The practical reality of the moving industry is that, unless you opt for a full-service relocation, you are making a commitment to being fully packed and prepared; at the same time that the moving company is making a commitment to delivering your goods in a safe and timely fashion.  Because there is typically a reciprocal obligation, I thought I would take this opportunity to spell out what it takes to be a great (and ultimately satisfied) Olympia client.

PLANNING: Take this time to plan your approach to your upcoming move.  We understand that you have closings and a host of other issues to contend with, but waiting until the last minute leads to unwanted surprises on move day.  Effective planning also saves time.

PREPARATION: Use the resources at your disposal, including the literature, website, and Olympia personnel to help understand what it means to be fully prepared for moving day.  The concept of being “fully prepared” is a somewhat nebulous one, but here are some basic suggestions:

• Eliminate unwanted items before move day
• If you are doing your own packing, get a free delivery of packing supplies well in advance of your move
• Make sure that all boxes are labeled and fully sealed
• Stack boxes one tier deep against the walls so that the movers can access all items in a given room
• Set aside items that you will need in a separate area that is clearly marked (keys, passports, documents) to ensure that they do not get packed
• Set aside cleaning items that will be needed after the moving crew has departed
• Identify where furniture will be placed at the new locations so as to avoid delays during the delivery
• Additional preparation tips are available HERE

PACKING: Label carefully and consistently.  Do not wait until the last minute and, if you think you are going to need some additional help, contact your Olympia move coordinator as soon as possible so that we can schedule a packing crew.  If there are items that you are not comfortable packing (lamps, lamp shades, stemware, paintings), make sure that you also notify your coordinator so that the crew has the requisite materials and equipment with them on the day of your move.

COMMUNICATION: Our best customers are those who understand the importance of details and of communicating those details.  You need to keep us abreast of any new developments, not make any assumptions, and be available to the crew throughout the process.  It is imperative that you are physically present during both the loading and unloading of your items.

PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS: The movers work incredibly hard on a daily basis and are there to help you relocate to your new home.  They are not your adversaries and should be treated with respect.

REVIEW: We spend countless hours on training and process-related issues.  We work hard to ensure that your experience is a positive one, and would hope that you would take the time to provide feedback and offer suggestions.  Ultimately it is these suggestions that provide the foundation for our ongoing training and allow us to improve.

TIPPING: Tipping is really at your discretion and there are no minimum requirements.  If you choose to tip the movers, take the time to explain what they did to deserve the tip and/or any suggestions that you might have.  You can also demonstrate your appreciation by providing drinks or making water available.  These small signs of encouragement recognize how hard the crew is working and, while not mandatory, are indicative of a great customer.

The moving industry has, over time, developed a vernacular that is exclusive in nature.  It takes years to become fully acquainted with the terminology and the surplus of unnecessary acronyms. 

The practical manifestation of this reality is that moving estimates can be extremely difficult to comprehend.  This is especially true on interstate shipments, where many of the movers themselves would be hard-pressed to define all of the specific line items referenced on a given quotation.

Having said this, ultimately you need to relocate your personal property from point A to point B, and therefore you should focus on the following common elements/questions in evaluating a potential service provider.

1. Weight: How much weight is being estimated? If you are comparing quotes, ask the competing companies to provide you with a quote based upon the highest estimated weight.  If you rececive any quotations based upon cubic footage, simply eliminate those companies (while there are some subtle workarounds, it is technically illegal to provide interstate pricing based upon anything other than weight).
2. Packing: How much packing and how many containers are included in your estimate?
3. Services: Nobody likes surprises when it comes to moving.  What (if any) are the potential additional charges?  Make sure to ask about “shuttle charges” at the delivery residence.
4. Estimate Type: Is this a non-binding, binding, or not-to-exceed estimate?
5. Who is conducting the move?  Will the company that you are speaking with actually transport your shipment directly, or is the salesperson that you are working with representing a larger van line?

In the interest of helping prospects and clients to navigate the industry terminology, Olympia has included a glossary of terms on our website.

The bottom-line is that, while all interstate carriers are required to have some “legalese” in their document, if your representative is not able to fully explain the estimate, or you have concerns that the estimate is intentionally nebulous, simply cross that company off your list.

While we are certainly happy to move boxes of old newspapers from one basement to another for you, this is often not a particularly economical approach.  Relocating to a new home is a great opportunity to purge unused and unwanted items.  A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t opened a box or used an item since your last move, it may be time to get rid of it.

Items Not To Pack

On Local Moves, which are based upon an hourly rate, additional boxes of books and papers simply add to the total amount of time to complete the job.  The addition of 10 – 20 additional boxes typically will not add any significant time or cost to the move.

On Interstate Moves, which are based upon weight, eliminating excess boxes of papers, magazines, or books can have a significant impact upon the final cost of the move.  Before you start packing, it is certainly a good idea to sort through what items you want to take and what items you can discard or donate.

In addition to the above, there are several items that Olympia simply cannot transport for legal and/or liability reasons.  These include, but are not limited to:

1)     Fire extinguishers

2)     Any gas in tanks; such as propane or oxygen

3)     Aerosol cans

4)     Paints, varnishes, solvents, thinners, oils, heating agents

5)     Ammonia, bleach and household cleaning agents

6)     Auto batteries

7)     Lighter fluid

8)     Ammunition

9)     Any combustible products

For more check our full list of items not to pack.

We are frequently asked about whether we can move plants.  The answer to this question is two-tiered, as it depends upon the type of service that you require.

On Local Moves, our preference is that you relocate plants on your own; however that is not always feasible.  Olympia can and will move plants, but cannot make any guarantees as to the safe transport of these items.

Image via Wikipedia

Smaller plants should be placed in a box with the top taped open; whereas larger plants should be left as they are.  If your shipment involves an “overnight hold”, it is advisable that you water your plants 12-24 hours before the move.  The crew will certainly do their best to ensure that your plants arrive safely at your new home; however Olympia does not accept any liability for plants.

On longer Interstate Moves it is often advisable to give plants away rather than move them.  Plants are difficult to load properly and do not typically do well in the back of a trailer for days without water.  Having said this, there are no legal regulations against moving plants across state lines, and it is ultimately at the discretion of the individual driver.

Unpacking is often overlooked as part of the moving process, and rarely do people set aside enough time to complete it.  The result is that boxes remain unpacked months after you have moved into your new home.  Following are some basic tips for a successful unpack:

1)     Make sure that when you are packing, every box is carefully labeled with your name, the room that the box came out of, and the contents of the box.  This will make the process of unpacking MUCH easier.

Careful Unpacking is Just as Important as Packing

2)     If possible, allot one day after your move to unpack and settle into your new home.

3)     Put your friends and family to work and have them help by unpacking books and clothes.  Hopefully they will be appreciative of the fact that you did not ask them to help you move!

4)     Start by unpacking the absolute essentials and then work as a team and go room by room through your residence.  This makes the experience much more pleasant and ensures that all items get fully unpacked.

5)     When unpacking, try and stack the box that you are unpacking onto another box or a raised surface to avoid having to repeatedly bend at the waist and potentially injure your back.

6)     Designate an area within your new residence to put used packing materials in the interest of not cluttering your new home.

7)     Break down the boxes as you unpack them in order to avoid creating an unnecessary mess.

8)     Donate or sell your used boxes.

If the above seems too burdensome, consider contacting Olympia Moving to schedule an unpacking service or debris removal service.  This is an economical approach that takes a lot of the stress out of moving in.

Pictures and mirrors are typically easier to pack than other fragile items.  The key is having the right packing materials for the job.  Smaller pictures should be placed inside a Dishpack carton; while larger pictures should go inside a specialized mirror/picture box.

Packing A Picture Frame to Arrive Undamaged

Once you setup the mirror carton, place a layer of crumpled up paper on the bottom-of the box to provide cushioning.  Size permitting, 2 pictures of like size should be packed into each box.  Each picture should be carefully and individually wrapped with paper or bubble wrap.  It is important that pictures are loaded either face-to-face or back-to-back in order to prevent any marring or damage to glass.

Once both pictures have been inserted into the container, fill in any excess space around the perimeter of the box with paper.  Try not to overfill the middle of the box with paper.  An overfilled box will be significantly bowed in the mid-section and has the potential to create damage (especially with canvas paintings).

Once you have finished the packing, pick up the box and gently shake it.  If you hear any movement inside the box, then additional paper is required to properly secure the contents.

Labeling is important.  Make sure that you label your mirror cartons on flat surfaces with your name, the room that the paintings came out of, and an arrow indicating the top of the box.  The word “fragile” should also be prominently displayed on the container.

There are more detailed packing tips and tricks. Contact Olympia Moving or call 800.222.4744 for a moving estimate.

In the absence of budgetary constraints, having professionals pack your fragile items is both easier and preferable from a liability standpoint.  Having said this, if you are going to pack the fragile items yourself, following are some hints that should make this process easier.

1)     Whenever you are packing, make sure that you have a good workspace setup.  Place the box that you are packing on top of another box so that you avoid potential back issues associated with bending at the waist repeatedly.

Take Extra Time Packing Fragile Items

2)     The vast majority of fragile items can and should be wrapped in plain newsprint.  Do not use regular newspaper for packing, as the ink has a tendency to stain china.  Setup a flat surface and lay the packing paper on top of this space.

3)     Fragile items should be packed in a “Dishpack” or “5.2 cubic foot” box; which is double corrugated and specially designed for breakable items.

4)     Dishpacks should be packed in “tiers”.  Begin by creating a layer of crumpled up paper at the bottom of the box.  Proceed to wrap each piece individually with multiple pieces of paper.  Heavier (and less fragile) items should go on the bottom of the box; constituting the first tier.  Once the first tier is complete, fill in any remaining gaps with paper and create another layer of cushioning.  Continue with this process until the box is completely full.  Stemware and extremely fragile items should be placed on the top of the Dishpack.

5)     Remember that structure and support for a box are provided internally as well as externally.  Make sure that any extra space is filled with paper.  There should be no extra space inside the box.

6)     Make sure to label any fragile boxes with your name, the contents and a vertical arrow pointing upward to indicate that the box should not be loaded on its side.  In addition, the word “fragile” should be displayed prominently on at least two adjacent sides of the box.

There are more packing tips on this page or you can order moving supplies here. Contact Olympia Moving or call 800.222.4744 for a moving estimate.