Moving is always a stressful event, even when it’s a happy occasion. It’s even more stressful if you wait until the last minute to start planning your move. At Element Moving and Storage, we always want your move to be as seamless and stress-free as possible. For that reason, we’ve developed a comprehensive pre-moving checklist for you to reference when you’re preparing to start a new chapter in your life.
The key is to start planning early and give yourself plenty of time to the prep work done before moving day. Here is how we recommend handling your pre-move tasks.
Two Months Out
Find a Mover. Get written quotes from at least three moving companies. Make sure they have good reviews and have been in business for a decent amount of time. If you need special services like storage while your move is in progress, look for a company who offers both moving and storage services.
Start Saving. Down payments and deposits require a lot of money. Once those are paid for, it’s tempting to spend what you have left on furniture and decorations. Make sure to put some aside for the moving service, storage space, and the fast food you might have to eat until your kitchen is set up.
Start a Moving File. Save all your receipts, leases and other rental documents or purchase papers. You can store them in a paper file or scan everything and keep an electronic file to save paper.
Research Your New Area. Are there hot spots for dining and drinks near your new home? You don’t want to miss out on those. Look for grocery stores, shopping locations, and public services like libraries and community centers you might want to use.
Six Weeks Out
Gather Your Records. Find a secure place to store your family’s birth certificates, social security cards, school records, and child and pet vaccination histories.
Clean House. Take stock of every item in your home. Do you need it? Do you have definite plans to use it? Does it bring you joy? If the answer to all those questions is no, don’t bring the item with you when you move. Consider donating it so someone else can put it to good use.
Start Collecting Boxes. Nail down a supply of boxes. Sure, you can buy them from movers or container stores. But you may be able to secure free boxes from your local Alcoholic Beverage Control or grocery store or other retailers.
Four Weeks Out
Start Packing. It’s time to start boxing up your things. Enlist help from family and friends if you need to. Leave out only the things you’ll need before you get your new place situated.
Transfer Utilities. Contact your utility providers and let them know which date you’d like to end or transfer your service. If you have different providers at your new address, contact them to set a date for your new service to begin. Give yourself a couple of days of overlapping service just in case anything goes wrong.
Change Your Address. File a change of address form with the post office. You can even do it online for a little more than $1.
Two Weeks Out
More Address Changes. Tell your bank, credit card companies, employer, friends and family that you’ll be moving soon. Don’t forget to change your address on your driver’s license.
One Week Out
Get Prepared. If you have prescriptions that are about to run out, fill them now so that you’ll have them during the move. Pack a box of things you’ll need during the move – unperishable food, first-aid supplies, pet food, children’s toys, etc.
Defrost Your Freezer. Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before your move. Plan meals around the food you have left and throw away perishables that you won’t use in time. Clean out your pantry and donate canned and bottled goods that you won’t need.
Finish Packing. Box up each room and label the boxes clearly. It helps to label the box on every side so that you can see what it holds no matter which way it’s facing.
Moving Day
Now that the hard work is done, moving day is a piece of cake. Let your hired movers do their job, double-check that everything you need has been packed and loaded, and you’re on your way to your new home!
Element Moving and Storage: Your Trusted DFW and Austin Movers
Is your moving day coming up soon? Call Element Moving and Storage! We’ll take care of the boxing up, loading, transport, and unloading so you can have a stress-free move. We serve the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the greater Austin area!
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