Doing Things Right on Moving Day
Please use our guides before contacting a moving company and getting a moving quote.
It doesn't get any busier than the moving day, when you get swamped by last-minute decisions just before you embark on that journey to your new home. But if you plan things ahead of time, that'll go a long way in helping you through this crucial phase.
Restrain your pets
Movers shouldn't end up confronting a snarling dog every time they come back for another box, so make sure that you restrain your pets and keep them away from all the action.
Refreshments for the Movers
On hot days you should provide the movers some water and snacks, while on colder days, some coffee or hot chocolate would be nice. Make sure you provide lunch and dinner to your friends if they are helping you move.
Don't disturb the neighbors while you move
The moving truck should not block the neighbor's doorway. Make sure that you don't block the sidewalk with a lot of furniture that is waiting to be loaded. The movers shouldn't walk over the neighbor's lawn. Move during the daytime; make sure it's neither too late nor too early. Avoid leaving trash or unwanted furniture on the sidewalks; dispose it off either in proper containers or at the local dump.
Always remember to�
�leave your old house as clean as you would want your new house to be. Make sure you clean it properly before the moving day, and perform a final check after you've finished loading your stuff.
Tying up the loose ends
You have to be available to answer all the questions that the movers might have, that means sticking around till the time they are finished. You will have to sign a bill of lading and run a quick check on an inventory sheet once the movers are done with the loading. The bill of lading is an important government document that is required by the movers (transport services) to move your personal property. Make sure you read both these documents carefully before you sign them. If everything goes well and you are happy with the way movers handled your stuff, then it's customary to tip the movers at least $20. You can give them more or slightly lesser depending on how difficult the move was and how well they did. Provide your friends with food and drinks if they helped you move.
Make that journey smooth
To be well prepared for the moving day you have to plan your trip from your old home to the new destination, irrespective of whether you drive a rented moving van or meet a professional vanline driver at your new place.
The route a huge truck would take might be different from the one you would take under normal circumstances in your car, owing to its size and weight restrictions.
Plan well in time, and if possible, travel the route once before the moving day to determine what sort of obstacles you might face and how long it takes to cover that route at a reasonable speed. If it is not possible to drive beforehand then either get hold of a good map or browse through a website like MapBlast or MapQuest to mark the route that will be taken by the truck. Try to inquire about the road's condition on your planned route before you embark on your journey, get in touch with the state's department of transportation for this information.
Some organizations like the AAA and Cross Country Automotive Service offer maps and also suggest certain routes and detours that you might take on the way, while also providing for rest-stop information. If you become a member then these organizations offer services like roadside coverage and in some cases they might even offer additional insurance coverage.
Do's and Don'ts of driving a rental truck
Keep in mind certain basic safety tips while you drive down the road:
- Don't drive too fast as you would normally do, since a loaded truck won't handle as well as an empty car that you are used to driving.
- Since you are carrying a lot of weight, so make sure that you decelerate and brake sooner as it'll take longer for your vehicle to come to a complete stop, and that'll also help keeping your household stuff in good condition.
- Make sure you provide for some extra space between yourself and the truck you might be following. Also take extra precautions while turning since the truck is wider than what you are used to.
- Beware of your truck's height and watch out for tree branches and low overhangs. Look out for the overhang height of the filling station as well.
-Try to anticipate the actions of other drivers' since no one would like following a truck. They might make risky moves to pass you so you have to stay alert to avoid any accidents.
- Take frequent breaks. Driving a big loaded truck for long distances isn't going to be as easy as you've had it in the past. It'll be more tiring and so frequent breaks are advised since tiredness might lead to an accident.
- While you take a break, inspect your truck. Make sure everything including the tires, lights and the cargo door are in good shape. In case you are towing a trailer, do check the trailer tires, the hitch, the door and the hitch security chain. Keep a check on the engine oil level as well.
- The truck should be parked in a well-lit area overnight to ensure its safety. Make sure you lock the truck cab and the cargo door with a padlock.
- If possible, try to back into all parking places. Be careful while doing so since most accidents involving huge vehicles take place while backing. Before you start backing, take a look at the obstacles in place. Make sure you have plenty of room to maneuver and if possible ask some to help you back up. They could use hand signals as a guide to help you back up, make sure they stay within the sight of your side view mirror.
Coordinating between you and the mover
Try to get to your new home well in time to welcome the movers; else you might end up being charged for the movers' wait if you drop in after them. Stay in touch with the driver; take his cell phone number before you start. Be ready for the unexpected, have a backup plan in place, make sure someone else greets the movers just in case you can't make it on time. Try to notify the mover of any changes to your schedule as soon as you possibly can. The bigger companies now offer internet tracking of your shipments.
If you're flying�
�keep a check on the flight schedules and do factor in the travel and luggage retrieval times at the airport. Try to have a backup plan in place incase your flight is delayed or cancelled. If you travel with young children, make sure you have some extra time at hand, and dress them in bright, distinctive clothing which would make them easily identifiable in a crowd.
Make flexible schedules
Try to be conservative with your time estimates, plan your day in half-hour increments. Picture the day well in advance as that gives you some extra time between each leg of your journey. It also helps in accommodating unexpected delays which could otherwise completely spoil your schedule.
Restrain your pets
Movers shouldn't end up confronting a snarling dog every time they come back for another box, so make sure that you restrain your pets and keep them away from all the action.
Refreshments for the Movers
On hot days you should provide the movers some water and snacks, while on colder days, some coffee or hot chocolate would be nice. Make sure you provide lunch and dinner to your friends if they are helping you move.
Don't disturb the neighbors while you move
The moving truck should not block the neighbor's doorway. Make sure that you don't block the sidewalk with a lot of furniture that is waiting to be loaded. The movers shouldn't walk over the neighbor's lawn. Move during the daytime; make sure it's neither too late nor too early. Avoid leaving trash or unwanted furniture on the sidewalks; dispose it off either in proper containers or at the local dump.
Always remember to�
�leave your old house as clean as you would want your new house to be. Make sure you clean it properly before the moving day, and perform a final check after you've finished loading your stuff.
Tying up the loose ends
You have to be available to answer all the questions that the movers might have, that means sticking around till the time they are finished. You will have to sign a bill of lading and run a quick check on an inventory sheet once the movers are done with the loading. The bill of lading is an important government document that is required by the movers (transport services) to move your personal property. Make sure you read both these documents carefully before you sign them. If everything goes well and you are happy with the way movers handled your stuff, then it's customary to tip the movers at least $20. You can give them more or slightly lesser depending on how difficult the move was and how well they did. Provide your friends with food and drinks if they helped you move.
Make that journey smooth
To be well prepared for the moving day you have to plan your trip from your old home to the new destination, irrespective of whether you drive a rented moving van or meet a professional vanline driver at your new place.
The route a huge truck would take might be different from the one you would take under normal circumstances in your car, owing to its size and weight restrictions.
Plan well in time, and if possible, travel the route once before the moving day to determine what sort of obstacles you might face and how long it takes to cover that route at a reasonable speed. If it is not possible to drive beforehand then either get hold of a good map or browse through a website like MapBlast or MapQuest to mark the route that will be taken by the truck. Try to inquire about the road's condition on your planned route before you embark on your journey, get in touch with the state's department of transportation for this information.
Some organizations like the AAA and Cross Country Automotive Service offer maps and also suggest certain routes and detours that you might take on the way, while also providing for rest-stop information. If you become a member then these organizations offer services like roadside coverage and in some cases they might even offer additional insurance coverage.
Do's and Don'ts of driving a rental truck
Keep in mind certain basic safety tips while you drive down the road:
- Don't drive too fast as you would normally do, since a loaded truck won't handle as well as an empty car that you are used to driving.
- Since you are carrying a lot of weight, so make sure that you decelerate and brake sooner as it'll take longer for your vehicle to come to a complete stop, and that'll also help keeping your household stuff in good condition.
- Make sure you provide for some extra space between yourself and the truck you might be following. Also take extra precautions while turning since the truck is wider than what you are used to.
- Beware of your truck's height and watch out for tree branches and low overhangs. Look out for the overhang height of the filling station as well.
-Try to anticipate the actions of other drivers' since no one would like following a truck. They might make risky moves to pass you so you have to stay alert to avoid any accidents.
- Take frequent breaks. Driving a big loaded truck for long distances isn't going to be as easy as you've had it in the past. It'll be more tiring and so frequent breaks are advised since tiredness might lead to an accident.
- While you take a break, inspect your truck. Make sure everything including the tires, lights and the cargo door are in good shape. In case you are towing a trailer, do check the trailer tires, the hitch, the door and the hitch security chain. Keep a check on the engine oil level as well.
- The truck should be parked in a well-lit area overnight to ensure its safety. Make sure you lock the truck cab and the cargo door with a padlock.
- If possible, try to back into all parking places. Be careful while doing so since most accidents involving huge vehicles take place while backing. Before you start backing, take a look at the obstacles in place. Make sure you have plenty of room to maneuver and if possible ask some to help you back up. They could use hand signals as a guide to help you back up, make sure they stay within the sight of your side view mirror.
Coordinating between you and the mover
Try to get to your new home well in time to welcome the movers; else you might end up being charged for the movers' wait if you drop in after them. Stay in touch with the driver; take his cell phone number before you start. Be ready for the unexpected, have a backup plan in place, make sure someone else greets the movers just in case you can't make it on time. Try to notify the mover of any changes to your schedule as soon as you possibly can. The bigger companies now offer internet tracking of your shipments.
If you're flying�
�keep a check on the flight schedules and do factor in the travel and luggage retrieval times at the airport. Try to have a backup plan in place incase your flight is delayed or cancelled. If you travel with young children, make sure you have some extra time at hand, and dress them in bright, distinctive clothing which would make them easily identifiable in a crowd.
Make flexible schedules
Try to be conservative with your time estimates, plan your day in half-hour increments. Picture the day well in advance as that gives you some extra time between each leg of your journey. It also helps in accommodating unexpected delays which could otherwise completely spoil your schedule.
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