Making a good plan is one of the crucial things when it comes to planning your local move. And every good planning needs to be written down. If you rely on your memory when it comes to local relocation – it is quite expected you will miss something. We are here to help you out and we created a moving checklist separated by weeks. If you don’t have enough time for everything, reach out to your professional movers and ask for help! Now, let’s get started.
Two Months Prior To The Move
- Make a list of all the items that need to be moved
When moving to a new home or office space, you don’t want to drag possessions that you haven’t used for years. You want to have a fresh start, so make sure to get rid of everything that you don’t want to take with you. Make a list of belongings that you are moving – that is the first step of a stress-free relocation.
- Decide if you would like to use professional packers and movers or local movers only
Local moving has many steps to fulfil, but two cannot be avoided – packing and moving. Make a pros and cons list of both options and make a final decision depending on your moving needs, budget and everything else you are considering when it comes to your local moving.
- Call one of the Orange County CA moving companies to get a quote
When we say one – we don’t really mean it. Do your research and call a few local moving companies in order to learn more about what they can offer to you and what their rates are, so you can make a detailed plan when it comes to prices and services.
- If applicable, speak with your employer regarding corporate reimbursement for job-related relocations and present the quote you got from your furniture movers
If you are moving job-wise, why wouldn’t you see if your company is willing to cover at least a part of your moving expenses. You can’t lose anything if you ask.
- Read the “Ready To Move” brochure, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and understand your rights and our responsibilities.
Be prepared for everything that is ahead of you and learn as much as you can when it comes to moving. This way you can get the best possible offer when it comes to local moving.
- Save the information of local moving companies that you called just in case you have follow up questions
Don’t forget to save the information about your local movers so you can reach back to check whatever you might have forgotten. Especially if you haven’t made a reservation with them, you will have to follow up for sure.
One Month Prior To The Move
- Make a reservation for the elevator
If you live or will be living in an elevator building, be sure to reserve a time slot at the pick-up and/or the drop-off location. This way you will avoid many complications that might happen on a moving day without having reservation or having it for a short period of time.
- Change the address
Go to one of the USPS offices to change your address. It can take up to three weeks to process. You can also do it online to save some time and energy when it comes to procedures.
- Change the utilities
Don’t forget to contact any services that you are currency using and inform them about the change of the address. Here is the list of utilities, so you don’t forget something.
Utilities: Electric, gas, water, telephone, Internet, trash, cable/satellite, home security
Personal: Cell phone, pharmacy, lawn service, banks/finance, credit card, auto finance, health club, babysitter
Professional: Doctor, dentist, accountant, lawyer, broker, insurance agency
Government: Dept. of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, state/federal tax bureaus, city/county
tax assessor, Veterans Administration.
Publications: Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, professional journals
Two Weeks Prior To The Move
- Get rid of the unwanted items
Since you already have a list of belongings you want to take with yourself, this shouldn’t be hard. There are many ways how you can give away all of the items that you don’t want to take with yourself. You can have a garage sale where you will even earn some money. Taking your possessions to the Goodwill is always a good idea. Oh, don’t forget to return any borrowed items you might have around. Also, you should know that moving companies cannot transport flammable items such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, acids, aerosol cans and any other chemicals or liquids.
- Set an appointment with a technician if needed
If necessary, set up an appointment with a technician to disconnect any appliances such as refrigerator, stove and microwave.
- Clean your kitchen
Clean your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator from all unwanted groceries. Also, stop buying many grocery items in this period, stick to necessities because you don’t want to waste all of that food.
One Week Prior To The Move
- Start with packing
For the most efficient move, pack everything you won’t use for the next week and place things near the entrance. Keep in mind that our movers are also specialized in packing, so if you have decided to use your professional movers for packing as well, you can skip this step. Fragile items need to be wrapped in paper and have bubble wrap inside the box. Mark or name every box so our movers know where to place them upon delivery. Additionally, mark all the boxes you do not want moved or set them aside, away from everything else.
- Mark any boxes that should not be turned upside-down
In order to help your movers and make sure your belongings are safe and sound throughout the whole process – mark any boxes that require special handling. Add notes such as ‘fragile’ or ‘this side up’ or anything of that sort.
One Day Prior To The Move
- Place fragile items aside from everything else
When the movers arrive, point out those items to ensure the most cautious transportation method. This way you will ensure another dose of safety when it comes to local moving.
- Place valuable items aside
We advise all customers to carry their jewelry, small electronics, and personal files. This way you won’t have to stress out about your valuables during the process.
- Disconnect any electronics, appliances, and equipment.
If you scheduled a meeting with tehnician, this is the perfect day to disconnect your appliances. For the rest of the belongings, do it yourself and don’t forget to take pictures before disconnecting your electronics, so you can know how to connect them back.
- Essential box
Don’t forget to set aside belongings that you will need on a moving day and a first night of your new life in your new home.
The Day Of The Move
- Prepare water and snacks
Make sure to have snacks and water to refill your energy. Also, it is a nice thing to have something for the movers as well, especially if your moving takes a lot of time.
- Be at home to greet your movers
Be sure to be at the premises two hours prior to the movers’ arrival. Also, have your schedule open for two hours after the estimated time of completion of your move, just in case it runs long.
- Supervise the process
Be sure to supervise the movers throughout the loading to ensure everything is loaded into the truck. Once the movers have loaded everything, make one last walk-through of the premises. Check for any items in the storage, garage, lockers, cabinets and closets. In addition, be sure to turn off light switches, water and furnace. Close any windows, and if applicable, leave the old keys. Also, make sure to supervise unloading as well.