Are you planning to make a move soon? If you have a garage, you probably have a lot of belongings stuffed into it that need moving as well. Make your life a bit easier before that relocation by following these tips for moving items in your garage.

Look into Vehicle Transport Services

Did you know that a moving and storage company will be able to relocate your car without adding any extra miles to it? Many professional moving companies offer vehicle transportation services for long-distance moves.

As part of this moving service, your vehicle is loaded onto either a flat bed or placed inside the trailer of a semi. It is carefully secured and transported to your new home. This is a great way to transport a vintage vehicle or pricier car that you want to keep in pristine condition.

If needed, you may want to ask about storage services in your local area. Many companies have warehouse space where they can keep vehicles in storage for the short or long term.

Many long-distance moving companies also offer additional insurance valuation to protect you in the event of accidental damage to your vehicle during transport.

Ship Your Motorcycle

While it may be tempting to go on a cross country motorcycle trip as part of your move, it’s easy to get worn out on the road. Long days on the back of a bike will hurt and give you a sunburn to boot.

Save the miles on your motorcycle with specialized moving services from a residential mover. Trained packers can custom crate your bike, so it is completely secure during transport to your next home. While there are motorcycle shipping crates online for DIY moves, it’s really better to have a professional mover do the job. Custom crates are usually tied down inside the shipper’s van or trailer to keep them from jostling. Plus, you can pay for added valuation coverage to protect against damage in transport.

Prep Your Grill for the Move

Many homeowners forget about the necessity of prepping their lawncare and outdoor living equipment for a move until the last minute. It’s especially easy to forget about your grill.

Set aside a few hours before your move to take care of preparing that pricy gas or charcoal grill for the trip. You’ll need to:

  • Remove and return any propane tanks in the grill to the vendor.
  • Scoop out any charcoal briquettes inside the grill.
  • Scrub the grill clean and wipe down with a little oil to protect against oxidation.
  • Wipe down the inside of the grill lid and base.
  • Secure any loose or moving parts with zip ties or straps.

Get Rid of Paints and Flammable Liquids

It’s illegal for most household movers to transport flammable or corrosive liquids on the interstate. Most movers will also refuse to transport liquids and chemicals anyway. So, be sure to dispose of them properly before you relocate. Your local government will have rules for the correct disposal of hazardous liquids.

Consider Selling Lawncare & Landscaping Items

While you can move your lawncare equipment, you might want to purchase new items at your next home. Or you may not need certain equipment at all in a smaller house or place without a grass yard.

If you don’t feel like selling these items check with the person you sold your home too. Ask if they’d like you to leave the equipment behind for them to use.

You may not need to do much prep work before moving lawncare equipment. However, you should drain the gas tanks so the equipment is safe to transport.

Secure those Tools

Tools and mechanics equipment can cost thousands of dollars. If you have a collection of tools you want to move, be sure to properly secure these items for transport. One easy method is placing them all within your tool chest and locking the drawers. This way the chest doesn’t open during the move. The movers can also engage the locking mechanism on the wheels after the tool chest is loaded so it won’t roll around.

Complex wood or metal working equipment should be crated before a move. This will protect your items and also keep the movers from hurting their hands on any sharp pieces.

If you have any questions about how to prepare your tools for transport, check with your long-distance movers. They’ll have some ideas for you.

Donate Unwanted Items

If you have a lot of unwanted belongings in your garage a long-distance move is the best time to let go of them. You can donate a lot of items to local charities, such as:

  • Household Belongings
  • Tools
  • Equipment
  • Vehicles

Some charities also take grilles and patio furniture, but you might have an easier time taking them to a local recycling center. These centers pay a little bit for old metal items. You could also place them on the curb a day before garbage pickup. Odds are local scrappers will pick them up. Scrappers like to drive through neighborhoods looking for discarded metal items in residential neighborhoods.

Learn More About Moving with Alex Moving & Storage

If you are planning a long-distance move soon, consider requesting a quote with Alex Moving & Storage. We are agents with North American Van Lines able to handle moves of all scopes.

You can also turn to us for help with:

  • Residential Moves
  • Local Moves
  • Commercial Moves
  • International Moves
  • Specialized Moves
  • Storage Solutions

For a free estimate on your Orange County move, consider giving us a call. We’ll set up a consultation right away.