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Small moves are more common than you think.
In fact, 9.8 percent of Americans move annually for various reasons and often use a shipping company to transport small items on a long-distance haul. Whether it’s furniture or just a box filled with electronics, even small moves require expert handling.
If you’re looking for useful advice on how you can make small moves more efficient, here’s everything you need to know.
What’s Considered a Small Move?
Shipments that weigh less than 2,000 lbs. are considered a small move by most moving companies. Small moves can include belongings like furniture, electronics, clothes, and other items from a studio apartment or a one-bedroom space.
Here are a few good examples of small moves:
- From the college dorm room: A college dorm room is small in size and can only house limited items like a lamp, desk, and kitchen appliances. This kind of small move usually includes small items like school supplies, toiletries, and clothes in the shipment. As a result, you don’t have to worry about packing large furniture.
- From the studio or one-bedroom apartment: Moving into a studio or one-bedroom apartment is also considered a small move. Most individuals transport their belongings in small boxes. You can either rent a cargo van or a small truck to move your possessions, like bedding, upholstery, and more.
- From one neighborhood to another: When you’re shifting homes in the neighborhood or moving down the street, it’s a small move. This is because the distance covered is very small when you’re moving nearby. But if the weight of the items is more than 2000 lbs., your moving company may not consider it a small move.
- Moving specialty items: Small moves are ideal for transporting specific items from one place to another. For instance, when you want to ship valuable possessions like artwork, a pool table, or even a bathtub, it’s a small move. Such items can only be shipped one at a time by a specialized moving company.
Benefits of Making Small Moves
A small move helps people save hundreds of dollars compared to a large move.
You don’t have to pay an entire moving van to pack and ship an entire home. Small moves also give people the flexibility to change their date and time. Besides helping you declutter your living space, small moves make it easier for people to relocate. Additionally, you can avoid the add-on cost of hiring a moving crew to load and unload heavy shipments.
For instance, when a student needs to switch dorms or move into an apartment close to their university time and again, a small move is the cheaper option, especially if you’re short on time and resources.
Since the number of items being transported is less, it’s easier to plan a small move compared to a large move.
Things to Consider When Making a Small Move
When you’re moving a small load within a short distance or over a long haul, you must consider the following factors:
- Condition of your belongings: Check the items you want transported before you decide to move. If you’re moving fragile belongings like mirrors and wine glasses, it’s best to call in professionals to help with packing and loading.
- Distance of the move: If you’re not moving far, you can consider many small moves over a short period. When moving long distance, you can choose to ship only those belongings with the highest value.
- Storage needs: If you need a place to stack your belongings before, during, or after the move, your best bet is a small moving container. Such self-storage facilities give customers the option to store their items for a short period.
Useful Insights on Planning Small Moves
Plan Months in Advance
Before moving, it’s best to survey your belongings and determine which items you want shipped, sold, donated, or discarded. Use a binder to create a checklist for all your belongings and for storing receipts and other moving-related papers.
You should also consume all edibles in the fridge and utilize all your house-cleaning materials before the move. You can always replenish your household groceries once you’re done with the move and have settled into your new space.
Move Only High-Value Items
When you’re planning a small move, make sure you choose the right items. We recommend picking only those essentials that are of high value. This could include expensive items like a piano or a barbecue grill. If you have large items like old furniture that weigh a lot, consider selling them online or at a yard sale.
You can donate other low-value belongings to a local charity, especially items that must be replaced once every six months. It’s best to discard perishable goods since you can purchase replacements once you’ve relocated.
Pack Your Items in Small Boxes
Packing efficiently is not just grunt work; it’s a technique. When you’re filling up boxes with your belongings, you must distribute the weight evenly. Choose smaller boxes that are properly labeled with a number or color of your choosing.
Make sure you label every side of the box so that your shipment doesn’t get misplaced during the haul. To protect fragile items, use bubble wrap or wrapping paper to prevent them from breaking or getting damaged during the haul.
Pick an Ideal Moving Date
To master small moves, you must be strategic in your approach. Make the move on a weekday or during off-peak hours. This will help save you money, as your loading van will not have to go through much traffic.
Choose a Reliable Moving Company
Always look for an experienced moving company that can minimize expenses without risking the safety of your belongings.
It’s important you pick a moving company that specializes in small moves. This ensures that the quotation you receive is with respect to items that weigh less than 2,000 lbs.
It’s also necessary to vet the moving company before you hire them. The right moving company should have an authorized business license. You can also read customer reviews online or check with past customers to get a better idea of their service. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask questions or clarify any concerns you might have.
If the moving company provides a written estimate, make sure to compare the quote against other sources. You’ll also need to determine whether the company requires any kind of deposit or downpayment in the initial stages before the move.