Congratulations to all of Canada are in order. The curse is broken that Canada has never won a gold medal on canadian soil. Last night we tried to get it in womens freestyle mogul skiing and we sat in gold medal position for about 5 minutes until the USA came down the hill with a better performance. Tonight it looked as if the same thing may happen again, however it was meant to be. The country is celebrating and with good reason, for the rest of the games, the next athletes have the weight of the country and the city of Vancouver off of their shoulders. This isn’t to say that the next athletes have no pressure, that would be ridiculous. What it does mean is that Canada’s athletes can now focus on just the cometition in the stadium or mountain that they’re a part of. Tonight during the men’s competition, we could here the USA fans shouting the familiar “USA USA USA,” well, that is just not what you normally here Canada doing…It just seems a bit out of character. However, the USA chanting tonight after the americans took 1st place must have stirred the crowd because a few runs later Canada was back on top and the crowds went nuts with national pride and shouted CANADA, CANADA, CANADA! The pride they felt was accross our nation for sure. It’s nice to see how sports can galvanize a country like nothing else can. I suppose politics attempts it, but everyone is so skeptical of politics. There’s just something pure about sports which can’t easily be duplicated. Way to go Canada, you deserve to celebrate tonight!
Archive for February, 2010
Canada Wins Gold!
Sunday, February 14th, 2010Selling A House In Vancouver? 7 Simple Fixes
Friday, February 12th, 2010So you have decided to move. Before you call Ferguson Moving and Storage you are going to need to sell your home. Before this would not be a top priority but considering the real estate markets due to the recession this is now one of your biggest challenges in your moving plans.
10 frugal pointers that will help sell your home in a jiffy:
Kitchens: Have you ever noticed in home social gatherings people always migrate to the kitchen? Kitchen remodeling is an evident way to get on the buyers’ good side. Be sure all your appliances match, 30-inch range is minimum, stainless steel cabinet doors and great task lighting are all excellent ways to illuminate what is typically the focus of the home.
First Glance: House or apartment, doesn’t matter, the look of the front door sets the ambiance for the rest of the home. Best options are to paint but if necessary replace any beat up doors. Installing a new door knocker is always a nice touch.
Say NO to hoarding: Think of all the places mounds of stuff may be collecting, this all needs to be cleared out. Attics, basements, garages, junk drawers, closets, etc. Don’t think buyers will be snooping or care? Think again! Its human nature for people to judge and this could hurt your chances of making a sale.
Mr. Golden Sun: Light makes everything look more bright and vibrant. You can do this to your home by opening those blinds and curtains, hide the clutter, scrubbing your windows and replacing old lampshades and ceiling fixtures with high wattage light bulbs everywhere.
Spackling: Now you have all this sun and light in your home, you’re going to find a bunch of stuff you didn’t see before, like that hole in the wall from when “little Johnny” tried to learn to play baseball in the living room, and other little eyesores. Spackle all holes and cracks you might find, and be sure to stick down any drywall tape that is peeling with some spackle too.
It’s all about the details: The best way to beautify a wall is to replace the light switch plate covers with new ones. These are usually overlooked but gets dirty extremely fast. Matching plates that correspond with your walls will make you home look well kept and set up.
Bathroom Break: After a kitchen, a bathroom remodel has the best chance for your home to catch the eye of a potential buyer. If you tiling is still in good shape, you can boot the “wow” factor by replacing dingy grout. Now you are probably bored waiting for the grout to dry but impressed with your handiwork, don’t let it stop here! Replace faucets and showerheads. Install a shower head with a large face. Your prospective buyers will be dreaming if their first shower in their new home, which will make it your old home.
For more useful moving tips, please visit our moving tips page.
Movers Hiring Standards and Professional Training
Thursday, February 11th, 2010Description of Hiring Standards and Professional Training
At Ferguson Moving and Storage we take pride in all our staff up to and including our drivers and movers. We follow a procedure in the hiring process of our movers and drivers. We hire well groomed, experienced employees with exceptional attitudes and high levels of commitment. But we don’t stop there. After ensuring we have hired the best we move on to professionally train all our movers in our Essential Moving Skills modulated training in our own on-site training centre. As mentioned in our Pocket Size Employee Handbook, our training includes blanket wrapping, packing breakables, furniture handling, equipment use, customer care and more. I’m sure you’ll not find another moving company in the Lower Mainland as committed to the professionalism of their staff as we are. This has become necessary in order to continue offer the quality of service we have become known for. Read more about our movers
Vancouver Movers here to stay
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Ferguson Moving & Storage is the best choice when looking for Vancouver Movers because of the five unique guarantees that we offer to all of our customers. Most customers trust that we are the oldest moving company in Vancouver because we take good care of our customers. Actually, when you think about it, how could a company stay in business for so long without this kind of care. We pledge to all of Ferguson Moving & Storage customers that we will guarantee the hourly rates we quote to you. Far too often people hire movers over the phone because of a low ball price. Then on move day, they are in for a shock because the rate is different. At Ferguson moving and storage we Guarantee our hourly rates in writing. Browse our website to view our other guarantees and moving tips. If you want the best vancouver movers available, go to our estimate request page to get yourself started.
Easy Steps To Organize Your Office Move
Thursday, February 4th, 2010When moving a corporation you may find it more stressful than moving your own home and family. You may feel as if you have less control over many aspects in a corporate move. You must follow a certain guideline that is provided to you by the company. Be sure to give yourself ample time to prepare, 3 moths is adequate. It is important that you follow the office-moving guideline. This will help relieve unfamiliarity which can cause you many head aches and unnecessary stress.
Getting prepared for the office move:
Plan everything out in advance, it is the most crucial part of moving a corporation. Corporations are typically about making money. If you company is not up and running, but instead moving, then your company is losing money. Being cost-efficient is the primary goal in a corporate move. Being time efficient is one of the best ways to reaching this goal. It is more cost-efficient for your company to spend the least amount of time moving.
The best ways to save time is to become very familiar with your new location and offices. It is a good idea to take measurements and knowing exactly how large the new rooms are. Take note in differences in shapes of the new room and or any of your office furniture. You want to make sure any new or old desks, chairs, filing cabinets etc. will all fit inside your new space. It is best to create a floor plan prior to the move; this will help to make sure everyone knows their new dimensions.
The plan should include everything you plan on bringing to your new location. List by floor, location of employees, furniture etc. Every employee should receive should receive a copy of this plan, and post them on the building on the day of your move. Being well organized on move day will not only make it easier on your employees but on the movers as well.
Corresponding:
The key to a corporate move is communication. Be sure everyone (employees, landlords, movers, renters, etc.) are aware of all the details. Before the actual move everyone needs to know the exact moving plan. The fewer questions on move day, the smoother the move will go. Instruct the movers as to where the exact place every piece of furniture needs to go. Many desks can look the same, but belong to specific employees, be sure to tell the movers the certain places you need them to be placed. An easy way of helping the movers distinguish these items is by using coloured labels. All the furniture that belongs on a certain floor can be labeled a certain colour. You can even get more specific but assigning a certain colour with a number for each employee. Labeling is one of the more important tools in an office move. Be sure you label all equipment and furniture that is being moved. Place the label in a spot that is easily visible to the movers. The move will go faster the easier and more understandable you make the move to the mover. Time means money.
Supervisors:
It is the supervisors’ responsibility to have staff follow the instructions in the Office Moving Guide. All employees in your department or section should receive an Office Moving Guide. If the move is properly planned, personnel will be functioning in the new offices on a normal basis immediately after reporting to work.
Employees:
You are responsible for your own packing of certain items before the actual move. Follow the instructions in the Office Moving Guide. This will assist you, not only before the move, but while you are unpacking the new office.
Items Being Moved:
You will want to securely pack any items inside of bookcases, shelving units, desks, or cupboards. You do not need to empty filing cabinets, but make sure they are either locked or secured by heavy packing tape or fastened with string.
Personal Items:
Personal possessions such as: legal papers, money, pictures, plants, lighters, fountain pens, etc. the mover cannot be responsible for. We suggest you move these items privately for your own protection. Ask your Moving Consultant if you need any special containers.
Desks:
Pack all the contents in your desk. This would include you current working papers, letter trays, books and other desk items. Be sure to seal lose paper clips, pens and pencils or any other loose materials in envelopes. Pack these items into boxes. All glass should be protected with paper or other stuffing.
Supply or Storage Cabinets:
Place all contents into boxes. Be sure the cabinet doors are locked or tied.
“Do Not Move”
You will come across items that you wish not to be moved and discarded. Label these items with “DO NOT MOVE”. Doing so will eliminate unnecessary expense.
Garbage:
Before the actual moving day, be sure to throw away as much garbage as possible. If necessary contact the city to get permission to have industrial sized dumpsters brought to you building. The more you dispose of the less you will have to pack! Be sure to watch what you are throwing out so nothing important gets thrown away.
Access to Floors Above Ground Level:
If there is no elevator access at your new building, be sure to inform the moving company so they can come prepared. Be aware of all elevators, examine your new building. Make sure they are in working order and large enough to move your furniture.
Moving Electrical Machines:
Many machines need to be handled in a specific way, before moving any machines be sure you know what you are doing. If you are renting your equipment, make sure you notify them before the day of you move. Properly disconnect and dismantle you computers. When taking apart your equipment, make sure you have an employee that know that they are doing. Photocopying machines must have all fluids removed. Loose parts can easily get lost, all parts should be securely fastened or place them into a separate box close by. If you have a vending machine, remove all items. Empty water from water dispensers. Items get lost easily in a move, take extra notice to any machines that are dismantled.
Quick Checklist:
- Are all desks empty?
- Have supplies cabinets been cleared?
- Have file cabinets been cleared?
- Are all filing drawers locked?
- Have wall items been taken down?
- Are breakable items properly packed?
- Have computers and other machines been disconnected?
- Have “DO NOT MOVE” tags been placed on items?
- Have liquids been drained from equipment?
- Have desk and chair pads been labeled?
- Do you have a set of spare keys?
- Are your internet connection, phones, and fax ready at the new office?
- Has the electricity been turned on?
- Are bathrooms functional?
- Have you changed your stationary to have your new address? (throw away any old stationary with the old address on it
If you are planning an office move or relocation in the Greater Vancouver area, we provide a variety of office moving services.
Yellow Pages hit the streets again
Monday, February 1st, 2010How many times do you use the yellow pages anymore? More and more customers actually tell us at Ferguson Moving & Storage they found us in the yellow pages these days. Perhaps they saw our truck or maybe they were referred by a friend. Some people say they can recall the last time they even used one. But yellow pages are also online now too. So it’s getting harder to find where your customers actually did here about you.
