Moving Guidelines
According to researchers, moving ranks as one of life’s most stressful experiences - right up there with divorce or the death of a loved one. And no wonder! There are a multitude of tasks to do, from selecting a mover, to getting an estimate, to insuring your possessions. And then there’s the actual packing…or should you let the mover do it?
It's no wonder that moving can be over-whelming and downright intimidating. But it needn’t be if you plan properly and approach it systematically. The purpose of this guide is to provide you with step-by-step guidelines and information that can help make moving easier and less stressful.
Start Making Arrangements Early
- Allow sufficient time. Don’t wait to the last-minute to find a mover or to start packing. Begin making preparations at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance of your planned moving day.
- Take inventory. Now is the time to decide which items you’ll take to your new home and which to discard. Hold a garage sale for unwanted articles or donate them to charity (often for a tax deduction with proper documentation). Cutting back on the amount of possessions you have to move can help reduce your moving costs.
- Transfer personal information. Notify your doctor, dentist, post office, children’s schools and Registry of Motor Vehicles about your change of address. For security reasons, you may want to have important personal records sent to your home rather than your new address.
Choose a Reputable Mover
- Interviews. Start by interviewing one or more moving companies to get a feel for what they need from you.
- Develop a movers checklist. Before you begin talking to moving companies, make sure you have an easy and efficient way to compare them.
- Compare movers. Talk to at least 3 moving companies to find the one best suited to your needs. An in-home visit will provide a better idea of what needs to be moved for a more accurate estimate. When making your selection, be sure the mover clearly explains what they offer in regard to the following:
- In-home estimates (this should be a free service)
- Formula for determining moving costs (fees should be based on the weight of goods and the distance shipped)
- Costs for additional services such as packing and insurance
- Types of estimates offered (binding, non-binding and “not-to-exceed” guaranteed price)
- Mover’s liability for your belongings (no-charge and additional-fee coverage, liability for goods packed by the client)
- Dispute settlement program
- Payment options
Start Packing
- Decide who will do the packing. You can save several hundred dollars by doing the packing yourself, but it is very time-consuming and exhausting. In addition, customers are liable for the goods and cartons they pack.
- Develop a Packing Plan. If you’ll do the packing, start well in advance and go room-by room. Eliminate items you do not want or cannot take with you. Get proper packing materials and label all cartons with the contents inside.
- Let the movers pack for you. Allow at least two days in advance of move for the movers to pack up your possessions. Be sure to ask is the quote includes packing materials.
- Prepare a “survival kit”. Pack separately some essential items that you’ll need immediately at your new home such as bed linens, toiletries, disposable kitchen utensils, small kitchen appliances and perhaps a TV or radio.
Move
- Be on hand to answer questions. Stay until the movers have finished loading everything. Also, be sure to let the driver know how to reach you while in transit (cell phone or pager).
- Get out of the way. Let the moving professionals do their job.
- Complete the paperwork. Carefully read the bill of lading before signing it. (This is the contract between you and the mover that itemizes the articles to be packed and transported.) Keep the Bill of Lading with you until your possessions are delivered, unloaded and inspected for damage.
- Take one last walk-through. Make sure nothing gets left behind by mistake.