Nobody wants a last-minute headache on moving day, whether they’re moving locally or across the country. If you don’t know if you have to pack everything for the movers. The moving process is stressful and laborious even in the best of conditions, so addressing problems early is crucial.
And now that you’ve arrived, you’re undoubtedly wondering –
Although the responses are “no” and “yes,” rules differ, so you’ll need to discuss these concerns when interviewing full-service movers.
You should consider the following before deciding whether or not an item needs to be packed.
It may be tempting to save money by not boxing some things, but anything that can fit within a carton should be packed.
Packing boxes are a pain in the neck (and back), but packaged things are far less likely to be damaged.
Instead of being concerned about the cost of packing supplies, think of it as a low-cost insurance policy that will make moving into your new house or apartment a pleasurable experience.
Before signing a contract, it’s advisable to have each mover’s box policy in writing to avoid moving day difficulties.
Consider the following scenario:
You’ve hired one of the big national van lines to transport your belongings across state boundaries.
According to the local agency’s estimator, you can leave a lot of products unboxed.
So far, so good, but when the van driver from another agency arrives on moving day, they may ask you to pack many of the same goods.
In the meantime, you’re dealing with a crying child and a grumpy husband, and you might be out of boxes.
In other words, you’ll be under more stress, work, and financial strain.
Remember that moving van operators pay most of their claims. Therefore most don’t let unpacked items slide.
DIY packing is time-consuming and physically demanding, despite being an excellent way to save money.
On the other hand, professional packing services can be costly, as can moving boxes, newspapers, and packing tape.
It’s the typical catch-22 situation.
Remember that packing can be just as taxing as moving because it demands a lot of bending, stooping, and twisting, all of which can strain muscles.
Professional packers are almost always worth the extra money when convenience, safety, and cost are considered.
Here are several examples:
It’s all about working efficiently and saving money where you can when packing.
To that aim, the following goods are unlikely to require boxing.
Even if boxes aren’t required, these and other loose objects should be protected in moving blankets at all times.
Before moving, most movers require the following goods to be packed.
If you’re relocating locally, you may be able to leave these items unpacked, but your movers may require you to sign a liability waiver.
Chairs, dressers, and night tables do not need to be packed.
Before being placed onto the truck, they are encased in quilted moving pads.
On the other hand, small bits and ends or “loose goods” should be wrapped in paper and neatly put into boxes.
Heavy-duty trash bags help package some items, but check with your mover to see what they can and can’t do.
Remember that garbage bags are fine for light, non-breakable objects, but you won’t be covered if the contents are damaged or soiled during the relocation.
Trash bags are helpful – during DIY moves.
Just remember that cheap garbage bags are prone to tearing, so use them sparingly and stack them high in the moving truck.
It’s simple to hybridize your move these days.
One option is to hire a professional moving company to pack and transfer your belongings for you.
This is a convenient and cost-effective option when you don’t have big objects like pianos or appliances but do have a lot of glassware, electronics, and knick-knacks.
If you go this route, remember that because you’ll be transferring the items yourself, movers will not accept liability for the stuff they’ve packed.
If you’re thinking about hiring full-service movers but want to perform the packing yourself, consider how this will affect your belongings’ value.
When the driver takes the inventory, the boxes you’ve packed will be marked PBO, which stands for “packaged by owner.”
Moving firms are usually solely responsible for items destroyed in boxes that they have packed.
However, if your PBO cartons are damaged, split, gouged, or moist, you may be able to file a claim.
Allow the movers to pack your precious and fragile goods while you pack the rest.
Although movers will move practically everything, you will need to dispose of, give away, or transfer some items yourself.
Among them are:
If you’re moving across town, you can transfer some of these items yourself, but it’s usually better to leave them for the new homeowner or give them to a neighbor.