The Traveling Pet

     When it comes time for some long distance relocation, often there is a member of the family that needs some special consideration, our pets.
   
     We have posted before about moving an aquarium (over short distances) but what about Rover and Mr. Purrr-kins?  Well the folks over at The Hipmunk Blog have put together a pretty neat info-graphic with a lot of good  advise about traveling with larger pets.  Even though it is tailored toward travel by airplane, the information about choosing the proper kennel and preparing your pet and their new kennel for the trip is good to know if you will be traveling along the ground instead.

Here is a link to The Hipmunk Definitive Pet Travel Guide.

Wishing everyone (and their pets) safe and stress free moves,
Unique Movers

During Your Move

During your move, you know what Unique Movers will be doing, but will you be doing?

The most important thing for most of us is remember to stay calm. Moving is unavoidably stressful and it can be easy for some of us to become so wound up with worry that we for get to just take a deep breath and relax. Allow plenty of time, get the bulk of packing done in advance.  When it all gets too much, take a few minutes, and remind yourself that before long you and all your things will safely arrive at your new home. The thousand and one tiny problems associated with relocating are only temporary, and rest assured, if you chose Unique Movers, we are taking care of as many of those problems as we can.

The best advice we can offer when moving with children is to hire a sitter or have a family member watch them during the move.  If that won't be possible then it’s important to keep the kids away from the movers while boxes and furniture are being carried around. Even well-meaning children who try to help will almost certainly get underfoot. Assign them tasks like checking every cupboard for anything that’s been left behind or give them a picnic lunch in the yard to keep them busy.  

Boxes with important documents, jewellery, identification, and other valuables should stay with you. Make it clear to the moving company that they don’t need to deal with these and label them as such. If traveling by car ensure there is room for them to travel with you, if you are traveling by plane pack them in your carry on luggage if possible.

Having all boxes labelled in advance will help at the other end of the journey. Movers will be able to place each box in the right room quickly and simply. Sticky labels or paper tags should be attached to every piece of furniture for the same reason. You’ll all be tired when you get to your new home and being able to find what you need easily will make a big difference.

Put together a box with all the things you’ll need on the first night and on the first morning.

When the packing process is finished, double check all the necessary details with the movers- new address, cell phone numbers, when they’re expected to arrive and when you expect to get there yourself. Get a contact number so you can call them if necessary.

There are other phone numbers you’ll need in your new home too. The first things to find are the number for local police in your new area and the location of the nearest hospital, just in case of emergencies. 

Thanks to the internet you can collect these and note them down before leaving your old home.   Download a few takeout menus from restaurants that deliver to your new place too. The first day will probably be taken up with unpacking, arranging and rearranging furniture to suit the new rooms, and generally settling in.

Hopefully these tips can help relieve some of the stress and worry during your next move.

Wishing everyone safe and stress free moves,

Unique Movers

Remember to Pack Some Essentials Boxes

     Often when we post moving tips or a moving checklist, we mention the need to pack a couple of “Essentials Boxes”.  But what should you put in your essentials boxes, and where should you put it during your move?  What to pack in your essentials box might seem obvious at first, but there are some items on our list that might not occur to some of us until we need it once we arrive at our destination.

     

     Below we have compiled a list of items that should be packed into boxes and kept either in your personal vehicle (if traveling separate from the moving vehicle), or packed very last so that it is the first thing you unpack at your destination (when traveling with the moving vehicle).

   Some Items to Consider when Packing Your Essentials Box

Alarm Clock	Basic Cleaning Supplies	Batteries	Blankets & Pillows	Box Cutter/Utility Knife	Candles	Change of Clothes
Cell Phone Chargers	Drinking Water	Disposable Dishes, Cups, and Utensils	Easy Meals	Eye Glasses	First Aid Kit	Flashlights
Gloves (work & cleaning)	Hand Tools	Lanterns	Light Bulbs	Map of the New Area	Matches	Pain Relievers
Prescription Medications	Pet Supplies	Phone Book for New Area	Radio	Scissors	Shampoo, and Soap	Shaving Cream and Razors
Snacks	Tape w/ Dispensers	Toilet Paper	Tooth Brushes and Toothpaste	Towels and Rags	Toys and Games (for the Kids)	Trash Bags

  
     Planning ahead and being prepared for your move can prove to be the best way to eliminate some of the stress that occurs when you are relocating.

Wishing everyone safe and stress free moves,
Unique Movers

Beware of Bandit Movers!

Consumer complaints about 'Bandit Movers' are at an all time high. Bandit movers will appear to be legitimate in advertisements, on the phone or on-line and seem attractive when they are charging below market value prices. But, buyers beware!  Often these unlicensed and uninsured movers will engage in unlawful practices, bully consumers into paying outrageous prices once the move is underway, and even holding your household goods hostage by threatening to sell the personal goods if their demands are not fulfilled.


We suggest the following strategies to validate the legitimacy of a mover:

·        Verify the license number with the CMSA or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state agency that regulates the moving and storage industry. Touching base with the CMSA is best because the association’s professional team knows its members – about 500 moving companies statewide. Furthermore, if the consumer has a problem with a move performed by a CMSA member, the trade association will intervene on the consumer’s behalf.

·         Check with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau,  bandit movers and scam artists will likely not be found in the databases of these organizations.

·         Visit the physical location to ascertain the company’s level of professionalism.

Additionally, CMSA members are licensed, maintain professional liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance (a must because if a member of the moving crew is injured while on your property you could be held liable if the mover does not have appropriate insurance coverage), provide training for their staff to ensure a professional move, maintain clean moving vans and equipment, and adhere to a strict professional code of conduct to uphold the industry’s standards for service, pricing and professionalism.

Tips to Avoid Moving Company Scams

1.     Drive by the moving companies listed address. Go in and meet the company’s personnel. Use your instincts to discern if the company’s personnel appear to be professional and trustworthy. Let your common sense guide you … but don’t stop there!

2.     Verify the company’s license. All movers are required by law to demonstrate their legitimacy on all their documentation.

3.     Verify the license number with the California Moving & Storage Association (CMSA) or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

4.     Obtain written estimates for moves of three or more rooms. Legitimate movers are price competitive. Make sure the estimates are based on the same factors (i.e. move and pack; move only, etc.) If a company provides an unusually low bid … beware! The company could be illegal, or they may have made an error while estimating your move. If the latter is the case, the price will likely escalate on moving day.

5.     Illegal movers may charge by the cubic foot. Legal movers charge by the hour (local moves), and by weight/mileage (distance moves).

6.     Bandits “rip off” innocent consumers by charging exorbitant fees for extensive and unnecessary packing on items that should be pad wrapped. Furnishings should be wrapped with shrink wrap or protected with special moving blankets.

7.     Bandits will intimidate consumers to tip the crew. Tipping is not mandatory but it is accepted if the customer feels they have received exceptional service.

Hopefully some of these tips will help you avoid, what is unfortunately, a common moving mistake.

Wishing everyone safe and stress free moves,
Unique Movers

Moving with Children.

     There is a terrific article over at The Moving Planner Blog about moving with children.  Relocation can be very stressful for adults, but even more so for children, especially if the move will be taking them away from the area they know.  So be mindful of your little ones and try to help them out the best you can during your next move.

Wishing everyone safe and stress free moves,
Unique Movers

Tips on Packing Supplies

An important part of planning your next move is ensuring that you have the proper boxes and packing supplies.  Choosing not to use the proper packing materials or using old boxes increases the likelihood of damaging your items, costing you time and money, and can lead to more stress and worry. 

Below are some packing materials you should consider having for your next move, many of which are available to purchase, rent, and order at our Camarillo office.

 Boxes: 

Avoid using boxes that have been used more than once or twice, or boxes that have visible wear and tear.  When purchasing new boxes try and get most of them to be the same size and shape, this will make loading and stacking easier and take up less space in the moving truck.  By maximizing space usage and saving time you can spend less money on your move.

Packing Tape:

Make sure you have enough packing tape for the job.  Not sure you got enough?  Buy a couple of extra rolls just in case.  Purchase a good quality tape dispenser.  Trust us, trying to use packing tape without a dispenser can drive you crazy and cheap dispensers are flimsy and often times break costing you more trouble than they’re worth.

Moving Pads:

A better option than old towels and rugs, a good quality moving pad will stand up to several uses.  They protect your furniture from damage and they protect your other items from your furniture.  Often times moving companies will use their own moving pads at no charge to the customer so check with them before you purchase these packing supplies for your next move.

Bubble Wrap:

Bubble wrap is hands down the best material to protect your valuables and fragile items.  It is sold in many different styles and, for reasons yet undiscovered; popping bubble wrap when you’re done using it is very satisfying.

 Large Marker:

Simple, effective, and indispensible, a large black marker lets you label your boxes telling you, and your movers, what’s inside.  Mark the room or category they belong to, and instructions (such as; fragile, this end up).

Utility Knife:

You won’t need one of these to help you pack, but when it comes time to un-pack a good utility knife will make things a lot easier.  (Knives are sharp, please be careful)

There are plenty of ways to be thrifty and save money on your next move.  However, not having good tools or using poor packing materials could cost you more in the end.  As a final word of advice, the best way to pack for your next move is to not pack for your next move.  Most full service moving companies will offer packing services to any of their customers and by leaving everything up to the pros you can save yourself time and headache.

Wishing everyone safe and stress free moves,

Unique Movers

Moving an Aquarium

Moving your fish and their aquarium over long distances is not advised, the following tips and precautions are intended for moving an aquarium over short distances only.

Moving an aquarium can be very stressful for your fish and their environment.  Before your move, check with a local pet store, preferably a store that specializes in aquarium fish if you can find one in your area.  Find out if they will provide “boarding” for your fish while you move or if they can place your fish in bags or containers for transporting.

Remember, these tips are intended for moving an aquarium over short distances:

• Sphon some of the aquarium water into the container you will be using to transport the fish.  Also place some additional water into another container, using this water when reinstalling your tank will help preserve the aquarium’s bacteria colony (which is very important for the health of your fish and their environment).
• Collect the fish and place them into the container you are using to transport them.
•  Drain the remaining water from the tank.
• If there are any live plants, remove them now and place them in reusable plastic bags with a small amount of water.
• Remove the filter medium from the filter and place it in a hard container.  Do Not clean the filter, this is important for maintaining your aquariums bacteria colony.
•  Remove any decorations and the tanks equipment (heater, pumps, filter, etc…) and dry as thoroughly as possible.  Then pack these items the same way you would pack any fragile item.
• You should move your tank, not the movers.  If you have no choice then be sure to supervise the packing process and inform your movers of any special considerations you want them to make.
• Once you arrive at your destination make the aquarium one of your first priorities.  Place the aquarium in its prepared location and reassemble the tank.
• Begin by placing the decorations into the empty tank and then reassemble the equipment (including the filter medium).
•  Re-plant any live plans you have (tweezers work great for this).
•  Gently refill the tank, begin with the water you saved from before then top ii off with tap water (water treatment chemicals may be a good idea depending on the quality of the local water).  Remember to leave a little room for the water that is being used to transport the fish.
• Allow the aquarium to sit for 2-3 hours with the heater on and the filter running.  This will allow the water to stabilize and limit the stress on your fish when it is time to put them back in the aquarium.
• Once the temperature has risen to within a few degrees of normal you can begin the process of placing the fish back into their home.

With a little planning and care you can help your aquarium recover more quickly from the stress of a move.

Wishing everyone a safe and stress free move,

Unique Movers