Moving 101

Moving can be a bit overwhelming. Organizing, packing, labeling, loading, cleaning, the list goes on!

We have collaborated with our friends at Exodus Moving and Storage have provided some tips and tricks from the experts. For those of you who could use a little advice or a checklist, we have got you covered! We have a few tips and trick below, but you can download our full checklist here.

There are two types of people out there, those who pack and move themselves and those who hire professional movers. Whichever you are, there are a certain number of things you will have to do to prepare.

Preparation

Decide on a moving date. Once you have picked a day, you can back into your calendar and tackle one thing at a time.

Don’t pack too early. It is easy to want to get a head start, but packing things too early, may result in the un-packing, re-taping, re-organizing and re-packing to locate items you didn’t think you would need. Be smart and plan it out.

Make your checklist and put it in your calendar. It is easier when you have one or two things to do in a day rather than a one-week to do everything. Planning it in advance and putting specific actions items on the calendar will result in a more productive and stress-free move. Need a checklist and calendar? We have you covered! Click to download our moving checklist and complimentary calendar.

Moving Yourself

Collecting boxes. You would be surprised how many people give away their moving boxes after they are done. Check your local Craigslist advertisement or ask your Realtor to keep you in mind if any of their clients have extra boxes. You can also call around to your local grocery store, department store or other business that may have boxes and ask when the best time to come pick them up would be. A lot of places will save boxes for you for a certain time period. Schedule your pickups accordingly.

Decide what to pack first. It can be overwhelming, but just look for your dustiest places in the house to find what to pack first. China cabinets and basements are always a great and easy place to start. You can even pack up half your wardrobe and go with less options for a month or so.

Smart labeling. It is great to mark the top of your boxes, but what about when they are stacked against the wall up to the ceiling? Labeling the top and sides of the box as specifically as you can will ensure an organized move. Using recycled boxes? Make sure to cross off or label over old labels. Your DVD player could end up in the attic for months! You could even go as far as to color code your labels, red marker for kitchen, blue for family room, purple for bedroom etc, to make it easier at a glance.

Hiring a Mover

Choose a mover. There are a lot of moving companies out there, so choosing one can be overwhelming. You may want to look into a mover that is a member of the American Mover and Storage Association. Members of this association are required to abide by the terms of pricing tariffs, follow federal government consumer protection regulations and participated in an Arbitration Program.

Get a good estimate. Most movers will also provide a free estimate for you to review. Get a few and carefully compare each estimate to see which company best suits your needs. A reputable moving company will send an experienced, trained professional to your home and provide you with an estimate in writing.

Be there for packing. Schedule packing with the mover a day or two before the moving truck is to be loaded. An inventory of your goods will be made from the movers, and it is important to resolve any disagreements prior to signing the inventory. Make sure all copies are legible and all items are numbered. Have valuable items listed separately.

Looking for a great local moving company? Call our friends at Exodus Moving and Storage (970) 484-1488 or visit them on the web at www.exodusmoving.com.