EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOVING IN RICHMOND
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Maybe you’re ready to leave apartment life and buy your first home, maybe it’s time for new scenery, or maybe you are upgrading or downsizing. Regardless of where you are in life, this guide has got you covered with everything you need to know about moving in RVA!
Find out how to sell, donate, or recycle unwanted furniture, who to hire, where to shop for your new home, and more. Don’t get stressed. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know so you can feel good about the move and save your back without breaking the bank. Your friends will thank you too.
Best time to move
Avoid the sweltering heat of summer and move in the fall or winter if you can. Not only will you enjoy cooler temperatures, but the competition also is a little less heated. If you are taking the school year into consideration, then you may have a more limited time frame, and experts suggest starting to look in early spring so you can move as soon as school lets out. Avoid July and August. It’s hot and everyone is making a mad dash to get settled before September, making prices higher and availability to schedule your ideal moving dates potentially harder.
Richmond neighborhoods
So you need to move, but where? Our friends over at the Glaser Group put together a neighborhood guide so you can get a pulse on each community in Richmond and other neighborhoods in the metro area. From the lively hub of Scott’s Addition to the tranquil neighborhood of Moseley, from the easily maneuverable Lakeside to the up-and-coming Manchester, and everything in between, Richmond has a place for everyone! Learn more about the most walkable neighborhoods, vibrant communities and rich history of each area.
Who to hire
Sure, bribing friends and family with pizza, beer and gift cards worked back in the day, but it’s time to get serious about getting settled, and it really is best to leave it to the professionals (we promise your friends will thank you). Plus, you can’t risk throwing your back out again.
Hilldrup is a family-owned business, and they’ve been a member of the Richmond community for more than 30 years. Not to mention, they’ve been in business since 1903. With that kind of experience, they know how to deliver a professional and personalized move experience.
Whether you’re moving just around the corner or out of state, you can schedule a free quote, where you show the pros at Hilldrup what you’re moving. It’s fast, easy and on your time schedule!
Where to buy furniture
If you are looking for some new furnishings for your new home, you’ve got plenty of options. Check out local spots like Bridget Beari Home Store, Virginia Wayside Furniture, or Governor’s Architectural Antiques. You also have several nationwide stores like World Market, Haynes, Ashley Home Store, Value City Furniture, and more. If vintage is more your style, the West End Antiques Mall has over 60,000 square feet of used furniture, décor and collectibles.
Looking to save a few bucks? Check out CORT Furniture on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Much of their furniture was previously rented to businesses and families that needed decor for corporate apartments, short-term work assignments or model homes. After the furniture finishes its rental life cycle, they steeply discount the pieces and sell them in their showroom. You can snag some great furnishings like sectionals, accent lighting, artistic décor and more.
Where to sell or donate unwanted items
If you’ve got some gently used items you are not taking with you to your new home, or even canned goods you don’t feel like packing, the good news is that you have options. From local groups to donation centers, you can skip the dumpster and utilize these services instead:
Move for Hunger: Reduce food waste and donate your pantry items if you are not planning to take them with you! Hilldrup has partnered with Move for Hunger to collect your non-perishable food items; these items are then donated to local food banks, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
ReStore: The Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity ReStore shop will pick up gently used furniture and home items. The items are then sold at ReStore and 100% of the profit goes directly to Habitat’s mission! By facilitating homeownership, families can break the cycle of poverty, which goes a long way to building a better future for multiple generations. Schedule a pick-up here.
OfferUp: Instantly connect with local buyers on this handy app. Just upload a photo, name your price, and start receiving offers.
Nextdoor: Maybe your neighbors could use a new piece of furniture and the best part is that they can probably pick it up pretty quickly since they live so close. Check with folks in your immediate area.
Facebook Marketplace: Similar to NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace will connect you to residents in your area making the transport of items super easy.
Caritas: Caritas will pick up gently used furniture to help serve their clients. Any items their clients cannot use are sold in the Gathered Goods Marketplace or are carefully disposed of to ensure as much as possible stays out of landfills. They pick up in Richmond and the surrounding areas of Chesterfield, Henrico, and Mechanicsville for a small, tax-deductible fee of $35.
Tips from the experts
Don’t: Wait until the last minute to book a mover. The ideal timeframe is about four to six weeks out, but if you’re under a time crunch, make the call anyway. It’s better than trying to move yourself, and professional movers will work with you to find a day that works conveniently for both parties.
Do: Plan for parking for the moving truck. If you live in an apartment or condo, make sure you reserve the loading zone or parking in advance (and the loading dock and elevator). If you live in the city, call the City of Richmond at (804) 646-1325 to secure “No Parking Signs” that you can put up to reserve street parking in front of your place. Make this call at least seven days in advance.
Don’t: Leave unwanted furniture behind. Unwanted furniture does not belong in the alley or out by your trash can (the City of Richmond charges $500+ fines). Most apartment or condo communities will also charge a hefty fee to remove it, so plan ahead. Contact a donation center or thrift store that will pick up large items. Habitat ReStore (804) 228-1305 or Caritas Furniture Bank (804) 343-5008 ext 411 (cost $35).
Do: A walk-through at the old place and the new place. When the driver/crew arrives, do a full walk-through at your old place to establish exactly what needs to happen. After the crew has finished loading, make sure to do another walk-through with the crew leader and check to make sure everything you want to move is on the truck and not in your house. Communication is key to a great move! Once you’re in the new home, do a final walk-through to make sure all your furniture and boxes are in the correct rooms, and you won’t have to try and move anything yourself once the movers have left.
Don’t: Pack your own breakables. Let Hilldrup pack your breakable items such as china, glassware, pictures/mirrors, etc. They’ll also pack your mattresses in brand new boxes/mattress bags so your bedding stays protected.
Do: Clearly label items. If you packed an overnight bag or items you personally plan to carry, make sure they are clearly labeled so they are not mistakenly packed in the truck. You don’t want to get to the point where you are ready to lock up the old place only to realize your keys, wallet, or other essentials are loaded somewhere in the truck.
Do: Tip accordingly and be kind. It’s possible the movers might need to use the restroom during the move, so designate a bathroom for them to use and let them know. It’s also nice to have water and/or sports drinks available for the crew, especially if it’s hot and humid outside. For tipping, a good rule of thumb is $2-5/hour per person. If they work for 10 hours, then tip $20-50 per person. It is like any other service job. It is nice to recognize them monetarily if the crew does a great job!
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