Anyone involved in an upcoming move naturally wants to make this process as simple and low-stress as possible, and one important theme here is avoiding certain pitfalls that others have fallen into in the past. There are a few general mistakes that can be made during the moving process which can impact your move in ways ranging from delays and increased hassle to larger issues in some cases.
At CMS Relocation & Logistics, we’re here to help you steer clear of these kinds of concerns. Our team of professional movers assist clients with everything from home moves to office moves and more, and we handle many aspects of the process that you either don’t want to or don’t have time to cover — helping avoid mistakes in the process. What are a few of the most common such errors we’ve seen, and how can you be sure to steer clear of them? Here’s a basic primer.
For many moving needs, it’s well worth your while to hire professional assistance. This is particularly true when you’re dealing with a long-distance move, or if you have a lot of valuable items that need to be transported safely.
In cases such as these, it’s essential to work with a team of trained and experienced professionals who know how to handle every step of the process. This includes everything from ensuring that your items are properly packed to providing the right vehicles and equipment for transport.
Working with amateurs or even just hiring a truck on your own can often lead to problems ranging from delays to damaged or lost items.
If you’re working with our team of professionals at CMS, while we strive to provide you with answers to questions before you even ask them, we’re also happy to respond to any queries you might have at any point along the way.
Part of ensuring a smooth and stress-free move is making sure that you understand what’s happening every step of the way, and part of our job is keeping you apprised throughout. We’re always happy to provide more information as needed.
One of the most common mistakes we see from people with a move upcoming, including those who hire professional movers for their job, is a failure to consolidate their belongings as much as possible. It’s understandable to want to hang on to everything you own, but this isn’t really practical in most cases.
It’s often far more efficient and cost-effective to get rid of items you no longer need or use prior to the move. This will save you time and money both during the packing process and once you’re trying to settle into your new space.
Another vital step in ensuring a smooth move is to make sure that all your boxes and other belongings are properly labeled. This will help you keep track of everything, both during the packing process and once you arrive at your destination.
It’s also important to be as specific as possible when labeling items. For instance, rather than just writing “kitchen,” it’s often helpful to include information such as “pots and pans” or “dishes.”
It is also beneficial to label the boxes on their sides and not the top, so the label is able to be viewed when the boxes are stacked on top of one another.
There are a number of important tasks that need to be addressed in advance of any move and procrastinating on these can often lead to big problems down the road.
One of the most important is changing your address with the post office, and you’ll also want to update your contact information with banks, utility companies, and other businesses and organizations as needed. Failing to do so can lead to big issues in the weeks and months after your move.
One error type you can very easily avoid simply by working with quality moving professionals is improper packing. Our team at CMS has the experience and expertise needed to make sure that your belongings are properly protected throughout the moving process, whether we’re dealing with delicate items or more rugged ones.
We also take care to use the right materials for each task, which is another crucial element here. Choosing the wrong type of packing material or using too little of it can often lead to problems such as broken items or lost belongings. Here are some helpful DIY Packing Tips, if you are planning to pack the boxes yourself.
While it may not be necessary for every single move, there are many cases where purchasing moving valuation is a smart idea. This type of coverage can protect you from a number of potential issues, including lost or damaged belongings.
If you’re working with professional movers, they should offer some level of protection as part of their services. However, it’s often a good idea to purchase additional coverage, as the standard coverage is usually $.60 cents per lb. Therefore, if you have a 2 lbs. statue that is worth hundreds of dollars, you will only get $1.20 for the item. Professional movers will always move your items with the utmost care; however, they are human, and mistakes happen. Without the coverage you are willing to risk the minimum refund should something be damaged or lost.
Whether in paper format, digital format, or both, it’s important to save all receipts related to your move. This includes not only receipts for professional services but also for things like renting a storage unit or purchasing moving supplies.
This is important for a few different reasons. First, you may be able to deduct some of these expenses come tax time. Second, having records of what you’ve paid for can be helpful if there are any issues with lost or damaged belongings during the move.
As we have shared, there are a number of potential mistakes that can be made during the moving process. However, by avoiding these, you can make your move much simpler and less stressful.
If you have any questions about your upcoming move, or to schedule assistance from our team of professional movers, speak to the staff at CMS Relocation & Logistics today.
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Helpful Tips & Resources from the Seattle Moving Experts
