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[Eileen in Virginia]

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. 

[geezerette]

@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! 

[wagirl]

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. 

[on the bay]

@jlkz,

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

[haddon9]

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.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

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!

[Melania7]

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!

[Marsha2003]

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.

[Ainhisg]

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!

[deeva]

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.