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4 Tips to Make your Fall Move a Breeze

Couple doing work during a move

Now that we are beginning to say goodbye to summer, it’s time to get ready for that fall move. There are some wonderful advantages to moving in the latter months of the year, but the most obvious is the lack of oppressive heat that can severely impact a productive moving day in many parts of the country. Fall brings a new air of excitement with the leaves changing colors, cooler temperatures, and hints of holidays are starting to blossom.

We hope you find these four tips for a fall move helpful!

Shop to negotiate lower moving expenses. Moving in the fall offers benefits that one may not enjoy in other months of the year. Business for moving companies is traditionally slower in the fall, so you may be able to take advantage of specials and lower fuel costs. Availability of trucks and storage containers is also better, which will better accommodate your moving schedule. Take some time to do your homework and shop around. You will probably find that competitive rates will work in your favor this time of year.

Secure your utilities in advance. Typically, setting up utilities can take a couple of days, especially if a technician must make a site visit to turn the gas on. Be sure to do your research in advance, so that you don’t arrive at your new place and it’s freezing. You may have different utility companies that handle gas and electric. Make sure you consider this when you move to your new home to reduce any unexpected stress when you arrive.

Eliminate accidents by removing fall debris. Before your moving crew arrives, take a moment to check the weather forecast and assess their walking paths inside and out. Wet days can make for slippery floors. Falling leaves and twigs make for tripping hazards. A nonslip mat by the door may be helpful. Consider keeping some old towels around to prevent slippery entrances for your helpers, too. And, be sure that the broom is always on stand-by!

Get rid of the summer clutter. Packing wisely will create much greater efficiency for your move. If you have summer toys that you won’t be using next year, throw them away. While you’re at it, cull all of the items you haven’t used in some time. The general rule is: if you haven’t needed it in the past two years, it can go! Make the most of your moving help and save money by not asking them to transport things that you no longer need.

At Zippy Shell, our goal is to make moving and storage solutions as cost-effective and simple for you as possible. We hope these four guidelines to help you move this fall will make a constructive difference! For information on additional storage or moving solutions, please give us a call at 888-947-7974!

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Avoid These 4 Common Moving Mistakes

Couple enjoying time together after move

If you are like most Americans, you will move several times in your lifetime, whether across town or across the country.  There are a few other things Americans-on-the-move also share – common moving mistakes! We’ve seen it all here at Zippy Shell and want you to avoid these mistakes.

Late planning: Like many things in life, planning usually makes things easier. Start planning for your move weeks or even months in advance, utilizing free checklists and apps that will help you get organized and stay on track. Waiting until the last minute could really derail the best intentions.

Choosing a total DIY move: Great planning cannot overcome trucks that break down or aren’t ready when you are, wasting time driving to and from the truck rental place, or attempting to move all your stuff with an old dolly. Decide how much peace of mind and time is worth. Also consider that moving heavy things can be costly physically, as well. You won’t have to worry about rental trucks with Zippy Shell and if your friends aren’t available, we can even recommend professional help to get your stuff into the Zippy Shell container.

Forgetting what you’ll need the first few days/nights: Picture it – you are excited to be in your new space, but you did not mark a box with things like toilet paper, paper plates, salt, pepper, shower items, towels, etc. That can put a damper on things. Avoid this common mistake by marking boxes with essential items so you can scan your unit and pick them out easily.

Ignoring the forecast: The show must go on when you are moving, but keeping a close eye on the weather not only will make for a smoother move, but it will also keep you and your helpers safe. If you see that rain, sleet or snow is forecasted for your moving day, be sure to have tarps and non-slip boots available.

Packing the cleaning materials: After much of your stuff is in the Zippy Shell unit, you’ll want to go back in and start the final cleaning of your apartment or home. But, wait? Where are the cleaning items? Be sure to keep what you will need aside so you can make the final sweep through the space.

When you are ready to move and store your stuff not only can the experts at Zippy Shell help you avoid the most common moving mistakes, we can have your stuff ready when you are. Give us a call today at 888-947-7974 or go online today for a free quote! See how we can make moving and storage simple for you.

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Finding Your Dream Home in the Piedmont Triad

House at dusk

If you are searching for a new home, you have probably envisioned your dream home in your mind over and over. Now is the time to make those dreams a reality! Chances are you will find exactly the home you and your family are looking for in the Piedmont Triad area. This area is a thriving region that features tons of fun things to do including arts, shopping, botanical gardens, breweries.

To follow are a few things to keep in mind when you are looking for your dream home:

Prioritize

Make sure that you have a solid list of priorities in order of what is most important to you. The key is knowing which items on your dream home checklist are negotiable and which are non-negotiable. Coming up with a list of “must haves” will help narrow down the search.

Do your Research

You may already know what part of the region you want to live in, but neighborhoods can be very different across the landscape. To find the perfect community for your family, take some time to investigate the area online and then take a drive or walk through the different neighborhoods. Do you like the schools, restaurants, athletic facilities, emergency services, etc.?

Set a Budget

Before you start looking for homes, it helps to get pre-approved. You want to buy a dream home that fits into your financial situation now and in the future. In addition to the price of your home, you should leave room in your budget for moving expenses, closing costs, and possible renovations to the home.

Be Flexible

Go into the process with the expectation that you probably won’t find a home with every single item on your wish list. You can always add your own style to turn your new home into your dream home. The key is looking past the exterior cosmetic blemishes to the home’s bones. Look for a well-built home that has the space you need, some features you love, a layout that serves your lifestyle and a price point that allows you to make some changes. Stay flexible, be willing to compromise, and you’ll be sure to find your dream home.

Welcome to the area! The Piedmont Triad Zippy Shell is here to make sure your treasured belongings arrive at your dream home safely and securely. 

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5 Ways to Make a New Space Feel Like Home

Congratulations on your new space! Whether you’ve moved into a new apartment, a dorm or a house, making this new space feel more like home means relaxing more quickly, especially after a move.

Start with the closet: Designers and home organization specialists agree that it’s important to handle your personal spaces first, not necessarily the common areas. Making sure that you can put your hands on sleeping clothes, play clothes, or a favorite shirt and pair of jeans means feeling more comfortable. This also includes prioritizing the kids’ rooms, too. The quicker they feel at home, the easier it will be on you.

Unpack a “self-care” box: Pack a self-care box that includes special candles, clean linens, fluffy towels or essential oils. These items can quickly make an unfamiliar space feel and smell more like home.

Keep to your routine: Packing, moving and unpacking really throws your routine for a loop. Try to mimic a familiar routine, at least for the first few days, whether it be when you eat, when you rest, or when you walk the dog. Animals, kids and seniors, in particular, appreciate a routine that makes sense.

Get your Wi-Fi working:  Nothing says home like snuggling up and watching your favorite streaming channel with a bowl of popcorn.

Do a little grocery shopping: Some food in the fridge makes everything feel a little homier. Yes, we know there are a million things left to do but make some time to go pick up something for lunch, dinner or breakfast. Put some snacks in the cupboard.

New spaces can feel overwhelming or foreign, but with a few quick touches, you’ll be on your way to feeling right at home.
Visit www.zippyshell.com today to learn more about the services we offer. 

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Follow These Tips to De-Stress Your Move

Couple looks at tablet while searching

There are so many emotions to process during a move. There can be feelings of excitement, anticipation, hope, nervousness, and even relief. But the emotion that can infringe on all the others is stress, which can take a toll on your mind and your body. Moving is often ranked as one of the most stressful events in life. Zippy Shell aims to make your move as stress free as possible with the following tips: 

  • We cannot stress (pun intended) enough the importance of making a list or even more than one list. Make a list of everything that needs to be done before moving day comes, during your moving day, and in the days after your move. Seeing a clear outline of your completed and uncompleted tasks will help you stay more organized and less stressed.
  • Give yourself sufficient time to devote to each step of the moving process. The more you leave to the last minute, the more stress you’ll inevitably feel.
  • Lean on your family and friends when you feel overwhelmed. Those close to you want to help, they just might not know how. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Get rid of anything you won’t need before the move. Don’t make more work and stress for yourself by moving unnecessary items. If you won’t have an immediate need for an item but are not ready to part with it just yet, consider storing it for a period of time.

Storage solutions from Zippy Shell can take the hassle and stress out of your move. Your stored items are always safe in our street legal mobile containers because you are the only one with a key and it will be securely stored in a climate-controlled environment. When you are ready, all you have to do is call Zippy Shell to have your additional items brought to your home for unloading and unpacking at your convenience. Visit www.zippyshell.com today to learn more about the services we offer. 

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Real Reasons to Ditch a Moving Truck

Couple celebrates move in their home

You’re moving! Congratulations… right?

It’s only natural to have some anxiety over the moving process. After all, it’s one of life’s more stressful events under the best of circumstances. Fortunately, though, there are ways to minimize the anxiety and maximize the efficiency of your upcoming move. One of those ways, believe it or not, is to ditch the moving truck and consider using a portable storage unit instead.

The pricing is rarely what it seems: Budgets are important, and you want to stay on yours during your move. Renting a truck may seem cheap and easy, but the pricing isn’t always it seems. When you see a “rate” on that truck, that’s usually just the beginning. Be sure to check any fine print to determine the mileage rates, the late return rate and more. It adds up fast.

Time is money: One of the most annoying parts of trying to rent a truck for your move is the time it wastes. It’s not like you don’t have a lot of other things going on already. You surely don’t need to waste time picking up the truck (assuming the last person dropped it off and it’s even there), getting the truck back to your home, loading, moving and then stopping to return the truck to a destination that may or may not be close to where you are.

Driving a moving truck isn’t fun: One of the best things about a portable storage unit, aside from its flexibility and convenience, is that you don’t have to drive it anywhere. We come and pick it up when you are ready and drop it off when you are ready. Those rickety moving trucks may have mechanical issues between here and there, are supremely uncomfortable and can be pretty big, too, making them unwieldy for a novice driver. Added tip: If you are moving to or from an area with intense traffic, you really don’t want to be weaving in traffic with a word-out truck full of your precious things.

There is value in everything when it comes to your move, including time and safety. Rather than investing in time, money and effort into a potentially unreliable vehicle, why not explore our portable storage solutions? It will be one less thing you have to stress about. Give Zippy Shell a call today at 888-947-7974 or go online to get a free quote and see how we can make moving and storage simple for you!

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How to Find a Reliable Moving Company

Couple at home on their laptop

How do you know which moving company will be a good fit for your situation? It can be overwhelming when wading through all the options. To make sure you hire a reliable mover, consider taking these steps.

  1. Get Referrals. Start by asking friends, family members, and coworkers if they can recommend a moving company. If you’re working with a real estate agent, you can ask the agent for a referral.
  2. Do your research. After narrowing down the field, check online reviews to see what other customers are saying about the company. Pay attention to comments about a moving company’s attitude throughout the entire moving process. You can also do a background check through the Better Business Bureau or the American Moving and Storage Association. 
  3. Ask for an estimate. You will want to have a detailed estimate in writing from any moving company you are considering. You also want to be sure you understand all the fees associated with the estimate. Be suspicious if an estimate is unusually low or lacks specifics.
  4. Look for red flags. If the company has no physical address, scratch it off the list. Be wary of companies that require a large deposit. Many don’t require any payment until your belongings are delivered. Make sure the moving company you hire plans on doing the move themselves, as opposed to contracting the job out to another mover.

If you would prefer to have a little more control over your moving process, consider Zippy Shell!  Your portable storage unit will arrive in your driveway or on your street ready to be loaded. You can conveniently pack up your storage unit right from your original destination. Then you get to leave the driving to us which means leaving the stress behind. Visit www.zippyshell.com today to learn more about the services we offer.

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How to Avoid a #MovingFail

Couple unpacking their boxes with their dog

It’s that time of year! The time of year when many people are moving into new homes and apartments across the United States and even abroad. According to USA Today, every year roughly 40 million Americans move at least once. That’s a lot of folks packing, storing and transporting their precious memories from one place to another.

We’ve learned a few things about what to expect when preparing to move or store your stuff, and we’ve seen it all! Here are a few things you might run into, but they don’t have to turn into a #MovingFail:

  1. No trucks: Even the best planned DIY moves may be derailed when there is no truck available! Summer is peak time for moving and it’s hard to reserve a moving truck for the time you need it anyway, but what if someone turns it in late? We’ve seen a well-planned move turn into a #MovingFail when a truck isn’t ready. Fortunately, with Zippy Shell, we handle all of the logistics, so your unit is there when you need it.

  2. No help: Picture it…you are packed. You’ve ordered the pizza. Everything is ready…except only 1 friend shows up. If you have rented a truck, then you are under the gun to get that truck loaded and on the way! If you’ve rented a Zippy Shell unit, then you can share pizza with the loyal friend and regroup because we won’t pick up the unit until you are ready.

  3. Uncooperative weather: People often choose summer to move because kids are out of school, vacation time is used and, usually, the weather is more cooperative. Even if you’ve been keeping an eagle eye on the extended weather forecast, you may still find yourself packing your unit or moving in rain. Keep some plastic sheeting on hand to avoid a big #MovingFail. Sheets can cover furniture and keep floor clean in staging areas. Non-slip rugs and mats can be placed in the garage or other entrances/exits, preventing slips and falls.

You can’t avoid all of the potential moving fails, but you can reduce the variables in a move by leaving as much as you can to the moving and storage professionals. Give Zippy Shell a call today at 888-947-7974 or check out our moving and storage services online and see how we can help you!

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Top 8 Reasons Why Downsizing is a Good Idea

Downsizing often has a bad reputation, but there are indeed many benefits that can be overlooked. Whether you are choosing to downsize on your own, or you need to move to a smaller home for other reasons, don’t fret because this can be a good change for you!

  1. Financial benefits

By downsizing, you are going from a larger home to a smaller home. This will enable you to sell your large house, allowing you to buy a more modest home outright or put a sizable down payment on it. Not to mention that your new home should have lower maintenance costs and bills due to its smaller size.

2. Fresh start

Those making a move often have a reason for it, such as children moving out or the loss of a family member. Whatever your reasoning is, use this opportunity to give yourself a fresh start. Your new home will allow you to explore a new area and create new memories for yourself.

3. Bigger is not always better

Because you will have less space, you’ll need to have fewer belongings. This does mean there will be less to clean, organize, and furnish, thus reducing the amount of time you’ll spend on daily chores. A smaller home also means a smaller yard and less time spent in it cleaning. You’ll have fewer things to worry about and more time to enjoy yourself you can use to travel, pick up a new hobby, etc.

4. Fun additions

With the extra money you are saving from downsizing, you can spice up your new home with some fun décor or entertainment. You can even create a whole new room that you never had in your old house. This can include a game room, a library, or a gym in an empty room.

5. Bonding opportunity

Having a smaller home allows the occupants of the house to be closer to each other. It provides better space to bond with one another and creates a cozy living area together.

6. Save energy and water

Running a large home can add up to a lot of utilities. Cooling, heating, and water usage alone are much higher in a large house compared to a smaller home. Decrease your carbon footprint, all while enjoying a lower utility bill in a smaller home. Save additional water and energy with these tips too!

7. Necessities

When you have less space, you are going to be forced to have fewer things. This isn’t a negative though because now you will only have the belongings that you need. You will no longer have the option to hoard countless appliances and clothing that never gets any use. Take advantage of this opportunity and have a yard sale with all the belongings that don’t have a place in your new home. Any items that don’t sell in the yard sale can also be sold on eBay or Craigslist, or you can donate it.

8. Less splurging = less clutter

A smaller space will mean you will be less tempted to buy items that you don’t really need because you won’t have anywhere to keep them. This will help you become a smarter shopper and only buy the necessities.

If you are in the process of downsizing, contact Zippy Shell to help you move all of your belongings to your new home! We can service moves of many sizes, and even offer storage options if you need it.  Call us at 888-947-7974 or go online and get a free quote today!

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Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value

Beautiful home exterior shot

If you are in the process of trying to sell your home, and you want to increase its value before its sale, use these tips!

Clean it up

A house can never be too clean, and when it comes to home buying, appearances can often mean everything. If a buyer is choosing between a tidy home or one that has been professionally cleaned, , they likelihood of them leaning towards the thoroughly clean home is higher. Frequently cleaning your home gives it a better appeal, as well as helps you locate small problems that need fixing before they become a home buying deal breaker.

Prioritize improvements

Take a little time to figure out what improvements you quickly make to your house. Start from the first one on that list and slowly make your way down what needs to get done. It doesn’t need to be all done in a single day and even quick touchups or additions can add a lot to a home’s curb appeal and value.

Balance

It is okay to come up with a list of dream goals for your home to increase its value but be realistic at the same time. Decide what absolutely needs to get done versus what you really want to do while also including a couple of fun additions as well.

One room at a time

Focus your efforts on one room at a time to be more efficient. You can quickly become overwhelmed if you begin multiple projects in different rooms. The last thing you want is to have a room half painted when you are planning to show it to buyers the next day! Better to have one or two rooms touched up than several half completed.

Start small

If you cannot take on many big upgrades to your home, start with a few small ones. Simple fixes like replacing lights or old faucet pipes can go a long way.

Curb appeal

Add some color to the front of your house to give it a more attractive look. You can add a coat of shiny new paint to your shutters or plant a few bright flowers in your front yard. Be sure to rake up any stray branches or leaves and trim your bushes, to give your yard a nice clean look.

Once you are ready to make your move to your new home, contact Zippy Shell to move your belongings to your new location! We can service moves of many sizes, and even offer storage options if you need it. Contact us today for a free quote and see how we can make moving and storage simple for you!