Everyone moves at some point, but not everyone moves in a polite way. Just as we try to be good neighbors all year-round, we should all strive to be respectful as possible of the people around us during a move. Moving is a stressful process—we get it—so be sure to keep in mind these 3 important moving etiquette tips when it is time for you to move from one home to another.
Talk to your neighbors
Good communication is key to avoiding any misunderstandings or grievances. Make sure your current and/or future neighbors are aware of any changes that may be occurring soon. Perhaps you will have movers parking on the street, or a large portable storage container in the driveway—go ahead and discuss now to avoid any confrontation later. By opening the lines of communication, you can make new friends in your neighborhood, allowing you to all help each other and create a sense of comradery amongst your area for the future.
Don’t block shared drive or pathways
Blocking shared paths or someone else’s driveway is a big no-no. Make sure all your helpers and hired movers know to not park in front of someone’s driveway or mailbox. If it seems like it is unavoidable, our first tip comes into play—talk with your neighbor beforehand. Explain the situation and ask if they would be agreeable to allowing people to park in front of their property. Doing this can create a show of goodwill, and even if it is an inconvenience for a neighbor, they might be much more amenable to a disruption if you ask and talk to them first. If you live somewhere like an apartment, be sure to keep any and all shared pathways and doors unblocked.
Don't be disruptive
It’s important to try not to be disruptive to your neighbors. It’s best to work only during the daylight hours so you do not bother people as they are in bed. No one wants to be woken up at 5am when they don’t need to be! Even when you are working during daylight hours, you should still strive to keep the noise levels down. You can play your music but keep the volume at a respectable level. If your movers are getting loud, just let them know you are trying to not bother the neighbors. If you have no choice but to work outside of daylight hours, talk with your neighbor beforehand and do your best to keep the noise down and not shine any lights in their windows.
We hope these tips will help you as you getting ready to make your big move. Moving is hard on everyone, but we know with a little effort, you can make sure your neighbors do not get bothered. If you haven’t found a moving partner yet, be sure to give us a call at 1-800-PACK-RAT (1-800-722-5728) or contact us online.
We offer multiple local and long-distance moving and storage solutions to make sure you are able to store and move your stuff in a safe and secure way. Our portable storage containers are perfect for moving your things in any type of move. You pack your belongings at your own pace and when you are ready, we will pick up the container and transport it safely to your new location. If you aren’t ready for it to be delivered, we will store it in one of our secure storage facilities for as long as you need. Don’t forget to check out our current offers!