Soft Touch Moving & Storage
Moving Tips

Moving can be overwhelming - unless you are organized and have a plan.  Here are some helpful tips to make the process go much smoother.

1. Begin taking inventory of your possessions and decide what to move and what to give away or sell. Organize your items and decide where they will be placed in your new location.  We recommend making a map of each room in your new location with your items in their desired places.

2. Create a moving file of all moving related information.  remember, many moving expenses are tax deductible, so be sure to save all of your receipts.

3. Determine the amount of the bill your employer will pay (if applicable).

4. Receive moving estimate and choose a mover.

5. If you are moving long distance, make air, hotel, and car rental reservations.

6. Secure packing supplies and begin packing belongings that you don't use daily.

7. Fill out a change of address card and mail it to the Post Office.  Also remember to fill out a change of address forms for all banks, credit cards, bills, magazines, etc.

1.  Contact the following companies to make arrangements:

    Telephone company
               Gas/Electric
               Water
               Cable
               Internet provider

2.  Plan to use up as many food items as possible including those in refrigerator and freezer to avoid waste.

• Call your mover to confirm the arrangements.
  

• Identify the items that you will need and do not want packed away (typical clothes, toiletries, linens, paper goods, microwave, cleaning items, etc.).  Put these items aside or in a special box that is clearly marked.
  
• If you are doing the packing and not the mover, make sure the boxes are secure and appropriately labeled.
  
• Gather jewelry and other valuables and put them aside for your transporting later.  Do not pack these valuables with your other goods.
  
• If the mover is doing the packing on the moving day, begin making sure that the items to be packed and organized.
  
• Make special arrangements for your pets.
  
• Make arrangements to pay your mover in cash, money order, personal check, or billing if your employer is paying and billing has been approved by both the employer and the mover.

1.  Defrost and dry refrigerator/freezers to be moved.
2.  Make sure you have the following ready:

•  Moving file

•  Directions and/or a map for the movers to find your new location.

•  Keys

If possible, be available throughout the entire move to answer any questions the movers may have.