Tips for Avoiding Injuries on Moving Day
Great Plains Professionals Share Their Moving Day Safety Rules
Moving day can be challenging for even the most in-shape people. It's important that if you are going to move yourself instead of hiring movers that you take the right precautions so that nobody gets injured. Check out the tips from our professional movers on how to avoid injury on moving day.
Prepare Your Body
You can avoid getting hurt by working on your core strength in the weeks before moving day. Make it a habit to do exercises like sit-ups and planks every day. Lifting free weights can also help you build up the abs and back muscles you use when you move. Even just stretching for five minutes every morning can help your muscles get ready for a day that is so physically demanding.
Keep Your Boxes Light
You know that lifting too much weight can hurt you. You can hurt your back, drop something on your toe, or trip and fall if you are carrying a heavy load. Don't hurt yourself by putting too much in your boxes, especially the smaller ones. How much you can carry for a whole day depends on how fit you are, but you probably shouldn't pack more than 40 pounds in each box. If you have hurt your back or knees in the past, you might want to keep the boxes around 30–35 pounds.
Use the Necessary Equipment
Use tools like a furniture dolly, appliance dolly, stair dolly, furniture sliders, and moving straps to help you move. This will lighten your load and keep you from getting hurt. These tools can take up a lot of the weight, so you or your helpers are less likely to get hurt.
Wear the Right Clothes
What you wear on moving day can make a difference in whether or not you get hurt. Pants, long sleeves, and gloves make it less likely that you'll get scratched or cut, and shoes with closed toes make it less likely that you'll hurt your toes if something heavy falls on your feet. Heavy-duty work boots can also give your ankle more support so it doesn't twist when you move.
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If you are ready to plan your move, contact our movers today. We are ready to assist you with anything you need during your relocation.
Planning an Interstate Move
Setting Up Your Move for Success
Moving out of state can be very stressful. There is much more to plan than in a local move. Because of that is is important to plan more carefully for an interstate move and give yourself time to get organized. Follow our tips to make your interstate move a success.
Create a Plan
It is crucial to make a plan, whether you use a computer scheduling tool or a checklist you might obtain from your moving company. This will provide you a road map to follow that will keep you on course during the entire procedure. In the end, by employing this strategy, you won't miss anything, not even the smallest nuances.
Make a List
Make a list of everything that will be transported by the interstate movers. Additionally, take pictures of each pricey object so you have documentation of its condition before relocating in case anything is destroyed. This will be incredibly helpful if you need to submit a claim.
Establish a Budget
It's crucial to create a budget because moving out of state might be pricey. You'll be aware of your spending limits, and it might even show you where you can cut costs. When planning your budget, give priority to the features and services that are most important to you.
Hire a Moving Company
Employ a moving business that has a track record of offering interstate movers exceptional service at a reasonable cost. The experts you choose should have knowledge in long-distance removals and be appropriately licensed, bonded, and insured. In actuality, you want to pick a business that has a US Department of Transportation number, current registration, and Better Business Bureau accreditation. Your peace of mind will be provided when you do all of those things.
Set Up a System
Make sure everything is in order at your new home just as you must prepare for the movers at your current house. For instance, turn on all the essential utilities, locate a new physician in advance, get in touch with the new children's school, scout out a nearby grocery shop, etc. Before relocating, if at all feasible, check that your new house is ready to be moved into.
Transporting vehicles
Get your one and only vehicle serviced and cleaned if you intend to have your interstate movers transport it. Considering that moving out of state can cause your automobile to take up to two weeks to arrive, make plans to have a family member or friend assist with transportation needs during this time.
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If you are ready to start planning your interstate move, contact our team of expert movers today to help with all of your moving and storage needs.
Do I Need Moving Insurance?
Are you moving and need insurance? A mover's insurance policy may be beneficial depending on the value of your belongings and the distance you are traveling. If you plan on hiring movers, it's recommended that the movers you hire be insured in case of any accidents or damage.
What is Moving Insurance?
If you don't have moving insurance and your belongings are lost or destroyed while relocating, you will have to pay to replace all of it yourself. Moving puts your possessions in danger of theft and destruction, so having moving insurance will help you get paid for any mishaps that happen throughout the process.
Types of Moving Insurance
When you employ movers, they are responsible for all of your worldly possessions. Federal law says that if you are moving to a different state, the moving company must give you two different forms of insurance coverage. The type you choose will decide how much you'll be reimbursed if any of your possessions are stolen or destroyed.
Full-Value Protection
If you have complete value protection, your mover will cover the entire replacement cost of any lost or damaged items in your shipment.
Your mover may choose to fix the item, replace it, or provide a cash payment for the cost of the repair or the item's current replacement value if some of your belongings are damaged, lost, or destroyed during the move. This kind of coverage is typically more expensive but more thorough.
Depending on the mover, full value protection coverage can cost differently. Thus, the cost may vary depending on the deductible you choose.
Released Value Protection
Although it is offered at no additional expense, this policy offers only bare-bones security. Up to 60 cents per pound will be paid for an item if you have released value protection.
Separate Liability Coverage
Some movers will provide independent liability coverage through a different insurance provider for an additional fee. This other insurance policy will cover the rest of the loss up to the limits of the policy, but your mover is still in charge of the released value protection.
Make sure you get the coverage specifics in writing and know what is covered and what isn't if you purchase additional moving insurance from the movers or another source.
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If you are ready to hire movers, contact Great Plains Moving and Storage today. We are happy to help you get started with a free quote or give us a call to answer any questions.
How to Prepare for an Office Move
Moving an office is a huge task. Not only do you have to worry about packing up all of your belongings and getting them to the new location, but you also have to make sure that your business continues to run smoothly during the move. If you're not careful, you can quickly run into some problems during an office move. Here, we will discuss some of the most common office moving problems and how to avoid them.
1. Poor or No Planning
One of the most common problems during an office move is poor or no planning. This can lead to several issues, such as not having enough space for your belongings, being unable to pack everything properly, and being unable to stay organized throughout the process. To avoid this problem, make sure that you take the time to plan out your move well in advance. This will give you plenty of time to figure out exactly what you need to do and how you need to do it.
2. Not Hiring Professional Movers
Another common mistake people make when moving an office is not hiring professional movers. This can be a big mistake, as professional movers have the proper experience and knowledge to move your belongings. They will also be able to pack everything, saving you time and hassle properly.
3. Not Packing Properly
Many people also make the mistake of not packing their belongings properly when moving an office. This can lead to damage to your belongings and lost or misplaced items. To avoid this problem, make sure that you take the time to pack everything correctly. This includes using proper packing materials and labeling all of your boxes so that you know what is inside of them.
4. Failing to Budget and Set Aside Money
According to Office Moves Pro, most people also fail to budget and set aside money for their office move. This can lead to several problems, such as not having enough money to pay for the move, not being able to pack everything properly, and even having to cancel the move altogether. To avoid this problem, make sure that you take the time to create a budget for your move and set aside enough money to cover all of the costs.
Following these tips can avoid some of the most common office moving problems. However, even if you run into some issues during your move, don't panic. With some planning and preparation, you can easily overcome them and have a successful move.
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If you are ready to start planning your office move, contact us today and we will help you get started!
Best Housewarming Gifts
Give a Gift that Feels Like Home
If you know someone getting ready to move, it's time to buy them a housewarming gift! This can be a difficult gift to buy because it isn't for a holiday and they most likely already have a lot of things that you need for a house. Check out our list of what the best and most useful housewarming gifts are.
Family Sign
A family sign is something people can put on display and be proud of. People tend to love personalized gifts so this is a great one for someone buying their first home.
Olive Oil
If you know someone that loves to cook, this is the perfect gift for them. They can use it while they enjoy the new kitchen in their home and think of you when they do.
Candles
Get rid of the new home smell and fill it with the smell of family and your favorite scents. Candles can be a great gift because they help add a personal touch to the home
Coffee Mugs
Coffee mugs are a great gift because they can be personal or decorative. It's something a homeowner will get a lot of use out of it and will last forever.
Potted Plant
Nothing makes a house feel like a home like live plants do. Bring some life into someone's home by giving them the gift of greenery.
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An even better gift to someone moving is the recommendation for a great moving company. If you know someone moving soon who is in need of movers, have them contact us today to get started.
The Best Ways to Move Plants to Your New Home
When you move into a new home, you will want to bring your favorite plants. Potted plants are an excellent way to add life and greenery to any home, but they can be challenging to move. Fortunately, there are many different ways that you can transport your plants easily and successfully. Whether you have one large plant or several smaller ones, these tips will help you discover the best method for moving them.
Wrap Your Plants
While you can use a variety of different fabrics, such as canvas, burlap, and plastic, most people prefer to use cotton fabric. Cotton is soft, breathable, and easy to wrap plants in. It also allows the roots and soil to stay moist, which is the best way to ensure they remain healthy.
As you wrap each plant, ensure the roots are not exposed and check the cotton frequently to ensure that it is not getting too wet. Cover the tops of the plants with fabric, as this will help protect the leaves from injury. While wrapping plants is easy to protect them while moving, it will only work for smaller plants. You may need to hire movers if you have large or overgrown plants that are difficult to wrap.
Use a Drip Watering System
A drip watering system is a great way to maintain a healthy root system in your plants even when you are on the go. This is particularly helpful if you are transporting your plants by car or in a moving van, as this means of transportation can be bumpy and jarring. You should check the plants regularly to ensure that they remain moist but not wet.
Ensure Proper Ventilation During Transit
When moving plants, it is essential to provide them with proper ventilation. This will help protect the leaves from damage and overheating. If the plants are closed off in a hot and humid environment, the leaves could wither and die.
While some plants can travel well on their own, others need a little assistance to survive the journey. Our team of movers are experts in safely transferring anything you need during the move. Contact us today for a free quote to get started.