To make your move faster and less stressful, consider hiring professional packers to help get your things organized and packed, or to help you unpack in your new home. Here are some tips on how moving pros can help you with the packing process.
Packing assistance
Your moving company may offer packing services. For an additional fee, your mover could pack everything from towels to televisions efficiently and quickly for you. Or you might prefer that the professional movers pack only large and difficult items, such as furniture or delicate electronic equipment, while you perform the simpler packing of books and clothes yourself. When you consider this option, make sure you will feel comfortable with strangers going through your things in order to pack them.
A professional packing service typically will come into your home and, in one day or less, assemble your things carefully into boxes prepared and ready for transport. Boxes and packing materials likely will be provided as part of the service. If you’re interested in this assistance, you’ll want to request the costs and inquire whether you receive or are required to purchase additional insurance for professional mover packing.
Help with unpacking
Unpacking services can be useful for a fast move – for example, if you have to move on a Saturday and start a new job on Monday. Professional unpackers may also be useful if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all those boxes and just want to get the unpacking over with quickly.
Many services will assemble furniture and beds; others will do some light cleaning, help organize your kitchen, hang pictures and even get clocks set to the right time! (In the moving industry, these are known as “third-party services.”) Again, you may choose to hire an unpacking service only for the most difficult and time-consuming items and do the rest yourself, or you may spring for a top-to-bottom unpacking service, which will cost more.
If you’re interested in using a professional moving service to help you pack or unpack, you may find it is worth the effort to look for a well-reviewed service. Professional movers who pack and unpack your items will be spending a lot more time walking through your home and handling your things than professional movers who are paid only to pick up and drop off boxes. If you can get a detailed referral from someone whose judgment you trust, so much the better. If not, ask for contact information from former customers.
What do these services cost?
Also, keep your moving budget in mind. You’ll need to know what professional packing services will cost, and you’ll want to be on the same page with your mover as to the services you expect to be performed. Once you have the estimate, you can decide whether you want the full complement of packing and unpacking services, or whether you want to do some of the packing work yourself. When that decision is made, sign a contract with your professional packer or mover that spells out all the details.
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