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Moving, Moving Tips, Residential Movers, Uncategorized

8 Common Moving Mistakes

If you are planning to move, there are some common moving mistakes that you should be aware of and make an effort to avoid. If you fail to avoid these mistakes, it could cost you a lot more to make your move than you intended.

  1. Don’t wing it. This is one of the biggest mistakes DIY movers make. Instead of planning the move step by step, they just show up on moving day and try to make it work. Everything you think can go wrong will, and more. So make a plan and work your plan.
  2. Failing to consider rush hour traffic. You’ve made some great plans. You know the distance, the cost, and the weight of your moving freight. But you forgot about rush hour traffic. That will lengthen the time it takes you to move, which will add to the costs.
  3. No estimate. You are decisive and have chosen your moving company. Good for you. But did you get an estimate. No wonder it costs you more than thought it would.
  4. You didn’t ask about insurance. Never move without insurance. Something will surely get broke. Better to be safe than sorry.
  5. Pets. You can’t just leave your pets behind, but many pet owners get so wrapped up in moving their material goods and their families that they forget all about their pets. How will Rover get from your old home to your new home?
    Moving Box Dog
  6. Plants have special needs. That ficus in the corner needs to be watered and handled with care.
  7. Overnight box. It inevitably happens that movers get into their new homes and discover that everything they need for the first night is packed away. Where are the towels, the dishes, the cleaning supplies, the tools? Pack a first night box so you’ll have everything you need on your first night in your new home.
  8. Taking inventory. Many movers don’t take inventory of the items they are moving. How will you know if everything made it to your new home?

These are the most common mistakes people make, but with a little planning and foresight, you can avoid them.

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5 Most Frequently Asked Moving Questions

There are some questions that potential movers ask more often than others. Here is a list of our top 5 most frequently asked moving questions.

  1. When it the best time to move? In short, any time of year is a good time to move except winter. The winter months in Minnesota are notorious for involving snow and ice, which create moving hazards. If you have to move in the winter, you will be responsible for snow/ice removal at both locations to ensure the safety of the crews.
  2. How long does it take to pack and move? Every move is different. The length of time it takes to pack depends on how much you have to move. The actual move varies as well. The more you have, the longer it will take to load and unload the truck. And don’t forget to add in the time it will take to drive from your old space to your new space. An experienced mover will be able to give you a good estimate of the time required.
    Young couple watching movers move boxes from the moving van
  3. How far in advance should I plan a move? Good question. You really should start as soon as you know you are going to move. When possible, you should notify your moving company at least six weeks prior to the move. If your employer is paying for the move, you should start even earlier as you’ll have to submit your estimates to the employer and it will take your employer some time to compare bids and choose a moving company. You should know which company you are using to move at least four weeks before the actual move date.
  4. How are moving costs calculated? It depends. Basically, local moves are calculated by the hour. Long distance interstate or intrastate moves are calculated by weight and distance.
  5. What if something is damaged during the move? Moving insurance is highly recommended. If an item is damaged, moving insurance should cover the cost to repair or replace it. You should determine the value of your movable items and buy insurance based on that value. Some homeowners insurance policies insure items during a move, so check your policy first.

If you have additional questions on moving check our Moving FAQ’s – you might find an answer there. If not, please contact us – we’d be happy to help.

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Moving Insurance: Is It Really Necessary?

You might be tempted to cut a few corners when moving your home or office. Maybe you’re moving across town and you figure you can get by without bubble wrap. Perhaps you can. But the one area you should not try to skimp on is moving insurance. It really is necessary. RJ Moving offers .60 per lb. per article at no cost to the customer or you can purchase $15,000 Maximum Value Protection @ $90. Your homeowner’s policy may cover your move, so also check with them.  RJ Moving crews work hard to provide a claim free move for you.

The purpose for moving insurance is to cover the replacement or restoration of furniture and other items should they get damaged during your move. Trust us, accidents happen, event with the best of movers.

What Kind of Items Can You Insure?

No matter how careful you are in choosing moving companies, and no matter how good your moving company is, accidents can happen. And it may not necessarily be the movers fault. But if you do hire a mover to relocate your home or office—whether in the same town or across country—and an accident causes something to be damaged, you will not get it replaced without insurance. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

So what can you insure?*

  • Furniture
  • Kitchen items such as bowls, plates, and silver ware
  • Appliances
  • Electronics
  • Books
  • Clothes
  • Knickknacks
  • Fine art (should be crated to ensure protection – ask your representative)
  • Antiques
  • High-value items
  • Jewelry (should not be moved with any movers)

* Please Note: RJ Moving cannot insure individual items. It is everything or nothing. Boxes packed by homeowner are not insured unless the box shows mishandling.

Typically, what cannot be insured are items of significant emotional or sentimental value. You may be able to file a claim against lost jewelry, for instance, but that broach that Aunt Martha bought you for Christmas when you were ten years old cannot be claimed for more than its actual value. You can’t recover sentimental value. Family photos typically fall into that category.

For that reason, if you have items of significant sentimental or emotional value, you’d be better off moving them yourself.

What Kind of Damages Can You Recover?

Fragile Handle With Care Sign

Recovery for damages is another item altogether. Generally speaking, you’ll only be able to recover the actual value of something that is lost or damaged. The tricky part is declaring that value. Movers will want estimated purchased date and price and will use the internet for compared item.

Most moving companies use weight as a measure for .60 per lb. per article coverage.  Total weight of an item, times .60 per lb. per article is how it is figured. If you lose just one item in the mix, an industry standard or the internet will assist in putting a weight to an item.

Let’s say you have a load that is valuable. You can assess the value of your items and purchase insurance based on that assessment. This is very important for items that are very valuable, such as rare pieces of fine art, antiques, and the like.

To assess the value of your belongings, you should take pictures and list each item you are moving on a manifest. If something is not on the moving list, you will likely not get recovery on those items if they are lost or damaged.

Be sure to meet with your moving company representative to discuss your moving manifest and the value of any of your specialty belongings that require extra care.  Your crews will perform a pre-move/post-move condition of your goods.  An inventory and a post-move inventory of your items will be provided IF moving into RJ Moving warehouse storage.

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