No matter how hard you plan, on moving day there are hundreds of last-minute details that will come up that you need to take care of immediately. If you are prepared ahead of time, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and make the transition to your new home go more smoothly and be a lot less stressful.
If you have pets, it is a good idea to place them in an isolated area away from the movers and moving activity. Often, pets get anxious and upset when there is lots of strange activity going on around them and moving is no different. The last thing you want is for a mover to trip and fall over the dog underfoot or to have to deal with an angry growling dog. Plus, you probably do not want to waste time searching for a frightened Miss Kitty once the movers finish and you are getting ready to leave.
Movers work hard and will need refreshments while they work. On cold days, offer coffee, tea and hot chocolate; on hot days, have water and cold drinks. They probably would also appreciate something to snack on during breaks. If you are having your friends or family help you move, offer lunch and dinner, along with refreshments as a way to say “thank you” for all their hard work.
Although you should park your moving truck so that it is convenient to load, make sure that you also keep your neighbors in mind. Make sure that the moving truck is not parked so that it blocks their driveway and do not block the sidewalk with furniture or boxes. Also, make sure that movers do not walk through your neighbor’s lawn or yard, trampling flowers or plants. Move during the day, but not excessively early in the morning or late at night, since noise can be disturbing to neighbors. When you finish moving all of your belongings, clean up after yourself. Do not leave unwanted items on the sidewalk or in the street. Instead, place them in proper trash bins or take them to the local dump.
Remember when you were a kid and were taught, “treat others as you want to be treated?” The same thing applies to moving. When leaving your old house, make it as clean and fresh as you would like to come home to in your new house. Take the time to do a thorough cleaning on moving day and do a final walkthrough and check once everything has been removed from the house.
Your movers may have questions that need to be answered as they finish loading everything onto the truck. Be sure to make yourself available in case something needs to be clarified. If you are using a professional moving service, you will be asked to sign a bill of lading and an inventory sheet when they have everything loaded onto the truck. The government requires a bill of lading in order for moving services to transport personal property. Like all documents, make sure to read it thoroughly before you sign it. If something is unclear to you or you do not understand it, be sure to ask questions then. If you are happy with the performance of the moving services, tip each worker $20 each. If you are unhappy with their service, you may tip them a lower amount. If you had friends and family help you with your move, then offer to buy them dinner as an expression of your thankfulness for their help and hard work.
Planning head is always the best approach to a move, regardless of whether you are driving the moving van yourself or using a professional moving service. If you are having a large move, you may need to use a large moving van, which will take a different driving route than what you would normally take with your car. Take into consideration that there may be restrictions on roads because of the size and weight of the truck. Additionally, low bridges and overhanging tree limbs can be obstructions that have to be taken into account when planning a moving route.
If at all possible, take the time to drive the actual route on your own before the day of the move. Look out for possible obstructions and keep track of how long it takes to travel the route at a reasonable speed. If it is not possible to drive the route yourself, get a reliable map or visit a website such as MapQuest or Google Maps and map out the actual route the truck will take. Also, contact the state department of transportation for each state you will be driving through to find out about scheduled road construction along the roads you plan on using.
You can get maps from automobile associations such as Cross Country Automotive Services or AAA. In addition to maps, they can suggest routes to use, alternative road choices and provide you with information about rest-stops and possible places to stay overnight if needed. These kinds of organizations also offer services such as additional insurance and roadside assistance to members.
Driving a large moving truck is much different from driving a car. Even if you have driven a large truck before, it is helpful to keep safe-driving hints in mind before you begin your journey.
If you are using the services of a professional moving company, you should plan on arriving at your new home well before the movers arrive. If you arrive after they do, be prepared to pay for the time the movers have to wait for you to arrive. It a good idea to exchange cell phone numbers with the driver so that you can periodically check with them about their location. In case of unexpected delays, make a backup plan for someone else to meet the movers if you are unable to arrive on time. Also, keep the mover notified of any changes to your schedule as soon as possible. Often, movers offer internet tracking as a way to track your belongings during the moving process.
If you are flying to your new home, monitor the flight schedule regularly. When calculating travel time, be sure to include the time you will need to collect your baggage and travel from the airport to your destination. Make an emergency backup plan in case you are delayed or get stuck in traffic. If you are traveling with children, make sure you calculate extra time into your travel schedule, since traveling with children almost always takes longer than expected. Be sure to include a copy of your itinerary in your luggage and dress your children so it is it easy to see them in a crowd.
When you are planning your moving day, remember that things always take longer than expected. One easy way to keep track of everything that needs to be done and plan it out is to use a daily calendar that blocks the day into 30-minute segments. By giving yourself a visual guide, you will feel better knowing that you have extra time between each milestone of the moving process. It also gives you a way to accommodate any unexpected events that might result in delays or put you off track.
Copyright 2014 © www.movingratequotes.com