Plan Your Move to Reduce Stress
Moving is a stressful time but it doesn’t have to be. With a few helpful tips and some precautions, you can move across town or across country with a minimum of trouble and stress.
Moving to the Washington DC area has its own unique challenges. Choose a competent and experienced Washington DC mover to ensure that your move is as smooth and trouble free as possible.
What services are you going to need at your new home? You want utilities, of course, but if there is more than one provider you want to shop around for the best rates. You will want to do this several weeks in advance so that you can make any deposits necessary and have the utilities turned on by the time you arrive at your new home.
File a change of address with the post office so that your mail will be forwarded, as well as notifying friends and relatives of the change. If you want a security system at your new home arrange for that, too, and don’t forget to notify your current provider that you won’t need their services in the future.
Use an internet map site like Google Maps or Bing Maps (Microsoft) to locate all the important services, recreational facilities, schools, churches and stores in your new location. This is a very easy way to familiarize yourself with the terrain and will save hours as you learn how to get around in your new city.
Don’t just choose the first move you see, or the one with the lowest price. Look for a good Washington DC mover who has been in business for a number of years and is experienced in cross country or cross town moving.
If you get a professional mover to pack your things they will look after all the details for you. They’ll also provide boxes and packing materials. If you want to do your own packing, be sure you use sturdy boxes that you can get at no charge from most retail stores.
Be flexible with your pick up and delivery dates if possible. Giving the mover a few days leeway will save you money on the charges since the company can combine loads and save time and fuel. Are your possessions insured? Ask your insurance agent because moving companies rarely reimburse the true cost of an item and give you only a percentage of the replacement price.