An upcoming move can seem overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can alleviate some of the stress. The moving process begins well before moving day, and here is some of what you can expect at each step along the way.

Choosing a Moving Company

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make and it can make the difference between a hassle-free move and a total nightmare. Not all moving companies are trustworthy—and trust is important since you’ll be handing over everything you own. Look for a company with:

  • Years of Proven Experience
  • Industry Affiliations and Awards
  • Positive Customer Reviews

Getting a Quote and Reserving Your Date

Once you’ve decided which professional movers to hire, you’ll want to secure your moving date as soon as possible. The best residential movers will be booked well in advance—especially during peak moving times. That’s why it’s so important to lock in your date as soon as you make your decision.

When the company gives you their quote, be sure to read the fine print. Reliable movers will not give you a quote over the phone. Instead, they will need to see your home and your belongings in order to provide accurate, transparent pricing. Be sure you fully understand what is included and if there is a chance of any additional charges.

Self-Packing vs. Professional Packing

Doing some of the packing yourself is a good way to save on the cost of moving—but take the time to learn to pack properly.

One option is to the have the moving company handle the packing of fragile items and you can take care of the rest. If you want a hands-off moving experience, opt for full-service packing.

If you have particularly valuable or fragile items, ask about custom crating. This special service will protect your fine art, antiques, and other items from damage in transit.

Moving Utilities, Mail, Etc…

In addition to the actual moving of your household goods, there are some other things you’ll need to think about leading up to the move including:

  • Starting and Stopping Utilities
  • Forwarding Your Mail
  • Cancelling Lawn Service, Pest Control, and Other Contracts

Turn your utilities on at the new place the day before you plan to arrive. This will eliminate the inconvenience of being without utilities if they don’t turn them on until later in the day.

Also, have your existing utilities turned off the day after moving day to avoid the hassle of them being turned off before the movers are done.

A Word on International Moving

If you’re moving out of the country, there are some additional considerations. Your international movers will discuss how much you have to move and from there help you decide whether you need a full shipping container or if it’s better to go with a shared container.

Generally speaking, if you’re not moving all of your household goods, or if you’re moving from a smaller home, you may be able to save money by opting for a shared container.

You’ll also want to ask your international movers if they will take care of clearing customs and if they arrange for the final delivery from the port to your new home.

Moving Day

On moving day, things may get a bit hectic, so be prepared. A few tips to help the day go smoothly include:

  • Try to find a friend or neighbor to watch your younger kids.
  • Board pets for the day.
  • If possible, have a second adult on hand, so one can be responsible for verifying the inventory while the other can oversee things generally.

Settling In

Once the movers have done their job and the dust starts to settle, you can begin the task of setting up your new home.

It’s never easy to pack up your entire life and move to a new location, but with the right help, you can at least enjoy a more pleasant moving experience.

Allied Alaska is an award-winning moving company that can take care of local, long distance, and international moves. If you’re planning a move, take a few minutes to browse Allied Alaska’s many positive reviews to get an idea of the kind of exceptional services we provide.