Top 6 Things You Might Forget to Do When Moving

The moving process is an overwhelming one, and it can be easy to forget to handle certain details. You may be tempted to choose the first moving company you come across without comparing option, just like you may find it tempting to just pack everything up without getting rid of unused things first.

Did you pay for a bunch of moving boxes you'll never use? Did you look into Green Moving Solutions? There are so many things to keep track of and handle before the move that preparing ahead time will help you avoid rushing through the process and neglecting important tasks. Jot down these 6 things that you may forget to do when moving so that you can cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s.

Sort your items and label the boxes

First, you’ll want to start looking at your items to see if there are things you no longer need. It’s smart to do this before a move so that you can spend less on moving expenses. Sometimes there are things you never use or that you know you’re ready to part with, such as furniture that won’t look good in the new house, wardrobe items, or old holiday items.

Consider what items would be great for donating or put in a garage sale to earn some extra cash for the move. When it’s time to pack everything up, be sure to label each box thoroughly and remind yourself which room each box was intended for, such as “kitchen box” or “bedroom.” We have free moving labels available if you need them!

Get the pets a check-up

Since you’re moving somewhere new, it may take time to find a new doctor, dentist, and vet. Now is the time to get your pet in for a check-up before going somewhere new, and to ensure your pet is handling the stress of the move well. Your pet’s health is important before taking a long trip to a new place, and it will help to have updated pet records from your current vet for when you go to a new vet.

Collect important documents

Now is the time to gather and maintain important documents for your move. You don’t want to have to dig through boxes to find your resume, medical records, or school records when you need them in your new town. Keep your important documents and records handy so as to not pack them into boxes that may not get unpacked for a while.

Compare moving companies

Be sure to do your homework to find a reputable moving company (*wink wink*) rather than hiring the one with the best price or the first one on your google search. Be sure to compare services, prices, conditions, and reviews, and select a reliable moving company in your area that can prove they are licensed and insured, will do an in-home visit, and has a great reputation in the community.

Create your moving checklist

Creating a moving checklist will help you avoid forgetting some of these tasks and others that may slip your mind later. Remind yourself to call for quotes with moving companies, to call around for free moving boxes, and to get utilities set up at your new home.

Remind yourself to redirect your mail and have the furniture sent to your home the day after you’ve moved everything. Be sure to have all of the times and dates on your checklist, as well as things to do and things not to forget on there.

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Pack an essentials box

Lastly, make sure you pack a “first week essentials” box. This should include things you’ll need to access right away, such as a shower curtain and towels, cookware and cups, as well as medicine and dog food. These types of things can end up packed with your regular household goods, and make the time after your move a stressful one.

These are the top 6 things that you won’t want to forget to do when it’s time for your upcoming move.

Moving Insurance: Do you Need it? What is the Cost?

It doesn't matter if you're moving one neighborhood over or across the country; you may want to consider moving insurance. Before you decide to buy moving insurance, however, it's important to understand what it will protect and how much it costs.

Most homeowners choose a good moving company instead of going through the stressful process of packing and moving. Will using a residential moving company guarantee an item that covered if lost or damaged? Is the coverage offered good enough or should you get moving insurance?

Are Moving Companies Liable for Your Things?

Licensed moving companies in Illinois are liable for the value of the items they transport. If an item becomes damaged, while they are moving it, they are responsible. Moving companies have to offer two levels of liability, which are Movers Liability and Valuation.

With Valuation coverage, there is usually a fee associated. If an item is damaged the moving company will attempt to repair the damage and if not repairable the client will receive depreciated value for the item.

Movers Liability coverage is usually included in your move and the moving company will pay, if an item is broken. However, they only pay up to 30 cents per pound, per item. So, if you have a heavy coffee table worth $1,500 and it's damaged, the company only pays 60 cents per pound. Even if it weighs 100 pounds, that's only $30.

Buying Moving Insurance

These policies will provide coverage much like a standard insurance policy, which means you, will pay upfront for the coverage and pay a deductible if you make a claim.

It’s important to understand the type of protection you’re getting when buying moving insurance.  With some insurance policies, you will need to create a selected inventory to be covered, while other policies just cover the total value of your goods.

While you may not think you need the added coverage, you’ll probably wish you had it, if something does happen. Even the best moving companies cannot avoid every accident, but with good moving insurance, you’ll be covered.

Third-Party Moving Insurance

While purchasing moving insurance from a third-party may seem like a good idea, it can be rather expensive. This type of coverage can run anywhere from about $200 to $1,000, which is often much more expensive than purchasing additional coverage from your moving company. In addition, the deductible may be much higher in order to make the upfront rate lower.

Moving insurance offers an additional level of protection for your items when you need to move. If you don't feel like the required coverage offered by your professional moving company is enough, consider purchasing additional moving insurance from your moving company for full protection.

Top Ways to Feel At Home in Your New Chicago Apartment

Sometimes apartment living can leave you longing for something that feels more like your own. Living in an apartment means that you are renting the unit from someone else, paying a monthly rent in exchange for a place to live that isn’t truly yours.

You have to follow the rules of living there, such as restrictions on decorating, no say on the finishes used throughout, and rules on areas like pet ownership and parking. It can get tiring to play by someone else’s rules, but luckily, there are hundreds of ways to make your Chicago apartment feel like you are right at home.

You won’t remember you are living in someone else’s building when you bring these touches into your space while overlooking downtown from your balcony. Take a look at these easy ways to feel right at home in your new apartment.

Start unpacking

The best way to start is to begin unpacking the larger items, including furniture, lamps, plants, and artwork. Getting these items approximately where you envision them living will help to start put the room together. You’ll feel less like you’re in someone else’s house and more like this blank slate is starting to look like home. Choose a place for all of the big items so that the little items can start to be unpacked next.

Put on some music

What better way to bring some joy into the unpacking process than to put on some of your favorite songs that you listen to no matter where you are each day? Putting on familiar music will not only make this feel like home, but it will reduce stress while you unpack all of your belongings.

Choose a room to unpack first

You may get overwhelmed with all of the packing that needs to be done, but starting with one room at a time will make it a breeze. You may find it easiest to have your kitchen unpacked so that you can begin cooking and bringing in familiar scents to your home, or you may find that it’s easiest to have an unpacked bathroom where you can start your day off right before exploring your new city.

For others, having the bedroom unpacked will allow for total relaxation while the rest of the apartment will all fall into place. Choose one room to completely setup and you’ll find that it’s easier to handle the rest while feeling at home and at peace in the room that’s done.

Bring out an item from home

What items makes you feel at home the most? Perhaps it’s a family photo, a piece of art, a favorite lamp, or jewelry box that was given to you as a gift. Whichever items come from home, choose one to setup first. Sometimes seeing a cherished, familiar item on display will allow you to feel more comfortable and reminisce in this new apartment.

Setup the bathroom and make the bed

Even if you’ve only set up your kitchen, you’ll want to make sure your bathroom is mostly put together and your bed is made. You’ll feel more setup for success knowing that your bed is ready to sleep in and you’ll be able to take a shower in the morning.

Locate that shower curtain, bathroom towels, soaps, hair dryer, and bath mats to setup your bathroom, and then make your bed right away. Having this all ready to go will allow you to get back to your routine while you continue to unpack slowly but surely.

Host a party and relax

Now it’s time to bring friends and family into the new home so that you can start to feel like it’s yours and the place where friends and family will start picturing you at. Have a dinner party and your friends are likely to bring you a housewarming gift to enjoy in the new place. Then after the party, relax on your couch with a favorite movie and enjoy a glass of wine while you get used to your new, beautiful home.

Use these tips to make sure you feel at home in your new Chicago apartment.

May is National Moving Month

It’s May in Chicago, which means beautiful weather, baseball season has begun, and everyone is moving. This is the perfect time of year to move being not too hot and not too cold like a move in the summer, fall, or winter would be. It’s also a great time of year because the kids have finished up the school season but summer camps haven’t quite begun yet.

Since everyone is moving in Chicago right now, what are some ways to move efficiently with the extra traffic, moving trucks, and busy streets of moving crews? Take a look at these tips for moving that may help you in Chicago during this national moving month.

Why move in May?

May has become the National Moving Month everywhere, but especially for Chicago, where the weather has finally warmed up after a long winter, but it’s not so hot like the upcoming summer months that bring on the sweat.

This is a great time to count on great weather that is less likely to dehydrate you or make you think twice about packing your jacket, and the sun is out after a spring full of rain showers. Just make sure you’ve gotten all of your packing supplies and movers hired well before May since everyone is going to be booking their move for this month.

Tips for your upcoming Chicago move

When you’re preparing for your move, make sure you find a company to work with that can give you an in-home estimate and has a BBB accreditation to ensure they are licensed and valid. Those that have a BBB accreditation are required to keep up with their licenses, which will be easy for you to confirm through some online research.

Then be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the move, especially with all of the costs involved and time needed to get one of the great area companies to help you or to start the packing yourself.

Your in-home estimate should be free and allow you to discuss everything that you’ll need moved, like the storage items in your basement or specific appliances, and ask questions about anything you don’t understand, along with asking about the insured value of your belongings and when additional fees may come up. Get a written estimate with a few companies and compare costs, reviews, and your experience with each before making your decision.

Once you’ve chosen your professional movers, get the contract signed and have all of your questions answered in writing before the move. Make sure you have a plan in place for the moving day, a truck secured, and your new house is prepped for move-in.

You’ll need to setup utilities in your new home so that you can use the lights, water, and air conditioning on moving day, and be sure you’ve secured with the new building or neighborhood that a moving truck will have access and a place to park for unloading. Find out if there will be other moves happening on that street that day so that you can strategize where your truck will go and what time of day to have everything happen.

What’s going on in Chicago this month?

Now that you’ve settled into your new place, you’re likely going to be ready to enjoy some of the excitement of the city going on this month. This is the perfect time to arrive as baseball season has just started and the weather is feeling great. You can unpack those summer clothes and get ready for more time outside, enjoying the fun of the Navy Pier, relaxing at the beach, or doing some shopping at the Magnificent Mile.

This is the month for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends which means you’ll find activities celebrating these fun holidays like Mother’s Day brunch and a huge Memorial Day parade in the Loop. Be sure to also make time for the Lincoln Park Wine Fest on the 20th, Beer Under Glass on the 18th, Bike the Drive on the 28th, and Mayfest on the 19th which will offer an outdoor beer garden, pretzels, music, and fun in a giant heated tent on the street.

It’s National Moving month right now and the perfect time for your arrival to Chicago. Make sure you’ve hired a professional moving company to properly handle your belongings and household memories, and once you’re settled in, start enjoying some of the exciting things going on around this incredible city.