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Do’s and Don’ts

The Ultimate Moving Guide: The Do’s and Don’ts of a Successful Move

There’s no doubt about it. Moving is stressful. While we understand that a lot of people prefer to move their belongings on their own, there are many people who recognize the time-saving and stress-reducing value of working with a moving company. There are a number of things you can do to make your move run smoother, though, whether you’re utilizing the services of a moving company or not.

Do’s

  • Allow yourself at least one day per room to throw away unwanted items and to pack what you want to keep. Take your time and go through the process carefully so you won’t have to repeat the purge process a second time at your new home.
  • Make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy is up to date. Personal property is covered no matter where it is in the world. While your mover should have coverage, your personal policy may pick up any differences if there is damage. Check with your agent.
  • Make sure you measure your new home in advance. There is nothing worse than carrying a large sectional sofa from one location to another only to find that there is absolutely no way to get it into the house. Plan in advance so that you don’t waste time or money moving extra belongings.
  • Pack things that are non-breakable yourself. There is no reason to pay a mover to pack boxes of books, documents, pillows, and things that aren’t going to break no matter what happens.
  • Keep heavy boxes small, or mix the contents. A box of books can become very, very heavy. Pack books, canned goods, and other heavy items in small boxes. You can also add books or heavy items into boxes of clothing, pillows, or blankets, spreading them out so they aren’t too heavy.
  • Make sure all boxes with fragile items are marked as such. If you pack fragile items on your own, make sure they are properly protected.
  • Consolidate your boxes into one area of your home as you pack. Try to get boxes to the lower level or out into the garage. This will make it easier to quickly move them out of the house and it will also get them out of the way so that your movers can handle larger items.
  • Remove the bulbs from all of your lamps and make sure the shades are carefully wrapped and boxed.
  • Remove all linens from your bed and pack them away in bags or boxes. Remove water from water beds the day before your move, or earlier. Talk to your mover about whether or not the frames should be dismantled in advance. Many movers will take them apart and put them back together again for you
  • Consolidate breakable items in a place where the movers can work with them. Things like glass shelving and wall hangings will need to be handled with care
  • Be prepared to transport any plants you are keeping to your new home. Most movers won’t take responsibility for them
  • Make sure your movers know where each box should go when it arrives at your new home. Color code each room and then use those codes to mark the boxes.

Don’ts

  • Never hire a mover blind. Meet with the movers, preferably at your home. They should be able to see the size of your home and give you a fair estimate. Look for recommendations from family and friends.
  • Never pack valuables into a moving truck. Things like money, jewelry, and important documentation should be carried with you personally.
  • Don’t bother the movers while they’re working, especially when they are moving heavy objects. Distractions can cause slip-ups, damage to your property, and injuries.
  • Do not rely on price alone when choosing a mover. The aforementioned meeting and recommendations from others should play a key role in your decision making process.
  • Don’t hire a mover that isn’t insured. Movers should carry general liability coverage, coverage for the value of your property, workers compensation coverage, and auto insurance for the moving truck. Request a certificate of insurance as proof the mover is covered.
  • Don’t remove the clothing from wooden dressers. You can save yourself money on boxes. Dresses made out of other materials may be heavier and the clothing should be removed. Check with your mover to see if they supply free boxes.
  • When working with a mover, ask how fragile items should be handled. Many movers will not insure you against damage to fragile items if they aren’t allowed to pack them themselves.
  • Never move gasoline powered equipment with fuel in it. Drain the fuel before the move.
  • Do not pack flammable items or perishables in your moving van.

Extra Moving Day Tips

  • You can’t be in two places at once. Make sure you have a responsible friend or family member overseeing the moving process in either your old or new home.
  • Print specific directions to your new home and give them to everyone helping with the move. Be sure to include contact phone numbers so that anyone who gets lost or needs help can reach you.
  • Do not let your moving truck leave your old home without checking each room to make sure large items haven’t been left behind.
  • After you’re finished moving, carefully check the moving truck to make sure nothing was left onboard.
  • Please remember to tip your movers, especially if you feel as though they did a good job. They did a lot of physical work on your behalf, saving you a ton of time, potential injury, and fatigue during an already tiring process.