We Help Your Move Go Smoothly!
Moving is rated as one of the most stressful experiences in life. Our team at Great Wall Moving wants to help make your move simple and easy. We are committed to making our clients' moving appointment efficient, affordable, and worry-free. Simply put, we love what we do!
Moving Guide
After choosing the right company to perform the move for you, everything else up until the move-out day is up to you. After many years in this industry, we know that staying organized during a move can be challenging at times; therefore, we have put together a checklist to make it easier for you. We can't promise it will take the stress away, but it will definitely assist you in staying on top of everything and will help you to be organized, which are keys to a successful move.
5 weeks prior to the move
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If this relocation is work-related, make sure that all payment arrangements are being taken care of by the billing department or HR department in your company.
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Have a copy of your new resident layout. This will assist you in deciding what is being moved and what is not!
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Create a move file for all moving receipts -these expenses may be tax-deductible (http://www.irs.gov ).
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Take out items from your storage facility, attic, and basement.
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If you have a car that needs to be shipped – this is the time to get quotes and finalize the details (www.infomoving.com)
4 weeks prior to the move
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This is the time to decide whether you will be handling the packing on your own or if you would like the moving company to provide you with a packing service. For more details, call, or emails us.
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If you are handling your own packing, start gathering boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc.
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Start arranging your travel plans if necessary: hotels, rental cars, flights, etc.
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Get rid of items that are no longer needed – have a garage sale! You may also use an online auction service or donate to your favorite charity. This action will reduce the amount of packing needed and also will help you lower moving costs.
3 weeks prior to the move
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Make sure you transfer all paperwork needed, such as doctor and dentist records, school records, auto/home insurance, bank account, etc. to your new location.
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Get to know your new neighborhood! A short search online will provide you with the information you will need regarding local community guides, sports activities, schools, etc.
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Make a list of valuable items that you would like to carry with you such as important documents (wills, stock certificates), jewelry, medicine, items with sentimental value such as photo albums, etc. Be sure to pack these items into a box and place it in a safe place and mark it as “NOT TO BE MOVED”. This will help with any chances that it will be accidentally loaded on the truck.
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Utilities: cable, internet, telephone, gas, electric, water, sewer district, trash service
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Personal or Professional Services: doctor, dentist, lawyer, insurance agency, dry cleaner, pharmacy, bank, credit card companies, lawn service, gym, or health club
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Begin packing items that are not used often or that will not be used in the upcoming month: off-season clothing, books, CDs, etc.
2 weeks prior to the move
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Start using things that cannot be moved such as frozen food, cleaning products, etc.
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File a change of address. You can do it by using the US post office website (www.usps.com).
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Make the proper arrangements to move your pets (www.petrelocation.com / www.petmovers.com).
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Be sure to arrange for utilities (gas, electricity, water, newspaper subscriptions, etc.) to be disconnected in your residence and to connect them in your new residence.
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If this is an out-of-state move, make the proper arrangements for your plants. You can move them yourself, sell them in your garage sale or give them away. According to the D.O.T (Department of Transportation) they will not be able to be moved by your mover.
1 week prior to the move
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Check with your Homeowners Insurance provider to find out how your possessions are covered during transit. If you will be moving items of extraordinary value, antiques, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, musical instruments, and other appraised valuables; take photos of these items before having them moved.
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Check with your City Hall to see if you are in need of any moving permits for pick-up or delivery.
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Clean and drain gas & oil from lawnmowers, power equipment, etc. Remember to disconnect any spark plugs.
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If you are moving out of or into a building, be sure to reserve the elevator according to the time frame provided to you by your mover.
1 day prior to the move
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Have your major appliances disconnected, cleaned, and ready for the mover.
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Contact your movers to finalize any last-minute changes to your item list and box count.
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Be sure to defrost, empty, and clean your freezers and/or refrigerators at least 24 hours prior to your pick-up date.
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Make sure you have payment ready for the movers – check with your mover for payment methods allowed.
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Leave a telephone number and forwarding address with a neighbor in case of an emergency.
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Make sure the movers have the right address, phone numbers, and directions to your house, and be present to answer questions.
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Make sure all boxes are properly marked by rooms. This will make it easier for you and the mover upon delivery to arrange things in your new home.
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Check one last time that all dressers, chests, etc. are empty and ready to be wrapped and loaded.
Move out day
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Be sure to take notes of your utility meter reading, this will assist you in finalizing the last payment that needs to be done.
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Make sure you have cold beverages for the movers, especially in the summertime. Keep in mind, they are doing very hard physical work.
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Make sure to have arrangements for your children and pets, so they do not get in the way of the movers.
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Take a walk with the mover in your home and make sure every item that needs to be loaded is marked on the inventory list. Make sure to point out to the mover any extra fragile items or items you would like them to pay extra attention to.
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When it comes to items that are packed by the shipper, the mover will need to confirm that all boxes are well-packed and sealed.
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It is your responsibility to do a final walk-through of your home to confirm everything that needed to be moved has been loaded onto the truck.
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Do a final walk-through of the house to confirm all lights are off, and that all appliances left behind have been disconnected.
Move-in day
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Be available for the driver in case he will need instruction to get to your new home.
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It is necessary that you will be present upon delivery. If you cannot be present, make sure to have a reliable adult to represent you.
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Be sure to have arrangements for your children and pets so that they do not get in the way of the movers.
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Be sure to check each item that is being unloaded from the truck on the inventory sheet.
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It will be of great help to you to have 2 adults present. One will check off items from the list, and another will direct movers to the correct rooms in your new home.
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Check your items as they are being unloaded from the truck. If there is any change in your furniture's condition; make sure to mark it on the inventory page, take pictures and call the office to report the damage.
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The mover will place the furniture in your home as you request.
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To avoid possible damages, it is recommended that electronic equipment (including large appliances) will not be connected to the electrical outlets in the first 24 hours after delivery.
Common Mistakes
Moving is difficult enough even when things go smoothly, and moving can be frightening if things go wrong. To make your moving experience a little easier, we put together a list of the most common mistakes people make when moving.
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Assuming It's Cheaper And Easier To Move Yourself – It is never easy to move, especially moving yourself! Packing all of your items correctly, packing them properly onto the truck, and driving to your new residence can be a very difficult task. It may also take longer than expected, cost more than you originally estimated, and chances are you may not be happy with the outcome.
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Not Having A Budget – If you are moving from a large home or moving long distance, you will most likely incur costs in the thousands of dollars. It would be wise to understand how these costs fit into your overall budget, which will include your travel plan to your new home, auto transport, temporary living expenses, insurance, etc.
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Not Taking Care Of Things In Advance - There are many things that will need to be taken care of before your move day; such as changing your address (http://www.usps.com), switching your utilities, transferring all your medical/dental and school records, etc. Get a head start on them! You will feel relieved to get them out of the way, and this will help you to concentrate on other details of your move.
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Not Having A Plan – Moving is complex; there are many tasks and activities that will need to be coordinated. Having a plan is a vital part of preparing for a successful move. Without a plan, you will not have a full sense of what needs to be accomplished.
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Changing Your Move Plans But Not Telling Anyone - It's fine to change things about your move. Sometimes, move dates may change because closings fall through; you may decide you are moving the washer and dryer after all. However, it is very important to update your moving company on the changes. In fact, you can never tell them too much! Some things may affect your quote, and it's better to work out the details ahead of time rather than last minute.
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Failing To Disclose Everything To Your Mover – Being accurate will ensure accuracy. The more your mover knows the more accurate your mover can be. Maybe your apartment is on the third (3rd) floor of a building and there is no elevator; maybe your china cabinet will need extra protection; maybe your street does not have access to a large moving van; maybe you have decided not to move the dining room set after all! These are all possible circumstances; keep in mind if your mover is not aware of these conditions in advance, you will be charged for it at a later date (pickup or delivery). At Great Wall Moving, you can count on us to be very patient and detailed in all the work we do.
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Not Understanding Your Insurance Options – If you are moving out of state, most likely your mover will provide you with standard valuation coverage. It is a good idea to know all the insurance options available to you; whether you contact your homeowner's or renters insurance carrier and/or a third-party insurance provider. We provide a few insurance options at Great Wall Moving. Contact us today if you have any questions.
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Not Taking Care Of Your Children – We all know how stressful moving can be. Imagine how your children must feel. In order to make it easier on them, we recommend keeping them busy with activities such as puzzles, board games, etc. Make sure to make the proper arrangements for your children for the move day. Maybe a neighbor can watch them; if this is not an option, pick a room in your old home and your new home where they can stay while the movers do their job. Remember, Safety First! Don't forget to make the proper arrangements for your pets as well.