Archive for the ‘Organizing A Move’ Category

Do I really need to hire a moving company when I move house?

Monday, April 19th, 2010

The question of whether to hire a moving company to move house or to go it alone is one that is frequently asked by people who are facing the huge task of moving house. Like many things, there are pros and cons, which we will look at here in this post.

Advantages of using a Moving Company

  • Moving companies, and the people they employ, know what they are doing and have experience in getting the job done in a short time-frame. Hiring a moving company means that the moving truck is supplied, it is packed safely and securely, in minimum time.
  • Many moving companies carry some moving insurance, which covers you for major damage to your possessions; you might need to take out some extra insurance to cover more valuable items. If you move yourself, you will be responsible for the total cost of your moving insurance.
  • Because of their experience, movers can load a moving truck very efficiently and fit more things into the interior space. They know how to pack moving boxes on top of other boxes and furniture, so everything stays steady and safe. When you move yourself, you might not be as efficient, might not load the truck as securely or as full and need to make multiple trips.
  • Once the moving truck is fully loaded, all you have to do is drive to the new address. Then you just direct the movers as they unpack the truck. When you move yourself, after you have loaded the truck, you have to drive it to the new house, and then you have to get it unloaded before the deadline to get the truck back to its base.
  • Moving house yourself is a very physically taxing job, and one you generally cannot do alone. You need to be fit, strong and organized, and able to call on equally fit and strong family members or friends to help you move house.

 Advantages of Moving Yourself

  • You save the cost of the moving company, which can be thousands of dollars, but you will still need to hire a moving truck to move all your furniture and possessions. You will still save considerable money. Your normal driving license may only cover you for a small moving truck, though, so you might need to make multiple trips to get everything moved to the new address.
  • You don’t have such a tight time-frame and can take your time to move. Keep in mind, though, that the longer you need to have the moving truck, the more it will cost you.
  • You are in control of your valued possessions; you are not trusting them to a third party. You might feel as though you want to be in charge of moving because you will take more care.
  • You can make sure that all your furniture and other items are properly protected while they are inside the moving truck, and so have more confidence that there will be no problems or minor damage.

Ultimately, the decision whether to do the house move yourself or to hire a moving company comes down to budget and your ability to physically do the job. Before you make the decision, go to MovinGood and get up to seven free moving quotes from local moving companies and moving truck hire companies. Compare the costs, weigh them up against the pros and cons and then make your decision, based on this good information.

Moving Checklists: do I really need a checklist?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Moving house can be a really stressful time, and it is very easy to forget some vital things that need to be done. You think that you will remember everything; that all the important aspects will be covered, but the reality is that this is often not the case. This is why having a moving checklist is really important for a successful and stress-free move. With a checklist, you have the confidence that nothing will be forgotten.

There are many different types of moving checklist, from a simple general list of all the things that need to be done before moving day, scribbled on a note pad, to a fully itemized, time-framed checklist that covers everything. Your own personality may well determine which of these suits you best, but a fully time-framed checklist is certainly the best option.

Find the checklist that has been voted the best one on the internet at MovinGood.com. This is a time-framed checklist that counts down from two months out from moving day, so that the necessary tasks are done in a timely and organized manner, and stress is kept to a minimum. By following this professionally prepared checklist, you will know that you have everything covered, even when the process does become stressful.

You can use the MovinGood checklist as it is or you can personalize it to make it your own, to cover items that you need. This way, you have everything covered and the process will be more relaxed.

What sorts of things are included in a moving checklist?

You need to start planning your move as soon as you know you will be moving house. You might think it is still a long way off, but there are several jobs that need to get done as soon as possible. The first of these is to start getting moving quotes from several moving companies, and make a decision about which company you are going to use. You can get up to seven free moving quotes from local moving companies on the one site, at MovinGood, the new way to move.

Over the next few weeks you can gather together your moving supplies and start your packing, using good quality moving boxes to ensure the safety of your belongings. Before you begin the actual packing, it is a good opportunity to have a general clean-out in every room, so that you are not paying to move things that you no longer use or need. Sort out items are that are still in a usable condition and put them aside. Throw out anything that is beyond use. After you have done this, you can organize your own moving sale, for which you can print out flyers for free on MovinGood.

When you have everything covered on your checklist, from getting your moving supplies to arranging for the power to be turned off at your old home and on at your new address, you can relax and enjoy the process, (as much as it is possible). You will certainly arrive at your new home in a much calmer state of mind than if you have been constantly worried about forgetting something vital.