Guide to Moving in Seattle

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By Amy Woidtke

"Fire-fighter owned and operated, these folks are top notch! They take care of your move the way a firefighter attends to your rescue: with utmost safety, care and attention to detail like nobody’s business. First Due packs your stuff and the truck tetris'd to a T and buttoned up safely. Their detail-oriented on-boarding process, complete with moving tips, your in-home estimate (virtual option available during coronavirus), insurance information and more is unlike any other I’ve seen. For out of state moves, your precious possessions don’t share a truck with anyone else and have the same crew’s attention the entire way! And, to top it off, they offer On-Demand Delivery from store to home or home to home, and donate/disposal services."

"If you are hiring movers to pack, for your safety and security, there is a select group of items that should packed and moved by you, not the movers. See that list here. During coronavirus, you may also want to self-pack items you need right away, and stuff you want only your germs to be in contact with, like linens, clothes, bathroom items, some kitchen items, etc. It’s a very personal decision. Of course, you need supplies to pack yourself! U-Haul has a calculator to help you figure out what and how much you need, you can order online, and have it shipped or pick up in store. They will refund you for products you don’t use, even if you only use 10 of that 25 pack of boxes. No credit for half-used rolls of tape though."

"Make a difference with your move – both to yourself and to others. Move ONLY what you love and need for this next adventure of life! Donate the rest of your usable items in good condition to Humble Design, who furnishes the homes of families and vets moving out of homelessness. You may even see your beloved former stuff in the Before & After images online, with a story of the family you helped with your donation. One client’s furnishings weren’t even in the warehouse for a week before they had a new home!"

"So you’ve got stuff that needs to be removed from your home and responsibly dispersed: donations, recycling, hazardous waste, and maybe garbage. Time is precious. Many of us don’t have that, nor trucks or muscle power, and many errands makes for a grumpy day. I have great news! It is Tao Ahmed’s pure delight to use his trucks and muscles all day long to responsibly remove those piles and deliver them to their respective destinations. With his contagious smile, laughter and positive attitude, who knew having your stuff hauled away would be one the happiest days of your move?!"

"Hiring cleaners to leave your vacated home spotless and ready for the next person may seem obvious to you…but what about the place you’re moving into? Did the folks that moved out provide the same level of care and attention to detail? Or maybe there have been multiple service providers in your new home since it was cleaned. You might want to consider a move in clean! Either way, longtime local and family-owned NW Spotless Cleaning will save your back from having to do the move out, move in, and regular cleaning yourself. Oh – and they do carpet, upholstery, air-duct/furnaces and tile/grout cleaning, too!"