Although we aren’t involved in clients’ actual moves from Location A to Location B, we make every effort to ensure their relocation goes smoothly. This includes tapping into the expertise and experience of our colleagues. This month we asked Pete Horvath, president of Chicago-based Move-tastic!, to share strategies for minimizing the challenges and stressors of moving. 

“It’s moving day and it’s been snowing all night long. How will that impact a customer’s move?”

Professional moving companies are used to working in lousy weather. And while it worries some customers, a properly-trained team will take the conditions in stride. We don’t know what we’ll get from one day to the next so it has little impact on what we do. We keep shovels and bags of salt in the back of each truck. When clients are concerned about the time and cost of their move, we advise them up front to consider shoveling their sidewalk or driveway at both ends prior to the movers’ arrival. Covering the floors and carpet with plastic also ensures keeping both properties clean.

“For many people, moving is stressful. Any suggestions on making the experience a better one?”

We see it all – moves due to marriage, having kids and wanting more space, death, divorce, as well as the need to downgrade financially. The mood of the client can impact the job. That’s one of many reasons you need to choose your moving company carefully. For instance, it’s a requirement for our employees to maintain a PMA – Positive Mental Attitude. We’ve been told our guys are known for being so good-natured that clients feel like they have a group of friends handling the move (albeit their youngest and strongest ones). It’s key to communicate with your moving team when they arrive if there is anything unusual about the day that requires some special handling.

“How far ahead should you plan your move?”

As far ahead as you can! In peak season, you’ll need to book a quality moving company several months in advance. We’ve had clients book six months ahead. Between October and February, you should find availability mid-month. To minimize the challenges of moving, we guide clients to follow this timetable of tasks, starting one month out and ending with post move activities.

“Are there different guidelines to follow for moving out of state?”

An out-of-state move is a different animal from moving within Chicago or a suburb around Chicago. There are three ways to handle relocating to another state: Do it yourself, use portable storage containers, or hire a company that provides what I call white glove service.

The most affordable way to move to a different state, or across the country, is to do it yourself. If that sounds daunting, it shouldn’t: you don’t have to do everything on your own. On many occasions we’ve loaded a client’s belongings into a rental truck, the client drove the truck to their new home, and we arranged for a moving company at the other end to unload their truck.

Portable storage containers are the best solution when you need your belongings out of one location but you can’t immediately move them into another. Your furniture and boxes will get picked up and placed in a container that is temporarily stored at a service center. For example, ABF Freight has 240 centers across the country. When the time is right, you can arrange for your container of furniture and belongings to be transported to your new home.

White glove service is ideal if you can afford it because you won’t have to worry about anything. A moving company will pack up your items, load the truck, deliver them to your new home, and unpack for you. An interstate moving company is required for this service. Steer clear of an unlicensed carrier and always read reviews of their performance. If they have fewer than 4.5 stars, keep looking.