Whether moving across town or across the country, there is no denying that while going into a new home is exciting, it can also be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor. Hiring a moving company to pack, load and unpack on the other end certainly makes things easier, but still requires a certain amount of preparation and vigilance. An organized relocation will relieve a lot of the stress of moving day.
Begin by finding a reputable moving company and thoroughly checking their references, along with comparing prices of various companies. Everyone has heard a moving horror story or two, so doing the homework on moving companies is worth the effort. Once a company has been selected and a packing day has been set, it's time to get things organized.
Whether packing belongings personally or having the moving company pack everything, careful labeling of boxes is a key component of hassle-free unpacking on the other end. Merely labeling a box "kitchen" or "bedroom" isn't as helpful as knowing the contents of a box in order to better assess which box to unpack first. This may sound like a minor inconvenience, but when faced with a new house full of cardboard boxes, knowing where the coffee maker is can be extremely helpful.
Before the packers come, take some time to go through the house room by room and de-clutter. Moving is a great time to finally get rid of extra things that have been piling up. Make a pile to donate, a pile to recycle and some things may need to go to the trash pile.
Take the time to look over valuable jewelry, collections and papers. It's a good idea to move things like that personally. It's also important to known the moving company's policies on items like paint cans or propane tanks. The more things are in order on the day of packing, the more efficiently (and quicker may mean cheaper) belongings can be packed up.
After boxes have been packed and carefully labeled with an inventory of the contents, it is time to come up with an unpacking plan. Most moving companies offer a variety of services, from the basic to full-service unpacking. No matter who is opening the boxes on the other end, it's a good idea to map out where furniture should be placed ahead of time. This certainly doesn't mean adjustments won't be made once the furniture is in the house, but having a plan minimizes stress for everyone involved. Another good idea is to decide if boxes are going to be placed in individual rooms for unpacking or a general unloading area.
Before meeting the moving truck at the new home, have a list of contacts from the moving company on hand, such the person responsible for the account and the dispatcher for the truck. It's important to set up a good line of communication immediately with the workers unloading the truck. Be sure to walk through the house with them before anything is unloaded to understand exact expectations of both parties. An inventory list should be provided and take the time to check each item as it is removed from the truck. Again, it sounds tedious but tiny details matter on moving day. Preparation before packing and vigilance as things are being unloaded are the extra steps that will take the stress out of the big move.
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Ki has worked as a realtor in the Austin real estate market for over 10 years. His website has information on
Austin real estate along with a comprehensive list of properties in the
Austin MLS. His site also provides a free mortgage rate widget.
