The outdoors are the most neglected parts of the moving process. Most of us only put prime focus on indoor items while completely forgetting about what’s outside. The grill, your child’s swing, pots and plants, as well as everything outside in the courtyard. It must be understood that these things require attention too. Most of these items may be easy to handle but some are quite complicated to pack and move. It should be kept in mind that yard things aren’t easy to pack quickly. It takes time. The items are mostly heavy and need extra effort for moving too.

The Assessment

The first part of moving your old home’s outdoor belongings is assessing which parts are to be moved. There might be many things that be withering due to exposure to outside. A rusty swing is best left back there. Another thing to consider is selling things at this location to buy new ones at the new place. Make a list of items once you have decided which things you wanna keep. The rest must either be sold, donated or discarded. This makes the overall process light and saves your energy and money.

Procuring the Packing Materials

The second part of this process is getting the right kind of material for your outdoor stuff. Some speciality boxes can be bought, or some shops can be used to rent out packing material, including cardboard and plastic boxes etc. Some things are going to need a box made of harder material for proper safety during the move. Some common items that you’ll need are;

• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Paper
• Specialty Boxes
• Cardboard Boxes
• Old Rugs
• Garbage Bags (Preferably made of polyethene)
• Labelling material (Markers, Pens, etc)

The Execution

The third part of this process is execution i.e.. doing the actual stuff. You can start with either the smallest material like statues etc.. or like chairs and sofas.

To pack the statues, pick up small suitable size boxes. Wrap the statues around in old towels and rugs. Then put these wrapped items into boxes with sturdy support.

Another point to start with is the sofa and chairs. The first thing you can do is remove all the cushions. The sofa is much easier to carry once you have removed all the extra material on it. Wrap it around in an old bedsheet or towels, and tie it with packing tape. If some corners seem delicate then cover them with cardboard box sheets. This way you are good to go.

Another common item to pack around is the patio umbrella. In this regard, you must dry it out first. Make sure that it isn’t wet at all. Wetness will decrease the efficiency of packing material. This in terms increases the chances of damaging the umbrella.

Grills and smokers must be cleaned out before packing. Wash it up or clean it using detergent before packing it. Once it is clean and dry then remove all detachable parts. Put all of these parts in one box and label it as such. The main body of a grill can either be wrapped in old towels or a separate cardboard box.

One of the trickiest items to pack from outside stuff is swings. They are hard to assemble and disassemble. Take pictures and if possible make notes of which part fixes with which. This way you can easily reassemble it once it has been shifted back. The rest of the process is the same. Wrap the delicate parts in wrapping paper of old towels, and all small detachable parts go in a separate box.

Plants are hard to transport too. Most moving companies won’t take the risk and not move them. But if you want to carry them yourself in your car then make sure you have enough space to keep all items upright. The pots must not fall else they’ll end up breaking. This is the first principle. Water them a bit before moving. Wrap pots in bubble wrap to ensure the water doesn’t leak and that the pots don’t break.

Voila, with these basic tips you are good to pack and move stuff from your courtyard.

It is always suggested that the best way of moving is hiring professionals. Save yourself time and stress by simply hiring any mover that you like in the area. We offer moving services in all colours too. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to move your house.

Moving is an excitingly stressful process. It contains emotional stress but an adrenaline rush too. The aroma of getting a new home is good, but the nostalgia of leaving one’s old house can be sad too. Many things can come one’s way while moving. This article discusses what you should expect on a moving day. With these pointers in mind, the process will become easier for you. Don’t miss out, and read it all for an easy move.

Before diving into precise details of the moving day, here are some tips you must follow before the actual moving day;

Prep Before the Move Day

Preparing before the exact moving day makes things easier. This can be done using a checklist or chalking out a general plan. Both of these things come in handy in the process. Also, keep in mind the exact details about the move. The number and timings of movers are a must remember a thing. Also, jot down things you want movers to keep in mind during the process. Give this to them for the best results.

Getting Your Stuff Right

Don’t forget to get all essential packing and moving items before the actual moving day. Tape, boxes, packing material, first aid kit, as well as essential bags etc will help you go easily through the move day.

Safety Precautions

The process is already stressful it is therefore recommended to keep in mind safety precautions to not increase your worries. Check the gas stove, lights etc when moving out of a house. Personal safety is important too. Ensure you do not injure yourself or a family member during the move.

The Moving Day Process

The process is similar but not exact for all situations. The situation will also vary on the level of your preparedness. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be. But anyway, just follow these tips for a smooth move.

1. Wake up on time. Have a healthy breakfast. Moving is tiring, the energy will help during the day.
2. Pack all unpacked items that might still be in use of you. T-shirts, laptops etc.
3. After the arrival of movers, guide them through the process.
4. Oversee the mover’s loading and unloading process of your belongings.
5. Keep your most valuable items in your car. Laptop, Mobile, and essential items must be in your possession at all times. Jewelry is included in this category too.
6. Once the loading is complete, it is time to get on the road.
7. Check your old house last time to see if anything’s missing yet.
8. You go to your new home and set things there first.
9. The movers will then unload your items at your new house.
10. Don’t forget to ask them to unload the items you carried in your vehicle.
11. Go through the checklist to ensure you don’t miss out on anything.
12. Unpack your items. (Go room by room. Preferably kitchen first, bathroom second and bedroom third)
13. Voila, you have moved.

In case you hired professional unpacking services too the movers will unpack and assemble your furniture for you. This is recommended. Since professionals know more about disassembly and assembly than you and other family members.

Check out at least thrice to ensure that you haven’t forgotten anything.

Hiring a moving company is always better. It is recommended to get a good company to ensure a safe and sound move.

For many smaller businesses, moving offices may be an unnecessary expense. However, if your company is expanding and you need space for more employees, moving offices could be an option for you. If you decide to relocate, you’ll need to consider: Finding a new building Ensuring that you have the correct permits to move office Moving large items from the old office Managing the logistics of the move Ensuring that you meet health and safety regulations.

But how do you know if it’s a good idea? What are the pros and cons? To help, we’ve put together a list of a few pieces of advice to help you out!

Here are some handy tips for moving offices:

PREPARATION

Preparation is key to any successful office move. If you want to ensure that you minimise the stress of moving offices, be sure to give yourself enough time to properly plan the move.

GET A HEAD START AND PLAN YOUR MOVE

You should start planning your move as soon as possible. Give yourself enough time to: Find a new building and Search for your ideal new office space. These are the very basics that should never be compromised. A head start helps smooth out the process and lets you work more efficiently in the long run. Make a habit out of it.

COMMUNICATE

Make sure your employees are happy by communicating openly about the move and the reasons behind it. Hold an office moving team-building session so that employees who are already familiar with office relocations can offer advice to those who will be involved in the move for the first time. One way to improve staff retention is to have a say in the office move. Talk to your team members and get their thoughts on the proposed move. Find out if they have any suggestions for the new office layout, and make sure they know you’re open to their thoughts and ideas. This will not only make your staff feel more involved in the process but will also make them feel valued and consulted, which will encourage them to work harder – which is always a good idea in a business where profit is the end goal.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

There are plenty of new gadgets that you might need to consider – from printers to iPads to electronic filing systems – so make sure you’ve got the budget to cover them. A pro-tip, in this case, would be to re-use as much equipment from your office as you can. Also factor in if moving would cost more or less than buying new stuff. Go wherever the results of this question tilt.

SECURITY DEPOSIT

Security deposits can often be significant sums, so it’s worth checking this out with your landlord as soon as possible. Always contact your legal team, and ask them to check on the security deposit clause in your contract. This way you can know in advance what you should do in time.

SCHEDULE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

If you’re moving to a new office in the same city, you might be able to skip this step, but if you’re relocating, it’s best to book business interruption insurance. This covers your business if you are unable to run it because of a major incident.

CONTACT SUPPLIER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTS

Part of the decision-making process for your office move will be to contact your existing suppliers and manufacturers to advise of the change of address. If you’ve got regular business with them, you’ll want to stay on their radar and pick up where you left off when you return.

FIND NEW SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS

You’ll also want to start looking into suppliers and manufacturers you could work with while you’re there. If you’re in the process of relocating your business, there are some obvious logistical and cultural differences that need to be considered. We’ve put together advice for choosing new suppliers and manufacturers before and that’s worth keeping in mind.

STAGING YOUR MOVE

The beginning of your office move will involve some careful planning – in particular, when to begin the process. This could be dependent on your company’s budget. Think twice before the move. If you decide, then do it confidently.

Of course, office relocation planning will only be as efficient as you allow it to be. Get in touch with our experts at St Albans’ Removals today to discuss how we can make your business transition from one location to another as painless as possible.

If your move is in the middle of winter, you may not have to worry too much about bad weather spoiling your move. But, if the date is June, the weather can be rather unpredictable.  So, before you book a removal company, you should look at the weather forecast for your moving day. Many free websites will provide you with the weather forecast for each day of the week as a whole and each hour of the day for the coming weeks. These websites will tell you if the day you have planned for your move is a rainy day or a sunny one. You should also ask your moving company about the weather forecast for your moving day. If the weather is poor, you can move your move to a different date or time.

It is important to remember that you can always reschedule your move. It is not worth risking your possessions and your health just to move on the date you planned if the weather is bad.

Moving services are weather dependent, so it’s important to keep your moving company in the loop if you think a storm might be headed your way. It’s also a good idea to keep the moving company’s contact information on hand with you at all times, along with the number of your moving insurance provider.

Don’t wait until your move date to start thinking about bad weather. You will want to be prepared as early as possible to make all the necessary preparations for bad weather. Weather forecasts are never 100% accurate, but you can avoid being caught unprepared by doing some research a couple of weeks or a month before your move date. You can even check the weather forecast a few days before your move date, just to be sure.

Wrap your items in garbage bags to keep them from getting wet! Use plastic shelving and bins. Plastic bins are great for protecting your items from rain.  They’re easy to pack and transport, and can be set up and filled with items almost anywhere. This is great for saving space in your car when travelling.  Plastic bins can hold clothes, books and other household items. Use plastic bins to save space in your car! If you’re worried about items like paper and electronics getting wet, place them in plastic bags.  You can even place items on top of garbage bags.  If you have a car that has no roof, you can place items inside trash bags and then place them on top of a plastic tarp to keep them dry.

It is also a good idea to wear a pair of socks with your shoes. If you wear socks, you will not have to worry about your feet getting wet if they do slide around on the ground.

This will also help streamline the process and prevent frustration. Safety first! When you are moving heavy objects up or downstairs, make sure the helpers are coming from below, not above. Two people should always hold the object together on either side when moving heavy furniture or appliances. Under no circumstances should a person carry a heavy item alone. If you are alone, ask for help.

Pile all of the stuff on the truck. After you have all of your helpers lined up outside in the rain, you need to start moving. The first step is to have your helpers start stacking all of your stuff on the front of the truck or van.  Each person should start with a box or two from one of the apartment’s bedrooms, and work their way toward the truck.

If your move is on a weekend, double-check your movers’ schedule before they arrive at your home. If they have to reschedule, they can let you know whether they plan to honour your move-in estimate (how many movers will show up is often dependent on the weather).

Moving insurance may also be your best bet if your move is on a weekend or holiday. Most moving companies require a little extra compensation for weekend and holiday moves. Since moving insurance routinely covers weekend and holiday moves, it can take a lot of the worry out of vexing weather conditions.

We can’t talk about water without mentioning this one! In regards to electronic devices, remember to keep them away from moisture. You can purchase plastic containers or cases for storing cameras and phones in your Evac Kit or bag for easy access and to help keep them safe. Clothes, especially items like shoes, are likely to get wet even if you use a tarp. Keep a set of clothes handy for each person in your group to change into after a spill or a wet load. This one is a no-brainer, but having a digital camera or smartphone on hand will help capture the moment should you get access to power or have time to recharge your phone. You may even consider having a backup camera and a backup phone, just in case.

Frankly, there are times when nothing short of an aeroplane will get a waterlogged household safely to its new home. Think about it: If your move is a long-distance one, and you need to transport the household goods via truck, your belongings can be exposed to a lot of moisture during the long trip.

Always perform a final inspection of the packing materials before you load the truck. Make sure that there are no rips or holes in the boxes or packing material. This will also help to prevent shifting during transit and minimize the number of furniture damages while in transit.

We are also available to help you pack and unpack items as well.  We are available 7 days a week and when you are ready to schedule a move or need more information, give us a call or visit us!

Best Practices for Creating a Good Office Move Communication Strategy with Your Employees

To have as many employees on board with your move as possible, you will need to create a good communication strategy and apply it carefully. In the end, you may even be surprised by the number of employees who have decided to offer additional help on their very own. Here are the best tips on how to communicate with employees about an office move.

Be the Source of Inspiration

Start your communication strategy as early as you can. Don’t wait for such a long amount of time that employees start finding out about the move from another source. This can create unexpected troubles that can hinder the future development of your plan.

Build Your Team

While creating your plan, consider the office move as a team sport and outline some teamwork rules. Include leaders from your department lines of business and functional representatives, such as IT, HR, Facilities, Transportation, Finance, Marketing (depending on your business). Team leaders are key here as they are the trusted and well-respected employees who can give you insight into how other employees feel about the move.

To have successful communication with your staff about the company’s relocation endeavours, you will need to design a plan that actively engages employees. As long as you start the communication early, everything should be okay. Remember that employees play a large role in a successful office relocation for three main reasons:

• They often pack their own equipment (desk, documents, personal belongings);
• Their perspective about the process is an important factor for its proper execution;
• Both bullet points above have an impact on how much downtime or lost productivity your business experiences as a result of your office move.

Deliver the Message

Which is the right way to communicate the key messages? If you are mostly sharing company news via email, maybe you should continue in this way. In addition to your general channel of communication, you should try to use multiple tactics and share all the details of the move with your managers so they can inform their colleagues and handle all the questions.

Office Move Communications Plan

Announcing an office move is the most essential step of the whole office move communication process. Any interested party should be included in the process at an appropriate stage of the move.

An efficient office move announcement strategy should be integrated into the official office move communication plan. The whole announcement procedure cannot be completed all at once. It is an ongoing process that starts before the relocation and continues during and after the move, depending on various factors.

Employees and business partners should be first notified of the upcoming office relocation, whereas customers may be notified a bit later.

The most crucial steps of the office move communication remain:

• Planning
• Announcement
• Execution
• Obtaining and processing feedback
• Problem-solving.

Contact All Suppliers

Do not forget to send office move announcement letters to all companies you trade with, especially suppliers. Convince them that the office relocation will not hinder your current beneficial collaboration and that nevertheless, you will continue your business relationship with them.

Respond to any questions they ask as quickly as possible and include all updated information related to contacts, address, availability etc.

Call for Help if You’re Uncertain

Whenever you feel like your tasks are too overwhelming, you can call St Albans Removals for support. We do office and commercial relocations of all sizes and to all points in the UK and to countries in the European Union.

A professional team can also do the packing instead of your employees, and you can take advantage of different storage services, including business storage in Hertfordshire and document storage. We also do end of tenancy cleaning, furniture assembly and disassembly, and more.