The Correct Way to Move Heavy Boxes

Injuring your back, shoulders, or neck before relocating is never a good idea. In order to reduce the stress placed on your body, you should lift boxes by bending at the knee so the strain is places on your legs instead of your back. Don't not try to lift heavy furniture or boxes by yourself. If boxes are too heavy, you may need to unpack some of the items to lighten the load.

Hiring movers if you are relocating by yourself is a good idea if you don't have friends or family who can help. Movers will arrive with dollies, blankets, and other tools used to move large pieces of furniture. During the move, take the time to stretch frequently and take breaks when you need them. This will allow your body to remain limber. Drink plenty of water and rest during the evening.

Asking Friends for Help

When relocating, the costs of moving can be very high. One way to offset these costs is to ask friends and family for help. Having a few extra people to help pack, load, and unload a moving truck can save hundreds of dollars in labor. While asking for help is not always the easiest thing to do, chances are you have helped other people move before, so asking to return the favor is not that hard.

After you assemble a few friends to help you move, assign tasks so everyone has a job to do. This will make the process along and allow people to work on more than one task at a time if necessary. When friends and family are done helping, you should thank them by buying them lunch, dinner, or something else that shows your gratitude for helping.

Which Rooms to Pack First

When packing, you need to develop a plan so you can utilize your time wisely. Begin packing up rooms that are the least used. This could be a guestroom, office, basement, or attic. After tackling these rooms, then you should move on to bedrooms, closets, and other living areas. If have large furniture to move, you should leave it until the movers come.

The rooms you should pack last are the bathrooms and the kitchen. This is because these rooms have everyday items that you may need. You can remove extra towels, decorations, and equipment you may not need, but wait until your moving day to pack the essentials.

After packing, you should go through each room in your home to see if you missed anything. The same goes for closets, crawlspaces, and cabinets to make sure you didn't forget any items.

Transporting Your Car

Depending on the length of your move, you may need to have your car transported on a truck by a moving company. But before you hand your car over, you should take pictures of it from different angles, note any dents, scratches, and other markings, and remove all belongings from the car. Usually the car will be inspected by an agent before it will be allowed to be transported.

The amount of time it takes to move a car from one location to another depends on the weather and the distance. When your car arrives, you may need to pick it up at one of the car transport company's offices. Go over the car again to make sure there are no new dents or scratches. File a claim with the company and your insurance company if you see any significant damage to the vehicle.

Getting Pets Ready for a Move

If you have lived in your current home for most of your pet's lives, they may be very attached to it and will not be eager to move. Buying pet crates is the best way to contain pets while on the road. You can use the ones you have already, or you can buy larger versions for cross-country moves. Most pets will be a little moody after a long trip, so be sure to have plenty of food and water available when you arrive.

At first, your pet may be anxious about leaving the crate and exploring. Let your pet explore your new home when it is ready. Once pets begin, they will want to find every corner in the home in order to claim their territory. Resume your regular feeding, grooming, and walking routine after a day or so. Your pet will need the structure.