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What’s Your Hourly Rate?

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No, this is not a conversation about the world’s oldest profession! It’s a candid look at your schedule and the reality of how busy our day-to-day lives are.

There are little sacrifices we all make. Maybe we’re at the market at 10 o’clock at night so we don’t miss a dance recital, or maybe the dog can wait one more week to visit the groomer. That’s life! But what happens when you’re moving and have a to-do-list a mile long and a closing date in the not too distant future?

I mean, sure, it sounds like a great idea to do your own packing, disconnect and service all your appliances and maybe even disassemble some of that IKEA furniture to save a little money on your moving estimate, right? Maybe not…

First things first, packing can be a lot of work, especially if you’re working full time up until the day of the move. An average house can have anywhere from 150-200 boxes. What a professional moving crew could come in and pack in a day might take you 3 or 4 weeks to accomplish. My suggestion is to have your mover prepare two estimates for you: ask for an estimate with and without packing. Don’t rule it out the option because you think it’s too costly. You might be surprised!

What you need to ask yourself is what are all these to-do-list chores taking you away from? Catching up with family & friends before you leave, going away parties, social events for the kids (kids need to say good bye too), or even taking time off from work to get everything done- which means using those vacation days and not being able to plan that beach getaway come summer because you can’t get away from the office.

Here’s another common scenario I run into: The house is close by so we’re going to carry the “small stuff” in the car or rent a little U-Haul trailer & move all the boxes ourselves. Okay that’s great but how much does it really save you in the long run? You’ve got a professional moving crew of maybe four or five men already at your house that can move those boxes at minimal expense in comparison to renting a trailer and paying for gas to make 10 trips in your SUV. And let’s not forget to mention your bad back and the downtime involved if you injure it carrying all that “small stuff”.

Get ready because I think this part’s priceless: IMAGINE a move where you get to sit with a cup of coffee and watch TV. You’ve had a chance to say your goodbyes, maybe you even say “ Honey, why don’t you go have lunch with the girls” all while you stay home and watch the game (until we pack the TV).

Moving with Pets

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We’ve all heard the expression “the dog days of summer”. It dates back to Roman times & refers to roughly the first week of July thru the second week of August.

Coincidentally it also winds up being the busiest time of the year in the moving industry. Busy because kids are in the middle of their summer break & it presents an ideal time to move. But lets not forget about our other kids- our fur babies!

Moving with pets can be especially stressful for them. Maybe you don’t realize it but they know something’s up from the minute your home goes on the market.

The seemingly endless parade of Realtors, potential buyers, & inspectors in & out of your home is their first tip-off.

Planning on packing yourself? When moving with pets the appearance of boxes combined with familiar things being moved around like that cozy chair that Kirby & Hoover used to curl up on when you weren’t home is unsettling for them- cats & dogs alike. When you think about it, aren’t we all creatures of habit? So are your pets.

Start by letting them check all the new smells out coming into the house. Cardboard boxes, paper, & tape all have a distinct, albeit subtle odor.  As you start packing boxes be sure to leave a familiar area for them as a retreat in all the commotion.

If you’re planning on having your mover pack here’s a few things to consider:

Boxes Everywhere! What a fun place for a cat to hide, except its no fun for kitty. They’re probably afraid & going to hide- just hopefully not in one of them.

When moving with pets it’s a good idea to select one room in the house as a “safe zone” for your animals so they don’t get neglected or lost in the confusion. Moving day means doors are open while the crew is loading the van. We don’t want anyone to run off & risk an accident.

Simply leave a note on the door to use caution as animals are inside. Surround them with their favorite blanket or toy, fresh water & maybe a treat or two. Voila! Everyone is happy.

Movers love dogs, just be sure to ask the crew if they are comfortable meeting your pets at the beginning of the day!

Now don’t forget moving with pets is equally overwhelming in your new home. It’s a whole new place for your pets to adjust to. Let them slowly check it out before the mover arrives. If you have the opportunity to get there ahead of time bring a blanket with their scent to help with the transition & make them feel at home.

For more information you may want to check out www.aspca.org

The Honey-Do List

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Ahhh summer…  Barbeques and pool parties abound. The biggest weekend decision you have to make is chill by your pool or the neighbors?

But wait, you accepted that new job and have to report for duty ASAP!

Sure you knew it was coming so the house was already on the market and maybe even sold quickly, but still, there are a handful of things to consider when leaving your spouse in charge of moving preparations.

First & foremost, remember you will be away & your spouse will have the brunt of work on their shoulders to get ready for the move all while juggling kids, carpools, work, grocery shopping, packing, etc., you get my point!

The last things they need to worry about are the things that the mover can’t do for you. Enter stage right: the “Honey-Do” list.

I’ll make it simple for you. There are a few things that movers won’t be able to do for you either for safety or liability reasons. In some instances we can make arrangements for a third party to come into your home but this comes at an additional cost and who’s not for saving a little money?

Who’s got a man cave? Flat screen on the wall, projector, speakers & oh, a half a dozen components all need to be disconnected ahead of time. My guess is your spouse doesn’t have the time. With all those wires it can be confusing for your mover to do so as well. Before you leave, or on a weekend trip home, spend the time to disconnect everything. Neatly bundle the wires and mark them accordingly so you can reconnect everything in the new house with ease.

What about stuff in a pull-down attic? This one is a biggy. For the safety of the men in your home the crew will not be able to climb up there & remove your belongings. We don’t want anyone to get hurt or your house to be damaged. The last thing you need is a foot through the ceiling two days before your walk through and closing.

Likewise, anything that needs to be removed from a wall or ceiling such as curtain rods or lighting fixtures should also be done in advance for the same reason. Remember there are electricians for a reason- always be safe!

Last but not least, appliances. All major appliances should be disconnected ahead of time: washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators with icemakers all need to be serviced accordingly. If it’s a frontload washer you’ll need the pin-lock kit to stabilize the drum. If it’s a gas dryer you’ll likely need to call your gas provider. Icemakers need the water lines episode choose your story hack turned off & secured to prevent any leaking.

Talk to Arpin about your options and pricing menus if you don’t feel comfortable tackling these items on the list. Then talk to a jeweler about a nice gift for your spouse for dealing with all this while you’re out of town!