The moment you first lay eyes on your future home can be a lifelong memory. Knowing that the next chapter of your life is going to be spent in a place that you love is a great feeling to experience.
Another part of the adventure is the moving process. Depending on how well you plan and how strong your organizational skills are (think packing, packing, and more packing!) as well as the amount of furniture and/or boxes you need to move with you, residential moving can either be a pain or a breeze. If you’re currently in the process of planning your move, take a look at our list of the top 10 tips you need to know for what to do, and what to avoid. Nix unnecessary hassles to help your move go as smoothly as possible.
DO Research Your Moving Company
When you have more to move than what can fit in the back of a pickup truck or in an SUV, it’s best to hire professional movers. It may seem like a cost you would like to avoid, but there are too many risk factors involved with trying to do it all yourself, which can quickly become overwhelming. While you may indeed have a group of friends and/or family members who are able and willing to pitch in, they are not going to be trained in moving and packing professionally. Additionally, you’re risking their safety and the safety of your belongings when you enlist loved ones in lieu of the pros. You want to use a company that not only has solid reviews but one that also takes professionalism seriously. Here are some factors to ensure the residential movers you select are the right choice for your particular needs:
- Positive reviews from people you know who have actually used their services
- Licensed and insured (to protect your belongings while being packed, loaded, in transit, and once delivered to their destination)
- Up-front pricing (you should be able to obtain a pretty solid quote on the front end rather than after the fact) that is usually based on an hourly rate and number of trucks/movers
- Materials they provide (do they just provide a truck? Are packing materials included?)
- Proven track record (it’s wisest to use a company that has been in business for at least a few years)
If you’re looking for trusted residential movers in the Chicago area, Hollander Moving is the perfect fit for all of your moving needs. The award-winning, affordable movers at Hollander Moving have been around for over 130 years.
DON’T Forget About Timing
Timing is key when it comes to planning your move. When possible, try to be flexible with your timeframe. The busiest times of the year for movers are summer and during the winter holiday season. If scheduling a move during one of these peak times is unavoidable, you need to be able to secure the date(s) at least a month ahead of time to make sure the moving service you hire is available when you need them.
DO Take Inventory of Your Belongings
Whether you choose to get an online quote for the cost of your move or have a company representative come out and take a look at the number of items you have to develop an estimate, be prepared. It’s never too early to start decluttering and boxing up items you won’t be using between now and moving day. Try tackling one area or room at a time in order to have the best estimate of exactly what it is that you’ll be taking with you.
DO Put Safety First!
When you’re going through your goods to determine what to take and what to toss or donate, consider items that are flammable or otherwise potentially dangerous to transport. Cleaners or other chemical items that can possibly spill or cause other damage while in transit need to be addressed prior to the big day. Do you have a lawnmower? The gas will need to be drained. A gas outdoor grill? Your movers will likely not want to take the gas tank on their truck. Even paint cans and household cleaning items with strong or flammable chemicals need to be considered, especially if they’ve been opened and partially used.
DON’T Forget to Insure Your Valuables
When we say “cover,” we mean with insurance! For your belongings that have a high monetary value (think antiques or other pricey pieces), it is best to have a written appraisal and photos. Forking over extra money for insurance coverage on these items for the move is definitely worth it. You may never need insurance until you need it, but you will be so glad you got it. The peace of mind alone will be worth the added cost.
DO Reach Out
At Hollander Moving, we have moved thousands of people and experienced just about every type of situation or occurrence you can imagine. If you’re unsure about the best route to take with any part of your upcoming move, don’t hesitate to let us know. We will gladly advise you on what to do to make your move seamless.
DO Start Stocking Up on Supplies
If you plan on starting to pack certain areas or rooms right away, make sure you’ve got the necessary materials at your disposal. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, scissors, packing paper — whatever you need, have it on hand before you start the organizing and packing process.
DON’T Pack in a Lazy Way
Even though it gets tiring, don’t start tossing random objects from different rooms into empty boxes just to be able to call it a day. If you do, unpacking will be an unorganized nightmare. Be careful not to overload boxes with items that are too heavy. Be sure to label your boxes clearly and ensure they have the proper amount and load inside of them. If you’re storing your packed boxes in one central location, don’t stack them too high to prevent them from toppling over and damaging their contents (or hurting someone!).
DO Have a Plan for Placement
Map out (whether in your head or in writing) where you want the pieces you’re taking with you to be placed in your new space. You may even want to label certain pieces with sticky notes or other signage denoting what room or area you want them to go to. Make sure you’re clear with your directions on the big day to avoid confusion with the movers.
DO Remember to Be Flexible
Even with the best moving service and a seemingly perfect plan, things may not always go just as planned — that’s life! Don’t add stress to an already potentially stressful situation. If something unexpected arises, try your best to breathe and reboot. Leave the worrying to the professionals at Hollander Moving. Visit the Hollander Movers website today for your free quote.