By MovingQuotes.com
Moving is stressful, but these tips can make the entire proceed run more
smoothly -- and hopefully make you less stressed.
1. Decide in advance what things you want to take to your new home and what to
leave behind. If you haven't used something in a long time, why pay to have it
moved?
2. Do an in-home walk-through with your moving company representative(s) -- you
can't do this over the phone or by filling out an online inventory. You will
forget things, and your moving company representative is a trained professional.
Be exhaustive: Make no assumptions about the care given an item for which you
have a concern, and ask questions about the handling of such items.
3. Have the same person do the walk-through for moving quotes; you want your
estimates to be equal. Also, pay attention to suggestions from the moving
company rep. How the survey is conducted should be a factor in your selecting
the moving company -- a representative who did not seem to be paying full
attention and then prepares an estimate with charges considerably lower than
others you receive probably forgot something. It can come back to haunt you
later.
4. As moving day approaches, check the weather forecast. In particular, if you
live in a colder climate with a chance of snow or ice in the winter months, make
sure driveways and sidewalks are cleaned off before your movers arrive.
5. Whoever met with the moving company representative should work with the
moving crew to ensure items to be moved are the same items identified in the
walk-through. Also, when the driver arrives at your home, he will probably want
to do a complete tour of the home. Tag along so you can answer questions as they
arise.
6. Notify your current and new neighbors of loading and unloading dates. Most
trailers are 53 feet long, and with a tractor attached they take up a fair
amount of space. Managing the parking situation as well as neighborhood children
and animals will help the process.
7. Prepare refreshments and snacks for the moving crew at both origin and
destination. It is money well spent: The crew will be most productive if they do
not have to leave the job site, and they will appreciate your consideration.
Minor things can have a major effect on the move.
8. Show respect to your driver and crew. Being a mover is not an easy job and does require special skills, and
being a driver on the road presents its own challenges. Being away from family
and friends for long periods of time is not easy. Compliment your moving crew
about the good job they are doing.
9. Walk through your home with driver as he is preparing the inventory. This is
the best time to ask questions and express concerns. The driver will do a
condition report of your furnishings. The inventory will protect the driver and the moving company, but it can also make the insurance claims
process easier for you if you have any damage.
10. Have schematics of where to place furniture in your new home. This will help
the crew. Once the moving crew gets the 'lay of the land' the move-in will run
smoothly. Enlist the assistance of other family members or friends to help with
furniture placement. Also, check items off the inventory as they are brought
into your home. Although the driver's intent is to make sure you get everything
delivered that he loaded, occasionally something can turn up missing.