Ayla PR Representative at Moving Made Smooth, Inc.

Have you ever had trouble figuring out where a particular wire from behind your entertainment stand gets plugged in? Many of us have.    This problem gets a lot more complicated when you are moving because all those wires must be taken apart and packed up. Moving Made Smooth, Inc. has a few suggestions that may make taking apart your computers, entertainment stands, routers, etc. less difficult.

Electronics with Many Cords
Your electronics can be color-coded for easy reassembly. We suggest using different colored electric tape or sticker labels. Before unplugging the cords, wrap one label around the base of the cable, near the plug. Place a second label beside the slot on the box or electronic device. This way, when you put everything back together at your new home, you can simply match the colored labels.

​Another option is to take a picture on your phone, tablet, or camera of the backs of each of your devices. Be sure to label each photo so that you can tell which device it is. It is also important that it is a clear enough photo to distinguish the cords and slots accurately.

Packing for Safety
Moving Made Smooth, Inc. recommends using a TV box (you can order these from us during our scheduling process) to pack your flat screen TVs or computer monitors. This helps to protect your electronics during transport and can simplify packing.
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There has been an interesting "life hack" circulating on the web that uses empty paper towel and bathroom tissue rolls to wrap cords. This can be really useful if you don't have any twist/zip ties lying around and they can be easily packed into a box. All you have to do is wrap up the cord and slip it through the roll. You can even use the roll as a place to put your color coded label.

Ayla PR Representative and Julia V.P. of Moving Made Smooth, Inc.

Often we get questions from our customers relating to the differences between Moving Made Smooth, Inc. (a moving labor company) and full-service movers. Simply, we provide the labor and you have the freedom to choose any type of storage or moving container that suits your needs from providers like Pods, U-haul, Penske, etc. This and several other factors can help you to budget your move more effectively than hiring a full-service mover that provides your vehicle.

Nebraska State Regulations
​Full-service movers are regulated by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. The Commission holds these movers accountable for paying tariffs and are subject to minimum price requirements. These requirements inflate the price of moving for their customers. By taking charge of your move with a rental truck or storage container and hiring moving laborers such tariffs and minimum price requirements are left out of the equation.
Hourly Scheduling
Moving Made Smooth, Inc. schedules our crews by the hour so our customers can decide how much time and how many tasks we will perform. For instance, our customers can decide to hire us to load all heavy furnishings and load the smaller items themselves or opt to hire us for all of the packing and loading. We also offer the choice of different sized crews (two, three, and four men). In many cases a larger crew will be more time efficient, saving you money due to less hours needed to complete the move.
Moving Labor is Sales Tax Exempt
Our hourly rate is what you will pay because moving labor is not subject to sales tax in Nebraska.

No Unnecessary or Hidden Charges
Moving Made Smooth, Inc. will not be charging you for flights of stairs. We do ask how many flights of stairs for the benefit of our crew, but it doesn't add additional charges. Also the distance between your home and where the truck or container is parked does not result in any additional charges. Many full-service movers charge extra for flights of stairs and when your moving truck is parked greater than 75 feet from your home. To make things even easier on your budget, our movers don't start the clock until they arrive at your home or office. In comparison, often a full-service mover will start the clock the moment they leave their office. On occasions when we are traveling outside of the Omaha metropolitan area we may charge a small trip fee simply to cover gas for our employees. When these charges are applicable, you will be notified upon scheduling your move.

Sometimes it can be hard to let go of old furniture, clothes, etc., but moving often calls for some sacrifices, especially if you're moving into a smaller dwelling with less closet room. Keep in mind that the more you are able to get rid of, the less you have to pay for a mover to relocate it.

Furniture
Old or damaged furniture are prime considerations for the 'go' pile. If it is in decent condition, organizations like goodwill will accept donated furniture. If not, arrangements should be made for haul away. Also, you should consider if the furniture will fit in your new home (see our last blog in the link below).    The other link is to a nation-wide organization that picks up your furniture for free and drops it off at local charities.

http://www.movingmadesmooth.com/omaha-moving-blog/-did-you-measure-your-furniture-and-will-it-fit-in-your-new-home
http://www.donationtown.org/news/donate-furniture.html

Clothing
​Out-dated clothing is something we all have lingering in the backs of our closets whether its that paisley shirt or a sweater from last season. If it is something you haven't worn in six months or more, it should go. Anything that has been torn (that isn't meant to be) should also be put in the 'go' pile. Like furniture, anything that is in good condition can be donated. Ladies, you may also want to have a second opinion. Have a girlfriend come over to help you sort through your closet and help you decide what can go. She can also get first dibs on anything you decide to get rid of!

Miscellaneous
​Anything in your home that has no sentimental value and isn't frequently used should be considered for the 'go' pile. This can include almost anything; books, old Christmas lights and other decorations, paperwork, china sets, treadmills and exercise equipment, old technology, your kid's old toys, cans of paint, etc.
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Staples and Best Buy both offer technology recycling at their locations. Books can be recycled by your curb-side garbage men or be donated. Old paint and chemicals can be recycled at Under the Sink (http://www.underthesink.org/). Toys can be donated to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Other items may be given to family and friends. For some things you may want to make a trip to the dump or rent a dumpster.