The sooner you get started in planning the move to your new home, the easier it will be when the big day arrives. Undoubtedly the worse part of moving is packing. Packing can be very strenuous and exhausting. The great thing is that you realize that you have a lot of stuff that you don’t need and it’s a great time to have garage sale. This really works! You’ll have less to pack, less to move, and cash in your pocket. If you don’t really have a lot of household goods and you have a lot of friends and family, you may consider renting a truck and moving yourself. If you have a large quantity of items, do yourself a favor and hire a mover. Either way, the key to minimizing the effects of packing is try to be consistent and do some everyday.
If you decide to hire a mover, it is important that you try to keep all of your boxes in one place or at least in a few groups. The reason for this is that many movers charge by the hour and if they have to go all over the house to gather up boxes, it can be very time consuming. Most movers are also very flexible when it comes to scheduling and can accommodate any changes in escrow that may delay your “closing” and consequently your actual moving date. Here’s some additional info:
Moving and Storage
When it comes to moving there are basically two roads to travel (no pun intended), either hire a full service mover or do it yourself. Either option still requires a bit of research to insure that your move will go off without a hitch.
Full Service Movers
Using a full service mover makes the most sense when you have a large amount of household goods or if physical limitations exist that restrict your ability to do the lifting that is inherent with moving. Generally, most people will pack their own goods and the movers arrive on the appropriate day to take your precious cargo to your new home, however, many movers can also do the packing for you though this has a tendency to be very expensive due to the many man-hours required to pack. Once you decide, here’s some tips and questions you may want to ask to learn more about the company that you are considering to hire:
– How long has the company been in business?
– Ask your estimator how long he has been in the industry. Judge your estimator on their professionalism, attention to detail, and responsiveness to your inquiries. Make sure you get a thorough explanation of their pricing policy and whether the estimate is binding or non-binding. Find out what they expect from you in the moving process.
– Find out if your agent is certified and verify their insurance coverage, including their workmen’s compensation insurance.
– Ask if their company has a formal quality ratings program and ask for a copy of any report that shows their rating score.
– Ask if any complaints have been filed against the company, what they were, and what action was taken to rectify the situation. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. Ask for referrals.
Do It Yourself
Doing it yourself is a great way to move if you don’t have a large amount of household goods to move. Weekends are the busiest time for truck rentals so try to reserve early if you a planning a weekend move. When moving day arrives, try to allow for plenty of time because no matter how quickly you think you can move, it always seems to take longer. If you’ve never driven a truck before here are a few things to keep in mind before starting out:
– Familiarize yourself with the truck before driving it. Know the location of all the controls and switches, including lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and the horn. Adjust your seat and mirrors before leaving the rental yard.
– Remember that a truck needs more space and time to react than your personal vehicle does, especially when it has cargo. Brake early and don’t tailgate. You will also need to make wider turns.
– Know how tall your truck is and be alert for bridges, underpasses, and canopies at gas stations, hotels, banks, and drive-thrus.- Make sure you contact your insurance company regarding how much coverage your policy covers for truck damage, bodily injury, and cargo damage. Your policy may not have the same coverage for truck rentals as it does for car rentals. Consider any additional insurance that the rental company may offer as an alternative if your current policy lacks such coverage.
Storage
You may find yourself in need of a storage company for a variety of reasons: you need to make a “double” move, you wisely followed my advice in the Home Selling Tips tab and removed all that clutter and other unnecessary items in order to sell your home, or you may want to move some of your smaller household goods in advance of moving day so that the when the big day arrives, your move will be easier and less time consuming.
Good Luck!!
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