4 Things to Consider When Moving with School Aged Children

kid smilingMoving is never easy, and there’s no perfect time or stage of life to do it. Moving with school-aged children comes with its own unique challenges. Whether the move is local or far enough away to require a change in schools, there will be an adjustment period before and after the move. Give the kids, and especially yourself, a little grace during that time and everyone will come through it just fine. Hiring the right moving service in Greensboro, NC can help take the stress out of your move and ensure that everything goes smoothly. Here are four of the most important things to consider when moving with school-aged children.

 

Moving can be a source of anxiety for kids.

  • No matter what the circumstances around the move (upgrading homes, a parental job change, divorce, etc.) school-aged children may feel some anxiety about it. As a parent you can:
  • Be understanding.
  • Show compassion and support.
  • Include the kids in the planning process so they feel a sense of control. Let them help pack and unpack and make decisions about their own rooms.

Kids may act out in anger and other negative ways.

  • You can expect that anxiety may take the form of anger. Children may lash out at parents, blaming them for the unwanted changes in their lifestyle. As a parent try to:
  • Remain calm. Speak to them reassuringly.
  • Listen. Just hear them out. Sometimes kids just need a safe space to vent their feelings.
  • Return to a place of mutual respect after the blowup.

Some kids may appear to be fine when they aren’t.

  • If a child is not acting up and seems fine, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are. What can you do to find out?
  • Check in with your quiet child. Ask them how they are feeling about the move.
  • Listen and assure them that it’s ok to feel however they are feeling.

Kids (in general) are resilient and they will adjust.

  • Most of the time, children will adjust perfectly well after a move. Some may take more time to feel comfortable than others. What can you do to help them adjust?
  • Allow them to decorate their own room. Let them pick out some décor items and colors that will help them feel more at home and excited about the new house.
  • Check in with them now and then and ask questions about how they are feeling. Assure them that they can talk to you anytime about their feelings.
  • If a child seems to be having a particularly difficult time adjusting to the move, consider other resources such as guidance counselors at school or your pediatrician.

 

The Benefits of Using a Moving Service in Greensboro, NC

With all the stress of moving with school-aged kids, make the physical move itself less stressful by hiring a reliable moving service in Greensboro, NC, such as Steele and Vaughn. A reputable moving service can handle as much of your move as you wish, from packing to loading to unloading and unpacking so that you can focus on what really matters—your kids. Call Steele and Vaughn today to reserve your moving date: (336) 273-0546.

Moving Boxes: A Guide For Which Boxes To Use For Your Things

woman holding boxIt doesn’t matter if you’re moving across the country or across town, packing your things securely is important so that they arrive safely at your new home. A Greensboro moving company like Steele & Vaughn can pack your things for you if you want to be sure they are packed professionally, or they can provide you with professional quality boxes and packing material so that you can do it yourself. Here are some tips from moving experts on how to pack your furniture and other items in the right boxes to ensure that they get to your new home in one piece:

Use Book Boxes For Heavy Items

Book boxes or medium sized boxes are best used for heavy items like books, binders, school supplies, office supplies, and family scrapbooks. The smaller size will ensure that you don’t overload the box and cause it to rip or break or make it too heavy to move easily. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when packing items is packing too many heavy things in one box. You should plan on having many of these medium sizes boxes because they are great for holding a wide variety of items.

Wardrobe Boxes Are Best For Clothes And Coats

You can fit more items of clothing in a wardrobe box than in a regular box unless they are small items like children’s clothing. You can hang items in a wardrobe box so there is more available space. Plus, keeping nice clothes like suit jackets, blouses, and dresses hanging up will prevent them from developing serious wrinkles. Sweaters, coats, and other bulky clothing items will fit more easily into a wardrobe box. As a general rule, you should plan on having one wardrobe box for each person in the family for their regular clothes and then one for winter clothing or specialty clothing. For moving children’s clothing, winter hats and gloves, or sheets, towels, and linens, wardrobe boxes that are horizontal rather than vertical can hold a lot of items.

Dish Packs Hold More Than Just Dishes

Padded dish packs are fantastic for moving all sorts of items, not just dishes. Any fragile items like vases, picture frames, and decorative glassware can be packed safely and securely in a padded pack so that there’s no danger of the glass breaking during the move. If you pack creatively, you can even get small lamps and other breakable items packed into a dish pack. You should get at least one more dish pack than you think you will need because they are very useful for packing all kinds of items. Dish packs can also be used to safely move things like bottles of wine or liquor. Consider these if you have a wine collection or a fully stocked bar, or even if you have liquids that you need to move for a hobby like home brewing, soap and candle making, or if you are moving essential oils and other delicate items in jars or bottles.

When you’re ready to move, choose a Greensboro moving company like Steele & Vaughn that has years of experience to help you get all your household items safely to your new home.

Ask Your Greensboro Moving Company: What to Leave Behind When Moving

moving saleMoving can be a real hassle. But one good thing about it is that you have a good reason to lighten your load a bit and get rid of things you don’t need. There are also some things that should be left behind in a home after moving according to standard protocol. Get rid of as much as possible before calling a Greensboro moving company and you can save some money on your move.

Things to Purge and Sell/Donate

These are the things you should do your best to pare down before moving to reduce the number of boxes you’ll require, which could even reduce the size of truck you’ll need and make your move more affordable and less stressful.

 

  • Clothes – Go through your clothes and get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the last year, including shoes.
  • Electronics – Old computers, phones, televisions, game consoles, and all the wires and chargers that come with them should be donated or sold. Be sure to delete any personal information off of computers and phones before selling or donating.
  • Toys – If the kids have outgrown it or haven’t played with it in a long time, it should go. If your kids have a hard time parting with their old toys, consider selling them and letting the kids have the profit. Or take them to a donation spot and let them see how happy their old toys can make another child.
  • Anything broken – If you haven’t fixed it by now, you aren’t going to. Pitch it.
  • Anything else you haven’t used in the last year – Life is too short to hang onto items that have no meaning to you. There’s a method some use: hold the item for a few seconds and see if it brings you any joy. If not, it goes.

 

Things to Leave in Your Home as a Courtesy to the New Residents

There are some items that are required to be left behind, others that are typically left behind, and still more items that you should leave behind as a courtesy to the new owners. Your real estate agent can usually give you a list and help you with negotiations with the buyer about what will be left and what will be taken. Your Greensboro moving company will also know this information and can advise you in the packing and loading process.

 

  • Required items to leave behind: Anything bolted to the wall such as curtain rods, things in the ground like the mailbox and landscaping, built-in shelving, smoke detectors, and other items that are not so easily removed.
  • Typical items to leave behind: The refrigerator (although this is negotiable with the buyer), stove, built-in microwave, dishwasher, alarm system, light fixtures, other appliances.
  • Items to leave as a courtesy: Owner’s manuals and warranty information for any appliances that are staying behind, leftover paint cans, window treatments, a guide to outdoor plants and trees, spare floorboards, fence posts, and other extra supplies from any renovations.

 

Looking for a trustworthy Greensboro moving company?

Call Steele and Vaughn at (336) 274-0546 to get a free quote for your upcoming move. Reserve your date in advance to make sure you’ll have the help you need to make your move a success.

Tips For Moving Into A Smaller Space

small roomWhen it’s time to downsize your living space, you have an opportunity to get rid of a lot of things that you don’t need anymore and streamline your lifestyle. However, a lot of people struggle with the reality of moving into a smaller space than the one they have been living in, especially if they are downsizing after many years in the same home. These tips from the experts at one of the best moving companies in Greensboro, NC, and the surrounding areas will help you make an easy transition into a smaller space:

Take A Look At Your Lifestyle

The first thing that you should do once you’ve decided to move into a smaller space is to take a realistic look at your lifestyle and the stuff that you have. Do you need those old skis or those large pieces of furniture that you bought when your kids were small? If you’re switching from a large family home to a smaller home there will probably be lots of items that you don’t really use anymore. Go room by room, including storage areas, and figure out what items you will actually use and what items you haven’t used in a long time. If you haven’t used it in the last year, get rid of it. Sell old items at a yard sale or donate them to charity. Remember to focus on the lifestyle you want to have for this next phase of your life. Only keep items that will fit that lifestyle.

Get Furniture That Is The Correct Size

Trying to fit large furniture items into a small space can be frustrating and it can make you feel like the space is too small. Get rid of that big sectional for a smaller sofa or think about using comfortable chairs and getting rid of the sofa altogether. Look around your new home and think about what size furniture will fit best in that space. When you’re moving into a small space look for furniture that can do double duty like a pull out sofa, tables with hidden storage, and other furniture designed for small space living. By getting furniture and other items that are sized for a small space, you will be creating a comfortable and functional home that will suit the way you want to live now.

Get A Storage Unit For Items You’re Not Ready To Let Go Of

If you are overwhelmed trying to decide what items to keep and what to get rid of, consider investing in a storage unit. Have your extra items moved into the storage unit instead of your new smaller home. That way you can take your time and make decisions when you don’t feel so stressed out and overwhelmed. It can be difficult to part with items that you have a sentimental attachment to, even if they don’t work well for your new home. Getting a storage unit and storing those items will make the transition easier emotionally because you won’t have to make a lot of difficult decisions all at once.

Get Professional Help From Experts

Steele & Vaughn, one of the top moving companies in Greensboro, NC, is a great resource when it comes to moving into a smaller home. Call the experts at Steele & Vaughn today to get professional advice on downsizing to a smaller home.

A Checklist For Moving With Pets

Walking two dogsMoving with pets can be tricky, but if you take some precautions and keep the comfort of your pets in mind, you and your pets can safely and happily make the move to a new home. A Greensboro moving company that has experience moving with pets can help you make this transition easier for you and your pets. Animal experts recommend that you use these tips to make the move as painless as possible for your furry friends:

Make A Pet Moving Kit

If you are planning on moving to another state or if you are making a long distance move, you should consider creating a pet moving kit. Give your pet their own suitcase or duffel bag, one per pet. In the bag, put a binder containing all of your pet’s vet records and vaccination certificates. In the bag, put small containers of their food portioned out in individual portions and several bottles of water. Also put in their favorite beds or blankets, an extra collar and leash, and their favorite dishes. A pet first aid kit is a good item to have on hand also. Keep that suitcase or bag on the top of all other items and easy to access.

Make sure that you have their microchip numbers written down and write down the name of the microchip company so you can call immediately if your pets get loose or get lost. Keeping all that information in a binder will make it easy to access if you need it. You should also take a photo of your pet the day that you move and keep it handy on your phone.

Keep Your Pets On A Leash, Even The Cat

When you are moving with pets you don’t know how they will react to traveling or being in a new situation. It’s a good idea to have all your pets, even the cats, wearing harnesses and leashes so that if they get loose or make a run for it they can be quickly stopped.

Confine Them Once You Get To The New Home

Your pets are going to be on edge when you get to the new home, even if it’s close to your old home. In order to make sure that they don’t get loose and to keep them from being overwhelmed by the new space put them in a confined space like a bedroom or a bathroom immediately when you get to the new space. Put out their bed and favorite toys, give them some food and water, and shut the door.

This will give you a chance to start settling in and it will give them a chance to adjust to being in a new space. When you start unpacking start with items that will smell familiar to them. They will have a much easier time getting adjusted to their new home if the items that they know are already scattered around the new home when you let them out of their confinement.

Choose The Right Greensboro Moving Company

Be sure that the movers you choose are experienced dealing with pets and can help you make sure that your pets make the trip safely and without getting too upset. For more expert tips on moving with your pets call Steele & Vaughn today.

Purging Before Your Move? Consider These Tips For A Successful Moving Sale

cardboard boxes in an empty apartmentIf you’re planning a move soon, one of the best things that you can do is take the time to downsize and get rid of some of the furniture and other items that you don’t really use. Steele and Vaughn, one of the top moving companies in Greensboro NC, recommends that you try having a moving sale before you move so that you have fewer items to move, especially if you are moving to a smaller home. Moving sales are a great way to purge those items you don’t use and make a little extra cash that can help pay the costs of moving. Here are a few expert tips that will help you run a successful moving sale:

Get The Word Out About The Sale

In order to sell your items quickly and get the best prices you can, make sure that people know about the sale. One great way to advertise your moving sale is to use online sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Facebook groups for your local area are also a good place to let people know that you’re having a moving sale. Make sure that you include the time and date of the sale as well as your address. It’s also a good idea to post some photos of the items that you’re going to be selling so that people can see what types of items will be included in the sale.

Join Forces With Neighbors To Have a Huge Sale

Another way to get more people to come to your moving sale is to get some neighbors to have a yard sale or moving sale with you. The more households in the neighborhood that participate, the more people will come to look and to buy. Some neighborhoods have annual neighborhood yard sales and if you can time your moving sale to coincide with one of those events, you can get rid of lots of stuff and make some money that will pay for your move.

Set Realistic Prices For Your Items

That dress that you were wearing on your first date with your spouse or your child’s first high chair might have sentimental value to you, but does it have real value? Perhaps not. If your items are older or are unique and not in high demand be sure that your pricing is fair for the item considering how old it is and what condition it’s in. While you might love that old futon you had in college, it’s probably not worth top dollar anymore. Be willing to negotiate, and remember the point of the sale is to get rid of things that you don’t want to move. It’s time to let some of those things go even if you don’t get as much money for them as you think they are worth.

When In Doubt Throw It Out

Not sure if anyone is going to want that old Ikea table or that mismatched set of dining chairs you snagged from your grandmother a few summers ago? Don’t bother trying to sell it; just throw those pieces out. When people come to check out your moving sale if they only see a bunch of junk they won’t stay and take the time to dig for more useful items. Put the good pieces out right away and throw out the rest. Some of the top moving companies in Greensboro NC often recommend getting rid of particle board or temporary furniture rather than trying to move it.

For smart moving tips that will help your move go smoothly contact Steele & Vaughn today.

7 Tips for Storage in Small Apartments

studio apartmentUrban living is convenient. You can be close to work, nightlife, shopping, dining, and more. But living in or moving into a small apartment is not always convenient. To make a small apartment seem bigger, you have to get creative. And to make moving into a city apartment easier, use one of the best moving companies in Greensboro, NC: Steele & Vaughn. Then once you get moved in, try these 8 tips for storage in small apartments.  

  1. Vertical storage. Shelving can go as high as your ceiling allows. Just be sure to keep a step stool handy. For safety, be sure to install shelves properly and don’t overload them.  
  2. Hidden storage. Find furniture with hidden storage like ottomans with storage space inside, benches with storage space underneath, and trunks or chests for coffee tables.  
  3. Collapsible items. Necessity is the mother of invention. Small apartment living has inspired the invention of many collapsible items like Murphy beds and fold-away tables and chairs.  
  4. Added storage. Lacking closet space? Get an armoire or cabinet for hanging clothes. Not enough storage space in the kitchen? Add a pantry cabinet, even if it’s in the next room. Mobile kitchen islands can add both storage and seating to your kitchen.  
  5. Hang items. Get some strong hooks or pegboard and hang everything you can on the walls, from bicycles to pots and pans. Even your foldable chairs can be hung on the walls when not in use. Done neatly and strategically, it can actually look artsy.  
  6. Organizers. Your stuff can fit in smaller spaces when properly organized. Organizational strategies can help you eliminate the things you don’t need and condense the stuff you do need into a smaller space. Under bed storage bins, vacuum-seal bags, closet organizers and more can help solve your storage problems.  
  7. Door strategies. Hang spice racks on the inside of cabinet and pantry doors and save a lot of cabinet space. Use hanging shoe organizers for other items besides just shoes, such as storing bathroom items when you’re lacking cabinet space or toys in kids’ rooms. Consider removing doors from closets and using the space in other ways; even hanging curtains in doorways will eliminate the need to leave space for swinging doors.

Find Reliable Moving Companies in Greensboro, NC 

Do you need help moving into your apartment? Whether it’s on a high floor or lacks parking, moving into city apartments can be difficult. When looking for moving companies in Greensboro, NC be sure to find one that can handle apartment moves. Steele and Vaughn has plenty of experience with urban moves in cities of all sizes. Simply explain your individual moving requirements and Steele and Vaughn will give you a quote based on the things to be moved and the length of time and manpower that will be required. Get your things easily, quickly, and safely from point A to point B. Call Steele and Vaughn: (336) 273-0546.  

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Moving Company

man carrying lots of moving boxesThere are very few tasks as daunting as moving. You have to get all of your worldly possessions from one place to another, in the same condition they were before. Many people choose to hire movers for this task to handle the heavy lifting and transportation. But before you hire just any Greensboro moving company, you should ask some questions to make sure you are choosing a reliable team, and that you understand and agree with their policies. Here are some of the most important questions to ask. 

How long have you been in business? Experience is a key component of reliability. Hire a company that is well established in the moving business, not some guys with a truck who only claim to be a legitimate moving service. An experienced company will know how to move your things safely and you can trust that they will be handled with the utmost care.  

Do you have references? Don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous customers. Any company that has been in business for a lengthy time should have names and numbers you can contact. Actually call them and verify that they used these movers and had a positive experience. 

Does your licensure cover in-state and out-of-state moves? A moving company should be licensed in the state in which they provide services. But if your move will be taking you out of state, your movers should also be licensed for interstate transport.  

Are your movers fully insured? Be sure to ask about both liability insurance and worker’s compensation. This way you will know for sure that the movers who come into your home are insured in case of injury and that your property is insured in case of damage.  

What extra expenses can I expect? Ask about added expenses before they are automatically applied. Find out what parts of the move are covered and what is considered extra. Ask about the cost for these extra charges and agree to the terms only if you feel comfortable with them.  

What are my rights if I’m not satisfied? Are you wondering what happens if your possessions get damaged or if anything goes wrong during the move? Find out before something goes wrong. Ask your movers how they handle disputes and claims. 

Do I get copies of all documentation? Make sure you get everything in writing. Get copies of all official documents, especially everything you sign. You may need to prove whether or not something was disclosed to you before the move in the case of a dispute. Don’t let the movers hang onto the only copy of the paperwork. 

Ask these Questions to Find a Reliable Greensboro Moving Company 

Don’t hire any company that doesn’t provide satisfactory answers to all of these questions and any others you have. You’re trusting this business to safely transport all of your things from point A to point B. That’s a lot of responsibility. A premier Greensboro moving company like Steele and Vaughn will expertly handle all of these questions and more. Call today to schedule your moving date: (336) 273-0546.  

10 Packing Hacks that will Save You Time, Space, and maybe even Your Sanity

Is there anybody who enjoys moving? It can be stressful and time-consuming, from finding quality moving companies in Greensboro, to packing everything you own into boxes, to the unpacking and re-organizing process. If you are looking to minimize the stress, try these packing hacks to save time, space, and your sanity.  

  1. Roll, don’t fold. When packing for your big move, roll your clothes and linens instead of folding them. Rolling saves more space than folding and allows you to fit more into a box.  
  2. Leave hung items on hangers. Anything that is on hangers, leave it that way. Just put them straight into your car or the moving truck to transport them to the new space, and carry them directly to the closets. If you are worried about them getting dirty, place a garbage bag over them and make a hole for the hangers. 
  3. Do not waste space.  Fill items such as dressers, suitcases, chests, etc. so that you are utilizing all available space. These items will be heavier, but in the end, this will save you a lot of time. 
  4. Purge first. Try to do this before packing up anything and leave items that you would like to donate in a designated area. This will also give you a chance to throw things away that you no longer need or know charity will not accept. 
  5. Wrap jewelry in plastic wrap. Keep your jewelry from tangling by laying it out on plastic wrap, side by side, then lay another piece of plastic wrap over top of that. From there, you can fold the wrapped jewelry and stuff it into a bag safely. 
  6. Keep screws and hardware organized. If you unscrew a piece of furniture, put all of the pieces into a Ziploc bag and tape the bag to that item. This will keep your hardware organized to reassemble your furniture later. 
  7. Label/mark everything. One of the easiest things to do is to pack and mark each box by room. As you move in the new space, you can drop each box in its assigned room. This makes it very easy for your moving company too. 
  8. Wall holes? They are easy to fix. You might find wall holes at your old space where you hung items. Especially if you were renting, you will want to fix these to avoid being charged for their repair or losing any security deposit you may have paid. A hack to fixing tiny wall holes is to take some plain white toothpaste and fill in the hole. It will harden and look as good as new. 
  9. Floor stains? That’s easy to fix too. Floor stains can be a big issue for renters. A hack to cleaning carpet stains is to mix a quarter cup of white vinegar with three-quarters of a cup of water, spray onto the stain and cover with a towel. Set your iron to the highest steam setting and go over the towel that is covering the stain and like magic, the stain will disappear. 
  10. Create box handles. Have you noticed that lots of packing boxes do not have handles? An easy hack to fix this is to take a box cutter and cut out an upside-down triangle on each side of the box to create your own handles. 

Are you looking for one of the most reliable moving companies in the Greensboro area? Call Steele & Vaughn. Make your move a breeze and hire the experts who can help with every aspect in the moving process. Call Steele & Vaughn, one of the most experienced moving companies in Greensboro, and get a free estimate now (336) 273-0546.

Time Saving Tips for Packing your Closet

closet rack with clothesMoving can be a lot of work, especially if you pack your own things. Your closet can be one of the trickiest areas, because you want your clothes to stay clean and wrinkle-free so you don’t have to do a bunch of unnecessary laundry once you get to your new home. The right movers in Greensboro, NC offer a full range of moving services from packing to transporting your things. But if you prefer to do your own packing before the movers arrive, try these time saving tips for packing your closet. 

  1. Organize. If your clothes are not already organized in your closet, you may want to organize while you are packing them. Organize by season and by type, such as work clothes, casual clothes, formal wear, etc. Do the same for shoes and accessories. 
  2. Pack OffSeason Clothes First. You can save some time by packing the out of season clothes farther ahead of time because you know you won’t need to wear them during the moving process. Having less to do the week you move is always an advantage. 
  3. Leave Clothes in Drawers. When it comes to packing dressers, leave the clothes in the drawers and simply remove the drawers. Seal the drawers with plastic wrap or cover with garbage bags to keep clothing clean. 
  4. Wardrobe Boxes Can Help. It is not necessary to get special wardrobe boxes, but they can be very convenient. These are cardboard boxes with a built-in metal rod to hold clothes that are on hangers. If you wish to skip the added expense, simply cover groups of hanging clothes with garbage bags and drape them over other boxes and items in your moving van.  
  5. Vacuum Seal Off Season Clothes. To save space you may want to consider a vacuum sealing bag system for the out of season clothing that you won’t need right away. It can make immediate packing easier and save storage space once you get to your new home. 
  6. Pack Shoes Separate from Clothes. Shoes may stain or snag clothing when packed in the same box. Shoes are heavy, so pack them in small boxes separate from your clothes. 
  7. Pack a Suitcase for Moving Week. Apart from your boxes of clothes, pack one week of clothes like you were going on vacation. Moving can take longer than you think, and organizing all of your things so that you can find them takes even longer. Making sure you have at least a week’s worth of clean clothes set aside will be extremely helpful. 

The Easiest Option? Hire Movers in Greensboro, NC to Pack your Closet  

If you wish to avoid the hassle of packing all of your clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items, consider hiring complete moving services from packing to unloading and unpacking. Steele and Vaughn movers in Greensboro, NC offer a full range of moving services that can make your relocation as easy as possible. Reserve your moving date now as the schedule fills up fast. Call (336) 273-0546.