Honor Movers Moving Tips

Free Estimates | Competitive Rates | Veteran-Owned and Family-Run

Free Estimates

Competitive Rates

Veteran-Owned and Family-Run

Countdown to Move Day

MINIMUM ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE MOVE

Consider hiring a home organizer to assist in de-cluttering prior to the move (saves you time and money)
Clean out closets, storage areas, attic, basement, bookshelves, toy chests, shed and garage
Consider donating to charitable organizations and obtain a receipt for tax purposes
Consider having a yard sale
Completely inventory all items in the residence that are to be moved
Decide if you are taking some of your favorite plants or all of them
Consume all frozen foods as they will not make the move
Decide if you want to keep your appliances or if you will purchase new
Consider age, condition, and color
Will they match / fit your new house?
Notify post office and mail subscriptions of new address and effective date
Notify any regular services such as security company, snow removal, and lawn care of the pending move
Plan move date to coincide with the closing date of your new home
Club memberships – Will they transfer, be refunded or can you sell them
Homeowners insurance – Transfer it and ensure the dates coincide with the move
Bank accounts – Open new accounts and transfer money
Pet relocation – Check with veterinarian for any special requirements for travel
If a company paid move, check on their policy to cover transportation fees
Arrange to have any prepaid security deposits refunded
Register students for school and have all records transferred to new school

MINIMUM TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE MOVE

Coordinate with utility companies in your new location regarding when to start/transfer services to avoid any interruptions in service
Contact utility companies to confirm shutoff dates at present (old) location
Contact regular home services, trash/recycling, lawn/snow removal, newspaper, internet, etc. to discontinue services on specified date
Ensure students clean out school and gym lockers
Check new location motor vehicle registry for driver’s license and vehicle registration requirements
Transfer insurance and ensure it covers new location requirements
Ask current dentist and doctors for referrals and ensure records and prescriptions are transferred
DO NOT SHIP flammable or combustible items; use them prior to the move or discard the listed items below:
Cleaning and lighting fluids, matches, ammunition, oil-based paints, bleach and all aerosol cans should not be shipped for safety reasons. Aerosol cans include but are not limited to the following:
household cleaners, tarnish removers, insecticides, car cleaners, deodorants and shaving cremes
DO NOT SHIP valuables, such as:
Legal documents, jewelry, collections (stamp/coins), insurance policies and passports; mail them insured or certified or carry them with you during the relocation

Things to Handle Prior to the Movers Arriving

Appliances & Electronics – Our insurance does not provide coverage for us to disconnect your appliances or electronics. Honor Movers is unable to perform these services. Please make arrangements well in advance of moving day to have your washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, range, freezers and any other large appliances disconnected to avoid unnecessary delays. If your refrigerator is connected to a water line, it should be disconnected several days before the move. Once disconnected, the shutoff valve may leak and should be monitored. Similarly, if your TV's are mounted, disconnect and disassemble from the wall prior to the moving day.

BUILDINGS

Elevators – It's a good idea to speak to your building’s management at least two weeks prior to the moving day to determine if there are any special requirements they need from you or the moving company. They may require you to reserve the elevator or have the mover provide a certificate of insurance.

Truck parking – If necessary, please plan ahead to secure the best parking spot for the moving truck.

ASSEMBLY / DISASSEMBLY

Swing sets and cribs – We require these to be dismantled prior to moving day. If you need assistance, please speak to our moving concierge team to determine if this is something we can assist you with prior to the move day.

Exercise equipment – Due to insurance and safety regulations we are not able to disassemble or assemble any exercise equipment. It’s your responsibility to have any large or multi-part equipment that requires disassembly completed prior to moving day.

Restricted items – As previously noted above, please do not pack any hazardous, flammable, or combustible items as we will not transport them for safety reasons. Use them prior to the move or discard them. These items include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cleaning and lighting fluids, matches, ammunition, oil-based paints, bleach, and all aerosol cans, household cleaners, tarnish removers, insecticides, car cleaners, deodorants, and shaving creams.
Valuables – As previously mentioned above, items include, but are not limited to, legal documents, jewelry, collections (stamp/coins), insurance policies and passports.

Exterior / Interior Checklists

EXTERIOR TO DO LIST

Pool decking in good condition?	Yes	No

Screens clean and in good condition?	Yes	No

Front door need to be painted?	Yes	No

Driveway in good condition?	Yes	No

Exterior lights working?	Yes	No

Exterior trim need painting?	Yes	No

Siding need to be cleaned?	Yes	No

Roof and gutters need to be repaired?	Yes	No

Gutters clean?	Yes	No

Pool and decking in good condition?	Yes	No

Porch and steps in good safe condition?	Yes	No

Lawn mowed?	Yes	No

Yard free of clutter?	Yes	No

Flower beds need to be weeded?	Yes	No

INTERIOR TO DO LIST
Is the entry way clean?	Yes	No

Any rooms need painting?	Yes	No

Any odors in the home?	Yes	No

Closets organized?	Yes	No

Cabinets organized?	Yes	No

Appliances clean and working?	Yes	No

Any faucets dripping?	Yes	No

Countertops clean and free of clutter?	Yes	No

Windows clean?	Yes	No

Windows and doors working smoothly?	Yes	No

Fireplace or woodstove clean?	Yes	No

Fireplace have freshly placed logs?	Yes	No

Basement neat and organized?	Yes	No

Garage neat and organized?	Yes	No

Labeling Tips

Properly labeling your possessions can prevent many inconveniences and misunderstandings. It is a little time consuming but also a simple and important part of your relocation process and will save you much time when you arrive at your new home.

By having each item labeled, it will make your move more organized and prevent having items delivered to the wrong rooms in your new home, and you will not have to open each box to figure out what’s in them.

Proper labeling can also reduce the chance of your goods getting damaged and allows us to be more careful to avoid putting heavy boxes on light or fragile ones.

Minimum labeling for your movers

Color code each item to correspond with the information provided by your moving consultant that way the movers know where each item will go in your new home.
Write “handle with care” or “fragile” on any box containing delicate or easily broken objects.
Label any box that you plan on taking yourself as “Do Not Move.”
Always label the top and at least one side of each box to ensure that your labels will be easily seen.

Labeling items for your benefit with the following information

List the contents of each box, so that you know what is in it before you unpack.
Label boxes as “Unpack First” or clearly mark them with a big “O” as this will let you know which boxes contain the most important day-to-day necessary items.
You may want to keep a separate list of the contents of each box marked with a coinciding number, so you can find and unpack the items as you need them.
Make sure you use a large, dark permanent marker for your labeling. It’s a good idea to have at least two markers handy, in case one gets lost or runs out of ink.

DOT Brochures

Rights and Responsibilities

Your rights and responsibilities when you move as published by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Ready to Move Checklist

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to make sure you have the information you need to “Protect Your Memories. Your Money. Your Move.” from moving fraud. Published by the US Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.