How to Move Your Arcade Machines

One of those areas of the upcoming move that you may have concerns about is how you will move those classic arcade games in the game room or basement. It’s not every day that you think about safely transporting an arcade machine, but if you’re preparing to move, it’s an important consideration to make.

It’s one of the items in your home that is difficult to move in general, it’s more fragile than most things, and it’s most vulnerable to being damaged. That is why you’ll need a professional moving company to ensure it’s being disassembled, loaded, and reassembled properly for your move. Don’t try to handle this large and fragile item yourself; call The Professional Moving Specialists to make sure your arcade machines are moved into your new home safe and sound.

How arcade machines are prepped for moving

When you call The Professional Moving Specialists, they will come out to your house and handle a disassembly of your arcade machine before attempting to move it. This means that first, they will need to remove loose pieces like pinballs, fold down the back of the machine onto the playing field of the machine, and wrapping the two sections together well with plastic wrap.

Then, a professional would need to remove the back legs and set the machine to the ground before turning the machine on its side in order to remove the front legs. After that, the cabinet would be wrapped in blankets to protect the exterior of the game and any paint that may be on it.

Moving an arcade machine

Just like any other piece of furniture or delicate items like your fine china, your arcade machine will need to be wrapped and moved with care. Many people find themselves in the same situation when it comes to moving a pool table, in which the item is as fragile as their fine china but as large as their sofa. Arcade machines are like an expensive cabinet that holds sentimental value and a fragility that means it needs extra care in order to protect the item during a move.

It’s one of those items that you’ll hold on to for years to come for its sentimental value and its expense. That’s why The Professional Moving Specialists are there to take the precautions needed to not only properly pack the machine, but to move it properly so that you aren’t stuck with an expensive machine repair.

Once the most delicate parts of the machine or table have been removed, like the pin balls of your pinball machine or the felt of a pool table, it will be safe to move the machine. It’s never recommended that homeowners handle this themselves since these pieces of equipment can weigh up to 325 lbs (or more even!).

Being a job for at least two people, your professional moving crew will have no problem having the adequate amount of people to handle the item with care moving it from your home into the moving truck. In some cases, the mechanics of your pinball machine could get slightly altered during the move, but with a simple tweaking from an experienced professional; it can be good as new in your new home. Talk to your moving specialists about their experience moving arcade machines and other collectibles in advance of your move.

Don’t allow your arcade machines to lose value and get damaged moving it with a buddy. Talk to The Professional Moving Specialists to make sure it’s done correctly from start to finish so that you can keep your collectible item for years to come.

Top 6 Things You Might Forget to Do When Moving

The moving process is an overwhelming one, and it can be easy to forget to handle certain details. You may be tempted to choose the first moving company you come across without comparing option, just like you may find it tempting to just pack everything up without getting rid of unused things first.

Did you pay for a bunch of moving boxes you'll never use? Did you look into Green Moving Solutions? There are so many things to keep track of and handle before the move that preparing ahead time will help you avoid rushing through the process and neglecting important tasks. Jot down these 6 things that you may forget to do when moving so that you can cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s.

Sort your items and label the boxes

First, you’ll want to start looking at your items to see if there are things you no longer need. It’s smart to do this before a move so that you can spend less on moving expenses. Sometimes there are things you never use or that you know you’re ready to part with, such as furniture that won’t look good in the new house, wardrobe items, or old holiday items.

Consider what items would be great for donating or put in a garage sale to earn some extra cash for the move. When it’s time to pack everything up, be sure to label each box thoroughly and remind yourself which room each box was intended for, such as “kitchen box” or “bedroom.” We have free moving labels available if you need them!

Get the pets a check-up

Since you’re moving somewhere new, it may take time to find a new doctor, dentist, and vet. Now is the time to get your pet in for a check-up before going somewhere new, and to ensure your pet is handling the stress of the move well. Your pet’s health is important before taking a long trip to a new place, and it will help to have updated pet records from your current vet for when you go to a new vet.

Collect important documents

Now is the time to gather and maintain important documents for your move. You don’t want to have to dig through boxes to find your resume, medical records, or school records when you need them in your new town. Keep your important documents and records handy so as to not pack them into boxes that may not get unpacked for a while.

Compare moving companies

Be sure to do your homework to find a reputable moving company (*wink wink*) rather than hiring the one with the best price or the first one on your google search. Be sure to compare services, prices, conditions, and reviews, and select a reliable moving company in your area that can prove they are licensed and insured, will do an in-home visit, and has a great reputation in the community.

Create your moving checklist

Creating a moving checklist will help you avoid forgetting some of these tasks and others that may slip your mind later. Remind yourself to call for quotes with moving companies, to call around for free moving boxes, and to get utilities set up at your new home.

Remind yourself to redirect your mail and have the furniture sent to your home the day after you’ve moved everything. Be sure to have all of the times and dates on your checklist, as well as things to do and things not to forget on there.

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Pack an essentials box

Lastly, make sure you pack a “first week essentials” box. This should include things you’ll need to access right away, such as a shower curtain and towels, cookware and cups, as well as medicine and dog food. These types of things can end up packed with your regular household goods, and make the time after your move a stressful one.

These are the top 6 things that you won’t want to forget to do when it’s time for your upcoming move.

Moving Insurance: Do you Need it? What is the Cost?

It doesn't matter if you're moving one neighborhood over or across the country; you may want to consider moving insurance. Before you decide to buy moving insurance, however, it's important to understand what it will protect and how much it costs.

Most homeowners choose a good moving company instead of going through the stressful process of packing and moving. Will using a residential moving company guarantee an item that covered if lost or damaged? Is the coverage offered good enough or should you get moving insurance?

Are Moving Companies Liable for Your Things?

Licensed moving companies in Illinois are liable for the value of the items they transport. If an item becomes damaged, while they are moving it, they are responsible. Moving companies have to offer two levels of liability, which are Movers Liability and Valuation.

With Valuation coverage, there is usually a fee associated. If an item is damaged the moving company will attempt to repair the damage and if not repairable the client will receive depreciated value for the item.

Movers Liability coverage is usually included in your move and the moving company will pay, if an item is broken. However, they only pay up to 30 cents per pound, per item. So, if you have a heavy coffee table worth $1,500 and it's damaged, the company only pays 60 cents per pound. Even if it weighs 100 pounds, that's only $30.

Buying Moving Insurance

These policies will provide coverage much like a standard insurance policy, which means you, will pay upfront for the coverage and pay a deductible if you make a claim.

It’s important to understand the type of protection you’re getting when buying moving insurance.  With some insurance policies, you will need to create a selected inventory to be covered, while other policies just cover the total value of your goods.

While you may not think you need the added coverage, you’ll probably wish you had it, if something does happen. Even the best moving companies cannot avoid every accident, but with good moving insurance, you’ll be covered.

Third-Party Moving Insurance

While purchasing moving insurance from a third-party may seem like a good idea, it can be rather expensive. This type of coverage can run anywhere from about $200 to $1,000, which is often much more expensive than purchasing additional coverage from your moving company. In addition, the deductible may be much higher in order to make the upfront rate lower.

Moving insurance offers an additional level of protection for your items when you need to move. If you don't feel like the required coverage offered by your professional moving company is enough, consider purchasing additional moving insurance from your moving company for full protection.