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Mr. Small Move Moving Tips

  • Questions relating to Before the Move

  • Questions relating to Moving Day

  • Questions relating to Tips for Moving with Kids

  • Visit our Packing Tips page for additional tips related to your move


BEFORE THE MOVE

  • Go Through Your Home and Identify Unwanted Items

    Moving is the perfect time to get rid of unwanted items that have collected in your house over the years. The rule of thumb is: If you haven't used it in about a year and it doesn't have any sentimental value, get rid of it. It can be hard to let things go, though, so you may need to go through each closet or storage space twice. On the first run, you'll remove the obvious unwanted things, and on the second run you'll remove the items you're a little more attached to.

  • Donate Items to Charity

    There are many ways to give your things away. Anything from cars to appliances to clothes and shoes can be donated to a charitable organization. Start by going online to see what nonprofits have locations in the area and find out what their needs are. Choose a charity that needs the types of things you'd like to donate. Many nonprofits even set up receptacles on the side of the road to accept your donations. If you need help getting items to your favorite charities call Mr. Small Move before your scheduled move day and we can setup a delivery time to bring your items to the charity of your choice.

  • Clean out the garage, attic, and closets

    When preparing to move there may be many items that you are unable to sell, donate, or give away. Or you may have old mattresses that you do not want to bring to your new home. These items are perfect for bringing to the recycling center or to the dump. Most afternoons Mr. Small Move can schedule a time to pick up these items and drop them off at the destination of your choice. Call us before your scheduled move day and we would be happy to take care of these items for you.

  • Plan Menus to Use up Food in the Cupboards

    As you start looking through your cupboards, you might notice you have some nonperishable food that you would rather not pack up and move to the new place. Put together some menus to use up the food before you move. If the move has you too busy to organize this type of cupboard cleanse, pack everything up for the local shelter or a food drive. Or, invite some friends or neighbors over for a pantry clearing party and send them home with some of the goods.

  • Tag Furniture for Proper Placement in the New Home

    Before moving day it is best to make some decisions about where each piece of furniture should be placed and tag each piece with the name of the room. You might even want to make a floor plan of the new house, so our movers will know where you would like each piece before they start unloading furniture into your house. That way, when the movers enter your home, they know exactly where to go and where to put your furniture.

  • Draw a Floor Plan

    To save you time and eliminate confusion on moving day try drawing a floor plan of your new home before you move. Sketch in and number your furnishings the way you want them to be arranged in each room. Then tag the furniture pieces to correspond with the numbers on the floor plan. When Mr. Small Move arrives you will know where you want each piece of furniture placed. You don't want to be making decisions about where each piece of furniture goes on the day of the move. It's better to make those decisions ahead of time, so your movers can carry the heavy pieces directly to the rooms in which they will remain.

  • Notify Correspondents of Your Move

    et people know that you're moving and what your new address will be. It can be as easy as sending out a mass e-mail with all the pertinent information. Or, you can order a pack of moving announcements and put that holiday mailing list to good use.

  • Get the Bed Ready

    Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won't have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.

  • Remember the Bare Necessities

    Toilet paper, telephone, toiletries, snacks, coffee (and pot), soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups, utensils, a couple of pans, paper towels, and cleaning supplies are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack a box with these types of items and ask your movers to load it last so that it will be unloaded first.

  • Make Sure There's Parking for the Truck

    When the Mr. Small Move moving truck arrives at your new residence place, it will need a place to park and unload. This can become complicated depending on what type of home you're moving into. For example, if you're moving into a house, the truck typically can park out front. But if you're moving into a high rise building, then you may need to set up a place ahead of time for the truck to park. You may also need to reserve an elevator. This should be set up beforehand, so the movers can carry things in as quickly as possible when they arrive.

  • Make Mr. Small Move aware of any special items

    Make sure that Mr. Small Move is aware of all special items being moved. Some examples are safes, pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, large glass or stone table tops, kayaks, grandfather clocks, swing sets and other large bulky items. The reason Mr. Small Move needs to know about these items is because these items require special handling, equipment, planning or packing to be moved properly.
    Any of the items above can add to the cost of your move, making Mr. Small Move aware of the items that need special handling ahead of time will allow us to give you a more accurate estimate of the cost of your move.

  • Make Mr. Small Move aware of any special circumstances

    Make sure that Mr. Small Move is aware of any special circumstances that might make the move more challenging. For example, is there a possibility that the moving truck will have a hard time parking at your new home and we may have to carry your items a long way? Does your new home have multiple levels? Is the elevator large enough for your beds and sofa? Do you need to reserve an elevator for unloading at your new residence? These are just a few examples.
    Any of the items above can add to the cost of your move, making Mr. Small Move aware of the items or circumstances ahead of time will allow us to give you a more accurate estimate of the cost of your move.

  • Protect your belongings

    If you have renters or homeowners insurance, then your belongings are insured when they're at your home, but not when they are being moved between homes. Mr. Small Move does include minimal valuation (moving insurance) on all of our moves. The valuation included (moving insurance) will cover your items at $.60 per pound. All boxes and items packed by Mr. Small Move are included in this coverage. This coverage is minimal and you might want to consider purchasing additional valuation (moving insurance). Additional valuation (moving insurance) is based on the value you select for the items being moved. For pricing and additional information click here. If you want to ensure coverage of all your items it is best to have Mr. Small Move pack all of your belongings.

  • Post Move Pickup and Deliveries

    Many times after you move into your new home you may need to purchase furniture or other large pieces to put the final touches on making your new home just right. Rather than trying to find a way to get that new piece home give Mr. Small Move a call to have us to pick up your new items and deliver them to your new home. Whether it is furniture, a gas grill, table, statue or any other items you may need. Give us a call to set up a delivery time.


MOVING DAY

  • Start early

    You want to have everything as organized as possible prior to the arrival of the movers.

  • Use sitters

    Recruit help in watching your small kids and pets on Moving Day. Your attention will be needed for the details of the move like furniture placement.

  • Phone numbers

    Make sure you have the phone number to Mr. Small Move Moving Company entered into your cell phone, and that the driver has yours in case you get separated or have a problem.

  • Proper payment

    Mr. Small Move will collect for all moving and packing services the day of delivery. Be sure to have a payment method ready the day of your move. Mr. Small Move accepts cash, cashier’s check, local check or credit card.

  • Directions

    Have directions and a map ready for anyone that will be driving between your old home and your new home.

  • Get the Bed Ready

    Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won't have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.

  • Be There During Packing and Pickup of Your Things

    When you hire Mr. Small Move to pack, pick up and deliver your furniture and boxes, it is best if you can be on hand while we doing the packing and picking up. If you can't be there, then you should ask someone to stand in for you -- a relative or friend.

  • Help Your Pet Relax

    Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch him at their house.

  • Take a Break from the Computer

    Upon arrival at your new home, let your computer "acclimate" itself to room temperature before plugging it in.


TIPS FOR MOVING WITH KIDS

Before the Move
  • Get a children's book on moving for smaller kids. Consider “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day.”
  • Show them the new house before the move.
  • Show them their new room(s) and discuss how to make it special for them.
  • Suggest they draw (or better, draw with them!) how they want their new room arranged/decorated.
  • Taking a photo with them of their old room so they can remember it before it gets packed.
  • Show them their new room(s) and discuss how to make it special for them.
  • If possible, let kids pick a decoration (poster, light switch, name banner, etc.) for their new room.
  • Allow children to pack a few of their own items to get them comfortable with the process.
  • Have kids decorate the boxes that will go to their room(s).
  • Explain what will happen on move day, so that they will not think that they will never see their things again.
  • Ask the kids to think of old toys and or clothes they can donate to charity before the move.
Moving Day
  • Keep select toys out and unpacked for them for the duration of the move.
  • If the child has a special dish or cup, include it in the kitchen "Open Me First" box so familiar items await them at their new place.
  • Consider unpacking the kids' rooms first, or at least their "Open Me First" boxes to help them settle in.
  • It might be a good idea to have a friend babysit the children or watch your pet the day of the move. It is distracting for the movers and it's unsafe for the children and the pets.

A few things to consider when moving with children:

  • When large items are wrapped up in soft moving pads, children can get a false sense of safety and tend to pull on them or climb on them not realizing what's inside.
  • Small children can pick up pieces of tape and try to put them in their mouths and choke.
  • Movers walking backwards with large pieces can trip over a child, causing serious injury.
  • Parents can be distracted by what's going on with the move and are not able to keep a close an eye on their children.
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