Let’s be honest, unless you live in a small tree house moving all your belongings from one home to another is a lot harder than it sounds. Whether moving your prized 80” LED TV or ancient family heirlooms, it has to be done right. Luckily for you, we are going to provide you with 11 moving tips do to exactly that, so buckle in partner.
1. Early bird catches the worm
Unless you need to move immediately, start your moving process at least 1 month in advance. Create a list on what needs to be packed by which date and stick to it. Come moving day and all you have to worry about is waking up and getting dressed. Leaving things to the last minute can cause problems and it may even force you to leave items behind or pay way above what you would like to get them moved.
2. Plan your move
How are you expecting to get from A to B? Will you be asking family and friends to help you, or will you need to rent a truck for a day or two? If you want to find out how much it will cost to move your belongings from your current address to your new home or commercial workplace, check out our moving rates.
3. Picking the right truck
For shorter distances you may be able to make two or more trips, but for others who don’t have that option you need to pick the right truck for the job. Picking something too small will result in more than one journey and only make things more difficult. Use the information below as a basic guideline for what you may require:
- Studio or 1-bedroom apartments – will usually fit all the contents in a 16” cube truck
- 2/3-bedroom furnished homes – will usually all fit the content in a 26’ truck
The average rule of thumb is that most homes can fit in a 24’ truck in no more than two trips.
4. Getting rid of dead weight
As humans we have a habit to keep things for as long as we can, but ask yourself if you really need that treadmill that hasn’t been used for several years, or if that old dresser has any use. If not, either give them away to charity or hold a yard sale. Sites such as Craigslist and eBay are other great ways to sell your unwanted stuff. Who knows, you may even make enough money to cover your moving costs!
5. Label, labels and more labels
Before any box is taped shut make sure you label it. The last thing you need when moving to your new home is tens of boxes with no labels or descriptions. The trick here is to label each side of the box so you easily know the contents if they are placed on top of other boxes.
6. Stock check
Most moving companies like ourselves are reputable, trusted and vet all drivers, others may not be so honest. Create a spreadsheet that details the content of each box, and label it a unique ID number that can also be found on the box itself. When you come to unload, tick off each box against the list to ensure everything is there.
Moving tip: Double check your spreadsheet to ensure you have made no mistakes, you will only cause stress for all parties if you complain about a missing box that does not exist.
7. Picking the right day to move
Another moving tip most people ignore, what days do you think are the busiest for removal firms? That’s right, Friday and the weekends. If your personal situation allows it, opt to move midweek during off-peak hours. Not only will you be sure to get a truck, but it may cost less than moving on the weekend.
8. Selecting your movers
Moving home is as stressful as it gets, hiring a unreliable moving company will only add to your stresses, so choose wisely. Kary Movers have years of experience in the industry and proudly offer what most others moving companies cannot, accountability. We are a team of professionals who can help you with any move regardless of size or distance, while putting all your stress and anxiety at ease.
9. Looking after valuable items
We suggest keeping as much of your valuables on you as you can. If you have hired a delivery truck and are transporting your own car, pack as much valuables in it as you can. If for whatever reason you cannot do this, place your valuable items in more than one box and label them as ‘books’ or ‘misc items for the kitchen’ to avoid any suspicion. Chances are you will have a safe move with no problems, but it’s always smart to plan for every eventuality.
10. Pack smart
Items that will be put in bedrooms or required to be moved up stairs should be packed in smaller, lighter boxes. Staircases are not that wide and using incorrect boxes or putting too much in will only cause you more stress and work when you get to the other side. This is one moving tip you should always follow!
11. What’s your coverage?
Call up your insurance company before you move to find out what parts of the move you’re covered for. Sometimes you may need to abide to certain procedures or document your belongings in a particular way to be applicable for insurance cover in the event of a problem. When using a rental company find out their policies and guarantees so you know exactly where you stand in case of a problem.
Moving home can be as easy or as difficult as you make it. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Following our 11 moving tips will certainly make you more than well prepared to move your family from A to B. If you have any further questions about moving or need more information about our services, you’re most welcome to give us a call or send us an email.
Have we left our any moving tips? Leave a comment below and let us know your own tips and tricks when it comes to moving home.