Is moving fun? No. Can moving be fun? Probably not. But it can definitely be a painless experience when you have the right moving company by your side. Oftentimes, everyone is looking to save a few bucks when moving, but in reality – you’re putting all of your prized possessions at risk. You need to find a moving company that can offer you a reasonable rate and quality service. But this can oftentimes be the hardest part of the moving process itself – right next to packing. However, there are some steps you can take that can make the experience definitely worth every penny.
- Research, research, research
Did we mention research? Hiring movers is everything but an easy task, and the road to picking the best one out there is painful as it is. Most moving companies are competitive and therefore offer similar services and at similar rates, as well. So, what makes one stand out from the other? For example, you should double check if the moving company is licensed and insured. If something were to happen to your possessions, you want a moving company that will take responsibility and action. Ask for recommendations from your friends and family. Or do your own research. When calling around, ask about everything your having doubts about. Are you receiving friendly customer service? This is a good sign as well.
- Picking a date
Picking an exact date for your move can make all the difference. Keep in mind that most people tend to move by the end of the month, and on weekends, so if there is any chance you could avoid those options when choosing a moving date – that would be ideal. There’s no harm in moving on weekends, or on the last day of the month, however, make sure you reserve your spot in advance to make sure that the moving company you’ve selected for your move has availability on the day you’d like to relocate. Checking if there are any differences in rates during these days is also a good tip when calling moving companies.
- Leave it to the movers
If possible – let the movers do the packing. That’s if, of course, you just don’t want to deal with it. And most people, really don’t want to deal with it. Packing can take days, and even after you’ve spent all that precious time you’re never going to get back, there’s always a possibility of something not being packed correctly and getting damaged during transport. In contrast, the professional mover’s you’ve hired have probably received training for every moving aspect, including packing. They’ll probably get everything done in a fraction of the time you would spend on the floor crying while packing all those knick-knacks you didn’t even know you owned until today.
- Being organized is key
The more you are organized before your move, the smoother it’s going to unfold. You should leave most of the processes itself to the movers, yes, but preparing yourself as much as possible before your move can only make the experience more pleasant. Prepare the layout for your new home, so you can direct your movers where to place your belongings once you arrive. Notify the utilities, phone, cable, and internet providers to avoid service delays. Donate or get rid of unwanted items, and plan out the unpacking process once you’ve settled into your new home.
- Become a packing pro
If you do decide to pack everything yourself, you’re going to need to give yourself a lot more time than you think it’s going to take. It’s a common mistake for people to underestimate the number of items they have, but quickly realize that moving homes means packing absolutely everything you own. And that you probably own twice as much as you thought. Once you’ve started packing, you’re going to need to make sure that you’ve gathered the right amount of packing supplies and the right kind as well. You’ll probably need to search the web for the correct way to pack every type of item you own, so nothing gets damaged during transport. The most important tip with packing is – if the contents of the box are jingling, you need to pack it again. Once you’ve packed everything, make sure you label every single box with the room it belongs in and if the contents are fragile
- Think ahead of time
Unpleasant surprises on your moving day are not fun and are often expensive. Not only can they slow your movers down, but these surprises can sometimes even sabotage your move to extreme lengths. Do you need a certificate of insurance? Do you need to reserve the elevator or loading dock? Is a parking permit needed? If there are any changes in building access packing requirements or absolutely anything that could harm the smoothness of your move, make sure you let your moving company know as soon as possible.
- Be kind to your movers
Moving requires technical skills, customer service skills, time management skills and problem-solving abilities. Movers are often placed in very difficult situations and having to balance out the requirements of the moving task and the demands of the clients. Moving is a job that only a few are fully equipped to do with, and if you’ve picked the right ones to handle your move – they’ll do it with a positive attitude and smile on their face. If the crew does a great job, and meets your expectations, a tip is always appreciated and completely optional as well. Being kind to your movers will most likely result in them going above and beyond to exceed your needs and provide you with the best possible moving service out there!