The Ultimate Moving Guide

Moving is a HUGE endeavour, and may be a bit easier when you follow some of these tips

GoTo "Moving Tips of The Day" Video Series

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOUR PROPERTY GETS LISTED “ACTIVE”

  • PURGE!   By now you may have cleaned, painted, updated and otherwise try to make your property as visually appealing as possible.
    • Purge things you rarely use or rarely wear!  Many times the cost of moving and or storing items is more than the items can be replaced for.
  • CHOOSE  Choose the furniture you want to bring to your new home.
    • Your style may change, and your current furnishings may not aesthetically or physically fit into your new property.
  • START NOW
    • Time flies, especially once your property goes under contract!
    • IF you decide to purge furnishings and make $$, NOW is the time to either: consign, post on Facebook Marketplace/Offerup/LetGo or other selling websites.
    • Start Packing!  (read Packing tips below)
      • Do a box or two at a time and keep things clean for the new buyers walking through.
      • The attic/garage/basement is a great place to start.
GoTo "Moving Tips of The Day" Video Series





WHAT TO DO ONCE PROPERTY GOES “PENDING”

TWO WEEKS AWAY

  • Transfer School/Medical records
  • Back up computers
  • Confirm that your new utilities accounts have been set up and that electricity, heat and water will be up and running when you arrive at your new place.
  • Finish up the major packing about a week ahead of time — just leave yourself a suitcase with enough toiletries, clothes and other necessities for a few days.
  • Refill any prescriptions you might need over the next couple of weeks.
  • Plan meals so you use up whatever’s in your fridge and cupboards.
  • Make sure that everything is clean and in place at your new abode so you don’t run in to any disasters when you open the door for the first time.
    • DO NOT schedule workers on Move IN day!!  Chaos is not efficient, and that is what it will be!
    • IF you are having work done in your new place, have it completed before you move in!!
  • Give everyone your new address!
  • Continue Packing (Unless you wisely chose to have your movers pack for you)
    • ALL non essential items should be boxed or boxed soon!
  • IF you plan to bring potted outside plants (moving companies will NOT take plants), move them so that any ants or bugs living in them may be found and exterminated.

PACKING TIPS

  • IF you want or need free packing supplies, check buy/sell apps (OfferUp, LetGo, Craigslist etc)
  • Price boxes and packing supplies
  • Home Depot has cheap boxes yet pricey supplies
  • PURGE
    • Every item you pack you will be paying your mover more (or doing more work yourself). As you pack/move/unpack consider this
  • Start with the MUST KEEP decoratives.
    • These items are usually for show and are your “Must Keeps”
  • Fragile items
  • get plenty of Bubble wrap and packing paper.
  • use heavy duty (thicker) boxes
  • do not load any box too heavy or multiple layers into a fragile box
  • Figure out a labeling system – per room/location/person etc
  • FRAGILES:
  • write on 2 opposing sides and the top!
  • bright stickers work well for this
  • Designate a few “open first” boxes so you don’t have to search for things like glasses and silverware.
  • Tape the bottom of the box with multiple strips
  • 1 Month out!   Most transactions will take around 30 days to close…. clock has just accelerated!
  • PACK!!!  (read Packing tips below)
  • Fill out a change of address form with the post office — and notify all your credit cards, banks, doctors, schools, utility and insurance companies of the move.
  • Arrange to disconnect the utilities at your old place and connect them at the new one.
  • Have a garage sale if you’re so inspired. Remember all that stuff you decided to purge last month.
    • If it has yet to sell, consider donating  (Goodwill is not a 501c3 and not tax deductable)
    • IF you want to have your donation picked up, call well in advance as most places schedule a couple weeks out.
      • Most moving companies will charge you extra $$ to remove or deliver or trash your extra furnishings.
  • Research moving operations (Do it yourself or hire help?)
    • Do It Yourself: Uhaul, Pods etc
      • Pros
      • Cons
    • Have it Done For You: moving companies
      • How to Choose

Click Here For A Video With Some More Great Packing Tips

IF you pack yourself, YOU are responsible for everything inside the box.  Your mover is not responsible for anything damaged inside UNLESS the box itself is crushed/dropped etc.  This “crushed” can also be voided IF you do not pack or fill the box appropriately as the boxes will crush by being improperly packed.

Choosing to have your mover pack you takes away a ton of stress from your already stressful situation.  It will require a reasonable additional investment to your bottom line, yet you are worth it!

THREE DAYS BEFORE

  •  Finalize Moving Plan
  • Friends and Family
    • confirm dates/times
  • Hire Professionals
    • confirm dates/times and, in writing, ask about any “hidden” fees that may come up
  • either way, get clear and fine tune your plans.
  • Utilities scheduled to be transferred or turned off at current place?
    • cable boxes stay or go?

THE DAY BEFORE

  • Pack essentials for move duration
    • toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, clothes, snacks, drinks, toilet paper (yes I know it is here twice)
  • Unplug/Defrost Fridge
    • IF you plan to bring it
  • IF moving yourself
    • Pull down all art
    • Disassemble furniture
      • Many beds and other newer style furniture take time to disassemble (IKEA Style)
  • When Hiring Professionals
    • Have payment ready
      • CASH or certified check is the normal requested forms of payment
      • average tips are usually between $20-$100 per “man”
    • CLEAN!
      • efficiency is key, so put things away, get everything ready for the morning!
    • Check on the fridge and the Food inside

MOVING DAY!

  • Morning
    • Clean sinks
    • Pull and pack your dirty bedding and towels etc
    • Food -Drinks for the rest of the move planned out?
    • Put your Essentials bag into your car(s)
  • Lunch
    • Do you have a cash Tip for your movers?  (the normal range is $20-$100 per person)
    • Ask before your order for the team as they normally always have pizza ordered for them, or they already have their own lunch brought.
  • Once property is empty, do a walk through
    • Check water (turn off IF/Where appropriate)
    • Check for tools and misc left behind
    • Check Locks on doors and windows

3 DAYS AFTER

  • Fill out an online review for your mover
  • Triple check you mail forwarding (as you should be getting things in the mail from the old address)
  • Donate or Recycle used boxes and packing paper
    • Buy/Sell Apps can take FREE listings to Pay It Forward and give them away
  • Try a new restaurant!