Our Pro Packing Tips

Packing day? Allow us to help! The packing pros here at 1st Choice Movers have put together some helpful packing tips you can follow to help along the way. Watch this helpful video to find out more: 

And, if you need any more help, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at 1st Choice Movers! Here are some tips:

 

First of all, use standard moving boxes and place heavier items in the smaller ones. Too many heavy items like books in a big box can create unsafe hazards. Not only can the box become too heavy, but a heavy item in a large box can also create an uneven distribution of weight, causing the box to break. A smaller box keeps the number of heavy items to a minimum and helps to evenly distribute the weight. 

 Don't forget to label all of the boxes. This not only helps your movers know what goes where, but helps you keep all of your items organized. 

 

Wrap fragile items in a few layers of paper of bubble wrap. The ‘few layers’ part is key here as a single layer won’t be enough padding to protect class, porcelain and other fragile items. 

 

Fill hollow spaces in boxes with crushed paper. This keeps items from moving around during the move. 

Do not overfill boxes: make sure they close easily with nothing poking out. An overly filled box can put stress on the items inside or even tear the box. 

Empty all furniture drawers, desks and file cabinets. The extra weight of clothing and miscellaneous items is very stressful to your furniture as well as your movers. 

 

Make sure you use the original boxes for your electronic equipment if you still have them. Otherwise, be sure to pack these items like you would pack any other fragile items. 

 

Set aside a box of essential items including toiletries, a change of clothing, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. 

And remember, close and seal the tops and bottoms of boxes with packing tape. While it may be easy to remember to seal the tops of boxes to keep items secure, many forget the all-important task of taping the bottom. A few too many items and the entire bottom of the box could give way resulting in broken or misplaced items. By taping the bottom of the box you can help secure items and keep the box closed. 

Ready to learn more about professional moving and other packing tips for your St Paul area move? Call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

Important Supplies to Have On-Hand for a Move

When planning a move, the only necessary supplies most people think of are boxes and tape. However, when it comes to moving your family, there is actually an awful lot more to keep in mind. At 1st Choice Movers, we are the trusted name in professional moving for the Hennepin County area and can help make your move as easy and stress-free as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most overlooked yet essential items to have on-hand when you and your family move to a new home.

First of all, a took kit will prove to be an extremely valuable commodity when moving. From assembling or disassembling furniture or doors, to filling in holes in the wall, hanging up a picture, or a tightening screws, a handy tool kit will be needed in order to get these things done.

When planning your move and gathering supplies, cleaning supplies is one of the first things you should pick up. It is important to leave your old home move-in ready for the next family as well as clean your new home before you settle in. Supplies that will help are disinfecting wipes, sponges, toilet cleaner, rags, buckets and whatever else you might need to make both the place you are at and the place you are moving too as clean as possible.

And, plastic bags can also become a part of your cleaning supplies kit. They can be helpful if you want to get rid of some unwanted garbage or even extra storage for things like clothes or shoes, just to name a few. Supplies like stickers and markers can help you stay organized and keep track of all your moving boxes.

Be sure to keep things you’ll need throughout the day on-hand and not packed away in a box somewhere. Be prepared with snacks and drinks to help you stay hydrated and recharged and keep toilet paper, paper towels, hand-soap, and other toiletries on-hand.

Finally, whether you’re moving or not, a first-aid kit is an essential item for your new home. And, when it comes to moving; bumps and bruises happen. While you won’t be handling the heavy lifting yourself if you enlist the professionals, you should still be ready for anything by having bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, cold packs and a list of emergency contacts handy.

Are you ready to learn more about professional moving in and around Hennepin County? Call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

Why Hire Professional Movers for Your Upcoming Move

School is back in session and soon, cool weather will be returning to the Twin Cities. This cooler weather and beginning of the school season makes this time of year a popular time for moving. With so much going on, moving can become quite stressful. For one, there’s the need to coordinate schedules. Then you have to pack, notify friends and family as well as find the moving help you need. As tempting as it may seem to try get friends and family to help you move, there are actually many reasons to hire the professionals. Here at 1st Choice Movers, we are professional movers serving Minneapolis and all of Minnesota and are here to tell you more about why you should hire the professionals for your upcoming move.

Moving during the peak moving season isn’t a walk in the park by any means. Professional movers like those at 1st Choice Movers know the safest ways to move in all kinds of weather from hot to cold and everything in between. And, we take all of the precautions necessary to ensure a safe and secure move. You can’t always say the same for friends.

Moving and packing is labor-intensive and it isn’t always something friends and relatives can manage. If you have a considerable inventory to transport and some of it is valuable or irreplaceable, think twice. Professional movers can save you a lot of stress and you might be surprised how affordable professional movers can be.

It is also important to remember that the temperatures inside a moving truck can get pretty high. Our professional movers can assist you in the packing process as well to help you pack appropriately for the weather.

Renting a moving truck or borrowing a friend’s pickup may come at a lower price tag but the added stress and exertion must also be considered. All of our movers are friendly, professional and experienced. They are put through extensive training before they conduct any moves, giving you peace of mind during this stressful time.

Give your friends and family the day off and hire the professionals! Our professional movers can take care of all of the heavy lifting for a safer, smoother moving experience this summer.

To learn more about professional movers serving Minneapolis and the entire state of Minnesota, call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

How to Make Your Moving Season Move Stress-Free

Moving season is here! Spring and summer are the most popular times of year for both home buying and moving. Are planning on buying or moving anytime soon? If so, the experts in residential moving for Minneapolis are here to offer some helpful tips to help prepare for your upcoming move.

If you haven’t begun planning yet; don’t waist any more time! Start planning your upcoming move today. Start getting estimates from your local residential moving companies and get your move on their schedule right away. After all, the increased demand for dependable moving services – including professional movers, and self-storage facilities – can cause gridlock and pose challenges if not scheduled far ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute limits your options and may mean that you won’t be able to hire a reputable mover on the date you choose.

It can also help to set a budget and stick to it. In addition to the cost of hiring a residential moving company, budget for other, lesser expenses such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, storage services, gas—anything cost that may arise related to your move. Keep a notebook or digital file or even just a list on your phone help ensure proper organization for moving day. You should also stow away important paperwork, business cards and notes. Staying organized keeps all that you need in one place, ridding your of worry that and the potential for panic.

And, remember to be flexible! Most people prefer moving at the beginning or end of the month, as most rent and mortgage payments are due on the first. But if you can move in the middle of the month, you have a much better chance of landing the mover you want. And, at 1st Choice Movers, we even offer mid-month discounts! A couple of days before the move, you should consider heading over the new place to do any prep work that is needed. Clean, put some food and drink in the house and get any advance work out of the way to ease the burden of the big day.

These are just a few of the ways you can prepare for your peak season move! For additional information on our residential moving company in Minneapolis, call us at 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934 or you can contact us and get a Free Estimate.

Winter Weather Considerations for Your Move

Are you planning to move this winter? It is important to consider that weather may play a role on moving day if you’re planning to move in the next few months. As providers of local moving services for Dakota County and the surrounding areas, we’d like to discuss some of the things to consider when moving in winter.

The only way to have a successful move during undesirable weather is to prepare for it as much as possible and work with a dependable local moving service you can trust. Why choose local? A local moving service thoroughly understands the weather in our area, the streets you’ll be moving to and from and how to navigate them.

One essential point of preparation is ensuring your utilities are all set up in your new home before the big move. Winter in Minnesota can get pretty cold, especially at night. So to ensure your home is comfortable the night you move in, set up your utilities beforehand.

Dakota County is no stranger to high winds. High winds are hard to prepare for but if they plague your moving day, it may change up the order things are packed, but not much more. We don’t want to have items that will easily blow over or blow away sitting outside, waiting to be loaded. Our local moving services will streamline the process, so lighter items are moved directly from the home onto the truck. Again, in windy conditions it is important to be as helpful as possible to your moving team.

Snow rain and ice can offer some challenges when moving, but they don’t have to ruin it. So if it’s raining on your moving day, don’t panic. As part of our local moving services we routinely cover items before we pack them onto the truck, so that will shield them from the rain, snow etc. If you’re experiencing snow on your moving day, a little extra work will be required. Make sure that steps and walkways are shoveled at both your current home and the location you’re moving to. Assist your local moving services in any way possible. Also remember to be patient, as it is better to go slow and be safe, especially in icy weather.

Are you interested in learning more about our local moving services in Dakota County? Call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934 or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

The Most Essential Contacts You Should Notify of Your Upcoming Move

So, you’re ready to move. Have you begun all the prep that comes with it? Besides packing, there are a few other essential steps you must take; one of them being notification of your change of address. And, it is important to notify all the right people too. In addition to Aunt Edna, there are also a few other contacts that must be notified. As the trusted, professional movers for Dakota County and the surrounding areas, 1st Choice Movers know thing or two about the moving process. That’s why we’d like to take a moment to offer a checklist of whom you should inform of your move and how to get it done. It is important to take care of this list at least a week before you move to make sure you don’t miss anyone.

Start by contacting the post office; that’s the big one. And, it’s not as difficult as you might think. Simply visit the U.S. Postal Service‘s website to start your official change of address. They just charge a $1 fee to verify your identity when changing your address online, so you’ll need a credit or debit card.

Have you told your employer yet? While chances are you’ve been telling everyone at work about the move for some time now; you’ll still need to let human resources know too. Even if your paychecks get deposited directly into your bank account, you still want other important documents sent to your new address, as these papers may contain personal information you don’t want others to get their hands on.

And, don’t forget to register to vote! If you’re a registered voter, an address change is required if you want your vote counted in upcoming elections. In some cases, when you update your address with the DMV, your address on your voter registration will automatically update, but contact the office of your registrar of voters to confirm this.

Some other odds and ends: Update your address with cable, cellphone and internet providers, as well as your electric and gas companies. And, when it comes to your electric, make sure service at your new house starts either the morning of your move or the evening before so you don’t end up moving in the dark or sans air conditioning. Also, it is important to tell your doctors and other health care providers. To avoid missing and falling behind on your medical bills, update your mailing address with all of your health care providers.

And, don’t forget to update your meal delivery subscriptions, newspaper and magazine subscriptions! Either update your mailing address online, or call customer service and ask for an address change over the phone.

Last but not least...let your close friends and relatives know about your move. This is an exciting time so let everyone know the exciting news! And, any time you move, always hire trusted movers to get the job done right.

Interested in learning more about our movers in Dakota County? Call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934 or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

The Real Price of a Do-It-Yourself Move

Considering renting a truck and having a few family members or friends help you move? There are a few things you should consider first. While DIY moving does have a few perks, hiring professional residential movers comes with some of its very own. And, as residential movers for the Twin Cities we’d like to provide you with some information to consider when making the decision.

Has your family grown since your last move? As your family has grown or your taste for the finer things in life has grown, you may not realize just how much you’ve accumulated. It is important to really take a look at everything you have and decide if it’s something you and your friends or family could manage to move. As you accumulate more stuff and more members of your family, the advantages of hiring professional movers continues to grow.

Renting a moving truck or borrowing a friend’s pickup may come at a lower price tag but the added stress and exertion must also be considered. When it comes to renting a truck or van here are also several hidden costs you may be overlooking. Many people forget to include tolls, packing materials, the cost of their time and the cost of fuel into the total for renting a truck. The difference in the price of moving yourself verses hiring professional residential movers usually isn’t worth the stress, sweat and aggravation of moving on your own.

Moving and packing is also labor-intensive and it isn’t always something friends and relatives can manage. If you have a considerable inventory to transport and some of it is valuable or irreplaceable, think twice. Friends are not necessarily experienced movers and are not insured for damages. If your friend breaks the stereo, there really isn’t anything you can do about it. Professional movers can save you a lot of stress and you might be surprised how affordable residential movers can be.

If you’re not experienced with driving big trucks or properly securing furniture, accidents can happen. With professional residential movers they take care of all of this for you for a safer, smoother moving experience.

Are you ready to learn more about residential movers in the Twin Cities? Call 1st Choice Movers at 763-559-5934, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.