It’s the big day you’ve been anticipating for months: moving day. Whether you’ve been absolutely dreading it, excited for it, or a little bit of both, preparing to move is never an easy task.
Funny dog sits on carton boxes, green indoor plant near, relocates in new modern apartment, has brown ears, white fur, happy to live in expensive house. Animals, moving day and housing concept
In fact, you might be wondering how you are going to move all of your stuff to your new place.
- Should you do it yourself or hire a moving company to help you?
- How many trips are you going to have to make to move everything you own?
- What are you going to do if your belongings get damaged in the process?
These are all important questions that you must ask yourself before you shove all of your furniture into a truck and take off to your new home sweet home. Luckily for you, this ultimate mover’s guide is here to shed some light on some of the top moving options available to you, so you can feel composed and cool-minded while preparing to move. Keep reading to learn how to pack properly and choose the perfect moving option for your move.
Pro Pre-Packing Checklist
Grab the bubble wrap and packing tape, it’s time to prep for your move! From your bulky couch and glass coffee table to small everyday items like your dinner plates and toothbrush, you have to get all of your ducks in a row and start packing. For starters, if you’re headed to a new apartment, be sure to check off everything on this new apartment essentials checklist so you can feel comfortable on move-in day.
Next, take these few tips into account while you are preparing to move so you can get your belongings to your new home as seamlessly as possible.
Find and Save Free Boxes
moving day concept – cardboard boxes and copy space over white brick wall background
If you don’t have any boxes stored up to help you pack yet, then now is the time to start saving every Amazon, FedEx, or other shipping boxes you receive in the mail or see on the side of the road. These free boxes will be a lifesaver when it’s time to pack your bags and head to your new home. But, what should you do if you haven’t saved any boxes and your move is tomorrow?! Although it’s not a guarantee, you can search for free packing boxes through local community groups on social media such as Facebook Marketplace. Additionally, you can check out the Freebie Alerts app and cross your fingers that you will find free packing boxes in your area.
Pro-Tip: Need free boxes fast? Take a quick drive through your neighborhood on recycling day. You will be surprised how many discarded boxes you will find in your neighbors’ driveways.
Love It or List It
Here’s one of the great things about moving: you can use the time to really declutter your life and leave behind any furniture, cooking ware, and other items that you don’t want to bring into your new home. So, what should you do to responsibly get rid of these items? As mentioned before, you can use the Freebie Alerts app or Facebook Marketplace to list any items that you would like to get off of your hands as soon as possible, such as heavy pieces of furniture that you don’t want to take with you on your move. You can also call local charities and thrift stores to donate your items. Oftentimes, these organizations have their own ‘pick-up’ crew to help take your bulky furniture to the charity.
Moving Options for the Big Day
Now that you have your belongings packed and ready to go, it’s time to, well… go! But, before you shove all of your stuff into a U-Haul or throw your furniture into the back of a third-party moving truck, let’s discuss every moving option available to you so you can make the right decision about how to move. First things first, let’s talk about the importance of moving insurance and what to look out for if you plan to hire a moving company.
Preparing to Move 101: Be Aware of Any Red Flags
One of the worst-case scenarios that can happen to you during your move is this: You get to your new place and realize that the moving company you hired has damaged or stolen some of your belongings. That antique painting your grandmother gave you is ripped, the big mirror you love so much is chipped, and some of your belongings seem to have just disappeared into thin air! And on top of that, the company already charged you an arm and a leg before the move, so you’re not getting your money back either.
What went wrong?
Common Red Flags to Spot Before Hiring a Moving Company
If you want to avoid this sticky situation, make sure the moving company you hire is credible and has several positive reviews before you choose them. Furthermore, do not hire a company that:
- Demands a large cash deposit BEFORE the move
- Does not offer an onsite inspection or in-person written estimate
- Leaves you hanging on the actual cost of the move or claims to give you a price after loading is complete
- Asks you to sign blank documents
- Does not have an easily accessible local address or insurance information
- Shows up with a generic rental truck rather than a marked company truck on moving day
Remember, these are YOUR belongings and YOUR valuables. It is your duty to make sure they stay safe during the move. If a moving company shows up to your doorstep on the day of the move and you sense something fishy is going on, go with your gut and do not allow them to help you move.
Get Moving Insurance
Moving boxes with belongings in room
Another way to ensure your move is as stress-free as possible is to get moving insurance. Even if you hire a superb moving company or opt to make the move yourself, some of your belongings can break or get damaged in the process. With mover’s insurance, you can rest assured that damages will be covered, especially for valuable items like your piano, that fancy crystal vase, or your set of fine china.
Now, it’s time to talk about the top 5 moving options available to you so you can make the best decision when you move your belongings.
1. Use a Local Moving Company
One of the quickest and most hassle-free ways to move from one place to another is to hire a local moving company. As mentioned before, you will want to make sure you seek out a credible and trustworthy team that has plenty of experience in the industry. A great way to find a reliable moving company in your area is to ask your neighbors, family, or friends if they have any recommendations. You can also do a simple Google search and check out top local companies that have a host of 5-star reviews.
What To Expect When You Hire a Moving Company
When you hire a local moving company, you will have an entire team of people that will carry your heavy furniture, boxes, and other items to a moving truck. Then, they will drive your belongings to your new home, unload them from the truck, and place them where you would like them. Depending on the company you choose, the team may even wrap your delicate furniture, art, mirrors, and glass objects for you! The most respectable companies will ensure your belongings are safe, secure, and not damaged during the entire trip.
Although hiring a moving company might not be the most affordable option, it is definitely the most stress-free!
Take Advantage of Signature Perks
When you move into a Richman Signature apartment, you will have full access to a number of Signature Perks in your area. With hundreds of resident-only discounts at your fingertips for nearby retailers and restaurants, it will help make any move day less stressful and more enjoyable, not to mention a little cheaper!
2. Rent a Moving Truck
If you are preparing to move by yourself, you’ve probably already thought of a moving truck. In fact, truck rentals are fantastic to rent if you plan to do a DIY move because they are affordable, reliable, and super easy to rent! Furthermore, some, like U-Haul, also offer a service called Moving Help that provides local laborers in your area that you can hire to help you load your belongings onto the truck. This is a great option if you need help carrying heavy objects and making sure everything is secured properly once inside.
3. Make It a Party
Who says moving has to be dreadful? Instead of doing all of the cleaning, packing, heavy lifting, and moving by yourself, throw a moving party and invite your closest friends, neighbors, and family to help! If you are moving to a new city or another state, this is also a great way to see all of your loved ones before you hit the road.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to provide water, snacks, and other treats for friends that join your moving party. As a thank you for the help, you can also take them out to dinner or send thank-you notes to them in the mail.
4. Hire Local Movers
You have also probably heard of popular moving companies like, Two Men & A Truck. Brands like this are recognized nationwide and pay particular attention to safe driving and securely delivering your belongings to your new home. Don’t forget to check out their referral ratings!
Two Men & A Truck also offers specialized services for those who are preparing to move to a new apartment or condo. Therefore, they are a great option if you want to make sure each and every box and piece of furniture is moved into your apartment – even if you live on the top floor!
5. Make Mini Moves
Moving important day calendar concept
Last but not least, your final option is to ditch the “one, big move” idea and break the process up into several mini moves! This is an awesome choice for those who have the flexibility to make their move over multiple days or even weeks!
Mini moves are also great for those who:
- Want to take their time with their move
- Have their own pick-up or moving truck and are happy to move a few pieces of furniture at a time
- Live close to their new home and can easily move all of their belongings overtime
- Have too much stuff and can’t make one big move
If your new place is located in the same area, this option can also be combined with the “Make it a Party” concept. If you have friends or family that are willing to help you move, you can all make separate trips over a period of time and gradually get all of your stuff in your new home.
Settle Into Your New Richman Signature Home
Now that you have the scoop on your top moving options, it’s time to make your choice and get yourself to your new home.
Are you preparing to move but still don’t have a new place to move to yet? Then it’s time to check out Richman Signature! With luxury apartments across the nation, you are sure to find your Richman Signature dream home in some of the most desirable cities like Tampa, Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego.
Plus, every Richman Signature apartment comes with exclusive Signature Perks, unbeatable customer service, 24/7 warranty response, and resort-style amenities. Contact us to make your move to a luxury apartment of your dreams.
