By George Craig, Partner
Please see also: Barriston Moving Tips Part 1
As your moving day draws closer, revisit your checklist and ensure that you have completed all of your preliminary organizational tasks. At this point, you should have made arrangements with your insurance, moving, cleaning & utility companies – most of which can be dealt with over the phone or internet in the months/weeks preceding your move. All that remains to be done at this point concerns the physical move to your new home. Set aside some time to complete the following tasks:
Arrangements with Movers: Touch base with your moving company. Ensure that you know what your responsibilities are and what, if any, assistance or information they require from you at this stage.
Layout Your New Home: Draw a floor plan of your new home and indicate the location of where you would like your furniture placed. This will help the movers on moving day, and also give you a good idea of what furniture you need to purchase/discard. If you can get the furniture placement right the first time, it will save you having to move large items throughout your new home when the movers are long gone.
Plants and Frozen Foods: Make specific arrangements for the moving of items which require special care including plants, frozen food, mirrors and glass. If you can make these arrangements ahead of time, you’ll have less to worry about on your moving day. Remember that the movers are there to help you – organize and delegate tasks accordingly.
Clean up: The clean-up of basements, garages and tool sheds are often left until the end of the packing process, and may be overlooked completely. It’s a dirty job, but it needs to get done - set aside a block of time to sort and clean out your garage, basement and tool shed. Check with your local Municipal Office about discarding hazardous waste, electrical items, tires, and other items that require special disposal. You may also want to look into ‘junk’ removal companies who may be able to dispose of these items for you.
Valuables: Gather all of your most valuable possessions, pack them securely, and set them aside. You should plan to move these items with you on moving day.
Mirrors and Pictures: Mirrors and pictures that are breakable should be left on the walls or in their normal location until you are ready to actually move them. Your movers may be able to help with the removal and wrapping of mirrors and other framed items – ask the pros when it comes to fragile items.