With more than 20 years of moving experience, the professionals at Moving Kings know a thing or two about relocating your home or business, whether it’s a local or long distance move. Here are some helpful tips from one of our Senior Moving Coordinators:
1. Research and Reserve Your Moving Team
It is important to thoroughly research and hire your movers at least one month prior to your anticipated move date. A lot of moving companies use dynamic pricing and will increase their prices towards the end of the month, on weekends, or during other especially busy periods. There are only so many possible morning shifts available, and reservations are generally first-come, first-served, which is why it’s important to plan ahead. When researching a moving company, make sure to check their reviews on Google, social media, and Yelp. Check out our blog post on evaluating a company’s reviews to learn more! You should also see if you have any friends or family who can refer you to a reliable moving service. Many companies – including Moving Kings – offer referral programs for repeat customers or referred business.
2. Downsize
Now is the time to get rid of any unnecessary and unused items. The more items you donate or discard now, the less packing and unpacking you will have to do later. This will also help you save money on packing and materials if you choose Moving Kings’ professional packing and unpacking services.
3. Sell or Donate What You Don’t Need
Consider having a yard sale for all the items that you feel have some value. Making signs, posting on social media, and placing ads are all great ways to showcase your upcoming yard sale. Take advantage of Facebook’s Marketplace, Ebay, or apps like OfferUp, Poshmark, and LetGo to reach more potential buyers. Any profits can go towards the cost of your move or furniture and decorations for your new home. If you don’t want to sell your items, you can always donate them to centers like Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill. They may even offer free pick-up services for bulkier pieces.
4. Create a Moving To-Do List
There is a lot to keep track of leading up to your move. Creating a moving to-do list is the best way to make sure you don’t forget anything in all the chaos. Keep this list in your smartphone or a small, portable notepad so you’ll always have it with you if you need to make changes or add something to the list. To make things even easier, Moving Kings has created a basic moving to-do list that you can use as a starting point. For more ideas on what to include, check out our blog posts on what to do the day before move-in and the day after your move.
5. Gather Boxes
Stop by your local liquor store to see if you can pick up some used boxes. Most liquor stores recycle their used boxes and generally will have no problem with you taking a handful or two to use for packing. This is a great way to save money on your move and these boxes are generally very sturdy. To transport electronics safely, check to see if you have the original boxes. If you do not have the original box, ask what your moving service can provide or recommend for transporting electronics. Generally, wrapping electronics in a moving blanket and putting them inside a TV box or dish pack is the safest way to transport them without the original box.
6. Know What Not to Pack
Every moving company has a list of hazardous items that require special licensing from the Department of Transportation to move. You will either need to transport these items in your own vehicle or dispose of them prior to the move. Check out our blog post on hazardous materials for a list of items and chemicals that can’t be transported by Moving Kings or any moving service without a special HAZMAT license.
7. Sort and Label Your Belongings
Organization is key for a smooth and efficient move. Sort your household items either by category or by room to speed up the move, save you money, and spare you from any unnecessary stress. Be sure to label each box accurately and clearly, because our teams are very conscientious of what room each box came from and its intended destination. They also pay special attention to anything labeled “fragile” or “handle with care.”
8. Schedule Utilities Changes
Call your utilities company and pick dates to disconnect and reconnect your cable, internet, gas, water, and electricity. You should contact your providers at least a week ahead of your move to learn the process for switching services to your new home and closing out your old accounts. Keep in mind that the move is going to take up a majority of your day, so it may be best to coordinate with these providers in advance in order to prevent any interruptions in service.
9. Change Your Address
Make sure to fill out a “Change of Address Card” online or at your local post office at least one week before your move. You may still need to swing by your old residence to pick up any mail that wasn’t forwarded, but if you submit your change of address at least a week in advance, the Postal Service generally has no problem redirecting all mail to your new address.
10. Stop Buying Groceries
There is no reason to do any grocery shopping one or two weeks prior to your move. Save yourself the task of transferring groceries and the guilt of throwing away perfectly good food if you don’t have the means to transport it properly. You will probably be eating take-out and delivery a couple of days before and after your move as you are work on packing and unpacking. It’s a good idea to have some plastic plates and cups on hand for your new house, because you may not find the packed dishes right away, and it makes cleaning up easier.
For more advice from our experts, check out our tips for the day before move-in and the day after your move. Those experts will always be a phone call or email away if you choose Moving Kings as your professional movers and packers. Our customer service representatives are available 24/7, and with more than 20 years of experience, you can trust that we know all the tricks. Call today for a free estimate!