Relocating? Make it an Easy Transitions 

Relocating? Make it an Easy Transition

People find themselves relocating for a variety of reasons, but regardless of the reason, moving across the state or country is a much bigger change than just moving across town. Whether for a job transfer, moving to be closer to family, or just wanting a change of scenery, remember these precautions and tips in order to make the transition easy and smooth.

Use the right boxes, and pack them carefully

  1. Pack carefully especially if you are using a professional moving company! Your belongings are going to be traveling a much further distance than just a few miles so they need to be packed extra carefully. Usually professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and so can't shield your valuables as well from harm in transit.
  2. Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and to pad the sides of the carton. Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked. Get a few rolls of bubble wrap or foam padding from a packing store - they tend to come in handy when wrapping oddly-shaped items.
  3. Be sure to point out your fragile boxes to your movers - Especially if those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.
  4. The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home. There is nothing great about using the biggest boxes. Three smaller boxes of books are much easier to carry than one huge box full of books!

For your family's safety and comfort

  1. Teach your children your new address - Let them practice writing it on packed cartons. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.
  2. Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can't do without. Ask your van foreman to load one of these boxes, so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Why the second box? Take it with you in your car or on the plane just in case the movers are delayed getting to your house on the day of the move.
  3. Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity on moving day. - This is certainly no time to be chasing pets especially with moving men coming in and out of your home.
  4. Let all your electrical gadgets return to room temperature before plugging them in - This is just a safety precaution whether they are cold during winter or hot during summer.
  5. Pack your old Phone Book -Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, pack your phone book.

Work hand in hand with your mover

  • Give the mover's foreman your reach numbers and email addresses so you can stay in contact - Have numbers for the moving company and at least one other number than the foreman in case you can't reach them for any reason.
  • Read the inventory form carefully - Ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and keep your Bill of Lading handy.
  • If you're moving long distance, be aware that your property might share a truck with that of several other households - For this reason, your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for security, organization and cleanliness.