March 2010 Archives

 

 

Whether you're moving to another state, across town or even just down the street, a move is a move is a move - and they're never easy. A short-haul move doesn't make things any easier either, because preparation for any move, big or small, requires some thinking about how to handle the three "P's" of relocation: planning, packing and the process.

Planning
You wouldn't start a project at work or around the house without a plan, and you shouldn't move without one either. First and foremost, decide whether you're going to handle the move yourself or enlist assistance. Figure out how you are going to nail the big things before you think about all the small stuff. Do you need to rent a truck? If so, how big and for how long? Consider how much you really have. There's a good chance it's more than you're anticipating, so think about when you need to start moving things out and where you're going to put them. You might be surprised to find what's lurking in the back of the closet, down in the basement or up in the attic after you've been in a place for several years. Mobile storage containers can be a wonderful thing, especially for anyone who needs to start the process early and get as much out of the old house as possible before moving day.

Packing
Moves are all about making the most of your space and moving as much as possible in a short amount of time - that starts with boxes and organization. Most mobile storage companies sell a wide variety of boxes (e.g. wardrobes, dish packs) and other pertinent packing supplies like bubble wrap and tape guns, which save you a lot of time and effort. After you've got the boxes and basic packing materials, the next step is to figure out what stays and what goes.

Remember, you don't have to take everything. Whatever is filling space in a cabinet, closet or cupboard in one house is just going to do the same at another. Pack a little bit every night. Even a box a day leading up to a big move can make a big difference. Organize your things in a way that makes sense to you. Use this opportunity to weed out what you don't really need anymore. For most movers, a trip to a local thrift store or nonprofit can save a lot of time, space and frustration when its time to unload and unpack.

The Process
Efficiency is the goal. Use every bit of your space, whether it's a car, truck, mobile storage unit or anything else. Why make two trips when you could do one, or even five trips when you can do it in four? Make the most of each load, and make every trip and every inch count.

When you get to your destination and start to unload, go ahead and take things where they need to be. If something is destined for a bedroom, take it there; don't just drop it off inside the front door. The same goes for things like holiday decorations that you know are going in the attic. It's tempting to just get everything inside and drop it, especially at the end of a long moving day, but in the long run it will just make the unpacking process that much harder.

A few minutes of planning can go a very long way when it comes to a move, regardless of how many miles you're actually trying to go. Think about the three "P's" ahead of time so when the day arrives, you know what to expect, what to do, and where to put everything when you finally get there.

This Saturday, UNITS Mobile Storage will debut as a "float" in what is dubbed to be the largest, best-attended St. Patrick's Parade & Festival since the first Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade held in 1858. We'll have a special UNITS leprechaun tossing lucky beads to the crowd.

The Parade will have over 200 units, including the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales, clowns, floats, bands of every kind, military units, bagpipe & drum corps, thousands of children, Irish dancers, clowns, hi-tech firefighting equipment, police units, drill teams, dogs, antique cars, dignitaries from Ireland, and Atlanta's own government leaders. And, this year's Grand Marshal is none other than Coach Vince Dooley.

The parade starts on Peachtree Street in Downtown Atlanta at noon on Saturday, March 13, and ends at Underground Atlanta, where there will be scores of vendors, food, and FREE entertainment.

"Green up" and come out for a day of fun to support Atlanta's St. Patrick's Parade & Festival, and the UNITS Atlanta float!