Amount to tip Movers, How to Reduce Clutter & Moving Etiquette,

My friend Courtney at Apartment Guide always sends me great apartment living tips and suggestions. They just surveyed 1,000 people on a range of topics and here is what she says...

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May is National Moving Month—that busy time of year that kicks off the summer moving season. Filled with packing supplies, unexpected expenses and boxes galore, normally moving is a hectic and stressful time. However, that doesn’t have to be the case!

Apartment Guide – the trusted guide for finding your ideal place to live – has uncovered some fun facts and moving etiquette data from a recent survey to help you plan your move, and provide some fun fodder along the way.

Apartment Guide Moving Etiquette:

• Generally Generous: Nearly 3 out of 4 people (71%) tip their movers!
• Tipping Tiers: While it seems like people are pro-tip when it comes to rewarding movers for their heavy-lifting, there seems to be a lot of opinions on just how much to give

o About 40 percent (39%) said they tip 10 percent of the moving cost
o Almost 1 out of 4 (22%) are a bit more generous, tipping20 percent of the cost of moving!
o 17 percent of respondents prefer a flat hourly tip for the movers
o Another quarter of respondents (23%) said they tip a flat per-person rate for each mover

• Really Refreshing: When it comes to offering movers some refreshments as they help you transport that enormous couch or oak dresser, almost 90 percent (88%) of people offer their movers some type of refreshment. In fact, almost 10 percent (8%) offer movers a meal!

• A Helping Hand: People overwhelmingly (80%) responded that they would be happy to lend movers a helping hand if they could. Only 20 percent mentioned they would defer to the professionals, since, well, that’s why they hired them!

Additionally, to mark National Pack Rat Day (5/17), Apartment Guide looked at the top metros with the most closet and storage space. If your metro didn’t make the cut, Apartment Guide has some tips on de-cluttering your space so that Pack Rat Day is never on your calendar…

Top Metros for Closet and Storage Space
1.  Phoenix, AZ
2.  Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
3.  Kansas City-Lawrence, MO
4.  Omaha, Lincoln, NE
5.  Houston, TX
6.  Atlanta, GA
7.  Salt Lake City, UT
8.  Denver-Boulder, CO
9.  Sacramento, CA
10.  Triangle, NC (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill)

Tips for Keeping Out the Clutter:

• Shelf Life, Literally!: If you haven’t worn that piece of clothing in a full calendar year, chances are that you won’t! Give away the clothing you haven’t worn so you can clear out space for those pieces that you do wear.

• Mix It Up: Don’t be afraid to rethink your entire closet/storage space layout. It may seem overwhelming starting from square one, but oftentimes a full reorganization and layout upheaval can yield big results, and you may find space where your least expect it.

• Seasonal Selections: Not everyone switches out their closets seasonally, but if you’re hard up for storage, you absolutely should. Summer is almost here, so pack away those burly coats and free up space to display your summer sandals or other accessories.

• Let there Be Light: It’s tempting to fit as much as possible in any closet or storage compartment, but that is usually what makes a space look more cluttered—no light. So, keep your clothing stacks to a reasonable height, and reevaluating the items you choose to keep to, well, keep it light!

• Compartmentalize and Consolidate: Helpful de-cluttering aids like shoe racks, belt hangers and scarf bins are the perfect way to keep organized and clean—it’s also a great system to ensure you know what you have. With proper shelving and hanging aids, you can consolidate your closet/storage items, and keep it looking tidy in the meantime

If your searching for a rental unit of a certain size/price/location let me help you find it anywhere in the US. Or, search yourself by clicking here on my totally updated new website. Or let me do it for you. Contact me. 949-463-4111 or by email.