Prepare for Your Move with These Packing Tips from UMS Moving

Save Your Receipts Now, Save on Taxes Later.

Did you know that certain moving expenses can be tax deductible? It’s crucial to save your receipts and keep track of everything you’re spending. Check the IRS website for more details on tax deductible moving expenses.

Take Inventory of your Possessions

Taking an inventory of all your possessions is crucial in determining how many boxes you’ll need, how big of a truck you should rent, and just how accurate your moving estimate will be. And in the unfortunate event your possession are lost or broken during your move, an inventory will come in handy for insurance purposes.

Find the Right Movers for the Job

Plan ahead and get estimates from movers that are licensed and insured or bonded at least 8 weeks out from your move. Our team at UMS Moving is a full-service moving company, licensed, bonded and insured and would love to provide a free estimate today!

Stock Up On Moving Supplies

As you prepare for your move, stock up on moving supplies like boxes, packing foam, bubble wrap and heavy-duty shipping packaging tape. For cross-country moves, it’s worth the investment to buy new, durable boxes. UMS Moving has these moving supplies and more at competitive prices. For local moves, used boxes will do just fine. You can get them for free at many grocery stores and online sites like Craigslist.

Update Your Mailing Address

At 4 weeks out, we recommend changing the address associated with your credit cards, insurance companies and bank. If you’re moving out of state, it’s recommended to transfer your bank accounts to your new location. And don’t forget to order new checks that include your new address.

Forward Your Mail

If you haven’t done so already, it might be a good idea to sign up for paperless billing or to set up automatic payments for recurring bills. In any case, pick a date to start forwarding your mail and make sure you pay any bills in advance in case they arrive after you leave.

Schedule a Time to Power Down

Make sure to disconnect or transfer all your old utilities, connect all the new ones and keep a record of all your cancellation notices. You’re a charitable person, but the residents who move in after you may be living on your dime otherwise.

Eat Yourself Out of House and Home

Take an inventory of any remaining food in your pantry, fridge and freezer and plan meals accordingly. Wasting food means wasting money!

Pack Early and Often

If you can, designate a room in your home as the packing room and get a head start on packing for your move. We suggest you start packing off-season items and things you don’t use very often. As you finish packing each box, clearly label the contents and destination of the box both on the side of your box and within an inventory, perhaps in a notebook or computer document. Contact our team at UMS Moving for best practices and packing assistance and to get a free quote on our full-packing support.

Get Ready to Pay Up

When it comes to paying your first and last month’s rent or that final amount on your closing costs, a personal check might not cut it. Plan ahead and see if you’ll need a cashier’s check or if you can simply pay directly through your bank.

Confirm, Confirm, Confirm

Inevitably, some things will fall through the cracks. That’s why it’s important to reconfirm your mover’s contact info, pickup and destination times, and even estimates for potential additional costs in case more labor is required.

Master the Move-In Process

Before the trucks arrive, mark doors with stickers or room names that correspond with your packing boxes. As the boxes come in, unpack by room, filling closets first to eliminate clutter. Also, we recommend avoiding putting any boxes in your basement or attic or else they may never get unpacked.

Take One Last Walk Through

Use your inventory as a moving checklist to ensure you have all your boxes and belongings before the movers leave. As you leave your old house, check to make sure the water and lights are off, doors are locked, and closets and drawers are empty.