Ask your friends for help_compressed

Moving Checklist

Are you planning to relocate your home to a new address? We can help you out! Do you know that preparations for your move should start around 2 months before? According to local movers the better you are prepared for the move, the less stressful it will be. And you should trust professional movers, at the end of the day – they are doing this for a living. Keep reading and learn how and when to prepare for the arrival of your local movers. 

8 weeks before 

  • Research local movers  

You have decided to move and what now? Where to start? We always recommend starting by doing research on local movers. Even if you have already decided to move on your own, it doesn’t hurt to type the best movers near me and see what is there on the market. You might be surprised how many affordable movers are out there, so it might be even cheaper to hire someone to help rather than performing heavy lifting on your own. This will help you learn more about the price local movers are offering so you can get an idea of your moving budget. Research goes far deeper than typing the best movers near me, you will have to read the reviews, learn more about the company, and, if possible, to get recommendations from your friends and family who moved recently. 

  • Make a list of questions to ask local movers

After you did your research on potential local movers, before calling them, prepare the list of questions. Hiring professional movers is one of the most important tasks for your local move, so make sure you hire the best movers. And you will be able to do so by learning as much as you can about local movers before signing a contract and paying the deposit. Ask your local movers about cancellation policies, insurance, arrival time, and similar. 

  • Visit your new neighborhood

Before getting to your new community with your local movers, make sure to go there so you can feel the area’s various neighborhoods and amenities. If you are not able to go there physically, you can always investigate and learn more about it online. 

  • Budget

Now it is time to set the budget for the move, and that includes more than the amount you need to spend on local movers. Price for the local move includes costs such as hiring local movers, the price for a new home, cleaning services, the price for renovating your new home, packing supplies, moving tips, and similar. Make sure to write down all the expenses, because it will be easier for you to coordinate them. Local movers advise you to try to stick to that budget as much as you can, even though there will be some additional expenses. That is why you should have an amount for rainy days. 

  • Schools research

If you are moving with the kids, before you make a final decision on the neighborhood, make sure to research schools in your new community. You want to offer the best to your kids. 

  • Prepare your kids for a move 

Before your local movers arrive, you should have a conversation with your kids. Moving is stressful, especially for someone who is young, so you should make the process easier for them. 

  • Give notice to your landlord 

In case you are renting, before hiring local movers, give your landlord a heads-up about the move. Many leases require tenants to give their landlords at least 60-day notice when moving out. That is why you should double-check your agreement before you hire local movers, so you don’t get any penalties. 

7 weeks before

  • Hire local movers

After you have obtained moving quotes from different professional movers, make sure to book them as soon as you have the date set. Make sure to get as much information as you can before hiring local movers, and check if the price is guaranteed. Once you get the confirmation email or agreement, read it carefully so you can reach back to ask any additional questions you might have. 

  • Ask your friends for help

No matter if you are planning to move on your own or you wish to hire local movers, you will need some help with preparing. If you are planning a DIY move, they will have to help you with the execution. And if you are hiring local movers, you will need a pair of extra hands that will help you pack up your home. If you are moving on your own, this is the right time to get a moving truck. 

  • Storage rental 

If your relocation requires you to use temporary storage while your homes are closing or if you are downsizing, this is the moment to find a storage unit. Local movers will advise you to find a storage unit that is close to your new home or current home, so you can avoid any additional charges that might be present due to a big mileage. 

6 weeks before 

  • Get moving supplies

Make sure to get all the moving supplies that you will need during the process. You will need packing boxes and packing paper, and if you are not sure about the amount, you can always consult your local movers. There are also many online calculators that might help. You should make sure to get boxes of various sizes so you can make sure all of your belongings are safe and sound. Or, if you are hiring local movers, you can always purchase packing supplies from them. If you want to save some money on packing supplies, you can go to one of the supermarkets and see if they can provide you with some free boxes. 

  • Strategize your packing process

Before you start actually packing your belongings, you should figure out a timeline for the packing process. The best advice gathered from local movers is to start with non-essentials first and the items you are sure you won’t need after you box them up. Rule number one is to be packed up the day before the arrival of your local movers. 

5 weeks before

  • Start using up refrigerated food and pantry items

Local movers are not thrilled with moving your food, but that is not the reason to throw the food away. You can get creative, and start using everything you already have. If you don’t have time to eat up everything before the arrival of your local movers, you can also donate non-perishables by bringing them to your local food bank or by hiring one of the companies that will pick up unwanted food items from those moving and deliver them to local food banks.

  • Host a garage sale

Decluttering your possessions is a must before your local movers arrive. Not only this will save you a lot of time and some money when hiring professional movers, but it will help you not to pack up your entire home with unwanted belongings. A garage sale can be a fun way to bond with your family or friends, and it will help you earn some money that might help you cover some expenses for local movers. If you don’t want to organize a garage sale, you can always try to sell some things online. 

  • Donate

The other way to declutter is donating. There are many ways and organizations where you can bring the items you don’t want your local movers to bring to your new home. Also, don’t forget to save any and all donation receipts for tax season.

4 weeks before 

  • Start with packing

If you haven’t so far, this is the right moment to start packing up your belongings so you can be ready to go when your local movers arrive. Don’t forget to label the boxes so you can make your life easier when it comes to unpacking. This will also help your professional movers to handle the boxes properly, so add ‘fragile’ or ‘this side up’. When labeled properly, your local movers will bring the boxes to the appropriate room as well. In addition, keep valuables and important documents separate. No matter how reliable your local movers are, this way you will avoid any headache during the process. 

  • Inform everyone about moving 

Inform everyone that needs to know about the change of your address. Make sure your mail is forwarded to your new home, inform your dentist, doctor, your kids’ school, and everyone else. If you are a member of a community organization, gym, or club – let them know. Don’t forget about your friends and family members. 

  • Dispose of hazardous items 

Local movers cannot move hazardous and flammable items, and you cannot put them in your regular trash either. This is why you should think of what to do with this. To get rid of these items before moving, make a trip to your local hazardous waste facility drop-off.

3 weeks before 

  • Schedule the company to transfer utilities

Before your local movers arrive, make sure to schedule the company that will transfer your utilities. Utilities include cable and internet, water and sewer, gas, electricity, satellite, security system, trash, and phone. Also, let any regular service providers, such as housekeeping, landscaping, and pool maintenance, know of your impending move. 

  • Hire a babysitter

If you have babies or toddlers, the moving site is not the best place for them. You will have a home full of local movers who are carrying around heavy furniture, and you don’t want to worry about the safety of your kids. The same goes for pets, have someone who will take care of them during the relocation. 

  • Plants

Plants are tricky to be relocated, and most local movers will let you know that they are not responsible for their safety. This is the right moment to decide whether you would like to move them on your own or if you will let professional movers handle them, without any guarantee.

2 weeks before

  • Make a layout of your new home

Before moving, make sure you have a layout of your new home ready. The last thing you want on your moving day is to have local movers who will carry the same sofa around for hours. Not only will it be costly, but it can lead to damages. 

  • Order new furniture

If you are planning to refresh your new home with some new furniture pieces, this is the time to order them. 

  • Secure a parking spot for the moving truck 

Every client is responsible to provide local movers with a parking spot for a truck. Unless you have your own parking spot or driveway, you will have to apply for a parking permit. Make sure to do it in time, because you will have to wait for this permit for a few days. 

  • Schedule painters for new home

Before your local movers bring in the furniture, make sure your walls are freshly painted. Make sure walls are dry before that. 

  • Update bank account and credit card billing address 

It’s time to update your bank account and credit card billing addresses. Fortunately, this can be done in less than a minute online or by phone.

  • Request time off from work

It might be easier for you to have a day off from work on a day your local movers are arriving at your home. If that is not possible, make sure to coordinate with your professional movers the arrival time. 

1 week before

  • Cleaning time

Organize someone to clean your home before the arrival of your local movers. A little bit of effort could save you a cleaning fee or charge against your security deposit. Be sure to thoroughly clean out the refrigerator and pantry as well.

  • Inspect old home with the landlord

Renting? Conduct a final inspection with your current landlord before you move out. Be sure to discuss any damages that could be deducted from your security deposit. If there is a dispute, remember that it’s often better to negotiate in-person than over the phone. All of this should be done before the arrival of your local movers. 

Day before

  • Pack essentials

A day before your local movers arrives you should pack up all necessary belongings that you will be taking with you. This bag should include pajamas, toiletries, medications, pet and baby necessities, and similar. 

  • Inform your neighbors about your move

If you live in an HOA community or share a driveway with other neighbors, be sure to give them a heads-up about the move. Not only is this the respectful thing to do, but it will also give them plenty of time to move their cars before your local movers arrive with their truck.

Moving day

  • Make sure there is enough water

Moving is an exhausting process and you should have plenty of water bottles on-hand for your local movers. 

  • Do a final walkthrough 

Before your professional movers leave your home, make sure to inspect your old home to see if they loaded everything in the truck. Also, check the moving truck before they leave your new home. 

  • Hand over the keys

Unless you’re planning to come back after the move to tie up loose ends, go ahead and hand over the keys to your landlord or new owners.

If you are looking for professional movers who can help you with your relocation, make sure to reach out to Santa Cruz Moving. Our local movers will make sure to help you out with any moving project you are planning. We cannot wait to work with you! Give us a call and get your free moving quote today!