Transcript Real Estate Coalition Update and Action Plan

Coalition Corner:
Business training tools for HR staff, real estate licensees and
other service professionals in the relocation and real estate industries
Can Moves Really Be Trouble-Free?
Tips for a smoother household goods moving process
The Coalition thanks Kevin E. Rich, SCRP, Clark & Reid
Company, Billerica, MA
for this edition of Coalition Corner
© 2005, Employee Relocation Council/Worldwide ERC® Coalition
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Program objectives
• This program supplements a monthly
editorial feature in Worldwide ERC®’s
Mobility magazine
• This segment will:
– Offer a number of tips from an industry
representative to help improve the household
goods moving process, from arranging the details
to packing and moving
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Introduction
• Following some basic guidelines can go a
long way toward making the household
goods moving process easier
• A few to consider…
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1. Early Warning
– Once the decision to move is made, notify
the moving company immediately
– Advance notice is especially important
during the busiest season, typically May
15 – September 15
– At any time of year, the more notice the
better
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2. Move in the Middle!
– Demand is typically highest at the
end of the month
– Wherever possible, opt for a midmonth move
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3. Up Close and Personal
– Accurate estimates of costs and resources require
detailed walkthroughs with experienced moving industry
professionals
– Seek representatives with recognized credentials, such
as Worldwide ERC®’s CRPTM and/or the American
Moving and Storage Association’s CMC designations
– The walkthrough is the time to confirm shipping details
(check access) and identify precious or sentimental
items or any unique needs the family may have
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4. Make a Date
– The sooner moving dates can be
locked in, the better
– Timing uncertainty can lead to missed
scheduling opportunities and lastminute choices, with greater potential
for service problems
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5. Communicate!
– Reputable movers will likely have communications
protocols to help stay abreast of all relevant
developments and minimize surprises
– Clients and consumers should also be proactive: giving
and receiving all relevant contact information, including
mobile phone numbers, pagers, transition locations, etc.
– Efficient communication on all sides ensures all parties
understand the scope of the work and the commitments
made
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6. Purge the stuff!
– Moving is a great time to eliminate
excess – everything costs money to
move!
– Yard sales, giveaways or simply
“throwing it out” are all strategies to
help keep costs down
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7. Talk, talk!
– Open family dialogue about the move,
well in advance, is vital to making all feel
valuable and involved in the process,
particularly young children
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8. Consider different children’s
needs
– Some children take to the moving process
and disruption with glee, while others may
find it unsettling
– Consider planned activities and a more
structured environment to help ease the
transition, particularly for those having
difficulty with the move
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9. Pamper the pets
– Pets present during a move can inhibit
progress
– Provide a safe environment for pets,
considering an alternative location during
the actual move
– If using a professional pet handling or
transport service, advise the moving
company early on in the process
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10. Valuables and Papers
– If possible, keep small valuables and
important documents out of the packing
process to take personally
– Alternatively, designate an “Open First” carton
and ask movers to load onto the truck last for
immediate access
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Additional Tips
– Before moving day, be sure to:
• Discard perishables/frozen foods
• Ensure clear access to the home, including driveways and walks
• Provide original packing cartons, if available, for high value electronics
• Identify and make provisions for handling hazardous and/or restricted
materials
• Make arrangements to be present or have a designated representative on
hand
– On moving day, be sure to:
• Perform a thorough walk-through to ensure all items have been removed
• Keep a smile on! Proper attitude goes a long way to making the experience
more pleasant
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Conclusion
• While there’s probably no such
thing as a “perfect move,” good
planning, cooperation, on-going
communication, mutual respect and
a flexible attitude can all contribute
to one that is pretty close!
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