Freight Logistics

When you move into a new place, one of the first things you’ll be required to submit when you sign a lease is a security deposit. While this can be sizeable (up to a couple of months’ rent), if you plan on bringing a dog or cat into your apartment with you, you’ll also have to plan on paying a deposit for them as well.

Usually landlords choose one of three options to allow you to bring your pet on the premises: pet fee (a one-time fee that is non-refundable), a pet rent (a monthly addition that is tacked on to your rent to cover pets), or a pet deposit, which may or may not be refundable. These fees cover any damages that your pet does to the property while you’re living there, and if you want your deposit back, you’ll have to make sure you clean up when you move out.

We’ve teamed up with friends from Cheap Movers DC (3509 Connecticut Avenue NW #10028, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 774-9296), one of the cheapest Fairfax apartment movers, to bring you the best tips for de-petting your apartment:

1. Before You Do Anything Else, Dust

It’s best to work from the top down when you’re cleaning your apartment, and that goes double for cleaning up after a pet. Dust all of your furniture thoroughly to get the dander off and keep it from getting all over your new place, and invest in a microfiber towel to pull off dust in those hard-to-reach places. Try to trap it if you can before it gets on to the carpet, but don’t worry if most of it reaches the floor.

2. Vacuum Thoroughly

Hopefully, you’ve made vacuuming a regular part of your cleaning routine, but no matter how tidy you keep your place normally, inevitably there will be hair and fur trapped inside of the carpet. Some people choose to run a pumice stone over the top of their carpet to bring the hair to the surface, but the main thing is to go back and forth several times over your carpet, usually in different directions, to pull up all the excess hair.

3. Sweep Hard Floors

While a vacuum may be perfect for the carpet, your hard floors are another beast entirely. Sweep them first to get the loose hair up and then use a dry mop to go after what’s left. If you want to get into the nooks and crannies, use a dryer sheet to attract the hairs to the surface and make it easier to collect.

4. Deep Clean Your Furniture

If your pets are like most, they’ve probably spent a considerable amount of time on the couch with you while you binge-watch Netflix. Grab a squeegee and rub deeply into the cushions to get rid of stains and pet hair, making sure you don’t damage the furniture itself. If you don’t want to use a squeegee, drag a wet glove over the surface to bring pet hair into a ball.

5. Urine Trouble

There are DIY options available for you to lift stains from your carpet, or you can buy mixtures at the store that will do most of the same thing. Ideally, you would lift urine stains off the carpet as soon as they happen, but make sure you take care of it before you leave to eliminate the odor regardless.

While Hawaii is a part of the United States, relocating there presents some unique challenges that don’t apply when moving between states in the continental U.S. The remote location of the islands and the laws governing that state makes this type of move uniquely difficult, even for members of the military. By learning about what to expect in advance, you’ll be better prepared for the reality of moving to this tropical paradise.

1. Getting Your Possessions to Hawaii

One of your biggest concerns in relocating to Hawaii may be with getting your belongings to your new home. Unlike other moves, you can’t simply rent a moving van and drive to Hawaii. This means shipping everything via government-approved moving companies, and there are often delays that can put a crimp in your best-laid plans. While this might make you think twice about bringing everything, the alternative is even less attractive. Suppose you decide to sell your furniture and buy new items, once you get to Hawaii. Unless you’re able to find everything you want “on the island,” you’ll likely be waiting for six weeks or more for your items to arrive from the mainland.

2. Finding a Place to Live

As soon as you received your orders taking you to Hawaii, you very likely started looking for accommodations. If that’s the case, you’ve already discovered that housing in Hawaii is very expensive, rivaling many California areas. For instance, a small house in Manoa will run at least $900,000. You’ll pay a similar price for most large condos in Waikiki. Average home prices run a bit lower on the west side of the main island, starting at around $650,000.

Expect to pay much more on the north side; $1.5 million isn’t uncommon for that area, though you get more for your money. It’s a less urban area so that you can get a property with up to an acre of land for that price. More affordable housing is difficult to find and, due to a housing shortage, the best places will typically be snatched up fast. If you’re looking to save money on housing, try finding on-base housing.

3. Expect Delays in Getting Your Pet Approved

If you are moving to Hawaii with pets, be aware that Hawaii has strict regulations concerning the importing of live animals, so you’ll have to apply to get permission to bring your pets to the island. The reason for this is because Hawaiian officials want to make sure your pets aren’t bringing rabies or other diseases onto the island. This means subjecting every pet to medical tests to ensure the animal is safe. Even after your pets have been released from a brief quarantine, your problems won’t be over. Few property owners have allowances for pets, so finding a rental that allows pets will make the housing search that much more problematic.

4. Establish Your Residency ASAP

Once you get settled, your next order of business should be to get your Hawaiian driver’s license and change other necessary documents. The cost of living is high in Hawaii, but it’s even higher for tourists. By being able to prove your residency, you’ll be eligible for discounts and special rates that will lessen the burden on your pocketbook.

5. Keep Moving Costs in Check

Remember that the out of state moving cost is more expensive because everthing must be shipped via air or ocean freight. While most moving expenses are reiumbursed by the government, you must keep your household goods weight allowance within the limits imposed for your rank and number of dependents. If you fail to do so, you may have to pay the extra costs for your move.

While these are the major points to consider in relocating to Hawaii, you’ll want to do your research, as well. By learning more about the culture and what will be expected of you as a new resident, you and your family will find it easier to get acclimated. The better prepared you are for the move, the more you’ll enjoy your time on the island.

Without a doubt, the worst part of any move is trying to wedge your refrigerator out of your front door; if you live in an apartment with stairs, multiply that by a hundred. But that’s not the only heavy thing you’ll have to lift. Every move has its share of heavy types of furniture, such as ovens, loveseats, mattresses, and every other thing that will make your back scream for the next couple weeks. It’s imperative that you have a firm grasp on how to lift properly before you pack up your space.

1. Lift With Your Legs

You’ve most likely heard this advice your whole life, but it’s worth repeating because so many people simply ignore it. Lifting with your back increases the strain on your spine, which can lead to further complications or a serious injury if you’re not careful. Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed days of work, and nearly 1 in 4 have experienced in the last three months. Your legs are built for lifting large amounts of weight, so put the pressure on them, not your back muscles.

2. Lift Close To Your Body

When moving a couch out the front door, it can be tempting to hold the couch out in front or drape your arms away from your body. Don’t do it. Cheap Movers Las Vegas (website), a professional mover, says to keep whatever you’re lifting as close to your chest as possible, keeping a tight center of gravity and reducing strain on your shoulders and keeping pressure off of your spine. If you have to hold it away from your chest, keep your upper body as straight as possible and try not to twist. Also, never reach above your head to grab heavy objects. Not only can they fall on you, but they could also be heavier than you think.

3. Use Equipment

Thankfully, there is no shortage of tools on the market today that will help you move heavy objects, such as dollies, hand trucks, and rollers. You can rent any of these from a big box store by the hour, or purchase them from a garage sale or secondhand shop (but make sure they’re stable and won’t break on you). When moving items like a refrigerator, they’re simply indispensable; unless you have a team of guys and a wide hallway, you won’t be able to carry a 250-pound plus refrigerator through manpower alone. Nor should you try.

4. Never Lift Alone

Despite what you may think, no one is impressed that you can lift an oven over your head. The only thing you’ll win is a nice bottle of Tylenol and possibly a trip to the Urgent Care clinic. It’s always better to ask for an extra hand than find yourself in a position that could cause serious injury. If you absolutely must lift something heavy by yourself, then use the proper technique, making sure to check out your surroundings before you lift. Carry it slowly and steadily to your destination, and then slowly lower it into place (bending at your legs and not your back).

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