Moving? 8 Ways to Maximize the Benefit of Available Help

Most households need help from others when they move. The longer you've lived in one place, the more stuff you have, and the busier you are, the more you need to rely on that outside help. But how can you maximize the sources of assistance you have all around you? Here are a few ways to do this without alienating anyone and with less stress for you.

1. Ask for Help

One important step that some are hesitant to do is to simply reach out and ask for help. Even if you live alone, packing up your entire life is a big job. You might be busy with your work and personal life. And you might just need moral support in getting the work done. No matter what your personal challenges, start conquering them by not being too proud to ask your loved ones for help. 

2. Accept Help

When help is offered, don't be shy about accepting it. While you don't want to inconvenience your friends and family, moving is too big a task to brush off any assistance. Accept help and then make specific arrangements — places, dates, times, and assigned tasks. Doing so allows helpers to know what they're being asked to do and keeps you on schedule. 

3. Target Your Needs

While most people assume that help during a move means packing boxes or loading a truck, it can actually take many forms. Moving help is anything that frees up time for you to focus on things only you can do. It may mean hiring landscapers to care for your yard while you pack, asking co-workers to take on some taxing project at work, or having a friend make a donation drop-off for you. 

4. Get Sitters

Do you have children or animals? Then consider asking for sitters to watch and care for them.

Parents often struggle to get work done while caring for and wrangling small children. Those kids may also make it harder to clean out old stuff, pack toys, or prepare donation boxes. And your well-meaning dog or cat might simply get in the way too often. Asking others to watch them for short or long periods gives you the ability to focus and is safer for children and pets alike. 

5. Hire Movers

At a minimum, hire professional movers for the actual physical transportation. Moving a house full of stuff is potentially dangerous for amateurs. Most people don't have the tools and equipment necessary to prevent injury. Nor do they know how to safely carry and navigate with bulky furnishings and equipment.

In addition, this is the task that many friends and family may try to avoid. So if you've outsourced it, everyone will be relieved. They may be more likely to show up when asked to help with other things. And they can focus on helping you with more personal tasks that you may not want movers to do. 

6. Ask About Services

When you engage a professional moving company, ask about their other services. Most moving services do a wide variety of tasks — including packing boxes, disassembling and reassembling items, unpacking and placement, final cleaning, and storage of your goods between homes. The more you can contract with them to do, the less you have to worry about the more difficult jobs. 

7. Solicit Recommendations

Not everyone in your circle can physically help with the move, but they still have a lot to offer. Ask those who have moved in the past for tips and insights. Ask your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances about tricks that helped them make successful moves. And, perhaps more importantly, ask them what mistakes they made or what they wish they had done differently and why.

8. Be Ready

When any sort of help arrives to work toward your move — whether it's hired movers, personal friends, or other vendors — be ready to go.

Are they packing up the kitchen today? Have boxes, tape, packing material, and labels ready to be used. Hiring a house cleaner to help you out? Prep the house so they can walk in and get started. Are the movers coming? Make unobstructed paths, move vehicles out of the way, and corral your pets. And when friends or family arrive to help pack, don't chat your time away or get sidetracked. 

Start Today

The best help you will find is from your professional movers. Start by learning what they can do for you and how you can budget for the most important services you need. 



United Moving & Storage offers many services to make light work of any size move. Call today to speak with one of the members of our trained moving team or get an estimate for what you need to have done. No matter how much we can take off your plate, you'll be less stressed and have more time for the things that matter.