Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events. There are, fortunately, certain things you can do to make the process less difficult for your household. Hiring professional movers is one choice that families almost always find to be entirely worth the cost. Knowing that someone else is going to be dealing with loading and unloading your seemingly countless boxes can provide you with invaluable peace of mind. Here, you’ll find a list of 10 steps you should take before your movers arrive at your house on moving day.
Get rid of things you don’t use
Moving is the perfect time to get rid of items your family simply doesn’t use anymore. Whether it is old toys, broken small appliances, or outdated clothing, donating unnecessary belongings to charity prior to your move is an excellent idea.
Throw away things that can’t be moved
There are certain items that moving companies won’t allow their employees to handle. These include hazardous items, such as explosives of any kind and many chemical products, and perishable goods, like fresh fruit and vegetables. If any of these items are absolutely necessary, take them with you instead of leaving them for your movers.
Make a list of your belongings
Taking an inventory of all of the items you’re moving is one of the smartest steps you can take. This way, you’ll know right away if any boxes didn’t make the trip. If this happens, contact your moving company right away to find out if there is any way to double-check the truck that was used for your relocation.
Have a “do not pack” room
Depending on how far you are moving from your current residence, you might be driving or flying to your new house. In either case, there are certain things you’ll want to keep with you during your trip. Place these items in a “do not pack” room and put a sign on the door so your movers know not to load anything in that space into their truck.
Create “must-have” boxes
Every member of your family undoubtedly has certain items they cannot be without. These may be something as seemingly simple as toiletries or as life-saving as essential medications. It is wise to place these items in “must-have” boxes that can come with you on your journey to your new home.
Talk to your family about safety
It is always important to discuss safety with your family before you have service professionals in your home. If you have pets, for instance, make sure someone is put in charge of keeping them calm (or even out of the house completely) during the moving process. It is also important to keep clear of the moving crew while they do their jobs.
Get appliances ready to go
If you are planning to take any of your appliances with you, make sure they are ready to go before your movers arrive. Give each of these items a deep clean and unplug them a day or two ahead of time.
Pack small items yourself
Even if your movers are going to be packing most of your family’s belongings, you should pack small items, such as refrigerator magnets, chip clips, and other similar things, on your own. Not only will this help you know where to find them later, but it will save a lot of time on moving day.
Take pictures of everything
While reputable professional movers do everything they can to keep their clients’ possessions safe, it is possible for things to be damaged as they are transported. Taking pictures ahead of time will allow you to easily file any necessary insurance claims on items, such as artwork, that you have coverage for.
Make your movers feel comfortable
It’s important to be hospitable to your movers because they will be in your home for hours (or even days, depending on how many boxes you have!) Give them access to a bathroom, for instance, and make sure they have bottled water and small snacks available to them.
The Extreme Packing Solutions crew has handled all sorts of moves. Whether you are moving down the street or across the country, one of our service packages is sure to be perfect for your needs. To learn more about what we do, contact us today. We look forward to helping you have a stress-free relocation.