Category Archives: Packing

Don’t Want to Pack? … Then Don’t Pack!

As exciting as moving to a new home can be, it usually also triggers flashbacks to previous moves, when you lived with boxes all around you for months, stacks of newspapers and tissue paper and packing material piling up in corners, all your possessions in disarray because you weren’t even sure where to begin packing up. For most people, moving equates to boxes, boxes everywhere for weeks on end, both where you’re coming from and where you’re going to.

But you don’t have to take on all that stress yourself. A reputable, professional moving company can do the packing for you—freeing you up for far more enjoyable and less tedious tasks, like picking new paint colors and making a profit by selling items you no longer use.

When you hire your movers to pack for you, they will:

  • Accurately estimate how many boxes and how much tape and bubble wrap your load will need—you no longer have to guess, only to discover you’ve run out on moving day
  • Work with your schedule, packing you up prior to the day of your move if you prefer
  • Optimize the organization of your belongings, packing like items together and balancing box weights
  • Carefully and securely pack all your goods, taking extra care with fragile items
  • Properly wrap and transport hard-to-pack items, like floor lamps and bicycles, to minimize chances of damage
  • Label all your belongings for you, both for ease of unpacking and efficient delivery to the correct rooms of your new home
  • Deliver boxes and unpack them at your destination
  • Place items as much or as little as you want, such as hanging clothes from wardrobe boxes in the appropriate closets, organizing the kitchen cabinets, or moving all the holiday decorations to the attic, basement, or garage
  • Dispose of all moving materials before leaving

And don’t worry: If there’s anything at all you’d rather pack up yourself and transport in your own vehicle, your moving team can be as “hands-off” or “hands-on” as you specify.

So if you want to take packing off your to-do list and start living in your new home the very day you move in, give us a call today for a free estimate on this value-added optional service.

BB&D Moving Services
301-57-5447 (MD)  |   571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040 (FL)  |  bbdmoving.com/

 

How to Properly Pack a Bedroom

When it comes time to pack up your house for a move, most people assume that large pieces (like pianos and pool tables) and fragile objects (like crystal and figurines) require the most forethought … and that assumption wouldn’t be wrong. It’s just that different possessions and different areas of your home can each benefit from careful planning and prep work, and bedrooms are no exception.

In fact, bedrooms can be one of the trickier rooms to pack. Why? Because they contain items you and all your household members use every day. So you don’t want to pack away needed items too soon, nor do you want to wait until the last minute, when you’ll likely be rushed and stressed with the moving truck in your driveway and the daylight hours ticking away. Just like anything else in life, following a step-by-step plan will keep things at hand, keep you on schedule, and keep your move on track.

Simple Steps to Efficiently Packing Bedrooms

  1. Schedule sorting time. Before you put one thing in one box, make sure you’re not wasting time, energy, and money by moving things you no longer want, need, or use. You can get through this step pretty quickly if you devote about one hour to each bedroom, one session at a time. Start with the least-populated room and work your way up to the master bedroom, since, admittedly, the master closet might need a little extra attention. Better yet, have each family member be the “sorter” for their own room, sifting through all its contents and extracting those items that can either be thrown away, given away, or sold. The broken hat rack in the corner? On the curb for trash pickup. The rocker you haven’t rocked in since your teenager was a baby? List it online. Toys the kids no longer play with and books they’ve outgrown … the sweater with the permanent stain … the empty dust-collecting perfume bottles … the lamp you’ve been meaning to fix for months but never will—time to let it all go and start with a clean slate. As for clothing, the universal rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn it in over year, it’s safe to donate (like that prom dress from 2001). The great thing about this step is that you can complete it long before packing begins and it can greatly reduce the volume you’ll be moving.
  2. Off-season items go first. Moving in late spring or summer? Then it’s completely safe to pack up all winter things in the bedroom: flannel sheets, blankets and quilts, furry robes, and all your cold-weather apparel—coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, boots. Same goes for a late fall or winter move: pack up your bathing suits, shorts and tanks, flip-flops, flimsy pj’s, pool toys, suntan lotions and potions now and it’ll save you valuable time later.
  3. Stow away those knickknacks. Have small boxes and plenty of protective bubble wrap / cushioning material on hand so you can clear away your tchotchkes and such at a casual pace, without fear of breaking or damaging anything by moving too quickly or carelessly. Yeah, you love that graduation photo, but it doesn’t need to be out on your dresser till moving day, so now’s the time to pack up shelf decorations, photos, collectibles, glass articles, and anything else nonessential to the daily operations of your bedroom. While you’re at it, add all but one of the books stacked on your nightstand, your photo albums and journals stowed away in drawers, tokens and trophies … for the next couple of weeks at least, you can get by with only necessities, not extras.
  4. Proceed to shoes and bedding. We’ve all got more pairs of shoes than we’d ever wear in a given time span, right? Might as well pull out just the few you’ll need and wear most often as your move approaches, then pack up the rest in medium-sized boxes. And you won’t be needing more than one change of sheets, either, so it’s safe to pack up any other bedding and linens that aren’t currently in use on beds already; given how light these items are, you should be able to squeeze a lot of throws and pillows in just a few large boxes.
  5. Label, label, label! This last step is the most important, and it applies to your move as a whole. Make sure you clearly mark what room each box, tub, and crate belongs in, along with its contents and any special instructions, such as a FRAGILE sticker. There’s nothing more frustrating in the immediate aftermath of a move than trying to find something you need quickly and having to go on a lengthy treasure hunt to locate it. Oh, and be sure to fill your boxes to the brim, leaving no empty space, so that they’ll stack nicely in the truck.

All that’s left now falls into two categories: (1) things you need on a daily basis and (2) your furniture. Bring along the things you use every day in your car with you, to make sure you have uninterrupted access to them. As for your furniture, mattresses, and other large items, leave those to your professional movers. They’re experts at taking things apart when necessary, wrapping and protecting all your bulky items with care, and setting them back up, ready for your first night’s sleep in your new home.

Visit our website for more tips on packing and moving, and call us anytime for a moving consult or estimate:

BB&D Moving Services
301-57-5447 (MD)  |   571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040 (FL)  |  bbdmoving.com/

Can’t I Just Move Myself?

When it comes to packing up and moving out, most people are concerned about the associated expenses—and rightly so. It’s both savvy and sensible to want to weigh the pros and cons of hiring a professional moving service versus trying to go the DIY route. Will it be worth the expenditure? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Do you have the resources to undertake such a considerable task on your own?

As with any financial decision, you’ll want to consider your specific circumstances, needs, and budget to determine if you prefer the outlay of time, labor, effort, and energy to be yours or someone else’s. To help you make that determination about your upcoming move, here’s a list of advantages professional movers bring to the table in case you don’t want to move that table yourself!

The Benefits of Professional Packers & Movers

  • Assurance. With a professional moving company, you can rest assured that your move will be managed by experts who do this for a living, day in and day out. Your belongings will be properly protected during transport, and you can be confident that your possessions will remain intact from point A to point B, no matter the volume of your move or the distance it covers. With the insurance and safeguards in place by reputable moving companies, you might have other worries on your mind about relocating, but you’ll have peace of mind about the move itself.
  • Safety. Some DIY projects are relatively risk-free. Moving the entire contents of a family home? Not so much. Large and heavy items require appropriate equipment to safely move and proper procedures for heavy lifting. Personal injuries are common among self-movers, and damage to furniture and fragile items even more so. Professionals, however, mitigate all risks to both persons and possessions, following strict safety guidelines and protocols to fully protect your valuables.
  • Quality control. All’s well when things go according to plan. But when they don’t? When the size U-Haul you reserved isn’t there, when the day laborers you hired don’t show up, when you can’t get that entertainment unit out the door after all? Even the best-laid plans go awry, but if you leave the planning to a professional company, the chances of your move going off without a hitch drastically increase and the likelihood of unanticipated issues cropping up drastically decreases. Even if a problem is encountered, it’s the moving company’s responsibility to deal with and resolve. You’re paying for their expertise and experience, and that’s exactly what you’ll get, whether it’s keeping your items dry in the rain or getting those stubborn legs off the pool table.
  • Efficiency. No matter how strong or gung-ho your makeshift crew might be, there’s no way they’re going to be faster or more efficient than professional movers who have industry-grade equipment to transport bulky items from here to there, who know how to maneuver around corners and navigate stairways, who are adept at wrapping items and ensuring they don’t move around in transmit. Based on the prep work and inventory done on your home before moving day, they know just what to expect and come equipped with all of the manpower and materials needed for a swift and successful move.
  • Reduced costs. Sounds counterintuitive, right? But hear out this argument first. Moving is not a cheap venture, that’s true. Insurance premiums, licenses and certifications, fair wages, vehicle maintenance, equipment and supplies, mileage and gasoline—it all must be accounted for in consumer estimates. But what if the consumer pays for everything out-of-pocket themselves? Moving blankets, tarps, protectors, and containers. Trunk rental, with strict pickup and drop-off deadlines that incur late fees. Labor-for-hire. Dollies and carts and ramps. Possibly even trailers and hitches. Travel expenses, like tolls, sundries, and accommodations needed while in transit. And what about visits to the chiropractor or orthopedist if your back goes out or you break your ankle? Repairs that will be needed if you damage anything on the way out of your old home or on the way into your new one? Bottom line: à la carte pricing can sometimes work in your favor; far more often, a fixed price turns out to be your best bet.

All of these advantages add up to a stress-free move that puts you in the driver’s seat of hiring professional help … without having to do the actual heavy lifting and truck driving yourself!

Call BB&D Moving Services today to talk more about how we can facilitate and expedite your move: 301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040 (FL)  |  bbdmoving.com/

How to Prepare for Packers and Movers

Moving can be one of the greatest events in your life — the prospect of starting afresh in a brand-new home, possibly in a brand-new town, with all new things to do and sites to see. But it can also be very stressful, which is why so many people opt to engage a full-service professional moving company to both simplify and expedite the process. But planning accordingly is crucial to a smooth operation: prepping the environment for the packers and movers to arrive on the scene will benefit all concerned parties. Here’s a list of top-ten tips to help you optimally get ready for the big day:

  1. Clear your schedule. A homeowner who is late, distracted, or even absent on packing and/or moving day can lead to a lot of headaches and misunderstandings, so it’s best to clear your schedule for the entire time the moving company will be present.
  2. Gather trip essentials. Items you plan on taking with you personally should be set aside in an area that the movers will not have access to. Make sure you clearly separate what the company is transporting from what you want to stay with you throughout the move.
  3. Reduce crowd traffic. If possible, arrange to have your pets out of the way and engage your kids elsewhere while the movers are on-site, to keep the moving space safer and less chaotic.
  4. Assign roles. Let everyone involved know the game plan before things are set in motion — this will drastically reduce confusion and keep people on task.
  5. Take measurements. Measuring furniture and entranceways will keep the plan intact and will allow for any necessary arrangements to be made ahead of time. If a piece was constructed in-room, for example, it might need to be deconstructed to get it out the door. This applies at both the departure home and the arrival home.
  6. Pack fragile items separately. Breakables should receive their own dedicated packing, whether you do it yourself or whether the moving company will be responsible for properly encasing your valuables. There are special packing materials used to protect fragile belongings, so either procure them yourself or have your movers supply them.
  7. Dispose of perishables. Defrost your freezer and empty your refrigerator, throwing away any perishable items. The last thing you want is a nasty surprise in the fridge once it’s delivered to your new home!
  8. Eliminate dangers. Drain or remove all fuel sources from pertinent equipment, like gas from your landscaping tools and kerosene from heaters and lanterns. Take batteries out of all electronics and store them somewhere you can easily retrieve them later; back up your computer files; and empty entertainment devices of CDs, DVDs, and cartridges.
  9. Take inventory. Have a list of all the items in your home. Or, if you just want to use the mover’s inventory as your guide, at the very least, take stock of all your valuables, such as jewelry, expensive technology, and heirlooms.
  10. Confirm. Always confirm your scheduled dates and times with your moving company well in advance.

Following these steps can lead to a much better experience, ensuring that you can move forward without any obstacles blocking your path to your new home.

BB&D Moving Services
301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-409-4799 (FL)  |  
bbdmoving.com/

Supply Checklist for Your Upcoming Move

Preparing for a move can be one of life’s more overwhelming events for most people. With so much to do and juggle—not just planning and packing and organizing in the home you’re vacating, but also planning and unpacking and organizing in your new home—it’s easy to get so stressed out that you start forgetting things, that details start falling through the cracks.

The most efficient way to tackle the planning process is to write everything down—make a checklist of all that you need to do, all that you need to get, and you’ll be thanking yourself later on when things get even busier as your move date approaches.

One list you don’t have to make is an inventory of your belongings—once you have your professional moving company of choice on board, they’ll take care of that for you. The inventory list will give both your movers and you a very good idea of the number and types of boxes you’ll need. Your moving company can supply those for an extra charge—in every conceivable shape and size—or you can procure them yourself. Regardless of which option you choose, here’s a typical list of what you should have on hand to get the packing off to a great start and under control.

TYPICAL PACKING SUPPLY LIST:

  • Large moving boxes
  • Medium moving boxes
  • Small moving boxes
  • Extra-large moving boxes
  • Wardrobe boxes
  • Heavy-duty boxes
  • Large roll(s) of bubble wrap
  • Multiple rolls of tissue paper
  • Permanent black marker
  • Rolls of sealing tape
  • White labels to paste on boxes

Now, when it comes to specialty boxes and wooden crates for fragile items such as large mirrors, marble tops, glass tops, valuable artwork, computers, printers, electronics, and other bulky, hard-to-move items, we recommend consulting with your professional movers. But all of the other contents of your home can be safely and securely packed up with the above materials, at a pace that’s comfortable for you and works with your schedule.

Then it’s time to proceed to the crucial step of labeling the boxes. Trust us, your move will go a lot smoother and settling in to your new home will be a lot easier when boxes are delivered to the rooms they belong in.

BB&D Moving Services can do all of the above (and more!) for you, but we’re also here to help you do it yourself. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your move:
301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-409-4799 (FL)  |  https://bbdmoving.com/

What to Pack Yourself When You Move

Packing to move

So you’ve set your move date, you’ve hired professional movers, and now comes the often-overwhelming task of packing up your entire household. What should you pack up all by yourself? What should you leave to your movers? And what might fall somewhere in between?

Well, sorting through your household is the first step in efficient and productive packing. If you’ve already compiled an inventory of all your belongings with your mover, use that as a starting point. If not, you can proceed through your house one room at a time, making an inventory list of your own to determine which items you know you want to be responsible for yourself (like jewelry), which items require proper packing materials and special handling and should therefore be taken care of by your movers (like your grandmother’s antique chest), and which items shouldn’t be packed at all but should be left to the movers’ discretion (like bicycles). For any items that you’re leaving to the movers’ care, prep them as necessary and practical—for example, empty your grandmother’s chest and carefully box up the contents inside so that only the piece of furniture itself is left for the movers to handle.

Here are some tips on deciding who should move what:

  • Private and confidential material: Paperwork and information that is sensitive in nature and is important to your identity and privacy should be handled on your own—things like financial files and statements, bonds and deeds, passports and certificates, banking information. If items are for your eyes only, then it will give you peace of mind to pack them up yourself.
  • Irreplaceable items: You’ll also rest easier knowing you took care of precious belongings yourself, such as heirloom jewelry, your teacup collection, family photo albums, collector items, first-edition books. If it can’t be replaced, that’s your cue to place and pack these things yourself.
  • Everyday household items: As prepared as you want to be ahead of time, you don’t want to pack up things you use in your home on a daily basis and will want on hand even on moving day: house and car keys, remote controls, address books, flash drives, the coffee machine, your pillows and a set of sheets. Remember that you still need to live comfortably and effectively a few days before your move and a few days after.
  • Personal items: The same goes for any and all personal items that you use on a daily basis that you’ll want to keep within easy reach: clothes, shoes, medications, eyeglasses, toiletries, and cosmetics. You can pack up the bulk of your bedroom and bathroom contents well ahead of the move, but remember to save a bag for packing up what you’ll need during the actual transition period of the move.
  • Fragile contents: When it comes to items that require special packing and handling, however, it’s recommended that you let the professionals take care of them for you. No matter how sentimental or valuable these items are to you—furniture, artwork, TVs and other electronic equipment, computers, appliances, large household items, pool tables and pinball machines and stereo systems—these items are fragile and difficult to move and so will be safer in the hands of your professional movers.

Relocating is stressful enough without the added concern of not knowing when, how, and what to pack. Take advantage of the expertise and experience of your professional movers by letting them help you inventory, organize, and sort through everything. And if you really don’t want to pack up anything yourself other than your toothbrush, your wallet, and your car keys, well then, for an additional fee, your movers can take care of (literally) everything but the kitchen sink!

Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your move: 301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-409-4799 (FL)  |  https://bbdmoving.com/

The Advantages of Hiring Your Movers to Do Your Packing

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. Just the thought of it can fill you with a curious blend of mixed emotions: dread, excitement, anxiety, anticipation. And yet moving doesn’t have to be quite so overwhelming and nerve-racking—especially once you get a professional moving company on board to walk you through the process and offer options along the way.

One of those options is letting your movers do your packing too. Yes, there’s an added cost for this service, but if you think of how much money you’ll spend on packing tape, labels or markers, tissue and bubble wrap, and boxes of all shapes and sizes, that cost is quickly neutralized. Not only that, but it’s important to consider that packing plays a critical role in a successful move: If your house contents are packed professionally and correctly, you alleviate all worry that your possessions will be broken or damaged in transit.

You can hire a mover to pack as little or as much of your inventory as you want, so as you decide how you want to proceed, keep in mind these benefits of a combined moving + packing package:

  1. Your household items and valuables will be packed safely and securely in the proper boxes and packing materials provided by the moving company.
  2. Your movers will label each and every box—its contents as well as the room in which it belongs—which expedites your move and eliminates any possible confusion during the unloading and delivery phase.
  3. Your movers can also safely unpack all your items in your new residence, if you wish, and haul away all the packing materials for you. Instead of breaking down boxes and making trips to the dump, you can just start enjoying your new home.
  4. Your movers can do virtually all of the work—they’ll arrange an on-site visit well in advance of your move, they’ll compile an accurate inventory list of your belongings, and they’ll compose a map of your new home that specifies in which room your boxes and furnishings belong.

How do you pack a lamp? Large artwork? China and other fragile items? Computer and electronic equipment? Let your movers decide how to best take care of your valuables that require special handling.

BB&D Moving Services does it all! Call us or visit us today to learn more about how we can meet all your moving and packing needs: 301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-409-4799 (FL)  |  https://bbdmoving.com/

Hiring Professional Movers in DC, MD & NoVA

If It’s Time to Move, We’ve Got a Service That Can Help

Summertime is the busiest time of year for moving. And that means that the springtime months leading up to your move offer the perfect span in which to start planning and preparing for a smooth and successful transfer. Whether you’re moving your home or your office, whether you’re relocating nearby or far away, we’ve got both the experts and the expertise to see to all your moving needs—precisely when, where, and how you want them.

BB&D Moving Services is your “one-stop shop” offering the full array of services, from helping you pack up, to securing a storage facility, to getting you comfortably and conveniently settled at your new location. Whenever possible, schedule your move 3 to 6 months in advance—that way, we can incorporate as few or as many targeted services as you need to meet your move date and goals.

MENU OF BB&D MOVING SERVICES:

  • Residential Moving: We carefully and skillfully move all of your belongings from your current residence, onto our moving truck, and into your new residence—right into the rooms labeled on your boxes. Along the way, we provide full property protection, making sure no damage is done to walls, carpeting, floors, banisters, doorframes, etc. All furniture is fully and securely wrapped and taped.
  • Commercial Moving: We bring order to the world of commercial relocation with minimal downtime and comprehensive services including: pre-move container drop-off, disconnecting and reconnecting office equipment, eco-friendly moving materials, and our very own “Smart Moving Package,” which utilizes specific systems and techniques for a stress-free commercial move.
  • International Moving: We provide top-caliber transit across foreign borders, collaborating with trusted partners to provide regulations assistance.
  • Packing/Unpacking: Don’t want to do all the boxing, crating, taping, and labeling yourself? We can do it all at either your departure point and/or your destination point, even supplying all the packing materials (at an additional cost).
  • Temporary Storage: We offer storage facilities, for both short- and long-term use, that are lighted and temperature-controlled, with round-the-clock video surveillance cameras.
  • Disposal: We haul away junk or donations from your old location so you don’t have to worry about disposing of unwanted contents yourself or taking anything unnecessary with you.
  • Staging: We can help you prepare your home or office for sale by coordinating with real estate agents and professional stagers to maximize the appeal and value of your property while your own belongs are safe and secure in our storage facilities.
  • Additional Services: We really can and will do it all for you, including such tasks as:
  • Cleaning old/new spaces
  • Minor repairs to property being vacated to prepare it for sale
  • Listing unwanted furniture/items for you online via sites like Craigslist
  • Scanning documents for you, so you can toss out all the old paperwork and save it digitally instead

Interested in a moving-related service you don’t see listed here? Just ask! Call us today at 301-573-5447 and visit us at https://bbdmoving.com/.

Tips for Settling in Your New Home After Your Move

Moving away from a home where you have lived for years is never an easy thing to do, especially if you are moving to another city or across the country. Living in a new home can be exciting at first, but around the holiday season you may find yourself missing the ones you love even more. If you find yourself away from those you love around the holidays, there are some things you can do to help mitigate the pain you may be experiencing while missing family and friends during this time of year.

THREE HELPFUL TIPS

  1. Keep Familiar Things Nearby
    Keeping sentimental objects nearby, such as Christmas or holiday ornaments that you inherited from your mother or grandmother, and decorating with them will bring back loving memories. Decorating your new home with your own personal touch will make it feel more familiar. If possible, bring some pieces of furniture that belonged to family members, and this will help make you feel more at home.
  2. Keep Busy with Friends
    Feeling sorry for yourself during this time of year can be an easy thing to do, but staying home and dwelling on your feelings may only make them worse. Get out of the house and spend time with friends as much as possible during this time of year so you don’t feel as lonely while missing your family.
  3. Invite People Over
    Moving to a new city, state, or even country can be a life-changing experience for you. Meeting people who are new to the area, and may be going through the same thing, will help you to not feel so alone. Host some dinner get-togethers, cookie exchanges, or gift giving parties to help meet new people and share the holidays with them as you would your own family.

Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure, along with meeting new people. And remember, the hard part is over. You have already moved your belongings to a new residence with the help of your professional movers. You can now get settled in and enjoy a memorable holiday season in your new home!

A Simple Checklist for Moving Day

Moving day is finally here! You have spent days, weeks, or even months planning in advance, with so many things to accomplish before your professional movers arrive. With all the planning, packing and organizing, it is now finally time to move. How does one prepare to leave a residence for the last time? It’s not an easy job, but following a simple checklist will help alleviate that overwhelming feeling of “so much to do, so little time”. The following list will help keep you organized and on track to get everything done:

What to pack before the movers arrive – Once family members are ready, you can pack up the last of the personal items from the bathrooms and kitchen, throwing out any last remains of food. If you are going to keep any food items, be sure to pack them in freezer bags so the food does not spoil. Carry it with you in your vehicle along with any cleaning supplies for touch ups. Strip the beds and mark the boxed linens last on truck so these boxes are first off truck to be brought to the bedroom(s) of your new residence.

When your mover arrives – Most importantly, have your master checklist in hand and ready to reference when you are going over details with your professional movers. Simply start at the top of your list and check off items as you go. Pay close attention to the moving process since it will be your responsibility to see that all items are removed from your residence. Your professional movers will have a crew leader assigned to load the truck in the correct order, with the boxes marked according to which rooms they belong in.

Once the house is empty – It’s always a good idea to clean up the areas in your old home once the space is empty. Leaving the house as clean as possible for the new residents will make it that much easier for them to move in.

Looking around your old home may make you feel sentimental, but watching the moving trucks pull into the driveway at your new residence will give you a feeling of excitement for your new home. Enjoy your big day!