How do we start the moving process?
Robert,
I volunteered to answer your question because I myself am is going through exactly the same process, so I will try to utilize both my professional and recent personal experience for that purpose.
Before we start discussing the actual moving activity issues, I would recommend you to use a moving checklist to plan all the issues around the move itself (such as the address change, medical records, etc). Currently we are working on our own interactive moving checklist, but meanwhile you can use this one.
First of all, you need to start with asking yourself few questions:
Are we going to move ourself, or hire a full service mover?
If the answer to this question is "yes" then you should start from getting several quotes from local companies (try our form to get few fast) and schedule 3-5 visual estimates. Your goal is to find a RELIABLE company that will offer you a good FLAT PRICE deal after having an on-site visual estimate.
Once you have few candidates make sure that before you invite them in for an on-site you check their record on this site (you can use the search function to see if we already rated them, or if we haven's then you can ask us to have one done for you).
If you decide to move yourself then you should either plan to reserve a truck for the day of your move (Budget is our recommendation, Penske is also good), or get some quotes from U-Load We-Drive companies.
In case you decide to move yourself I would recommend you to learn how to load the truck correctly by checking
MovingMadeSimple.net website.
Are we going to do our own packing, or will have the movers pack (or hire a packing service)?
I always recommend people to do their own packing. This way you have a chance to go over your things and get rid of stuff you no longer need (donating your old cloth and furniture is a good idea to get some tax break by the way). Also, you eliminate the chance that your items will be stolen by the packers (unfortunately, it could happen from time to time), and you will also take a better care of your own items (because they are yours).
The downside of it is the fact that packing is a skill, and professional packers might actually do a better job then you will, however I always recommend people to learn how to pack by reading our Moving Guide->Packing, and by checking the MovingMadeSimple.net website -
How To Pack Your Life In a Box Video.
Planning is the key to successful move.
Believe me, its true. I would recommend you to start the planning at least 3 month before you think your move will take place. In your case you probably should plan right away. Packing could be the most intensive part of your move, so I would recommend you to read about Planning your packing process in our Moving Guide.
Good luck with your move,
Henry Peterson @ MovingAnswers.org
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GENERAL ISSUES
-> When, what and how to moveJun 29, 13:02
Question by bstagert (Robert Tagert)
How do we get started once we have a tentative closing date?
Jun 29, 14:52
Answer by henry (Henry Peterson)
I volunteered to answer your question because I myself am is going through exactly the same process, so I will try to utilize both my professional and recent personal experience for that purpose.
Before we start discussing the actual moving activity issues, I would recommend you to use a moving checklist to plan all the issues around the move itself (such as the address change, medical records, etc). Currently we are working on our own interactive moving checklist, but meanwhile you can use this one.
First of all, you need to start with asking yourself few questions:
Are we going to move ourself, or hire a full service mover?
If the answer to this question is "yes" then you should start from getting several quotes from local companies (try our form to get few fast) and schedule 3-5 visual estimates. Your goal is to find a RELIABLE company that will offer you a good FLAT PRICE deal after having an on-site visual estimate.
Once you have few candidates make sure that before you invite them in for an on-site you check their record on this site (you can use the search function to see if we already rated them, or if we haven's then you can ask us to have one done for you).
If you decide to move yourself then you should either plan to reserve a truck for the day of your move (Budget is our recommendation, Penske is also good), or get some quotes from U-Load We-Drive companies.
In case you decide to move yourself I would recommend you to learn how to load the truck correctly by checking
Are we going to do our own packing, or will have the movers pack (or hire a packing service)?
I always recommend people to do their own packing. This way you have a chance to go over your things and get rid of stuff you no longer need (donating your old cloth and furniture is a good idea to get some tax break by the way). Also, you eliminate the chance that your items will be stolen by the packers (unfortunately, it could happen from time to time), and you will also take a better care of your own items (because they are yours).
The downside of it is the fact that packing is a skill, and professional packers might actually do a better job then you will, however I always recommend people to learn how to pack by reading our Moving Guide->Packing, and by checking the MovingMadeSimple.net website -
Planning is the key to successful move.
Believe me, its true. I would recommend you to start the planning at least 3 month before you think your move will take place. In your case you probably should plan right away. Packing could be the most intensive part of your move, so I would recommend you to read about Planning your packing process in our Moving Guide.
Good luck with your move,
Henry Peterson @ MovingAnswers.org
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Related questions:
1. Moving couch through narrow doorway
2. Arranging visual estimate without me being present
3. Long distance piano move
4. Will couch fit through doorway
5. Do I need to be present during the pick up from storage
6. Moving from two locations to one
7. Moving from Washington state to Virginia, don't know where to start
8. Ship some stuff from St. Louis to Taiwan
9. Moving Notice
10. Putting small shipment on a truck to be delivered later
See all questions from GENERAL ISSUES->When, what and how to move
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