Moving Out Of State: How To Prepare For Movers & Get Free Quotes In Pittsburgh

Have you ever traveled with one of those people who check if their passport is still in their pocket every 5 minutes, then check if their boarding pass still has the same gate and seat number it did 5 minutes ago, then check if their stuff is still in the suitcase, and then check if the gate is still in the same place?

Or, maybe you are that person.

And look, we may make fun of these people, from time to time - but these are the people who will always be on time for their flight, won't be caught without their ID, and won't ever be running around like a headless chicken on moving day - or any other day, for that matter.

And while being a little like a headless chicken on any regular ol' day is okay, when it's moving day, you definitely don't want to emulate that particular animal - headless or not. But, if you have a friend who likes to check their passport a billion times before the flight, you might wanna adopt that mindset - at least for a few days.

Moving Has Many Moving Parts

You may think that since you hired full-service movers, you're off the hook. You may, and you'd be wrong. Because, while professional moving crews will take care of all the heavy lifting, there are some things you need to do to prepare for the movers and some other things you need to do yourself on moving day.

I'll tell you all about that in a bit - but first, I wanna thank today's sponsor Skillshare...

No, I'm kidding, this isn't a YouTube video essay. What I wanted to say is, I am not a moving expert - so I borrowed all my tips from the guys who are moving experts. They're called Movers.com and they have a bunch of guides on all things moving.

With that out of the way, let's get started - here are the 3 things you need to do to prepare for professional movers:

Don't Pack What You Don't Need - Declutter

Did you know that the average American home has 300,000 items? That's 300,000 items you need to pack. That's a lot. But the question isn't how do I pack 300,000 items in a day; the question is how do I get rid of some of these items so I don't have to pack 300,000, at all.

And the answer is decluttering. Just imagine it's peak pandemic, you're bored to death, and Marie Kondo is urging you to "discard anything that doesn't spark joy". Now you're in the right mindset - get to work and declutter your home. You'll thank me later.

Accidents Happen - Get Moving Insurance

While professional movers are, obviously, professionals at what they do, accidents can and do happen. In such cases, you don't want to have to cover the cost of repairs for your expensive dining room table all on your own.

And you won't have to, if you get the right moving insurance. Most moving companies offer two types:

• By the pound: This will cover expenses based on the weight of the furniture. It's more affordable, but it also provides less protection.
• Comprehensive: This policy, as the name suggests, will compensate for any damage. It will set you back a bit more, but at least you'll know you're covered.

Make Moving Smoother - Clean & Organize Your Home

It's moving day - are your shelves cleared? Are your cabinets empty? Is your essentials box packed and labeled?

If you answered "No" to any or all of the above, then you're not ready.

The best way to ensure your moving day goes smoothly is to prepare as much as you can before the movers even arrive at your home.

Here's a list of things you absolutely must have done and dusted by moving day:

• Have an inventory: Having a list of items you need to transport will help you keep track of everything - and should you run into any trouble, it can serve as proof.
• Clear out your furniture: All your shelves, cabinets, and wardrobe should be cleared out before the movers arrive. This way the packing and loading will go much smoother.
• Disconnect all appliances: Your fridge, dishwasher, and all other appliances need to be unplugged and the cables should be out of the way to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Pack small items in sealed bags: Small items tend to get lost in the home all the time - that risk is even higher during a move. As is the risk of damage - so make sure you protect your knick-knacks.
• Label your boxes: Whether you want to color code, label, add instructions, or do all of that, it's important to have it done by the time the movers arrive. Personally, I like to do all three because it's easier to unpack later.
• Set aside the stuff that's not for movers: Your confidential documents, essentials boxes, valuables such as jewelry and artwork, and electronic devices like phones and cameras should be handled only by you. Pack them yourself and carry them in the car with you.

Okay, I lied. I do have a 4th thing - but it's very simple and can save you a lot of time and money.

Get Free Moving Quotes & Compare Movers

I hope it's not too late to suggest this - but if you can, always get estimates from different companies and compare your options. It's the best way to make sure you're getting the services you need - nothing more, nothing less.

If you just want someone to move your stuff from point A to point B, no problem. And if you want someone to literally do everything they possibly can so you can kick back, you do you.

The point is you have options - you just need a fast and easy way to find and compare them. And for that, you can check out the guys who wrote the guides I mentioned - Movers.com. Just fill out a short form and they will send you free quotes from up to 7 moving companies in your area.

I don't know about you, but any service that helps me avoid an awkward phone call is automatically a winner. #Millennials