How to plan a move

Moving from your old home to a new property, whether it is down the road or next community or next state, or cross-borders, is a complex process that is bound to create a lot of doubts and questions in the minds of the person who is planning the next move.

The whole process of moving is an exciting and challenging job. There are dozens of questions that come through your mind when you start thinking about it. Let us talk about some of the key questions that pop into the minds of all the people who are scheduling or planning a move.

#1 What is the best time of the year to plan a move?

This is the question that most of us have and it is quite difficult to judge the perfect time of the year to plan a move because every single one of us has a different schedule and commitments in our life. Usually, the summer holiday season is the busy season of the year for moving.

If you can decide on the move, make sure not to move by the end of the month, summer, and Christmas holidays. Demand for moving companies is very high during this time of the year, and the rates are also going to be very high during this time.

#2 Should I hire a professional moving company?

Deciding on whether to opt for a professional moving company or haul it yourself is another question that comes to your mind frequently. A lot of factors determine your decision such as money, time, distance, complexity, etc. If you have a large and complicated cargo, it is better to opt for a professional moving service provider.

#3 How does the pricing vary?

Pricing of a professional moving service also plays a crucial role because everybody has a budget that they need to adhere to. Some of the factors that determine the cost of the move include the type of moving service required, mover assistance needed, additional insurance cover, the weight of the cargo, hourly moving rate, number of movers assigned for the job, distance, etc. play a role.

#4 How far ahead should I plan a move?

It is highly recommended to plan a move at least 1 month before your date of relocation. Make sure to shortlist the best moving company from all the companies that are offering it, in your region. Anywhere before 3 to 4 weeks from your expected moving date is the ideal time to book a moving company appointment.

#5 Are there items that moving companies don’t move?

Yes, certain items cannot be moved by a professional moving company. Items such as drugs, firearms, pets, chemicals, plants, ammunition, and other related items are not moved by professional moving companies. Check all the prohibited items and the things that cannot be moved by a moving company before booking a schedule.

#6 Is the payment done before or after the move?

Every moving company has different terms and rules, under which they operate so some companies might ask for a full payment beforehand whereas some accept payment after the move. Advance payments are also handled by some companies, wherein you pay a stipulated amount beforehand, and the rest, after the cargo gets delivered.

#7 Do moving companies accept tips?

Yes, they do! For all the local moving services, 10 to 20% of the moving cost is recommended to be given as a tip to the service provider. In the case of long-distance moving, you could tip somewhere in the range of 5 to 9% of the moving cost.

The questions go on and on, and if we keep on explaining them, you’d get bored, so let me give you a list of all the questions alone, moving further, for your reference.

#8 How to get rid of unwanted items from my old home?

#9 Is it necessary to be with the moving company staff, during the move?

#10 What do they mean by “Items of Extraordinary Value”?

#11 Do they take care of all the parking permits?

#12 What is the safest way for packing my items?

#13 How do I move my pets?

#14 How do I move my plants?

#15 Do they take care of the packing themselves?

#16 Are they obliged to carry my things according to the quote they have given?

#17 What does bill of lading mean?

#18 What should I do if my mover does not show up on the scheduled date?

#19 Will my insurance cover any damages caused during the move?

#20 Will they compensate me if they don’t deliver the goods on time?

#21 How long do I have to claim all the damaged and undelivered goods?

#22 Should I get price quotes and estimates from different movers before making a decision?

#23 Can I negotiate the price with the moving company?

#24 How to compare all the different moving companies and services?

#25 What are the essential packing materials needed to organize your relocation?