While it’s true that you have rights when it comes to contracting a moving company, it’s also true that some things are considered standard across the board. Understanding how moving companies operate will make it easier to know what to expect and help you prepare for the unexpected.

1. Moving companies are obligated to provide written estimates upon request.

2. Estimates are not binding, which means that actual charges may be higher or lower than what you see on paper.

3. Guaranteed pickup and delivery dates are usually possible if you talk to the company in advance and arrange for it. Otherwise, delivery times may vary.

4. Companies are responsible for the safe shipping and delivery of your packing boxes, but they may not be responsible for everything that’s inside. Before you pack your stuff away, request a list of forbidden items so you know what NOT to pack.

5. You can request to be present when your moving boxes are weighed.

6. Non-binding estimates require you to pay when you receive the shipping. Make sure you check in advance with the company to ensure what methods of payments are accepted: credit card, cash or money orders.

7. Additional charges may apply if movers need to carry moving boxes up or down stairs, move pianos and other heavy furniture, pack or unpack items or other extra activities beyond simply transporting the boxes.

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Items of sentimental value should not be packed and shipped in cardboard boxes. This is especially important as a personal protection, as shipping companies cannot insure items that have no real value. Also, there are no guarantees that the items will arrive in optimal condition. To avoid potential problems, some companies prohibit the packing and shipping of personal items.

Items considered as having only sentimental or personal value include:

• Prescription Medicine
• Computer Discs
• DVDs and Tapes
• Address Books
• Cell Phones, PDAs and Personal Organizers
• Jewelry
• Wedding Dress
• Financial Documents
• Photo Albums
• School Records
• Medical & Dental Records
• Keys (to car, safe, home)

If you need to ship any of these items, you have two options: either pack them inside furniture or their own containers before placing them into the cardboard boxes, or consider taking them along with you when you move. Since these items cannot be ensured, you will not be able to claim a lost if they’re damaged in transit.

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Most people paint their houses. And after a few years, they paint their house again, and again, and again. There are, however, better ways to spend one’s time than by climbing up a ladder with a brush every spring.

Aluminum siding offers a welcome change from this chore. Aluminum is an excellent, durable alternative as it is both corrosion-resistant and holds up well in all types of weather. Additionally, aluminum considerably alters energy savings in the home by acting as an additional insulator for temperatures inside the home. If well maintained, homeowners can expect aluminum to last anywhere from 30 years to the life of their home.

As far as siding materials go, aluminum is quite cost effective and remains an industry standard to this day. For those wishing to further lower there remodeling costs, aluminum siding is manageable enough that it can be installed as a do-it-yourself project with a bit of planning. As far as maintenance goes, aluminum siding only need be washed with a little soap and water about once a year to clean off the grime.

Aluminum siding can be purchased in two general forms. The first is plain siding that may or may not be primed, allowing homeowners to paint the siding as they wish. The second is pre-painted in a variety of different paints and textures and homeowners choose from a catalogue of some sort.

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Shipping your boxes internationally is a lot different than shipping them cross-country. If you’re moving abroad, you will need to complete a series of steps long before your packing boxes are out of the door and on their way to your new home.

1. Make sure your paperwork is in order. This means not only passport and visa, but also any pertinent immigration documents. Some countries may be wary of letting you in with tons of boxes if you’re only arriving on a tourist visa, so check regulations in advance. Depending on what you’re shipping, you may also need special permissions for your boxed goods.

2. Hire a company that specializes in international shipping. Your cardboard boxes will be better handled and packed by experts who understand what international shipping requires in terms of protection and handling of the boxes.

3. Talk to the local embassy to ensure there are no specific restrictions on the material that can be shipped in boxes. For example, Vietnam doesn’t allow certain types of books to enter the country, and some European nations have restrictions on the amount of valuables or collectibles you can bring into the country.

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In an effort to save money, you may be tempted to pack your stuff using empty boxes and old blankets. The truth is, however, that moving supplies are usually a lot stronger and better suited for moving and packing than the average boxes you can snatch for free at the corner store.

A good example of this is packing tape, which often comes with its own dispenser to make it easier to tape the moving boxes shut using just one hand. Also, packing tape is water resistant and a lot stronger than most alternatives. This is especially important if you want to ensure moving boxes will not be tampered with or if you need to stamp or write on the tape itself (duct tape, as strong as it is, does not take to writing very well).

Finally, packing boxes are made of corrugated carton which is meant to be strong enough to support even pounds and pounds of books, while regular cardboard boxes may collapse under the weight. Wardrobe moving boxes can also offer better protection for delicate clothing than standard cardboard boxes would.

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FBI crime statistics claim that a robbery occurs every 14 seconds. Even more bad news: 60% of robberies occur while there is someone at home and 38% involve a firearm of one kind or another. What does this mean for a homeowner? This means that investing in a security system of some kind is a wise idea.

To protect possessions and property to the best of your ability, purchasing a home security system is your best bet. Home security systems are manufactured with a number of scenarios in mind. Some are made merely as an alarm for intrusion through doors an windows. Other, more advanced models, include box alarms for burglary, carbon monoxide, fire and medical emergencies.

Network alarm systems are connected via a network and monitored round the clock. Local police are generally notified once such a device is installed and when an alarm is tripped, law enforcement officers are notified. Monitoring occurs via a fee, paid either monthly or yearly and is a good investment for not only the home but also for the safety of you and your family. Lastly, though in days past most security systems were installed utilizing wire connections, these days wireless box systems are the norm and this means less of an expense for homeowners.

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Lately, it seems as if just about everyone is having to keep a closer eye on their wallets than they would like to. So, with this in mind, spending thousands of dollars to gut and replace cabinets may not be feasible. Still, for homeowner’s seeking to improve the value of their house, waiting for that bucket of money to drop out of the sky is not an option.

As an alternative, consider refacing existing cabinets and use the extra money elsewhere. Taking much less time to complete, refacing cabinetry can make old cabinets shine like new at just a fraction of the cost.

Refacing is just a face lift of sorts. Doors are usually replaced while the cabinet box itself receives a veneer of some kind, matching it to the new doors. Drawer fronts are often replaced as well. When the basic work is completed, detail work and new hardware is installed to finish the transition.

Additionally, if the existing cabinet doors are smooth (also known as flat panel), then replacing the doors is not necessary, as a veneer can also be used in a different style or color. This means further savings.

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Keep Packing boxes dry on rainy moving day

We can’t control the weather forecast on moving day but what we can do is be prepared for bad weather. Rain and cardboard boxes are not best friends but we can help them get along. If you are self packing your moving boxes or if you have the movers do it for you, just remember to use one of the below helpful tricks to keep your stuff dry and protected from the rain.

1) Stretch wrap. Using moving supplies such as stretch wrap to cover your packing boxes is a great trick to keep your cardboard boxes and everything within them dry. The great thing about the stretch wrap sold on DirectMovingBoxes.com is that it comes on a handle which makes your wrapping very fast and easy to do.

2) Garbage bags. If you happen to run out of stretch wrap you can use garbage bags as a secondary backup solution.  Now a very important thing to keep in mind is the size of your packing boxes vs the size of your garbage bags. If your garbage bags are to small then you may have to cut them and use more then one to cover your cardboard boxes. Remember to use some packing tape to hold them on to your moving boxes. 

The reason that stretch wrap is better then using garbage bags is because it is clear and if you label your moving boxes on the box itself you will still be able to read it. So to protect your stuff on those rainy moving days, keep your cardboard boxes covered and use stretch wrap.

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Most people don’t like uninvited guests in their house. If this is the case, don’t leave the door wide open for rodents and insects to enter.

When the sun is bright, take a stroll around the house. Pay attention to the foundation of the house. If there are any holes, take a piece of steel wool and stuff it inside. After a day or two, revisit the hole and if the steel wool has been dislodged than there is good chance you’ve got mice.

Mice are built in a peculiar way-their heads are softer than ours. What this means is that if there is even a penny sized opening they can squeeze through it. Insects need much less space obviously and so make sure to check closely. In particular, places where anything is attached to the house is suspect, including plumbing fixtures, like nozzles for hoses, or fuse boxes. If these items have even pen-sized holes exposed around them, the bugs will find a way in.

The best thing to do is to purchase exterior caulk and a caulk gun and then apply it all around any sort of fixture that isn’t fit tightly. Larger holes can be filled with cement and caulked afterwards. As for mice, know that they can climb very well, so if there are open gable vents in the attic, consider installing screen wire to keep them out.

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Moving and packing boxes are meant to be used in a certain way. Though this may seem painfully obvious, it can make for a much easier moving experience and turn a potentially stressful moving process into something a little easier to bare.

To begin with, pay attention to how much is being placed in each of your moving boxes. Most people would just stuff everything they can into one large box and be done with it. Not unlike over stuffing a suitcase, this can lead to tearing and spillage or damage to items inside. Additionally, over packing a box also means the box will be too heavy to handle and this could mean straining your back. Aim for moving boxes weighing no more than 20 to 30 pounds.

Underpacking a box is also not a good idea. When packing boxes are not filled to proper capacity, they are easily crushed and this can also mean damage to contents.

Another thing to consider is the age of your moving boxes. Old cardboard boxes are likely to tear more easily, especially bottom flaps. The solution? Purchase new moving supplies and avoid the potential hassle of picking up your belongings from off of the street.

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