Moving Tips
Unless you are moving into the same neighborhood, relocating to a new home involves the task of looking into new service providers, including cable TV, satellite TV, Internet providers (high-speed or dialup), home phone, and utilities. In most cases, you’ll want to compare companies in order to obtain the best service or the cheapest price.
Going the Traditional Route
Before you actually make your move, you should contact local service providers to arrange for hookup to your new home. While you will need to wait until you move in for the actual connection, it is possible to make the arrangements ahead of time. Doing so helps you to avoid some of the stress and frustration that this process can create. After all, you already have enough to do with unpacking and figuring out the best route to work, the stores, and your child’s school.
A few disadvantages of using the traditional method of calling around from one service company to the next add to the frustration of this process. Long time waits and accidental disconnections can increase the time that it takes to find available service providers for your new home address.
To simplify the process, follow these steps:
1. Make a list of all of the companies that you wish to call along with phone numbers.
2. Begin calling two weeks prior to your move.
3. Make notes next to each company that you call.
4. Cross out each company that you decide against and make a note of the day and time that each connection is scheduled to occur.
How to Set Up Service with Utility Companies
You can call the utility companies directly and provide the starting date for your service to ensure that you have service when you arrive. This includes electricity, gas, and water. In some cases, you can transfer all of the utilities from the seller’s name to the buyer’s name at settlement.
Using an Online Service for Home Connections for Cable TV or Satellite TV
One-stop shopping for a TV provider is quick, easy, and relatively painless. Websites like allconnect.com allow you to enter your zip code in order to see a list of all cable television providers at that location. This is a free service, so you don’t need to put any money up front. There’s no obligation to choose a TV provider based upon the results of your search.
Using an Online Service for Home Connections for Internet Service Providers
If you want to compare rates for Internet providers in your location, you can use a search engine with the words “Internet service providers + your zip code.” A few websites are set up to do the work for you, and you can use them for a fast and easy search. For example, the website inmyarea.com allows you to compare Internet providers in your area using just your zip code. The search results include available Internet providers offering cable connections, satellite connections, DSL connections, and fiber connections. The results provide the download speed, monthly price, and the time commitment needed to obtain the specified rates.
Moving Tips
Whether you are moving all of the way across the country or several states over, you have a big decision to make. Should you use storage pods to transport your possessions or hire a traditional moving truck to do the job for you? Your answer actually depends on several factors, including how much stuff you have, whether or not you are moving in right away, and if you are up to the task of packing the storage pods on your own. Each method offers a few benefits and disadvantages, but you can use the following information to help you come to an informed decision.
When Should You Use a Storage Pod to Relocate Instead of a Traditional Moving Truck?
If you aren’t moving into a new home or apartment right away and you need to keep your items in long term storage, pods are a great option. You only have to pack them up once, and then, they are placed in storage until you need them. They are delivered right to your door for packing and picked up once they are ready. A monthly fee is attached to your storage along with the initial cost of obtaining and packing the pod/pods.
What You Need to Consider When Choosing Pods over Traditional Moving Trucks
If you choose to use pods to move your belongings, you are responsible for moving everything on your own. This process typically involves asking for help from friends and other family members, particularly when moving heavy pieces of furniture, large appliances, and oversized TVs.
If you hire professional movers to transport your belongings in a moving truck, they do nearly all of the work for you. They arrive at your home, pack up your stuff, and unpack it at your destination. This can eliminate a lot of the hassle associated with moving. Professional movers are trained to do this type of work. They are strong and can easily move large pieces of furniture in and out of the truck. Since professional movers carry insurance, your possessions are covered if anything is damaged during the moving process.
If you are moving the entire contents of a large home, you are going to need the largest size pod that is available. You might even need more than one, particularly if you are storing most of your possessions. One of the benefits of using pods is that you can take your time packing up since it doesn’t need to be accomplished in a single day.
What You Need to Consider When Using Pods to Transport Your Items or Storing Your Possessions in Pods
Typically, pods aren’t climate-controlled. Even though the building where they are going to be stored might be climate-controlled, you still have to worry about travelling time. In some cases, pods do not travel directly from your location to the ending destination since the truck transporting the pod might need to make additional pickups in other cities. If you have items that won’t travel well in the heat or cold such as musical instruments and artwork, then you might want to ask about the actual travel route that will be taken.
Moving Tips
If you are relocating, you have a lot to think about and a lot to accomplish. Use this handy moving checklist to help you avoid forgetting any of the following 10 things.
1. Return Borrowed Items and Retrieve Ones That Belong to You
If you are like many people, you’ve loaned out a few tools or dishes or borrowed a couple of items from neighbors. Try and return these things or retrieve your items before you move. Do so the week before you move, so you have plenty of time.
2. Contact the Local Government
Depending on which state you live in, you might need to get a permit to park a moving van or pod on the street outside of your new home. If you have a driveway that you can use, then a permit isn’t necessary.
3. Change Your Address
Unless you want your mail being delivered at your old address, put in for a change of address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) at least two weeks before your move.
4. Obtain Medical and Dental Records
Unless you plan to continue using the same medical and dental providers, ask for copies of your records so that you can take them with you.
5. Obtain School Records
If your child is going to a new school, you might want to get copies from the old one. While it is possible to send some of these records electronically, it is often easier to do so the old-fashioned way.
6. Handling Insurance
Mortgage companies require homeowners to obtain insurance on their properties when they purchase them and take out a loan. Make sure that you not only have insurance on your new home, but that you cancel your old homeowner’s insurance as well. You should also check your coverage to see if it protects your possessions while they are in transport.
7. Contact Your Utilities and Service Companies
Unless you want to receive a bill for services that you aren’t using, contact all of the services (cable or satellite TV, Internet, and home phone) and utility companies (gas, electric, and water) and provide them with your last day of service. Don’t forget to contact the newspaper delivery person, trash service, and any other service (pool, lawn, or landscaping) that you receive.
8. Clean Up
Unless you leave your old home in the condition it was in when you sold it, your risk the sale. Make sure that you clean up!
9. Check the House One Final Time
Since you aren’t the only one taking belongings from your home to a pod, car, van, or moving truck, it is easy to leave something behind. Take a final sweep around your home to make sure that you have everything. Be sure to look in the attic, garage, and crawlspace.
10. Pay the Movers
Although some movers require payment in full up front, just as many are willing to take a percentage before the job and the remaining balance once it is completed. If your movers have done an exceptional job, tipping them is a nice gesture that shoes your appreciation for all of their hard work.
Moving Tips
If you are currently planning to move, then you need to make a decision about whether to do all of the work on your own or to hire a full service moving company to take care of everything for you. One of the easiest ways to figure out which is the right choice for you is to look at the logistics of each option. Your decision might be influenced by your personal circumstances, including your physical health, strength, and financial situation.
Peace of Mind
Avoiding as much stress as possible is important when you are moving. After all, so many tasks are involved from signing up for new services and cancelling existing ones to the actual packing up and transporting of your household goods to your new location. Hiring a full service moving company gives you peace of mind as you realize that everything related to transporting your possessions is being handled by professional movers.
Moving Companies Provide Savings in Time, Energy, and Effort
Full service movers handle all of the heavy, and light, lifting for you. They pack your possessions into the moving truck and unpack them once they arrive at your new destination. You don’t need to lift a finger!
Professional Moving Companies Have Experience Navigating Roadways
In the event that you are unfamiliar with the area that you are moving to, it can be a real blessing to simply follow the movers there. You won’t need to use your GPS or get worried about getting lost. If you are moving locally, chances are the moving company you hire is going to be familiar with your new neighborhood, making it easy for them to deliver your items safely and securely.
A Single Arrangement Is Needed with Full Service Moving Companies
When you hire professional movers to pack up, load up, deliver, unload, and unpack for you, there’s nothing left to do except enjoy your new home. All of your moving costs are gathered together in one bill that includes the cost to rent the truck, the hire the moving men, to pay for the fuel, and to cover the expense of your packing supplies. What could be easier than that?
Do-It-Yourself Moving
If you have a small apartment and only a few possessions, you might be able to complete the move on your own or maybe with the help of a few friends. You’ll still need to go to the store to purchase all of your packing supplies and boxes and find a truck to rent. Next, you’ll need to pack up all of your belongings, cushioning breakables and securing spillables so that they don’t make a mess.
When the big day arrives, you’ll have to load up the truck, drive it over, and unload it before you have to return it. At that point, you’ll probably want to leave the unpacking of your boxes until the next day or maybe even the next week. If you have a large home and lots of possessions, household goods, and furniture, you have even more work ahead of you.
Moving Tips
Hiring professional movers to help you relocate your possessions can make your life easier and your move smoother. The same can be said about using a few good packing and storage strategies to help you pack up before the movers arrive.
Gathering Your Supplies
In addition to lots of moving boxes, you’ll need bubble wrap to protect your breakable items. To help keep your boxes closed during the moving process or while in long term storage, purchase the strongest packing tape available. Don’t forget to pick up markers and colored stickers to label your packages.
Labeling Your Boxes
Instead of simply marking your packing and storage boxes with a generic label such as kitchen or kid’s bedroom, you should include a brief description of what is inside. This strategy helps you find the items you want without having to go through a dozen packing and storage boxes to find them.
Pack Similar Items Together
Whenever possible, you should pack items that are used together in the same box. This strategy makes unpacking easier. For example, pack extension cords or surge protectors with your small appliances and electronics.
Identifying Your Boxes
While you can label each box with the name of the room that it is going to, using colored stickers as well provides fast and easy recognition that makes this process simpler for your movers. After all, you might know where your daughter’s bedroom is, but how will the movers know this? Just place one of the stickers on each door, and everyone who is helping will know exactly where to put the packing boxes.
Important Documents
It’s essential that you keep your important papers with you to avoid having them get misplaced during the move. A simple tote bag or business folder can be used to store these items and keep them safe for you.
Long Term Storage Tips
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when you are placing your possessions in long term storage is that these items should be clean and dry. This will help to keep them in the best condition while also avoiding the growth of mildew or mold. Make sure that you drain hoses and disconnect them from large appliances.
Moving and Long Term Storage Tips
Whether you are packing items for long term storage or for transportation into your new living quarters, each of the following tips can help to prevent accidents from happening.
- Wrap breakable items individually with tissue paper or bubble wrap and fill in empty areas in the box to keep the items cushioned.
- Pack spillables separately.
- Secure electrical cords to prevent dangling.
- Unplug electrical items 24 hours in advance when possible to allow them to cool down.
- Use tape or ties to secure hardware, placing small items in plastic bags before securing them.
- Place heaviest items in the bottom of your moving boxes.
- Leave moving boxes containing high-value items open so that the movers can inspect them prior to placing them on the van.
- Pack firmly to avoid shifting and unnecessary damage.
- Use sturdy, corrugated moving boxes for china, glassware, and other breakable items. Label the boxes with the words “Fragile. This side up.”
Moving Tips
Moving out of state is a big deal for most people. There’s a lot to do, and a lot of decisions to be made. One of the most important tasks that you have is the selection of long distance movers to assist you in transporting your possessions from one state to another. Ideally, you’ll want to find a company that can minimize the stress associated with this type of experience.
You’ll need long distance movers who understand the importance of each possession you have, while also having the skills to transport them safely. Of course, this means that you need to sift through the listings of long distance moving companies to find one that is reputable. Use the following guidelines to simplify your decision-making process and help you make a good choice.
Ask for Written Estimates
Never consider an estimate that has been provided by a company that hasn’t even looked at your home’s contents. Legitimate long distance moving companies provide estimates based upon the amount of household property needing to be transported along with a few other pieces of information such as the distance and services involved.
Check to See If Long Distance Moving Companies Are Insured and Licensed
In order to have the right to offer long distance moving services, the company must be licensed and insured. If a copy of the license and proof of insurance is not clearly posted on the wall of the company’s office, ask to see proof of both. If you are given the federal license number, you can check it on the website (protectyourmove.gov) for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This license number is also referred to as a U.S. DOT number.
Unless your long distance movers are insured, your household goods are not protected against any damage that occurs while they are in transport. Make sure that you get proof of insurance rather than simply accepting someone’s word that the company has it.
Read the Copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” That You Receive from Your Movers
Federal law requires all long distance movers to provide their customers with a copy of the booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” If your company doesn’t give this booklet to you to read, consider this a red flag. If the company isn’t following this rule, chances are that it might not be on the up-and-up. Once you get the booklet, you should read it because it is full of good information.
Check into Consumer Complaints
No matter how nice the individuals you are talking to seem to be, it is still possible that they have complaints lodged by previous customers against them. Visit the website for the Better Business Bureau and look for existing complaints against the long distance moving companies you are considering.
Look into Reviews
Check the company website and read any reviews that have been posted. Whether the reviews are positive or negative, you will find out information that can be useful in making your selection of the movers you wish to hire.
