topic Re: Questions about moving companies in Home

Questions about moving companies

Ainhisg — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:27:32 GMT

I have never hired a moving company. But we have purchased a new-to-us home, and as we are older, a moving company is in our future. You'll probably think that these are silly questions, but do the movers put your furniture where you want it in the new house? For example, if I want the bed on the west wall, the dresser on the south wall, and the chest of drawers on the east wall, do they place them there if I'm there to tell them that? Also, do they hook up the washer/dryer? I have no idea what to expect. If you have any advice about any part of moving, please share! TY!

Re: Questions about moving companies

Boehm Collector — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:30:38 GMT

Hi @Ainhisg .. I think they will place the furniture where you want it. But I doubt they will hook up your washer and dryer.

Re: Questions about moving companies

I am still oxox — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:41:58 GMT

We have moved twice in our married life. They should place your furniture where you want it You will need a plumber to hook up the washer dryer and possible a vent guy to vent the dryer. Good luck moving can be a pain

Re: Questions about moving companies

PinkyPetunia — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:45:45 GMT

Certainly the movers will place the furniture where you want. Someone must be there to tell them.

Washer and dryer, maybe not. You could ask them but it's not hard to do if you have an electric dryer. I have moved many times (couple of times halfway across the country). The washer has flexible water hoses which need to be screwed into the correct water spigot things. Don't mix up the hot and cold hoses.

Dryer vent needs to be connected. I have done it myself by purchasing a length of collapsible venting and attaching with metallic tape. Electric plug usually fits but some regions use a different one and you may need an electrician if yours is not the same as in your new home. Gas dryers are tricky and a plumber usually connects those. Hope this helps.

Re: Questions about moving companies

Biftu — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:50:11 GMT

Yes they will put furniture where you tell them. Just be sure you are there to supervise and watch them closely. Be sure to have your boxes clearly marked and insure they are put in the correct room. They do not hook up appliances. Movers move quickly and it can be hectic so having others there with you to help insure things are where you want them really helps.

Re: Questions about moving companies

on the bay — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:10:30 GMT

@Ainhisg,

All the movers I've had did place the furniture where I wanted it. I was there the whole time. One even changed things around when I couldn't make up my mind.

And they don't hook up the washer dryer. I think that needs a specialist for that. But I've never moved a washer/dryer from one house to another.

One tip I have is don't let them pile boxes on top of each other when leaving them in your new place. That was the worst mover I had, putting boxes one on top of another. I had to have them come back and take them down.Sometimes they move so fast you can't be in every room.

Label all the boxes for what room you want them in, in large magic marker writing. Sometimes you still have to tell them as they don't always look or read the writing!

Some companies wrap everything n plastic wrap and some don't. I really didn't like them wrapping every single piece of furniture in plastic. It just seemed like adding hours when not needed.

Some things maybe need it but others no and I never had anything damaged when it wasn't.

Some have large cloths they can use instead, once inside the truck.

I chose a company with mostly all 5 star reviews at my last move and I liked the one who answered the phone and gave answers to questions I had. I also think 2 men is not enough. At least 3 is good.

I hope you have great luck with your move. It's never fun but I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.

Oh and one more thing I've always done. Special things that I was able to put in my car I did. things that I wouldn't want to lose or do without.

You also want to pack things in a suitcase or large tote that you will need right away. Things like toilet paper, tissues, paper towels or cloths, medications, bandaids. Something quick to eat and drink. You need lots of energy to move!

And ask what kinds of payments they accept. I've also found that using a credit card most will have a charge for that. Usually something like 3% so you might not want to use that if they do.

Re: Questions about moving companies

Ainhisg — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:58:36 GMT

Thank you, everyone, for all the helpful advice and information!

Re: Questions about moving companies

jlkz — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:05:12 GMT

@Ainhisg

Early 80's here and just moved from one second floor condo to a first floor one nearby. We packed over 40+ big plastic bins and numbered each one...kept a log of what items were therein. I would add a label specifying which room the bin was to go in ( or keep same room bins together to minimize the walking back and forth from their drop off point ).

To minimize your workload, I would get a cleaning service first. Before I could unpack kitchen items, I had to thoroughly clean and " degrease " all upper and lower cabinets. If the house comes with previous owner's pots, pans, glassware, dishes, you may want to have bin ready to store them until they can be taken to trash or donation if they're in good condition.

Be very careful: bins can be extremely heavy...you may need help with them because straining muscles isn't a pleasant condition to deal with on top of all that is facing you. Drinking plenty of water is truly important...for you as well as the movers. Believe me, I was impressed with the amount of energy that these folks show and in 90+ degree heat. They work nonstop so take orders for sandwiches and drinks for their lunch break.

Ours showed so much concern for exactly what we wanted, esp. in putting back together beds that we wanted moved to different rooms, they really earned their tips !

Best of luck with your movers, the move and the end result. Enjoy your new surroundings in good health and happiness !

Re: Questions about moving companies

on the bay — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:15:01 GMT

@Ainhisg,

I just added some more things to my previous post. I hope it doesn't get overwhelming with too much info.

Also lists are good!

As well as a list of every company, family etc you will need to notify of the new address. You can notify the post office in advance online or with a card filled out at the post office.

Re: Questions about moving companies

Eileen in Virginia — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:16:35 GMT

We haven't moved in 40 years, but we're planning to move back home in the next couple of years, so we'll be facing this, too. One of my duties as executor for my late Aunt's estate involved selling her house and moving any furniture that family members wanted to their homes in 3 locations in the Philadelphia suburbs. We used a moving company recommended by our realtor. I got another estimate and checked the BBB ratings for both movers, as well as various reviews. The mover we chose may have been a concierge mover, but their estimate was the same as those 2 guys who have a truck.

One of the main reasons we chose them was the other company decided one house was on a very narrow street and they were worried that they wouldn't be able to get their truck down it. They would have dropped the furniture off at the end of the street and delivered it from there - NOT IDEAL. Our chosen movers went right to the house without a problem. They were bonded and insured, showed up on time, wrapped and protected the furniture as if it were their own, and put it wherever we wanted it. I think they would have hung pictures if we asked them. I took a heavy electronic recliner from my Aunt's house. They placed it wherever I wanted it, then moved it around as I reclined it in various positions to ensure it didn't bump into the floor lamp or the wall. If your washer and dryer are electric, I would think the movers could connect them for you, as it would mainly involve plugging them in, connecting the hoses to the water pipes and making sure they were level. I'm not sure if they'd connect a gas appliance, but this is a question you'd ask anyone you're considering up front.

If you know a reputable realtor in your area, ask them for some suggestions. Also check with your friends and sources such as Angi and internet reviews, THEN BE SURE to check the Better Business Bureau ratings of any mover under consideration.

Finally, consider getting a set of Easy Moves for fine-tuning adjustments after the movers have left. Get the set with the fulcrum to facilitate placement of the "gliders" under the furniture. After the hospice company retrieved the hospital bed and other equipment from my Aunt's house, DH and I were able to slide all of the living room furniture back into place very easily using the Easy Moves. We were 70 & 71 at the time and had never dealt with anything heavier than a large suitcase before. Easy peasy and no wrenched backs or muscle aches! I got our original set from QVC and a later set for my sister from Amazon.

Good luck with your move - I hope this helps!

Re: Questions about moving companies

Eileen in Virginia — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:46:30 GMT

Suggesting having lists is a great idea. I made up a spreadsheet for our movers showing where the furniture was located in my Aunt's house (it was on 3 different levels) with the name and address of the recipient of each piece of furniture. Each person had "claimed" their pieces with Post-It notes when they came down for the funeral. This made it a lot easier/clearer for the movers and enabled them to pack their truck more efficiently. While you're only going to one location, you might specify the location within your home where you want the furniture and/or boxes placed.

ETA: The movers taped a copy of the spreadsheet to the living room wall (we were going to paint the house) and crossed off each item as they loaded it onto their truck.

Re: Questions about moving companies

geezerette — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:26:05 GMT

@Ainhisg

One suggestion I have is to buy new washer hoses. They're reasonable and easily available at Lowe's or Home Depot type stores.

After once having a hose split and flood a home, whenever we moved or bought new washers we always bought new hoses too.

Good luck with your move and I hope you're very happy in your new home!

Re: Questions about moving companies

wagirl — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:01:18 GMT

I have used a moving service a few times in the past few years and the guys did put the furniture/boxes in the areas I wanted and helped me set up my bed--- but I didn't have appliances to move and am sure they would put them in the spots they belong but not hook them up---something to ask tho. It's pretty easy to hook up appliances--I can do it and I am not a spring chicken.

Re: Questions about moving companies

on the bay — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:56:57 GMT

@jlkz,

That's a really good one, to have cabinets etc cleaned before moving in!

Re: Questions about moving companies

haddon9 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:04:31 GMT

Lots of great tips here!

I also want to mention that if you don't or can't pack yourselves movers will do that too...for an additional fee.

When we moved a long time ago my husband's company paid for it and they also packed for us. Just make sure that you get to label each box so you know which room it should go in.

Re: Questions about moving companies

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:36:39 GMT

Agree with the others about furniture being put in the right spot and appliances not getting hooked up (youtube may explain how to do those simple tasks).

To make things easier to identify where things go, use color coding with duct tape or markers (ie blue - basement, green - kitchen, red - bedroom). The dollar store has various colors of tape and markers. Also - label/tape on more than one side of the boxes.

If there's more than 2 movers, one of you sit by the door to tell them where things go as things come in while the other is in the rooms to tell them specific placement.

Have water and paper cups handy for them. Also, a marker so they can label their cup.

Have tips handy as well.

Good Luck!

Re: Questions about moving companies

Melania7 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:55:30 GMT

Hi jlkz, One thing you mentioned that I thought was very interesting......you said you are in your early 80's, just recently moved, and that you packed over 40+ big plastic bins. Obviously I do not know your situation and I don't want this to sound mean, but that's alot of bins! I'm 46 years old and live in a condo as well, and I've pre-packed many items of my own in anticipation of hopefully moving this year, and I have a total of 7 big plastic bins with those items in them, and I think that 7 is way too much even! Once I move, I'm going to donate whatever I end up not using/needing that was in those bins. I'm sorry, but I just found that very interesting, and that's alot of stuff to have being in the age range of the early 80's!

Re: Questions about moving companies

Marsha2003 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:07:33 GMT

Ask your realtor for a recommendation. They know who the good movers are. Talk to the estimator who comes about what you need and what the movers will do for you because every company is different.

Use painter's tape to label everything you can. Draw simple room furniture arrangement floor plans for each room and tape the appropriate room's plan to the top of the door frame for that room in your new place. Make sure the furniture label includes the room name.

It's controlled chaos when the movers are packing. Make sure you know what boxes contain your most needed items (or pack them yourself). I agree with the go-box concept. Mine always includes paper towels, toilet paper, plastic drinkware, cleaning supplies, bedsheets, towels, shower curtain if needed. I pack a suitcase with all the personal items and clothes I will need for a week. I've found that the easiest way to deal with the chaos is to choose one bathroom to temporarily hold my go-box and suitcase. I clear everything out of that bathroom EXCEPT the items I'm transporting myself. Then, I close that bathroom door and put a big sign on it...DO NOT ENTER. Anything that is especially precious to you should be moved by you and not the movers.

I always had coffee and sodas and bottled water available for the packers and movers. I also offered to buy them lunch on pack the truck day. Unloading goes much faster than loading.

My movers hooked up my washer and gas dryer, but I called my plumber out to check everything before I used them. I always buy braided metal hoses and good quality metal dryer ducting for the new place.

Most movers will NOT move alchohol or cleaning supplies so be prepared to move those items yourself.

Re: Questions about moving companies

Ainhisg — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:20:16 GMT

Again, I want to thank everyone for these great tips! I will be referring to this list often. Great idea about room arrangement maps and colored tape! Your suggestions have been so helpful!

Re: Questions about moving companies

deeva — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:48:32 GMT

We've moved across the country several times. Our moving company packed and labeled everything so they knew which rooms to place the boxes. They placed the furniture where we wanted.

The move included a separate company to hook up our washer and dryer. But since these movers were paid for by our employer, we had outstanding service because they didn't want to lose a lucrative corporate contract.