Aussie Moving Blogger

Should I hire a Moving Company??

04/03/2012 22:15:00

Do It Yourself?

Everyone wants to save money, and many people try to save money on moving expenses by Do-It-Yourself moving. Rent a truck, or borrow one, and a friend or two. Often they wind up breaking the antique that has been in the family for generations, or daddy's back from all that heavy lifting. Often it is simply not worth the risk of losing a favorite piece or a loved one, or backing that big truck into your new home.

Why Use a Moving Company?

Moving companies are used in many different situations by almost everybody. Moving is not easy!! Many people simply do not want the burden of renting a truck and trying to muscle furniture for hours and sometimes all day and then some. Others are not capable of doing such a strenuous task without hurting themselves or damaging their belongings. It requires a certain amount of basic strength, skill and equipment to avoid personal injury, damage to furniture, appliances, and fragile items.

Why Use Us?

The best reasons to choose Aussie Moving
By choosing us to handle your moving needs, you will eliminate most of the worry and stress that is always present when relocating your house or office of any size. We will handle your belongings with care and skill, as if we were moving our own furniture and belongings. Our services include set-up and placement at the new location. We provide packing materials and packing services at a reasonable cost.

What is an Estate Sale?

03/21/2012 22:34:00

What is an Estate Sale and How does it work?

An Estate Sale also called a Tag Sale in some parts of the country, is a means of liquidating the belonging of a family or estate. These are usually much more than garage or yard sales. They are used when someone is in need of a way to sell items due to downsizing, moving, divorce, bankruptcy or death. The public is invited into the home and given the opportunity to purchase any item that is priced for sale. At times there are items that are not for sale because the family has decided to keep them or new owners of the house have made them part of a contract to buy the house. Estate Auctions are just that, everything is auctioned instead of being marked with a selling price.

An estate sale could be thought of as a pop-up store with anything and everything fair game to be ticketed and sold. From fine antiques and collectible china, crystal, and silver to contemporary furniture, clothing, pots and pans, and appliances to half-used bottles of glass cleaner or perfume, hammers and nails, and unexpired canned foods, and just about everything and anything in between can be uncovered, discovered, and otherwise up for grabs at an estate sale. That is part of its charm!

There are several ways that Estate Sales are run. Items are marked with a selling price and if you want an item you usually pick it up and carry it with you until you are ready to check out. If an item is too large to carry, you can have it Marked Sold. If you do not want to pay the marked price some companies allow or welcome Bids. Although you are taking a chance that someone else might be willing to pay the marked price before the end of the sale when bids are usually opened.

Estate sales may be advertised in local newspapers, via roadside signs, the corporate websites of the estate sale companies in your area and certainly on websites such as estatesales.org. If you register to be on the mailing list at estatesales.org you will find local estate sale companies in your area for hire to run your sale or to get a listing of estate sales they have scheduled in your area. Accompanying photos for upcoming sales makes it easier for the seller to attract buyers ripe for their offerings and enables the buyer to be first on line for their hot picks.

Why should you use Standard Moving Boxes?

03/10/2012 00:13:00

Moving Boxes

The corrugated boxes that are used for moving are not all made with the same quality and same materials, and they are not just the common standard boxes that you see in many retail stores.

While it can be tempting to use the cheapest boxes and packing supplies available, the quality of boxes and supplies that you use will likely have a big impact on keeping your items safe and secure during the move or in a storage facility. If possible, try to choose only boxes that are specially designed to be used for moving.

What makes standard moving boxes different from other boxes is that they are designed specifically for loading and transporting items onto a truck. Aussie Moving uses standard sizes boxes to plan effective use of truck space.

Our experience helps us determine how many boxes and the type of boxes that will be needed to complete your move and then from this data we can determine how best to pack these boxes horizontally and vertically onto the trucks. If you use non-standard box sizes, Aussie Moving will have to do their best to try to make things fit properly, but these non-standard sizes create a much greater risk that there is dead weight on the truck and that the boxes shift during the trip.

Keeping Items Safe In Your Moving Boxes

The most common cause of damage during a move comes from the vibration of items inside your box during transit. If you leave space within the box or you have not properly wrapped the items, you will leave open space that can create movement of your items inside the box. If there is too much space, a sudden jolt could cause your items to penetrate the box and be left open or exposed in the truck for the remainder of the trip.

At Aussie Moving we recommend using quality packing tape, packing paper and bubble wrap. Even if you fill up boxes with clothes, blankets or pillows, you are providing more protection against shifting of items inside the boxes.

This small extra investment upfront can pay big dividends. Just a few damaged dishes or other expensive items can create an expense far exceeding the cost of the extra packing materials.

Standard Moving Boxes

There are several types of boxes specially designed for moving household items. Normal moving box types and sizes include:

Small (1.5 cubic feet) The Small Moving Boxes are designed for items that are small and heavy like a DVD collection or your collection of books. Three of the heavier items that many people will pack in the small moving box are CD’s, canned goods, and books. The weight of these items will be somewhere around 35 – 45 pounds.

Medium (3.0 cubic feet ). These are industry-standard boxes that are versatile and can be used for a number of common household items. Use these boxes to store collectibles, kitchenware and most of your other household items.

Large (4.5 cubic feet). These are all-purpose moving boxes that can be packed with heavy items, but can still be carried easily. Large-size moving boxes are best suited for packing some heavy household goods along with lighter items.

Extra-large (6.0 cubic feet). Extra-large boxes are best suited for light goods such as bedding, drapes, towels and clothing that you do not place in a separate wardrobe box. Don’t place too many items in a large moving box, because it can become unwieldy to lift and carry.

Specialty Boxes

Wardrobe (24x24x40 inches). Wardrobe boxes are a valuable time saver, because they allow you to move your clothes directly from your closets right into the wardrobe box. These sturdy boxes can protect your clothes from wrinkling or damage. When you arrive at your new home, you can easily remove the clothes from the wardrobe boxes and place them in your new closet.

Kitchen (5.1 cubic feet). These are heavy duty boxes with a 44 ECT rating and are designed for packing dishes, glasses, china and cookware.

Picture Carton. Picture boxes are made to store and ship large picture frames, mirrors and any large thin items. You should always wrap the corners of these items with Bubble Wrap. Depending on the value of each item, you may be able to place multiple items inside a single frame box.

File (2.3 cubic feet). Use these boxes to keep your legal- and letter-size files organized. File boxes are ideal for all of your paperwork, important documents, manuals, receipts and even coin collections. They have an attached lid and do not require tape.

Call Aussie Moving today at 805-456-6498 and we will gladly assist you with any of your packing needs or supplies.

Aussie Moving has Mobile Website

03/08/2012 22:43:00

Your Small Businesses and Mobile Website

We all know that small businesses need websites to bring in more customers and give the competition a run for their money. A website is a great start – but you may be falling short when it comes to making a connection with customers on their mobile devices.

People are approaching the Internet from every direction and the standard computer is no match for the consumer on the go. Mobile devices such as Androids, iPhones® and iPads® are fast becoming the most popular ways people get online. And the trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere but up. By 2014 mobile Internet usage is expected to surpass that of the desktop computer.

You might be thinking, what’s the difference between a standard website and a mobile site? Well, take your computer monitor and imagine fitting your entire home page on a small cell phone screen. It’d be pretty cramped, difficult to read and all of those tiny buttons and links would be extremely hard to hit with a tap of a finger. A mobile site will alleviate all of those pain points, reduce load time and make it easy for viewers to contact you while they’re on the go (click-to-call, maps, directions, etc.).

Considering that one half of all local searches are now performed on a mobile device, it’s safe to assume that local businesses that don’t have a mobile website could lose out on a lot of new prospects simply because their site isn’t easy to read or navigate on a smart phone.

A mobile site can do wonders for your business and it will ensure that you never miss an opportunity to reach new customers on their way to work, in the coffee shop, at the park, in the gym, on the bus…

Check out Aussie Moving's Mobile Website

http://m.aussiemoving.net

Hidden Charges of Moving Services

03/08/2012 00:43:00

Online quotes are generally fast and simple but should always be followed up with a phone conversation so you can ask about hidden charges. In our opinion, there are 3 categories of hidden costs:

Your Move isn't "standard"

Unusually heavy items may incur a separate charge. If you own a grand piano or large armoire, you should let your estimator know before you believe the quote. Other heavy items include: hot tubs, lawn mowers, heavy-duty vacuums, snowmobiles, washer/dryers and refrigerators.
If it's more complicated than box-and-carry. If gas lines need to be disconnected or furniture needs to be disassembled, you may incur an extra cost. Ask your estimator if these services are included in the quote?.

From your room to the truck

Move estimates assume that the truck can get close access to your front door and there aren't any flights of stairs. You could incur extra charges if:

Movers have to deal with flights of stairs. If you are in a 3rd floor apartment or in a multi-story house you should let them know before believing the quote.
Your street or driveway is too narrow for the truck. If they can't get that truck within a few hundred feet of your front door, expect to incur extra costs.
Natural obstacles hinder access. If trees or other natural obstacles prevent the truck from getting close to your house...

Bad Estimates

Although it's not actually (since estimates are just estimates), this feels criminal and drives us nuts. Your best defense here is to ask a lot of questions: Make sure you fully understand what the estimate is based on (weight, volume, miles) and how the estimate will be verified and finalized.

At Aussie Moving we reccommend getting an on-site estimate to avoid any hidden charges. We guarantee our estimate with a Not-To-Exceed price. We offer competitive prices with a high level of experience and expertise.

AUSSIE MOVING offers you a wide variety of Services. Located in Santa Barbara, California we understand the personal touch needed to make any moving experience great.

No matter how big or small your move is, we're the moving company for the job.

The Aussie Moving Difference: 7 Days a Week Support

01/25/2011 10:35:00

We are open 7 days a week for you. We are considered a small local moving company in our industry, and unlike larger moving companies, when you call us, we will almost always pick up and work our hardest to accommodate your request in a timely and professional manner.

After Moving

01/19/2011 17:01:00

Settling In

• Locate your local post office, police station, fire station and hospitals as well as gas stations near your home.

• Become familiar with your neighborhood shopping areas. You may need housewares, tools or other items for your new home unexpectedly.

• Call the department of sanitation in your new home to find out which day the trash is collected and what type of recycling programs are available in your community.

• Get new service providers such as a bank, pharmacist, cleaner, cable television, etc. if you have not already done so.

• Contact your local DMV if you have moved to a different state to exchange your driver’s license and register your vehicle.

• Provide your new doctor and dentist with your medical history.

• Transfer insurance policies to your new agent. You may also wish to make a detailed list of your belongings, their value, and your coverage.

• Get information on schools, libraries, community activities and emergency calling service from your local Chamber of Commerce.

• Obtain local library cards.

• Register to vote in your new city.

• Decide which documents must be kept and determine for how long. File and keep them in a safe place.

Moving Day!

12/30/2010 00:34:00

Move out day and Move in day

• “Work” with Aussie Moving and be on hand when the movers arrive. If you are not able to be present while the movers are there, designate a friend or family member to help out and make decisions in your absence. Let Aussie Moving know to whom you have given the authority. Be sure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do and which valuation liability program and amount you have selected. This person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.

• Hand over keys, alarm codes and garage door remote controls to the new owner or real estate agent.

• Provide the new phone number and all other phone numbers where you can be reached while shipment is in transit. Make sure to take along the destination agent’s name, address and telephone number.

• Provide the driver with clear directions to your new home

• Review all paper work and details when Aussie Moving arrives. Accompany the driver as he or she inspects each piece of furniture with tags of identifying number. These numbers along with a detailed description of your goods at the time of loading will appear on the inventory.

• Stay home until the last item is packed. Make a final inspection before the movers leave. Check the mover’s inventory and make sure you agree with any notations about the condition of your furnishings. Take pictures if necessary. It is your responsibility to see all of your goods are loaded. Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the movers leave, pack your phone in one of your suitcases for easy access when you arrive to your new home.

• Clean your house as much as you can before the movers arrive. Search every room, closet and around the house before the movers arrive.

• The driver will contact you or the destination agent at least 24 hours prior to expected arrival time. This allows enough time to locate you and begin preparation for unloading. It is your responsibility to contact Aussie Moving if you cannot be reached.

• Review your floor plan so you can tell the movers where to place your furniture and appliances. Make yourself available for the movers for instructions on where to place your furniture while unloading. Stay there in case there are any questions.

• If you cannot be at your home while the truck is being unloaded be sure to authorize a representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you. Inform Aussie Moving of your representative’s name. Your representative will be asked to note any change in the condition of your goods noted on the inventory at the time of loading, and to note any missing items at the time of delivery.

• By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging the receipt of all items listed. Document any loss or damage on the inventory sheet and report this to Aussie Moving at destination, immediately. Make sure you have your reference number when calling Aussie Moving for questions or concerns. You will also be asked to sign the bill of lading and pack/unpack certificate.

• Get a baby sitter for your kids during the loading and unloading process.

• Put your pets in a room where they will not be in the way of the loading and unloading process.

• If you wish to have your goods unpacked you need to order this service in advance. Limited unpacking and removal of cartons may be requested on move in day.

• Do not use your stereos, computers, televisions, other electronic devices and appliances for 24 hours after delivery to prevent possible damage. Allow them to adjust to room temperature.

• Payment is required upon delivery in cash, traveler’s checks, money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks are not accepted. Unless other arrangements were made in advance you are required by federal regulation to pay upon delivery for interstate moves.

• Verify that all utilities have been disconnected in your old home and connected in your new home. Have your phone connected a day before move-in day.

1 Week before move

12/28/2010 23:52:00

• Make sure to separate out which items you’ll take with you and which items the movers will take. Items you may wish to take with you could be jewelry and important documentation.

• Make sure you haven’t overlooked anything in the house including minor repairs.

• Mark the boxes to be shipped with the words, “Fragile,” “Do Not Load” and “Load Last” stickers.

• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors. You can also leave a container of baking soda in the refrigerator.

• Mow your lawn one last time before you move.

• Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delays or schedule changes.

• Make sure Aussie Moving knows the address and phone number of your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.

• Arrange for payment to Aussie Moving. Contact us to inquire about methods of payment accepted. Generally this will be cash on delivery (COD).

• Verify your insurance you have chosen with Aussie Moving. Refer to our “Insurance and Liability” guide for more information.

• Pick up any dry cleaning and laundry.

• Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.

• Return videos and library books.

• Prepare your “first night back” and “ready box.” Your first night box should contain the clothing and toiletries you will need for the first night in your new home. See “first night bag guide.”

• Disconnect and clean any appliances that will be moving with you and those that will remain.

• Gather keys, alarm codes, garage door openers and be prepared to hand them over to the new owner or real estate agent.

• If your old home will be unoccupied for a period of time after you move, notify the police.

2 Weeks before move

12/21/2010 21:29:00

• Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Clear all your safety deposit boxes.

• Disconnect and disassemble your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files and disks with you in the car or whatever mode of transportation you will be using to get to your new home. Remember, exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.

• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attic.

• Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped. Please refer to the “items not to pack” section for more information on what you cannot or should not ship.

• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic and non-flammable in plastic bags.

• Drain your lawn mower, snow blower and power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.

• Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.

• If you need to use outside storage call Aussie Moving about storage options available.

• Have your automobile serviced if you plan to travel by car.

• Cancel newspapers and other regular deliveries.

• Clean out gym and school lockers.