Moving from one place to another is always stressful. Whether you are moving across town or the country, you want to ensure that you get everything done before your big day. This checklist will help you prepare for your move.
Moving can be costly. The average cost of moving is $2,500. You might miss out on discounts and deals if you don’t plan. Check out these tips to save money on your next move.
Moving is stressful! Whether you’re moving across town or the country, it takes planning and preparation.
Here is the ultimate moving checklist you'll ever need:
8 weeks before moving day
- Check Your Insurance Coverage
For many of us, the most challenging part of moving is sorting through our possessions. This tends to be where we discover just how much stuff we have. As we go through each item, we must decide whether to keep or eliminate it.
As you do this, think about your insurance coverage as well. Not all insurance plans cover damage during a move, and not all home insurance companies will protect your belongings when you move them from one place to another. That’s why you need to check with your home insurance company before moving to know what your coverage includes and doesn’t include.
Checking with your home insurance company before you move can save you money and headaches later down the road. For example, if something happens to your belongings while in transit and your home insurance policy doesn’t cover them, you could have to pay for the repairs or replacements out of your pocket. So make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered by your home insurance policy before packing up boxes and loading them into moving.
Make sure you’ve got adequate insurance coverage for your belongings and yourself. And make sure you understand all the terms of your policy so you won’t be surprised when something happens.
- Create a Budget
Setting aside some money to cover unexpected expenses during your move is helpful. But you also need to budget for the big stuff like furniture, appliances, and home improvements.
- Start Saving Now
Start saving now to avoid having to borrow money for your move. You can save money by cutting back on unnecessary spending and putting away extra cash every week.
- Plan Ahead before moving day
Plan ahead for everything from finding a temporary apartment to getting utilities turned on.
6 Weeks before you move
- Ask for moving quotes from professional movers in your area.
Ask for moving quotes from at least three moving companies to compare. You should also check their ratings online: Google Reviews, Yelp, Facebook, BBB, Yellowpages, Angie’s List, Foursquare and many more.
Hiring professional movers, packers, and cleaners can help ease the stress of packing and unpacking. They can also help you organize your possessions so you don’t have boxes everywhere. In addition, hiring professional moving companies near you will make the moving process safer and faster. Finally, don’t forget to tip your movers!
- Ask family or friends for DIY Move help
If you have family or friends willing and able to help you with your move, take them up on their offer! This will help lessen the moving expenses. They can help you pack, lift, and load your belongings into the moving truck. Be sure to show appreciation by offering to pay for their lunch or dinner or taking them out for drinks after the move is complete.
- Look for a storage unit that suits your needs.
First, assess how much space you’ll need. Storage units come in various sizes, so choosing the right one for your needs is essential.
Next, consider whether you need climate control for your belongings. Climate-controlled storage units keep your possessions at a constant temperature, which is ideal for delicate items or items susceptible to damage from extreme weather conditions.
Finally, think about whether you’ll need drive-up access or not. This will affect the unit’s price, but it’s also very convenient if you plan on storing more oversized items like vehicles or furniture.
- Start collecting moving boxes and supplies:
Collecting moving supplies as early as possible will make your move smooth and easy.
-Check with local businesses: many businesses receive shipments regularly and are often willing to give away their empty boxes.
-Look for box resellers: some companies specialize in selling used boxes.
-Check online classifieds: websites like Craigslist often have listings for free boxes.
Please note, however, that free or used boxes may have some damage or lost some of their structural integrity. If these types of boxes are stacked high enough, these used boxes may crush, causing damage to your belongings inside. Using brand new boxes, and disposing them after one use will provide the safest possible move.
5 Weeks Before You Move
- Schedule with your moving company
If you are planning on hiring a moving company, schedule your appointment in advance to inform them of your move date. Many companies book up fast, especially during the summer months.
Get Your Free Moving Quote Now. Not sure how much your move will cost? Get an estimate and compare prices for local and long-distance moves.
- Prepare for children and pets
Start preparing them for the move early when moving with kids or pets. Explain what is happening and why they will need to leave their home and friends behind. Start packing their items in advance, so they are not overwhelmed on the day of the move. Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date so they can travel with you if needed.
- Host a garage sale or donate some of your things
This is a great way to declutter your home and make extra cash. You can also donate items you no longer need to charity.
2 Weeks up to the Moving Day
- Start packing
It’s time to start packing!
Before you pack anything:
- Take inventory of your belongings.
- Check your closet, drawers, and cabinets to see if you have enough space.
- Consider packing boxes and taping them together.
- Label each box with its contents.
- Write down where you store each item.
Avoid the stress of packing on your moving day by getting a head start on the process. Begin by filling in the items you know you won’t need in the weeks leading up to your move. This will make it easier to focus on the essentials when it’s time to pack everything up.
- Label your boxes
Label your box according to its room content. This will help you keep track of your belongings. Pack and label boxes of “essentials” items you will need right away.
- Separate valuables
Pack your jewelry and important documents in a box to take to your new home. Make sure to include the mover’s estimate in this box to refer to it on moving day.
- Make sure to update your address
Make sure you put this on your to-do list! If you’re moving, you’ll need to change your new address. You can do that by going to your local post office and filling out a change-of-address form or online at usa.gov/post-office. But just in case of some stragglers, it’s always a good idea to ask a close neighbor to keep an eye out for your mail after you’ve moved—Check-in with them two weeks after the move, and then again two weeks after that.
- Clean your old and new house
You will want to make sure that you clean your old house before you move everything over to your new home. This way, you can start with a clean slate and not worry about cleaning up after yourself. It would help if you also took the time to clean your new house before you move in to ensure that it is clean and ready for you to move into.
- Notify necessary parties
Make sure to notify the following important institutions and let them know you’re moving: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazines and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies.
- Forward medical records
One week before your move, you should secure copies of your medical records or have them sent to any new healthcare providers.
If you need a professional moving company in Arizona, call us at (480) 613-7023 or you may visit our website poindextermoving.com and more about our services.
