Moving Out Tips
Moving Out Tips
Make sure you keep all pathways clear so movers have a safe and easy to navigate path. This includes inside and outside. If you have a back entrance where items can be brought to the truck faster, notify the crew. It will save you time and money!
If you have packed items into boxes yourself, make sure they are not overfilled and the boxes are not flimsy. Movers often carry multiple boxes at once. If a box is not stable in their hands, it could cause them to accidentally drop your items. Make sure to mark boxes as fragile and what types of material are inside (such as glass). Be sure all items inside are properly wrapped and stored. Another good tip is to inventory the contents of each box. Not only will this help you identify which boxes belong where in the new home, but it will help you remember what you have packed and what you have not.
Packing the truck may require more planning than you thought. It is easiest if items that belong together (such as boxes for the living room) are packed together. This way, when you get to your new place, it becomes much easier to place boxes into the rooms they belong in.
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The Best Moving Checklist
Take our moving advice and utilize this checklist before and after you have moved. Print this page and carry it with you before and several days after the move. Take advantage of our moving tips and moving advice. Moving tips that may seem obvious can be easily over looked.
- Tag your Items – For your garage sale, tag all items and be prepared to wheel and deal. Garage sale gurus love to haggle.
- Pack Heavy – Pack Light – Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
- Know how to Pack Plates and Records – Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.
- Protect Your Memories – If it’s irreplaceable, take it with you in the car (you don’t want regrets later). But if you do decide to pack framed photos or art, place sheets or blankets between them for added protection.
- Give the Kids an Exercise – Have children write their names and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new street and town.
- Keep the Phone Book – Take your current phone book with you. You may need to make calls to residents or businesses back in your former hometown.
- Remember the Bare Necessities – Toilet paper, telephone, toiletries, snacks, coffee (and pot), soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups, utensils, a couple of pans, and paper towels are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack a box with these types of items and ask your van foreman to load it last so that it will be unloaded first.
- Get the Bed Ready – Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won’t have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.
- Take Notes – Make a note of your shipment registration number and keep it with you in case you need to call your mover with questions about your shipment.
- Give out your Number – Before the van foreman leaves for your destination residence, give him a phone number where you can be reached. It is also a good idea to provide him with an alternate contact in case you can’t be reached.
- Don’t forget about the Fridge – After you’ve thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator, put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep the interior smelling fresh.
- Unscrew Bulbs – Remove bulbs before packing your lamps.
- Help your Pet Relax – Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch him at their house.
- Be Nice to Your Plants – When moving plants to your new residence via your car, try not to let foliage rest against the windows, as the leaves will scorch.
- Take a Break from the Computer – Upon arrival at your new home, let your computer “acclimate” itself to room temperature before plugging it in.
- Enjoy the Help – Leave the rest to the professionals, sit back and relax, and look forward to the new opportunities, friends and experiences that are part of any move.
Types of Moving Estimates
Binding. The mover offers a guaranteed price, within a small percentage of deviation, that is based on a complete list of items to be moved and the type of service performed.
Non-binding or hourly rate. This is not an estimate at all, only a price list. These rates are based upon the movers’ previous experience of jobs similar to yours.
Not to exceed. This quote is binding only on the mover. The final price for the move cannot exceed the estimate figure; but if the move comes in under the estimated amount you pay the lesser price.
The best estimate that you can get is the “not to exceed” estimate. Like binding estimates, “not to exceed” estimates are based upon an accurate and complete list of items that you expect to have moved. However, the “not to exceed” estimate gives you a little bit of leeway if you happen to decide on bringing extra items with you on the day of the move. Keep in mind that if the extra items exceed the “not to exceed” estimate, you will be charged more. However, if the final bill comes out to be lower than the estimate, you pay the lower price and nothing more. Moving.com strongly recommends that you ask your mover to offer this one to you. Get it in writing.
One thing to look out for when dealing with a “not to exceed” estimate is if the movers see that the job will cost more than they anticipated, they may cut corners on the packing of your items. Despite the fact that you have provided all necessary and truthful information about your items, they may have misjudged the estimate; after all they are human. They might provide your furniture, etc. with minimal wrapping and hope for the best.
Insurance for any type of move is essential. By law, the movers must provide you with insurance. Get the best coverage for your items, depending on what they may be. Movers will provide you with minimal coverage. For example, for a broken television that weighs 40lbs, at a rate of 60 cents per pound, the most you will receive is $24. Only items with damage visible to the naked eye will be insured. Internal problems with electronics will not be recognized under the minimal coverage.
“Not to exceed” estimates are very popular for long distance moves, but not so for local moves. Long distance moves are mainly based on weight and distance; time isn’t as much of an issue, whereas with local, time is everything. Typical problems such as heavy traffic and bad weather prevent local movers from offering you this type of estimate.
