Your loan is approved, all your legal documents are signed and you have just been handed the keys to your new home. Now you are ready for the big move! The key to your success when moving is to have a plan and be prepared. The following are some ideas and tips to make your move a stress free experience.
Selecting a moving company can be a pretty scary thought. Who is going to take care of my belongings as well as I would?
A referral from a friend is probably your best start, but if you cannot get this, looking in the yellow pages and doing your homework is the next best thing. Begin by calling several (at least three) movers and requesting a no obligation, free written estimate. Professional movers will come to your home promptly and discuss your move in detail before giving you your estimate. Reputable movers will not hesitate to provide this written estimate. Be cautions of those that don’t. Without this estimate, your price can easily increase. One more step you should take before hiring your mover is to check out the moving company’s reputation, reliability, performance record and if there are any claims against them. Reputable movers will provide you with information about past performance, complaint handling procedures and your rights and responsibilities.
Most movers will provide you with two types of free estimates – non-binding and binding. A non-binding estimate is like a “guesstimate” and are based on:
- Shipment Weight
- Length of Travel
- The extras, such as delivery and pickup times, number of stairs and large items such as pianos.
Do your best to get a binding estimate. These are in the form of a written estimate stating a firm price and are based on:
- Number of items being moved
- Shipment weight
- Services rendered (any extras)
- Length of Travel
Moving Tips
Before you pack for your move, it is a gerat idea to clean out and throw away all unwanted items. Donating these items to a local charity or holding a garage sale is a fun and easy way to do this.
If you would like to save money on your moving expenses, being a self packer is one way; you will need the following materials:
- Boxes of all sizes
- Plastic bags
- Newspaper or Packing paper
- Packing tape
- Markers
- Bubbles wrap
- Tissue paper
- TIP: Liquor stores and computer stores are good sources for sturdy boxes. Grocery store boxes can be damp and dirty.
HOW TO PACK
- Important packing tips:
- Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
- When packing, go room by room
- Start packing as early in the process as you can
- Label all boxes
- Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in bigger boxes
- Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newspaper, packing paper, bubble wrap or clothes, placing them in dresser drawers or containers with lids.
- Tape cords under all electrical appliancesif you have children, let them feel involved by allowing them to help you pack their toys and clothes
Never pack the following items:
- Combustibles
- Flammables
- household cleaners
- Jewelry
- Medicines
- Important papers
Remember to fill one box with moving day essentials like paper plates, utensils, cleaning supplies, extension cords, hand tools and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days worth of clothes, food and any other essentials you will need.
- Pack first night items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Change of clothes, and flashlight.
- Arrange for special transportation for your pets and plants
- Drain gas and oil out of lawn mowers and garden equipment
- Use up freezer food (Remember, frozen food should not be moved)
- Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your movers, friends and family.
- Remember to pick up dry cleaning, return library books and rented videos
- For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pick up and/or delivery dates
SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARDS TO:
- Post Office
- Charge Cards
- Subscriptions
- Friends & Relatives
- Lawyer/ Broker/ Insurance Agent
- Make arrangements with Moving Company
DISCONNECT UTILITIES, GET REFUNDS FOR ANY DEPOSITS MADE, AND ADVISE WHERE FINAL BILLS ARE TO BE SENT.
- Water
- Electric
- Gas
- Telephone
- Cable T.V.
- Your Security deposit from Landlord
- Other
CANCEL DELIVERIES
- Newspapers
- Dairy
- magazine Subscriptions
- Other
TRANSFER BANK ACCOUNTS
- Checking
- Savings
- Safe deposit box
- Have bank recommend an affiliate (if in new city)
TRANSFER MEMBERSHIPS
- Church
- Clubs
- Civic & Health Organizations
NOTIFY INSURANCE COMPANIES
- Health
- Life
- Auto
- Home Owners (request refund on unused portion)
CHECK WITH INSURANCE AGENT ON COVERAGE OF LIFE, CAR, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN ROUTE TO NEW HOME
OBTAIN LEGAL RECORDS AND OBTAIN MEDICAL RECORDS FROM:
- General Practitioner
- Dentist
- Optometrist
- Other Doctors
- Veterinarian