Moving

Tips For Packing Up Your Garage When Moving to a New House

/ xautotransport / Leave a Comment on Tips For Packing Up Your Garage When Moving to a New House

Today is the big day. The day that you’re moving to your new home. Together with the movers, you start packing up.

Everything goes smoothly until you reach the garage. A mixture of rusty junk and tools greet you as you enter the place. The garage has a notorious reputation as the most challenging part of the house to pack up. More often than not, it’s a huge mess. Garden tools, used paint, old radios, and anything ancient finds refuge in this place.

You may not like the idea of packing the garage, but someone has to do it. Here are some tips to make it a trouble-free experience.

Sort & Organize

The first thing you should do is figure out which stuff to leave behind. There’s no reason to bring along belongings which you won’t need like: 

  • The old bicycle you got on your 10th birthday.
  • That Christmas tree from five winters ago.
  • Equipment and tools that you’ve never even used, and many more.

A pre-move garage sale will help eliminate these items while raising extra money to cover up your moving expenses.

Expect that you won’t be able to sell every item. Donate the ones that don’t. You might feel sad to see some of them go, but you’re doing your new garage a favor by making it clutter-free!

Sorting and organizing can actually be fun, it will allow you to look closer into your garage.

Prepare the Boxes and Materials

Now, all that’s left are the essential items. It’s time to pack them. For this step, you will need:

  • Boxes
  • Packing tape
  • Bubble wraps or alternatives
  • Old towels or used linen
  • Blankets
  • Packing Paper

Relax. Your local moving company will usually provide these materials. If you’re moving them by yourself, use cardboard and other eco-friendly materials. If you can, don’t use plastic to avoid harming the environment.

Place packing paper or old towels in the box before you put the items. These will act as a cushion to mitigate the impact when the road gets bumpy. Also, make sure to secure the bottom with several layers of packing tape for extra protection.

Labeling

Unless you’re a memory whiz who can remember everything, the shuffled boxes that need unboxing can be confusing. Don’t worry. Make unpacking easier by labeling the boxes beforehand. Simple tags like ‘TOOLS’ or ‘TOYS’ will do. Don’t forget to write ‘FRAGILE’ if the contents of the box are prone to breakage.

Non-allowable Items

According to Cheap Movers Austin (www.cheapmoversaustin.com), your moving company will not pack and move some items as they might be hazardous for travel or hold something of value. 

Hazardous Items

These are flammable, explosive, or corrosive items. Common examples include:

  • Acids
  • Aerosols
  • Car batteries
  • Fertilizer
  • Kerosene
  • Liquid bleach
  • Paints

Your movers will not transport car batteries!

Perishables

Food and consumables are not allowed by movers because they attract rats and pests along the journey. These include:

  • Frozen food
  • Produce
  • Refrigerated food
  • Opened food products
  • Indoor and outdoor plants

Personal and Sentimental Items

It should be obvious enough. Professional movers don’t want to transport these because their value is priceless. Damage or loss of these items can cause conflict, and they don’t want to be held liable. 

Examples of these are:

  • Medical records
  • School records
  • Phones
  • Laptops and Computers
  • Financial documents
  • Photo albums
  • Photographs
  • Collections

Believe it or not, these tips will help you have a smoother moving process.

One Last Tip

It’s the norm to pack the garage last since it’s usually in chaos. But, as unpopular as it may sound, it’s a good idea to free the garage first. By doing so, you get rid of the biggest hurdle early on. Once you have it cleared, the rest of the moving process will come by quickly. 

Don’t overthink the task. Just start doing it. Follow the tips above, and good luck with your move!

Moving to Texas

5 Reasons to Move From California to Texas

/ xautotransport / Leave a Comment on 5 Reasons to Move From California to Texas

Have you been thinking about leaving California for a different state? Why not get a fresh start in the state of Texas! There are endless ways you can get ahead in life without compromising your previous lifestyle. If you are still indecisive about making the California to Texas move, here are five reasons why you should:

Highest Personal Income Tax to No Personal Income Tax

California’s tax rate has been reported to be 13.3 percent in 2019, making it the state with the highest personal income tax in the nation. Meanwhile, Texas is one of seven states in the U.S. that does not require personal income tax. This is a big plus from a financial standpoint because you will save more of your hard-earned money on an annual basis.

Texas has a Fast-Growing Economy

California is ranked as the fourth strongest economy in the U.S. However, this is mostly due to its dominance in the entertainment industry. Putting this fact aside, the margin between the two states is relatively close. According to U.S. News & World Report, Texas is ranked 15 out of 50 states for the best economies in the country. Furthermore, it contributes about 9 percent to the U.S. GDP, adding an estimated total of 1,000 new jobs each day in 2019. No matter your socioeconomic status, there will always be job opportunities available, so unemployment should not be a big concern for you in Texas.

California is ranked as the fourth strongest economy in the U.S.

Higher Education Standards

The Texas school system has been consistently outperforming other school systems across the nation if you are a parent searching for a better educational system for your children or would like to become a student yourself. Based on a 2011 report completed by the National Center for Education Statistics, Texas eighth-graders have scored above the national average in subjects like Mathematics and Science, surpassing their peers in mega-states, including California, Florida, and New York.

Affordable Property

Purchasing a house in California can be quite expensive, which is entailed by the state’s high living expenses. On the contrary, you will be able to find a comparable house in Texas for a reasonably fair price. It is worth mentioning that several cities across Texas offer competitively low prices on the housing market, which is why this state has become a well-known hub for real estate business. Some of these cities include Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Very Diverse Population

Although California leads the charts as the most diverse state in America, according to WalletHub, Texas is still considered the second most diverse state. Even more, Houston, which is located in Texas, is by far the most diverse in the nation. So, you will inevitably interact with people from all walks of life. 

You will inevitably interact with people from all walks of life. 

In Conclusion, moving to Texas is undoubtedly an option that should not be overlooked. The overall benefit you will enjoy in Texas is second to none. California may have exclusive advantages over Texas in some areas. However, you can easily find unique alternatives that may compensate for those factors, such as the previously mentioned facts. In any case, whether you are single or have a family, Texans will welcome you with open arms and make you proud to call this state your new home.

Shipping Vehicle

How to Ship Your Car with a National Auto Transport Service

/ xautotransport / Leave a Comment on How to Ship Your Car with a National Auto Transport Service

If you are moving to a new home or have purchased an automobile online, you might be wondering how to transport your vehicle. Driving a car yourself across the country can put an excessive amount of miles on it and add unnecessary stresses or costs.

When you opt to transport your car with a service instead, you can take the stress out of the process and avoid putting extra miles on your car. By choosing a full-service moving option or a service that ships cars, you can trust a professional to handle every aspect of transporting your vehicle.

Finding the Right Transport Service

There are many options to choose from when transporting your vehicle. The first choice is deciding on using an open carrier or an enclosed carrier. Keeping cost in mind can be one factor in guiding your decision.

1. Open Carriers

  • Often used by car dealerships to transport a vehicle to a new lot
  • Your vehicle is transported alongside numerous other vehicles to a predetermined location
  • Cost-effective

2. Enclosed Carriers

  • Provide more protection for the vehicle that is being transported
  • More expensive option for car transport
  • No risk of damage from debris on the road

Will a Moving Company Transport a Car?

Another option to consider when transporting your vehicle is by using a moving company or a national auto transport service. Compare rates from multiple carriers to find cheap car transport. Choose a company that is known for reliably carrying vehicles and can get your car safely across the country without you having to break the bank.

When Will My Car Arrive at its Destination?

There are many different things that can factor into how long it will take your vehicle to arrive at its final destination. On average, it can take up to ten days for your vehicle to be picked up and for it to arrive at its destination. A 2,000-mile journey may take up to 14 days for your vehicle to get transported.

Storing Items in Your Vehicle

When you choose to get your car transported with a service, a general rule of thumb is to not leave any personal belongings or valuables inside of the vehicle that is being shipped. The majority of car transport services will not be held responsible for any belongings that are lost or damaged during your car’s journey. To be safe, you should be sure to take any important belongings out of your car before you prepare it for being transferred.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When it comes time for you to transport your car, don’t be afraid to ask any questions with the car transporting service. Insurance concerns or questions about leaving the doors locked or unlocked can make sure your car gets transported without any issues or problems.

Some moving companies will also be able to help you track the progress of your vehicle throughout its trip. This can help you for planning purposes to be ready for the arrival of your vehicle.