Tips For Moving

IT’S YOUR MOVE! Moving is exciting, but it’s also cause for anxiety and tension. Making the arrangements, packing, Get great moving tips from our experts in Madison, WI.and getting situated in your new home all require time and effort. The easiest way to assure a successful move is to plan carefully. Make your move a smooth one, after reading our help with moving tips.

SPREAD THE WORD

There are many people that need to know you are moving so if you start contacting them early, you’ll be less likely to forget anyone.

Mail Delivery
Credit Cards
Utilities
Financial Institutions
Insurance

GET ORGANIZED

Get rid of furniture you no longer need or use
Dig out hidden kitchen supplies and clean out pantry
Donate unwanted clothing
Organize a yard sale

PACK IT UP

A good packing job does more than just protect your belongings – it can actually make settling into your new home much easier. If you don’t have time to pack, we’d be happy to handle it for you. Our professional crews are efficient, careful and willing to help you with moving any way they can.

Packing Essentials:

Boxes and Containers
Wrapping Material
Labels
Tape
Sealable plastic bags
Trash bags

BASIC PACKING RULES

Valuables such as securities, furs, jewelry, coin or stamp collections and legal papers should not go in the moving van. Take those items with you or make other arrangements for their safe shipment. The same goes for items of great sentimental value, like baby pictures and your grandfather’s pocket watch. Keep them with you, just in case.

Never pack a box without labeling it. Before you do anything, write the room name on all sides. Once you’ve finished packing a box, seal it and write a description of the contents on the outside.
When you’ve done it right, the box should weigh no more than 50 pounds and shouldn’t rattle when moved. The sides shouldn’t bulge, and the top must close without caving in.

Use paper to fill empty spots and remove items if the box is too full. The heavier the items the smaller the box should be. The bottom of each box needs a layer of crumpled paper with additional cushioning layers in the middle and on top.

MAKING YOUR MOVE

Moving day always seems hectic. There are those last few items that didn’t get packed and those last few calls that need to be made. If you have young children who might not be able to stay out of the movers’ way, see if you can have them stay with family, friends, or neighbors which lets everyone concentrate on the move without worrying about injuries. Helpful tips for the day of the move include:

First thing in the morning, get an empty box labeled “last day” to use for incidental items that didn’t make it into a box.
Have some trash bags on hand. As you find items that need discarded, do so.
To ensure our truck can park as close as possible to your home of office, attempt to reserve stalls or a parking area. Please be certain to provide a clean and safe walkway to your home if there is no sidewalk or driveway available. When your crew arrives, take them through the house. While you’re doing this, point out any items not to be moved and those designated “Last Loaded.”
Make sure any boxes not to be moved are clearly marked.
As we get ready to leave after loading, walk through the house one last time to make sure nothing has been left behind. You are ultimately responsible for any items left.
When the driver leaves, make sure he has the correct address of your new home as well as a phone number which you can be reached at.

YOU’VE ARRIVED

The first day in a new home can be chaotic; that’s to be expected. Our crew will do their best to keep things running smoothly, but we’ll need your help.

Try to keep children occupied with some activity out of the line of traffic.
If you have a pet, put it in an isolated room with food, water, and bedding.
When the moving truck pulls up to your new home, the crew will be ready to go. You should take the crew on a tour through the house. It’s helpful to put a note on each door-“David’s Bedroom”, ”Study”, etc.- so the boxes you marked so carefully will end up where they belong.
Be available to let the movers know exactly where you want things put as they bring them in the house. Be sure to advise if we are to assemble items for you. They’ll be happy to oblige.

SETTLING IN

Put appropriate items in the bathrooms, paper cups by the sink, and trash bags in every room.
Put light bulbs in the most important fixtures and hang up your shower curtain.
If you have a pet, make sure all doors and windows are closed before you let it explore the house.
Although you’ll want to get some basic food supplies right away, there’s no need to start cooking meals immediately. Give yourself a chance to relax and recognize that you can’t do everything at once.
Remember, it takes a while to settle into a new home. If you first take care of the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms, things will be easier.
Now’s the time to try new furniture arrangements, but don’t hang up pictures and mirrors right away. You’ll have holes in your walls if you change your mind later.
Take the time to get to know your neighborhood and your neighbors.
Slowly but surely you’ll get all the boxes unpacked and everything put away. As you discard your used boxes, feel free to contact our office to see if we have use for gently used boxes. If so, we would be happy to take them off your hands if they are broken down and flattened.
Within a few weeks, you’ll have turned your new house into a home.

Remember to enjoy your moving experience as much as possible and take the time to appreciate your new and old home. When you need help with moving, Mad City Moving is here for you with the knowledge and experience to make your next move a smooth one.

Get help with moving in more than just Madison. We offer moving services throughout the Madison area, including: