Theresa Grant presents...
banner

The San Bernardino Mountain Communities

Home   About Theresa   Featured Properties   Email!   Area Information   Services   Free Items

Moving Tips and Tricks

General moving tips
Moving to a new town
Useful packing tips

At best, household moves are time consuming and temporarily disruptive. At worst, moves can be chaotic and extremely stressful. In fact, the Employee Relocation Council has ranked moving as the third most stressful event in life, placing it just after death and divorce.

An estimated 43 million Americans will move this year with almost half those moves occurring between May and September, usually to accommodate school schedules. Proper planning and organization can help a move go more smoothly.

Tip #1: Choose a moving company carefully. Ask for recommendations from people who have recently moved and get several estimates. Be sure you understand the conditions of each estimate and what it includes. On moving day, remember to have payment on hand for moving charges - some companies will not accept credit cards or checks.

Tip #2: Start a file for estimates and receipts for moving expenses. Don't pack this file - keep in handy. Check with an accountant or the IRS to find out what, if any, moving expenses are tax deductible. Determine what records and receipts will be needed for filing.

Tip #3: Pack jewelry, heirlooms, wills, stock certificates and other valuables separately and carry them with you. Label the envelopes or containers with the words "Do Not Load."

Tip #4: Get everything ready for a safe move. Properly dispose of flammable materials such as cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, paint, poisons, ammunition and fireworks. Drain oil and gasoline from lawn mowers and power tools.

Tip #5: If there are children in the family, consider asking a relative or babysitter to watch them on moving day. Homeowners will be busy, movers will be handling heavy items, and the home will not be the safest environment for youngsters. And keep pets confined on moving day to prevent them from getting out or getting injured. Be sure pets are wearing an identification tag and collar, just in case.

Ten Important Tips for Moving to a New Town

  • Complete a change of address card at the post office. Notify friends and creditors of your new address.
  • Transfer school records. Transfer property, fire, auto and medical insurance.
  • Transfer medical, dental, and veterinary records, including prescriptions.
  • Transfer or cancel club and association memberships.
  • Transfer bank and savings accounts.
  • Clean out safety deposit box.
  • Pick up items you are having dry cleaned, repaired, stored or have ordered.
  • Cancel phone, electric, gas and water service at your old address and arrange for service at your new home.
  • Cancel or transfer newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

Six Useful Packing Tips

  • Wrap china in unprinted newspaper. Disposable styrofoam dishes between china pieces provides good padding.
  • Carefully wrap stemware, packing it upside down in a partitioned container.
  • Consider special wardrobe boxes which accommodate clothing on hangers for easy packing and unpacking.
  • Use professional packing tape (not masking tape) to secure the top and bottom of all cartons.
  • Label boxes clearly with the contents and appropriate rooms. Mark them "fragile" if necessary.
  • Avoid packing boxes so full that they cannot be easily lifted.