If you're moving this summer, the busiest season for moving,
you know how daunting it can be. But if you create a blueprint for your move,
the transition from house to house will go more smoothly.
Here are 10 things you can do to prepare for a seamless
transition.
1. Full serve, partial serve or a do-it-yourself move.
Can you do it alone or should you hire a licensed moving company for a
full-service or partial-service move? This is one of the first and often
most difficult questions soon-to-be moving households face. The answer depends
on your lifestyle, household size, budget and amount of time you have to get
everything accomplished. Get written quotes from at least three licensed moving
companies so you know you’re getting the best deal based on your specific
moving needs. Moving yourself or doing a partial-service move?
Packing calculators can make it easier to estimate the amount of boxes and
packing materials needed.
2. Plan to unpack BEFORE you pack. Take photos of each room
in the new home before you arrive with furniture, plants, appliances and family
in tow. Write down on a clip board where each item should go in your next home
before packing, and carry it with you on moving day. List out the major items
that need to be assembled first. As you place each item in its new room, cross
it off the list and you will be one step closer to enjoying your new home.
3. Be strategic about packing. If you have more than a
month to ‘pick up and move’, start early. Complete a free change of
address and schedule utilities ahead of time at Moving.com. Start packing
early. Whether it’s one room, one cabinet or a drawer at a time, weed
through what may be years of accumulation. As you’re going through your
belongings, divide everything into these helpful categories: donate to
charity, give to a friend, recycle, trash, pack now, or keep handy until moving
day. You’ll be surprised at how much you can donate, recycle or give to
friends. And, you’ll not be overwhelmed with the task at hand three days
before you move.
4. Moving is NOT child’s play. Plan ahead. Consider daycare
on moving day, or get help from a friend or family member. Provide lunch
or some other appropriate thank you gesture if you do call in a favor. If
that’s not an option, prioritize setting up safe places for your children to
play in the new home on moving day so they’re not underfoot. This will
help everyone remain happy and calm on moving day.
5. Don’t fight with Fido. Sometimes we forget that all the
packing and constant in-and-out of visitors is stressful for animals. Consider
checking your pet into a daycare facility, or setting up a time for a friend to
take them or check them into pet day care. Don’t let your four-legged best
friends get lost in the shuffle and remember to make day-of moving
arrangements.
6. Keep track of small parts. Some items need to be broken
down into pieces when moving, but do you know what to do with the small screws
and washers that you end up with? Rather than tape them to the furniture, which
can result in losing them, put everything in a baggie that is clearly marked
and sealed. Keep all of the separate baggies together in one box on moving day
and personally take it with you to your new home.
7. Take pictures of electronic hook-ups. Hooking up TVs,
DVRs, home theater systems and computers can be challenging. Before unplugging
any wires for the move, take a photo of the connections, print them out and
label them in detail. This will create fewer headaches when setting up
technology in the new home. Keep track of all loose wires using baggies or
boxes that are clearly labeled, and personally carry these easy-to-lose items
on moving day.
8. Packing cleaning products and toxins. Products such as detergents,
pesticides and paint are heavy and unwieldy to pack. Dispose of as many as
possible before the move in an eco-friendly way. Call your city’s waste
disposal department for guidance on proper disposal. For items that must be
transported, pack them in a small box within a larger box for protection
against leaks. Don’t overstuff boxes with these items! Consider marking these
boxes in a different color, and seal them extra tight. Keep them separate from
the rest of the boxes, particularly if you have kids and pets.
9. Consider getting full value insurance protection. If
using a professional mover, it may cost a few dollars extra, but it provides
peace of mind and eliminates later annoyances. Investing in full value
protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or
a cash settlement will be made at current market value, regardless of age. It's
important to note that the required minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound
would not cover the replacement cost of more expensive items such as a flat
screen TV if damaged in transit.
10. Know your rights. If using a professional mover,
research your rights as a consumer with either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves or contact the state agency within
the state in which you reside for moves within state. Also, enlist the help of
the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or local law enforcement if the moving company
fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage.
FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed
claims.
*Excerpted from Move.com via Realtor.com.
