Our Blog is Moving...How Fitting!

To all of our followers out there, BoxCart is moving our blog to Wordpress at the following address:
http://boxcartbeagle.wordpress.com/

We hope you all move with us, so visit our new blog and you can subscribe to our new blog...all data from this blog will transfer, so you'll be able to see all the articles you've come to enjoy!

Thank you so much...we look forward to hearing from your in our new virtual location!

The Beagle Has Landed!

The BoxCart Beagle has finally gone mobile...literally! Check out our new moving truck...our buddy "General" is riding high and sitting pretty! 

Ready to plan your move?  Let BoxCart Moving & Storage (and our beagle) help!  Call us at (703) 263-3300 or send us an email at: info@boxcart.com.

Countdown to Move Day...The Big Day!

You've made it!  By now, you're all packed (I hope!!), and you're so ready to move on to your new adventure in your new home.  Here are some tips to keep what's left of your sanity in tact today...

• Before the movers arrive, do a walk-through of your house and make sure all your "DO NOT MOVE" items are in their specially-marked room or closet in your house, and that all's set for the movers to start loading up the truck.
• When the movers arrive, do a walk-through with the crew leader to point out any items needing special care, any areas of the house to be especially careful with, etc.
• Now just stay out of the way, but remain available if the crew has any questions. If you're so inclined, it never hurts to provide beverages and snacks to keep the guys going throughout the move.  They'll greatly appreciate it!
• When your old residence is all loaded and you're about to head to the new place, make sure to do another walk-through with the crew leader...check cabinets, closets, etc. to make sure nothing was accidentally left behind.
• When you get to your new residence, do a walk-through with the crew leader to show him where the different rooms are, then direct the guys as they bring each box/piece of furniture inside.
• Last but not least...you guessed it...one final walk-through with the crew leader to make sure the boxes are in the right rooms, the beds and other furniture items are all re-assembled properly, etc. This includes walking out and looking in the truck to make sure nothing was accidentally left behind. 
• Actually, I was mistaken...one last thing...sit back, relax, pour yourself a cold drink and give yourself a pat on the back...you survived moving day!

You're done!  Wasn't that easy?!  Need some help planning your move?  Call BoxCart Moving & Storage at (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.  We're here to help!

Countdown to Moving Day...One Week Before Your Move!

OK...so you're now one week out from your move day.  Likely you're stressed, sore from all that packing, and ready to make your new house your home.  Here are some tips to make this last week as easy as possible...

• Pack a "survival kit" for each person in your household...for what to include, see The Essentials...Don't Leave Home Without Them!
• Place all items not to be moved in a separate area (closet or bathroom is good) and clearly label "DO NOT MOVE" on the door.  Don't forget to put the following in this specially marked area: KEYS!!, phone, purse, wallet, checkbook, address book, your "survival kit" for each person, small electronics (ie. iPods, mp3 players, camera).
• Transfer any prescriptions to your new pharmacy.
• Transfer newspaper delivery to your new address.
• Use up any perishable food items and defrost all refrigerators and freezers.  Time for a party!! 
• Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammables such as paint, varnish, and thinners; gasoline; kerosene and oil; bottled gas; aerosol cans; nail polish and remover; ammunition and explosives; corrosives; and cleaning fluids and detergents.
• If you're not planning to move your plants, now may be a good time to hand them off to your friend or neighbor - watering plants will likely not be your 1st priority this week!

Now that you've made it through one of the toughest weeks of your life, stay tuned for tomorrow for tips on the big move day!

Ready to plan your move?  BoxCart Moving & Storage is here to help you!  Give us a call at (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.

Countdown to Moving Day...Two Weeks Before Your Move!

Yesterday, we talked about what things you should do one month before your move.  As time marches on, here are your tips for tasks 2 weeks before your move....

• Continue to pack your belongings.  Make sure to clearly label what is in each box and what room that box will go in to the new residence.  Label on several sides and tops of the boxes for easy viewing.
• If moving out of and/or into a building with an elevator, make arrangements to reserve use of the elevator during the duration of your move.
• Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, trash removal, etc.) disconnected at your present  home a day AFTER you move out and connected at your new home a day BEFORE you move in.
• Fill out change-of-address cards with the Post Office or do this online.  Give your new address to anyone that might need it - insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
• Make any necessary arrangements for transporting pets and plants.
• Oh...did I mention packing, if you're doing it yourself?! 

Stay tuned...as stress levels begin to rise, tomorrow we've got tips for the one week before your move.

Ready to discuss your move with the pros?  Call BoxCart at (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.  We're here to help!

Countdown to Moving Day...One Month Before You Move!

This week, we'll have a series of blogs to help you get organized and make your upcoming move as stress-free as possible!

First, you'll need to decide how you are going to make your move - hire a professional mover? rent a truck to do it yourself?  Our BoxCart representatives are a great resource to discuss your options, give you a quote for a full-service move (and also partial-service moves for those of you who want to complete some of the move yourself), and we'll basically walk you through the entire move process...give us a call at (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.

As soon as you know your plans, it's best to schedule your mover and/or your rental truck.  The sooner the better...this would best be done at least 6-8 weeks before your move.  When figuring out timing, keep in mind that if you're going to hire a moving company, you'll likely want to receive estimates from several companies, and they will need to schedule in-home estimates to give you an accurate quote.

ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR MOVE

• Go through your belongings (especially closets, the attic, and garage) to determine what you want to keep, and more importantly, what you can and want to get rid of.  If you have enough time, you may want to have a garage sale, sell items online, or donate to a local charity.  When donating goods, don't forget to keep your receipt for possible tax deductions!
• Check with your insurance company about coverage for your possessions while in transit or in storage.  This will help you decide what insurance coverage you need to acquire from your moving company, as there are many options and each company may provide different levels of coverage...make sure you understand your coverage BEFORE the movers even arrive at your home.
• If you're doing your own packing, acquire all appropriate boxes and packing supplies.  Keep in mind, if you're hiring a mover, most moving companies do not offer insurance coverage on boxes packed by you the owner.  If this will be a source of worry to you, definitely ask your mover for a quote to pack, so you can decide which option will serve you best.
• Arrange cleaning for furniture, carpets, and drapes, especially if any of these goods are going to be put in storage.
• Begin to pack items you won't need before the move.  For example, off-season clothes, seasonal decorations, books/movies.
• Start a folder/binder for all important documents to keep with you during your move.  For example, financial documents, bank checks, insurance information, most recent tax return, vehicle titles, social security cards, contact info for moving/storage and utility companies.
• Put together a box for all valuables you'll want to transport yourself.  For example, irreplaceable photos, jewelry, coin and stamp collections.
• Start a folder/binder to keep track of all your moving expenses.  Some expenses may be tax deductible.  Visit the IRS website to find the most recent moving expense information.

Now that you've got a handle on what to do one month before your move, stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we delve into the tips for 2 weeks before your move!

Ready to get more info on your upcoming move?  Call BoxCart Moving & Storage at (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.  We're here to help!

Safety Tips for Women while Moving

Everyone should be cautious and take care to protect themselves and their belongings while moving.  Women moving by themselves may be particularly vulnerable to break-ins.  Here are some simple tips and precautions to take to protect yourself during and after your move.

Before You Move

• As tempting as it may be to tell everyone about your upcoming move, best to share this information with as few people as possible. This tip actually goes for any time you are leaving town...shouting out to all your "friends" on Facebook simply alerts people to the fact that you're leaving a home unattended and ripe for a burglary.
• Set up the post office to hold your mail until you have fully moved out of your old home.  Anyone with access to your mailbox can lift up that little yellow "forwarded mail" sticker to see your old address...a home that likely has everything packed up in boxes and could be an easy target.
• Check out your new neighborhood before move day...try to identify any risks your new city/area of town may have. 
• If you have access to your new home before move-day, change all your door locks before you actually move in.  You never know how many keys to your home are floating around!

Move-Day

• Have a friend with you on the day of the move...good for moral support, and also just better to have another person around, since you'll have many strangers in your home (movers, potentially the cable guy, etc.)
• Don't tell neighbors that you're living alone.
• Move any valuables (jewelry, silver, etc.) yourself, and keep them locked in your trunk until you're ready to bring them inside.  Even better, you could put them in a safe deposit box, or store them at a friend's house until you move in.
• Keep your purse and other items you want to protect and move yourself safely together in a closet or bathroom clearly marked "DO NOT MOVE".  This will also ensure that your keys and other necessities do not get packed away in a box during the move.
• Label your boxes simply by which room they should go into, not "DVD Player", "Stereo Equipment" to avoid calling attention to valuables.  To keep track of the contents of the boxes, number them and keep a list with you that has the numbered boxes and their contents.
• It's likely during the move that every door and possibly even window has been unlocked...make sure all doors and windows are locked securely after the movers leave.

After the Move - Settling In

• If you weren't able to change your locks before you moved in, do so as soon as possible.  You don't know how many people the previous owner allowed to have a copy of the keys.
• Cover windows as soon as possible to restrict the view from the outside, even if it's as simple as hanging up some sheets with thumbtacks.  Local big-box stores have paper window shades that are cheap and are easily "installed" with self-adhesive tape...no need for anything fancy right off the bat.
• When arranging for utility services to be installed, invite a friend over so you're not alone.  You can even make a fun day out of it, and you won't be in your home alone with a stranger.  Also, never tell a service person that you live by yourself.

Last but not least, now that you've taken the precautions to protect yourself and your belongings, ENJOY your new adventure!  Although stressful, moving to a new home can be very fun and exciting!

Need help planning your move?  Call BoxCart Moving & Storage for a quote!  (703) 263-3300 or email us at: info@boxcart.com