Moving Tips
Time invested in organizing and planning your move are the keys to eliminating much of the hassle of moving. Preparing the little things ahead of time will make a big difference come moving day. From decluttering and cleaning, to packing and taking inventory, everything that you do prior to moving day will help you stay on track and reduce the amount of time it takes to move.
One of the best ways to ensure a smooth move is to prioritize communication – keep boxes labeled, movers informed, and everyone on schedule by ensuring that you are ready to move into your new space from the moment The Mighty Movers arrive.
Start early – Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.
Room Lists – Start by forming two room lists, one for your current place and one for your future place. This will help you manage what has to go where.
Room Inventory – Go to each room and write down the types of things that need to be packed: furniture items, length of shelving, closets, etc.
Time Allotment – Make sure to leave enough time. The most common time frame reported by people moving is that it takes a month to pack.
Only hire the best – If you choose to hire professional movers, do your research and hire good ones. Poor quality movers really can be worse than none at all.
Licensing – Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured.
Research – Investigate your potential movers through the U.S. Department of Transportation, MovingScam-dot-com and the Better Business Bureau.
Price – Price isn’t the only factor- extremely low bids indicate a desperate mover.
Avoid “rogue movers” – if you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts! Never agree to move your possessions with anyone you don’t trust.
Less is more – Use packing as a way to clean out belongings for donations, a yard sale, and/or the recycling center. Aim to eliminate 1/3 of your belongings. You’ll save time and expense.
Off the floor – Instead of the floor, use a completely cleared-off table top or counter in each room for packing boxes. You’ll find you get much more accomplished.
Tracking small parts – When taking apart items to be moved, such as tables, securely tape screws and other small parts securely to the underside of the item. You’ll always know where to look and save time putting things back together.
Criss-cross tape – Tape boxes along the seams where the flaps meet together. Then tape perpendicularly at the center of the first tape, forming a cross.
Stacking – Stack boxes with the heaviest on the bottom, the lightest on top to prevent crushing.
The 30-pound rule – Keep each box below 50 pounds absolute maximum and below 30 pounds wherever possible. Heavier boxes lead to injuries, are much more likely to burst their tape or seams and tend to get dropped.
Scale – Keep a bathroom scale in the room you’re packing so you can keep the boxes below the weight limits.
Accountant/tax preparer; Alumni associations; Attorneys
Babysitter/ child care provider; Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity, IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings account); Broker; Business cards (order new ones if applicable)
Cell phone provider; Child care/ daycare; Chiropractor; Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes; Credit bureaus; Credit card issuers
Dentist; Department of Motor Vehicles; Diaper service; Doctor; Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
Family members and friends
Health clubs; House cleaning service; House of worship
Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles); IRS (form 8822)
Lawn care; Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
Magazine subscriptions
New business cards; New employer; Newspaper subscriptions
Old employer; Orthodontist
Parent-teacher association; Passport; Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care; Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes); Physical therapist; Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location); Post office; Professional organizations
Retirement plan holders; Return address labels (order new ones)
Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts); Snow removal service; Social Security Administration; Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing); Swimming pool memberships
Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
Water delivery service
Again, start early – You want to have everything as organized as possible prior to the arrival of the movers.
Use sitters – Recruit help in watching your small kids and pets on Moving Day. Your attention will be needed for the nuts and bolts of the move.
Have food ready – Whether you have professional movers or friends and family, having coffee, orange juice, and bagels or donuts available will make it easier for everyone to get started.
Cell phone numbers – Make sure you have the cell phone number of the driver of the truck entered into your cell phone, and that the driver has yours in case you get separated or have a problem.
Proper payment – Make sure you have payment ready.
Fully Accredited
The Mighty Movers are licensed, bonded, and fully insured professional moving services in Chantilly, Virginia. Our team makes every effort to ensure the safety and security of clients’ possessions while moving, and our fully accredited moving services go the extra mile in ensuring peace of mind.
We’re Trusted By More Than 4500 Clients
Trusted By The World’s Best Organizations:
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