Whether you plan to move to a new city or just across the street, a move is always stressful and challenging. The best way to lessen this stress is by creating a moving checklist. It will make the entire process extremely smooth and easy. The moving checklist includes all the to-do tasks before the big day arrives. It also provides the timeline for tackling each of them to reduce stress. Let’s get started.
8 Weeks Before You Move
You will have enough time to complete all your high-level chores if you start two months earlier than your moving day. Do the following:
Bid Farewell to Extras
Reduce some load of your stuff to lessen the moving stress. Go around your home and decide on things you need to move with you. Declutter your home and donate your old clothes, furniture, and appliances to the needy. You can also hold a garage sale to earn some cash.
List Down and Organize Things
After decluttering, list all items you need to move with you and organize them by room. When you move these items by room, the boxes carrying these will end up in the right place in your new location. Unpacking will therefore become easy.
Decide How You Want To Move
Undoubtedly, a DIY move is way cheaper than hiring a moving company. On the other hand, hiring professional movers can save you time, energy, and stress. Decide on the options according to your budget. If you decide on hiring professional moving services, research the moving companies in your city. Visit websites, read testimonials and reviews, seek recommendations from your groups, compare quotes, and then make a final decision about the company.
Begin the School Enrollment Process
If you have school-going kids, you may need to enroll them in a new school. Begin the enrollment process as early as possible. Once you do all the paperwork timely, you will not have to worry about this during the move.
Get Medical Records of your Pet
Be ready with the medical records of your pet. Your new landlord or the new homeowner’s association might ask for it. Get a copy of all medical records of your pet from your veterinarian.
Get a Moving Insurance
When moving, insurance can cover valuable assets like jewelry, artwork, antiques, etc. Make a list of these valuables and let your insurance company know about these to get coverage. Also, ask your moving company about their policy on protecting such valuable items.
4 Weeks Before You Move
Now that the move is getting closer, you must start packing. Be very careful with this step of the moving process to ensure smooth moving.
Start Packing
Start packing the things you will not need before or during the move. These include your off-season clothes, books, and appliances like room heaters. Arrange the fragile items carefully inside the boxes and label them clearly.
Dispose of the Hazardous Waste
You cannot move hazardous items with you or throw them in your regular trash. Such items include paint, aerosols, fertilizers, fire extinguishers, gasoline, fireworks, etc. Consider visiting your local hazardous waste facility to drop off and dispose of them.
Transfer the Utilities
Ensure to notify your utility service providers about your move. These utility services include cable and internet, phone, gas, water, electricity, security system, etc. You can request to transfer these services if moving to the same city. If not, research a good service provider of these utilities in your new location and schedule installation dates.
Buy Moving Supplies
Since you will need plenty of sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape, arrange them before the move. If hiring a moving company, confirm if they would provide all these supplies. However, for the stuff, you have to pack earlier and arrange the packing supplies yourself. Contact a local grocery or liquor store for any empty cartons and boxes and save some money.
2 Weeks Before You Move
Now you must get serious about packing. Visit every room of your home to pack everything except for the essentials. Clearly label each box and keep them in a dry and cool place.
DO NOT Pack Essentials
Essential items like screwdrivers & wrenches, packing & measuring tape, and permanent markers should be kept handy. You might need them before or on the day of your move.
Return the Rented Items
On the move day, you would not want to worry about the items you rented. Therefore, check your home, collect and return the things like furniture, appliances, or even books and magazines borrowed from the library.
Check In With Your Movers
Contact the moving company or friends (who agreed to help you with the move) and see if they are still available. If they refuse to be available on time, you can at least look for an alternative solution. You will not want any hassle from the moving company on the day of your move.
Make a Separate Box for Valuables
Make a separate box for your valuable things, like heirlooms, antiques, jewelry, etc. Carry it to your new home personally. You can also consider buying an additional insurance rider for these valuables. Also, check with the moving company about their policy on valuable items.
Change your Mailing Address
Since you will be moving to a different place, you will not want to get your mail at your old address. Therefore, fill in the change of address form at the local post office. You can also do this change via the United States Postal Service website. Ask your neighbors to keep a check on your mailbox for any mail posted to your old address before changing your mail address.
One Week Before You Move
You must finalize your move and finish all your last-minute chores which include:
Create a Separate Bag for Essentials
Create a separate bag to store the essential items you and your family members use daily. These include 2-3 clothing sets for each member, toiletries, medicines, phone and laptop chargers, snacks, etc. Keep this bag separate from the other moving objects so you can use the essential things till your move.
Deep Clean Your Home
Deep clean every room of your home before you move, ensuring it is clean before handing over the keys to the landlord (in case you stay in a rented house).
2 To 3 Days Before You Move
The last few days of your move will be easy if you follow the above-given tips. Continue to follow the list for a hassle-free move
Clean Out The Refrigerator
If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure it is empty and clean before packing. Defrost it 2-3 days before and then clean it.
Keep Some Cash Handy
It is usual to tip the workers of the moving company you have hired when they help you in packing. Therefore, you must keep some cash in hand.
On Moving Day
Finally, the day of your move has come. You will not have to worry about anything if you follow this checklist till the end.
Verify
Confirm the vehicles arriving for your move are from the company you hire to ensure safety.
Check the Box Count
Count the number of boxes loaded inside the vehicles to track your belongings. Check the inventory list of the driver as well. Click photos of fragile appliances and objects.
We hope this moving checklist will help you get a smooth and stress-free move. If you are looking for a trustworthy moving company in Las Vegas, consider Move on Moving. Having an experience of over 20 years in the moving industry, we offer our moving services at super competitive prices.
