It doesn’t matter if you’re moving across town or across the country. With kids or flying solo. Moving for work or for adventure. Moving etiquette is real. Listed below are some of the biggest faux pas you can make when dealing with your movers. Avoid those actions throughout your moving day and enjoy a seamless move and a happy crew.
1. Making movers wait
The biggest mistake you can make on moving day is making your movers wait around for you. Their time is just as valuable as yours and, while you may be taking the day off for your move, the movers are on the clock and hoping to complete the job as quickly as possible.
Much of the advice listed below plays a role in making sure your movers aren’t waiting on you for anything but it’s being mentioned here at the top anyway because it is the number one thing you can do to make your movers mad.
2. Forgetting to separate out problem items
There are a number of items that reputable movers will not move. Things like flammable or volatile substances can put your other items at risk and can even risk the safety of your movers themselves.
Regardless of training or road time, driving a large truck with thousands of pounds of cargo is difficult and dangerous. Not just because of the size of the cargo but also because of the other drivers on the road. Don’t saddle your movers up with potentially dangerous cargo and either make a plan to dispose of, leave behind or transport these items yourself.
3. Not labeling clearly
Your movers don’t know your home as well as you do. That’s true for the home you’re leaving and the home you’re settling down in. Make sure you label everything — yes, everything — as clearly as possible.
Even if you know the blue plastic bin is holding all of your remotes and family streaming passwords on moving day, you may not remember that by the time unpacking rolls around. Beyond that, without proper labeling, any important boxes are vulnerable to being cast out into a corner and forgotten about.
So, even if you think it’s over the top, label everything that’s making the move with you as clearly as you possibly can.
4. Neglecting the small details
There’s so much more to moving than boxing up your things and making the trip from A to B. In order to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important that you handle all of the ancillary logistics that can hold up the process if not thought about ahead of time.
These things include parking permits for the moving truck and freight elevator reservations. Basically, anything at the location you need to take care of upon your arrival, you should plan out ahead of time.
You should also do your best to get to the location before your movers to ensure that there are no unexpected issues waiting for you at your new apartment.
5. Not separating out irreplaceable items
Separate out any items you would consider irreplaceable and are able to pack into your own truck or car. Obviously, if your 12-person dining room table is irreplaceable, the movers will still have to handle an object of that size.
But, if it means a lot to you and you can move it yourself, just do that. It makes life easier for you and your movers and lessens the stress and emotional burden that comes with picking up your entire life and heading to a new place.
6. Not providing extra supplies
You hired movers so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting with your move. While your movers should come prepared with everything they need to get the job done, you should do all that you can to support your crew.
Be sure to make extra supplies, like tape, boxes, packing paper, markers for labeling, scissors and anything else that you think could be of help to them, available and easily accessible. Not only is this easy for you but it can also potentially save your movers time during the day if they always have the supplies they need at the ready.
7. Not offering refreshments
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the dog days of summer in Atlanta or the middle of winter in Minneapolis, you should offer your movers water at the very least. Moving, like all strenuous physical activity, is something that requires significant physical strength and proper hydration. Without those two, your movers risk damaging your possessions or injuring themselves.
It doesn’t take long to set out a pitcher of water or provide the crew with some water bottles and it will show your movers that you appreciate and respect the effort they are making to get you moved as efficiently as possible.
8. Hovering over your movers
Your movers are professionals. Let them do what they do, which, if you hired the right company, is get your belongings from A to B as quickly as possible. They don’t need you hovering over them making sure each box is placed perfectly in their truck the way you’d like it.
9. Forgetting to tip
Moving is hard work. It’s why you hired someone to do it for you. And, while you may have paid a pretty penny to accomplish the move, it’s still customary to tip. Will the movers pack your stuff back up and hold it on the truck until you break out a few bills? No. Is it the right thing to do, though? You betcha, especially if they did a great job.
You will make it
Is moving stressful? Yes. Is it also something that people do every day? Yes. You’ll make it through your move and into your new rental. Do your best to plan ahead, supply your movers with everything they need to succeed, stay out of their way and stay calm.
It may seem like a lot now but you’ll be settled into your new place and your new life in no time. Happy moving!
Source: rent.com