Planning & Preparing For Your Local Move

1. Choosing Your Movers
2. Pay Attention To Fees
3. Packing Concerns

Moving is hard work and requires a lot of preparation and planning. Believe it or not, even a local move requires a large commitment of time, energy and effort. In fact, it may require just as much as conducting a cross-country or international move. Follow this advice in order to ensure your local move goes as smoothly as possible.

Choosing Your Movers

While federal agencies and laws regulate interstate movers and companies, you don't get all of these same protections with a local move. In fact, your state will likely dictate exactly what rules apply, so you should definitely familiarize yourself with those laws and rules. Believe it or not, some states don't require any type of licensing at all.

Always check out and research your potential movers thoroughly. Verify that they have the proper credentials and also check previous customers. It is also a good idea to contact the Better Business Bureau and see how their track record looks. Once you have found good movers, find out exactly what services they offer. For example, they may be able to provide packing services.

Pay Attention To Fees

One of the major differences between a local move and an interstate move is in how the charges are determined. Local movers will often base their charges on the amount of time and the number of people it takes to move your things. This means you might be charged by the hour and by the person.

On the other hand, this is not universally true. The moving company may base their charges on weight and mileage. In some states, you might not have a choice about the method used to calculate charges. There are other companies which may even offer you a flat fee for a local move, within a certain number of miles.

Packing Concerns

How much packing you will do might be determined by how you are being charged. For example, if you have a good flat rate and the movers will offer packing services, then you might allow the professionals to pack and move the majority of your goods. They might even handle obtaining all of the boxes and packing materials (find out ahead of time).

If you are being charged by the hour and/or by the person, you should do everything possible to make the job go as fast as possible. This will mean packing a large part of your own things. Start by gathering all the needed supplies well in advance of your moving date. You will need:

• Boxes (various sizes, shapes, and types)
• Packing paper, newsprint
• Packing peanuts or other items for insulation
• Packing tape
• Markers for labeling
• Bubble wrap
• Furniture blankets

Certainly, having everything ready to go and packed will make the job much easier and quicker, whether you are moving or using professionals. Also, consider downsizing by getting rid of or even donating items you no longer need or want.

Following all of these tips should ensure that everything goes quite smooth with your local move.