Planning on moving? There are a lot of factors to consider that may be unique to your situation. Some of us have children, pets, valuable art and lots of plants. Others have a suitcase and a job acceptance letter. Whether it is cross town or cross country a little bit of planning can go a long way.
Two things to consider is whether you will employ a moving company or take on the move yourself. Finding a reputable moving company involves a decent amount of research. You don’t want your time, money and belongings getting into the wrong hands. The moving industry is known for having great scam artists that have no problem robbing you of your things and money. Don’t shop on the Internet where the scammers are waiting for you. Ask a friend or neighbor if they know of a good company they’ve had an enjoyable experience with. Instead of using the Internet to find a company use it as a resource to research how to avoid being scammed.
If you are doing the move on your own shop around for truck rental specials. You may want to purchase your own moving supplies instead of buying them from the truck rental company. It is common to see low rental rates and very high packing and equipment rates. You will need at least one dolly or hand truck, blankets for furniture and valuables, and an assortment of straps and twine. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly including the tires, wipers, and lights. Organize everything by labeling all of your boxes beforehand.
One of the best times to consolidate your belongings is during a move. You may find you have one vacuum cleaner too many or an extra Betamax machine. Contact a charity to arrange for a pick up or a drop off of these items. Make sure to file the receipts of the donations for tax time. The other fun family alternative is to have a garage sale.
Remember not to make the mistake of packing your important documents. Make all of the necessary phone calls before you leave including utilities, insurance providers and the post office.
You will most likely spend your moving day at your old home. It is a good idea to be supervising the movers, so either yourself or a family member should be present until they’re loaded and have left. Review the bill of lading and ask all of your questions before you sign. Give them your best contact number so they can contact you in case of an emergency. Ask for their mobile numbers or a means of contacting them as well. And finally, close all of your windows, lock your doors and say goodbye to your old house.
|
|