.After months of planning and worrying, moving day has finally arrived! It’s time to finally receive the keys to your new home and get a fresh start. The only thing left between you and free to unpack, design, and settle in, is the actual move itself.
Follow our moving day checklist to make sure you’ve organized every single thing, including packing your belongings properly. Plan your move accurately and choose a moving company that will provide a detailed move plan with all of your items. That way you’ll know the movers have a record of all your items and will care for them. This will also help to make the move efficient and prevent any price changes.
Get a trusted recommendation
It’s important not to only rely on reviews, be they from Yelp or Google. Your best bet is to trust a word of mouth recommendations from friends, family, and just about anyone you can rely on. If whoever recommended the moving company had a great experience with a specific team or sales representative, you should request to use those specific service providers as well as let the company know you were referred. That personal connection may result in better service.
Seal the Deal From the Very Start
Along with a detailed inventory list, make sure to get a guaranteed price and read the fine print to ensure the price doesn’t change. Be sure you understand how much basic insurance is included, what additional services you may require, and under what circumstances your movers would be allowed to alter the cost of the move.
This is the main reason Flatrate was founded – to protect customers when moving.
Packing: Boxes
If your move is local, you might use your suitcases, duffel bags, and other creative packaging to store your belongings. But if you are moving long-distance, use professional boxes designed for moving. Flatrate offers highly durable boxes for the long journey. They are less likely to crumble when they are stacked, keeping your belongings safe, and making it easier for your movers to pack the truck efficiently. This is especially true when it comes to packing glassware and dishes! Opt for boxes that are specifically designed for the job.
Packing: The Packing Team
This is a fairly obvious point but it’s still important to include it on any checklist for moving day! Although they will be thorough, never assume the packers haven’t missed something. Designate someone to do the “idiot check” of the closets, cabinets, and drawers to make sure that you haven’t left anything behind. Do, however, leave the heavy lifting and packing for professionals. Don’t attempt to pack your TV, stereo system, mirrors, pictures, fragile items, etc. Your movers will have the proper equipment to pack everything safely and securely.
Packing: Empty the Drawers and Cabinets.
Your movers will appreciate it if you empty all of your drawers and cabinets into boxes. This will help prevent damage to both your belongings and your furniture. The movers will be able to transport your items more easily if they are lighter, and without things shifting inside. Once emptied into boxes, label and take pictures of the contents of each box so you remember what is inside. Also, take pictures of the back of your TV or stereo equipment. That way you will know how to put them back together. Alternatively, have the FlatRate IT Crew assemble your electronics for you!
Parking Permit
Have you organized moving day parking for your moving truck or removal van? If you have a driveway, this won’t be an issue. Just be sure to clear out any potential obstacles for a moving truck, including low-hanging branches.
If you don’t have a driveway, then you might need to arrange a permit before the big day. This may need to be done ahead of time through your City Hall, so don’t leave it until the last minute! Confirming estimated arrival times one last time with your moving service can also be good for your peace of mind.
Traffic and Directions
Check the flow of local traffic so you know what to expect on your moving day. While you might not have the flexibility to change your moving day just because things are slow, you can at least consider taking alternate routes. You may need to anticipate a delay if your movers get stuck in traffic, too.
If you are driving to your new home, make sure to plan your travel route! Do you have the correct address and postcode for your new home? How about any storage units you might be using? Your movers will likely ask you these details in advance, but keep them handy or store them on your phone just in case they have questions.
Check the Weather
Likewise, it’s a good idea to check the weather prior to your move. If it’s going to be snowing for instance, then there are several precautions you might need to take – such as laying down salt. Your movers may also want to delay your move if there are heavy rains or dangerous driving conditions, so keep your eye on the sky and stay in touch with your team. Your checklist for moving needs to be adaptable depending on weather and driving conditions
Moving Essentials Bag and Box
Pack a moving essentials box! Even if you think you’ll be motivated to do a lot of unpacking, it’s helpful to have the essentials in reach. It should include things like your toiletries, a set of sheets and towels, and a first aid kit at a minimum. Then, pack a moving essentials bag. This is the duffel or small suitcase that you’ll keep with you after everything else has gone on the truck. Have a look at our
in-depth packing list to see what you should keep with you in your moving essentials bag. Make sure you have things like hand sanitizer, extra masks, and maybe a pack of sanitizing wipes for your new home.
Turning Off the Lights and Locking Up
If you have hired cleaners to do the final deep-clean, this part of the checklist for moving may look a little different. But if you are leaving the house and locking up, make sure that everything is switched off, the windows and doors are locked, and the faucets are fully sealed on your taps. Major appliances should be unplugged, the refrigerator door left slightly open, and gas turned off to the stove. Your landlord or realtor may have other specific guidance on how to leave your home, like leaving a few lights on or leaving the heat at a certain temperature.
Sell or Donate Your Furniture
Moving can be an opportunity to get rid of items that you don’t use or don’t want anymore. Choosing not to move everything will streamline your moving experience, and you’ll get to decorate your new home with a fresh slate. Look at it as an opportunity to declutter, sell your belongings, dispose of certain items, or donate others. FlatRate has partnered with the Salvation Army and can not only help you find a place for your donation but transport your items as well!
Cleaning Up
Once your movers have taken everything to the truck, take one final tour through the house to clean up. This might mean you keep your vacuum to be packed very last, or you have your usual cleaner come for a quick once-over. If you are moving out of a rental, you may wish to take some photos to have evidence of the state in which you left the property. In some cases your landlord may want to check the property before returning your security deposit, so schedule a walk-through ahead of time.
Be Sure You Have Adequate Insurance
Most moving companies have baseline insurance that is included with the cost of your move. If you have valuable items, inquire about additional insurance. Check with your home insurance policy to see what they cover first, and then find out what your options are through the moving company. Any reputable moving company will provide it or will refer you to a third-party insurance provider who offers coverage for high-value items. Flatrate provides an option for full valuation based on the value of your items.
Keys
Return your keys to your landlord if you have been renting, or leave them with the realtor if you sold your home. Make sure you have keys for your new property or arrange a time to meet your realtor or landlord so that your movers can bring everything inside upon arrival.
Mail and Billing
This should be done a week or two prior to your move, but you may want to double-check that you have canceled all of the bills for your old home and given service providers your new address. Have any mail such as magazine subscriptions forwarded to your new address. Be sure to update your details on any and all personal accounts. Include your health insurance, banking, and credit card companies. Most of this can be done online, but it’s a good idea to complete a Mail Forwarding form through the Post Office to cover anything you missed.
Unloading Plan
It’s a good idea to have at least a rough idea of where you would like your furniture and boxes to go when you arrive at your new home. During the packing process, your movers labeled each box according to its appropriate destination. They will unload the truck accordingly, so if you want anything stored in your basement or garage, you’ll need to specify.
Check Your New Home
Once you arrive at your new home, take a walk-through to see if you notice anything awry. Take a few photos of the rooms while they’re empty. You’ll have a better understanding of what’s what, from the appliances to the condition of the walls and carpets. This is especially important if you’re renting a home, but can also be important if you purchased a new home and something isn’t what you expected.
Considerations for the New Owners
At this time, the kindest thing to do for the next occupants of your home is to leave them a nice, clean space! Consider leaving them a note, welcoming them, and telling them about anything they need to know. Where is the electrical panel? Is the hot water heater easy to turn on? Offer any tips to help them get settled in, but mostly just leave them a clean and safe place to call home!
Need help with moving day? Contact us today for a completely free moving quote!