Moving with Pets

At T-N-T Moving Systems, we understand that pets are part of the family. No matter the distance, moving into a new home can be especially hard on your furry family members. Recently in the news, a family lost their cat before their move from Virginia to Hawaii. Although, the family delayed their move by 3 days looking for the cat, they decided to go ahead and move. When the boxes arrived 36 days later, the cat was found in one of the boxes, showing signs of starvation. The family was overjoyed with the reunion. The cat is on her way to making a full recovery. “Thankfully, this story has a happy ending, but it highlights the importance of taking special care of pets during a move,” says Todd Koepke, co-owner of T-N-T Moving Systems.

Here are some tips to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet during a move:

Prepare Them for the Move: Cats and dogs aren’t the biggest fans of change. You can help them adjust by bringing in moving boxes early so they can get used to seeing the boxes in the house. Also, consider keeping your pet in a familiar room that you plan on packing up last. This will help ease their anxiety and not experience too much change all at once. On moving day keep them in a quiet room with the door shut, at a friend’s house, or board them for the day.

Plan Your Road Trip: Many pets don’t like crates or cars. In the months or weeks before the move, bring their crate into the house and let them get used to it. You can let them eat meals inside their crate or place treats in there for them to find. Take a short drive in the car to help acclimate your dog or cat before the big move. Consider giving treats or doing a fun play activity with your pet after you let them out of the crate. This will help your pet develop a positive association with the crate. 

Settling Into Your New Home: Once you arrive at the new place, you might be tempted to let your cat or dog run loose throughout the whole house. This can be overwhelming for your dog or cat. Consider putting them in one home that can act like their home base. Have their favorite toys and treats as well as water and food bowls in the room. Gradually introduce them to other rooms of the house. You can slowly move the litter box and food and water bowls to another location as your pet adjusts.

Take Care of Business: Moving can be a stressful process with lots of business to take care of. This includes changing your address with several institutions, finding new banks, doctors, grocery stores, etc. in your new neighborhood. Remember to take care of your pet’s business too. Find a new vet in your new neighborhood and have their records sent over from the old vet. Update their tags or chips with your new address and phone number. If you are moving to another state, make sure to check local laws concerning your pet. 

T-N-T Moving Systems is committed to safely moving your belongings to your new home. “We can handle the big stuff and let you take care of the important stuff,” says Tom Tulowiecki, co-owner of T-N-T. T-N-T Moving Systems has been in the moving business for more than 20 years. We are a trusted business in Charlotte. For a free estimate and a list of services, visit our website at www.tntmovingsystems.com.

After the Big Move

Moving to a new home, whether it is across the country or just across town, is a big deal. The stress, the packing, the transporting can be overwhelming. At T-N-T Moving Systems, we are experts at helping you move. We can help alleviate some of the stress of moving. However, once everything has arrived in your new place, there is still plenty to do before you can get settled in. Here are some tips to help you make your new place your home:

1. Check Major Appliances. If you moved any major appliances or electronics, be sure to check that they are in good working condition. This includes the refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, televisions, and computers. If you used professional movers, it is essential that you check this big ticket item early. A lot of moving insurance policies have a limited time in which you can make a claim.
2. Check all boxes and furniture. It may take a while to unpack every box, but be sure to check each of them within the first week. If you find that anything was damaged, you will want to contact the mover and submit a claim to the insurance company. 
3.   Keep your Receipts. Keep anything and everything related to your move. Often times, expenses related to a move can be written off on your tax return. Be sure to keep the Bill of Lading and payment receipt from your movers.
4. Change of Address. Most of us remember to change our address with the post office, but don’t forget to change your address at the DMV, registrar’s office, and on your voter registration.  Moving to a new city, county, or state means that you might need to register your vehicle, register to vote, and get a new driver’s license. Check with your new city’s website for information on how to get these things done.
5. Decorate. Nothing makes a house a home like familiar belongings. A new place comes with new possibilities. Unpacking art work to hang up and knickknacks to display will help you and your family feel more comfortable in the new place.
6. Get connected to your Neighborhood. Explore your new neighborhood. Go on walks, subscribe to the local paper, and introduce yourself to your neighbors. Find out what is going on and participate in something that interests you or your family.

These 6 tips will help you adjust to your new surroundings. In no time, your new house will become your new home. T-N-T Moving Systems look forward to helping with your next move. Call 704-523-1455 or click for a free estimate. We offer local and long distant moving, residential and commercial.

Moving to Charlotte

Charlotte is a great place to live. People are moving to our beloved, Southern city every day. T-N-T Moving Systems has been in Charlotte since 1995, but owners, Todd and Tom, are implants like many Charlotteans. “We are both from the Northeast, so we know what it’s like to adjust to a new city,” says Todd Koepke, co-owner of T-N-T. 

According to the Moving to Charlotte website, over 70 people move to Charlotte each day. “Charlotte is one of the biggest and fastest growing cities in the New South,” says Tom Tulowiecki. Charlotte is a unique, thriving city with some quirks.

Reasons Why People Move to Charlotte:

Location. Location. Location. Many people move to Charlotte because of its proximity to the beach and the mountains. “It’s really the best of both worlds!” says Koepke. The beach is about three and a half hours away and the mountains are less than two. 

Neighborhoods. Whether you enjoy the creative arts scene or are looking to retire, Charlotte offers many neighborhoods that appeal to young and old alike. NoDa, Southend, Dilworth, and Uptown offer art galleries and funky live music venues like The Neighborhood Theater, Double Door, and The Music Factory. Retirees might enjoy living a bit further from the city on one of the nearby lakes. Take a look at our neighborhood guides for restaurant, shopping, and other recommendations. In Charlotte, neighborhoods feel like communities. The tree-lined streets, maintained greenways, and active community groups keep Charlotte thriving.

Business. Charlotte is known as a banking town, but there are lots of other industries here as well. The population is well-educated, productive, and resilient. Continuing education programs at Central Piedmont Community College is a fixture in the community which encourages lifelong learning.

Low Cost of Living.  Compared to the top 40 metro areas in America, Charlotte has the 12^th lowest cost of living. Our housing costs are also low compared to other major cities. Our mild climate helps reduce energy costs. But be careful when it snows! Charlotteans are not used to snowy conditions, so don’t be surprised when everything shuts down at the first sight of a snowflake.

“We have made Charlotte our home for 20 years,” says Tulowiecki, “I can’t imagine living anywhere else!” If you and your family are moving to Charlotte, T-N-T Moving Systems would love to help you move. You can get a free quote here or give them at call at 704-523-1455. T-N-T specializes in local and long distance moves.

Last Minute Move? Here are some Tips:

Everything that goes into a move is exhausting! Sorting, packing, loading, and unloading. And doing it in a hurry makes for an even bigger challenge. Thankfully, you can always call T-N-T Moving Systems for a free quote and get some help.

Here are some tips for moving in a hurry:

Make a List- This may seem unnecessary when you are in a hurry, but it can actually help you stay moderately organized. Some tasks to include on your list might be: get boxes, call utility companies, call moving company, find storage, pack rooms, etc. Once the list is complete, distribute it amongst your family and give everyone a task.

Find Storage- if you have to move out of your home quickly, you might not have time to find a place for all your stuff. T-N-T Moving Systems offer storage services at our facility in Charlotte. We can come by and pick up your stuff and store it for you.

Change your Address- Make sure your change your address with institutions like your employer, banks and credit card companies, utilities, mortgage and insurance companies. Other people like friends and family or magazine subscriptions can wait until after the move.

Pack Smart and Easy- Gather boxes from grocery stores and other retailers. Call ahead and ask for them to put some aside for you. Pack your house a room at a time. Instead of labeling each box, use different colored tape for each room. Use clothes, linens, or towels as packing material for breakable items. You can also use things like laundry baskets, drawers, trash cans, and bags to pack other items in.

Moving is a challenge whether you have ample time to plan for it or not. But if you are moving in a hurry, stay organized and ask for help. T-N-T Moving Systems offers local and long distance moving service including packing. We also offer storage facilities on our property. Call us at 704-523-1455 for a free quote or visit our website at www.tntmovingsystems.com. 

Kelly Bladl                                                                                                  

Google Author and CCP Web Design Writer