Moving Guide
- When choosing your moving company, do your research. Make sure that you are talking only to companies that are licenced by the DOT bonded and insured. Make sure that they are actual carriers and not brokers.
- Compile a comprehensive inventory of all household goods that you are planning to move including carpets on the floor and pictures on the walls. Revisit this list often to make sure it is always up to date and includes everything that requires moving.
- Convey all information about your move to the moving company so that they can plan all the details of your move. This will prevent any surprises on the day of the pickup or delivery.
- When you pack your boxes make sure you write their content on them as well as marking those that contain fragile items. .
- A few days prior to the move make sure that the number of boxes in the inventory corresponds with what you packed and have ready to be shipped.
- Make sure that all day to day use essential belongings as well as irreplaceable valuables stay with you and are not shipped with the moving company
- And most important stay positive and enjoy the ride to your new home.
Moving FAQ
How do I choose a moving company:
Research is key! It is best to avoid brokers and make sure the moving company that you end up choosing has a carrier license issued by the DOT. Google the various companies that you are in touch with to read some reviews. Eventually most people go with a midrange priced company that is properly licenced and has descend reviews online.
What can change the price on the day of the move
The most common reason for price discrepancies is that people forget to add items to their inventory and so they are added on the day of the move thus inevitably increasing the size and therefore the price of the move. To avoid that, revisit and revise your inventory list as often as you can. Other reasons are stairs and challenging parking conditions at the pickup or delivery location. To avoid this, make sure that the moving company is aware of these details ahead of time so they can incorporate the information into the price ahead of time.
What kind of packing services should I request for my move
Basic backing – Every moving job comes with the default basic packing of items with moving blankets and pads. Those are recyclable packing materials and they are used by the movers free of charge.
Partial Packing – Fragile (T’vs, table glass tops, mirrors etc) items and upholstered items (Mattress, soffa, etc) must be packed with nonrecicleabe packing materials (bubble wrap, shrink wrap, cardboard etc’) these materials are not free. You can add to your move partial packing services which will insure that all items are packed except the boxes.
Full packing – This service includes packing everything in sight including the boxes. All you have to do is open the door. We do all the rest.
White Gloves – Some residencies’ managements require protective covers for the walls and floors of the premises while the move is taking place. The White Gloves packing services is added to the full packing services and is considered the most premium packing services a mover provides.
What kind of insurance do I need for my move.
Every moving job comes with a default insurance mandated by the DOT. That should provide basic protection in case of damage to any regular move. This insurance is not full value. If you want to get full value protection for your household goods while in transit you should first check your renters/homeowners insurance policy as many of them protect household goods while in transit. If you have that protection you are all set and need nothing more added. If you don’t there are insurance companies that specialize in providing full value insurance for moving. It is best to purchase directly from the insurance company and not through the mover as this will only increase the price.
How do I know the size of my move
Provide the mover with an accurate inventory of the items you are panning to move and they will load it into their software. The software then generates the size of your move as well as its weight.
What happens in case of damages to my household goods.
Every moving company has a mechanism of placing damages complaints. You will be required to provide pictures of the damage along with the complaint and based on the damage a compensation will be issued if the damage was caused by the transportation of your items.
Moving Checklist
Choose a moving company that is licenced by the DOT to carry bonded insured and has decent reviews online.
Provide a through inventory list to the moving company and update it as often as required
Provide the moving company with all other information relevant to your move
Chose the desired packing services
Gather all the items and belongings that will not go with the movers in one designated area
Change addresses on all official documents and financial services.
If you need to reserve a flight to your new location make sure you reserve it to a couple of day AFTER the day of the move.
Throw a farewell & new housewarming party!
Packing tips
What items should be packed in what size box
Small 1.5 cf 12x12x18 – Heavy items such as cd’s books papers, tools, kitchen cutlery, small statues etc
Medium 3 cf 18x18x16 – This is the all purpose box. Anything that isn’t too heavy and anything that isn’t too big. Pots and pans, small to medium electric appliances, nick nacks from around the house, light clothing items etc’
Large 4.5 cf 18x18x24 – clothes, shoes, linens towels etc’
Extra Large 6 cf 24x24x18 – Foldable clothing items, cushions comforters blankets etc’
Dishpack 6 cf 24x24x18 – All glassware and fragile items
Wardrobe box (size may vary) – Clothing items that require hanging and cannot be folded. The bottom can also be a good place to put in large cushions stuffed toys and other very light but big items.
How to pack fragile items: Every large fragile item (pictures, TV’s mirrors etc’) needs to be wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap and on top another layer of cardboard or a special flat box.
How to pack upholstered items (mattresses sofas etc) There are special covers for mattresses that come in various sizes and they keep the mattress clean and safe. Other upholstered items can be wrapped in plastic sheets or shrink wrap.
What to write on boxes: The most important thing is to write FRAGILE in various visible places on all the boxes that contain fragile items. You can also write where the items packed in the box came from (Bedroom living room kitchen etc). You can also number the boxes and run a separate list with each box what it contains so that unpacking can come easier.