Getting Ready to Move? Here's an Easy Guide to Help Break Down Moving-Day Prep
While moving has its exciting moments, it can often be stressful to think about packing your whole life into a truck. There are a million tasks to remember and a million others slipping through the cracks (or at least that’s what your brain is telling you in the middle of the night). That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the most important moving-related tasks to help ease your mind about what you may or may not be forgetting. This timeline is just a suggestion, and you might be able to check these to-do’s off sooner or omit them entirely!
What makes us qualified to create this list? Our 50+ years of moving experience! We’ve been providing Charlottesville, Virginia, and beyond with trustworthy moving services since 1973, when we were called Student Services Moving & Storage Co. Over the last five decades in the industry, we’ve learned what it takes to make moving as smooth as possible! Here is our round-up of what we have found to be most helpful in preparing for a move.
p.s. We’ve left out the actual packing tips since this list is mostly a “Did you remember to do that?”
Three Months Before Moving Day
Organize and declutter: There are few things more overwhelming than packing up an entire house that you’ve lived in for years, but taking stock of items you no longer need will make packing, moving, and unpacking MUCH easier! We suggest tackling one room at a time, starting with your least-used storage areas. Decide what to sell, donate, or throw away, and what’s going with you to your new space.
Inform your landlord: If you’re currently renting a house or apartment, inform your landlord as soon as possible that you won’t be re-signing your lease or that you will have to break it. You’ll have to refer to your lease for specifics on when exactly you need to break the news, but we generally recommend doing it as soon as possible!
Research movers and get quotes: If you’re considering hiring a moving company, start doing your research now! You’ll want to make sure any mover you request a quote from has the right credentials and is authorized and insured. For more details, check out our blog on How to Find a Reputable Mover.
Find a school for the kids: Now is a good time to start the transcript transfer process and handle enrollment if you have children and are moving school districts.
Two Months Before Moving Day
Book your moving company: If you’ve decided to move forward with booking a moving company, now’s the time to lock in your move date! If you’re moving during a peak season such as spring, early summer, or fall, you’ll want to secure your move date early since demand is higher. If you’re moving during a slower season, such as winter or the peak of summer, you’re likely to have a little more flexibility when it comes to timeline and moving data availability.
Start collecting boxes: If you aren’t purchasing all your boxes and other moving supplies, we suggest starting to collect boxes a few months ahead of time, storing them in your garage or basement until you’re ready to pack. You can ask friends and family to start saving their cardboard boxes for you and ask around at businesses that get rid of boxes regularly, like liquor or retail stores. If you’d rather not worry about it, we sell boxes at competitive prices at our Charlottesville warehouse.
One Month Before Moving Day
Cancel utility services: Don’t forget to cancel or transfer your wifi, electric, water, and gas bill! Many providers will allow you to cancel service just a few days before, but things like wifi will often require cancellation 2-4 weeks in advance.
Cancel your gym membership: This is one you don’t want to forget! Many gyms require you to cancel your membership in person, so if you’re moving cities or states, you’ll want to check this off your list so you don’t have to drive back just to stop paying that monthly fee.
Notify your insurance provider(s): A month before your move is also a great time to inform your insurance company that your address is changing and get that information updated on your policy.
Set up mail forwarding: Remember to request a change of address form from USPS to ensure your mail is forwarded to your new home. This can take up to two weeks to process, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and select a future date for the start date.
Two Weeks Before Moving Day
Arrange for pet and/or childcare: Plan ahead for moving day and make sure kids and pets aren’t underfoot while people walk in and out of the house carrying boxes and heavy furniture. The last thing you need on moving day is a trip to the emergency room! Secure a pet or babysitter a few weeks in advance to make sure you have someone available on moving day.
Refill your prescriptions: If you’ll need any medication refilled, do it a couple of weeks before your move! While you’re at it, update your pharmacy to one that’s closer to your new neighborhood.
One Week Before Moving Day
Use up all the food in the fridge: Start getting creative with meals the week before your move so that you can use up all your perishables and save a few bucks while you’re at it. Pro tip: have a “Chopped” themed cooking night to get everyone on board and get some family bonding time a few days before your move!
Give your neighbors a heads-up: Remember to inform your neighbors that you’ll be moving out and that a moving truck may be on the road outside for the day.
We hope this list helps to jog your memory on some to-do’s you might have forgotten amidst the chaos of moving! If you’re looking to hire a reputable moving company with over 50 years of experience to help you relocate, we’d be happy to support you with this transition. You can call our office at (434) 977-2705 or request a quote through this website.
