Free Moving Tips
Moving across town or across the country? Think you've thought of everything! Here are some tips straight from experience! Move like a pro!
General tips
•1. Pack a suitcase like you were going on a trip so you don't have to dig through boxes to find your socks and shampoo.
•2. You have more stuff than you think you do. Have a yard sale or give unneeded items to charity. Keep records of donated items and get a receipt for a tax write off.
•3. Keep jewelry or high value small items and important documents with you.
•4. Fill empty suitcases with clothes or linens.
•5. Write detailed contents and room location in the new home on every box on more than one side. Colored markers or stickers are useful.
•6. Pack similar things together, things that go in the same room or that are pieces of the same item.
•7. Put heavy items like books and paperwork into small boxes.
•8. Put lighter, non fragile items into large boxes
•9. Pretend you're more organized than you are.
•10. Don't forget to pick up dry cleaning!
•11. Some moving expenses are tax deductible. Keep your receipts.
•12. Give yourself plenty of time. It always takes longer than you think it will.
•13. When unpacking, make beds before you dig into boxes so at the end of the day in your new home, you can fall into bed without having to search for linens.
Doing it yourself
•1. Many hands make light work, have boxes already packed so your friends and family can do a lot in a little time. Have bottled water and snacks available.
•2. Lift with your legs!!
•3. Put the heaviest and largest things on the truck or trailer first. This balances out the load on the truck for safety reasons. Also, once you get the big things in, you'll get more little thing in around them.
•4. If using a pickup truck, secure your items with rope, bungee cords, a tarp or other straps. Put couch cushions and pillows in the cab.
•5. Use towels and blankets to wrap delicate items and furniture, secure with tape or cellophane wrap.
•6. Boxes can often be obtained free from grocery stores or general stores. Go in the evening and ask the manager to set some aside from the nightly stocking.
•7. Utilize all containers for packing including garbage cans (clean them first of course), laundry bins and empty storage containers
•8. If you need to use a storage facility, make sure it is well lit, secure and in a safe area. Some offer air conditioned, heated and even humidity controlled units.
Hiring a moving company
•1. All companies are different; ask a lot of questions about rates, insurance, reservations and any hidden costs. Keep all moving records with you. We can recommend one to you we've prescreened!
•2. Take pictures of expensive, large or important items before the movers come so you have proof of the items condition should it become damaged in transit. They have insurance for a reason. Should something arrive damaged, you can take a new picture of the item for before and after proof.
•3. Itemize high value boxes and make sure the moving company keeps a numbered list of all boxes. Get a copy of the list or keep your own list. Mark off boxes as they come off the truck so you can identify quickly if any are missing.
•4. Keep an eye on the workers and be there to answer questions. No one treats your stuff the way you would.
•5. Exchange contact information with the driver so you can communicate with each other during transit.
Long Distance
•1. Pack an essentials box marked "open first" with anything you will need the first couple of days like cleaning supplies, essential linens, medicines, quick breakfast items, toiletries and clothes.
•2. Get letters from your local utility companies stating your payment history. You may save hundreds of dollars in utility deposits in your new town if you can prove you paid on time!
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