Helping Seniors Move
As senior citizens progress in age, many will take the decision to move from larger homes into smaller condominium apartments, assisted living residences, retirement communities or nursing homes. Primary reasons often cited for moving are because seniors no longer feel they need all the extra space after their children have moved out or because home maintenance has become too laborious and expensive for them to handle.
ADT Moving understands that a home filled with possessions is a home filled with memories and that this will often make a move a hard and emotional process for seniors. Senior clients are often overwhelmed by the prospect of downsizing and don’t have the time or physical strength to handle the moving project themselves. By talking and listening to our clients’ needs and requirements, we help them narrow down and decide what defines a home for them.
ADT Moving will help organize your possessions and oversee your move to help you settle into the new location. We help seniors essentially downsize, relocate and settle to a new environment. We will measure each piece of furniture to be moved, and using your new floor plan, lay out the suggested placement for your transition into a new home.
De-clutter Your Move
The relative importance of your possessions changes over time. In general, if you find that rarely use a specific object and it has been sitting in the attic for over two years, perhaps it’s time to let it go. A move can become an opportunity to de-clutter your home and rid yourself of possessions that are weighing you down.
Adopt these productive habits before making a move and enjoy a clutter-free moving day!
- The golden rule is to get organized and not leave everything to the last minute.
- Maximise this opportunity to minimize, start selling non-essential items to friend and in garage sales around two months before your moving date. You will feel relief as your apartment is slowly emptied of these items that you do not use regularly. Stuff like toys, tools, kitchen equipment and clothes are great things to give away and upgrade after a move.
- Organize your paperwork, and get special files for essential documents like passports, birth certificates, notary papers and seal them tight. You also have the option of putting paperwork in a safety deposit box at the bank. The fee for the safety deposit box is annual and not that expensive for the service and peace of mind you get in return.
- Give your children a small memory box, as big as a shoe box. Give them freedom in deciding what of their prized possessions photos and keepsakes will make it into the box. Allowing your child such responsibility in packing will make them more aware of what will happen on moving day.
Moving a Refrigerator
When preparing a refrigerator for a move, it is important to defrost, clean and completely dry the refrigerator three days in advance of the move. A dry refrigerator will prevent any leaking of fluids and prevent the buildup of mold and mildew.
More than anything else, well executed packing is essential for an overall successful move. This is why we have provided the following packing guideline to help ensure you have a smooth moving experience when it comes to preparing your large kitchen and electronic appliances:
– Never transport a refrigerator filled with food. Dispose of all its contents.
– Unplug the power cord, and wash all removable parts.
– Allow the parts, including the interior of the refrigerator and freezer, to dry thoroughly prior to moving to allow all moisture to evaporate.
– Add moisture-absorbent crystals to help prevent mildew.
– Pack all loose parts including bins and shelves in a secured, approved container for moving.
– Vacuum the condenser or compressor.
– Empty and clean the evaporator pan and allow time for it to dry.
– Before moving, turn off the water and disconnect the water line if you have a cold water dispenser or automatic icemaker.
Moving an Art Gallery
Anyone who has ever un-wrapped a chipped piece of Wedgewood understands the headaches and peril associated with moving.
Now imagine an art gallery is going through its plans to transport over seven hundred items, including delicate pieces such as porcelain antique vases and landmark paintings that are quite valuable and irreplaceable.
We can safely say that logistics go well beyond buying some bubble wrap and recycled grocery store boxes! Moving a commercial space such as a gallery is not like moving a home, you cannot just shove everything into a truck. The move is a monumental effort that requires lots of planning and organization.
When it comes to moving businesses, especially those that possess valuable and delicate items such as a gallery, there are intricate packing and crating procedures that need to be followed. Packing artwork is an art – crates are packed inside of crates. Art is insulated with specialized foam, which is customized to fit the weight and shape of each object.
Matters of truck scheduling and insurance require organization, and of course heightened security is an absolute must. You cannot have artwork pieces worth thousands of dollars being transported without accompanying security travelling through the city.
How to Prepare Appliances for a Move
Packing is a critical aspect of any relocation and can determine whether or not a move will be a complete failure or a smooth success. Here are a few tips on how to prepare your appliances prior to our arrival. These little steps can help to ensure a smooth move, and prevent any accidents from happening in your new home.
Refrigerator & Freezer: Unplug at least 24 hours before you move. Get rid of all perishables. Once it has defrosted, clean and dry all surfaces and containers. Remove all racks. If there is an ice maker, disconnect the water line and drain it completely.
Stove: Clean thoroughly inside and out, and remove or secure all racks. If you own a gas stove, turn off the gas supply.
Dishwasher: Empty dishwasher, and do not run for 24 hours before you move. Take out the utensil rack, and tape the door closed.
Washer/Dryer: Make sure to view your manual. Remove hoses. Secure the drum in the washer.
For all other appliances: Unplug all units and secure the plug to the back using tape.
To avoid the added burden and stress packing can bring to your move our dedicated staff can prepare and conduct your move in a timely and organized manner. Rest assured that with ADT Moving and Storage, every single one of your possessions will be treated uniquely while it is in our care. Give us a call or visit our website to learn about the different packing options we offer. 1-888-903-6683
