How To Safely Move Electronics to Your New Office

How To Safely Move Electronics to Your New Office

Always make sure you are partnered with a qualified moving company that will assure your electronics are packed safely. At Brandon Moving & Storage, for instance, we follow Sensitive Equipment Handling and Heavy Equipment Moving guidelines to safely and securely relocate your office items. It’s important to find a relocation partner you can depend on.

Is it time to move the office?

Is it time to move the office?

It isn't easy to know when the right time is to move offices as a business owner. Factors such as costs, staffing, and the current economic climate can be boundaries stepping in the way of you making the big move.

If you're closing in on the end of your office lease, now is the perfect time to assess whether moving your business is the right idea or if you should just renew that lease and stick with what you know.

COVID-19: Brandon is Committed to Our Clients

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Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, we want to assure you that Brandon Moving & Storage is putting the highest priority on the safety of our Team Members and Customers by following the best practices and guidelines for sanitation, cleanliness, and precaution. We have been, and will continue to be, The Moving Company That You Can Depend On. Here are some of the proactive steps we are currently taking:

The following procedures were implemented effective Monday, March 16th , 2020:

  • VIRTUAL VIDEO SURVEYS: All prospective customers will be offered an alternative to the traditional on-site pre-move survey. We are willing to utilize live video chat with iPhone users or video chat through Facebook Messenger with any enabled mobile device. This will minimize face-to- face contact and still allow our moving consultants to provide accurate estimates.

  • PRE-MOVE CUSTOMER WELLNESS CHECK: Our scheduling team will contact customers the day prior to their scheduled move to inquire if the customer or anyone within their home or office feels ill or suspects that they may have had contact with COVID-19. Move services can be cancelled or postponed to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of all involved.

  • PRE-MOVE TEAM MEMBER WELLNESS CHECK: We have posted signs notating the symptoms of COVID-19 throughout or office to better inform and provide awareness to our team members. Any team member who is uncomfortable with coming to the office, feels ill, or suspects that they may have had contact with an infected person should not come into the office and should notify the scheduling team immediately. All team members will be questioned about arrival to our office as to their well-being. Temperature checks may be administered if deemed necessary and cleaning supplies, soap, and hand sanitizer will be readily available at all times.

  • INCREASED CLEANING: We are refocusing on increasing cleaning duties both within our office and within the cabs and boxes of our moving trucks & trailers. All surfaces will be routinely cleaned with either wipes or spray. Some examples of surfaces receiving extra cleaning are door handles, steering wheels, phones, bathrooms, and breakrooms.

  • USE OF EXAMINATION GLOVES: Move team members will be equipped with latex gloves to be worn while performing moving services. Gloves will be discarded following each completed move.

  • STAGGERED SHIFT START TIMES: Shift start times will be spaced and staggered to reduce gatherings of multiple team members. Upon arrival, all team members will be encouraged to quickly gather any needed information and/or supplies for the day then to immediately proceed to their designated assignments for the day.

  • SOCIAL DISTANCING: Upon arrival to our customers’ homes or offices, team members will be practicing the recommended 6’ social distancing whenever possible. We have always valued the professionalism and respect that comes with a good introductory handshake but at this time we are asking all team members and customers to refrain from this customary action.

  • OPEN DOORWAYS AND WINDOWS WHEN AVAILABLE: When surroundings allow, we are asking our customers to open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation.

How to Create an Inviting Home for Holiday Guests

How to Create an Inviting Home for Holiday Guests

Want to create an inviting home for holiday guests? Brandon Moving & Storage of Central Arkansas understands if you’re hosting family or friends during the holidays, you want to make sure your home feels warm and welcome, especially if you are still moving into it your new space (or getting ready to move-out). From our experience of helping people relocate and move into their homes, here are some tips we recommend to help you and your guests settle in over the holidays:

Smart Tips for the Holidays | Central Arkansas Movers

It’s never too early to begin planning for the holidays. As the season approaches, why not take a few easy measures to make sure things go off without a hitch? The less stressed you are before, during, and after the holidays, the more you will be able to enjoy this special time of the year with family and friends.

Brandon Moving & Storage of Central Arkansas has a few smart suggestions for organizing and stowing your holiday decorations at the end of the season. If you are getting ready to move to a new home, these tips will be especially helpful by showing you ways to safely store your decorations and other fragile items for transport.

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First, think about donating unneeded items. As the season of cheer approaches, it’s a good idea to take an inventory of your holiday decorations and other items you might be pulling out of storage. Don’t be afraid to let go of older decorations that are deteriorating, or decorations you don’t have a spot for. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are great organizations that will accept these items and get them to those who are in need. You can even get receipts for your donations and list them for tax credits!

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Save wrapping paper to use for packing material. After your family opens a bunch of presents, why not save some of the torn wrapping paper to use as padding for decorations? You can shred the paper into smaller strips and tuck them around your breakable decorations as you place them in boxes. This method is especially good for Christmas lights, ornaments, and other decorations that might break during transit.

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Save egg cartons and cardboard shipping boxes. Empty egg cartons are great for storing smaller fragile items such as Christmas ornaments. Shredded paper or other packing material can also be stuffed in around your ornaments to provide extra cushion. You don’t need to hang on to every shipping box from Amazon.com or wherever you shop (these can be recycled), but it’s good to keep some smaller cardboard boxes around to safely store fragile decorations.

Label everything! Use your boxes and egg cartons to organize your decorations by room (or by item type, if that’s easier to pack). It’s helpful to label boxes that contain decorations for a specific room—you’ll thank yourself when the time comes to bring them down next year for decoration, or when you are unpacking everything at your new home.

Getting an early start to holiday prep and following these tips will help you keep the stress away and enjoy yourself during this special time of year. Even if you are busy moving during the holidays, it’s important to devote time to enjoy the season with those closest to you. Following these tips will help you maximize your time to do so! Ready to plan your move? Contact Brandon Moving & Storage of Central Arkansas for all of your moving, packing, and storage needs!

How to Make Moving Fun for the Whole Family

How to Make Moving Fun for the Whole Family

Let’s face it: moving is tough. It’s even tougher when you’ve got extra family members that need special attention while you’re trying to organize rooms, pack boxes and plan the moving schedule. However, kids have a way of making mundane activities fun if you get them in the right mindset! Brandon Moving & Storage of Greater Central Arkansas has some ways that you can make the whole moving process a family affair - and one to fondly remember.

Relocating and Moving Into a Smaller Space

Relocating and Moving Into a Smaller Space

Whether you’re moving as an individual or you’re moving as a family, the number of personal belongings can often multiply without notice. If you’ve lived somewhere for a long period of time, this is especially true. Brandon Moving & Storage of Central Arkansas has some tips and tricks for preparing to make the move into a smaller space much easier.

Your Checklist for Storing Things Long-Term

Your Checklist for Storing Things Long-Term

Sometimes our circumstances change and finding a long-term storage option becomes a priority. Whatever your reasons are, there are some important things to consider if you’re thinking about storing your belongings for several months or even longer. With years in the business under our belts, Brandon Moving & Storage of Central Arkansas suggests a few factors to consider as you start planning to move your items into storage.

HOW-TO: PACK DISHES WHEN YOU MOVE

So...you’re moving! First step, take a deep breath. Some of your most valuable belongings will be packed away into boxes, and depending on how far you are moving, will be loaded into a truck and delivered to your new address. How can you make sure they arrive safely? By making a plan and following some simple steps. Brandon Moving & Storage has a few special steps to keep in mind when you’re packing your kitchen...

HOW TO: PACK ELECTRONICS WHEN YOU MOVE 

HOW TO: PACK ELECTRONICS WHEN YOU MOVE 

As you’re preparing for your move, you’ve probably created some type of to-do list or list of priorities when packing. On that list, you’ve probably included electronics! Often, these items are saved until the very end (maybe you want to make sure you’ve got something to entertain you during the long hours of preparation!) and we don’t blame you. Did you know there are a few things to consider when you begin packing your electronics? Let’s start with a shopping list:

Simple Steps to Help Plan for Your Next Move

There’s a lot that goes into moving into a new home. However, moving doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Like most tasks in life, having a plan will help you succeed. Here are a few simple steps to help plan for your next move.

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Step 1: Think about the logistics. Visualizing how the move will go, and where your items should go, will make your move less stressful. Make an appointment with your moving company and go over the details of moving day with your moving professionals. You can also make a simple floor plan of your new home to help visualize where furniture and other items should go when they are unloaded, and how to make the best use of space.   

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Step 2: Get rid of the clutter (so it doesn’t follow you to the new home). Reducing the amount of stuff you have to move will make the process more manageable. Since you’ll be going through your things anyway, use the move as an opportunity to go room-by-room and clear out unused items. Try starting in the kitchen, where you can throw away older items that have been crammed in the backs of the drawers and cabinets. Older clothing and toys, etc. can be donated. You may even find some items around the house you can sell, if you have the time to do so before your move (online or garage sale). No matter how you do it, you’ll thank yourself for setting aside time to clear out what you don’t need before your move.

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Step 3: Prepare the right equipment. Your move will go more smoothly if you have what you need when the time comes. Assess your belongings to determine how many boxes you will need, as well as packing tape, bubble wrap, etc. Gather these items early to maintain peace-of-mind! (Or we can always just do it for you.)

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Step 4: Organize and pack. It’s extremely important to stay organized when you begin packing. Don’t just throw stuff in boxes—plan what items can be safely packed together to save space. Items that you don’t use often can be packed first, and when moving day gets closer, you can begin packing the items you use every day. For instance, you might want to save essential items such as bedding, shower curtains, soap, and a few dishes and silverware for last so they are easier to access when you arrive at your new home. Finally, don’t forget to label each box clearly so you won’t waste time guessing what to unpack first!

Realtor Spotlight: Patrick Sullenger

Realtor Spotlight: Patrick Sullenger

Moving can be a complicated process and we take pride in making the task easy for our customers. But we're only one part of the moving process... finding a good realtor is just as important. We're highlighting our favorite realtors in the area, and this week it's Patrick Sullenger. An agent at The Janet Jones Company, he serves clients mainly in the Little Rock area. We reached out to Patrick Sullenger and asked him a little bit about himself...

Realtor Spotlight: Jenn Cook

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Moving can be a complicated process and we take pride in making the task easy for our customers. But we're only one part of the moving process... finding a good realtor is just as important. We have decided to highlight our favorite realtors in the area, starting with Jenn Cook. An agent at The Charlotte John Company, she helps clients in Central Arkansas and the Greers Ferry area. We reached out to Jenn Cook and asked her a little bit about herself...

What do you love most about your area?

"The growth that Little Rock has had over the last few years -- it has all the amenities of a big town with the small town feel."

Why is your area a great place to raise a family?

"Arkansas has so much access to beautiful vacation spots -- there's something for everyone."

What is your favorite restaurant in the area?

"Graffiti's and The Pantry."

What is your favorite pastime in the area?

"Weekends at the lake!"

What do you love most about being a realtor?

"Cultivating relationships with people I wouldn't have otherwise met."

What's your biggest professional challenge?

"I want to please everyone."

If you had to pick one, what tip would you give to someone shopping for a new home?

"It is a fun process, but also a hard process. Don't get discouraged -- it's a big commitment. But it's worth it in the end."

The Best Places to See Fall Leaves in Arkansas

Autumn is a beautiful time in Arkansas. Thankfully, the Natural State offers many, many excellent places to view breathtaking landscapes covered in fall colors. Whether you're moving, traveling, or just ready for that Fall feeling, we'll point you to a few of the best spots in Arkansas to see the stunning leaves of Fall!

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The Ozark Mountains. Arkansas’ Northwest region is characterized by its wooded mountains. The Ozark Region, extending into Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma, is made up of three different mountain regions. In northwest Arkansas, you can enjoy a ride on the “Pig Trail” through the Boston Mountains that will give you some amazing views. The foliage in the Boston Mountains region is plush, creating a brilliant spectrum of colors in the Fall. The Pig Trail runs up Highway 23 through the Ozark Highlands, and features steep, winding mountain turns. There is also a beautiful Scenic Route nearby, running through U.S. Hwy. 71 and Interstate 49, which features many locations to stop and take in a scenic bird’s-eye view.

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Crowley’s Ridge. In the northeast corner of the state, you can discover another scenic drive opportunity. Crowley’s Ridge National Scenic Byway begins in St. Francis and winds south along the Ridge, ending in Helena. A trip down the Byway will provide excellent scenes of Autumn on the endless rolling hills. This area sits above the Mississippi alluvial plain and boasts some of the richest soil in the State, supporting flourishing foliage. Though it part of the Delta Region, Crowley’s Ridge is technically within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.

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Mount Magazine. This Mountain is actually Arkansas’ tallest at 2,753 feet! Mount Magazine State Park is a great place to do some Fall leaf-viewing because there is so much to do. You can find epic views of the region’s trees from the top of the mountain, or you can take the Scenic Byway from the Lodge down state highway 309. The mountain and park provide a swath of nature trails and overlooks, not to mention the camping areas and cabins—all excellent places to enjoy Arkansas’ natural beauty in the Fall.

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Ouachita National Forest. Visible from the peak of Mount Magazine, the Ouachita National Forest is “the oldest National Forest in the Southern United State.” The Ouachita Mountains are covered by endless woodland featuring several different varieties of Oak trees. The Talimena Scenic Byway on Arkansas Hwy. 1 is an excellent choice for discovering the natural beauty of this region during Fall. This scenic drive extends 54 miles between Mena, Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma, taking you over Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain.