When moving locally, a lot of people rush through the process. You may not take time off of work for a local move, and it's easy to assume that since you're only going a short distance, the move won't be too cumbersome. However, overlooking and skipping certain tasks can quickly turn your easy move into a nightmare move. Even if you're only moving across town, make sure you don't skip these important moving steps.

Getting several estimates

It's true that hiring movers to move you locally costs a lot less than hiring movers to move you across the country. However, this does not mean you should just hire the first moving company you come across. Prices can still vary widely, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. You should still get three or more on-site estimates before choosing a moving company.

Purchasing insurance

Most local moving companies include insurance in their estimates unless you sign a form waiving the insurance. You might assume that since your items are only going a short distance, the risk of damage is pretty low and that you can, therefore, save money by waiving the insurance. But what if your moving truck gets into an accident or the movers accidentally drop your sofa while coming down the stairs? Even the most professional, experienced movers make mistakes once in a while, so buying insurance is always the smart choice, even for a local move.

 Packing things securely

If you do your own packing, make sure you use just as much bubble wrap and tissue paper as you would use for a cross-country move. Sure, your items may not be in the moving truck for 10 hours, but they will still be bouncing up and down stairs and around corners, and they are still prone to breakage. Pack them carefully, or better yet, pay your moving company to do a professional job. You should pack items in similarly sized boxes so that they stack easily in the moving truck, and make sure you tape your boxes shut so they do not break open when someone is carrying them.

Moving across town is definitely easier than moving across the country — in so many ways. But that does not mean you can completely skip the steps above. You're still putting your whole life into a moving truck and hiring pros to help you, and those processes demand some attention to detail.

For more information, reach out to a local moving service.