If you’re dreading the idea of moving, then you are not alone. While the process can be exciting, the stress and work involved plus the fear of forgetting or breaking something during the move can leave you drained and exhausted. One way to ensure a smooth move is to hire a good mover. Jesus Santibanez of Two Men Movers in Houston says that finding a mover with good recommendations, insurance policies and a reputation of reliability and trustworthiness will drastically cut down on your stress-level.
While the stress of Moving Day may cause you to overlook certain details, remembering a few etiquette rules can make the process go just a bit smoother for everyone involved. Creating a good moving environment for the movers, neighbors and anyone involved will help cement your good reputation in your old neighborhood and create a good one in your brand new ‘hood.
First, be careful not to block the street or any driveways with your moving van or any furniture. Designate an area for your movers to set up so that they don’t have to think about blocking anyone or anything. Make sure the movers and your family members know not to take shortcuts through neighbors’ lawns or gardens; the last thing you want is to drop a heavy piece of furniture in someone’s rose garden and earn his everlasting resentment.
Next, don’t start your move during rush hour. Try to start moving between 9am-10am on a weekday to beat the rush of folks trying to make it to work in the morning. Most people will have made it to work by then, and since moving can take more than a few hours, in this time frame you should be ready to move into your new home by early afternoon. If it’s on the weekend, avoid arriving too late or early in the day to minimize any disruption to the neighborhood you may cause.
After you finish up the big move-out, clean up any debris or trash that may have piled up during your move. Try not to leave a stack of trash bags in front of your old home by taking it to the dump yourself if you have time. Straighten up the inside of your old home and clean up the exterior to look presentable for the next residents or any neighbors walking by. Make it a place that you would be proud to say you lived in.
Additionally, give the new owners of your home any duplicate house keys. If you own a pet, have a friend take care of it for the day or keep it away from your movers. The last thing your movers want is a dog running between their legs as they carry a 100-pound armoire across your lawn.
Finally, while Santibanez insists that movers don’t expect anything from their customers and are only there to do the best job possible, it’s a nice rule of thumb to offer simple refreshments like water or coffee. With all the energy they exert, your movers are sure to get parched, especiallyduring the hot Houston summer months. And while no moving company expects it, you can tip movers if they do an excellent job.
These few simple rules will help your move go smoothly-especially if you hire a Houston moving company as Santibanez recommends. With the stress of packing and loading off your hands, you can sit back and look forward to the fun of your brand new home.