Moving Tips

Moving Tips

1.      Make your reservations with a reliable moving and storage company two to four weeks before your move day.

2.      Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.

3.      Never use printed newsprint to wrap fine china.

4.      Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.

5.      Always stack dishes upward when packing.  A reliable moving and storage company will be able to advise you on packing of breakable items.

6.      Never use duct tape – use packing tape.

7.      Clearly label all boxes on top and side.

8.      Pack important and sentimental documents separately to be easily accessible including: children’s health records, passports, family records, insurance information and photo albums.

9.      Don’t try to get rid of your children’s favorite things before the move – even if it makes it easier. Kids sometimes have a hard time dealing with the change of the move itself.

10.  As you take apart furniture and other items make sure to tape all parts to the main base.

11.  Try to pack all electronic equipment, like stereos in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap when packing these items.

12.  Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.

13.  By law, a reliable moving and storage company can’t transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases and other flammables, ammunition and explosives.

14.  Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.

15.  Always tape boxes. Don’t interlock the tops.

16.  Two weeks before the move don’t forget to arrange to transfer school records.

17.  Make a “survival closet” of things for the last cleanup before you move out – broom, dust cloth, dust pan, mop.

18.  Remember to get snacks for your family for move day.

19.  Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day.  You don’t want to have to pay for cable, phone and utilities when you aren’t even there!

20.  Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, lawn services about a week before the move.

21.  Mail in your change of address forms about week before your move date.

22.  Clean your stove before you move out.

23.  The day before your move, defrost the fridge.

24.  Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day.

25.  Take time to say goodbye to friends and neighbors before your busy move day.

26.  Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck.

27.  Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing.  A reliable moving and storage company will be able to sell you proper packing boxes/materials.

28.  When interviewing moving companies, make sure to ask if they are insured and bonded and how they charge.

29.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask what kind of training their movers and drivers go through before servicing customers.

30.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if there is a cancellation policy.

31.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they will have a contact person on site or provide a contact number for the day of the move.

32.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they move nights and weekends and if they charge for that service.

33.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask what type of payment options they offer.

34.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask what their customer referral rate is.

35.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they use full-time employees or temps and day labor. (Be cautious of those who use temps and day labor because they may not have proper insurance.)

36.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they offer free estimates.

37.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they have suggestions on how to make your move easier.

38.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they offer packing and unpacking services.

39.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if your items will be insured during the move.

40.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if they have a minimum charge.

41.  When interviewing a possible reliable moving and storage company, remember to ask if will be a fuel surcharge added to your local move.  This could greatly increase the overall hourly rate at the end of the move day.