Welcome to Our Moving Tips Section

• Learn To Id Good Apartment Movers
• Moving Day Cheat Sheet
• Walk Through Your Apartment Before You Move In
• Cleaning Tips

Learn to Id Good Apartment Movers

Before you talk with a mover, determine what you plan to keep and what you can sell or give away. Don’t hesitate to donate old clothes or furniture as you will be doing a good deed and just as importantly you will lessen the amount of items you need to move.

If you pack up your own stuff you can save a lot when you hire a mover. Some movers may provide boxes or allow you to purchase your own boxes for them to move. If you’re looking to purchase boxes we recommend using Moveout.com (Click Here for Moving Boxes)

Look online, check the phone book and even more importantly ask your friends, family and neighbors for recommendations and advice on movers. When you receive a bid, make sure to ask prospective movers how long their estimates are good for. While it is okay to accept a rough estimate over the phone, do not agree to enter into a contract with a moving company unless you get their terms and conditions in writing. To get the most accurate estimate, inform the mover of any possible difficulties and problems (i.e. parking problems, road access, street accessibility, time restrictions, stairs, elevators, etc.).

If you take time to plan your apartment move far enough in advance you can avoid extra charges. An innovative way to move your items into your new apartment is through uShip. uShip is an online "reverse auction" shipping marketplace where you can list your large items or anything else that you need shipped, and receive bids from thousands of feedback-rated shipping companies.  

When evaluating prospective moving companies make sure to contact the local Better Business Bureau to inquire about the company's complaint record. Check for the DOT license number, as all movers are required to be license. Get references from all movers and place calls to previous customers so you can get comfortable with their track record. Be sure to understand the coverage for loss or damage of your shipment as all licensed movers must provide liability for the value of goods they transport.

Moving Day Cheat Sheet

Before you get started with your move make sure to print out this list to ensure you cover all of your bases. If you follow this step by step approach you will be prepared to move into your new apartment and all loose ends will be tied up.

	Complete all last-minute packing.
	Finish last-minute cleaning.
	Take the garbage out.
	Turn off the water heater and set the thermostat to 55 degrees.
	Plan ahead by packing a separate bag with essentials for the day after the move.
	Let a close contact know your schedule in case of emergency
	Meet with the apartment manager or landlord and do a final walk-through of the apartment
	Get a copy of the apartment inspection and damage report for your records.
	Keep a flashlight handy in case you arrive at your new place after dark.

Moving Yourself
	Pick up the moving truck bright and early (or even the day before) and make sure it has a full tank of gas.
	Do an inspection of the vehicle to make sure there is no damage prior to your rental.
	Buy any last minute furniture covers, pads, boxes, (Need Boxes? Moving Boxes? Click here for discounted moving boxes delivered right to your door!) bubble wrap, etc.
	Buy a map or get directions to your new apartment.
	Numbering each of your boxes and label which room the items belong in.
	Make sure the items you'll need at your new destination are loaded in last to make accessing them easier when reaching your new apartment.
	Return the truck with the same amount of gas as it had when you rented it.
	Do another inspection to insure you will not be charged for any damage that you did not cause.

Walk Through Your Apartment Before You Move In

It is critical to walk through your potential new apartment before you move in. Insist on seeing the actual apartment that you will be renting (often a landlord will try to show you a model or a “similar” apartment). If there is anything in your unit that needs to be fixed or replaced, make sure the landlord does this before you move in.

Important Things to Look For

• Check the water pressure in the unit.
• Inspect the water temperature. Try turning on the water in the shower when you walk into the unit and see how long it takes to get hot.
• Faucets, toilets, and pipes should all be examined for leaks.
• Check out all the appliances in your new apartment to ensure they work properly and are not damaged.
• Make sure the common area for laundry is well lit and appropriately maintained.
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors should be examined to ensure they are working properly.
• Check the water heater and furnace to make sure that these are free of rust.
• Look for any evidence of insects or rodents.

Cleaning Tips

To ensure you are thorough, you should establish a method to cleaning up your old apartment. The first thing you will want to do is create a materials list.  You should plan to have the following: paper towels or cleaning rags, an old toothbrush, scrubbing brush, sponges with one side that scrubs, rubber gloves, mop & broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, bleach, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, carpet cleaner, tile floor cleaner, and a number of boxes.

If you really want to take your cleaning to the next level, check out the site: www.CleaningTips.com. There you will find detailed information for cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, windows and more!

Now that everything's boxed up and ready to go, you'll want to tackle those nasty stains first so you have plenty of time to get everything done. If you have enough people helping you move some people can be cleaning while others help finish packing up.

Cleaning Tips Summary:

• Make a list of Cleaning Materials.
• Put all of the cleaning stuff into the boxes.
• Start in one room and don't leave until it's spotless.
• Don't clean the floors, toilets or bathroom sinks until right before you're leaving.
• Clean from top to bottom. If you don't, you'll be cleaning some spots twice.
• Don't blister your knuckles trying to make the carpet shine. If you're really worried about any stains you've made, consider renting a carpet cleaning system from your local grocery store.
• If you smoke or have stinky pets, you can get rid of some of the smell by sprinkling baking soda on top of the carpet, letting it sit for about 15 minutes and then vacuuming it up. You should do this before you dust. 

Special Cleaning Tips For Your Worst Apartment Stains:

• Clean Scuff Marks - Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
• Dusting Tip - Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
• Cleaning Chrome - Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.
• Removing Gum - Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
• Removing Smoke Odor - Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.