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On Call Moving & Storage

Moving Tips

Creating strategies to satisfy all your moving needs.

Moving Tips

On Call Moving & Storage is here to share the most beneficial moving tips. We want to ensure that everyone's move is a seamless experience, which is why we have gathered a list of useful moving tips that you can use.

General Moving Tips

Moving tips that apply no matter your needs!

 

  • Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your moving day

  • Resolve what to do with prohibited items

  • Ensure that you have enough medication for at least two weeks

  • Make sure you have copies of any necessary prescriptions you will need

  • Empty your drawers to avoid damages and unnecessary losses

  • Cancel your current services and set up any on-going services for your new home

  • Defrost the refrigerator and freezer

  • Empty steam irons of water

  • Remove all batteries from small appliances

  • Avoid using appliances by planning simple meals on the moving day

  • Meal prep for the week leading up to move-out day

  • Separate luggage items you need for personal travel

  • Clean garden tools and similar equipment

  • Empty the tanks of powered tools and equipment (no gas/oil)

  • Collect traveler’s checks or local currency

  • Make arrangements to start utility services at your new home

  • Return library books

  • Arrange for mail to be forwarded

  • Decide whether or not to buy any new household goods

  • Start preparing a mailing list of people who need your change of address

  • Round up important family documentation like passports and birth certificates

  • Pack all your valuables such as jewelry, electronics, money, documents, etc.

  • Check that electrical appliances will work in your new home

  • Sort through the basement, loft, and garage

  • Clean out closets, the attic, and the basement as soon as possible

  • Schedule disconnect times for cable, phone, and utilities a week before moving

  • Ensure the utilities at your new home are set up

  • Submit your change of address a week before your move date

  • Cancel cable, pest control, cleaning help, and lawn services a week before moving

  • Do not water your plants a week before your moving date

  • Wait to pack your cleaning supplies until you’ve done your last cleanup

  • Check your owner’s manual for special instructions for moving large appliances

  • Have enough snacks and cash on hand to get you through the day

  • Empty your dishwasher and let it air out so there is no moisture inside

  • Disconnect and disassemble/stabilize your washer and dryer

  • Remove/return any propane canisters

  • Pack up any smaller appliances

  • Disconnect electronics and take pictures of all the connections for your new home

  • Confirm the logistics of your move with your friends, family, and moving crews

  • Make sure the keys to your new home are somewhere safe but easily accessible

  • Keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly

  • Make sure any outdoor furniture is clean, dry and ready for the movers

  • The night before you move, prepare a cooler with water and snacks

  • Inform the movers know of any items traveling separately from the moving truck

  • Provide your movers with any concerns or important information

  • Make sure your floors are protected

  • Read and sign any necessary paperwork for your move

  • Take a final walk to ensure the lights and doors are locked and nothing is left behind

International Moving Tips

Moving tips that will help you travel overseas!

 

  • Start planning your move as early as possible
  • Determine whether you will require a storage service
  • Check the validity of passports, visas, and consular documents
  • Contact the Social Security office to ensure all future payments are to the correct account and
    discuss other benefit entitlements.
  • Contact your physician to refill any necessary prescriptions
  • Make sure to pack valuable and important documents and take them personally during the move
  • Advise your bank and credit card companies about your international move
  • Ensure you have enough personal items packed in suitcases for your time away from your home contents
  • Decide whether or not you are taking your car
  • Do a final walk-around with the international movers to ensure all items have been packed and removed from your home before the crew leaves

Office Moving Tips

Effective tips for office relocations!

 

  • Start planning your office relocation as early as possible

  • Communicate with your employees regarding the move

  • Go over your current lease to avoid any unnecessary complications

  •  Try to clean and organize your office before the move

  • Budget your finances around your moving expenses

  • Determine if you will require a storage service

  • Consider hiring a packing service to make the overall move more efficient

  • Ensure your movers are licensed, bonded, and insured

  • Make sure you update your business address on everything

  • Plan your new office layout design ahead of time

Packing Tips

Simple solutions to ease the packing stress!

 

 

  • Don’t underestimate the amount of supplies you will have to buy (call us for an accurate estimate on how much you should buy)

  • Start packing with out-of-season items

  • Pack similar items together

  • Use the right sized boxes (normal box sizes from places like Home Depot or U-Haul)

  • Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box

  • Label your boxes on the sides (what room the items inside belong in and what the box is carrying)

  • Never wrap oil painting in regular paper (it will stick)

  • Remove light bulbs from lamps and lighting fixtures and pack those separate

  • Cover your items with either newsprint paper or bubble wrap
  • Pack heavy objects into small boxes
  • Do not stack glass on top of each other
  • Complete any last-minute packing during the day of the move

Moving With Children?

A few quick tips for parents!
 

  • Arrange for someone to look after the children on the moving day

  • Make sure your children have something to entertain themselves with (toys & electronics)

  • Make sure to keep some snacks on you for your children

  • If your child is currently taking any medication, ensure that you have it on you and tell the
    movers to make sure they don’t accidently pack it

  • Confirm arrangements for children for the move-out day

Moving With Pets?

A few quick tips for pet owners!
 

  • Make sure to take your pets’ food with you, and have extra water for them

  • Have a cage ready if you want to enclose them somewhere

  • If you have any pets locked somewhere in the house, make sure to tell the movers as soon as
    they arrive

  • Have someone look after your pets

  • Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date

  • Make sure your pets don’t get stressed out during the moves (they don’t know what is happening)
  • Help make your pets feel comfortable and safe once you arrive at your new home (it may take them a few days to get used to it)
  • Confirm arrangements for pets for the move-out day

Prohibited Moving Item!

The following is a list of items we are unable to take during a move!
 

  • Combustible Liquids: alcohol (rubbing), lubricants (motor oil), anti-freeze compounds

  • Corrosives: acids, drain cleaners, photographic acids used in developing film, bleach, batteries (wet or dry), water purifying agents used in swimming pools

  • Explosives: fireworks, small arms ammunition, flash bulbs

  • Flammables: items liter fluids, matches, wood oil stains, petrol-chemical based garden sprays, paint and varnishy, paint and varnish removers, butane, propane, gasoline, garden equipment, signal flares, charcoal briquettes

  • Compressed Gasses: aerosol cans, fire extinguishers, scuba diving tanks

  • Hazardous materials: unsealed cleaning supplies, paint

  • Plants (prohibited only for long-distance & international moves)

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