Moving companies are not responsible for boxes they haven't packed. Packers hired by a moving company are there to pack quickly. They're not there to ask you if you want to keep, throw away or donate. If you want to keep order, hire a professional organizing company like ours to carefully organize each room, closet and storage space inside the furniture.
Spend at least four to ten hours per room with a professional organizer to tidy up, including bathrooms. You can organize an entire house faster, but that's not common. If you pack up a messy house, you'll pay to pack, ship, and unpack the mess on both sides, so it's worth tidying up where you live right now. But if you don't have a deadline, take a break and do the best you can.
Tidying up in the new house is easier for many people. Using a moving company shouldn't be stressful, and the best way to get the most out of your investment is to make sure you're prepared. From getting rid of unwanted items to packing properly and taking photos, there are lots of things you can do to get your move started quickly. Because, ultimately, the more prepared you are, the faster your moving equipment can move and the faster you can complete the moving process. If you are a tenant, notify the landlord.
The standard notice for most landlords is between 30 and 90 days. However, this may vary by state and rental agreement, so be sure to review both state laws and the rental agreement. To get your deposit back, you'll need to schedule a guided tour. And landlords may need to notify a homeowners association or neighborhood association, if appropriate. In the case of a large move (an entire house, out of state), most moving companies will offer a free estimate on site; share it with them.
Even in the case of small moves, according to Brooks, it's advisable to take a virtual tour so that carriers have a full idea of the time and labor it will take to get you around, since even the smallest details, such as where you can park the truck, can affect the job. He recommends obtaining three estimates before committing to a company. For interstate moves, the moving company must have a license with a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number that you can search this database.
Finally, rental buildings may require an insurance certificate (COI) issued by the moving company, which provides protection against potential damage to the building's elevator and dents on the walls. So be sure to ask your moving company if they can provide you with one. You can also rent a portable PODS container and charge it yourself, or you can hire a team to charge it for you. This is an especially good option if you prefer to load a portable container slowly over a few weeks (make sure you have a good lock and a safe place to place the container, such as a driveway).
PODS also offers storage options at one of their facilities, so this is a good storage alternative if you're not moving to a new location right away. When Kit moved to Hawaii, he was still unsure of his permanent address there, so he kept his belongings in a PODS container in California for a year before shipping them all. Whether you rent a truck or hire a moving company, it's a good idea to do some research. According to Brooks, “parking permits are common for moving to metropolitan and downtown areas where you live in skyscrapers. It's frustrating that different cities have different rules and terminologies for these permits.
Try Googling “street occupancy permit”, moving van permit or “invasion permit”, in addition to the name of your city; you should be able to find local regulations. And remember that you'll need to do this research for your old house and your new one, since the rules can change even street by street. This is a good time to unleash your creativity with food from the freezer and pantry. In theory, you can transport perishable goods in a cooler, but if you eat what you have on hand, you'll have less to pack.
Tipping isn't required, but moving professionals work hard and many get paid a little more than the minimum wage. The right thing to do is to leave a tip of approximately 15% to 20% of the total cost of the move and in cash. If you can, try to tip each moving company individually. This is a good way to say thank you, and there's no doubt that everyone got what you wanted after the work was done.
If your friends are the only ones helping you with the move, you'll still need cash to tip the pizza delivery guy later on. At this point, all of your kitchen utensils should be stored and, basically, all of your food will be consumed. Now is the time to eat one last time at your favorite neighborhood restaurant with friends or maybe have a glass of champagne for the occasion. Whether you've hired professionals or are bribing your friends with pizza and beer, you're now the project manager for the safe transportation of your things. Go around your house before leaving it and, once at your destination, take a look at the truck to make sure there's nothing left.
Check for damage to furniture or boxes that have been crushed; this should be covered by your moving insurance or third-party insurance policy. I've been covering Wirecutter luggage and travel equipment for more than a decade. During that time, I have covered several topics related to this coverage and, at times, far removed from it. This will save you from having to go to the local pharmacy and will allow you to stay at home and ask the moving company to place the furniture and boxes in the right place in your new household.
Homeowners always buy bubble wrap, while wrapping paper is a much better and cheaper material for whole-house moves. With the exception of a beautiful photo album and some comforting items for children or pets, let the moving company pack, inventory and transport all your things. If the moving company has it, tell them that this is the LAST box you have in the truck, so it will be the FIRST box you carry in your new home. For five years, the editor of Wirecutter, Kit Dillon, has worked on weekends and holidays as moving professional in Hawaii.
When preparing for the move, make sure that all the items you are going to put in the moving truck are clean and dry. Not only will it not be fun to unpack dusty furniture, dirty appliances and stained fabrics in your new home, but any remaining moisture and dirt can damage your items during the moving process (humidity can cause mold, dirt can ruin delicate surfaces, etc. A friend of mine recently moved with her family from Pennsylvania to Chicago) (yes), that's what they really call that area). I like that you mentioned that putting tarps on the floor will protect floors from dirt and give carriers better traction when moving furniture.
Most moving companies have a policy that they will not move food, liquids, flammable items, or hazardous materials. Mark it as “room without luggage” and consider locking it to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts with the moving company (in case a valuable item mysteriously disappears, for example). Make sure you understand the differences and the specific conditions of the different types of liability protection offered by the moving companies you have chosen and get the civil liability coverage that best suits your case (take out additional insurance, if necessary). If you're going to block a shared entrance, let neighbors know so they can move their vehicles.
Avoid having to struggle to get the essentials after a big move and reserve them so that the transition to your new home is painless. Write a simple sign on a piece of paper that reads: “Don't pack anything on the dining table and then TELL the moving company.
