Essential Tips for Selecting a Moving Company

Moving to a new home can be an exciting yet stressful time. One of the most important decisions you will make during this process is selecting the moving company that will safely transport your belongings. Choosing the right moving company requires careful research and consideration. Here are some tips to help you find and select a reputable moving company that meets your needs:

Get Recommendations

Start your search by asking friends, family members, co-workers, real estate agents, and neighbors if they have any recommendations for moving companies. Find out about their experiences—were they satisfied with the service and professionalism? Did anything get damaged during the move? How were claims handled if something did get broken? Getting first-hand recommendations from people you trust is one of the best ways to find a reliable moving company.

Check Reviews Online

In addition to personal recommendations, read through reviews of local moving companies online. Sites like Yelp and Google Reviews can provide helpful insight into a company’s reputation, customer service, pricing, and overall quality. Pay attention to trends in the reviews—look for companies with mostly 4 or 5 star ratings. Be wary of companies with no reviews or overwhelmingly negative feedback.

Get Estimates from Multiple Movers

Do not settle on the first quote you receive. Contact 3-5 reputable moving companies in your area and request in-home estimates. A representative should come and visually inspect your home to get an accurate estimate based on the size of the move, labor involved, and your destination. Make sure to get binding, not non-binding estimates. Binding estimates means the company cannot charge you more than the quoted price later on.

Ask Questions

When meeting with movers for estimates, ask plenty of questions. Here are some important ones:

• How long have you been in business? Look for companies with 5+ years’ experience.
• Do you have licenses and insurance? Interstate movers are required to be licensed. Make sure they have insurance to cover damages if something goes wrong.
• What is your safety record? Check their USDOT safety rating.
• What is your claims process if something is damaged? Get details on how reimbursement for damages works.
• Do you provide packing services? Some companies offer packing in addition to transportation.
• When are you available? Book early for the best availability.

Check Credentials

Once you’ve narrowed down the selection, vet the final candidates thoroughly. Confirm they are properly licensed and insured. Check their company history, safety ratings, membership in industry associations like the American Moving & Storage Association, and accreditations from the Better Business Bureau. Avoid movers with serious complaints lodged against them.

Get it in Writing

Schedule your move with the company that best fits your needs and provides competitive, transparent pricing. Get confirmation of your moving date, guaranteed price, and list of services provided in a written contract. Read the contract closely before signing. Never make final payment until all your belongings have been delivered safely.

Packing Tips for an Upcoming Move

Carefully packing your belongings, yourself or hiring professional packers can help ensure a smooth, damage-free move. Follow these top packing tips when getting ready for a relocation:

Start Early

Give yourself plenty of time to pack. Don’t wait until the week before the movers arrive. Aim to finish packing non-essentials at least two days in advance. This prevents last-minute stresses and allows you to focus on critical packing tasks.

Use Sturdy Boxes

Invest in high-quality packing boxes designed for moving. Avoid lightweight boxes from grocery or department stores that can easily tear or cave in. Movers can provide specialized boxes for mattresses, wardrobes, mirrors and other awkward items.

Pack Heavier Items First

Start by packing heavy, durable items like books, tools and kitchen pots and pans. Use small boxes for heavy items to avoid overloading. Getting heavier boxes done early makes the packing process easier as you progress.

Pad & Wrap Fragile Items

Pad and carefully wrap fragile items with packing paper or bubble wrap. Mark the boxes as fragile so movers take extra care with gentle handling. Pack breakables tightly so nothing shifts around inside.

Label Every Box

Clearly label each box by room and contents using a permanent marker. Add descriptive details – “kitchen dishes & glasses” rather than just “kitchen”. Specific labels prevent movers from opening multiple boxes to find needed items.

Keep Inventory Log

Track what gets packed in each box. Use a notebook, Excel spreadsheet or app to log a detailed inventory complete with box numbers and contents. This comes in handy later for easy unpacking and claims if anything gets damaged.

Leave Essentials Accessible

Don’t pack items you will need immediately before, during and after the move. Keep toilet paper, soap, towels, phone chargers, snacks, important documents and other essentials in a separate bag.

Careful packing takes time but is worth the investment for reduced stress and damages. Follow these tips for smooth packing and unpacking.

Loading the Moving Truck

Loading the moving truck properly ensures your belongings get safely transported to your new destination. Follow these guidelines for securely loading your household goods onto the moving truck:

Load Heavy Items First

Heavy boxes and furniture need to go at the front of the truck, centered over the axles. Pack the heaviest items along the bottom with lighter boxes on top. Distribute weight evenly from side to side to avoid tipping.

Use Ramps & Dollies

Carefully move heavy objects up ramps and use dollies for a controlled loading process. Trying to muscle large pieces often leads to pulled muscles and damaged belongings or doorways. Let the equipment do the hard work.

Stack & Pad Items Securely

Tightly stack boxes and pad furniture with blankets to prevent shifting during transit. Use tie downs, straps, and shrink wrap to secure the load and add protective barriers between items. Leave no gaps for boxes to tip over into.

Handle Fragile Items With Care

Mark fragile boxes clearly and load them last in the center of the truck, creating a “nest” protected on all sides. Transport delicate furniture, like glass table tops, separately from more durable items if possible.

Check Weight Distribution

Make periodic checks on weight distribution as the truck gets loaded. Too much weight towards the back can lift the front axle off the ground. Evenly dispersed weight is crucial for safe handling.

Pack Tetris-Style

Fit boxes and furniture together like a puzzle to efficiently use all space. Avoid loading too much weight in one spot. Use closet rods and other oddly shaped items to fill gaps between boxes.

Keep Inventory Log

Document where each box gets loaded – front, middle or back and left, center or right. This organized loading order makes unloading much more efficient so you can easily retrieve needed items.

With proper tools and some muscle power, you can safely load the truck yourself. Just take it slow and get help lifting heavy objects. If using professional movers, check that they are carefully securing the load throughout the process. Proper loading ensures you arrive stress-free and with all your possessions intact.

Unpacking After Moving to Your New Home

Congratulations, you made it to moving day and your belongings have arrived safely! Now comes the job of unpacking and setting up your new place. Unpack room-by-room using these tips:

Have a Plan of Attack

Walk through the entire house first and make a plan for which room to tackle first, second, third etc. Set up beds first so you have somewhere to collapse afterward! Then focus on necessities like the bathroom, kitchen and office.

Label & Group Boxes

Before unpacking, confirm boxes are correctly labeled with their contents and the designated room per your loading inventory. Stage boxes together by room for easier transporting as you unpack.

Stock Supplies

Have scissors, utility knives, trash bags and other unpacking necessities on hand. Make a “keep, donate & toss” pile in each room so items get immediately sorted.

Unpack One Room at a Time

Unpack, arrange and set up one room completely before moving onto other rooms. This prevents feeling overwhelmed. Plus, you can sleep in a finished bedroom while slowly tackling the rest.

Install Curtains & Blinds ASAP

Get curtains, blinds or shades installed right away for privacy. Use temporary sheets or cardboard if needed until custom window treatments arrive.

Check for Damage

As you unpack, inspect items for any damage that may have occurred during moving. Note any issues and file claims right away with moving insurance while details are fresh.

Update Accounts

Change your address on accounts, services and subscriptions. Make sure bills start arriving to the right place and services like internet get set up in advance.

Meet the Neighbors

Take breaks from unpacking to introduce yourself to neighbors. They can provide useful local information and it helps make the new place feel friendlier and more like home.

Unpack patiently room-by-room. Trying to rush through unpacking will leave you frazzled. Savor this chance to organize, declutter and settle comfortably into your new home.

Tips for Moving with Kids

Moving with children poses unique challenges. Your kids may be excited for your upcoming move, but they could also feel anxious or stressed about leaving friends and familiar places behind. Follow these tips for a smooth relocation with kids:

Talk it Over

Discuss the upcoming move with your children early. Give them time to process the changes. Be positive but acknowledge it will be an adjustment. Provide reassurance that they will make new friends.

Give Them Control Where Possible

Let kids make choices about their new bedroom décor or packing some favorite toys themselves. Giving them some control reduces anxiety about so many unfamiliar changes.

Don’t Make Moving Day Too Hectic

Limit what your kids need to do on moving day like helping pack or clean. Have a sitter supervise young children in another location so you can focus.

Pack Their “Necessities” First

Pack a suitcase with your kids’ essential items – favorite toys, books, blankets etc. Unpack this first at the new house so their rooms feel familiar immediately.

Move Before or After School Starts

If possible, move either during the summer or after the school year starts. Switching schools AND homes at the same time is very hard.

Explore the New Neighborhood

Take your kids to play at the park, library and other fun places near your new home before and after you move. Familiarizing them with the area makes the transition smoother.

Help Them Say Goodbyes

Set up FaceTime calls, video messages or digital yearbooks to share with their friends. Assist your kids with exchanging contact information before moving so they can stay in touch.

With preparation and by minimizing last-minute stresses, changing homes can be exciting for kids. Focus on creating comfy rooms and making new memories in your new house from day one!

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I book my move?

Ideally you should book your move 4-8 weeks in advance. The best movers get booked up quickly, especially during peak summer moving season. Reserve your desired moving dates as soon as you’ve confirmed your plans.

How much do moving companies charge?

Moving company costs vary greatly based on the size of your move, distance, services needed and season. Expect to pay around $25-$35 per hour per mover. Long-distance moves are typically priced by weight and mileage. Get binding estimates from multiple companies.

How can I protect my belongings during the move?

Pack fragile items very carefully in newsprint or bubble wrap. Have movers use padded blankets to wrap furniture. Choose a company that provides valuation coverage to cover damages. Do a thorough walkthrough checking for dents, scratches or other damage before and after.

What size truck will I need?

The size truck you need depends on the number of bedrooms, what furniture you are taking and overall quantity of boxes and belongings. 1-2 bedroom moves may fit in a 14’ truck. 3-4 bedrooms often require a 17’ truck. Ask the company for advice on ideal truck size.

Should I pack myself or hire packers?

If you can handle doing it yourself, packing everything ahead of time saves money. However, professional packing services may be worthwhile, especially for valuable items, antiques and bulky furniture that requires disassembly.

Can movers also provide storage?

Many moving companies offer temporary storage options which come in handy if your new home isn’t quite ready when you vacate your old one. Make sure to choose a secure, climate controlled storage facility.