Safe in the knowledge that the sale of your home will proceed as planned, the next item on your list is to get estimates from moving companies.
Get bids from at least three vendors. It is best if they come to your home so they can see exactly what the job entails, but if time doesn’t allow, be sure to give each company the same highly detailed information.
Once you’ve gotten your moving bids, choose the company you prefer, and get them scheduled! Moving companies tend to book up quickly and this is NOT a task you want to leave until the last minute. If you need moving company recommendations, please ask us!
Some things to do prior to moving day include:
- Continue the purging and decluttering process you started during the home preparation phase.
- Clean out all small appliances you’ll be packing (coffee makers, toaster ovens, etc.)
- Drain fuel from garden machines such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers.
- Empty all drawers, bookshelves, desks, etc.
- Strip beds, and remove pillows from all furnishings. Pack separately.
- Make arrangements for things the movers cannot move. Examples: plants, perishable foods, hazardous materials (such as chemicals, cleaning supplies, paint, charcoal, pesticides, propane), etc.
- Purchase a moving insurance plan. Also, consider extra insurance to cover any high-value items that will be moved (ask your movers about these options)
- Create a detailed inventory of all significant items that will be moved, including objects of significant value. Make note of serial numbers for your TV and other electronics. It is also prudent to take a video or photos of all major items in advance.
- Pre-pack small items like desk contents, small decorations, cosmetics, etc. in sealable bags.
- Label pre-packed boxes with descriptions like “Fragile” or “Heavy.” Indicate which room they will belong in after reaching your new home.
- Label any unpacked items similarly.
- Create an area or no-moving room for things you do NOT want the movers to take. These can include personal documents, jewelry, valuables, medications, small electronics (cameras, laptops, etc.) as well as the essentials you’ll need right away.
- Determine the best route for removing large items in advance and ensure the path is clear.
- Make plans for pets and children on moving day. If a friend or neighbor can watch them, it will be less stressful for everyone.
- Plan to be home the day of the move to oversee and direct the movers.
For a great article detailing exactly what to do before your movers arrive, click here!
If you intend to pack all of your belongings yourself, you will need a variety of supplies including boxes, tape, bubble-wrap, packing paper, and tissue paper for fragile items. You can often find free moving boxes on Craigslist. Boxes can also be purchased from local moving companies like U-Haul, office supply stores, or online from HomeDepot.com and Uline.com. In addition, we recommend purchasing or asking the movers to bring wardrobe boxes: these allow clothing to stay on hangers. Just grab garments from your closets, hang them in the boxes, and off you go!
Since we cannot determine the exact time of day escrow will close, you should plan to be completely moved out of the house the evening prior to the official closing date.
What should you leave? Things like: built-in shelving, light fixtures, curtain rods and window treatments, as well as most appliances unless otherwise specified in the contract. If you are not sure if something should stay or go, give us a call and we can help make that determination.
After all of your belongings are out of the house, take a last look around. Make sure there are no dings or dents in the walls or any other minor damage that occurred during the move. We recommend filling any nail holes with Spackle and touching up the paint. If some or all of the appliances (or any other equipment) are staying with the house, it is best to leave these manuals in a kitchen drawer for the new owners. The same goes for garage remotes, keys to community facilities like a pool, gym or mailbox, parking passes, etc.
Now that the moving process is underway, let’s talk about how to ease the transition for your pets.
