Moving Checklist for Indianapolis, IN

Begin your research to find licensed and insured moving companies that operate in Indianapolis and its larger suburbs. When comparing movers, look at their services, ratings, reviews, and areas of expertise like apartment moves vs. single-family home moves vs. long-distance moves. The sooner the research is done, the better the availability of the mover will…

Choose whether your move will be local, long-distance, or interstate. Knowing what type of move you will be doing impacts the licensing and insurance requirements and the pricing structure for that Move. Developing a timeline early will help you avoid making hasty decisions at the last minute.

Determine which types of costs will involve your move, including: fees to the movers, packing supplies, storage, utility deposits, etc. During peak months (summer and around the end of the month) in Indianapolis, mover rates are generally highest. If you set your moving budget early, you will not have any surprises later on.

Go from room to room and decide what items you want to keep, give to charity, sell, throw away. Decreasing the number of items that need to be moved will reduce the overall cost of the moving process. Numerous local charities throughout the city of Indianapolis accept donated merchandise and provide a means for giving…

Gather medical records, ID cards, insurance policies, and moving contract. Keep these documents on you instead of placing them inside of boxes, to have easy access to them if needed, making the process easier throughout the entire time.

Collect in-home or virtual quotes from multiple Indianapolis moving companies to offer you a reliable and precise quote without surprises and allow for easier company comparisons. Confirm the mover you pick is properly licensed and insured.

Once you have selected the mover you wish to use, it is advisable to schedule your move date as soon as possible. During the peak moving season (spring and summer) many movers in Indianapolis will experience heavy demand; thus, reserving your move date early increases your chances of securing the move that is most convenient.

To ensure a smooth moving experience, it’s important to consider making time off from work for the day of the move and potentially also the day after the move. You may also need to make childcare or pet-related arrangements so you can minimize distractions and focus on the move.

Buy boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and tape. Most Indianapolis movers provide packing materials or packing services; however, you can save a great deal of time at the end by getting this supply of materials ahead of time.

Contact your apartment’s office or HOA and ask about the move-in/move-out process and any applicable rules/policies. Many apartment buildings and HOAs require tenants to provide advance notice of their intent to move out, schedule reservations for elevators and provide proof of insurance. Reading and understanding this information in advance of your move may help prevent…

Check that you have the correct moving date, the arrival window for the truck and yourself, both addresses for the move, and the correct contact information for yourself as well as the shipper/mover. Review the services that were agreed-upon in your moving contract. When you have all of this information accurate and on record, you…

Pack as much of your items into boxes as you can, but also keep the boxes for each room separate. If you accidentally mix up items from different rooms when packing them into boxes, it will take you longer to load and unpack your boxes.

Throw away any items that the shipping/moving company will not accept. This includes, but is not limited to, paint, chemicals, propane tanks, and some cleaning supplies. Make sure to follow the local disposal instructions for these restricted items in Indianapolis. By discarding these items before your move, you will be saving yourself from having a…

Put together a “moving essentials” box that contains your toiletries, medications, phone charger, the most important papers you need, and any tools that will be useful for the first night in your new home. Keep this box with you during the actual move to ensure that you will have what you need on your first…

Double-check that both the old and new address have enough available parking for the moving truck. Remember that many neighborhoods and apartment complexes require parking permits or reserved parking spots. By planning ahead to have parking access, you will be able to save time once the truck arrives.

Make sure to pack almost everything into boxes; keep a few things handy that you might need on a daily basis. It is important to make sure each box has been appropriately identified or labelled “Fragile” or “Open First” to help moving companies when moving items.

Clean your house as you finish up with each room you clear out, especially if you’re renting. You want to leave the best impression possible on your landlord and gets you closer to getting your deposit back. Also a good clean house makes it easier for the final walkthrough to take place.

Always double-check on any moving services you ordered, any utility services that were started and how to get into your storage units. Make sure you also double-check the method of payment and the final cost. Eliminating the unknown can help alleviate your stress.

Remove any valuable items such as jewellery, cash, passports, small electronics, etc., from your packed boxes and keep them close to you at all times. This gives you an extra layer of security against theft or damage.

You’ll need to pack your remaining personal belongings (mostly any non-essential items) after they are packed in boxes or bags just before move day. Only leave overnight items out. The morning of your move will be a lot smoother with everything ready to go.

Make sure to have accessible to you, both the contract and inventory list along with contact numbers to your moving company. Go through the most important aspects of these documents, so you’re aware of the services being provided by your moving company. You are more likely to be able to stay organized on moving day…

Make sure that your cellphone, laptop, power bank, and any other electronic devices are fully charged before they leave home. You will be using your electronic devices for navigation and communicating during the move. If your phone is dead, it could add to the chaos and stress of the move.

Moving can be dangerous for both you and the mover. To ensure safety for both of you, clear pathways, take up any throw rugs, secure any loose items, and have any pets go to a quiet place or with a friend to stay.

A successful moving day is dependent on you having had enough rest prior to the move. If you get a full night’s sleep, you will have the ability to think clearly and remain organized during the move.

Be there to provide any necessary information to the movers and offer any additional instructions. Take a moment to walk through your house and point out any delicate or special treasures that you have. This clear direction can help minimize damage or loss.

Go through the closets, cabinets, basement, garage, and backyard areas of your home before you leave. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind. This is a very important step, yet it is often something that many people overlook.

Observe how the movers are taking care of your items. If something doesn’t seem right, do not hesitate to voice your concerns immediately. This is an important opportunity for you to communicate with the movers so that they understand your expectations and meet them.

Verify with the movers on how to get to the delivery destination, where parking will be available, and any unloading instructions that may be necessary. This will help keep things organized and ensure that you get your items as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Before you sign the inventory list, look closely at each item and the condition of the item listed on the inventory. Make sure that you completely agree with what is listed on the inventory before signing it. It is a good idea to keep a copy for your reference.