Tag: Moving Checklist

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Moving Tips

7 Steps to Take Before Your NJ Movers Arrive

7 Steps to Take Before Your NJ Movers Arrive

When it comes to moving, you’ve probably heard more stressful stories than trouble-free ones. It always seems inevitable for there to be last minute hiccups or issues that seem completely unpreventable. But is that truly the case? You might not be able to plan for every contingency, but there are some predictable issues that can crop up during a move like misplaced boxes, damaged belongings, narrow doors and halls, and so on. By planning ahead, you can speed up the entire moving process and minimize potential risks.

Not sure where to start? Below are some useful steps to take before the movers arrive on your doorstep.

Declutter Your Home

Your very first step is to organize and declutter all of your belongings. Yes, even tiny items like hair ties, pens, and so on. The less stuff you bring with you, the less you’ll need to pack and unpack. Take a hard look at everything you own and separate it into three piles – keep, sell/donate, and trash. If you want some extra cash for your moving budget, consider holding a yard or garage sale to get rid of unwanted items and then donate whatever is left over. Depending on how much you’re getting rid of, you could make a couple hundred dollars.

Make an Inventory

While you’re decluttering, it’s a good idea to organize all of the items you plan on bringing with you. Your first order of business is to create a detailed inventory. Take pictures of everything as this will serve as proof of the contents and condition of your belongings. For electronics and appliances, list the serial number, brand, and type. Store the inventory and pictures in the cloud but also make sure to have a hard copy on hand during the move. That way if anything goes missing, you’ll have physical evidence.

Once your inventory is complete, share it with the NJ moving company and anyone else involved in the move. Make sure to send out an updated version if you add or remove anything.

Get Organized

Making an inventory is great, but you still need to organize and pack everything so that they are protected and easy to find. It might seem tedious, but you should set some time to:

  • Pre-pack small items in a sealable bag. This is great for items like desk organizers, jewelry, small decorations, etc.
  • Label your boxes – use color-codes or simply write what items are in the box. Make sure to write Fragile on boxes you want handled with extra care.
  • Separate items – there are some items you want to have access to immediately and/or definitely don’t want lost like personal documents, valuables, your essentials like clothes, toiletries, medication, pet food, and small electronic devices. Keep these away from the other boxes so the movers don’t get confused

You should also measure all doors and hallways to make sure the boxes and furniture you have will fit comfortably through any and all entryways. You don’t want to back a big box and not be able to get it through the front door of your new home, do you?

Get Insurance

When you hire professional movers your belongings are automatically covered by the basic valuation coverage which covers you for $0.60 per pound per item. While this might be fine for basic things like your clothes, it doesn’t really provide much help for items that are expensive, but light like cameras, TVs, jewelry, etc. If you own a lot of high value items, consider springing for the full valuation from your NJ moving company. You will need to alert the movers of anything that is valued at over $100/pound, otherwise they cannot be held liable if it is damaged but not claimed.

You can also spring for third-party moving insurance. Your premium is based on the value and weight of the total items you want to insure, so it’s in your best interest to only cover the very expensive or irreplaceable items. Be forewarned that if you pack the items yourself and it gets damaged during the move, the moving company and/or insurance won’t pay out unless there’s obvious evidence of improper handling during the move.

Plan for Your Pets and Kids

Depending on how old your child is, it might be beneficial to have a friend or relative watch them during the moving process. You want them to stay away from all the commotion and tension that comes with moving day so that you and the NJ moving crew can focus on the task at hand. If you can’t find someone to help out, look for a babysitter or see if you might be able to have them wait in a separate room. 

For your pets, put them in a kennel or cage away from all the noise. Many people lose their pets during a move since dogs and cats are prone to running away from unfamiliar people and loud noises. Keep them safe by putting them somewhere they can’t escape. Include their favorite toy or cushion as something familiar can help soothe their anxiety. And don’t forget to pack some weewee pads in case they end up urinating or defecating in their cage.

Prepare Your House for Movers

Sure, most moving companies will put down some supplies to prevent damage to your house, but it’s up to you to make sure your old and new house are clean and undamaged. This is especially true if you are moving between NJ apartments since you’ll have to worry about getting back your security deposit. Some small steps you can take include:

  • Putting down doormats and plastic coverings over floors and carpets to prevent dirt buildup
  • Wrapping banisters and corners with some bubble wrap or blankets. 
  • Cover stairs with anti-slip coating
  • Protect door frames with foam pad dings or remove doors from hinges if necessary. Don’t forget to put the doors back up!
  • Remove paintings, mirrors, and clocks from walls

 Don’t forget to take pictures of your old place before the movers arrive. You want proof of the condition your apartment or home was in during move out so in case something gets damaged, you can show that you were not responsible. Don’t forget to do this when you move into your new place, too!

Think of the Moving Crew

Not all moves are strenuous, but if your move is expected to take more than four hours and/or you have a lot of bulky and heavy items to move, consider getting some snacks and water to replenish the movers’ energy levels. This is especially important if you’re moving during the summer! You should also make sure to leave some soap and disposable hand towels in your old and new home just in case someone needs to use it.

And don’t forget to take out some cash for tips. While tipping isn’t required, it’s always a good idea to show appreciation for a job well done, especially for something like moving. Add some extra dollars if the crew had to move very heavy items, walk up stairs, or navigate tight corridors.

Have a Stress-Free Moving Experience

While no move is easy, you can reduce potential issues by preparing in advance. Once you’re ready to move, make sure to give NJ Great Movers a call. We can help walk you through the process and provide a customized moving plan that fits your needs and budget.

Categories
Moving Tips

How to Create a Couple’s Moving Checklist

Moving in Together Checklist

You’ve found ‘the one’ and now you’re both ready to take it to the next level and move in together. Moving in with your significant other can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many, the benefit of living together means more affordable home costs as they are now splitting rent and utilities. With that said, moving in together can feel overwhelming as you both need to figure out how to merge your belongings together.

One of the best ways to reduce stress during your move is to create a move-in checklist together. This will help streamline your to-dos and prioritize responsibilities. It will also help you assess if you’re making the right decision to move in together.

Figure Out Your Why and Discuss with Your Partner

Before you decide to take the plunge, the first thing you should figure out is the real reason why you’re moving in with your partner. You should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is your lease up and does moving in together make financial sense?
  • Do you look at moving in together as a prelude to marriage?
  • Are you spending a lot of time at your or your SO’s homes so it makes sense to downsize?
  • Is this the next logical step to move your relationship forward?

Once you’ve figured out your reason, make sure to discuss this with your partner. Be as open as possible and make sure you’re both on the same page. If you’re the one who wants to move in, make sure you’re not pressuring your partner to accept the terms, especially if they are hesitant. Sure, it might make sense to you, but if they’re not onboard with the idea, forcing the issue could lead to resentment.

Once you and your partner have decided to move in together, you’ll want to move on to the next step.

Make a List of Your Belongings for an Easier Move

Living together might sound great on paper, but it can lead to complications, especially when it comes to your belongings. Before you decide to pack everything up and move, you should do the following:

  • Take an inventory of your respective belongings.
  • Choose items that will stay and what items will be donated, thrown out, or sold. This step might require you or your partner to make some tough choices depending on the moving situation. If you are planning to get an apartment together, both of you will need to get rid of some stuff. However, if you are moving in with your SO or vice versa, the person moving might need to get rid of more than the other person.
  • Declutter your apartments
  • If necessary, get storage for items that won’t fit in your apartment

One of the most important steps that many couples forget to do is carving out personal space for themselves in a shared apartment. If you are moving into your partner’s apartment or vice versa, make sure that you both talk about your personal space requirements and needs. This way you can make sure you don’t immediately get on each other’s nerves. Living together with someone is completely different from simply dating them as you will see them 24/7. So those cute quirks could turn into annoying habits when you have to deal with it every day. That’s why it’s so important to have your own space.

Make sure to communicate often about your wants and needs as well. This is especially important when the two of you have different living habits. Perhaps they are cleaner while you are more laid-back on that front. This can lead to serious arguments down the line, so make sure to talk about chores and how you can both match each other’s expectations. While chores aren’t fun, it’s important you divide the work as equally as possible so that no one feels like they are doing the bulk of the work. Even if your partner enjoys cooking or cleaning, you should take the initiative and take over these chores at least twice a week.

Figure Out and Compare Where to Live

When deciding where to live, ask yourself one question: do you want to move into a new apartment? Some couples prefer this option as it feels like a fresh start and you both have input on important factors such as location, neighborhood, layout, etc. And since a new apartment is a blank slate, you can also choose decor, paint colors, and so on to match both of your aesthetics. It’s also a great way to make sure you both can carve out some space just for yourself.

If you do decide to go for a new apartment, you should talk with your partner and think about your requirements:

  • What neighborhood do you want to live in?
  • What is the maximum time you want to spend on your commute?
  • How much can you both afford when it comes to rent? Also consider what one of you can afford in case you or your partner becomes unemployed
  • What public transportation is nearby?
  • How much space do you both need? Is a one bedroom large enough or do you need a two bedroom so you can have a home office?

When you go apartment hunting, make sure you’re taking both of your requirements into consideration. It might take longer to find something, but it will be worth the wait! Once you find a new place, make sure to include both your names on the lease. If you do break up, it’s better to have both individuals as the person moving out can show to the next landlord that they are responsible renters.

Once you have found your new place, avoid moving drama by hiring trustworthy movers. Moving is stressful as is so why not make it easier on yourselves by having professionals load and unload your belongings. This way, you can avoid a potential argument on your first day of living together.

Discuss Important Financial Matters Before Your Move

No one likes to talk about money. For many couples, finances are one of the biggest issues in a relationship. Sure, living together doesn’t mean you have to combine your finances, but it does mean you should talk about how to split bills. Unlike a roommate situation, you’re not necessarily splitting things 50/50. While this might be a difficult conversation, it’s important to:

  • Discuss who pays for what
  • Decide how much you’ll each pay for rent and utilities. This might be dependent on your salary. If you are the higher earner in the relationship you might end up paying more.
  • Figure out which utilities go in whose name
  • Discuss who will pay for day-to-day expenses such as groceries, household supplies, etc.
  • See if it makes sense to create a joint account for household expenses or keep everything separate. Even if you create a joint account, you can still have separate bank accounts so you each have your own spending cash. The joint account could be used only for household expenses, utilities, and rent.

You should have this discussion before you move in together. That way, you both will know what to expect and have an arrangement in place. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s an important and responsible step to take as it can prevent resentment in the future.

Consider the Worst-Case Scenario

The last thing you want to do once you decide to live together is talk about breaking up. However, it’s a conversation that you shouldn’t skip. While it would be great if things go smoothly and you and your partner never split, it’s just as likely that things don’t work out. In fact, around 40 percent of couples split up about five years after they move in together.

It might not be the most romantic topic, but it’s always good to have a plan in place. This plan can include details about handling the expense of breaking lease, splitting belongings, sublease options, and so on. You might want to think about drafting a cohabitation agreement, which is a legal document that both partners sign to clarify things such as division of assets and other logistics. Of course, not everything works out perfectly. If the break up is sudden, you or your partner might not have enough time or money to move out immediately. In these cases, you should consider how much time you will give each other to find a new place as well as more personal details such as inviting new partners over when your ex is still living with you.

Hire Professional Movers for a Happy Move

Moving in together is an exciting moment. While it might seem overwhelming, by following these steps you should be able to make it a bit more manageable. With that said, things don’t always go as planned, but as long as you communicate what you feel and encourage your partner to do the same you should be able to solve whatever issues come your way. Just be patient with each other and work together.

Whether you plan on moving to a new apartment together or moving into your partner’s place, you can make the actual moving process a lot easier by hiring professional movers. Make sure to get in contact with us for a quote and we can get you both on your way to your new life together.