Moving Checklist - Residential

From choosing your moving company to settling into your new location, the following moving check-list guides you to make sure nothing is overlooked and everything goes smoothly and is a stress-free experience.

Being prepared makes the whole process easier for both yourself and your moving company. However, if you start late or have an emergency last minute move, don’t worry, we have the resources to accommodate you and help you get through it quickly.

Six to Eight Weeks Before Your Move

• Choose a moving company. Go ahead, shop around and compare prices. Remember when interviewing moving companies:

• Compare the hourly rates
• Ask if night and weekend moves have different rates
• What type of payment options do they offer?
• Do they use full time employees or temps and day labor? (Be cautious of those who use temps and day labor, they may not have the proper insurance and experience to move your valuable belongings).
• MAKE SURE YOUR COMPANY IS LICENSED AND INSURED against both structural damage (Liability) and injury while on your property (Workmen’s Compensation). According to Michigan State Law, the homeowner/business owner is responsible for any damage or injury to people while on your property-unless the contractor is fully protected.

We highly recommend you protect yourself by verifying that your moving company is currently licensed and insured by calling The Michigan Public Service Commission at 517-241-6180 .

IT’S BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!

• Once you have chosen O’Sullivan Moving & Storage Co., Inc. for your relocation , request a free estimate online or contact our office and one of our friendly estimators will assist you.
  
• Create a “Moving Folder” . Make sure your folder has pockets to keep track of all your moving details, such as this very helpful moving checklist , and collect your receipts for moving-related expenses.
  
• Start to use up things you cannot move such as refrigerated foods.
  
• Learn about your new city and community.
  
• If you’re moving at an employer’s request, verify your moving budget and your responsibilities.
  
• Make a list with three columns (in your “Moving Folder”):

• Items to leave behind
• Items to be moved by moving company
• Items you’ll move yourself

For each item that you are not going to take with you, decide whether you’ll sell it, give it away (charity), or dispose of it (O’Sullivan Moving & Storage Co., Inc. can dispose of those items you do not want).

• Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, family, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, memberships, etc.
  
• If you will need to store any or all of your belongings, make necessary arrangements now. O’Sullivan Moving & Storage Company does have a large storage facility .
  
• Collect all of your personal records (school, medical, legal, and accounting). Five Weeks Before Your Move
  
• Submit a Change of Address form to the post office.
  
• Arrange to disconnect /connect all utilities (gas, electric, water, telephone, cable, and trash collection) at your old and new location. Keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout your moving day.
  
• Arrange for insurance coverage in your new location.
  
• Plan a garage sale to sell unwanted items or arrange to donate them to charity.
  
• Collect and keep important paperwork with you (will, deeds, stock, insurance, etc.).
  

Four Week Before Your Move

• Begin thinking of where you’ll want to place furniture. Advanced planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.
  
• If you’re moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators and inquire about any other guidelines that must be followed.
  

Three Weeks Before Your Move

• Make a decision on whether you will pack yourself or if you’d like to utilize O’Sullivans’ professional packing service .
  
• If you are packing yourself, ask your moving company to deliver an assortment of boxes, you should only have to pay for the boxes you use. Start packing items you will not need to use until after your move.
  

Two Weeks Before Your Move

• Contact your moving company to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.
  
• If you’re doing your own packing, start packing. Label each box to which room it belongs. Box essential items together and write “Open First/Load Last” on these boxes. When you move into your new location, you’ll be able to easily identify these boxes.
  
• Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new area.
  
• If you have a safety deposit box, don’t forget to empty the contents, pick up any dry-cleaning, return library books and rented DVD’s, etc.
  
• Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.)
  
• Make sure to notify your moving company if you add items to, or subtract items from, your estimate or if there are any changes in the date of your move.
  

One Week Before Your Move

• Check over your “Moving Folder” to make sure you haven’t overlooked any “to do’s” before your move.
  
• Again, make sure your moving company has all the directions to each location they will need and a working telephone number to contact you at until you get into your new location and to let them know of any changes to your estimate.
  
• It’s important that an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to be present at any time while the movers are there. Be sure your chosen representative knows exactly what to do. Remember, this person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
  
• Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. 
  
• Make sure you have a kit of all your essential items ready to put in your vehicle on moving day. The kit should contain the things you’ll need while your items are in transit. Also, make sure you have your box of precious goods such as jewelry, documents, picture albums, financial information, and other sentimental items that cannot be replaced and is just not worth it to have someone else move.
  
• Call ahead to make sure the utilities are connected at your new location.
  

MOVING DAY

• Strip your bedding and make sure it goes into a “load last” box.
  
• Make sure someone is at home to welcome your movers and answer any questions. 
  
• Accompany the driver as he inventories your items and the condition of them as they are loaded. Read your Bill of Lading and Inventory carefully before signing them. Keep a copy of these, and all related papers, in your “Moving Folder” until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been resolved.
  
• It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so do NOT skip the final walk-through (at the starting location and the unload)
  
• Be prepared to pay the mover before unloading begins. Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash, credit card, or certified funds. We do not accept personal checks.
  
• Review your floor plan at your new location to refresh your memory about where you want furniture and appliances placed, and then instruct your movers.
  
• Lastly, contact your moving company and inform them of the level of quality and service you received during the moving process. O’Sullivan Moving & Storage Company prides itself on customer satisfaction and we always love to hear about the customers experience with our company and any kind of feedback.