Practical Moving Tips

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Controlling Moving Costs

We understand that cost is often a top concern. Understanding what drives up moving costs can help you to avoid surcharges and keep your local move affordable. For example, you can expect higher moving costs when:

  • You’re not ready when the movers arrive
  • You have lots of unpacked belongings
  • The moving truck can’t park nearby
  • You have items that are hard to move like a piano
  • You wait until the last minute to communicate any special requirements

To better control local moving costs, we highly recommend initiating a conversation with your moving company — the sooner the better.

Moving Checklist

2-3 Months Before Moving

  • Host a garage sale or donate items you do not want to move
  • Dispose of hazardous items like household chemicals, batteries, and paint cans
  • Itemize everything you intend to move, ideally room by room
  • Estimate the replacement value of your belongings so that you can buy sufficient insurance coverage
  • Fill out change of address forms for the USPS and the IRS
  • Ask your doctors, dentists, veterinarian, and other healthcare providers for copies of your records
  • Inquire about driver’s licensing requirements (or change of address if staying in-state) and car insurance
  • Contact current schools and have your children’s records transferred to their new schools
  • If needed, make hotel and airline reservations

8 to 14 Days Before Your Move

  • Collect any items your family or friends may have borrowed
  • Return any borrowed items including library books
  • Call various utilities to disconnect service such as gas, electric, and cable (arrange to return any equipment, too, like rented DVRs, cable boxes, satellite dishes, etc.)
  • Arrange all necessary utility services for your new home
  • Arrange to have your major appliances prepared for the move (for example, you may need to crate your washer and dryer or to have your hot tub disconnected, prepped, and crated)

2 to 7 Days Before Your Move

  • Dispose of all flammables
  • Determine what, if anything, you will transport in your car or on the plane
  • Remove any “installed items” (like a TV antenna, built-in shelves, or ceiling fans) that you intend to move
  • Pack a suitcase with clothes and toiletries for each family member for the first day in your new home
  • Pack a box (and mark “Do Not Move” on it) with items that you will need for the first few days of the move-out.

1 Day Before Your Move

  • Remove any curtains and curtain rods you intend to move
  • Empty your refrigerator, dispose of its contents, and clean it. Allow it to defrost and air drive for at least 24 hours
  • Clean your stove
  • Pack your personal belongings
  • Set your alarm clock

Moving Day

  • Make sure everything is ready to be moved
  • Strip beds of linens, leaving the bed frames and mattresses intact and folding your linens for packing
  • Gather all keys to locking items and put them in a safe place
  • Stay home until the movers arrive and plan on staying for a short while to take care of final moving business
  • Accompany the moving crew chief as the inventory is conducted
  • Meet with the driver to confirm the delivery address, your contact information, and expected delivery time
  • Store your inventory and signed bill of lading in your wallet, purse, briefcase, or some other easily accessible location
  • Walk through every room, checking all cabinets, closets, and nooks and crannies for belongings that may be overlooked

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