Are you moving this spring or summer? Here are a few tips on how to avoid missteps during your move.
Bad Movers
Many moving horror stories involve rogue or incompetent movers.
The good news is that there is an easy way to avoid bad movers. All you need to do is carefully research your movers before hiring them to make sure you are dealing with licensed and experienced professionals you can trust:
- Get Recommendations: Ask friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently moved for recommendations. Personal experiences and word-of-mouth referrals are valuable in identifying trustworthy movers.
- Check Online Reviews: Look up moving companies online and read reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Angie’s List. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews to get a balanced view of the company’s reputation.
- Verify Credentials: Ensure that the moving company is licensed and insured. You can check their license numbers and insurance coverage on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website for interstate movers, or your state’s regulatory agency for local movers.
- Get Multiple Quotes: Contact several moving companies to get estimates. Be wary of unusually low quotes as they could be a red flag for subpar service or hidden fees. Compare quotes and services offered by different companies.
- Ask About Experience: Inquire about how long the moving company has been in business and their experience with moves similar to yours (e.g., long-distance, specialty items, etc.).
- Visit Their Office: If possible, visit the moving company’s office in person to assess their professionalism and operations.
- Check for Complaints: Research the company’s complaint history with organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the FMCSA. Avoid companies with a track record of unresolved complaints or unethical practices.
- Ask for References: Request references from the moving company and follow up by contacting these references to inquire about their experiences.
- Review the Contract: Read the moving company’s contract carefully before signing. Make sure all services, fees, and terms are clearly outlined. Watch out for any clauses that seem unfair or unclear.
- Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Be cautious of movers who only accept cash payments or require a large deposit upfront. Reputable companies usually accept multiple forms of payment and request a reasonable deposit.
- Understand Insurance Coverage: Inquire about the moving company’s insurance coverage and what protection is offered for your belongings during the move.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask the moving company any questions you have about their services, procedures, or policies. A reliable company will be transparent and responsive to your inquiries.
Poor Organization
The only way to avoid problems when moving house is to plan each phase of your relocation adventure in meticulous detail and stay one step ahead all the time. Otherwise, you may find yourself facing any of the following all-too-common moving ordeals.
Consider purchasing boxes, tape, labels, markers, and furniture covers from us! Furniture covers protect your treasured pieces of furniture. Organizing boxes efficiently during a move can make the process smoother and help you stay organized in your new space. Here are some tips:
- Label Clearly: Use a bold marker to label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This makes it easier to unpack quickly and place items where they belong.
- Color Coding: Assign a color to each room and use colored stickers or markers on boxes accordingly. For example, all boxes for the kitchen could have a red sticker.
- Create an Inventory: Keep a detailed inventory list of what’s in each box. Number the boxes and note down the contents in a spreadsheet or notebook. This helps you keep track of everything during packing and unpacking.
- Pack Essentials Separately: Pack a box with essentials you’ll need right away in your new place, such as toiletries, a few kitchen items, bedding, and important documents. Label this box clearly as “Open First.”
- Group by Room and Priority: Pack items from the same room together and prioritize packing by frequency of use. Pack rarely used items first and essentials last.
- Use Uniform Boxes: Try to use boxes of similar sizes as they are easier to stack and arrange in the moving truck or storage unit.
- Heavy Items on Bottom: Place heavier items at the bottom of boxes to prevent them from crushing lighter items.
- Protect Fragile Items: Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or towels to cushion breakable items. Clearly mark boxes containing fragile items.
- Fill Boxes Completely: Fill empty spaces in boxes with packing material to prevent items from shifting during transit.
- Keep Important Documents Safe: Pack important documents like passports, IDs, and contracts separately and carry them with you rather than loading them onto the moving truck.
- Prepare an Unpacking Strategy: Label boxes with a priority level for unpacking. For example, label some as “High Priority” for immediate unpacking and others as “Low Priority” for later.
- Disassemble Furniture Properly: Keep all small parts, screws, and tools together in a labeled bag taped to the furniture they belong to.
- Take Pictures: Before disassembling electronics or complicated furniture, take pictures of how they are set up. This will help you reassemble them correctly later.
- Use Wardrobe Boxes: These specialized boxes allow you to hang clothes directly inside, reducing the need for folding and ironing later.
- Plan Ahead: Start packing well in advance of your move date to avoid last-minute stress and rush.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to streamline the packing and unpacking process and ensure that your belongings arrive safely and in an organized manner at your new home.