Plan Ahead and Avoid the Headaches of Moving…
Here are some tips from your favorite Houston mover - All My Sons Moving and Storage of Houston!
Moving tips:
So much to do… so little time (or so it seems)… Whether you’re moving across town or to another state, you should familiarize yourself with what’s involved with moving and begin organizing 2-3 months in advance. By pacing yourself, the move won’t seem nearly as overwhelming. You could also involve the entire family by spreading certain responsibilities to each person, even the children. The following checklist should help you with this process.
8-12 Weeks Ahead
Purchase a notebook, with front and back pockets to record and file any correspondence and/or documents that pertain to your moving.
Set-up appoints with two moving companies to give you estimates and information.
Consider items that you will not be taking with you and organize a garage sale (including items from the basement or attic).
Items that don’t sell can be given to charity. Be sure to get a receipt, your donation can be tax deductible.
6 Weeks Ahead
Collect and/or buy boxes for packing. These can be purchased from a local mover.
Make a list of everyone you need to notify: Friends, relatives, banks, utilities, doctors, insurance companies, business contacts, newspapers, subscriptions, etc.
Contact doctors, dentist, and lawyers for copies of records or documents you will need to take with you.
Make travel arrangements (Home closings are often delayed, and there may be other matters that need attention).
Make travel arrangements for any pets.
3 Weeks Ahead
Obtain and prepare change of address notices from the post office, for friends, church, clubs, organizations, and anyone else not already contacted on the list compiled three weeks earlier.
Contact utility companies and other services such as: cable/satellite, trash collection, and newspaper about discontinuing service or change of address. Companies servicing the new locale will need to be notified. Be sure to keep phone and utilizes connected at your current home through moving day.
Contact insurance companies to arrange types of coverage you will need: Homeowner’s, auto, etc.
Collect important papers to take with you: wills, deeds, stocks/bonds, etc.
Contact your present bank about closing your account and/or safety deposit box and then obtaining a new one in the new location.
Contact your moving company to confirm all the arrangements and method of payment.
7 Days Ahead
Start with closets, packing clothes. Mark boxes and color-code them as to what room in which they belong.
Give away plants not being moved.
5 Days Ahead
Continue packing remainder of the house.
4 Days Ahead
Go over your list and complete miscellaneous items.
Arrange for servicing of your appliances unless your moving company representative is handling this for you.
Pay any last minute bills.
Pick up tickets, and/or traveler’s checks (if needed or not already obtained).
Make any last minute arrangements for closing.
Continue packing.
3 Days Ahead
Attend closing, keeping all documents in a special place to be transported.
2 Days Ahead
Movers come to pack (not in all cases).
Pack luggage with several days’ worth of clothing.
Prepare a survival kit for the first day you arrive. Items needed might be an emergency medical kit, towels, bedding, soap, toilet paper, cereal, milk, coffee pot, filters, coffee, cooking utensils, light bulbs, hammer, screwdriver, etc.
Moving day
Recheck moving list.
Supervise movers. Make sure they have your contact numbers and proper instructions. Also helpful is a color coded rough drawing of the floor plan in your new house. This can tell the movers which rooms to place boxes and also where furniture is to be located in each room.
Check to make sure nothing is left behind.
Leave house keys, garage door openers, etc. in a special place to give to the new owner.
