Moving Tips and Moving Advice
Hints for An Easier Move Day:
Checklist for Before and After your move
Please take advantage of our moving tips and moving advice. Print this page and carry it with you before and several days after the move. Moving tips that may seem obvious can be easily over looked. Take our moving advice and utilize this checklist before and after you have moved.
Download printable PDF here
Be available throughout your move. Movers will have questions.
Double check with your building about any move-in, move-out or elevator restrictions.
Be sure there isn’t a parade on your street on move day!
Try to hold a parking space in front of your building if your street is too narrow for double parking.
Rabbit will contact you a day or so before your move to confirm all of the details. Be sure to reach out to us if we missed you!
Remember to clear a safe path for your movers by removing any garbage, snow or ice.
If you are moving in or out of storage, it’s important to check the hours of your storage facility.
Consider purchasing third party moving insurance, this will give you the best coverage should an accident occur. Click the ‘buy insurance’ icon (in the upper right corner of our website) to purchase right away!
Don’t forget about the Fridge. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator, put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep the interior smelling fresh.
Pack Heavy – Pack Light. Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
Protect Your Memories. If it’s irreplaceable, take it with you in the car (you don’t want regrets later). But if you do decide to pack framed photos or art, place sheets or blankets between them for added protection.
Know how to Pack Plates and Records. Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.
Remember the Bare Necessities. Toilet paper, telephone, toiletries, snacks, coffee (and pot), soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups, utensils, a couple of pans, paper towels, and cleaning supplies are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack a box with these types of items and ask your foreman to load it last so that it will be unloaded first.
Unscrew Bulbs. Remove bulbs before packing your lamps.
Give the Kids an Exercise. Have children write their names and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new street and town.
Help your Pet Relax. Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch him at their house. Contact our partner ProspectBark if you’re looking for reputable pet care in your new neighborhood!
Be Nice to Your Plants. When moving plants to your new residence via your car, try not to let foliage rest against the windows, as the leaves could scorch.
Accompany the driver as he prepares your inventory. Ask questions if you are unsure of the condition that the driver is noting.
Carefully read and complete the Bill of Lading. This is the legal contract between you and the mover, treat it accordingly. Make sure you have copies of the Bill of Lading before the driver leaves.
Final Walk Through. Before the driver leaves do a final walk through the house checking all closets and storage areas to make sure nothing was missed.
Provide the driver with contact information. Before the foreman leaves for your destination residence, give him a phone number where you can be reached. It is also a good idea to provide him with an alternate contact in case you can’t be reached.
Make sure the driver has the correct address of your new home or storage facility.
The items that will be traveling with you, clothes, papers, etc. should be put in one place (a bathroom that has been previously packed) or in the vehicle that you will be taking with you. This will help prevent them being loaded on the truck and having to find them later.
Valuables (cash, coin, jewelry, photographs, documents, etc.) should be taken with you or sent ahead by a trackable service such as UPS or FedEx.
When possible arrange for a house closing to a day or two following loading. This will help reduce the stress of having to be available for the movers and having to concentrate on closing at the same time.
Get a good night’s sleep and have a good breakfast the morning of the move.
Check carefully for damaged or missing items at the time of delivery and be sure to make note of these on the inventory before the movers leave. Supervise the unloading and unpacking.
Complete your unpacking as quickly as possible.
Take a Break from the Computer – Upon arrival at your new home, let your computer “acclimate” itself to room temperature before plugging it in.
Enjoy the Help leave the rest to the professionals, sit back and relax, and look forward to the new opportunities, friends and experiences that are part of any move.