Six Reasons Why it Makes Sense to Hire a Move Manager

Do you realize that moving is one of the 7 most stressful things we will ever do in our lives?¹ If you’ve ever had to move, in-between raising your family, doing the laundry, working and trying to catch a few Z’s, you can certainly attest to that fact!!

A little known fact is that move managers can make your move a stress-free undertaking. We exist and we make life a lot easier for you around move time. I’m shocked by the number of times I work with a client or speak to a realtor who is learning about move management services for the first time, or doesn’t realize that many professional organizers offer this service.

So, what’s the big deal you ask? Let me tell you . . .

We do the admin. If you want to gather a few quotes from movers, need to reserve the elevator at your condo, or need to have a bin delivered to dump all that stuff that’s not moving with you, there’s no need to spend your lunch hour on the phone. We take care of the calls and scheduling for you.

We bring the supplies. After a full day’s work, when you rush home to feed the family, throw on a load of laundry and hustle the kids out the door to soccer practice, do you really want to go to your local moving supply retailer to get boxes, tape and packing paper? Likely not. But don’t worry: we’ll bring the packing supplies needed to get the job done.

We pack . . .and label. So, your move is three weeks away. It’s 9:30 pm on a Tuesday night. Your daughter’s homework is finally done, the kitchen is cleaned and ready for tomorrow’s early-morning onslaught. You have a decision to make: Start packing boxes? Or give yourself 45 minutes to collect your thoughts, prepare for tomorrow, or maybe even have a conversation with our spouse? Wait! You’ve overlooked one other option. You can ask your move manager to pack as much or as little as needed to allow you enough time to keep your sanity. We’ll pack like items together and label the boxes, so you have a sense of what’s going on when you get to your new home.

We want you to make money. If you’re downsizing, there’s no way you can take all your furniture with you. But if you have enough unnecessary furniture, you may be able to sell it via an online auction. Your move manager will prepare the auction lots, the auction house will arrange to have your property photographed and catalogued. They’ll run the auction and even arrange for the pick-up of items that were sold. You just wait for the cheque.

We’re there on move day. This makes a world of difference to a parent with a young family, or to someone who can’t be present to support an elderly family member.  We will be on site, to field any questions from your movers and oversee the goings on of the day. That leaves you with peace of mind and the opportunity to spend those eight hours however you see fit.

We unpack. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on that first morning in your new home, knowing that your toothbrush is already in a bathroom cabinet, your clothes are hung in the closet and there’s coffee and cereal in the kitchen? It can happen. We will unpack your belongings so you can start settling into your new home and routines. You don’t have to live out of boxes for 6 months.

There are a number of reasons why someone may seek out a move manager:You may have health problems that make it impossible for you to look after things on your own; you may have a busy family and not enough hours in the day to get things done; you may not have anyone who can help you. Whatever the reason, take comfort in knowing that you don’t have to be that person quickly tossing things into big, black garbage bags as the moving truck prepares to drive  away.  Help is available.

 

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1. Thrive Global. https://www.thriveglobal.com/stories/28921-10-most-stressful-life-events

The DIY Mover’s Checklist

This is a hot time in the real estate market.  If you’re in a desirable neighbourhood, the sign can go up, and your house can be sold within a week. Then you’ll have 30 – 90 days to move out. If you’re not ready, the whole experience can be overwhelming.

So, how can moving be easier? Here are a few ideas to keep you on track.

OHIO (Only Handle it Once). Before you list your home, it’s best to depersonalize the space.  When you take up all those family photos and quirky caricatures, wrap and pack them for the move.  There’s no point stashing them in a bin or drawer, only to have to pack them later. 

Purge before you pack. Whenever possible, try to eliminate anything you no longer want before you move. So often, people throw belongings into a box saying, “I’ll sort it out in the new place.” Here are two things to consider: If you’re already thinking that you’ll make a final decision after the move, you’re already half way to admitting you don’t want the item.  Besides, putting off all those decisions until after you move prolongs the stress and frustration that often accompanies a move. Until you open and unpack every box, you won’t be truly settled. Why wait and hang on to those feelings of being in flux?

Pack an organized box. Don’t succumb to the pressure to throw whatever you touch into a box, regardless of what will be packed with it.  If you find a valid passport at the back of a kitchen drawer, don’t pack it with your knives and forks; pack it with other vital documents.

Forward your change of address. Once you know your move date, start notifying all necessary parties of your new address. I strongly recommend completing a mail redirect at your local postal outlet.
 

 Contact your utility and service providers. While you’re processing that address change, don’t forget to notify providers of services and utilities of your upcoming move. Find out what can be moved with you and what has to be cancelled. You don’t want to get caught paying for the next guy’s water consumption, and you do want to make sure you can watch TV at the end of a long day of unpacking in your new home.

Label and colour code. Remember to identify which room in the new house each box should be placed in. Some people like to assign a colour to each room in their new house and affix a label of the same colour onto all boxes or furniture to go in that room.  For example, in the new house, hang a piece of red paper on the bathroom door; when you pack anything that should go into the bathroom, put a red sticker/label on the box. And don’t forget to list some of the contents on each box.  You likely won’t get everything unpacked in one day.  When you have to find something in a hurry, you’ll be glad to have a list of each box’s contents to refer to.

Pack a Last day/First day box. When you’ve been packing for days and weeks leading up to your move date, you’ll start to pare down your frequent go-to items. When you only have a day left in your old house, you’ll want to put together a collection of the toiletries and clothes you will need on move day, as well as a box of the cleaning supplies and must-haves for your first few hours in your new home.  Some things to include would be toilet paper, paper towel, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, a mop and pail, hand soap, dish soap and a few hand towels.

Ask about exceptions. When you’re booking your moving company, be sure to ask if they have any exceptions.  Movers generally won’t move hazardous materials, (this can include your household cleaning products), overweight items or even alcohol.  Likewise, be sure that the company you move with can meet any special needs you may have, such as moving a piano or appliances.

 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your move, it will go more smoothly if you take the steps to be prepared. Good luck!