If you always moved by yourself when you were younger, you might be a little intimidated by working with professional movers for the first time. The whole idea of moving may be overwhelming if you've accumulated a house full of furniture, clothing, and decor. Professional movers work with you to make the move as pleasant as possible. Plus, you'll be relieved of a lot of the hard labor involved with moving. Here's a look at what you can expect.
Start with an In-Home Visit
You may have no idea how moving works and how much it costs. The first thing a moving company will probably do is visit your home to look over your belongings so they can give you an accurate estimate of the cost of your move. They may charge by the weight of your belongings and the distance of your move.
Knowing they charge by weight may encourage you to declutter and get rid of heavy things you don't really need to move. Be sure to point out fragile items so the movers are aware of them in case they need special handling.
Also, ask about what you need to do to prepare. Professional movers can pack and unpack your things if you can fit the service into your budget. If not, you'll need to pack and prepare things yourself and you'll need to know what to do.
Understand How Long-Distance Moving Works
You don't need to stay with the moving truck as it drives to another state. Your truck may even make stops along the way to drop off or pick up belongings from other customers. Instead, the mover will give you an estimated delivery date so you can be at your home when the truck is expected to arrive.
Since you may be at your home a day or two before your belongings get there, take what you'll need in boxes or suitcases so you have supplies to last you until all of your belongings get to your new home.
Use Moving Boxes When You Pack
Professional movers pack up everything in moving boxes made to hold specific items. Moving boxes protect your items from damage, and since they come in standard sizes, they stack well.
Avoid using boxes you collect from the grocery store or deliveries since these won't stack as well and they may not be sturdy. Try to make moving day as easy on you and the movers as possible by using proper packing supplies and being organized.
Remember to Label All Boxes
When the movers unload your things from the truck, they need to know what room to leave them in at your new house. You don't want all of the boxes and furniture left in your living room. Use some sort of label system so you know what's inside each box and so the movers know where each box goes in your home. You might write the names of the rooms on the boxes or use color-coded labels.