Between the boxes and the Bubble Wrap, the purging and the packing, there’s nothing stress-free about stuffing your entire life in a truck and hauling it to a new home. But your next move doesn't have to be so tense.
Let’s face it: Moving is a headache.Between the boxes and the Bubble Wrap, the purging and the packing, there’s nothing stress-free about stuffing your entire life in a truck and hauling it to a new home.However, your next move doesn’t have to be quite so tense. Tim Perkins, general manager of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving D.C., has overseen a lot of moves in his career, and he’s offering his top tips to take the stress out of your next move.
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Thinkstock
Locate a mover early onIf you know you have a move coming up, start doing some research right away. Perkins says the first thing you’ll want to do is locate a good mover. Go online and get quotes from several different companies. Then, research their ratings and reviews from previous clients.Book a mover about four to five weeks out, and make sure you give the company as much information as possible about the location of your move, so the movers can plan out logistics. If you live in an apartment, for example, find the best place to park the van. You’ll also want to alert the movers if there’s a loading dock or a freight elevator.
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Thinkstock
Tips for packingIf there’s one thing you can’t have enough of during a move, Perkins says it’s packing material.Packing dishes? Ball up pieces of paper and put them in the bottom of the boxes to create a cushion. Then place the plates into the box vertically, not stacked on top of one another.“They’re stronger vertical than they are flat,” Perkins said.Then, put more of the balled up paper on top for added protection.If you run out of Bubble Wrap or paper, Perkins says you can use household items, such as dish and bath towels, to add extra cushion and protection in boxes of breakables.
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Thinkstock
Pack a box of items you’ll need right awayWhen you’re moving to a new place, chances are, you’ll need a few things right when you get to your destination — and you won’t want to search for them. Set aside a box of items packed with essentials, such as a roll of paper towels, a roll of toilet paper, hand soap, a few trash bags, a sponge and a few bottles of water.Consider packing another easily accessible box with clean sheets and toiletries.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
On the day of, be “move ready”Nothing slows down a move more than not being ready to roll when the movers arrive.“They haven’t finished all their packing, or their beds are still made, the kids are still in the bed — all these things just eat into the logistics of the move, which adds time to it,” Perkins said. Keep in mind initial quotes are based on a time estimate. Perkins says moving from a one-bedroom apartment should take about three to five hours; moving from a two-bedroom home should take four to six hours; and a house takes about an hour per room.
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