Moving Day Tips | Columbus Homes For Sale

Everything comes together on moving day, when a flood of last-minute details can seem overwhelming and the trip to your new

home looms

in front of you. Being

prepared ahead of time for the little things and having a plan for surviving your trip can get

you through this crucial

event.

Confine your pets

If your dog is frenzied because of the moving day activity, confine it somewhere away from the action. Movers shouldn't have

to confront a

snarling dog (or worse,

trip over it) each time they return for another box.

Provide refreshments

If it's a hot day, you should set out water and snacks for the movers. On cold days, offer them hot chocolate and coffee. If

your friends are

helping you move, be

sure to provide food for lunch and dinner as well as refreshments during the day.

Be considerate to your neighbors, old and new

Make sure the moving truck doesn't block a neighbor's driveway. Don't block the sidewalk with furniture waiting to be loaded.

Make sure the

movers don't walk over

your neighbor's lawn or through their flowerbeds. Try to move during the daytime, but

not too early or too late.

Don't leave trash, unwanted furniture or other debris

on the sidewalk. Place it in proper containers,

and if it begins to overflow, go to the

local dump.

The Golden Rule of moving

You should leave your old house as clean as you would like to find your new house. Clean as much as you can before moving

day, and then

make a final check

after everything is out.

Finishing up

Be available to answer any questions your movers may have, which means staying around until they're finished. Professional

movers will ask

you to sign a bill of

lading and check an inventory sheet when they are done loading the truck. The bill of lading

is a government document

required for transport services to move

your personal property. Read both documents carefully

before signing. If you're satisfied with the

way the movers handled your possessions, it's customary to tip

the movers about

$20 each, giving them more or less depending on the

difficulty of the move and the quality of service you received. If your

friends helped,

provide food and drinks for a post-move celebratory

meal.

Routes to success

Whether you're driving a rented moving van or meeting the professional vanline driver at your new residence, you'll be better

prepared on

moving day if you plan

ahead for the trip from your old home to your new one.

The route taken by a huge truck may be different than the one you would normally take in your car because of size and weight

restrictions

or obstructions such as

a low bridge or overhanging trees.

Plan ahead as much as you can.

If possible, drive the route before moving day arrives, watching for obstacles and noting the time it takes to travel the route at

a reasonable

pace. If you can't drive

the route, buy a good map or visit a web site like Mapblast or MapQuest and chart the

route that the truck will take.

Before you depart, contact each state's

department of transportation to inquire about road

construction along your planned route.

Organizations like AAA and Cross Country Automotive Services provide maps, suggested routes, alternate routes and rest-

stop information.

With membership,

these organizations often offer premium services like roadside assistance and additional

insurance coverage.

Tips for driving a rental truck

Even if you've been down this road before, it doesn't hurt to be reminded of these safe-driving tips.

Drive more slowly than you normally would because a loaded moving truck probably doesn't handle as well as the car you're

accustomed to

driving.

Decelerate and brake sooner. You're carrying a lot of weight, so it will take longer to come to a complete stop. Besides, you

don't want your

household goods to

get damaged.

Allow extra space between you and the vehicle you're following. Also give yourself plenty of room when turning because the

truck is probably

wider than you're

used to.

Know your truck's height and look out for low overhangs and tree branches. Especially be aware of filling station overhang

height.

Anticipate other drivers' actions. Because no one likes to follow a truck, other drivers may make risky moves to pass you. By

staying alert,

you'll be ready to react

to avoid an accident.

Stop and rest frequently.

Driving a huge truck for a long distance is more tiring than you may realize, and tiredness can put you at greater risk for an

accident.

At every stop, walk around and inspect the truck. Check tires, lights, and the cargo door (if you're towing a trailer, check trailer

tires, door,

hitch, and hitch security

chain). Follow your truck rental agent's recommendation for how frequently you should

check the engine oil level.

Secure the truck at overnight stops. Park in a well-lighted area and lock the truck cab. Lock the cargo door with a padlock.

Back carefully. Most accidents in large vehicles occur when backing. Before you back, get out, walk around, and check for

obstacles, high and

low. Allow plenty of

maneuvering room and ask someone to help you back up. Talk over hand signals they

should use as they guide you and

ask them to stay within sight of your side

view mirror.

Coordinating with the professional mover

Your goal is to get to your new home in time to greet the movers. Arrive late, and you're likely to be charged for the movers'

wait. Before

you depart, exchange cell

phone numbers with the driver so you can stay in touch in case one of you is delayed.

Plan for the unexpected by

making backup plans, such as arranging for

someone else to greet the movers.

Flying factors

If you are flying to your new home, check the flight schedule closely and be sure to factor in the time required to retrieve

luggage and travel

from the airport. Also

make backup plans in case the flight is delayed or you get stuck in traffic. If you are

traveling with young children, plan

extra time into your schedule. Also, dress

your children in bright, distinctive clothing so you

can easily identify them in a crowd.

Give yourself time

Finally, be conservative in your time estimates. It may be a good idea to plan out the day in half-hour increments. Seeing a

picture of the day

will ensure that you

have some extra time between each leg of your journey. That way you can accommodate

unexpected delays that could

otherwise throw off your schedule.

Moving Tips

The Anders Team
614-527-0811

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