If you’re moving, you may be anticipating the event with joy and dread in equal measure. The excitement of a new home or a new city can be shadowed by the seemingly overwhelming tasks that are ahead: sorting, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, etc… If you’ve never moved before, the process may seem even more daunting, but it’s really simpler than you might think—especially when you partner with a trusted Maryland moving company. 

Prior to Moving Day how much prep work you’ll have to do will depend on the level of service you’ve chosen. If you hire Maryland residential movers to provide a full-service move, the amount of preparation will be minimal. If not, you’ll have to pack and have everything ready to go when they arrive.  Be clear about what is and what is not covered in your moving package, so you’ll know what you do and do not have to take care of before the movers arrive. 

Here comes the Moving Truck! You should get a call from the moving company a few days ahead of your move to confirm their arrival time. Once they arrive, the supervisor will start by taking an inventory of all of your items. He’ll make notes about the condition of items, such as existing damage. The inventory is how you and the moving company will determine if any of your belongings were damaged during the move, so be sure that you agree with his notes before signing.

Once the inventory is complete, your main job will be to stay out of the way. Don’t try to help them load the truck—there is a method to how they pack the truck that helps ensure nothing is damaged in transit. Don’t worry if it looks like they aren’t keeping all the items that belong in one room together. They do this so they can distribute the weight evenly on the truck. Your items will be correctly sorted and placed once they arrive at your new home.

NOTE: This is one reason that careful labeling is so important! If the movers pack, they will label the boxes. If you do some packing yourself, be sure the boxes are labeled for where you want them to go in the new house—not necessarily where they were in the old house. 

If you have items that you do not want included in the move, such as family heirlooms or very valuable items, be sure to set them aside so they are clearly not part of the belongings being moved. Once the items are on the truck, it could be difficult to get them off and may require unloading and reloading several items. 

Once the truck is loaded, you’ll be asked to sign the bill of lading. This includes important information such as the arrival date of the truck and the amount of your final invoice. Do not sign unless you agree with everything on the sheet. If you don’t agree with something, call your contact at the moving company to sort things out.

See You On the Other Side!

When the day arrives for the household movers to deliver your belongings to your new home, it’s a good idea to enlist a little help. You’ll want to be free to direct the movers about where to place items, so you’ll need another person who has the inventory sheet and can check the condition of items as they are unloaded. Ask that person to check each item off on the sheet as it is unloaded, so it will be easy to tell if anything is missing. Once everything is unloaded, you’ll be asked to sign off on the inventory sheet and bill of lading. 

Note: If you notice damage after the movers have left, you will still be able to file a claim, but it is much easier on everyone if you notice the damage right away. That’s why it’s a good idea to have someone checking the items as they arrive. 

Choosing a Maryland Moving Company

As mentioned above, your choice of house or apartment movers is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. 495 Movers has been the area’s most-trusted choice for dependable, affordable moving services since 2009. When we started, we wanted to prove that moving doesn’t have to be a stressful, unpleasant experience. That’s why we offer upfront, transparent pricing, and other benefits that set us apart from the competition!

  • A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau

  • ProMover status

  • No-hassle pricing and no hidden fees

  • Background checks and drug tests performed on every mover

  • All packing materials are supplied

  • White glove service available for your most precious items

  • Professional, courteous moving staff

  • Full service moving and custom packages available

If this is your first moving experience, make it a good one by choosing the premier Maryland residential movers! Call 495 Movers today to chat with a relocation specialist, or fill out our online contact form to request your free, in-home estimate! We’ll show you what stress-free moving looks like!