HERE ARE SOME MOVING TIPS TO MAKE YOUR MOVE COMFORTABLE AND EASY
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Moving a household is never easy, but it doesn't have to be traumatic. The easiest way to handle a move is to divide it into manageable chunks. With thoughtful planning and organization of tasks, you can minimize the work that remains to be accomplished on moving day. Neglecting to take care of chores ahead of time, however, can turn a move into a nightmare.
Man With Van Hire cover every aspect of moving, from planning and packing to the arrival at your new home.
Before you move a muscle, check out our moving checklist and timeline.
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Two Months Before a Move:
- Get estimates from movers
- Collect boxes
- Select mover and go over all details of the move
- Begin packing little-used items
- Go through your house to find unwanted items
- Notify correspondents of move
- Have a yard sale or donate items to a charity
- Plan menus to use up food in the cupboards
- Arrange air travel for family, if necessary
One Month Before a Move:
- Begin packing
- Notify post office of change of address
- Notify utility companies of change in account or disconnections
- Notify newspaper of address change or stoppage
- Collect important papers and medical records
- Make any reservations for lodging
Two Weeks Before a Move:
- Check car; have any necessary repairs done
- Renew or transfer prescriptions
The Week of a Move:
- Transfer or close bank accounts if moving long distance
- Obtain traveler's checks, if needed
- Defrost refrigerator
- Tag furniture to identify its location in the new home
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Prepare survival kit so the family can get along if the moving company is late ( Man With Van Hire is never late)
The Day of a Move:
- Strip beds
- Disconnect all appliances
Planning a Move
- To effectively organize your move, begin months ahead. Along with making arrangements, you'll want to tend to countless details that can overwhelm anyone if they're left to the last week before the move.
- Whether you're moving yourself or hiring a mover, don't move unnecessary items. A move is a good time to get rid of things that are no longer useful. For example, don't pay to move paperback books you'll never read again.
- Make a master checklist of everything that must be done. So that you don't fall behind, schedule a deadline for each task and check off each task when it is done. There's so much involved in a move that you may forget what has already been accomplished.
- Make reservations well in advance if you plan to rent a moving truck or hire a professional mover.
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If you plan to ask friends for help, make sure they can make the commitment and ask enough friends to make the job easier. Don't expect one or two people to move all your belongings.
- If you plan to rent a truck, get a lesson or two on how to drive one, particularly if you've never driven a truck before or if you will be driving it for a long distance.
- Get carpets and slipcovers cleaned before you move. They'll come back wrapped and ready to transport, and you won't have to spend time trying to do this at your new location.
- If you plan to travel by car over long distances, get your car checked out before you leave. Be sure to have a serviceable spare tire.
Managing a Moving Sale
If you're holding a house or garage sale to dispose of items before moving, you'll not only make money, you'll save money by not having to pay for transporting unwanted possessions. Use the following hints to make your sale a success:
- Organize your sale by categorizing odds and ends in bins. For example, have one bin for kitchen gadgets, another for books, and another for music.
- To get the best prices at your moving sale, clean and shine the objects you're selling, and display them creatively.
- Be sure to post signs around the neighborhood in advance to let people know about the sale.
- If you have a lot of things to sell, take out an ad in the local paper.
- To display clothes, rig up a clothesline or rent a portable wardrobe hanger.
- Tag items individually with prices or put items together on a table with a sign for their price.
- Whether or not you want to negotiate the price further is up to you but it will save you the hassle of trying to come up with a price on the spot.
- Encourage your children to get rid of old toys and belongings by letting them keep the money from the sale of their possessions. If there are items you do not want sold, pack them away first.
- Make sure you have plenty of newspapers, boxes, and bags for packing up the items purchased.
Obviously, you'll be moving the items you don't sell. In the next section, we'll cover tips on hiring a professional mover who will transport those, and other, possessions.
Hiring a Professional Mover
It can be stressful to turn over part of your move to a professional mover, but with the following guidelines, you can maximize your chances of hiring the right company -- and minimize your stress in the process.
- For a local move, get references from friends and be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau about any moving company you are considering.
- On interstate moves, charges are based on the weight of the items to be moved, the distance to be moved, packing, and other services. Get two or three estimates well in advance of your move.
- Make sure the mover is aware of everything to be moved. The cost will increase if anything is added to the shipment that was not included in the estimate.
- Unless you pay the movers to pack your belongings, it's unlikely that they will be insured against breakage caused by improper packing.
- If you have the option to move between October and April, you may be able to receive a better price. If your move is scheduled between June and September, the busiest times for movers, be sure to call well in advance for estimates and to settle on a contract.
- Once your shipment is picked up, you may incur storage costs if you change the delivery date, so try to make sure you are able to move into your new home on the scheduled date.
Now it's time for the big day -- moving day. The details are in the next section.
Moving Day
Moving day is one of the monumental days in your life. Here are tips for making it go smoothly:
Houseplants are among the trickiest items to move. In the next section, we'll show you how to do it.
Moving Plants
Plants may seem perfectly content at home, but they can suffer during a move. Consider these tips and guidelines for moving them safely and without any snafus:
- If you are moving to another state, federal and state laws may be affected. In certain areas, plants may have to be quarantined or inspected to be certified that they are pest-free. Some states prohibit bringing any plants into the state. You will have to give them to friends, donate them to a willing institution, or sell them.
- Professional moving companies usually will move houseplants. Do not expect moving personnel to water your plants during the move or to give them special care.
- Most indoor houseplants cannot survive temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than an hour, particularly if they are not wrapped. If you are moving during the winter over long distances, pack plants in cartons and try to make sure they are moved in a heated vehicle and not left in an unheated car or moving van overnight.
- Make sure plants are moist when they are packed for moving. They can usually survive for about 10 days without water.
- If you can't move your plants due to space limitations, consider taking cuttings from your favorite plants. Keep them in a plastic bag with damp vermiculite or peat moss.
Next we'll focus on the tricky details of moving with pets.
Moving With Pets
Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about how your pet is faring. Follow these guideliness for a safe and uneventful move with a pet:
- Most states have laws regarding the entry of animals. Although most states do not require quarantine, be sure to check on what you will need to move your pet if you are moving interstate.
- Border inspections of all animals being transported are conducted by some states while others have random inspection. Be prepared with health certificates for dogs and up-to-date rabies inoculations for dogs and cats.
- Pets cannot be shipped by professional movers. The best alternative is to have your pet travel with you to reduce anxiety. Be sure to have a leash with you because your pet may react oddly to strange surroundings.
- If you are traveling by air, your pet will have to be in a carrier. Check with the airline to see if the carrier can be kept in the cabin. Some airlines require that all carriers be stowed in luggage compartments; others allow small carriers to be kept in the cabin.
- Make sure your pet wears an identification tag with your name, the address of your destination, and the name and phone number of a friend or relative in case the pet is lost during transit.
- Check ahead of time with the city clerk or county clerk about any local laws about pets before you move. Some communities restrict the number of pets per residence, and most expect pets to be licensed shortly after you move in.
In the next section, we'll discuss the issues you'll encounter if you move with children.
Moving With Children
Whether you're moving out of state or around the block, children and adolescents rarely relish change. Your attitude about the move and your willingness to let your children share in the experience will influence their feelings about the move. Try the following to make the move as anxiety-free as possible:
- Talk to your children about the move, and encourage them to express their feelings.
- Sending preschoolers to a sitter or relative during the move may make it easier for you but it could produce anxiety for the children. Involve them in packing and make sure that some of their belongings are with them on the trip.
- When leaving your previous home, empty the children's rooms last, and restructure their rooms first when you've arrived at your new home. This helps them adjust psychologically.
- Try to learn as much as possible about the new neighborhood and school so that you can tell older children about them. You don't have to make them sound heavenly; matter-of-fact information will help ease their anxieties about fitting in.
- Encourage your children to look up facts on your new location at the library, and let them help you plot the most convenient route on a map. If you're moving only a short distance, let children examine the new house and neighborhood before the move.
- Don't think you have to postpone your move until summer vacation. Some experts believe that summer is the worst time to move children, because they have to wait until school starts again to get involved socially. Of course, if your children have learning problems or aren't doing well in school, it may be advisable to let them finish out the school year in familiar surroundings.
- Encourage children to exchange addresses and phone numbers with their friends. A few long-distance calls won't break the bank and will help your children make the transition easier.
So, what are you supposed to do during the actual move? In the next section, we'll answer that question.
In Transit
While the hard work of a move comes at the beginning and end, it pays to be prepared for challenges while in transit. For example:
- Keep important papers and documents with you, including birth certificates, marriage license, and deeds.
- Make sure you allow enough time to get to your destination before the movers.
- If you are moving over a long distance, keep in touch with the moving company so that they are able to notify you of any delays in delivery.
- If you drive to your new location and arrive late, spend the first night at a motel rather than trying to "settle in" when everyone's tired. Everything will seem much more manageable in the morning.
- Take a survival package so you can camp in your new home until the moving van arrives. Include instant coffee, cups, spoons, soap and towels, a can and bottle opener, some light bulbs, a flashlight, toilet paper, cleansing powder, and a first-aid kit. Also be sure that daily medications travel with you.
Things get exciting -- and even more interesting -- when you arrive. In the next section, we'll cover what to do when you first get to your new home.
When You Arrive at Your New Home
The work continues once you pull up to your new home for the first time. Here are some details you need to consider:
- If you have access to the new home a day or so before the moving van arrives, you could set off a bug bomb or spray. (Even if you don't see bugs, there may be some.) This way, you won't worry about your family, your pets, food, or furnishings during the spraying.
- If you've hired a professional mover, make sure you have the payment ready for the mover when the truck arrives as specified in the contract.
- Check your list of contents against the list of what is delivered, and inspect all cartons for damage.
- Unless you've hired the movers to help unpack, don't try to unpack everything at once. Sort your carefully labeled boxes so that you only have to unpack what is absolutely necessary. This gives you the time to organize your space as you go, instead of being forced to toss things randomly into cupboards and closets.
- If possible, hire a cleaning service to help you clean the house either before the movers arrive or after they've left.
Once you've done the first essentials after arriving in your new home, you can begin making the gradual transition. These details are covered in the following section.
Making the Transition to Your New Home
The first few weeks and months can go along way toward making your long-term stay in your home a good one. Here are several important tips:
- If you're moving to an unfamiliar location, obtain local maps as soon as possible.
- Change your address on your driver's license or get a new license, and get your car registered if you move to a new state. Make sure you're aware of local driving regulations and get your car a safety inspection sticker, if required.
- If your children are moving to a new school, try to find some time to volunteer for school activities. This will help you get to know the school and help you understand any problems your children experience as they get oriented to a new routine.
- If you're fortunate, your new neighbors will greet you. If they don't, spend some time outside so they have the opportunity to approach you. If all else fails, introduce yourself.
- Make it a point to get to know your new community. Get library cards, and find out about community-sponsored activities. Subscribe to the local paper so that you get a feel for how the community operates.
- If your children are having trouble with the move, give them extra attention and don't become impatient. Let them call their old friends, and, if possible, arrange for them to visit them.
- Make your pet feel at home by putting out its favorite toys, food dishes, or blankets. Don't allow your pet outdoors unleashed. The pet could easily become disoriented and be unable to find its way home.
An essential part of the move and your transition to a new home is notifying everyone who needs to know that you have a new domicile. In the next section, we provide a checklist to ensure that this task is done right.
Spreading the Word About Your Move
The more people you know and correspond with, the more work you'll have to do to let them know about your move. To save money on cards and stamps, send an e-mail or print a page giving your old address and new address. Make copies and then include this with any outgoing correspondence before you move. Going through your address book will help you to avoid leaving out friends and relatives that need notification.
Make sure you notify the following people and institutions of your move:
- Present and future post offices
- Associations
- Banks
- Book clubs
- Catalog companies
- Churches
- Credit card companies
- Credit unions
- Dentists
- Department stores
- Doctors
- Electric company
- Employers
- Federal, state, and local government benefits payments
- Gas company
- Insurance companies
- Lawyers
- Libraries
- Magazines
- Motor Vehicle Department
- Music clubs
- Newsletters
- Newspapers
- Schools
- Stockbrokers
- Telephone company
- Unions
- Voter registration (both old and new jurisdictions)
- Water company
We've covered the myriad details involved in a successful move. Follow them, and your move could be one of the most fulfulling and exciting experiences of your life. Bon voyage!
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