Things People Forget to do When Moving

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

1)Secure care for children and pets

Sometimes homeowners can become so consumed with the planningprocess that they forget to think about their small children or pets. Largemoving trucks, tools, moving equipment, and professional movers in the housecan be stressful for small children and pets and can put them at increased riskfor injury. Make sure you reach out to a trusted friend or family member inadvance of your move to provide safe care for your children and pets.

2)Secure parking for moving vehicles

Securing plenty of parking for the moving company’s trucks isessential for maximizing efficiency and minimizing labor during your move. Ifyou live in a highly congested area or share a driveway with others, it isespecially important to stake out parking spots for moving trucks. Somelocations may require a permit for the moving van to park, so investigate parkingregulations in advance of moving day, and make sure you secure convenientparking at your old home andyour new one.

3)Label boxes

Few things are more frustrating than staring at dozens of boxesand crates and having no idea where your computer, alarm clock, and essentialsare packed. Even worse, some homeowners may carelessly grab a box that theythink is filled with towels, only to make the painful discovery that the boxcontains their fragile glassware. You can avoid these pitfalls by stocking upon sharpies and screening every box to make sure it is clearly labeled before theprofessional movers load it on the moving van.

4)Notify key people about your relocation

It is your responsibility to contact your bank, credit cardcompanies, insurance company, and other key contacts to notify them of yourupcoming move. In order to be thorough, it is a good idea to use all threemodes of communication below to notify your contacts:

• Email: Send a message with your new address and moving date 30 days before you relocate. Resend the message after you have moved in.
• Telephone: Make a list of your key contacts and call them. Make sure you talk to an actual person as opposed to leaving a message.
• Online Updates: Set aside a couple of hours to update all your online account profiles with your new address.

You can also send your key contacts a postcard announcing yourrelocation. This is a good idea if you have contacts who are not regularlyonline.

5)Invest in sturdy packing materials

Old blankets, towels, bubble wrap, and sturdy boxes play acritical role in the moving process. Old blankets and towels can be used toplace over furniture and appliances to protect them from damage if they shiftinside a moving vehicle during transit. And bubble wrap can work wonders toprotect your smaller valuables before placing them in boxes prior to the move.If you are short on boxes, check local liquor stores, groceries, and bookstores. Some local moving companies will provide used boxes, as well.

Whatis the key to a smooth, successful move?

The single best way to avoid the pitfalls outlined above is toseek the services of a trusted moving company. A trained team of professionalmovers will eliminate many of the hassles outlined above so that you can focuson adjusting to your new location. Discover the many benefits of hiringprofessional movers by contacting A-1 Freeman today!