Moving Tips

Movers N' Shakers

10 Simple Things You Can Do To Prepare

Let’s make it simple! With every move comes the question- how do I get started? We have years of experience and tested methods to ensure a smooth and easy relocation. By following just a few simple tips listed on our site, you can eliminate your stress and be better prepared for a successful move. Contact us if you have any questions!


  1. Arrange for parking. Certain areas may require permits. Give notice to your neighbors and allow for proper access.
  2. Disconnect all computers, TV’s, DVD/CD players, gaming stations, stereos, speakers and bundle the chords and remotes.
  3. Set aside (preferably in your car) cell phone chargers, keys, purses/wallets, medication, garage/gate clickers, important documents, anything you need to have at your immediate disposal so it does not get shuffled in the move.
  4. Take down all hanging pictures, mirrors, curtains, decor and collect hardware in a plastic baggy.
  5. Remove and fold bedding; clear all clothing off of beds and floors. Clear out items from under beds, floors of closets, and under sofas.
  6. Disconnect and drain washing machine, refrigerator, freezer, and clothes dryers. Sometimes your utility provider must be called out to unhook/hook-up gas connections.
  7. Pack all prohibited items and a crew member will gladly carry them out to your car for transport. You can also make arrangements to give away items to friends and neighbors. (See prohibited items page.)
  8. Set aside any appliance warranties, manuals, extra flooring, paint, etc. that needs to stay at the residence and clearly label "DO NOT MOVE". Additionally, label any items that you do not want moved or packed "DO NOT MOVE" or "DO NOT PACK".
  9. If you have large in home exercise equipment, schedule an "exercise equipment service pro" to come to your home and disassemble the equipment PRIOR to move day.
  10. Please do not schedule any contractors to be in the home on moving day. It will only cause the move to take additional unnecessary time.
Two movers carrying a beige sofa through a bright living room with stacked boxes

Moving Checklist

Important: This is our recommended timeline and most successful checklist to assist you in a smooth, easy relocation.

  • 8 Weeks Before Moving Day

    • Sort through your basement, loft, and garage; shred personal and important documents.
    • Call a waste management service, order a dumpster, and schedule a pickup.
    • Plan for the proper disposal of prohibited items.
    • Notify healthcare providers and schedule appointments.
    • Notify schools, banks, and other institutions.
    • Plan for air travel and make reservations.

  • 6 Weeks Before Moving Day

    • Contact Movers N’ Shakers Worldwide, Inc. to reserve and confirm your moving date.
    • Sort, discard, or donate unwanted items; consider a garage sale.
    • Notify the post office and submit change-of-address forms.
    • Return library books and movie rentals.
    • Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date.
    • Clean the Bar-B-Q, discard propane tanks, and find a new home for your plants.

  • 4 Weeks Before Moving Day

    • Notify utilities and service providers.
    • Telephone and cell phone
    • Gas and electric
    • Water and garbage
    • Cable
    • Internet
    • Security alarm company
    • Make a list of the items to take with you, including medical records, documents, medications, new keys, etc.
    • Choose clothes and personal items to travel with, including your children’s favorite toys and your pets’ leash and food.
    • Make arrangements for the disassembly of difficult-to-move items, such as pool tables, swing sets, and exercise equipment.
    • Confirm elevator access, loading docks, and parking permits as needed for both the origin and destination addresses.
    • Cancel newspaper deliveries and other subscriptions.

  • 2 Weeks Before Moving Day

    • Begin packing. Tightly seal boxes with tape and label them clearly and legibly on two sides of each box.
    • Remove fragile or loose items from drawers, closets, and cabinets, and pack them carefully.
    • Remove all permanently affixed items from walls and ceilings (drapes, ceiling fans, etc.).
    • Arrange for time off from work to prepare for the move and be present on moving day.
    • Use up the food in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.
    • Arrange for someone to look after the children and/or pets on moving day.

  • 1 Week Before Moving Day

    • Alert family, friends, and colleagues of your new contact information.
    • Cancel newspaper subscriptions and other periodicals.
    • Drain gas and oil from lawnmowers, trimmers, generators, etc.
    • Clean spider webs, debris, and dirt from patio and garden items.
    • Defrost, drain, wash, and dry refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines.

  • 1 Day Before Moving Day

    • Separate the luggage and personal travel items you will need.
    • Set aside your checkbook, keys, passports, plane tickets, cash, credit cards, traveler’s checks, and prescription medications.
    • Identify furniture that is fragile by nature or has been previously damaged, and be prepared to bring it to your crew’s attention on moving day.
    • Prepare simple meals for moving day and get plenty of rest.

  • Moving Day

    • Allow yourself time for a good breakfast.
    • When the crew arrives, point out any items of special concern and any high-value items.
    • Secure personal items such as keys, checkbooks, purses, medications, important documents, and garage door openers in your car or another safe location.
    • Do a final check of all closets, storage areas, and cabinets, and perform a final walk-through with the crew before leaving the residence.
    • Confirm contact numbers and addresses with the driver.

Children and Pets

Moving can be a new and exciting experience for children if you prepare them properly! With these steps, you can ease the insecure feelings some children experience when removed from familiar surroundings.

  • Talk to them about the plan well in advance.
  • Explain reasons for moving with a positive approach.
  • Set up a Question & Answer session, depending on age.
  • Let children participate – creates responsibility and eliminates fears.
  • Have fun stickers, markers and cool tape on hand to let your kids decorate their moving boxes.
  • Make the moving trip fun. Plan small adventures like stopping at an attraction along the way.
  • Describe new community in a positive manner; highlight exciting opportunities.
  • Ease your stress and make it easy by hiring Movers N’ Shakers
  • Plan a fun activity for the arrival.


Suggested items to bring along with you:

  • Children

    • Favorite toys/games
    • Learning material
    • Computer
    • Comfortable clothing and bedding
    • Favorite snacks

  • Baby

    • Suitable clothing
    • Bedding
    • Favorite cuddle toy
    • Diaper or utility bag
    • Baby food, formula, fruit juice, water and a cap opener
    • Baby toiletries, lotion
    • First-aid kit
    • Safety-approved infant car seat

  • Pets

    • Dog/cat carrier or cage
    • Leash, blanket, bed
    • Favorite toys
    • Pet medications
    • Food and water
    • Phone number for vet (Search vets along your route of travel.)

Prohibited Items

Federal and state regulations prohibit carriers from transporting certain items due to their hazardous nature. We have included perishable and other unsafe items not recommended for transport.

  • Hazardous Items

    • Fire extinguishers
    • Matches
    • Fireworks
    • Gasoline
    • Kerosene
    • Propane/propane tanks
    • Charcoal lighter fluid
    • Charcoal
    • Ammunition
    • Loaded guns
    • Poisons (such as weed killer)
    • Light bulbs
    • Car batteries
    • Motor oil
    • Lamp oils
    • Aerosols
    • Ammonia
    • Liquid bleach
    • Paints (latex and oil-based)
    • Paint thinner
    • Cleaning solvents
    • Nail polish
    • Nail polish remover
    • Alcohol-based hygiene items (colognes, perfumes)
    • Household batteries
    • Chemistry sets
    • Darkroom chemicals
    • Pool chemicals
    • Fertilizer
    • Pesticides

  • Perishable Items

    • Refrigerated foods
    • Open or half-used food or food without adequate preservation
    • Cooking chemicals such as oil, vinegar, sugar and flour, etc.
    • Plants
    • Produce
    • Opened liquor, alcohol, and wine (especially uncorked)
    • Frozen foods
    • Gardening chemicals and soil​

    Check with your local hazardous waste department. They usually provide free drop-off for paints and other chemicals.


    You can also try your local waste management, depending on the item they provide return by mail recycling kits, drop off locations, and at home pickup.‌


Your Rights and Responsibilities

  • Movers must give written estimates unless waived.
  • Movers may give binding estimates.
  • Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.
  • If your mover provides you (or someone representing you) with any partially complete document for your signature, you should verify the document is as complete as possible before signing it. Make sure the document contains all relevant shipping information, except the actual shipment weight and any other information necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
  • You may request from your mover the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
  • Be sure you understand the mover’s responsibility for loss or damage, and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
  • You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.
  • You may request a re-weigh of your shipment.
  • If you agree to move under a non-binding estimate, you should confirm with your mover—in writing—the method of payment at delivery as cash, certified check, money order, cashier’s check, or credit card.
  • Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of settling loss or damage claims. Ask your mover for details.
  • You should ask the person you speak to whether he or she works for the actual mover or a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges for the transportation. A household goods broker must not represent itself as a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks of its own. The broker is required to find an authorized mover to provide the transportation. You should know that a household goods broker generally has no authority to provide you an estimate on behalf of a specific mover. If a household goods broker provides you an estimate, it may not be binding on the actual mover and you may have to pay the actual charges the mover assesses. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.
  • You may request complaint information about movers from FMCSA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You may be assessed a fee to obtain this information. See 49 CFR Part 7 for the schedule of fees.
  • You should seek estimates from at least three different movers. You should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors, as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.


What If I Have More Questions?

If this booklet does not answer all of your questions about your move, do not hesitate to ask your mover’s representative who handled the arrangements for your move, the driver who transports your shipment, or the mover’s main office for additional information.