Moving Day Resolutions

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Pixabay

With the new year fast approaching, most people are readying their list of resolutions.  Whether it’s a promise to get in shape, lose weight or save money, for many the reason to make a resolution is to start off the year with a bang.  With that thought in mind, I have created a list of 10 Moving Day Resolutions to help all of you make the most of your next move.

      1.      Find the right mover.  – The first thing you need to understand is that no two moving companies are created equal.  Some companies are mom and pop shops that consist of two guys and a truck, while others have ten trucks, or even multiple locations with hundreds of trucks at their disposal.  That being said, bigger isn’t always better, especially if you are looking to move a small home or apartment across town.  Even if you plan on moving from state to state, not all trucking conglomerates are 100% reliable.  That’s why you need to perform your due diligence to research every moving company you are considering.  The beauty of the internet is you can find all kinds of reviews both good and bad concerning any mover.  If you can’t, that’s a sign that the mover you are considering is either very new, or has changed their name. Buyer beware. 

      2.      A contract is only as good as the paper upon which it is written. – Another thing you have to do is scrutinize and understand the contract before you sign it.  That means getting familiar with the jargon of moving.  Do you know what is meant by ‘Accessorial Services’ and ‘Flight Charges’?  If you don’t, you could wind up being charged a lot more than you bargained for when the truck arrives ready to be unloaded.  You also need to understand whether your shipment is going to be charged by the hour or by the pound.  If it’s being charged by the pound, it is almost a certainty that the quote you were given is a non-binding estimate that will change substantially after the truck is weighed after being loaded.  These and other ‘added services’ such as ‘Long Carry’ or ‘Stair Carry’ charges can cause your shipping costs to balloon.  If you want to get a handle on the arcane terminology of the moving industry, check out my Learning the Language of Movers blog.  

     

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

3.      To pack or not to pack, that is the question. – Another useful service that movers provide is packing and unpacking of your belongings.  When you consider the amount of time and trouble it takes to pack everything you own for shipping, it might behoove you to spend a few more dollars to have your movers handle that hassle for you.  Not only will this free you to do other things with your time, it will reduce the amount of stress that a move can cause.

      4.       Keep it simple. – When it comes to packing, most homeowners overcomplicate things. They do so by either waiting until the last minute to start packing, or they pack in such a way that unpacking turns into a nightmare.  If you want to avoid the hassle of rooting through your boxes looking for the shoes you need to wear to work the day after a move, you need to understand the mechanics of efficient packing.  To help you learn this skill, you can check my blog entitled, 10 Ways to Simplify a Move, along with Overcoming the Unpacking Blues.   

5.      Avoiding moving day mistakes. – When the big day finally arrives, you don’t want to be hamstrung by costly errors that are easily avoided.  These can include everything from having kids and pets underfoot, to forgetting to turn on the power at your new home. Bearing that most moving crews are paid by the hour, the last thing you want to cause is a costly delay that can bust your budget.  Want to learn how to avoid other moving day mistakes?  Check out my blog with the same name.  

      6.      Everyone talks about the weather… - While most people hope and pray that the weather will not be inclement on moving day, you need to have contingency plans in case rain, snow or ice become a reality.  Particularly in Florida, thunderstorms can pop up at any time of the year.  While most movers are not averse to getting wet, when lightning rears its ugly head, that’s another matter altogether. You also don’t want any belongings left outside to wind up blowing all over the neighborhood should a sudden squall occur. If a storm is in the forecast, you need to consult with your moving company before your move winds up gone with the wind.

      7.      Don’t get boxed in. -  If you are planning on packing your belongings on your own, you need to understand the mechanics of boxes.  While cardboard boxes might work well for packing pots, pans, dishes and linens, they are woefully inadequate for packing wine glasses, heirlooms, or art objects.  Also, be careful not to overload books when packing them in cardboard boxes.  It is all too easy for the bottom to give way, or for a box heavily laden with books to crush the items in a box loaded below it. 

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

      8.      Moving on up? – If you are planning on moving into a high-rise building, there are a few things you need to know.  Unlike the typical residential move, moving into a condo in the sky is not as simple as pulling up a truck and unloading your belongings.  Building management requires you to coordinate your move in advance.  That’s because you will be required to park the truck at the loading dock and commandeer the freight elevator for several hours.  Failure to inform management will result in a fine, as well as having your moving truck waved off.  It’s also a good idea to inform your mover in advance of this so he can plan his logistics as well.

  

      9.      What won’t your mover move? – There are a number of items that are either too massive or too hazardous for a typical mover to move.  If you own a pool table, piano or a floor safe, you might have to commission a specialty mover to ship any of these items. You also need to be aware of what chemicals a moving company is prohibited from moving.  These include everything from fuels and solvents, to insecticides, aerosol cans, pool chemicals and batteries, just to name a few.  When it comes to determining what a mover will and won’t move, your best bet is to go right to the horse’s mouth. 

      10.  There’s nothing worse than buyer’s remorse. – If you really want to get the best deal on your next move, don’t automatically go with the lowest bid.  Many movers that advertise online lure consumers in with a classic bait and switch.  Many people find out after the fact that the ‘great deal’ they were promised evaporates into thin air when that friendly, smiling mover demands a big surcharge to unload your belongings. Others simply take off with your possessions never to return.  Remember, if a deal is too good to be true it usually is just that.

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.