TWO MEN AND A TRUCK/ Sacramento - Month Before Move Checklist

Our newest video has been released on YouTube today.  It features a checklist to help you prepare for your upcoming move.







1.)  Gather Different Quotes - Select and Reserve A Moving Company.
2.)  Decide who will be doing the packing.
3.)  Start to clean out the garage, attic and closets
4.)  Get "change of address" cards from your local Post Office.
5.)  Transfer School Records
6.)  Get Owner's Manual for Appliances

Sacramento Movers Discuss How Measure Curtains For Your New Home

So you’ve settled into your new home, unpacked the boxes and now you’re on to decorating. The project you’ve decided to tackle is installing curtains over your windows. You can easily purchase curtains from any home store in a variety of colors, styles, textures, and sizes. Or if you want to accomplish a custom look, head to the fabric store and sew your own panels. Whichever you choose to do, the first step is essential to the project: take accurate measurements.

(Photo Credit: ArchitectsForLife.com)

First of all decide what style of curtain you are going for. A café style covering, a light crisp accent, or formal drapery? Do you want them to be floor length or just cover the window area? Next determine where the curtain rod will go. For a standard look you can place the rod two to three inches above the top of the window. If you want floor-length drapes, you may place the rod just a couple inches below the ceiling. Or you may even consider placing the curtain rod just within the window frame. This works well for small kitchen windows where you just need a simple layer of material to cut the sun’s sharp rays.

Once you’ve decided on the style of curtains you are looking for as well as curtain rod placement, you will need to measure your windows. Measure your window for width and height. If you are doing floor length curtains, measure height from the curtain rod to the floor. For curtains that simply extend past the windowsill, measure from the curtain rod to three inches below the window. Next, in order to allow for a full, gathered look, you will want your window panels to be 1 ½ to 3 times the width of the window width you measured.

Bring along your measurements and any color swatches you’re working with whenever you go shopping so that you can make a wise purchase. If you are also in the market for a curtain rod and hardware, just make sure to find a rod that measures the width of the window itself plus a couple inches on either side. Often curtain rods are sold with installation hardware as well as directions for installation.

Curtains can be fairly simple to install but they make a big difference when it comes to the coziness and completeness of your decorating scheme. Once you’ve taken the time to take measurements, do the shopping, and finally make the installation, you will be able to enjoy shade in the summer and warmth in the winter!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers List Items To Include In A Day Of The Move Survival Box

Before you move it’s a good idea to clean the stove and defrost the fridge. But don’t pack up all the cleaning supplies. Once all the furniture and boxes have been moved it’s always a good idea to have some essential cleaning supplies on hand for one last cleanup after the move. Set aside some supplies in a closet so that they won’t accidentally be carried away in the move. Here are a few items that should be held aside at the old house to clean up after the move:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Broom
• Dust pan
• Mop
• Vacuum
• Cleaning towels

Don’t forget to pack a box of essential items to bring to the move-to location as well. You might need these right away when you arrive so make sure it’s one of the last items on the truck so that it will be unloaded first. Items you may want to include in this “survival box” include:

• Toilet paper
• Hand soap
• All-purpose cleaner
• Cleaning towels
• Water bottles
• Snacks
• Paper hand towels
• Enough cash to tide you over
• First aid kit

You will also want to make sure all your appliances are properly connected so that you can prepare meals and store food right away. If you have the owner’s manuals for appliances that are being moved, put these in your survival box as well so that you know where to find them right away if you need them.

There may be other items you would need to add to this box as well including items for childcare or for your pet. Try to sit down ahead of time and think through your needs to determine what you may want right away upon moving. And last but not least, don’t forget to say goodbye to the neighbors!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Explain Specialty Moving Boxes And How To Pack Them

Make sure you have plenty of time before move day to pack up your belongings.  The first step to doing this is to get your moving boxes early. You can find moving boxes at your storage facility or through your moving company. In fact if you would rather let someone else take care of it, many moving companies will do the packing for you either the day before or the day of the move. However if you prefer to do it yourself or just want to keep costs down, make sure you’ve got the right boxes for the job.

Small Boxes (1.5 cubic foot) All of your small, heavy items go into smaller boxes. This size of box is great for books, records, canned food, shoes, and kitchen utensils. Pack books on their side with the binding facing up. When you pack shoes, do not over stuff the box or the shoes can become damaged. Also, lightly wrap the shoes in packing paper to prevent scuffing as they shift around in the box.

Medium Boxes (3 cubic foot) You can use medium boxes for packing a variety of items such as children’s toys, lamps or lamp shades, kitchen items and small appliances. You can use these boxes for packing up knick-knacks or decorative items throughout the house. You may also use these boxes for electronic items if you do not have their original boxes. Don’t forget to pack the TV remote!

Large Boxes (4.5 cubic foot) Use large boxes to pack lightweight, bulky items such as pillows, bedding, stuffed animals, and large electronic items. Be careful of overloading large boxes with heavy items or you may be at risk of breaking your back when you try to lift the box. Remember, when lifting heavy boxes, squat down, keep your back up, and lift with your knees, not your back!

Dish Packs are large boxes with cell-dividers that make packing the kitchen a snap. You can load these up with all your plates, bowls, glasses, and stemware. Make sure that you put extra packing paper in the bottom corners of the box as these are the areas that are most likely to be battered in transit. Wrap each item individually in plain packing paper, not newspaper or you will find ink stains on your fine china. Pack heavier pieces towards the bottom and pack your glasses and stemware at the top of the box.

Wardrobe Boxes are the largest moving boxes, each of which can hold twenty to thirty pieces of hung clothing items. This box spares you the headache of having to take hundreds of articles off of hangers only to have to iron and re-hang them all once you’ve arrived at the ending location. Wardrobe boxes contain a built in arm that hangers can be placed upon so that clothing can hang, unwrinkled throughout the move. You can also put shoes in the bottom of the box or drape folded curtains, bed sheets, or table clothes over the bar at the top of the box.

Picture Boxes are four-piece boxes that come in large or small sizes. They can be customized by telescoping in and out to fit any size of framed picture or mirror. Start by wrapping the picture or mirror in bubble wrap. Next you simply crumple some packing paper into each box corner and fit each one over a corner of the frame. Tape the box along the seams and your frame is ready to transport!

You may be tempted to get boxes at a local grocery store, however keep in mind that boxes which contained food items may be crawling with unseen critters. For sanitary reasons, avoid used boxes! Also used boxes are often less sturdy than moving boxes. The last thing you want is for the box to give way under the weight of your items and fall apart before your items have safely made it to the new home.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers a wide selection of competitively priced moving boxes and packing supplies including packing tape, packing paper, markers, paper moving pads, bubble wrap and stretch wrap, and more.

We'll give you a full refund for any boxes you don't use. Remember as you pack — the heavier the item, the smaller the box.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.

Sacramento Movers Suggest How To Decorate The Dorm On A Budget

College is starting and it’s time to move into the dorm. But wait! You spent so much money on tuition, a new laptop, and the college wardrobe… there’s only a shoestring budget left for decorating the dorm. Fortunately, with a few creative steps, you can transform the dorm from dull to decked-out.

Walls. Begin the project with a splash of paint. A little color goes a long way when it comes to making a small space feel warm and friendly. Even just painting one wall will really help to bring together the color scheme that you’re going for. Dorms don’t last forever so look for cheaper paints, which can be found at Lowe’s or Walmart.

Windows. Check out Target, Ross or Marshall’s for inexpensive curtain sets or if you know basic sewing skills, try making your own. You can choose from a variety of colors, textures and patterns at any local fabric store and often can get yards of fabric for a good price. Don’t forget to look at their clearance fabrics or bring along coupons. Joann’s Fabric and Crafts often offers coupons for 40-50% off of fabric.  Curtains are simple or can be inexpensive to buy but they add coziness to your room. 

Bed. You may consider getting the bedding first and matching everything else in the room to the bed set. Why? Two reasons. First, the bed is the largest furniture item in the room so no matter what, it will make a statement. Two, bedding can be expensive. To cut back on that expense, try to get a bed-in-a-bag at a low price. These can again be found at Target, Ross or Marshall’s. However there is only so much selection, so find a style you like and plan the rest of your décor to match this central piece.

Furniture. The best place to get inexpensive furniture is second hand. Check out garage sales, Craigslist, or local thrift stores to find dressers, chairs and desks. You can easily find pieces of furniture for under $20 at these locations. Then pull out the paint and give each piece a fresh coat to personalize it and to fit the decorating scheme.

Art. Now it’s time to add the finishing touches. Everything looks great except the bare walls. Purchasing artwork can be expensive and difficult to find something that’s just right. Here are some easy and inexpensive solutions. Go to a thrift store or garage sale and buy any frame that is the size you are looking for. Cover this with fabric in fun colors and patterns. Hang these on the wall for an easy pop of color. Here’s an example of a fabric covered frame. Another idea is to get colorful scrapbooking paper and frame a few different sheets. See this blog for photo examples and a how-to.

If you are stumped on how it will all come together or what color scheme to go with, try looking up pictures of dorm décor or color schemes on the internet. When you find some ideas you like, use the money-saving strategies discussed above to make your own version of the examples you found. Here’s one website with colorful dorm rooms to get you started.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers List 5 Things To Do After The Move

So you’ve got the pre-move checklists down, but what about after everything has made its way from point A to point B? There are still a few things to consider once you’ve unloaded those last boxes into your new house. You’ve still got so much to do… unpacking everything, finding new homes for all your belongings, and adding new decorative touches where needed. The question is where to start? Here are five things to focus on after the move.

(Photo Credit: infonews.co.nz)

1. Don’t be too ambitious. Do not expect (or try) to unpack everything on the day you move. Unpack the most essential items first, that you will need on a day-to-day basis. If you’re a planner and need to set aside times to unpack, set realistic goals for your self. Finding new places for your belongings can take a while so give yourself more time than you think you will need.

2. Think you lost an item in the shuffle of the move? First, try to think of where you last saw the item. Do you know which box it went into? Who packed it up? Try going through your boxes. Give it at least a day to turn up. If you just can’t find it, call your moving company and ask if they might have any clue as to where that item was placed.

3. Don’t do all the work by yourself. Many people will hire professionals or call up some friends to help move the heavy items but often do all the unpacking themselves. It’s always a good idea to get a helping hand for the un-pack as well. This could be a family member, friend, or even a professional mover who can assist with un-packing. Not only does this make the job go quicker, it also breaks up the monotony and can help you un-wind from the stress of a move.

4. Make sure to take breaks from the unpacking. Several hours of unpacking can be exhausting. Make sure to give yourself little breaks throughout the process to explore the neighborhood or find the nearest Starbucks, gas station, and grocery store. Taking your mind off the move for a little while can really help you to relax.

5. Host a housewarming party. When the boxes are unpacked, everything is placed where you want it to go and you start feeling more settled-in, make sure to celebrate the move. Show of the new home to family, friends, and your new neighbors. This can be great opportunity to reconnect with old friends as well as meet a few new ones (the neighbors). This final step will really help you feel at home in your new house. Don’t put it off too long or you may just never get around to it.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers Explain How To Clean Your House In 5 Minutes

It can be easy to let things go around the house. Before you know it the kitchen counters are piled high with dirty dishes, the floor is covered in crumbs, there is clutter in every room. It seems like it will take you a full day of cleaning just to get everything back in order. It doesn’t have to be that hard. In fact you can cut the clutter in just 5 minutes. I know what you’re thinking…how on earth?

First of all enlist help. Call together the whole family and announce that it’s time for a 5 minute clean up. No one is allowed to go back to their homework, TV or internet until they’ve helped clean the house for just 5 minutes. You could turn on some fun, upbeat music to make it feel little less like work and more like a fun game. It goes by quick but you’d be surprised what can be accomplished in this short bit of time.

Ask everyone to tidy and clean as much as they can in 5 minutes. It might help do quickly delegate tasks. For example ask little Susie to pick up all the toys and put them away, ask little Johnny to sweep the kitchen floor and vacuum, while you tackle those dishes. Or you can just ask everyone to clean anything in sight and let them decide what chore to do. Once the 5 minutes are up… clean up is over. Everyone goes back to their activities. Does the house look better already? Thought so!

Now what if you’re not sure where to start? There’s no way a full day’s worth of tidying and cleaning can be done in 5 minutes. So pick the most essential areas and tackle those. For example here are some tasks that only take a minute or two but can make all the difference for getting your house to feel at least semi-clean until you can find time for the bigger cleaning projects.

• Grab a few disinfectant wipes and hit the bathroom counter
• Gather toys and clutter into a laundry basket to get it off the floor
• Sweep the entry way, kitchen and bathroom
• Make your bed
• Start the dishwasher
• Start the washer
• Take out the trash
• Clean the kitchen counters

Try to build preventative habits so that you can maintain the cleanliness of your house rather than letting everything build up. For example find homes for items where it would make sense to put them. The easier it is to put something away, the more likely you will be to actually put it back in its place right after using it. Keep a bottle of shower spray in or near your shower so that you can prevent build up with a few quick squirts before or after your daily shower. Shake out entryway rugs to cut down on the sweeping and vacuuming. If you shake out that rug at least once a week, it does a better job capturing dirt before it enters your home.

As you notice areas in the home that get dirty often, try to think through ways that you can build preventative habits to keep that area clean longer. Also try to find ways to clean that area quickly. As you work on these habits, teach them to the kids. They will never know how to keep things clean unless they participate in house cleaning regularly. Just a little bit of cleaning and tidying from everyone in the family can go a long way.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers List 5 Things To Know When Booking A Move

When you decide it’s time to book a move with a local moving service or even just call around for moving rates, there are some things you can do to make the process more efficient. If you are prepared with the right information regarding your move, it will help your move consultant get a better idea of the scope of your move and give you a more accurate rate and crew size. So here are some things you should know when calling a moving company to review rates or book a move.

1. Square footage. One of the first things you should know is the square footage of your dwelling. If you live in an apartment simply stating the amount of rooms may give the estimator an idea of the size of dwelling.

2. What are you planning to have moved? You may want the moving company to move all your belongings or just the heavy items. You can decide how much you want to take care of on your own or if you’d rather let them do all the work. Either way, take an inventory of the items you plan to have moved. It may be a good idea to jot everything down on a piece of paper just so you don’t forget anything. Try to think through each room of the house, the bedrooms, dining room, family areas, kitchen, garage, and patio. Include on your list any appliances that are being moved as well as obscure items such as Bar-B-Ques, pool tables, or pianos.

3. What are your plans for packing? Before you book your move, decide whether you will be doing the packing yourself or if you would rather have the moving company do this for you.  You can choose to have your professional mover pack the whole house or just one room. Many people choose to have professionals pack the kitchen where an expert hand is especially useful in dealing with dishware. Keep in mind that if you do the packing yourself, your moving company is not liable for anything damaged in the boxes.

4. Where will you be getting your boxes? Will you be adding boxes to your order with your mover? Getting boxes from your mover can be a good idea for a couple of reasons. First they are much more sturdy than your average grocery store box and more sanitary. You don’t want to use old or used boxes because they may not support your belongings. Second, using boxes that are all a uniform size make loading onto the truck much easier and speeds up the process saving you time and more importantly money.

5. Don’t forget to ask questions. Make sure to ask the moving companies you are considering specific questions. For example, ask what their valuation options are for in case of damage. Ask about how their movers and drivers are trained to handle your furniture. Ask what extra charges you will be paying for such as double drive time, fuel charges, and worker’s comp fees. Remember, there’s more than a mover than an hourly rate.

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com.

Sacramento Movers Share How To Make Moving Easier For The Kids

Change can be hard for children and moving to a new home can be especially scary for little ones. Take a moment to consider a few ways how you can make the move as smooth and easy a transition for them as possible.

Help them get used to the idea of moving. As soon as you’ve decided you will be moving, let the kids know so that they have plenty of time to adjust to the thought of a new home. Explain what the house looks like or even better take your child to see it if possible. Taking a tour may even help your child to become excited about the new place and look forward to moving in.

Include them in the to-do list. Assign your child duties to prepare for move day such as helping pack up their room or the pet toys. You could also give them small boxes and ask them to stack books inside for an easy packing assignment.

Encourage them to maintain friendships. If your children will be leaving friends behind, encourage them to keep in contact and set up play dates so that they don’t loose friends in addition all the familiar surroundings.

Help your child decorate their room. Setting up the new bedroom can be fun and exciting if you make a play date out of it. Spend the time and crank up your energy to help your kid adjust to their new surroundings by helping them set up their room to their liking. The sooner you can put familiar objects in the room, the more quickly your child will feel at home at the new dwelling place.

Do you have any great tips for moving with kids? Let us know!

Our Sacramento Moving Company employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Sacramento Movers also offers packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

For more information call Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office at 916-852-7411 or visit us on our website at www.twomensacramento.com