TIPS & ARTICLES

Hiring Professional Movers
How to Pack Efficiently for a Move
How to find FREE Boxes for Packing
Tips for Researching Towns and Neighborhoods using the Web

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ARTICLES

HIRING PROFESSIONAL MOVERS

Hiring a professional mover is always going to be more expensive than doing it yourself, but it can be worth it in the time and potential aggravation saved. If you’re thinking of hiring a moving company, the first decision is whether to hire a local or a national company.
You can look up companies on the web or in your local yellow pages. Your Realtor may also be a great resource to recommend moving companies, so ask them as well. When you’ve picked a few companies to talk to about your move, research them before you pick up the phone:

• First, check if the mover is licensed or not. In order to perform moves from one state to another, movers must be licensed by the Federal Department of Transportation. In addition, most states require moving companies to have a local DOT license. You can check for licensing information on the US Government’s Department of Transportation website, which will also provide links to individual state DOT sites.


• Then, check with your local Better Business Bureau or state Department of Consumer Affairs to see what their rating is and if there are any complaints about the company.

Once you have selected licensed and reputable movers, it’s time to get some estimates:

• When you call to talk about estimates, get the names of at least three references to call as well.
• Verbal estimates are, as the saying goes, worth the paper they’re printed on. Get everything in writing. Preliminary estimates are fine with general information, but in order to get a written estimate you should have the company estimator come to your home and actually see everything that is going to be moved. Don’t forget articles in basements, attics, garages, and storage spaces!
• Initial estimates are NON-BINDING and the company cannot charge you for them. They can also vary greatly from what your final actual cost will be. Get NON-BINDING estimates from each of your moving companies, and then look at all the factors involved. Once you have decided on a company, get a final, written estimate in writing from them. Make sure that there is a “Not to Exceed” price listed before you sign off.
• Find out up front how the moving costs are to be paid. Do they require a deposit, and if so, how much? When is the balance to be paid? What forms of payment do they accept? Get the facts beforehand so you can plan your finances accordingly.
• Finally, make sure to keep a separate folder for all the information from the mover about your move. Have it with you on moving day, and refer back to it as needed.

Hiring a moving company can save you time and trouble. However, if you’re not careful and organized, it can end up costing you time and giving you trouble. Make sure you’re in control of the situation by asking questions, getting everything in writing, reading all paperwork carefully and thoroughly, and not signing anything until it’s correct.

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HOW TO PACK EFFICIENTLY FOR A MOVE

The best time to start thinking about packing for your move is when you start thinking about buying a house. Packing up all your worldly goods is never going to be fun, but organization and preparation are the keys to making it less painful. With careful planning, you’ll be able to move everything safely, and find it once you’ve relocated.

• Before you start to pack, take a good look at everything you have. Moving time is a great time to get rid of things you don’t want, don’t use, and don’t want to move. Set aside a specific area to put things you may want to get rid of, and add to it as you go along. As for the unwanted items, you can either give them away, sell them (yard sales or online auctions are options) or donate them to local charities. If you donate, make sure to get a receipt for tax purposes!
• PREPARE TO PACK. You’ll need boxes, packing tape (or duct tape), heavy markers for labeling boxes, and packing materials. Start collecting these before you even start packing, and keep collecting more throughout the process.
• MAKE A MAP! Don’t focus on where things are; think about where they’re going. Draw a map of your new place with the rooms either named or numbered. On moving day, post the name or number of each room on a piece of paper over the door. Because…
• LABEL EVERYTHING. You might remember that the box with the purple stripe on it goes in the downstairs bathroom, but you can be sure that the mover or your friend who’s carrying the box is not going to know. Label each box with the location (from your map) of where it should end up.
• KEEP THINGS SAFE. Every box label should specify how to handle that box. “Heavy,” “Fragile,” “This side up,” etc. Keep your labels simple but clear to avoid loss, breakage, or injuries!
• MAKE SPACE. Set aside a room or an area of each room to store your packed boxes. This will keep them out of your way and make moving day easier if everything is organized in advance.
• PACK IN REVERSE ORDER OF NEED. Start with things you’re not going to need for a while. Off-season clothes, the holiday serving plates, anything you’re not going to use until after the move should be packed first. The last things to get packed should be the things you’re using on a day-to-day basis.
• BE EFFICIENT. Some items that need to be packed can do double duty. Why use rolls and rolls of bubble pack or newspaper to wrap glassware when towels or clothes will do just as well, and will make for less trash when you unpack. Sweaters and sweatshirts make great packing material for mirrors, photos, and other fragile items. Be creative!
• DUCT TAPE IS YOUR FRIEND. Use it to seal boxes, hold folding chairs together, gather brooms and ski poles into manageable bundles, and anything else you can think of.
• TAKE CARE OF THE BIG STUFF. To protect them from damage, wrap furniture and appliances in movers’ blankets or padding. You can rent these materials from moving or storage companies.

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HOW TO FIND FREE BOXES FOR PACKING

If you don’t want to spend the money buying empty boxes, there are a number of places where you can get used boxes for free. When selecting used boxes, make sure to check them for damage or dirt before you start using them for packing!

• Copy shops and businesses will often have empty paper cases that they will give away. These make great packing boxes!
• Grocery stores and Liquor stores will also often have empty boxes, especially the ones with the dividers inside. These are great for packing glassware!
• Hardware stores, price clubs, and other distribution stores will often have boxes of varying sizes that they received shipments in. When you’re shopping, make sure to ask about empty boxes that might be available.
• Check online boards such as Craigslist for people who are getting rid of their empty boxes after a move. Or, you can post your own ad looking for them.
• Make sure to check yard sales for used plastic bins that might be for sale. Inexpensive bins are great for packing, and make for useful storage containers even after you’ve moved!
• If there is a Tack Store in your area, ask if they have any empty saddle boxes. These are generally fairly large, and sturdy.
• If you have friends who have recently purchased appliances, ask them to save the boxes for you – these can be easily filled with clothes or other light items.

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TIPS FOR RESEARCHING TOWNS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE WEB

Maybe you’re moving across the street, or to the next town over. Or maybe you’re moving to a different town or even a different state. Whatever your situation, it’s always a good idea to do some research on where you’re moving to, and the web is great source of easy-to-find information.

• Start with your STATE website. These sites often offer information regarding specific towns, including census information, data on local schools and organizations, and links to local businesses.
• Find the local newspaper’s website. These sites are a great source of community information and links.
• Check your Realtor’s website (or any Real Estate website in your area). These will often have links to useful community information.
• Don’t forget search engines! Do a search on “TOWN_NAME information” and see what comes up!

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