Moving to the U.S.: A Quick Guide to Finding the Right Apartment (And Settling In, Too!)

 

You’ve made up your mind. You’re saved up and are moving to the U.S. Now it’s time to find the right apartment! If you haven’t had an opportunity to look for flats in person, or even if you have, it can be a daunting task.

With the right services and resources at your fingertips, finding a great place on the other side of the Pacific can be easier, and way less stressful, than you think. Here are a few tips for finding your next home:

  • Do some online research: Once you know where you’d like to relocate specifically, compare rental prices in the city. There are a ton of resources available for apartment shopping on the internet.

For example, you’ve decided you’re moving to California and are set on beautiful Marina del Rey. A quick search for Marina del Rey apartments will show you apartment homes available in the area, cost comparisons, details about amenities, and more.

  • Reach out to management: After you’ve narrowed down your possibilities, phone the leasing agent. When you reach out directly, you’ll find most property managers are more than happy to help you relocate smoothly.

Verbally validate things like application fees, deposits, pet policies, and parking. You can find details online about nearby public transport, schools, etc. Still, your potential new landlord lives and works there, and probably has additional useful information.

You’ll also have the advantage of getting recommendations from a local for things like nearby shopping, nightlife, dining, and other recreational features of your new city.

 Get your financial ducks in a row: When applying to rent in the U.S., most leasing agents require a credit check to establish your financial reliability. Credit reports will show a history of payments on credit cards, student loans, prior leases or mortgage payments, etc.

Most moving from abroad don’t have a credit history in the U.S. This is another time when speaking to your potential new landlord is essential. Let them know your circumstances and ask if, in place of a traditional credit report, they’ll accept certified letters from your lenders. People like your former landlords, your bank, and whoever else can vouch for you can help build a case for your financial responsibility as well.

  • Get the day-to-day details: If you’ve made it far enough in the process that you’re searching for an apartment, chances are you’ve established things like how to navigate your citizenship options, obtaining a work visa, and the logistics of how you’ll actually move your belongings from point A to point B.

You’ll also need to know practical things about how to get set up in your new place. Find out about local wi-fi, cable options (if you plan on getting cable tv), and information about utilities.

Often, apartment complexes foot the bill for water, utilities, and waste removal, but you’re expected to pay electricity. Some have begun providing free WiFi for renters. Some do none of these things. That’s why it’s imperative to find out beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises upon your arrival.

    • Coordinate the project: Now that you’ve narrowed down a list of apartments you’d like to have a look at, it’s time to establish how to do that most practically and cost-effectively. Meaning: how to time it so you can find the perfect place, send for your stuff, and settle down ASAP.

Committing to a place without looking at it in person isn’t recommended. Not only do you run the risk of finding out when you get there that it’s not at all what you thought it would be, but you’re also vulnerable to things like rental scams. (More on that in a minute.)

Assuming you don’t know anyone in the area to stay with, find a hostel and camp out for a few days while you get your apartment. It’ll also give you time to get your affairs in order and wrap up the move.

  • Watch your back: It’s unfortunate, but there are plenty who take advantage of people looking to rent an apartment, especially those from abroad who may not know the ropes yet.

Do your homework, and beware of rental scams. If something feels shady, it’s always good to trust your gut. A best practice for avoiding scams is to use an apartment search website that verifies its listings come straight from property management companies.

Hunting for a great apartment is so exciting, especially when embarking upon the adventure of moving abroad. Some organization, proper communication, and the tips in this article will help alleviate some of the stress involved, and provide you with more time to focus on the fun!

What should you do to get your damage deposit back? You’ve given your landlord notice, paid your last month’s rent and are ready to move out. Unfortunately, your landlord hasn’t returned your security deposit. Most renters know, that security deposits are a large chunk of cash, one that will undoubtedly help with covering future expenses. So how do you go about getting your damage deposit back in the most efficient way possible? Follow these 7 tips to get your deposit back within a month’s time.

How to Get Your Damage Deposit Back 

Review your lease before moving out/in

Be sure to read & re-read your lease before moving out or into a new place. Your rental lease should tell you how and when the tenant is required to notify the landlord of their move. It should also lay out the terms and conditions for getting the damage deposit back – including the time period the landlord has to return the damage deposit back to the tenant, as well as the move-out inspection requirements.

Take note of any pre-existing damage to the home

When you move in to a new home or apartment, be sure to document any damage to the home that already exists. Take photos of any issues or damage on the walls, as well as general wear and tear throughout the home. Discuss these issues with your landlord at the beginning of the rental term, so that he/she can’t hold you accountable for existing damages.

Give your landlord 30 days notice that you’re moving

While the rules surrounding end of lease differ from country to country, the general rule is that you must give your landlord at least 30 days notice when moving out. Be sure to read over your lease’s terms and conditions for further details. Without giving your landlord proper notice, you’ll most likely be required to pay at least one additional month’s worth of rent or simply they will keep your damage deposit.

Take a walk-through with your landlord

Before moving in or out, ask your landlord if they can do a quick walk-through. This way your landlord can point out what does and doesn’t need repairs and attention before you move out. This will also help you to focus on your landlord’s requests instead of spending time on something that won’t affect your damage deposit return.

Repair damage

Once you and your landlord have inspected the damages, spend your last month in the home fixing everything needed. In some cases, this may require having a landlord send a handyman or contractor to the house. While you should leave complicated repairs to the professionals, easier fixes can be handled by yourself. There’s plenty of information online about DIY home repairs for example, drywall repairs, stain removal & simple paint jobs.

Clean the home like your deposit depends on it

Before saying goodbye to your old home, make sure to give it one last clean. This doesn’t just mean vacuuming a the carpets. It means cleaning and scrubbing as thoroughly as possible. When cleaning, you should: clean out and scrub down the refrigerator, clean the windows, wash the floors, clean the toilets, scrub the tiles, scrub the sinks and showers, and vacuum the floors. A clean home will make it much more likely that your landlord will return the damage deposit in full.

Know the law & your rights

When it comes to getting your damage deposit back, it’s important that you know your rights as a renter. While tenants’ rights may be different depending on the country & region where you are renting, many of the general rules are still the same. Some countries & provinces set limits on damage deposits, preventing landlords from charging tenants a higher than usual damage deposit without reason. We should also point out that your local laws will indicate how many days the landlord has to return the damage deposit to the tenant, as well as whether or not there will be interest added. If the entire or part of the damage deposit isn’t returned, tenants must receive a list of deductions.

This article was written by Zaphandy Inc.

Figuring out when is the best time to move houses is not an easy task. There are so many factors you need to consider and some of them are completely out of your control. Whether you’re moving within the same suburb or moving to a different state, you’ll need to put some careful thought into the timing of your move.

Here are some factors you might want to consider:

Pick your season

Depending on where you live, the season might have an impact on your move. Perhaps Winter is too cold and blustery to consider spending a lot of time outside and with the house opened up to the elements. Summer too might be far too hot for unloading heavy items and spending time outside in the sweltering heat. Choose a time of year when you’ll be most comfortable.

You might also want to consider the demand for removalists and packers at different times of the year. The busiest time of year to move is during Summer, so you may want to avoid a move during this time if you can. This will ensure the best availability for your moving professionals.

School holidays or not?

This one will depend on your personal circumstances and whether or not you have kids. Those with school-aged children may choose to move during the school holidays so as not to interrupt the flow of the school term. This might also be a great choice if your children will need to change schools, meaning they can start afresh at a new school for the beginning of the next term.

Some people with children, moving during school term might be easier. If it’s easy enough for you to take time off work on a weekday, moving while the children are at school can really help with the logistics.

The school holiday period can also have an impact on your move if you live in a popular holiday destination, or if there will be a change in traffic conditions in the area you’re moving.

Go for a weekday

There’s less demand for removalists and packers on a weekday, so this can be a great choice if you can make it work for you. Most people choose to move on weekends when they are not at work or school, so there’s always much more demand on these days.

Weekdays are often quieter, particularly in suburban areas. It can be easier for removalist trucks to find a parking spot and you may have better access to other service providers you’ll need during your move.

Work commitments

It’s not always easy to organise, but try to aim your move for a time when you won’t be too busy at work. Obviously, you can’t always predict these times but it is possible for some professions and industries. For example, if you’re an accountant you’ll want to avoid moving during the end of the financial year period. If you’re a teacher, you might choose to move over the long Summer break when you won’t be at work.

Moving house can be stressful and certainly takes up a lot of your time so ensure you’ll be able to take ample time away from work to do it.

Lease and settlement dates

The timing of your move is sometimes beyond your control. More often than not the timing of your move will be decided by the ending of your current lease or the settlement date for your new property. In these cases, you just need to roll with it. The good thing though is that you should know these dates well in advance so you can start organising your move as soon as possible.

Time of day

The best time of day to move is the morning, but you might not always get to choose. Most removalists and packers will want to arrive early in the morning so they can get to work as soon as possible. This also gives you a good chance of completing your move in one day (or most of it anyway). The last thing you want to have to do is to leave items across two properties at the end of the day.

Knowing when the best time is to move can be difficult. You will need to consider your work and family committments, the weather and season, and lease and settlements dates. And, sometimes, you won’t get to choose the timing of your move at all.

Need help with your move? The Hire Group can take care of all your moving needs. Your move couldn’t be easier with our friendly single point of contact. Our team at Hire A Packer can safely pack and unpack your items, Hire A Mover can get your items to your new place, and Hire A Box can supply you with all the packing materials you’ll need. Not moving straight into your new place? Hire Storage can also help with your short or long term storage needs too.

Get a quote online or give us a call on 1300 366 522.

This article was written in conjunction with Calgary handyman T jays New Beginnings.

Mobile storage is becoming increasingly popular with people looking for affordable and convenient storage. Whether you’re moving house, heading overseas or just looking to rid your house of some clutter, using a storage service can really help you create the space you need. What type of storage you use though depends on your budget, time and individual circumstances.

Mobile storage is a convenient option that has become increasingly popular in recent times. Here’s why we think you should choose this option over traditional storage:

You don’t have to go anywhere

With mobile storage, you don’t have to leave your house in order to organise it. We bring a truck with your storage module on it straight to you and then load it on the spot. Then, once it’s full, we’ll deliver it to the storage facility. Want it back again? We’ll deliver it straight back to your door and unload it for you. You’ve already got enough to organise with your move, holiday or decluttering tasks. Make the storage component of your planning as simple and easy as possible.

It’s cheaper

Traditional storage options can be costly. The pricing is not always easy to understand either. Mobile storage can be a much more cost-effective option, especially when there’s a standard flat rate charge like we offer. We bring your storage module to you and pack it on the spot for a flat fee of $350. Ongoing storage costs for your module are then $139 per month (including GST). When you’re ready to get your goods back again we’ll deliver them to you and unload them for a flat fee of $350. Having clear prices means you can budget for your storage needs and use the money you save on something more interesting.

It limits your contact with people

In these COVID-19 times, we need to limit the amount of time we spend with strangers. With mobile storage, you don’t have to leave your house or have contact with many people at all compared to using traditional storage options. Apart from the people who’ll be packing your module and driving the truck it comes in, you won’t have contact with anyone else at all. It’s a great way to stay safe and get your items where they need to go.

You don’t have to hire a truck

When you use traditional storage options, you need to find a way to get your items from your house to the storage facility. Typically, people hire a truck to fill and pack themselves and then drive to the storage location. Or some people hire removalists to do that part of the job for them. It’s another expense you need to budget for and another company you’ll need to deal with in the process.

This is not the case with our mobile storage option. With us, you’ll deal with one company for the whole task. We’ll come to you, pack your items and take them to the storage facility for you. And we’ll deliver them back to you when the time comes as well.

Makes decluttering easy

Want to clear out your house of clutter in the quickest way possible? Mobile storage will help you do that. Set yourself a deadline and then get to work on the cleaning. Once you’re done we’ll be there with your storage module so you can load up any of those extra items you want to get out of the house. It’s the perfect solution for making extra room in your home. It’s so convenient and cost-effective, you’ll be able to hold onto those items you might have otherwise have had to get rid of.

No double-handling of items

When you use traditional storage options, there’s a lot of people involved who will need to handle your items. Someone will need to get them from your house and into a truck, and then they’ll need to be taken off the truck and placed into the storage facility. And not all of these steps will be done by the same person.

With mobile storage, your items only need to be handled once. Rather than going into a truck to be taken out again later, your items will go directly into your storage module right at your home. Once the truck arrives at the storage facility, the whole module will be taken off the truck and placed into its permanent location. That means your items are safer and handled far less than with traditional storage options.

As you can see, mobile storage offers many advantages over traditional storage solutions. If you’re in Sydney and looking for an affordable mobile storage option, we’re here to help. For more information on how we can help call us on 1300 366 522 today.

Always On The Move? How to Handle Frequent Home Relocations

Constant home relocations can happen for a number of reasons. Whether you’re moving due to work, changes in your personal circumstances or you’re just having an unlucky run, moving frequently can bring with it some unique challenges.

Are you about to move again? Feeling stressed about the challenges of trying to settle into yet another home? Read on for some tips on how to handle frequent home relocations.

Declutter unwanted items

Don’t keep moving boxes of items you don’t need or want from place to place. Before you move again it’s time to declutter. The first place to start is with any boxes you have which are still packed up from your last move. There’s usually always a box or two which remains unpacked as you move from place to place. Whatever is in this box (or boxes) is not only taking up precious space but is also unlikely to be holding anything important either so it’s time to let it go. Next, sort through your wardrobe, getting rid of any clothing and shoes you no longer need. Work through each room of your house either before you start packing up or as you are doing it if you’re short on time.

If you have large or bulky items you don’t want to part with but you can’t bear the thought of dragging around with you to a new place, consider putting them into storage. Hire Storage offers modern facilities with 24/7 CCTV, on-site security personnel and alarms so you can rest assured your belongings are safe and secure. Our facilities are conveniently located centrally in each capital city. You can access your items anytime between Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm by only providing us with 24 hours’ notice and our rates start from a low $160 per module per month. We offer secure 10 cubic metre storage modules and also have storage options available for oversized items so you only pay for the storage you use.

Unpack as soon as possible

In order to settle in as quickly as possible, as soon as you get to your new house don’t delay the unpacking process. Although it might be tempting to leave items in boxes so you don’t need to pack them up again, living in a house or apartment full of boxes won’t allow you to feel settled and at home. Empty out those boxes as soon as you can and then store those empty boxes somewhere out of the way and ready for your next move.

Keep your boxes

If you’re relocating often it’s probably more economical and less hassle to buy your own boxes rather than renting new ones each time. Look after them well and store them properly after each use and you should get a decent amount of use out of them too. Just make sure you buy high-quality boxes which are designed to withstand more than one move. You can buy boxes online from Hire A Box.

Recreate familiar sights and sounds

Just because you’re living somewhere different, doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like home. Recreate some familiar sights and sounds in your new space so you can settle in quickly and feel at ease. This might mean playing your favourite music, recreating your bedroom space in the same layout as you had in your last house or setting up photos and trinkets in your living room. The sooner you have some familiarity in your new space, the sooner you’ll feel settled. And you can continue with this step at each new place you get to, giving you a little stability in a constantly changing environment.

Create a space just for you

Once you’ve recreated your familiar sights and sounds, it’s time to create a little indulgent space that’s all your own. This doesn’t have to be a large area, just a small corner or area where you can go to do what you love doing most. For some people, it might be space to create art, read or draw, and for others, it might be an area to practise yoga, exercise or play video games. Whatever you love to do make sure you have somewhere to do it.

Keep a familiar routine

If you keep up your regular routine after you’ve moved, it can help you to feel relaxed and settled. Get out of bed at the same time, start your morning with a coffee and tea and take the dog for a walk, just like you usually do. If you like to visit the gym, go to a local coffee shop or indulge in a morning run, make sure you find new locations as soon as possible so you can slip right into your familiar routine.

Get the professionals to help

If you’ve moved around a lot, you’ll know how time-consuming relocating can be. But you don’t have to do it all yourself. Hire professionals to help with the packing, unpacking, moving and cleaning so you can better use your time acclimatising to your new environment. Not only will it save you time but it will also make sure the job is done properly and with fewer breakages.

Constantly relocating can be a pain, but with these simple steps, you can help settle in fast and make the process as painless as possible. When you’re always on the move Hire Group take care of your packing, and all your relocation needs. Get a quote online or give us a call on 1300 366 522.

Anyone who’s ever moved house would likely agree that if you can afford to hire professionals, it’s usually worth investment. Whether if it’s removalists, end of lease cleaners, or a packing service, professionals reduce the amount of stress associated with moving day. Our packing service for example, saves our customers from countless hours of stress and frustration.

However, packing up your wardrobe can be quite personal, and you might not like the idea of a stranger handling your clothing. For these reasons, we’re excited to share our best tips for packing your favorite apparel. From dresses to sportswear, here’s how to pack clothes when moving house.

Group and sort clothes together

Grouping and sorting your clothes is the first step to smart packing. This will give you a chance to declutter, removing any clothes you haven’t worn for years (you know the one I’m talking about… that raggedy t-shirt from 2001).

Here’s how to categorise your wardrobe into groups.

Group by season

If it’s winter, you won’t be needing your summer clothes anytime soon, so pack them separately. On the other end of things, you won’t need to hunt through boxes of spring dresses, when all you’re really looking for is that puffer jacket.

Group by material

Sort the natural and cotton fabrics separately as these have a tendency to crease. If possible, place them on hangers with built-in racks. This will save you a whole lot of ironing time later on. Any polyester or synthetic fabrics won’t crease easily, so you can just fold and pack these into boxes.

Group by frequency of use

As you move homes, it’s easy to lose track of items before you get settled. So pack a seperate box of clothes you wear most. Keep these together for easy access for work, school, and daily life.

Ways to Pack

In addition to cardboard moving boxes, when it comes to packing your clothes, you’ve got a few options.

Use a wardrobe carton

A Porta-Robe-Box is a moving carton specifically for hanging clothing, ideal for keeping items as crease-free as possible. It’s a super simple way to pack, simply take the clothes already hanging in your wardrobe and transfer them straight to the wardrobe box with a built-in rack. Doesn’t get much simpler than that. Light items like pillows or blankets can be put on the bottom of the wardrobe carton if there is extra space.

Keep clothes in the dresser

Dressers and drawers are natural containers for moving, even helping to remove the steps of packing and unpacking. Just be sure to notify your removalists ahead of time. Most likely, they’ll use saran wrap or special rubber bands to keep the drawers from sliding open during transport.

Use vacuum bags to save storage space

Vacuum bags are an efficient way to save space when packing clothes for longer periods of time. However, it’s important to know that not all clothes will store well. Items made from natural fibres need to ‘breathe’ to stay in good shape and wool even holds in some moisture. While it’s fine to transport natural fibres in vacuum bags while moving house, don’t leave them stored inside the bag for months.

Keep clothes smelling fresh

Lastly, keep clothes smelling fresh by adding a small bag of powdered fabric conditioner or scented drawer liners to any moving boxes.

Reuse suitcases and backpacks

It’s always a smart idea to make the most of the space you already have. Hard luggage is especially useful for packing clothing, and the rolling technique will make the most of the limited space. It works well for t-shirts, blouses, underwear and pants.

This article was written in conjunction with Calgary handyman company FT Property Services Inc.

There’s a lot of work involved in moving house, so it’s a great idea to get some help. If you’ve decided to save yourself some time and stress during your big move and hire professional packers you might be wondering what you should do to get ready before they arrive? There are a few things you can do to make the process of moving easier when someone else is doing the packing for you.

Have a cleanout

There’s no point in wasting time and money on getting items packed that you’re only going to throw out at the other end. Moving house is a great time to declutter and sort out your belongings so you can start afresh when you get to your new place.

Before the packers arrive, start this cleaning out process. Throw away what you don’t need and donate items which are in good condition. Consider your new living space and if there’ll be room for everything or if you need to downsize a little.

Sorting through your belongings before the packers arrive means you’re only taking with you what you need. It also gives you a good chance to do an inventory of all your items for insurance purposes. Being this organised can also save time for your packers as things will be in some kind of order rather than scattered everywhere.

Organise your fragile items

Professional packers are excellent at packing fragile items. You can help to make the process easier though by organising your fragile items before the packers arrive.

Your cleanout should have eliminated any fragile items you don’t want to take with you to your new place. Then, try to put fragile items like artwork, photos and trinkets together in the same room of the house to make packing easier. Of course, there may be some fragile items in other areas of your house too (like in the kitchen), but moving other breakables into one central area is still useful. It also gives you a good chance to assess what you’re moving and can help with your inventory or insurance as well. Plus, if you have kids or pets running around during the move, it can help to keep these items somewhere safe and out of the way while the moving is happening.

Take care of anything personal

Of course, your professional packers are qualified to take care of all of your items with the utmost care and respect. But you might have sentimental items such as jewellery or artwork which you really don’t want anyone else to touch. Or, you might have some personal items you’d rather keep private. In this case, separate these items from the rest of your belongings to make sure they don’t get mixed up with the general items. Pack them away in a suitcase or clearly labelled box and keep them out of the way when the packers arrive.

Prepare household appliances

Household appliances may need to be dismantled or unplugged for packing. If the packers are handling this for you, it can be a good idea to unplug appliances and wrap up any cords that go along with them. Clearly label the cords so you don’t get them mixed up and keep them in a central place.

If you have anything else which needs to be disassembled before moving, make sure it’s done before your packers and movers get to your house to save everyone some time.

Organise your boxes and packing supplies

Most professional packers will require you to provide your own packing materials such as boxes, packing tape, paper and bubble wrap. Decide if you’re going to hire or buy boxes and order them in time to ensure they are delivered before your packing day. Next, ensure you have an adequate supply of wrapping paper, bubble wrap, tape and permanent markers as well. You can get everything you need from Hire A Box.

Move anything you need to move yourself

There might be some items your professional packers won’t be moving for you – like food from the fridge or plants from the backyard. Maybe the packers are only doing a couple of rooms of the house and you’re doing the rest. If there’s anything which won’t be packed for you by the professionals, you can start packing it up yourself as soon as possible. Ensure you have all the right packing materials including boxes and tape to get the job done properly.

Moving soon and need to hire professional packers? Hire A Packer offers professional female packers and unpackers that can assist in getting your home ready. You can have comfort in the fact that Hire A Packer has trusted, professional, experienced packers doing the work to get you moved quickly, safely and on-time. All the Hire A Packer staff are hand-picked, professionally trained, police-checked and friendly with compassionate natures. All items are bubble or paper wrapped for maximum protection and grouped together by room, clearly labelled in boxes for quick, easy moving and unpacking.

Need more help than that? The Hire Group can take care of your complete moving and relocation needs. Your move couldn’t be easier with our friendly single point of contact. Our team at Hire A Packer can safely pack and unpack your items, Hire A Mover can get your items to your new place, and Hire A Box can supply you with all the packing materials you’ll need. Not moving straight into your new place? Hire Storage can now help with your short or long term storage needs too.

Are you moving soon? Let the Hire Group take care of your packing, and all your relocation needs. Get a quote online or give us a call on 1300 366 522.

Are you moving soon and worried about your breakable items? Whether it’s your regular kitchen breakables or precious family heirlooms, the last thing you want to have to deal with during a move is broken valuables.

How you pack your items and the way you transport them has a great bearing on whether or not everything will stay in one piece. Want to make sure you keep your breakable items safe during your move? Read on for some handy hints on how to do it.

Use quality packing materials

It should go without saying that using quality packing materials will help to keep your breakable items safest. Make sure you wrap cups, plates, bowls and other breakable kitchen items in paper before carefully placing them in boxes, even if you’re only travelling a short distance. For valuable or precious items, wrap them in bubble wrap for added protection.

You’ll also want to ensure you’re using high-quality boxes which are strong enough to hold heavy items such as plates and cups. Box breakages can result in many broken items so make sure you have good quality boxes that are not too old. Hire A Box sells or hires durable packing boxes to suit your needs and your budget. We also stock a range of packing supplies such as wrapping paper, bubble wrap, tape and marker pens so you can ensure your breakables are protected.

Don’t let them jiggle

When packing valuable items into boxes it’s best to make sure they are tightly packed with no spaces in between items. When there’s space between items it allows them to jiggle together during transit and that can result in breakages. So not only is it important to use appropriate packing materials, it’s also important to ensure your boxes of breakable items are packed carefully, ensuring any gaps are filled to prevent items from moving around during the move. Use packing paper to stuff gaps or make use of other items such as blankets and pillows at the top and bottom of the boxes to keep your breakable items safe and secure.

Keep children and pets out of the way

Having little people or your furry friends underfoot can make the process of packing more time-consuming but it can also lead to unwanted breakables. While it might be tempting to get your children to help wrap and pack cups and plates, it’s best to leave the job to adults or professionals. Keep your kids busy packing their own bedroom items or have someone look after them while you get the delicate items safely packed. You can read some more tips about moving with pets and kids here and here.

Pack and label boxes with care

The way you stack and move boxes as you go from one place to another is an important part of preventing breakages. Bulging or overfilled boxes will be difficult to move from place to place and can easily end of being dropped. Take care not to put too much in each box, remembering that someone needs to be able to lift it once it’s full. Always ensure you pack heavy items at the bottom of boxes and lighter items on top and mix up the type of boxes you use too to make packing them into the removal van easier.

Clearly labelling your boxes means your breakable items will be treated with the care they deserve. Ensure you write clearly on each of your boxes the items they contain (e.g. breakables from the kitchen) and then the room they need to go in at your new place. Not only does this make the process easier, it also ensures your items are looked after.

Hire professional packers

If you’re serious about keeping your items safe from damage, the best way to do it is to hire professionals to do the packing for you. Not only are professionals trained to pack and move your items with the utmost care, but they are also much more efficient at getting the task done.

Hire A Packer offers professional female packers and unpackers that can assist in getting your home ready. You can have comfort in the fact that Hire A Packer have trusted, professional, experienced packers doing the work to get your moved quickly, safely and on-time. All the Hire A Packer staff are hand-picked, professionally trained, police-checked and friendly with compassionate natures. All items are bubble or paper wrapped for maximum protection and grouped together by room, clearly labelled in boxes for quick, easy moving and unpacking.

Need more help than that? The Hire Group can take care of your complete moving and relocation needs. Your move couldn’t be easier with our friendly single point of contact. Our team at Hire A Packer can safely pack and unpack your items, Hire A Mover can get your items to your new place, and Hire A Box can supply you with all the packing materials you’ll need. Not moving straight into your new place? Hire Storage can now help with your short or long term storage needs too.

Are you moving soon? Let the Hire Group take care of your breakable and all your relocation needs. Get a quote online or give us a call on 1300 366 522.

This article was written in conjunction with our partner providing Carpet cleaning in London.

Oriental rugs are made in countries of Asia. They refer to a broad range of floor coverings. The most prolific rug-making countries are India, China, Turkey, and Iran. References are made to Caucasian rugs. They are made in the Caucasus Mountains between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. Recently, Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam began exporting Oriental rugs they have created.

Oriental rugs are made of silk, cotton, or wool; and are constructed by hand. They are designed to tell stories. Different patterns symbolize the history of a region and life events. Different areas and countries use some primary motifs. The motifs are a means of determining where the Oriental rug was made.

How They Are Made

Many techniques are used to craft Oriental rugs. All quality Oriental rugs are hand knotted. Among the most common methods of rug creation is the use of a simple flat loom. The craftsman forms a foundation of sturdy wool, silk, or cotton fibers called the ‘warp.’

The ‘weft’ consists of cross fibers tied to the foundation to form a pattern. In every inch, there are 16 to 550 knots. Quality increases with the number of knots. A dozen artists may work on a single rug. Depending on the quality, design, and size of the carpet, it may take months or years to complete.

Mistakes to Avoid

For homeowners who own an Oriental rug to have a rewarding experience, some errors must be avoided. A quality Oriental rug may last for decades. Some basic care is necessary to keep the prize floor covering from losing its luster. Consider

· Rotating the rugs

· Avoiding sunlight

· Vacuuming regularly

· Spot cleaning

Rotating rugs prevents excessive wear in one area. Rotate them at two to six-month intervals. Do not place the rugs in direct sunlight. It causes dyes to fade. Vacuuming not only removes debris and dirt but keeps fibers from matting.

Avoid getting fringe caught in the vacuum. If a spill or stain occurs, blot the excess liquid with a cloth or paper towel. Use club soda to loosen a stain if needed. Avoid other cleaners, detergent, or soap. They can damage rug fibers.

Homeowners often assume they can clean hand-woven rugs themselves or merely surface clean them with a vacuum. Surface care is essential but does not give a deep cleaning that allows the charm and beauty to shine through a layer of dust and stains. Professional cleaning is key to keeping the rugs looking vibrant.

Hire a Professional Saving money and mobility are reasons people give for cleaning oriental rugs, themselves. Advantages of hiring a professional include:

· Preserving its value

· Pick-up and delivery

· Thoroughness

· Access to the best cleaning products

Some Oriental rugs are passed from generation to generation. Professional care extends the beauty and life of the carpet. Most rug cleaning companies that specialize in the care of Oriental rugs pick them up and reinstall them.

They have specialized equipment that cleans and dries the rugs thoroughly. Commercial cleaning services use products designed for Oriental rugs. Most cleaning products and shampoos found in the retail market are too harsh for delicate natural fibers found in Oriental rugs. The carpets should be cleaned professionally at least once each year.

Moving office can cause a lot of disruption to your workplace for a whole host of reasons. It’s not always possible to stop working while the process happens which adds extra stress to your team. Packing and unpacking alone is time-consuming and the whole process of moving office can be just as stressful and involved as moving house.

The good news is, you can still continue to have a productive office during your relocation. Here’s how:

Start planning early

To keep your move as stress-free as possible, start planning for it as early as you can. This means choosing dates well in advance and making sure you have a timeline which will work for everyone.

Consider your new space and your existing items and furniture, making plans to change or rearrange your set-up if you need to in order to fit comfortably into the new space. Make sure you are in close contact with your IT department or person to ensure you’ll be able to have everything up and running as soon as possible once you get to your new space.

Start to move non-essential items yourself, if you can, in order to save time and make the process easier. Start boxing up items well in advance and make sure everyone in the office is aware of your moving timeline.

Try not to take on any large projects or jobs during the moving process if that’s possible. If it’s unavoidable, make sure you have a small team who can continue to work while the moving happens.

Give everyone a moving job

Ensure you allocate tasks to people in the office to help streamline the moving process. This can be as simple as requesting each person be responsible for packing or moving their own workspace items. Make sure you have a designated person to liaise with your moving company and someone who can deal with regular work business while others are busy with the move.

It’s a good idea to let everyone know what the expectations are around completing work projects during this time as well. Is it business as usual, or are they able to focus solely on the move for a couple of days? Whatever you decide, make sure it’s clear to everyone.

Hire a professional moving company

Your move becomes a whole lot easier when you hire professionals to help you. Not only does it make your move much faster, it’s also a whole lot less stressful when you know professionals are on the job. Professional movers know how to pack items properly so they won’t get damaged or broken and, because they know what they’re doing, they work much faster too.

When you hire professionals, you free up your staff to continue doing the work they need to do without getting distracted by the moving process. In some professions, this will be much more important than others.

The Hire Group can take care of your complete office relocation needs, right down to your boxes and packing materials. We make your move easy with our friendly single point of contact. Our team at Hire A Packer can professionally pack your items, Hire A Mover can get your items to your new place and Hire A Box can supply you with all the packing materials you’ll need. Not moving straight into your new office space? Hire Storage can now help with your short or long term storage needs as well.

Find a temporary location to work from

What will you and your staff do while your items are being taken from one office to another? Is it business as usual for your company? If it is, make sure you hire a temporary office space so that the core staff can continue to get their work done while the moving is happening. If that’s not possible, allow staff to work remotely from their home or another suitable space away from the moving chaos.

If you can, consider closing your regular business operations, at least for a day or two. That allows everyone to focus on the move and to breathe a little easier while it’s happening. It’s often much safer to have staff out of the office and away from all the heavy lifting and moving as well, if you can manage it, especially if you have a lot of larger items that need to be moved around.

Celebrate when it’s done!

Moving office can be a stressful and time-consuming task. That’s why you should celebrate once you’re done. Have an office warming party to welcome everyone to your new space and to thank your staff for all their help during the moving process. It doesn’t need to be big or expensive. You could simply have a small morning tea or gathering in your office once you have successfully moved in. It’s a great way to mark the end of the process too and then you can get back to focusing on the work you do best.

Are you moving office soon? Relocating can be a stressful and time-consuming task, but hiring professionals to help you can make a huge difference. Let the Hire Group take care of all your relocation needs. Get a quote online or give us a call on 1300 366 522.

This article was written in conjunction with Melbourne cleaning company Clean House Melbourne