Secret Professional Movers’ Tips
Most of us blessedly don’t move that often, which means we never really get as good at it as we would like. Professionals however move stuff every day and they become experts in what to do and what not to do to make sure that your move goes smoothly.
A move consists of three parts. Packing stuff for the move, the move itself, and unpacking at your new location (see our packing tips). Getting all three parts right makes for the most cost effective and pleasant move possible. You may never feel like moving for the sake of it, or find the process fun, but following these tips sure can help you avoid having a move that becomes the stuff of legends for all the wrong reasons.
Tips to help make your move go more smoothly:
- First off, don’t move what you don’t absolutely need to. You pay for everything that you move so get rid of items you don’t need or haven’t used in a year before movers arrive. Give it away, sell it on Kijiji or Craigslist or leave it on the street, just don’t move stuff you don’t need.
- Don’t take things like paint, propane tanks or bottles of toxic chemicals. If they spill or leak the costs can be far higher than any money you might save, they tend to be heavy and are easily replaced where you are moving to.
- For high value items like jewelry, money, coin collections, etc. keep with you or send securely. If it’s worth money then don’t take a chance on it, we have all heard horror stories of items going amiss.
- Confirms dates and services to be performed with your move coordinator. Notify carrier as soon as you know dates, preferably 2-3 weeks prior to move.
- There is an App for that! Make a list of items in offsite storage or at your office or families place.
- Number and label your boxes and keep a list of what is in them as well as separate items of furniture and other items such as BBQ’ lawn movers, yard equipment, sports gear etc.
- Be sure to check your attic or crawl space/basement storage areas to be sure that everything is out of them by the time the movers show up. There are no do overs on moving day. When the truck leaves its gone!
- Be sure to identify items that will need special handling. This includes glass table tops, marble tops, taxidermy and heavy mirrors or pictures that may need wood crating. Make sure the mover knows about these items well before moving day since if they do not, there is little that can be done on the day you start loading.
- Check the access for loading and unloading at each stop for the move. Can an 18-wheel tractor trailer moving van legally and logistically park within 75 feet of your front door? If it cannot, long carry and perhaps even shuttle charges (loading and unloading a smaller truck) will be incurred. Are there elevators or stairs? These can add additional costs at both origin and destination. Be clear and upfront about these issues to avoid surprise extra charges and or find out your favourite armoire does not fit in your new condo’s elevator.
- Make sure that the contact number you give your movers is working at all times on moving day. Charge up your cell phone or be sure the land line still works until after your move. Communication is important!
- Be sure to make arrangements for pets and small kids to be taken care of on moving day. People walking backwards with heavy furniture items is no place for small loved ones to be under foot.
- Provide phone numbers at destination including motels, new home, cell phone and work. If you are travelling some distance to your new home, provide a full itinerary and have someone who can be contacted to answer questions for you in case you are on a plane and cannot be reached. Not giving instructions in a timely fashion – for example a key is not where it is supposed to be and the truck has shown up to deliver – can cost time and money.
Once you have selected your mover from the qualified group of moving companies you received from Moveit.ca, be sure to work closely with them and ask lots of questions. These folks do thousands of moves a year so they know their stuff and can provide invaluable information on how to pack, and track and experience a worry free successful move.
