Transferring Utilities When Moving

If you will be moving from your old home to a new one, it’s important to remember that you will need to transfer your utilities. The task itself isn’t fun, but it’s absolutely essential in order to ensure that you have water, electricity, and internet service in your new home when you move in.

Here are three tips to make note of when it comes to transferring utilities to your new home.

Update Address

First and foremost, be sure to update your home address. You will want to provide your utility service providers with your new home address when you contact them to transfer your services in order to ensure that you receive all future bills. You will also want to contact the United States Postal Service to inform them that you will need to have your mail forwarded as well.

Contact Service Providers

Prior to making the move to your new home, contact your utility service providers and have them come to your current home to conduct a final reading of the water, gas, and electric meters. Be sure that you keep copies of the meter reading reports for your records in the event that you were to receive any unexpected bills after your move.

Schedule Ahead

If you are moving to a new town or city, you will want to take the time to contact their public utilities offices a few weeks before your move in order to arrange for the services to begin at your new home. This is because water and sewer services are more than likely to be handled through the new city or town that you will be moving to.

Thank you for visiting the Real Men Moving blog, an Austin student moving services company. If you need to schedule a move contact us for a free estimate today!

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Moving tips for college students

Moving away to go to college is always an exciting time in an individual’s life. The moving process itself, on the other hand, is a process that can cause all sorts of stress. Thankfully, there are ways in which the process can be made much less stressful.

Here are three useful tips to help make the move to college easier.

Hire professionals

First and foremost, consider making the decision to hire a professional moving company to assist you with your move. More specifically, you will want to look for a moving company that specializes in assisting college students with moving in and out of dorms. From there, allow them to do all of the work while you simply sit back and relax.

Move early

Contact your college’s student housing department and inquire whether or not there is a way to move into your dorm earlier than the official move-in day. If they confirm that there is, take advantage of it. This will be much easier for you to do rather than waiting until the actual move-in day when literally hundreds of other students will be doing the exact same thing. Additionally, you’ll also have more time to explore the campus, as well as pick up any textbooks that you’ll need for classes and decorate your dorm room.

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Move together

If you will be having a roommate for your dorm room, take the time to ensure that the both of you will be on campus at the same time. This will enable the two of you to discuss how you will want the room itself to look so that you will both be in agreement.

Thank you for visiting the Real Men Moving blog, an Austin student moving company. If you need help moving in or out of a dorm or West Campus contact us today to schedule your move.

Packing Service Tips in Austin: Fragile Items

One of the scariest parts of moving is figuring out how to get precious items from one place to another. As an Austin packing service, we know how serious it can be. Often, many important family heirlooms and even everyday items are very fragile and have to be moved extra carefully. Even if you hire a mover, there are still some things you should know to make sure your fragile items make it safely. We’ve gathered our top 4 tips here to help.

Plan time just for packing fragile items in advance.

If you’ve read our blog before, you know we always talk about how important it is to plan, plan, plan. This is especially important when it comes to packing the precious stuff. Fragile items like glass and crystal take time and care to pack up. You’ll want to take the time to wrap certain dishes and things individually, and multiple times, sometimes even with different material.

Doing this is takes as long as it sounds. Since individually caring for each fragile thing you have takes time, you don’t want to be rushing during the process. It’s actually during the packing and wrapping process that fragile things get broken rather than during the moving. So, plan accordingly, get the kids and pets out of the house, and make sure you have plenty of free time. If something is important to you, give it the attention it deserves when moving.

Have the right materials and tools.

Just a cardboard box won’t cut it when you’re packing up expensive china. Of course you’ll still need the boxes, but other than that, there’s plenty of other materials you need to keep handy, also.

First, make sure you have all the materials necessary to pillow and protect whatever you’re packing in the box. There are multiple things you can use for this, and it’s very possible that you have some of this lying around:

  • bubble wrap
  • packing peanuts
  • newspaper
  • tissue paper
  • crinkle paper
  • extra floppy cardboard
  • foam wrap
  • any old/recycled newspaper

If you can, try to get boxes that are specifically for packing the scary stuff. Dish pack boxes will likely be your best bet. These boxes are made with much thicker cardboard, and are better at keeping sturdy and absorbing any shock that it might get.

Last but not least– don’t forget scissors, packing tape, and the item itself. Some people would also recommend getting a large table to do this part of the packing. But unless you have a bad back or other injury, we think the floor works just as well!

Pack it right!

It’s almost tragic how silly some people get when it comes to packing fragile things. Unlike books and fabrics, you really can’t just throw stuff in the box and expect it all to work out, so here’s a quick run through of the things you should really pack right:

Glass/china plates: DO NOT stack these on top of each other! These will break extremely easily if you pack these horizontally. Instead, pack them vertically, sliding them into the box like records. Wrap each plate in bubble wrap and tape it secure, and make sure the box is lined top and bottom with another cushion material.

Glasses: Before wrapping paper around the glass, make sure there’s also some paper in it to minimize empty space. Put the heavier stuff at the bottom, and also place some extra material around everything to make sure there’s as little room for moving around as possible.

Lamps: If you can take your lamp apart, you definitely should– and you should keep the lampshade wrapped up nice and neat in a separate box. Usually, bases wouldn’t be packed in a box, but if it’s small enough and fits in a large box, make sure there’s packing all around it once again.

Picture Frames: Picture frames should be wrapped in paper separately. If you have some big ones, use crinkle paper to keep space between frames.

Weird Special Things: Wrap anything funky COMPLETELY in bubble wrap, and tape it secure. Then, use extra cardboard to box it in tightly within the box itself.

Quick, bonus tips.

Line your box! Before packing anything fragile, use a really cushiony material like foam or bubble wrap to line the inside of the box and keep fragile things from hitting the sides or edges too hard.

Remember you still have to unpack. While you should make items as secure as possible, don’t make them so secure that it’s nearly impossible to take out!

Don’t overpack with the fragile stuff. If you have too many fragile items in a box, the chances of them crashing against each other are higher. You can overpack with other things like clothes and sheets if you’re really cramming, but overall, don’t overestimate with fragile stuff.

Are you looking for someone to help you move around central Texas? We can help you out at Real Men Moving. Contact us for more information.

Austin Packing Service Advice on How to Stay Organized When You Move

Moving is a big task that requires a lot of organization skills to be done easily and efficiently. Are you planning on getting a moving service that won’t do the packing part for you? Do you want to know what that packing entails? We have great Austin packing service tips on how to make sure you stay organized throughout the process.

1. Be honest about what you don’t need

Moving is the time to really re-evaluate your belongings and whether or not you need, or even want them. Especially when you clean out spaces such as your closet, you should think twice about whether or not you really need that ugly Christmas sweater you wore once to a party five years ago.

But how do you know for sure whether or not it’s right to let something go? There are many popular methods of deciding whether or not you should keep or throw out an item. One method that has been really popular recently is the KonMari method. Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo has popularized this method around the world. The theory is, you choose whether or not you should keep an item based on how much joy it brings into your life.

If you’re still not super persuaded to rid of anything, the idea that you could sell or donate your items later might help. Knowing that you’re giving away a cute but not-very-used item for nothing sucks. Knowing that you could get money for it in return is a great incentive. Similarly, donating it to someone who will enjoy it more is great too. Of course, there is always another option. You could give some things to friends or family who might want or need them more. Either way, it’s no secret that it’s easier to move if you’re moving less things.

2. Sort things by category

While this may seem like an obvious rule of thumb, sometimes people get carried away. Keeping track of moving in your head is difficult. And believe it or not, stuffing multiple random things from the same room will still be difficult to unpack. Even if it’s only meant for one room, as it still ends up being random things in a box.

Of course, if you know it’s easier for you, you should separate boxes according to room. But furthermore, you should also keep all bedding from that room in one box, books in another (and smaller, since books are heavy!), and so forth. If your living situation doesn’t require a lot of different rooms, you should definitely separate boxes by type of items only.

3. don’t be afraid to get a friend’s help

Moving alone can be an arduous task, especially if you’re a first-time college student like Brian Molloy. Like many freshman, Brian found himself alone to pack all his things in just one night. “I was really panicking for a moment, I had no idea what to do.” Brian admitted. “Thankfully, when my friends Kevin and Austin saw how stressed I was, they offered to help, and I gave in and let them. I really don’t think I would have been able to do it without them.”

Of course, unlike Brian, you’ll want to be sure to call in your favors early to ensure you get everything done and on time. Depending on what level of moving service you get, such as the one Brian got, you may be required to pack items in boxes yourself, and the moving company only moves those boxes to the correct location. Don’t feel bad at all if you find that you need a helping hand during any step in the process aside from the moving service you hire. After all, even us professionals work as a team.

4. Pick the right moving day

Too many times will a customer be more frantic than they need to be because they picked a bad day to move. Sometimes people make the mistake of picking a day where they also have work. Other days, people forget the kids don’t have school and they run around like crazy. You’ll want to do everything to ensure the move will be efficient.

Picking the right day can really solve a lot more problems than you would think. Take the day off from work. Put the kids to help you, or with a sitter if necessary. As mentioned before, you should plan this day far in advance so as to not inconvenience friends who are helping you move, and of course, for whatever moving company you hire to know when to come along.

While there are many great moving companies out there that can get your stuff in and out in a day’s notice, planning things in advance makes everything easier for everyone involved, including you. It is usually recommended that you plan at least a month ahead of time, that way you can choose to spread the packing process over multiple days if you want, or so that you’ll have plenty of time to cancel or move the date if something comes up.

5. Make a big to-do list and separate it on your calendar

It can be very easy to forget what to pack where. If you’re moving out of a space where you’ll leave some things behind, it can be easy to forget to pack what you need. A great way to avoid making any packing mistakes is to write down everything you need. This help you avoid mistakes, and also make the process feel like less work than it really is.

Our personal method we would recommend is making a big to-do list and then separating it into even more to-do lists. You can choose to make different categories of things you’ll need to pack and start listing those things that way, or you can make a big list of everything you will need to pack and then separate it by category in which it would be easiest to pack it by. Whatever works for you, as long as you write it all down, you won’t forget it.

Once you separate your tasks into smaller chunks, you’ll then want to figure out when exactly you should do them. It’s always recommended to start actually packing items at least a week before the big move. Whether you’re a college kid moving out of your room or getting a whole family into a new home, getting ahead helps. Packing can be tiring, and spreading it out will definitely make it less so.

For this, we would recommend using a calendar and choosing which days and times to pack certain things. When you do this, keep in mind which items you’ll still need to use during that week before the move. You don’t want to pack things like bedsheets a week early if you’re still going to need to sleep in bed the week before the move date.

6. Change your address a week before you move

Take some time to change your address on everything you can think of. Even if someone moves in after you, there’s no guarantee that person will be willing to get your mail to you. Plus, if you accidentally get important documents shipped to an old address, it could be dangerous. Changing your address ensures that your bills, packages, and anything else arrives on time.

7. Label your boxes

It would be rough if you packed everything and then had to open each box to remember where you put things. This is something that is forgotten more often than you would think. Even labelling boxes before packing might help in the process. Depending on what works for you, there are many different ways to label a box so you know what is where.

Using a color code system is one way you can organize your boxes. You can do this many different ways, such as getting stickers, markers, or tape. You can easily get different colors of duct tape and select a color to correspond with each room or category.

Another great way to organize and label boxes is by using a number system. Of course, you can always write “kitchen” on every box that has kitchen items in it. But if you find yourself in a desperate moment and needing a paper towel during the move, it would be much easier if you knew that bathroom box number 2 had the paper towels in it right away.

8. Pack dishes vertically

This is a neat, simple rule of thumb that a surprising amount of people don’t know about. Don’t pack your dishes horizontally and on top of each other in a box! This will make it much easier for them to break when moving. Instead, wrap each dish in packing material, and then pack them vertically like records. This will make them packed tight and way less breakable.

9. Pack a special first box

Packing a special box that you pack last and unpack first can be a life-saver. For things you use every day such as soap, towels, clothes, and other items, you’ll want to find a way to easily pack them and easily get to them so you’re not going a day without brushing your teeth or anything. If you’d like to learn more about exactly how to pack a first box, you can check out our article with all the details here.

10. Things to do a week early

We know this article might have been a mouthful. Packing to move often entails a lot more than people think, even when just moving one person or one room. Here’s a quick list of things you should do a week ahead of time to make life easier.

  • Stop buying groceries
  • Change your address
  • Defrost your fridge
  • Take pictures of your new home
  • Set aside cleaning supplies

If you’re still looking for a moving company or packing service to help you move around the central Texas area, contact us at Real Men Moving to see how we can help you.

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What to Expect From Full-Service Movers

When it comes to moving, there is a scale of how much help you can get. You can get labor only, truck only, someone just to help you pack, someone just to help with the big items, or whatever else you may desire. Moving is something that most people don’t tend to do often, so not everyone knows what to expect. Here are some basic things you can expect from full-service movers.

In-home Survey

The first thing any mover will do upon arrival is understand the basic layout of your home. Sometimes, there are sharp corners and room sizes that will make some moves difficult. Specific pieces of furniture may need to be disassembled, more packaging may be needed, or more people may be necessary to move some items out.

These extra precautions and materials tend to cost extra money for the movers to obtain. Because of this, full-service movers may need to inspect your house before beginning the move. The estimate for how much full-service moving would cost for you would then depend on how difficult or not it is to move things around your space.

Disassembly of Furniture

Furniture movers are experienced in disassembling many different types of furniture. Yes, this even includes those crazy Ikea pieces that are sometimes hard to figure out. If you have a piece of furniture that is too big and heavy or would need to be disassembled to be moved for some reason, movers would disassemble this for you as a part of the full service.

Remember to think twice about what pieces you would want to keep or take with you, especially during this part of the process. Some pieces may be too big or too heavy and, it just wouldn’t make sense to take with you. Additionally, most movers charge by weight, so getting rid of a big, difficult piece you aren’t sure about is likely to make your move a whole lot cheaper.

Packing

Most movers will only pack large pieces of furniture that would be unreasonable for anyone to pack on their own or that would require a professional to pack safely. However, there are many factors going into a move that can lead a person to needing extra packing service. Sometimes there are time constraints on moving that make it difficult for someone, even multiple people, to pack an entire house quickly. Other times, there may be an illness or emotional attachments that make it difficult for certain people to move things out of a living space.

If you think you will need extra help with packing, some companies offer this with their full-service moves. Others will not– but there are many ways you can hire people to help you pack. Websites such as Task Rabbit or Care.com are places where you can easily hire someone to perform a small task and help out with some manual labor. Keep in mind though, that if you pack as much as you can yourself, this will definitely help to lower your moving cost.

Storage Services

If your move-in date doesn’t exactly coincide with your move-out date, full-service movers can usually help with that. Many people often have a small period of time, such as a week or two, when they need to be out of one place but can’t yet be in another. For this reason, movers can help with packing things up and keeping them in a storage space.

The logistics of how your things will get moved, where, and how much it will cost depends on the moving company. Sometimes, moving companies have their own storage units at their facilities. Alternatively, companies with no personal storage space handy will need to rent out storage spaces from local storage companies. Most companies will recommend a storage company for you to work with and will be happy to oblige with moving your things to the storage unit, and then eventually out of it to your new home.

Transportation

If anything, the main thing you should expect from full-service movers is that they will, in fact, move your things from one place to another. Full-service movers highly specialize in having the right transportation– usually, trucks– to move everything you have. These moving companies who are experienced have their own trucks, and it is usually this part of the job that takes up the bulk of the cost, since many people opt to only use transportation services.

It’s no secret that Texas is a big state. If you’re specifically using a full-service Texas mover, you may want to talk about exactly where you’re moving to and from, as sometimes a move across Texas can take up to 16 hours depending on location and weight.

Weight is another thing to consider with transportation. If you have too many small items that are weighing on the cost of your move, it is often advised that you move those little things yourself if it’s going to be a financial strain. Many people hire full-service movers but then use their own cars, trucks, a friend’s truck, or even rent some other type of transporting truck (such as a U-Haul) to help themselves out a little more.

But one thing is for sure– if you’re moving any big, or fragile items, chances are you will need a professional mover to help with transporting that all in one piece.

Unpacking + Reassembly of Furniture

Whatever movers break down for you, they will have to build right back up. This is a part of the unpacking process. Professional movers know how to work with all types of furniture so well that the reassembly will seem just as easy as the disassembly. Often, movers will also tend to carry around any spare parts or tools you may need such as nails or hammers if needed.

Similar to packing, full-service movers are usually not expected to help with smaller things. This can include things like clothes, toys, and kitchenware. If you’d like someone to help with every single aspect of unpacking, you’d have to double-check with the company to see what they offer. There are also services such as those mentioned in the “packing” section you can use for this process also.

Disposal of Packing Materials

At the end of the day, you’re likely to have not only tons of extra boxes, but also things like saran wrap, bubble wrap, and other disposable items such as cleaning supplies to get rid of. Full-service movers can sometimes dispose of these things if you ask of them– especially if it happens to be their own packing materials.

Are you looking for a full-service mover to help with your moving needs? Are you moving around the central Texas area? Contact us at Real Men Moving or view our services online to see how we can help you.