How to Drive Moving and Storage Trucks Carefully

Whether you’re moving from one province to another or from one house to another, you are surely going to need the services of a truck rental to move your belongings. No matter what moving and storage or truck rental services you decide to go for, all moving trucks are essentially the same. Even though moving trucks do not require special licenses, they definitely operate in a slightly different manner as compared to regular passenger vehicles.

Your truck rental service will most likely give you a few tips on how to drive your rented truck carefully, but there are a few things you’ll need to know to have better control over the vehicle. Moving trucks are usually very massive and require a great deal of attention and care during the move. There are some important things you should know on how to drive moving and storage trucks carefully.

- Make sure you thoroughly examine the truck before you drive it. Ensure that the seats and mirrors are well adjusted. Make sure you are familiarized with all the various functions like the indicators, parking breaks, wipers etc. You wouldn’t want to panic during the moving road trip if you have to scramble to figure out how these things work.

- Be very careful while reversing. In a regular vehicle, you might be able to park your car parallel to other vehicles or within parking spaces, with just two inches of space on either sides of the vehicle. A moving truck isn’t that simple. Whenever you are reversing, keep in mind that you have an extra foot bumper extending behind. Keep looking into the side mirrors while backing up. It is advisable that you ask a passenger to stand out and direct you safely.

- Make sure you take wider turns. Be very careful when it comes to sharp bends in the road. Make sure you leave plenty of room while making turns, or else you might run into sidewalks – or worse, probably a car.

Watch out for the head of the truck. Clearance signs are often taken for granted. Make sure you avoid doing that. Whenever you are closing in on tunnels, bridge bottoms or are getting ready to park the truck in a garage, make sure the top of the truck will be able to pass through without hitting. Moving trucks can be too tall for low clearance passages sometimes. Make sure you know exactly how tall your truck is before attempting to pass it through any low clearances passages. Always keep an eye out for clearance restrictions on the road as well.

- Keep at a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. Be sure never to tailgate your truck to other vehicles. Keep ample space to give yourself room enough to stop or slow down at the right time.

- Always drive slowly. Whether it’s a moving and storage truck or a personal one, make sure your speed is right. Speeding with moving trucks is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous.

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Why waste time and money on cardboard boxes and tape that you’re just going throw away when you move into your new place? Instead, consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

Top 5 Reasons South Africans Move

We all dream of moving into a home and being able to stay in the same place for years, if not all of our adult lives. Visions of raising our children at the same address, planting a garden, doing home projects, decorating for the holidays, and watching our families grow up are at the base of our culture and part of the South African dream.

If you are considering a move, you’re not alone. Nearly 15% of the SA population moves every year.

Here are the top 5 reasons that might mean it’s time to make a call to your local real estate agent:

Needing More Space

Let’s face it. We get new things all the time. As family needs grow and change, we may need more space than our current home can provide. Many homes are designed with a lot of wasted space, so moving to a newer, more efficient home will help you make the most of what you’ve got, and may even leave room for the changes you may face over the next few years.

Getting Married

If you’re planning on getting married, one or both of you will need to change your address. Although moves are known to be stressful, relocating because of such a happy occasion usually raises adrenalin levels, excitement, and feelings of contentedness. Moving because of marriage should be a relatively low stress occasion.

A New Baby

If you’re expanding your family, sometimes there’s not enough room to live comfortably when the bundle of joy arrives. Moving into a new home with more space will help accommodate your new family member and will keep your family busy until the big day. When you move to a new place, you can look forward to decorating the baby’s nursery, and as the child grows, the nursery can grow and adapt into a bedroom or playroom.

A New Career

If you’ve recently landed a new job, especially if you’ve transferred to another city or province, you’re obviously going to have to move. Being closer to work will save you money over the long run in terms of fuel, wear and tear on your vehicle, or other transportation costs so you can make the most of your new salary.

Retirement

As you enter your golden years, there are numerous things to take into consideration. You may not need the space for your children, as you once did. If you’ve tucked away a nice nest egg, your golden years are often a time of reward and leisure. A smaller space, somewhere warm and tropical, may be just the ticket. Many retirement communities or condo associations have all expenses included rental agreements, and even provide help for those with limited mobility.

Are you moving for any of these reasons? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Why waste time and money on cardboard boxes and tape that you’re just going throw away when you move into your new place? Instead, consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

At Rentabox, we believe in win/win situations! Call us before your big move, and let us guide you in the right direction!

Must-Have Tools for New Home Owners

Whether you’re building a house or are getting prepared for the moving and storage of your belonging to a new home, there is a list of must-have tools you should consider having. Things become quite difficult when you’re having issues with household items and don’t seem to have a solution for them. I’ve compiled a list of tools I’d suggest as personal must-have’s:

Screw Drivers
Screw drivers are a must-have for everyday chores at home and moving and storage. If you do not own a set of screw drivers presently, I’ll suggest you get one soon right away because you’re probably going to need one soon – especially if you’re getting ready to move to a new home. Go for a set that includes screw drivers of all sizes, i.e. large, small and medium flat or screw drivers (star).

Levels
Levels are quite expensive tools. So, I’d suggest you go for these if you’re going to be having a lot of maintenance jobs or heavy moving and storage activities. A level of 30 cm will be ideal if you’re planning on putting up cornices, hanging mirrors, paintings or adjusting washing machines or fridges. Like the screw drivers, you might also need to use these tools quite often.

Spanners
These tools are not as crucial as levels or screwdrivers, but equally come in handy for a lot of chores like assembling garden tables. Spanners come in various sizes, so I’ll recommend that you get a complete set instead of buying them separately one by one.

Tape Measures
Once you get yourself a tape measure, you’ll forget living without one. I’ll suggest that you buy at least two – one to keep in your car and the second for your home. Tape measure especially come in handy during moving and storage, or while you’re shopping around for things like furniture or appliances that need to be fit into specific spaces in your home. Go for the spring tapes that retract after use. Those will save you the trouble of locking your tapes in place when you’re done with them.

Ladder
I don’t think I even need to elaborate on this one? The only time you won’t need a step ladder is if you’re 8 feet tall – which is very unlikely! Ladders make it possible for us reach up to high levels to do things like cleaning top shelves or changing light bulbs. So, consider getting yourself a safe ladder if you don’t have one already.

Hammers
As a new hone owner, hammers are tools you’re surely going to use quite often. Not only will you need them during the moving and storage, but also after you’ve fully settled in. You’re definitely going to need a hammer to nail up your photo frames or to hang paintings on the wall.

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Why waste time and money on cardboard boxes and tape that you’re just going throw away when you move into your new place? Instead, consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

Stress Free Moving – Here’s How

If you have never faced the major task of moving from one home to another, you are likely to be in for a rude awakening. I’ve moved several times in my life, each time with more collected stuff than the last, and I’ve got to tell you if I never have to do it again it will be too soon. Did you know that moving is one of the top 10 major stressors people have to contend with? Yeah, it’s right up there with marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, and a major shift in careers. So how do you stay sane during this transition?

First, I can tell you what not to do. Don’t be so naïve to think that everything will just fall together all on its own the day the moving trucks arrive. Those trinkets are not going to neatly wrap themselves and jump in your moving boxes all on their own. Neither will anything else in your home, except perhaps your dog which will be the one thing that doesn’t need to go in a box. You must organize this move if you want to come out on top.

Moving the Right Way…Without Stress

• Start by making a list by rooms. Decide which rooms of your new home will house specific items from your old one. Are you splitting a shared bedroom or combining two into one? Are there items you need to get rid of? Put it all on paper and make a plan.
• Start packing now. You do not need your summer wardrobe hanging in your closet in the dead of winter, so go ahead and get it in your moving containers. Any non-essentials like books, DVDs, knick-knacks, and framed pictures can be packed and ready to go days, or even a couple of weeks before the move.
• Label your moving boxes by the room their contents are destined for first, and then with a brief description of what each box contains. This way you’ll know exactly which room to take the box to when you arrive and you won’t have to unpack 10 different boxes to find your silverware (Tip: Rentabox provides box labels )
• Pace yourself and take breaks. If you start early and make steady progress then you will get everything done in time. Don’t try to reduce the entire contents of your home into 50 neat moving containers in one single day. Set a goal for each day leading up to the move and stop when you’ve met it.

The Business of Boxes

That all sounds well and good, but where are you going to find 50 moving boxes just like that? Well, Rentabox can not only bring plastic moving boxes to your door, but they also keep you feeling good because your move doesn’t sap the environment of its precious resources. Every Rentabox moving crate is made from virgin plastic and we are in the “reuse” business. Our clean, sanitary, environmentally friendly plastic moving boxes are used and reused more than 500 times. You pack and move, then Rentabox will come and get the containers when you are finished. Talk about stress free!

Call us today for more details on a stress free move. You’ll be glad you did.

How to Move Into a High-Rise Building

Moving is a difficult subject on its own, but when it comes to moving into high-rise buildings, things can get a bit worse and tricky. Planning, organizing, packing, moving and storage are the main factors that shape the entire moving transition. No matter what high-rise building you are moving into (whether a townhouse or an apartment), be prepared to face new problems along the way!

First of all, high-rise buildings have limited room and means of access. In addition, they have very different and strict rules for tenants. I personally found this out the hard way when I had to move into a high-rise building for the first time in my life. I had no idea that I was supposed to have made moving reservations before hand, which is usually part of the policy of moving into high-rise buildings. This cost me a fee and an annoying delay in the moving process. That was truly awful. Here are some things you should know on how to move into high-rise buildings:

The less you have to move the better.
Have you been pondering on how to make good use of those Eco-boxes from Rentabox? Trust me, now would be the best time if you are planning to move to a high-rise building. The moving and storage bustle can be quite exhausting when it comes to moving into high-rise buildings. One thing you should remember is that it involves lots of trips up and down elevators or stairs, which means that every moving and storage box will add an extra cost and time on your move. Before moving into your new home, be sure to take the time to thoroughly go through everything you’ve packed up. Get rid of all the unnecessary things. Donate, sell or toss out anything you don’t really use anymore. The lesser you take, the less exhausting your move will be.

Get a luggage cart reserved for yourself.
Most buildings have luggage carts ready to help moving tenants, but they will likely not offer them unless you ask. You will need to speak to the building’s manager to reserve a cart for yourself at least a day or two before the moving day. A luggage cart can make the moving day go by very fast without the need to carry just a box or two at a time. Exploit the elevator and load up!

Reserve an elevator.
Find out how many elevators are there in your building and whether they are available for movers? Some buildings use back elevators for movers, which means you will need the management’s permission to use them. Sometimes, back elevators are allowed access only during particular hours. Make sure you check this up and reserve a time and day before hand.

Get help!
The more friends and family members to help you with the move, the better. Moving into high-rise buildings usually takes longer than moving into regular buildings or houses. Aside from that, you will want to keep your moving costs at a minimum.

Hire a moving and storage company.
Consider hiring a moving and storage company seriously. Good moving companies with great experience help in saving movers from facing moving catastrophes. They help arrange all the moving man power and equipments to move as many items in one go.

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Why waste time and money on cardboard boxes and tape that you’re just going throw away when you move into your new place? Instead, consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

Take the Stress Out of Moving

As exciting as moving can be, there is no denying that it is one of the most stressful things anyone will ever go through, good or bad. Aside from the obvious stress of carefully sorting, packing, and moving all of your belongings only to unpack and set them up in the new home, there is the stress of leaving behind that which is familiar. While it is usually children who have the most difficulty coping with this aspect of moving, adults experience the same stress to varying levels. Much will depend on your own personality, some of the circumstances surrounding the move, and some on how long you have been living in one area.

If you have deep roots in the area from which you are moving, then trying to make a strange new place feel like “home” can seem like an exercise in futility. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. No, no place on earth will ever give you the exact same feeling as the place you’ve called home all your life, but there are many things that you can do to create a new homey environment that is just as comforting, albeit different, from the one you knew before.

The Power of the Senses

Have you ever come across an item and thought immediately, “this smells just like Grandma”? The power of our senses is truly amazing with regard to how we associate them with different memories and experiences in our lives. A certain song playing on the radio may bring warm memories of baking with your mom. A particular hue of some color could send you back in time to a play date you enjoyed with a beloved friend. If you’ll use this phenomenon to your advantage, you can create a warm, inviting, comforting environment in your new home in no time.

If the smell of cinnamon, for example, reminds you of home, then try setting out some cinnamon scented candles. If it just isn’t home to you without roosters adorning the kitchen, then incorporate some into your new design. Whatever you find comforting and homey, use it to add character to your new place.

Make it Yours

As an extension on using your senses, decorate your new home to your personality. If you despise the color yellow and every bedroom in the house just happens to be that color, then get out the paint and have a ball. Hang your most treasure pictures on the walls and arrange your collectibles and knick knacks to your liking. If you have an heirloom quilt, why not take it out of storage and use it on your bed for a while? It will do you much more good to give you a feeling of home that way, and that is probably the way whoever crafted it would have wanted it to be used anyway—not packed up in some box. Ultimately, it all comes down to giving your new place your own personal touch. Before you know it, it will be far more than just a residence—it will be home.

Simplify Your Move

If you are looking for ways to help simplify your move, how about eliminating those 150 cardboard moving boxes? Yep, that’s right! Your move can be even more stress free when you use our environmentally friendly, green moving boxes. They are made from virgin plastic, sturdy, and you won’t have to worry about disposing of them after your move. We will deliver them and pick them up. Give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!