Missteps That Result in Setbacks When Moving Out of State

Often, the logistics involved in a working family completing an out-of-state move prove overwhelming. Enrolling children in a new school system, transferring vehicle registrations, and staying on top of mail deliveries rank among the seemingly endless minutia you have to juggle.

While some of those things falling through the cracks for a few days won’t upend the move, others can set off a domino effect of mounting frustration. That’s why it may prove fruitful to consider missteps that can disrupt an otherwise smooth transition. The following are common setbacks people experience when moving out of state and ways to avoid them.

1: Forgetting to Measure Your New Space

New living space may not accommodate your furniture in a fully functional fashion. Dining room tables, couches, and bedroom sets rank among the large items that sometimes don’t fit. Even when rooms appear to possess adequate square footage, the layout of the living space may not be conducive to free movement. That’s why it’s essential to measure the furniture and the room dimensions and get a sense of placement. 

2: Placing Heavy Items in Large Boxes

People who don’t work as professional movers sometimes operate under the misconception that heavy items should go in big boxes. In a conceptional way, that seems to make logical sense. But the reality is that large boxes have wide bottoms and are more likely to fail. So, you should pack heavy items like books in small boxes and lighter items like pillows and blankets you should pack in larger containers.

Imagine moving day arrives, and the bottoms start falling out. Having to repack your belongings not only disrupts your timeline. It can also prove a little embarrassing. Heavy items require sturdy boxes and packaging that can handle the weight. If you are unsure about the strength of boxes or how to pack them securely, you should leave this task to the professionals.

3: Forgetting to Label Boxes

It’s not unusual for people to focus on wrapping fragile items and neatly packing them in boxes. While that aspect may help ensure successful transport without damage, labels matter. Unlabeled boxes don’t allow moving professionals to separate fragile items from others. This means that glassware might be placed at the bottom and the weight of other cartons could damage otherwise securely packed things.

In addition, proper labels allow the movers to place the boxes in the appropriate rooms at your new home.

When packing belongings yourself, remember to label each side of every box with a permanent marker before sealing it. Include the box contents and the room location. Also, indicate if the contents are “fragile.” This strategy could save hours of delays and an unnecessary headache.

4: Getting Over-Extended With Moving Tasks

One of the more common things that happen to busy families is that they simply have too much on their plate. Regular work weeks, family commitments, and socializing already fill up busy schedules. Planning a move and all the small tasks that come with it is challenging. Without a to-do list, the unfortunate result is people rushing to get packed, tossing things randomly in bags and boxes as the moving trucks pull up.

The fact of the matter is that out-of-state moves require families to handle so many additional issues that basic moving tasks take a backseat. That’s why enlisting the help of a full-service moving company is essential. Vehicle transportation, proper packaging techniques, and setting a detailed moving itinerary can take the worry out of moving. If you are planning an out-of-state move, contact us for a quote and avoid setbacks.

 

4 Small Business Relocation Blunders to Avoid

Even though research has shown larger businesses are more likely to relocate than smaller businesses, a smaller organization may still find the need to relocate at some point. If your small business is facing the potential of relocation, good planning can be essential. Here is a look at a few major blunders to avoid that could detrimentally affect your small business during a move.

Blunder 1: Not announcing the relocation far enough in advance.

Relocating a business affects more than just the business owner; the change affects the business’s employees, the customer base, and the community. For these reasons, be sure to announce your relocation well in advance. You want employees to know what to expect, and you need your customer base to know about the relocation, so your change of address does not mean a drastic change in sales or clients. Make a point to pin down a moving date early, create a schedule for the transition, and inform the people that matter most to your operation.

Blunder 2: Not taking inventory before the move.

Taking inventory offers several benefits for small businesses, such as reducing loss and evaluating how the product moves through sales—taking inventory before the move helps you better keep tabs on what you have and is just as important. By creating an all-encompassing list of goods, equipment, fixtures, and otherwise, you have a good idea of how you need to handle everything. However, you also face fewer risks of loss during the relocation process. For example, if you know you have a certain amount of merchandise before the move, you will see what you should have once you arrive. 

Blunder 3: Trying to move everything instead of only the necessary.

One benefit of doing a thorough inventory before the move is to gauge what you really need to take and what would be best, either liquidated or left behind. The less you have to contend with during the move, the lower expenses will be, and the transition quicker. Some items may be worth eliminating from the move, such as:

  • Out-of-date or seasonal goods in a retail store
  • Outdated office equipment in need of replacement
  • Commercial kitchen equipment in disrepair

Look at everything within your business with a discerning eye, decide what is worth moving and what should be left behind, thrown away, or otherwise eliminated.

Blunder 4: Not enlisting the help of an experienced moving company.

When moving your business, working with professional movers experienced with moving a business is always beneficial. These pros understand concerns unique to a company, such as:

  • Time and schedule constraints
  • Additional service needs, such as packing or disassembly
  • Organized unloading
  • Risks to customers or employees

Source a moving company you know has experience with working with business owners like yourself.

Preparing for Your Small Business Move? Get the Help You Need

Relocating a business could be one of the most significant changes that a company ever makes, no matter the size of the operation. If you are in the planning phases of relocating your small business, be sure to reach out to us for a free moving quote. From planning the move to reopening your business — the right help during the transition will positively impact.