The movers must be patient and able to comprehend the magnitude at moving any valuable piece of artwork.

Moving Trucks: Make sure to double check the moving truck the movers arrived to your home in. The moving truck must obtain a lock obviously; the truck should also possess a climate control system. Shipping artwork is a very serious matter to you and should be taken into the same consideration by the movers. All of the artwork must be safely secured to the walls of the moving trucks with straps. Obviously the straps should provide security for artwork but they shouldn’t disturb the condition of it.

Gloves: It is essential for the movers to use white gloves while moving artwork. This will make it easier for you to notice any dirt that might be on their gloves.

Protecting Artwork: Make sure that the movers aren’t wearing any heavy belts or other wardrobe accessories that could damage any art piece; this will go a long way to preventing harm to the artwork, much like the white gloves.

Supplies: Make sure the movers have arrived with enough materials and equipment to prevent anything bad from happening while they’re shipping artwork. Blankets usually provide the best support for the heavier pieces of art.

Rush, rush, rush: If the movers are in a hurry to leave the scene of the move, don’t fret, simply write down ‘uninspected’ on any of the final documents, like a receipt. The movers may try to pressure you into changing what you wrote, but simply ask to take a final look at the truck to make sure your artwork is safe and secure.

If you do your research and look into the licensing and the histories of the moving company that will potentially move your artwork, you should be able to find the right moving company for the job because shipping artwork is artwork in itself, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

House Plants

A Couple Of Weeks Before You Move
To facilitate packing, prune plants. Consult a plant book or a florist for instructions.

A Week Before Your Move
Your plants should be placed in a black plastic bag. In the same bag place a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder. Then close the bag and place in a cool area overnight. This will kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.

The Day Before Your Move
Place the plants in cardboard boxes. The plants can be held in place with dampened newspaper or packing paper. Cushion the leaves with wet paper towel and place a final layer of wet paper towel on top to keep them moist. If you have to leave your plants behind, you can take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.

On The Day Of Your Move
The cardboard boxes should be set aside and clearly labeled “DO NOT LOAD” so they won’t mistakenly be taken on the moving van. Close the boxes and punch air holes in the top before loading into your car.

When Moving
In the summer, park your car in a shaded area. Likewise, in the winter, park your car in a sunny spot.

Upon Arrival
The plants should be unpacked as soon as possible after arrival. To avoid breaking the stems, remove plants through the bottom of the box. Initially, do not expose the plants to much sunlight. Allow them to gradually become accustomed to more light.

Garden Plants

Learn about the climate and soils of your new home.

Seeds should be gathered and stored in an airtight container.

Bulbs should be dug up during their natural dormant season.

Pack in a mixture of loose dry peat moss and vermiculite to provide a lightweight and protective transport medium.

Garden tools should be well maintained. Make sure to sharpen blades of clippers, lawn mowers and shears, and apply a thin coating of household or motor oil to protect the paint and metal parts. Clean and disinfect rakes, hoes and sprinklers. Household bleach can be used to disinfect a variety of items.

Some plants can be dug up and transplanted.

For more San Diego Moving and Storage tips visit www.AtlasAllied.com

Preparation is key. If you don’t properly prepare your vehicle for the auto transport process, it could end up costing you money (in the form of preventable damage to the vehicle’s body) and time (if something should go wrong with your vehicle during shipping delays can ensue).

Luckily, preparing your car for the trip doesn’t require much time or any money. Just follow the steps below:

• When you’re budgeting your move, keep in mind that some vehicles cost more to transport than others. Because of size and weight issues, shipping an SUV will cost more than shipping a compact.
• Wash your automobile thoroughly a day or so before it’s picked up. This will allow you to see clearly any body damage that occurs during auto transport.
• After you wash your car clean out the interior. Removing all objects you may have left sitting in the car will ensure that nothing shifts during shipping and damages the interior. For a few more good reasons to empty out your vehicle before transport, check out our auto transport insurance guide.
• If your vehicle has a car alarm, disable it. If the alarm starts going off once the auto transporter has your car, they won’t be able to deactivate it.
• Many automobile shipping companies require that your car have no more than a quarter tank of gas when they take custody of it. Just a few extra gallons can mean a lot of extra weight: make sure your car has the minimum.
• If your automobile has any customized accessories – like spoilers, fog lights or ground effects – make sure to secure them or remove them before shipping. Also, if you can, fold back your vehicle’s mirrors and retract the antennae. The more things you have sticking off the car, the more likely it is that something will get snapped or dinged.
• When you’re shipping a convertible, make sure the top is up and properly secured. If there are any open seams or holes, seal them to prevent moisture from getting into the interior. If you can’t secure the top, consider asking your auto shipper about closed container shipping.
• Even though the process won’t be putting many miles on your car, your vehicle still needs to be in good shape. Before your shipping date, check the fluids, tire pressure and battery charge. If for some reason your car becomes inoperable during shipping, some vehicle transporters may charge you an extra fee for unloading it.
• If your vehicle is leaking fluid, let your auto transport company know; otherwise it may end up leaking onto another car.
• If your car has any quirks that would affect starting it up, loading it onto a truck or shutting it off, make a note of them and leave it in the cab for the driver.
• Auto shipping truck drivers often carry cell phones with them. Get the driver’s number – either from them or the company – before you ship your car. This way you’ll always be in contact with your vehicle.

Need Vehicle Storage or help with your San Diego Moving?

Drink water

When your body loses more water than it is receiving, dehydration occurs. Dehydration can not only happen while being in the sweltering heat (sweating=losing water) but also while moving. The combination of sweating, lifting, and packing heavy items can really put you at risk. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of ice cold water and/or athletic beverages that contain hydrating electrolytes. If you are not the one packing and moving your items, be sure to supply your movers with waters and snacks to keep them hydrated and energized.

Dress right

Flip flops, bathing suits, sunhats, and accessories (sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc) are probably not the best items to wear during your next move. These can cause injuries while moving or just be uncomfortable after a couple of hours of working. Play it safe by wearing a simple light-colored cotton tee-shirt or tank top, a pair of comfortable jeans or shorts, and comfortable sneakers with socks.

Keep perishables cool

Cleaning out the fridge before the day of your move is smart, but what are you going to do with those items during your move? You can either bring the cold items separately over to your new home and put them into the fridge/freezer immediately or pack them in a cooler filled with ice. Either way, just be sure to not refreeze frozen items that have defrosted since these items may cause illnesses if consumed.

Keep fans and A/C units out and running

Don’t pack the cooling air conditioners and fans until you are absolutely ready to leave your home. Try to keep them running in your home throughout the day so you can have a cool place to relax after putting each box into the moving company’s truck. These items should also be the first things installed and turned on in your new home so you can cool your new place down before moving your boxes in.

Be careful

Accidents can happen if you are careless and rush through your move.Lugging a couple of boxes at a time to make less trips may sound good in theory but can result in a major injury. Lift only what you are confident in handling, walk slowly, and don’t be afraid to take a break. Remember that moving takes awhile to get done, so be patient and work at a manageable pace.

Susan Barlow – San Diego, CA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Xts45cPa4

Some essential items that you’re going to need are some cleaning supplies like some rags or scrubs as well as some pool sanitizer.

The whole key to cleaning a swimming pool is getting those infamous hard to reach areas that those automatic cleaning systems can’t reach. It doesn’t matter what your swimming pool contractor told you about your automatic cleaning system, it simply just can’t reach them. The old fashioned technique of some rubber gloves and back and forth scrubbing techniques will have your swimming pool clean in no time.

Pay special attention to the corners or the pool as well as steps if you have them of course. Focus on areas that get little attention from any filtration systems your pool may have.

If you keep your pool clean, and do the chore at least once a week than you should make it through the summer germ free.

The surface of the pool should be clean by now but you can’t forget to focus on the water as well. You’re going to have to maintain the proper pH levels and filtration systems until you reach your comfort level. This involves adding chemicals to the water of the pool so read on the chemicals to make sure you don’t have a reaction to them. You’re also going to perform a swimming pool shock on your pool, otherwise known as oxidation. This procedure breaks down water-soluble waste.

These steps will lead you to greener pastures of your own swimming pool!

For the best in San Diego Movers choose Altas Transfer & Storage!

I just wanted to make certain my feedback regarding our move with Atlas Allied of Poway was communicated to someone on the “top tier”.

This being our first time personally hiring a moving co. and having had a very poor experience with one co. who moved my mother, (plus numerous negative stories from friends), we were anxious and stressed anticipating our move with your company.

However, our attitude and comfort began to change upon Alex’s visit to do the estimate. Her attitude and professionalism was exceptional (we had two other estimates and prices were comparable) and our trust factor began to rise ater her visit. But, as sometimes we know, the “pitch person” doesn’t necessarily indicate the quality of the product.

And then, comes moving day… Almost from the moment “Johnny”, (sorry I don’t have his last name before me) came up the steps with his crew, I felt a sense of relief and my stress dissipated. His attitude and abilities were clearly evident as we did the prelim. walk through.

As the loading hours proceded his competency and professionalism (along with his sanguine and light-hearted demeanor)reassured us that this move would “go” well. And indeed it did. Start to finish. Johnny kept in communication with us and unloading a few days later in Flagstaff, Az was as seamless as the loading.

I just wanted to share our experience, as to often the “bad news” (particularly,I’m guessing in your industry ) is often all that is presented and the “great news” is minimized. To be clear: your driver and foreman Johnny, not only changed our thoughts regarding hiring

a moving company, but converted a normally stressful event into a positve experience. My U-haul days are over! And, since we still live in SD part-time another move someday is certain and we know whom to call.

Sincerely, Dr.Phillip Reuter

Do-it-yourself packing is a big job, but it can be a worthwhile way to save money on your relocation costs. With the right materials and a little help from Allied in the form of packing tips, you can achieve professional results and maximize the protection of your possessions.

Packing tips are extremely useful when it comes time to box up your household. By packing things appropriately and in an organized fashion, damage can be prevented. Plus, the better you pack, the easier it will be to unpack at your new residence.

Tips For Packing: Preparation

First, we recommend you start with professional materials, including:

• Tissue paper
• Packing paper (plain newsprint)
• 2″ packing tape
• Masking tape
• A utility knife
• Scissors
• Permanent markers
• Professional quality boxes

Tips for Packing: The Right Stuff

Allied has a wide range of boxes and professional packing materials available for purchase to help you organize and safeguard your belongings, including:

• Dishpack (or China Barrel): Heavy duty carton used for dishes/china, crystal and glassware
• Double-wall cartons: Extra protective cartons made especially for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard to replace items
• 1.5 cu. ft. cartons: Small carton for heavy items such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes
• 3.0 cu. ft. cartons: Medium utility carton often used for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances
• 4.5 cu. ft. cartons: For bulky items, such as linens, towels or toys
• 6.0 cu. ft. cartons: For large, bulky, or lightweight articles, such as pillows or large lampshades
• Wardrobe cartons: A “portable closet” that keeps clothes or draperies hanging on a built-in bar
• Mirror cartons: Several sizes of telescoping cartons for framed pictures, mirrors or glass
• Mattress cartons: Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs
• Stretchwrap: A special plastic covering that safely adheres to furniture and protects it from snags, tears, and dirt 

Check with your Allied agent on materials available for purchase.

Use newspaper only for cushioning-never place newspaper aginst items as the ink will rub off. It can get embedded in fine china, so be wary!

Tips For Packing: Basic Training

If you decide to do the packing yourself, you will need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the moving van arrives. All packing should be completed the evening before moving day. Only essential personal items you’ll need that night, the next morning and immediately at your destination should be left for last minute packing.

Some basic packing tips to keep in mind:

• Follow a timetable – people often underestimate how long it takes to pack!
• Start with items you won’t need right away, such as belongings stored in the basement, garage or attic
• Packing room-by-room will help you stay organized
• Establish work areas in each room
• As you complete a room, sort packed boxes by weight (light, medium, heavy) to make loading the moving van easier and quicker
• Limit cartons to a maximum weight of 50 pounds
• For best results, have your mover pack:
• Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40″ x 60″ or larger
• Pool tables and pianos
• Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc.
• Major appliances

Tips For Packing: Techniques

Our Allied professionals will check your packed boxes to ensure safe transportation. If it is their opinion that items are improperly packed or cartons are susceptible to damage, they may ask you to re-pack these items.

For a room-by-room description of packing techniques, click here for our “Packing Guide.”

• Provide plenty of cushioning by packing loosely crumpled, plain newsprint in the bottom of boxes – leave room at the top for more crumpled paper
• Wrap all fragile, breakable items in paper before packing them in boxes
• Pack large and heavy items first, smaller items next, filling in all empty spaces with plain newsprint
• Use only sturdy cartons that can be easily closed (don’t over stuff), then tape top seams securely – do not use plastic containers to pack your belongings
• Label boxes clearly: Your name, room where the box should go in your new home and a brief description of the contents

Tips For Packing: Electronics Care

• When packing a large screen TV and other electronics:
• If you no longer have the original carton and packing materials, carefully pack the item in a sturdy carton that has been lined with newsprint or styrofoam “peanuts”
• Securely seal the carton and mark the outside “Extremely Fragile”
• When packing your personal computer, printer, scanner, or other equipment:
• Disconnect and mark all wires and cables for easy assembly
• Detach paper holders/feeders from printers and wrap monitors and additional hardware as you would other home electronics
• Remove toner and ink cartridges
• Back up all of your computer files on DVDs or other file storage disks/devices
• Consult your PC user manual for additional instructions and precautions

Tips For Packing: What NOT To Pack

You need to transport valuable and irreplaceable items in the car with you rather than on the truck. In addition, there are several other dangerous items that cannot be put on the truck. These include hazardous materials such as explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials.

Common examples include:

• Nail polish remover
• Paints and paint thinners
• Lighter fluid
• Gasoline
• Fireworks
• Oxygen bottles
• Propane cylinders
• Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals
• Radio-pharmaceuticals
• Matches
• Other items not recommended for transport on the van include:
• Firearms
• Family photos
• Food in glass jars and perishable foods
• Prescription drugs needed for immediate use

Tips For Packing: Labeling Hints

Each and every carton must be labeled:

• Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
• Clearly mark room and contents.
• Indicate “FRAGILE” on delicates; “THIS END UP” where appropriate.
• If available, include your bill of lading number on every box.
• As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while stacked) and in a special notebook. You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well.
• Indicate your name and the room to which each carton should be delivered at destination. Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
• Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you want to unpack first at destination.

Tips For Packing: Tips From the Pros

• o Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until the last minute things you’ll need until moving day.
• Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
• Pack similar items together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans, for example.
• Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
• Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
• Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
• Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
• Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
• As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
• Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
• Pack small, fragile, individually-wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
• Avoid overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
• Seal cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be left open for the van operator’s inspection. 

We developed these packing tips after 75 years in the moving business. We know the most efficient way to pack, providing you with the best results. By utilizing the proper packing tips, your belongings will not be damaged during transport, and you will have a much easier time unpacking your possessions at your new residence.

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