Moving Company Cedar Rapids

We’re going to let you in on a little secret: moving day doesn’t have to be stressful. Though managing moving tasks properly seems difficult and challenging, you can obtain a positive outcome while maintaining your sanity throughout the entire process. Below are some ways to help you create a moving day that’s calm, collected, and quick.

Plan in advance so you don’t have to do any last-minute scrambling. As humans, we can be our own worst enemies. If you’re a person who typically procrastinates, now is not the time. Get started with your moving tasks as soon as you have a date, if not sooner. The more tasks you complete in advance, the smoother moving day and the days that follow will be.

Hire a professional moving company to help you. As Americans, we often think that we have to do it all ourselves, and if we can’t, then we’re unsuccessful. But here’s the thing, there are professional companies out there who will make moving day so much easier. If you can afford to work with a residential mover, you’ll find that you’ll be saved a lot of time and unnecessary headaches.

Go to bed early. Getting enough sleep the night before moving day will prevent you from being irritable and exhausted. If you find that you’re anxious, go to bed extra early so you have time to fall asleep. Don’t be afraid of drinking some relaxing herbal tea before bed too.
Take good care of yourself and your family. Though it may feel like a time to rush about, it’s important to not skip any meals and to stay hydrated. Proper nutrition will allow you to do the heavy lifting that comes with moving (if you’re moving yourself) and it will help your brain stay focused.

Moving has the potential to be stressful for the whole family, especially your children. To ease your kids into the moving process, spend some quality time with them and try to have a conversation about the days to come. Keep open communicate with your children so they’re not blindsided by the severe uptick in home activity. If they’re like most kids, they’ll ask a lot of questions, so be sure you’re attentive to their concerns, doubts, and questions.

If you have pets in your home, consider boarding them for the day or having them stay with a friend. There are steps you can take to make your pet more comfortable in your home on moving day, but in order to take the burden off of yourself, you may want to consider taking your furry friend to a pet day camp. This will allow you to be free of the worry of your pet escaping, getting hurt, or having anxiety.

Maintain your daily routine for as long as possible. As people, we’re often resistant to change. Therefore, if you can maintain the same routine, including your children and pets, for as long as possible, then do so.

To have a smooth moving day you need to start preparing weeks in advance. As a parent, you’ve already got plenty of practice at multitasking, however, you’ll need to decide how you will take care of your young ones on moving day. Think about whether or not you’ll be able to look after the kids while you’re managing moving day tasks. You’ll be sorting through your belongings, speaking with the professional movers, packing final boxes, cleaning, and putting together your new home.

Though you may think you can handle it all, your children’s safety is obviously the number one priority on moving day. If you’re unable to watch your children closely or take care of them accordingly, then you’ll want to seek additional help.

Knowing that a reliable person you can count on will be there for moving day will give you peace of mind because it will free you of that worry. Be sure to ask a neighbor, relative, or reliable babysitter ahead of time to come watch your children. Knowing that the kids are well taken care of on moving day will allow you to focus solely on moving day tasks, which will make the day go smoother for everyone!

Reasons to hire a babysitter for moving day

1. If you’ve chosen to hire a reliable babysitter for moving day, preferably one that’s already worked for your family, then your children’s daily routine won’t be interrupted. Keep in mind that though your children may be of a young age, they’re still feeling the effects of moving day. Though they might not directly be affected by it while it’s happening, they will feel the flurry of activity and take notice. Having a babysitter there will keep your child focused on just that: being a kid.
2. You might want to consider hiring a babysitter a couple of days in advance. During the last minute packing and arranging, your babysitter can look after your children while you handle the last-minute tasks, phone calls, professional mover instructions, and organizing that needs to be completed.
3. Having a babysitter on moving day to keep your kids busy and out of trouble is key for moving day. If you’re the only one watching your children, you’ll probably have constant interruptions and will be faced with thousands of questions regarding the tasks at hand.
4. Another great reason to hire a babysitter for moving day is because he or she will keep your kids engaged in fun activities. This will allow your children the much-needed opportunity to burn off some steam so they’ll sleep soundly that first night.
5. This one’s probably the most obvious reason, but it’s important to prevent anyone from getting hurt on moving day, especially your kids. If they’re running around on a day when your belongings will be set in places where they’re not usually placed, your kids could get hurt. If you’ve hired professional residential movers to assist you, it’s best to keep the kids away from the workers who will be in and out loading up boxes, furniture, and the like.

Moving day is a busy, confusing, and stressful day. Between the professional movers, your family, and the flurry of boxes being put on the truck, the whirlwind of activity is enough to make your head spin. As humans, we’re a little bit better equipped to deal with this rush of activity than our furry friends are. To help your pet deal with the stress of moving, here are some tips to keep them safe, limit their stress, and feel comfortable in your new home.

Make small changes in your pet’s routine prior to moving day. Weeks prior to moving day, start to make small changes daily. This means changing your pet’s routine in small ways. Try moving the food dish to a new location one day. Perhaps the next day, take them for a walk at an alternate time or to on a different path. These small changes will help your pet become aware that things are different but they will eventually get used to the changes with a small amount of fuss.

Keep your pet in a designated area. When moving day arrives, place your pet in the bathroom or large closet and tape a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door. This will tell your residential movers that they should not enter the room, which will prevent disturbing your pet. Moving day will be somewhat disruptive and confusing, so you’re going to want to make sure your pet is safe, secure, and as comfortable as possible.

Assign your pet a moving day buddy. If possible, have a neighbor, relative, or friend spend time with your pet on moving day to ensure he or she doesn’t escape in all the confusion. The last thing you want to do is leave your pet in your old space, so give someone the task of watching over them. This will be good for the pet as well as it will help reduce anxiety. If your pet’s buddy has the space to play, then they’ll burn off some energy before getting to your new home, which will help them settle in faster.

Keep pictures of your pet on hand. Hopefully this doesn’t happen, but it’s sometimes best to plan for the worst case scenario. Keep photos of your pet handy should they get away during the confusion of packing. Pictures will help identify your lost pet and are much easier to find when they’re set out versus all tucked away in a box.

Moving day is stressful enough on humans, let alone on pets that don’t really understand what’s happening. Keep your moving day positive and stress-free by designating a special space for your pet, such as the bathroom, while your professional movers get everything on the truck. Remember to work up to moving day by making small changes in your pet’s routine along the way, and to assign a moving day buddy to your pet.

Moving to Iowa on a winter maybe a cheap option, but this is something you should think twice, especially with snowstorm frequently visiting this area.

What to expect during an Iowa Winter Storm?

So how does an Iowa winter storm look like? It is often characterized by rain with snow and occasional sleet. This makes it easier for vehicles to drive on the road. As a result, your moving day may be moved to a different date.

Due to this, it is important to know the policy of your moving company in Iowa for situations like this. Will they be willing to postpone to move? If so will there be additional charges if you move it to a different date?

Be clear with this and put it into writing.

As for your new home, it is also best to discuss this matter with your real estate agent or landlord. Since you can’t move out because of the storm, whoever would wish to occupy your place will also find it difficult, if not impossible to move it. What options would you be given should this issue arise.

Create a travel route

If it’s not possible to move your transfer to a different date, then the next best solution for you to make is to find the safest route. Check if the highways are open and if these areas are safe for travel.

Write emergency phone numbers and websites and place it in your wallet so you can easily ask for help should you be stranded somewhere along the road. Better yet, look for a location where you can stay overnight in case you do need to stop.

Ensure your car is well maintained

Your most trusted while on the road to your new home in Iowa would be your car. So guarantee that is in good condition before you hit the road by checking the following:

– Are all the fluids topped up?

– Are the tires and breaks working well?

– Is the engine in good condition?

Bring an extra gas can with you, kitty litter, or a windshield fluid. Pack a good snow shovel and emergency blanket should you need this while on the road.

Do you have other winter tips to share with other movers? Be happy to share it with us.

So you’ve finally done it: you’ve made the decision to move across the country. Perhaps you landed the dream job you’ve always wanted, you’ve been accepted to your first choice university, or you’re ready to get out of your home state. Regardless of the reason, no doubt you’ve realized that moving across the country is no small feat. Between the worries, planning, and constant phone calls you’ll be making with family members and movers, you’re probably already feeling overwhelmed. Now comes the difficulty of actually packing and moving.

What You Can do to Prepare

In an effort to feel like you’re making progress, you may be tempted to start packing right away. In reality, your first task should be to clean, organize, and de-clutter. As you’re about to discover, moving out of state or across the country takes more time and money than simply switching neighborhoods. This is why it’s crucial you take the time to donate, sell, or give away any items you no longer want. After all, there’s no point in paying to move junk you no longer use, right? Keep in mind that this de-cluttering process should take you about two months, so be sure to leave a wide space of time between making the decision to move and the actual moving day. Below are three ways to help you get started:

Step 1: Clean your heart out

If you’re like most American adults, you’ve most likely avoided spring cleaning for a couple years now. In an effort to make things easier on yourself, allow time to clean, dust, and put your belongings away. Though this seems like it would slow you down, it actually makes the moving process easier because you’ll be able to take inventory and find what you need quicker than when everything was cluttered.

Step 2: Part with items you no longer need

In addition to throwing out the trash, be prepared to part with items you no longer need. Do you have old college textbooks you haven’t cracked open since before graduation? Do you have clothing you no longer wear? Donate them! The less extra items you have to pack, the better off you are. Take your unwanted items to Goodwill and get a tax write-off or have a yard sale and use the extra cash for moving expenses.

Step 3: Get help packing

In order to alleviate some of the burdens that come with moving, consider hiring a professional mover. In addition to doing the moving for you, residential movers will help you pack your items properly, including your antiques and fragile items. While you’re still in the organization phase, call a professional mover or two and schedule a consultation with each of them. A good, professional mover will take the time to come to your home and give you an estimate for your cross-country move. Once you’ve compared movers, discuss your game plan with your mover. As a team of professionals, they’ll have the best ideas for making moving day easy but they’ll also be willing to discuss your wants and requests. Don’t be shy in letting them know what you expect and what you need help with.

Like many things in life, the moving process becomes much easier with preparation. If you prepare for your move well in advance by enacting organization and packing strategies, you’ll have a much easier and more efficient move. To take some of the burden off of themselves, many homeowners elect to hire professional residential movers during the relocation process. If you decide to hire a moving company, however, that doesn’t mean that you’re completely off the hook. After all, it’s your belongings that need to be moved. In addition to using your own common sense and planning skills, you can use the following tips and tricks to ensure the things you cherish arrive safely in your new space.

• Clean up – Before the movers show up on your doorstep, be sure to take care of the household chores like laundry, dishes, and tools. These items are easier, and more sanitary, to pack and move when they’re not dirty!
• Organize – In addition to helping you maintain your own sanity, keeping things organized will save time in the long run. You’ll be able to find things quicker if you keep them organized, especially in labeled boxes.
• Eliminate clutter – Comb through your belongings and purge items that you can donate, give away, or trash. You’ll thank yourself later if you place these items into their own pile labeled “Don’t move!” or get rid of them even before the movers arrive.
• Separate items that you’ll be moving – Items such as toiletries, medications, personal care items, and work stuff tend to be items that residential movers don’t need to touch. Pack these items and separate them from the rest ahead of time. Or if you’re short on time, clearly mark them so the movers don’t accidentally place them in the moving truck.
• Sort your items by room – keep all your kitchen items in the kitchen, for example, and use signs to clearly identify each room so the packers can label boxes accordingly. If you find that several items will be switching rooms in the new location, simply mark them with their own clarifying label.
• Utilize the cloud – With moving comes the need to relocate your electronic items. Even if you’re well equipped to set up your own computer in the new space, be sure to do a back-up to the cloud in advance. Do this for anything that has a hard drive – tablets, smartphones, game consoles, etc. Trust us, this extra step can be a lifesaver!
• Clearly label valuables – Whether you have a lot of vintage pieces, antiques, or items that are deeply meaningful, be sure to label them as such. This way the professional movers will know to handle them with extra care.
• Clear away the clutter – Though it doesn’t seem like it would save you a lot of time, de-cluttering makes the moving process go faster. If your residential movers have clean surfaces such as tables and countertops to work on, the packing and labeling process will be expedited.
• Lay out your expectations – Relaying your thoughts and guidelines to your professional moving team will make for smooth sailing on the big day. Make a pass through your home before and after packing takes place and make sure it’s done to your satisfaction. After all, this is a service you’re paying for, so the movers should be willing to make you happy.

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of moving can be the relocation of your antiques and collectibles. The anxiety you feel regarding this process may go up if you’ve hired a professional mover to assist with your move. Below are some steps you can take to alleviate your stress and guarantee that your valuable items will make it to your new space safe and sound.

Discuss your antiques and collectibles with your mover right away. A professional mover should offer to do an initial consultation with you as a way to evaluate what will need to be done before and on moving day. Take the time to discuss your fragile items from the get-go. Such items may include family heirlooms, porcelains, China, valuable antiques, and collectible items. Decide what items you will pack and what items the commercial mover can pack.
Follow instructions. Your professional mover should be prepared to assist you with your antique and special items. This means they’ll likely provide you with specific instructions for what to do during the relocation. Pay attention to what they say and follow their guidance so your vintage record player and grandmother’s dishes arrive safely.

Pack the items carefully with quality materials. Packing your collectibles and valuables yourself is completely fine. If you opt to do this, be sure to use quality packing supplies. Most commercial movers have packing supplies for sale and will sell them to you at affordable prices if you’ve hired them for your move. Though it may not be your favorite way to spend money, investing in double and triple-walled cartons, packing tape, bubble wrap, and properly sized boxes will keep your items safe. Since most antiques and collectible items cannot be easily replaced, you’re better off to spend the extra pennies on high-quality moving supplies versus reusing your Amazon boxes.

Be willing to move some things yourself. Though professional movers will help you as much as they can, there are some items they just won’t touch. Be willing to pack and move some items yourself including fine jewelry, coins, currency, certificates, bonds, important papers such as deeds or titles, prescriptions, and medical/dental records. These items are not easily replaceable either and some of them contain confidential information. If your moving company asks you to transport said items, be open to doing so.

Consider using packing crates. If you have special antiques that you feel need a little more protection than the standard moving box offers, consider having a custom crate made. Since most custom crates come with padding, decking, and stretch wrap, they will ensure that the item is moved with as much care as possible. Items that you should consider moving in crates are pool tables, unique antiques, and crystal chandeliers.

Welcome special arrangements. If you have a unique item such as a wine collection, and extra care needs to be taken to transport it, remain open to the possibility of special arrangements. Your professional mover will have your best interest in mind, so if they recommend a special arrangement, it’s likely coming from a place of honesty and professionalism.​

Is your office preparing for a move? Whether you’re moving across town, to another part of the state, or cross-country, moving can be a bit stressful and time-consuming. Below are some tips designed to help make your commercial move easier and reduce downtime.

Donate office equipment you no longer need.

If your office is still using outdated equipment such as phones, printers, PC’s, copiers, and supplies, now is a great time to part with them. There’s no point in paying a professional moving company to move your unused equipment when you can recycle or donate them and get a tax break. Find a local registered charity you want to support, perhaps your employees can even vote on the charity, and lighten your load by donating the equipment.

Start preparing now.

Much like residential moving, you never truly realize how much stuff you have until you go to move. If you’re moving your own office, start packing items you use on a semi-regular basis as soon as you set the date. If you have a large inventory of items and supplies to go through, start packing boxes weeks, if not months, in advance. Just remember, it’s better to start too early than too late!

Choose your commercial mover ASAP.

If you plan to hire a professional commercial mover, book one at least two months in advance. As with residential moving, try to get multiple price quotes and proof of insurance. Doing this part early will give you time to prepare and choose the best company possible

Take care of perishable items.

If you’re working with a commercial mover, be sure to take care of trash and perishable items ahead of time. Movers don’t make decisions for you, nor do they clean up along the way. If there’s trash in the trash cans and food in the refrigerators, they’ll move it all to the new space. Spare yourself the hassle of opening up a refrigerator in the new space with spoiled food by throwing out perishable items and trash before moving day comes.

Label your boxes clearly.

Even if you have a mid-sized office, you’ll probably end up with hundreds of boxes. Be sure to clearly label the tops and sides so you can locate and get into them quickly when you need items. Consider using a number system as well to make it as easy on you as possible. This will be highly beneficial if you’ve hired a commercial mover. Number your boxes and write up a brief description of what’s inside so in the event of a loss, you will have an easier time making an insurance claim.

Take extra care when packing computers.

When moving computer towers and monitors, take the time to wrap them individually in thick bubble wrap and/or moving blankets. Be sure your computer monitor is not placed in a box with packing tape as the monitor should never come into contact with the tape. Also, take the time to “park” your computer’s hard drive during the move. This won’t guarantee that your data will survive the move if it was jostled around too much.

As we exit the colder winter months and the warmth of spring eases in, we enter the moving season. With spring and summer comes many distractions – yard work, vacations, barbecues, the kids being out of school – that make move preparation the last thing on your to-do list. Though it’s tempting to leave everything for your move until the last minute, you shouldn’t. Below you’ll find some expert tips regarding how you can avoid procrastinating for your move and how to make the moving process as stress-free as possible.

Start by creating a moving checklist. Prior to packing your first box or hiring a residential moving company to do it for you, you should put together a general timeline. Creating a timeline will help you get and remain organized as well as prevent any last minute scrambling. Try something like the following:

Two months before moving day:

• Get estimates from three residential moving companies
• Hire chosen moving company.
• Clear away the clutter in your home.
• Start the moving process (see below).

One month before moving day:

• Purchase packing materials, possibly from your residential mover.
• Measure your new home or apartment.
• Schedule any updates such as painting, installing new fixtures, etc. in the new space.
• Request and take time off from work.
• Complete a change-of-address form on usps.com.
• Begin packing your least-used belongings.
• Start setting aside your valuables like (jewelry, passports, certificates) that you should transport yourself during the move.

One week before the move:

• Pack the rest of your items with care and label them by room.
• Complete a deep clean at your new home, if necessary.
• Reconfirm details with the residential movers.

One day before the move:

• Gather and pack the items you’ll need the first night such as cups, plates, coffemaker, cooking utensils, and bedsheets in a box.
• Pack your personal overnight bag with a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, and other daily essentials.
• Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep!

Moving day:

• Make one final pass through your old home. If you’re renting, be sure everything is clean and that there’s no damage left behind.
• Walk through your new home and inspect for damage. Take pictures if you’re renting.
• Carefully clean any areas in your new home that will be difficult to get to once furniture is in place.

2. Get some prep work done in your new space before you move in. If you have the opportunity, try to knock out any prep work for your new space before the moving boxes arrive. It’s much easier to paint, resurface floors, and install new fixtures without having a castle of boxes in your home.

3. If you elect to do some of the packing yourself, try to avoid some of the most common packing mistakes. Heavy items should go in specially made book boxes or in plastic totes – both of these are made to hold a lot of weight whereas most regular boxes aren’t. Protect your linens or softer belongings like pillows by placing them in plastic grocery bags. This will prevent random spills from becoming an issue. And for your fragile items, don’t be afraid to utilize a hefty amount of bubble wrap.

Chances are once you’ve settled into your new place post move, you’ll be stuck with a plethora of cardboard moving boxes. Simply throwing them in the trash or taking them to the dump are viable options, but there are more environmentally conscious ways of ridding yourself of your new cardboard collection.

Take a look at some of the ways you can get rid of your moving boxes by reading the short list below.

1. Donate them

Be sure to recycle any boxes that were damaged during the moving process. If you haven’t been provided with a city recycling container, be sure to locate the facility closest to you.

Once you’re left with fully functional boxes, start calling around to local charities that could use them. Consider organizations such as libraries, Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and schools.

Chances are the local library will need boxes for book storage and sales. Schools may need them for storage purposes. In any case, you’ll feel good about having donated the boxes to a good cause instead of tossing them in the recycling bin.

2. Continue to use them

If you’re left with sturdier boxes after the move, it may be best to continue using them. You can even use the boxes to stay organized by grouping like items together such as your entertaining China or Christmas lights.

If you plan to move again in the not-so-distant future, be sure to hang on to your boxes. If you don’t need to use them, be sure to break them down for easy storage. This way you won’t have to invest your time and money locating more boxes for your next residential move.

3. Ask a friend or family member if they need boxes

If you have a friend or family member that’s preparing for a move, be sure to offer your boxes to them. Even if they’ve hired a professional mover, your friend will still be saving time and effort by using your boxes.

If you’re moving into an apartment complex or a condo, be sure to offer the boxes to other residents who may be moving. Apartment managers, landlords, and associations may be aware of a tenant’s upcoming move and can password along for you.

4. Get some of your money back by selling them

If you purchased your boxes from a professional mover, you should consider making some of your money back by selling them. Often times, there are local companies who buy and sell moving boxes. Once you find a local company, be sure to ask if they offer pick-up services, saving your time and gas money.

If you’re having trouble finding a local company that will buy your used moving boxes, be sure to check out online sources such as BoxCycle.com.

Be sure to try one or more of these methods for getting rid of your boxes after you move. If you plan to hire a professional residential moving company, you can also ask them if they offer box removal services.

If you have a move in your near future it’s important to remember that your breakable items are, well, breakable. If packed improperly, dishes can be easily cracked, mirrors can be reduced to shards, vases can be shattered, and antique heirlooms may become bits of dust. Since you’re thinking ahead about handling your delicate possessions, and how to avoid breaking them during your relocation, you’ll have to take some extra steps to store and pack them. To help you avoid having to clean up a mess, here are some tips for packing and storing your breakable items like a professional residential mover.

Save your fragile items for last. Most residential movers will tell you that packing your breakable items generally takes longer than packing your less delicate items. For this reason, you’re going to want to save your fragile pieces for last. If you pack everything else first, then you’ll have dedicated time to focus on properly packing your breakables.

Prevent any future trouble by packing your breakable items in appropriately sized boxes. Stuffing your fragile items into a box that’s too large can lead to overloading, which would make the box too heavy. Once you’ve secured the correct boxes from your residential moving company, store dishes, cups, and other small breakables in a dish pack. Dish packs are boxes that are made specifically for breakables. Dish packs feature thicker cardboard and typically have dividers that can be inserted to help absorb the shock of swift movements.

Be sure to sufficiently protect your breakables. When boxes are loaded into a residential moving truck or storage unit, they’re typically stacked several boxes high. While this is convenient for movers, it does make breaking your fragile possessions more likely. To ensure you’ve packed your breakables properly, start by packing each box with a soft layer of tissue paper, newspaper, or packing paper. This will serve as a shock-absorbing cushion. Then line each side of the box with crumpled paper to ensure your items are protected on all sides. Try to create a layer approximately 6 inches thick on the top and bottom of the box. Keep in mind that the box should be somewhat overfilled with your chosen cushioning material so that you can’t push it down easily after taping it shut. A good trick of the trade is if you can hear the items clinking around or rattling in the box, then there isn’t enough packing material inside.

Pack your boxes with the hardiest breakables at the bottom and the more fragile ones on the top.

Avoid leaving empty spaces in your boxes. Make sure you pack each box tightly and that you take the time to fill the empty spaces with other items or additional packing material to absorb the shock. Be aware that you can nest small wrapped items inside larger ones to create more support. If you still have empty spaces in your breakable items boxes, fill them with packing peanuts or pieces of styrofoam you purchased from your residential mover.
Any professional residential mover will tell you that the most important part of packing breakables is to wrap them individually. Start by placing your item in an upright position on a sheet of packing paper. Then thoroughly wrap the piece in paper and put another crumpled sheet of paper inside. Items like vases or jars should have tight layers of paper around them for increased protection.

Don’t be afraid to use lots and lots of tape! Packing tape is wider and stronger that other kinds of tape, therefore you should use it to tape the bottom and the sides of your boxes. If you feel it’s necessary, you can use other kinds of tape to make sure the ends are securely shut.

One of the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to hire a professional mover to help you with your residential move. A residential mover eliminates all of the headaches that come with moving such as hauling heavy furniture, boxes, and then placing items in their appropriate places. Once you’ve done your research and chosen a reputable residential moving company, there are several ways you can ensure their job is easier and that the events of moving day go smoothly.

Organize Your Items

If you’ve decided to pack most of your items yourself, properly packed and labeled boxes will help your residential mover move quickly. Take the time to ensure all items are packed carefully and fit inside your properly sealed boxes. Avoid letting sharp items stick out from any boxes as they could cause accidents that will stall or slow down the moving process. Labeling all of your boxes will help your mover know where they should be placed in your new space. This will also let your mover know what items are breakable and should be handled with caution.

Remove All Obstacles

On moving day, your residential movers will be making multiple trips from your current house to the truck while carrying heavy things. In order to help them, be sure to create a clear path that’s free from boxes, tools, and furniture. Remember that children and pets may accidentally get in their way, so ensure pets are properly leashed or in their carriers until the movers are done. If necessary, consider taking your pets to an animal daycare. This will allow them time to run around and play with friends while you don’t have to worry about them running out of the house. Try to keep your young children busy and distracted with their favorite toys, activities, or coloring books so they’ll remain out of the way.

Keep Supplies Handy

No matter how cautiously you pack, be aware that boxes do break on moving day. Keep a roll of packing tape handy in case a box or two comes undone during the moving process, especially if you elected to pack up the items yourself. Another great tip is to keep a small paper or plastic bag filled with handy supplies such as packing tape, a box cutter, a permanent marker, and some trash bags in case boxes do come undone. Surprisingly, trash bags come in handy during the moving process because they can be used to carry extra lightweight items that won’t fit into boxes or those that you forgot to pack.

Offer Your Movers Something to Drink

Moving is hard work, which means your movers will need to stay hydrated in order to keep their energy levels high. Stock up on bottled water and Gatorade so you can give them to the moving team before they start their work. That way, they can keep them handy and swig them when they’re feeling thirsty. You can also grab a few snacks from the convenient store as an offer of thanks to the movers once the work is done. Avoid any messes by ensuring the snacks can be eaten on-the-go in case the movers need to leave right away. While the gesture of keeping drinks and snacks on hand seems simple, this kind gesture will help you establish rapport with the movers, which in turn may result in fewer breaks throughout the day. If the moving team is happy, they’ll work faster and more efficiently.