You’ve done all you can to make sure you’re prepared for your upcoming residential move. You’ve made the checklists, checked them twice, switched the utilities, changed your address, de-cluttered the whole house and prepared your kids for the relocation. Smooth sailing, right? Well, not quite so fast. Sometimes all the preparation in the world can’t stop the inevitable from happening.
Sometimes snafus and challenges pop up that are out of your control. The key is to be prepared to meet them head on so you can move forward. Here are some of the top challenges of moving out of your house, and what to do about each one.
This guide focuses on getting out of your current home. For problems on the other end of the move, see our guide to common moving snafus and their solutions.
1. Time Got Away From You
Unforeseen circumstances often bring about delays or pile on new tasks to your to-do list. To make sure that last-minute time crunch doesn’t paralyze you, do all you can to reduce the risk of lost time.
Start packing with the rooms you use least, like the guest room, basement storage and seasonal items, and work toward the kitchen and bedrooms last. A room-by-room packing checklist keeps you from jumping between rooms and losing track of what’s done.
Finishing early also saves you money. On local moves, our clock starts when the crew arrives at your door, not when they leave our office, so a half-packed house on moving day turns into paid crew time. See our pricing for details.
If moving day is coming up fast but you still haven’t managed to pack, perhaps you need some help. We offer packing services that can pick up wherever you left off. Take advantage of them in the interest of time. And book your movers as early as you can. Summer weekends and the end of the month fill up first.
2. Furniture Won’t Fit
Why isn’t your couch fitting through the door and out to the truck? After all, you know you were able to get it in there when you first moved in! Rather than cram the couch through a doorway in frustration, risking damage to the item as well as the walls, think about the process logically. Remove legs or accessories if you can and take the furniture out piecemeal. Or, take the door off its hinges to give you an inch or two more leeway.
Also think about how the piece got in. Furniture assembled inside a room, or brought in before a renovation narrowed a doorway, may need to come apart completely to get out.
3. Your Help Bails
This is a good reason not to tackle DIY moves. No matter how early you line up help in the form of friends or family, someone always bails at the last minute. And who can blame them? You’re asking them to give up an entire day or more to move heavy stuff out of your house and into a truck, sweating all the while. Avoid the hassles and arguments that come with asking your siblings to help, and hire professional movers. You will thank yourself later!
There’s also a middle ground. If you’ve already rented a truck, our moving labor crews can handle the heavy lifting, loading and unloading so you’re not counting on volunteers.
If you go DIY anyway, at least keep everyone safe. An injury is the fastest way to lose your helpers and your day.
- Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip.
- Pack heavy items like books in small boxes and save large boxes for light items.
- Keep stairways and paths to the truck clear of boxes and clutter.
- Lift with your legs, and never carry anything that blocks your view of the stairs.
4. The Movers Refuse to Move Something
If you think you can spring your request to move a piano or pool table on your movers the day they show up, think again. While many movers will certainly move these large and cumbersome items, they need advance notice to bring the right equipment, enough trucks, and enough workers. A piano alone can weigh anywhere from 300 to 1,200 pounds, which is why piano moving takes specialized dollies, straps and padding.
Before moving day, review what the movers will and won’t take, and if you have an unusual request, such as moving artwork, collectibles, or your wine collection, let them know in advance.
Also ask for their list of items they won’t haul. Most movers won’t load flammable or hazardous items like gasoline, propane tanks and paint. Plan to use up, give away or properly dispose of these before the truck arrives so they don’t hold up loading.
5. Poor Weather
Mother Nature rarely cooperates, and when it comes to the weather on moving day, nothing’s guaranteed. Bad weather poses extra challenges, but being prepared can help you overcome them:
- If it’s heavily raining out, cover the floors and entryways of both houses with moving blankets and tarps.
- If it’s very hot and humid out, have plenty of water on hand, allocate extra time to take breaks for cooling off, and set aside one room with the AC going full blast where your pets and kids can hang out.
- If it’s snowing, which is a real possibility for a West Michigan move anytime from late fall through early spring, shovel and salt the driveway, walkways and steps the night before and again that morning. Clear enough space for the truck to park close to the door.
Check the forecast a few days out and talk with your movers about any concerns. Our trucks carry moving blankets and shrink wrap, which help keep upholstered furniture and mattresses covered between the house and the truck.
6. Losing Track of the Essentials
When every room is in boxes, your car keys, your medication or the closing paperwork can end up taped inside one of them. Then you’re digging through the truck to find it.
Pack an essentials bag that rides with you, not with the movers. Include:
- Keys, wallet, phone chargers and important documents.
- Medications and a basic first aid kit.
- A change of clothes and toiletries for a day or two.
- Snacks, water and toilet paper.
- A screwdriver and a few basic tools for furniture legs and door hinges.
Keep jewelry, cash and other valuables with you as well. If you’re moving with young children, pack a separate bag for each child with a favorite toy, comfort items and their own change of clothes.
7. Leaving the Old House in Good Shape
Moving out isn’t done when the truck pulls away. If you sold the house, the buyers will likely do a final walkthrough. If you’re renting, your security deposit depends on the condition you leave the place in. Scuffed walls and scratched floors from moving day can cost you.
- Protect floors, door frames and stair rails with blankets and floor runners while furniture is coming out.
- Do a final sweep of every closet, cabinet, attic, basement, garage and shed. The garage and shed are easy to forget.
- If you haven’t set it yet, schedule your utility shutoff for the day after you move, not the day of, so you still have lights and water for cleaning.
- Clean after the truck is loaded, then photograph each empty room as a record of the condition you left it in.
- Leave all keys, garage door openers and mailbox keys where the buyer, agent or landlord expects them.
By heeding these tips, you can mitigate some of the last-minute challenges that come with your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest part of moving out of a house?
Usually, it’s packing. It tends to take longer than you think, and an unfinished house on moving day slows everything else down. Starting with the rooms you use least and booking packing help if you fall behind are the two best fixes.
How far in advance should I book movers?
Book as soon as you have a date. Several weeks out is a good target, and earlier for summer weekends and the end of the month.
What won’t movers take?
Most movers won’t haul flammable or hazardous materials such as gasoline, propane tanks and paint. Large specialty items like pianos and pool tables are usually fine, but they need advance notice so the crew brings the right equipment. Always ask your mover for their specific list.
Should I clean before or after the movers come?
After. Clean once the house is empty, while the utilities are still on. Trying to clean around boxes and furniture just means doing it twice.
Contact Big Lake Movers
If you need a free quote on moving, contact us today or request a quote online. We have two convenient locations for you to choose from in Grand Rapids and Holland.
