Be it an office or a house, a big move may seem daunting. The volume of preparations coupled with all organizational tasks could cause significant stress. However, with the right planning and a smart approach to moving, it’s possible to streamline the process and take stress and frustration out of the picture.
Whether you have a few days, weeks, or months before the move, there is a lot you can do to improve the process, save time, and avoid unnecessary expenses. High-quality planning and sticking to the timeline can ensure the success of your big move.
Let’s take a look at 7 important tips that can contribute to the best outcome of your upcoming move.
1. Choose the Right Moving Partner
If you are planning a big move, you need help. Depending on your demands, requirements, and resources, you can either set up a DIY move or hire a moving company. Each choice has certain advantages.
DIY Move Pros:
- You can plan a move without looking back at the moving company’s schedule.
- You don’t have to pay the movers
- You can pack your items according to your own wishes and needs
Professional Move Pros:
- You can benefit from a fast move
- You don’t have to worry about packing (it’s optional)
- You don’t need to carry heavy items and risk developing back and neck pain
- You don’t have to stress about speed and quality
Many people mistakenly believe that by choosing to DIY, they are saving money. In reality, you could spend less money on a professional move. When you arrange a move on your own, you don’t have to pay the movers. However, you still need to:
- Pay for renting a moving truck
- Pay for packing materials
If something goes wrong during the DIY move, you are fully responsible for the problem. For example, if your friend accidentally drops and breaks something, you have to cover the expenses. Professional movers offer moving insurance.
Meanwhile, if one of your friends or assistants hurts themselves during the move, you could be facing a personal injury claim.
Overall, DIY moves often end up being more expensive than professional relocations. However, if you are absolutely sure you want to DIY, you need to invite the right moving buddies.
Your friends or family members should have at least some experience with moving and lifting heavy items. Take the time to watch videos and learn safety measures for a DIY move.
2. Don’t Move What You Don’t Need
Many people complicate their move by relocating items they don’t need. Over the years in your old location, you have probably gathered many things that you no longer use. All of them have their places and don’t seem to warrant your attention.
In reality, a good decluttering process is likely to be long overdue. If you don’t implement it before the move, you’ll end up with a new house or building full of things you don’t really need. Meanwhile, you’ll be paying for moving unnecessary items.
Take the time to declutter your house and remove things you don’t use or plan to use in the nearest future. You can divide them into three categories:
- Throw out
- Donate
- Sell
You could also ask your friends and family whether they need some of your items. They can arrange to move them without your assistance.
If you are moving an office, review office equipment. If you’ve been planning to replace some of it, now is a good time to do it. You can order new equipment and appliances to be delivered to your new location.
3. Start Packing Early
A professional moving company can help you with packing. However, you can start packing some things on your own as well. A big move involves a large volume of packing work. The earlier you begin, the faster you can relocate your items.
There are several ways to pack your items in advance:
- Seasonal – start by packing seasonal items that you don’t need during the current season.
- Room by room – pack rooms or offices that you don’t need in the immediate future.
- Use – pack items that you don’t use every day. Besides seasonal items, these could be toolboxes, bicycles, kids’ toys, and the like.
You could make arrangements with the moving company to start professional packing in advance. You could also speak to them about mobile storage options. If you aren’t planning to use some items at the new location but still want to keep them, you may want to consider storing them. It’s possible to place the mobile storage unit in your backyard.
4. Save Money
A big move doesn’t have to be costly. By taking a smart approach to planning, you can save a substantial amount of money. Here are a few important money-saving tactics that work great for both commercial and residential moves.
- Learn the costs – when planning a move, find out how much it costs in advance. This can help you avoid unnecessary expenses or face surprises on the day of the move. Talk to the movers about clear estimates. If a moving company is ready to provide a quote before evaluating the number of your belongings and furniture, you are likely to face extra fees on the spot.
- Don’t buy packing supplies – if you are planning DIY packing, don’t waste money on supplies. You can get boxes from U-Haul or a nearby liquor store (they have durable boxes) and ask around. Friends, co-workers, and neighbors are likely to have some old moving supplies to share.
- Hold a yard sale – once you finish the decluttering process, hold a yard sale. By selling unnecessary items, you can raise money for a worry-free move. Just make sure you do everything in advance.
If you don’t need to move immediately, you could consider planning the big move for the offseason. During the offseason (late fall and winter), moving companies aren’t as busy as they are in the summer. Some of them, along with truck rental companies, can offer discounts.
5. Label All Boxes
When you are packing your items, it may seem as if you’ll never forget what you are putting inside which boxes. In reality, once the move begins, boxes will get mixed up. By the time you arrive at the new location, you won’t know what goes where.
That’s why it’s imperative to take a smart approach to labeling each box. Besides putting a label on the box, take a picture of what’s inside. This will come in handy when you start unpacking. Don’t forget to label all fragile items so movers know to be extra careful.
Pack some of the essentials into one box and take it with you in your car. You can take advantage of these personal items for a few days while you are unpacking.
Pro tip: Place the label on the side of the box, not on top of it. When you stack these boxes up, the top label remains hidden.
6. Buy Moving Insurance
If you are planning a big move, you are likely to be handling a lot of items. Some of them may carry significant value. During a big move, a truck may hit a pothole, or your friend could drop your great-grandmother’s vase.
Moving companies provide moving insurance. However, the amount of compensation usually depends on the weight of your items. For example, a heavy desk will end up being more expensive than a light laptop.
If you are moving valuable appliances or equipment, consider purchasing additional moving insurance. If you are working with movers, ask them about additional insurance options.
7. Plan for Parking
Depending on where you are planning to move, there may be issues with parking the moving truck right next to the location. You may have to make arrangements for parking. Otherwise, you could face unhappy neighbors and unwanted parking tickets.
Keep in mind that you or professional movers would need to carry heavy items. That’s why you want to be able to park the truck as close to your new building as possible.
Discuss this issue with a moving company. They may have tips on how to arrange temporary parking for trucks near your new home or office. Remember, if you rent a truck, you are fully responsible for all its parking tickets.
Make sure to book the moving truck in advance, especially if you are moving during the high season. Don’t forget that you also need a loading ramp and possibly dollies.
The Lowdown
A big move doesn’t have to be complicated, stressful, or time-consuming. With the right planning tactics, you can streamline the process, save money, and achieve excellent results.
To get assistance with a big move, consider hiring professional movers. If not, take the time to plan all the minor details to ensure a successful DIY move.