Moving soon? Then you should know that according to recent surveys, many Americans find that moving is more stressful than getting a divorce or even having children. Perhaps it's the urgency, the inherent growing pains of settling in a new place, or the expenses associated with the average relocation — whatever it is, it’s likely different for everyone. Lucky for you, our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing in Minneapolis is here with some valuable tips to help you minimize every type of move-related stress.
Read on to learn what you can do to have a successful, low-stress experience during your upcoming relocation.
1. Build a Moving Budget
If you don’t have unlimited funds to devote to your upcoming move, the best thing you can do to help minimize financial stress is create a moving budget. Some of the expenses you’ll need to factor in include:
● The cost of hiring a moving company (if you plan to)
● Cost of moving supplies and renting a truck (if you’re doing a DIY move)
● Fuel expenses
● Cleaning expenses
● Pet or child care on move day
● Moving insurance
● Cost of renting a storage unit (if you need one)
● Much, much more
Not quite sure how to build a moving budget? Check out our best tips for creating a moving budget that suits your unique needs.
2. Research Moving Companies & Hire a Reputable Team
If you’re planning to hire a moving company, do extensive research. The last thing you need is to hire a disreputable company because they gave you a cheap quote. Then, when it’s too late, you’ll end up finding out that a cheap quote almost always equates to low-quality service (or worse, a scam). While you’re researching, look for:
● A U.S. DOT number and an MN DOT number
● Licensing and insurance
● Reviews from past customers
● Length of time the moving company has been in business
● Any specialty service offerings you need
For more tips on hiring professional movers and packers, check out the five traits you should look for when hiring a moving company.
3. Never Sign a Moving Document You Don’t Understand
If you’re hiring a moving company, make sure you read through every last word of every contract and document they give you. If you don’t understand something, don’t sign on the dotted line until you do. Don’t hesitate to ask for a supervisor or manager if you need something explained in further detail.
4. Get All Moving Agreements in Writing
Agreements and estimates only count when they’re in writing, so if a moving company tells you something or makes a verbal guarantee, ask them to put it on paper. If you don’t, you won’t have proof that a request was ever acknowledged, an estimate was ever agreed upon, or a promise was ever made.
5. Plan Out Your Move Down to the Last Detail
When it comes to moving, there are tons of moving parts (no pun intended). And unless you’re okay with forgetting things and then stressing about them when you finally realize you forget them, you need to create a comprehensive plan.
Start planning your move about 120 days (four months) before the day you need to relocate. That way, you can start vetting movers and getting estimates about 90 days in advance. Not sure how to make a plan? Check out this comprehensive move timeline for a few ideas.
6. Only Bring the Items You Really Need or Love
Clutter will only stress you out during a move. If you’re hiring a moving company, relocating all of those things you own that you don’t really need can add quite a few dollars to the total cost of your move. Since movers typically charge a flat rate for local moves and then tack on a weight-based fee for long-distance moves, the less stuff you relocate, the cheaper your move will be. Plus, you’ll have less to unpack when you reach your destination, so it’s a win-win all around.
7. Take a Household Inventory
Do you want to ensure everything you need to move reaches your new home? Then you must take a household inventory and cross-reference it after your movers unload the truck. The movers will have an inventory, too, but it’s smart to have your own, just so you can double-check their work.
8. Ask for Help When You Need It
Are you planning a DIY move? Then you’ll probably need help, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it! Your neighbors, friends, and relatives will likely be more than willing to lend a hand — don’t try to tackle everything on your own unless you love burnout and excessive stress.
9. Arrange Childcare and Pet Care for Move Day
Whether you’re doing a DIY move or hiring a professional moving company, it’s unsafe (and inconvenient) to have small feet running around on the day of your move. That’s why you should plan to have someone take care of your kids and any pets you might have on relocation day.
10. Pack a Bag of Essentials
When you arrive at your new home, chances are you’ll be pretty exhausted from a long day of loading and traveling. When it’s finally time to stop unpacking boxes, take a shower, and hit the sack, the last thing you’ll want to do is dig through every remaining box to find a towel and your toothbrush. That’s where an essentials bag comes in.
In your bag, pack everything you’d normally take for a weekend trip, but add these things too:
● Bath towels
● Disposable dishes and cutlery
● Shower curtain
● Bathroom rugs
● Sheets
● Anything else you might need on the first night or two in your new home
11. Opt for Full Packing and Moving Services
If the thought of packing up your entire home stresses you to the max, there’s a solution for that. Full packing services from a reputable moving company include both packing and unpacking of everything you plan to move. The service is (pretty obviously) pricier than hiring a moving company just for transport service, but if you hate packing, it’s well worth the additional cost.
12. Don’t Over Exert Yourself
One of the best ways to cut down on move-related stress is to understand your physical and mental boundaries and respect them. If your body or mind tells you it needs a break from the chaos and work, take a break. Pushing yourself beyond your limits will only make you resent the process, and may even result in accidental injuries.
13. Find Alternate Transportation for Any Non-Allowables You Need to Move
Do you need to move any live plants? Maybe some nail polish remover? How about a propane tank? All of these items are considered “non-allowables,” which means your moving company won’t handle them. You’ll need to arrange alternate transportation for any items your movers won’t pack or transport, so make you’re aware of what the non-allowables are, so you can plan accordingly.
Check out the full breakdown of what your movers won’t transport.
14. Take Photos of Electronics Before Disassembling and Packing Them
Trying to reassemble electronics and reattach cords is a major pain when you’re not totally sure how everything should look. That’s why taking photos before you (or your movers) take everything apart is so important. You can reference your photos when you’re reassembling your things, so you can put them back together properly without mistakes and frustration.
15. Set Up Your Bed As Soon As Your Movers Leave
When you finally arrive at your new home and your movers exit the scene, set up your bed immediately. You’ll be tired, probably a little cranky, hot, sweaty, and ready to zonk out at the end of the day. Do yourself a favor and have an inviting, clean bed ready so you can hit the sack when you need to and hit the ground running again the next morning.
Need a Minneapolis Moving Company? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing
Whether you’re moving across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, to a new state, or to a whole new country, let our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing help you handle the load! Since 1958, we’ve provided local, national, and international moving services, and from day one, outstanding customer service has been our number one priority.
Ready to get a moving estimate? Feel free to request a fast quote, call our office at 763-755-2045, or contact us online to get started, and we’ll get in touch promptly.