Make Your Move Easy.
Tips, checklists, and timelines from the Movers For Me team, with everything you need to make moving day go smoothly across Central Pennsylvania.
Make the Most of Your Move.
Moving your home, business, or relatives can be a big undertaking. Every tip on this page is here to cut the work, time, and stress of your move and point you in the right direction. Our goal is simple: make the whole process as easy on you as possible.
How Does the Postal Service Know When You’re Moving?
They don’t, so you have to tell them. Here’s how to set up mail forwarding the right way.
Plan Ahead
File your change of address about two weeks before you move. The Postal Service says to allow 7 to 10 business days for it to take effect.
Go to USPS
Visit MoversGuide.USPS.com with your debit or credit card ready. The online change of address costs $1.25, or you can do it free in person at any Post Office with a photo ID.
Update Contacts
When you receive forwarded mail, contact the sender directly to update your address with them.
Check Our Pinterest Page
Over 1,200 pins with DIY tips and tricks for every step of your move.
Prepare for the Big Day.
Decide whether you’d like your possessions professionally packed or would rather pack them yourself, since that affects the estimate. If your employer is helping cover the move, check with them to confirm which services are included.
Weeks Approaching
- Complete the Change of Address form with the U.S. Postal Service.
- If you have kids, update their information with:
- Local school districts
- Doctors
- Daycare
- Clubs
- Library
- Contact the following about your coming move:
Utilities: electric, gas, water, phone, cable or satellite, sewage
Medical: doctor, dentist, pharmacy
Professional services: lawyer, broker, insurance
Personal accounts: bank, credit cards, clubs, associations, home care services
Government offices: DMV, tax bureaus, Social Security Administration, voter registration
Delivered materials: magazines, newspapers, journals
If needed: auto insurance and home insurance
Most importantly: notify family and friends
Days Before
- Label any boxes you pack with the contents and the destination room. Catalog and label your electronics, and individually wrap any liquids.
- Properly dispose of all flammables such as aerosol cans, cleaning fluids, and paint, so nothing damages the rest of your belongings in transit.
- Drain oil and gas from your lawn mower and any other power tools.
- Pack all prescriptions and immediate necessities in an easy-to-access suitcase for anything you may need during the move. If you’re traveling by air, do not check this bag.
- Note any fragile items needing special attention from the packers, anything you don’t want packed or moved, and anything you’ll want access to first at your new home.
Moving Day
- Moving with pets? Arrange a sitter or keep them in one closed room while the crew works. We do not transport pets. See our moving with pets guide.
- Be available or designate a point of contact, so there are no questions about delivery arrangements.
- Take a last-minute look around and confirm everything is shut off, unplugged, disconnected, and locked up.
- Help direct the crew during the unload process.
- Keep all your moving documents in your move file and in a safe place, since you’ll need them for verification on tax returns.
- Check with the post office for any held mail and let them know you’re ready for delivery to begin.