Don’t Panic!!

Moving on short notice = life will be hectic. But losing your cool can turn your situation from stressful to nightmare in a matter of no time. Panicking may keep you from thinking clearly and could cause you to forget important details, documents, or steps that are vital in making the process run smoothly.

Secure a Place to Live

Whether you are moving because of an unexpected job transfer, financial hardship, or relationship issues, making sure you have a place to go is crucial. It is difficult to plan the rest of the relocation process unless you know your destination. Use resources such as online apartment guides or local chambers of commerce in the new area to connect you with quality temporary housing or local apartment communities.

Get Copies of Important Documents

Children’s school and medical records, mortgage or lease information, and financial documents are much easier to gather when you can pick them up or talk to someone in person about getting copies. Keep all important documents and records in a safe place throughout the moving process.

Find a Mover

Depending on your timeframe and the details of your situation, many moving companies offer full-service packages where they handle the packing, moving and unpacking of your entire home. This service generally costs more but is a great way to eliminate the stress and preparation time that comes with moving on such short notice.

Cancel Utility Services

Contact your utility providers and set up disconnection of the utilities for the DAY AFTER your move. Do not have them turned off the day before or day of your move because you don’t want to be working in the dark or cold with no running water.

Remember, just like the regular ebbs and flows in life, moving on short notice “is all what you make of it.” Try to treat it like a game or adventure and you will be smooth sailing. If you would like more advice on preparing for an upcoming move in Kansas City, just give us a call at 816-389-8706.

Questions you may want to ask while assembling your team of moving professionals:

• Do you have liability insurance? If they are not properly insured from the state and federal government’s standpoint, then they are not legally authorized to perform services for you.

• Do you have workers compensation insurance? Some smaller companies may try to save on costs by not properly taking care of their employees if they are injured on the job.

• Do you have your own vehicles (instead of renting them daily)? You want to make sure they have their own vehicles to check the stability of the business. A company that doesn’t own or lease its own vehicles is not very stable. It is also likely they do not have the proper insurances or well trained staff to handle your relocation or any damages or issues that may arise.

• Do you hire day labor or are your movers actually employees? Some companies hire unskilled day labor on as-needed basis from staffing agencies versus having a staff of trained, background-checked employees on payroll in order to mitigate employer payroll taxes, unemployment claims, and even workers compensation claims.

Local movers who are not adequately insured, that rent trucks to move your belongings, or hire day laborers to complete your relocation are able to charge significantly less for their moving services than a properly licensed, insured, and established moving company.  On the other hand, there are places you can look to find a decent, reputable mover. Check out our other post with more tips on how to find trustworthy local movers for your next relocation.

An educated client base is the first step to cleaning up the moving industry. As long as consumers are willing to hire companies that operate illegally, there will be no incentive for people to do the right thing and take care of everyone involved in the process – from the customer, to the mover, and the owner of the company.

Feel free to call Great Day Moving anytime and we will be glad to honestly answer any questions or concerns you may have about an upcoming relocation!

1.      Apartment Listing Apps

Gone are the days of browsing the classified pages and organizing information manually. There are a number of apps available for most smartphones that make listings readily available with up-to-date information. Many are designed with simple interfaces that make searching quick and easy. They do the work for you by filtering search results based on any number of criteria – from location, cost, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, size, pet acceptance, amenities and more. If you have GPS features installed, the app can use that information to find apartments close to your current location. That can be helpful if you’re visiting a complex and aren’t satisfied with the place you’re looking at. Simply open up the app and see if there are any other places nearby to check out while you’re in the area. A couple names to keep in mind when searching your app market are MyNewPlace and Archstone.

2.      Map Out Proximity To The Places You Visit Most

If you’re faced with a tough choice between two similar units in different places, you can easily solve the tie by mapping out your potential route to work, the store, the gym and anywhere else you go regularly. Using your smartphone’s GPS map is a great way to see what kind of resources would be within walking distance, driving distance or just too far out of the way.

3.      Rent & Utility Calculators

Rent isn’t the only expense to consider when searching for a new apartment. Whether you have to pay electricity, water, natural gas or all three on top of the cost of rent, there are many apps available to help you predict monthly expenses. With just the push of a few buttons you can find out exactly how much a certain apartment is really going to cost.

4.      Learn More About The Neighborhood

When walking or driving around a neighborhood you’re thinking of moving to, it’s easy to overlook various buildings, businesses, parks and other highlights. Then there are the intangibles – cost of living, demographics, weather patterns and job availability, to name a few. There are plenty of apps available on all smartphone networks that can provide insights into this kind of information. When searching for a new apartment it’s best to learn as much about a given area as possible before you decide to move. Smartphones make it simple and easy to learn about a new city or neighborhood.

5.      Searching For A Roommate

Your smartphone can help streamline your search for a new roommate as well. Many of the major roommate search websites have released smartphone apps that help ease the process. Filter potential roommates by any number of factors, ranging from the amount they’re willing to pay to smoking preferences to whether they have any pets. You don’t have to waste time interviewing people who don’t meet your qualifications.

People often underestimate the power of the devices we all carry around in our pockets every day. With smartphone technology, searching for a new apartment has never been simpler. And remember, once you’ve located that new apartment, call Great Day Moving for all your relocation needs or submit a request for an estimate! Happy hunting!

Color

The new hot buzz word for 2012 is GREIGE!  Greige is a warm tone gray that can look either taupe or beige. Gray is hot! I predict that “greige” will be the new “Johnson County beige”! It tends to have more green undertones than gold undertones. I still personally love my golden browns, and I am not saying that golden tones are ”out” at all.  In fact, golden accents and accessories look amazing with the new grays and really help to warm them up.

Note how the gold fabric and arrangements on the table warm up the room.

Furnishings

Smaller furniture will become more popular. Furniture with skirts and overstuffed couches are out.  Large sectional sofas are out – the movers will be happy about this! Armoires for TVs and entertainment are out. Flat-screen TVs will be showcased and sometimes framed to resemble artwork.

Flooring

Dark is in. Golden oak is out. Although darker floors look more dramatic, the downside is that they show more dust.  (But, just like with dark granite countertops – when they are clean they look amazing!)  Lighter colored area rugs will create excitement against the dark floors.

Window Treatments

Less is in. Thinner materials are in. Sometimes nothing on properly trimmed windows will suffice.  Roll-up window treatments like Roman shades will be popular too in home design trends.

Lighting

Cylindrical lampshades will replace outdated pleated or conical lampshades. Pendant lighting will still be popular.

Accessories

Oversized china hutches are out, if used at all – another reason for movers to be excited! Baskets with vine garland on top of kitchen cabinets are out.  Artificial greenery is still in, but in small groupings and tastefully done. Dried flowers of any kind are definitely out, and have been out for a long time; they simply collect too much dust!

Last, but not least in home design trends for 2012:

The Best Paint Colors for Resale

Choosing the best one just cannot be answered on paper. So many factors need to be taken into account, such as the tile, the color of the woodwork, the trim color, the furnishings in the room, etc.   There is no universal color that will work for everyone, and a mistake in color could be a mistake in how your home shows to prospective buyers. The warm golden browns are still popular, but the hot new upcoming trend for 2012 is ”greige”.

Here are my favorite warm grays and greiges from Sherwin Williams:

If you would like to be “in” for 2012 on all the hot new home design trends, be sure to contact Susan Conway for the best advice before you buy or redecorate! If you would like all the “out” furniture to be carried from of your home, like the oversized china hutch in your dining room or overstuffed sectional sofa in the family room – call Great Day Moving!

Here are some things to know from the moving company before moving day arrives:

1. Ask them to put their rates for the job in writing
2. Make sure that you fully understand the policy on job start times. Many companies will not quote an exact start time if you are not the first move of the day
3. Ask to see any paperwork that you are going to be signing on the day of the move ahead of time
4. Get a clear and full understanding of the company’s damage and insurance policies. It never hurts to ask to see a copy of the moving company’s insurance certificates. If they cannot produce those for their customers, then it’s possible the company is not operating  in full compliance with government regulation and laws
5. Be sure to read any and all communication that you get from the company prior to moving day. Be fully informed about what you are paying for and what services the moving company is providing

At Great Day Moving we email our customers all of the information they need or request prior to moving day. In the technological age of smart phones, tablets, and laptops, there should be no excuse for not reading or receiving communication.

This last point is really important. It has been my experience at Great Day Moving that 95% of all issues that arise on moving day or afterward could have been avoided if both parties were fully informed. Here at Great Day Moving we have implemented many policies to ensure our customers are fully informed and know what to expect on moving day. We are also constantly working to improve those processes, but it is all for naught if our customers fail to read that information in advance.

As the customer you should never feel bad about asking questions either.  You are about to hand over your hard-earned money for professional moving services and should fully understand what you are getting for your money.  If a moving company is too busy to help you by answering your moving questions over the phone or via email before the move, then what type of service are they going to provide on the day of the move?

My job as the Great Day Moving Customer Service Ninja™ is to make myself available to answer all questions and give our customers peace of mind. Call me at 877-541-1015 or email me at Service@greatdaymoving.com for professional moving services around the metro area including Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Overland Park! Sayonara for now and have a Great Day moving!!!

When water enters your home, HOW it got there is critical to your home insurance policy covering the damage. If it seeps in because the sump pump broke, could not keep up, or had no power, then you might be covered. If the floor drain backs up and lets sewage into your home, you might not be covered. Check your policy or call your agent to be sure you have coverage for these types of common occurrences.

If your yard does not drain away properly or maybe your neighbor’s yard drains toward your home, then you are probably not covered. When a severe storm hits, the runoff will be more than normal. If the water breaks a window or finds another way in, it is overland runoff and that is not covered under most home insurance policies.

Is there a river or stream anywhere near your home? Rising water (flood) is not typically covered under your homeowner’s policy. You may need to buy flood insurance under the federal program. Your insurance agent can help you buy this coverage.

Recently I heard of a neighborhood lake that hasn’t been maintained for the past 40 years and the owner doesn’t have the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to fix the dam. Neither does the owner have the liability coverage or assets to fix the water damage if the dam fails. There are 25 homes below the dam that are at risk of flooding and have no water damage protection unless they buy flood insurance on their own. No one advised them or their insurance companies of the risk. The only ones who are certain to have any protection are those who have bought flood insurance.”

Tony Drew is the owner of Handyfolks, Inc and is a licensed and insured residential contractor in Overland Park, Kansas. Handyfolks, Inc serves the entire Kansas City metro area and provides full-service remodeling services for kitchens, bathrooms, basements and full house renovations.  Handyfolks, Inc also specializes in small home repair jobs. If you need a handyman or remodeler in the Kansas City area, contact Tony at 913-269-7191 or tony@handykc.com.

Here at Great Day Moving we love our customers so much and want to help with all of their moving needs. But there are just some items that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates against us carrying in our moving trucks. Besides the dangerous items like hazardous materials, there are also items that we highly recommend you transport yourself.

Professional movers typically divide non-allowable items into 3 categories:

• Hazardous Materials
  
• Perishable Items
  
• Personal Importance or Sentimental Value
  

Hazardous materials are potentially flammable, corrosive, or explosive. These may include (but are not limited to):

We hate saying no around here but the above list is non-negotiable. If you are moving long-distance with professional movers, many of these can be given to friends and family or you can contact your city to find out how and where to properly dispose of these items. According to the DOT, if certain hazardous materials are shipped in a moving van without the mover’s knowledge, their liability may be limited or reduced in the case of damages caused by these items.

Perishable items typically are not allowed on moving trucks since they will spoil while in transit, may attract bugs that will damage your property, and are unsanitary. Some examples are:

If you are not moving long-distance, but locally (in less than a 12  hour period), the company may allow food items to be transported as long as they are properly packed.

Personal or sentimental items are those that have personal significance or value that would be difficult or impossible to replace if lost or damaged. Some of these possessions we consider to be priceless, especially if it’s the photo album of your first-born child or even the DVD from your wedding day.

Here’s a look at what professional movers typically consider personal or sentimental:

Most professional movers do not like to transport these items due to the inherent risk of loss or damage. Understandably, they would prefer to limit their liability with items of such a sensitive nature.

There is also the issue of extreme temperatures affecting photographs, medicines, or even sensitive electronics such as a laptop.

It is better to bring these non-allowable items along with you personally than pack them on the moving truck and as a consumer you would probably rather have these belongings under your control. Be sure to do your research and ask your professional movers about their specific policies regarding non-allowable items so that you can plan ahead.

Feel free to contact us directly at 877-541-1015 if you have specific questions regarding a particular item or contact us.

Sayonara for now and have a Great Day moving!!!

1. Back up files and software programs before moving a computer.

Whether you have a spare hard drive or would prefer burning data onto discs, it’s a good idea to make sure all your important files and software are backed up somewhere outside of your computer. Moving usually will not affect the contents of your computer, but it’s best to be prepared. Keep the backup hardware in a small box or carrying case and make sure they’re kept away from anything magnetic.

2. Check your manuals for any specialized instructions.

Some manufacturers may have special instructions for shutting down your computer properly. For example, if you have an older computer you may be advised to “park” the hard drive.

3. Put your computer components in a plastic bag before you pack them up.

Give your computer time to cool off completely before bagging up the components. Packing and moving a computer that’s still hot is never a good idea. Make sure you keep everything together so you don’t misplace an important cable or wire.

4. Color-code wires and cables if they aren’t already.

Most modern computers come with color-coded wires, but if yours didn’t, or if you have an older computer, it may be a good idea to do it yourself. It will make reconnecting and setup much more simple and easy once you’ve reached your new location.

5. If possible, use the original manufacturer’s packaging.

If you happened to keep the original box the computer came in then great! That’s the ideal way to pack up your computer. If not, then use the double-box method. For this you’ll need two boxes, one smaller than the other. Put the computer components (which you should have already bagged up) in the small box and surround them with bubble wrap. Then line the larger box with bubble wrap or padding of some sort and place the small box into the larger one. This method will help you duplicate the conditions the manufacturer used to ship the computer originally. The inner box and the bubble wrap will help protect the components just like professional packing.

6. Mark the package as “fragile.”

This is pretty self-explanatory. If you have people helping you, they may not know they’re moving a computer so it’s best to be clear about how to handle a given package.

That’s it! You’re ready to transport your computer. Packing and moving a computer is simple and easy when you follow these quick steps.

When the Customer Service Ninja™ is not helping to make it a Great Day Moving for all of the customers in the Kansas City area he loves playing with nunchucks and training for the American Ninja Warrior games, see G4 TV for more details. One of these days, the Customer Service Ninja™ will overcome his fear of heights and demolish the dreaded salmon ladder that has kept him from earning a spot on the American Ninja Warrior team since 2009. On top of the physical demands that comes with being a ninja the CSN also likes to sharpen his mind by reading about ninja stuff on the internet like this great how-to blog or learning how to make ninja stars out of paper from videos.

His favorite food is raw T-bone steaks with shiitake mushroom glaze or anything from Taco Bell.  His favorite color is black and does not like the winter because he is forced to wear shoes instead of his usual ninja slippers. If the CSN did not work for Great Day Moving he would want to be a customer care representative for Sprint (they could use the help).  When he was little, he dreamed of being a professional sky diver but the aforementioned fear of heights cut that dream short. The best part of working for Great Day Moving is the ability to interact with the wonderful customers, helping to answer questions, and schedule moves. He loves it when customers call him to talk about their upcoming relocation or ask questions about something for which they are unsure. He gets the most satisfaction from his job when customers call to rave about how wonderful the crew was that moved them.

Next time you are looking to move across Kansas City or have your great-aunt’s antique china hutch delivered to your home call Great Day Moving and speak to the Customer Service Ninja™, our version of the Customer Service Representative. He will schedule a crew of our professional, experienced, friendly, and well-trained movers to help with all of your moving, delivery, packing, and relocation needs!!

Seasonal Considerations

Few people would argue with you that summertime is the best time to move. School is out, the weather will most likely be great, and friends and family are more willing and available to help you on moving day.  If this is your ideal time to move, check with your professional moving company to find out what their schedule and rates are pertaining to your preferred move date.  If you are planning to move at peak times, you will need to be organized to ensure that you keep the costs down.  Keep in mind that with some moving companies the level of service often changes during summer months due to a cheaper labor force of students replacing full-time experienced movers.

Since moving in the summer could cost more money, many people choose to relocate during the winter months to save money. However, with winter comes a special set of circumstances that need to be factored into your move.  Travel can be more difficult for you, your family and even the moving company due to winter weather.  Items kept overnight in a truck under freezing conditions may result in damaged goods. If you are moving from one climate to another, water damage may occur when truck or container carrying your household items travels from a cold environment to a warmer climate. Freezing and thawing causes the most damage if items are not properly sealed. Check out our other winter moving posts here and here for more details.

Holidays

When possible, avoid moving before major holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or the July 4^th. You might think that no one is trying to move during a holiday, but many moving companies charge a premium rate because of the demand.  If people are off work for the holiday and can move without using vacation or sick time then it is a bonus for them. Moving before birthdays, anniversaries, and other family events or gatherings can also be difficult – especially for small children and teenagers. If you absolutely have to relocate before a holiday or special event, give yourself enough time in your new place beforehand to meet new people and feel a sense of community.

School Calendar

Summer relocation is an ideal time, as children have completed another grade and have said goodbye to their friends.  When setting a moving date, try to allow at least several weeks at your new home for children to unpack and meet new neighborhood friends before the school year begins. This will help make the transition into a new home, neighborhood, and school much easier on them. Too much change too quickly can be detrimental to a child’s performance in school.

The Ideal Time

If money and time are not issues for you, then the best time of the year to relocate is spring or late fall.  It will be easier to find and hire movers and you will most likely have the cooperation of the weather; it won’t be blistering hot or wet and icy.  The times to avoid hiring most moving companies are weekends (some companies charge higher rates for Saturday and Sunday) and the last five days of each month.