Tips For Moving

The search is over the negotiations are done, now for the fun part, moving.

Whether you are moving across town or across the country moving requires planning and decision making.  Two options you have for moving are self moving or professional moving.

Sit down and look at the budget you prepared for purchasing your new home.  In it should be your moving expenses.  Recalculate your position after your purchase and determine what you can afford and what you feel comfortable doing.

Professional Movers:

• There are varying levels of service when using professional movers.  A basic level where you pack and they deliver up to a full service where you relax as they do all the work.
• Professional movers utilize heavy duty boxes, packing blankets, and dollies to move items safely.
• Professional movers are insured for damages, if you have heavy items in awkward places they are better skilled at moving them and should an item get damaged they pay to fix or replace it.
• Just before the movers arrive take pictures of all items of value that could be damaged in a move.  Be sure the time date stamp is activated on your camera.  This will make filing a claim much easier should it be necessary.  Best to use an actual film camera for this,digital photos can be altered leaving room for argument.  With film it is on the negative.
• Remember to get all phone numbers and access to the moving company and a drivers cell phone number in the event that the drivers run in to bad traffic or weather that delays your delivery.
• Pack enough clothes and toiletries to last you 2-3 days and haul them with you.  In the unlikely event that your delivery is delayed more than a few hours you will be able to have clean clothes and a shower.
• Don’t be afraid to ask a moving company for their proof of insurance.  Commercial insurance companies are prepaired for this and with a phone call from your moving company to the insurance company they will have a current insurance statement delivered or faxed.  Most commercial insurance companies do not give a certificate of insurance to the insured to hand out.  They prefer to send it to you direct from them, this helps to avoid fraud.
• Remember when using a moving company you tend to get what you pay for.  Most are very good and skillful at their trade but be sure to ask around and get references.

Self Moving:

• Boxes can be a large expense; many businesses dispose of boxes of all sizes and strength daily. Call your local grocery stores, and businesses most will simply give them to you.
• You can use old blankets, pillows, even plastic wrap to secure items during a move. Never stack breakable items and always over secure rather than regret later.
• Mark all boxes by room, order to be unpacked, and fragile or not. Make special note on boxes with immediate kitchen needs, bath towels, and sheets. 
• Pack one box with 2-3 days clothes, and toiletries. Set this box where it is well marked and easy to locate.  When you get to your new house you will want a clean set of sheets, a shower and fresh clothes. 
• Be sure to pack boxes no heavier than the smallest adult helping can carry, more trips with light boxes will tire you far less than it will trying to load heavier ones, also it will help to prevent injuries.  All the muscles you stretched loading it will now be much more vulnerable when unloading.
• From my own personal experience, there is a set of lifting straps that slide up to your elbows, You can find them at as seen on tv stores, I believe U-Haul carries them and possibly Wal-Mart. These are amazing for lifting heavy items and keeping good posture. Well worth the minor investment. Dollies are also inexpensive and very helpful. A good ratchet strap and a dolly can make moving washers and dryers a breeze along with other heavy items.

Basic Tips:

• Moving time is a great time to have a garage sale.  Cleaning out old trunks and closets.  If you are like a lot of us, you probably have boxes that have not been unpacked since your last move.   Garage sale will help you to lighten the load and can provide a little assistance with the cost of moving.
• Unpack the clothes and toiletries box first.  Along with sheets and towels, this way you can stop at any point and relax.
• If you have children, have them help with the labeling.   This will not only occupy their time but it will get them used to writing their new address. If you are packing and using a mover be sure to put your new address and phone number on each box.  This will help them get it to you in the event it gets misplaced.
• Be sure to keep small animals out of the way and accounted for when packing.  Animals  love to investigate boxes.
• Be sure to allow anything electrical to return to room temperature before plugging it in. Condensation formed by rapidly changing temperatures can deliver a shock.
• If moving to a new town be sure to take old phone books so that you can notify people of your new address and phone number.
• Do not pack anything that will spoil, donate these items to your friends and neighbors.  Remember your refrigerator if laid on its side to move needs to sit upright for at least an hour before plugging it in.  This is to allow the oil in the compressor to return to the bottom.
• If moving across town a cooler will be fine to save perishable foods, If moving long distance it would be best to dispose of them.

Use the attached notification check list to notify businesses of your move and to help keep track of who you have notified.