Helpful Hints
Whether you are moving across town with a truck that you rented or you have hired a full-service moving company to pack up your goods to be moved across state lines, internationally, or for any move in between, the following are some basic guidelines to follow when planning any move.
- Be as prepared as possible prior to the movers arriving.
- Organize your items so you are only moving items you really would like to have at the new destination.
- Make sure you do not move and / or store items you are simply going to dispose of or not use at destination.
- Have a good idea of where the mover’s will park their vehicle(s). It may be necessary to reserve (or block) a parking space to that any truck(s) coming to your location have close access.
- If you have a choice of time to focus on packing or moving your items, focus on packing your items (especially fragile items) properly because movers will take more time packing your items than moving them. It is typically more cost-effective to focus on packing well and being prepared before the moving truck arrives, rather than many trips in a small vehicle.
- Check if your landlord or building requires an insurance certificate from the moving company or any notice (i.e., 24 hour) prior to moving so that elevators, staircases, or loading areas do not become busy or over crowded.
- Use mattress bags to protect mattresses and box springs so they do not become dirty during your move.
- If possible have some extra packing materials (tape, boxes, etc.) on site.
- Clearly mark boxes containing fragile items.
- Understand that insurance (60 cents per pound) covers only a fraction of replacement cost for your items. If you would like additional insurance, you must notify the movers and / or storage location prior to the movement of your items. Additional insurance (either depreciated value or actual value) may be purchased but typically costs about 1.5% – 2.2% of the gross value of your items, with maybe a deductible as well.
- Communicate to the movers if any specific item is extremely important, , fragile, sentimental, or you simply would like to have extra packing or care taken with that object. You may also want to request that the item is separately marked.
- Make sure to secure and move your valuables (i.e., cash, jewelry, collectables, important documents, and / or guns and weapons) separately from any household goods move. The movers cannot be responsible for these high value and / or dangerous items.
- Be aware that there is no insurance coverage provided by a moving company for items that have been packed directly by an owner or customer (“PBO). This is standard practice for “PBO” items, as these types of items and contents are neither professionally packed, nor verified by the movers and as such, cannot be insured for any value.
- Make sure your mover and / or storage facility provides you with a contract prior to your move or prior to placing items into storage.
- Provide the moving company, storage company, and / or shipping company with proper contact information for you (and if possible, provide a backup contact).
- Provide and allow your movers, helpers and laborers, to have ample cold water and / or refreshing drinks during the move.
- Take a breath and understand that moving is both stressful and hard work. Proper moving takes time.