Will movers let me help move items?
Published by Chris Townsend
Using a professional moving company to move from one apartment to another makes the situation of moving a lot less stressful. Even a studio apartment has its ups and downs when trying to relocate. There are possibly steps in your apartment building or areas where maneuvering items could get hairy. Professional moving specialists do this on a daily basis. Having the experts taking care of your belongings ensures that they will get where they need to go quickly and efficiently.
What Your Apartment Movers Want You To Know
You may be tempted to try and help the movers that are moving you from one apartment to another, but there is an etiquette you need to know about. Much like when you go to a fancy restaurant, there is a certain set of rules they expect you to follow. Using a moving company is kind of like that. Plus, you aren’t covered under the insurance that the moving company uses, so if you get injured or break any of your belongings, they won’t be covered. So what do your movers want you to do?
Let Them Do Their Job
The moving company you hire is being paid by you to do a job. You wouldn’t interrupt your dentist to do their job for them, and the same should apply to the people you hire to move your belongings. This does not mean that the moving specialists want you to disappear entirely during the process because they will still need direction form you at times regarding specific items. They simply want you to stand back and allow them to do what they do best.
Packing All Your Items
A lot of full-service moving companies will offer the additional service of packing professionals at an added cost. These professionals come into your home, typically a day before the move, and pack all of your belongings for you. If you opt-out of this additional service to save money and pack the items yourself, you must get the job done before the movers arrive.
Part of your responsibility as a customer of the moving company is to uphold the duties that are required of you. In this case, it is making sure that all of the packing is done before the move. The movers do not want to wait for you to finish packing, plus it costs you more money while they wait.
Should I label my boxes?
If you want to be a big help for your movers without actually getting in their way, labeling your boxes clearly is a start. Adding what room the box goes in and if the box is fragile or not. Be mindful when you are packing these boxes, too. It may be appealing to you to try and fit as many things in a box as you can, but even the strongest person would struggle with 50 books in a box.
Creating a floor plan of the new apartment can help the movers know where your boxes should go. Labeling them to match their destination in the new apartment will be easier for the movers to get you moved quickly.
Do not put your valuables in boxes for the moving specialists to move. It is highly unlikely that they will move these items for you. You will want to transport these items on your own. Things like cash, jewelry, and personal documents that aren’t easily replaced are better off in your possession. Since moving day can be hectic, you will want to make sure you keep track of these items and let the moving specialists take care of the rest.
As a safety measure, make sure you verbally tell the moving specialists which boxes are the ones with fragile items in them. Do this in conjunction with labeling them as such. The added reminder may seem overkill, but the movers will appreciate the reminder when they are diligently working to move your items.
Let the Movers Know About the Area
Apartment buildings and communities often have dedicated parking. This can make it difficult for the moving truck with movers to navigate or park for an easy transition from the apartment to the truck. The same problem will also apply to your new apartment. Check with the managers of the apartment complexes to find out where the moving truck can safely park. The last thing you want is for the moving truck to get a ticket at your expense.
If there are particular features to either apartment building, try to let the moving company know ahead of time. They can make sure that they bring specialized equipment if it is required for the move. Sometimes stairwells are steep, or they have turns that may seem impossible to accommodate. Chances are highly likely that your moving professionals have been in the same situations before and know how to handle them.
Should I tip the moving specialists?
There is no rule in your contract with a moving company that says you have to tip the moving specialists. Kind of like when you go to a restaurant, there is no rule on the menu that says you have to tip your server, you do it because it is the courteous thing to do. The same applies to your moving specialists. These movers just spent at least four hours minimum, moving your personal belongings from one apartment to another. The least you can do for them is tip them. A general rule in the moving industry is the tip amount should equal 10% to 15% of the total moving costs.
If you find that you are moving later in the afternoon, it might be nice to set up refreshments and a snack for your moving specialists. It does not have to be anything fancy, but something small to keep their energy up. On hot days offer them cold beverages, and on colder days, hot teas, coffees, or even hot chocolate can do the trick.
Making Apartment Moves Easy
When you work with a moving company like Three Movers, you will find that your apartment move can be simple and easy. In your contract, it will be laid out what needs to be done by you before the move. That is what complete transparency is all about. Making sure that you know what is expected of you during your move will make preparing for the movers a lot simpler.
When you are looking for an easy apartment moving experience, you don’t have to look any further than Three Movers. With over 20 years of expertise in the moving industry, Three Movers have all the answers to your apartment moving questions.
