Moving Tips
Moving Tips From Your Local Family-Owned Moving Company
Relocating to a new home is a major milestone. While the process comes with some stress, overall, moving is incredibly exciting. If you’re moving to or from New York City, U.Santini is here to make moving day easy. We’re a family-owned business with 90 years of experience and a strong track record of customer care. Take a look at our tips for making moving a breeze.
Start With a Solid Plan
A successful move begins with a solid plan. The earlier you start, the better prepared (and less stressed) you’ll be. Begin by creating a timeline that outlines all major tasks, such as booking a moving company, packing, and changing your address. From there, you can develop a strategy for packing up all your belongings and transporting them to your new place. U.Santini is glad to help clients during the planning phase of their local move.
Choose a Reputable Moving Company
As soon as you know you’re moving, start searching for a reliable moving company. Research local businesses, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from friends and family. Reputable moving companies like U.Santini offer free estimates and have an excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau. Once you’ve made your choice, book early to ensure availability on your desired moving date.
Take Photos and Make an Inventory
Here’s a moving packing tip that many people don’t follow—make an inventory of what’s being moved. If you know exactly what you plan to transport, you can better prepare for the amount of moving boxes and packing supplies. We also suggest taking photos of valuable items for insurance purposes. In addition to that, you might consider photographing complicated cord setups. This will make plugging in electronics at your new home much less stressful.
Declutter Before You Pack
Packing can be overwhelming, but it’s an excellent opportunity to declutter your life. Before you start putting things into boxes, take a moment to assess what you truly need and want in your new home. Sort your belongings into three categories: keep, donate, and discard. Be honest with yourself about what you use and what has been collecting dust. Once you’ve decluttered, take stock of what’s left. This will help you estimate the number of boxes and packing materials needed and give you a fresh start in your new home. If you find items you don’t want to part with but won’t fit in your new space, consider using our full-service storage facility.
Pack Like a Pro
Next comes packing, one of the toughest parts of moving. Before you ever start boxing things up, make sure you have plenty of packing supplies. You’ll need more boxes than you think, as well as tape, markers, and protective materials like bubble wrap.
After all the supplies are in hand, you can begin the packing process itself. Our best moving tip is to go in with a strategy. Maybe you want to pack one room at a time, or you’d prefer to box up fragile items first. No matter your preferences, just be sure you take an approach that makes sense for your needs. Should you need help at any point during packing, reach out to U.Santini. Our full-service packing professionals can help you safely pack heavy items, valuables, and electronics.
Label Everything Clearly
Labeling your boxes clearly makes unpacking much easier. Create a system that works for you, whether it’s color-coding by room, numbering boxes with a corresponding inventory list, or simply writing the destination room and contents on each box. Make sure to add special labels for boxes containing fragile items or those that must be unpacked first. This can help our movers handle your items with care and prioritize unloading tasks.
Take Care of Utilities
Before moving day, arrange for utilities and services to be disconnected at your old home and set up at your new location. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, and any other essential services. Schedule connections a few days before your move-in date to ensure everything is ready when you arrive. Don’t forget to cancel or transfer services like cable, security systems, and subscriptions. Some providers require notice weeks in advance, so check with each company to avoid service disruptions or unexpected fees.
Preparing for the Big Day
Moving day can be hectic, so having a clear plan will help things run smoothly. Start by confirming the details with your U.Santini movers, including arrival time and any specific instructions. Dress comfortably and keep important items like wallets, keys, and phones close. Have snacks, water, and any necessary medications readily available. Moving can be physically demanding, so staying hydrated is crucial. As the big day approaches, make sure you have a bag packed with just the essentials in case you can’t access your items immediately after your move. This could include a change of clothes, basic hygiene items, and anything else you’d put in an overnight bag.
Develop an Unpacking Strategy
Once you’ve arrived at your new home, it’s tempting to start unpacking everything at once. However, taking a strategic approach will help maintain order. Open the essential boxes first (bathroom products, clothing, and basic cookware) and set up the necessary furniture. Next, focus on high-priority rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms. Having these areas functional will provide comfort and normalcy during your transition. Continue unpacking room by room, prioritizing based on immediate needs and frequency of use. The local and long distance movers at U.Santini can help streamline this process and ensure unpacking goes quickly. Before long, you’ll be ready to enjoy your new home!
Update Your Address and Organize Important Documents
We’ve already mentioned updating your address during the planning process, but now’s the time to double-check everything and ensure your address is correct with all relevant institutions. This includes the postal service, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies. Once your address is taken care of, make sure all your important documents are in order. Keep paper copies of leases, utility contracts, and medical records and ensure they’re easily accessible. If you want to go the extra mile, set up a filing system or digital storage for your documents and create backups.
Streamline the Process With Our Local Movers
Whether you work with local movers or a long distance moving company, relocating can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, the team at U.Santini is here to streamline the entire process. We can help you with decluttering, packing, and creating a moving day plan. Contact us today for peace of mind as you relocate to or from New York City.