Moving Family
General Tips

In general moving can be very challenging, and even more so when moving with a family.

Keep everybody involved

As the move gets nearer be sure that the entire family is included in progress reports so nobody feels left out. Keep everyone informed on plans and tasks and any activities associated with the move. Keep everybody involved. It is good to allow the children to be involved in some of the decision making. You could consider taking them with you on house hunting trips at your new location if time and finances permit.

If your move is to another city get as much information about the new city as you can so you can share with the kids. If the city is not too far away perhaps you can take a family trip to begin to get to know your new home. Visit the local parks and museums or any other local attractions. Take a ride by your new workplace to show the kids so they will begin to feel more comfortable about moving.

1. Are there extra charges if the movers have to go up an extra flight of stairs even if I did not know about it when booking? Many times you may not have enough information at the time of the estimate to be completely accurate however.
2. What is the estimated delivery time and will the driver notify me?
3. If I pack myself what type of packing material such as boxes are acceptable?
4. How do I pay? Cash, credit card, check personal or certified?
5. When do I pay? Cash on delivery?
6. Will the movers disassemble everything and will they reassemble all items at the destination?
7. Following the initial weigh in, will there be an additional weigh in to determine actual cost?
8. If I have purchased liability insurance and I need to make a claim what is the process?

Best Time to Move

What’s the best time to move, during the school year or during the holidays?

This has been a hotly debated topic with people very divided on their opinions. Here are a few things to consider as you work on making a decision. If you are one of those fortunate people who has a choice on when to move you can consider moving during the school term or you can decide to move during the holidays.

Moving during holidays has the advantage that the children are out of school anyway and their studies will not be interrupted. Your child will also start the new term with other new kids and will not be considered the new kid on the block. The advantage of moving during school term is that your children will be in school and can make new friends quickly and they may not have as much opportunity to make new friends if you move during the holidays. The other major advantage of moving during the school year is that your children will have a routine established quickly and this has been known to be helpful to children in adapting to a new location.