Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Move: Checklist and Insider Tips

Shifting your workplace can be an exciting yet overwhelming task requiring meticulous planning to execute flawlessly. Being in the hands of professional commercial office movers certainly eases the process, but it’s equally essential to understand the nuts and bolts of the massive endeavor you’re embarking on. 

This article is designed to equip you with the know-how of a perfectly choreographed move. We shed light on a comprehensive checklist and pro tips from industry experts, ensuring your office relocation is as slick and stress-free as possible.

Moving Checklist – Advice for Relocating 

Relocating is an extensive process encompassing finding a moving company, packing up your current house, and unpacking your new one. Essential elements to remember include making inventories, handling utility issues, and comfortably settling into your new home. Because relocating can be time-consuming, costly, and occasionally stressful, early planning can ease the process significantly.

Here is a list of advice to help you save time and money and reduce stress, regardless of whether you’re moving somewhere nearby or across the country. Here’s an extensive review of what you may need to prepare for when relocating and a relocation checklist to help get you started.

Crucial Advice for Relocating

A significant number of Americans relocate every year. According to a 2021 U.S. Census Bureau survey, 8.4% of the population moved to a different residence from the year before. So, whether you’re planning a nationwide move or a move within the local community, know you’re not alone.

The most crucial advice for moving pertains to cost management and safeguarding your valuable possessions. Here are several key tips:

  • Survey for the most competitive moving company rates: Different moving companies have different schedules and prices. Therefore, examining multiple options before settling on one is wiser than choosing the first company you spot.
  • Look for insurance: Just because a company has impressive business cards doesn’t imply its movers will handle your possessions or home carefully. Make sure you hire insured movers with clear policies on how they would fix, replace, or compensate for lost or damaged goods.
  • Make a detailed inventory: An inventory is critical to ensure every item from your home is correctly loaded and unloaded from the truck. Inventories are also useful when filing a claim for reimbursement.
  • Hire reputable moving companies: You may be tempted to choose a smaller, local moving agency. While this could work with reasonable pricing and good reviews, consider well-known, national moving companies with positive feedback for larger moves.
  • Contemplate DIY: It might be handy to hire a company to pack, load, and unpack for you, but it might be significantly more costly than doing it yourself. Remember, truck rentals and fuel costs can be expensive, too. Compare the prices, and don’t feel guilty about doing it yourself, particularly if you have companions who can help.

Selecting the Best Moving Company

Before packing, you should search for a moving company. As moving companies can quickly get booked and have changing schedules and costs, securing a moving company as early as possible is recommended.

The cost of hiring movers relies on numerous primary factors, including loading and unloading timing, total weight and size of your items, number of bedrooms in your home, total distance of relocation, and any additional services you require, such as packing or boxes. Companies can also provide estimates if you need their movers to pack, protect furniture, or package artwork for you.

Here are some steps to consider while selecting the best moving company:

  • Decide how much you’d like to do yourself: The first crucial step in preparing to relocate is determining what you want to move and what you’d like to be moved by professionals. Remember, every item you move by yourself saves money. Even with a professional moving company, you might prefer to handle extremely fragile or valuable items like jewelry, electronics, and heirlooms yourself, especially since trucks may not have climate control, which could damage these items.
  • Compile a list of your preferred moving companies: Search for the best-moving companies ranking can be helpful. Compare these companies and develop a list of your top contenders to request quotes and make inquiries.
  • Get quotes and comparisons: Contact your desired moving companies to make inquiries and get cost estimates. Although the final bill may vary slightly, these estimates give you an idea of where you can get the best deal and which preferred moving companies may not suit you. 
  • Buy supplies: You need boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and packing tape to box everything up. Consider wardrobe boxes and large painting boxes for clothing, artwork, and TVs. You can find these moving supplies online or at a local home improvement or big-box store.
  • Start packing: Packing usually takes longer than most people anticipate, so start early. It’s more sensible to have your boxes packed a few days early than rushing to finish packing after your movers arrive.

Movers usually give you an expected timeframe when they intend to arrive at your current address for pickup and drop-off at your new address. We advise packing additional clothing to keep with you if the moving truck is delayed due to unforeseen weather or highway construction.

8 Weeks Before Moving

Two months before your move, things begin to ramp up with tasks to be ticked off your to-do list. Many critical decisions will be made during this period, so take a deep breath and consider all your options.

  • Research moving companies: The sooner you start your research, the better, as it ensures the moving company you choose is available on your preferred schedule. Moreover, early planning can secure better deals.
  • Determine your budget: This helps you choose an appropriate type of mover, whether you can afford additional services or consider moving with a DIY approach to save costs. If your company is relocating you, they should provide you with a budget to use.
  • Get several quotes: Only get quotes from moving companies that seem reliable. Begin by searching for a mover listed with the FMCSA and read through customer and professional reviews for indications of any potential issues. If hiring someone else, consider renting a container or vehicle and recruiting a few friends to assist you.
  • Consider storage: If there’s a gap between when you must move out of your current home and when you can inhabit your new one, you might need temporary storage.
  • Create a moving inventory: Develop a detailed list of all furniture and significant items you need to move. Also, measure furniture to identify where it will fit best in your new home.
  • Visit your new community: Doing this as early as possible in the moving process is wise.
  • Declutter your current home: Dispose of items you won’t need after you move by giving them away, selling them, or donating them. Not only will this save time and money, but it can also help present your current home more attractively to potential buyers if it’s decluttered.
  • Give notice: If you’re renting, give your landlord at least 30 days’ notice of your plan to vacate. Most states require this much notice for a month-to-month rental agreement per Findlaw. Review your lease and contact your landlord if the notice period needs to be clarified.

4 Weeks Before Moving

A month before your move is a good time to focus on items that might get overlooked. Many minor tasks must be completed, such as updating contact information so people know how to reach you. This is also when you should start boxing up items. So, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

  • Change your address: Update your address with the U.S. Postal Service to ensure mail is appropriately forwarded. Update your address with subscription services (like magazines, websites, and meal delivery kits) and credit card companies.
  • Transfer your utilities: Schedule the termination date for utilities at your current house and the activation date for your new one. You wouldn’t want to spend your first night without power, water, or gas. Also, consider initiating internet access at your new home.
  • Notify others of your move: Inform friends, family, business associates, and anyone who needs to know your new address. The sooner you share your new address, the sooner mail that would otherwise need to be forwarded can be sent directly to your new home.
  • Start packing:
    • Pace yourself, as this is a process.
    • Aim to pack room by room, excluding frequently used areas like the kitchen and bathroom, until nearer your moving date.
    • Determine if your moving company provides boxes and moving supplies or if you need to buy these yourself.
    • Make sure everything is labeled clearly.
    • Consider setting aside jewelry and other valuable items, important paperwork, etc., so you can personally transport them without trusting them to a mover.
  • Get rid of unwanted items: You’ve previously decluttered once but likely come across more items you need longer. Properly dispose of hazardous household items through your local solid waste agency.
  • Confirm your move date: Contact your move coordinator at your selected company.
  • Book temporary housing if necessary: Depending on how long you must wait before moving into your new house, this might be a night in a hotel or a longer-term rental.
  • Plan for childcare: If you have young children who may not assist with truck or container loading, create a plan for their care on the day of your move.

2 Weeks Before Moving

Two weeks before your move can be quite heated. However, you can manage stress by concentrating on one goal at a time.

  • Take pictures: Document each room in your current house for easier arrangement in your new one. Use the photographs to guide where your furniture and other items should be placed. This step also helps ensure all your belongings make the trip.
  • Sort boxes by weight: If you’re moving without professional help, arranging boxes by weight can prevent you and others from lifting an unexpectedly hefty load.
  • Remember pets: Plan to safely transport pets, as they require special considerations when moving.
  • Keep clothing on hangers: Group clothes logically in garment boxes while still on hangers to prevent wrinkles and facilitate unpacking.
  • Locate a parking spot for the moving truck: This can be challenging, so liaise with your moving company to find an appropriate parking location for loading and unloading.
  • Give yourself a break: Relocating can be incredibly stressful, so plan for breaks to unwind for a more productive and pleasurable experience. You may also request a few additional days off work to settle in and rest after your strenuous effort.

Moving Day

The actual moving day will be bustling with activity. Be available and ready to respond to any inquiries with as much patience as possible as the day unfolds and your home is loaded into a moving truck or storage container.

  • Pack an overnight bag: Having a bag on hand with necessities like a toothbrush, prescriptions, and some clothes changes is a good idea. This way, you don’t have to worry about immediately searching for your items upon moving in.
  • Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated is essential, even if you aren’t physically handling heavy items. Donuts are a great way to fuel up in the morning, and pizza is a convenient meal for everyone working hard.
  • Pay the moving company: The cost should have been established beforehand. You must sign your bill of landing and make an inventory before the moving truck leaves. Additionally, it’s customary to tip your movers. We suggest 15% to 20% of your bill for major moves and 5% to 10% for smaller moves.
  • Cleaning and checking: Ensure items are moved out as planned. Also, surrender keys and other home access items (like garage door openers or codes) to the new occupants or landlord.

After you’ve relocated and started acclimatizing to your new home, celebrate. As Holbert says, “A new house is an exciting new chapter. Don’t forget to reflect upon and celebrate your milestone achievement.”

A Few Weeks Post-Move

  • Change locks: One of the first things to do is change your locks once you arrive at your new home. Previous owners, realtors, and home service providers could still access or possess copies of old keys, so changing them is important for safety.
  • Check smoke detectors: While they may have been checked during an inspection, it’s wise to double-check smoke detectors after moving. If they are not installed everywhere they’re needed, install more and consider incorporating carbon monoxide detectors for enhanced home safety.
  • Hire an electrician to check the wiring: Old wiring can lead to electrical shorts, sparks, and fires. It’s prudent to have an electrician inspect the wiring, especially in older properties.
  • Update your license: Depending on the state, you may need to update your government ID and car registration address within a specific time frame after moving. Be sure to comply with local laws.
  • Register to vote: If you’re legally permitted to vote, you can change your voter registration after moving within the same state or becoming registered in a different state. You can do this when updating your driver’s license or government ID.
  • Meet the neighbors: As you settle in, it’s a good time to introduce yourself to the neighbors. A plate of homemade cookies or a potted plant can help form relationships with people who could become long-term friends.

Conclusion

Moving can be daunting but can be executed flawlessly with meticulous planning. Every aspect is vital for a successful move, from choosing the right company to packing, relocating, and unpacking. Hiring a well-known moving and unpacking service can ease the process considerably as companies like Flat Fee Movers Bradenton offer comprehensive solutions, from packing to moving and unpacking, making your transition smoother and stress-free.

A smooth and worry-free relocation is just a call away! Contact Flat Fee Movers Bradenton for a comprehensive moving and unpacking service that’s proven, professional, and reliable. Don’t take on the heavy lifting yourself; get the pros to help!

Abraham Berger

Abraham Berger is a distinguished writer specializing in moving articles, bringing his passion for relocation and expertise in the moving industry to help readers embark on seamless and stress-free moving journeys. With an innate ability to combine personal experiences with extensive research, Abraham's articles resonate with readers as he offers valuable insights, tips, and strategies for a successful move.