PLANNING YOUR MOVE

What's Important When Selecting a Moving Company?

Not all moving companies are the same! The goal for the consumer should be to find a company that you trust has the skills, the resources and the commitment to make your move as efficient and stress-free as possible. You want to find a company that has developed a culture of customer service throughout the entire organization. This includes not just the people who conduct the move but also the sales, operations and customer service units all of which need to be operating as "one company, one team" in their commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Ask a lot of questions!

Moving Costs...

It's important to understand the costs of employing a professional mover versus renting a truck and doing it yourself. After you have fully weighed the expense in time, as well as potential liabilities in moving yourself, you may very well come to the determination that using a professional firm outweighs the perceived cost benefits. It takes considerable time to rent trucks, recruit friends and buy or rent the equipment that will assure a safe, efficient move. Variables such as fuel, mileage fees, insurance coverage and the possibility of injury raise the costs of "doing it yourself" considerably.

Making an Informed Decision...

When making a decision about using a professional moving company a good place to start is with your real estate agent. They will often have developed relationships with companies in whom they have trust and confidence in referring. Friends, relatives and o-workers can also provide their recommendations because good companies leave a trail of highly impressed and satisfied customers. Top companies will also be visible in advertising, will partner with other reputable firms and will maintain web-sites that can be checked for available services.

Not All Moving Companies Are the Same...

Finding a terrific moving company starts with being an informed consumer. By asking questions you will gain a sense of a company'' values as well as the scope of their services. There are many variables that will separate companies, including: the hiring and training of a professional full time staff; whether or not they charge for travel time; the availability of climate controlled storage; fleet condition and maintenance; savings for mid-month moves; interior and exterior floor protection; the use of complimentary boxes and so on. Questions around these variables are the kind of questions an informed consumer will want to ask.

Preparing for Your Move...

If you decide to do your own packing plan on spending several weeks to be fully prepared on move day. Getting a head start will help you get organized, it will undoubtedly save money and it will further ensure the safe transport of your belongings. There are many important tips that a superior moving company can and will provide that will address all aspects of packing including fragile items, electronics and perishables. Make sure to ask for information and to refer to it in your preparations!

Storage...

There are times when temporary storage of furniture, boxes and personal belongings is required. On those occasions the best and safest alternative is containerized climate controlled storage. Superior moving companies maintain fleets of "vault trucks" that carry four or five vaults that can be packed and stored with your belongings. This also means that your valuable possessions are handled only twice - at the load and again at the unload - and you never have to worry about possible damage due to weather and the elements.

Did you know?

May is National Moving Month! May marks the beginning of the "moving season." According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 45 million Americans will move this year and not surprisingly the summer months are far the busiest. Make your plans well in advance if you are moving in the summer to assure an efficient, stress-free moving experience.

Make Moving An Adventure

• Before and During the Move
• After the Move
• Signals that a Child is Having Difficulty with a Move
  

With all the flurry of preparing for a move, the feelings of our most prized possessions --our children -- can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Preview Properties.com offers the following tips to make the move and transition easier, for both the kids and their parents. Buying a new home should be one of the most exciting times for children and their families. Moving can be a fun experience by fostering communication, being a good listener, and by creating excitement about the adventure that lies ahead.

Before and During the Move

Children typically follow the example of their parents when adjusting to a move, so a positive attitude on your part can go a long way. Describe the move as a new adventure and treat it as such. Remember, much of a child's tensions with a move involves fear of the unknown, so your communication about what is going on can do a lot to ease anxiety.

• Take the kids along on house-hunting trips, or at least bring back pictures of houses you looked at. This can build excitement about the prospect of a new house and involves them in the process, instead of keeping it a mystery.
  
• Sit the family down to talk about the move on a regular basis. Let the kids communicate their feelings, questions and concerns without interruption, then address them. Tell them what is going on and make decisions as a family.
  
• Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the move. Create a calendar of moving preparations and significant dates. Post it in the kitchen where the kids can check off each milestone as it happens.
  
• Help kids feel involved with the moving preparations by giving them their own tasks, such as boxing up their toys, sorting through their clothes and labeling boxes with their new address.
  
• Make a point to visit your children's friends to say good-bye. Consider having a going away party where your child(ren) can exchange addresses and phone numbers. Make a scrapbook of their favorite people and places in the neighborhood they will be leaving.
  After the Move
  Realize that there is a grieving period for children; it may last for weeks or even months. Generally, the younger the child, the easier the move. Older children and teenagers are extremely attached to their friends, school activities and jobs. Younger children may miss their old room, a favorite teacher or frequented park. Infants and toddlers can simply be confused by their new surroundings.
  
• Explore your new neighborhood and/or city together. Take family outings to discover fun parks, restaurants, the school and other areas where they will be spending time. Make a map with all the kids favorite spots marked on it.
  
• Encourage communication with old friends in writing letters, e-mails or making phone calls. This is healthy and eases the pain of transition.
  
• Quickly enroll the kids in sports and activities that are similar to those they were involved with in their old neighborhood or city.
  

Signals that a Child is Having Difficulty

Some children will deal with a move better than others -- some will talk about it, some will withdraw. Watch for the following signs that your child may be having a particularly difficult time with a move, then consult a physician or mental health professional.

• Not asking questions about the move and avoiding the topic.
  
• Sleep problems, including nightmares.
  
• Excessive crying or frustration.
  
• Outbursts of anger.
  
• Reluctance to leave the house or be away from his/her parents.
  
• Reluctance to make new friends in the new neighborhood or school.