Congratulations! You’re shopping for your new home, the really fun part of this next stage in your life. Soon you will be packing up your cherished belongings and moving everything you own to a new home. Here are some tips on using a moving company to help in your move.

Research

Check out some reputable sources, such as WTOP and The Washington Post, to identify some local moving companies and larger national companies. Yelp will also have reviews on who you might select. Make appointments with 2 or 3 of them to have estimates done at your current residence.

The time and effort put into this early on will come back to you in a better moving experience. Review your estimates, read the fine print and make your choice. Remember, this is only an estimate and there can be some details which will cause that number to go up.

Weight

One instance where an estimate might not match your final bill can be extra weight. Your quote is based on the weight of the shipment. If the movers pick up your belongings and they weigh more than quoted, a re-weigh can be issued. This could cause your charges to increase. Special items such as pianos, pool tables and extra-large furniture will also add some cost to your move.

Levels

Inform your movers about stairs at the new home. There may be a charge per staircase/flight of stairs. This could be $100 or less per level. It’s best to be upfront about this detail.

Packing

If you are having the movers pack and crate your belongings, they will add that into your estimate from the start. If you are packing yourself, be sure that you have done so by your scheduled move date. Not being prepared for moving day could throw everyone’s plan off track. If there are items which are not packed or crated and the moving company has to do it for you, there will be extra charges for that.

Many movers use a color code system to organize box labels for quick identification during the move. While packing, never pack important documents such as passports, ID cards, blank checks and settlement papers into boxes or crates. Keep these near you or clearly marked, and hand-carry yourself.

Accessibility

Also be upfront about explaining your new home’s entrance accessibility. Are you located on a busy street? Is your new driveway unusually long? Will there be a problem parking a large moving van? All these details could result in additional charges.

A few other ideas for a successful move include making a list of all the services you currently use at your home such as babysitters, cleaning help, gardeners and other regularly scheduled assistance. Make a list and contact all of them promptly. It’s also a great idea to pack a quick need bag for you and your family which would include toothbrushes and paste, prescriptions, eye care items and pet supplies. Lastly, it might be useful to gather a bag of items, to keep the kids busy on both ends, such as books, markers and paper or small toys.

Want more homebuying and moving tips? Be sure to check out the resources section our website!