Moving Day – Tips for less stress on moving day

Moving Day – Tips for less stress on moving day

Should you DIY or Hire? Moving can be extremely stressful, even if it is just down the street. You might consider doing it all yourself, hire a few folks to help or just have a moving company come a take care of all of it. Here are some things to consider:
  1. How big is the move? – Moving your kid to college or their first apartment is a different experience than moving to a 4-bedroom house. Even moving to a smaller home because you have decided to downsize can be just as daunting.
  2. Health – Moving is exhausting, both mentally and physically. It may be best to get some help if your back/knees/other medical conditions might keep your pace a little slower than you need.
  3. Cost – It will always cost you more than you think it will. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, gas and rental equipment can add up quickly. Make sure you budget a little padding in to help cover the unexpected.
  4. Hire the reliable – If you do decide to hire someone to help, do as much research as you can on them. Make sure they are fair in their pricing and are respectable to your belongings. There are a number of people who have issues with getting up charged because they know you are desperate to get this move over with.
  5. Insurance – If you do decided to use movers, make sure you ask about their insurance coverage. That way if damage to your possessions does happen, you know what your options are. You can also check with your own insurance agent to see if something is available under your current personal insurance plan.
  Helpful Hits We like to give you as many hints and tips as possible. Here is a list of things that we have learned as a staff when dealing with a move.
  1. Containers – Always pack a couple days’ worth of clothes and any other necessities for each family member. A great idea is to just get a plastic container for each family member and that becomes their moving box for stuff they will need as soon as you get to your new residence. (Phone chargers, important papers, school records, and similar items)
  2. Garage Sale – It’s always best to NOT move what you don’t really need or want anymore. Go through your items and sell them, donate them or just trash them. Don’t waste money on boxes, bags, tape and your time on items that don’t make the cut. We have heard a general rule that if something in your closet or attic has not been used in 6 months, then it is time to give it away; sale it; or trash it.
  3. Boxes – Boxes are your biggest friend during a move and the best kind are FREE. Check your local grocery store, Walmart, ask your neighbor that just moved in or check craigslist to see who close to you might just be giving them away. Also check http://www.usedcardboardboxes.com
  4. Mark your box – Always mark the room on both the top and on the side of the box. As the boxes get stacked it becomes harder to read the tops. Also, it can be a good idea to try and stack the rooms together in the truck. That way when they are unloaded they are close to each other.
  5. Load the truck – It is best to load the heavy stuff first, then the heavy boxes and the lighter stuff. Put whoever is best at Tetris inside the truck to help decide where stuff goes. Also, pack the truck as tight as you can. This will help with the stacks of boxes not falling and shifting on to your breakables.
  6. What’s in the Box – If you are a detailed person, it might make sense for you to make a list of the boxes and what is in them. That way you know exactly what is in each box. You may also want to check out an app for your phone called Moving Van, as it will help you with what item is in what box.
  Hopefully, you have found these lists to be helpful if you are about to move. Maybe you have a helpful suggestion of something we have missed. If so, email us, we will get it added to the list or to another article. Happy moving!
– The Allen Firm Team  

The Allen Firm, PC 181 S. Graham Street | Stephenville, Texas 76401 Ph: 254.965.3185 | Fax: 254.965.6539

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