Moving Tips

Before you choose your mover, ask around. Also check the internet as there you can find so much more information. Find out if the companies you are considering are properly insured, how many years experience they have, etc. Ask about "piggy back" moving if you do not have a large move. Get free estimates from several companies that are binding or include "not to exceed" clause. Find a mover that is reliable and responsible.

Remember moving costs do not include packing costs. These are added so you may want to pack some or all yourself. When you finally do decide on the moving company, get references. Also get a written quote.

Moving Check List*

What to do ? 

Generally moving is considered a very stressful part of life. But it can be smooth and effortless with proper planning and preparation. Here is a check-list spanning down the last six weeks for the move

Six Weeks    Four Weeks    Three Weeks     Two Weeks    One Week     1 to 2 Days
Moving Day!        After the Move

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Six Weeks before Moving

• Decide what to take or not take - More weight – more money
• Take pictures of items to be moved for insurance purposes
• Check if you can sell anything
• Open up a file for the details on your move. It could be a brightly colored organizer folder with pockets - you'll be less likely to misplace it. Make sure to collect receipts for moving-related expenses
• Depending on your reason for moving, you may be entitled to a tax deduction
• Start working on the arrangements in the new home like where you are going to place furniture etc. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram, and put it in your moving folder. This makes the after-move work easy and stress free

Four Weeks before Moving

• Inform everyone the change of address: The post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family. The U. S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier
• Contact the utility services like gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV etc., to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move, so that you have service when you arrive at your new home
• Start packing non essential and seldom used articles. Like fancy dishes and glasses, specialty cookware, clothing, curios, photos, and decorative items
• In case you are planning a garage sale, pick a date at least 3-4 weeks before the move, and advertise it locally. You may also join hands with your neighbors who may also want to sell some of their belongings

Three Weeks before Moving

• Self-packers: start your serious packing. Label the contents of all boxes, and pack carefully

• Box essential and similar items together, and write on them "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes

• Make sure you have your driver's license, auto registration and insurance records

• Make note of the items which you will take with you and which you will discard

• Contact your doctors, dentist and veterinarian to receive copies of medical records

• Make sure you have all the phone numbers and contact addresses of friends

• Your food requirements need to be addressed. Plan as little as possible because you can’t ship them

• Contact your children's schools, and arrange for records to be forwarded to your new school district

• Make new bank safety deposit box arrangements in your new hometown. Make arrangements to safely transfer items from your old safe deposit box to your new one

• Hold a garage sale now

• Make personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars) for your trip)

Two Weeks before Moving

• Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home

• Make arrangements for transporting your pets and any house plants, because movers can't take them in the van

• Meet with your bank to change account status

• Transfer all current prescriptions to a drug store in your new town

• Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers. Consider starting a subscription to the newspaper in your new town to introduce you to local news happenings

• Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car

• Be sure to empty secret hiding places to remove valuables and spare house keys

One Week before Moving

• Mow your lawn for the last time

• Dispose of toxic or flammable items that can't be moved. Drain the gas and oil from gas-powered tools such as lawn mowers and snow blowers

• Organize necessary items that should go in your car and not the moving van: your checkbook, cash or travelers checks, medications, essential toiletries, light bulbs, flashlight, toilet paper, pet food, spare glasses or contact lenses, baby or child care items, toys and car games for children and your notes containing moving information

• If you have young children, arrange for a baby-sitter to watch them on moving day

• Pack your own suitcase of clothes for the move

• Put your "open first/load last" boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them

• Pay all outstanding bills. Be sure to indicate your new address on payment receipts

1 to 2 Days before Moving

• The movers will arrive to start the packing process

• Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer, clean both with a disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda or charcoal inside to keep them fresh

• Empty your safety deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos and vital computer files with you

• Write directions to your new home for the mover, provide the new phone number and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit - either a car phone or friends, old neighbors, a place of business or relatives with whom you'll be in contact. You'll never be out of touch for long, should an emergency arise

• Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants

Moving Day!

• Keep children out of movers way. A baby sitter or a friend should be available; so that you can give your attention to movers, they will have questions for you

• Select one particular room, preferably a small one like a bathroom for items not to be moved with the van lines, items you are taking with you, giving away, etc. Put a sign on the door, "ITEMS NOT TO BE MOVED" and keep door closed

• Designate one bathroom for crew. Remove all personal items from this room

• Never leave valuables in drawers or out in the open. If possible pack these items and place in your "ITEMS NOT TO BE MOVED" room, or your locked vehicle

• Make sure you hear from the driver at least 24hrs before the move. If you don't, call the van line and have them get a hold of the driver

• Have a few extra cartons of different sizes available for last minute packing on move day

• Do not make plans to leave town during the dates for loading or unloading, unless you have a responsible person to sign your paperwork after the work is completed

After the Move

• Relax a bit and make others comfortable

• Give your new home a good cleaning

• Locate your local Post Office, police, fire stations , hospitals and gas stations near your home

• Mail that has been forwarded from your old address via the post offices forwarding system will have a yellow address label on it. Notify the sender of your new address

• If you have moved into a different state, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to exchange your driver's license

• Call the Department of Sanitation in your new town to find out which day the trash is collected. Also ask whether your new community has recycling programs

• Register to vote. Call your local board of elections for specific registration information. Also ask them how to notify your previous voting district of your change of address

*Source: Movers.com

 

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