Scheduling Your Move:

Try to allow yourself at least three months to plan and prepare. This long lead time is especially important if you plan to sell or buy a home or if you are moving during peek moving season (May through September). If you plan to move during peak season, it's vital to reserve two to three months in advance with a professional moving company or truck rental company. The earlier you reserve, the more likely you are to get the dates you want. This is especially important If you're timing your move with a job start date or a house closing date, or are moving yourself and want to load and move on a weekend.

When is the right time to move?

• Children adjust better if they move between school terms.
• Elders have special needs you'll want to consider.
• Pets fare best when temperature aren't too extreme, hot or cold.

Top ^

Packing Materials:

Moving can be a bit overwhelming. Plan well in advance and start taking steps how to make your move more manageable.

Before you start packing you might want to make sure you have the following packing materials with you:

• Various size boxes
• Cardboard
• Plastic sheets/tarp
• Blankets
• Padding/bubble wrap
• Newspaper/wrapping paper
• Box/shipping tape
• Scissors/pocket knife
• Small tool kit
• Sandwich bags
• Glove

Top ^

Packing Guide:

• The necessary box. Pack the following things in a separate box and keep this box in your automobile:
  • Eating: Snacks, instant coffee, tea, beverages, coffee cups, paper plates, paper towels, Plastic forks, spoons and knives, can opener, dish soap, trash bags, moistened wipes.
  • Bathing: A towel for each person, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, Toilet paper, other toiletries.
  • Health items: First aid kit including pain relievers, prescription medicines.
  • Handy to have: List of contact information (including relatives, the moving company and the truck driver's cell phone), small tool kit, Small plastic bags to hold small parts, Spare lightbulbs, nightlight and flashlight, Scissors, masking tape, utility knife, hammer, pencils and paper, telephone, radio, batteries and enough cloth for the journey plus the first day or two in your new home.
  • For kids: Activities for the trip and favorite toys.
  • For pets: Food, a bottle of water, dishes, lease, collar, identification tags, favorite toy, medicine, bed or blanket, carrier, paper towels, plastic bags, litter and litter box for cats.
• Pack as much as you can into boxes. This will provide better protection for you belongings.
• Start packing several weeks before your move date.
• Pack one room at a time.
• Begin packing things you use less frequently.
• Pack each room in separates boxes and label each box with its contents.
• Reinforce the bottom of all boxes with tape. Fill each box its capacity, using paper or fillers to eliminate empty spaces.
• Pack heavy items, such as books, in small boxes to make them easier to carry.
• Be aware of items with sharp corners or projections and keep them from puncturing or scratching other objects.
• Don't put tape on furniture because it may pull off some finish when you remove it.
• When packing breakable dishes and glasses, use boxes and padding made for these items. You may have to pay a little to buy these boxes, but that way your dishes are likely to arrive unbroken.
• Pad mirrors, pictures and larger delicate pieces with sheets and blankets.
• Computers fare best if they are packed in their original boxes. If you don't have these, pack your hardware in a large, sturdy box and surround it with plenty of padding such as plastic bubble pack.
• Use plenty of padding around fragile items.
• Mark "FRAGILE" on the top and all sides of boxes of breakables so it's easy seen no matter how box is stacked.

What not to pack:

• Don't pack hazardous, flammable, combustible or explosive materials. Empty your gas grill tank and any kerosene heater fuel as well as gasoline in your power yard tools. These materials are not safe in transit.
• Don't pack valuables such as jewelry, collections, important financial and legal documents. Keep these with you in your car trunk or your suitcase.

Top ^

The Moving Day:

• Early on the moving day, reserve a large place for the moving truck to park. Mark off an area with cones or chairs.
• Guide the movers. Walk through the house with the movers and describe the loading order. Show them the items you plan to transport yourself. Remain on-site to answer the movers' questions and to provide special instructions.
• Walk through your home to make sure everything was loaded.
• Sign the bill of loading. The bill of loading is a document the government requires movers to complete for the transportation of supplies, materials and personal property. The mover is required to have a signed copy on hand, and you should keep your copy until the move is complete and any claims are settled.
• Follow the movers to the weight station. Your bill will be partly based on the weight of your property moved.
• Have your money ready. Professional movers expect payment in full before your goods are unloaded.
• Check on damage as items are unpacked and report it right away.
• It is customary to tip each mover. Decide how much tip to give based on the service you receive.

Top ^