Moving Tips

No one really likes the hassle and expense of moving, but it’s still one of those things (like death and taxes) you know you’ll experience at some point in your life. 

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make early on in the process is if you want to move yourself or pay for professional movers. But that begs the question: which is cheaper? 

Let’s look at both methods of moving, their costs (both hidden and upfront) and the advantages and disadvantages of both:

Moving Yourself

Many people like the idea of packing themselves. There are advantages to doing this. 

First, you get to work on your own schedule. You can pack a little along throughout the weeks leading up to the move and get everything ready. And then, you can move whichever day you want and not have to worry about fitting into a moving company’s schedule. 

You can also have total control over the move. You can know that if something is lost or broken, then you have no one to blame but yourself. 

And of course, the biggest bonus is that it cost less. But does it really? 

Here are some of the costs you’ll have to pay even if you move yourself:

• Moving supplies such as boxes, packing and tape;
• Moving truck with a dolly or hand-truck;
• Other safety/security equipment such as ropes and padding;
• Fuel for the truck; and
• Pizza for the friends you recruit into helping you.

Hiring Professional Movers

Hiring professional movers can take a lot of the stress and pressure off you. You can take all the physical pain off your shoulders by having someone else do the heavy lifting. 

But it goes way beyond that. Your movers are efficient experts at what they do. They can complete the move in a fraction of the time it would take you and your family or friends to do it. 

Many professional movers also include supplies such as boxes and packing into the fees for your move. But one of the biggest benefits is that it takes a lot of stress off your plate and that’s what you are paying for. 

There are aspects to hiring professional movers that need to be considered before you decide to hire experienced relocators. The most obvious is paying for movers. It can be hard to pay someone to do what you feel you can do, but if you look for reputable, experienced movers, you’ll know you’re getting value in a process that you have little experience in.

Some people have issues turning over precious belongings to complete strangers. This can fill a lot of people with anxiety and pain, especially if those items are lost or stolen. Again, this really isn’t an issue when hiring movers who have been in the business for many years, have great reviews and are licensed and bonded. Your “stuff” is more protected than if YOU moved it!

Movers Provide Value and Security During a Stressful Time

The bottom line is that, yes, moving yourself is generally cheaper than hiring professionals. But remember, you get what you pay for and it’s not without risks. If you cherish your furniture and sentimental items while taking considerable stress off your shoulders, reputable experienced movers provide great value.

Moving into a rental house or apartment is a great option for the young and those who can’t afford the high down payments of home ownership.

As housing prices continue to climb, it makes sense that renting will continue to be a popular option. The key to finding a rental property which works well for you is to do your homework and have a plan. If you don’t, you could end up in a bind with a bad property, a bad landlord and end up having to move all over again!

Let’s look at specific actions you can take before you make your next move:

1. Do your research — Before you sign your lease, do research on the property and your landlord/management company. Use the Internet to read online reviews of your landlord to see if they have any cases of mismanagement or shady dealings. Also, check out the property itself. Is it in a high crime area? If you have children, what are the schools like? These are things you need to know before signing on the dotted line.
2. Do a walk-through with the landlord — Once you move in, you’re on the hook for any damages to the property. So, it’s important to document anything that’s wrong with the property before you actually move in. Get your landlord to do a walk-through inspection to see if there’s anything wrong. Scratches in the paint, dents in the walls, leaking pipes—all of these should be documented. Take pictures as you do this so you can’t be blamed later. If the landlord won’t do this, consider it a huge red flag.
3. Read the fine print — Before agreeing to the lease, make sure you read it thoroughly. You should know exactly when your rent is due and how much it will be. You need to know your rights as a tenant. How much notice do they have to give you before you can be evicted for breaking the terms of the lease? What is the tenure of the lease and when can you renew it (or break it)? Be sure you understand all the details before entering into a binding agreement.
4. Schedule your move — Once you sign your lease, discuss with the landlord when you can move in. Once you have a date, book a moving van and professional movers as quickly as possible. Weekend moves get booked up quickly, so the earlier you can book the better. If you’re using professional movers, be sure to do your diligence and research them as well. Make sure they’re licensed and bonded before you let them move your valuables. (Learn to keep your move on track and on time from our article: 17 Tips to have the most efficient moving day ever!)
5. Clean your old property — Before you turn over the keys and leave for good, make sure you do a thorough cleaning of the old property. This will give you a good opportunity to check for any little items which may have been left in the corner of a closet or the top of a shelf. But it will also help endear you a little with your old landlord so you can possibly get your security deposit back.

Moving can be a pain, that’s for sure. But it’s important to protect yourself when moving into a new rental property by doing research and educating yourself about your rights before you get ready to pack up and move.

It’s often hard to plan for the curveball’s that life is going to throw at you. But if you find yourself having to move homes, doing so on a moment’s notice can be a daunting task.  (Especially if you are moving during the holiday season  check out our latest blog  on holiday moving tips here)

Generally, these rapid moves take two forms. First, some unforeseen situation has arisen like a family or work emergency that requires you to move rapidly. The other, however, comes from just putting everything off until the last minute. This type of procrastination can only add to your moving headaches.

Regardless of which type, here’s how to do a quick move into a new home:

1. Book your movers/moving van — The first thing you need to do is get a booking for your movers and van. If you’re moving on a moment’s notice, you may be in for some bad news. Many moving companies fill up weeks in advance.

 

If you can get one, you may end up paying an extra fee for the last-minute notice. If you can’t hire movers, then you’ll need to get your own van to handle the move yourself. Don’t worry about pricing and finding the best deal. At this point, you’ll be lucky if you can get a van booking.

 

2. Separate the essentials — Decide which items in your home are must haves that you will have to take with you separately. This will include medicines, toiletries, a change of clothes, and other essentials. Put these into a duffel bag or suitcase and keep them separate from the rest of your packed belongings.

 

3. Go room-by-room — The next thing is to be as methodical as you possibly can. Go room-by-room and pack as you go. Here’s the important thing though: Don’t pack everything! Instead, clean out things as you go. Pack only what you need and put everything else into separate donate and trash piles. The less you actually have to pack up, the better.

 

4. Don’t overthink the move — Now is not the best time to strategize. That opportunity has passed. Instead, simply pack things as you go. Make the quick judgement call to keep or donate something and, if you are keeping it, throw it into a box. If you have clothes mixed in with kitchen supplies, it will all sort out when you get to your new home. And don’t try to be neat about it. Throw clothes into boxes on the hangers or straight out of the drawers. If possible, throw some packing wrap around the drawers and take them whole with the clothes still inside. Just get the stuff packed as fast as possible.

 

5. Get help — When your friend calls and asks to help with a move, you usually cringe at the idea. Now, it’s your turn to be that friend. Explain your situation and how you are in dire need of help. Bribe them any way that you can—free pizza or Chinese takeout is always a good bribe. But regardless of how you do it, get all hands-on deck to help pack boxes as well as load and unload the van.

If you are stuck moving at the drop of a hat, then the best advice we can give is not to panic. Doing that just leads to frustration and then you really won’t be able to work well. Take a deep breath, follow these steps, and get your belongings ready as quickly as possible for your move.

Moving from one house to another is stressful enough. But when you throw in trying to move during the holidays, it can be enough to make you break out in hives and run screaming at the sight of a moving box. Relax! It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you have to move this holiday season, check out these tips to help you get better organized so that you can make this one a safe and sane move:

• • Use your time wisely — Many people already plan to take time off during the holidays. At this time of year, work may be slow, and the kids are out of school, so it’s natural to take a vacation day or two. Use this time  by spending it getting packed up and ready for the move. You may enjoy  our latest article on  17 tips on how to make your move more efficient 
  • Don’t decorate — One of the worst things you can do when your are moving during the holiday season is try to decorate. Sure, most folks like to have some wreaths up or the tree decorated. But not only do you have to use that energy to put it up, you also will have to turn right around and take it down quickly, pack it up, and then (possibly) put it back up at your new house. If you do want a few decorations, make it something simple like a wreath or a small, pre-decorated tree.
  • Don’t cancel traditions — If you have certain family holiday traditions, you can still enjoy them. Just be sure to plan accordingly. If you do a family movie night with It’s a Wonderful Life, then don’t pack up the DVDs until afterwards. If you like to go out visiting neighborhood Christmas Lights, be sure you have all of your coffee mugs unpacked so you can have hot chocolate when you get back. Some, however, may need an adjustment. For instance, if you plan a holiday party, you might have to relocate it to a family member’s home (or even consider renting a location).
  • Leave the unpacking for the New Year — Once you get moved in, don’t feel like you have to unpack everything instantly. Get the essentials unpacked but leave the rest for the New Year. It will all keep until then and you can still enjoy your family time.
  • Book your movers and van early — If you’re hiring movers or just renting your own moving van, be sure to book these early. Many moving companies work reduced schedules so their employees can spend the holidays with their families. The few appointment slots they have will fill up quickly.
  • Pick a staging center — Find an out of the way area, such as your garage or an unused bedroom, to serve as the centre point of the move. Bring all of the boxes you can into there and box things up as you go. Try to keep most of the “clutter” in this area while you keep the rest of the house open and as clutter-free as possible.
  • Budget accordingly — Moving isn’t cheap. House down payments or apartment deposits can eat into your budget. If you are moving during the holidays, then you may have to cut back on holiday gifts or other extravagant spending. If this bums you out, consider making it up to everyone by sending them Christmas in July gifts once you have finished your move.

Don’t let a holiday time move ruin your festivities. By planning and budgeting accordingly, you can still make time to move your family while also having a happy holiday.

 

So how do you find a mover that you can really trust?

Moving is stressful enough with all the packing and details you have to take care of, not to mention the unpacking and settling after moving in. But that stress will compound if you end up with untrustworthy or disreputable movers. You’re entrusting your home (both old and new) with these individuals as well as the safety of your personal belongings and cherished keepsakes. 

Here are steps you can take before booking your big move:

Talk to People 

The first thing you want to do is your research. This may sound like a school assignment, but it’s really an important job before choosing a mover. Obviously, the easiest way to do this is to ask friends, family, and neighbors who they would recommend. If you’re moving into a new apartment, you might even want to ask the landlord or the building manager for a recommendation. (After all, they see a lot more people who are moving in and out!)

Expand Your Research 

Expand your search to the Internet looking at Yelp and Google Reviews to see what people are saying about the company. With negative reviews, see what the comments are to determine if they are legitimate concerns or just minor grumbles that have been blown out of proportion by the reviewer. Also, look to see how long the company has been in business. If they’re an older company, chances are they must have been doing something right this whole time to keep business coming in. Finally, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if the company is legitimate.

Find Out Who You Are Hiring 

You want to know exactly who it is you are hiring. Some businesses claim to be moving companies when they are, in fact, moving brokers. What’s’ the difference? A moving company is the group responsible for loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings. A broker simply takes the booking and then outsources the moving to another group. Not only will you pay more than hiring directly (because you’ll have to pay the broker’s fees), but you’ll also be stuck with whichever movers they choose to hire.

Trust but Verify 

Make sure your movers are licensed, bonded, and insured. This shows that not only are they not a fly-by-night organization, but they also have the insurance backing if something does happen and your belongings are lost or broken.

Pay Them a Visit 

Don’t just trust the company based on their website and a phone call. Instead, get out and pay them a visit to see what their facilities look like. A trustworthy company has a professional business establishment that shows they take their work seriously.

Get a Written Estimate 

Trust doesn’t just come in the form of knowing that the movers will treat your goods safely. It also involves knowing you won’t get scammed when it comes to pay the bill. Get a detailed estimate up front so you know exactly how your bill will be calculated. If the movers won’t provide you with a breakdown but just a final number, then find another mover.

Great Movers Make the Whole Process Easier

Once you choose your movers, a weight will lift off your shoulders. Sure, there’s still the moving to do. But now you know that you have someone you can trust backing you up. Great movers will help with tips and tricks to make the whole process easier.

Whether you are moving an estate, home, townhouse or condo, it is  important to choose the right moving company and plan your move accordingly. Crescent Moving and Storage has been Surrey’s most trusted local moving company for over forty years and we can help you make your move a painless one.

Crescent Moving and Storage, Surrey’s most trusted local moving company, knows that if  you are planning a move  – perhaps to a  new neighborhood, complex, or house, there are 17 Efficient Moving Tips to make this move a smooth one. No one (or at least no one we’ve met) really likes moving—it’s stressful, messy, and tiring. But it doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. Let’s take a look at exactly what you need to know to make this an easy transition.

How much time do you need to prep for your move?

A move—even a local one—is not something you want to try to plan overnight. As a rule of thumb, two months (or about eight weeks) are necessary to get your move planned and worked out.

The goal here is to have a game plan so that you don’t feel rushed or put out by the process. If this starts to happen, you’re going to end up making mistakes that could cost you time, money, and your sanity.

Our local moving company breaks down what you should do leading up to your moving day 

Weeks 1 and 2 – Create A Game Plan

The first couple of weeks are all about creating a game plan and getting things set up for the move. During this time, you should do the following:

1. Research a local moving company that has a reputation for doing quality work. You definitely want a company that is licensed and bonded and has good reviews on sites such as Yelp. Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can book your mover and talk to them about exactly what you’ll need when the big day arrives.
2. Inventory your belongings. Do a room-by-room walkthrough of your house starting with the storage areas such as the garage and attic. Make a list of all the major things that will be moved such as your furniture and appliances and also get a mental idea of what smaller items need to be boxed.

1. Plan your new home. Create a floor plan/lay-out of your new home and map where you want all of your major items to go. This way, you can clearly label the boxes and inform the movers where you want to set things up. It’s terrible when you get your sofa or bed set up in one spot and then decide you want it moved after the movers have gone. Now’s the time to figure out where you want things. Additionally, if you need to do any painting or repair work, now is the time to either do it yourself or hire a local contractor to do it.
2. Start a paperwork packet. One key tip from our local moving company, is you want to keep all of your paperwork together for the move including this checklist, receipts, estimates, and contracts. Keep this in one location and be sure not to pack it so you don’t have to go looking for it in random boxes.

Weeks 3 and 4 – Pick Up The Pace

At this point, you should start picking things up into high gear. For these two weeks, you should:

6. Choose a storage facility. Some of your belongings may not be going into your new location. If you’re a senior citizen, you might be downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home. This means you either have to clean out your belongings or put some of the things into storage. Our local moving company offers flexible short term and long term storage solutions.
7. Declutter the rest of the house. Besides putting things into storage, you should also start throwing out things you no longer want or need. One of the best things you can do is to sort things into three different groups—those you want to keep, those you want to donate, and those you want to trash.

• The City of Surrey allows households who are moving or simply just decluttering  4 “Large Item Pick Ups” per year. This is a great – free resource to use when getting ready for your move.
• There are several Recycling Centres in Surrey where you can bring unwanted electronics and plastic items – check out the City of Surrey Website for more details.

6. Declutter the pantry and fridge. Another area you can declutter is in the kitchen. Now is the time to start using all of the food you have purchased over the past few months. Food is something you really don’t want to pack up and try to move and it’s also not something you want to just to throw out. So, if you have lots of stuff stored away in the freezer, this would be the perfect time to use as much of it as possible.

Weeks 5 and 6-  Get Ready!

Now, you really need to start picking up the pace and get things ready for moving day. Our local Moving Company suggests that now you should:

8. Get your boxes, tape, and markers. Start boxing up your smaller belongings. Remember, it’s easier to carry a lot of smaller boxes than it is to carry one really heavy box. Don’t overpack items. Make sure you label each box as you go. A good format is “Kitchen Box 1 of ____.” When you get done, write in the final number of boxes on the blank part of the label. This way, you can do a quick box count and make sure you got all of your boxes delivered and moved to the right location.
9. Switch over your utilities. Call your local power and water services as well as things like your cable TV, phone, and internet providers to switch these services. They should be able to cut the service off when you need it and have it set up and waiting for you when you move in.
10. Have a yard sale. Before you donate those items, you might want to see if you can sell them in a yard sale. Just be sure you take anything that doesn’t sell and toss it or donate it so you don’t have to pack it all up.

Week 7 – Finishing Touches

A lot of what goes on this week while you’re preparing to move is putting together the finishing touches. This should include:

11. Keep packing. You didn’t think it would all be done in two weeks did you? You can now start packing up some of the items that you’ve held off on because you thought you might need it before the move.
12. Put together a travel kit. This will include those things that you absolutely don’t want to pack in boxes for the movers. It should include things you will need immediately like cups, plates, and utensils plus medicine, toiletries, and first aid items. You should also pack clothes for a few days while you unpack as well as some favorite toys for your little ones. You may want to read our post “A Parents Essential Guide to Moving Day“
13. Change your address. Visit the post office and fill out a change of address form so that you don’t have any problems getting your mail.

Week 8 – Last Minute Stuff

Now we come to the week of the move. As you get closer and closer, you should:

14. Make sure to pick up some cash. You’re going to need it to tip the movers plus you may need to pick up some food quick for you and your crew. (Pizza and moving go well together.)
15. Have one person at each location. If you’re single, get someone you trust to stay at your old home to help direct the movers up until the last item is loaded. But you also need someone at the new house to help direct things there. The key to success is divide and conquer.
16. Do one last sweep of the old house. Go through all of the nooks and crannies of your old house or apartment and make sure that you have everything moved.
17. Check off your items with your inventory list. Now your inventory will come in handy. Make sure to check off items as they’re brought in so you know you have everything.

Wrapping it Up

Whether you are moving an estate, home, townhouse or condo, it is  important to choose the right local moving company and plan your move accordingly. From students looking to move out on their own for the first time to seniors looking to downsize to a smaller home, Crescent Moving and Storage has been Surrey’s most trusted local moving company for over forty years and we can help you make your move a painless one.