Let’s face it,
moving isn’t always a great experience. It can be stressful, time-consuming
and irritating. But with a little planning and preparation, it really is
possible to reduce your stress and save a little sanity.
Whether you’re moving just yourself across town or packing up an entire
family for a cross-country move, you can make it easier on yourself with a
few helpful tips:
Tips for stress-free packing
As obvious as it sounds, pack
as much as you can ahead of time, saving yourself stress on moving day
by packing items like out-of-season clothes and cookware in advance.
If you don’t use it, don’t
bring it. Make your move simpler by leaving behind items in the garage,
attic and basement you haven’t used in more than a year.
Keep valuable possessions,
computer files and paperwork with you at all times, using a lockbox for
items you won’t need right away.
Utilize wardrobe boxes for
your clothes and hangars, which are also great for comforters, blankets
and pillows.
Pack smart and systematically
by putting things in the same room together in the same boxes, along
with any accessories, and label what each box contains and what room it
belongs.
Tips for hiring
movers:
Research companies by getting
recommendations from people you know, and go online for an initial
screening of customer reviews.
Once you have narrowed your
choices, get several estimates by having moving consultants come to your
home. Don’t get estimates over the phone.
Review the estimates
carefully and make sure they are a “written binding estimate”. Compare
the bids to see why some are high and others are low.
Review the contract and make
sure you understand everything in the agreement before you sign it. Take
your time and ask questions rates, charges, liability and dates. Know
whether it is binding or non-binding.
Ensure your preferred company
has the license and insurance it needs on safersys.org. Ask about the company’s
U.S. DOT number and research complaint histories at protectyourmove.gov.
Tips for moving
yourself
Have the packing finished
before you start moving it. When the friends you have recruited arrive,
having packing left to do only slows the process.
Renting the right truck,
trailer or van is essential. Don’t get caught with too much or too
little space than you need or get something you’re not comfortable
driving or pulling. Rent in advance to save.
Utilize tools that will make
the whole process easier like mattress bags, furniture covers, furniture
pads, forearm lifts and hand trucks. They are often worth the price.
Give yourself extra time. The
need to rush will only make moving more stressful, so schedule an extra
day for things you can’t control, like traffic, parking problems or
rental issues.
Pack the truck smartly, using
straps and furniture pads to make sure everything is tight and secure.
Inevitably, your items will shift during the move. Keep valuable
possessions and fragile items with you in a separate car if possible.
