Planning
If you wish to achieve a successful and hassle-free relocation experience, then planning, timing, and lists are absolutely essential. Alert and send mail notifications to banks, healthcare providers, utility companies, employees, schools, etc., of your new address and other details they may need to know. Make up lists of loans or other various payments that need to be taken care of monthly. Make sure that you do this for both your new and current locations. Most of all, call the moving company to set a date for your relocation.

Check out moving companies
Often times, moving companies will indicate or say whether or not they are in ownership of a DOT license. It is very important that you find out if they have this license. You may need to contact the Department Of Transportation before you decide on which moving company you want to go with. If there is no sign or evidence that they are in possession of a DOT license, it probably means they don’t have one. Do not hire any moving company without one. You may also want to check and see if they are listed with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). In addition, verify if your chosen moving company has any insurance for your valuable belongings for the duration of your move ahead of time.

Packing
Acquire all the packing materials you’re going to need before your targeted moving date. Most moving companies will have these items available for your purchase. If they don’t have the supplies, you can always buy them from a nearby store. Some items you will want to purchase are: durable boxes, strong packing tape, packing peanuts, plastic bags, bubble wrap, and newspapers. Thoroughly go through all of your closets and storage rooms to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Decide on the items you wish to keep. Then sell, donate, and/or discard the rest a good few days before your targeted relocation date. When packing, be sure to pack your heavier items on the bottom of the box and stack the lighter ones on the top. If you decide on using the provided wardrobe boxes most moving companies will have on hand, pack your clothes tightly so they won’t shift around during the move. Doing this will save you valuable time when unpacking and putting away your clothing.

Your most valuable items
It is a good idea to ask your mover to assist you in packing your more sizeable objects that require extra care. Set aside a designated area for your most valuable items. Some of these items may include: deeds, school and medical records, financial documents, small expensive electronics, a list of important medical information about each family member and pet in the family, prescription drugs, jewelry, media with special memories, etc. You, not the movers, should transport these items.

Non-permitted items
It is illegal to move plants across state lines. Therefore, moving companies will not be permitted to move any of your plants. Another reason is plants cannot be effectively packed. Federal law also prohibits moving companies from transporting certain types of items which include: fertilizers, fireworks, ammunition, weapons, poison, pesticides, acids, fuels, liquids and laundry additives (bleach and ammonia), flammables, explosives and corrosives, and household and/or car batteries.