If handling a small move was as easy as it sounds, most professional moving companies would be out of business. While the steps required to coordinate and facilitate a small move may be less-intensive than those required for long-distance moves, the same “Moving Logistics: 101” strategies apply.
Don’t forget that while you may not require professional moving services from start to finish, local movers are happy to offer a la carte moving services to expedite things – like packing, loading, unloading, etc. This can help your small move go more smoothly.
Steps to Keep a Small Move Simple
Here are some of the steps that will keep your small move as simple as possible:
Is it really a “small move” or is that wishful thinking?
We mentioned that many professional moving companies would be obsolete without “small moves.” This is because small moves can wind up being as complex as larger moves, or may not be all that “small” at all. That often results with frustrated customers calling professional movers to take over for them.
- Make sure your move is as small as you think it is. Examples of small moves including:
- College dorm rooms or the one room and kitchenware you have in a multi-resident household
- A studio or one-bedroom apartment
- Moves that take you to a new house on the same street (even a larger home can seem as if it’s on the “small move” spectrum because you’re only moving things down the street. Once you’ve changed neighborhoods, this is back to the larger move category)
- You’re only moving a few items from the home or space
If your move still qualifies as a small move, continue to the next step. If you feel it might be more involved than you were anticipating, check in with a moving specialist.
Schedule a free consultation with a moving specialist
If you want to do the move on your own – more power to you. However, your free consultation with a moving specialist benefits your DIY moving experience in multiple ways:
- Provides you and your household members with specifics about the number of boxes, types of boxes, additional packing materials, etc., you’ll need
- Educate you on moving logistics and strategies
- Assess whether or not your move is actually a “small one” or not
- Provides information and pricing for a la carte services that streamline your moving experience. So, even if they don’t complete the entirety of your move, you may decide to have them do some of the packing, or the heavier lifting and loading, or all of the unloading at your new place, etc.
After your meeting with a mover, you will feel more prepared for the process – and you’ll have a personal connection with a local mover in case you decide you want their help after all.
Consider a pod or moving container, rather than a truck
Small moves are ideal for moving containers, or pods because all of your belongings should easily fit in a single container (if not, you may have a larger move on your hands than you thought). Once the container is delivered to your address, you can take your time moving things into it – depending on your arrangement with the provider). When the container is ready, it will be picked up and dropped off at your new house or dorm.
Enlist the help of friends with large cars or trucks
If you aren’t using professional movers, your largest expense may be renting a moving van or truck. However, this isn’t necessary if you have a friend or two with a van, pickup truck, or a large SUV. See if s/he is willing to trade cars – or lend you his/hers- for the duration of your move. Make sure that both parties insurance will cover it. Most insurance companies have special addendums that can be added temporarily to ensure another driver, or to increase coverage, for a specific amount of time.
Are you considering specialty, fragile, and/or heirlooms or collectibles?
Things like crystal wine glasses, valuable collectibles, heirlooms, and antiques, or specialty items require more time to pack well, and extra protection during transportation. If your move includes a fair number of fragile or specialty items, make sure to plan accordingly in terms of the right boxes, fillers, blankets and padding for transportation, and so on.
Are you moving on the fly? Or planning a last-minute move?
This can be the most stressful move of all, forcing what would have been a “big move” into the “small move” category as you establish which items are essential and which can be left behind. Don’t forget that storage units can be your lifesaver here, packing your essentials for a quick move, and using the combination of professional movers and a storage unit in your current- or future-location to house our belongings until you have time to sort through them properly.
Small Moves Are Our Specialty
Small moves can be bigger than you think, so don’t let your seemed-small-move get the best of you. Contact Jay’s Small Moves, (415) 999-6795, and consult with the professionals. Together, we’ll help you establish whether you’d benefit from professional help or not, and we’re happy to pass along some helpful tips as well. Happy moving!