Moving Tips

Golden Services LLC

Step-by-Step Guide to Make the Moving Process Less Stressful

Prior preparation makes your moving day go smoothly. While every move is unique, this step-by-step guide will assist you in the moving process. Our Golden Services LLC team is here to make your move easy. Contact us today to learn more and for a free quote.

Eight to 12 Weeks Before Your Move

Establish your preferred moving dates
Research your new community, find schools, and purchase or reserve your new home
Determine if your employer has a relocation package, if applicable

Six to Eight Weeks Before Your Move

Obtain estimates for your move
Determine the level of service you will need from your mover:
Will you pack your belongings or have them professionally packed?
Will short-term storage be needed between locations?
Will long-term storage be needed, if you are downsizing or going overseas?
Choose a moving company within six weeks of your move and notify them of your selection. Your mover will provide you with a moving plan, detailing pertinent dates, and financial obligations
Finalize real estate or rental needs
Work with your children’s current and new school to facilitate records transfer and classroom placement
Collect medical records for each family member. Ask for recommendations for doctors in your new community from doctors and friends
Review your belongings, now is a perfect time to donate or sell anything you don’t need. Remember to look in your attic, basement, storage shed, and garages
Use up perishable and hard-to-move items such as food, cleaning supplies, bulk items like paper towel and napkins
Donate any non-perishable items you wish to not move. Golden Services LLC is pleased to partner with the Move for Hunger foundation and will deliver your donations to the Salvation Army
Make a list of people to notify of your move, including friends, family, magazine subscriptions, creditors, and doctors
Inventory the items you plan to move, determining replacement values for insurance purposes

Three to Four Weeks Before Your Move

Arrange payment or deposit for moving company (timing of this is determined by your contract)
Arrange for childcare during moving day, and a few days leading up to moving day
Notify utilities (cable, phone, electricity, etc.) of your service shut off or transfer of ownership date
Contact your insurance provider, update contact information and coverage changes for your car, health, and homeowner / renter insurance policies
Make travel arrangements. If traveling via air, give yourself one to two days cushion to handle unexpected events
Purchase moving supplies, if packing yourself
Begin packing items you will not need day-to-day

Two Weeks Before Your Move

If you are driving to your new home, ensure your car is in good working order for a safe drive
Cancel or update your address with your local merchants:
Settle outstanding bills
Newspapers
Milk, vegetable, and other delivery services
Dry cleaners
Empty safe deposit boxes
Return library books and video rentals
Transfer any current prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home
If moving a lawn mower, edger or other power tools, drain the oil and gasoline prior to move
Complete change of address forms at the post office or online
Send change of address notifications to magazines, creditors, friends and family, alumni groups, and banks
Review the hazardous items list, and dispose of these items appropriately for your community
Update your address with your employer
Clean area rugs and have them packed for moving
Arrange for cleaning service or set aside cleaning supplies for post-move house cleaning

One Week Before Your Move

Provide contact phone numbers to your moving agent that will be used during the move
Finish packing boxes
Do a pre-move kitchen clean: empty and clean refrigerator and freezer, clean oven and stove, wipe out any empty cabinets
Confirm any travel arrangements
Separate the belongings you need daily or plan to move yourself (toiletries, clothes, jewelry, and important financial records and documents) from the belongings to be packed and moved by the moving company
Pack a “first-night” box: a box with everything you will need your first night in your new home. Linens, pillows, special loveys for the kids

Your Moving Day

Keep children and pets safe by having them cared for outside of your home during the move
Review with the mover the inventories and condition reports
Read both sides of the bill of lading and inventory list, verify address and phone numbers, sign it. Keep your copy in a safe place
When the truck is loaded, take a final tour of your home, making sure nothing is left behind. Double check closets, basement, attic, drawers, etc.
Lock windows, turn off lights and close the doors