Sacramento Movers Tell How To Store Christmas Ornaments

The easiest way to package ornaments is to use common packing materials that will likely be around the house after the holidays such as tissue paper and sturdy boxes. Shoe boxes could work well but the thin “clothing boxes” that are used to wrap a shirt in are probably not quite sturdy enough. Plastic storage bins also work well.

(Photo Credit: Enneagram Planet)

Alternatively, for a more DIY approach, some people find that plastic “clam shell” fruit containers (See the photo above) are useful packaging containers for ornaments.  You can place a glass or plastic ball in each of the fruit compartments. Or if you’d prefer a packing solution that is created specifically for the purpose of storing ornaments, you can find ornament storage boxes with cell dividers inside at most craft stores. The Container Store offers several ornament storage boxes including an “Archival” box that features acid-free, adjustable size dividers which can hold up to 28 ornaments.

Begin with packing ornaments in their original boxes if you have them. For example the set of six glass balls can be placed back in the container they came in. The hand made snowflake ornament from your sister may not be so easily packaged. This is where all that left-over tissue paper comes in. Carefully wrap any glass or otherwise fragile ornaments in tissue and place them in a box. Mark the box as fragile and be sure to pack extra cushioning in the bottom and corners of the box. If you have them available, cell dividers can help keep ornaments in place but are not entirely necessary if enough cushioning is used. Dish pack moving boxes complete with cell dividers could be a great way to protect fragile ornaments. These boxes are used to protect china flatware and crystal stemware so they could easily keep breakable ornaments intact.

For any wooden or plastic ornaments, using a cloth or tissue cushioning between layers should be enough to keep ornaments safe from damage. These should be placed in a separate box from the delicate glass ornaments. Dough ornaments, such as the ones children make in school should be packed separately from other ornaments if possible just in case the “cookie crumbles” leaving crumbs throughout the box.

Garland can be coiled and either placed on top of the wood and plastic ornaments with a layer of tissue cushioning between the two or it can be placed in a separate box. Lights should be loosely coiled and placed in a separate box. Be sure to label all boxes and place in a safe, dry place that will be out of the way until next year such as the garage, attic or the top shelf of a closet.

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 Detail How to Prepare for a Cross Country Move

First consider who you will do the move. Will you be doing the moving yourself by renting a truck or will you hire movers? If you are not sure what you want to do but are trying to keep costs down, research both methods thoroughly to discover what the price is. You may find that renting a truck would add up to nearly the same amount as hiring movers when the gas, insurance and other expenses are accounted for. Also be sure to get a lock for the truck so that if it is parked and left unattended, then you don’t have to worry about it being broken in to. As you research moving companies, be sure to get onsite estimates from a few different movers.  For more information about choosing the right long distance mover, view this blog post.

If you are doing the packing yourself, then begin the packing as soon as you know you’re moving. Start by getting rid of any items you don’t want. If you are renting a truck then you will have to pay more for a larger truck and if you are hiring movers then you will have to pay more depending on the weight of your items. So prior to making a long distance move is the best time to sort through the garage, attic and closets and either sell unwanted items at a garage sale or donate them to charity. Any items you decide to keep but don’t need immediately should be packed up.

It’s always a good idea to get in touch with any local schools that your children may be transferring to and make sure you have all transcripts from the previous school. You may also want to speak to the Chamber of Commerce in the community in which you will live. The chamber may have information about local businesses for you or even an introductory packet with coupons for local businesses and maps of the city. A few weeks before the move you should also file a change of address card with the post office, schedule disconnect times for all utilities and household services including gas, electric, lawn care, cleaning help, pool maintenance, etc. Cancel newspapers, magazines and club memberships. If you will be driving your vehicle cross country, be sure to get an oil change or tune-up before the move.

As you pack household items, set aside items that cannot be moved such as hazardous materials or explosives. See a complete list of items that should not be moved here. Make arrangements to have any animals travel in your own vehicle or by air if you are flying to your new home. Do not plan to transport perishable food across country. Also keep any especially valuable items such as jewelry or important documents with you at all times.

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 Give Instructions For Moving Pianos

Not only are pianos fragile items they are also large, awkwardly shaped, and extremely heavy, making them a challenging item to move. You may consider doing the move yourself with just a couple of friends to help lift. Keep in mind that for any upright piano over four feet tall or for any grand piano over six feet long, it’s a good rule of thumb to hire professional piano movers to handle the job. Also if the piano will need to be moved up or down stairs or in an elevator, professional movers should be utilized.  For anything smaller you may attempt to do the move yourself, in which case, the first thing you will need to do is get some extra hands to help with the lifting. Once you’ve got that, it’s all a matter of a few simple steps.

  

(Photo Credit: HomeGuides and ManbertTrucking)

Upright Pianos. These tall, top-heavy units can weight anywhere from 300 pounds to more than 800 pounds. If the keyboard has a lid, close and lock the lid so that the keys are protected. Next disassemble the front two legs supporting the keyboard if possible. If the piano is on wheels, these should be removed as well. Thoroughly pad the whole piano and fasten the padding with industrial stretch wrap. When lifting the piano, it should always be kept upright, never tipped sideways or on its back. It’s best to have at least three men available to move an upright piano so that one man can stand on each side and lift it evenly off the floor and the third man can slide a furniture dolly underneath the unit. Roll it to the door, lift it over the threshold and set it back on the dolly outside the house. It may be possible to roll the piano on the dolly all the way to the moving truck but if there are more stairs, then carrying the piece by hand is the best way to do it and more muscle power should be called upon. Once on the truck, the piano should be placed with the keyboard facing the side wall of the truck. Use straps to secure it in place.

Baby Grand and Grand Pianos. These pianos can weigh anywhere from 500 to 1200 pounds requiring an especially large moving crew. As with the upright piano, begin with closing the lid on the keyboard so that the keys are protected. Next remove the lyre and music rack, then remove each of the three legs that support the piano. Pad and stretch wrap each part as well as the main unit. Next the piano needs to be mounted on a piano skidboard which is a padded board with straps. The piano needs to be tipped on its side then strapped to the board. When it’s time to roll the piano on its dolly up the ramp of the truck, be sure that the keyboards side is facing down the slope. Once on the truck, remove the piano from its furniture dolly and face the top of the piano toward the wall of the truck. Strap it into the truck securely.

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 Share 8 Safety Tips For Driving A Rental Truck

For many people who do a self-move, one of the challenges is driving the rented moving truck. Challenges arise in that this vehicle is much bigger and heavier than the average car as well as lacking a rear view. When it’s time to get behind the wheel of a moving truck be sure to follow a few safety guidelines.

(Photo Credit: NY Times)

1. Beware of turns. Since moving trucks and trailers are longer and wider than the average vehicle, it’s important to give yourself a little extra room on turns.

2. Decrease speed. Pushing the speed limit in the fast lane is not such a good idea with moving trucks and trailers. Keep in the right hand lanes and watch for sign indicating what the speed limit for trucks is in that area.

3. Increase the space cushion. Larger vehicles take longer to slow down, especially if they are burdened with a heavy load. Increase the follow distance from the vehicle ahead of you so that if any sudden stops occur you will have time to slow down and avoid rear end collisions.

4. Break early. Be conscious of upcoming stops or slowdowns. Begin to break earlier than you would in a car.

5. Use a spotter. It’s always wise to have someone in the passenger seat who can help navigate as well as direct you in and out of parking spaces. Anytime you must back up, your spotter should stand behind the truck and help guide you.

6. Watch overhead clearances. Beware of low canopies, overpasses, bridges, drive-thru restaurants and banks, tree branches, and parking garages. Watch out for signs prohibiting truck traffic. Find out how tall the truck you are driving is and look out for signs signaling what clearance is permitted.

7. Watch for road signs. Pay attention to signs including truck weigh stations and check brakes signs.

8. Parking and safety cones. If possible park the truck in drive-through parking spaces. If none are available and a regular parking space is all that is available, try to find one out of the way so that you do not obstruct traffic. Use safety cones anytime the truck is parked in an unusual spot or anywhere that may obstruct traffic. Don’t forget to set the emergency break!

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.