TEN THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU MOVE

Check with your buildings to make sure you understand the move-out and move-in procedure, if they need the movers to provide a Certificate of Insurance, schedule the elevator, use floor covering, etc. Make sure your mover understands these policies. Also check the parking around your building and start paying attention to how easy or difficult it is to park a truck near the entrance to your building or the service entrance.

Make measurements of your new space to be sure your existing furniture will fit well. Take pictures of things you may wish to sell and start doing this at least a month before your move-out date. This will provide funds for your new furniture and also downsize your “move” thus saving you money on your move.

Start constructing a list of things you would like the movers to move. Determine if you would like to move some of your things into storage, and if so, secure the storage space – preferably a storage space close to your NEW location. Let the movers know if you would like them to help you take things to storage or if you will do that yourself.

Explore insurance costs for moving and for your new apartment/home. Check your credit card benefits for things like this. Some rental or home-owners insurance also provides something like this, but notify your insurance companies that you are moving. Make sure you understand the things covered by your movers’ insurance, as it is usually a fraction of the cost of replacing an item. Many moving companies offer levels of coverage that you can explore.

Call your cable company and utilities, as well as all your bank institutions, family members, etc to inform them of your new address. Fill out a mail forwarding form at your post office.

Plan to pack – order boxes at least 2 weeks prior to your move or go with “green” options like Juggleboxes. If you have a lot of books be sure to buy plenty of small or book boxes to pack them. If you have flights of stairs it is even more important for the movers to have smaller boxes so they can fly up and down the stairs without straining their back with overpacked or heavy boxes. Don’t forget the “dish” boxes and other boxes for specialty items. Also, bubble wrap can b useful for your art, glass tables/items, TV, porcelain lamps, etc. Mattress covers and wardrobe boxes can also be ordered with your boxes so make sure to include them in your order

“Spring cleaning” has nothing on MOVE PURGING! Moving is a great time to purge the things you do not use any more. HINT: if you have not touched something since the LAST time you moved, you should PITCH IT! Unless of course they are family heirlooms. Donate clothes and old kitchen items to the local Salvation Army or thrift store. DON’T TOUCH IT TWICE is a great rule. Either pack it or throw/give it away, try not to make a “will decide later” pile as that will most likely go in a box until your next move.

Start your packing at least a week before the move. Try to spend no more than 2 days on one room. The kitchen can take longer than a bedroom, so plan accordingly.

Eat at your favorite restaurants near your move-out location your last few days there so you can enjoy them as well as pack your kitchen.

Thank you cards for your current Super, doorperson, maintenance crew, etc. It is nice to end on a positive note even if you had disagreements at some point while you lived there.