Long distance moves generally cross state lines or are 400+ miles. Once a move crosses a state line, it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government and is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

When a move is designated as Long Distance, the carriers switch from charging by time to charging by weight and distance. This has implications for your decisions as a mover.

Reduce the Weight

Given that carriers price long distance moves by weight, it is evident that the less you move, the lower your cost will be. Household movers are commonly told to reduce the number of items they have to move. This advice is particularly true with long distance moves as it directly impacts your cost.

Things You Won’t Use

You can reduce by leaving behind things you simply will not use. But, also consider things that you may want to replace in the near future.

Rather than move larger items now only to replace them in a few months, sell them before the move. You’ll save money on the move and be able to replace the items at your destination.

Items that Won’t Fit

Determine if everything will fit in the new home.

Two homes of approximately the same size may be configured such that the same furniture cannot work easily in both. Create a small, to scale layout of the rooms in your new home, as well as to scale cut-outs of your current furniture. Does that couch still fit? How about that bookcase? Or try a room design app to see if your stuff will fit.

Again, it will be cheaper to reduce before the move than after you move, so be sure the items you want to keep will fit in the new place. You may be better off parting with them before the move.

Changes in the New Home

Once you’ve moved into a new home, it’s likely you’ll want to make changes. Some might be minor. Other changes, might be very disruptive.

When you move a long distance, you leave behind a network of friends and family that can help you manage the disruption. There is no one to look after the kids, give you a refuge from the chaos that comes with changes in your home, or just be there to lend a hand.

If you can, have some of the more significant alterations done before you move. Settling in will be much easier.

Refinishing floors or replacing carpet can, and should, be done before you move your furniture to the new home if at all possible.

Painting the walls is easier without furniture to move or cover. Making these changes before the move will make the changes and move easier.

Your real estate agent may be able to make recommendations or introductions to reliable, local resources for handy-man work or contractors.

Utility Connections

One challenge for moving a long distance is understanding the local utilities. From state to state there are different regulations. But even from municipality to municipality, resources can vary.

In some parts of the country, electricity provides power for heating as well as cooling, while others use natural gas to power furnaces. In the northeast, oil is often delivered for heating, while many rural areas use propane. Your heat source can change by the town.

Water can be private wells or municipality supplied. Similarly, sewer may be private septic or municipal. You may be familiar with one source, but need to learn about a different type of water/sewer utility in a new home.

As soon as you know where your new home will be, learn about the local utility providers. Your real estate agent should be able to provide you with the correct utilities as well as let you know about oil or propane providers if they are the fuel source for heating. Do not put off learning about and contacting the local utilities. The time to establish connections and deliver fuel will vary, and you want to be on the list as early as the services allow.

Ready to Relocate

There are some aspects of moving that are shared in local and long distance. But, long distance moving has some unique challenges. If you start early, these challenges don’t have to be overwhelming.

This is true with selecting a long distance moving company as well. Contact us if you’re in need of the top Florida long distance movers, and we will help you plan your move and provide a free estimate of your moving costs.

Dishes are one of those double-challenge items when it comes to moving. They can be very heavy, and they are very fragile. When you pack your dishes or plates, you need to take extra care to ensure you do it correctly. Here are a few tips to be sure your dishes arrive at your new home in good shape.

The Right Type of Box

Most moving boxes are single-walled cardboard and well suited for most items. However, dishes require something a bit more sturdy.

Dish packs are moving boxes designed specifically to handle your dishes or fragile items. They are double-corrugated, providing sturdier sides, tops, and bottoms, providing more protection for the things inside.

While these boxes are more expensive than regular boxes, the added protection is well worth the cost.

The Box Size

Weight is always a concern when moving. Boxes should only weigh as much as you can safely carry; this is true for all items. But, for packing dishes, you also want to be sure you can carry the boxes easily. It’s not just weight, but the width and depth as well.

You need to be able to get a good grip. It is not like dropping a box of shirts. Even with Dish Boxes, you have a high risk of damaging the fragile items. When it comes to moving dishes, you are better off with a bunch of smaller, easier to handle boxes than with fewer large boxes.

Use Lots Of Packing Material

It may be tempting just to lay down some packing material and then stack your dishes in the box. But, this is a big mistake. Take the time to wrap each dish with multiple layers of packing paper. If a box drops, even a short distance, the shock of plates directly hitting other plates will likely cause them the break. The paper will absorb the shock between plates and reduce the chance of damage.

The Orientation of Plates & Bowls

Unlike in your kitchen cabinets, plates in moving boxes should not be stacked. Instead, place them sideways with plenty of packing material in between and around them. This reduces the weight or pressure on the dishes.

If you have smaller plates to pack or are using a taller box, you can add an additional layer of plates. Create a layer of crumpled paper to go between the two sets, and add the second set of plates. But, as mentioned earlier, be sure you are not making the box too heavy.

No Empty Space In The Dish Pack

All your dishes should be held snuggly in place. Be sure to fill any gaps along the bottom, sides, and top of the box with more crumpled up paper. You do not want the dishes to shift around in the box. If they do, they could get damaged. The shifting weight could also make carrying the boxes difficult increasing the risk of dropping the box of dishes.

Take the Right Steps

Packing dishes correctly takes time and requires a lot of paper and boxes. But, it’s essential that you take the time and use the material necessary to pack your dishes safely for your move.

Arriving in your new home with boxes of broken dishware is not the way you want to end your moving experience.

Professional movers are highly experienced in properly packing household items, including dishes. If you are moving soon and don’t want to worry about the proper way to pack your dishes, you can hire Browning Moving & Storage to provide a full-service move experience.

Contact us to discuss your options.

As you’re considering your next move, you may be wondering what to look for to make sure your dream home doesn’t become your nightmare.

You’re probably eager to move into a new home as quickly as possible. But take the time to inspect a potential property before you finalize the sale to save you time, money, and headaches.

Chances are, you’ll hire a professional inspector to take a close look at your potential new home, but before you pay a professional to look things over, it’s best you check it yourself first.

We’ve put together a checklist for you to follow as you inspect the outside of a potential new home before you consider making an offer.

Here’s our seven-step checklist of things for you to check on the outside of any home you’re considering.

1. Doors, Windows, and Exterior Walls

Look for lines in concrete, brick, or siding. While some cracks may be the result of the natural settling of the home, others may indicate serious structural problems.

Pay close attention to the foundation of the house, and note where the ground level seems uneven. If the property has an exterior porch, conduct a careful investigation of the foundations and pillars to ensure there’s not a slope due to the settling of the foundation or the supporting structure.

Ensure that a detached porch or deck is firmly attached to the house and doesn’t have a slant or slope.

2. Exterior Water Supplies

Check the water sources for signs of rust, mold, or mildew.

Turn on exterior faucets and sprinkler systems to ensure they are in good working order. If the home has an underground sprinkler system, note what sprinkler heads are not working, and look carefully at the ground to ensure proper drainage.

3. Driveway

If the house has a driveway, make sure it is free of cracks, and that the slope allows for proper drainage onto the street.

Note where bushes, trees, and hedges may need to be trimmed.

4. Sidewalks

A buckled or broken sidewalk may be a sign of a potential problem with tree roots, drainage, or pests.

5. Trees, Shrubbery, Bushes, and Grassy Areas

Note any possible signs of pests, diseased or rotting branches, trunks, or roots, and look carefully to ensure that the lawn is healthy and relatively weed-free. Pay close attention to areas of dense vegetation that may be home to pests, and which will require immediate trimming.

6. Outside Electrical Sources

Inspect all outside wall outlets for signs of damage, and make sure they’re working correctly by using a small electric tester. Note what outlets are covered and which ones aren’t, and which need to be replaced.

7. Garage or Carport

While the parking area isn’t technically part of the exterior, it’s the part of the house that’s directly exposed to the elements more than the inside.

Make sure the garage door opens easily, is free of cracks, and that gaps between the garage door and the house are minimal. Check the garage door opener for signs of rust and age, and make sure the remote door openers function correctly.

Close the garage door and stand inside with the lights out for a few minutes (allowing your eyes time to adjust to the dark). Look for gaps where light may be shining through. Inspect the garage door track and where it hangs from the ceiling to ensure there are no signs of buckling. If the garage door has direct exposure to the sun, check it at the hottest (or coldest) part of the day. Storing household goods in a heated (or frozen) garage can lead to significant damage not only of the items but of things you may want to store inside. Measure the interior of the garage from wall to wall to ensure that your car(s) will fit inside and will allow you to open and close the doors.

Pass the Test

Hopefully, your potential new home makes it through this checklist with flying colors. And you are on your way to a new home!

When you are ready to get moving, contact us. Call for a free quote. Browning Moving & Storage can help you with a smooth and easy move.

Are you set to move soon? Have you contracted with a local moving company? Maybe you are looking for some solid advice from the pros.

Here are some essential tips that your professional movers want you to know.

Be Ready BEFORE the Movers Arrive

If you are packing up your belongings yourself, have all your boxes completely packed and labeled before the movers arrive. Be prepared so that the movers can load the boxes directly onto the truck.

Or, if you have scheduled the movers to complete a full pack or your belongings, have the items that you are keeping with you such as medications, jewelry, and personal documents separated and labeled, so they are not loaded with the rest of the house.

Label Boxes Clearly

Label each side of every box. Indicate the contents of the box, the room to which it is going, as well as any other special instructions. If you use color-coded labels be sure to provide the mover with instructions at the new home, so they know what color belongs to which room.

Correctly labeling your boxes will help the movers get them to the correct landing point at your new home. Good labels also alert the movers, so they know which of the boxes contain fragile items.

Empty out the Drawers

It may seem easier to leave things in the drawers, but some moving companies have guidelines that prohibit them from moving desks, dressers, armoires, and side tables that have stuff in the drawers. These items shift and move around and could break or cause a dangerous situation. So, clear these items out before the movers show up so that it doesn’t cause a delay.

Provide Access

Check the outside of your home. Make sure the moving van has access by clearing space. Move your vehicles, so the van has a place to park.

Clear out any obstructions on the sidewalk or paths as well so that the movers have a clean shot from outside to inside your home.

Inside, clear away your moving supplies and materials in case there are any scattered about your home. Since the moving process can be a little chaotic, you want to make sure that moving supplies don’t clutter the movers’ path. You want them to be able to get to work and move as freely, quickly, and as safely as possible.

Keep Tabs on Your Pets and Tots

A movers’ top priority is safety. Help make their job a little easier by keeping your little ones and pets out of harm’s way. A designated room in the home where children and pets can stay helps a great deal. Or, better yet, if you can arrange a babysitter or a petsitter on moving day that will allow movers to do their job without the worry of children and animals during the move.

Be Available

In case your movers need to consult with you about something, it is best that you stay available on moving day. If they need your direction about something, they would rather not slow down the process by having to look for you. Their goal is to keep the moving process in gear so that they can complete it as soon as possible.

Moving Help

These tips will help your movers complete their job fast and efficiently.

Planning an upcoming move, we would love to help! Contact our team of dedicated specialists today for a fast, accurate quote!

Perhaps you have landed the ideal job, and you need to relocate. Or, maybe you have fallen in love with your new dream home, and it’s time to sell your current home quickly.

Take a look around your current home. Is it in the best shape to sell? Or, have you accumulated a lot of stuff that you just can’t part with?

It’s hard to sell a home that is overstuffed. That’s why staging your home is the perfect solution.

Staging

Buyers want to imagine the complete potential of your house. They want to picture themselves in the home, but that’s challenging when it is overloaded with someone else’s personal items.

You need to reduce the things in your home down to the bare minimum so that your house is a blank slate for buyers.

Staging is important because:

1. It increases the chance of a sale

2. It presents your home as well-maintained

3. You get a headstart on packing

4. A staged home can feel bigger

5. Staging helps potential buyers envision themselves in the space

6. It helps justify your asking price

Stow it Away in Storage

If you find yourself in an over-cluttered house and need to stage it for resale, what do you do with all of your stuff? Consider renting a storage space.

Storage space is a minimal investment that could generate a notable increase in your sale price. So, clearing out and storing things away might help you get your house sold.

If a room is overcrowded, minimize the amount of furniture in the place so that the extra floor space makes the room feel larger. Clear out large exercise equipment, and pack away personalized collections of things. Clear out closets to the bare essentials and scale back in children’s play areas so that these spaces appear spacious and appealing.

Rent a storage space large enough to store all non-essential item.

Generally, storage units are inexpensive and often offer climate-controlled options. You can rent units month-to-month. Look for a storage provider that highlights security. Any good storage space will make security its top priority.

Browning Offers Storage

Browning Moving & Storage operates secure warehouse facilities for short and long-term household storage.

We are the best equipped to handle your residential storage needs in Florida. As an agent of United Van Lines, one of the best-known moving carriers in the industry, our partnership gives us access to various storage options, in addition to our own warehouse and storage services.

With 85,000 square feet of our own warehouse space, plus access to an additional 21,000,000 square feet of our United Van Lines space, we can accommodate your storage needs.

Let Us Help

Whenever you’re ready to move, Browning Moving & Storage is willing to help.

The combination of our effective and efficient moving services, as well as our secure storage options, can help make your move 100% stress-free. Contact us today to get your free quote and discover the possibilities.