Moving Timeline Checklist

20 Nov

2017

By / San Diego Moving

A Moving Timeline and checklist is an essential tool to help you prepare for your move. Moving is a process that deserves your attention. Our goal here at San Diego Moving Company is to make your move an easy one. We are happy to coordinate moving help and offer you tried and true moving tips. They say failing to plan is planning to fail, so let’s get started.

2 MONTHS PRIOR TO MOVING

Get organized: Things can get misplaced or lost during the moving process so this is a good time to gather important files and documents and store them somewhere safe and easy to remember. If you have a lot of clutter and don’t know where to start, ask us to connect you with a professional organizer. Their services are valuable and reasonably priced.

Start sorting: Sorting through your property will make the moving process much easier and less expensive. Create three categories, for items you will donate, trash, or keep. If you’re moving downsizing your property, be aggressive in your decision making. When you are ready, we can dispose of unwanted items for you, or for larger hauls, we can connect you to our favorite San Diego Junk Haulers, who happen to employ American Veterans.

Sell it: If you find you have a lot of items you no longer want to need, you may want to plan a garage sale or sell your items online. Craig’s List, Facebook Marketplace, and Offer Up have become quite popular for people looking for a bargain. Hey, you might make enough cash to fund your move or decorate your new home with a few new pieces.

8 WEEKS PRIOR

Research moving companies: I guess this is a no-brainer, but take your time when researching moving companies. Make sure they are licensed and insured. Check if they are in compliance with the California Public Utilities Commission. Visit review platforms such as Yelp, Google Business listings, or Facebook. Facebook has become a great tool for easily getting recommendations from friends and relatives who have personal experience with local movers. But above all, reach out and ask for a free moving quote, because you won’t truly get a feel for the quality of service without a personal interaction.

Know what is expected: Check with your property management or landlord for special moving procedures and requirements. Some properties require additional insurance that not all movers are required to carry. Relay this information to your local mover of choice prior to scheduling to see if they can meet the requirements. Rest assured, San Diego Moving Company provides a $2,000,000 general liability insurance certificate for local moves upon request. Learn more about this process here.

4 – 6 WEEKS PRIOR

Book a moving company: Thanks to your research, you are ready to pick your movers. Pick a company you feel confident with and confirm the date, time, and details of your move.
Start packing non-essentials: Begin packing seasonal items or things you don’t use on a regular basis. Make sure you label your moving boxes.
Notify your landlord: If you’re moving from a rental you must let your landlord know by submitting your 30-day notice. Find out when you will be doing a walk through with your landlord in order to collect your deposit.
Schedule Cleaning services: To increase your chances of receiving your full deposit back from your landlord, consider hiring house cleaning services after your move. We can coordinate this service to take place in the days following your move. If your new place needs a thorough cleaning before you move in, we can help with that too! Click here to learn more our housekeeping services.
Get your internet in order: Some internet providers penalize people for lack of notification in changing services or returning modems to call centers instead of service centers. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, contact your internet provider 30 days before your move to specify the cancelling or changing of services.
For some, the internet has become a utility more important than gas or water. The good thing is this is a very consumer driven market. It’s important to research internet providers in your new neighborhood every 6 to 8 months to ensure you are receiving the best deal available.

3 Weeks PRIOR

EAT: Use up food items that you don’t want to move. Meal plan ahead so you have nothing left in your freezer by your move date. Same for your pantry, make a plan to consume anything that’s already open.
Pet Arrangements: Moving can be a big change for animals. Do your best to prepare your fur friend by having them out of the home during the move. We can help make arrangements to get your animals cared for while you focus on the move. Check out our top tips for moving with pets.
Update your address: It’s very easy to complete a change of address form on the USPS website. Also, make a list of providers who also need to be updated. Notify banks and credit cards of your new address.
Transfer insurance: If your current home is covered, check with your agent to transfer the policy to your new home.
Take care of your car: Have your car serviced, especially if you’re embarking on a long-distance move. Check with your car insurance company about transferring your policy.

2 WEEKS PRIOR

Notify utilities: Start the process of closing out utility service at your current place and getting utilities set up at your new residence.

Keep your valuables: If you have jewelry, heirlooms or other valuable items, isolate them from the main move. You don’t want valuable items mixed up with your other packed items. Keep them in a safe place so you can transport them yourself.

1 WEEK PRIOR

Finish Packing: Now it’s time to finish the packing everything else that is left in your home. Try to stay organized and keep boxes labeled by room. This also helps the movers to know where everything needs to go.

Essentials Kit: Pack a suitcase as if you were going on a vacation, equipped with toiletries and daily must-haves. Don’t forget glasses, medications, pet food, or your child’s favorite toy or blanket.

1 DAY BEFORE THE MOVE

Stay Hydrated: Pack a bag of healthy snacks and bottled water for moving day. Your kitchen should be pretty bare at this point, and you might be too busy to think about food.
Keep important documents handy: Make sure to have any documents related to the move at the ready.
Defrost and clear: Clean out your empty fridge and freezer. Check your cupboards and pantry for any open food items.

MOVING DAY

Coordinate with your movers: Help your movers provide you excellent service by identifying fragile or large items right away. Express any concerns you may have before they get started. Be there when the movers load your items onto the truck. You’ll be responsible for verifying that they loaded everything, so it’s vital that you’re there to coordinate and answer questions.

One final sweep: Before the movers pull away, do a final check of your home to make sure nothing was left behind.