How do I pick the right mover?

Create a list of local moving companies you plan to research.Get a quote from each mover. Make sure to get moving quotes directly from a company’s official website or phone number. Working with movers directly cuts out any middlemen and will result in the lowest price.Get a feel for each moving company’s reputation by reading reviews from real customers.Ask whether each company is licensed and how they’re insured.Determine how each mover’s schedule works. Is your delivery date guaranteed? Will the same person who loads up your belongings transport and unload them as well?Make sure you’re comfortable with how each mover charges, their cancellation policy, and whether or not a deposit is required.Choose whichever company best fits your move; everyone’s needs are different.

How far in advance should I start planning my move?

It is recommended to start to plan for your upcoming move at least eight to 12 weeks in advance of your desired move date. If you plan to move during peak season, which includes the summer months and weekends, please keep in mind that schedules typically fill up quickly.

How can I lower my overall moving costs?

To lower the cost of your upcoming move, consider looking into midweek. Moving midweek- Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday- will often provide you with a lower rate than moving on a weekend. The weekends are often high-demand moving days, which means the costs of services typically increase. And, decluttering of items that do not need to be transported to your new space will save on the number of boxes to transport, which will reduce the time and cost it takes to complete your move.

What items will professional movers not transport?

Items professional movers cannot move include prescription drugs or medicines, machine or gas engine items, animals, plants, flammable items, and sentimental belongings such as cash, jewelry, insurance papers, or birth certificates. Please consult with your TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise for a full list of items that can’t be moved.

Do I need extra coverage for my move?

Often times, it depends on the types of items you’re moving and the extra cost you want to add to your move. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers two different kinds of valuation protection:Full Value Protection This is the highest level of protection and will increase the cost of your move. Under this option, the mover is liable for the full replacement value of lost or damaged items with a minimum (FVP) amount of liability equal to at least $6.00 per pound (times the weight of the shipment), which is further subject to a minimum valuation amount of $6,000 per shipment.Released Value ProtectionThis is a lower-level protection, where the mover’s liability is limited to a minimal amount (60 cents per pound per article). This option would only compensate you according to the weight of the item, not its actual value. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000, you would only receive $6.00 in compensation (.60 cents x 10 pounds). Our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK teams strive to ensure damages do not occur to any personal belongings following extensive, informative training. However, despite all precautions taken, there may be rare instances where damages occur, which is why we offer valuation. Please note, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK valuation policies differ from franchise to franchise. Please contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK office to find out more about their specific policy.

When should I start packing?

Start to pack those non-essential items (books, clothing, pictures) four weeks before your move date. Then, begin to pack up those everyday items the week leading up to your move, and then finally pack your first-night essentials the morning of your move.

Moving Checklist: Keeping Your Move Organized

Preparing for a successful move takes planning. Ideally, a move should be booked at least one month in advance of your desired move date to ensure you have enough preparation time. Steps to ensure a successful move include budgeting, decluttering those unwanted items, room-by-room packing, transferring of utilities, and assembling that essential move day box, just to name a few! This may sound like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll review!

Moving Timeline and Checklist

Print Checklist

Timeline	Focus	Action Items
Eight to 12 Weeks Out from Move	Planning and Getting on the Franchise Schedule	Do some research and compare several local moving companies against your allocated budget to ensure the mover you select aligns with your needs.
Six to Eight Weeks Out from Move	Declutter and Purchase Moving Supplies	Determine which items you plan to keep and which you will donate ahead of your move. Order moving supplies such as boxes and packing tape if you choose to pack up items on your own (TWO MEN AND A TRUCK does offer packing services so your Movers Who Care® can also handle this part of the process for you!).
Four Weeks Out from Move	Packing and Utilities	Begin to pack non-essential items well in advance of your move to save you time (and the headache) of needing to pack come move day. Schedule utility transfers from your old home to your new location, and reserve elevators as needed.
Two Weeks Out from Move	Change of Address	Update your mailing provider and begin to pack that essential day of move bag. You don’t want to be searching for your toothbrush that is buried in a box when you get to your new home!
One Week Out from Move	Final Preparations and Cleaning	With just seven days left ahead of your scheduled move, now is the time to begin final preparations, which can include cleaning the stove, defrosting the refrigerator, and ensuring you have transportation squared away for yourself, family, and any pets.
Move Day	Execution	It’s officially move day! While your TWO MEN AND A TRUCK crew handles the heavy-lifting for you, you can start to transform your new house into your new home. Once the movers arrive, they’ll complete a thorough walk-through of each room to determine what still needs to be packed before they start loading your belongings onto the truck.
Post-Move	Settling In	Place the family photos in their new space, meet your new neighbors, and explore your new community.

The Moving Plan

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Step 1
Eight to 12 Weeks Away from Your Move: Plan. Budget. Book.
- Set Milestones: Establish target dates for when you’ll hire your local mover, when you’ll begin the process of decluttering those unwanted items, and when packing will officially begin.
- Create Your Budget: There is a cost when it comes to moving. Do your research and vet quotes from different moving companies to determine which mover will work best for you and your wallet. When building your budget, it’s important to not just keep the cost of the moving company in mind, but also the costs associated with packing supplies, valuation coverage, and storage, if needed.
- Book Your Move: It’s time to secure your move date! Reach out via your local mover’s website or call their office to book your move. If you’re moving during the summer months or on a weekend, it’s important to book your move at least eight to 12 weeks in advance of your desired move date to make it onto the schedule as that is typically peak moving season. Off-season moving, typically during the winter months or mid-week, can be booked four to six weeks ahead of your move date.
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Step 2
Six to Eight Weeks Away from Your Move: Declutter and Purchase Moving Supplies
- Sort Your Belongings: Does that 16-year-old armchair have a spot in your new home? Did you purchase a dresser for your new bedroom and no longer need your old one? Take some time to go through each room of your current home to categorize all items to determine which you will keep, which can be donated, and which can be recycled.
- Dispose of Items that Cannot Be Moved: Properly discard any hazardous materials or items TWO MEN AND A TRUCK cannot move. These items include antifreeze, propane, paint, household cleaners, and even weed killers.
- Purchase Packing Supplies: If you choose to pack your belongings on your own, it’s important you have all necessary supplies. The essential packing supplies include various sizes of heavy-duty boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap, packing paper, furniture pads, and dish cartons. But, if you’d prefer to leave the packing to the professionals, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has your back!
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Step 3
Four Weeks Away from Your Move: Packing and Service Transfers
- Pack, but Begin with the Non-Essentials: Packing a month in advance of your move will help you prepare and save time once your move date officially arrives. It’s important to begin packing the non-essentials you won’t need to access during those four weeks before your scheduled moves. These items can include books, seasonal belongings, clothing, and those various knickknacks.
- Label Boxes: As you pack, make sure to clearly label each box. Write the destination of the room on the top and sides of each box so the movers can ensure they make it to the right place at your new home. If items placed in the boxes are fragile, make sure to label as such.
- Secure Hardware: Gather screws, power cords, and small parts in labeled bags and tape them to the appropriate furniture pieces. This will save you significant time searching for that necessary power strip once you settle into your new residence.
- Transfer Service Utilities: Begin the process of scheduling utility transfers and shutoff dates for services such as electricity, gas, water, trash, sewer, internet, and subscription services.
- Confirm Access Restrictions: If your current residence has elevators, or perhaps you’re transporting items out of a storage unit, it is important to reserve loading docks and elevator usage well in advance of your move date.
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Step 4
Two Weeks Away from Your Move: Address Change and Final Reviews
- Change of Address: Receive change of address cards from your local post office or change your address directly online. Work with your children’s current school to arrange for the transfer of school records, and be sure to notify magazines, charge accounts, insurance companies, clubs, or any other organizations you’re affiliated with of your change of address.
- Prepare the First-Night Essentials Box: Moving takes time and energy; once your movers unload all boxes into your new space, the last thing you want to do is start looking through each box to try and find where you packed your phone charger. Pack a first-night essentials box that you can easily access when you move into your new space. Items in this box can include:
  Medications
  Toiletries
  Legal documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records)
  Phone chargers
  Basic tool kit
  Change of clothing
  Bedding
  Towels
  Snacks
  Pet supplies

Details to Provide to Your Moving Crew

In an effort to avoid delays or add potential costs come moving day, it’s important to provide the following details to your crew well in advance of your move date:

Inventory: Provide full detail on the number of boxes and items that will need to be transported. Be sure to note any specialty items such as pianos or antiques that will need to be handled with extra care during the move.
Logistics: Does your new home have any parking restraints? Do you know if there are any low hanging bridges during the route from your current home to your new residence? Let your movers know! Having insight prior to the move on logistics that might impact the time to complete your move will help our move teams plan in advance to avoid additional costs.
Building Requirements: If you’re new or old building requires any reservations of elevator usage or has rules surrounding loading docks, it is important to communicate this to your move teams so they’re aware and ready come move day.
Points of Contact: Share the necessary phone numbers of any points of contacts for your move so your movers can have direct access if questions arise.

Move Day Execution

It might be hard to believe, but those eight weeks from when you book your move to when your official move date arrives will fly by! Once it comes time to actually complete your move, it’s important to execute the following:

Create a safe path for movers to navigate by clearing driveways and entryways of any objects, snow, or ice.
Perform a walkthrough of each room of your current residence with your move crew to note what boxes will be loaded onto the truck, and identify those more fragile and specialty items so your crew is aware.
Place children and pets in a safe, designated area away from high-traffic moving zones.
Help to guide your movers throughout your new space by noting which boxes can be placed into their designated rooms.
Review, sign, and keep a record of your final bill and inventory sheets once your move is officially complete.

New Home Arrival Tasks

Now that your TWO MEN AND A TRUCK move crew has completed its job of safely and efficiently transporting all items into your new home, it’s time to settle in!

Unpack the essentials- bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen items are often best to unpack first to ensure a comfortable first night in your new space.
Walk through and verify that all primary utilities, such as electrical circuits, are fully functioning.
Test smoke alarms and check all locks. You don’t want any blaring noise waking you up in your new home in the middle of the night!