Things To Do Before Your Move
At Levine Homes, we understand how stressful moving can be. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for things to do before the move. The earlier you start preparing for the move, the more energy you’ll save for the unpacking and settling in at your new home.
Approximately 1-2 Months Before Your Move
Research
You want to start researching moving companies and options as soon as possible. Check out what moving service would best fit your needs – whether you’re shipping a couple of items overseas or just driving a few miles within the city.
Collect Moving Supplies & Start Packing Early
Collect storage and moving boxes whenever you can. It will also save the stress of packing everything at once, if you start packing early. Think of all the items you use infrequently - if you haven’t used your waffle-maker in over a month, you can probably survive another month without it.
Create An Inventory List
As you start packing, create an inventory list of your boxes, and what items you have packed away for the movers. This way you’ll be able to tell if something was lost or left behind during the move.
Use It or Lose It
If you don’t want your food to go to waste, take note of the perishables left in your kitchen cabinets, and plan your upcoming meals to incorporate all of them.
Two Weeks Before Your Move
Take the Basics & the Valuables
If it’s possible for you to take one or two boxes with you, consider packing the basics:
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Your Child’s Favorite Toys
- Blanket
- A Week’s Worth of Clothes
- Medication
This way, you can have quick access to the items you’ll need right away, before the movers finish unloading the rest of your items. And don’t forget to pack your valuables away in your personal luggage, as well.
Request Wardrobe Boxes
Check with your movers, to see if they have wardrobe boxes available. Instead of folding and packing up the clothes in your closet, you can just have the movers hang the clothes in wardrobes boxes and ship them as is. This will save you time as you begin unpacking.
Switch Your Utilities
Just a friendly reminder to call ahead and set up service switches with the utility companies. The last thing you want is move into a home without water or gas.
Change of Address
Drop by your local post office to fill out a change of address form, or do it online! Don’t forget to notify these parties as well:
- Bank & Credit Card Companies
- Your Company’s Human Resources
- Health Insurance
- Car Insurance
- Magazine & Newspaper Subscriptions
- Brokerage Firms
Two Days Before Your Move
Unplug & Defrost
Make sure to unplug all appliances, and make sure you start defrosting your freezer 24-48 hours before you load it on to the moving truck. You don’t want any melted ice leaking over your belongings!
Tag Your Furniture
To make the unpacking easier for you, tag your furniture to specify what room it should go in, in your new home so that the movers know exactly where to place it.
Take A “Survival Kit”
In this case, we don’t mean prepare a survival kit for when the “Big One” shakes up California. Instead, we’re talking about packing up your medication, a first aid kit, important paperwork for the new home, and snacks to take with you. These will all be great to have in hand, just in case your moving truck doesn’t make it to your new home on time.