Best Moving Tips & Checklist

Starving Students Movers Moving Tips

Whether you are moving across the country or just a few streets over, packing up all your belongings is a real hassle. Moving can be stressful and challenging, especially if you don’t have a plan. 

Thankfully, our experienced moving team at Starving Students knows exactly how to make your move as efficient and painless as possible. Here are some of our best moving tips!

How to Pick a Moving Company

Let us pick for you!

Organizing Tips

Before you start packing up everything you own, organize your belongings first. When you organize, you’ll be able to get rid of items you don’t need, and it will make unpacking in your new home much easier. 

 

Here are our top organization tips: 

 

• Throw out or donate belongings you don’t need anymore. 
• If possible, eliminate unnecessary files and transfer hard copy files to a digital medium. Consider donating unwanted office furniture and supplies to charity.
• File a change of address form at the post office to have your mail forwarded to your new location and notify clients that your office is moving.
• Have all employees remove their items from the refrigerator.
• Create a folder for all moving-related records and documents for easy access to payment records and other information you may need.
• If you’re moving into a skyrise, verify freight elevator hours and inquire about special documentation for professional movers with building management.

 

Packing Tips

Keeping your belongings safe from damage during your move is a top priority. Pack anything breakable with care and carefully transport items such as TVs separate from other items. Use the below tips to keep your things safe: 

 

• Label boxes “Fragile” or “This Side Up” according to their contents. All fragile items should be wrapped in bubble wrap and packaged with Styrofoam peanuts.
• Dedicate a box to essential work supplies or materials that you will need to access on the first day.
• Be aware that old boxes are not always strong enough to hold heavy items.
• Wrap items in bubble wrap and packing paper. (Note: Newspaper may leave black ink residue on items.)
• Label boxes clearly with the future rooms and offices where the boxes will be unpacked.
• Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes, if possible.

 

Moving Checklist

In the weeks leading up to your move, it is best to start preparing your belongings earlier. This way you can save time and optimize your time packing and moving. Use the below checklist to make your move flow: 

4 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage
• Use binder to keep track of everything—all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
• Order boxes and other moving supplies such as tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.
• Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
• Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
• Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.

 

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set. While packing, note items of special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound, such as a computer.
• Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.
• Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home.
• Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
• Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies
• Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
• Have a “garage sale” or use an online auction service to get rid of unwanted items for extra cash.

 

1 Week Before Moving Day

• Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
• Disassemble stereos, TVs, beds, mirrors, etc.
• Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
• Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
• Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies
• Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
• Contact utility companies and service providers to arrange to have your appliances/services disconnected and, if necessary, reconnected in your new home.
• Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up. Also retrieve any items out on loan.

 

2 Days Before Moving Day

 

• Finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days
• If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.
• Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.
• If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment.
• Don’t forget to make time for goodbyes.
• Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
• Dispose of flammables, propane tanks, corrosives and poisons.
• Empty your lawnmower and power tools of fuel etc.
• Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need for the next couple of weeks.

 

Moving Day

• Get up early, have some coffee, and don’t panic!
• Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.
• Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that slips through the cracks.
• Make sure cash, jewelry, important documents, checkbook and other valuable items are secure
• Have a marker handy to make extra notes on boxes.
• Point out to the movers any extra-fragile items needing special attention.

 

Don’t Forget!

Most moving tips are about packing up, but don’t forget about your new home. When you move you won’t have the same services (unless you move within the same town). So be sure to setup the following at your new location. Some services are more pressing than others, but don’t wait until the last minute. 

 

• Electric
• Telephone
• Cable/Satellite
• Dry Cleaner
• Credit Card Companies
• Doctor(s)
• Lawyer
• Auto Finance Company
• Gas
• Sewer
• Fuel (Oil/Propane)
• Lawn Service
• Health Club
• Dentist
• Insurance Agency
• Veterans Administration
• Water
• Trash
• Pharmacy
• Banks /Finance
• Dept Motor Vehicles
• Veterinarian
• Publications
• Social Security Administration

 

Moving Tips Conclusion

Moving to a new location is generally a fun and exhalating event with lots of anticipation leading up to the “move day.” However the “act” of moving leaves many people overwhelmed with no idea where to start. 

Thankfully, our moving crew at Starving Students can help. Along with our moving tips above, we can guide you through the process and make your moving day quick and exciting. Contact us today to get a free quote!

Moving Checklist

4 Weeks Before Moving Day
	Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage
	Use binder to keep track of everything—all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
	Order boxes and other moving supplies such as tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.
	Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
	Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
	Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions..

 

2 Weeks Before Moving Day
	Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set. While packing, note items of special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound, such as a computer.
	Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.
	Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home.
	Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
	Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies
	Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
	Have a “garage sale” or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.

 

1 Week Before Moving Day
	Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
	Disassemble stereos, TVs, beds, mirrors, etc.
	Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
	Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
	Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies
	Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
	Contact utility companies and service providers to arrange to have your appliances/services disconnected and, if necessary, reconnected in your new home.
	Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up. Also retrieve any items out on loan.

 

2 Days Before Moving Day
	Finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days
	If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.
	Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.
	If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment.
	Don’t forget to make time for goodbyes.
	Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
	Dispose of flammables, propane tanks, corrosives and poisons.
	Empty your lawnmower and power tools of fuel etc.
	Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need for the next couple of weeks.

 

Moving Day
	Get up early and don’t panic!
	Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.
	Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that slips through the cracks.
	Make sure cash, jewelry, important documents, checkbook and other valuable items are secure
	Have a marker handy to make extra notes on boxes.
	Point out to the movers any extra-fragile items needing special attention.

 

Did you remember?
	Electric		Gas		Water
	Telephone		Sewer		Trash
	Cable/Satellite		Fuel (Oil/Propane)		Pharmacy
	Dry Cleaner		Lawn Service		Banks /Finance
	Credit Card Companies		Health Club		Dept Motor Vehicles
	Doctor(s)		Dentist		Veterinarian
	Lawyer		Insurance Agency		Publications
	Auto Finance Company		Veterans Administration		Social Security Administration