Top 10 Most Important Moving Tips

Moving is older than the human race and has become a vital part of the earth and all that is in it. Moving is inevitable for people and that is clear to see all over the world.

In 2020, a year so unique it will be remembered for generations to come, roughly 10% of the American population changed residential addresses. At a time when most people weren’t advised to go out, others changed where they lived.

Moving although inevitable, is very complex, difficult, and in many cases, downright frustrating. There are so many things that can go wrong from simple things like forgetting to pack a toothbrush to more complex things like forgetting the route to your new home.

These difficulties are part of the reasons why more people are hiring professional movers. That doesn’t mean that hiring a mover is the magic bullet it might seem to be. Some challenges with moving just don’t evaporate when you hire a mover. For example, a mover isn’t responsible for the essential bag you will need when moving.

However, with all the challenges, moves can be made easier and even enjoyable if certain things are known and prepared for in time.

Types of Moves

No move is the same, however, they can be categorized into two main types: local and long-distance moves.

Local moves are moves that are less than 100 miles in distance and within the same city or town. This type of move is very popular among renters who change homes for various reasons within the same city. This sort of move is usually quick but can also spiral out of control if it isn’t handled well.

For instance, a move in New York City can go wrong if you take the wrong turn and find yourself with your moving truck in heavy traffic. If you rented the truck on an hourly basis, that becomes a problem.

Long-distance moves are much farther in distance. They are over 100 miles and usually mean moving to another city or state. Long-distance moves are far more complex because of the distance. The routes are more complex and multiple trips cannot be taken between the origin and destination. So, the move must be gotten right on the first try.

There are other categories of moves like office/commercial moves which entail moving your office or business to a new location, auto transportation, and military moves.

The various types of moves are designed to tackle the various moving challenges that might surface.

Top 10 Moving Tips

Due to the complexity of moving, people must seek all the help they can get. Moving tips might seem basic but they will save you a lot of headaches. Here are the top 10 most important moving tips you need to know:

1 – Formulate A Written Plan

You will need a plan for your move. You can start by writing the distance between where you currently are and where you are going. From this piece of information, you can figure out if the move will warrant hiring a mover or if you can do it yourself. The next part of your plan is a checklist of things to do before the move. It must be as detailed as possible. This will organize your move to almost perfection. Make sure all the plans are in writing.

2 – Hire A Licensed Mover

The internet makes things easy in general but it can be an unsafe place under certain conditions. The moving industry, like others, has its fair share of scammers. If a mover has no interest in giving you a written quote in person and isn’t licensed with any regulatory body, the mover might not be legitimate.

Always use a licensed mover. Find out if your state has a regulatory body and check their website for licensed movers. Go through the fine prints of any agreement before you sign. Get a lawyer to interpret if you have to.

3 – Reduce Your Possessions

The weight of your items will affect the overall cost of your move. We gather things we don’t have use for in our homes. These things have no value, be it sentimental or otherwise in our new homes. Such things should be given away or sold. Get rid of clutter.

Here is a simple formula: If you won’t use it when you arrive, you will not use it at all. If you are moving to a tropical part of the country, get rid of all your winter clothes. This will reduce the number of boxes you pack your stuff into and drastically reduce the cost of your move.

4 – Contact A Mover Early

In planning a move, contacting a mover is vital. The earlier you contact a mover, the earlier you can draft a budget and get the financial aspect under wraps. Contacting a mover early also gives you more options of date and time. It gives you time to experiment with the cost of various services the company offers. It even gives you the time to compare prices across companies.

Contacting a mover early, is the only way you will get a professional move during peak periods as these times of the year are booked for months on end.

5 – Pay Close Attention to Kitchen Items When Packing

Kitchen items are very delicate and dangerous as well. Pay close attention to kitchen utensils when packing your items into boxes. Don’t lump different types of utensils together. Don’t put items in partially filled boxes either as they might break while being transported. You can put your knives and sharp utensils in oven mitts before packing them into boxes to make them less hazardous.

6 – If You Can Afford It, Get the Full-service

Packing and unpacking items can easily become the most stressful part of a move. Many people feel they are cutting down on cost by packing themselves, but if they pack the items wrongly and they get damaged, there will be no financial advantage. There is the priceless convenience full-service moves bring. If you can afford it, get it because this service will save you time and energy.

7 – Begin Packing When You Begin Planning

If you will pack your items yourself, begin packing when you have decided to move. Pack items that won’t be used in your current residence till you move. For example, if you are moving in summer and it is already spring, pack all your winter clothes into boxes. Maintain this gradual packing style and you will find out that you have far less to do a week to the move. Packing under such relaxed situations also reduces the chances of errors.

8 – Have A Detailed Inventory List

When packing your items, you need to know what you packed into what box, how many boxes you packed, and what you didn’t pack into boxes. This has to be put on a list. Such a list is called an inventory list.

Movers usually make another inventory list but the one you create will help you keep tabs of what you own. It will help you prevent the usual problem of missing boxes. An inventory list also improves transparency with the moving crew and that is why most moving companies use inventory lists.

9- Photograph Everything

Your camera can make your move far more successful. Taking a picture of your home setup will make, organizing your stuff at the destination easier by showing you where everything belongs. Taking pictures of your electronic setup as well will help you plug your stuff back. Your television, personal computer, sound system, and other electronics with wires will be easier to reconnect if the initial setup was photographed.

Taking a picture of your home after you have packed your items also serves as proof to your landlord that you didn’t damage the apartment while you lived in it.

Taking a picture of your moving boxes when packed helps you to keep a photographic record of your boxes before they are transported.

10 – Get your Moving Boxes Right

Your moving boxes can make or mare your move. If the boxes are of low quality, they can get damaged while packing, forcing you to search for boxes and taking precious time. They can also spill their contents in the process of transportation. Getting boxes of high quality is essential to a successful move. Always get boxes in different sizes too as all your items aren’t the same size.

Label and if possible, color-code the boxes. That way organizing them becomes easier.

Moving is an Art as Much as it is a Science

No two moves are the same. This is because the distance, items, and persons involved in the move aren’t the same. Moving tips are vital in a successful move, contributing to the science of the process. However, you can be creative in applying these tips as long as you don’t stray too far from established moving methods.

The fact is, 9 out of 10 times, you will need help with a move. The kind of help you get depends on you. If you decide to hire a mover, contact Three Movers for a 10 out of 10 good experience.