California Self Storage - Moving Checklist and Tips


California Self Storage would like to help make your move less stressful by providing you with a moving timetable checklist and some useful tips. Planning and preparing weeks ahead of your move will lessen your stress and help decrease your chances of overlooking important items.

 

 

2-4 Weeks Before Moving

1. Stop by our facility and reserve your truck for your move. Reserving your truck in advance will guarantee the best price and availability of your truck the day you need it most. This is also a great time to start collecting your moving and packing supplies. We carry a large assortment of boxes and moving supplies.
2. Get your own car inspected and serviced, especially if you do not plan to tow it behind your rental truck.
3. Contact your local services, including utilities about when to disconnect service and when & where to reconnect or establish new services.
4. Pick up change of address cards from the post office and arrange the date to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
5. Start packing items you don't currently need.  If renting a storage unit, determine which items go to storage and which items go to your new home.
6. Don't forget anything in basements, attics, and closets. Don't forget about clearing out safety deposit boxes.

 

 

1 Week Before Moving

1. Make sure your items are labeled: 'fragile', 'load first', 'load last', and 'do not load'. This is important to ensure the safety of your items.
2. Round up people to be part of the moving crew…food and beverages are always a good incentive.
3. Close out bank accounts and pick up some traveler’s checks.
4. It is important to empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator at least a day before moving.
5. Make plans flexible, make arrangements in case of delays. Confirm travel arrangements and keep items you will need while the rest of your belongings are in transit.
6. Pack a box separately with the things you will need immediately upon arriving at your new home. For example- snacks, disposable plates and cups, bathroom items and trash bags.

 

 

Moving Out Day

1. Pick up your truck the night before, so you can get an early start loading in the morning.
2. Thoroughly check your closets, drawers, shelves, attic, and garage to make sure nothing is left.
3. Turn off all the switches and lock all doors and windows.
4. Complete final packing of major appliances.
5. Be present throughout the loading process. Inspect the premises and see that nothing is left behind.
6. Pack a suitcase of travel clothing and travel kit to include: traveler’s checks, credit cards, ID cards, flashlight, keys, important paperwork and/or documents, medication, and phone numbers.

 

 

 

Loading the truck

1. Load the heaviest items first, such as major appliances and furniture. Place these items along the front wall of the truck box. Keep all appliances upright to avoid damage and try to place the refrigerator and the washer in opposite corners to keep the load balanced. Cover items with furniture pads to protect the finishes.
2. Disassemble bed frames and tie the rails and crosspieces together. Roll up and tie rugs and carpets. Load these items lengthwise on the floor in the center of the truck.
3. Place extra long items such as mattresses, box springs, sofas, and large mirrors along the walls of the truck. Plastic mattress covers will help prevent soiling.
4. To reduce weight when loading, remove drawers from desks and dressers. After loading, replace drawers and cover with furniture pads and secure the drawers with rope or shrink wrap.
5. Load boxes with the heaviest items first, and stack similar size boxes on top, with the box weight getting progressively lighter as you continue to stack. Place odd-shaped, lighter and fragile items on the top of the load.
6. Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothing this cuts down on packing & unpacking time and unnecessary wrinkling during transport.
7. Make the most of your space by packing smaller boxes under tables and chair seats. This also creates a lighter load and helps to reduce shifting during transit.
8. When packing bicycles, loosen, lower and turn handlebars at right angles to save space.
While unloading, make sure there is no damage and no item is missing.

 

And remember to drive safely!