Packing Decisions

Do you want to do any of the packing? Do you want to do some of the packing? Or, will you have it done by our experienced packers?

The Four Piles

Experts suggest that you make four piles, real or virtual:

  • What you're going to move.
  • What you're going to give away or donate.
  • What you're going to sell.
  • What you're going to discard.

Now comes the hard part - deciding what goes in each pile. Moving is a great time to downsize, to consider. For some inspiration read decluttering expert Don Aslett's interview. He believe we have to make room in our lives and our houses for the things that are truly important to us - and he has some advice about how to get there.

Four To Six Weeks Before Moving Day

Letting People And Places Know

Notify the post office that you are moving. An online Change of Address form is available on the United States Postal Service Web site.

Make a list of the friends and family who will want your new address, and then notify them by email or send a creative card through the mail.

Make a list of businesses and accounts that will need your new address. The following checklist will be helpful. Don't forget

  • Utilities - gas, water, electric, telephone, cable, sewer, trash, fuel
  • Services - lawn service, pharmacy, banks, credit card companies, health club, doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, broker, insurance agent
  • Subscription services - newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters - many have online address change forms.
  • Governmental Agencies - Social Security Administration, State and Federal Tax Bureaus, Veterans Administration, Immigration & Naturalization Service, the Library.
  • Membership organizations like Lion's Club, Rotary, Friends of the Library, alumni association, your old high school, and other organizations you support and want to keep in touch with.

Make a list of documents you'll need to have updated, like driver's license and passport, and schedule a visit to your service center or government office to make the changes. Especially if you'll be traveling by air or out of the country, be sure that these identification documents are up to date.

Don't forget to let your employer know of your new address, and update your information with your health insurers (medical and dental), life insurance, disability, and supplemental policies you have through work, and your 401(k) or other retirement plans.

Emptying Out The Pantry

Start thinking about what you can use up before you move. Either you or the mover will have to transport canned goods, bottled beverages, cleaning supplies and other consumables.

Two To Three Weeks Before Moving Day

Working With The Mover

Keep your mover updated about any changes in plans, especially dates. You didn't sell Aunt Grace's set of china and now you need it packed and moved? You thought you'd be moving all your furniture and now you've decided to sell it with the house and buy new? Keeping your mover updated will help your move stay on schedule and on budget.

Day Before Moving Day

Working With The Packers

If you're having our professional packers do some or all of your packing here are some tips to make the packing process go more smoothly.

  • Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark appropriately any items you do not want packed or moved, as well as cartons you will want first when the van arrives at destination.
  • If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. Upon arrival, the van operator will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
  • Collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children's toys, and place in separate groups.
  • Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

Last Minute Details

Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked. Don't forget the storage shed, the mini-storage or other areas where you have things you want moved.

Moving Day

Last Minute Details

Make sure you have a working phone number throughout the moving process. A mobile phone is fine, as long as your mover and others who need to talk with you have that number.

Take a last look around to be sure everything is loaded on the van, lights are out, windows shut and locked, and if needed that appliances, water and furnace are disconnected or shut off.