How to Prepare for a Local Move

To ensure your relocation is an easy one, here are some important tips on how to prepare for a local move.

Two Months Before Moving Day

Request a few days off work before and after your local move date.
If applicable, notify your landlord and understand moving-out policies and guidelines.
Decide your moving method – Do-It-Yourself (DIY) or hire movers.
- If DIY, rent a portable container or a truck.
- If hiring movers, get estimates from reputable and insured local movers.
Start going through your belongings and sort into three groups: trash, donate, and keep.
- If downsizing, storage will be needed. Make arrangements with a local storage facility.
Make a list or take a photo inventory of the valuable items you plan to move.
Gather important documents; school, medical, insurance, titles, deeps, stocks, etc. and keep together.
Talk openly with your children about the move, especially if they are switching schools. Visit the new neighborhood often.

Finalize move date.
If DIY packing, start to gather newspaper, bubble wrap, packing tape, and lots of boxes.

Have a garage sale, donate unwanted items, or discard trash.
Notify your insurance agent and set up renter’s/homeowner’s insurance for your new location.
If hiring movers, communicate which items you’ll pack and which items they’ll pack.
If DIY, begin packing items and rooms not used frequently. Mark each box with room name and item summary.
Notify service companies that you are moving and set up new service.
- electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable, internet

Plan a few big meals and begin to use up the food in your refrigerator and freezer.
- Moving companies don’t transport perishables so try to minimize food volume.
Review the non-allowable list and either plan on transporting yourself, or discard properly.
Notify the U.S. Post Office and all other incoming mail of your address change.
Return borrowed items and library books.
Prepare lawn equipment for transport by draining fluid.

Whether DIY or hiring movers, confirm move date and time and any specific important details.
Begin cleaning rooms as you pack them to make the final sweep easier.
Finish packing and marking all boxes.
Back up computer files and carefully pack electronics.

Even if your local move is just around the corner, pack a suitcase. In it will be essentials such as a change of clothes, medication, or phone charger – items that you may need access to right away.
Walk around your home and make sure nothing was left behind in the attic, basement, garage, back yard or garden shed.
Pick up trash, sweep the floors, and lock the door as you leave your old house.
Make sure your old neighbors have your new address.

Remember to notify others of your change-of-address. Following is a partial list:

The best way to prepare for a local move and avoid the stress completely is to hire the professionals at Mesa Moving & Storage.