Moving day tips coming at cha from one of the top-rated local moving companies in South Florida. You may be feeling excited, anxious or downright stressed depending on how you prepared for it. While we all want to be happy and excited while moving, a few mistakes can ruin the whole experience and make the day frustrating.
For an efficient, hassle-free move, there are a few mistakes you’ll have to avoid – the majority of which are related to packing. Let’s dive right in.
1. Not Packing Some of Your Essentials
In the heat of packing, there are a few things that are easily forgotten yet are extremely important. These include:
- A tool kit,
- First aid supplies,
- Basic cleaning supplies,
- Garbage bags, and;
- Your coffee pot
Fail to carry these along, and you’re likely going to end up incurring additional costs buying something that you actually have.
To avoid all that trouble, take the time to do a final sweep of the home to ensure that all the little things that are essential to your daily life are packed and ready for loading into the moving trucks.
2. Letting Movers Pack Your Valuables into the Moving Truck
You could remember to pack an essentials bag, but leave that small pack containing your insurance papers, certificates and/or family passports with the rest of the boxes to be loaded in the moving trucks.
In this scenario, you’re going to find yourself searching for these vital items frantically through the numerous boxes in the large moving truck. This can be time consuming and terribly frustrating.
So, take the time before moving day to gather every important document and paperwork, and pack them inside a bag or small chest that you’ll carry with you in the car. In fact, it’s a good idea to put this pack in the car from the get go, so you don’t risk misplacing it among the rest of the shipment.
3. Failing to Label Boxes or Labeling Them Improperly
Moving boxes usually look identical. Labeling them is the perfect way to identify their contents for easy retrieval and seamless unpacking once they reach your new home.
Failing to assign labels to these boxes can brew unnecessary frustration. So, be sure to buy high-quality felt tip pens, preferably black in color; then use it to identify the contents of every box explicitly, other than superficial methods like the use of numbers (1, 2, 3…) or letters (A, B, C…).
You’ll want to label each moving box right after packing its contents, closing its flaps, and sealing it. Allowing too much time to pass between packing and labeling may let you forget what’s inside each box.
You could use a different labeling method or felt pen color, but just be sure to identify the contents of your boxes and at the proper time.
It will be much easier for the movers to map out their unloading work when boxes contain proper labels along with the respective rooms where they are supposed to go in the new home.
It is best to label specifically the contents in the box and which room you want it to land in. For example, Kitchen Supplies, Mugs, Silverware, plates and cutting boards.
4. Not Disconnecting Appliances till Moving Day
If you plan on taking the big appliances with you, there could be some regrets if you don’t take the time to consider what moving these items can entail.
Defrosting and drying out your freezer and refrigerator: This process takes time– not the kind of work you want to reserve for the day of moving.
Equally time consuming is the work of disconnecting gas lines and hoses supplying your appliances. It’s always a good idea to have these disconnected and appliances ready for transport by the day of moving so that your movers don’t leave them behind.
Likewise, if you are moving your fridge, consider unplugging it two days before moving, defrost it and allow it to dry out so you don’t have mold promoting moisture in your moving cargo.
5. Forgetting to Clean Outdoor Furniture
Movers typically leave behind any yard furniture that’s downright dirty. If you intend to bring such furniture along, you’ll want to wipe out any bird poop and other health hazards that may be on them, otherwise you risk leaving them right on that yard. So, take the time to clean your outdoor furniture in time before the movers arrive.
6. Lifting or Carrying Heavy Items Without Regard for Safety
A lot of lifting goes into packing your household items. Unless you use proper lifting techniques, the weight can have a toll on your back. Injuries are also common among those who don’t dress properly for the occasion.
To avoid preventable accidents and protect your back from injury, be sure to use the right lifting techniques and wear the right gear including gloves, sturdy footwear and use a dolly or lifting back brace for additional support.
Of course you can always leave the heavy lifting to the movers. We are professional, strong and prepared to move the heaviest and bulkiest of items, and we cost less than you think. Why not get a free rate quote and see how affordable it can be to spare yourself the energy of moving your own stuff.
7. Forgetting to Declutter the Space, Including Letting Kids and Pets to Roam Free
Movers need a clear path to move freely when loading items on their trucks or vans. Things such as cords or used bottles in the way can cause someone to trip, leading to unnecessary accidents that delay your moving.
It’s typically worse if there are kids and pets moving around the place. While movers will do their best to not endanger your family or pets, it’s best to keep these important people and animals out of the way altogether for a safer, more efficient workflow.
It’s a good idea to get a babysitter or schedule a play date for your kids and pets on moving day. With appliances being moved, and electronics disconnected, it creates some safety hazards for the little ones and animals. It’s a great idea to eliminate the worry by having children and pets at an alternate location during the move.
8. Skipping Meal Planning for the Day
Dehydration can be a serious problem during moving if you don’t arrange to have water bottles handy.
Because there will be little time to look for water or sit down for a meal, it’s important to plan for refreshments and snacks. Ensure you have these on hand so that anyone who needs to recharge can have something without struggling to find it. This will be especially important for children who need to eat from time to time.
The good news about this is that we have never been in a more, takeout friendly time. Take advantage of the growing number of delivery services and leave the cooking to the pros on moving day.
Also, there is major bonus points for getting an extra couple pizzas for the moving crew. Pepperoni has been known to increase overall strength and happiness in 5/7 south Florida movers. (Just kidding, but its a gesture that’s always appreciated during a well earned break.)
9. Scheduling Cleaning on Moving Day
You might think it would be great to have both cleaners and movers working simultaneously, and schedule cleaners during the move. Terrible idea. Trying to have the cleaners work alongside the movers can create quite a bit of chaos, as each will be in the way of the other, so it’s best to bring in the cleaners only when your move is complete.
The average price to clean a 4 bedroom two bath home is between $150 and $225 depending on the amount of work needed. Some factors that add to this estimate are large windows, pet messes on carpeting or upholstered furniture, or extremely dirty conditions. Whats guaranteed though, is that your cleaners will have a much easier time doing their job if there’s are no furnishings to clean or get in the way. Take advantage of the move-out special and call around for some quotes. Be sure to investigate the cleaners online. They should come highly recommended. If you are still unsure you can use an app like NextDoor for local recommendations from your neighbors..
10. Missing the Final Walk-Through
There are places in your home where you hardly look. These include the basements, attics and crawl spaces where tools and other important items tend to hide. Make sure you check these places out for any left item before you sign the Bill of Lading.
Otherwise you might find yourself struggling desperately to get additional items to your already loaded shipment, which can affect the efficient flow of the moving work.
Wrap Up
The secret to smooth moving is to avoid juggling a lot of work on the moving day. Have most of the work done early enough and items packed up and ready for loading into the moving truck before your movers arrive. This is the surest way to hassle-free moving.
