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    Watson's Moving Guide

    Quality moving advice from Northern Colorado's top movers.

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    YOUR MOVING TO-DO LIST

    Most everyone can agree that moving from one residence to another is a stressful process to go through. Moving out of your parents' house is probably the only time moving was a truly fun experience. As we get older and acquire more stuff, more pets, more members of our families, and everything that comes with all of that, moving becomes a daunting task that seems to become more complicated with every move. Luckily, Watson Moving & Storage is a moving company that wants to help you make that process as stress-free as possible. That's why we've created this helpful guide to help our Northern Colorado customers keep track of everything that needs to get done in a move and a general timeline of when to do it all.

    BEFORE YOUR MOVE

    • Notify the post office that you are moving by filing a change-of-address form.
    • Prepare a list of friends, relatives and businesses that need to be notified of your move.
    • Set dates to have your utilities disconnected at your old home (plan to keep them connected through moving day) and connected at your new home.
    • Obtain written appraisals of antiques and other valuable items. Do not wax or oil wood furniture or clean upholstery before moving.
    • Clean out refrigerator and freezer and prop doors open for at least 24 hours. Remove all racks or secure them so they don't shift during the move. If it has an icemaker, disconnect the waterline and make sure it's completely drained.
    • Decide ahead of time how you will transport houseplants and pets.

    One Month Before

    • Reserve your moving company - Call or visit Watson Moving & Storage as soon as possible to start arranging your moving services. If needed, we can even help you pack up your belongings for you.
    • Purchase moving supplies - Watson Moving & Storage sells any supplies you may need such as moving boxes, wardrobe boxes, tape, packing blankets, etc.
    • Clean out any storage areas - Storage units, closets, the garage, the attic, crawlspaces, etc. Clear out these areas so you can take inventory of all of your belongings
    • Get rid of unwanted belongings - Once you have taken stock of everything inside your home, host a garage sale for any belongings you wish to get rid of and give whatever doesn't sell to charity. This can cut down on the amount of stuff you have to move which will make finding spots for everything in your new home a much less stressful process - plus you may make some pretty good money!
    • Change official records - Make sure you have made the necessary arrangements to transfer your childrens' school records as well as filling out a change of address form from the post office. You can also change your address online.
    • Change non-official records - Make a list of all magazine subscriptions, online subscriptions, bank accounts, cell phone companies, insurance companies, and any other companies or clubs you will need to contact to change your address in their records.
    • Purchase airline tickets - If flying to your new home is necessary, make sure to have these arrangements taken care of well in advance.

    TWO WEEKS BEFORE

    • Make a "survival closet" - Before you start packing up all of your stuff, set aside a closet or an area of the house where you can keep things you will still need easy access to, such as cleaning supplies, snacks, a couple changes of clothes, etc.

    • Begin packing - If you decide to do this part on your own, make sure to label your boxes according to which room their contents need to end up in. Remember, if packing your things seems overwhelming or if you do not have the time to do it on your own, Watson Moving & Storage offers packing services so you don't have to do a thing!

    • Arrange utilities - At this time, you can call your gas, electric, water, internet, cable, and phone companies and let them know when you will need your services to be disconnected. This is also a good time to contact the utility companies for your new address and set up accounts for your new residence so that you do not end up moving into a house with no water or electricity!
    • Cancel services - Make sure to cancel any services you receive at your current residence such as lawn maintenance, cleaning services, newspaper, pest control, etc.

    One Week Before

    • Finish packing - By this point, you should be finishing putting all of your loose belongings in boxes. Make sure to clear out any fragile or breakable items out of all drawers and furniture cabinets.
    • Begin deep cleaning - Once everything is packed into boxes, make sure to stack boxes away from walls so that you can scrub any stains off of the walls. Clean each room thoroughly. If you are renting, this is especially important to avoid any cleaning fees.
    • Disconnect washer & dryer - At least two days before the move, make sure to disconnect your washer and dryer so that your washer has a chance to dry out before being moved around.
    • Begin repairs - Once the majority of your stuff is in boxes and out of the way, you can begin making any necessary repairs to your home. Whether this is fixing that broken shelf that you never got around to or simply filling in holes in the drywall from nails and screws, make sure to leave your house in as good of a condition as possible.
    • Create a moving plan - Figure out where your pets and children will be during the move. If necessary, arrange for them to go to a friend or relative's home the day of the move.
    • Arrange transportation - Make sure that you have arranged how you will get your vehicles, pets, and family members to your new home.

    THE DAY BEFORE

    • Follow up with your moving company - If you decide to hire a moving company, it's always a good idea to follow up with them the day before to make sure that everyone is on the same page about what all you need from them, what time to begin, etc.
    • Protect fragile items - Ensure all fragile items have been properly padded. Make sure you have enough moving blankets to protect any furniture or large electronics. Double check all drawers and furniture cabinets to make sure there are free of any items that could break during the move.
    • Finish deep cleaning - While most of the deep cleaning should be done by this point, there are a few tasks that may still remain. This is a good time to go through the house and make sure all deep cleaning tasks have been completed.

    • Refrigerator - Clean out all contents in your refrigerator and wipe down all surfaces inside and out. If you are taking your refrigerator with you, make sure to unplug it and let it defrost and dry.
    • Withdraw some cash - Almost no one carries cash on them anymore, but it may be a good idea to have some extra cash for emergencies during the move. It can also come in handy if you need to have someone run to the store for you or pick up some pizza during the hectic day of the move. Having cash ensures you don't lose your credit card right before moving across the country.
    • Say your goodbyes - Because moving day can be so crazy, it's a good idea to take some time to say goodbye to your friends and neighbors the day before so that you don't forget, or run out of time on the day of the move.

    THE DAY OF THE MOVE

    • Pack your bags - Depending on how far away you are moving, it may be a couple of days before you see your belongings again, so make sure you have everything you need to get by until you start moving in to your new home.
    • Be present for your moving company - to help everything go smoothly, make sure someone is at the home during the move to let your moving company into the house and answer any questions they may have during the moving process.
    • Create safe pathways - Make sure that each room has a clear pathway to get to and from the moving truck. If needed, remove any doors that may be too narrow to get furniture through. Keep these paths clear of debris, pets, and children. If there is snow or ice outside, take the time to clear it out of the way so that no one slips and hurts themselves or your belongings.

    • Load the truck(s) - At this point, it's time to begin moving your belongings into the trucks. Make sure to load heavy boxes first and bulky, awkward items in last. If you have hired Watson Moving & Storage, then this is the time to sit back, relax, and let the professionals do their job.
    • Final walkthrough - Once all of your belongings are in the truck, take a minute to do a final walkthrough of the house. Make sure all rooms have been vacuumed or swept. Turn your lights off, lower the thermostat, lock all windows and doors, thank your old house for all the memories, and say goodbye.

    OTHER RESOURCES

    We hope this guide has been helpful to you and your family during your moving process. If you have any other questions or would like to reserve Watson Moving & Storage for your move date, contact us today. We can't wait to hear from you!