AMANDA SEARLE
just breath...
Let’s get you moved and in an organized fashion of course!
L O W B A L L Q U O T E
Some moving companies may deliberately provide a low quote to get customers in the door but then charge a significantly higher price and withhold the customer’s possessions until the higher amount is paid If an original price quote seems too good to be true, it probably is Get multiple quotes from different companies to understand the typical cost to hire movers in your area, and make sure your moving contract covers all aspects of the moving process in your total price
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A common moving scam is when a moving company asks you to sign a blank contract or fails to provide any kind of contract. Never sign a blank contract or hand over any money without seeing the full moving contract. The point of a contract is to clearly outline all of the services the moving company plans to provide. Without a signed agreement, you can’t guarantee what your moving company will do or charge during your move.
L A C K O F I N S U R A N C E
Make sure your moving company has adequate moving insurance coverage to protect your belongings during the move. A trustworthy moving company will protect your property in case of an accident, which is why lack of insurance is a surefire sign of a moving scam. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, interstate movers must offer two different liability options referred to as valuation coverage: full value protection and released value. Full value protection means the moving company is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment. Released value coverage only holds movers accountable for $0.60 per pound per item. If a moving company refuses to share documentation that outlines what kind of insurance they provide, it’s time to move on to another moving company
N E G O T I A T I N G T H E P R I C E A F T E R P I C K U P
Moving scammers may try to re-negotiate the cost of your move after picking up your belongings, claiming there are additional costs due to the scope of the job or other fictional reasons. That’s why it’s essential to have a detailed contract that covers all of the services your movers will handle and the price of each task. Keep a copy of your contract to reference in case your movers try to add additional charges to your invoice. A V O I D M O V I N G S C A M S
R E Q U I R I N G A M O V I N G D E P O S I T
A common moving scam is to require a deposit, usually cash, to lock in the company’s business. Reputable movers will not require cash or large deposits for a move payment is typically required upon delivery of your belongings. When you hand over a cash deposit ahead of the move, you have no way of getting the money back if your movers cancel or damage your belongings. Use a credit card to pay for your move after the drop-off to provide an additional layer of protection.
C H A N G I N G B U S I N E S S N A M E
Some untrustworthy movers will constantly change their business name to avoid getting caught by the Better Business Bureau and authorities. If your moving company doesn’t have a website or answers the phone without sharing its business name, that’s a red flag Ask to see the mover’s business license to ensure they comply with state and federal mover regulations
L A C K O F O N L I N E P R E S E N C E
It’s essential to research potential moving companies before choosing one for your move Scroll through each company’s website and check for any online reviews to get a sense of how happy previous companies were with the company’s service. If a moving company has no online presence, proceed with caution. This position could imply the company is trying to stay hidden or avoid negative reviews online. A V O I D M O V I N G S C A M S
Source: Chamber of Commerce
9 THINGS TO DO BEFORE MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME
L O C K S
Change the locks on the exterior doors
Some Home Warranty companies offer this as a service (if you received one with your purchase.) As soon as the closing is over and you’ve gotten the keys to your house, either buy and install new lock sets or have a locksmith come to the house to switch them out. Let’s face it, the previous owners, Realtors, maintenance folks and who knows who else are all likely to have keys to your place. For some peace of mind and as a necessary step in making this house yours, get new locks installed immediately.
D E E P C L E A N I N G
Get the house cleaned up. While many folks will leave the house clean for you, some won’t Even if they do, you’ll want to clean everything for yourself. You can hire a service to do this or you can do it yourself. If you do it yourself, set up an area with the supplies +tools you’ll need to get the job done: buckets, brooms, mops, a vacuum, cleaners for each type of surface etc. Washing down cabinets, counters and plumbing fixtures and cleaning the carpeting etc. will make you feel good about the house. And don’t forget a healthy supply of rubber gloves No sense ruining that manicure!
P A I N T I N G
Paint all the walls and ceilings This can be really time consuming, so you’ll probably want to hire professionals if you can. There’s no point in just slapping up a coat of paint if the walls and ceilings are damaged if they have cracks, holes and other defects. Prepping these surfaces can be a real chore. So unless you have a relative or two who can help, save yourself a lot of time and just hire someone.
9 THINGS TO DO BEFORE MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME
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T O R G A N I Z E D
Get some organizers Many older houses suffer from closets that have a simple pole and shelf (if that). Look at where you’ll store what and get the closets outfitted to accommodate everything, to make moving in less stressful and your life in the new house more enjoyable. And don’t just look at the closets. Think about where you’ll put everything, from winter boots to laundry detergent. A wellplaced extra shelf, coat hook etc. will go a long way toward making the house that much easier to live in.
C H A N G E O F A D D R E S S
Although it’s important to make sure you officially change your address with relevant businesses, it’s also important to update your friends and relatives Send around a text message or email notifying people of your new address +phone number. It’s best to do this as early possible, so you don’t have to rely on the new tenants/owners of your old home to forward your mail. Notify the post office immediately of your new address and then contact businesses and government bodies individually and promptly to make sure your mail is going to the correct place.
S W I T C H P L A T E S
Install new switch plates and other devices
Many older houses, especially those that have undergone a series of renovations, will have mismatched outlets, dirty and discolored cover plates, and rusted or damaged air vent covers. Replacing all of these helps create a newness to a home feel and, understandably, cleaner. While switching out a cover plate takes nothing more than a small screwdriver, bear in mind that replacing electrical devices isn’t necessarily a good DIY project unless you’re really comfortable working with electricity.
9 THINGS TO DO BEFORE MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME
M E C H A N I C A L E Q U I P M E N T
Have the mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced. Do this as soon as you buy the house. Getting the heating and cooling systems cleaned and other routine tasks done is important as is getting a service contract so if the system stops working in the depths of winter, you’ll not have to overpay to get a technician to come to your home
You may have good luck asking our new neighbors which company they have found to be reputable and attentive for this work. It’s also a great way to meet the neighbors.
W I N D O W T R E A T M E N T S
Install window treatments. Whether you have these custom made or you go for some inexpensive and temporary shades, you’ll want to get something on your windows both for privacy and that finishing touch.
C H I L D R E N + P E T S
Make sure you’ve thought about what young children +pets will do on the day. It can be handy to ask a friend or family member to help out so you can focus on organizing the move.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS LIST
6
PLAN
Get estimates for movers or rental truck
Schedule movers or rental truck
Determine furniture layout for new home
Make inventory of household items
Arrange for school transfer
Ask for doctor and dental referrals; arrange for transfer of medical and dental records
Change-of-addresses
Clean out all closets and drawers
4
Get packing supplies: boxes, packing pa markers
Use up or dispose of food, cleaning supp
hazardous materials
Have garage sale/donate unwanted item
Arrange for carpet and drapery cleaning
Arrange for house cleaning
Arrange for move of pets
Arrange for move of plants
Arrange for utilities (cancel old; start ne
Electricity
Gas
Water/sewer
Telephone/DSL
Garbage/recycling
Cable/satellite
Arrange for transfer of homeowner's/renter's insurance
Begin packing
Make travel arrangements
2 - 3
Set aside critical documents and items you will keep with you
Transfer prescriptions
PLAN
1 - 5 D A Y S B E F O R E Y O U M O V E
Defrost freezer
Empty ice maker and ice cube trays in case of power shutdown
Clean refrigerator, stove, and oven
Disconnect and drain appliances for move
Drain fuel from power equipment
Close out safe deposit box
Confirm travel arrangements
Confirm arrival time of movers/pick-up time of rental truck
Have payment and snacks ready for movers
Gather and clean outdoor furniture
Return cable box, cable modem, DSL modem if necessary
Organize keys
Clean house
Finish packing
Prepare food for moving day
Pack a first night box
M O V I N G D A Y
Set up WIFI appointment W I T H I N 3 0 D A Y S O F M O V I N G
Disassemble beds
Double-check that all cupboards, closets, dishwasher and other appliances are empty
Give movers tour and instructions for what is being moved
File for Homestead Exemption
Change Voter ID
Update Driver’s License
Re-establish safety deposit box
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR FIRST NIGHT BOX
Clothes
Toiletries
Games, movies, things to do
Disposable dinner ware Bedding and linens
Meals and snacks (canned/microwavable)
Toilet paper + paper towels
Medications
Pet foods, bowls, bedding, toys
Children’s items/food/diapers/formula
First Aid kit
Basic cleaning kit
WHAT TO CARRY WITH YOU
Credit/Debit Cards
Visa/Passport/ID
Insurance Cards
Electronics + Chargers
Phone
Jewelry
Moving Receipts + Contract + Estimate
Legal + Financial Documents
Bottled water + snacks for those helping you
DON’T FORGET...
Return any leased equipment
Update or Close safety deposit box or safe
Change your property + natural disaster policy
Empty the washing machine/dryer
Empty the dishwasher
Double check cupboards + closets
Check the mailbox one last time
Schedule a massage for the next day
Decide your NEVER moving again! :)
PACKING HACKS
Guess what? NO ONE likes packing - you aren’t alone! And unpacking in the new space can seem overwhelming too because you are still recovering from the move. Here are some simple hacks that may make packing and unpacking easier.
A FEW TIPS:
Instead of emptying and packing items in boxes, tape the drawers shut or wrap several layers of plastic wrap around them to seal contents inside. Use toilet paper tubes to move cords and cables so they don’t get knotted up in boxes.
Use plastic wrap on toiletries and liquid soaps to prevent them from spilling in boxes and ruining everything else in the box. Then, put them in ziplocs for a double seal. Label boxes not only with the contents but the room the box goes in as well. BONUS TIP: Use color coded markers or labels for each room to easily ID them Don’t take clothes off their hangers. Instead, move them in bunches in garbage bags still on the hangers. Easy and way cheaper than wardrobe boxes. Take a load off and cut triangles in boxes about 1/3 of the way down to create handles for easy carrying
PACKING HACKS
MORE TIPS:
Have a yard sale and donate items in advance so you have less to pack
Rent moving boxes. Companies like Gorilla Bins offer two-week rental packages based on your home size.
Use a vacuum bag for linens, pillows, blankets, etc
Take photos as you pack so you can easily ID stuff in boxes. If you want to be super organized, list the contents of boxes on a spreadsheet and number each box. Then you can easily find items even if you haven’t completely unpacked in your new space yet. You can also use an organizing app, like Sortly, designed to make moving more orderly It lets you create visual inventory lists for each box you pack using photos and printable QR code labels. When you scan the latter using your smartphone or tablet, the app will share pictures of the box's contents. Bubble wrap and packing peanuts aren't cheap. You can use towels, sheets, and clothing to protect your breakables
Recycle: save your rinsed-out plastic bottles for packing. Plastic bottles in various sizes can be used to stop odd-shaped items from shifting around the confines of boxes.
Don't forget to use your unused suitcases, duffle bags, and backpacks for transporting items
Safeguard your furniture hardware. Unscrew it and store each one in it’s own labeled ziploc bag
Source: Markinglemondadeblog com and thespruce com
HOUSEHOLD INFO
1/ R E C Y C L I N G D A Y :
2/ T R A S H D A Y : 3/ Y A R D W A S T E D A Y :
4/ E L E C T R I C P R O V I D E R :
5/ W A T E R :
6/ G A S :
HOUSEHOLD INFO
7/ C A B L E / S A T E L L I T E :
8/ S E W E R :
9/ P E S T :
10/ I N T E R N E T :
11/ H O A :
12/ M A I L B O X :
HOUSEHOLD INFO
13/ A L A R M O F F :
14/ P A R K I N G S P A C E N U B M E R :
15/ I N S U R A N C E A G E N T :
