Contents
When preparing for a long-distance move, it can be stressful and physically painful to attempt to go it alone. Having a professional service come in, pack your things, load, and unload your possessions into your new home makes the entire process much simpler. But it can be hard knowing what to do before the movers arrive. Here is a look at how to prepare for professional moving services.
Declutter Right Away
The biggest thing you can do to lower the cost and shorten the time of your move is to declutter your home before the moving company arrives. You should go through every room in your home to decide what is and is not worth keeping.
Start by getting rid of the things that are expired or broken—even if you made a promise you’d get around to fixing it. Expired food and drinks should be thrown away, as well as anything refrigerated or frozen that cannot survive the trip. Many pharmacies offer a safe and secure way to dispose of any unused or expired medications to keep them out of the wrong hands.
When decluttering, you should consider if an item is worth the cost it would take to move. In many cases, the answer will be no for old appliances or cheap furniture. If the items can be cleaned and are still in usable condition, consider taking them to a donation center instead of the dump. Clothes, toys, and electronics are also potential candidates for donation.
Take an Inventory
After you’ve cleared the home of items you don’t want to move, take an inventory of everything that you have. Start by going through each room and make a list of everything that’s going to make the move with you. You should do this to stay informed about what’ll need to be purchased for your new home and so you can easily identify lost or damaged items.
Knowing what’s going to be thrown out will allow you to purchase new, missing, or necessary items once you arrive at your new home. It’s an ideal opportunity to stock your new kitchen with updated versions of old, unused essentials that were thrown away before the move.
The list can also be useful for identifying items that may be lost or damaged as a result of the movers. Having a list ready before the movers start packing presents the opportunity to make note of each item’s condition. If you do need to move forward with an insurance claim, having the list prepared can make the process much simpler.
Set Aside Essential Items
Keep items you don’t wish for the movers to pack in a separate area. Having them packed before the movers arrive will allow you to keep track of any essentials you might need. Here are some of the reasons you may not want a mover to be responsible for an item:
Gather Important Documents
Before they get lost in the shuffle of packing, collect all the important family documents and keep them in a centralized location in your home. Documents including birth certificates, social security cards, and your marriage license are all important to keep in an accessible, easy-to-find location—especially during a move.
Bathroom Essentials
Moving is hard work, even when you hire a long-distance relocation service. Being able to follow your normal bathroom routine can help ease the aches that occur on moving day. Keep bathroom necessities like toothbrushes, towels, bath products, medications, and feminine hygiene products separate from the other boxes the movers will be loading.
Consider Electronics
In today’s society, everything runs through a person’s cell phone. Pack phone chargers in your travel pack to avoid the dreaded death of a battery. Tablets, eBook readers, and laptops are also items that should be kept separate to avoid possible damage from the rigors of the road.
Have a First-Aid Kit
Finally, keep a first-aid kit stocked and ready to go. You never know when a fresh bandage or pain reliever will come in handy. Other moving day first-aid essentials include hand sanitizer, paper towels, and antiseptic for disinfecting cuts.
Protect Your Homes
Before the movers arrive at your old or new house, be sure it’s as prepared as possible. There should already be a place for the moving truck to park upon arrival that’s as close to the house as possible. If the weather involves rain or snow, be sure to have towels laid down at the door. Also, be sure to keep all paths in and out of the home clear of clutter to prevent possible accidents. If your home has stairs, put anti-slip material on them before anybody goes up or down.
Make Plans for Pets and Children
Young children and pets often complicate the moving process. When moving day arrives, have arrangements made for the care of your babies, both human and fur. Pets can be boarded up or left in the care of a trusted friend or family member.
While you may not be able to board your children, you still should find a way to keep them out of the home to avoid possible injuries. Clearing the home of pets and kids will remove tripping hazards and give you one less stress to worry about.
Keep Food and Drinks On Hand
The last thing to do to prepare for professional moving services is to keep drinks and snacks on hand. It’s easy to wear yourself out during the move; make the recovery process easier by having healthy snacks such as granola bars and fruit. Prevent dehydration by keeping a cold supply of water and sports drinks available for yourself and the movers. If you’re moving during winter, hot chocolate and coffee are also good for warming up. Be prepared for meal breaks by ordering pizza or another form of food delivery to help replenish the energy and the spirits of the movers.
