When it’s time to downsize and you find you need to move into an assisted living facility, a family member’s home or a smaller place, there are certain things you can do to make the process go smoother. One thing involves using a professional downsizing company to ensure the planning of the move and all things are taken care of. When you think of everything you need to do when you move, have you considered the following:
Two Months Before
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Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage.
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Start investigating downsizing company options. Do not rely on a quote over the phone; request an on-site estimate. Get an estimate in writing from each company.
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Use this binder to keep track of everything—all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
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Go to your children’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.
Six Weeks Before
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Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes. You usually won’t need certain specialty containers if the moving company already has them. Check with the moving company to see if they carry what you need.
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Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
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Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
One Month Before
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Select a company and get written confirmation of your moving date, costs, and other details.
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Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set. While packing, note items of special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound, such as a computer.
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Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.
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Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home. Make sure to put the mover’s estimate in this box. You’ll need it for reference on moving day.
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Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
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Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies.
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Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies of them yourself. Ask for referrals.
Two Weeks Before
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Notify your friends and family or work that you plan to move and therefore need the day to direct and supervise the move.
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Take your car to a garage, and ask the mechanic to consider what services might be needed if you’re moving to a new climate.
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If you’ll be changing banks, remove the contents of your safe-deposit box and put them in the safe box that you’ll take with you on moving day.
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Reconfirm the arrangements.
One Week Before
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Stock up on prescriptions you’ll need during the next couple of weeks.
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Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
A Few Days Before
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If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.
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Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.
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If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment and tip. If the staff has done a good job, 10 to 15 percent of the total fee is a good tip. If your move was especially difficult, you might tip each mover up to $100. Don’t forget that refreshments are always appreciated.
Moving Day
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Make sure that the moving truck that shows up is from the company you hired: The USDOT number painted on its side should match the number on the estimate you were given. Scams are not unheard-of.
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Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.
There is a lot to do when deciding to move. When a life changing event occurs such as the loss of a loved one, please use the expertise of a professional company to help you handle the move. A Downsizeologist is experienced in all aspects of downsizing and will advise on best practices to ensure your move happens with less stress. For more information please visit www.downsizeology.com or call 941-981-0160.