Moving Planner

Detailed Q&A

• 1. How should I manage the process of moving into my new home with movers.?

  Ans: A move is a process that involves multiple tasks, and there is a priority for each task to manage it with high efficiency. The first thing to do is declutter the house and sort the items that movers will transport.

  Prepare a bag of essential items, keep it aside and take it with you, not on the moving truck.

  On a moving day, after the arrival of the movers, inform them about the floor plan you prepared and the items that need special care.

  You must protect the flooring and walls of the old and new house from scratches and dents. To ease the movement, create a passage for the movers and keep your children and pets away from the moving zone.

  Documentation is essential, and to avoid any hassle, review and sign everything before the move. Get the required permits for the movers and inform them about the same.

  At the end of the moving out, you should inspect the old house for the items on the moving truck. Clear out the waste generated after packing and loading. Turn off the electricity and water supply before locking the house.

  These steps will simplify your move and make it efficient.

• 2. What should I do on the day of move-out regarding items that should travel separately?

  Ans: The moving day is full of chaos, stress and excitement, but you remain calm. Since you have packed the boxes and you will take them with you, inform the movers about these boxes, and keep them in separate rooms to avoid mix-ups. You can label these boxes to avoid any confusion, and if possible, you can load them in your car if you are hitting the road to reach your new home.

• 3. What steps should I take to manage utility and service providers during moving process?

  Ans: Informing the utility and service providers is one of the major tasks on your moving checklist. Update the utility and service providers about the relocation. If you are moving locally and only an address update is required, update it before moving out. If you are moving out of state, you can request the utility and service provider to terminate the services from the specific date.
  The utility and service providers you inform include- gas, electricity, trash, water, recycling, cable, and internet services.

• 4. What miscellaneous tasks should I wrap up before the move such as returning library books and cancelling deliveries?

  Ans: Since you are moving out, transfer or terminate the memberships. If you rent something, it should be returned, like any appliance, books from the library, etc. If you have regular deliveries, inform them about the address change and update the new address for easy service.

• 5. What should I do to prepare for the trip,weather by air,road,or with children?

  Ans: Whether you are travelling with children or alone, a few things you should keep in mind. A stress-free and smooth trip is guaranteed if you are well-prepared.

  Book travel tickets and reserve accommodation in advance to avoid extra expenses. Get a confirmation before travelling.

  Prepare your vehicle for a long time like fueling it up, checking for the tire pressure and getting the car checked for any service.

  Download a map on your phone and set the directions before the travel. Mark restaurants, restrooms and fuel stations on the route.

  Pack snacks, beverages and a few engaging supplies for children. Also, take their bedding or comforter so they can feel relaxed.

  Keep your documents with you. In your bag, you must carry your, identity proof, jewellery and cash as movers will not take them on the moving truck.

  Get a weather update before hitting the road and pack accordingly.

  All these tips can make your trip easy and relaxing.

• 6. How can I say goodbye and get my affairs in order before a big move?

  Ans: Get everything done before the moving day and to do things in an order use Van Lines Move Moving Checklist. It will list the tasks according to your moving date and list the priority for each task.

  Inform utility and service providers about the address change. If moving out of state, deactivate the supply according to the moving date.

  Update your address with all the subscription services, and memberships. You can transfer your memberships like gym, club, etc. to your new address.

  Inform banks, insurance companies, postal services, social securities, IRS and Veteran services about your address change.

  Inform the insurance service provider about the location change and ask them to update the insurance policy according to new area regulations.

  Once all these things are done days before your moving day, you can finally have enough time to say goodbyes to your friends and family. You can throw goodbye parties to create some last-minute memories.

• 7. What should I do to declutter and determine what items are not coming with me during the move?

  Ans: Decluttering means sorting the items according to their requirement in the new house. If an item has not been used for 8-10 months, it can be kept for donation or sale. You can take three boxes and label them to Sell, to Donate and to Trash. Then start decluttering and get all your items sorted without any confusion.

  You can donate your items at different locations. Check this link to donate now- https://www.vanlinesmove.com/blog/free-charities-donation-pickup

  Sensitive documents and hazardous materials should be handled carefully.

• 8. What Steps should be taken 5 weeks before the move to ensure a smooth process with gathering boxes and protecting important document?

  Ans: These are the major tasks that you need to complete 5 weeks before the moving day-

  Sort out the items for selling or donation

  Update your memberships for the gym, club, etc.

  Secure your documents like passport, birth certificates, security cards, bank statements, etc.

  Make an order for packing supply

• 9. What travel arrangements should be made 6 weeks before the moves?

  Ans: Since you are only 6 weeks away from your moving day, you start preparing for your travels.

  Book airline tickets or get your car ready for the long-route travel.

  Arrange for accommodation like for an overnight stay during the trip or for the first few days before moving into the new house.

  If you are driving your car over a long route, you should get it checked by a mechanic and serviced.

• 10. How can one prepare for storage needs before moving?

  Ans: Storage is one highly considered option during the move. If you want to keep your shipment light and also ensure the safety of your belongings then book a storage. For storage, you can pack belongings separately and hire a professional to handle everything.

  Special packing supplies will be required for storage as the belongings need to be protected from temperature, weather, moths etc.

  Secure a storage unit as early as possible and pick the belongings to be kept there.

• 11. How can one prepare for storage needs before moving?

  Ans: Appliances should be prepared for the move a week before the moving day. Appliances that are not frequently used can be packed in the boxes.

  Day-to-day appliances like printers, air conditioners, televisions, etc. can be packed a week before the moving day.

  Start consuming the perishable items in the refrigerator about ten days before the moving. Defrost it 24 hours before the moving day. You can hire a service to disassemble or uninstall the appliances. Most moving companies assist in assembling and disassembling the appliances. You can request your mover for the same.

  Make sure to disconnect and stabilize your washer and dryer, ensuring they are free from water and disconnected from any power sources. For outdoor equipment, remove any oil or gas from grills, lawnmowers, and other gas-powered items and ensure that any propane canisters are safely returned or disposed of.

• 12. What things Should I do the week before the move, including preparing appliances and confirming utility arrangments

  Ans: One week away from the moving day, you must be full of worries. Don’t panic and follow the moving checklist and everything will go easy. Complete these tasks when you are a week away from the moving day-

  Clean up the refrigerator and dishwasher

  Uninstall or disassemble the appliances

  Pack lights, kitchenware, etc.

  Make arrangements for trash removal

  Take out cash from ATM

• 13. What task should I complete two weeks before the move,including cleaning and prepping my home?

  Ans: Take care of these tasks two weeks before the move-

  Book a move-out cleaning service or do it yourself

  Remove nails and screws from walls

  Clean and wrap the rugs

  Disassemble the furniture, not in use

  Apply for leave from work

  Pay any pending bills or fees

• 14. What job related moving tasks should be considered 7 weeks before moving day?

  Ans: 7 weeks before the move, you should consider the following job-related moving tasks:

  Finalize a moving company

  Book a rental truck

  Make arrangements for storage unit

  Apply for change in vehicle or personal property insurance

• 15. How can one research moving companies and services?

  Ans: Finding a trusted and reliable moving company is difficult. But once you find some references, you need to do a lot of research about these companies. Here are a few things you need to check in a moving company to find out whether it is legitimate or not-

  Collect multiple moving quotes from different movers

  Offering required moving and additional services

  Check the licenses and permits from the government

  Read online testimonials and reviews

  Visit websites like BBB, and FMCSA, for any reports against the mover

  Transparency in moving quote

  Ask for additional charges like taxes and other fees

  Check if these companies are members of the ATA Moving & Storage Conference

  Get references from family, friends, and colleagues.

• 16. What are some tasks to complete 8 weeks before moving day?

  Ans: You are 8 weeks away from your big day. There is sufficient time to handle the entire move. You can start with these tasks-

  Start searching for a moving company

  Make the list of the items to be moved

  Start research for school

  Send notice to your landlord

  Start and finalize your new house