Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, there may come a time where you have a need to hire a mover in Athens, ga. After all, some moves are simply too tough to do yourself or may even be unsafe for you to do without the help of a professional. All About The Move knows your time is valuable…

If you have never hired a mover in Athens, Ga before, you may need some guidance in how to find a moving service you can trust, what you should pay, and when you may need to hire one. Remember, movers are professionals and you are going to pay for their services, but there are ways you can still get the Athens moving service you need and save lots of money while doing it.

While many movers in Athens, Ga charge an hourly rate, finding the cheapest rate per hour is NOT the best way to decide on a moving company. It is better to choose a mover or an Athens moving company based on customer satisfaction and reputation rather than on costs alone.

Ask your friends and family for referrals for Athens movers they have used and find out if they were satisfied with the service they received. Chances are that, if they had a good experience with the mover, you will also…

And here’s a secret… IF they didn’t have a good experience, they’ll be quick to tell you…

If packing your own belongings:

Be certain to properly wrap and package everything tightly. Loose items are more susceptible to damage and misplacement. Although it will cost more it is usually better to have a professional moving company pack
your belongings. ** 9 out of 10 times our customers choose for us to pack their belongings.

Eight Weeks Before You Move

– Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
– Begin an inventory of all household goods.
– Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts.
– Arrange to transfer child’s school records.
– Choose a mover.

Six Weeks Before You Move

– Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.
– Fill out post-office change of address cards.
– Send your new address to anyone that might need it — insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
– Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.
– Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.

Four Weeks Before You Move

– For self moves, reserve a truck or trailer. Obtain necessary moving supplies, boxes, twine, labels, etc.
– Start packing!!
– If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins.
– Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.
– Begin to use up overstocks of staple foods
– Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.
– Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.

Three Weeks Before You Move

– Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home..
– Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer.
– Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
– Arrange for child care on moving day.

Two Weeks Before You Move

– Arrange to move pets.
– Check with mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move plants.)
– Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.
– If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.

One Weeks Before You Move

– Transfer all bank accounts.
– Cancel newspaper delivery.
– Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.
– Buy traveler’s checks.
– Make arrangements to pay for your move.
– Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.

Two Days Before You Move

– Have mover pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).
– Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
– Set aside valuable items to carry with you including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.

Moving Day

– Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished.
– Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods.
– Before the truck leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.
– Give the driver directions to your new home.
– Notify the driver and your moving coordinator where you can be reached during the move.

Delivery Day

– Be on hand to answer any questions and give directions.
– Supervise unloading and unpacking.
– Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.
– Note on the inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage to unboxed items before you sign anything.