If you're engaging professional movers, mention any cost concerns during your initial call with a sales person. Generally, the summer months are busiest. If you're flexible with your move date (an overlap between when you need to be out of your old home and are able to get into your new home helps) you're certain to get the best value.
Think carefully before choosing to Do-It-Yourself
Having your friends move you in a rented truck is certainly your lowest-cost option (assuming nothing is broken). But if items are damaged, it's generally difficult to get an insurance carrier to replace them.
If you choose to hire professional movers, your friends can still help by preparing for the move (packing boxes or caring for your pets or children and so on). On moving day, you should let the professionals handle the job entirely. They're trained and are best suited to carry the weight and negotiate difficult access ways. Remember that you're paying your moving crew by the hour, then generally speaking, having non-professionals on the job with them only slows things down and costs you more in the long run.
Communicate clearly with your movers
Unexpected costs can result from a breakdown in communication between you and your moving company. Don't be in a rush when you are booking your move. Take plenty of time to talk with your representative. This will make both parties better aware of the situation they will encounter on moving day.
For example, have you remodeled your house since you moved in? If so, some of the furniture that went in originally may not come out the same way. Have you purchased any furniture that had to be assembled in your home? And if something was craned or hoisted into your home when you moved in, be certain to mention that as well!
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International Moving Checklist
One month before your move:
- Organise a web-based email address, (e.g. Hotmail).
- Notify the post office, current and new.
- Notify doctors, dentists, and other service providers.
- Order moving supplies.
- Contact charities regarding household items to be donated.
- Sort and discard unwanted items.
- Make necessary travel arrangements such as airline, hotel, and rental car reservations.
- Begin packing, clearly labeling boxes with name, contents, and destination.
Two weeks before your move
- Notify telephone/electric/gas/water companies.
- Notify alarm/security company.
- Notify TV/cable company.
- Notify Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Make arrangements for disassembly of difficult furniture (e.g. jungle gyms, pool tables, and swing sets).
- Remove all permanently affixed items you want to take from walls (e.g. drapes, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans).
One week before your move
- Confirm date and time with moving company.
- Provide moving company with new phone number.
- Remove fragile and loose items from drawers.
- Notify gas company to schedule disconnection of gas dryers and stoves.
- Make a detailed inventory and choose an appropriate insurance option.
One day before your move
- Consolidate fragile boxes in one area.
- Separate items not intended for transport by movers.
- Confirm telephones are in working order at both locations.
- Refrigerators and freezers must be defrosted, drained, washed and thoroughly dried.
- Drain water bed.
- Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers etc.
- Clear walkways and driveway for improved access during inclement weather.
- Isolate cheque books, keys, passports, airline tickets, cash and credit cards.
See also: What you should bring with you when you leave
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