Move Management Archives

7 Top ‘Good Excuses’ for Using Storage Units

by Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Since I am sharing my thoughts and tips this month on “Out of Sight Storage”, nothing quite lives up to this description like a Storage unit. You might have asked yourself, is there ever a good excuse for using storage units? How can you prevent your storage unit from being a large junk pile? Below I share “Good excuses” for using storage units.

On average, almost 10% of US Households have a storage unit of some type.

More of these storage facilities seem to be popping up all the time and with the popularity of shows like “Storage Wars“, our culture seems to have accepted that using storage units is “Normal”. But should they be? I can’t provide the right answer for every situation but I’d love to share some experiences where I think having some type of storage unit has been useful and other times when it seems like a big $ pit.

Here are the 7 top ‘Good Excuses’ for using Storage Units.

Storing valuable personal property that might not be protected at home. Example might include large collections of climate sensitive items or expensive vehicles that might be more safe in climate control.
Home remodeling. It’s often necessary to place items into storage when you are remodeling or building. In this case, make items you might need easy to access. Building and remodeling can take longer than expected so plan ahead (seasonal wardrobe switch, paperwork etc).
Collections or work related archives that you need to hold onto for legal reasons but do not have space for at your home or small business. Examples might include artwork, medical files/records or other paperwork that is taking up more valuable space elsewhere.
Temporary storage of items when moving. This can be especially helpful if items are being moved to multiple locations and will help make moving day easier when you can specify what comes from storage vs. other locations.
Downsizing and times of indecision or stress. I share this option with a word of extreme caution. Often people fall into the forever storage situation triggered by a move or downsizing and they just never get back to sorting through things. If you must downsize and place items to be sorted in storage, do so with the minimum space needed and a plan to sort through items on a specific timeline (say one year max?).
Estate sales and family redistribution. There are times that a storage unit can be helpful in sorting through and liquidating an estate. Sometimes family doesn’t live nearby and the main property can no longer be used for storage. It’s best to know specifically what contents are going into storage, inventoried to be distributed to specific family members and given a specific deadline for emptying. Decide ahead if the family estate will pay for this or family members will split the cost and be clear in your communication about expectations.
Insurance claim issues. There is sometimes damage to a house (see remodel/build above) and household contents must be stored and or inventoried for insurance purposes. This is not that common but I have seen and worked with clients in this situation.

If you’re not sure if storage off site is the right choice, consider the cost per square foot of the storage unit or keeping things in place. You may also want to consider what you will do with the free space you gain in your home or office. What is the value of that space to you, fiscally, creatively, emotionally?

Once you have identified why and what you need to be using a storage unit, create an inventory and system for efficient storage. This will help you gain access to what you need quickly and efficiently. If you are storing items for a business, create a file-inventory index based on the type of storage you will use. If you will store files in bankers boxes, decide on a labeling system and label boxes and shelves so that you can identify and replace things easily. Larger items like artwork or collectibles can be labeled similarly.

Create an easy-to-access storage system by bringing in easy to assemble shelves and take advantage of the vertical space and tall ceilings in most storage units. Be sure you are storing anything sensitive in a climate controlled environment and that you have sufficient insurance and a clear plan to communicate and make regular payments to the storage facility (so that your unit doesn’t end up on Storage Wars!:)

If you know you are using a storage unit for temporary reasons, don’t sign a long term contract and be aware and notify your storage facility of your exit date (read the contract). Will you be getting rid of things all at once (book the mover early so you don’t back out!) or a little at a time? Have a plan to work through things that need to be sorted with a friend, family member or an organizer.

Moving Advice for Gracious Living

by Filed Under: Move Management, Organize Leave a Comment

My dear friend Celeste has a lovely blog filled with an assortment of observations to enhance your modern life! She was kind enough to allow me to share her pearls of wisdom and Moving Advice for Gracious Living here with you…

From the desk of Celeste B.
Moving? A friend of my acquaintance is a master at it. She has undertaken and supervised 5 moves in 6 years in New York City as well as many others during her adult lifetime, including a recent one to the coast of Maine, of all places!
Anyhoo, I have managed to glean some very helpful tips from her as to how to maintain sanity and equilibrium in general during the process, without excessive medications. She also advises to save cocktail time until the end of the packing workday which I feel is entirely sensible given the chances for mishaps. Of course if you can afford to have your movers wrap, box and load all your worldly goods then this will not pertain to you and you may as well not upset your routine happy hour in any way.

The truck rental and movers have scads of boxes and material of all kinds. Bite the bullet and pay for them for a couple of reasons: the boxes are uniform in shape, they are in new condition, they are available in one place and they can be returned if not used.

If you must scavenge boxes elsewhere, be choosy about their condition. Set up a temporary area in every room for wrapping and boxing, preferably on a table of convenient height with good lighting. Gather your supplies: pens, stickers, wrapping paper and legal pad. That last is paramount. Make a list. Number every box (see above) and make a fairly detailed list of the contents of each box. If that sounds like a lot of work, I can only say that it will be worth it when you are trying to find the toaster and coffee maker among the jumble of everything. When you plainly number boxes, write it on at least four of the six sides, otherwise you will certainly be looking at stacks of boxes with a number only on top. You will be able to assign arrival rooms to boxes by number at any time if you haven’t stickered them with a color code scheme for the movers. And Ladies, protect your hands from the drying effect of wrapping paper by wearing gloves. That paper draws all the moisture from your skin!
Don’t fill a box beyond its limit and be mindful of weight. Using another box won’t hurt a thing and will safeguard against possible tragedies. Books are a good example. Just because a box will hold them all does not mean it is appropriate, that’s why there are mover-designated book boxes which are about the size of a liquor box, a perfect restraint against overloading. Use your blankets, towels and pillows to cushion items. Use that sticky paper tape to seal boxes, not the flimsy plastic type better used for mailing. Don’t be shy about sealing the bottom with two strips of tape.

Don’t feel that everything must be boxed. Movers deal with oddly shaped items all the time, but do wrap them if they are vulnerable.
Let us not forget that we have too much stuff in general and that de-accessioning as much as you can will allow you to be less of a slave to possessions. Grandmother wisely reminded me that the Latin word for possessions is impedimenta. Find a good consignment
shop and breathe easy.
Smooches,
Celeste

Your Moving Guide to Uproot With Ease

by Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Moving can be one of the most exciting events in your life. New city (or just a new zipcode), new terrain, new people – for many the perfect way to hit reset on life. But that free spirit mentality only lasts so long once confronted with the realities of moving. Then comes the stressors of a new job, finding a place to live, new social circles, not to mention the move itself. Moving is considered one of the top stress activities in life but with this quick guide we hope to help make moving a breeze.

Are you flying, driving, shipping or towing your belongings? As the to-do’s pile up, the dollar signs follow, but armed with the right tips you can avoid some unforeseen hiccups on the road.

Uproot with Ease, Your Guide to Make Moving a Breeze

Location, Location, Location
– Moving on a whim? Do your research. How does the cost of living compare? Job market? Weather? These characteristics will all factor into your overall happiness post-move.
– No car? Check out the new city’s walkability score and how effective their public transit systems are first.
– Yes car? If the climate is different where you are headed you may need to make some adjustments to your vehicle such as all-season or snow tires. It is also worth taking note of parking. While many cities may offer street parking, some may require you pay for a garage.
– Weather change? While your instinct may be to layer up for cold weather or pare down for warmer climates ahead of time, it may be worth it to wait. Unless your are headed from 80 and sunny to 10 and snowy, scope out what residents are actually wearing. That born and bred neighbor will likely be able to give you better advice than a weather forecast.

The Long Haul
– Driving? Plan your route, and a backup, ahead of time. If your travel time amounts to multiple days pinpoint where you would like to stop and stay. Try to avoid big cities during heavy traffic times and trade off drivers if possible. Also remember, it’s a road trip! Maybe you can check out some landmarks or the largest ball of yarn en route!
– Towing? Consider your options. There are many different moving services providers today including U-Haul, Budget, etc. Companies offer multiple sizes in vehicles from minivans to mac trucks, but check to see if your nearest location offers the size you have in mind, and if they allow you to drop off the vehicle at a sister location.
– Shipping? When you consider the cost of a rental, gas, and hotel stays for some moves, shipping your belongings may make more sense. Companies like Pods and U-Haul offer such services which can include storage and the option of them packing the unit for you.

New Digs
– Renting? If Craigslist is your go-to consider additional sources like Trulia, Apartments.com, as well as local realty companies. Many real estate companies include lists of available properties, but call and find out if there are others soon to be available that are not showing on the site. Also inquire as to whether maintenance is performed between tenants, what is expected in terms of personal maintenance, can Fido come, and what may or may not be included in the rent price, i.e. electric, water, etc.
– Brand new? Explore the different neighborhoods, preferably during a trip pre-move. Does the social scene cater to young adults or established families? How convenient are things like laundry, groceries, etc?
– Downsizing? Do a purge before the move. Donate any clothing, kitchenwares, furniture that either won’t fit or won’t belong. Chances are you will be doing another overhaul post-move.

Getting Social
– Exercise? Join a local yoga studio or fitness club. Running and cycling meet ups are not only a great way to meet people, but also to explore your new home. Use the MINDBODY App or head over to the local recreation center to find activities near you.
– Networking? Whether it’s through a social-based platform like Meetup or a local “young professionals” group, there are a number of online sources to network in a social or business setting. Two personal favorites are Meet My Dog and Supper Club.
– Lend a hand? Volunteering will not only give you all those positive feels, but getting out in the community will help you learn more about the city and its residents. Not sure where to go? Volunteer Match can help with that.

Most importantly, keep an open mind. Living in a new place gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and this great, big world we live in. Don’t let the burden of packing and hauling and unpacking cast a shadow over the new people you will meet and experiences you will have. Plan ahead and take the plunge!

How can a Professional Organizer Help with Moving?

by Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

I find a lot of people asking me about how can a professional organizer help with moving? I though it might be a good subject to share this month as I get into more moving related posts. There are a lot of resources out there for moving, but an Organizer can help you specifically based on your individual needs and schedule. Of course there are a lot of variables like local or long distance, corporate relocation or DIY, remodel with move, downsizing and possible storage needs. So it can get complicated but I hope I can share some of the basic’s in how we PO’s can help with a variety of moving circumstances!

A big part of what an Organizer does to help with moving is what’s called “Move Management” in our industry. The steps below break down the process and organizers can and will help at any stage along the way, from researching moving companies, purging, setting deadlines and realistic expectations to actually helping with packing, move day coordination and unpacking and organizing at the new home.

Start with the end and set your date!! The most important thing to keep an eye on is the end date…work backwards from there. Get your move scheduled ASAP or at least have a ballpark idea of when the move is happening, 6 weeks or 6 months is going to make a big difference! If you know who you will use, go ahead and book your ideal moving date now (you can change it later if needed).

Don’t under-estimate how much work moving is! One of the biggest mistakes I see when it comes to moving is people under-estimating how much time it takes to prepare, but when we break it down with move date in mind it is a much more manageable process.

Research and decide on your moving company or how you will be transporting items from old to new location. Will you be packing items yourself, having a moving company come pack everything or something in between?

If you have a lot of items go through and are downsizing a great deal, it’s never too soon to start this process.

Purge in categories (ex. Clothing, Books, Holiday decor, memorabilia, linens, furniture, etc). Start sorting items one category at a time. I recommend starting with large items like furniture and easy items like linens and toiletries. An organizer can help you decide if it’s best to donate, trash/recycle, sell or give items to family/friends. Use sticky notes and a notepad to identify and tag items to get rid of. This will help you keep track of larger pieces that will not be making the move.

Set aside a short-long term “staging” area that you can use for sorting and temporarily storing items to get rid of (a garage or spare room). This is also an area to keep packing supplies like tape, bubble wrap, paper etc. Start gathering supplies to keep in this area so you can pack as needed.

Make arrangements for weekly pick up or drop off of donations (again, something an organizer can do for you).

Create an inventory “notebook” or file. As you pack boxes, label them with the room they will go to, box number and general contents on your inventory sheet. Also keep track of special items or valuables on this list.

Pack up personal photo’s and extra memorabilia, especially if your home is being staged for sale. Work with your real estate agent, organizer or stager to determine the appropriate amount of “accessorizing” for your home’s size and market.

Book your movers about one month ahead if you have not already!

Book your unpacking crew (either with the moving company or your professional organizer).

Did you know that unpack service does not include putting items away? Unpacking service will only place items on horizontal surfaces, this can sometimes be a big annoyance! Coordinate with your mover and organizer to get you settled in ASAP!

Pack by category and by room or be sure each room and category is ready to be packed by professionals in a way that will make the most sense when unpacking. Gather all papers into one place and any other categories you would like to be packed together.

The last items to be packed should be the first items to be unpacked. Be sure you know where items like sheets, towels and frequently used household items are (ex. coffee pot, cleaning supplies, paper plates or a few essential dishes etc).

Set aside toiletries, clothing, small valuables, medications, food items and important papers you want to hand carry to your new home on moving day. These items should be packed by you in your luggage.

Hire your organizer for move day coordination. They can meet your movers as they pack the contents of your old home, checking to be sure items are properly labeled and identified to be placed in your new home properly.

Hire your organizer (or a crew) for 1-2 days of unpacking service to help get your essential rooms (and beyond) set up for your first night in your new home. An organizer will meet the moving crew, have them place boxes in a location that will not impede household use and will begin unpacking essential rooms like bedrooms, closets, bathrooms and the kitchen.

Have a restful first night in your new home!

Moving can be stressful but with planning, prioritizing and help from an organizer, it can be a breeze and a lot of fun settling into a new home!

Moving Monday Unpacked In A Day

by Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects

I’m honoring this holiday by not laboring myself, how about you? I was on the road for a last minute business trip last week that took me over 1000 miles in 3.5 days! Since I love to share projects I’ve completed, today I’m share photos (Before & After’s!) of a Quick Moving Monday Unpacked In A Day job I did about 2 weeks ago. I love how satisfying unpack jobs are, either working with the client or on my own I get to “Play House” and help them get settled into their new home!

This was a 1 person corporate executive relocation and I unpacked this 2 BR/2BA apartment in one long day. This was a tight fit and the client was told she would have a 3 BR but only a 2BR was available for now…

When I arrived the boxes were placed in the general rooms they belonged in but you just never know what you are getting into and so I always feel a mix of excitement and anxiety (not stressed and worried-just that sense of the total unknown) as I get started on a job like this…it was a tight fit to begin with.

The project went like this…

Above and Below::open plan Living Room and Kitchen/Dining area were full of boxes. This is where I started, getting the larger items and boxes out of the way first.

Everything was unpacked, lamps and accessories placed and boxes broken down/removed.

The Master Bedroom was a very tight fit with the over sized furniture (king bed set) but with ample closet and storage space all non-essentials were moved out and the room now feels bright, cheerful and relaxing.

The guest room went from awkward to comfy and cozy. I re-arranged furniture so the chair and an additional piece would fit, unpacked and made up the bed.

Kitchen, from empty cabinets to thoughtfully arranged and easy to access items in the “zone” they will be used.

I was super pleased with the results but more importantly, so was the client. Here’s what she had to say when she arrived home that night…”I just went by the apartment and you are amazing! When I got there I was completely blown away. Before you came I just wanted to cry, but after you left I felt at home. I can not believe you found a way to get all that furniture to fit and the back bedroom looks awesome. I think you have done a fantastic job in such a short time. I can’t thank you enough.”.-Terri H. (Charleston, SC 2014)

It’s always my pleasure to do my job and leave my clients feeling happy! If you ever need help with a move, keep in mind my unpacking services might just give you some peace of mind in an otherwise hectic situation!

Save