• Doing your own packing can help you save money on your move (you won’t be paying for professional packing services), but you need to be aware of the movers’ requirements:
• Can you use old boxes? You may be able to get used boxes for free from friends, neighbors, or retail stores, but some movers may not allow old boxes (as they may not be safe enough, may not stack well, etc.)
• Can you pack in bags, suitcases, or other alternative packing containers? Many movers require everything to be packed in boxes.
• Should the boxes be sealed and labeled before the movers arrive or will they want to check their contents?
• In what cases will you be asked to repack? Your movers may ask you to repack if your boxes aren’t packed properly (some boxes may be too heavy, others may be bulging, the items in some packing containers may be shifting, etc.).
• Be sure to ask about liability too – most movers will not assume liability for items packed by the customers.

You should ask about the inventory process of the moving company. This will help you keep track of your belongings and ensure that everything is accounted for during the move.

• There are some items movers won’t move for safety reasons – hazardous materials, perishable goods, etc. You need to know which these items are, so you don’t waste time and effort packing them for moving – the movers will refuse to take them, so you will just have to leave them behind.
• You also need time to decide what to do with such non-allowable items – transport them in your car (when driving to your new home), give them away to friends, neighbors, or charities, use them up before the move, etc.

• You shouldn’t ask about specialty items in general, of course, but about the specific item you’re relocating – a piano, a grandfather clock, a pool table, etc.
• If you have a hot tub, a large safe, a crystal chandelier, or any other specialty items to relocate (antique furniture, musical instruments, pieces of art, etc.), you need to inform your movers in advance and ask them if they have the technical know-how and specialized equipment to handle such delicate, valuable, and difficult-to-move items.
• Specialty items need special care – specialized packing materials, specific packing methods, extremely careful handling, etc. You need to make sure that the movers you hire for your relocation are up to the challenge and have experience moving this kind of specialty items.

• You will want to leave your old place in good condition when you move out (so you can sell it at a higher price or so you can get your security deposit back) and to ensure that your new home stays in good condition when you move in (so you don’t need to deal with expensive repairs or extensive cleaning after the expensive, exhausting relocation), so you need to make sure adequate measures will be taken to avoid property damage during the move.
• Ask your movers how they plan to protect the floors, stairs, walls, doors, and windows of your former home and your new one and request that they do everything possible to prevent damage to the property – use protective materials (moving blankets, floor runners, carpet films, corner guards, etc.), use appropriate moving equipment (rubber-wheeled dollies, furniture lifting straps, furniture sliders, etc.), and work with care.

The better prepared you are when the movers arrive, the smoother, safer, and more efficient your move is going to be – so, be sure to ask your mover how you can best prepare for the Big day. The pros will likely advise you to:

• Reserve a parking place for the moving truck as close to the entrance of your home as possible (and get a parking permit, if needed);
• Reserve an elevator for the time of your move (if you’re moving in or out of an upper floor apartment);
• Remove obstacles from the way, so the movers can safely and easily maneuver your items around;
• Be fully packed by the time the movers arrive – unless you’ve hired full-service movers or requested professional packing services;
• Set aside the things that should not be loaded on the moving truck;
• Keep kids and pets away from the moving activity.

The term packing refers to small objects and loose items. It does not mean to include furniture. The level of packing one should do is entirely dependent upon the amount of time, money, and energy that you may want to spend. You can leave the entire packing to us, pack partially, or pack everything by yourself. Most customers prefer the movers to pack all artwork, lamps, electronics, breakables, and delicate objects. When you receive an estimate from our relocation consultant, do not forget to describe all the items that need special care (list on your moving inventory).

You may if you wish to save some time, but you don’t have to. In fact, most clients leave all dismantling and reassembling work for the movers. The movers will reassemble all the furniture that was dismantled. When you receive an estimate from our relocation consultant, do not forget to describe all the furniture that needs special care.

Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical or mechanical appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation. Any moving parts such as motors on major appliances, washer drums, or mechanical arms, should be securely fastened for shipment. Gas appliances need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your move. 903 Moving Company will perform these services, using either its own qualified personnel or an authorized service company. Ask our relocation consultant about servicing your appliances for moving.

• You need to know how much time the moving job will take, so you know when you will be able to depart for your new home, for how many hours you will need to hire a babysitter (or ask a friend, a family member, or a neighbor to look after your kids and/or pets), for how long you will have to reserve parking spaces and elevators, what kind of food to prepare for the movers (lunch if the move is going to take the better part of a day, some snacks if the move will be over in several hours), etc.
• Needless to say, you also need to ask how long it will take the movers to deliver your items to your new home, but this question refers to the delivery of your shipment and will be discussed in detail below.

903 Moving Company is aware of the complexity of moving in general, and choosing a moving date in particular. Therefore, we are always ready to accommodate any change to our customers’ moving schedule. Please contact our relocation representative, as soon as you know about the required change in moving arrangements.

If your new home or apartment is not ready, you have two. One is to extend your stay at your old location. The second is to store your goods until the new location is ready. 903 Moving Company provides storage solutions, whether over-night, short-term, or long-term. Check with our relocation consultant which storage service best suits your situation.

Household Moving Temporary Self Storage Tips

• Rain – or snow – on moving day will add a number of extra challenges to the already difficult moving process and may cause severe troubles.
• So, if there is a chance of rain on snow on the day of your move (you’re moving in the winter or during a typically rainy period, if you’re living in a place that sees a lot of rain, if the weather forecast predicts rain or snow at the time of your move, etc.), you need to ask the movers what their policy is in case of adverse weather.
• Professional movers usually have the resources and experience to deal with harsh climatic conditions and will be able to perform your move even in snowy or rainy weather. They will take measures to protect your belongings from moisture (the pros will use plastic boxes, will cover cardboard boxes in plastic sheets or tarpaulin, will wrap larger items in plastic wrap, etc.) and to protect your property from water damage (the movers will line the entryway with old rugs and towels so mud and water doesn’t get tracked inside and will lay down tarps and plastic sheets on the floors to keep them clean and dry) and will ensure a safe and smooth relocation despite the weather challenges.
• In case of a severe thunderstorm or snowstorm, however, the movers may have to postpone your move – your relocation may be delayed by several hours (until the rain lessens or stops) or may need to be rescheduled for another day (if the roads are blocked by snow, for example). Reputable moving companies won’t request an extra fee for rescheduling a move because of bad weather conditions.

• You need to make sure that if any of your belongings get lost or damaged during the move, you will be properly reimbursed. Therefore, it’s very important to ask the movers to explain exactly how much liability they will assume under the different valuation protection plans they offer and exactly how much each insurance option will cost you. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision about the type of coverage you want for your items.
• Once you have gathered enough information about the moving company, the moving costs, and the moving process, there remains only one thing to ask about – the delivery of your items.