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even if you're moving right after christmas decorate
20
Dec

How To Survive A Move Right After Christmas

Moving can be stressful. Moving right after Christmas – even more so. Of course, it has its perks too. Starting a new year in a home might be the fresh start your family needs. Even so, it takes careful planning and a little elbow grease to make sure your family is able to enjoy the holiday AND be prepared to move right after. With that in mind, our residential moving pros have a few moving tips to help you navigate Christmas and a move simultaneously.

Carve out time to pack

For most of us, December is filled with concerts, parties, work engagements, and other seasonal must-dos. If that’s you and you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to pack your home up in between all the things, you’ll need to be intentional and protect the time you have – even if it’s only 30 minutes a day. Of course, you’ll need to consider how much time you’ll need to pack every room and then schedule your hours based on that. It certainly helps if you have “all hands on deck” helping in this endeavor. Alternatively, you could hire professional packers to handle it for you.

Donate to those in need

If we’ve said it once, we’ve probably said it 100 times but why bother moving items you don’t need or want any longer into your new home? Why not donate those items to individuals or groups that could make better use of them? Some organizations will even come to your home to pick up donated items!

Keep at least one room festive

In all the hullabaloo of moving, don’t forget to enjoy the season. We recommend keeping at least one room decked out with all the yuletide trimmings. Set up your tree, hang your stockings, light a fire – create that comforting place for your family to gather together.

Pack your decorations last

This tip goes hand in hand with the previous and is all about keeping the holiday fun and joyous for your family. Whether you scaled back on holiday decorating or went full National Lampoon’s Christmas, plan on packing up your decorations last. That could mean December 26th or the morning of the move – whatever suits you and your family.

Label moving boxes

In order to be as efficient as possible, we recommend labeling moving boxes. That way your volunteers or professional movers can deposit each box into the right room and you won’t have to worry about sorting through stacks of boxes spread throughout the house.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast

Here in Alabama, you never quite know what to expect when it comes to weather. Right now, for instance, we’re preparing for an extremely cold week leading up to Christmas. But who knows, right after, we could see soaring temperatures. In order to be as prepared as possible, keep your eye on the weather and make sure you have the gear you need to stay warm, dry, cool, or… well you get the point.

Make sure you have some downtime before returning to work and school

Let’s face it, if you’re moving right after Christmas, it’s going to be crazy and chaotic. To offset the stress and busyness of the holidays and moving, be sure to schedule as much downtime as possible before you have to head back to the office and the kids to school.

Why not hire professional movers this holiday season?

We hope you found these moving tips helpful and we have one more to offer before we say goodbye – why not make things a bit easier by hiring professional movers to help you?! At Changing Spaces Moving, we offer the best moving services in the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros and would love the opportunity to help you move right after Christmas (or whenever you need us). If you’re searching for a local moving company that you can depend on to be careful with your belongings and to ease some of the stress that comes along with moving into a new home (or business), we are the ideal solution. Contact us today with any questions or simply request a free moving estimate and we’ll get back to you promptly!

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moving boxes with santa hat
23
Nov

3 Holiday Moving Tips From Greater Birmingham Moving Pros

There’s no place like home for the holidays. But what if you’re moving right before Christmas or right after the New Year? Won’t that make things tricky, to say the least? Of course, it can! The key to keeping your stress levels in check and actually enjoying the festivities that come with the holidays is to prepare. Read on as we share a few holiday moving tips we know will help you accomplish everything you need to do without turning into the Grinch.

Donate what you don’t need to those who are in need

We always encourage homeowners to declutter before they move instead of hauling those unwanted or no-longer-needed items to the next home. By giving away/donating items around the holidays you not only help those who aren’t as fortunate as yourself during a particularly hard time of year, but you’re also lightening your load- literally!

Block off time on your calendar and resolve to follow it

If you haven’t already taken a look at your calendar and upcoming events, do so right now. It’s imperative that you block off the time you need to pack, your moving date, and any other events that cannot be missed by anyone in your family. Once you have those penciled in, protect your time like a mama bear protecting her cub. The holiday season is full of fun and parties but this year you may want to forgo some of the festivities in order to preserve your time and sanity. There will always be next year!

Schedule your movers as soon as possible

If you were thinking about renting a truck and recruiting family and friends to help you move, remember this is a busy time of year, and by adding stress to their already booked December, you will not exactly create the goodwill the season speaks of.

The good news when it comes to movers is that the holidays are not traditionally a busy time of year for them. Still, it’s a good idea to schedule your movers as early as possible.

Consider hiring packing pros

Packing is time-consuming and if you’re going to get this move accomplished with as little pressure on yourself and others as possible, why not hire professional packers to take care of the necessary but tedious task?

Don’t forget about the weather

Here in Alabama, we don’t have to worry about blizzards causing moving delays but we should still be mindful of the weather and make adjustments as necessary. Thankfully in the Greater Birmingham market, we have James Spann and other excellent meteorologists to keep us weather-aware.

Let our local movers help you move this holiday season

We hope you’ve found these holiday moving tips helpful and that your upcoming move will not put a damper on your holiday season. If you’re planning on hiring movers, we’d love the chance to help you out. At Changing Spaces Moving, we offer residential moving services in Vestavia Hills, Hoover, and throughout the Greater Birmingham metro as well as Huntsville and Madison. If you’re looking for a reliable moving company to help you move over the holidays, we can help. Whether your move is a local one or you’ve got some distance to go to reach your new home, we are ready to assist.  Reach out today to learn more about our full-service packing and moving solutions or to request a no-obligation moving estimate!

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how to save money when you move
18
Oct

How To Save Money When You Move

Let’s be honest, moving isn’t easy and it’s certainly not cheap. Whether it’s a local move, across the state, or across state lines-the cost of moving can add up quickly. The good news, we have a few tips that could help you save money.

Downsize before the movers arrive

Why pay movers (and maybe packers) to move furniture and belongings that you’re just going to part with on the other end? By decluttering/purging your house of unwanted, unused, or unnecessary items before your move, you reduce the size and scope of your move which cuts costs.

Schedule your moving day on a weekday

If you’re able, schedule your move on a weekday rather than a weekend. Since weekends are super busy for movers, they may give you a break if you are willing to move on a Wednesday or any other weekday.

Move out of season

According to industry experts, April through September is when most moving companies are out straight. If you can wait to move when you hear neighbors shouting “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle” your bank account may thank you. Of course, you may not have the luxury of holding off, but if you can wait to move during the industry’s off-season, you may get a better deal.

Take stock of what you have before you buy moving supplies

You might be surprised to find that you have several items around your house that could double for moving supplies. For example, blankets, sheets, towels, and other linens are a zero-expense swap for bubble wrap, clothes can be packed in suitcases instead of moving boxes, and stuffed animals can be “stuffed” into garbage bags (just make sure you mark them so they don’t get tossed). You may end up having to buy moving boxes and tape in the long run but before you spend your hard-earned money, look around your home for substitutions before you head out to the store.

Finally, hiring movers might be the best option

This one might come as a surprise but when you hire movers instead of relying on friends and their trucks or renting a moving truck and recruiting your own moving team, you’ll probably find it worth every penny in the long run. You won’t have to worry about feeding a crew and you certainly won’t have to be afraid of damages occurring to your belongings, and you can count on the move being completed in a shorter period of time when you have professionals on the job.

Greater Birmingham & Huntsville Moving Pros

Changing Spaces Moving, has been helping families and businesses move since 2003 and offers full-service moving solutions in Pelham, Vestavia Hills, and Madison as well as throughout the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros. Locally owned and family-operated, we are local and long-distance moving specialists who are passionate about what we do. If you’ve decided you’d like help moving, please give us a call or simply request a free moving quote here.

 

 

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leaves in gutter of mountain brook home
15
Sep

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

In just a matter of days, we’ll be saying so long to summer and hello to fall. While it’s true the weather may not reflect the transition from one season to another (although we’ve had a couple of chilly mornings recently), that shouldn’t stop us from getting our homes in tip-top shape before the threat of tornados and inclement weather arrive. With that in mind, here are a few fall home maintenance tips to consider.

Fall home maintenance tips for new & existing homeowners

  • Service your HVAC system
    It’s not time to switch the HVAC from pushing out cold air to hot just yet but it will happen. Before the need to do so arrives, we highly recommend scheduling a cleaning and maintenance service for your system.
  • Schedule a chimney cleaning
    Since soot build-up and other issues associated with a dirty chimney can be a fire hazard, it’s necessary to have your chimney cleaned before you light a fire this fall.
  • Change the batteries in smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors
    If your alarms and detectors run on or have a backup battery, make sure you swap them out this fall. You should also test systems to determine if they are working properly. A word of caution, if your alarms and detectors are tied into your security system, you should probably let your security company know you are going to run a test.
  • Prune dead branches
    Dead branches and other tree debris can cause damage to roofs, crack windows, and cause other issues on the exterior of the house. In order to prevent your trees from being the source of a problem, prune dead branches and trim healthy ones back so that they don’t touch your home. Side note, this will also deter insects that use these tree limbs as bridges to houses.
  • Clean your gutters and downspouts
    Prevent water damage and/or water accumulation in your gutters and around the foundation of your home by cleaning out your gutters so that water can run freely through them. You should also make sure your downspouts are free of debris and that they point away from the foundation.
  • Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
    Don’t give water a chance to freeze inside your pipes (which will burst if bad enough), rather shut off and drain your outdoor water faucets. You should also put hoses away to keep them in good shape for the next time they’re needed.
  • Pest-proof your home
    Although we touched on this briefly above, you should seal every crack, gap, hole, and opening on the exterior of your home to keep rodents and insects from crawling in to find food and warm shelter when natural food sources run low and the temps dip.
  • Repair your fence
    A good storm can knock down a fence that has seen better days. Before the threat increases this fall, repair or replace boards and consider staining to prevent water damage from occurring.
  • Prepare your lawn for next spring
    To ensure your lawn grows thick and green next spring, make sure you have it aerated and fertilized sooner than later.

Moving this fall?

While our area of expertise does not necessarily lend itself to home maintenance, we are certainly ready to help you move into a new home this fall! Offering affordable and top-rated moving services in Mountain Brook, Hoover, and throughout Greater Birmingham as well as the Huntsville metro, our locally owned and family-operated moving company specializes in residential and commercial moves and is ready to go the distance whether that’s around the corner, down the street, or out of Alabama! Request a free moving estimate today or give us a call to discuss your moving needs.

 

 

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new homeowner decorating living room in birmingham
20
Aug

5 Things To Do As Soon As You Move Into A New Home

Welcome home! Now that your movers have unloaded the last box and you’ve said goodbye to friends and family who were on hand to help, it’s time to make the space yours! Of course, it’s probably going to take you a few weeks (or more) to settle in so before you start tackling those boxes, we have five tasks we recommend taking care of right after moving into a new home.

Change the locks

While it’s probably safe to assume the previous owners aren’t coming back, you don’t really know who has a spare key to your new home. To ensure that your family is the only one with keys, we suggest changing your locks right away.

Find the breaker box

Your circuit breaker box is where you access all the main power lines to your home and it also protects electrical wiring in your house and keeps you safe should a wire become overloaded with electrical current. It’s important to know where the box, also called a panel, is located so that you can fix a tripped breaker or shut off power, if necessary.

Many breaker boxes are poorly labeled so if you’re unable to read what each switch goes to, you’ll want to test and re-label.

Check smoke detectors & air filters

When it comes to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, it’s not wise to assume there’s plenty of battery life left. While some are hardwired into your home, nearly all detectors have a backup battery. Since you don’t know when the previous owners last replaced batteries, go ahead and take care of that straight away.

While you’re taking care of the batteries, you should also consider changing out air filters that filter out dust, pet dander, and other pollutants that might adversely affect indoor air quality.

Deep clean before you unpack

Your new home might look clean on the surface, but there’s a good chance that there are remnants of the previous owners in the kitchen, bathroom, and elsewhere in the home that you’ll want to scrub away before you move your own belongings into position.

Even if no one has lived in your new home prior to you, a deep clean is still the way to go. There’s a good chance that dust and dirt from the construction phase are lingering somewhere in the house.

Make your house a home

Whether you’re a practitioner of hygge (you know, the practice of creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home) or simply want to surround yourself with possessions that make your home… well homey, we encourage new homeowners to spend time setting up furniture, hanging picture frames and wall art, laying down area rugs, and really just finding the right place for all their belongings. You may want to have storage boxes on hand in case you decide some items just don’t belong with your new aesthetic.

A couple more tips for after you’ve moved in

Of course, these move-in tips are really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to settling into a new home. There’s also the need to change your address at the post office if you haven’t already and though it’s not required, stop and say hi to your new neighbors now that you have a chance to catch your breath.

Still looking for a moving company?

Offering top-rated moving services in the Birmingham and Huntsville metros, Changing Spaces Moving, is the company to call if you’re on the search for local movers to help you move into a new home. In business since 2003, our locally owned and family-operated moving company specializes in local, intrastate, and interstate moves. Whether you need a residential moving firm to help you move around the corner, across the county, or out of state, we are here to help. Get started with a free estimate!

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moving tips to help homeowners with their next move
7
Apr

How To Protect Floors & Other Moving Tips

Moving tips & tricks from experienced moving experts

According to industry experts, August is the busiest moving month in the nation. Whether you’re planning on buying a new home this summer or in the coming weeks, now is the best time to prepare for it. That is, if you want to reduce your stress and make your move less complicated. With that in mind, our moving pros have put together a few moving tips and tricks we think will help you when the big day arrives.

Protect the floors

It might seem an odd tip to start with but the condition of floors is often not even a consideration when moving – it should be though. On moving day, the chances of damaging floors and carpeting is not slim. If you’re moving out of a rental and leave behind damage, you run the risk of not getting your deposit back. Or, if you’re not careful when moving into your new digs, you could end up with repair costs- not exactly the first thing you want to spend money on in the new place. So, how do you protect floors and carpets from being damaged during a move?

  • Do not drag furniture
  • Use furniture sliders and a rubber-wheel dolly
  • Cover furniture and heavy items with furniture blankets to blunt the impact of objects falling on the floor by accident
  • Lay down cardboard to protect floors

Be ready to problem solve

Moving day presents a lot of obstacles – a lot of them you might not account for. For example, how do you move your big couch through the small door? In a situation like this, it may never have occurred to you that your new home’s doors are smaller than the old ones. To help you keep moving despite the curveballs that might come your way, be ready to problem solve. Have a measuring tape on hand, be ready to text for reinforcements, and utilize other problem-solving methods that have served you well in the past.

Purge before you move

Why bother packing almost-empty lotions, rolled up tubes of toothpaste, expired medicine, broken furniture, clothing you’re never going to wear again, old paint in the garage, and other items that would be better suited for the trash? Rather than take the time to pack up items you won’t use at the new house or that you can easily buy after you move in, get rid of them before you move. Not only will it save you time unpacking, the act of de-cluttering can be quite freeing!

Shave time off packing

Packing is probably one of the most dreaded parts of moving but make it easier by leaving clothes on hangers, leaving clothing in dressers, and color code/label boxes. Of course, for the easiest packing solution, consider using a packing service to do the job for you!

Snap pics of your electronics

If you hate wires and setting up electronics even a little, we highly recommend taking pictures of the back of your TVs, computers, and other electronics. By taking a moment for this task, you can remove the guess work when you start re-assembling equipment on the other end.

Hire local moving pros to take care of the heavy-lifting for you!

Locally owned and family operated since 2003, Changing Spaces Moving provides full-service moving and packing services for the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros. If you’re looking for reliable movers that offer competitive pricing and five-star service, make the easiest decision of your move and request a moving estimate today!

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tax forms and calculator
15
Mar

Are Moving Expenses Tax Deductible?

It won’t be long before April 18th arrives and with it the deadline to file your taxes. That’s right friends, we’re in the middle of the 2022 tax season! While this time of year is looked forward to by many, for others there’s less excitement and more anxiousness and frustration. If you’ve found yourself in the latter group and are wondering if you can deduct your moving expenses related to a 2021 relocation on your Alabama and federal tax return, we have the answer.

Before we dive in with an answer, we’d like to emphasize we are not tax experts and you should ALWAYS defer to your accountant or tax professional. Now, getting back to the answer that you’re probably do not want to hear or are going to like. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect on January 1, 2018, the exclusion/deduction for qualified moving expenses has been suspended until 2026. That means you cannot deduct any expenses associated with a move you made last year.

There may be a caveat for active members of the Armed Forces on active duty and, due to a military order, moved because of a permanent change of station.

What about the moving allowances paid by businesses?

If your company provided you with an allowance for moving expenses, the amount will be included on your W-2 as they are not tax-free monies. There are some situations where employers issue funds prior to the employee’s start date and as a result, taxes are not taken at all.  Make sure you understand how you received your moving allowance and whether or not taxes were taken.

Have other tax-related questions?

As we mentioned above, we are not tax pros and this blog post should not be considered expert advice. Instead, we encourage you to reach out your trusted tax advisor. You can also check out these tax tips from the IRS.

We’re not tax pros but we can help you with your next move

At Changing Spaces Moving, we are a locally owned and family-operated moving company operating in the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros. If you’re looking for dependable movers that offer competitive pricing and five-star service, make the easiest decision of your move and book with us!

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a couple struggling to move a couch in birmingham home
11
Feb

Hire A Moving Company Or Rent A Truck?

When it comes to moving, a lot of people consider renting a moving truck and recruiting friends and family to help out. While this type of move may save you money (minus the cost of pizza, snacks, and drinks for your helpers), that does not necessarily mean it’s the best choice. Let’s look at the pros and cons of renting a moving truck and undertaking a DIY move or hiring a moving company.

The pros of a DIY move

Obviously, moving yourself is a more affordable option then hiring a full-service moving company but besides it being cheaper, what are the benefits of DIY moving?

  • You control your entire move
  • You select the packing materials
  • You pick the people moving your belongings

Buy packing supplies from Changing Spaces Moving

The cons of renting a moving truck and moving yourself

  • You schedule the truck
  • You buy the moving and packing material
  • You do most of the labor including the heavy lifting
  • You are responsible for finding help and everything else associated with the move

The pros of hiring a full-service moving company

Hiring full-service movers may be more expensive but it does have its advantages.

  • Moving companies will shoulder much of the responsibility of the move
  • Movers do the driving, whether its local or long-distance
  • Drivers and loaders are experienced in handling belongings and utilizing all the space in a moving truck
  • You can add on packing services

Cons of hiring professional movers

  • More expensive to hire a team than just rent a truck
  • Less flexibility regarding the moving date and time
  • You run the risk of hiring a moving company that doesn’t perform the job well

So, which moving option do you choose

Choosing how to accomplish a move is a personal decision. Really, there’s no correct answer. Be sure to look at all aspects of the move including non-monetary costs before you choose an option. When it comes down to it, your needs, preferences, and of course, budget will determine which route you go.

Beware of moving companies with bad reviews

If you decide to enlist a moving company for your next move, be sure they are properly vetted before you commit. Asking friends, families, and co-workers for their personal recommendations should be your first step and once you’ve narrowed down the list, take some time to read company Google reviews. Red flags are reviews that include references to items breaking, not timely, additional charges, un-professional movers, poor customer service overall, etc.

Consider Changing Spaces Moving, for your next move

At Changing Spaces Moving, we are a locally owned and family-operated moving and packing company that specializes in local, intrastate and interstate moving. Serving Vestavia Hills, Chelsea, and all of the Greater Birmingham metro as well as Decatur and the Huntsville metro, our top-rated moving team is ready to help you with your upcoming move. We offer:

If you’re in the process of planning a move and would like to consider Changing Spaces Moving, please request a residential moving estimate online or by calling us.

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homeowner packing dishes wrong in birmingham
16
Jan

How To Properly Pack Dishes For A Move

Are you wondering if you know how to pack dishes properly so that you don’t have to buy a whole new set once you’ve moved into your new home? No matter how tempted you are to stack your dishes in a box and pack bubble wrap around them – that is the last thing you want to do. Well, that’s if you want your dishes to arrive at your new home in one piece. The thing about packing dishes is that it’s not necessarily difficult if you know how to do it properly.

Packing materials needed for packing dishes

In order to successfully move your dishes, you’ll need the correct packing materials on hand. Here’s what our professional, local moving company recommends:

  • Small to medium heavy duty packing boxes (skip boxes reclaimed from the grocery store) and/or dish pack boxes
  • Bubble wrap
  • Tissue paper or another kind of packing paper (newspaper can leave ink on your dishes)
  • Packing tape
  • Sharpie marker

Buy packing supplies from Changing Spaces Moving

How to pack dishes for moving

Not that we’ve covered what you need to pack your dishes properly, let’s go over the proper steps:

  • Assemble your moving boxes using packing tape along the seams to reinforce the boxes and to ensure they will not break.
  • Line the inside of the moving boxes with bubble wrap.
  • Wrap each individual dish in packing paper.
  • Pack dinner plates, dessert plates, and other types of plates on their sides with bubble wrap between each plate. Repeat the process for bowls and other dishes. Do not pack dishes flat or stacked on top of each other.
  • Fill any empty space in moving boxes with packing paper and/or bubble wrap.
  • Do not overpack a box and do not let the weight of individual boxes exceed 40 pounds.
  • Tape the top of each box well and use your marker to label the box. We recommend using the words “kitchen”, “dishes”, and “fragile” when labeling.
  • If you’re moving your belongings, make sure you pack dish boxes on the ground and DO NOT place other boxes, especially heavy ones, on them.

Professional packing services is also an option

If you’re still worried about packing your dishes properly or simply don’t have enough hours in the day to make sure it’s done correctly, consider hiring professional packers for the job.

At Changing Spaces Moving, we provide full-service packing services in the Huntsville and Birmingham metros that are designed to take the stress out packing.  If you’re interested in a packing and/or moving quote in Madison, Homewood, or elsewhere in either of the metros we serve, please contact the local moving pros at Changing Spaces Moving Inc., today!

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couple moving into new home in 2022
16
Dec

New Year, New Home: A Guide To Moving In 2022

If you’re closing on a new home in the new year, congratulations! Now it’s time to get to work. Well, that is if you want to make your move as organized and as low stress as possible. With that in mind, here are a few of our top moving tips for 2022.

Use a moving checklist

Taking your planning one step farther, we suggest creating or using an established moving checklist to ensure you don’t forget ANYTHING during the move. Here at Changing Spaces Moving, we’ve created a moving checklist that starts seven weeks out. It is designed to help make the moving experience easier, more organized, and hopefully less stressful.

Book your mover

One of the first things to do on our moving checklist is research and contact moving companies in your area. It is important to find a mover you’re comfortable with as early as possible and to iron out the details before the big day arrives.

Purge before you move

Just as new year gives you the opportunity to wipe the slate clean so does decluttering before you move into a new home. In fact, when you purge your house of unwanted and unnecessary items before you move, you’ll have less to pack, less to transport, and less to put away. That means you’ll have more time to enjoy your new space.

Start packing early

If you’ve been through a move, you know how the stress levels go up as the moving date draws near. One way to avoid stress (and damaged items) is to start packing early. The more rushed or frazzled you become, the more likely you are to just toss items into a box, increasing the confusion at the new home and the likelihood of your items being damaged.

An alternative to packing yourself, is to use professional packing services. If this option sounds appealing, we recommend getting that scheduled as early as possible too. Be sure to ask your moving company if they offer this service.

Set up and cancel utilities

To ensure a smooth transition, you’ll want to complete the necessary change of address paperwork at the post office. You should also notify your bank, credit card company, and anyone business or person that will need to know of your move. You should also set up utilities at the new house and schedule disconnection on services at the old place.

Professional movers serving the Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros

We hope your found our moving tips helpful! If you want to learn more about Changing Spaces Moving, and how our locally owned and family-operated moving company can help you transition into your new home in 2022? Contact us today to discuss your upcoming residential move or request a free moving estimate today! Serving Hoover, Madison, and communities throughout Greater Birmingham and Huntsville metros, we are ready to deliver careful, fast, and courteous service! 

Request A Free Moving Estimate Today!

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