As I’ve often said, many people look forward to living in a new home even though the process of moving can be overwhelming. We’ve helped hundreds of people transition from one home to another over the last 20 years, so today, we’re sharing these tips that can help make moving easier.

Book More than the Moving Van

Of course, you must book a moving van, but there are also a few extra reservations to make. For example, parking permits are essential, especially when you live on a busy street. Most cities need at least seven business days’ notice to post signs and cover parking meters. Generally, the permits are for the space the moving truck needs, not the parking the moving crew needs. So make other parking arrangements for the moving crew.

If you’re in a building, reserve the loading bay and elevator. You should book well in advance, especially if you are moving during a busy period like summer weekends at month’s end.

If your building has a small parking lot or you live on a narrow or steeply sloped street, you may need to book a “shuttle van.” Shuttles are smaller trucks that shuttle between your building and the big 18-wheeled moving truck. Typically, your moving company will advise you if you need one and can reserve one for you.

Measure Everything, then Do It Again

Before the moving company arrives, you should ensure the movers can get your furniture out of your old house and into the new one.

Of course, most pieces of furniture are not square or rectangle-shaped. So, imagine they are rectangles and measure the highest height, longest length, and deepest width. Prepare to disassemble large pieces like wardrobes, wall units, and billiard tables. You may wish to call in a furniture specialist if it is a vintage or sentimental piece. If so, book an appointment well in advance to be sure it coincides with your moving date.

You’ll need to measure the size of the rooms in your new home. But also measure ceiling height throughout the furniture’s journey out of and into your new home. Note any potential obstacles, such as beams, ductwork, or hanging lights. Windows and patio doors are possible entry points, so note their dimensions in case you need to use them. The next step to make moving easier is to measure the stairwells and elevators. You don’t want to be forced to dismantle a banister at the last minute and delay the moving crew.

Don’t Take Stuff You’re Not Supposed To

The moving company will give you a list of goods you can’t pack. Read it! And don’t pack items that are on the list, even if you’re doing a DIY move. In the summer, it can get unbelievably hot in a moving van, and items like pressurized cans and batteries can explode. In the winter, it doesn’t take long for things to freeze and damage your possessions. Be safe, not sorry.

Pack Boxes Properly

Do not overfill the boxes if you’re packing your household goods. Overfilled boxes can become too heavy to lift or burst at the seams. Underfilled boxes do not support any weight and can get crushed easily. Pack fragile items with adequate packing material and, above all, label them!

Pack Overnight Bag

To make moving easier, pack your overnight bag before the movers arrive. Ensure you have your medications, other essentials, and any necessary paperwork. You don’t want to waste precious time unpacking boxes or, worse, unload half the truck to find your prescription or the keys to your new home.

Be Available but Don’t Interfere

Movers are professionals. They receive training on lifting and maneuvering large, heavy furniture alone and in teams. They know their limitations and what their equipment can and cannot do. Please don’t try to grab a corner of the couch or “help” them push the piano a little to the left. Let them do their job.

However, that doesn’t mean you can spend the day at the bistro down the street. You need to be available to answer the movers’ questions and direct them where to put the boxes and furniture. And, if you can’t be available due to work or personal commitments, the Out of Chaos team can help. Our move management services mean you don’t have to lift a finger. We can build a customized plan for your move and manage every detail. Contact us today to learn how we can make your move stress-free.

Image courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art.