Don’t start your first day in your new home on the wrong foot
Once you’ve secured your new home, booked the movers and packed up your bags, you feel relieved and ready to start your new life. It’s important to remember one last, major step – the actual moving process. It takes manual labor, dedication and, most importantly, a lot of thorough planning. It is very easy to make a major mistake that you don’t realize until it’s too late. We’ve listed a few common mistakes people make before and during the moving process.
1. You have no estimate for the movers
Just like you didn’t purchase your house without knowing the cost, you shouldn’t hire movers without knowing their rates. Most movers offer two standard estimates: binding and nonbinding.
The nonbinding estimates will give you an idea of how much the move will cost based on the contents of your home and how far away you’re moving. You should get the estimate in writing, where it states you can be charged no more than 10% more than the estimate.
A binding estimate is, well, much more binding. It’s a legal document that itemizes every charge, which won’t change unless you request substantial additions, like having movers climb a four-story walk-up that they didn’t previously know about.
Whichever estimate you receive, make sure you have it on-hand the day of the move. There is no telling how things can change and its best to have all the fine print right in front of you.
2. You didn’t ask about insurance
This is a major question to ask your movers before hiring them and especially before starting the moving process. Your movers should have insurance, but it may cover only a fraction of the value of your TV or stereo system. It is also imperative to check if your mover has workers’ comp. The last thing you need is to be liable for an injury in your home.
After you know what the movers cover, check with your home insurance provider to see what else is covered. Does your homeowner’s insurance cover moving and furniture while in transit? If you don’t like the coverage you currently have, consider purchasing additional insurance from your moving company to stay protected.
3. You didn’t take measurements of your clearance space
Are you positive your box spring will fit up the stairs? Be sure to measure the clearance space in your new home prior to moving day. There is nothing more stressful than organizing your new home only to find out your bed won’t fit through the front door.
4. You failed to pack an open-first box
Imagine you’re finally ready to go to sleep in your new home after a grueling first day of moving – but you can’t find your toothbrush, your glasses or your pillows. In another scenario, you realize you need a nail to hang your mirror, but don’t know which box your tools are packed in. Both dilemmas can easily be resolved with proper preparation.
The first box you should pack before your move is an “open first” box that includes everything you will need for the move as well as all essentials you’ll need for your first night in your new home. This includes your toolset, extra light bulbs, a flashlight as well as personal items like shower supplies, bedding, toilet paper and paper towels. Keep this box in an easy-to-access place, labeled appropriately. Once you’re in your new place, set it away from the rest of the boxes so you’ll know where to go when you need it.
While we certainly don’t promote schadenfreude, we do believe in learning from others’ mistakes. Taking these steps will ensure that your move is as painless (and affordable) as possible. For more tips on selling your home and moving into one in the Naples area, contact Dante Disabato today!
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