As long as you plan your move with a qualified moving company, your belongings will usually arrive right on schedule. But sometimes, life happens. Vehicles break down, plans change and either you or the movers are late.
As seasoned moving veterans, we’ve learned plenty about handling these conundrums. In this blog, we’ll walk you through your options and what steps to take to ensure you (and your stuff) are well taken care of in the event of a delayed arrival.
What to Do If Your Moving Company Is Late
When you relocate with a professional moving company, they will designate a time frame for the moving truck’s arrival. Ideally, you should arrive at your new location a day early to meet the movers at your new house and start the unloading process.
But what should you do if the moving company is late and you find yourself in a home with no furniture, supplies or even cooking utensils? Here are two options for dealing with this situation, plus some advice on how best to use your unexpected time:
Option 1: Find a Hotel
If you have to wait a few days or even a couple of weeks for your belongings and you want to live as comfortably as possible with a bed, towels, soap and TV, then consider opting for a nearby hotel. If the ultimate delivery date is uncertain, choose a hotel that won’t break your budget even if your stay lasts longer than expected.
Option 2: Buy or Borrow the Essentials
If you were planning to buy new furniture after moving in, and you don’t mind reversing your plans, you can simply pick out a bed or couch to keep you reasonably accommodated until your things arrive. Be sure to choose furniture that is available for pickup or delivery on the same day.
Another option is to contact friends or family in the area and borrow basic furnishings until your things arrive. If you’re okay with roughing it for a bit, a simple camping setup with a mat or cot and a sleeping bag could suffice.
Beyond furniture, your home will need food and supplies. Now is the perfect time to explore the stores in your new neighborhood and stock up on:
- Nonperishable foods: Stock up before your things arrive so you’ll have plenty of energy when the hard work begins.
- Perishable foods: If your new home has a fridge or cooler, add fresh foods to your list.
- Bathroom essentials: Place hand soap dispensers by every sink and a few rolls of toilet paper in every bathroom.
- Dish and laundry detergent: Even if you won’t need to wash clothes for a few days, buying detergent now means you won’t have to make a separate trip later.
- Cleaning supplies: Cleaning and organizing these supplies is easier before everything has been moved in.
Make the Most of Your Time Before Your Things Arrive
Even though your movers haven’t arrived yet, you can still be productive. In addition to basic cleaning like wiping surfaces and vacuuming, you can also use this time to undertake more extensive projects:
- Call an exterminator to inspect for and eliminate pests.
- Have your carpets professionally cleaned.
- Repaint walls.
- Perform minor cosmetic changes.
- Wash the windows.
What to Do If Your Belongings Arrive First
If something delays your arrival and you’re unable to meet your movers, call your moving company ASAP. They may be able to shift your delivery window later to accommodate you. However, if delaying your mover’s arrival isn’t possible, you still have some options:
Option 1: Arrange for Your Things to Go into Storage
First, ask your moving company about storage. They may have a temporary solution to lessen the stress. For example, Wheaton World Wide offers storage-in-transit services where we store belongings in a protected Wheaton facility for up to 180 days. You can also contact local independent storage facilities to see if you can have your belongings delivered there instead of your home. Still, you’ll need to be sure someone is willing to receive and sign off on the delivery.
Option 2: Call Family or Friends to Receive Your Belongings
If you know someone near your destination, this may be your chance to call in a favor. A trusted acquaintance can start moving your belongings into your home for you, so long as they have a key. If they have the space, they may also be able to store your belongings at their home or a storage facility. However, they will need to sign off on the inventory assessment. Since your acquaintance won’t know all your belongings, you run the risk of inaccuracies.
Wheaton Helps You Move with Confidence
When you work with Wheaton World Wide, you get a moving company with an extensive track record of success. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and if we miss our delivery during the contracted time, we’ll go above and beyond to find an agreeable solution to put your move back on track.
We understand that extenuating circumstances happen. With these tips, you can have a contingency plan in place if your move doesn’t go according to plan. Talk to your local Wheaton agent to learn more about the terms of your moving contract, your recourse when movers are late and the ways we work to ensure your moving experience is safe, secure and on-time.
