How to Prepare for Movers – What to Do and Why

Having professionals by your side to take care of your long-distance move is undoubtedly the best decision you could make. However, you shouldn’t think that you’re done just by contacting and booking long-distance movers. So, knowing how to prepare for movers is essential if you want to have a successful relocation behind your back.

Being prepared for professional movers should be on your mind way before the relocation day comes

The question of “how should I prepare for a mover” shouldn’t surprise you since an average American moves around 12 times in a lifetime. It’s a process you should think through, not only because of the relocation stress, but because we all want to have the best experience and move efficiently, so we could start adjusting to new surroundings as soon as possible. That’s why we have here some awesome relocation tips that will help you organize better for the relocation day.

How to Prepare for Movers Successfully? One of the First Things Is to Make a Checklist

Like everything you’re doing in life, you need a good organization for getting it done in the right way or on time. There is no better way than creating a moving to-do list with all tasks and chores you have to do for the relocation process. Take some time to remember everything you have to do, from finding a reliable long-distance moving company to throwing a goodbye party. This list will not only keep you from losing your mind in all the tasks you have to do, but it can also be a timeline, so you don’t lose track of time. No one wants to deal with some forgotten stuff once the professional crew enters their home and there are boxes all over the place.

Prepare at Least One Month Before the Moving Day

Getting prepared in advance, no matter if you think that one month is maybe too much, is essential. With all duties and tasks you have to do, time passes quickly, and you don’t even realize it. That’s why you can start your preparation by making a relocation budget. Knowing your finances and how much money you can spend on cross-country moving services will help you get the whole picture of your next steps. Of course, you probably can’t predict every next step, but being able to know at least some frames of how much money you’ll be left with after the relocation is something you indeed have to do.

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Switch Utilities and Notify Everyone Else About Your Relocation

One of the things you certainly should do before the relocation days is to call the utility companies and ask the providers to transfer or switch utilities. Ensure all utilities are still turned on in the old place on the relocation day because you’ll need water and electricity, no matter if you’re relocating during winter or in summer.

There are other companies and institutions you should notify about your address change. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • USPS,
  • DMV,
  • IRS,
  • Social Security Administration,
  • Bank and credit card companies,
  • Insurance company.

The good news is that you can fill an online form for most of these companies and institutions and simply change the address or contact their customer support department. That way you won’t lose time waiting in endless queues.

With a list of things you need to do for the move, you'll be more than just organized

How to Prepare for Professional Movers Without Spending a Fortune

A stress-free move should be everyone’s objective in this challenging process. However, if you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out, there are a bit more options you need to consider. One of the most efficient ones is decluttering your entire house. You might wonder why that’s so significant, and the answer is very simple – the fewer items you have, the lower will be the price of the whole relocation process.

If you never moved before, you’re probably wondering how much do movers cost. When you hire a reliable long-distance moving company, they should do the household inventory examination and base the price. So, regardless of how tedious and time-consuming process decluttering is, it can save you a lot of money. First, you should declutter one room at a time and put apart everything you won’t use or need anymore. Then, these items you can donate to charity or even organize a garage sale and earn some extra money.

Decluttering is one of the best ways on how to save money when relocating

A Bag With Essential Items is… Well, Essential When Preparing for Movers

If you want a successful relocation, every little detail counts. However, often those little things are forgotten, like packing a moving day essentials bag. From keeping an eye on relocation scammers to figuring out how to pack books, the bag with all that stuff you’ll need for the relocation day and the day after can slip your mind. So, keep in mind that you’ll be needing changing clothes, some towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and some food, too. If you’re relocating with kids, make sure you bring some of their toys and other favorite stuff. The same goes for your furry friends. If you’re planning on relocating with pets, bring some of their snacks and toys, as well.

Girl preparing her relocation essentials
The first period is the hardest, so prepare all the essentials on time

Plan What Supplies You’ll Need for the Packing Process

So, you decided when is the best time of the year to move and started making plans for the new place. However, you probably can’t imagine it without your belongings, and you’re wondering how to prepare for movers to pack them. The essential step is to get as many packing materials as possible because once you start with this tedious process, it’s better not to be interrupted. So here are the materials you’ll need to safely wrap up items you wish to bring along:

  • Boxes – you should purchase different sized boxes because your packing won’t end well without them. If you’re wondering where to get free boxes, you should check online on Craigslist.
  • Packing paper – protecting breakables can be quite hard when you don’t have the right materials to do it. If you’re wondering how to pack glasses, packing paper is the answer.
  • Bubble wrappacking fragile items can be challenging, but you won’t have to worry about extra protection.
  • Tape – sturdy packing tape will ensure your boxes won’t fall apart, especially if you opt for a free option.
  • Scissors – we all know why we need scissors, and somehow we always forget them.
  • Marker – labeling is a very important step in boxing up your belongings. You can use different color markers to label each room you packed.

If you need help from a professional, you should check what packing services the relocation company offers and make sure you get moving insurance for your precious belongings.

Girl preparing her relocation essentials
Getting enough packing supplies is an essential step in the whole relocation process

Know What to Pack Before the Movers Come With a Truck

Since you already did the decluttering part, you sold or gave away those unwanted things. If somehow there are some items left and you don’t know what to do with them, you should still pack them into separate boxes and leave them in one room before the professional crew arrives. The same goes for items you want to have with you during the move – important documents, keys, valuable items, and heirlooms.

On the other hand, movers won’t move items of a certain type, so be sure to avoid everything on that list, like explosive, flammable, and corrosive things.

There’s No Room for Panic – Label Every Box

No matter the reason for your move, the whole process can be pretty chaotic. Imagine your home with boxes everywhere, packing paper all over the place, plus when the relocation crew comes. To keep sanity, be organized and label each box. Use those markers and write on the box’s side precisely what is in it. If there is a possibility and you think it will help you, color coding could be the right solution. Each room can be labeled with a different color, and once you start unpacking, you’ll know exactly where to look.

Labeling could be a lifesaver when it comes to good organization

How to Prepare Your Home for Movers When You’re Using Long-Distance Moving Services

Preparing your house for the professional movers is something you should consider since they will come with a truck where your boxes and other items will be stored. So, make sure they have a spot where they will park their large truck. If you’re thinking about the cheapest way to ship a car, ensure there is a parking place for the trailer, as well.

Another essential step when the relocation day comes is protecting and securing your old and new place and ensuring the furniture and other bulky stuff can fit the doors. Then, before the relocation crew comes, cover floors and prevent damages so you won’t have to clean all over again. Another thing you should do is to measure the furniture and bigger appliances and let the professional team know if they have to bring special supplies to disassemble them.

Do You Need to Empty Dressers for Movers?

Many people think they should empty each dresser for the move. But, it’s not necessary, especially if you’re in a last-minute move. One of the moving hacks is to leave everything that is already inside the dressers, just make sure you wrap and protect each drawer with a few layers of plastic and bubble wrap.

Leave the drawers in the dresser, just make sure they're secured

Keep Your Children and Pets Away From All the Chaos – Hire Sitters

Any kind of distraction on the relocation day is not such a great situation. So, if possible, hire a babysitter because looking over kids with the relocation crew in your house and all the boxes around isn’t something you should be entertaining. The same thing stands for your furry friends. It’s better to remove them from all the chaos and the mess. If you’re relocating on a budget, you can ask family or friends to watch your kids or pets for a couple of hours that day.

Keep your children and pets away when the relocation day comes

What to Do While Movers Are Moving?

The main thing is not to be in the way of the professionals. Still, you should do something for your cross-country movers and ensure they have a fresh beverage and some snacks. Also, the bathroom should be functional, and so the way to it should be clear. To sum up, be there for the crew if they need something and if they need help. Otherwise, you’ll probably just interfere with their work.

Don’t Skip the Cleaning Part Once the Cross-Country Movers Leave Your Home

Yes, cleaning is something you need to think about because your old place should be in the same conditions as when you first moved in. No matter how well you protect your home, you should clean it from all the dust from the boxes and items moved. So gather all the cleaning supplies and start mopping. The great thing is that you can use the same supplies to clean your new home, as well. Watch the video below on how to clean your apartment before moving out.

Every Long-Distance Moving Can Be a Breeze With a Helping Hand of Professionals

Having a helping hand with all the services you’ll need when long-distance relocating is something you should consider, whether you moved before or if it’s your first time moving out. For example, you might need storage facilities for all those stuff you don’t know what to do with or a safe auto transport service for your vehicle. All this will mean a lot to your mental and physical health, and it will help you adjust to your new home much easier and faster.

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