If you’re relocating to northern Illinois and don’t know much about the area, then the local weather, sights, and culture may come as a surprise as you get used to life by Lake Michigan. Home to gorgeous waterfront attractions, jazz music, world-class architecture, and tons of museums, let our Advantage Moving team help you settle in faster with the following helpful advice.

Moving during warm, humid, and wet weather

The first thing you’ll need to get acquainted with is the erratic weather in the city. During busy season, which is typically over the summertime, Chicago is often at its hottest. But that’s not all you’ll need to consider with a summer move – you’ll also usually get a lot of humidity and rain too. Obviously, this can be a tad bit problematic when you’re relocating your entire household. Luckily, when you choose local movers like Advantage Moving and Storage, Inc., you’re assured a seamless move regardless of the weather, since our team is well-prepared for any type of weather – rain or shine!

Heavy traffic during the week

In Chicago, city living also comes with a fair share of traffic woes. If you’re planning on moving directing in the downtown core or surrounding the city center, then you’ll likely be in store for a transfer that requires extra time. Limited parking and local restrictions can cause even more headaches. On the outskirts, however, it’s a lot easier to maneuver around. Because of the high population density, and thus tougher traffic, we suggest taking a day or tow to practice your new commute to work, especially if you’ll need to drive while during rush hour.

Adjusting to Chicago culture

In Chicago, you get that Big Apple feel yet with a mix of people who are friendly and have that famous mid-western generosity. With that blue-collar, rust-belt appeal, you’re sure to fall in love with the home of the Chicago Cubs in no time! Sports fan? Well, then you’ll fit right in, as this great city is fiercely proud of their baseball and basketball background.

If you’re planning a move to Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, we’re here for you at Advantage Moving and Storage, then fill out our free online quote form to find out more about our fully customizable transfer plans.

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Come up with a plan for the big day.

If you’ve hired one of the leading moving companies in the area – such as our professionals at Advantage Moving and Storage, – then your team will likely come up with a solid plan for moving day. However, you’ll also want to create an alternate plan that takes into account the “bigger picture” of what happens with details the movers won’t be in charge of. For instance, if you don’t have babysitting for kids or pets, plan the day around snacks and meals. Save time for breaks and don’t forget to check-in with them regularly. Don’t forget, moving can be stressful for them too!

Plan final and initial walk-throughs.

For those who were or will be renters, it’s important to plan the final walkthrough of your unit with your landlord to assure everything is as it should be before you move out. Also, upon arriving to your new home and before the movers start transferring your belongings, ask your landlord for an initial walkthrough, so you both can verify the state of the apartment before you officially take possession of it.

Hire professional assistance.

One of the best things you can do to simplify move-in day is to enlist the services of a professional team. Moving companies have specialists that have overseen a great many different types of relocations, and as such, know exactly how to transfer your belongings securely and safely. Additionally, when you hire pros to handle your move, you can focus on other tasks that need your supervision, such as taking care of your children or pets.

Pack overnight bags ahead of time.

Before the big day arrives, pack overnight bags with essentials for your family. These bags should include things like a couple of changes of clothes, pajamas, medication, toiletries, some snacks, and whatever else you feel would make your first few nights more comfortable.

Looking to Hire Experienced, Knowledgeable Moving Companies?

Request a free moving quote today at Advantage Moving and Storage, for more information on our all-inclusive packages that will make your upcoming relocation less stressful and overwhelming. As one of the leading moving companies in the area, you’re assured industry-competitive pricing and experienced, knowledgeable professionals.

The post Advice from Top Moving Companies: Ways to Make Move-In Day Easier appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.

Curb Appeal

As the first thing buyers will see when they drive up to your home, sprucing up the front exterior is of utmost importance. In the real estate business, they call this curb appeal – and it’s something that can really sell your home. Essentially, you’re looking to doll up the outside of your residence, including the lawn, walkways, flower boxes, railings, porch, and front entrance, for instance. As such, you may need to paint the exterior, re-stain any wood sections, and possibly add a few attractive extras like an inviting doormat or decorations. 

Backyard Display

Once potential buyers finish looking around inside, they’ll probably end up in the backyard – so don’t forget that part of your home! It too is on display, so put out your best garden furniture, add an inviting hammock or set-up the firepit to make it look charming.

Perfect Interior

Of course, some may argue that you need to exert most of your time preparing the interior. Truthfully, that’s what buyers will pay most attention to. So, upgrades and touch-ups like repainting walls, decluttering the space, and cleaning everything so it looks sparkling and perfect is really what matters. Steam clean the carpets, wax the hardwood floors, clean every single surface. In essence, you want it to appearance so good, so inviting, that people will picture themselves already living there.

Set the Stage

Once your home looks perfect, set the stage further with nice little additions of a fruit basket in the kitchen, fresh cut flowers in vases throughout the rooms, set the dining room table as though it were ready for a fancy dinner, with a lovely centerpiece in the middle. These are all great ways to further entice potential buyers, drawing them into the imagery of living in your house.

Get the Help you Need from our Movers in Milwaukee

Looking for movers in Milwaukee? Request a free moving quote from Advantage Moving and Storage, today to learn more about how we can help you get to your next home. As the leading movers in Milwaukee, we assure professional support at industry-competitive pricing.

The post Home Staging Ideas to Prepare Your House for Sale from Movers in Milwaukee appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.

You’ve just been hired for an exciting job overseas but you’re not entirely sure how to plan for such a complex move. As thrilled as you are, you’re now starting to feel a bit overwhelmed – and that’s perfectly normal! Luckily, as a top-rated international mover, our team at Advantage Moving and Storage has some come up with 4 invaluable packing tips to simplify your upcoming overseas relocation.

1. Start by getting your documents in order

The very first thing you should focus on is getting your personal and legal documents in order. For instance, your passport needs to be up-to-date, or you’ll certainly have a hard time getting into the country you’re transferring to. Start this process as soon as possible since acquiring a new passport can take as long as 6 months, depending on your residency status. Work permits and visas are other important legal documents you need to look into if you’re planning on relocating to another country.

2. Purge your closets and downsize

As an international mover, our crew oversees countless overseas transfers. And if there’s one thing that you can do to speed up and simplify your move, it’s cleaning out and organizing all of your belongings. Ideally, your goal shouldn’t be to just pack up everything you own and ship it to your new home – that would likely cost you a substantial amount of money. Therefore, consider purging your belongings to get rid of what you don’t absolutely need, in order to downsize. Whatever you don’t need to keep can always be sold or donated to a local charity.

3. Find out if you need adapters

Don’t assume that everything you own, that needs to be plugged in, like electronics and appliances, will work perfectly fine in your new home. Instead, find out if you will need adaptors for the voltage outlets there. If you do, then this may play a role in whether you keep some of the devices you have or purchase new ones that are compatible in your next place of residence.

4. Get professional help

There’s nothing simple about moving overseas. But when you enlist the services of a professional international mover, you’re assured a seamless, stress-free transfer. An experienced international mover can also provide you with a comprehensive package that takes care of every single detail of your relocation, from start to finish.

When you want one of the best moving companies on your side, request a free moving quote or call Advantage Moving and Storage for reliable, friendly assistance at industry-competitive rates.

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There are a lot of reasons why one may have to move their business on short notice, and all of them can be frustrating. Whether the higher-ups have closed your office, or you have to move to a new space due to structural or safety issues, moving your business on short notice is a whole other kind of beast. That’s why commercial moving companies like Advantage are here to give some tips on how to manage a last-minute commercial move.

Find a reliable moving company

It may be a bit tricky to do on such short notice, but the first thing you should do is try to find a reputable commercial moving company. These companies have years of experience moving offices and can help you plan out every step of the move and actually move everything. Reliable movers are professionals at quick moves and they can help you fit the move into your tight schedule.

Organize

As soon as you get the order to move you need to draft up an organizing plan. Split your employees into teams and have them each handle a part of organizing. For example, one team can handle disassembling furniture while another team can gather all sensitive business documents or computer equipment. The trick is to distribute the workload amongst your team so the work gets done quicker.

Talk to your employees

Anytime you are moving an entire office, it’s a good idea to talk to your employees about the situation. If you can muster the time, try to sit down with your employees one-on-one and ask them about the move or any worries or ideas they may have. Your employees will appreciate that their voices are being heard and it’s likely they may catch something you have missed.

Most important of all, don’t panic. You can get it done as long as you are diligent and plan correctly. If you are looking for commercial moving companies, consider giving Advantage Moving & Storage a call at 847-584-3908

The post Advice for Commercial Moving on Short Notice: Tips from a Commercial Moving Company appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.

Having a checklist when moving offices is a necessity. By completing all these tasks, you can ensure your office move goes as smoothly as possible. Advantage Moving and Storage is here with this list of 5 important things to do before an office relocation.

1. Assign moving tasks

One week before the move, round up your employees and assign them each moving tasks. One team could handle packing up sensitive documents, while another can focus on breaking down furniture that can be moved. Assigning everyone a specific task will make the move go smoothly.

2. Talk to your employees about the move

Make sure to schedule times to talk to your employees one-on-one about the move. Ask if they have any questions, concerns, or recommendations to streamline the process. Talking to your employees will make them feel better about the move and they will appreciate having their voice heard.

3. Gather all documents

Make sure you double and triple check all sensitive documents. This includes tax info, billing info, payroll info, and any client documents. If you have the time, you can try to digitize the majority of these documents so they are easier to transport.

4. Research a moving company

While you and your employees could potentially handle an office relocation yourselves, the best option is to find a professional office relocation company. Professional moving companies have years of training and experience that will make the process go as smoothly as possible.

5. Talk to IT

One hard problem with moving offices in the modern day is reconnecting your networks and digital tech in the new space. Talk to your IT department and have them draft a plan to transfer the office’s technical equipment like computers, servers, phones, etc. Your business cannot function without the proper network infrastructure so its important to have it set up as quickly as possible.

If you are looking for professional office relocation services, give Advantage Moving and Storage a call at 512-443-6141 schedule a free moving quote.

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So you have your new house picked out, put down your deposit, and have scheduled a moving date. What’s next? Usually, the next step is to start packing. However, most movers find that they need to declutter first before they start packing. A moving sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted possessions and make some money on the side. Advantage international movers are here to give some advice on how to plan the perfect moving sale.

Use the Internet

In the past, if you wanted to do a yard sale, you’d put out a classified ad in the newspaper. Thanks to the internet, you can now just directly sell your possessions online. So, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up a physical yard sale, you can lurk on sites like Craigslist and Facebook marketplace to sell old things. Alternatively, you could set up an event online and invite people you know.

Be Realistic With Your Prices

If you do decide to sell some stuff, you need to be realistic with your prices. You may have spent $30 on that coat, but it is unlikely that you will be able to sell it for full price. People go to moving sales because they are cheap. Advantage international movers recommend that most items you sell probably shouldn’t be priced more than $15 unless it is a particularly rare item, in which case you’d probably be better off selling it directly on the internet.

Schedule on a Saturday

Generally speaking, weekends are the best time to schedule a moving sale. Moreover, the best times of the day to schedule a moving sale are between 1-6 PM. Keep in mind that no matter what time you schedule, there will probably be some people who arrive early so you want to make sure you have things set up well beforehand.

If you are looking for commercial storage, residential, or international movers, give Advantage Moving & Storage a call at 847-594-3908.

The post Planning a Moving Sale: Tips from Advantage International Movers appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.

It’s move out day! You’ve paid the first month of rent on your new place, have the utilities set up, and the movers are on their way to move your things. One of the trickier aspects of moving is making sure you get your full security deposit back from your old place. A dirty apartment, broken fixtures, and other issues can be taken out of your security deposit. Here is an apartment check-out list from movers and storage companies like Advantage Moving and Storage that will help you get your security deposit back.

Clean Everything

The first thing to do is give your old place a thorough cleaning. We don’t just mean cleaning the floors and taking out the trash, we mean cleaning everything. You should clean the floors, baseboards, walls, stovetop, oven, walls, carpets, windows, etc. If every surface is sparkling clean, then you are much less likely to be charged for cleaning fees. If you have the time, movers and storage companies like Advantage recommend hiring a professional cleaning service to get the job done.

Make Sure You Have Your Move-In Checklist

Most of the time when you move into an apartment, you fill out a move-in checklist where you make note of any pre-existing issues or damages. The purpose of the checklist is to let the landlord you are not responsible for these issues so you don’t get charged for them down the road. That is why it’s important to hold onto this list throughout your lease, so you can prove certain issues were already there.

Make Small Repairs

You should also go around your apartment and make as many small repairs as you can. Things like scratched walls, scuffed baseboards, and damaged window blinds can be taken out of your deposit. Small scratches can usually be buffed out with a fine brush and dents in drywall can be filled with easy to find items at your local hardware store.

If you are planning a move and need movers and storage solutions, give Advantage Moving and Storage a call at 847-584-3908. Our full-service professional team has been serving the Chicago area for over 35 years and offers domestic and long-distance residential and commercial moving and storage.

The post Apartment Move Out Checklist: Tips From Top Movers and Storage Companies appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.

If you are gearing up for a big move odds are you have the urge to just pack as many things into boxes as possible. We applaud your motivation, but not everything should just be packed in a box, or packed haphazardly. Electronics, for example, are one kind of thing that needs to be packed properly. Long distance movers in Chicago Advantage are here to offer some advice on how to pack electronics.

Cushion Everything

Make sure you place towels or newspapers in the bottom and top of the box to cushion the electronics. Large items should be wrapped in bubble wrap and the boxes should be packed so there is no void space and things cannot move around.

Remove batteries/cables

It is, in general, a bad idea to pack batteries. Modern lithium-ion batteries can break or even explode when stored in hot, high-pressure locations. Remove all cables as well because those can get tangled and frayed.

Don’t pack

Larger electronics like your TV, kitchen appliances, or stereo system will be fine packed up securely in a box, but smaller things like game consoles, tablets, and laptops should not be packed up in moving boxes. Long distance movers in Chicago recommend trying to keep the smaller and more fragile electronics out of the back of the truck.

If you are looking for long distance movers in Chicago, give Advantage Moving & Storage a call at 847-584-3908. Our full-service professional team of movers will work with you at every step of the moving process from initial planning to final unpacking.

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It’s time for your big move! If you are like most of us, you’re probably anxious to get as much stuff packed away in boxes as possible. While we applaud your initiative, not everything you have should be packed in a box. Some things can be damaged by packing them in a moving box. Here is a guide from moving companies in Chicago on what to not pack in moving boxes.

Electronics

Bigger electronics like a TV or kitchen appliances should be fine packed up into boxes, but smaller things like game consoles, speakers, computers, laptops, and tablets/phones should not be packed up into moving boxes. These kinds of objects are fragile and dust build-up can damage them. Many electronics have lithium batteries which are a fire hazard as well.

Flammable/Corrosive Materials

You should also avoid packing any aerosol cans or any other containers where the contents are stored under high pressure. These can explode and in some cases, the contents of the can are flammable. Even a can of hairspray can become a small bomb if under the wrong circumstances. Other corrosive/flammable materials to avoid packing include ammonia, bleach, charcoal, harsh cleaning supplies, fireworks, paint, pesticides, and liquor.

Perishables (food/drink)

In general, you shouldn’t pack any food or drinks into moving boxes. While some foods like canned goods and dry ingredients like flour should be ok to pack, most food should be eaten or thrown away before you move. A loaf of bread, for example, will probably not survive your move. 

Expensive Memorabilia

Most moving companies in Chicago will not move items of high sentimental value as they are virtually impossible to replace. Some valuable items that should be kept out of the moving trucks include:

• Jewelry,
• Heirlooms
• Money
• Photos
• Artwork
• Collectibles

If you are looking for moving companies in Chicago, give Advantage Moving & Storage a call at 847-584-3908. Our full-service team of professional movers will work with you at every step of the moving process.

The post What to Not Pack During a Move: Tips from Moving Companies in Chicago appeared first on Advantage Moving & Strorage.