Victoria Living Guide- Moving Tips: Part 2

So you’ve decided you’re moving

You’ve found that perfect house or maybe just the next place you’ll live.  It (hopefully) fits your budget and meets the needs of you and your family.  You’ve crossed the T’s and dotted I’s, and now it’s just a matter of time.  Maybe you’re off to a new city, starting a new job or buying your first home.  No matter why you are moving, this is a very exciting, but also hectic, time.

Yes, there is still so much to do before you get to starting making that new place feel like home.  Moving is never easy but the process doesn’t have to be painful.  Here at Hendra Moving, our team of moving professionals have the knowledge and experience to make sure your move goes smoothly.  From handling your heaviest furniture to navigating those tight corners, the professional movers at Hendra can minimize the hassle of moving so you can focus on settling in to the new place.

Even you and the family and friends choose to move yourselves, the Hendra team is here to help with some inside industry information to make your life easier.  Find out how to be ready for the big day, while keeping down costs and avoiding moving headaches:

1. Book your movers 6 weeks in advance

   Yes, there are plenty of moving companies in Victoria but they aren’t all created equal.  And, of course, there is your good friend with the truck who can deadlift 300 lbs.  But what happens if your friend throws out his back lifting the couch or is in an accident on the way to your new place?  What if that private mover damages the walls or drops the big screen TV?  All of Hendra’s movers, for example, are covered by Worksafe BC (click HERE to find out why this matters so much) and has A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.  In case of injury, Hendra has you covered, and our sterling reputation gives you the peace of mind that your family’s prized possessions won’t arrive at your new home in pieces.

2. Make a 4-6 Week Plan

   Planning and preparation are not everyone’s strong skills.  Personally, I am comfortable without a definite plan and prefer to handle problems as they arise.  My partner on the other hand, she likes to make plans and lists.  After our last move, who do you think had everything ready to go and who is still looking for those iTunes gift cards.  Do yourself the favour and make a 4-6 week planning.  You can use a checklist or schedule tasks into an online calendar that can give you reminders if you missed a step along the way.  Change your mailing address for important accounts –like your banking and bills– and get Canada Post to forward your mail to your new address.  The less work you leave yourself for the day of the move, the less painful the experience of moving will be.

3. Organization is Everything

   Making sure that your packing is well-organized will make both the move itself and unpacking in your new place easier for everyone.  Remember to label everything.  That includes what room the box is from and going to, as well as what is in the box.  Colour coding your boxes –use stickers or coloured markers– is a fast, simple way to ensure that each box goes to the right place.  Don’t forget to mark off the boxes that are heavy or fragile so that there is no damage to you, the movers or the items in the box.  Take pictures of how you have your electronics set-up and label the cables.  When it comes time to put that video games system or computer back together, you’ll be happy that you did.

   Also, keeping all your important documents –like passports, birth certificates, unpaid bills, tax returns– together in one file that you keep with you.  Hold onto anything that you absolutely could not live without.  While these often turn up, don’t take any chances with your personal information.  Have separate kit prepared of essential items –a tooth brush, deodorant, a clean change of clothes– for your first couple of nights while you unpack and settle into your new space.

4. Have the Right Tools for the Job

   Strong tape, coloured markers, box cutters and labels are essential.  Boxes are obvious necessities but do you have the right box for the particular job.  You can buy boxes from the major moving companies, or can get free ones from many businesses, especially grocery and liquor stores.  If you are packing a specialty item, like a bike or records, go to a record or bike shop to get the kind of box that they use.  Make sure that the boxes you get are sturdy and won’t collapse, or use tape to give them some extra reinforcement.  Having a good multi-tool or adjustable head screwdriver on hand will help you take apart bed frames, furniture or sports equipment.

5. Reduce Moving Cost and Waste
   

   Instead of calling the junk removal truck to take what you no longer need to the landfill, donate gently used furniture, household items, clothing, sports equipment, etc. to a local charity.  Many by donation thrift shops, like the Salvation Army, and nonprofits, like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, will pick up items.  Value Village, among most other thrift shops, have donation drop-off centres.  Re-use what you can.  Most businesses are happy to give out free boxes.  While bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts can be great to prevent too much movement and to protect fragile items, but they aren’t great for the environment.  Minimize the waste from your move by using clothes, old egg cartons or the weekly newspaper to stuff boxes.

While these suggestions only cover a smaller part of what goes into a move, we hope that this makes the challenge of moving a little simpler.  Ultimately, there is no substitute for experience.  Get the Hendra Moving team to help.  We provide the peace of mind that your prized possessions will arrive in pieces, no matter where you’re moving.