Tips for Avoiding A Bad First Move

by Maggie Dawson 07/21/2019

The long-expected day is finally here; it’s time for you to put into action all your weeks and months of planning. As a first-time mover, you might be worried, excited or stressed. Or maybe you are overwhelmed with all three emotions. It’s normal to feel this way, but you would get through this stage in one piece.

There are certain things you need to set up and stuff you need to avoid to prevent you from having a wrong first-time moving experience. The tips below will guide you on the do’s and don’ts for a first-time mover. 

Take Down Items in Your Yard You Want to Travel With

Your movers will help you dismantle certain things during the move, but these items might be limited to just indoors. If you have equipment in your back yard like gym equipment, sheds or trampoline, it’s advisable you dismantle it before the day of the move. Doing this ensures items are not left behind on the day of the move. 

Do Not Leave Valuable Items for Movers to Pack

Leaving things behind for movers to pack will slow things down and would make your packing disorganized. Movers might place essential documents where you might not quickly locate when you get to your new home. Take the time to pack crucial documents like passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, expensive jewels, heirloom and other items you deem valuable before the day of the move and have it tagged ‘VALUABLES.' That way, you avoid getting things mixed up or missing.

Do Not Let Your Kids or Pets Run Around During the Move

Allowing your kids and pet run around unsupervised when the movers are busy would slow them down and might lead to a domestic accident. To avoid this type of incident, have your kids out of the house either on a play date or visiting family - and you can crate your pets or board them for the day. 

Cleaning Your Old Home

Cleaning your old house on the same day the movers are transporting your property might seem like a good idea, but it’s not. Movers need free entry and exit while moving your belongings and cleaners need people out of their way while they are cleaning. They would end up getting into each other’s way if you have them working at the same time. 

Avoid Disconnecting Appliances at The Last Minute 

Before the big day arrives, ensure devices are disconnected and ready to be moved. Get your electricians and plumbers to help you disconnect appliances you can’t detach yourself. Have your refrigerator dried and prepared to be transported a week before the move to avoid moisture dripping into the shipment. 

Having all of these sorted out before your big day would ensure you do not have a bad moving experience, especially as a first-time mover.