Moving Tips From Mobile On the Spot Storage
Tips to Make Moving Easier
Moving can seem overwhelming! Here are some tips and reminders to help make it as organized and stress-free as possible:
Notification List: Make a list of everyone who needs to be notified of the move; family, friends, employers, creditors, schools, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, newspapers, magazines, etc. Don’t forget those important but infrequent contacts like the DMV or insurance companies. File a change of address with the post office.
Notify Utilities: Schedule your utilities to be disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one. Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive, unless you’ve made other arrangements with buyers or sellers. If you have deposits held with utility services, such as the water or gas company, don’t forget to request your refund.
Notify Banks: Contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts. Don’t forget safety deposit boxes.
Cancel or Transfer Local Subscriptions: Call your newspaper and set a date to cancel your subscription. Not all magazines and catalogs will auto-forward without a direct change of address notification, so update those to ensure no loss of materials.
Inventory: Go through each room and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Now is a great time to eliminate things you don’t love, because everything you get rid of is one less thing to unpack on the other end.
Pare Down: Plan a yard sale, put items on eBay/Craiglist.org or contact your favorite local charities to arrange donations. Put your yard sale on Craigslist.org to advertise.
Organize Packing: How will you label your boxed belongings: by contents, room to be delivered, or color-coding? Will you have a master list with boxes numbered or color-coded, or will you jot the general contents on the box? However you decide to do it, be sure you have a plan – you’ll be grateful on the other end. Estimate the number of boxes you’ll need, and then plan for more! Taking the time to organize now will save you time at unpacking. Mobile On the Spot Storage has moving supply kits and the expertise to assist you in determining how much you’ll need.
Use Non-Disposable Food & Products: Plan meals for the last week of the move to help empty the refrigerator and avoid using appliances that will already be packed. Attempt to use up things that can’t be moved such as bleach and aerosol cleaners. Dispose of all flammables, corrosives and poisons correctly, and contact your trash company for pick up if available. Drain all gas and oil from your mower and other motors as well as empty gas grills, kerosene heaters, etc.
Prepare Transportation: Arrange for a rental car or other transportation if needed. Arrange for any pet transport and don’t forget to include necessary medical and immunization records. Schedule your car(s) to be inspected for a long distance move. And don’t forget to transfer your auto registration. Be sure you have cash or credit for travel expenses.
Return & Pick Up: Return all rented videos, school or library books, and pick up all dry cleaning or items out for repair. Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need during the transition period.
Final Clean-up: Unless you have a cleaning company, you’ll need to clean after you’ve moved most of your things out. Keep out any necessary cleaning items like mops, buckets and vacuums to pack last.
Send Notifications: Notify family, friends, employers, creditors, schools, doctors, dentists, etc., of your new address and phone number.