This is the time to decide what items you wish to transport to your new home. If you decide to dispose of items that you don't need you should either donate them to a charity or consider having a garage sale.

• Choose a suitable moving company using MovingPlusStorage.com
• Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from your agent or a moving supply company. All boxes that you purchase from us or a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damages to your belongings.
• Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home that will prevent the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.
• Get familiar with your new community. Request information on schools, community programs, parks and recreation from the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Keep all receipts for moving related expenses in a designated moving folder. Many moving expenses are tax deductible.
• Plan on taking all important documents, and personal items (jewelry, coin collection, photos etc.).
• Contact the Post Office for the Change of Address form to tell of your move.
• Give your new address to friends and family
  • Post Office
  • Utility Companies
    • Telephone Company
    • Trash Company
    • Cable Company
    • Water Company
    • Electricity Company
    • Internet Provider
  • Insurance Companies
  • Banks and Financial Institutions
  • Creditors
  • Local Government agencies, Federal agencies, the IRS
  • Health Providers
  • Schools
  • Subscriptions
    • Magazines
    • Book Club
    • Record Club
    • Newspapers
  • Travel/Auto Club
  • Church
• Make a decision on who will do most of the packing or all the packing. It is a good idea that you let the moving company agent do most of the packing. The moving company agents know the best methods for keeping items safe; that's what they do for a living.
• Let your kids do some packing and let them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move, get them involved with the moving process.
• Decide how much packing your will handle yourself. You should inform your agent of any items that you decided for him/her to pack.
• Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper up to date health certificates and rabies inoculations. Some states will require these documents.
• You will need to carry all valuable jewelry with you. If you have any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.
• Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts. Clear all your safety deposits boxes.
• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attics and the items that you will take.
• Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped.
• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic, non-flammable in plastic bags.
• Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.
• If you need to store anything call your moving company agent about storage options available.
• Have your automobile serviced if your travel is by car.
• Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions.
• Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
• Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load", "Load Last" stickers.
• Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delay or schedule change.
• Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.
• Arrange for payment to your moving company agent. Contact your moving company agent to inquire about methods of payment accepted.
• Inquire with your moving company or moving company agents about protecting your goods.
• Pack a box of things you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. (This might include non-aerosol cleaning supplies, disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items and trash bags.)
• Take this box with you or have the driver load it last and unload first. This is usually the day packing is done.
• Make sure all packing services have been performed before you sign for them.
• Defrost, thoroughly clean and dry refrigerator.

Moving Day: Moving Out

• Arrange to be on hand for last minute details and to give directions to movers.
• Leave the whole day for your move.
• Have payment for movers on hand.
• Before leaving, check each room and closet.
• When you leave, turn off lights, close windows and lock doors.
• If you use a VOIP telephone service (i.e.Vonage), logi-in to your account and upate the system with your new address so that any calls you make to "911" from your new home are dispatched to the correct address.

Moving Day: Moving In

• Supervise placement of boxes and furniture.
• Check for damages. Inspect large items. Look for boxes that are crushed or open.
• Inform the moving foreman and review the claims procedure with him.
• Go back to the truck. Make sure nothing was left behind. Check all the compartments.

Legal Advice

• Rights and Responsibilities
• DOT
• AMSA
• FMCSA
• BBB