How to Use a Moving Company for the First Time: Tips for a Smooth Relocation

Moving to a new home can be challenging, especially if you're hiring a moving company for the first time. Professional movers can turn a stressful relocation into a smooth and quick process. First-time movers often feel overwhelmed by the decisions and preparations needed for their move.

This piece covers everything about working with professional movers. You'll find details about creating moving checklists and keeping your valuables safe during transit. Learn how to hire the right movers, manage your moving budget, and handle crucial paperwork like change of address forms. These practical tips and strategies will help you direct your relocation with confidence.

Understanding Moving Company Services

Moving companies of all sizes provide different service levels that match your relocation needs. These options help you pick the right services when you move for the first time.

Types of moves (local vs. long-distance)

Moving companies categorize relocations by distance. Local moves happen within 50-100 miles and take just one day to complete. Customers pay by the hour for these moves and can schedule them flexibly. Long-distance moves exceed 100 miles and need careful planning. Companies calculate these costs based on the cargo weight and travel distance.

Full-service vs. partial-service options

Moving companies offer service levels that match your needs and budget:

• Full-service moving: Professional movers handle everything from packing and loading to transportation, unloading, and unpacking
• Partial-service moving: Customers can choose which tasks to do themselves while professionals handle the rest
• Labor-only service: Professional movers load and unload while customers manage their own transportation

Additional services like packing and storage

Moving companies provide supplementary options that boost your relocation experience. Professional packing services protect your belongings with high-quality materials and expert techniques. Your items stay secure in storage services facilities during transition periods. Climate-controlled storage units give extra protection to sensitive items, and flexible short-term and long-term options fit different timeline needs.

Specialty items like pianos or artwork need custom crating services that moving companies expertly handle. These services ensure your valuable and sentimental items arrive safely at their destination, giving first-time movers peace of mind during relocation.

Planning Your Move Timeline

Moving success depends on careful timing and thoughtful planning, especially when you have hired a moving company for the first time. A well-laid-out timeline will help you complete all important tasks in the right order.

Book movers well in advance

Professional movers should be booked 8-12 weeks before the moving date. This becomes crucial during the peak moving season from May through September because movers have limited slots available. Local moves need a booking at least two months ahead, and long-distance moves require three months minimum. Early planning gives you time to get multiple quotes and lock in your preferred dates.

Create a moving checklist

A well-planned timeline helps you track everything in your move:

• 8 weeks before: Research and book moving companies
• 6 weeks before: Begin decluttering and sort your belongings
• 4 weeks before: Start packing items you don't need right away
• 3 weeks before: Schedule utility transfers
• 2 weeks before: Submit change of address forms
• 1 week before: Pack your daily items and confirm moving details

Schedule utility transfers and address changes

Your utility transfers need proper coordination to maintain continuous service at your new place. Call your utility providers 2-4 weeks before the move to schedule service disconnection at your current home and connection at the new one. A one-day service overlap will help you avoid gaps in essential utilities.

The USPS change of address request should be submitted at least two weeks before moving. This timing lets mail forwarding begin and protects your important correspondence during the transition. Note that the USPS change only forwards mail. You'll need to notify your banks, insurance providers, and other important contacts about your new address separately.

A well-planned approach to these tasks creates a smooth moving experience. By doing this, you'll avoid last-minute rushes and complete all work to be done in an organized way.

Budgeting for Your Move

First-time movers should understand their relocation's financial aspects to prepare for upcoming expenses. A complete budget will give them protection against surprising costs throughout their move.

Factors affecting moving costs

Professional moving services cost between $200 to $12,700. Local moves cost between $300 and $6,900, while long-distance relocations can reach $3,200 to $17,000. The final price depends on multiple factors:

• The size of your home and how much stuff you own
• The travel distance between your old and new locations
• The number of people needed to complete the move
• How easy it is to access both properties
• The time of year and which day of the week you choose

Additional fees

Moving companies often add unexpected charges that don't appear in their original quotes. The cost of moving insurance reaches 1-5% of the total property value and provides crucial protection for your belongings. Your final bill might include elevator usage fees, stair-carry charges in buildings without elevators, and long-carry fees because trucks cannot park near the entrance.

The transportation of specialty items such as pianos, hot tubs, or motorcycles adds $300 to $2,000 to your moving expenses. Storage units cost $75 to $300 monthly depending on their size and features like climate control.

Tips for saving money on your move

Smart planning helps first-time movers substantially cut down their expenses. Moving costs drop during off-peak seasons, especially in winter months. A mid-week moving date helps you dodge the expensive weekend rates. Your transportation costs will naturally go down when you declutter before the move.

Most moving experts suggest you get quotes from at least three companies to find the best rates. People with budget constraints can pack their belongings themselves instead of paying for full-service packing that adds about $700 to the final bill. The right insurance coverage makes more financial sense than replacing damaged valuables later.

Ensuring a Smooth Moving Experience

Success in relocation depends on proper preparation and organization. Professional movers deliver better results if you pay attention to packing and organizing details. These details affect the outcome of your moving day.

Properly packing fragile items

Breakable items need careful handling and specific packing materials. Start with sturdy boxes that work best with delicate items and use bubble wrap and packing paper as cushioning materials. Pack plates vertically instead of horizontally, and wrap each glass separately with extra care around stems and handles. Crumpled packing paper creates effective cushioning layers between items. The empty spaces in boxes need proper filling to keep items secure during transportation.

Pack Your Essentials Box

Your essentials box acts as a survival kit that helps you manage the first few days in your new home. This box should include:

• Simple toiletries and medications
• Clean bedding and towels
• Phone chargers and simple tools
• Important documents and valuables
• Simple cleaning supplies
• Paper plates and disposable utensils
• First aid kit and flashlight

Handling valuable and sentimental items

Your valuable and sentimental possessions need special care during a move. Professional movers recommend you should personally transport irreplaceable items instead of putting them on the moving truck. Items that must travel with movers need proper documentation. Taking photographs and detailed inventories will protect your interests.

Double-boxing gives your valuable items extra security. You should wrap each item in protective materials and place it in a smaller box. This box then goes inside a larger one with cushioning material on all sides. Clear labeling is crucial - mark these boxes as "fragile" and show which side faces up.

Original packaging works best to protect electronics and expensive equipment. Professional-grade packing materials and custom crating services might be needed if you don't have the original boxes. First-time movers should get additional insurance coverage to protect high-value items. Standard moving insurance may not cover expensive possessions adequately.

Get your move on

Professional movers can make your complex move simple with the right planning, services, and budget control. A successful move needs early planning, and you should book 8-12 weeks ahead. You'll need to pick the right service level that matches your needs and create a budget to avoid surprise costs. The best way to set realistic expectations is to talk openly with moving companies about their services and fees.

Good preparation is the life-blood of any successful move. Pack fragile items with care and make complete moving checklists. Smart organization tricks and protecting valuable items will make moving day less stressful. WeMove.ai can help you find reliable movers with clear pricing. Their AI quoting and booking tool shows upfront costs and provides excellent support. These practical steps and professional help will give first-time movers the confidence to complete their move quickly and smoothly.

FAQs

Should I empty the drawers of dressers before the movers arrive?
Yes, it's important to empty your desk and dresser drawers before the movers arrive. Although it might seem like drawers can serve as boxes, remember that furniture is much easier to move when it's lighter. Full drawers make the furniture heavier and more difficult to transport.

Is it customary to tip the movers, and if so, how much?
Tipping movers is not mandatory, but it is a common practice to show appreciation for their hard work. A general guideline is to tip between $5.00 and $10.00 per mover per hour. It's best to give the tips directly to each crew member at the end of the move.

How should I prepare for the arrival of the moving company?
To prepare for movers, start by decluttering and downsizing your belongings. Pack non-essential items early and ensure fragile items are well-protected. Disassemble larger pieces of furniture, pack your valuables and important documents securely, prepare your appliances for transport, and make arrangements for pets and plants.

What items should be packed first by professional movers?
Professional movers typically start with items that are not immediately needed. This includes things stored away such as seasonal items, artwork, fine china, specialty kitchen equipment, out-of-season clothing, shoes, jewelry, and toys. Pre-packing these items can expedite the moving process.