Moving Tips
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packing & moving
things to keep in mind...
- Get rid of what you don’t need before your move. If you haven’t used it in over a year and it’s not a cherished family heirloom, you likely don’t need it. Consider donating it, selling it, or discarding it. There’s no reason to pay us to move items you won’t use or want.
- If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. Keep copies of all important documents (like estimates, confirmations, etc.) with you throughout your move for easy reference.
- Keep your boxes light and easy to handle. Avoid overloading them—if you can’t lift a box comfortably, it’s too heavy! Aim to keep each box under 50 pounds.
- Use proper boxes when packing, as this greatly helps ensure your items arrive safely. Keep in mind that plastic trash bags are never suitable for packing.
- Use proper padding when packing your boxes. Don’t skimp on bubble wrap or packing paper. As a rule of thumb, when unsure, add more cushioning rather than less.
- Pack dishes vertically in dish barrels. Never stack them in a box. As a guideline, each dish pack should hold about four place settings. If you put more in one box, there isn’t enough padding (see Item 5 above).
- Never pack fragile items together with heavy or bulky items in the same box.
- Label your boxes clearly with the room where you want each one placed. This will make unloading at your new home much faster. You may also want to create an inventory of each box’s contents to help you unpack and locate important items quickly.
- Keep your valuables and essential medications with you, as the mover is not responsible for them.
- When packing, label each box with its contents and the room it should go to in the new location. Prepare an “open first” box for each room. For bedrooms, include bed linens, toiletries, bathroom tissue, first aid items, etc. For the kitchen, include essentials like the coffee maker and supplies, drinks, and your first night’s dishes and utensils.
- Keep all items you don’t want the mover to handle in a secure, separate spot, like an empty closet or spare bathroom—this includes purses, valuables, plants, pets, etc. Inform the movers that this area is off-limits because you’ll be moving these items yourself. Make sure all packers and movers know exactly which items to pack and move and which to leave. Clear communication is essential for a smooth move.
- Whenever possible, arrange care for young children and pets on moving day. It’s best for you and the movers to focus fully on the move. Moving day can be risky for little ones and pets, so it’s ideal if they are in a safe location elsewhere.
- Keep your phone service active at your current location until the move is fully complete. Being able to communicate with your mover and others is essential.
- Arrange to have gas, electric, cable, newspaper, telephone, and other services disconnected at your current location and reconnected at your new home. If possible, overlap services for a day or two in case the move date changes. Also, notify the post office of your new address and when to start forwarding your mail.