Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your move day.
Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
For large appliances be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
Never use printed newsprint to wrap fine china.
Always stack dishes upwards when packing.
Pack important and sentimental documents separately to be easily accessible including: children’s health records, passports, family records, all insurance information and photo albums.
Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
Don’t pack with food or supermarket boxes. You never know what little critter is hiding – or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
Don’t use used boxes. You don’t know if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
Never use duct tape – use packing tape.
Clearly label all boxes on top and side.
Don’t try to get rid of your children’s favorite things before the move – even if it makes it easier. Kids sometimes have a hard time dealing with the change of the move itself.
For large appliances be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
As you take apart furniture and other items make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
Try to pack all electronic equipment, like stereos in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap when packing these items.
Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.
By law, a moving company can’t transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases and other flammables, ammunition and explosives.
Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.
Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
Always tape boxes. Don’t interlock the tops.
Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your day.
Clean out closets, the attic, and the basement as soon as you decide it’s time to move.
Two weeks before the move don’t forget to arrange to transfer school records
Make a “survival closet” of things for the last cleanup before you move out – broom, dust cloth, dust pan, mop.
Remember to get snacks for move day.
Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day — you don’t want to have to pay for cable, phone and utilities when you aren’t even there!
Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, lawn services about a week before the move.
Mail in your change of address forms about week before your move date.
Clean your stove before you move out.
The day before your move, defrost the fridge
Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day
Take time to say goodbye to friends and neighbors before your busy move day
If you are depending on friends and family to help you move, have a back-up plan if they don’t show
Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck
Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing
When interviewing moving companies, make sure to ask if they are insured and bonded and how they charge
When interviewing moving company, make sure to ask if they charge extra for large items such as pianos and big screen TVs
When interviewing a possible moving company, remember to ask what kind of training their movers and drivers go through before servicing customers
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if there is a cancellation policy
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they will have a contact person on site or provide a contact number for the day of the move
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they move nights and weekends and if they charge for that service
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what type of payment options they offer
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what their customer referral rate is
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they use full-time employees or temps and day labor. (Be cautious of those who use temps and day labor because they may not have proper insurance.)
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they offer free estimates
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge for travel time from their office to your location
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they have suggestions on how to make your move easier
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they offer packing and unpacking services
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if your items will be insured during the move
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they have a minimum charge
When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge by the piece or by the hour
