Best Tip For Moving – Start Early!

Schedule cancellation of utilities and services. Set up utilities at the new home too, especially the new internet provider!

Tenants on month-to-month need to give 30-day notice. You can give notice any day of the month – you don’t have to wait until the 1st of the month. To get your deposit back, conduct a walk-through inspection with the landlord to identify any changes in the condition of the home and who is responsible. The landlord has 21 days after the tenant vacates to return some or all of the deposit.

Going through your stuff. The biggest obstacle to moving is ‘going through your stuff’, and it is a major undertaking. The time required is relative to how much review of each item is needed, and it can take far longer than expected – days, weeks or months! You can never start too early! Organize everything into three piles: keep, donate, and recycle/trash. P.S. Your kids don’t want anything.

Order moving boxes and start packing. Even if you’re paying movers to pack your stuff (in which case you’ll still have to delegate tasks and oversee things), you will still want to pack some of your personal items. Besides boxes, get other supplies such as tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers too. The moving/packing companies (including rental box companies) also sell packing supplies and can help estimate how much you’ll need.

You can get a specific quote here: https://www.homedepot.com/c/moving-box-calculator

Labeling. Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. Keep a separate inventory list, and be sure to label the boxes of essential items you’ll need right away.

Separate valuables. Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home.

Bulky furniture. Moving costs often come down to weight or size, so ask yourself whether you’re ready to invest in an item again just to get it from point A to point B. Before the move, try selling couches, grills, patio furniture, and other big stuff that’s usable but not worth bringing along. You should check your furniture for dent and scratches before the moving company starts loading so you know if the moved furniture got dinged during the process.

Take photos. Photograph every room for easy memory later of what you have and where it went. It is especially helpful with setting up electronics.

Hire a moving company. There are many scams, so if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Some advertisers are merely brokers who agree to a low fee and then hire third-party movers. When they show up on your day of moving, the actual movers insist on re-negotiating the fee. Check the reviews and referrals from past customers! For interstate moves, the moving company should be licensed with a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number – search for it here. Keep your agreement handy on the day of moving.

Portable Containers. You can also rent a portable container and load it yourself, or you can hire a team to load it for you. This is an especially good option if you prefer loading a portable container slowly over a few weeks (make sure you have a very good lock and a secure spot to place the container, like a driveway). Many offer storage options at one of its facilities, so this is a solid storage alternative if you won’t be moving to the new place immediately.

Arrange for storage in your new community (if necessary). Your new home could be under renovations or there could be waiting period before you can take complete possession. Lease space in advance for short term storage of your heavy appliances or other valuable equipment.

Pack your personal essentials. Make sure to keep everyday essentials – including things like clothes, medication, and toiletries – separate and easily accessible. Packing your personal items in a suitcase will help set them apart. And if you choose to spend the night of your move in a hotel, rather than in the new location, they’ll be easier to transport.

Send notice of your new address. Changing your address may be a “before” or “after” item on your to-do list, depending on when you have access to your new place. Here are the places you should remember to notify when you’re changing your address: USPS, voter registration, doctors, credit-card companies, DMV, social-security office, employer, Amazon (or other stores that deliver to you), insurance companies, and friends & family.

Leaving town? Go for doctor check-ups, tune up your car, empty the safe-deposit box, refill prescriptions and say goodbye to old friends.

Treat yourself. At this point, all of your kitchen gear should be packed away, and all of your groceries will basically be consumed. Now is the time to get one last meal at your favorite neighborhood restaurant with friends or perhaps have a little glass of bubbly for the occasion. Even if you’ve followed all these instructions and are totally prepared, let’s face it – moving is a huge undertaking and one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Do something relaxing, such as taking a quiet walk, meditating, or whatever else will calm your mind.

The Kids. Your kids will be going through their own stress about leaving their friends and comforts of home, plus the unknown ahead. Keep them involved with the process!

Don’t schedule anything for the day of the move. If you have kids or pets, consider sending them off with sitters for the day. And to be sure things are done the way you want, you or a trusted representative should be on hand (and are often required to be) to oversee the move, at both your old home and your new one.

Get cash. Tipping is not a requirement, but professional movers work hard, and many get paid just a little over minimum wage. The right thing to do is tip—roughly 15% to 20% of the total cost of the move—and in cash. If you can, try to tip each mover individually. If your friends are the only ones assisting with the move, you’ll still need some cash to tip the pizza-delivery person later.

Cleaning the old place. Give yourself a break –  hire a pro to do a deep cleaning once you’re gone; it will likely lower your stress. This is also the time to spackle over any nail holes in walls and repair tiny damages. Use the thicker contractor clean-up bags.

Return your keys. In the rush and chaos of a move, it’s easy to forget one final step: returning keys. Be sure to return them to your landlord (though this will typically happen when you do a final walk-through). Or coordinate with your real estate agent on how to hand keys and clickers over to the new owners/realtors.

Travel Kit. Set aside a kit for specialty items, like toilet paper, paper towels, plastic cutlery, scissors, garbage bags, phone chargers, pet food, and snacks for you and the kids.

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