Moving house, especially when you're relocating to a new area, is one of life's most stressful events. You're unpicking a whole life and transplanting it. And the older we are, the more stuff we have to sort through!
Imagine if there were a way to get the job done and reduce stress. That's where professional movers come in. They know what they're doing and can greatly reduce the stress of the whole experience.
Let's take a closer look at why using professional movers is the best way to move.
Benefit from Their Experience
Whether you are moving locally, or across state lines, most of us don't move that often. On average, Americans only move around 11 times in their lives, and only 14% of all moves each year are interstate moves.
Professional movers move people week in, week out. They are familiar with both the big picture and the minutiae of moves. That's why when you call in the movers, you get a lot more than just a truck and a few strong backs.
If you employ a moving company, they'll be as hands-on or hands-off as you like. Some people simply want movers to arrive on the day, collect their stuff, and safely move it to point B.
Other people benefit from advice from the moving company on how to make moving easier. They can walk through your home with you and advise on the kind of transportation needed for different items.
They can share packing hacks for moving. They can show you how to make moving easier by packing in a particular order. Or, if you like, they can take care of everything for you.
Specialist Moving Advice
They are also familiar with how to move specialist items, such as pianos and even cars. If you are moving cross country, it might be best to ship your car, rather than drive it to your new home.
They can advise you on the best options for auto shipping and other specialist moving services.
Professional Movers Pack For You
Over the years, we all gather treasured possessions. The thought of packing them all so they reach the other end safely can be daunting. Not only that, it takes a lot of time that you need to fit in around all your regular responsibilities.
Professional movers can do the hard work for you and make moving easy. They are systematic packers, and they know how to pack delicate and fragile objects carefully. Their efficient packing methods will make the best use of packing materials, saving you money.
They are fully trained and fully insured. In the unlikely event that one of the movers trips and damages an item, you are covered.
When you get to your new home, they will use their detailed packing lists to put everything in the right place.
Reliable Service
Friends and family are often keen to help when there's a move. Local moves may be easier, but when you're relocating to a new state or to another part of the country, you need a service you can rely on.
Professional movers pride themselves on excellent customer service. They understand the emotions involved in handling your possessions. They'll turn up on time, and work efficiently to get your move done as smoothly as possible.
Make sure you choose movers who have experience in handling your kind of move. Many companies specialize in particular types of moves. These could be local, interstate, cross-country, or even international moves.
Talk to them about moves like yours that they've successfully completed in the recent past. Ask them for testimonials and read online reviews.
Providing Transportation
Moving from home to college, you could probably cram everything in your car. You might have upgraded to a Uhaul truck for your next one. But as families and possessions expand, so do our transportation needs.
There are two factors to consider about transportation. First, you need to have enough space for all your belongings. Secondly, they need to be packed in such a way that they do not get damaged in transit.
If you hire a truck yourself, chances are it will be bare. Professional movers come equipped not only to move but to protect your possessions.
They have straps to secure items to the truck. They have heavy-duty blankets to protect surfaces that could get damaged. They are well trained in packing the truck to protect the goods in transit.
They Do the Driving
If you've ever tried driving a large truck you know it can be a lot of fun, but also takes some serious skills. Moving house is stressful enough without having to drive - and maneuver - a large, unwieldy vehicle in the middle of everything.
Make moving easy by letting the professionals do the hard work. They'll drive your stuff the distance needed and still be fresh enough to unload at the other end.
Save Your Back!
One of the main ways moving companies make moving easy is by saving your back! Movers are trained and experienced in how to move heavy items safely. They know their limits, and they know the correct techniques.
If you're not experienced in moving heavy furniture, it's very easy to strain muscles, or worse. There's also more risk of losing control of the item. This can cause damage to the furniture, or to the fabric of the house.
Save Time and Money
The initial cost of a moving quote can be offputting. It could seem that with a few buddies and a couple of trucks, you could get the job done a lot cheaper. Chances are, this is a false economy.
Apart from the safety considerations mentioned earlier, efficiency is a major consideration. Sorting through a lifetime of possessions and packing them up takes longer than you'd think.
Most people are up against serious deadlines when they move. There are properties changing hands, jobs to start, often long journeys to be made. All of these deadlines are non-negotiable.
If you try to take this on yourself, you can start drowning in work, fast.
When you pay for movers, you're paying for so much more than just the labor and the trucks. You're getting experience, equipment, and peace of mind. The best way to move, whether near or far, is to leave it to the professionals.
Moving Hacks You Need to Know
As we've seen, there's a lot more to moving than moving day itself. Let's look at a few moving hacks for before, during, and after to make your move as easy as possible.
Preparing to Move
Before you move, get your finances and utilities in order.
- Decide what level of moving service you need
- Set a budget for professional movers
- Call utility companies and inform them of your moving date
- Run down your larder
You can buy food when you get to your new house. Donate any unopened food to a local food bank before moving.
Packing Hacks for Moving
Have a clear goal in mind - don't move anything that you won't need at the new house. It's pointless to pay to move things only to trash them at the other end. This can seem painful, but it will be a cathartic experience in the end.
Start with your closet. Be ruthless. If you haven't worn it for a year, or it doesn't fit, it has to go.
Move onto your furniture. Are you downsizing? If so, think about exactly what you'll need for the new place.
Are there items that you've simply outgrown? Even furniture and household items can have sentimental value. But if you know that they don't have a place, then don't be afraid to pass them on to a new owner.
Make arrangements to donate items ahead of time. Start this process as early as you can, and arrange for larger items or large amounts of donations to be collected.
Packing Smart
Once you've decided what you're going to pack, pack smart. Instead of packing your clothes like you're going on vacation, see if you can keep as much in situ as possible.
If you're using professional movers, they are well able to carry heavy furniture. Dresser drawers may not need to be emptied. They can carry them fully loaded.
One of our favorite packing hacks for moving is to take armfuls of clothes still on hangers and put them into plastic bags for moving. This saves a lot of time at the other end. Simply take them out, and hang them back in place.
Keeping Costs Down
One of the best packing hacks for moving is to find cheap or free packing boxes and materials.
Do you know someone else who is moving? If they're moving first, see if you can snag their old boxes and bubble-wrap. Check out classified ads to see if anyone has boxes to give away.
Get Your Long-Distance Auto Moving Quote Today
Moving house can be one of life's most stressful events. But it doesn't have to be. Professional movers can make the difference and get your new home off to a great start.
Are you moving long-distance? If you have vehicles to move, the best way is to use an auto shipping service. At Nexus, we provide a professional, no-hassle solution for shipping your car when you relocate.
Click here to learn more and get a quote for our auto shipping service today!
