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Moving Checklist3/16/2023 MOVING CHECKLIST
Before you start packing The best thing to do as soon as you find out that you’re moving is to start planning your move to make it as stress free. This list should help you keep the process as easy as possible. We suggest you give yourself at least 2 months in advance to get started, especially if you are moving out of state or out of the country. De-clutter Go through each room in your home and get rid of anything you no longer use or is outdated or ready to recycle or give away. You can have a yard sale, or just start throwing bags in your trunk and giving them to your local Goodwill or re-sale shop. The less you move, the less time it will take in the long run. Plus, de-cluttering and simplifying your belongings always feels good and it’s tax deductible if you donate your old stuff. Since there could be a limit to how much trash you can put in your trash can each week, it is best to start the de-clutter process as soon as you know you’re moving so you will have plenty of time. When you’re going through stuff, go ahead and pack items in each room that you know you won’t be using until after your move. Gather Supplies Once you’ve gotten rid of all the extra stuff and trash around your house, it’s time to start gathering packing supplies. If you don’t have time for this step, let us know and we can send them to you. Here’s a few things you will need: Boxes (you can buy these or get them from your local grocery or liquor store but cardboard boxes designed for moving really are the best way to keep everything safe in the truck) Bubble wrap (you can also use clothes, blankets, towels to keep your breakables safe) Labels Markers Packing paper Packing tape Plastic tubs if you don’t want to use boxes Take pictures Do you have anything you need to disassemble that has a bunch of wires or cords such as electronics, computers, televisions? Be sure to take pictures of how these cords and wires are set up so when you move you won’t have to guess. When it’s time to start packing Little by little = alot Pack a little at a time. If you’re moving in a month or two and pack one box a day, you will be all packed before the big day! Plus waiting until the last moment can be overwhelming. Just work on all the “extra” stuff you don’t use that often and pack one room at a time. Another advantage of starting early is if you run out of packing supplies, you will have plenty of time to run out, get some more, and finish packing everything before the movers get there. If you’re not done packing and need help though, we can help with that too! Room by room It’s best to pack one room at a time, that way you won’t get overwhelmed or lose your focus. Just pack a couple of boxes each day and this will add up over time and get your ready for the big day. A good way to keep track of each room is to use a different color marker or a different color tape for each room and be sure to label all the boxes on multiple sides. Which box do I use? Remember that it’s best to pack heavier items in smaller boxes or add light stuff in boxes with heavy items. That way you won’t hurt yourself when you’re unpacking and moving boxes around later. If you have large boxes, pack lighter stuff in there like pillows and things that don’t weigh a lot. Be sure to use small boxes for any breakable items like electronics, glass or dishes and label the boxes FRAGILE. A good way to keep dishes safe is to add clothes or towels and dish rags around them for safe travels. Secure, Label, Organize Once your boxes are full, be sure to use plenty of tape to secure the tops and bottoms of the boxes. Label the boxes by room and if you have somewhere to start stacking everything (like a garage) that is helpful. Otherwise, just stack the boxes in the corner of each room where they will be easy to access on moving day. BEFORE YOUR MOVE Set a moving date Check your calendar and pick a date that works best for anyone moving or anyone helping you move. If you’re choosing a moving company, call them as far as advance as you can to get your moving date set. Seek pricing and quotes from reliable moving companies. Change your address Go to the post office or get online to change your address with the post office. Change your address on Amazon or any other delivery services you use and be sure to delete your old address so no deliveries are mistakenly delivered to your old home. If you have children, be sure to change your address with their school as well. Here are more places you may need to change your address: financial institutions, subscriptions, insurance, lawyer, online shopping, credit card accounts, employer for W-2 and tax reasons, property taxes, medical bills, social security, veterans affiars, IRS, voters registration. And be sure to get your address changed with the DMV on your drivers license and to cancel any local memberships you have like the gym or spa. Stop buying food and extra stuff When it’s about a week or so before you move, quit buying groceries so you don’t have to throw out a bunch of food. Even if you’re just moving in town, this will help cut down on stuff that you need to move in a cooler. If you have stuff you’re not sure you will eat but it’s not expired, donate it to a food pantry or local shelter. Set up utilities for your new home When you get to your new house, you don’t want to be moving in the dark or not having water to clean or cook. Be sure to set up any utilities you may need before your move in day such as Wifi, gas, electric, trash, water, satellite, cable, etc….. Don’t forget to also call these places for your old home and set a date to stop service so you don’t pay for two places at the same time and ask about any deposits or refunds you may be getting back. Pack a box for your first night When you get to your new home, you won’t be able to find a lot of stuff. That is why it’s a good idea to pack a first night box, or maybe even one for each room so you can find essentials, cleaning supplies and stuff you really need the first night or week in your new home. See our full list HERE. Stay organized If you’re moving across the country, you may need to keep checklists or reservations organized. Have a designated spot to keep any moving receipts (you can take these off your taxes). Designate a folder in your email to keep all the correspondence in case you need someone’s contact information later. Add moving deadlines to your calendar or the calendar or reminders in your phone to make sure you stay on track. If you’re moving out of state or moving across the country, plan your route and hotel stops in advance to ensure you have places to stay along the way. Make sure you get your car serviced so you can have a safe trip. Clean your home If you rent your home, you will probably need to clean it before you leave to get your deposit back. Or, you can utilize a cleaning service to do this after you leave. Appliances If you are moving any appliances on moving day, some of these may need to be prepared in advance for the trip. Unplug, empty out and defrost any refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers at least 1 day before your move. Leave the doors open to make sure all the condensation evaporates. Disconnect your washer and dryer. Remove light bulbs from lamps and store them in a secure box with adequate padding. MOVING DAY Snap a picture It’s not a necessary step, but a good idea to snap pictures of your home or apartment after the movers have the truck loaded. This way you have proof of the way the home was left in or any damage that may be there. Big boxes go first If you hire a moving company, they will pack the truck for you. But, if you pack your own truck, be sure to pack large items first such as beds and furniture. Then large boxes next. As you go, fill any smaller holes with smaller boxes. In most trucks, you will want to pack it to the ceiling to ensure you have plenty of room for everything to fit. Don’t just throw stuff in the truck or do it in a hurry or your stuff can shift and things could break. Plan the unload Since you’ve labeled all the boxes with which room stuff goes in, have the movers move each box to it’s corresponding room to save time later. Also ask the movers or friends that are helping you if they can set up any beds or move any heavy furniture into place before they leave. If you have heavy furniture, it may be a good idea to lay down some floor protectors the day before. AFTER YOUR MOVE After the last box is unloaded, it’s time to celebrate! You are officially in your new home! Now you can find the first night boxes you set aside, unpack those and relax to celebrate a job well done. Enjoy! Need a moving quote? Ron’s Moving specializes in out of state moves everywhere in the U.S.A. We also do in-state moves within the state of Arkansas. Give me a call today!
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How to Pack a First Night Box2/23/2023 How to Pack a First Night BoxDid you just purchase a new home and you’re starting to pack everything to begin the moving process? Are you wondering how you will find everything on your first night in your new home? Moving to a new home can be overwhelming but with a little planning, our first night moving box checklist should help. And trust me, you do not want to miss packing this box because depending on the size of your home and amount of your belongings, it could take weeks to unpack everything and you don’t want to be stressed looking for stuff you really need.
So what is a first night box? It’s a box or two of the essentials you will need for the first couple of days at your new house. I usually make one for every room for good measure, but one box or two could work if you don’t have that much stuff. This list will help keep your move stress free. The first thing to know about your first night box is to pack it in your car or truck, not the moving van. That way you will know exactly where it is upon arrival at your new home. Another thing is to label it with a bright colored tape or marker in large letters that says first night box bathroom or first night box cleaning supplies. If you’re flying or there’s no room in your vehicle for your first night box or boxes, just be sure to load them very last in the moving truck so they will be first out of the truck and the movers can set them aside somewhere for you to find first. Another great way to find your first night box easily is to pack it in a different type of box. For example, if you’re moving with cardboard boxes, put your first night box in a plastic tub or suitcase so it will be easy to identify. So, what do you put in your first night box or boxes? Here are some ideas to pack for your move. Another thing to do after looking over this list is to think of stuff you use everyday, from waking to going to bed. Nobody wants to be searching for their toothbrush or their dogs favorite toy the first day at their new home. CLEANING SUPPLIES Some homes are move in ready (yay!), but some need a little TLC. This is why we urge everyone to pack some basic cleaning supplies and a couple of basic tools in your first night box. Broom Box cutter or scissors Cleaning solution Dish Soap Dust Pan Hammer Light Bulbs Paper towels or cleaning rags Plastic Gloves Screwdriver Trash Bags Vaccuum BATHROOM There’s nothing that will stress you out more than moving all day and then not being able to find stuff to take a shower to wash off a long day. This is why it’s a great idea to pack your essential bathroom items in your first night box. Bath towels Conditioner Cosmetics Dental floss First aid kit Hair Dryer Hair Straightener or curler Shampoo Shower Curtain & shower curtain rings Soap Toilet paper Toothbrush Toothpaste Washrag or Loofa BEDROOM After a long day of moving, there’s nothing you want more than to fall right into bed. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a first night box for your bedroom. And most movers will set up your bed for you if you just ask (we always do this for our customers if they say it’s ok because getting sleep during moving in is critical to stay stress free.) Be sure to add a first night box to each additional person’s bedroom too. Air mattress (if you will arrive at your new home before your bed does) Air mattress pump (if needed) Blanket Clothes for a few days Fan or sound machine Mattress protector Pajamas Pillows Pillowcases Sheets PETS Bed Bones Crate Food Food and water dish Leash or harness Toys Treat FOOD If you bought or are renting a home, it will hopefully have a refrigerator that is already plugged up and running. But if not, think about if you will need to keep any food cold or research places to eat in your new city, which is also a great way to get to know your new neighborhood. Can opener Disposable dishes such as plates, forks, spoons and cups Easy to eat food and portable snacks such as peanut butter, chips, granola bars, beef jerkey, trail mix, crackers, etc…. Microwave Paper towels Sippy cups, bottles or bibs if you have children Water PERSONAL ITEMS Chargers for electronics Children’s tablets or books Children’s favorite toys Checkbooks and debit cars Electronics such as Ipad or laptop Extra batteries if anything you really need uses them Important documents or files you may need for your move (insurance policies, title documents) Medications and prescriptions CHILDREN Baby food or formula Bibs Blanket Bottles Carrier Clothing Pajamas Diapers Diaper wipes Pacifiers Sippy Cup Stroller Tablets Toys I hope this list helps keep your move stress free! Just be sure to make sure you either take these boxes in your own vehicle or pack them last on the moving truck so you can set them aside somewhere as soon as you get to your new home. If you need more moving tips, check out our blog. And if you’re moving out of state or in Arkansas, give me a call for a free quote.
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Packing Tips2/23/2023 Gather Supplies
Before you even begin packing up your home, you need to purchase or gather packing and moving supplies. If you don’t have time for this step, let us know and we can send them to you. Here’s a few things you will need: Boxes (you can buy these or get them from your local grocery or liquor store but cardboard boxes designed for moving really are the best way to keep everything safe in the truck) Bubble wrap or a dish pack kit and gas pack kit (you can also use clothes, blankets, towels to keep your breakables safe) Labels Markers Packing paper or newspaper Packing tape Tape dispenser for packing tape Plastic tubs if you don’t want to use boxes Stretch plastic wrap (if you skip this part, we always bring it and wrap all of your furniture anyways) Furniture pads (we will also bring these, but you are welcome to get extra just in case or use your own) Box cutter Take pictures Do you have anything you need to disassemble that has a bunch of wires or cords such as electronics, computers, televisions? Be sure to take pictures of how these cords and wires are set up so when you move you won’t have to guess. When it’s time to start packing The earlier you start packing, the better and easier it will be for you on moving day. The best thing is to start early by packing out of season items and stuff that you use infrequently. Little by little = a lot Pack a little at a time. If you’re moving in a month or two and pack one box a day, you will be all packed before the big day! Plus waiting until the last moment can be overwhelming. Just work on all the “extra” stuff you don’t use that often and pack one room at a time. Another advantage of starting early is if you run out of packing supplies, you will have plenty of time to run out, get some more, and finish packing everything before the movers get there. If you’re not done packing and need help though, we can help with that too! Room by room It’s best to pack one room at a time, that way you won’t get overwhelmed or lose your focus. Just pack a couple of boxes each day and this will add up over time and get your ready for the big day. A good way to keep track of each room is to use a different color marker or a different color tape for each room and be sure to label all the boxes on multiple sides. Which box do I use? Remember that it’s best to pack heavier items in smaller boxes or add light stuff in boxes with heavy items. That way you won’t hurt yourself when you’re unpacking and moving boxes around later. If you have large boxes, pack lighter stuff in there like pillows and things that don’t weigh a lot. Be sure to use small boxes for any breakable items like electronics, glass or dishes and label the boxes FRAGILE. A good way to keep dishes safe is to add clothes or towels and dish rags around them for safe travels. Be sure to also pad the bottom of each fragile box. Try to get each box as full as possible because they will be stacked in the moving truck. Another great way to ensure everything is moved safely is to pack in plastic bins with lids. Anything unbreakable items that are in a dresser doesn’t have to be packed in a box, we can just wrap the entire dresser up so the drawers stay in tact during your move. Secure, Label, Organize Once your boxes are full, be sure to use plenty of tape to secure the tops and bottoms of the boxes. Label the boxes by room and if you have somewhere to start stacking everything (like a garage) that is helpful. Otherwise, just stack the boxes in the corner of each room where they will be easy to access on moving day. If you have large items you have to take apart like furniture, be sure to take off the hardware, put it in a plastic bag, and secure it to that particular piece of furniture so you don’t lose it later on moving and re-assembly day. Items to pack in your own vehicle There are some items you may need on your trip, since you may not be moving at the same time as the moving van. Here are some suggestions of what to pack into your own vehicle and not the moving truck. Cash, credit cards, checkbooks Electronics and mobile chargers Family photos or heirlooms Important personal papers like deeds, wills, bonds, stocks, etc…. Insurance policies Mobile phone Moving documents or reservations Official ID or passport Photo albums Perishable food items or alcoholic beverages Prescriptions Sentimental items Toothbrush, shampoo, soap and personal items Valuable Jewelry or collections Non-allowable items Some items can be moved in your personal vehicle, but are not allowed to be moved on the interstate across state lines in a moving truck. Pack these items in a box and be sure to put them in your vehicle and not to be put in the moving van. These items include: Ammunition or gun powder Auto repair chemicals Chemicals or poison Firearms Fireworks Flammable or explosive items Gasoline Illegals items or substances Kerosene Lighter Fluid Live animals or plants Matches Nail Polish or nail polish remover Oxygen bottles Paint or paint thinner Propane tanks Radio pharmaceuticals |