Moving into a new house can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor, so it is best to have an organized system to ensure the process runs smoothly. By packing well, you will not need worry about anything when the full service moving company you hired arrives with their movers & packers to pack and pick up your belongings; you will simply take your luggage and walk out smiling. The following are steps you can take to make your moving experience as stress-free and organized as possible.

1. The first step is to make checklist for moving with everything that needs to be done – then you check off items as you complete the tasks.
2. Gather all the items that you want to take in the luggage with you in one room, ideally on top of a bed or table, so you can look at, and work with, everything without bending your back. This can include important documents, clothes for two days – both for work and for staying at home, toiletries, medicine, and objects of personal value.
3. Bring your checklist and moving and packing supplies, including newspaper, packing tape, bubble wrap, and scissors to the designated packing room. If you don’t have bubble wrap, you can buy it at stores that sell office supplies or from moving and packing companies.
4. Start by wrapping any delicate object of personal value. Use bubble wrap or newspaper and clearly label the items to make it easier for you to know what it is.
5. Fold all of your clothes neatly; tee-shirts can be rolled up to save space.
6. Now it’s time to put it all in the luggage. Start with tee-shirts and towels, as they create a nice cushion.Place your toiletries and personal items, protecting any object that can be easily broken with additional layers of clothes.
7. Cover the above-mentioned objects with heavier clothes.
8. Leave work clothes and what you plan to wear the following for last, so you can easily get them without having to fully unpack.
9. Insert important documents in the inner pocket of the luggage.
10. The last thing to go in the luggage should be medicine, making it very accessible any time you need.

Now you are set to go! Order some pizza and relax to good music as you see the professional movers neatly and carefully packing everything else in your house.

Planning your Move

Planning your move might be the most crucial aspect of moving.  Planning your move can also be the most stressful!  But if planned well, with the help of your moving company, the stress will be kept to a minimum.

Once you have identified the companies that you want to quote you, evaluate the estimates and selected your mover, you will then have the challenging task of planning your move.  Most reputable moving companies will supply you either on paper or online with a timeline list of the things you need to do week by week up to your moving day. They will also provide you with a Move Plan document confirming the details of the move itself including Where From, Where To, When and How.

Plan ahead. Divide your property into items the mover will handle, items you will handle and items you will leave behind.  There may also be items that are best to store either long term or just for the period between when you move out of your old home and the time when you move into your new home!

The ideal move involves relocating all of your belongings from your old place to your new home in one day. But in reality, our clients often need to store some or all of their possessions for a few days or even months. U. Santini has secure, professionally operated storage facilities located in Tri-state area to help you with this.

The moving timeline necessarily will be lengthy because it must cover many things.  Below is an abbreviated example of the moving timeline:

 Six to eight weeks before moving day

Working with a mover:

Conduct you research in collecting the names of movers you would like to consider (See my discussions regarding “Choosing a Mover”).

Call those movers and arrange for the agents to visually survey your home and prepare an estimate.

If your company is paying for your move, refer to their moving policy to determine the services the mover will be authorized to perform.

Determine if you want to do any of the packing — or will you have it done by the moving company’s experienced packers?  I am certain your agent would be happy to discuss packing services with you.

Show the agent everything that is going to be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding estimate.

Read the “Your Rights and Responsibilities Manual” (all reputable full-service moves have one) to make certain that you fully understand the extent of the carrier’s liability.

Sign the Estimate/Order for Service after you are sure you have a clear understanding of each section. If you have any questions, ask your agent to explain.

 Four to six weeks before moving day

Places to notify:

Notify the post office that you are moving from.  An online Change of Address form is available on the United States Postal Service Web site.

Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your move. The following list will be helpful:

Electric, Pharmacy, Gas, Dry Cleaner, Water, Lawn Service, Telephone, Bank/Finance Companies, Sewer District, Credit Card Companies, Trash, Laundry Service, Cable/Satellite, Auto Finance Company, Fuel  (Oil/Propane), Health Club, Sewer District, Doctor(s), Newspapers, Dentist, Magazines, Accountant,  Newsletters, Lawyer,  Professional Journals,  Broker,  Insurance Agency,

Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, State/Federal Tax Bureaus, City/County Tax Assessor, Veterans Administration

Miscellaneous:

Have a “garage sale” or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.

• Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy only what will be used before moving.

 Two to three weeks before moving day

Working with the mover:

Notify your agent if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply your agent with destination address and phone umbers where you can be reached.

Confirm any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.

If your car is being moved, be prepared to drive it to a suitable loading site. Also be prepared to pick up your car at a suitable destination location.

Preparing the family:

Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
Have a going-away party for the children and their friends.
Have some fun for yourself…an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple.

Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.
If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.)

Preparing household items:

Federal law requires that you dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables (hazardous and perishables) and personal items you should keep with you below:

Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment — or have your agent send someone out who is authorized to perform this service.

Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.

Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.

Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture)

Let me know your opinion and experiences.

80 years and still movin!

……Dan

What thoughts or experiences can you share with us?   Email us at dansblog@usantini.com

If we put your input on our website you will automatically receive a 10% discount on your move with U. Santini.  Just include your first name only, your city and state and a your valid email address.