Moving Etiquette 101

Chances are you have good manners. You don’t burp at the dinner table. You help the elderly across the street. You say “please” and “thank you.” But just because you have good manners overall doesn’t mean you won’t accidentally break some rules of moving etiquette. It’s not like people move too often. And let’s be honest, you have so many things on your mind that pacifying your new neighbors is probably the last thing you’re thinking about. So while this will likely all seem straightforward and obvious, keep these things closer to the front of your brain while you embark on your move to a new home.

In regards to these new neighbors, there are a few things to remember. You almost definitely have a big truck carrying your household belongings. Whether it is one that you’ve rented or belongs to the moving company you’ve employed, be aware of where it is parked at all times. While movers should have a sense for this already, don’t block your neighbors’ driveways and make sure they have good, clean access to their street. The same can be said for any furniture or boxes that might be unloaded from the truck. You don’t want to be a big inconvenience to your new community and have that be your first impression.

On a similar note, make sure you or your movers steer clear of your neighbors’ lawns. Especially when carrying the heavy stuff, the straight-line approach makes the most sense. But if that route crosses into a neighbor’s path, take the long way to appease them. When the move is “complete,” your job isn’t necessarily finished. While movers likely played a role in this step, you’ll want to make sure that there isn’t any leftover debris lying about your property or your neighbors’. It’s easy to be lax about this last step because you’ll almost definitely feel a sense of completion, but you’d want your street to be clean, just as your neighbors do.

However, your new community isn’t the only stakeholder for moving etiquette. You’ve got to think of your movers too. If you have a pet and you’re using a moving company, you’ll want your pet(s) to be corralled so not to be a nuisance or a danger. We’re not talking about a fish or hamster, of course, but your cat or dog needs to be in a place that won’t bother your hard-working moving partners.

Speaking of hard-working partners, what if you’ve got some that are doing the job for free? We’re talking about your friends, of course! They’ve agreed to help you because they love you, or you’ve forced them. Whichever category they fall under, show them some gratitude and take care of them with food and beverages. If you’re planning on cracking them a cold one, you may want to save that for after the move is done.

Anything else is likely going to seem even more obvious. You’re a good person, and you’re going to make sure your etiquette is top notch. Not because it isn’t already every day, but because while there will be a plethora of other things going on, you’ll make sure to keep your new neighbors in mind too.