Moving companies, it seems, are always busy. America is always on the move—literally. Experts estimate that one out of five households move to a new residence each year. If you do the math, that amounts to a whopping 1.5 million moves every month. Those are some amazing stats, especially if you consider how trying and stressful such moves can be. It’s a wonder that one household—let alone millions!—can pull it off.
If you’re part of this statistic and on the verge of a big move, though, don’t be daunted by the whole process of packing up your stuff, loading it, and dragging it to your new home. There is a way to move without losing any valuables, too much money, or your mind, whether you’re moving across town, or across the continent. With some common sense, along with some help from professionals, friends, and loved ones, you can be successful and avoid all of the mishaps and stress that usually come with moving.
Trying to choose a moving company that seems perfect for you has become rather complicated these days. All this because there are so many full service moving companies (Top 5 Sites) and it's hard for you to decide which one of them will best fit to your needs. Here are some helpful tips for choosing a moving company that will deliver your stuff without any incidents.
First you should get an estimate. The majority of full service moving companies will give you an estimate, but it's better for you to have an accurate one. Know all your requirements and make a list of all the items you are going to move, including their approximate weight.
It's also good to test the market. So instead of choosing the first company you find, try calling as many as you can in order to get an idea about the differences between their pricing and services. Be careful to ask about the exact services you need to make sure you get the most accurate price.
It is helpful to call the Better Business Bureau. This agency has information on the businesses in your area. You can contact your local BBB and check to see if there are any complaints against the full service moving company you are thinking of working with. The BBB won't recommend any companies, but they will place their files at your disposal.
Another useful organization is The Department of Transportation, also known as DOT. This is the government agency responsible for the licensing all interstate moving companies. You should check with DOT to see if a moving company has the authority to provide the services you need.
It's also useful to ask your friends and your relatives about any moving company that they’ve already used. You should keep in mind that choosing a moving company means giving them your precious goods. So you need to trust them to transport your belongings safe and sound. Try to choose a moving company that you know or that have the most experience.
The single most important thing you can do to make the transition go as smoothly as possible is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Make a schedule and stick with it. Preparation, organization and forethought will help you minimize the headaches and allow you to complete your move with your sanity intact.
If you do decide to hire a professional moving company, make sure you give yourself enough time to choose and retain a reliable moving company. The major professional moving companies are busy, especially during the summer months when a majority of the moves are made. We recommend allowing six to eight weeks to get the truck in your yard on time. Some companies even offer discounts for moves made between the slow months of October thru April. Ask your moving company for details.
Once the moving company is under contract, it's time to pare down your belongings. There's no sense moving things you don't really want or need. Question the value of your belongings. As you pack your house to move, ask which items are personally valuable to you--sentimentally, aesthetically, or monetarily. Give your possessions the two year test. Attics, closets and basements are widely-known "black holes" that collect stuff you don't use but just can't seem to throw out. Do you really need to haul that never-used, three-year-old salad shooter to your new home? Discard things that are broken or beyond repair. Hold a garage sale to get rid of the rest (make some money to help pay for the move), and haul the unsold "goodies" to the charity of your choice (get a receipt for a tax deductible donation).
Order your packing supplies online or from your local moving company. These include: strong packing boxes, bubble wrap, ink-free packing paper (not newspaper for your delicate items), wardrobe boxes (not garbage sacks), strapping tape, broad-tip markers to label your boxes, and a knife or scissors to open boxes on the other end.
Pack one room at a time, thus keeping similar things together. Label the room on the outside of the box. Pack boxes firmly, protect fragile objects and try to keep each box less than 50 pounds. Keep an inventory of your boxes and the contents.
Let the kids help pack up their room and give them special attention as they deal with their fears of leaving friends and familiar surroundings. Let them write their name on their boxes. Pack their rooms last so their break in routine is as minimal as possible, and let them pick out a favorite toy to carry with them.
Important Tip--Use Form 8822 to inform the IRS of your new mailing address. If the IRS sends a notice to you at your old address, any delays caused by mail being forwarded may mean that you will miss important IRS deadlines and may have penalties to pay!
GOOD LUCK
