Moving 101: How to Plan a Move

Moving huh? Whether you’re moving across the street or across the country, moving is stressful. Shleppers Moving is a professional company that’s been in business for over 30 years, and we try to make it FUN! So before you embark on your journey, here are some easy-to-follow tips:

1. Deciding When To Move
2. Choosing a Moving Company
3. Utility Transfers and Address Changes
4. Start Packing Early
5. Deciding What to Take
6. Packing it All Up
7. Important Papers
8. If You Can Afford It, Get The Movers to Unpack
9. Tipping the Movers
10. Have A Bottle Of Wine On Hand

Deciding When To Move

The first order of business when moving is to pick a date. Moving companies have their peak season in the summertime and so the demand for trucks, vans, movers, and supplies is higher and more expensive. Our Moving Sale Days program addresses that consideration – so, if possible, try to schedule your move on these days to benefit from special rates.

Choosing A Moving Company

Choosing a reputable moving company is critical in order to avoid potential catastrophe. Here are some tips:

• Get a written estimate.
• Make sure to determine with the movers whether the estimate is binding or not.
• Ask your moving company for references and check them.
• In addition to the references, contact the Better Business Bureau about your selected moving companies and their complaint records.
• The DOT (Department of Transportation) is another good source. Any moving service, if they are legal, will be licensed with the DOT.

Utility Transfers And Address Changes

Don’t forget to contact your old and new utility providers and to fill out the official Change-of-Address with the United States Post Office! Below is a brief checklist to remind you of some upcoming tasks, and you can check out the links to various helpful sites to set up your newspaper, cable, utilities, as you change your address.

• Change-of Address
• Gas
• Cable
• Electric/Power
• Phone
• DSL
• Water

Start Packing Early

If you know you’ll be moving, start packing things early. Pack a box a day, it will keep the doctor away! You’ll feel less stressed, and won’t be overwhelmed two days before move day that you haven’t done it all. Pack the things that are easy to pack, like books, DVDs, linens, and things you don’t use on a daily basis. And remember, don’t panic, every professional moving company can pack up what you didn’t finish.

Deciding What To Take

When in doubt, throw it out! What do you take with you and what do you leave behind? Often times, people move across the country with large, cumbersome items only to regret it later when they come to the realization that they never use these items. Make the daunting task of packing up all your worldly possessions easier on yourself and try to give what you can to charity, and throw the rest of it out. Don’t feel bad about the losses! Although moving can be a major and frightening change, it is also a chance to start life anew.

Packing It All Up

Packing is an extremely important aspect of relocation and if you leave it to the last minute you’re almost certain to regret it. There are plenty of boxes and containers made specifically for packing all sorts of items from dishes to sports equipment. It’s wise to consider using these specially-designed boxes or utilizing the help of a moving professional to pack for you. If you choose to pack it all up yourself though, be sure to wrap everything carefully and tightly. It’s an invaluable idea to mark the outside of all boxes with a short list of their inner contents or the name of the room that is their final destination.

For breakables, the best advice is to let the movers pack them for you. We know what we’re doing!

Important Papers

There are important documents that you’ll need to take extra care to safeguard during your move. These might include:

• Driver’s License/ Insurance
• Birth Certificates
• Mover’s Written Estimates
• Recent Bills
• Bank Records

If You Can Afford It, Get The Movers To Unpack

Get the movers to unpack your breakables, place them in the closet and get rid of the debris. And if you really can afford it, get them to unpack everything and put your things in place. It will save you days of work that no doubt you can spend in more pleasurable ways.

Tipping The Movers

The general rule of thumb regarding tipping the movers is 15%-20% of the total cost of the move. The tip can be added to the credit card bill, or you can pay it in cash to the team captain who will then distribute it amongst the members of the team.

Have A Bottle Of Wine On Hand

To make moving fun on move day, be sure to have a bottle of wine or champagne on hand, and a few glasses ready – to celebrate your new home, and that you’re done with the move!