Category Archives: Moving Tips

long open road in the desert

6 Tips for Long-Distance Moves

A long-distance move can be a big undertaking with many moving parts. Whether you’re a cross-country veteran or a first-time mover, things can get stressful. Top Notch Moving has been doing long-distance moves for over 25 years, so we are well-versed on the topic. This blog post has important long-distance move tips to help you prepare for your transition. (We recommend you still read our tips for general moving if you haven’t already).

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New empty apartment interior

6 Tips for an Apartment or Condo Move

Moving into and/or out of an apartment or condo can be exciting and challenging. Whether you’re relocating to a new place, upgrading to a larger space, or downsizing, careful planning and organization can make the process much smoother. Here are 6 valuable apartment moving tips to help you navigate the transition successfully.

1. Plan Ahead

Moving in or out of an apartment comes with its own set of unique tasks. By planning ahead and creating a detailed moving timeline, you can ensure a seamless, stress-free transition come move day. The list of tasks should include things like decluttering, packing, notifying utilities, changing addresses, coordinating with your building, etc.

Remember that procrastinating will only raise your stress as your move date quickly approaches. If your schedule is too busy or the list is too long to complete, feel free to ask for additional help from professionals, like a downsizing or packing service.

2. Declutter and Downsize

You can enjoy a stress-free move and spacious living environment by decluttering and downsizing your possessions. Go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Less things means less packing and unpacking, which saves time, effort, and money.

Countless times, we’ve watched people pay to have unnecessary items moved. They bring furniture they are still undecided about or “want” but have no idea where it will fit in their new place. These items end up thrown away due to lack of space or don’t work with the layout. Most apartment complexes have a detailed floor plan online for you to get an idea of what can go where and what won’t fit.

3. Pack Strategically

To efficiently pack for your move, begin early, tackling one room at a time. It’s important to stay focused. If your mind wanders, try setting a timer to keep yourself on track or snap yourself out of distraction. Use sturdy boxes and packing materials to safeguard your belongings. Clearly label each box’s destination to ensure movers deliver boxes to the appropriate room.

When moving to or from an apartment, keep in mind that the loading dock may be far away. It’s best to consolidate your items to minimize the number of trips. Additionally, apartments often have tight turns or small elevators; it is helpful to remove any shelves or items from your furniture ahead of time. This will save time and make it easier for the movers to maneuver the piece as needed.

4. Prepare a Personal Bag

Anything you need or want to keep close during the move should be in the bag or suitcase. Pack things you may need to access throughout the day, like medication, a checkbook, personal effects, and important documents.

While your belongings are safe with us, we understand the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where certain items are if they are in your own vehicle and instantly accessible. Moving companies should be more than happy to load your personal effects in your car if you didn’t get the chance or if it is heavier than you thought.

5. Hire Professional Movers

Enlisting the help of a reputable moving company can relieve significant stress. Professional movers have the expertise and equipment to handle your belongings more safely and efficiently. Most apartment or condo complexes are familiar with a moving company and are happy to provide recommendations. Some buildings require a certificate of insurance, so be sure to convey if your movers need to send any information prior to the move.

6. Communicate Effectively

Everyone should be on the same page to ensure a smooth and successful move. Be sure to let the building manager know when your moving crew will arrive so they can direct them where to park or lock off the elevator if necessary. When the crew arrives, the initial step is to perform a walk-through. Ask questions and let the moving crew know about any concerns.

Communication between the household is just as important. During the unload, one person cannot direct everyone at once. So, having more than one person know where your belongings go will be greatly beneficial and will save the moving crew time and you money.

Have a Top Notch Moving Experience

Moving into or out of an apartment building or a condominium can have a lot of little pieces to it. By breaking down the move into smaller, manageable tasks, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure nothing important falls through the cracks. By following these apartment moving tips, such as planning, organization, and communication, you can make your move a smoother and more successful experience.

We hope these apartment moving tips have been helpful. Please reach out to Top Notch Moving if you have a specific concern or question. We are happy to help in any way.

Wishing you the best with your move,

Top Notch Moving and Storage logo with tagline We're True to Our Name Apartment Moving Tips

6 Tips for Moving into a Senior Living Community

Moving into a senior living community is a significant life change that can bring many emotions. Whether you’re downsizing, seeking more social interaction, or looking for better support, making this transition smooth and stress-free is important. As you’re transitioning into a senior living community, here are 6 valuable moving tips to help you navigate the process with ease.

1. Plan Ahead

Moving requires thorough planning. Even if your move is not imminent, planning ahead for senior living can greatly benefit you and your loved ones down the road. By acting now, you can gain a significant advantage and ensure a seamless, stress-free transition when the time comes.

Create a detailed moving timeline that includes tasks like downsizing, packing, notifying utilities, changing addresses, coordinating with your senior living community, etc. If you need help determining where to begin, senior living communities may have a coordinator you can talk to. They may also have a downsizing and packing company they recommend to help you through the journey.

2. Declutter and Downsize

You can enjoy a stress-free move and spacious living environment by decluttering and downsizing your possessions. Go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Less things means less packing and unpacking, saving time, effort, and money.

Countless times, we’ve watched people pay to have unnecessary items moved. They bring furniture they are still undecided about or “want” but have no idea where it will fit in their new place. These items end up thrown away due to lack of space or don’t work with the layout.

Most senior living communities have a detailed floor plan online for you to get an idea of what can go where and what won’t fit. Doing all this will significantly simplify your move and make it safer and easier to move around.

3. Pack Strategically

To efficiently pack for your move, begin early, tackling one room at a time. It’s important to stay focused. If your mind wanders, try setting a timer to keep yourself on track or snap yourself out of distraction. Use sturdy boxes and packing materials to safeguard your belongings. Clearly label each box’s destination to ensure movers deliver boxes to the appropriate rooms.

4. Prepare a Personal Bag

Anything you need or want to keep close during the move should be in the bag or suitcase. Pack things you may need to access throughout the day, like medication, a checkbook, personal effects, and important documents.

While your belongings are safe with us, we understand the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where certain items are if they are in your own vehicle and instantly accessible. Moving companies should be more than happy to load your personal effects in your car if you didn’t get the chance or if it is heavier than you thought.

5. Hire Professional Movers

Enlisting the help of a reputable moving company can relieve significant stress. Professional movers have the expertise and equipment to handle your belongings more safely and efficiently. Most communities are happy to provide recommendations. You can also ask residents or your realtor for suggestions. Some senior living communities require a certificate of insurance, so be sure to convey if your movers need to send any information prior to the move.

6. Communicate Effectively

Everyone should be on the same page to ensure a smooth and successful move. When the crew arrives, the initial step is to perform a walk-through. Ask questions and let the moving crew know about any concerns or obstacles, whether it be a dresser with a bad leg or a tight doorway at the new place.

Communication between family is just as important. It is helpful if a spouse or child is told where everything goes beforehand so they can help direct the movers during the unload if your mobility is an issue or you become preoccupied.

Have a Top Notch Moving Experience

Moving into a senior living community can be the start of great new experiences and connections. By breaking down the move into smaller, manageable tasks, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure nothing important falls through the cracks. Through planning, organization, and communication, you can make the transition a smooth one.

We hope these tips for moving into a senior living community have been helpful to you. Please reach out to Top Notch Moving if you have a specific concern or question. We are happy to help in any way.

Wishing you the best with your move,

Top Notch Moving and Storage logo with tagline We're True to Our Name Moving Tips Senior Living Community
Moving fragile items through a packed room

6 Tips for a Stress-Free Moving Day

Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure, but it’s no secret the process can also be quite stressful. We’ve compiled a list of 6 moving tips to help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Every move is different, but by following these generalized guidelines, you can focus on the excitement of your new chapter without unnecessary worry.

1. Plan Ahead

The key to a successful move is careful planning. Create a detailed moving timeline that includes tasks like packing, notifying utilities, changing addresses, coordinating with your moving company, etc. Remember that procrastinating will only raise your stress as your move date quickly approaches. Be aware of your limitations. If your schedule is too busy or the list is too long for you to complete, don’t be afraid to ask for additional help from professionals, like a downsizing or packing service.

2. Declutter Before Packing

Moving is an excellent opportunity to declutter your belongings. Go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Less clutter means less packing and unpacking, which saves time, effort, and money. Paying movers to move something you may throw away later or don’t have the space for is silly. Ensuring you have the time to go through things before packing is the best way to help yourself and the movers.

3. Pack Strategically

To efficiently pack for your move, begin early, tackling one room at a time. It’s important to stay focused. If your mind wanders, try setting a timer to keep yourself on track or snap yourself out of distraction. Use sturdy boxes and packing materials to safeguard your belongings. Clearly label each box’s destination to ensure movers deliver boxes to the appropriate room.

4. Prepare a Personal Bag

Contents of a personal bag or suitcase will vary depending on whether your move is one day or multiple days, but the premise is the same. Anything you need or want to keep close during the move should be in the bag or suitcase. Pack things you may need to access throughout the day, like medication, a checkbook, personal effects, and important documents.

While your belongings are safe with us, we understand the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where certain items are if they are in your own vehicle and instantly accessible. Moving companies should be more than happy to load your personal effects in your car if you didn’t get the chance or if it is heavier than you thought.

5. Hire Professional Movers

Enlisting the help of a reputable moving company can relieve significant stress. Professional movers have the expertise and equipment to handle your belongings more safely and efficiently. Be diligent by checking reviews and asking a friend or realtor for recommendations. Realtors usually have one or two companies they strongly recommend, or at least one to avoid.

During your estimate, ask more than the basic questions. Ask the deeper, tougher questions, i.e., how they handle damage claims or how they find their employees. There are many business models, and while there is no right or wrong business model, a company should take pride in its image. It’s a tough line of work, so there’s a premium for educated, clean-cut workers. Unfortunately, the most reliable and trustworthy moving companies aren’t the cheapest. Like most things, you get what you pay for. If you’re stuck with damaged furniture and scratched walls, you will probably agree that the cheapest option was the wrong one.

6. Communicate Effectively

For a successful move, it’s essential for everyone to be on the same page. When the crew arrives, the initial step is to perform a walk-through. Ask questions and let the moving crew know about any concerns or obstacles, whether it be a dresser with a bad leg or a tight doorway at the new house.

Communication within the household is also key. During the unload, one person cannot direct everyone at once. So, having more than one person know where your belongings go will be greatly beneficial and will save the moving crew time and you money.

Have a Top Notch Moving Experience

In summation, a stress-free moving day is achievable with proper planning, organization, and communication. Following these moving tips will make your transition to your new home as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Our goal is to make our guidelines suitable for everyone.

If you are interested in more moving tips, we have posted a few specific scenarios that will reiterate and give more relevant and detailed insight into different circumstances, i.e., moves to senior living communities, apartment moves, etc.

Please reach out to Top Notch Moving if you have a specific concern or question. We are happy to help in any way.

Wishing you the best with your move,

Top Notch Moving and Storage logo with tagline We're True to Our Name Moving Tips