Why You Can Rely on Us

For expert advice on organizing your move while maintaining your sanity, look no further than MOVE IT ALL. With over 25 years of experience assisting both celebrity clients and everyday individuals, we can expertly guide you through the entire moving process.

**One to Two Months Before Your Move:**

**Schedule Utility Cancellations and Service Disconnections:** 

Reach out to your utility providers to arrange for the discontinuation of services. Be sure to provide your new address so that any outstanding bills can be sent to you after your move. This is also an ideal time to consider what services you’ll require at your new location, allowing you to schedule them in advance if possible. Typically, the following service providers should be contacted:

- Water and sewage treatment

- Internet and cable services

- Electricity

- Natural gas/propane

- Trash and recycling pickup

- Homeowners or renters insurance

- Gardeners, landscapers, snow removal services

- Gym memberships

**Give Notice:** 

If you’re renting, notify your landlord of your departure. Standard notice periods range from 30 to 90 days, but this may differ based on state regulations and your rental agreement. Be sure to review both state laws and your specific rental terms. To ensure the return of your deposit, schedule a walk-through with your landlord. Homeowners should also check if they need to provide notice to any homeowners' or neighborhood associations, if applicable.

**Begin the Downsizing Process:**

• It’s impractical to transport items you have no intention of using in your new home. We recommend initiating this process at least eight weeks before your move, addressing one or two rooms each weekend. Sort your belongings into three categories: keep, donate, and recycle/trash. For clothing donations, consider places like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or Mustard Seed.

• Take a critical look at any large furniture. Moving costs are often influenced by weight and size, so ask yourself if you’re truly prepared to invest in these items again just to move them from point A to point B. Before your move, consider selling any couches, grills, patio furniture, or other sizable items that are still functional but not worth the effort of bringing along.

**Select a Moving Company:**

• We recommend starting your search for a moving company as early as possible—ideally three weeks or more before your move. Choose a company with care. We maintain a 4.5-star rating on Google and are trusted movers for Disney, The Orlando Museum of Arts, Advent Health, and the NAVY. As a Christian company dedicated to compassion, we suggest obtaining three estimates before making a final decision. Be mindful of hidden charges; 90% of our clients choose us based on the clarity we provide.

**Gather Supplies and Begin Packing:**

• Unless you’re hiring movers to handle the packing (in which case you’ll still need to oversee the process), packing will be your next major task. Though it’s often seen as a chore, having the right supplies can make it much smoother. Instead of waiting on Amazon with extra shipping fees, remember that all Super Walmart's now include a dedicated aisle for moving supplies, as do Lowe’s and Home Depot.

• It's important to note that movers' insurance does not cover boxes packed by customers. If your budget allows, we highly recommend utilizing our professional packing service the day before your move. With a full pack and move service, we manage everything for you, aside from returning your cable equipment. If your budget only allows for a partial pack, we suggest letting us take care of the fragile items.

**Notify about your new address:**

Whether addressing your new address is a “before” or “after” task on your to-do list depends on when you gain access to your new home. Be sure to inform the following entities when changing your address:

- USPS change of address (arguably the most crucial step; USPS will forward your mail for free for one year)

- Voter registration (can often be processed through USPS or the DMV)

- Medical and dental providers

- Educators (including your children’s school or your college)

- Credit card companies and banks

- Subscription services (such as meal-prep deliveries, prescription deliveries, newspapers, magazines)

- Department of Motor Vehicles

- Social Security Administration

- Employers (for W2 forms)

- Accountants

- Amazon (or any other regularly used stores)

- Friends and family

**Request time off as necessary:**

Even the most meticulously planned moves can take time. Avoid scheduling any commitments on the moving day, whether it's work obligations or important first dates. If you have young children or pets, consider arranging for their care away from home for the day. To ensure that everything proceeds according to your wishes, you or a trusted representative should be present to oversee the moving process at both your previous and new residences.

**Use up your pantry:**

This is a great opportunity to get inventive with the food items in your pantry and freezer. While it's feasible to transport perishable items in a cooler, consuming what you currently have will reduce the amount you need to pack. If you are taking any refrigerators or freezers, instruct the movers to load them last, ensuring they are the first items unloaded at your new place.

**Moving week:**

If you’ll be obstructing a shared driveway, give your neighbors a heads-up so they can make necessary arrangements, such as directing their visitors to park elsewhere or moving their own vehicles.

**Confirm Appointments for Utilities and Internet at Your New Home:** 

Ideally, you’ve already arranged these services, so now is the perfect time to reaffirm appointments for cable service, internet installation, and new utility providers to ensure a smooth transition for water and electricity. If these installations haven't been scheduled yet, now is the moment to act! Availability can fill up quickly, so make those arrangements as soon as possible.

**Clean Your Previous Residence:** 

When selling a home, it’s essential to leave it spotless, and it's wise to maximize your chances of retrieving your deposit from your rental. If your budget allows, hiring a professional for a thorough cleaning can alleviate some of your stress. This is also the perfect opportunity to spackle over any nail holes and mend minor damages. As you sort through your things, we suggest using durable contractor clean-up bags, which are less likely to rip.

**Pack Your Personal Essentials:** 

Ensure that your daily necessities—like clothing, medication, and toiletries—are kept separate and readily accessible. Packing these items in a suitcase will help distinguish them from the rest. If you decide to stay overnight in a hotel instead of your new home, this will make transportation easier.

**The Day Before: Remind Neighbors:** 

If your move will obstruct a shared driveway, it's courteous to alert your neighbors in advance so they can relocate their vehicles. And if you have favorite neighbors, don't forget to say goodbye with a heartfelt hug!

**Get Cash:** 

While tipping isn’t mandatory, professional movers often work tirelessly for minimal wages. Tipping—approximately 15% to 20% of the total moving cost—in cash is a thoughtful gesture. If possible, consider tipping each mover individually to ensure they receive your intended gratitude once the job is complete. Even if friends are helping you, don’t forget to have cash on hand for pizza delivery later.

**Treat Yourself:** 

At this stage, your kitchen items should be packed away, and your groceries nearly depleted. Now is the ideal moment to enjoy one last meal at your favorite local restaurant with friends, or perhaps indulge in a celebratory glass of bubbly.

**Try to Relax:** 

Even if you’ve diligently followed all the steps and feel well-prepared, remember that “moving homes is a significant undertaking and one of life’s most stressful experiences,” as Murphy noted. Take some time for yourself by going for a peaceful walk, meditating, or engaging in whatever activity calms your mind.

**Moving Day**

**Stay Vigilant:** 

Regardless of whether you've employed professional movers or enlisted your friends with the promise of pizza and beer, you're now the project manager overseeing the safe transport of your belongings. Before leaving your home, conduct a thorough walkthrough, and once you arrive at your new place, take a moment to check the truck to ensure nothing has been overlooked. Inspect for any damage to furniture or crushed boxes; this should be covered by your mover's insurance or your own third-party policy.

**Provide Snacks and Beverages:** 

During the frantic pace of moving, you may find it difficult to grab a proper lunch. To keep your energy levels high during this hectic time, ensure you have healthy snacks readily available. It’s also a considerate gesture to offer refreshments to your movers. As Steve, a mover, shared, “I’ve rarely accepted food or drink from a client. We tend to bring our own supplies. Still, I’ve always appreciated the thoughtfulness behind being offered a bottle of water or a soda.”

**Secure the Premises:** 

Before you leave, make sure to inspect each room carefully. Close all windows, switch off the lights, and lock the doors behind you.

**Return Your Keys:** 

Amid the whirlwind of moving, it’s easy to overlook one final task: returning your keys. Ensure you hand them back to your landlord, which typically occurs during a final walk-through. Alternatively, coordinate with your real estate agent on how to pass the keys to the new owners or their representatives. If you happen to forget, you can always mail them later, but you'll save yourself a lot of hassle by making this a priority on moving day.