If you purchased the set from a dealer sometimes discounts or incentives apply if you use them for relocation.  Check that out first.  If that doesn’t work and you don’t want to use a household mover, then follow these tips to help take down and move the swing set.  Generally the same rules apply for most swing sets, the following directions apply for a cedar set with a fort, attached ladder and slide, and crossbeam connecting to an A-frame.

Things you’ll need:

• Yourself and 1 helper to help disassemble
• Yourself and 3 helpers to move
• Spray corrosion solvent
• Spray lubricant
• Socket (deep sockets with drill preferably)
• Wrenches
• Pliers or vise grips
• Screwdrivers
• Hammer
• Plastic bags or small box for parts
• Large box or bin
• Markers or stickers to inventory pieces
• Camera, video camera

1. Mark all connecting joints that will be taken apart with a marker or inventory tags.  This will make reassembly much easier.  A video record or series of pictures is also helpful.
2. Spray any bolts with spray corrosion solvent and let sit for about an hour.
3. Take off any swings, gliders, etc that hang from the large crossbeam.  Use of a large box or bin to carry these items is a good idea.
4. Remove the bolts connecting the crossbeam from the fort.  Have one person help you support.  Pull back, and lower crossbeam to the ground making a tripod.  Then remove the bolts and disconnect crossbeam from a-frame.  Put the bolts back in the wood they came out of or place in a bag and mark to keep things more organized for reassembly.  (If need be clean up bolts’ thread with a wire brush).
5. Remove any ladders, fake rock walls and slides attached to the fort.  Replace bolts back in the fort or place in a bag and mark.  Sometimes the “roof” to the fort can also be removed to reduce weight a little and make the fort a little easier to handle.
6. Then lay a sheet of plywood in front of the fort and lay the fort over on its side. From this point forward you’ll need 4 men to carry.  Clean off the base of dirt, mud if necessary.
7. Carry the fort on its side with one man on each corner out to transporting vehicle.  A rental straight truck or pull behind flat trailer both work fine.
8. Reverse the steps of dis-assembly to reassemble.

If the base is attached in concrete you’ll either have to dig posts out or loosen the concrete from the wooden posts with a jackhammer or sledgehammer.  This can be quite a project so if you are planning to move a swing set don’t anchor posts with concrete.

Also remember if moving in winter the swing set may be frozen to the ground.

These tips can help disassemble and move a swing set.  As with any other project preparation and planning are important in insuring successful relocation of the swing set.

Moving a safe or gun safe can be a tricky and potentially dangerous proposition so unless you have 4 strong people and the proper equipment it’s probably better to defer to the expertise of heavy moving specialists, machinery movers, or commercial movers with a background in handling heavier items.  If you decide to try it yourself, follow these tips to help complete.  Rent, buy, or borrow an appliance dolly with stair rollers, and a tripod extension so the safe can be attached to the dolly in a free standing position.  Then get enough sheets of Masonite to put down inside the residence to protect the floor.  You can get the weight of the safe by checking with the manufacturer, just make sure you have the make and model.  Once you get the weight, make sure the dolly is rated high enough to accommodate.  Anything over 700-800 lbs is probably too big for amateurs, even strong ones.

1. Measure the safe and all stairways, hallways, and door openings to make sure the piece has a clear path to its final resting place.
2. Make sure the Masonite is down on all floors (not stairs) overlapped in a descending fashion so the dolly doesn’t catch on a seam or lip sticking up.
3. Outside the home, strap the safe to the appliance dolly tightly with the door pointing out.  You can wrap in a pad first or place protection (like cardboard) under the strap to protect the finish from scratches.
4. To move upstairs, put 2 men at the top and 2 men at the bottom of the safe and tilt back when going up the stairs.  The “tilting” engages the stair rollers and helps the safe move up the stairs easier.  Always do one stair at a time, reposition, and a dead lift, the safe up again with everyone using their legs to provide the push.  When moving downstairs you have to make sure the momentum of the piece doesn’t take over so “one stair at a time” is even more important.  You can even add an extra person or 2 at the top of the piece holding a rope that runs through the middle of the appliance dolly. This can act as a type of safety net.
5. When moving within the home on a flat floor engage the tripod feature within 2 people behind and 2 people in front of the safe. Once you reach the desired area, set the piece down on a piece of Masonite with its door pointing out.  Reposition the appliance dolly to the door side and move back into its permanent location.  Detach the dolly.

As stated before a safe or gun safe move can be difficult, but if you decide to try it yourself, these tips can help make the moving process a little easier.

Summer time generally between May-September is considered the peak moving season.  Whether you are using California movers, Florida Movers, or doing it yourself, here are some helpful tips for moving when the heat is on.

BOOK YOUR MOVER WELL IN ADVANCE: 

Moving in the summer is a busy time for moving companies.  Make sure you hire a company at least 3-5 weeks ahead of time.  Some companies will book 3-6 weeks out, this will help to insure you get the company you want and the date you want.  Remember weekends and the end of the month are busier times for moving companies.  If you are using friends to help you, make sure you get a guarantee of the date and confirmation from everyone, so you are not stuck moving by yourself at the last minute.

BOOK YOUR TRUCK RENTAL IN ADVANCE:

Renting a truck also needs to be reserved a few weeks in advance, as this is a peak time for truck rental companies too.  The same applies:  weekends and the end of the month are generally a busier time for the truck rental companies also.

EAT LIGHT:

Eat light on the day of the move.  If you want a heavier carb loaded meal, eat it the night before like pastas, potatoes, etc.  On move day, stick to high energy foods like fruits and vegetables.

STAY HYDRATED: 

Make sure you have enough fluids for your crew and yourself.  Freezing water overnight so it is nice and cold for the next day is always a good idea.  A banana or sports drink can also be good for the potassium, and electrolytes, so cramping does not occur. 

ALCOHOL USE AVOIDED: 

 Save the drinking for after your move, alcohol in the heat can contribute to heat exhaustion or dehydration, along with injury and damage to your goods.

AIRCONDITIONING: 

Make sure you keep your air-conditioning on at your origin prior to leaving, and make sure your destination is working also.  In 80-100 degree temperatures, you and your movers will be happy to have it.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY: 

It is a good idea to avoid wearing dark colors.  They tend to attract more heat, and preferably wear white, when you sweat the color can rub off on walls, and furniture items if not careful.

AVOID LOOSE CHAINS AND JEWELRY:

  It’s a good idea to keep your jewelry at home or in a safe place so they don’t get caught, slip off with sweating, or get damaged.

FLIP FLOPS NOT ALLOWED: 

 Sandals, flip flops, and slippers are not a good idea, they are not stable supports, and dont provide enough protection.

SAFETY FOR YOUR HANDS: 

Thin gloves with grips can help prevent furniture slipping when it is hot out.  These can be purchased at a hardware store, or home improvement type of store.

AVOID LEAVING FURNITURE OUT IN THE SUN: 

 Don’t leave your furniture out in the sun for too long, as wood can swell with increased temperatures, and leather can sweat.

AVOID LEAVING PLANTS OUT IN THE SUN: 

 Avoid leaving plants out in the sun too long as they can die especially if they are indoor plants.  Make sure your plants are watered as needed prior to your move. 

AVOID LEAVING WINE OUT IN THE SUN: 

Wine needs to be stored at cooler temperatures.  Make sure to take these with you or have them specially transported if long distance moves are taking place.

FOOD TRANSPORT: 

 If you are transporting food in a cooler, make sure enough ice in the cooler, so the food does not go bad.

AVOID LEAVING CANDLES OUT: 

Wax can melt and get all over if left unattended and in the sun too long.

KIDS AND ANIMALS:

  Make sure your kids and animals are in a safe place, and where it is cool.  You don’t want the movers, or your kids or animals to get injured by getting in the way.

Remember to plan ahead before your move.  Summertime is a busy time, and many people are moving in this season.  Lots of fluid and proper planning will ensure you and your movers a cooler move.

Moving artwork can vary between a simple self move and needing professionals.  Art size and type and move type can help you determine whether you can move the pieces yourself, you need furniture movers, or art moving specialists.  The next tips can help you choose the proper move option.

First determine the type and size of the artwork that is to be moved.

Smaller pictures

8×11” or smaller should be treated like china, wrapped up and packed in a carton with like sized pieces.   Wadded newsprint should be used as a base and used at the top of the carton as a shock absorber.  If the art is oil on canvas, gloves should be used to avoid oil from the hands getting on the art, “acid free” paper should also be used to wrap the piece to insure the art is not affected by wrapping materials.  “Acid free” paper can be purchased at most craft or art supply stores.

Larger Artwork:

Up to 48”x60” can be packed in a 2 piece picture/mirror carton, a flat carton that can telescope to fit the artwork better.  Cardboard corner protectors, or wadded newsprint can be used in each of the 4 corners to provide a shock absorber.  If the artwork is thin enough, 2 pieces can be packed back to back in the same carton for efficiency.  As with smaller pieces, if the art is oil on canvas, a layer of acid free paper should be used to wrap the artwork.

Extra Large Pictures:

Larger pictures up to 60”x80” can fit into a 4 piece picture mirror carton.  The same rules apply as with a 2 piece picture mirror carton.

With both types of picture/mirror cartons, when shipped they should be placed in the upright position and not laid flat.  Actually if the move is local and very close, more durable artwork can be wrapped and stood up in the back of an SUV, or placed by a mover in what’s called a speedpack  (a 2 ½ ‘ x 4’ open topped bin)  wrapped or separated by cardboard and shipped.  The farther the distance usually means the more secure the packaging.

Special, extremely fragile artwork:

This refers to pieces (like gold leaf frame or valuable artwork) can and should be crated by a mover with fine art experience or an art moving specialist.  These types of pieces are not for amateurs or do it yourselfers.    If a high value article is being moved by a professional, a high value inventory should be filled out, and potentially an appraisal should be obtained prior to the move.

These tips should help in sorting out some of the art moving questions.

THE “IRS TIME TEST”

THE “IRS DISTANCE TEST”

DISTANCE TEST

In the distance test, your new place of employment must be at least 50 miles farther away from your old residence then your old place of employment was from that residence.  For instance, if you’re previous job was 15 miles from your residence; your new job must be at least 65 miles further from the previous residence to qualify.  If there was no previous employment, your new job must be at least 50 miles from your old residence.

TIME TEST

In the “time test” you must be employed and working full time for 39 weeks during the first 12 months that you arrive in the general vicinity of your new place of employment.  If self employed, working full time at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months (1 year) and a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 2 years (24 months) after you arrive in the general vicinity of your new work place.

 There are some exceptions like in cases of disability, involuntary separation, death or other cases.  If you are in the armed forces and your relocation due to a change of duty station, the distance and time test do not have to be fulfilled.  Also note, you are not allowed to deduct moving expenses that were reimbursed by your place of employment. 

Moving expenses can be figured on this Form 3903 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3903.pdf).

For more information on tax deductible moving expenses, you can view Publication 521, Moving Expenses (http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/index.html).

Making your dorm move in as smoothly as possible is what we are going to help you achieve today.  Your new school may be in state or out of state, and going to an unfamiliar environment can be scary, but this will help you with starting the new chapter of your life.  Note;  you should start planning for your move to college a couple months before leaving for school so you are not pressed for time and overwhelmed.  The areas discussed will help you move like a professional student mover.

GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEGE:

Figure out what is included in your room.  Is there furniture?  Does your room have curtains, dressers, bathrooms (shared, or in each room), kitchen (or shared), refrigerators, etc? 

PLAN WHAT YOU WANT TO BRING WITH YOU: Essentials First

Have a good idea of what you are taking.  Remember, you will not be able to take everything, so by planning on what is and isn’t a necessity will help.  Last minute packing is not recommended.  Remember NOT everything will fit in your room, so you should sort your items into NEED, AND WANT GROUPS, and then figure out how much room you have so you can bring accordingly.  Once you figure out what you need, figure out what you already have and what you need to get.  College towns always have local stores to provide items, like lamps, garbage cans, portable storage like milk crates, storage bins, etc. to help set up the rooms for maximum efficiency.  Decorate after you move in, that way you and your new roommate can decide what you want to do to your new home.  You should also bring one box with critical items like personal grooming items, toiletries, medications, supplements, glasses, contact supplies, book with important phone numbers, etc.

ITEMS ALLOWED:

Once you figure out what is included with your dorm, you should also check with the school to see if there are any exclusions and determine what is going to fit.  Most schools are strict about removing existing furniture, so you must be space savvy.

GET TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE LIVING WITH:

Get to know your roommate before school starts.  This can help you both with your move also.  You can figure out who will bring what, and you both can go in on decorating costs, and figure out how you want to decorate once you are settled in to your new place.  If neither of you have an item, you can decide and split the costs.   

CLOTHING (WEATHER PERMITTING):

Make sure you take into consideration the climate is going to be in your new homeland if relocating out of state.  Pack your clothing according to temperatures.  Wardrobe boxes are an easy way to transfer clothing and shoes. Plastic hangers are easier than wire ones.  Try not to overpack. 

MAKE SURE TO BRING BEDDING, PILLOWS, TOWELS, AND TOOLS:

There is no place like home, and bringing these items from home can help ease your home sickness a bit.  Pack these items in a box with packing paper.  Pack books and magazines in a book box.  Bring a couple items to decorate like pictures, but remember you can decorate afterwards.   Also don’t forget to bring tools, in case you need to have your bed assembled, or hang a picture, etc.

MOVING TIPS: 

Make sure everything is ready to go the night before.  It’s a good idea to bring a dolly, or hand truck to make it easier for carrying items.   Bring a tool box with tools for any assembly.  Get to school early to avoid long lines, so you can pick your side of the room, and to avoid long walks from the vehicle to your dorm.  Try to move the heavy items first.  Take breaks in between, and make sure to eat and drink during the move.  If you have over packed, make sure everything will fit into your room.  Unpack your boxes last.

Breaking into your new home can be stressful for you as a student or for you as a parent having to say goodbye.  Remember your student will be saying goodbye and onto a new chapter of their lives.  Remember they will or may have a sense of homesickness and they may be on edge, so try to all work together as you are saying your goodbyes.

ALLOW FOR DELAYS:

Allow enough time for getting everything accomplished on move in day, you never know what may come up.  Allow for extra time, whether it’s other people moving in prior to you, registration, traffic, paperwork needing to be finished, etc.

SPEND TIME WITH THE FAMILY:

Have some extra time before your family leaves or you drop your student.  You may not realize how home sick you (or your student) will be, so spend quality time before you say your goodbyes.

GET TO KNOW THE CAMPUS:

Go around with the family getting to know your new living headquarters.  Figure out where parking is if you have a vehicle you are keeping on campus.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY:

1. Can movers be scheduled to enter dorms?
2. Where is parking for the vehicle?
3. Do items need to be labeled?
4. Is there a restricted amount of time for moving in?
5. Are any items restricted?
6. Are there any guest visiting hours?

These helpful tips should make your move into your new college go smooth.

FLOOR PROTECTION:

It is important to have floor protection laid down if you are moving yourself, this will protect your floors from getting dirty and wet, and also help from anyone slipping.  A lot of times your mover will offer it to you, there is usually an additional charge for using it.

SHOVELED AND SALTED:

Make sure you have a clear path for where the truck will be and to where the door is.  This will add time to your move if it is not easy to get from the truck to your door, also you want to make sure you, or your furniture movers do not slip due to unsafe conditions.  Also it’s a good to have extra bags of salt and shovels in case your new home is not prepared already.

DRESS PROPERLY:

Make sure you dress in layers.  Have gloves, hats, scarves, extra layers prepared and nearby in case it is snowing or colder than you expected.  Having items on hand will make it less stressful in case you need an extra layer and don’t have to figure out what container extra clothing is in.  Also while working sometimes removing a layer helps from getting too warm

If you are taking your plants, remember your plants will not survive in bitter temperatures, so it’s a good idea to transport them to a warmer area right away, or leave them behind or give them away.  Also if your movers allow you to move them on their vehicle remember they will most likely not survive on the truck, and most moving companies won’t take them anyway.

WINE:

Wine should be transported in a warm enough vehicle, and kept out of freezing temperatures.  Remember wine should be kept at about 55 degrees while transporting.  Outside of this range can affect the taste, appearance, and value of the wine.

WARM FLUIDS:

During freezing temperatures, it’s a good idea to keep some warm liquids nearby.  Hot Cocoa, Tea, coffee.  Having these on hand, your friends or movers will appreciate this, and keep everyone nice and toasty during the move.

VEHICLES SERVICED:

If traveling long distance, make sure to have your vehicle serviced, oil change, tires, full tank of gas, especially during freezing weather.  Also make sure you keep salt in your vehicle along with an extra shovel, in case of blizzard weather.

FURNITURE:

Don’t leave your furniture outside too long, especially when it comes to wood if temperatures are below freezing, freezing temperatures can change the color of the wood, if left outside unwrapped too long, if you are not using professional movers.

UTILITIES:

Make sure to call and set up your electric and gas with the gas and electric company so you don’t walk into a home without power and heat.

FURNACE /HEATER:

Make sure the furnace and heat works at your new home prior to moving in, you don’t want to be dealing with this after a long day of moving.

EXTRA BLANKETS/QUILTS:

Have extra blankets, quilts, on hand in case of emergency during blizzard, or freezing conditions, in case there is a power outage or heater isn’t working at your new location.

All these tips will help you ensure you have a safe, move during the winter season.

When moving a hot tub, there is some special planning you should do to ensure a safe transport.  If  you’re using home movers, make sure you show the moving company ahead of time, so they can come properly prepared, or refer you to a third party service company if necessary.

Some home movers may charge a bulky article charge to do this portion of your move which should be included in your quote ahead of time. When moving a hot tub, there are certain steps you should take before your hot tub is relocated.

The most important thing to remember is the equipment pack of the hot tub: which includes the plumbing, electrical, power ,  pump heater, and your filter, you may want to remove this per the manufacturer’s recommendation and pack it in a separate box. Some models will allow you to leave it on.

Next drain the hot tub, you can also call a hot tub dealer if you do not want to or do it yourself. Your home mover will not be responsible for this aspect of your move and there will be some remaining water left after you drain the hot out so you may want to use a wet vac to drain the rest of it. Remember depending on the temperature or weather outside of the place you are moving to, you want to make sure this is done properly and caution is taken.

Make sure your home mover knows any specifications, weight, how many people, lighting, electrical where it is going, whether over grass and mud, and if there will be a long carry, etc. This should be shown to the mover well in advance, and will all be included in your moving costs at the time of your delivery. It is a good idea to call a local hot a dealer or hot tub company that reinstalls hot tubs to reset it up for you, or another option would be to call the company that moved your hot tub originally like the hot tub dealer and have them move it, disassemble and reassemble themselves, this can lead to higher costs.