Moving ones goods from house-to-house is the modern equivalent of a barn raising. However, without the proper etiquette and forethought you risk a social faux pas at best and badly ticking off your friends at worst.
Here are some tips to successfully pull it off.
1. Hydration and Sustenance
Have water and feed your helpers It is crime to not keep your gracious friend-movers hydrated. Waters are a must but sports drinks like Gatorade and flavored waters are nice. I’d skip the soda myself.
If they are going to be present during lunch or dinner, it is a good idea to have planned a way to have food. Pizza is an old standby. Subs or a variety of items from a fast food joint can be even better.
2. Be Ready and Packed!
Be ready with stuff actually packed Packing up junk is frustrating. Don’t make your friends suffer by having to pack your stuff. It is awkward, a bit inconsiderate, and really a waste of the big help a moving crew can be – brainlessly muscling boxes and furniture to a truck.
A shocking amount of moving effort is the final 20% of stuff that seems to hide itself in the closets and corners of your house. Get that stuff sorted and packed BEFORE the moving day.
The best mentality is to be scared you won’t be ready and from the first day of being able to pack, start!
It might sound crazy but immediately take all the hanging pictures and art off the walls. Why? Yes, this lets you get them gathered and packed, sure, it lets you spackle nail holes early, the real reason is it will help your brain be jarred into the realization that you are actually moving!
3. Don’t overpack
Heavy stuff goes in small boxes. Don’t cram a big box full of stuff in an effort to save money or time. It is just asking for chiropractic issues and imploding boxes.
Not matching the contents to the right size box is a rookie mistake.
Books and heavy objects in small boxes. Pillows and bedding in extra large boxes.
4. Plan ahead!
Think of it like coordinating a wedding or a party. You have a bunch of guests all coming and they need to know what to do, to be fed / hydrated, and most importantly….when to show up. Have the moving truck and as many aspects all lined up as possible. Write out the schedule with what happens when. It is comical how many moves I’ve been to where know one thought ahead about who has the key to the new place.
Try to get as many of your friends and family lined up as possible. It is an awful feeling to show up to help someone move and realize you’re the only one there. It is even worse when you have things to get to and feel bad leaving that friend-who-didn’t-plan in a lurch.
Moving can actually be a fun social event, invite lots of people and if they know other good friends are arriving to attack then they know it will be a good time.
If the job is too big or you can’t get enough “free” help, it can be a great idea to hire a moving company for at least some part of it. You can often get a couple of movers and their own truck for $700-1500 for a solid day of big accomplishments.
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