When moving into a bachelor apartment…

Bachelorette suites are a great way to go for singles who are looking to save a buck or two on rental fees.  Many of them come pre-furnished, so moving with your own things can tighten up space.  Follow these quick bachelorette moving guides to make life easier on yourself when first settling in.

Pack lightly.  It sounds simple, but it is effective.  There are probably lots of things you own that you never make use of.  Why carry them along with you?  Learn to live burden free with a bachelor suite.  The great thing about renting furnished spaces is that you can be ready to be on the move again – at your own timing.  Don’t give yourself the worries of having to get rid of too many things later on.

Clean and clear. With a furnished suite, you have no idea who has been there before or what kind of mess they might have left behind.  Either ask the landlord to make sure the place has been cleaned, or, if that’s not part of the contract, take a visit yourself before the move in day to spiff up the place before your boxes arrive and get in the way of doing the job later.  This way, if junk has been left behind or you find damages, you can report them to your landlord early on, to avoid confusion as to when the defects took place, and also to make clear who will be paying for the repairs.

Decorate!  This is the fun part.  Your suite will be small, and may seem un-homely, but you can make it yours by customizing it as much as your landlord will allow.  Here are some ideas to consider if painting or renovating is not an option:

• Shelves – to store things high and against walls so they’re not spread out and taking up room where you need to stretch out and move around.
• Photos and frames – most of the time you’ll be alone, so keep yourself in view of fond memories with friends by developing photos of ‘the good times’ and framing them.
• Pictures – aside from personal photos, you may want to get some inspirational artwork up.  Get prints or paintings that go with the colour scheme of your bedding or the existing furniture.
• Plants – they not only give fresh air, they bring life to a room.  Remember to keep them near sunlight so they’ll last longer and shine their radiance.
• Blanket throws – these are great for both adding colour to a room and keeping you cozy while watching television or reading on the couch.
• Baskets – wicker gives the feeling of being artistically crafted, so they’ve got personality, even if in reality they were machine made.  Still, they make great for organizing magazines, laundry, fruit, you name it.

Consider renting storage.  If you’ve had your own furniture in a previous home, it may not be practical to bring it along with you if the suite is already furnished.  Not only could your landlords be unhappy with the excess things in the way, too many things lying around can be hazardous in the event of a natural disaster.  For instance, in a fire, you’ll need to be able to exit quickly, and have access to windows.  In an earthquake, things piled high will topple and may leave you underneath a heap of collapse.

Finally, remember to still have invites.  Just because your place is small, doesn’t mean you can’t entertain.  After following the above tips, you should still have the space – and personality – in your suite to be able to have friends over for a fun-filled time, without being disturbed by a crowded atmosphere.

Oh right, the clothes have to move too

When moving, we often think of the big things; furniture, books, plates, artwork…but neglect the closet!  And to think we approach it every day to get dressed… Well, surely you’ll need to put on some clothes after moving into your new home, and that task will probably be higher on your list of priorities than unpacking china at the start of operation settle-in. 

 

There are many ways to get your clothes moved over to your new closet.  They’ve all got their pros and cons, so chose the method that suits your personality, and situation, the best.

Wardrobe boxes.  These are top-notch. For the things that absolutely can’t get wrinkled, like business or special event clothing, getting a few wardrobe boxes are a must.  Get the whole family to share the space in these to save a few pennies. The video above shows how to pack a wardrobe carton.

Suitcases.  This is probably the best way to transport clothing – after all, this is what they were designed for.  In this case, pack as you would for a vacation, only don’t worry so much about layering and having enough undies for the trip.  Just keep things organized, and label if necessary so you’ll know where to find things when you need to unpack.  Also remember to roll, not fold, to increase the space capacity.  This method will keep clothes safe, but won’t help with wrinkles, so not recommended for fancy things like suites or ball gowns.

No matter what method you use, remember the following:

Keep clothes organized and labeled. This will help your unpacking project at the other end of the tunnel.

Secure the packing job.  Use tape to seal boxes and tie plastic bags so that clothes don’t go flying all over the place during the move.

Remember to bring enough to wear on the trip.  If your move will take a few days, keep a smaller bag of clothing that will be sufficient to keep you dressed and feeling clean on the way.  Don’t accidentally pack everything away and bury it deep within the truck, where you won’t have access to it for a looong time.

Moving appliances safely and properly

Appliances will be a special sub-project of your move.  Though we wish it were so, these heavy-duty machines are not as easy as packing in a box or simply unplugging and carrying onto a truck.   In some cases, you’ll have to get a professional to do the job to ensure safety.  Whether something as large as a refrigerator or small as a microwave, keep these principles in mind when handling appliances for your move:

Clean out the buildup.  Stoves and vents will have oil residue on them that can leave stains on anything they touch.  Washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators will have excess water lingering around in them.  Dryers may have insect nests in their vents. 

Be mindful of loose parts.  Fridge drawers, microwave plates, lint traps, hoses and so on will need to be wrapped up and packed separately to avoid movement during the move.  The tub inside the washing machine will either need to be bolted down or somehow secured with a manufacturer’s tool for doing so. 

Ask the experts.  Whether getting advice, ordering instruction manuals that go with your appliances, or hiring someone, make sure that you do things the right way when it comes to appliances.  This goes especially for the installation of your equipment when arriving at your new home.  Not all things will fit the way they did previously.  If you have an icemaker or water dispenser operating in your refrigerator, follow detailed instructions on handling the connections, or get a plumber to do it.  Where gas-powered appliances are concerned, hiring an expert a necessity, not an option.  An experienced professional will need to cut off the gas range and secure any lines or loose parts so as not to be a hazard during or after the move.   

Protect your investments.  Scratches and dents are a commonality when moving appliances.  Make sure you, or your movers are using lots of blankets to cover the surfaces of your machines so they still look as sharp in your new home as they did in your old one.  Also, either tape, or tie down the doors and openings of the appliances so they are not flying open during the ride to their new destination.

Transport safely.  Don’t push, pull or try to carry an appliance on your own.  It’s not worth the risk, both to good physical health and to the appliance itself.  Use a proper dolly meant for large items, and get help by working in a team with these ones.  Also use bungee cords or some other method of tying down the appliance to the dolly so that it doesn’t shift – a risk for damaging walls along the way.  It would even be best to think ahead about the route the appliance will take to get to and from the truck. 

With your appliances, it is better to be safe than be sorry.  Mishandling may have ugly consequences and, in the long run, may cost you more than the hassle of training yourself with manuals or hiring someone to move them properly.  When in doubt, get help.

Ferguson contributes to Olympic spirit – and local economy

To view a pdf version of this article, click here: ferguson-olympic-contribution

Athletes aren’t the only ones with an Olympic calling.  Movers have team spirit too.

Ferguson Moving recently took charge of moving cardio equipment to Vancouver’s new Olympic Oval – getting prepped for the many local and international athletes that will be arriving early to begin warming up for the largest competition in the world.

The equipment travelled all the way from Chicago, Illinois, the home city of Life Fitness Ltd. who made the high end machines.  Ferguson arrived on the scene, ready to participate in a move that, though small and seemingly insignificant, would play a part in shaping the performance of the games. 

Little did they know they would become heroes of the day, after everything seemed to turn into its own obstacle.

“It was funny actually, when we got there we had to work on the fly but the loading dock was blocked by a large crane.  Then we found out the industrial elevator broke down.  After we got to the Oval the floor plans had changed and no one could show us where to place the equipment.  When we found out it had to go onto a mezzanine, we needed a fork lift to get it up there. We could see the forklift but couldn’t find the operator.  In the end, because of our commitment, it all came together,” said Lorne MacInnes, president of Ferguson Moving, Vancouver’s oldest moving company.

It took three movers and six hours to transport 2 treadmills, 2 bikes and 1 cross trainer – all of which will be utilized by Olympic athletes in just two months.  This was the first test delivery, and more is on the way.  By placing the equipment at the Oval, athletes who need to work out won’t have to leave the facility.

“We contributed to the 2010 games in a small but important way. All of the athletes from around the world will be using the equipment that we delivered and installed,” noted MacInnes. 

Not only did the move help the Olympics, according to MacInnes, it also contributed to the local economy, providing many hours of work to Vancouver citizens, which can be fed back into the monetary system.

“During difficult financial times, this type of move means local workers have jobs,” said MacInnes.

Ferguson Moving and Storage is a company that goes beyond the traditional way of doing things.  In response to the need for professionally trained workers, MacInnes set up his own schooling program to teach staff how to properly move differ types of objects.

“All of our staff are trained in our training facility. We utilize the latest equipment and stress safety. In addition to initial training, we also do monthly ‘development training’ to keep our staff current,” explained MacInnes – a man dead set on doing things right, the first time. “We service a contract to our maximum capability.”

To learn more about Ferguson Moving and Storage, visit their Web site at www.fergusonmoving.com or, to arrange an interview with MacInnes, call 604-968-3084 or email lorne@fergusonmoving.com .

Making the most of a box

Sure, it’s got four sides, a top and a bottom – but it may not be meant for moving.  For items that require care, or a large handling capacity (such as heavy books) , going to the nearest grocery or retail store for cardboard headed to the dumpster may not cut it. 

First thing to do is to get organized.  Find out an estimate of how many durable moving boxes you’ll need.  For lighter things (such as bedding), a box may not even be necessary.  What you want to look out for are things made of glass (dishware, frames, décor, etc.) or things that are otherwise heavy, even if they are not necessarily fragile (such as books or bathroom toiletries containing liquid, like shampoo bottles, etc.).  The fragile and weighty items will need special packing boxes that are more durable at the bottom, seal well at the top and come with packing material such as tape and bubble wrap.  Used boxes will have already lost much of their lifespan – think of all the travel and movement they would have gone through before even reaching the retail store you found them at.

Next, pack the big things first.  You may not end up filling the boxes right away.  Keep this analogy in mind:  filling a jar to the uttermost with rocks requires putting the big pieces in first, then letting the pebbles dribble into the crevices where there is still room to be occupied.  It works the same way with your moving objects.  After the larger items are in place, begin snuggling the smaller and medium-sized things in, arranging things so there is as little space as possible for shifting around during the move. 

When you’ve done your best to fill up as many empty spaces as possible in the boxes, don’t neglect the little holes – they can be hazardous to your valuables if there is ever a big shake in the moving process.  Use Styrofoam popcorn or bubble tape to cushion things against.  If you run out, you can always go homemade and make use of plastic grocery bags you were planning on throwing out anyway.  A great way to stay green in your move…

Finally, remember to stay organized.  Just because you want to put big things in boxes first, then little things, don’t let objects get out of place or you will have a hard time finding them later on.  Keep a list of categories that you will remember when unpacking.  For example, a certain set of boxes will contain only “kitchen ware” or “books” or “bathroom stuff”, and so on.  In other words, don’t put your shampoo with your kitchen plates just because it fits a hole! Of course, label all your boxes with as much detail as possible, even if you do end up doing a little mixing – that will make settling into your new destination a breeze.

Making that new office a stunning thing to look at

When moving an office, take advantage of the opportunity to make things more productive, and to add a little flare to your workspace.  Moving an office is stressful, but think of it as a positive event that will give you an excuse to improve your business and a sign that you’re growing – which means you’re heading in the right direction.

First, you’ll have to take care of all the practical things.  Make sure the phone lines are hooked up and the wiring for your Internet connections are in their right places.  For this, you’ll have to pre-consider where employees will sit and how large their desks and work areas will be.  Measuring tape could never have a better application – be as precise as possible BEFORE the move in day, so things will go smooth when you all arrive and begin settling in.

When you arrange furniture, imagine what your daily working life will be like.  Where will the printers, copiers and fax machines go?  Keep them in a central location where they can be within reach of all departments, or otherwise near offices of a work station.  Consider where the electrical outlets are.  If certain employees conduct constant outreach to customers, they should be in a place separate from those who work on the back end, to avoid nuisances and disturbances.  On the other hand, it wouldn’t be wise to put the incoming calls desk near a lunch room that may produce strange background noises over the phone.  If customers walk into your office, make sure people’s desks are arranged so that they are facing the entrance and can easily greet new faces for better service standards.

Most office furniture comes in standard colors and shapes, but there are ways to make your office unique for both showing off to guests and making employees feel as though they’re working for a dynamic company.  Here are some things to consider when decorating and furnishing:

• Desks – it’s not hard to find unique styles by going to specialty stores that are not traditionally used for furnishing offices.  Some have glass surfaces which is a colour that won’t go out of style too soon.  Don’t opt for overly bright colours just because they’re in style now.  Trends change often, so it’s better to go with tradition.
• Cubicles – some come in colours other than gray, but remember to see if they can be posted on easily, since some employees may have to put things up, like calendars or checklists. 
• Lighting – different personalities in the work place will appreciate different shades of light.  The really technical who need to look at a computer screen all day will probably opt for something dim, whereas the idea-generators (architects, designers, etc.) will likely prefer more natural sunlight.  The meeting board room will need a variety of lighting for both conversation and viewing a screen for power points and/or other computerized presentations.  Instead of going for the bulbs that come with building, take on lamps and dimmers as well.
• Paint – take a colour you like (not beige), and go down a few shades to make it neutral and long lasting.  For bolder colours, only splash one wall in a room, leaving the others at an off-white, which will be easier on the eye and brain concentration than plain white alone.  Use paint to give the office a ‘homey’ feel.
• Chairs – make them comfortable, for the sake of your employees and their long hours.  Usually black will go with anything, so you can move them around to different offices as needed.

Finally, consider upgrades to your computer systems and software.  Since you’re making the move anyway, getting rid of old, outdated screens to replace with newer equipment may be worth the extra half mile.  This will truly give a ‘new’ feel to your new beginning at the new office, not to mention increasing your productivity and standard of operation.