The Moving Planner Blog

Two weeks ago I moved into my new apartment and had lots of fun assembling IKEA furniture and getting my stuff on-site. Now that the flat is furnished just marvelous, I’m enjoying it a lot. (However, it will get even better when I get my Internet connection set up Because of all that, I  decided to move into an apartment I can afford to rent on my own. For the sake of the curious, I’m documenting the move. (I’ll add stuff as I go along, but I’m pretty busy, so please be patient.)

Today, for the fun of it, I moved a bunch of stuff (Surprise, surprise). Mostly more kitchen stuff, and the food from the fridge. I also took some nice naps.

The following pictures show the great guys that helped me move in. Everything was so smooth and all my stuff came with no damage! Here is some pictures of the great people that moved me in: 

Step 1 - Planning

When you have made your decision and are sure you are going to move within the next two months, find a reliable moving company that will help you plan your move.You may think what does planning your move mean ? The answer depends on you. You may want to plan with the movers how to move the fragile objects, and where to put them in your new apartment. You may also want to plan the details of the moving hours (what will be moved, to where, how, and when).The planning  strictly depends on you.

Step 2 - Packaging

The packing process to me was a difficult task because it seemed endless. As a single guy  I had a huge mess in my apartment, and I didn’t know where to start. So I called up some experienced friends, and they told me to call the moving company I was using to help me through this messy crisis. I called the movers, and they told me:”The first step to moving is getting the right boxes”. Start by packing the things you need the least such as old clothes and furniture, and slowly move on to things that are needed but you can survive without them, till you move to your new home.

The major work starts when you get to fragile objects such as glass cups china and silverware. Before you start packing these fragile objects you must cover each cup, plate, and anything else that might break with paper(any paper),this is to make bumping in the box softer so that nothing cracks in the box. This is frustrating work because you must make sure that everything is covered with paper from all sides and is packed well into the box. 

When you already packaged everything in the house, the last part in the packaging process is the kitchen. Pack all your pots and food on the last day. Package your food well so it doesn’t spoil.      

Step 3 - Moving

On the day you move, make sure you go over the plan you made with the moving agent, and make sure the movers know it well. Make sure the movers see the fragile signs on the boxes, and that they place them on top of the other boxes so their fragile content stays whole. Also make sure that the movers are working efficiantly and are on schedule. All you have to do now is set up your new apartment, and enjoy it.     

 EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
Begin an inventory of all household goods.
Solicit estimates from several moving companies.
Contact your insurance agent, and ask them about your homeowners policy to determine whether your possessions are cove when moving.
Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts.
Arrange to transfer child(ren)’s school records.
Choose a mover. 
 
SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.
Fill out post-office change of address cards.
Send your new address to anyone that might need it — insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.
Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
 
FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
For self moves, reserve a truck or trailer. Obtain necessary moving supplies: boxes, twine, labels, etc. 
Start packing!!
If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins.
Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.
Begin to use up overstocks of staple foods.
Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.
Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.
 
THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home.
Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer.
Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
Arrange for child care on moving day.
If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
 
TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Arrange to move pets.
Check with mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move plants.)
Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.
If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.
 
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE
Transfer all bank accounts.
Cancel newspaper delivery.
Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.
Buy traveler’s checks.
Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.
  
TWO DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Have mover pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).
Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
Set aside valuable items to carry with you including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.
 
MOVING DAY
Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished.
Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods.
Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it.
Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory.
Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.
Give the driver directions to your new home.
Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move.
 
DELIVERY DAY
Be on hand to answer any questions and give directions.
You must pay the driver before your goods can be unloaded. This is a Federal requirement for interstate moves.
Supervise unloading and unpacking.
Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.
Note on the inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage to unboxed items before you sign anything. 
 

HAPPY MOVING!

This category will help you to answer “What should you look for when moving house?” (A)  In terms of the “mover” or “moving company” (B) Watch out for those “little things” you tend to forget.

The perfect moving company 

Ask yourself how the perfect moving company should be:

1. I’m not going to have anything like the moves I had before!  
2. Is this company worth every penny?
3.  Are they professional and friendly?
4. Flatrate they promised was exactly what I paid
5. cares for my furniture and does not screwed up on the day of the move
6.  I didn’t pay a cent more than what we agreed on
7. the trucks are clean and stylish looking and most important
8. My furniture arrived in one piece
9. Ask friends if they used them in the past and will use them again?
10. Are they coming on time? Would they leave you in the middle of work?
11. How many years are they in business?
12. What would they do with challenging set of stairs, or unexpected situations?
13. Abundantly clear moving team has well established procedures & training
14. Are they licensed?
15. I can move without my husband! Movers will take care for the details.
16.  Can I get stress free, piece of mind move?
17.  Mover not only move me but packed the apartment as well
18.  Boxes are clean and placed in the correct rooms at the new location
19. They pay for they broke!
20. Some moving companies send teams that are scary - Are they?
21.  Am I trust the team and not be worried things will be stolen? 
22. Are team prepared for any exceptionally bad, or rainy weather? 
23. They have clean record and no complains in Better Business Bureau reports: Perfect moving company report ; Terrible moving company report 1 ; Terrible moving company report 2