White glove moving is one of the most popular ways of moving in recent years. We’re talking about bubble wrapping your furniture, organizing your stuff in your new home and so much more. And as for the things you don’t know where to put yet, they can all go to the movers’ warehouse, should you opt for it. Of course, there are cases in which using self storage just makes more sense, and you can certainly ask your white glove movers to deliver your things to the unit of your choice.
In this article, we’ll take you through all you need to know about white glove movers: who they are, what they do, and what you can learn from them to ace your own relocation.
What are white glove moving services?
White glove movers have become a national staple when it comes to complex relocations within or outside the state. Simply put, the term captures the high level of care and organization that full-service moving companies offer each client. It’s basically whom you go to when you want to bypass the physical and psychological hassle of moving, without worrying about broken heirlooms and unexpected problems.
What you get with white glove moving services
Professional Packing. Expert packers use high-quality materials and techniques to make sure your items are protected during transit. That’s a lot of time and money saved on buying your own packing materials and securing all your objects.
Specialized Handling. This is ideal for valuable items like antiques, artwork and delicate furniture that require special care — to put it another way, the stuff that made you think “I wonder how I’m going to move that” when you brought it home.
Comprehensive Service. From disassembly and packing to transportation and reassembly, every aspect of the move is handled by trained professionals. No more rummaging the home for that IKEA table’s assembly instructions.
Customized Solutions. Failing to plan is planning to fail, and that applies to moving just as much as to anything else. That’s why these services are tailored to meet individual needs, meaning personalized packing, transport and unpacking.
Convenient Storage Solutions. Many companies offer both white glove moving and storage, whether we’re talking temporary or long-term. They even go the extra mile, with careful cataloging for easy identification. And when you’re ready, the movers can deliver your stuff to your new home or office.
Costs matter when deciding between a DIY move and a full-service relocation
When considering turning to a white glove moving company to help with the move, you need to think of the overall cost. For instance, hiring professional movers in early August to relocate from a two-bedroom residence in New Jersey to one in Texas in late September would likely cost you between $3,138 and $6,325, according to MoveBuddha. You can use their moving cost calculator to gauge the quote you’re going to get.
On the other hand, other options would be far less costly. Moving your stuff using a freight service would range from $1,752 to $2,927 for the same route, in which case you would have to load and unload your belongings to and from the truck. If you rent a truck that you can drive yourself, you’d pay between $1,195 and $2,206 for getting from New Jersey to Texas.
To take it one frugal step further, loading up your car and a relative’s then driving from New Jersey to Texas (one-way) is about $183.86 at current gas prices — that’s as close as you’re going to get to a truly DIY move. Once again, using a tool such as the AAA gas cost calculator is likely to help you out a lot. Not to mention that each of these three plans can go even smoother with a self storage unit.
Wonder if you can hack it? Scroll below and check out our four tips for giving your move the white glove treatment without paying for full services.
Learning from white glove moving companies for your relocation
There’s no doubt that taking a leaf out of the white glove movers’ book can give you more control over your moving experience. You don’t necessarily need to hire professionals to achieve a similar level of care and organization, and the results can make the relocation process smoother than you could ever expect. By adopting some key strategies and principles from white glove moving services, you can turn your next move into a well-oiled operation, whether you’re relocating across the country or just down the street.
1. Master the art of packing
One of the hallmarks of white glove moving services is their meticulous packing technique. So, kick off the process by gathering high-quality packing materials — double-layered moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, moving blankets, dust covers and strong tape. Don’t skimp on the wrapping materials; invest in good quality supplies, and you’ll save yourself the potential heartbreak over broken heirlooms or damaged goods.
Next, categorize your items before packing. Group similar items together and label boxes clearly. For fragile items, use ample padding and make sure they’re securely packed to avoid any movement during transit. For delicate or valuable items, consider taking extra precautions, like wrapping each piece individually and marking these boxes as fragile.
Also, try not to put the cart before the horse — start with nonessential items and save the must-haves for last. This way, the first boxes you unpack in your new home will contain the goodies you need right away, like toiletries, kitchen supplies and bedding.
When it’s time to load them into your vehicle, you should place them in a secure spot where they won’t shift during the move — this is where the moving blankets will come in handy. Plus, you can even create a checklist for these special items to double-check their safe arrival at your new home.
2. Create a comprehensive moving plan
Professional movers thrive on detailed plans, and you can too! Think of it like a road map to your new adventure. Before you dive into packing, you will want to create a timeline that covers every step of your move.
Start by setting a moving date and then work backward to mark key milestones. When should you start packing each room? When do you need to sort out the utilities? And don’t forget to schedule the all-important cleaning sessions for both your old and new homes.
Even better, you could turn your planning into a fun project by organizing everything in a digital planner. Include your inventory lists, receipts, essential contact numbers and a detailed schedule. Having all this at your fingertips not only keeps you on track but also helps you stay cool under pressure.
Here’s an extra tip: think of your new home’s layout and size while packing. If you know the exact dimensions and layout of your new living room, for instance, you can plan where each piece of furniture will go. And remember, a little flexibility goes a long way — life is full of surprises, and being able to adjust your plan will keep things running smoothly.
3. Make use of self storage solutions
So, you’ve planned your move and realized that some (or a lot) of your stuff won’t fit into your new home. Or let’s say that you need a temporary place for your things while adding the finishing touches on your new residence. This is where self storage can solve a lot of your headaches.
Here, too, you can channel your inner white glove mover. Create a catalog of items, noting their condition and location within the unit. This will save you a ton of time and frustration when you need to find that one thing you tucked away “somewhere safe.”
Make sure you decide on the right size unit, too. The smallest units are 5’x5’ or 5’x10’ — perfect for sports gear, books and small pieces of furniture, among others. As for the medium units, they can go as high as 10’x15’ and can fit everything from appliances to small vehicles. Then there are the large units, the 10’x20’s, which can even house RVs. You can use our calculator and save time finding the right fit!
Bottom line
Moving strategies change with each stage in one’s life. Sure, a DIY move will cut it when you’re a youngster with enough time and energy to burn. But if you find yourself living in a bigger place than before with more stuff to move, then your relocation plans might benefit from a check-in with a white glove moving company.
Still, just by incorporating these practices into your move, you can achieve a level of efficiency and care that mirrors the professionalism of white glove moving services. Not only will this make your relocation less stressful, but it will also give you a sense of accomplishment and control over the process. Happy moving!
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