Moving Myths and Realities

One of the great things about moving is that so many other people have been through it before you.  In fact, the U.S. Census reports that about 1 in every 9 households moved in 2008, and that was the lowest rate ever recorded.

Many of those "moving survivors" are more than happy to share their stories.  Unfortunately, that can lead to a number of "old wives' tales" about moving that simply aren't accurate.  This article attempts to set the record straight on 5  of those moving myths.

The 5 Biggest Moving Myths

1.    "I don't have to pay the movers until after my belongings are unpacked."

2.    "Any boxes will work just as well as 'moving boxes.'"

3.    "The standard moving insurance will pay to replace any items that are lost or damaged in the move."

4.    "Labeling and inventorying boxes is a waste of time."

5.    "Packing for a move is a great opportunity for reminiscing."

Myths vs. Realities

Moving Myth 1: "I don't have to pay the movers until after my belongings are unpacked."

Moving Reality 1: Moving companies require payment in full before they unload a single box from the truck. 

Moving companies work differently than most other businesses.  Because their "product" is primarily the labor and service they provide in loading and unloading furniture and boxes, they are at great risk of not being paid once everything is unloaded.  Therefore, they usually insist on payment in full as soon as they arrive onsite for delivery.  Always check days in advance with your moving company so you don't get stuck.

Moving Myth 2: "Any boxes will work just as well as 'moving boxes.'"

Moving Reality 2:  Moving boxes are specifically designed to carry more weight and resist more crushing and tearing than regular boxes.  

There are still some good free moving box options, however.  Rather than just going to the grocery store to pick up lower quality boxes, try these alternatives:

·         local office buildings for copy paper boxes

·         liquor stores for heavy duty boxes used to transport bottles

·         loading docks of libraries and bookstores for book boxes

Moving Myth 3:  "The standard moving insurance will pay to replace any items that are lost or damaged in the move."

Moving Reality 3: Most movers provide coverage only amounting to 30 cents per $100 of goods for local moves and 60 cents per $100 of goods for interstate moves.

Also be certain to find out if additional insurance reimburses you for declared value, replacement value or some other amount.  And keep in mind that most moving insurance does not cover any items that were not packed by professional movers.

Moving Myth 4:  "Labeling and inventorying boxes is a waste of time."

Moving Reality 4: While skipping labeling and inventorying will save money in the immediate term, it will cost you much more time when you try to unpack and settle in.

It is almost always worthwhile to mark each box with the room it is to be moved to and a brief description of the contents. It doesn't have to be an elaborate system, so long as it is clear and consistent.

Moving Myth 5:  "Packing for a move is a great opportunity for reminiscing."

Moving Reality 5: Moving is a terrible time to sit down with cherished items and "walk down memory lane."

Because moving is so time-pressured, and because  reminiscing should be a relaxed and enjoyable experience, combining the two is rarely successful.  One good alternative is to create 1-3 memory boxes and mark them with a big "M." That way you can savor time with those items when you have a little more time at your new place.

And there you have our list of 5 major moving myths and their realities.

Please visit our website for more, FREE moving tips, moving advice and articles on your upcoming relocation.  Two of our most popular articles are:

·         Moving checklist: The Ultimate Moving Checklist, filled with a carefully planned, 4-week guide on all the details you need to take care of for your move.

·         Moving tips: 101 Best Moving Tips, gathered and ranked from scores of moving handbooks, websites and articles.

You may also want to visit our blogroll of top moving blogs:

·         Movers-Edge Blog on Xanga

·         How to Move HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Movers-Edge Blog on WordPress

·         Move To Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving HQ Blog on Wordpress

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving To HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocating HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocation HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips Blog on Multiply

·         Movers-Edge Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Move To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         How To Move Blog on Blogger

·         Moving HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocating HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocation HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips on Posterous

·         Moving Tips Blog on LiveJournal

Good luck on your move!

Moving: 7 Worst Moving Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Moving can be a very stressful process.  There are dozens of tasks to accomplish in a short period of time, as well as many important decisions to make.  This leads to a high potential for making mistakes. 

Most moving mistakes turn out to be minor, but there are a few that can have long-term implications.  This article can help guide you past the 7 worst moving mistakes.

 

The 7 Worst Moving Mistakes

1.  Moving without a plan or a moving checklist.

2.  Allowing too little time for packing.

3.  Hiring the wrong movers.

4.  Not recruiting the right kind of help.

5.  Not labeling and itemizing boxes and their contents.

6.  Not packing items safely.

7.  Insuring incorrectly.

 

The Details

Major Moving Mistake 1:  Moving without a plan or a moving checklist.

Mistake Description: Many people facing a move simply jump right into the process without fully planning ahead.  Similarly, they try to manage through tasks without having a detailed moving checklist.

Why It's A Mistake: There have been endless productivity studies demonstrating that having a written plan boosts productivity, and similar logic implies that a moving checklist helps you manage the details of a move.

Mistake Impacts: The biggest impacts are loss of time, added stress, and the chance of forgetting critical tasks.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Use one of the many free, excellent download able checklists as your preliminary moving plan

 

 

Major Moving Mistake 2:  Allowing too little time for packing.

Mistake Description: People tend to drastically underestimate the amount of time required to pack a home, meaning they have too little time to complete their packing.

 

Why It's A Mistake: This causes a mad rush just before moving day to get everything accomplished in time for the truck.

Mistake Impacts: This is a recipe for stress and for sloppy packing, potentially resulting in damaged goods at your final destination.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Allow at least 5 hours per room, and pack the 3 most cluttered rooms first.  If they are completed faster than that, you can scale back your schedule.  If not, you'll have enough time to complete all your packing.

 

 

Major Moving Mistake 3:  Hiring the wrong movers.

Mistake Description: Many first-time movers hire the wrong moving company, usually looking for the cheapest quote they can find.

Why It's A Mistake: Moving scams are all too frequent, and many times the movers offering an abnormally low quote will hold your goods hostage on their moving truck until you come up with much more money than your original quote indicated.

Mistake Impacts:  You can be in for quite a mess of fees and legal issues in these circumstances, and often the moving company will dissolve before you get to court, leaving you with no recourse.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Check out the federal government's website titled "Protect Your Move" along with websites by MovingScam, the Better Business Bureau and Epinions.  Only ask for quotes from movers who come out positively reviewed on each resource.  That way you'll eliminate disreputable moving companies from the very beginning.

 

 

Major Moving Mistake 4:  Not recruiting the right kind of help.

Mistake Description: You decide to move yourself along with friends and relatives, but either recruit the wrong type of help or assign them to the wrong types of tasks.

Why It's A Mistake: The wrong type of help can actually make moving go slower instead of making things easier.

Mistake Impacts: You can end up enormously frustrated and wind up doing a great deal of the work yourself.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Only recruit people who meet the profile of a good volunteer.  That profile has three characteristics:

·         They have a talent or ability (packing, watching kids or pets, lifting heavy furniture)

·         Their talent or ability matches a need you have for your move

·         They are willing to apply that talent or ability to your need in a way that helps you.

 

Major Moving Mistake 5:  Not labeling and itemizing boxes and their contents.

Mistake Description: In an effort to save time or work, people tend to skip the process of properly labeling and cataloging their boxes and contents.

Why It's A Mistake: The time saved by not labeling boxes and cataloging their contents is almost always erased by the amount of time lost looking for things at their new place.

Mistake Impacts: There are few things that waste more time or cause more frustration than the inability to find a needed item in a sea of moving boxes.  That causes you enormous upset when trying to settle in.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Mark at least 2 sides and the top of every box with an abbreviation for the room, a box number (start a new set of numbers for every room you pack), and the general contents (e.g., "Juan's shoes").  It doesn't have to be incredibly detailed, but it should be sufficient to narrow any search down to, at most, two boxes.

 

Major Moving Mistake 6.  Not packing items safely.

Mistake Description: In a hurry to get everything done, some people end up in a mad dash to get everything packed, and don't sufficiently protect fragile items.

Why It's A Mistake: Moving involves a lot of stacking and jumbling, even when done by caring professionals.  Packing correctly takes more time but drastically reduces the number of items that will get ruined.

Mistake Impacts: Not packing things carefully can result in damaged or destroyed items.

How to Avoid the Mistake: Here are a few guidelines on safe packing:

·         Use heavy duty moving boxes for fragile items.

·         Limit boxes to no more than 50 pounds each.

·         Try to get each box to be exactly filled to the top to avoid either box crushing or damage.

·         Fragile items should be wrapped in at least 1" of bubble wrap.

·         Double box (meaning box the item and then put that first box in a second box, both with cushioning materials) sensitive equipment like computers and other electronics.

·         Use biodegradable packing peanuts, towels, rags or other old cloths to fill in gaps around items in boxes.

·         Mark "FRAGILE" on boxes with delicate contents.

 

Major Moving Mistake 7.  Insuring incorrectly.

Mistake Description: Many people facing a move either over-insure or under-insure their furniture and other items.

Why It's A Mistake: Standard moving coverage provides only $0.60 per pound of declared value, and more expensive insurance may not provide replacement value.  Further, most moving insurance EXCLUDES items in boxes you packed yourself.

Mistake Impacts: Insuring incorrectly can result in serious disappoint and financial woes.

How to Avoid the Mistake:

·         Check with your current insurance company to see if your homeowner's policy will cover your move or if they have another full replacement value coverage policy or rider.  This is often your least expensive coverage option.

·         Verify in detail exactly what is covered and what is not. 

·         Look for "full replacement value" for any items you would need replaced if damaged or destroyed.

·         Document the contents of each box while you're packing, including specifics such as manufacturer names and serial items where they apply.

 

And there you have the 7 biggest moving mistakes and how to avoid them.  Please visit our website for more, FREE moving tips, moving advice and articles on your upcoming relocation.  Two of our most popular articles are:

·         Moving checklist: The Ultimate Moving Checklist, filled with a carefully planned, 4-week guide on all the details you need to take care of for your move.

·         Moving tips: 101 Best Moving Tips, gathered and ranked from scores of moving handbooks, websites and articles.

You may also want to visit our blogroll of top moving blogs:

·         Movers-Edge Blog on Xanga

·         How to Move HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Movers-Edge Blog on WordPress

·         Move To Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving HQ Blog on Wordpress

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving To HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocating HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocation HQ Blog on WordPress

·         aaaa

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Choosing Your Moving Method

Moving used to provide to present two major options: either you used professional movers and moving companies or you moved yourself.  However, times have changed.  Now there's a third, and increasingly popular moving option: moving with the use of portable moving and storage containers, sometimes known as pods. 

This article explains the pros and cons of all three options, and helps you decide which one best fits your needs.  Here is a guide on how to determine what solution is right for you:

 

The Basic Steps

1.  Identify your moving needs.

2.  Prioritize your moving needs.

3.  Identify your moving resources.

4.  Learn the pros and cons of each moving method.

5.  Evaluate each moving method.

6.  Choose the moving method that's right for you.

7.  Sign your moving contract.

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 1: Identify Your Moving Needs

At first it might seem silly to have to physically "write down" your moving needs.  I know that I like to believe I can keep track of everything in my head.  However, the physical act of writing down your objectives can help a lot.  Some sample needs would include:

* Prioritizing and organizing your move.

* Packing and/or unpacking

* Carrying heavy pieces of furniture.

* Transporting goods across long distances

 

Choosing Your Moving Method, Step 2: Prioritize your moving needs.

The next phase of choosing what you need is assigning a priority to each of the needs you outlined in Step 1.  There's no need for anything fancy here.  If you already know that everything you listed is critical, you can consider this step completed.  If not, write down a "C" next to the critical needs and an "S" next to the secondary ones.

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 3: Identify your moving resources.

Moving resources are the assets you have available to assist in your relocation.  The basic idea is to list things you can use to meet some of your moving needs from Step 1.  Examples might include:

* A relocation budget from your new employer.

* A large group of friends or relatives who might be willing to help.

* Access to a large truck.

You'll use these to identify which critical needs you still have that aren't being met.

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 4:  Learn the pros and cons of each moving method.

As I mentioned previously, there are 3 primary moving methods you could choose:

·         "Full service moving"

-      Description: This option uses moving professionals to handle all the loading, transportation, delivery and unloading for your move.

-      Pros: This option gives you the highest level of service up to and including packing and unpacking.

-      Cons: Service can be expensive.  A local move of a studio apartment starts around $800, while a 4 bedroom home moved cross country can easily top $25,000.

-      The right answer for: those who have financial means to cover the expense and needs for a full-service solution.

·         "You Pack Moving"

-      Description: Essentially, this form of moving provides you with a storage container at your present location, which you load with all your furniture and boxes.  Then depending on your contract, they will pick up the container and drive it to your new location, where you unload all your possessions.

-      Pros: You can save a fair amount on your move because you provide all the labor (although many firms can recommend where you can obtain additional help if you need it).  It also provides the convenience of arranging for the transportation for you.

-      Cons: This option still requires much of the labor of Do It Yourself Moving, and has many of the expenses of full-service moves.

-      The right answer for: those who have the ability to much of the packing, loading and uploading, but don't want to deal with the hassles of driving a moving rental truck to the new location.

·         "Do It Yourself Moving"

-      Description: The full DIY process requires you to rent a moving truck, pack and load the truck, drive to the new location, unload and unpack.

-      Pros: This is by far the cheapest option for local moves; however, it can quickly grow in expense when mileage charges are taken into account.  Be very careful to calculate what the final total will be for long distance moves.

-      Cons: Moving is a great deal of work, and this option puts all of the responsibility, as well as the labor, in your hands.  Many people underestimate how much work is involved, especially if they have accumulated a large number of possessions over time.

-      The right answer for: those who have a small number of light furniture pieces and only a limited number of boxes to move.  It also requires that those moving either be in good physical shape or have a large number of volunteers who are (smile here).

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 5:  Making the choice and moving forward.

Now is the time to pull it all together.  The first objective is to go back to your list of critical moving needs and figuring out which ones can't be met by your moving resources.  Those remaining needs should drive most of your decision.  To maximize your savings, use the moving method that meets the most of your critical needs at the lowest cost.

Once you've made your decision, it's time to select your provider, sign the contract, and set up your moving day.  Good luck on your move!

Please visit our home page for advice on moving, movers and relocation.

 

 

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How to Move: Once You're Set Up...

There are certain steps that everyone who's moving needs to follow just after getting set up for the process.  This article walks you through the details of the next phase, which forms the bulk of the move up through settling in.  Here are some of our best recommendations:

The Steps

1.  Start packing!

2.  File your change of address.

3.  Eliminate items from your move.

4.  Manage your moving day.

5.  Start settling in.

The Details

How to Move Step 1: Start packing!

Packing always seems to be most laborious and time-consuming part of a move.  We all seem to have many more possessions than we first estimate, and the time involved with packing them seems to constantly grow.  Here are some basic packing tips:

·         Start packing as soon as you can- it always seems to take longer than you'd  expect.

·         Eliminate as many items as you can by donating to charity and holding a moving sale- it will save you a lot of time in the long run.

·         Pack a suitcase for each family member as if you were going on a 3-day trip, and keep the suitcases with you instead of on the moving truck.

·         Create one or two "Open Me First" boxes for each room, containing the items you'll need immediately on arrival at your new home.  This will save you a lot of time and stress.

·         Label each box and all 4 sides and the top with an abbreviation for the room and a box number for that room.  You'll avoid lots of frustration constantly answering the question of, "Where do you want this box?"

·         Focus on just one room at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.

·         Hold a "packing party" with friends, family, and anyone else you can recruit.  Have lots of free food and music to entice the party-goers.

·         Keep all boxes to under 30 pounds where possible and always less than 50 pounds.  Having a bathroom scale by your side when packing makes this much easier.

These packing tips should get you off to a great start.

 

How to Move Step 2: File your change of address.

It's important to let everyone know when and where you're moving.  Follow these basic guidelines to ease the process:

·         Confirm you new address.

·         Create a contact list by collecting names and addresses of people you want to notify.

·         File your change of address with the post office.

·         Set up your phone number for your new place.

·         Decide if you want to block "junk mail" and telemarketers, and file with the correct agencies to protect your contact information.

·         Start notifying your contact list.

·         Notify anyone whose mail arrives at your new address with a yellow address correction sticker.

This should get your change of address process running quickly and smoothly.

 

How to Move Step 3: Eliminate items from your move.

We recommend that people moving eliminate as many items as possible from their move.  In fact, we recommend that you have eliminating 1/3 of your possessions as a goal. Have a charity donation truck (such as Disabled American Veterans, The Purple Heart or The Salvation Army) come and take away any items that you no longer need.

Better still, have the truck come pick up items immediately after you hold a moving sale.  A moving sale is a great way to eliminate unwanted items and pick up some spare cash in the process.  Here are some of the basic steps for holding a successful moving sale:

·         Pack separate boxes in each room for your "moving sale" items as you pack up everything else. 

·         Stuck on how to price things? Start by dividing the original price by 5 and then discounting for any damage. 

·         It's easier to make categories of items all the same price, such as "all clothing $4 each."  It also saves hours of time creating tiny price tags! 

·         Make arrangements in advance to have a charity donation truck arrive at the closing time of your moving sale to take away anything that wasn't sold.  The charity gets donations, and you clear out of any items that didn't sell by the end.

·         Price everything to be easily divisible by 2.  This allows you to hold a "1/2 price clearance" during the last hour of the sale, and clear out lots of remaining items and pocket cash you might have missed otherwise.

·         Have lots of spare change (bills and coins) on hand on your person (not in a box that can be stolen at the sale).

·         Start advertising at least 2 weeks prior to the sale. 

·         Recruit as much help as you can stand for the big day. You can use assistance for watching tables, helping customers move items and answering question.

Following these simple guidelines should help make your moving day a successful one!

 

How to Move Step 4: Manage moving day.

·         Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.  One thing you definitely don't want to be on your Moving Day is "unreachable." 

·         Start your day early. You'll want to make sure that one of the things you don't pack ahead of time is your alarm clock. 

·         Recruit as much help as you can stand.  

·         Use sitters- Kids and pets are your treasures, and they deserve to have full attention, but on moving day you'll have other priorities.

·         Food is your friend- Whether you have professional movers or friends and family, having coffee, orange juice, and bagels or donuts available will make it easier for everyone to get started on Moving Day. 

·         Keep cell phone numbers ready and programmed into your phone. Be certain you have the cell phone number of the driver of the truck entered into your cell phone, and that the driver has yours.

·         Have correct payment ready and waiting. If you're using professional movers, on Moving Day keep in mind that almost all of them will expect and demand payment in full and in cash before they will unload a single box from the moving truck. 

·         Directions- You need to have directions and a map ready for anyone will be driving between your old place and your new place. 

·         Label the rooms at your new place.  

Following these steps should make your actual moving day easier to manage.

 

How to Move Step 5: Start settling in.

Once you've completed your move it's time to begin the settling in process.  One of the best ways to feel more settled is knowing where key locations in your new neighborhood are.  Here's a list of 12 key places to locate near your new home:

·         Shopping center/ mall

·         Hospital/ emergency care center

·         School

·         Day care center

·         Library

·         Post office

·         Grocery store

·         Pharmacy

·         Convenience store

·         Hardware store

·         Dry cleaner

·         Car repair center

Once you know where each of these locations is, you'll start to feel much more settled and less "up in the air" after landing at your new place.

And there you have the 5 basic steps for how to move after you get set up.

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How to Move: Getting Set Up

Moving just seems to come naturally for certain people.  They seem to have every detail perfectly planned, memorize the exact contents of every box with ease, and have all their belongings unpacked within hours.  This article isn't really for those people. :-)

Instead, this article is designed to offer the basic steps of moving to those who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the moving process.

This first article focuses on the important steps for getting set up for your move so you're prepared for the hard work ahead!

The Steps

1.  Plan your move using a moving checklist.

2.  Decide whether you will be moving yourself or hiring professional movers.

3.  Select your moving day.

4.  Reserve your moving truck or moving company.

5.  Get your packing materials.

 

The Details

How to Move Step 1: Plan your move using a moving checklist.

Moving is an exercise in managing a large number of details in a short period of time.  You need a powerful tool to help you in that process.  Fortunately there are several free moving checklists available to fill that role.  Be sure to download one and use it to manage those details effectively.

How to Move Step 2: Decide whether you will be moving yourself or hiring professional movers.

Professional movers offer an enormous amount of convenience.  However, they are often fairly expensive.  Here are some factors to consider:

·         If money isn't a consideration, reputable, professional movers are the way to go. 

·         If you have a smaller place currently, such as a studio apartment, you're much less likely to need professional movers.

·         Many heavy pieces of furniture should point you toward using a moving company.

·         Having lots of friends and family willing to help limits your need for professional movers.

·         If you've lived in your current location for more than 3 years, you're more likely to have accumulated more boxes that might require movers.

·         If you have a medical condition such as a bad back or heart condition, moving is NOT the time to test your recovery- let the professionals handle it.

How to Move Step 3: Select your moving day.

Your moving day will influence many of your other decisions.  Here are some guidelines:

• Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekends are the hardest and most expensive times to rent. You typically need to book these months in advance.
• Weekends are more difficult to book than weekdays.
• Weekdays are often better options in case you need to reach other businesses (during their business hours
• The middle weeks of the month are easier to reserve than the first and last weeks.

How to Move Step 4: Reserve your moving truck or moving company.

The best moving companies and moving truck rentals fill up quickly, so you'll want to make sure reserve yours early. 

If you're going to hire professional movers, you'll want to follow these steps for finding great movers:

• Get referrals from local real estate agents and friends who have moved recently.
• Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured.
• Investigate your potential movers through the U.S Department of Transportation, MovingScam.com and the Better Business Bureau.
• Evaluate a minimum of 3 movers based on in-home estimates of goods to be moved.
• Price isn't the only factor- extremely low bids indicate a desperate mover.
• Ask for written "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimates.
• Avoid "rogue movers"- if you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts!

If you're going to rent a moving truck, here are the basic steps:

• Determine days you can move.
• Identify how large a truck you want.
• Select your rental agency from nationally recognized chains.
• Confirm your reservation and put down a deposit, if required.

How to Move Step 5: Get your packing materials.

You'll need to have some basic packing supplies before you begin packing.  These include:

·         Moving boxes

·         Packing tape

·         Bubble wrap

·         Biodegradable packing "peanuts"

·         Packing paper (like newspapers, but without the damaging inks)

And there you have the 5 basic steps for getting set up for your move.  For more FREE moving tips, articles and advice, please visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.  Two of the most popular articles there are:

·         Moving checklist: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

·         Moving tips: 101 Best Moving Tips

Good luck on your move!

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