Professional Mover's Two Month Moving Guide

Follow our Professional Mover’s Two Month Moving Guide because so one knows better than San Diego moving company, Move Central, Inc., just how much work and planning goes into making a move go smoothly. The good news is that moving doesn’t have to be a daunting task, as long as you have a good plan.

At Move Central, our number one goal is to make your move easier. That is why we have taken all of the guesswork out of moving by creating a fool-proof two-month moving plan, just for you!

Eight Weeks Before The Move – Get Your FREE In-home Estimate

Contact your San Diego local moving company, Move Central, to reserve your in-home estimate, where a representative will look at the possessions you want moved and quote a price for moving them.
If your employer is paying for your move, be sure to check their policy to find out what moving services they pay for.
Determine whether you will pack your items or have us do it for you.
Be sure that you show the moving company representative all items that require moving, as additional items will increase the amount of the final bill, whether you have a binding or non-binding estimate.
Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” brochure that the moving company will provide you, so that you know what your moving company’s liability is and what is required of you when moving.
If you have any questions, our San Diego moving service can answer them during the in-home visit or at any time before your move. We want to make sure that you are fully informed and comfortable with our services when you choose us as your moving team.

Seven Weeks Before The Move – Reserve Your Moving Date

Take the time to read through and understand your estimate and any other information provided to you at the time of the estimate. When you are ready, sign your estimate and your order for service. If you have any questions, our San Diego moving company is here to answer them at any time.

Reserve your moving date and confirm the services you will need for your move.
If you need any extra help or tips for your move, please feel free to contact Move Central or your personal moving coordinator at any time.

Six Weeks Before The Move – Change Your Address

First, have your mail forwarded to your new address by filling out the change of address form at USPS.com or your local post office.
Then contact any business that needs your new address like the bank, insurance company, or credit card company, as well as any company you hold subscriptions through.
You might also want to contact your doctor, lawyer, accountant, or other professionals you do business with and give them your new address.

Five Weeks Before The Move – Decide What To Keep And What Should Go

Take one room at a time and get rid of anything that you no longer want or need.
Get ready and have a big yard sale to get rid of your excess stuff, or have a local charity come pick up items that will not be making the move with you. If you do donate your items, get a receipt showing the amount of your contribution, which may be able to be used as a tax deduction.

Four Weeks Before The Move – Update The Moving Company

If some of the items the moving company representative added into your list for the estimate are no longer in your possession or you have thought of new items that have not been added, you should let your representative know so they can update the expected price of your move.
Give your agent the address of your new home if you did not already, and make sure they have all phone numbers so they can contact you if needed.
Inform the representative if your move will include any additional stops to collect or drop off items that have not been discussed previously.
If you are having your vehicle moved, get ready to drop it off at the required destination. You should also be ready to claim it once it reaches your new location.

Three Weeks Before The Move – Say Your Farewells & Make Travel Plans

Spend some time visiting your favorite places around the area that you likely won’t be visiting for a while.
Throw a special farewell party for your kids.
Have a simple dinner or cookout with your friends and co-workers.
Get your travel plans made, book any necessary hotels and purchase tickets for air travel.
Have your vehicle serviced if you will be driving it. Have the oil changed if needed, and have the tires, belts, breaks, and fluids checked and fixed, if needed.
If traveling by plane, reserve your tickets and arrange any transportation to and from the airport, if needed.
Plan ahead for what you might need during your travels or the first night at your new location. Place them in a separate bag or box so they don’t get packed onto the moving truck.
If you will be doing your own packing, you should start doing a little packing each day. Begin with items that you don’t frequently use or things that are unnecessary for day-to-day living. Doing a little at a time will make your move seem much easier.
See our other articles on how to pack and how to move special items to create a clear plan of attack.
Get rid of flammable or explosive items that are too dangerous to move and are not allowed on the moving truck such as pyrotechnics, household cleaners, fire starting products, acid, chemistry kits, pressurized spray cans, ammo, oil, gasoline, bleach, paint, solvents, and poisons like pesticides and weed killers. This includes emptying any fuel-powered machinery of its fuel and getting rid of propane or butane tanks for grills, etc. For a full list of items that are not allowed on the moving truck, please see our article here.
Contact an appliance technician to disconnect and ready your appliances for moving. If you would prefer, our San Diego moving company can arrange a trustworthy third-party company to handle this for you.
Contact all utility companies and give them a shut-off date. Remember, it is good to keep your utilities on until after you move, as lights, air conditioning, running water, and even Internet service can come in handy on moving day.
Get room-sized rugs and curtains cleaned if they are moving with you, and place them to the side, leaving them in the packaging the cleaners put them in.
Have any valuable antiques appraised and keep a copy of the written appraisal. You should clean your antiques before moving them to keep them from getting scratched, but do not wax or oil wooden pieces as these products can make the finishes soft, and they could be damaged by the furniture pads during the move.
Don’t steam clean upholstery prior to the move. It can retain moisture that would cause molding or damage during the move or while it is in storage. If you need more help, read our article on how to move antiques.

Two Weeks Before The Move – Take Care Of Your Pet And Tie Up Loose Ends

Have plans for the transport of your pets. They should have everything they need to travel, reservations for their flight if going by airplane, and any boarding arrangements made.
Make sure that your pet has any required vaccinations for traveling across state lines, boarding, or flying.
Get items left at the cleaners, in storage, or at a friend’s house.
Remove any items from lockers at work, the gym, or the bowling alley.
Return library books or anything else that has been borrowed or rented.
Try to think if you have forgotten anything important that needs to be taken care of.
Finish up the rest of your packing and clean out anything that will not be moving with you.
Make sure your moving representative has all of the information they need about your moving plan.

One Week Before The Move – Get Appliances Ready To Move

Have the appliance technician get any appliances that are moving ready to go.
Have any special equipment serviced before your movers get to your home. Our movers in San Diego can answer any question you may have about this prior to moving day.

One Day Before The Move – Final Details

Make sure that fragile items or items that need special care are clearly marked, as well as items that are not moving with you.
Mark boxes containing special items that you will need immediately upon your arrival at your new location, such as electronic equipment or valuable items.
Have all boxes packed and prepared for the move. Our San Diego moving company will check the boxes to ensure they are safely packed.
If our San Diego full service moving company is doing the packing for you, have similar items grouped together for easy packing.
Unplug all of your electronics at least one full day before your move is scheduled to allow them to cool to room temperature. This includes laptops, gaming systems, sound systems, etc., and applies to any electronic, with the exception of plasma TVs.

The Day Of Your Move

You will want to be at your home to make sure everything gets loaded. Do a final walkthrough of your home once the van has been loaded and check to see that everything has been taken. Sign your inventory sheet and keep your copy in an easy to reach, safe place.
Remember to ask us if you have any questions, want to make sure the plan is followed, or need to make last-minute changes to the plan.
Fill out a High-Value Inventory Form if you have items of high value going on the moving truck.
Get your bill of lading, which serves as your receipt for the move and informs you of the terms of your move.
Make sure the moving truck driver knows the delivery address, and give him/her any contact information so you can be contacted if needed.
After the movers have packed all of your items, take a final walkthrough to see that the water is turned off, any heat or air is turned off, lights are off, everything is locked, and you have left behind the keys to that home.
Make sure you have also contacted the utility companies to order disconnect service and that you have not left anything behind.

Upon Delivery

When our San Diego moving service reaches your new home, you should be there to check your delivery. If you can’t, have another authorized adult check your delivery, sign for receipt, and make the final payment on your behalf.
At the predetermined delivery time, the movers will call you and come by your new location if they cannot get in touch with you by phone. You have two hours of free waiting time, after which you can ask for more if you or another authorized person can’t be there to take delivery.
Check all items against your inventory sheet as they come off the truck. If there is any damage or missing inventory, mark it on the sheet. When you have completed it, sign it, saying that you have received the items in the condition noted.
You can direct where your furniture will go as it is unloaded. If you want mattresses set up or appliances installed, these things can be done for you at an additional charge.
Put a mock-up of the general layout of your home next to the front door, so movers can easily see where your belongings should be placed.
Keep copies of your moving receipts, as you might need them when filing your taxes.
Let recently-moved electronic equipment and appliances sit unplugged for 24 hours to warm or cool to your home’s temperature.

One Week After Your Move

Be sure that your forwarded or held mail is now being delivered.
Register your automobile or get your new driver’s license if required by law.
It is also a good idea to check with a lawyer regarding new state laws that will affect you pertaining to wills, inheritance, taxes, property transfers, etc.

Move Central moving company, San Diego, hopes that this guide will help make your next move easier. Remember, if you need any additional help or have questions about moving specifics, we are always here to help.