A Smooth Move
Moving can be stressful! 3 Dave’s Moving & Storage want all of our customers to have a hassle free, stress-free move. Through our years of service, we have come up with tips and checklists to help your next move go as smoothly as possible.
- Do some preliminary measurements of items you wish to move and where they will be going from both your old location and your new location. Tight stairwells, small doorways, and other difficult to maneuver areas can require items to be disassembled can add to your labor time.
- Get copies of doctor’s and dentist's records for you and your family before leaving so you are not caught unprepared in case of an emergency before you've settled into your new home. If time permits, schedule either in person or over the phone interviews with medical professionals near your new residence that you and your family may need. If time does not permit, make sure to get an extra month or two of any regular prescriptions you require or have your current ones forwarded to what will become your local pharmacy.
- Get copies of your children's school records, some school systems may offer to transfer them for you but to be safe side ask for a copy to hold onto as well.
- Send change of address cards with your new address and if possible your new phone number
- Make sure your checking and savings accounts are either closed out or branch offices exist close to your new home. If possible, try to set aside time to shop around a little and you'd be surprised at different rates and offers that many banks will compete with to obtain your business near your new residence.
- Give yourselves ample time to say goodbyes if you will be moving out of state. Don't wait until the last minute and then rush through goodbyes with your friends and neighbors.
- Inform the post office at least a week ahead of time that you will be moving. If there will be a significant time delay between your departure and your arrival consider going to your new post office to either open up a P.O. Box, or putting a 'vacation' hold on your mail.
- Plan on having a garage sale 3 weeks or more before your move date so you have plenty of time to at least try to turn some type of profit on those items that don't sell.
- Do not plan on packing valuables, legal documents, jewelry, currency, or heirlooms but instead bring them with you. This also includes plants for long trips that may wilt inside a truck.
- Do not plan on packing bleach, chemicals, explosives, propane tanks, or other combustible materials. It is dangerous and against the law in many places.
- Donate items to charity organizations and with a receipt, claim a tax deduction. Churches and schools as well as a wide variety of other organizations welcome some types of items and although you won't get money up front, depending on your tax bracket you might end up doing better than what you'd get at a garage sale.
- Classifieds both in the local paper and on-line work well for appliances, large items, and other items in good condition. In particular, include all local papers.
- So as not to waste good food start checking out what is in your freezer(s) a few weeks ahead of time and plan to prepare them before your move.
- Make sure to handle the connection and disconnection of utilities, telephone lines, water, electricity, gas/oil, newspapers, and cable.
- It’s a good idea to apply a heavier coat of wax than normal for fine furnishings as this can minimize any scratches that could otherwise occur to drier wood surfaces.
- Family photos in front of the old and new homes can be great mementos.
- If you were well organized when labeling and packing boxes you will have saved yourself a lot of headaches.
- Plan ahead of time to make special arrangements for all pets including birds, fish, reptiles, and other caged animals. ** Also, make sure they are all accounted for on the day of the move so they are not in the way and do not escape. Delays caused by escaped animals will affect the hourly charges.
- Make sure to remove all liquids, perfumes, and colognes from dresser drawers.
- Donate food items to the local soup kitchen or family shelter.
- Sell old books to the local used book store. Less to pack, less to unpack.
- A well-stocked picnic type lunch can come in handy before, during, and after the move. Especially if the travel time is long and/or you are traveling with children. Don't forget plenty of napkins, plastic utensils, paper plates, misc. snacks, and misc. beverages.
- Have a list written out of all rooms/items that are packed or still need last minute packing. Staying organized, knowing where everything is and where it is going will provide the least stressful move.
- Create a ``Day-of`` itinerary for moving day to have structure and ensure a timely, organized move.
- Don't get overwhelmed with unpacking! Start with the items you use most. Lesser used items can wait a day or a week.
- Work together and try to concentrate on one room at a time.
- The kitchen is always a good room to start with followed by the bathrooms.
- Check out any items that you ordered extra insurance on before the movers leave.
- If the bed frames were put on the truck as one of the last items, you will have time to put them together so all the mattresses can be placed where they belong. Something to think about if you were looking for ways to save money.