Making Transitions Stress-Free

Did you know that over 50% of all Moving by Design customers are over the age of 50? As the baby boomer generation matures, this percentage is expected to climb. That’s why Moving By Design is here to be your trusted senior moving specialist.

Whether you’re moving across Houston, throughout Texas, or across the United States, we are your dedicated senior move managers and transition specialists. In this blog post, we will explore how Moving By Design offers the best care and consideration possible during what can often be a stressful time for seniors.

Understanding Senior Moving Needs:

At Moving By Design, we understand that senior moves come with their own unique challenges. Some seniors may have limited mobility and require extra assistance during the moving process. Others may have concerns about losing sentimental belongings or anxiety about transitioning to an assisted living facility. We take all of these factors into consideration and provide specialized moving services tailored to meet the needs of our senior customers.

Comprehensive Senior Moving Services:

When it comes to helping senior citizens move, we offer a comprehensive range of services. We assist in locating, organizing, and sorting personal belongings, ensuring that cherished items are handled with care. Our professional packing and unpacking services pay special attention to sentimental items, ensuring they are packed and unpacked with utmost care.

We also ease transition and downsizing anxiety by staging belongings in the new home, making the space feel familiar and comforting. Additionally, we provide senior discounts and cost assistance when needed, making the move more affordable for our valued senior customers. From specialty items like medical beds to general moving needs, we have the expertise to handle it all.

Care and Consideration for Seniors:

At Moving By Design, we prioritize the care and consideration of our senior customers. Our dedicated teams understand the unique challenges that come with senior moving. We go the extra mile to assist our senior customers in locating and loading sentimental items in special boxes, clearly marked for easy identification.

If needed, we also offer unpacking services to help seniors settle into their new homes comfortably. Moving heavier furniture to its new designated place is part of our commitment to making our senior customers feel at home in their new surroundings.

Supporting Senior Community Centers:

At Moving By Design, we believe in giving back to the community. We have proudly partnered with several local senior communities to provide support on various levels. 

We have partnered with Village On The Park – Friendswood to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Through this partnership, we contribute to funding independent researchers worldwide who are dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. 

Additionally, we offer talks on moving and relocation topics for residents and families at senior centers, further supporting the senior community.

Moving By Design is Houston’s trusted senior moving specialist. We understand the unique challenges and concerns that seniors face during the moving process. Our comprehensive and caring moving services cater to the specific needs of seniors, ensuring a stress-free transition to their new homes. 

With our expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to customer satisfaction, we make senior moves a seamless and enjoyable experience. Contact Moving By Design today and let us handle your senior move with the care it deserves.

Planning a senior move? Contact Houston’s leading senior moving specialists at Moving By Design for comprehensive and caring moving services. Let us make your transition stress-free and enjoyable.

Moving can be an overwhelming and stressful experience, especially if you have valuable items that need to be stored during the transition. That’s where climate-controlled storage units come in. As someone who has gone through several moves, I can attest to the benefits of using a climate-controlled storage unit during a move.

The Importance of Protecting Your Valuables During a Move

First and foremost, a climate-controlled storage unit provides protection for your valuable items. Extreme temperatures and humidity can damage sensitive items, such as artwork, antiques, musical instruments, electronics, and photographs. Climate-controlled units maintain a constant temperature and humidity level, which prevents damage caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

In addition to protecting your valuables, climate-controlled units provide peace of mind during the transition. Knowing that your items are safe and secure can alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with moving. With climate-controlled units, you can rest easy knowing that your items are protected from the elements and potential damage.

How Climate-Controlled Storage Units Work

Climate-controlled storage units have a wide range of uses during a move. For example, if you need to declutter your home before putting it on the market, a storage unit can be a great place to store excess items. It can also be a convenient place to store items temporarily while you’re in the process of moving, especially if you’re downsizing and need extra time to sort through your belongings.

Another benefit of using a climate-controlled unit during a move is that it allows for more flexibility. You can store items for as long as you need, which means you don’t have to rush to move everything at once. This can be especially helpful if you’re moving long-distance or if you’re unsure about your new living arrangements.

Moving with Moving by Design

At Moving by Design, we understand the importance of protecting your valuables during a move. That’s why we offer climate-controlled storage units as an option for our customers. Our units are equipped with temperature and humidity control systems to ensure that your items are kept safe and secure. We also offer flexible rental terms and convenient access to your unit so you can retrieve items as needed.

In conclusion, using a climate-controlled storage unit during a move can provide many benefits, including protection for valuable items, peace of mind, flexibility, and convenience. 

If you’re planning a move and need a safe and secure place to store your belongings, consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit from Moving by Design. Our team of professionals is ready to assist you with all your moving and storage needs. Contact us today!

A Guide to Interstate Moving Costs and Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a different state is a challenging and tiring process, made even more difficult by the additional stress of relocating. From the daunting task of packing to the search for a new home, moving to a different state requires a lot of effort, which can be overwhelming. Unless you have assistance from loved ones, it is recommended that you entrust many of these long-distance moving responsibilities to a dependable and trustworthy moving company. 

While hiring a moving company can save you time and effort, it is likely to be more cost-involved, however, most people agree that the benefits of using a professional moving company outweigh the costs. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the expenses involved in interstate moves.

Interstate Moving/Nationwide Moving

An interstate move is a type of move that involves moving from one state to another within the United States. This can be a significant undertaking, as it often involves traveling long distances, across state lines, and may require a great deal of planning and preparation. In an interstate move, all of your belongings and household items will need to be transported to your new state, which can be a complex and time-consuming process.

When planning for an interstate move, there are many factors to consider. You will need to find a reliable and trustworthy moving company that is experienced in long-distance moves. You may also need to make arrangements for the transportation of your vehicles if you plan to bring them with you. Additionally, you will need to make arrangements for housing in your new state, such as finding a new home, apartment, or rental property.

Another important consideration when planning is the interstate moving costs. Interstate moves can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of belongings to transport. You will need to budget carefully for the costs of hiring a moving company, transportation, and any other expenses that may arise during the move.

Despite the challenges and costs associated with an interstate move, many people choose to make this type of move for a variety of reasons, such as job opportunities, family reasons, or a desire for a change of scenery. With careful planning and preparation, an interstate move can be a smooth and successful experience.

Interstate State Moving costs

The expense of an out-of-state move primarily relies on your destination and the number of items being transported. On average, the cost of an interstate move is approximately $4,890, which is determined by an average weight of 7,500 pounds (equivalent to a 2-3-bedroom home), an average distance of 1,000 miles, and other required moving services.

It’s important to note that the cost of an interstate move can be considerably more expensive than that of a local move. While local movers may charge by the hour, long-distance movers must calculate the cost based on the weight of your items when crossing state borders.

Additional Interstate Moving Costs and Expenses

There are several additional cost factors to consider when planning an interstate move:

Packing: If you opt for professional packers to handle some or all of your packing and unpacking, the cost will be based on the moving company’s supplies and time. This also includes the assembly or disassembly of any furniture.

Travel fees: Keep in mind the cost of fuel charges and labor costs during the transportation of your belongings. The farther your move, the higher these fees will be.

Liability and valuation coverage: Federal law requires interstate movers to provide customers with two valuation coverage options: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Full Value Protection is the more comprehensive option, while Released Value Protection covers a minimum of .60 cents per pound per item.

Third-party insurance: If you have particularly valuable items, you may want to purchase third-party insurance for added protection. Be sure to document all of your items thoroughly, and keep receipts and photographs as evidence.

Storage: If you need your moving company to hold or store your belongings before, during, or after your move, expect to pay extra for this service. Storage rates vary depending on the moving company, so make sure to ask for specific details.

Choosing the Right Moving Company

Millions of Americans relocate every year, with roughly 40 million people moving annually according to the U.S. Census. Out of those numbers, around 33% of people move to a different state. Moving to a different state can be an incredibly stressful experience for families, but Moving By Design is available to provide assistance.

Our team of nationwide moving experts can help you plan your cross-country move, whether you’re relocating to North Texas or all the way to Washington State. We strive for customer satisfaction and prioritize it in every move we undertake. 

Our services include stress-free planning, packing and unpacking of your belongings, and transportation of specialty items.

We understand that virtual communication is important and we can work with you virtually, providing a walkthrough and estimate. Additionally, your moving truck will be tracked via GPS for the entire move, ensuring that you are always informed about the status of your belongings. Contact a member of our team to schedule your next move with Moving by Design!

Are you in the process of moving for work relocation or work-related reasons? If so, you may be wondering what expenses are tax deductible. Here are some tax-deductible work-related moving expenses you may not know about.

The good news is that there are several moving expenses that you can deduct from your taxes. 

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common work-related moving expenses and how to claim them on your return. Keep reading for more information!

One of the most common deductible moving expenses is the cost of professional movers. If you hire a company to help you with your move, you can deduct the cost from your taxes. This includes both the cost of labor and any materials that were used in the move (such as boxes and packing supplies).

Another common deductible expense is the cost of travel. If you have to drive a long distance to your new home, you can deduct the cost of gas and lodging from your taxes. This is a great way to save money if you are moving a long distance!

Some of the work-related tax-deductible moving expenses include:

-transportation and storage of your household goods and personal effects

-travel (including lodging) from your old home to your new one

-utility connection fees (including hookup and turn-on)

-packing, crating, and drayage

-insurance and security deposits

-certain rental expenses (including rent, utilities, and fuel) for the first 30 days after you arrive in your new home

Job Relocation

If you have to move due to a job change, you may also be able to deduct the cost of your job search. This includes the cost of resumes, applications, and interviews. If you are relocating for a new job, be sure to keep all of your receipts so that you can deduct these expenses on your return.

Distance Test

If your new job is at least 50 miles away from your old home, you pass the distance test. And if you work full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months after you arrive in the general area of your new job location, you pass the time test. There are a few more requirements, but these two are the most important.

If you’re planning on relocating for a new job, be sure to talk to your tax advisor about the moving expenses you may be able to deduct on your tax return. It could save you a lot of money!

Time Test

If you meet the time test requirement, you may be able to deduct your moving expenses come tax time. Be sure to keep all of your receipts and documentation so that you can prove your expenses if needed.

There are several exceptions to the time test requirement, including:

-If you are being transferred to your employer’s request

-Being a member of the armed forces and you are moving on orders

-Health issues forcing you to terminate the employment

If any of these exceptions apply to you, then you may be able to deduct your moving expenses come tax time. Be sure to keep all of your receipts and documentation so that you can prove your expenses if needed. Moving can be expensive, but with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Be sure to take advantage of all the deductions and credits you are entitled to so that you can save as much money as possible.

Remember, you can only deduct moving expenses if your move is closely related to the start of a new job or business. So if you’re moving for personal reasons, such as to retire or to be closer to family, your moving expenses unfortunately won’t be tax-deductible. For more information on what is and isn’t deductible, consult a tax professional or the IRS website.

Which moving costs are not deductible?

Most people are aware that they can deduct certain moving expenses come tax time. However, what many don’t know is that there are several exceptions to this rule. For example, the cost of meals during travel is not tax deductible. Nor are moving expenses that were previously reimbursed by your employer. Additionally, costs associated with buying or selling a home, such as real estate agent fees, are not tax deductible. And finally, security deposits and lease-related charges are also not tax deductible. So before you start packing up your life and Moving to a new city or state, be sure to do your research and know which expenses will and will not be tax-deductible. Otherwise, you may end up paying more in taxes than you anticipated.

Now that you know about all the tax-deductible moving expenses, you can easily calculate your real moving costs. This knowledge opens up new possibilities and allows you to stretch your moving budget further than you might have expected. Be sure to make a proper moving checklist, including an inventory list of all your belongings. Follow and note down all the steps involved in the move, and keep track of your expenses adequately. By doing so, you’ll be able to relocate without any stressful surprises.

Contact us at Moving by Design to schedule a consultation and get a quote for your next relocation!

This article is meant to be informational and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.