Things to know before hiring local movers

Packing up your life and moving locally doesn’t have to be stressful and disastrous if you have a good plan and organization. Learning how to pack boxes for moving, hiring local movers, and setting the deadlines for every task. But if we are realistic about moving, it is often underestimated, oftentimes it is stressful, and it is seldom fun.

Following a moving checklist can help you make sure everything is completed and in order before your local movers arrive, and even after they leave. We are here to help you that nothing goes wrong during a move, even though there are numerous tasks that you will have to tick off your to-do lists. 

Organization

We have decided to split our moving guide into two parts – organization and packing tips. These are the most important tasks you will have and if you make sure they are done properly – your move will be seamless.

Get rid of everything

Decluttering shouldn’t be related to your miscellaneous belongings only, you should get rid of everything that you don’t want to see in your new home. Getting rid of the items that you don’t need anymore might also save you some money on your professional movers. Before you pack a single box, do a merciless purge of unused or unnecessary items. You’ll have less to pack, less to move, and less to unpack—and you’ll start life in your new space with a clean slate.

You can donate, sell, and throw away items that you don’t want to bring your belongings to your new home. And your furniture movers can help you with this. Professional movers can bring your items to the donation organization or an official dumping area, once you decide what to do with them.

Make a moving folder

Start preparing a moving folder as soon as you know that you are moving. This will help you keep things in control. Keep all the documents you receive from your local movers, collect new addresses, and any other relevant paperwork. Don’t forget to come up with to-do lists, it will be much easier for you to track what was finished this way. If you are not a big fan of an online organization and Excel sheets, you can always get a notebook where you will write everything down.

It is best to have a notebook dedicated to your upcoming move and to create an email label where you will keep the stuff you receive from your local movers. The most important thing is to write everything down, instead of trying to memorize everything related to your move.

Book your local movers early

Let’s talk first about finding local movers. Unless you have some friends or neighbors that moved recently, you will have to consult the internet to find professional movers for your needs. It is not enough to type local movers near me and book the first company on the list. Instead, make sure to read what their previous clients have to say about your potential local movers. Check their online reviews and gather a piece of much information as possible before you make a final decision.

And once you find some local movers that seem to be suitable, make sure to call at least a few places, just to check what services and prices your professional movers can offer. Getting a few quotes shouldn’t mean that you should think about the quotes for days, because good local movers are getting booked up pretty fast. That is why you should book your professional movers early so you can be sure to get the best moving company and your preferred moving day.

Hiring local movers is the most important task you will have, so make sure to think it through well. Professional movers will ensure that your move is done safely and most efficiently.  

Schedule utilities for your new place

Once the dates are finalized, contact your utility providers to schedule service at your new home. You don’t want to arrive there, tired from the move, only to find that the electricity, water, or heat is off. Schedule it ahead of time, and keep records of your requests in your moving folder. At the same time, request service stops for your move-out date at your current home. Make sure all of this is ready when your local movers leave so you can feel at home as soon as you walk in.

Prepare your new home for moving in

Before your local movers bring in the furniture, you should check to see if your new home requires some last-minute repairs or painting maybe. So, make sure to address that before your professional movers arrive. Also, you might want to create a layout of your new home, so you can instruct your local movers on where to put what. This will save you a lot of time, and since your local movers will probably charge per hour, this will save you money as well.

Ask someone to take care of your pets

Having a bunch of local movers taking out your furniture might be stressful for your pets. Also, your professional movers will need to keep the doors opened, and your pets might take this opportunity to go out unsupervised. To avoid all of this and not to stress out your furry friends, you should ask someone you trust to take care of your loved ones. You can later pick them up and take them home.

Hire a babysitter

A moving site is not only a dangerous place for your pets but your kids only. The moving process won’t be interesting to them, and they will try to find some other ways to have some fun, and that might not always be safe. So, keep everyone safe by hiring a babysitter to take care of your kids. Just think about it, you will have a bunch of local movers carrying around heavy furniture, and the last thing that you want is to have your kids running around.

Packing tips

There are a few valuable tips when it comes to packing, and you should check them out unless you are planning to hire your local movers for packing.

Keep the valuables with you

No matter how reliable your local movers are, you should always pack and move your valuables on your own. This way, you can avoid thinking that something will get lost because it is not worth losing your irreplaceable items due to a couple of boxes that you have to move on your own. So, pack your jewelry and documents on your own.

Pack early

Packing is the most time-consuming task you will have during your move, so you should make sure to plan it properly and start with it early. Don’t be optimistic to think that you will be able to pack up your entire home in a day or two unless you are hiring local movers to help you. When packing on your own, you will need at least a week or two to pack everything safely. If you rush the process, there is a big chance that something will get damaged. Try to come up with a timeline for your packing and stick to it. It is best to pack at least something every day because the whole process will be done in a less stressful manner.

Pack properly

Besides packing in time, there is something in packing properly so your items are safe and sound, and if this is your first time moving, these tips will be valuable. If you are not sure you can conduct this properly, you can always ask your local movers to help you with packing. If you would like to pack properly, keep reading.

You should use the right size boxes, which means that you should buy boxes in various sizes. When you pack things, pack heavy items in small boxes, light items can be packed in bigger ones (linens and pillows).

This will minimize the chance of items getting broken along the way. Also, put heavier items on the bottoms of boxes, and lighter on top. Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes, fill everything out with packing paper. Fill in gaps with clothing, towels, or packing paper.Try not to mix items from different rooms, but to pack room by room. And start with the least used rooms and move towards those you are frequently using. 

Don’t forget to label the boxes along the way, and add notes if something is fragile so your local movers could know how to handle them. After you do all of this, tape the boxes to close the bottom and top seams, make a couple of wraps around the box’s top and bottom edges. All of this will guarantee that your items will be safely handled by your local movers. 

Oh and when it comes to packing the kitchen, you will have to prepare to invest a lot of time and energy into this, so if you are not ready, your local movers can perform a partial packing service. If not, try this tactic. Put packing paper around each dish, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides, never flat. And use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below.

Cups and bowls can be packed inside one another, with paper in between, and wrapped three or four in a bundle. Pack them all in dish-barrel boxes. To make sure your items are even better protected, you can get a dish pack. This is something that your local movers can bring when helping you with your move. 

Label the boxes

There are a lot of ways to label the boxes properly and this can help you make sure that nothing gets lost during the move. And not just that, but also it will be helpful for your local movers if there are notes for fragile items. So, find the best way that suits you to label your boxes and don’t skip this task.

Pack an essential box

On the night before the move, tuck everyday essentials—a change of clothes, a toothbrush, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids, medications, paperwork, etc.—into a suitcase or bag you’ll keep with you in the car. If catastrophe strikes and the moving truck gets lost, at least you’ll have some essentials with you. This is a box that shouldn’t be moved by your local movers, but on your own, so you can have these by your side all the time.

Don’t forget to put in some items that you will need after your local movers leave, so you can settle down without having to unpack a lot of boxes to find beddings or anything else that you might need.

What about packing clothes?

Your local movers can bring wardrobe boxes free of charge, and you can use them during the move. However, make sure to check this with your professional movers before relying on it, it might not be the case with your chosen moving company. If your professional movers cannot provide you with wardrobe boxes, you will have to pack these into regular packing boxes.

Hire the best local movers – El Cajon Movers for your upcoming relocation if you would like to feel safe and sound along the way. We are here to make your moving experience a pleasant one, so you don’t have to stress out during the relocation. That is why our customer support service is available to answer any question or concern that you might have. We are not here just to help you with heavy lifting, but also to make a detailed and unique moving plan for you.

And our local movers will help you with the heavy lifting of course. They are all trained and professional, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to us and get your free moving quote today. We are looking forward to talking to you!