Moving In The Spring: The Do’s and Don’ts to Ensure a Successful Relocation
Moving at any time of the year is not exactly fun. There are a lot of things that go into the process. Even if you are planning everything well ahead of time, you’ll likely still feel the pressure rising as you’re approaching the big day.
Hiring a professional company is a really good way to take many moving things off your plate, but considering that springtime is usually in high-demand for movers, you may still face a few bumps in the road.
Here are the definite do’s and don’ts when it comes to moving in the spring, no matter if you’re relocating to a different country, state, or just a few blocks down the road!
Do: Look Into Moving Companies Well in Advance
Spring might not be such a popular moving season as summer but make no mistake: the demands start to rise in March. It’s important to start looking into a moving company at least a few months before you have to relocate to give you enough time to research these companies and make an informed decision.
Look out for:
- What types of services they provide, especially if you need something extra like packing or storage options;
- If they can handle your type of move (such as interstate or international;)
- Their insurance options.
You may also want to look up the company’s reputation through online reviews and forums to get a better sense of how they handle their business.
Don’t: Decide Who to Hire on Price Alone
Price is an important factor in your decision-making process, but we’d advise you don’t hire a company based on price alone.
The rates in the moving industry are a bit hard to understand, but as a general rule, no moving company has a fixed rate. Instead, it is influenced by a number of things, such as:
- Size and weight of the cargo;
- Time of year for your relocation;
- The types of services you choose;
- Where your belongings need to be shipped to, and how accessible that destination is;
- The shipping route, etc.
There are so many things that go into this entire process, though it’s understandable to want to go for the company that promises the lowest rates. But as you may gather, moving and shipping is not exactly a cheap service, so there’s only so low you can go. Hunting really low rates may, unfortunately, lead you to a company that cannot provide the best services.
Make a list of the best companies that you could hire based on the criteria mentioned above. Then, you can use price as a way to separate them and make an informed decision. Most companies offer free quotes, which are estimations of how much their service may end up costing. While this is not 100% accurate, it is pretty close, and you can use these rates to compare the companies.
Do: Keep an Eye on the Weather
There are many amazing things about spring, like the great colors, longer days, and more sunlight that allow you to enjoy some nice time outside. But for your move, you need to focus on the downside of spring: the unpredictable weather.
For instance, spring in New Jersey can go from a warm day today to pouring rain and strong winds the next, with little to no warning. It’s important to check the weather recurrently before you move, as in some cases it may end up deciding whether your belongings arrive at your new home on time, or you have to delay.
Don’t: Put All Your Eggs in One Moving Date Basket
Regardless of when you are moving, be it spring, summer, winter, or fall, it’s best to be slightly flexible when it comes to your moving dates.
Changes in the weather could mean your cargo won’t arrive at the exact date you want, but there are other aspects that could influence your moving date, such as the availability of the movers, or if you have to wait for special equipment to arrive to pack fragile items.
Instead of being fixed on one date, think of multiple days that work for you, so that if the company calls you and you need to reschedule, you can start planning fast.
Do: Think About What You’ll Move
You likely have a lot of personal belongings around you, but not all of them have a place in your new home. You should consider making a list of the stuff that you do need transporting, which will help you and the movers be efficient on the day of the event.
This is, from our experience, a very difficult step that most people struggle with since we tend to get sentimental about throwing stuff that although has no use for us, holds some sentimental value. But realistically, you cannot take everything with you, so try to look past sentiments and consider what you actually need to take with you to your new place. What gets left behind can be donated or even sold to make a few extra bucks.
Don’t: Ignore Pollen
Pollen isn’t just the enemy because of your allergies – it can affect your stuff as well. Be sure to seal all your boxes tight to keep the pollen out. Chances are you’re not going to be able to unpack everything right away, and some boxes will remain in storage for a while. If you want, American Movers also provides expert packing services that could help you in this regard.
Your Relocation Done Right, with American Movers
If you’re planning to move during spring and are looking for a reputable shipping and moving company that can meet your expectations, that’s us. American Movers is a team of dedicated professionals that strives to offer high-quality services to our clients no matter the size of the job.
You can trust us to get the job done right, with additional health precautions that this pandemic demands. Get a free quote using our calculator now, or using our contact form here and tell us what you need.