Prepparing for Your Move

Moving Checklist

To ensure your move goes smoothly, we’ve put together a detailed checklist to help you pack and prepare efficiently. Following these steps will help you stay organized, protect your belongings, and make the process easier!

1. Gathering Packing Supplies

  • Boxes:
    • Small, medium, and large boxes.
    • Specialty boxes (wardrobe, dish packs).
  • Packing Materials:
    • Packing tape.
    • Bubble wrap and packing paper.
    • Markers and labels.

2. Decluttering and Organizing

  • Sort Items:
    • Create piles for keeping, donating, selling, and discarding.
    • Focus on one room at a time.
  • Organize:
    • Group similar items together (e.g., kitchen items, books).

3. Packing Guidelines

General Packing Tips

  • Start Early:
    • Begin packing non-essential items at least 4 weeks before moving.
  • Pack Room by Room:
    • Keep items from each room together.
  • Label Clearly:
    • Write the contents and destination room on at least two sides of each box.
    • Use color-coded labels or sticky notes for each room.

Fragile Items

  • Wrap Individually:
    • Use bubble wrap or packing paper for each item.
    • Place items in sturdy boxes and fill gaps with packing peanuts or crumpled paper.
    • Label boxes as “FRAGILE” and indicate the contents.

Electronics

  • Use Original Boxes:
    • If available, pack electronics in their original packaging.
    • Otherwise, use sturdy boxes with plenty of cushioning.
    • Label and pack cables and accessories separately.

Clothing

  • Hanging Clothes:
    • Use wardrobe boxes for clothes on hangers.
    • Transfer directly from closet to box.
  • Folded Clothes:
    • Pack in medium-sized boxes or suitcases.
    • Use tissue paper to protect delicate fabrics.

Kitchen Items

  • Dishes and Glassware:
    • Wrap fragile dishes individually.
    • Use dish pack boxes with cell dividers.
    • Fill gaps with packing paper to prevent movement.
  • Small Appliances:
    • Wrap in bubble wrap and pack securely in boxes.
    • Label and keep manuals and accessories together.

Furniture

  • Beds:
    • Remove all bedding and sheets, placing these in bags.
    • Your team can disassemble the bed frame if needed.
  • Dressers/Large Furniture
    • Remove all items from drawers or shelves and pack into small boxes.

4. Essential Box

  • Pack a Box with Essentials for the First Few Days:
    • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo).
    • Clothing (a few outfits, sleepwear).
    • Basic kitchen items (plates, utensils, coffee maker, snacks).
    • Important documents (ID, medical records, moving contracts).
    • Chargers for electronics.

5. On Moving Day

Walkthrough of Your Old Home

  • Show us each room and indicate any items that require special handling.
  • Point out fragile items, heavy furniture, and any items that are staying behind.

Be Available for Questions

  • Stay accessible to answer any questions our team may have about specific items.
  • Provide clear instructions for any last-minute changes or special requests.

Final Walkthrough

  • Conduct a final check of your home to ensure nothing is left behind.
  • Confirm that all doors and windows are locked and lights are turned off.

Walkthrough of Your New Home

  • Give us a quick tour of your new home, indicating where each room is located.
  • Provide specific instructions on where to place furniture and boxes.

Set-Up Assistance

  • Basic Assembly:
    • We can assist with basic assembly of furniture if requested in advance.
    • Let us know if there are any items that require special attention.

6. Post-Move

  • Unpack Essentials First:
    • Start with your essential box and kitchen items.
    • Set up beds and basic furniture.
  • Verify Inventory:
    • Cross-check delivered items with your inventory list.
    • Report any missing or damaged items immediately.