There are two types of movers: the movers who would rather have someone else do all the heavy lifting, and the movers who would rather do it themselves. Here are a few key tips for each of you!
Letting Someone Else Move You: There are several things you want to do before someone comes into your home to move your belongings.
• Remove any valuables! You want to keep these safe and the best way to do that is by moving them yourself.
• Package fragile items yourself. You may not want to move them yourself, but packaging them yourself is always a good idea. This way you know they will be safe and make the move.
• Label items you want handled with a little more care. It may not be fragile, but you still want it handled a little more delicately than, say, the sofa.
• Box the little things. This will help the movers get your items moved more swiftly and you will know nothing is missed.
• Research your movers! This cannot be stressed enough. Don’t just hire someone because they are the cheaper option. Generally the rule of “you get what you pay for” applies to movers. It is worth it to pay the extra and have the peace of mind that your items are safe.
Moving Yourself: You will be following a lot of the same tips as above, with a few added in.
• Pack all valuables and fragile items with great care. You will want to move these completely separate from larger items to prevent damage. In most cases, you can fit these in the back seat of your vehicle or the trunk.
• If you are not using a rented moving truck to move your items, you should consider buying some cheap king size sheets to wrap your larger belongings in. If you are putting them in the back of your pickup, you can throw a sheet or two over the tops of the items and tie it down when tying the actual items down. This will help to keep them clean and dirt/dust free.
Tips for both of you: There are tips you will both be following, regardless who is doing the actual moving.
• Label items by room. This will help you when unpacking! Something as simple as this can save you a ton of time in the end.
• If moving farther distances, you will want to either ensure you have used all of your perishable food items, or donate them to someone in need. You don’t want your items to spoil during the move. If you don’t want to move your nonperishable items as well, you can always donate them to your local food bank. If you are moving within a radius of your home where you can put the items in a cooler, be sure it is a short enough distance where your items won’t spoil.
• Find free boxes! Yes, free boxes. Call local grocery stores or even Walmart and ask when they stock their shelves. Those empty boxes are almost always just up for grabs! It is usually in the wee hours of the morning when no one is there, so plan on staying up late, grabbing a cart and going through the isles for your free boxes! Clean them up and they are ready to go.
Moving is always a tedious task, whether you’re a do-it-yourself-er or not. Keep your items and yourself safe and enjoy your new home!
(Tips for moving with children and pets will come at a later date.)
