Even at the best of times, moving day can be stressful for everyone involved. Whether you are moving into or out of a condo, lowrise home or a commercial property, a move involves trucks, boxes, packing materials, workers and a certain amount of organized chaos.
As with any major event, preparation is key. There are certain things to do on moving day to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. The first is to be sure to bring your manners with you. Think of the following tips as moving etiquette:
- Let your neighbours at both ends know when to expect the movers to pull into your place. Ensure that the movers park and unload to avoid blocking anyone’s driveway or trespassing on property while items are being carried into or out of your place. It is important to respect your neighbours’ privacy and property.
- If you are booking a residential move and have the choice, select 9 or 10 a.m. for your truck to arrive. This is a time when people who work the 9-to-5 shift are not at home and you are less likely to cause them any inconvenience.
- Everyone wants to move at the same time, but this can tie up the elevators and make it impossible for residents to come and go, so instead of chaos, the property management will book a block of time for you to move. Book the elevator well in advance – in both the building you are leaving and the building you will be moving into – so that you can have the benefit of arranging your time comfortably. You should also check to see if movers are restricted to using specific doors. Sometimes there are service areas to use for moving so that the rest of the tenants aren’t disturbed or inconvenienced, or to accommodate large, heavy pieces of furniture.
- Make arrangements for your pets to be cared for elsewhere. The very nature of a move means that doors will be open for long periods, and having animals wandering in and out can be dangerous for them and for those carrying your belongings.
- If the movers are playing a radio, ask them to keep the volume down to avoid bothering small children or elderly neighbours who may want peace and quiet.
- The physical nature of moving means that your movers will get thirsty and hungry. Although it is not necessary, offering cool drinks and some snacks is always greatly appreciated. Cold water and pop during the summer or coffee and hot chocolate in the winter can go a long way to keeping movers refreshed and energized.
- Most people wonder about whether to tip movers. Tipping is not compulsory in our industry, so it is totally up to you. If you feel your moving crew has done an exemplary job, by all means, show your appreciation that way. Whether or not you tip, you should expect excellent service.
- Most moving companies are good about removing packing materials, crates, boxes, etc., when they leave. If anything is left behind, collect it yourself and dispose of it.
- As items are moved out of rooms, take advantage of the opportunity to sweep, mop and clean what you can. Think about how you would like to find the place you are moving into and act accordingly. Some people hire cleaners to come in and work their magic before turning in the keys to the landlord or new owners. You may even want to check your lease – some leases and tenant agreements stipulate the condition of cleanliness and you don’t want to be sent a bill from your old landlord because you didn’t fulfill your obligations at your old apartment when leaving.
So, it’s all about common courtesy – treating others the way you would like to be treated. That’s why at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Canada we follow “The Grandma Rule.” We treat everyone the way we would want our grandmothers to be treated.