If you’re planning a move in MD soon, you probably have a lot of questions you’d want to ask professional movers Baltimore. For example, how do you pick the right professional movers company? How much do professional movers cost? Or what do professional movers long distance services look like? Luckily, we’re here to answer them all. Without further ado, let’s take a look at what you can expect when working with a relocation company.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Professional Movers Company
Choosing the right professional movers Baltimore for your upcoming relocation is not as simple as picking up the phone and booking the date. Actually, there are certain steps you should take to make sure you don’t run into scammers and get professional movers long distance services that fit your needs and budget.
Get Recommendations and Read Reviews
Word of mouth is the best way to come up with a list of reliable moving companies. So if you know anyone who has moved recently, ask them for a recommendation. Then, check out the reviews of moving companies that ended up on your list and weed out those with bad or fake reviews. Other ways to determine how trustworthy a company is include:
- Checking their reviews on BBB,
- Running their US DOT number through the FMCSA database,
- Checking if there is a physical address listed on the website,
- Requesting a quote (see the next step).
Find Out How Much Professional Movers Cost
Now that you have shortlisted potential professional movers Baltimore, it’s time to start calling. Ask for moving quotes for the professional movers long distance services you’d like to receive and compare them. You can immediately cross off all quotes that are too high or too low – both of these are red flags. Your ultimate goal is to book the company that offers all the services you need, fits your budget, and is available on dates when you’d like to move. Needless to say, if you need additional services besides the long distance moving service, such as packing services or a storage unit, the price will go up.
Step 2: Getting Ready for Professional Movers Baltimore
Now that you know how much long distance movers cost and have booked the right company, it’s time to set the process in motion and prepare for professional movers. There is a lot to do – pack, transfer utilities, prepare the home for the big day, have a plan for kids and pets, and so on.
Begin Packing as Soon as You Book Professional Movers Long Distance Services
Packing is often underestimated in terms of how much time and effort it takes. Begin packing as soon as you know the date of the move. Start with the rooms and items you don’t use often – the basement, attic, and garage. Leave things such as toiletries and bed linen for the last day.
Pack a Bag of Essentials
A bag of essentials should contain everything you’ll need during the first few days in the new home before the rest of your belongings arrive. This includes:
Some clothes
- Toiletries
- Bed linen
- Basic kitchenware
- Some toys for the kids
- Things for your pets
- Important documents and other valuables
This bag should travel with you, not on the truck!
Transferring Utilities, Changing the Address, and Notifying Institutions
In the weeks leading up to the move, you should compile a list of all people and institutions that need to be notified of your move. Call your utility providers and transfer or cancel your utilities. Change your address at the USPS to avoid losing important mail. Of course, don’t forget to update your voter registration. Other institutions and people you should inform include:
- The IRS
- Your bank or banks
- Your kid’s school
- Your employer
- The landlord
- Insurance providers
- Your and your family’s doctors
- Social security and other government agencies
- Any subscription services.
Prepare the Home for the Move
Before the professional movers company arrives at your doorstep to pick up the belongings, you should prepare your home for the big day. First of all, make sure that everything has been packed (or, if you’re getting packing services, that everything is ready to be packed). Secondly, remove anything that will be in the way of the movers – cables, toys, rugs, etc. Of course, the house itself should be protected. Layer the floor with a protective material (one that isn’t slippery, of course). Protect door frames with a few layers of bubble wrap or stretch wrap.
Step 3: The Big Day Is Here!
Even though the moving day is finally here, your schedule is not clear yet. Make sure to wake up early on the day of the move. Do any last-minute packing or cleaning before the movers arrive. Remember, they will spend most of the day lifting heavy things and doing hard physical labor, so it would be a good idea to prepare some snacks and drinks for them.
If you have little kids or pets, it would be best to ask a friend or family member to look after them or hire a sitter for the day. The last thing movers need are kids and pets running around their feet while they’re carrying a couch. Once the whole thing is over and the movers and their truck have left, do a final walkthrough of the house. Check whether anything has been left behind.
Step 4: The First Day in Your New Home
It’s almost over, only a few things left to do. While you wait for your belongings to arrive, do some cleaning – it’s way easier without all those boxes in the way. Your movers will unload everything and reassemble the furniture. If you’re happy with the quality of their service, don’t forget to tip them! And once they’re gone, you can start unpacking at your own pace and explore your new neighborhood.