Hire A Carpet Cleaner or Do It Yourself?

carpet cleaning austin

You must clean your carpets every now and then. Doing it by yourself is rough and time consuming, and most of the time it makes financial sense. But every now and then, hiring a pro is necessary. But, how are you supposed to know which company to hire? Continue reading to learn advice on how to hire a high-quality, professional carpet cleaner in Austin, Texas.

Doing it Yourself

If you want to combat the odors when you are cleaning, add baking soda to your vacuum bag. Baking soda will help to neutralize some of the smells that you will get in your bag such as pet hair and old food. This will help you to feel more comfortable and sanitary when you have to dispose the bag.

Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Professional

While you may be able to get a great rate on carpet cleaning from a newer company, it may be a good idea for you to work with carpet cleaners who have experience. You do not want someone to come to your home to fix a problem and they end up making things worse due to a lack of proper knowledge.

Even if your cleaner offers to get your furniture out of the way with no additional charges. Be certain that your fragile pieces are moved before the carpet cleaners even arrive. If the company is insured, you might be paying for expensive damages out of your own pocket.

If you are thinking about having your carpets professionally cleaned, call around to a few different companies. Ask about any specials they are currently running such as multiple room discounts, or your first carpeted room free. Some companies will do one free room, in hopes that you will hire them for additional rooms.

Spend time learning about the company’s history. You do not want to have a company come into your home that has a bad reputation for bad service, untrustworthy staff or for overcharging. You can use the Internet to find reviews from former customers to find the one with a solid history.

When you take a carpet cleaner into people’s homes, make sure that you know what surfaces will work well with your machine. Rugs made of hand loomed wool, that are braided, that are natural-fiber Oriental wool or silk, jute or sisal will not work. Neither will laminate or hardwood floorings — so keep your machine off them.

Want to see more practical homeowners tips and tricks? Follow Apache Moving & Storage on Twitter!

Do It Yourself Interior Design Ideas

do it yourself interior design ideas

Interior Design Tips You Can Easily Do On Your Own

Everyone thinks that they know what it takes to be a good interior designer. Yet the truth is being a good interior designer is all about perspective. You have to learn what people like so that you can cater towards their needs. Have a look through this article to learn some general knowledge and DIY tips about the subject of interior design and decorating your home.

Start your interior design project with a mood board. A mood board is a large cardboard display with different ideas for a room pasted on to it and written on it. You can get ideas from magazines, online and from television shows. The board will give you a visual of your own style, and help you to design a room that fits your taste.

In a family room, try to arrange your furniture into centers. Have a center devoted to watching television, a center devoted to reading and a center devoted to conversation with family and friends. This is a great way to break up your furniture, give the room visual appeal and make the space user friendly too.

If you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, try to use bland colors when redecorating. Bright colors can be offensive to some people, so if your home’s interior is full of radiant color schemes, some property buyers may be turned off by your home’s interior design.

One excellent way to change the interior design of your home is to introduce patterns. A lot of people shy away from patterns, because they think, patterns are overwhelming. The truth is that stripes, swirls and other patterns can add drama to the appearance of a room. Start with small pieces and notice the immediate difference.

Arrange your furniture smartly. Walk around your rooms and take different paths: are you able to easily go from one room to the other? Furniture should not be in your way, and yet some items should be made central if you wish to create a theme or a color pattern based on a piece of furniture.

When redecorating a bedroom, adding a little color can help. Paint one accent wall or add some extra bold pillows to the bed. Place an accent chair in the corner or use lampshades with a bold pop of color. This adds visual interest to the room, and it is an inexpensive way to change the space.

Since you have invested a lot of time to read through this article about interior design you are going to want to write your ideas down. If anything pops up in your head make sure that you write it down and see what you can make for yourself in the future as you progress as an interior designer.

For interior design ideas and other useful homeowner tips, follow Apache Moving & Storage on Facebook.

Make Money When Moving: Rental Deposit Refund Laws in Texas

rental deposit refund laws texasYou know that moving can be expensive, but did you know you can actually make money during the process? Yup, it’s true. Moving can add a little something back in the family budget if you follow some of these cash-generating strategies:

Get your rental deposit back. If you’ve been renting, you’re entitled to your security deposit — plus interest! — provided that you leave the property in the agreed-upon state. Check your lease for details, and if you have trouble getting your landlord to cooperate, contact your city’s or state’s tenant advocacy board. Click here for rental deposit refund laws in Texas.

See if you’re entitled to other deposits or balances. If you pre-paid your gym and are unable to continue with your membership due to your move, you may be entitled to a refund of the balance. The same is true for classes, programs, and other pre-paid memberships. You’ll need to check your membership agreement for details, but it’s worth a call.

Think about short-term sublets or house-sitting. If you have a few weeks left on your rent and your apartment will be vacant, think about subletting it. Someone who needs a short-term place to crash may be willing to pay you a few hundred dollars just to have a place to call home. Likewise, if you are looking for a place to stay, consider hiring yourself out as a house-sitter. You get all the benefits of home AND a paycheck!

Purge, purge, purge… and sell! Get rid of everything you can before you move. Not only will it make the move itself less expensive, it can bring in quite a bit of spending cash. If you have enough time, hold a garage sale. Make sure to market it as a “moving sale” so people know to expect large and small items. Let go of furniture, clothing past its prime, and toys and games for the kids. Books are also great yard sale sellers. If you have just a few large items, list them on Craigslist.com. Designer or name-brand clothing will go well on eBay. Put all your cash into a moving fund and use it to splurge on dinner out on the arrival end.

Offer your courier services. Sometimes cars, animals, or important documents need to be transported from Point A to Point B. Offer your courier services if you have the flexibility or room in your suitcase. You may even be able to offer a ride to someone looking to travel in your direction. Colleges and universities usually have a “rides needed” bulletin board. Warning: Make sure you know exactly who — and what! — you’re transporting.

Sell your packing materials. Many moving companies use second-hand materials — and charge for them! Undercut them by selling all your discarded materials at a bargain-basement price once you’ve unpacked. You won’t make a mint, but why throw that potential cash in the recycling bin?

Look for cash bonuses for sign-up. Banks, gyms, credit unions… many establishments will give you a cash bonus just for opening an account. Look for these types of deals when in search of service providers at your new locale. You need a new bank anyway; might as well get paid for it!

Keep selling. Even when you think you purged before you moved, you will find additional items on the far end of your move that you will need to dispose of. If you’ve got more time, try a consignment service for home furnishings and furniture. Find out if your new area has a kids’ resale event, and start saving those outgrown clothes and baby items.

The key to making money when you move is to question everything, and see how you can turn your expense into a profit-center. The ideas are out there, if you think outside the box.

Want more useful moving and homeowner tips? “Like” Apache Moving & Storage on Facebook.

Looking for more tips on how to make money while moving? Check out our helpful moving and storage blog! If you are in the greater Austin, TX, area and getting ready for a move, contact us, your Austin movers at Apache Moving and Storage, for all of your boxes and other packing materials. Call (512) 452-4799 to speak with us about your next move or browse our Austin Storage page to learn more.

New House Insurance Tips To Remember

insurance-tips

Your home is one of your most valuable assets, and it is important to protect that asset with good insurance. But how can you be sure you have a good homeowner’s insurance policy? And how do you know what you should avoid? These new homowners insurance tips will give you the information you need to make good insurance choices.

House Insurance Tips

When shopping around for homeowner’s insurance rates, be sure to mention any safety-related improvements that you’ve made, especially if it’s an older home. Simply installing a smoke alarm on each floor of your home will not only protect your life in case of a fire, it could save you up to ten percent annually on homeowner’s insurance.

If you live in a gated community or an area that has a homeowners association, the external elements of your home may actually be covered by the association’s policy. Give them a call to find out if this is the case as you will be able to reduce your own insurance accordingly.

You should always take pictures of all your valuable items. Although this may seem like a waste of time, in reality, by snapping a few pictures you create a visual record in case of theft or fire that you will be able to use in filing your claim. An hour or two, once a year, could save you a huge headache in the end.

If you are going to be purchasing home owner’s insurance be sure to purchase a ;policy that has enough value to cover all of your possessions. The last thing you want is to under buy, have a tragedy happen, and only half of your belongings are replaced. Spend a little extra up front for that added security.

It’s important to take the time to assure your homeowner’s insurance policy is a good one. Now that you’ve read this article, you have advice that will guide you through the insurance process. Take time to review your insurance policy from time to time. Protect one of your most valuable assets!

Tips to Help You Sell Your Home in Texas

home selling tips texasReal estate can be a very confusing business. Just when you think it’s a seller’s market, someone comes along and tells you that it’s a buyer’s market. But what does any of that stuff really mean anyway? Read this article to find out some great tips about selling your own home in Austin.

Hire a real estate attorney, even if you are selling your home on your own. By hiring a legal professional to look over your contracts, you are saving yourself many potentially costly problems in the future. A lawyer can spot flaws in your documents, allowing you to rectify them before it’s too late.

If you want to sell your home but the time is not right, take the time to improve your home. The time you spend waiting to sell can be used to make any improvements or repairs to your home that not only increase your comfort but will also increase the sale value when the time is right.

If you’re looking to improve your house to improve its value and increase your chances of selling it, start with the floors. If you have linoleum in your kitchen, hallway, bathroom, wherever, get rid of it. Instead, replace it with tile. It looks a lot better, and will increase your chances of selling your house.

Although this is the job of your realtor, you should still make sure that photos of your home look good when you are trying to sell. These photos are a first impression for your buyer and you want to be sure that it shows properly. Look at other properties and compare your photo style to theirs. Make sure that the photos shown are good room photos and not just pictures of furniture in a room. You will have more of an interest in your property with the proper photos.

If you find that your house has been on the market for longer than you would like, try to make a few changes that will appeal to the buyer. Consider updating the kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, build a fence or light up the outside of the house. These things will add a great appeal to many that are shopping for a new home.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be complicated business at all. If you can follow the tips outlined in this article, you can easily get your home on the market and get fair market value for your property in no time. Just make sure that you’re informed before you act on a whim.

As you work on selling your home, make sure you’ve also contacted the right professional moving company. Check out Apache’s moving services to see if we’re the right fit for your needs.

Money & Sanity Saving Tips to Packing Your House

tips for packing your house to moveMoving from one house to another takes time and money. If you’re like most people, you’re probably a little bit short on both. Never fear; it is possible to move without breaking the bank — or your brain! Take a look at these tips and tricks designed to save your money and sanity while packing your home:

  1. Practice the Rule of Triage. When packing, carry a garbage bag with you at all times. Be ruthless as you go through your closets and drawers, bookshelves and garage. Just because you own a snowblower doesn’t mean you need to move a snowblower — particularly if you are moving from the Texas Panhandle to Austin! Get rid of stuff that hasn’t seen the light of day in at least six months. Also toss anything broken, unsightly, or unloved. This is the perfect time to rid yourself of Aunt Edna’s teakettle, or the hand-me-down clothes your kids wouldn’t wear. If questioned, you can always claim it got lost in the move.
  2. Be Organized. Even if you aren’t naturally organized, now is the time to pull on all your inner resources. You can organize your boxes a few different ways. The two most efficient are:
    *By room where the items came from (Bob’s Man Cave; Sally’s Craft Room)
    *By type of item (Dishes, Knick-Knacks, Blankets, Toys)
    Either way will work; it’s just a matter of personal preference. If you are not going to be on-hand to unpack at the other end, you may want to note where the boxes are going, rather than what they are.
  3. Call in a Favor (or 10). If you are low on income and short on time but have a big packing job to do, call some friends and family to see who is willing to help you tackle things. Be nice and feed them. Pizza and beer will go a long way to getting free labor. Decide if you would like to tackle each room together, or if not, make up a list of the items in each room to pack together or get rid of. Don’t leave anything to chance if you’re enlisting other people to help; you may feel more comfortable having friends help pack the garage or bookshelves instead of your personal items or underwear!
  4. Hire Cheap Labor (but only for the non-important stuff!*). Teenagers come with a lower price tag and are willing workers, particularly if you don’t care that they’re plugged in to their cell phone or iPod 24/7. Give specific instructions, as mentioned above, and don’t expect them to know that the crystal vase is an heirloom and should be wrapped separately.
  5. Label, Label, Label. You cannot overlabel! While it may be easier to just write “Kitchen” or “Master Bedroom” on the top of a box, this can get frustrating when you have hundreds of boxes and can’t remember where you put your two-year-old’s favorite stuffed animal or your husband’s ties for the meeting with the new boss in the morning. Also make sure to properly label things that have liquids in them, books, clothing, etc It makes unpacking a whole lot less stressful, and you’ll know exactly where to start when you’re trying to wash a load of laundry in the new house and are looking for the iron.

It’s like the old adage: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Put in the time and effort on the front end to ensure your unpacking goes as smoothly as possible.

Looking for more house packing and moving tips? Check out our helpful moving and storage blog! If you are in the greater Austin, TX, area and getting ready for a move, contact us, your Austin movers at Apache Moving and Storage, for all of your boxes and other packing materials. Call (512) 452-4799 to speak with us about your next move or browse our Austin Storage page to learn more.

Landscaping Your New Austin, Texas House

DIY Landscaping TipsFor some, landscaping a new home can be a simple touch up job that slightly improves the overall look of a home. For others, it can be a science and a complete work of art, as they use advanced ideas and techniques to make any home look like a masterpiece. Whatever landscaping is for you, the following tips will help you get the best out of your landscaping endeavors.

Consider why you want to landscape your yard before you begin your project. Are you looking to add beauty? Are you trying to add privacy? Is your goal to reduce the overall maintenance of your property? The answers to these questions can help you to select the right variety of plants, making your landscaping project easier to complete.

When planning a landscaping project for your new Austin house, be sure that you put your design on paper first. This will help you visualize your concept and ensure that your project is going to work. This is going to help ensure that you do not waste your time and your money with a misguided plan.

Make sure you plan thoroughly before you begin landscaping. It is a great idea to sketch out your landscaping design when it’s still a plan, so you can get a good mental idea of what it is going to look like. Make notes of the plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. that you plan on using to improve your landscape.

To save money, you can buy items such as mulch or containers from a home-improvement warehouse. The quality of these items will not make much of a difference. However, you should go to a nursery to buy your plants and your other products such as pesticides instead of settling for low-quality products.

Add some paving stones to your landscaping project, to create walkways. This can help to keep people off of your lawn, and it adds beauty to your property. You can line the walkways with some native flowers, to increase the beauty, and further enhance the appearance of your entire property.

Try to promote deep root growth with your lawn. You can accomplish this through proper fertilization and watering, thatch control, and keeping an eye on the height of your grass. By having deep root growth, you will not have to water your grass as often, and it is less likely to suffer from drought.

As you may have realized, landscaping has different meanings for those to do it. Some will think of it as a quick touch up job, while others will think of it as a whole artistic process full of style and grace. Using the tips above, any landscaping you do will look wonderful.

Want more useful homeowner tips? Follow Apache Moving & Storage on Twitter!

Things to Remember When Buying a House in Austin, Texas

Couple reviewing home buying tipsBuying a house in Austin should be a fun and exciting experience. Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of though during the process as you are too excited to see clearly what you are really buying.

It is important to know that buying a home is actually a better choice than renting one. Sometimes paying a monthly mortgage is cheaper than having to pay rent anymore. Plus, when you own a home, you are free to make any changes you want to it, unlike renting one.

If you or someone in your family is disabled, make sure you purchase a home that is disability-friendly, or at least a home that you are able to make changes in. This is important to remember because you do not want to buy a home that would make a hard for the disabled individual to get around in.

If it is possible for you to do so, try to get a home in the suburbs. In most states, purchasing a home outside of the city can cut the price in half. Also, the cost of living in a city is far higher than it is in suburban location.

If you have young children, do not purchase a home that has a balcony or an open landing. This poses a major security risk. If your children fall or jump off of these things, they could get seriously hurt. If your new home does have these features, however, consider blocking them off from children.

Buying a home should be a fun and exciting experience. Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of though during the process as you are too excited to see clearly what you are really buying. Let this article give you some ideas on the best way to buy a home and get a good deal.

Want to more cool and fun tips for homeowners? “Like” Apache Moving & Storage on Facebook.

Moving With Pets Stress Free

pet movers in texas

Moving to new house is both exciting and confusing. It is exciting because you will live in your new house with new neighbors, view, and surely experiences. On the other hand, it is also confusing because you have to bring all of your belongings to your new house and that’s a big job, and quite stressful.

It’s also very frightening for cats and dogs, and it’s not uncommon for the pet to experience intense fear and anxiety during and immediately after the move. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can help dog owners and cat owners to ease the transition when moving day finally arrives.

The key is to plan ahead and allow the cat or dog to adjust at his or her own rate and be patient. Patience is key and before too long, the new house will feel like home in no time for both human and pets.  Dogs and cats find routine comforting and reassuring. So it’s best to establish a strict pet care schedule right away after moving into a new house.

There are various things you can do to minimize the stress to your pet during the move and help your dog or cat settle quickly into their new home.

  • Talk to your veterinarian at least three weeks before the move to determine if your pet will need medication for nervousness or car sickness.
  • Gather the supplies your pet will need during the move – food, water, medications, medical records, bedding and toys. It also helps to bring along some of your dirty laundry because the familiar scent of these belongings is comforting to your pet.
  • Keep your pet away from the moving-day activity by confining him to a room where he feels safe, otherwise, your pet could become frightened and bolt out the door unnoticed. It’s difficult to pack, move furniture, and keep an eye on your pet at the same time. Maybe you have a friendly place where your pet can stay during the packing and moving, like a neighbor, friend or boarding kennel. As much as possible, try not to disrupt his daily routine.
  • Be sure your dog or cat has a tag with your new phone number or the number of a friend so there will be someone to contact if your pet gets lost during the move.
  • Move small animals, like birds and hamsters, in their cages, covered with a lightweight fabric. Remove water and any other objects that might loosen and injure them. You must keep the temperature constant for these small friends to survive.
  • Unpack and settle in a bit before turning your pet loose in the house. Keep the doors to your extra rooms closed and slowly give your pet access to them as they become accustomed to their new home.
  • Orient your dog or cat to the new surroundings. If possible, try to place their favorite resting place (dog bed, chair or cushion) in the same position or area, as it was in your old home. Put their food and water bowls and toys in familiar places as well.
  • If you have a dog, walk him around the house, yard and block. If you have a cat, sit quietly and pet her, preferably while sitting in a familiar chair. Provide a place for your cat to hide (she’ll do this anyway). Make sure she’s eating, drinking and using her litter box.
  • Be patient, loving and reassuring with your pet, and they’ll adjust quickly to their new home.

Apache Moving does not offer personal pet relocation services, but if you need help moving your pet professionally, you can go to www.petrelocation.com for more information.

Essential Austin Moving Supplies

packing supplies austinAre you planning a move in the Austin, Texas area and are unsure what packing materials you need? We have compiled a list of essential moving supplies and materials you need for your Austin move! One of the first things you need to decide is what you will pack. A good idea is to sort things in three piles:

  1. Keep
  2. Donate
  3. Throw away

Once you have that part figured out then you can get these essential moving supplies:

  • Boxes (variety of shapes and sizes)
  • Packing
  • Carpet protection
  • Furniture sliders
  • Blankets

Make sure you get more supplies than you think you need. That way you will not have to run out in the middle of packing! Click here for a list of moving supplies we sell at an affordable price.

If you are in the greater Austin, TX, area and getting ready for a move, contact us, your Austin movers at Apache Moving and Storage, for all of your boxes and other packing materials. Call (512) 452-4799 to speak with us about your next move or browse our Austin Storage page to learn more.

Photo Credit: Lane Collins via Compfight cc