Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. By beginning the process of getting ready a few weeks in advance, you eliminate the rush, reduce your chance of forgetting things, and ease the transition to your new location. Here are packing and moving tips that will allow you to move through each step of the moving process with as few hitches as possible:
Moving Tips for 4-6 Weeks Before You Leave
- Keep packing. Spreading out the packing work allows you to be careful about how you do it. This minimizes the chance of damage, and it gives you plenty of time to label all of your boxes so that they can be easily found in your new location.
- If we’re helping you pack, be sure to contact us to learn the best ways to prepare your house for moving day.
- Cancel services. You’ll need to inform certain service providers of your intention to move far before you actually do. These include cleaning services, pool maintenance programs, gardeners, and others of this nature. Do not cancel your basic utilities yet, though.
- Update your address for any magazine subscriptions. Certain publishers may still need 4-8 weeks of advance notice.
2 Weeks Before You Move
- Cancel your utilities. Be sure to give them your moving date so they don’t turn everything off immediately. Do this for your electric, gas, water, and sewer service. If you have a buyer for your house, you can have the utilities transferred to them instead of simply canceling. Give the companies your closing date if you intend to do this.
- Cancel your peripheral services. Give notice to your cable, internet, and landline telephone providers. Be sure to give them a contact number that will remain in service after your move. Your cell phone number is a good one to use.
- Set up utility and peripheral service at your new location. Some will need more time to get your service activated than others, so it’s a good idea to let them know fairly far in advance.
- Notify doctors, family, friends, and other contacts of your new address. You can handle much of this task by using the Post Office’s Change of Address service, but you may still need to contact some agencies or people directly.
- Update your driver’s license or state ID. In some locales, you can do this online. Otherwise, you’ll need to stop in at the DMV.
- Start collecting a box (or more) of the essentials that you’ll immediately need when you move. These include things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, and other toiletries; bed linens, a change of clothes, and possibly cleaning supplies. If you have a baby, keep diapers, bottles, and related sundries in an easily-accessible box as well. Do not pack away your major cleaning equipment yet.
Whether you’re moving down the road or you’re using this guide for moving across country tips, you’ll have a much smoother transition if you make sure to give yourself enough time and follow a step-by-step plan.
Takeaways
- Create and follow a plan for your moving preparations.
- Cancel services at your old address.
- Notify your friends, family, and business contacts of your new address.
- Keep things that you will immediately need at your new address in separate boxes.
Hire an Expert Moving Company
When you hire us, you’ll immediately gain the benefit of having our crews and drivers do some of the hardest work of transferring your goods. You won’t have to drive a big, unfamiliar truck or strain your back loading it up. With our full-service package, you won’t have to pack up your things, either – we’ll do it for you! Just contact us for more packing tips for moving, to learn all about the process, and to get a quote.