No matter how much you love your friends, helping them move can be a real drag. Moving can be a lot of work, from all the heavy furniture to the boxes full of knick-knacks from their past. To make your friend’s transition more manageable, here are 8 ideas for helping them move without breaking your back (or friendship)!
Label Boxes Clearly
When you’re helping a friend move, labeling boxes and furniture makes the process significantly easier. Start by finding box labels or markers that are easy for you to read. Then, label each box with room names and a brief description of what is inside so that items can be easily identified upon arrival at their new home.
If your friend uses color coding, you can also label boxes according to how they should go in which room. Make sure to be specific – labeling a “kitchen” box and an “office” box both simply as “kitchen” may confuse things later on. Labeling furniture with the same name as its respective room will also make things much easier in the future.
Provide Snacks and Drinks
When helping a friend move, it is essential to keep everyone fueled so they can work throughout the process. Preparing snacks and drinks to have on hand ahead of time can make all the difference. Snacks with protein help provide energy so people can keep up with the intense workload moving homes requires. Staple snacks include granola bars, trail mix, popcorn, and protein bars that will remain edible throughout the move and afternoon cravings.
Beverages such as water, Gatorade, and other electrolyte-rich liquids should be kept close by for hydration during strenuous activity; however, remember always to drink responsibly – no one enjoys the feeling of moving items when hungover.
If you want to go the extra mile for your friend’s big day, provide bigger meals like sandwiches or tacos once you’re finished loading up all of their belongings. As a thank-you to your friends for giving you their trust and all their hard work, consider offering lunch/dinner for them or maybe even freshly baked desserts that are easy to transport.
Help with Furniture Assembly
When it comes to a big move, your friend may need help with more than just packing items and loading them into the moving truck. Many pieces of furniture are partially assembled and can require extra hands to help finish the job. A large piece of furniture may also require extra power tools, such as a drill or screwdriver, to assemble it correctly.
Before offering assistance with furniture assembly, ensure that you have the required tools and instructions on hand. If your friend already has all of the necessary items, offer some muscle power to help get the job done!
It’s important to remember that furniture assembly can be complex, so it’s always a good idea to consider hiring professional movers to help with this aspect of the move. They will have the experience and know-how to assemble furniture correctly, ensuring it is safe and secure for transport. Not only that, but they can also handle the heavy lifting and moving of the furniture, which can save your friend from any potential injuries.
Organize items in the new home
Once you have arrived at your friend’s new home, it is time to start organizing. You’ll want to figure out the best way to get furniture and boxes into the right rooms efficiently.
Before moving any items, draw a basic floor plan with the friend’s input on where they would like items and furniture. This can include putting aside a particular spot for something they cannot easily move or arrange (a TV, bookcase, etc.). Knowing where everything will go ahead of time will help reduce stress and save unnecessary shuffling of bulky items later on.
If possible, helping to unpack some boxes of clothing and linens can save time in getting acclimated to the new home quickly. Some basic cleaning may also be needed if the previous resident did not completely clear things out.
Assist with loading and unloading the truck
For a successful move, your friend may opt to rent a moving truck and hire professional movers. In this case, it’s helpful to come early and assist with loading the truck and unloading it at the new residence. Don’t try to do too much if you don’t know how to operate the proper lifting techniques. Instead, focus on providing emotional support and some physical help, so your friend doesn’t become overwhelmed.
It’s also a good idea to provide snacks and drinks for any helpers – everyone will need quick access to refreshments as they work up an appetite during the relocation process. If possible, drive ahead of the truck and help guide them in successfully navigating their way through unconventional routes or busy traffic areas.
Help Clean the Old Home
Moving can be a stressful experience, and no one should have to go through the process alone. Helping a friend move doesn’t have to be difficult—make sure you’re prepared with the right supplies and have plenty of time available. Before the move, step in to help your friend pack up his/her old home and start fresh in their new place. Here are some tips to help ensure that your friend’s move goes smoothly:
- Pack items together according to where they will go in the new home (bedroom as one bundle, kitchen items as another). Label boxes with both their contents and the correct room for easier unpacking.
- Clean out cupboards, closets, drawers, etc. Ensure all areas are clean before packaging an item away – no one likes unearthing a mess weeks or months after moving!
- Inventory any valuable items or furniture before packing so that anything that goes lost is accounted for later on.
- Have an area designated for “keepsakes” or items of sentimental value which will not be mixed in with other goods for easy transport and access once settled into the new space.
- Partake in a thorough cleaning of the old home upon completing packing up belongings – this includes dusting off shelves, vacuuming carpets and sweeping floors of any debris accumulated over time!
- Remove nail holes from walls – unless instructed otherwise by landlord/property manager – by filling them in with spackle before moving day.
- Separate fragile items from everything else by padding them into smaller boxes or wrapping each piece individually with newspaper/packing materials. This is especially important for glassware such as dishes— no one wants broken pieces filling up their boxes on the first day!
- Ensure all doors, windows and locks are secured when cleaning out your friend’s old place; leave it better than when you found it!
Send a Housewarming Gift
Sending your friend or family member a housewarming gift before or after the move can be a great way to show your support for their transition. Choose something particular you think they would enjoy, such as a small piece of art, a handwritten card, or perhaps their favourite treat. A thoughtful gift will remind them that they have the love and support of family and friends during this time.
Depending on your budget and relationship with the person moving, more oversized items such as kitchen appliances can also be excellent gifts.
Conclusion
Moving can be a stressful process, and having the help of friends to make the process go more smoothly can make a huge difference. Before you head to your friend’s place, take time to discuss the packing, loading and unloading strategy so that everyone is clear on what they need to do and how it will get done.
Here are some tips to make the process go more smoothly:
- Offer small breaks in between tasks so your friend can catch their breath.
- Bring plenty of snacks and water because loading furniture is hard work.
- Most importantly, don’t forget that it’s not all about the move – taking some time in the end for the celebration is an integral part of making this an excellent experience for your friend.
Moving doesn’t have to be a burden, but with thoughtful planning and plenty of support, it can bring its own rewards, too – happy friendships!