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HOW TO GET READY FOR YOUR MOVE?

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Do you plan to move sometime in the near future? Whether you are moving across town or from one side of Canada to the other, you can always count on MPR Movers for professional assistance. Let’s discuss how you can make your move as easy as possible and take care of the tasks that you face before you are ready to move on. We will look at the moving process in terms of timing as well the most important things you need to take care of.

YOUR TIMELINE

3 to 2 months before the move date

Declutter, get rid of all the unwanted material. Start going through all those places hiding junk – basement, attic, closets, garages, sheds, and any other place where you might be tucking away things you do not need any more. Do not be a stasher, be prepared to get rid of many of your belongings. Simplify the decision by making rules to get rid of the things. Ask yourself these questions:

declutter - MPR Movers

Except for specialized items, if you have not used something in more than one year, let it go. Sell, give to someone, donate to a charity, or just throw away, but get rid of it. Read our detailed essay on how to declutter and minimalize your life.

By getting rid of unnecessary stuff, you will simplify your life and will also save money on your move. Why pay for tugging along something you do not really need? The less stuff you have the less your move will cost you.

2 to 1 month before the move date

All being well, by now you have cut down your junk and lessened your load. You have also cleaned up and probably organized your stuff. If yes, you are now in a position to ask moving companies to give you a more accurate estimate. Start looking for moving companies, including MPR Movers. Whenever possible, obtain an “in home estimate.” They are free and in certain provinces, including Ontario, a mover cannot adjust their estimate any higher than 10 %. Which is important if you are moving long distance.

Getting a bunch of estimates well in advance will leave you with some time to check out on and compare the moving companies before you choose one.

Moving Estimates - MPR Movers

Ensure the moving company provides you with a copy of their insurance. Both for their workers and for the cargo insurance. Also make sure with the moving company that it will be their company showing up on the move day and not any subcontractor. If you are also hiring them for packing, make sure the packers are employees of the moving company or are under contract with them.

This is also time for you to get personally organized for the move. Check your homeowner’s insurance. Get together doctors, health, employment, and school records. Check if the insurance coverage offered by the moving company suffices for you, or you want to arrange additional coverage on your own.

Identify your highly valuable and your invaluable items like jewelry, precious stones, bonds, title deeds etc. Never pack these things on the truck or in the container, always travel with them.

1 month before the move date

Start gathering the packing supplies you will need to pack your stuff. Ferret out any old boxes you may have in the house that can be reused. Go and look to get extra boxes from Costco, Walmart, and other stores that throw these away. Ask your moving company if they can get you loaner boxes. There are also companies that rent out plastic reusable boxes. Get other packing materials that you will need. Read our blog to find out what materials you will be needing.

By this time, you should also have chosen and booked your mover. Typically, a 10% deposit is required to book your move. Be suspect of any demands much in excess of this. Try and use your credit card to ensure traceability if a circumstance necessitating to dispute the charge arises.

This is also the time for you to start packing your stuff. Start with packing things you will not need before you get to your new residence. These can be out of season clothes or other stuff, like books, which you do not use regularly. This will help you approach your packing step by step without stressing yourself.

Start using food items and edibles in the house so that you have less to pack or throw out. Do not buy foodstuff except for your immediate needs.

If you know the layout of your new home, start visualizing where your furniture and other things will go in it. Use measurements and dimensions to see everything will fit in where you want.  

Start changing your address records. Notify credit card companies, your bank, your employer, and others concerned of your new address. Go online to change your mailing address for the day you move into your new house. If you work from home, then you may need to make a new business card with the new address. If you are changing your doctor, have your medical records forwarded to your new doctor. Same for dentist.

2 to 1 week before the move date

Finish packing everything you will not need a week prior to the move. Contact the mover and confirm that everything is in order for the move as envisaged. If you need a day off, ask your employer. Get your prescriptions refilled. Make certain your children’s school records are all set and ready to go.

3 days before the move date

By now you should have finished all your packing. If your fridge is going with you then unplug it at least 24 hours prior to the move, clean it out, and dispose of any perishable items.

Make sure you have made arrangements to pay the mover when due. Have a checklist handy to verify all important things and actions.

On the moving day

Make sure you are all packed up before the movers arrive or you pick up the rental truck. Last minute packing can slow down your whole day. If your children are too young to be of any help on the moving day, then you are better off having them hang out with family or friends so that they do not stress you and stay safe.

Call the movers to make sure they are going to be on time. If you are moving on an hourly rate, keep track of the time and speed. Label every item that is being moved and keep an inventory. If your mover is labeling the items, then you do not have to double up. Just make sure that everything is loaded. Similarly, on the other end, make sure that everything is unloaded.

Do not sign the discharge unless you are certain that everything has been delivered and is in good order. Take pictures and videos of any damages or breakages.

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IMPORTANT THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF

Get rid of the extra baggage

The first thing you need to ensure is that you are moving with you only what you need. Many people fail to get rid of the stuff they do not and will not need. The more you cling on to things, the more you are prone to developing attachment to things that are no longer of use to you. So first up, take the time to look at all the belongings you have. Think of what you actually need and only take those items. Here is more detail about how to do it.  

Establish a Budget and Find a mover

Moving can be expensive and you have to decide how much you want to or can afford to spend on your move. You do not want to run out of money or be shocked by having to spend a lot more than you envisaged. Once you know your budget, you can identify, analyze, and break down various costs involved in the process. This will also help you decide what things you want to do yourself and what you want to outsource to professionals. Do your research and find a professional mover that suits your requirements.

Get quotes from at least three different movers to ensure that you get the right service at the right price. Negotiate to get the best deal you can. Compare your options, for example, renting a moving truck or a portable moving container on your own. Try and be flexible in terms of the date or day of the week. Avoiding weekends or month ends may save you some money.

Packing

Packing your goods is often the most time-consuming part of the whole moving process. Get all your packing supplies in place in advance. Make sure that all your stuff is properly packed to be safe on its way to where you are headed. Make sure that all your boxes are properly labelled and that you carry a complete list of the boxes and their contents. Proper labeling will make the unpacking process much less complicated and faster. Make sure that fragile items are identified and securely stacked. Here is how you can pack on your own.

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Take a picture of your TV, sound system, or any electrical items with multiple connections while all the wires are still plugged in. It can be difficult to recall where all those wires go, but with the picture you will remember how to set it back up later.  

Gather valuable and irreplaceable items

Get all your jewelry, expensive watches, emotional keepsakes, precious stones etc. together to carry with you. Check out important documents, many of which you have probably not seen for a while. These can include your educational records, marriage certificate, medical records, health and social security cards, birth certificates, insurance paperwork and a few others. Keep them in one spot for easy access and secure transportation.   

Cleaning

The property that you are moving out of needs to be cleaned. If you cannot do it yourself then arrange for professional help to do it. Leaving a clean property behind is not only ethical, if you are renting the property, it may also mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not.

Painting

Does your property need to be painted before you leave? If it does, then you have to either find time and energy to do it or find professional help to take care of it. If you do not like the paint job or the colors of the new house you are moving in, you might also want to line up a painter to do the job. Take care of it before you arrive so that you can get things put away and the house set up as quickly as possible.

Storage

Do you have a storage requirement for the items you want to retain but cannot accommodate in your new house? Sometimes you may also need storage for temporary purposes if there is a gap between when you have to vacate your old property and when you can move in your new one. You can ask your movers if they provide storage facilities or else you can rent a storage unit on your own. Find a good storage, which is not far from your new property.

Utilities and other notifications

Make sure you do not forget about utilities till the last moment. Figure out exactly when you can do without utilities in your old place and when you must have them turned on at your new property. There may a slight overlap, and that is okay. Just try to shorten it as much as you can. If you are moving within the same city, often you will be able to just have utilities transferred to your new place.   

Preferably, call the utility companies as soon as you decide that you are moving. Get it planned and out of the way early on, so that you do not forget or are rushed at the last moment.

Give notice to your cable company to transfer or cancel your connection. Do the same for internet and phone services. Usually, your coverage for health, auto, and home insurance will differ based on where you live. Especially if you are moving to a new city or province, inform your insurance agencies of your move.

If needed, find a new doctor nearby your new place.

Say your goodbyes

Do not forget to take leave of people you regularly spend time with. Schedule some time to share with the people in your life who you are moving farther from. Make sure they know where to find you and that you will miss them too. 

Items of essential use

Pack a duffle bag, backpack, or a suitcase carrying the items you will need access to during your move or right after arriving at your new place. Such items will usually include toiletries and some clothes but, depending on your move, can also include medicines, documents, chargers, travel documents etc. 

Cleaning your new home

Do not precipitate to just unpack and settle into your new home. Clean your new place before you open a single box. Whether it is a brand-new construction or has been lived in before, every home can do with some cleaning. Take a few hours to mop the cabinets, wipe down the furniture, vacuum the carpets, and thoroughly clean your bathrooms. Do not bargain cleanliness and hygiene for haste, make sure the place measures up to your standards before you settle down.  

Unpacking

Unpacking is a significant step toward the end of your moving process. Do not procrastinate, get it done quickly. Schedule a housewarming party or a get together to give yourself a deadline to get settled. Start with the kitchen as getting the kitchen done and fully functional will give you a big sense of accomplishment. Do not try to get every single box unpacked at once. Get the major things done first. Then focus on doing what you can as you can, it will all get done in the end. As soon as you empty a box of its items, break it down and get rid of it. This will clear up space in your new home, marking your progress.

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