If you are looking for a checklist that has everything you need to do before a big move, you are at the right place! Moving is one of the most stressful things that can happen to even the most organized person. It is important to be prepared for this change in order to make the process smoother and less stressful. This article will walk you through all the things you should have on your moving checklist at least two months before the big day.

Questions To Ask the Moving Company

Before you shortlist your first priority moving company, make sure you ask them a set of important questions. These questions will help you decide best for yourself if you want to place an order at a certain firm.

• Are there any additional fees involved?

• Explain your shipment cost calculation method.

Although the cost depends greatly on the moving size and the distance traveled, here is an overview for you to see what goes into your shipment calculation.

❇️ Distance travelled: Rule of thumb: more distance means more cost.

❇️ Size of your load: The more belongings you have, the more costly it will be to transport it all safely. This is one of the reasons why we advise clients to declutter, before they get ready to move, in order to cut down any avoidable expenses.

❇️ Moving date: During summers, moving costs are at their peaks. If you wish to move during summer, you will be bargaining for an expensive move. To cut down costs, try moving on weekdays rather than weekends and public holidays.

• Tell me about your staff.

You may want to check how a company treats their staff to get an idea about how you and your belongings will be treated. You may also wish to ensure that all employees are insured and so you will not be held liable for any hazards that may occur during the move. Moreover, you may also want to double-check if the employees are trustworthy enough to be let into your house and move around your personal belongings. One way to ensure is that permanent employees of a company are more likely to be reliable.

• Can I rent some storage space?

• What are the acceptable payment methods for your business?

Reliable moving companies, like MPR Movers, will let you pay through a variety of payment methods like cheque, bank transfer, credit card or cash – however you please. If a company insists on payment in cash only and that too before the move has begun, be wary. It may be a scammer dealing with you.

Two Months Before Relocation

Contact professional movers or Do-It-Yourself: First of all, you need to decide whether you will have your friends and family help you out with moving or would you need professional movers. When contemplating this point, be sure to account for the resources you would require when moving (for example: labor, equipment, and transportation). If you can manage it without getting professional help that is great. If you cannot, consider contacting professionals like MPR Movers.

Get price quotes: Make a list of all moving companies you have in mind, and get written price quotes from each one. Do not forget to check the reviews beforehand, as it will provide you with insight to their services used by others like you. Getting price quotes allows you to get an estimate on how much would the relocation cost you. Scratch off any companies that refuse to give you one.

Make your reservation: Once you have shortlisted your top-priority moving company, the next step is to make a reservation for the dates on which you want to move. The sooner you lock these dates, the better. You will have ample time to plan what needs to be done before you finally move.

Moving resources rental: If you have decided to DIY your relocation, you will require a lot of items that you may or may not already own. For example: boxes, packing material, bubble-wrap for fragile items, dollies, moving straps, and moving vans or trucks. Rent them out ahead of your move date to ensure the process is carried out smoothly.

Ensure that the company is not suspicious: Here are 3 convenient ways you can use to filter out any fraudulent moving companies.

❇️ Company has no physical premise: If you come across any company like such, be wary. Moving companies require space for staff, equipment, and material. Don’t they? Only a suspect company would not spend time and resources in investing in a physical premise. Chances of a legitimate moving company operating without a physical premise are low.

❇️ Company requires that you pay before the move: Payment comes during or after moving, with a small deposit upfront. Any company that asks you for full payment before the moving procedure has started is not trustworthy enough. If you still find yourself in a deal with such companies, prefer to use credit card payments to keep a record in case of fraud.

❇️ Company claims that their insurance covers everything: It is highly unlikely that a company has insurance for everytiny mishap. If a company claims so, they may only be trying to get business from you. Be wary of such firms.

One Month Before Relocation

Declutter: Declutter your stuff by dividing it into three heterogeneous segments: gift, donate, trash. Shipment weight contributes to how much it will cost you to use professional transportation. Decluttering will ensure that you only pay for the items that you truly need and want to use.

Look for utility providers: You will need to contact new utility providers in your new area. It is best to start the process a month before you move in as it may take up to several weeks to set everything up. You may also contact your current internet, cable, and electricity companies to ask if they already offer their services in the area you will be moving in. If they do, all you need to do is update your address.

Update your residential address: Do not forget to change your residential address on your insurance, bank, and credit card.

Inform your loved ones: A month before moving is a great time to let your contacts know that you will move to a new place. Doing it early gives you enough time to have ‘goodbye’ get-togethers if need be. Some may even offer to help out if you are going to DIY the move.

Buy basic moving supplies: Buy high-quality moving boxes, tape, bubble wrap for fragile items, markers, and packing paper. It is important to have these supplies, especially if you are going to DIY the relocation process.

Three Weeks Before Relocation

Label: Those moving supplies you bought? Here is where they will be used. Clearly label your boxes on each side and on top with its contents and the room they belong in. It will make things easier when unpacking.

Use up: Rather than trashing away food at the last moment, ensure that you use up all perishable items available in your refrigerator and freezer beforehand. You can give it away, eat it yourself, or share with your pets.

Two Weeks Before Relocation

Check-in with your professional movers: Call your moving company just to be sure that everything is all well and ready to be proceeded as per schedule of reservation. It gives you enough time to prepare for any sudden alterations in plan, if need be.

Transfer medications: Find a new pharmacy that is closer to your new home, and transfer your prescriptions there. It will ensure that you do not have to deal with prescription gaps if it runs out.

One Week Before Relocation

Road-trip essentials: Fill up your bags with snacks, water, juices, and toys (if you have children) to ensure your trip goes as smooth as possible.

Pack up handbags: These bags will carry your frequently used items like electronics, power banks, medications, and spare set of clothes and shoes.

On The Relocation Day

Superintend the movers: Supervise the movers and let them know things like which items go in your ‘Open First’ box, and which items are fragile. Guide them to take care of the loading for you.

Have a loading plan: If you are DIY-ing the move, ensure that you know how you will be loading and setting the heavy items in the moving van or truck. Make sure to take breaks in between carrying heavy furniture.

Clean up: Do the next owners a favor by cleaning up your old house once all moving boxes are out of the door. Mop the floor, wipe the windows, and wipe the kitchen counters to ensure it is good to be used by others.

How To Unpack After Relocation

You will find it convenient to have made the ‘Open First’ boxes and handbags with your everyday essentials beforehand. Now you can start unpacking peacefully in your new home room by room.

Here is a checklist of how you should start unpacking your stuff in order of importance.

Begin with the kitchen: Unpack all the boxes that have ‘kitchen’ written on them. Fish out what you need most (like pans, pots, glasses, plates, spoons, mugs, etc.) and set them in the cabinets. Line the remaining of the ‘kitchen’ titled boxes near the kitchen to separate them from the rest of the boxes. Plugin your running appliances (toaster, coffee maker) to make your life easier. Save the organizing part for when the rest of the boxes have been unpacked.

Move onto the bedrooms: If you have contracted a moving company to help you with reassembling furniture, then that will help you out here. Decide furniture placement, then put the beds together or have the movers do it for you. Unpack the bedcovers and cover each bed with one. It will give you a neat and clean place to relax after you are done unpacking.

Up next are the bathrooms: You will thank yourself for having the utilities set up before you moved. Unpack your toiletries, towels, toilet paper, and all other bathroom items that you need in your bathroom.

Move onto setting up the living room, garage, and all common areas: At this point, you should only ensure that your new place is ‘livable’. Do not expect you to unpack and set everything perfectly right after moving. Give it time, and slowly set everything up in its ‘perfect’ position. Items for deck and patio can be unpacked when you are free: Ensure that the indoor house is fully unpacked and settled before you move onto outdoor areas. Even if it takes a week or two, let it be. Unpack at your own pace.