Whether you are a military family moving every two to four years, or a civilian family moving for the very first time, packing up your entire life into brown cardboard boxes can be a little stressful. There is always the question of which moving company to use: Which is best? While I can’t give you a breakdown of all moving companies in the US, I can tell you with a modicum of certainty (as a former Navy child) that no matter what company you choose, there is a chance your possessions will get lost or broken. Here are some moving tips that should make the big day a little easier!
1) Go to the store and buy bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and other necessary items for packing breakables. It is ideal that you pack up fragile items (china, figurines, etc.) yourself so that you know they are packed properly and not just tossed in a box.
2) Take pictures of your valuable items (furniture, collections, etc.) before the movers come to pack your house. This will be a means of proof in case you un-wrap your footboard for your bed to discover it has broken nearly in half (unfortunately, this happened to my family!)
3) Be prepared to feed your crew. Workers appreciate a nice lunch in the middle of the day such as pizza or subs, and the occasional bottle of water or Gatorade during the day to keep themselves hydrated (and not dizzy to the point of dropping things!) goes a long way to ensuring the safety of your possessions.
4) As OCD as it may seem, try to have eyes on as much of the packing as possible. While it is true that many movers have had years of experience moving people out of their homes, you know best what you want packed more carefully. Have at least one person upstairs and one down to ensure that things go as you like.
5) While it is a good idea to supervise the unloading of the truck once you are at the new place, keep a safe distance away. The last time we moved my mom got a box dropped on her and split her scalp!
6) To continue the train of thought for number 5, don’t be there alone during the unloading of the truck. You never know when you might need an extra pair of eyes, set of hands, or someone to drive you to the ER.
Moving is never easy but if you are careful and follow these few tips, everything should run smoothly!
Photo Courtesy of: rrmovers
