Your Moving Guide to an Organized Relocation

YOUR MOVING GUIDE TO AN ORGANIZED RELOCATION

By Jody Barnes

Copyright 2012 Jody Barnes

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition License Statement:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: Get the Most out of Your House Hunting Trip

Chapter 2: Moving with Children and/or Spouse

Chapter 3: Moving with Pets

Chapter 4: Getting Started

Chapter 5: Types of Relocations

Chapter 6: Relocation Terms

Chapter 7: Special Items and How They Can Affect Your Pocketbook

Chapter 8: Decide on the Items that you will be taking

Chapter 9: Decide on the Items that you will not be taking

Chapter 10: Decide how your Items will be moved

Chapter 11: Let's Get Packing!

Chapter 12: Ways to Get Organized

Chapter 13: A Day of Packing with a Professional Mover

Chapter 14: Move Day is Upon Us!

Chapter 15: The Truck is Coming! The Truck is Coming!

Chapter 16: Post Move Notes

Chapter 17: Conclusion

Quick Reference websites

About The Author

INTRODUCTION:

I have never heard anyone proclaim that they love to move. As a matter of fact, it has been stated that it ranks in the top worst things to do behind death and divorce. There are many parts involved with a relocation, so it is hard to determine which one (or more) parts go awry. In this book, I will break down the steps involved in a relocation, provide tips to make it easier and most importantly, give you the tools to get organized. Organization is a key element when you are moving. From beginning to end, it is vital that you know exactly what is going on and if you do not, then at least have the contact information to find the answer.

The question I am asked most often would be Is it better for me to move my things or should I hire someone to do it for me? In some instances, if the move is being paid for by a government agency, military or a corporation, that decision may be taken out of your hands based on the payers policies and procedures.

If you are the one that has to make that decision, then there are questions you need to ask yourself:

"Am I comfortable with strangers packing and loading my personal belongings?"

"Are there a large number of items that I would prefer to keep in my possession at all times?"

"Do I have enough time to properly pack, load and transport my household goods?"

"Is money a factor in determining a self-move or hiring a professional mover?"

Choosing a self-move or hiring a professional is based on your:

*Level of comfort having strangers in the home

*Time constraints

*Pack and load knowledge

*Lift and carry ability

*Ease of driving a larger vehicle or towing a vehicle

*Disassembly/reassembly of furniture and items

*Cost

There is no right or wrong answer. Each person’s situation is different. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. We will discuss this further in Chapter 10.

Cost tends to be the factor that most people focus on. That is understandable. In addition to transporting household goods, there are other expenses to consider.

For instance, you may have:

Temporary housing

Utility hook-ups

Cost of changing cable/internet service

Cost of changing cell phone carrier/landlines

Auto/home/renter’s insurances

Fees for early cancellation of tuition

Payment of new school tuitions

I will also provide you with options on how to save money and where to find cost savings regardless of how you choose to have your household goods moved.

I wish it were possible to cover every facet of moving, but the truth is that every move is different. Circumstances vary for pet owners, married couples, families, renters and homeowners. My best advice is to take notes while you are reading about the things that pertain to you. Write your questions as you think of them, so that if you come across the answer, you can make note of it. If at the end, you still have unanswered questions, there will be a place to call to get the answers you seek.

Keep in mind that while I refer to professional movers, it is the industry as a whole, not one specific agency or van line. Therefore, they each may differ slightly, so it is imperative that you communicate well and seek everything in written form. Verbal communication is best for hello and goodbye, but everything in between should be in writing. Whether you sign with a professional mover or lease a rental truck, there are documents that will need to be signed. They are legal and binding. You must be aware of what you are agreeing to when you sign on the dotted lines.

Be realistic about your time frame and what you are able or willing to contribute to your relocation whether it is time or monetarily related. If you are a procrastinator by nature, then recruit friends and family to help keep you on task. Using the phrases I’m going to get rid of that, I’m going to be selling that, I’m thinking about having a moving sale, may have you waiting until the last minute to determine a plan of action and cause you to make hasty decisions.

Setting a relocation budget is also beneficial. Make a list of all the expenses so that you know what your parameters are. Always add 10% for contingencies that you may run into along the way. If cost is a factor, then once you know your budget, you can make the decision about hiring a mover or doing the move yourself.

Moving can be overwhelming. Stress of moving with pets and children can add to that. Researching destination demographics, spousal employment, daycare facilities, schools and many other things can make the relocation appear monumental and daunting. With a little patience, a good sense of humor and some basic organization, we can make this large task into many tiny ones.

Here are some questions that you may want to give some thought to:

If you have children, does the school provide transportation to and from the new house or do they have to be transported?

Is there a Latch Key program for the time lapse between school dismissal and your arrival to pick them up? How will this work with your employment schedule?

Is there a city bus or transportation system if you do not have an automobile?

Is there an area that would be more beneficial to you and/or your family?

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