Monday, May 30, 2016

Spring Cleaning Tips – Make Your Move Easy:

clean house


It’s spring, and that means it’s time to do some spring cleaning.

March 20th marked the official first day of spring – though some of us in New England are a little hesitant to say winter is officially over.
Just because we aren’t sure about the weather doesn’t mean we can’t start our Spring cleaning!clean house 
At Olympia we think that feeling organized is one of the best feelings, just come by and look at our weekly checklists. What some people underestimate is how helpful pre- and post-move cleaning / organizing can actually be, so we thought it would be a great idea to go over some quick tips to start your spring off fresh.

PRE-MOVE CLEANING:

Before you begin packing you’ll want to evaluate if you can downsize. Moving can be pricey, so why pay to move something you don’t need anymore? You’ll also want to take your new space into account. If your new place is smaller, you may be forced to part with some furniture.
Doing a deep clean before you list will be sure to make your listing photos shine and appeal to more buyers. If that seems like a lot of work you can even bring in the professionals to do the cleaning for you.

POST-MOVE CLEANING:

Unfortunately not everyone is a good neighbor when they move, so there’s a good chance that there will be some unwanted items in your new home.
Give yourself a fresh start!
Rather than push past residents’ memorabilia to the depths of the basement, why not get rid of them so you never have to worry about it again? A lot of cleaning companies offer deals for pre or post move cleaning and you may be able to find a deal by doing a quick search in your area. 

WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS EXTRA STUFF?

There are so many options when it comes to getting rid of unwanted items. Instead of throwing your things in the trash, consider donating your unwanted items to local organizations. There are a number of organizations looking for different types of goods but make sure you check their website for restrictions on what can and cannot be accepted so

OK, BUT HOW DO I KEEP MY HOME THIS TIDY?

One of my favorite wind-down activities is going through my belongings once a month and making a decision about how necessary they are. You don’t have to be moving to tidy your home and feel more organized – We love this list of 50 items to remove from your home today from our friends at Ditch The Clutter!
If you think you’ll have a harder time staying on top of things you may want to consider professional help from a company like Flying Prince. Flying Prince is a full service, green, cleaning company that aims to provide top of the line service at an affordable rate while looking out for the environment. What better way to start off your spring than with a company that provides cleaning, organizing services, and recycling/compost programs?

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Checklists to Help You Move

Checklists come in very handy in a move. With all the things going on inside and outside your head, who can remember everything? To make sure you stay organized and on track, we've created moving checklists of things to do to help you move. Use them online or print them out - either way you'll have a complete list of moving tasks.

1.  Packing Supply Shopping List

Starting off on the right foot helps in a move. We'll set you on the right path by arming you with all you need so you won't have to keep making time-wasting trips out to get supplies. To determine what supplies you need for your move, check out the article on Packing Supplies, then fill out the quantity of each item before you start to shop. More »

2.  Change of Address Checklist

Here is an area where it's very easy to forget something. When moving, it's important to remember all the ways you rely on the postal service to get the information you need, whether it's bills or a favorite magazine. And to help you keep up-to-date and in contact with everybody, use this change of address checklist to ensure the people you need to stay-in-touch with are notified of your upcoming move.More »

3.  Checklist of Questions to Ask the Movers

This checklist will help you when you are looking for the right movers for the job. This is an important decision, so don't just go with the first name in the yellow pages! Print several copies of this question list and use it each time you call a moving company to inquire about your move. More »

4.  Checklist of Things to Pack in the Essentials Box

It's hard to get a new house organized and "user-friendly" in the first day after moving. It usually takes some time before you settle into your new place. But life goes on, and you still need to eat, drink, sleep, wash up, etc. before you are fully settled in. Use this list to collect all general household supplies you'll need for the first couple of days in your new home. If you'll be moving to another city or state, and the movers won't be arriving for a week or more, then you should consider packing more than what's suggested below. Think about everything you use on a daily basis and pack accordingly.
Also check out a related article on how to prepare an essentials box. More »

5.  Things You Need to Do to Move Overseas

International moving is difficult. There are so many extra tasks you need to do to prepare to move that it's often difficult to keep track. In addition to everything else a regular move entails, there are many other things that are not day-today concerns. Moving to another country requires additional planning ahead. Immigration documentation, health papers, taxes - you get the idea. It's a long list. If you're moving overseas, use this checklist as a guide to help you through a complicated move. More »


6.  School Records Checklist

One of the things most often forgotten is the school documentation of the children. You will want to effect the transition of your child with as little disruption as possible. Children are excited in a move and will not remember to do the essentials. It will fall to you to make sure you have their records ready to go. Your child will no doubt be more focused on setting up his or her room, and exploring the new home and neighborhood! Use this checklist to make sure all educational bases are covered. More »

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Top 15 Places To Live In The United States:

As Americans, we are lucky. As every third grader knows, our nation includes every landscape, every culture and so, so many choices.
Most moves are pretty much pre-determined. People move to specific places for jobs or for family, but what happens when you don’t know where to go? With rapidly rising Bay Area real estate prices, people are either being driven out of their homes or they are deciding to cash in and move where the cost of living is cheaper.
Every year, Livability.com rates cities as the best (and worst) places to live. They ranked cities that were between 20,000 and 350,000, so no tiny towns and no huge cities. The cities were ranked based on amenities, demographics, economy, education, health care, housing, social issues, transportation and infrastructure.
Here are the cities:
Fargo_Theatre_-_FargoFargo, North Dakota. They have a low unemployment rate and a cheap cost of living. The median home price is just $157,900.
US-KS-OverlandPark-2005-11-21T214307Overland Park, Kansas. They have a low crime rate and a great economy.
SONY DSC
Ft. Collins, Colorado. If you love the outdoors, legal pot and a casual culture, Ft. Collins could be the place for you.
Central_Park_San_Mateo_CASan Mateo, California. Okay, this one is right in our backyard. In fact, it literally is our backyard, but as you know, the economy is strong, there’s a lot to do and there are tons of jobs. There is a reason the cost of living is so high. People love it.
Walnut_Creek_view_from_Acalanes_Open_SpaceWalnut Creek, California. Clean, great schools, great outdoor activities. Again, in our backyard.
Sioux_Falls-waterfallSioux Falls, South Dakota. Lots to do and cheap housing.
Old_Capitol_Iowa_City_2013Iowa City, Iowa. It’s a college town with great primary schools and a surprising cultural life.
Ann_Arbor_E_Liberty_StAnn Arbor, Michigan. Another college town that’s very culturally rich.
Bismark,_ND_CapitolBismarck, North Dakota. Cheap housing, great healthcare, lots of outdoor activities. The winters can be tough, though.
1280px-Fraternal_Hall_Building,_140_University_Ave.,_Palo_Alto,_CA_5-27-2012_2-56-35_PMPalo Alto, California. We know.
BouldercoloradoBoulder, Colorado. A great college town, but best for liberals. Boulderites enjoy the outdoors like no one else. There’s skiing, rock climbing, miles and miles of serious hiking, and don’t forget, you can relax with a microbrew and, if you so desire, a legal joint.
Aerial-SantaBarbaraCA10-28-08Santa Barbara, California. The only city in the southern part of our state. What’s not to love about Santa Barbara? Beautiful people, beautiful beaches and beautiful architecture.
The_Red_Gym_from_the_TerraceMadison, Wisconsin. The capital of Wisconsin is an oasis for liberals in a conservative state. As a college town, Madison is cultured and educated.
1280px-Bellevue,_WA_-_Downtown_Park_02Bellevue, Washington. Best known for outdoor activities, although the cost of living is high.
Roch_nightRochester, Minnesota. Rochester was ranked the best city for 2015. it’s a city on the rise. It’s home to the Mayo Clinic and the general quality of life is very high. Again, though, the weather.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

5 Tricks for Moving Furniture:

That's me. And that's my credenza. which probably weighs in somewhere around 300 pounds, maybe more. I'm not kidding — it's a monster. And I weigh about 105 wet. But I was able to move it from one end of the room to the other without breaking much of a sweat and without ending up in the hospital or with residual back pain. How'd I do it? I have a few tricks up my skinny arms.
  • Slide don't lift: Unless it's a small piece of furniture, slide it across the room. Most of us don't know how to lift things properly and though we may end up with a beautiful room, we also end up with a bad back. If you do have to lift something, use your legs not your arms and shoulders and keep your back relatively straight.
  • Use towels and cardboard: Try slipping something underneath your furniture's legs. Instead of lifting the piece to do this, rock your piece forward or backwards slightly to slide the material underneath the legs. The furniture will move easily across the room. On carpet, try smooth cardboard; on bare floors, towels or dishrags are a good bet.
  • Magic Sliders are my favorite go to product. I converted to these a few years ago at the suggestion of my friends at Koontz Hardware. Now I put them on all of my furniture as soon as I get it (instead of using felt pads). Though they're significantly more expensive than the felt pads, they have them beat by a mile for many reasons: they're durable and they make even the heaviest pieces of furniture slip across the room like the Three Stooges on a banana peel.
  • Push or Pull: While it seems natural to push a heavy piece, I've actually found pulling to be more effective than pushing on certain pieces of furniture. Place an arm on either side of a piece of furniture and, with your feet a few inches away and using your arms as a brace, lower your body as if you were going to sit, then scooch backwards.
  • Empty everything out of it first: Most of us forget to do this and try to move everything when it's all loaded up. Take the time to empty your furniture out. Not only will it make it lighter, it'll prevent something from falling out accidentally and creating a big mess.
What I Learned from a Pro about Moving Heavy Furniture

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Interstate Moving Services: Oregon and Washington:

If you live in Oregon or Washington and are interested in relocating to the Bay Area, or vice versa, then you have come to the right place. Sunnyvale Movers  Inc. is your one-stop company for all your interstate moving services. We have the resources, network and expertise to ensure that your relocation becomes an enjoyable experience irrespective of where you would want to settle in California or move to in another state.
We will provide you with comprehensive relocation services through our top notch and flexible approach that ensures a quick and seamless relocation that will allow you to focus on other issues while we focus on moving your belongings.
Here are some of the reasons why you should let us do your Interstate Moving for you.
Wide range of services
We have a vast array of solutions whether or not your relocation is complex or simple; we are flexible and can adapt quickly to your unique needs. Our comprehensive range of services will ensure that we can be able to accommodate a wide range of needs. Whether it is residential or corporate relocation, we have the required expertise to handle all the details associated with each type of relocation. In addition, you can choose your level of involvement during the relocation. The following are some of the types of relocation services that we offer:
  • Residential Relocation – We can relocate you and your entire family along with your all your household items
  • Industrial Relocation – We can help you move your entire industrial assets including any of your warehouses that might be full of equipment and Interstate Moving Services: Oregon and Washington
machines
  • Business Relocation – If you own a business that has multiple locations, have no worry because we are capable of moving each location.
  • Office Relocation – If you have an office, we can move all of your office equipment and furniture no matter the size of your office and the number of employees.
Straight forward pricing
At Sunnyvale Movers, we understand that moving from one state to another can be a very stressful experience. That is why we have ensured that you will not be left guessing how much your relocation will cost you. Upon contacting our sales associates, we will provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate for all moving services pertinent to your needs. Our pricing policy revolves around:
  • Moving Estimate – Our pricing policy is transparent, and there are no hidden costs. Our sales associates are always ready to explain to you how we arrived at your moving estimate should you require it.
Professional packing/unpacking services
Our relocation services also include professional packing and unpacking services. Unlike other moving companies that may outsource packing services, we have highly trained professional packers working for our company. They will carefully pack your belongings according to your instructions and arrange them in specially designed crates and boxes. You will save time and money by using our packing/unpacking services.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Hire Movers or Beg Friends? 3 Ways to Decide Who’ll Get Packing

Chris Craymer/Getty Images
It’s the week before your move, and the situation has gone DEFCON 3 in your house. And things are veering closer and closer to DEFCON 1. You’ve run out of boxes twice, full rolls of packing tape are a distant memory, and every drawer in your home feels like a vortex of packing misery.
In between frantically dragging your unwanted gear to the curb and trying to use socks as precious-items packing material, you realize you’ll never get all this stuff out of here in time on your own. You’re going to need help. But do you break down and call in the pros or beg your friends?
Before you decide (or curl up in a corner, assume a fetal position, and stare catatonically at the walls), try weighing these three factors:

1. Distance

“The longer the move the harder it becomes, so we always recommend professionals for long-distance moves,” says Jan Reid, CEO of All Over Movers in Oklahoma City, OK.
If you’re moving to a new city or across state lines, a lot can go wrong. If the truck is packed incorrectly, for example, you’ll have several risky miles where your stuff could get damaged. That is, if you even get there.
“Rented trucks can break down, and that’s a hassle to deal with,” Reid says. “Moving companies have backup trucks that can come meet the broken-down truck without much time lost during the move.”

2. Time

If you’re moving locally, you should also evaluate how much time you have to spend moving.
If you’re pressed for time, professionals might make more sense.
“A move that could take a professional moving company two hours could easily take nonprofessionals all day to accomplish,” Reed says.
If you have a full day—or ideally a full weekend—to move, you can save some money and ask your friends for help. Sure, there are going to be arguments discussions about how to load the truck and your friends are probably going to take several breaks to complain chat, but in the end it might even be fun. (OK, at least cheaper.)

3. Skill sets

Moving isn’t just about carrying boxes. Take an honest look at what skills your friends are bringing to the table and see if they match your moving job.
For example, if you don’t have much furniture (or much furniture you care about), you might not need a pro. But if you do own a lot of furniture or complicated-to-assemble pieces, your friends (especially the good-hearted but clumsy ones) might not be the best choice to get the job done.
“Anytime you are dismantling and mantling furniture, it’s good to have a professional that does that kind of thing every day,” Reid says.
Also consider logistics. Will your friends be able to get your stuff out of your old place and into your new one?
“Stairs make a move a lot more challenging,” Reid says. “And so does large furniture, because a lot of nonprofessionals run into trouble when they have to get large furniture through difficult doorways.”

When to compromise

If you’re on a tight budget but also worried your friends will break everything, there may be a compromise. Rather than pay for a full-service move, hire a professional for the worst, most grueling part.
“Loading is really most difficult and important part of the move,” Reid says.
And many pros are willing to come out and help you load a rental truck for a modest fee. Maybe you’ll still want to tap your friends for the unloading part. After all, they’re still your friends, right? At least for one more move.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Two Month Moving Planner:

Moving can be overwhelming. Mayflower is committed to making the process as simple and painless as possible. That’s why we put together this complete checklist for moving to help walk you through the details, step by step. Our comprehensive moving checklist covers everything from moving companies to utilities and packing.

8 Weeks Out: Gather Estimates & Determine Your Moving Needs

  • Get moving quotes.|You can schedule an appointment with your local Mayflower agent to visually survey your home and prepare an estimate. Generally, a professional mover can provide a more accurate estimate of space requirements than a layperson. This helps you avoid moving day surprises that may arise from under-estimating your needed space. Keep in mind that you must show the agent everything that is to be moved for an accurate estimate. Estimates that don’t account for stored items in the attic, basement, storage units or garage, for example, will likely be increased to reflect actual space and weight requirements if the additional items are to be included in the move.
     
  • Decide whether you will pack yourself.Professional moving services like Mayflower offer packing services, if you prefer to have some or all of it done for you. Your agent will answer any questions you may have about packing services.
     
  • When do you need your boxes to arrive?Will your belongings go door to door, or do you need to park them in storage temporarily before taking receipt of them? Ask your agent about delivery options.
     
  • Is your company paying for the move?Before finalizing your moving contract, be sure to refer to your company’s moving policy to determine any limitations on reimbursable services. For example, they may cover moving but not packing services.

7 Weeks Out: Selecting and Contracting a Moving Service

  • Read the fine print.
    Carefully review contract terms and liability for any contract. For Mayflower, be sure you understand the extent of carrier liability as outlined in your paperwork.
  • Simplify your moving process.
    Ask your agent about MyMayflower, your personalized move planner. In your MyMayflower portal, you can view your contracts and have on-demand access to tools designed to simplify your move.

    Your MyMayflower page also lists contact details for your assigned move coordinator. Your move coordinator is available to answer your questions and provide moving tips; be sure to keep his or her name and number handy throughout your move.
     
  • Commit to a moving service.Sign your estimate and book your service after careful review. Still have questions? Ask your move coordinator. Mayflower is here to help you every step of the way.
  • Lock in your moving date.It may be hard to believe, but moving dates go fast around here, so if your date is available, be sure to pin it down while you can. When booking your move, it’s a good idea to re-confirm your date and moving plan for safety.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Utilities Companies and All Service Providers 

  • Establish your mail forwarding.You can easily complete a Change of Address form online at the United States Postal Service website. You can choose the start date of mail forwarding in advance, so this is easy to get out of the way early on. 
  • Review your personal accounts.Go through your personal accounts, including banks, insurance providers, credit cards, magazine subscriptions, alumni networks, professional organizations and other entities that should be informed of your change of address. 
  • Contact utilities companies.Set a date to disconnect your utilities. If possible, arrange to have them shut off the day after moving day. 
  • Reach out to your personal network.Notify friends and family of your new address via email or snail mail. 
  • Notify your professional services contacts.Notify doctors, lawyers, accountants and any business associates who need to be made aware of your move. You may wish to request copies of medical or legal records before moving.  Speak with your insurance providers to be sure you have adequate coverage during your move. 
  • Order your moving supplies.
    Read our overview of moving supplies and start thinking about what you will need to have on hand.

5 Weeks Out: Lighten your load ─ toss, sell or give away what you can 

  • Get organized.Start going through room by room to determine what is worthy of making the move with you. What would be easier to just get rid of? 
  • Start sorting.For everything you don’t plan on keeping, you can generally sort it into three categories:
    • Trash (little or no value)
    • Donation or Garage sale (for used items with generally lower value)
    • Re-sale (for new, like-new and higher value items that you may not want to donate) 
  • Items to be tossed.For trash, explore recycling options, particularly for older electronic items such as non-working computers, old cell phones, old eyeglass frames…even ink cartridges and batteries. Some of these items can be recycled for cash. Be sure you appropriately dispose of any hazardous materials or electronics. 
  • Items to be donated.For donation, choose your favorite charity to support. An easy option is bulk bagging everything to drop off at your local Goodwill. If you choose to donate to a charity, don’t forget to get a receipt to demonstrate the value of your donations for tax deduction purposes. 
  • Items to be sold.If you are going to have a garage sale, you can combine the lower value and higher value items you may not want to hang on to. If your selection seems a bit sparse, consider asking neighbors if any of them would like to pitch in for a combined garage sale that might be more attractive to potential buyers.
    If you don’t want to bother with a garage sale, you can post your items for sale online or go through re-sale boutiques. This is best for new, like-new and higher value items.

4 Weeks Out Moving Checklist: Confirmations and cars

  • Check for any change of plans.Has there been a change in the items you plan on moving? A change in dates? Be sure to update your moving agent. 
  • Check in with your agent or move coordinator.Reconfirm that your agent has your destination address and the phone numbers where you can be reached. 
  • Review the origination-to-destination plan.Will there be any additional stops to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup and delivery points? If so, confirm that this is reflected on your personal moving planner. 
  • Confirm auto transports.Is your car being moved? Do you need to drive it to a loading site for auto transport? How about drop off at the destination location ─ you’ll want to confirm where that is. If you have any questions about this process, or where you need to go, consult with your move coordinator. 
  • If driving, plan your trip.Will you be driving? Be sure to have your car properly serviced before the trip. You don’t want a fan belt to break in the middle of nowhere.

3 Weeks Out Moving Checklist: Prepare friends, family and belongings

  • Visit your local spots.Take your family to visit and say goodbye to your favorite local places that hold happy memories. 
  • Let your kids say their goodbyes.Plan a small going-away party or get together for your children and their friends. 
  • Say your goodbyes.Consider having a casual dinner or barbeque to say farewell to your own friends and colleagues. 
  • Make travel plans.Make family travel plans (if you haven’t already). Verify hotel room and airline ticket reservations. If you’re traveling with a pet, be sure your accommodations allow for four-legged friends. 
  • Plan for your trip and first night in your new home.Think about which items your family will want to have with them during your move and on your first night in your new home (see first night box info). Make sure to set these items aside so they don’t end up packed at the bottom of the moving van where you can’t get to them. 
  • Begin packing.Are you packing yourself? Now is a good time to start packing some of your family’s less frequently-used items such as books and out of season clothes. You will appreciate having a head start on packing as your moving date nears. Read our packing tips and pack carefully to keep potential damage to a minimum. 
  • Prepare fabrics.Clean rugs and draperies. Leave them wrapped when they come back from the cleaners; this will keep them clean until they reach your new home. 
  • What not to do.Do not clean upholstered furniture before moving. The moisture from cleaning could leave furniture vulnerable to mold during periods of storage. 
  • Get appraisals.Have antiques, artwork and expensive collections appraised before the move and get the estimated value in writing.  Avoid treating wooden antiques and fine wood furniture with wax, oils or polishes before moving, as some such products may soften the wood, leaving it at risk to damage (even from protective packing such as soft furniture pads). 
  • Prepare appliances.Moving with major appliances? Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment, or have your Mayflower agent recommend someone who is authorized to perform this service.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for pets and overlooked items 

  • Coordinate your pet’s move.Reconfirm travel plans for pets. Will you need to board them or leave them with friends? 
  • Take your pet to the vet.Take your pets to their veterinarian to be sure you have all required health certificates and inoculations required for your destination state. 
  • Don’t forget to pick up items from servicers.Pick up anything you’ve had cleaned, repaired, altered or serviced. 
  • Retrieve locker items.Empty lockers at places such as the club, gym, dance studios, sports training facilities or bowling alleys. 
  • Empty safe deposit boxes.
    Do you have wall safes or hidden places for valuables throughout your house? Don’t leave thousands of dollars worth of valuables in a wall for the next occupant to find. 
  • Return borrowed items.Be sure to return library books, schoolbooks and anything you may have borrowed from friends or neighbors. 
  • Connect with your move coordinator.Reconfirm all details with your move coordinator.

1 Week To Go: Last minute details 

  • Prepare your appliances.Be present when the appliance service representative arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment. 
  • Check in with your move coordinator.If you have any questions, reach out to your move coordinator. Go through your moving plan with him or her to confirm accuracy of all details. 
  • Finalize packing.If you are doing your own packing, be sure that everything is ready to go before moving day. 
  • Double check you’re appropriately handling non-allowables.Many common household items are on our list of non-allowablesHave you reviewed this list and made a plan for safe disposal of flammable substances? Non-allowables include items such as cleaning fluids, matches, fireworks, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, weed killer, gasoline, paint, bleach, propane tanks and anything that is flammable, combustible or stored in a container that is likely to leak. Be sure to follow proper disposal guidelines as these hazardous substances pose a threat to the water supply.

1 Day Away: The final countdown 

  • Note fragile items.Point out to the movers any extra-fragile items that need special attention. If certain items should not be packed or moved, be sure they are clearly marked with permanent marker. Ideally, these should be set to the side, separate from other boxes. 
  • Label your “Load Last” items.Clearly label any items or boxes you will want first when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.). These should also be segregated from other boxes, to avoid being loaded by mistake. Your movers should have “Load Last” labels for you to use. 
  • Unplug any electronic appliances.Be sure to unplug appliances 24 hours prior to the move so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes computers and audio/video equipment.

Moving Day Checklist: Paperwork and details 

  • Plan to be on site to see your boxes loaded.
    Remain close by until the truck is fully loaded. After making a final tour of your house, check and sign the inventory. The van operator will give you a copy of it; it is important that you keep this safe. 
  • Moving day paperwork will include: 
  • High-Value Inventory Form: this form states whether or not items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment. 
  • Bill of Lading / Freight Bill: this form states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved. It is also your receipt for the shipment, so be sure to keep this someplace secure. 
  • Keep all moving documents in a secure location.
    You may need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your tax returns. 
  • Verify your new address with your driver.Double check that the van operator has the correct destination address. 
  • Be sure the driver has your contact information.
    Ensure your driver has all contact info ─ including phone numbers ─ so you can be reached if needed prior to the arrival of your belongings. 
  • Before you leave, take a final look around. Confirm:

    • Is everything shut off (water, furnace, A/C, lights)?
    • Are the windows and doors all closed and locked?
    • Do you need to leave your house keys somewhere?

Delivery Day Checklist 

  • Be present to accept delivery of your belongings.
    If you are unable to be there yourself, you will need an authorized representative to accept delivery and pay any charges on your behalf. 
  • Be available.On the day of delivery, the driver will contact you by phone and may just stop by if he or she is unable to reach you. If no one is available to accept delivery of your belongings within the free waiting time (typically two hours), you may request additional time. 
  • Check your items.If you see a noticeable change in the condition of your property as it is unloaded, note these discrepancies on the inventory. By signing the inventory copy, you acknowledge receipt and condition of all items listed. 
  • Direct the movers with your belongings.Your furniture will be placed according to your direction. This includes laying rugs and setting up beds. However, if you would like your mattresses to be unpacked or have appliances installed, ask your move coordinator if these services are included ahead of time. If they are not, your move coordinator can arrange for this as an additional service. 
  • Have a floor plan drawn.If possible, have a floor plan of your new home available to help the movers understand where you want each piece of furniture to go.

After the Move Checklist: Settling in

  • Check with the post office.If you’re not immediately receiving mail, check with your new post office to see if mail has been held for you.
     
  • Get your driver’s license and your vehicles registered.Start the process to obtain your auto registration and a new driver’s license.
     
  • Find a local attorney.Consider finding an attorney to review laws that may be different from your prior city, county or state. You should ask about wills, investments, insurance, taxes, etc.