FrontDoor.com

Compromise is the name of the game when combining households.

Building That Love Nest

When two households combine -- whether it's a young couple moving in together, second marriages, or any other situation -- that essentially means two moves, increasing the complexity and cost.

As in other moves, costs are generally based on the weight of the shipment, so make a complete list of each household's items. If there are duplicates for joint household items -- such as appliances and electronics, large pieces of furniture, cookware and dishes, decide what to eliminate to prevent shipping the same article twice This is also a good first newlywed exercise in marital negotiations.

If you're using the same moving company for both moves, be sure to inform your mover. The extra pick-up charge is usually small, depending on the distance between the two locations.

Also, make sure the moving company knows how to access both locations. If a large truck is used at one location, and the second location can not accommodate the large truck, the second location's goods might be transferred to the first location in a smaller truck. Again, these are all things the moving company will need to know in advance.

Items moved from both locations should be inventoried by the mover, and loaded in a manner that makes the unloading a smooth process. Therefore, the mover should have a detailed listing of the furniture placement at the destination, if possible.

When belongings are coming from two locations, it can be confusing to arrange them in the new destination -- items might be placed at a different area of the new residence than where they were at the original residence. To avoid confusion, plan out a preliminary map for your movers.

Bottom line: for this type of joint move, communication and planning with your mover is crucial.

More Information About Combining Households:

• Moving Section
• Moving Guide
• Combining Your Belongings
• Organizing Before a Move
• Fast, Cheap Ways to Make Your House a Home