by Eliza Freiday

Being a senior and moving is a stressful step in your life, but there are ways to make it a little less stressful for you! If you live in assisted living or a senior residence, it’s always a good idea to tell your building manager that you’re moving. If they are aware of your move date and involved in helping you make arrangements for parking, elevators, stairs, or other access, it will all go more easily.

Many times building management can be a key contact for you and for your movers. The movers may ask you if a tractor-trailer will be able to access your building. They may need to know what the hours are for the elevator. Maybe your building has set times for moving in or out. The building management will know all the answers.

Make it easier on you, your family and friends, and your neighbors by involving your building manager in your move. Your Barrett move coordinator can help you anticipate what you’ll need to know, so don’t hesitate to ask for help!

by Eliza Freiday

Recently, I moved a customer, who as an 82-year-old woman, was extremely worried about packing up all her memories and leaving the home that she had lived in for the past 55 years. I told her that I would be there to make the process as easy as possible for her. She and I talked on the phone for over 45 minutes discussing how to declutter the items that she hasn’t seen or touched in the past ten years. This helped her downsize by almost ten cartons, two old couches and a closet full of old cleaning supplies! She told me that is also helped her feel like she was starting over and it was a good feeling to her! Moving as a senior is difficult in itself, but there is help out there and people who want to make the process easier for you. For questions or advice, feel free to call a Barrett Moving & Storage coordinator — we love to listen!

by Eliza Freiday

Moving involves a lot of change for everyone, and your pet is no exception. My customers report to me that pets understand there’s change in the air, and can become nervous as you pack, and as strangers come into the house to pack and load. It’s often helpful to give pets like dogs or cats some relief from all the unusual activity by finding them a place to stay during the busy move days – a neighbor’s house, or even a “pet spa day” at the kennel. I did a quick check on the Internet and got over 500,000 results from a Google search for “pet spa”! Who knew?

If you’re traveling to your new destination with your pet, here are some tips to keep in mind:
-Check out the state and local laws in your destination area. Keep in mind that some states have border inspection.
-Make sure you have all the proper health documents on your pet, and the proper identification.
-If you’re traveling by motor vehicle, check out hotels and motels that offer pet stay.
-Pack a travel kit for your pet: food, water, favorite toy, blanket-whatever makes them comfortable and at ease.

The website of the Humane Society of the United States has information your may find useful on moving with pets and traveling with pets.

There are lots of commercial sites that list pet friendly hotels and resorts. A quick Google search for “pet friendly lodging” will get you started.

Pets are important parts of our lives, so making sure that their move is as stress-less as possible is important. Be sure to ask your move coordinator for more information as you plan your move – we’re here to help.

by Eliza Freiday

Your belongings mean a lot to you and your family. The meaning can be in family history – photos, antiques, heirlooms; monetary investment; or just plain enjoyment. When the time comes to move your possessions, we want to be able to help you reduce your risk of damage.

Choosing your mover wisely is the first step in protecting your belongings. Check out each mover’s record of loss prevention and claims. It’s one of those things we don’t like to think about when moving, but it’s important to know that your mover has policies, procedures, and processes in place to prevent damage or loss, and to take care of you if damage or loss happens.

How does the company train its drivers, movers and packers?
Do they have a formal loss prevention philosophy and process?
What is their track record? How many claims for each 100 moves? What’s the average dollar amount?
How quickly do they settle claims?
What options for valuation protection do they offer?

Gathering and evaluating this information is the first step in protecting your belongings.

by Eliza Freiday

If you’re not familiar with the moving business, you may not be aware of some very important details about moving that can impact your entire move.

How long it takes: The size of your shipment is the factor that most affects timing. Weather can affect the time it takes to load, unload, and of course it affects transit time too. Your location and the circumstances at your residences also play a part. Stairs, elevators, and what we call long carries add time to loading and delivery. Sometimes the street in front of your residence is too narrow, too steep or too hilly for an over-the-road van to approach or park. It may be necessary to “shuttle” belongings in that case – from the over-the-road van to a smaller truck that can get close to your residence.

Make sure that your coordinator and your estimator know about all the factors involved in your move – it helps us make it a smoother process for you. We can give you better time estimates, and cost estimates too. The only kind of surprise I like is a fun one – so I try to avoid the ones that cause delays or dismay for my customers. The more I know about your move, the better I can help you make it a smooth one.

by Eliza Freiday

Last week, I spoke with a customer of mine who was trying to talk herself into having a garage sales before her upcoming summer move. I advised her that this is the best way to solve clutter problems and bring in some extra cash before moving. I gave her a few tips, such as advertising in the newpapers, calling friends and putting yard signs up around her neighborhood. We discussed how to dispaly certain items, such as hanging all the clothes up on a line, so people could sort through the clothes in a organized fashion! Well wouldn’t you know, after speaking to my customer today, she told me that my tips helped her have a organized, profitable garage sales, and to top it off, she said she received many compliments on such a well organized sale! Now she has decluttered her home, and earned some extra cash for her upcoming move.

Click on the link at right to get some of Eliza’s tips for successful garage sales. Planning and Holding a Successful Garage Sale

by Eliza Freiday

Last week, I moved a customer who was going to be 80 yrs old. His birthday was actaully on his move day. As I was gathering his information, going over details of his move with him and trying to give him good advice, he said that he had some advice to give me to pass on to other seniors moving – I’m glad he shared! He told me that he wanted to plan something special for his family as he got ready to leave, so he took his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren on a visit to some special places in the city, where they had shared special memories. They took “farewell” pictures in the park and made a photo album for him, since he will be over 800 miles away. What a great idea, and the best part, he said he feels “at home” every time he looks at the album! What a great way to make a big transition a celebration!

by Eliza Freiday

Often, when a customer is moving for the first time–whether it’s locally or long distance–they become overwhelmed by how much needs to be taken done for the upcoming move. Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful to help prepare–to ease the process for as you get your move organized.

Six to Eight weeks before move day: Prepare your family. Explain why you’re moving, and talk about what you can look forward to at the new location. Collect your personal records – including prescriptions, school and medical records, and other information you’ll need to get started in your new location.

Notify your utility company, professional services like your doctor and dentist, and your insurance agencies. Let your friends and family know what your new address will be and how to contact you during the move.

Two to Three Weeks before move day: Start getting your househld items organized for the move. Dispose of flammables, drain the fuel from your mower, or motorcycle. Have rugs and draperies cleaned — you can leave them wrapped to protect them during transit.

The day before move day: Check closets, cabinets and storage areas to make sure all your personal items have been taken care of.

Packing and moving days: Be sure to set aside an area in your home where you can work, make phone calls, and keep items you don’t want packed or loaded by the movers. This will make things easier for you on the move day.

Throughout the move process: Ask your move coordinator for answers to your questions. Barrett’s move coordinators are trained to help you keep your move on track and make is as easy as possible. It’s our job – and we like helping our customers!

by Eliza Freiday

Moving is never easy. It’s a stressful time, plain and simple! If you choose to do some or all of your own packing, it’s important to know some “do-it-yourself” tips, to help the ease the process. First, know that if you are doing your own packing, you need to allow yourself plenty of time. It always takes longer than you think it will – especially as you try to sort through what needs to go, what you’re giving away, and what might be disposed of.

Some quick tips:
Prepare a convenient place to do your packing, and keep all your materials in one location. A large table is a good place to do all your packing – it allows you to lay out your materials, and makes wrapping small items and breakables easier.

Remember that some items aren’t safe for transport – such as flammables, aerosols, ammunition, and gasoline. You can log onto www.unitedvanlines.com for a more complete list.

Try to keep the carton weight at 50 pounds or under. It makes handling easier.

Use sturdy cartons that close well.

Pack similiar items together. When you get to your desination and start to unpack, this will make for a much better unpack process.

If you are packing china or glassware, a good tip is to use larger pieces, platters as the lowest layer. Smaller plates and saucers are good for a second layer.

Plain white packing paper is best – the ink in newsprint tends can rub off.

If you have questions about what or how to pack, give us a call or send us an email at Barrett. We’re happy to help you.