Moving
From wikiSenior
Reducing the Stress and the Ooops
Moving is a job no one can love. No one likes change. Unlike corporate moves, moving as a senior citizen brings with it a number of added burdens. Typically, you are -
- learning of a whole raft of tasks that must be completed by a firm deadline,
- forced to part with some treasures that are either too heavy or fragile to move sensibly,
- required to dispose of some items, e.g. plants and paints, that movers don’t handle,
- faced with the need to find a "new home" for furniture and accumulated "stuff" that simply will not fit into your new surroundings,
- picking out a responsible mover from a fairly large group of suppliers,
- packing cartons yourself, possibly with the assistance of friends, or paying the professional movers to do the job, and
- paying out of your own pocket.
[edit] Actions:
- Structure your housing deal to permit 60 days of time for preparations. The more planning you devote to the moving process the less stressful it will be.
- Talk to friends and neighbors to learn the name of 3 - 5 movers in your area. Local movers operate differently than interstate movers, who have to abide by federal rules.
- Develop a plan of where your furniture will be placed in your new home. The process will help you decide whether to keep certain pieces and also provide the movers with a guide once they arrive at your new home.
- Select three movers and get quotes from each. If some offer a "not to exceed" price, it is worth serious consideration, especially if gas prices are escalating.
- If you choose to do the packing, create a packing station in the dining room or garage to which things can be moved and collected before the actual packing process. You must have a high enough surface to spare the strain on your back.
- Purchase your cartons, tape, magic markers, and packing materials from your mover or a U-Haul store. If you enjoy being creative, the cartons discarded by liquor stores are usually stronger than others, and their dividers can be used for glassware.
- Take the time to learn about the packing process, e.g. use 2 - 3 sheets per plate. The external links below contain some resources for your review.
- Review the quotes from the movers and select the one whose approach makes you the most comfortable.
- It is very smart to write down what you place into each carton. A good carton inventory can help your sanity at the other end when you are looking for a special item one month later - especially if some cartons are going into storage.
- Pace yourself carefully. Ideally, you should plan to complete a week early because you will need that time to address the surprises you encounter along the way.
- The night before the move, pack the "last in, first out" cartons of basic kitchen supplies, tools, blankets etc.
- Meet the movers the next morning and be prepared to answer a number of questions throughout the day.
- Once the movers leave, pick up the final pieces, lock the door, and start traveling to your new home.
- When you meet the movers at the new home, have your copy of the furniture plan in hand and guide its final placement to suit your taste.
[edit] Reference:
- eBay Merchants - selling your "stuff"
- Homeowner’s & Renter’s - do you need moving insurance?
