We were fortunate enough to have the option of using movers when we moved our family from North Carolina to Georgia. It was awesome to have the extra help. Not only was it a big move but my husband moved six months before the rest of the family. This left me to deal with emptying out our first home and the belongings of four people, two of which are tiny little hoarders. In the past we had always handled packing and moving our belongings on our own and the idea of strangers touching my stuff really weirded me out. I had no idea what to expect from movers, did I need to do anything before the arrived? Do I just leave the house and let them pack? I knew nothing. The kids and I had to stay with my mom temporarily (because our house sold super fast) and my husband had to stay in a short term rental until our house was ready. Before I get too lost in the complicated nature of our move let me tell you what I wish I knew about working with movers.
1. Pack Your Valuables Yourself– I know what you are thinking , all my things are valuable. Your moving company is likely insured to handle the cost of replacing lost or broken items, but some items can’t be replaced. If they drop your IKEA cabinet you can buy a new one but if the lose your great grandmothers wedding ring that’s a different story altogether. Things will break.
2. They Move Fast- If I had known how fast they would go to work I would have moved out my personal items the day before they arrived. They move very fast and sometimes they don’t listen. I had six strange men in my home and they went to work immediately. The head mover greeted me and asked me a few questions. “Is there anything staying?” “Who’s room is whose?” I expressed that most of the clothes in the house were staying any I would handle packing them as the kids and I weren’t headed to Georgia for a few more months. As I showed the lead mover around sharing what was going and what wasn’t the team set to work. When we finished our conversation (and before I finished my coffee) some one had packed up all of my clothes, including the full contents of my under wear drawer. Get anything that you don’t want them to move out of the house before they arrive or you will be a fishing through the most randomly packed box you have ever seen looking for your underwear with confused and embarrassed mover in the corner.
3. They Don’t Make Decisions About Your Stuff- This sounds like a no brainer. Of course they don’t right? This is one that didn’t even cross my mind until I was unpacking. They will throw everything in a given room into a box, right down to the twist tie on from the bread that was left on the counter or a random hair tie from under the couch. If you want to have a nice organized unpacking then give yourself time ahead of their arrival to organized and discard unwanted items.
All that being said, as stressful as my moving experience was I was glad to have the extra help. It took 6 men 2 full days to pack up all our earthly possessions. It would have taken me a whole lot longer with my 3 and 5 year old helpers. I would advise that you research your company make sure they are licensed and insured check the reviews. Acknowledge things will break and make sure you handle the transport of those emotionally significant items yourself. Bring a friend or a good book. Happy moving.
