Your Ultimate Checklist When Moving to Queens

Queens, New York – a cultural melting pot where every corner sings a different tune. This borough is an incredible place to move to, but you need to be prepared for the journey. As seasoned movers specializing in New York City relocations, we have created this moving to Queens checklist to assist you in this adventure.

Six Weeks Before Your Move to Queens: Pick Your Movers

• To kick off your moving to Queens checklist, start your search for a local Queens moving company.
• Review customer reviews and testimonials on Google and Yelp.
• Collect moving quotes.
• Review the insurance options provided by the movers against third-party insurance providers.
• Create a floor plan of your new Queens apartment.

Five Weeks Out: Declutter Like a Pro

• The next step in your moving to Queens checklist is to start sorting through all your belongings, dividing them into categories: keep, sell, donate, and recycle.
• Use online platforms such as Decluttr or OfferUp to sell items that you no longer need but are in good condition.
• Contact local charities to schedule donation pickups for items you plan to give away.
• Recycle any items unsuitable for selling or donating, ensuring you follow your local recycling guidelines.
• Safely dispose of important paperwork by using a shredding service to prevent exposure of personal information.
• Finally, don’t forget to organize the items you decided to keep in a way that will make packing easier in the following weeks.

Four Weeks Before Your Queens Move: Get Your Supplies

• As you progress down your moving to Queens checklist, it’s time to initiate online purchases of packing supplies from providers like U-Haul or Home Depot.
• Explore rental options for reusable plastic bins with companies such as BungoBox.
• Secure a few extra-large boxes suitable for larger items.
• Investigate the feasibility of renting furniture pads or moving blankets for added protection.
• Keep in mind potential needs for specialty boxes for items like TVs or artwork.
• Consider the requirement of bubble wrap or packing paper to protect fragile items.

Three Weeks Out: Set Your Move Date

• The next step in your moving to Queens checklist is to initiate a conversation with your chosen moving company to finalize the move date.
• Once the date is confirmed, get a written agreement or confirmation from the moving company.
• File for leave from your workplace for the designated moving day(s). Use your company’s HR platform for this, or directly get in touch with your manager.
• Notify your utilities service providers about your move and provide them with your new Queens address.
• Contact your health insurance provider and update your address in their records to ensure seamless service post-move.

Two Weeks Prior to Moving to Queens: Pack It Up

• As you continue following your moving to Queens checklist, it’s time to start packing with less frequently used rooms or items. This could be your garage, attic, or spare rooms.
• Use packing apps like Sortly to maintain an inventory of items in each box, categorizing them by room or item type.
• Whenever possible, pack your electronics in their original boxes, which are best suited to protect them. If not, use bubble wrap or padding to secure them.
• Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home. This will expedite the unloading and unpacking process.
• To improve the efficiency of your move, use color-coded tape or stickers for boxes from different rooms. For example, all kitchen boxes could have a green label, while all living room boxes could be blue.
• Use a permanent marker to write essential details on the boxes. You might include notes about the box’s contents, whether the items are fragile, and if the box should be loaded last so it can be unloaded first.

One Week Before You Move to Queens: Keep People in the Loop

• In this part of your moving to Queens checklist, submit a change-of-address form through the USPS’s online service.
• Update your new address with your car insurance provider.
• Notify your employer about your upcoming Queens move and update your address through the HR platform.
• Inform your children’s schools about the move and transfer any necessary school records.
• Check all your financial institutions, credit card companies, and other important services to ensure they have your new address.
• Contact your healthcare providers (doctor, dentist) to either inform them of the move or ask for recommendations in your new location.

Few Days Prior to Your Move to Queens: Keep on Packing

• Continue packing by categorizing your items into “Essentials,” “Regular Use,” and “Infrequently Used.”
• Use every available space wisely; for example, pack clothing into empty suitcases.
• Create a separate box or bag for crucial items like medication, vital documents, and valuables. Label this as “Important: Carry-On.”
• Consider packing a small bag with items you’ll need on moving day, like snacks, a change of clothes, and toiletries.
• Arrange for additional help on a moving day. Consider booking services like:
  • A pet sitter, if you have pets, to keep them safe and out of the way.
  • A cleaning service to ensure your old place is spotless after your departure.
• Conduct a thorough check of all rooms, closets, and cabinets to ensure nothing is overlooked or left behind.

Night Before Your Move: Prep Your Essentials

• In this part of your moving to Queens checklist, prepare an ‘essentials box’ to keep necessary items within your reach.
• Fill the box with personal care items such as toiletries and a change of clothes.
• Don’t forget to include some snacks for quick energy during the moving process.
• Consider including a small toolkit in your box for immediate fixes or assembling furniture at your new home.

Morning of Your Move: Confirm Details

• Contact your Queens moving company to reconfirm all moving details. This includes the expected arrival time of the moving team and the route they plan to take to your new home.
• Double-check payment terms with your moving company to ensure you understand when and how payment should be made.
• Verify that the movers have all necessary tools for assembly or disassembly. For example, they should have the correct screwdrivers or Allen keys for furniture that needs to be taken apart.
• Take one last look around your home, including the exterior, to ensure nothing is left behind. Check less frequented spaces like attics, basements, and garden sheds.
• Inspect all storage areas in your home one more time. Check the tops of cabinets, the back of closets, and inside appliances like your oven or dishwasher.
• Lastly, if you have time, doing a final cleaning sweep could be beneficial. This could include mopping the floors, wiping down countertops, or taking out the trash. This is especially important if you’re renting and want to get your full deposit back, or if you’ve sold your old home and want to leave it clean for the new owners.

On Your Queens Moving Day: Monitor the Loading

• Carefully supervise the entire loading process to ensure that all items are being handled properly.
• Create and maintain a final inventory list as each item is loaded onto the moving truck, which will help track the items during transit.
• Set aside a designated box or bag for your most valuable items such as jewelry, important documents, and electronics. This should be kept with you at all times during the move.
• Double-check that your movers have the correct new address to avoid any confusion or potential mishaps.
• Clearly explain any specific instructions about parking and entering your new place to the movers. This will ensure a smoother unloading process.
• If possible, make a plan for unloading at your new place, thinking about which boxes or furniture you’d like to have offloaded first. Share this plan with your movers.

After Your Move: Welcome to Queens!

• Guide Your Movers with a Floor Plan. Ensure you have a handy floor plan to provide clear furniture placement instructions.
• Do a Thorough Check. Confirm that all boxes and furniture are safely off the moving truck before the movers leave.
• Begin the Unpacking Process. Get started on unpacking boxes.
• Prioritize Essential Areas. Focus first on setting up the beds for a good night’s sleep, and the kitchen for meals.
• Manage Clutter by Recycling. As you unpack, start breaking down and recycling boxes to prevent clutter.
• Finally, after your move, the last point on your moving to Queens checklist advises you to take a breather and congratulate yourself on the successful move!

Remember, moving can be a complex process, but breaking it down into these steps with our moving to Queens checklist can help. Good luck with your move to Queens!