Moving with kids – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

June 15, 2020July 6, 2020 Movers Who Blog Moving with kids

Eight ways to make moving with kids an experience to remember

-Written by Andie Millerov

Whether it’s a few blocks away or across the country, moving to a new place with unfamiliar surroundings can be nerve-racking. Many adults may experience that uneasy feeling as they prepare to move and envision how they will settle in. Now, imagine that feeling from a child’s perspective. No matter your child’s age, moving can be tough for them. Consider the suggestions below to help them adjust to the idea and help you breathe easier.

Give them time – Springing a move on your kids, even if your new destination is only a few minutes away, can lead to overwhelming feelings to arise. Take the time you need to figure out a gentle way to break the news, but try to give as much notice as possible so they have plenty of time to process the change before it happens. Be sure to answer questions and address any concerns they may have.

Introduce the movers – When the movers arrive on the big day, take a moment to introduce them to your kids. Doing so will establish trust and reassure them that their most treasured possessions are in capable hands.

Get to know your new neighbors – Depending on how long you lived at your old house, you and your family may have formed relationships with neighbors. Make an effort to do so at your new house if possible, showing your kids that a new house means new connections!

Get them excited about their new room – Be sure your child is involved in unpacking their own belongings and let them get creative in how they set up their bedroom and play areas – with your help, of course.

Keep in touch with old neighbors and friends – As you get settled in your new home, carve out some time to help your child write a letter to a friend or old neighbor telling them about their new house. Better yet, ask grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends to send a letter to your child. Everyone loves happy mail, and it’s bound to brighten their day to receive something at their new address.

Explore – Take a break from unpacking and go on a bike ride or walk with the kids through your new neighborhood. Or, if the weather is nice, pack a simple picnic and find a nearby park to enjoy it at. It’s important to take a break from the chaos to unwind and spend time together.

Repurpose your boxes – Once you’ve unpacked, use some of the boxes to create box costumes! The kids will love getting creative.

Be enthusiastic – The more positive you remain during the whole move experience, the more confident your children will feel about the change. Show them you are ready for this new adventure, and they will be too!

Click here for more information about moving with kids.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

August 6, 2019August 26, 2019 Movers Who Blog Moving with kids

Tips and tricks for moving with kids

-Written by Taylor Hawley

Change can be difficult for anyone, and especially difficult for kids because they may have trouble understanding the situation. Moving is a life event that can be hard, confusing, and overwhelming. No matter the distance or the reason for your move, here are several tips and tricks to make the transition to your new home easier for the whole family.

Explain the situation

Introduce the concept – Gently introduce the idea of moving to your kids in advance. This will give them time to process what it means to move and why. Not giving enough time between telling them and the move can lead to a stressful situation.

Encourage questions – If this is the first time your child is moving, they might not fully understand the process. Give them the environment to feel like they can ask questions freely. This will make the situation less intimidating as you will be reducing the unknown aspect of the experience.

Reassure them – The unknown can be scary and while your life is changing, your kids will need that reassurance. If your kids have concerns, make sure to reiterate to them that things will be okay.

Visit the new home – If you are moving to an area nearby, take your kids to the new home for a visit. Explore its local parks and fun landmarks. This will help them become comfortable and maybe even excited with their new home and community as they are seeing it in advance.

Involve them in the process

Give small tasks – Letting them be a part of the process will make it easier for them to be comfortable with the concept of moving. Some tasks include:

- Packing their toys and belongings
- Labeling and decorating boxes
- Checking small spaces around the house to make sure everything is packed
- Creating thank you cards for the movers
- Distracting pets in other rooms when movers are there

Introductions – When the movers arrive the day of your move, introduce your kids to who will be helping and how they do their job. Make them comfortable with the situation and the movers so it is not as intimidating.

Make the experience fun

Make packing a game – This will help kids become comfortable with the thought of packing their belongings, while also making it fun! Doing so will also leave you with less to pack yourself.

Decorate a new room – Let your child choose how they want to decorate their new room. This could include the paint on the walls, new bedding, or wall decorations. The personalization of the new room will get them excited for their new space and make it feel more comfortable.

Have a party – Whether it’s with neighbors, family members, or just the people in your household, having a going away party is another way to make moving exciting. Making the experience as fun and positive as possible will make it easier for everyone in your family.

Make it an adventure – On your journey to your new home, make it an adventure. Making pit stops to get snacks or to do a little sightseeing along the way will aid in making the experience positive.

Be a tourist – If you are moving to a new town, be a tourist in the area at first. This will help your kids become comfortable with the new town and its environment, while also having fun exploring new things.

Create with boxes – When you are done with the moving boxes, your kids can use them to create a variety of things. This fun activity is a great way to complete a move.

Last Minute Reminders

Pack a day of the move box
- Kids favorite toys
- Snacks and Water
Keep the kids busy
Stay positive

For more information on moving with kids, click here.

December 10, 2018 Movers Who Blog DIY Projects, Holiday Fun, Home Decor, Home Sweet Home, Moving with kids, News, Organizing, Our People, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

Make your holidays even more festive with easy, DIY craft ideas

The holiday season is officially here and that means decorating your home and preparing for the festivities! Here at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we love celebrating the holidays, and we’ve come up with several fun, easy-to-make crafts using supplies you probably already have around the house. Grab the kiddos and start crafting!

Be sure to check out past TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Holiday DIY crafts here and here

String Wrapped Ornaments

This homemade tree ornament can also be paired with a name tag to dress up wrapped gifts.

What supplies you’ll need:

Cardboard
Yarn or ribbon
Scissors
Hot glue gun

Step 1 – Using cardboard, cut out stars in a variety of sizes.

Step 2 – Secure the end of your yard on the back of the star using a hot glue gun.

Step 3 – Wrap the yarn or ribbon around your star in all directions until you’re happy with its look. Secure the end with hot glue.

Step 4 – Cut a 3-inch string of ribbon and loop it through a piece that is already around the star. Tie it at the top and hang from your Christmas tree.

Beaded Candy Canes

Possibly the easiest holiday DIY there is! If you’re feeling really creative, you can also shape your pipe cleaners into Christmas trees or stars and hang them as ornaments.

What supplies you’ll need:

Pipe cleaners
Beads

Step 1 – Bend the pipe cleaner to the shape of a candy cane, folding a small part at the end upward so beads don’t slide off.

Step 2 – Slide the beads on and fold up the other end to secure them in place.

Paper Chain Snowman

Remember making paper chains back in elementary school? Same classic craft with a fun update for Christmas decorations!

What supplies you’ll need:

White paper
Black and orange crayons
Tape

Step 1 – Cut strips of white printer paper at the same width.

Step 2 – Fold a strip of paper in a circle shape securing the back with tape. Loop another strip of paper through that, securing the back. Continue doing so until you’re happy with the length of your snowman chain.

Step 3 – Draw eyes, a mouth and a hat for your snowman. Use the orange marker to give him the traditional carrot nose.

Bonus: You can follow this same easy process to make other characters like reindeer or Santa!

Merry Christmas from all of us at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. We hope you enjoyed our DIY tutorials. If you are in need of boxes for your next DIY, stop by your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise and choose from our wide variety of box sizes. Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram if we inspired you to make a craft so we can see your final product!

November 19, 2018December 17, 2018 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Hiring Professional Movers, Home Decor, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

Keep yourself prepared with these overlooked moving essentials

There’s so much to consider when working to complete a home move. From planning everything out in advance. Making sure you have all your belongings accounted for, to taking care of bills, cleaning, and so on – it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos.

This understandably creates additional stress around moving day. Organization is the key to eliminating this stress, and while everyone thinks of the actual moving must-haves such as boxes and packing supplies, what about the items that get overlooked?

These overlooked moving essentials are often important items you’ll need as you move into your new home, but can easily get lost in the shuffle on moving day. Thankfully, we know a thing or two of what exactly you’ll need to keep moving day running smoothly!

Plastic Bags

Regardless of what the situation might be – and especially on moving today – there’s always some use for plastic bags. They can cover everything from storing or carrying items to handling trash duty and getting unwanted items out of the way. Keep a small stash handy for whatever need you might have leading up to, and during, moving day.

Batteries

Although it may seem everything is attached to a charger these days, batteries still cover a lot of power duty in a home. Remotes, clocks, and plenty of other appliances still need batteries, and having a fresh new pack will ensure you’re ready to go in your new home.

Cleaning Supplies

Moving can be messy. With people going in and out of your home and maybe even some new items being delivered and opened, there’s a high probability of your new house getting dirty. You may also want to do a thorough cleaning of your new home before you get all moved in and settled. It’s a good idea to have cleaning supplies like cleaning spray, rags and sponges, Clorox wipes, toilet cleaner, and laundry soap readily available.

Moving Checklist

As mentioned above, organization is key to avoid getting overwhelmed on moving day. Develop a detailed plan of how you want attack the moving day process to help prevent any mishaps or mistakes.

Food and Drinks

The physical aspect of home moving shouldn’t be overlooked, which makes the need for food and drinks all the more important on moving day! Keep everyone hydrated with water and sports drinks, and have small snacks around for breaks.

Tool Kit

Whether it’s disassembling or reassembling furniture, fixing something that’s broken, or hanging decor on the walls – you’re going to want a tool-kit handy on moving day.

Toilet Paper/Paper Towels

This may seem obvious, but you wouldn’t want to get to a new home and find yourself in need of paper towels or toilet paper. Keep these handy in a day of the move box!

Markers and Stickers

This plays into the organizational side of things, and using markers and stickers will help you label and keep track of all your belongings as they move from your old home to your new one. It also makes unpacking much easier if the correct boxes and items are placed in their designated spaces within your new home.

These are just some of the important overlooked moving essentials that you should be aware of as you get ready to complete your next home move! For more insightful moving tips to ensure your home move is a breeze, search our company blog or our website.

If you’re looking to complete an upcoming home move, give us a call! Use our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise locator to find the location nearest you, and find out how the “Movers Who Care®” can assist you with your home relocation.

October 15, 2018November 5, 2018 Movers Who Blog DIY Projects, Holiday Fun, Moving with kids, Organizing, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Boxtume Tutorial Part 3: Frankenstein

If you’re looking for a fun DIY Halloween costume, we’ve got you covered! Pick up a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK box, and follow these tips for creating the perfect costume — or “boxtume”, as we like to call it.

Frankenstein Boxtume

Want to make a spooky Halloween costume? This super easy Frankenstein boxtume should do the trick! Follow the steps below to make your very own!

What you’ll need:

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK small box
Green, black, and silver paint
Paper towel tube
Box cutter
Hot glue

Step 1: Assemble the box, taping the top and bottom shut. Paint the outside with green paint.

Step 2: Once the paint has dried, use a box cutter to cut a rectangle out of the front of the box for the face. Then, cut another rectangle out of the bottom that’s large enough to fit your child’s head.

Step 3: Add black, pointed hair around the top of the head.

Step 4: Cut paper towel tube in half and paint silver. Once dry, hot glue to each side of the box.

Complete the look with a purple shirt and black jacket, and maybe even green face paint if you’re feeling extra spooky!

August 20, 2018August 27, 2018 Movers Who Blog Hiring Professional Movers, Home Sweet Home, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Get prepared for back-to-school season with these fun and easy tips

As we’ve reached the halfway point of August and roll through the last few weeks of summer, that means one thing for the youngsters in your family – it’s back to school time!

Regardless of the age, from elementary school all the way through high school, it’s always a good idea to get prepared for back-to-school time and make sure you’re ready to tackle the upcoming year. This starts with effective planning to set your kiddos up for success, and thankfully for you, we’ve come up with a list to get you off on the right foot.

Whether you’ve used TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s world-class moving services to move to a new community or your kids are returning to the same school again this year, these tips will have your family ready to go on the first day for a successful year of learning!

Get some fresh new clothes

We all remember being a kid – sometimes it’s hard to get excited for the first day of school after such a fun summer. One way to counteract this? Get new clothes!

Take your child shopping and let them find some new shirts, pants, or shoes that catch their eye so they feel confident when they step off the bus for that first day of class.

Stock up on school supplies

An underrated part of back-to-school prep, getting equipped with the proper school supplies can be a fun task, and will get your child in the right mindset for class. From pencils to cool folders, binders, and other things – even locker decorations – many of these supplies will last all year long. Don’t forget a new backpack, too!

A healthy diet can make a difference

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s true! Starting your child’s day off with a proper and nutritious breakfast will get their brain in the right place, and should prepare them to tackle their school load each and every day.

Similarly, having an effective lunch plan can be a crucial factor during the school year. Whether you’re providing them with money to receive hot lunch or you’re packing a healthy lunch from home, having a meal plan in place for each day of the week is important.

Get to know teachers and friends

This may seem minor, but getting to know who your child is interacting with every day will allow you to better understand what they are going through at school, and can also give you a better platform for communicating at home.

From finding out who they are hanging out with and arranging hangouts to attending parent teacher conferences and learning about their teachers, it’s important to stay involved.

Become involved with after school activities!

From joining an existing or new sport to joining a club, organization, or some other after-school activity – this is a great experience for students of all ages!

Joining after-school activities allows for your child to become involved with different groups of people, learn how to work with others, communicate, and most importantly – have fun!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK wishes everyone the best of luck as they head into back-to-school season! While we can only offer friendly advice about heading back to school, we can offer real help when it comes to packing, storage, local or long-distance moving! If you need help arranging furniture in your home, we can help there, too!

Visit our website and find out how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is able to assist you with any moving or storage need you might have!

July 23, 2018August 13, 2018 Movers Who Blog College Moving, DIY Projects, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

A first-hand look at the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® moving experience

-Written by Erik Sargent

With more than 7 million moves completed as a brand and locations all across the United States, and even internationally in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, it’s safe to say we’ve got the hang of this moving thing.

Our 96% customer referral rating speaks for itself, but sometimes, numbers just don’t tell the whole story. Why not hear it directly from the source?

Customer Rob Derderian of Pasadena, California, was kind enough to let us get a sneak peek into his home move last month, and was able to shed some insight on what it was like to have TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s help with a home move.

Here’s what he had to say!

Why are you moving?

“We are moving because we sold this house, a friend of mine bought it. I already live in another location, so this was a second house, so we are liquidating it and we’re getting out. We’re taking the things out of it and moving them to a couple different places and just getting everything out of here.”

How did you learn about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK?

“A few years ago my son and wife were referred to TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and that’s how we got hooked up this time. My son moved around during college a few times and my wife contacted TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I guess after contacting a few other movers, and were satisfied with what they heard from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. So, they did a couple of moves a few years ago and this time around when we decided we had to find a mover again, we just went right back to TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.”

What was your initial impression of the movers?

“These guys are good guys – young, strong, healthy specimens, so that’s a good thing because it’s a lot more than I can lift or pack or move. They’re very polite, nice, and clean, doing a good job and wrapping things up as I would expect or any customer would expect, and I’m happy with it.”

Talk about the moving experience with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.

“The moving experience is going well. I haven’t done this for over 30 years, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Planning is really important, planning in advance is important, and contacting the movers in advance is important. In my line of work I’m a project manager, so I tried to line things up with the way you’re supposed to when you have a big project, so it’s going according to plan. I didn’t expect anything different, so I think we’re OK.”

What advice would you give to customers about to complete a home move?

“I would say that if you cross the line where you know you’re going to move, you make plans immediately. You contact your movers, you come up with a checklist. [This checklist] can be found on the website of the mover. You start going down the checklist, you start to plan everything in advance as best as possible, you decide where everything is going to go. We actually color-tagged everything in the house as far as exactly where we want it to go. We did a walk-through with the movers when they got here, so I think the early planning is really important. It’s important to not have any surprises later.”

Why would you recommend the services of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to someone looking to move?

“Because I would share a good experience. If I have a good experience, I’m happy to make referrals, if it’s not a good experience I’m probably not going to make good referrals. I have no problem with referring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.”

May 28, 2018June 18, 2018 Movers Who Blog College Moving, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, Spring Cleaning, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

What we can’t move during your home relocation

-Written by Caitlyn Laidler

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we’re dedicated to making your moving experience stress-free and successful. To ensure the safety of both our customers and movers, we must follow certain rules and regulations that restrict the transportation of certain items.

In order to avoid conflict and confusion on moving day, we recommend you speak with your local franchise beforehand to ensure you have time to make arrangements to move the items we’re not able to.

Our movers are unable to transport the following:

Flammable, explosive, or corrosive items

Federal law prohibits the transportation of propane, paint, car batteries, antifreeze, household cleaners, weed killer, and ammunition. These items will not be moved under any circumstances.

Gasoline-filled engines or machines

Prior to move in day, make sure to empty any items that run on gasoline. Items such as lawn mowers, grills, tractors, and mopeds must be completely empty in order for our movers to transport them.

Plants and animals

In order to guarantee the safety and well-being of your plants and pets, we do not transport any living thing, including potted plants and fish.

Perishable food

Fresh, refrigerated, and frozen foods are banned from our trucks to prevent rotting and spoiled, unpleasant odors. Plan out your meals the week before the move so you don’t have a fridge full of food on moving day. Or, plan to box and transport in your personal vehicle.

Sensitive or sentimental belongings

We care about your things and take care of them as if they were our own. To ensure your prized possessions and important items are not misplaced during the process, we do not move items such as cash, jewelry, insurance papers, or birth certificates.

Prescription drugs or medications

In order to prevent any emergencies where you may need access to your medications, we do not move prescription drugs.

Reminder: Each franchise has their own policy regarding non-allowable items. For a complete list of items we are not able to move, please contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® office.

December 4, 2017December 21, 2017 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

The perks of hiring professional movers

-Written by Erik Sargent

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events, filled with chaos and emotion as you relocate all of your belongings from one place to the next. There are a variety of reasons as to why people move, but one thing remains the same with each – it is a process that requires planning, heavy lifting, and patience.

Many people think that if they use a professional moving service, they are going to end up paying far too much, and they try to do everything on their own. Doing a move on your own is not only stressful, but can cause damage to your belongings, damage to you, and can take an extended amount of time.

With a moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, you avoid all of these hassles – and we put to rest the myth that hiring professional movers will break the bank! For over 30 years at locations all across the country, we have been helping people move forward in their life by providing top-notch moving services. Each one of our moving teams is trained to handle moves with the highest level of care, and they are professionally trained and uniformed when they arrive at your door.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the top reasons you should choose a professional moving company like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and we hope you think of us next time you decide to relocate!

The benefits of professional movers

Hiring professional movers means you are putting your items in the hands of people who are properly trained on how to move objects of all shapes and sizes. From furniture and appliances to safes and pianos, our movers know how to handle it all.

Trying to move large objects like furniture or safes can not only be dangerous to do on your own, but can cause damage to everything if they are not handled correctly. Leave the heavy lifting to us!

You can rest assured that when our moving teams handle your items, each object will be padded and stretched wrapped to provide maximum protection from one location to the next.

Reasonable pricing

The perception of professional moving services is that it’s going to cost a fortune, but that is simply not the case, as there are a variety of factors that determine the price of a move. On average, a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK move typically costs $895. This is a price that must be considered when you take into consideration that you don’t have to do any of the work.

The time you save vs. doing it yourself

When you try to handle a home move yourself, there’s no telling how long it could take you. From trips back and forth to asking people to help you, you are taking on a major task if you do it alone.

With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, a home move typically takes around 5.34 hours – that is getting everything from one place padded and stretch wrapped, loaded onto our 26 ft. moving trucks, and unloaded at your new home – just like that!

Don’t take our word on why using professional movers is a great option – just listen to what our customers have to say!

“I’ve moved five times in the past, all by myself with the help of some friends and family. I was dreading the process of moving again, and decided to hire professional movers. This was the best decision made about this move! It was fantastic having a team of professionals helping move our family’s things carefully and securely. The team was efficient, thoughtful, and knocked it out of the park. I definitely recommend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to others now.” – Erik, Savannah, GA

“The entire move was handled as expected without surprises. While I was initially surprised to see an estimate for two trucks, I soon saw that the quote was spot-on. Looking back, there’s simply no way that I could have saved any money by attempting to move two truckloads and two cars from Atlanta to New Orleans by myself. The moving crew was professional, courteous, meticulously careful, and exceptionally hard-working. We have a number of irreplaceable antiques and they were handled separately with incredible attention to their care. It gave us peace of mind to know that our interstate move was expedited without the need for sharing a truck or warehousing our belongings, and to have the same crew load and unload added a welcome familiarity.” Chris, Gwinnett North, GA

“My movers – Daniel and Daniel – did a phenomenal job moving me into a new apartment. They took time to inventory all my items, moved furniture around in the new place until it was just where I liked it, and were kind and courteous the entire time. My move came in under the estimate too! Overall, the experience was excellent and I’ll never be moving myself again! Thank you!” – Kay, Lansing, MI

To find out how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can assist with your next move, click here. We’d love to show you why we’re called the “Movers Who Care®”!

November 6, 2017June 26, 2018 Movers Who Blog College Moving, Hiring Professional Movers, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Moving with kids, Organizing, Our People, Packing, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

Nine questions to ask your landlord before moving in

This is a guest post from Avail.com

There’s a lot on your mind when you’re preparing for a move, from what day you can move in to when you’ll receive your keys, where the moving truck can park, and more.

To ensure you’re as prepared as possible, and have as many moving day details to make it a stress-free and efficient day, it’s important to ask your landlord these nine questions ahead of time.

#1 What day can I move in?

It’s best to check with your landlord about what day you’re able to move in. That way, you are both on the same page and you can schedule professional movers ahead of time. It’s recommended to reach out and book your movers as soon as possible, even as early as one month out from the date you’d like to move.

#2 What will you do to prepare the unit before I move in?

Most landlords clean and re-paint in between tenants. We recommend finding out what your landlord plans on doing ahead of time, so you know what condition the place will be in when you move in.

#3 Were the locks changed?

In some locations, it’s a legal requirement for landlords to change the locks in between tenants. Even if it’s not a legal requirement, you can still request that your landlord changes the locks if you prefer.

#4 When will I get my keys?

Of course, you’ll need to know when you can pick up your keys to access your unit for move-in day! We recommend coordinating with your landlord to find out where and when you can pick up your keys. You may want to ask if there are other people who have a copy of the key, or access to your unit.

#5 What doors/elevators should I use? And where can I park my moving truck?

Your landlord will know the best place for your moving truck to be, whether it’s in an alley, on the street, or in a truck dock (at a larger building). You can also find out if there are service elevators for you to use. Be sure to make arrangements for parking and service elevators prior to your movers’ arrival.

#6 What do I do in the case of a lockout?

Before moving in, it’s best to know the lockout procedure. Is there an extra key on site in a lockbox? Is there a 24/7 emergency lockout company you should call? Your landlord will likely have a way for you to remedy the situation, and having this information may come in handy down the road.

#7 Is there a move-in checklist for me to complete?

It’s best practice to fill out a move-in checklist. You’ll mark any existing damage on move-in day. That way, when you move out, you can show the landlord that the damage was already there. This is helpful if you want to receive your full security deposit at the end of the lease.

You can also check to ensure you have all the proper moving essentials, here.

#8 How do I pay first month’s rent?

Typically, landlords expect first month’s rent before you move in. It’s usually a requirement before he or she will hand over a key to you. Make sure you know how to pay rent and when it’s due so you get your keys on time.

#9 What utilities am I responsible for?

You’ll want to set up your utilities before you move in. Gas, electricity, and internet are utilities you’ll want immediately. If you’re responsible for setting these up, your landlord should let you know which companies to reach out to. If not, we recommend asking your landlord for more information.

Next steps

You’ve asked your landlord these questions, and found out your move-in date, so the next step is setting up professional movers. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is here to help.

If you’d like to pay rent online, tell your landlord about Rentalutions. You can set up automatic payments, so you don’t have to remember each month. Learn more about Rentalutions below.

Bio

At Avail, our end-to-end software empowers tenants and landlords. As a tenant, you can complete a rental application, sign your lease online, pay rent online, and manage maintenance all in one place. Thousands of landlords and tenants across the country use our platform to streamline the rental process. Learn more here.