Residential

Start with a plan:

Make a floor plan of your new home. Then think about where you’re going to put everything. Consider the sizes and shapes of furniture and appliances, as well as the locations of electric sockets, phone jacks and other hook-ups when planning.

Get Organized:

Take only what you need. Make a list of what to keep and what to get rid of. Consider donating old clothes, toys and appliances to a charity. Many organizations will even pick your stuff up for free! Or maybe you can hold a garage sale to clear the clutter and make some extra cash.

Clearly label all boxes.  Use colored markers or labels on each box, using specific colors for each room. Write the contents on the outside of each box so you know what’s in it when you arrive at your new home.

Put all pre-packed boxes in a single place. Pick a spot in your current home and keep them there until loading time. Make sure your storage area is protected from water, temperature and curious animals.

Packing supplies you’ll need:

• Strong packing boxes
• Several rolls of packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts
• Tissue paper
• A variety of colored permanent markers and/or packing labels
• Tools to open boxes
• Old sheets or blankets to protect the edges of furniture

Boxes:

• Get more than you think you’ll need.
• Pack one room at a time. Label each box with the room name, as well as contents. This will assist in unpacking later.
• Fill boxes up as much space as you can. Shifting contents can cause damage. Fill spaces with items you would take anyway – towels, sock, pillow cases.
• When possible, put heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. If not, put heavy items on the bottom with lighter items at the top.
• Try keeping box weight under 50 pounds each.

Kitchen Items:

• Use bubble wrap or newspaper to wrap breakables.
• Put bubble wrap between each bowl or plate.
• Use crumpled newspaper at the top of each box to protect items.
• For maximum protection, pack plates vertically, not stacked on top of each other.
• Wrap all other items before placing in the box, especially sharp items like knives and forks.

Home Essentials:

Create a box of essential items that you will pack last and open first. Things to include:

• Lightbulbs, batteries, flashlight, tape measure and screwdrivers.
• Toiletries such as towels, soaps, shampoos, toilet paper and shower curtains.
• Kitchen items like napkins, paper plates, plastic forks, knives and spoons, dish detergent and a sponge.

Lawn Tools:

• Drain gas and oil from lawnmowers, trimmers and chain saws.
• Wrap any blades and other sharp tools.
• Mark attachments and pack separately.

Other Tools:

• Place small tools in a toolbox
• Place power tools in cases, if available.
• Tie tools of the same length together—rakes, shovels, etc.
• Cover any sharp edges and label boxes clearly to prevent injuries later.

Moving Your Car:

Consult with your mover on how to move cars, motorcycles, boats and personal watercraft. The best way to move your car is to drive it. If this isn’t possible, consider other options:

• Use a trailer attached to the moving truck.
• Hire an “auto shipper” to transport your car.

What NOT to Pack:

• Flammable liquids like alcohol, paint, varnish, gasoline, kerosene, aerosol cans, nail polish and remover.
• Ammunition, explosives, fireworks, corrosives.
• Cleaning liquids.

Return any borrowed or rented items.  Now’s the time to return library books, rented videos or your neighbor’s wheelbarrow!

Check with your dry cleaner or other merchants. Make sure you pick up any items you’ve left.

Moving yourself? Ask friends and family to help! Make sure to give them enough time to put it on their calendars.

Contact your school system to have transcripts sent to your new school district. Have copies made and take them with you.

Get your kids involved. Make a game of packing and unpacking: Who can pack all the toys in their room in the fewest boxes? Take a trip to the local paint store and have your kids select colors for their new room. Ask them to draw a picture of how they'd like their bed, dresser, and other items placed in their new room (you might be surprised what they no longer want in their room or how they place things). Ask them how their feeling, depending on their age, they may feel nervous about many things. Involving your kids can reduce their anxiety (yours, too) and might be a great bonding experience.

Arrange to have a sitter watch young children on loading/moving day. This will keep them safely out of the way in trusted hands and allow you to focus on the move. Involve older kids in the moving process by giving them tasks to perform.

For more tips, check out these web sites:
www.usps.com/moversnet/kids2.html
www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/moving.html
www.greatschools.net/content/movingWithKids.page

Plan meals and food purchases so that you won’t have to take it with you.  Use up frozen and perishable items first. Remember, any canned or non-perishable items you don’t use can be donated to a local food pantry or other charitable organization.

Contact your current utilities three-four weeks before you move.  Have them disconnect services the day after you move. This way, you’ll still be able to use them until you’re gone. Also, contact the utilities at your new location to begin service the day before your move. This way, you’ll have everything you need ready to go when you arrive to begin unpacking.

Be sure to tell the post office, newspapers, credit card companies, friends and family your new address. The postal service provides change of address kits and other services for movers. For details, visit their Web site at www.usps.com.

Provide your new address and phone number for your home’s new residents. They may have questions about your old home (“Where did you get batteries for the garage door opener?”). Plus, they’ll know where to send anything you accidentally left behind.

Keep your floor plan handy! This is where your planning pays off. Follow your plan as you or your movers unload, finding the right place for everything.

Keep pets out of the way. Barking dogs and nervous cats can be a danger to themselves and movers. Consider boarding them at a kennel or ask a friend or family member to care for them a day or two.

Coordinate your unloading. Preferably, one person should direct the unloading of the truck while a second person shows the movers where everything goes.

What to do after everything is unloaded. First, find and unpack essential items that you’ll need right away (towels, toiletries, kitchen supplies and such). This will get you through the first few days as you unpack and organize. Remember, it may take two to three weeks before your unpacking is completed.

You survived the move. Now enjoy your new home and your new neighborhood!