Moving Day Mistakes

By Scott Boone

So, the big day has finally arrived.  You have gathered, sorted and packed your belongings into a seemingly endless pile of boxes.  You have protected your breakables and expensive electronics.  The kids have been packed off to a relative or friend to free you up to move some of the essentials in your own vehicle.  It should be smooth sailing from here, right?  Before you start giving your spouse or significant other a high five, allow me to point out a few flies in the ointment that could mar an otherwise flawless move.

Here Kitty, Kitty!

Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia/org

While you may have trundled the kids off to a friend or relative for their sake and yours, did you think to take care of the pets?  Having a dog, cat or bird at large, or lost somewhere in a sea of boxes is the last thing you want when you are trying to execute a move.  Not only can they be a hazard to your moving crew, they can be in danger themselves.  Just think of what could happen were the movers to trip over or step on your pet.  What if your pet should get out of the house while the move is underway?  Having to comb through the neighborhood for a pet on the loose could throw a monkey wrench into your carefully laid moving plans.  A better bet would be to have a friend or neighbor take the pets until after the move is complete.  All parties concerned will breathe a lot easier. 

Tick, Tock

If you are paying your moving crew by the hour, it is in your interest to have everything ready for them to take to the truck as soon as they arrive.  Unless you are paying the movers to pack up your belongings, you don’t want them to arrive only to find you frantically trying to finish boxing your belongings.  Just as having to deal with kids or pets can slow a crew down, so can a homeowner that waited until the last minute to start packing.  The best time to start packing is 30-days before the day you plan to move.  If you would like some advice on how to efficiently pack up your home, check out my blog, “10 Ways to Simplify a Move.” 

So Many Boxes. So Little Space.

Image courtesy of Scott's Discount Movers

Packing up everything you own is a daunting task.  By the time you are finished, your house can look more like a warehouse than a house.  What you have to understand is that the movers have to be able to navigate from your home to the truck and back again more than 100 times to load the truck.  If the crew has to run an obstacle course to reach the truck, or the front door, back door or garage door is blocked, this presents a problem from both a logistical as well as safety standpoint.  If you want your move to proceed safely and efficiently, you need to make sure that there are clear paths both in and out of your home for your movers to navigate.  Also, make sure there is nothing left high up on a shelf or in a closet that could come crashing down on your moving crew. 

Heirloom Alert

Even the most conscientious and capable moving crew can occasionally damage or break something you own, particularly if it was improperly packed.  Aside from glassware and dishes, there are other fragile items that could be put in harm’s way.  The best way to avoid breakage of cherished items, family heirlooms, priceless paintings, expensive cameras and electronics is to move these items yourself.  This eliminates the possibility that they will be inadvertently damaged during the move.  If you insist on having the moving company transport any of these expensive items, make sure you itemize them, you inform the movers where they are located and you get the moving company to insure these items.  If not, you could wind up being compensated 60 cents per pound for anything that was damaged or destroyed during the move. 

Lighten the Load

 If you want to save both time and money during a move, lighten the load by unloading items that you have little use for.  If you haven’t used an item in a year or more, chances are you really don’t have a use for it any more.  If that’s the case, sell or donate it instead of moving it to your new home.  Heck, a yard sale a week or two before your move could not only help lighten the load, it could also fatten your wallet to help pay for the move.  It will also save you money on the move, since it will shorten the time it takes the crew to load and unload the truck.  If you still have unwanted items lying around your home, there are a number of charities who would be glad to take these items off your hands.  They will even provide you with a receipt that you can use to lessen your tax burden next year. This is what we call a win-win situation.

Image courtesy of Scott's Discount Movers

Danger Ahead

While your moving crew is motivated to help you relocate, there are some items they do not wish to handle.  Anything that is potentially toxic or that could represent a threat to life and limb needs to be moved separately.  These include any hazardous chemicals, live ammunition, cleaning fluids, paint, oils and anything that is labeled “Flammable.”  Also, anything perishable, such as food needs to be your responsibility and not the movers. 

Your Sense of Humor

Last but not least, if you want a move to proceed as smoothly as possible, you need to retain a sense of humor.  Yes, I realize that you have just spent the better part of a month dismantling your home, packing your belongings and dealing with life’s little ups and downs at the same time.  But the last thing you want to do is to take out your frustrations on the guys who are trying to help you get situated in your new home.  Also realize that while professional movers have years of experience in helping families relocate, they are not mind readers.  What this means is if you want the crew to help make your move easier, you need to extend them the same courtesy.  When they arrive, show them around and tell them what’s what.  Offer them some bottled water.  Show them where the bathroom is located.  And reward them with a tip when the move is complete. 

Even if you think you have everything under control, realize that bad luck, fate or Murphy’s Law can disrupt the best laid moving plans.  How you deal with any of these disruptions can test your sense of humor.  It’s always a good idea to realize that no matter how many moving day mistakes crop up, your crew is dedicated to making sure your belongings get where they belong in a timely manner.  We’re on your side.

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers  has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.