Are you moving this summer? If so, you’re in good company.
Summer is considered the high season for moving.
If you are moving, are you stressed about it? If so, you’re in good company there, too. According to researchers, moving is one of the five most stressful things you will ever do.
Whether you move across town or across the country, you have to figure out how to organize your possessions, pack them and then unpack them on the other side, and that is just plain hard.
Here are five tips to manage (and master) any move:
1 Get a binder and use it as your command central. A binder or an accordion file will neatly contain any and all papers, and it will give you the sense that you have the important things at your fingertips.
2 Comparison shop. Moving is expensive. Once you get past initial bids, which are often artificially low, hidden costs for boxes, tape, other packing materials and, of course, labor quickly add up.
Get at least three quotes, ideally five, and really compare the fine print.
If you’re just renting a van, compare the per-mile charges; often what appears to be a flat rate is not.
If you’re hiring professionals, carefully consider how many hours it will take to move the things in your house. It is not unheard of for companies to try to win a bid by providing a low estimate based on an unrealistic number of hours.
Ask neighbors, friends and co-workers who have used a mover recently. Be sure to ask for and check your moving company’s references.
3 Get insurance. Most homeowners’ or renters’ insurance does not cover goods in the possession of movers.
Don’t risk being one of the unlucky ones whose moving truck splits open on the interstate or whose things get lost in transit.
Loss of property is the No. 1 headache reported by the moving industry. A moving company provides basic insurance based on weight, so you might want to purchase additional coverage.
Laron Williams, owner of Careful Movers of Edmonds, said consumers should look critically at insurance rates if they’re moving just across town.
Some are as high as $10 to $15 per $1,000 of coverage, he said.
If you have an estimated $50,000 in goods, insurance could end up costing more than the cost of moving your belongings, as much as $750.
“It’s not that good of a deal,” Williams said, adding that most of the company’s smaller moves are less than $300. “For a local move, I don’t push the insurance on people.”
4 Sort and declutter. When in doubt, definitely throw it out. Remember that it costs you to move every little thing, so go through your stuff and make some serious decisions.
5 Plan far ahead. Start going through your stuff about four weeks before the move in 20-minute increments. Doing a little bit every night will set you up for a less stressful move.
Herald writer Sarah Jackson contributed to this report.
Buttoned Up is a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife@getbuttonedup.com.
Bonus tips
Moving in state: Before you hire a mover, confirm that the company has a permit from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. See www.utc.wa.gov for a guide to moving and a list of moving companies permitted to operate as household goods carriers, or call 888-333-9882.
According to the UTC: “There are currently unlicensed moving companies taking advantage of people, holding goods hostage for large sums of money and illegally inflating estimates.”
The UTC sets the maximum rates a mover can charge for in-state moves: Rates for moves 56 miles or more are based on the weight of goods and distance hauled. Rates for moves 55 miles or fewer are based on number of workers used, amount of time it takes to load, move and unload and the mover’s hourly rates.
Out of state: If you’re moving out of state, see www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov or call 800-832-5660.
Better Business Bureau: Check www.bbb.org to see if the company you want to hire is accredited and if there are unresolved complaints.
Resources
Careful Movers and All Star Transfer, 24111 Highway 99, Edmonds; 425-745-7559; www.carefulmovers.net; www.allstartransfer.com. Typical costs are $95 per hour with a three-hour minimum, which covers the cost of the truck, equipment and two movers.
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