If you’ve decided not to hire a full-service moving company for your upcoming relocation, you definitely want to recruit a few helpers to make your move a success. Unless you can transport all your belongings in your own vehicle, you need some compadres to assist with the heavy lifting on moving day. It’s a big undertaking, and many hands make light work, as the saying goes. Here’s how you can find — and thank — your posse of helpers.
Cash in Those Favors
The people you’re most likely to ask for moving help include family members, close friends, and coworkers. (And those are also the people who are most likely to say yes.) Reach out to them first. Then, if you need help brainstorming more names, ask yourself who you occasionally do favors for and politely ask for a favor in return. If someone owes you money, consider reducing the amount owed in exchange for help.
Finally, think about the different social groups you belong to —parent-teacher association, athletic league, mom’s club, etc. — and consider reaching out to these acquaintances.
Where to Find People You Don’t Already Know
Believe it or not, you can find people you don’t already know to help with your move — without feeling apprehensive about it. First, check with your local church or youth service organizations in your community to see if they have volunteers who can lend a hand. Students might be able to fulfill their community service requirements with this activity. Often, all you have to do is sign off on their paperwork — a win-win.
Some neighborhoods have tight-knit social media groups where you could post your request to members you may not personally know but who live in your neighborhood. That increases the likelihood that you could have friends and acquaintances in common.
If you have the budget to hire someone, use websites like Hire a Helper and MovingHelp. Even traditional job boards like Indeed can help you find experienced labor you can pay by the hour.
Have a Flexible Move-in Date
If possible, change your moving date to accommodate your helpers if your original date doesn’t work well with most people’s schedules. You may also get more help if you spread the work over two days rather than one. Those who can’t come on the first day might be available to help on the second. Of course, take whatever help someone can give, even if it’s just an hour or two.
Ways to Say Thank You
In terms of gratitude, you definitely want to reward everyone who helped you move. On move-in day, make sure there are plenty of snacks and beverages on hand, and think about treating everyone to lunch mid-day or dinner after you call it quits. Those who used their cars or trucks to haul your stuff might appreciate a full tank of gas as well.
If you’d like to show your appreciation with gifts, you can’t go wrong with gift cards or movie tickets. If your budget won’t allow for gifts, then offer your services, such as for babysitting, yard work, or dog walking.
To make your move extra easy, you could sell your big pieces of furniture and skip the moving truck. Instead, rely on CORT Furniture Rental for beds, sofas, chairs, dining sets, and more with convenient delivery and set up at your new destination.
