Planning for a Move

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person's life, especially when not only the possessions are moved, but family and pets are involved. Just like when we were in school, the best remedy for stressful events in life is preparation. FindMeAPad's apartment moving planning guide below contains useful tips to prepare for your move.

The obvious attraction of moving yourself is the possible cost saving. If you can gather a few friends to help, it would make a big difference moving all the furniture and belongings you have collected over the years. The obvious disadvantage is the physical strain you are putting on yourself, not to mention the possibility of injury or damage to the items you are moving.

Be sure to contact a few moving companies and compare their quotes.
Here are a few questions they may ask when quoting a price :

• How many bedrooms in your apartment ?
• What is the address of the apartment you are moving from and the apartment you are moving to ?
• How many pieces of furniture do you want them to move ? (in case you are moving a few items yourself)
• How many boxes do you want them to move ?
• What floor is your old apartment on ?
• What floor is your new apartment on ?
• What day do you want to move on ? (Some movers charge extra for Weekend/ Holidays)

You may want to avoid moving on holidays since some movers do not move on holidays. If you are moving to a house, utility/telecommunication companies also generally do not operate on holidays, possibly leaving you stranded for a day or two without basic services.

Here are some questions you would want to know about the movers:

• What rates and charges will apply to your particular move ?
• Are they insured ? what kind of incidents are covered ?
• Do they have worker's compensation insurance? You may want to see their proof of insurance.
• Be careful of movers without a physical address, or if you don't know whether their address is correct.
• It is better if you get recommendations for the mover

Many movers offers discounts or deals through Auto Clubs, Unions, and other organizations. Check with your
mover to make sure you take advantage of all possible savings.

Another important thing to do before your move is to go to your local post office, and fill out a Change of Address form. For your convenience, you can also fill out the form online at http://moversguide.usps.com. Don't forget to contact your credit card companies, your bank, your employer, your stock investment companies, and your magazine/newspaper providers to make sure they send all paperwork to the new address.

Packing Tips

Packing is one of the most dreaded part in the moving process. The amount of belongings accumulated over the months or years may seem too overwhelming to pack into boxes. FindMeAPad.com lays out a few tips here to help you tackle this big chore into tasks you can complete by your moving date.

A good strategy to use when there is an overwhelming task is the Divide and Conquer. Pick a room that is the least used in the house/apartment, or a room which purpose you can live without until you are in the new apartment, and start packing the contents.
Grab a sturdy box, fill it up with the heaviest and strongest items on the bottom. Work your way up the box and finish it with the lightest items on the top. Leave the box unsealed until the last day. If you can not fill up a box completely, you may find something else you can pack in there at a later time. Sealing the box takes only a few seconds, and it can be done the night before moving date.
Be sure to tape the bottom of the box well to avoid breakage, and because the bottom of the box is part that is most impacted by the weight.

Move from one room to a different one, pack the things you won't need day-to-day first.
Leave a few items you may need daily out :

• Minimal toiletries : toothbrush,toothpaste,anti-perspirant,floss,shaver,soap,shampoo.
• Clothes
• Eating/Drinking Utensils

It is also a good idea to take pictures of your valueable belongings to document their condition before the move.

Pack fragile items with plenty of wrapping, leave plenty of room in the box between items, and fill up those gaps with plenty of wrapping material. Mark the boxes "FRAGILE", and you may want to move those boxes yourself.

Pack the small, loose things such as hair accessories, or desk stationery into a Ziploc bags so that they can all be carried together.

Cover your furniture with old blanket or some kind of thick covering fabric. Plastic sheeting can also be used for sofa and loveseats. This is done to protect them from stains and surface damage.

When you've filled up a box, move them close to the entry door so that they can be picked up easily by the movers, and so that the movers won't have to walk all over your carpet.

Supplies needed :

• Boxes
• Specialized wardrobe boxes where you can hang your dresses/suits in
• Packing tape
• Newspaper, and/or bubble wrap
• Marker pen
• Old Blanket

Checklist for a Move

Obtain a change of address form from the post office or visit 
USPS Movers Guide  


Notify Entities of Your Address Change:
Banks
Credit card companies
DMV - Drivers license
Doctors, dentists, service providers - transfer drug prescriptions
Employer - make sure year-end W2 goes to the correct address!
Insurance companies - auto, life, renters, etc.
Magazines and newspapers - cancel newspaper delivery
Other

What Needs to be Moved:
Appliances
Clothes
Dishes
Fragile items
Furniture
Plants
Specialty items (Fish tanks, Pianos, Weights, etc.)
	
Using Professional Movers:
Get written estimates from several moving companies
Ensure movers are bonded and insured
Any special charges for large items, breakables, floors, distance, etc.
What items won't the movers move
Get appraisals of valuable items in case of future claims
Is additional insurance warranted for valuable/fragile items
Take pictures of electronics/valuables for before-after comparisson if needed
	
Do-it-Yourself Moves:
Get quotes from multiple truck rental companies
Boxes
Markers
Newspapers
Tape
Twine/Rope
Willing victims/friends that can be bought with Pizza and beer :-)
	
How to Pack:
Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room 
Mark boxes of total, i.e. 1 of x, 2 of x, etc.
Mark important boxes with "Open First" 
Limit boxes to 50 lbs. if using professional movers to avoid additional charges
	
Distance Moves - Obtain Important Records:
Birth
Dentist
Doctor
Legal
Optician, optometrist
School
Veterinarian

Open a new bank account or transfer from another branch if possible.	
Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town.  Request a relocation package.

Pack Your Vital Records in One Place:
Bank records
Birth certificates
Insurance papers
Marriage license
Medical records
Military records
Mortgage records
Passports
School records
Stock certificates
Tax records
Vehicle titles
	
Arrange for Termination/Hookup of Old/New Utilities.
Cable
Electric
Gas
Internet
Telephone
Water

Get Deposits Back.  Provide them with your new address for final bill purposes.
	
What Goes in the Car with You:
Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day
First aid kit
Food & drinks
Important documents and records
Special breakable items or collections
Toilet paper
Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away

Preparing for "Move Day":
Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator
Clean your stove
Retain a method to pay movers
Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence
Pick up ice and beverages for moving day
Don't forget to take customer curtains/rods
Strip your beds
Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot
Check all rooms one last time.
 
After Your Move
Check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
Inquire about installing a new door lock/dead-bolt 



Remember to Report Your Lease to FindMeAPad.com to be eligible for a FREE Move or a
Cash Rebate up to $500!