Bookstore Movers

Tips for a less stressful move

Someday I plan on creating a grand opus containing all our moving wisdom and the insights we have gained through these many years of sleeper-sofas, fifth floor walk-ups, and more recently, blizzards.But for now I’ll just bullet-point a few things that can make moving a little less stressful and speed the process along:

• Reserve parking in your loading dock or on the street (generally you go to your local police precinct, though recently DC has made you go through DDOT)
• Reserve any elevators that might be involved.  You generally do this by contacting the property manager.  Weekends and dates at the ends of the month are the most popular, sometimes getting fully booked weeks, even months ahead of time.
• Start contacting movers as far in advance as you can.  Again, the ends of months, weekends, and the whole summer are the most busy moving times.  Getting in touch with movers early is particularly important if you have to move on a specific day or have limited flexibility as to your move date.
• Make sure you have plenty of boxes and tape.  You’ll probably need twice as many as you realize.  Craigslist is a great place to find free boxes.  Or if you opt to purchase them, most places will let you return any leftovers for a refund.
• Box up as many miscellaneous items as possible.  Boxes may be moved with much greater efficiency than loose and sundry items.
• Labeling a box’s contents makes a mover’s life simpler and helps us take better care of your possessions.  Noting  particularly if a box is fragile or extremely heavy.  Also, unpacking will be significantly more streamlined if your boxes designate their new destination by room so we can take it straight there and you don’t have to face a Himalayan mountain chain of boxes in your living room.
• Leave yourself enough time for packing . This usually takes far longer than you expect.  We’ve had many clients still packing when we arrive, and it can really complicate the logistics of packing items into the truck in an optimal manner.  We recommend trying to have it all done the night before to give yourself a cushion.
• Pack a box of things you will need right when you get to your new abode.  Perhaps things like your rental agreement, cleaning supplies, snack, trash bags.
• Make sure your new place is clean and that you have a sense for the arrangement of the furniture before your rooms get crowded with boxes and are harder to navigate with your larger items.