Do your research on the moving company you hire. Check online for customer reviews, see if they are accredited with the Better Business Bureau, or you could even ask to see their licensing or insurance policies. Verifying the legitimacy of the mover can ensure that your items are being transported safely and legally.
Check if your homeowner’s insurance policy or any other insurance policy you may already hold will cover your household items if something happens to them during a move. If this isn’t already an option on your policy, look into purchasing an additional policy during the move or verify that the moving company you chose to hire has the coverage.
Stack boxes with the heaviest on the bottom, lightest on top to prevent crushing your belongings.
Save space and money by using “soft” items such as towels, pillows, sheet sets, and t-shirts as packing materials and extra padding around fragile items in boxes.
Know your timeline and keep track of the status of your items in order to hit your preset destination arrival time goal. You don’t want your furniture to show up at your new home when you don’t even have the keys to get in yet!
Pack a 3-day suitcase for each member of the family for the move and keep it separate from the rest of the boxes (such as in your car) during the transition. That way you will always have the essentials you need for the first few days.
Create and mark an “Open Me First” box for each room that includes the most important items that you want unpacked first.
Take a picture to remember – whether that is to remember how you had the furniture in a room set up or of the complicated wiring hook up with your TV speakers. This will make it easier to set up the room again and/or hook up those speakers.
Label each packed box on multiple sides (instead of just one side). That way if a box gets turned, you can still identify its contents.
If moving locally, leave your pets with a friend on moving day. With all the commotion of a truck, boxes, and people, they may get in the way. Plus, a move can be a frightening thing for animals too.
Remember to file your “change of address” notice with the United States Post Office at least 30 days prior to the date of your move.
Empty and defrost your refrigerator/freezer before you move it.
If moving locally, leave the utility services on (such as power and water) at your old address for a few extra days so you can go back and clean up after your move.
De-clutter and purge unwanted items. The more items you can donate, give away or sell, the lighter your load will be, saving you packing time, loading/unloading time, and ultimately money.
Back up all your computer files and/or photos and videos on cameras just in case something should happen, such as exposure to extreme temperatures, which could damage the software.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. We are here to help.
