If you’re POTUS, that’s a straightforward question to answer, since it’s been reported that it takes approximately 95 workers to labor for precisely 5 hours to move one First Family out of the White House every four or eight years on Inauguration Day (aka Moving Day) and another First Family in, with time to spare in between for any painting or repairs needed.

But for the rest of us who don’t happen to be the Leader of the Free World? The time can vary, depending primarily on three factors.

1. LENGTH OF LOADING

Some people own a little stuff, some people own A LOT of stuff! Needless to say, volume is a factor in estimating how much time to block off for your move, but to get it done right, two things matter most: (1) choosing the appropriately sized moving truck and (2) knowing how to load it most efficiently. If space is underestimated, that can slow everything down as you scramble to find another vehicle or to make multiple trips you weren’t planning on. And if items aren’t loaded properly—if they’re tipping over, if the weight on bottom can’t support the weight on top, if items start rubbing up against each other damaging your valuables—then taking everything out just to bring it back in will turn very frustrating very quickly, eating up valuable time.

2. DISTANCE OF MOVE

Obviously, driving the truck farther away will take more time than local moves. If you’re going the DIY route to your relocation, though, and try to save a little money by renting a smaller truck to take several trips, you might want to reconsider. Your plan can easily backfire, for any money you save will surely be sucked up in the time expense it takes to repeat the same steps multiple times throughout the day. Not only will you spend more on gas, but you’ll have to switch gears multiple times: loading at the old place and unloading at the new place over and over, driving back and forth and dealing with any traffic or delays you may encounter (not to mention exposing yourself to possible vehicle trouble/accidents more than only one time), spending precious daylight hours in transit, locking up the houses each time, making sure family members are where they’re supposed to be, vacuuming only half the house because the other half is still stacked with boxes … a lot of little details like that that people forget about when they think it’ll be fine to just “take a few trips.” Multiple trips will wear you down faster than just doing it all at once.

3. AMOUNT OF SUPPORT

This is by far the most important variable when determining how long it will take you to move. Whether you’ve hired a company to move you or whether it’s going to be a group effort among your family and friends, the more support you have—the more hands on deck—the faster the job will go. Much faster. Four arms and four legs get tired much more quickly than ten arms and ten legs. (That’s why the White House hires 95 workers for 5 hours instead of 5 workers for 95 hours!)

You won’t need that many movers to manage your relocation for you, but a professional moving company will surely assign the right number of team members, give you a firm estimate of start time and end time, and make sure that your move goes off as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

Call us today for a free estimate.

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

Some people think that a move is a move is a move—that residential moves and commercial moves are just two sides of the same coin … six of one, half dozen of the other. Well, that isn’t the case. The two types of moves may be cut from the same cloth—both in involve packing away, boxing up, and shipping out, after all—but they’re actually quite different in terms of content, constitution, and concerns.

First of all, business equipment isn’t like knickknacks and craft-room supplies and the kids’ favorite toys—most of it can’t be safely ensconced in bubble wrap and snugly tucked away in reinforced boxes. Rather, there are bulky shapes involved, very sensitive and vulnerable pieces, cords and wires hanging out every which way. Second, moving a business can be a heavy-duty enterprise—wooden desks, metal chairs, conference tables, whiteboards, endless boxes of years’ worth of files and folders … these are not lightweight items that people can just easily load onto a U-Haul by themselves and drive on over to the new office. And third, there’s simply a different level of attachment to professional possessions versus personal ones. Sure, you need that printer or photocopier to get Tuesday’s workload done, but if it breaks or malfunctions, it can easily be replaced or repaired in a day, usually even covered by business insurance. Aunt Julia’s tea set, handed down through the generations? Not so much.

What all this means to the business owner is that it’s appropriate, applicable, prudent, and even emotionally comfortable to hire an outside company to complete the commercial move for you. Not just any company: a highly reputable one with expert-level service and extensive experience handling commercial relocations. So whether you’re moving from one town to another for a better lease arrangement or you’re downsizing or completely restructuring amid today’s great transition to remote work, here’s what you can expect from BB&D’s first-rate commercial “Smart Moving Package”:

• Packing and Unpacking: everything from IT equipment to furniture and office supplies
• Handling: loading and unloading of all office items
• Eco-Friendly Plastic Containers: drop-off, pack-up, and pick-up options available
• Plastic Dollies: to reduce volume and maximize time- and cost-effectiveness
• Storage: lighted and temperature-controlled facilities, with 24/7 security
• Disconnect and Reconnect: all office equipment and technology
• Archiving: file and documentation backup and storage services available
• Multiple Destinations: making as many stops as you need, to deliver specific items or to specific locations

BB&D is a family-owned company that employs full-time, background-checked, uniformed workers. We’re known for going above and beyond for our customers; let us go the extra mile for you so that you can get back to work quickly, safely, and efficiently.

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

With as much as 25% of the U.S. adult population moving or considering a move amid the current national climate, relocating is a timely topic and has taken center stage in a lot of people’s minds. Whether you’re 18 or 80, own a little or a lot, or are moving near or far, moving is known to be a stressful life event. But there are steps you can take to reduce the stress and professionals you can call to ease your load.

When things are complex, make them simpler. When something feels overwhelming, make it manageable. The following tips are exactly that—simple and manageable—so that you can start your move off on the best foot possible, with an eye toward keeping the whole process running smoothly and successfully.

Tips to Start Your Move Off Right

Tip #1: Pick an Advantageous Date. Having a set date on the calendar is the single-most important factor in launching a low-stress move. Try to find a date that’s beneficial for both you and your moving company. You want it to fit nicely into your schedule—not too soon or too late, not conflicting with any work or family commitments, and not interfering with any holiday or travel plans—but you also want to take advantage of a moving company’s slower days of the week or slower times of the year so you can get the most personalized attention and the most affordable pricing. Call around to learn about cost and availability differences at different times.

Tip #2: Schedule Backward from Your Moving Date. Once you’ve settled on a date, you can stay organized, on track, and on budget by allowing yourself enough time to proceed through all the moving tasks in orderly, efficient, and feasible time chunks. Map out your schedule ahead of time: how much time you’ll need to separate what’s coming with you from what you’ll donate or dump, what rooms/items to pack in what order, when to shop for moving supplies, what day you’ll need help to disassemble your entertainment unit, when to start in on pre-moving cleaning, when to schedule your utility shutoffs.

Tip #3: Get At Least Three Box Sizes. One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to moving boxes. Gather as large a variety as you can—from grocery stores, liquor stores, retailers, friends and family—so that heavier items (like books) can be packed in sturdy boxes no larger than one armload, so that small items (like costume jewelry and figurines) don’t get lost and squashed in huge piles in massive boxes, and so that larger items that need to be boxed (like table lamps or floor vases) can comfortably fit without parts jutting out that could get damaged during the move. Acquire what you can for free (neighborhood networking websites are a good place to look), purchase the rest.

Tip #4: Safer Material for the Safety of Your Possessions. Think outside the box—literally! Sure, standard cardboard boxes will work for the majority of your goods, but plastic, wood, and metal containers are great options when it comes to fragile items like electronics, glass, china, and heirlooms. Such materials won’t bend, pucker, or collapse under weight the way cardboard can. But there are also specially made heavy-duty boxes for things like dishes, mirrors, artwork, and clothes that you can purchase at hardware stores or through your moving company.

Tip #5: Don’t Forget Packing Material. It’s not just what goes in your boxes that matters, it’s also what goes around your items, protecting and stabilizing them. Styrofoam peanuts, shredded paper, newsprint, packing foam, rolls of plastic and tissue paper, bubble wrap, dish dividers–use ’em all so that there’s no loose space left in your packed and taped boxes.

Tip #6: Cleary Label Everything. Clearly labeling and tagging your bundles and boxes just might be the most critical step in a stress-free move. Make sure your labels are large, legible, easy to understand, and won’t peel off or wash off when wet. Not only will it help you immensely to keep track of your belongings, to know what goes into which rooms, and to be able to quickly find what you’re looking for once you’re in your new place, but labeling also helps your movers know what they’re carrying, how to stack/pack it on the truck, how much special care should be taken with fragile or unruly items. Take the time to mark up each and every box, and it’ll save you untold time in the long run.

Looking for a skilled, reliable, and trustworthy moving company to take things from here? Look no further than BB&D Moving Services to help you with all your organizing, packing, storage, and moving needs: 301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040 (FL)  |  bbdmoving.com/

Fall can be a great time of year to move. The weather cools down, making the manual labor side of things more comfortable, without having to pack and haul in the heat of summer. Not only that, but since the spring-to-summer span is the most popular time of year to move, you’ll often find better prices and more availability in terms of moving company and truck rental costs.

As a buyer, you’ll likely be in a better position in autumn as well. Spring and summer are also the peak seasons for buying and selling a home, so you’ll face less competition both on the market and in your home search if you list and house-hunt after the peak. All of this can translate to less pressure to make a decision before you’re ready.

When you are ready, though, following these tips will make for an optimal fall move:

• Clear your sidewalks and pathways. All that fall foliage blanketing our yards sure is beautiful … but fallen leaves can be dangerous too, especially when wet. Make sure you sweep, rake, or use a leaf blower on all curbs, sidewalks, and driveways to avoid slips and spills. Piles of fallen leaves can also conceal hidden debris and branches that could do serious damage to you, your movers, or your belongings, so it’s always better to play it safe by clearing all walkways entirely.
• Schedule your move during the school day. The school calendar doesn’t affect families without kids much, but if you do have school-aged children, take advantage of booking your local move when they’re busy and distracted at school, for minimal disruption to everyone. Most moves are scheduled for weekends, so if you have the flexibility to move on a weekday instead, it can improve an on-time, on-point, on-budget move all the more.
• Dress for the weather. Layers are always a good bet in the fall, when weather can be quite unpredictable. Whether it’s cool mornings and evenings but warmer days or an unfortunately timed downpour, you don’t want to be in the middle of moving or in transit with clothing that leaves you too hot, too cold, or wet and soggy. Have a jacket or sweatshirt on hand, and keep a raincoat unpacked and readily available. And no matter what time of year you move, comfortable and supportive closed-toe shoes are always a must.
• Plan for sundown. As the fall months progress—particularly once daylight saving time ends—the days get shorter and shorter and dusk comes earlier and earlier. Start your move as early in the day as you can, to benefit from as much sunlight as possible.

If you can, take advantage of the benefits a fall move offers. With just a little advanced planning, you can have a great experience in the primo pocket of time after summer vacation and back-to-school hubbub but before the holidays hit. So fill your coffee cup to the brim, put on your favorite comfy sweater, and enjoy the scenery around you as you transition to your new home!

We’ve got lots more guidance and advice for smooth and successful moves. Contact BB&D Moving Services today for a free consult and estimate:

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

Much has been written about prepping and packing for the moving van when the big day arrives. But it’s just as important to know what not to pack—what to hold out and transport yourself, either because (a) certain items are not permitted on moving company trucks or because (b) certain items are too valuable or irreplaceable for you to entrust to anyone else’s care.

The first category—what’s not allowed, usually for safety or insurance reasons—includes objects or substances that you’ll have to move yourself or perhaps just dispose of prior to moving day:

• Gasoline: Make sure you use up the last of your gas in the lawnmower and that your propane tank is disconnected from your gas grill. If you have portable gas containers for your cars and such, those must be empty too or you can bring them along in your car trunk, where they’re usually already stored anyway.
• All other liquids: Gardening sprays and chemicals, cleaning fluids, paint tins, solvents—none of them should be packed on the truck, including beverages, booze, and other frozen food or drink items that will melt.
• Batteries: Any and all batteries—whether for cars, remote controls, smoke detectors, toys, and anything in between—should go with you, not the movers.

The second category is more subjective and consists of anything and everything you truly cannot afford to lose, misplace, or have damaged. It also includes items you’ll want with you immediately upon arrival at your new location, simply for practicality and convenience. In your own vehicle or luggage, consider packing:

• All important documents: Paperwork like birth certificates, passports, social security cards, marriage certificates, financial records, and the like are best kept with you during the move, not only because they’re most secure that way, but because you also may need some of these documents along the way for interstate or international moves. And don’t forget the moving contract—you’ll want your own copy on hand at delivery.
• Jewelry, family heirlooms, old photos: Anything expensive or very near and dear to your heart should be kept that way. Best to keep them on your person for those very rare but possible “just in case” scenarios.
• Perishable or open food: An unopened box of rice or canned vegetables aren’t likely to do any harm, but why transport edibles in a hot moving truck when you can just do your best to empty your fridge, freezer, cupboards, and pantry in the days leading up to your move. Eat up all those leftovers, drink all the juice and soda, and cook meals with the groceries you already have on hand before heading out. If you really want to keep that special maple syrup you bought on vacation or your grandma’s canned peaches, pack a cooler and bring it with you in the car.
• Pet food: Unless you plan to stop at a store on your way to your new home, your pets will appreciate not having to wait for dinner! (And make sure you have some kind of receptacles for their food/water.)
• First night’s bedding: After a long day of moving, the last thing you’ll want to do is go on a hunt in boxes or be without your pillows and comfy sheets so you can get that good night’s sleep you’ve earned.
• Toiletries: You’ll also surely want your toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and brush, and any other bathroom items that will make you comfortable that first day and night.
• Medications: Any prescriptions or supplements you take on a daily basis should be close at hand. You don’t want to be rummaging around for them in a house full of unpacked goods or, worse yet, without them altogether if the moving truck is delayed for any reason.
• A day or two’s worth of clothing: Filling a bag or suitcase with a few changes of clothes for each of your family members is a smart, time-saving move. Just bring along whatever you would pack for a weekend getaway and you should be all set.
• Chargers: Who goes anywhere without their cell phone these days, right? But it won’t do you any good if it goes dead. Make sure your smart devices are juiced up so you can receive and send messages throughout the move.

Want more helpful hints from a tried-and-true professional moving company? BB&D Moving Services is here for you to meet all your moving needs large and small. Contact us today for a consult or estimate: 301-57-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040 (FL)  |  bbdmoving.com/