Moving Checklist - Are You Fully Prepared For Moving Day? | Stateside Movers

Getting ready to move can be a ton of painstaking work with many moving parts (pun intended). With so many details to attend to, it is easy to forget certain pieces. Unfortunately, poor preparation can spell disaster on moving day, turning an already stressful situation into a nightmare.

Proper planning can make your move as easy as possible. To make sure your actual move goes as smoothly, here is a checklist of things you should do before the move.

The Right Packing Supplies Can Help Insure A Damage-Free Move

Use proper supplies when packing up your house to ensure nothing breaks and nothing is too challenging to move. Don't put too much weight in boxes ... keep weight at a moderate level in each box by putting too many heavy objects (such as books) in just one box. Books in fact should go in 1.5 cubic foot "book boxes".

Multiple Box Sizes: Choose different-sized boxes for different things. A large box of clothes, which are pretty light, makes sense, but a large box of heavy books is difficult to move and might just fall apart.

Purchase Boxes: Moving supply stores and office supply stores often sell cardboard boxes. Many of these boxes come with recommendations for what types of items and how much to pack in each.

Free Boxes: If you are on a budget or just like to minimize waste, look around for free boxes. Craigslist and social media are great places to find free boxes, as people who have recently moved are usually happy to give them away. Local moving companies, grocery stores, big-box stores, and liquor stores will often give you their discarded boxes. You just have to ask.

Specialized Boxes: Some household items travel best in boxes designed just for them. Use four-piece mirror cartons for large mirrors and artwork. Crystal stemware and china can be packed in boxes with special dividers.

Packing Materials: Packing paper, padded paper, bubble wrap, and tape are critical for packing up your household items. Buy more than you think you need. It's better to have too much than run out the night before the big move.

Start Packing Early - Not At the Last Minute

If you are not paying for a packing service, start packing early. This job will probably take longer than you expect. Starting to pack early can save you from staying up all night before the movers come, frantically throwing things into random boxes. Here are some steps to take when packing:

Purge unused items. If you haven't used it in this house, you probably won't use it in the next one, either. Get rid of clothes that no one wears, items no one uses, or anything that just won't fit in your next home. Donate or sell items that are in good condition. Garage sales and social media local selling groups are great options. Throw away anything that is broken or damaged.

Properly dispose of hazardous materials. When cleaning out your basement or garage, take special care when disposing of hazardous materials such as paint, propane tanks, gasoline, and fertilizers. Check local regulations to make sure you properly dispose of these items.

Pack in order of reverse necessity. Pack the things you need the least, such as seasonal items, electronics, and books, first. As the move approaches, pack the things you use more regularly, such as kitchen items and clothes. Pack an overnight bag with clothes and toiletries for the actual move.

Choose a Top Moving Company

Some people go the DIY route, but if you can afford it, a professional moving company with top ratings can make the whole process a lot easier and if they're really good, damage free. Professional movers with a 5-star rating (if these are legitimate five star reviews) know how to properly carry your boxes and furniture up and down stairs, in and out of the house, and on and off the moving truck. They also know how to wrap and protect furniture effectively. Our technique at Stateside Movers and our five star locations in the Western States is to wrap and protect furniture in the house, before it even goes through the door and onto a truck. This just about eliminates any chance for a scratch or ding where as many moving companies carry furniture out of the house unwrapped and then simply drape a blanket over the furniture, once on the a truck. While slightly faster, it has a much higher rate of damage due to the fact that walls, door ways, curbs, and even the truck ramp can all be bumped and that's how damage can occur. Just one deep scratch could be hundreds of dollars (or even thousands) to repair.

It's not worth it to save money on the move if you cause expensive damage to your furniture. Here are some tips on choosing a good, affordable moving company:

Ask around or check out social media reviews to find reputable companies. Any company might have one or two negative reviews, but a mover with all bad reviews is one you should steer clear of.

Get a few estimates from moving companies. Make sure they come to your home for an in-person estimate or give them a video tour of your home so they can see how much and what types of belongings you have.

Smaller 5-star rated moving companies may have lower prices than larger 5-star moving companies, but with comparable service.

If your move is flexible, consider buying, selling, and moving in the winter months. Many companies slow down in the winter and may be willing to give you a lower rate.

Take Care of Essential Details

Moving comes with a lot of extra tasks on top of the actual move. Here are some administrative details you should address before moving:

Change your address. Take the time to change your address with your credit card company, bank, insurance company, and other any regularly scheduled bills.

Forward your mail. To make sure you continue to receive all your mail, forward your mail with the USPS. You can do this online or at your local post office branch.

Freeze or cancel memberships. If you have any local memberships, such as a gym membership, freeze or cancel it in advance of your move. If you have any memberships that are part of a national chain, transfer your membership to your new local branch.

Transfer utilities. Cancel your local utilities such as water, sewer, gas, electricity, trash, phone, cable, and internet. Make sure you set up utilities at your new home so that you are comfortable and ready to go when you arrive.

This checklist should help you simplify your move and make it as stress-free as possible. Good luck!

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Moving Checklist - Are You Fully Prepared For Moving Day? | Stateside Movers

Getting ready to move can be a ton of painstaking work with many moving parts (pun intended). With so many details to attend to, it is easy to forget certain pieces. Unfortunately, poor preparation can spell disaster on moving day, turning an already stressful situation into a nightmare.

The Right Packing Supplies Can Help Insure A Damage-Free Move

Start Packing Early - Not At the Last Minute

Choose a Top Moving Company

Take Care of Essential Details

Moving Industry News and Tips

Where People Are Moving

Nationwide Moving

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Stateside Movers LLC