Stressed About The Move? We Can Help
Moving is stressful—we get it, we’ve been at it for ages! It’s more than just brown boxes and a truck, and keeping track can be overwhelming. That’s why we created the Adamantine Spine Moving Checklist: your complete guide to what to do and when. It’ll streamline your packing and free you up to focus on the important stuff, like convincing your kids that their stuffed animals can’t wait to ride in the moving truck!
Checklist Before Moving:
One-To-Two Months Before Moving Day
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Arrange a free estimate from Spine Moving and book your move as soon as possible. Summer is busy for movers, so it’s best to reserve at least a month or two in advance.
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Make travel arrangements with airlines, buses, car rentals, and hotels as needed.
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Start packing and label boxes with your last name, contents, and destination (e.g., “DR” for Dining Room, “MBR” for Master Bedroom).
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Sort, sell, donate, recycle, or discard unwanted items. Downsizing reduces your moving costs!
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Arrange transportation for your pets.
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Confirm elevator, loading dock, and parking reservations for moving day at both locations, if needed.
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Complete the change of address form for the post office.
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Complete an IRS change of address form.
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Inform your doctors, dentists, and health providers.
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Research your new city's laws on home-based businesses, licenses, and any relevant regulations.
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Take inventory of your belongings, including serial numbers and photos or videos, before packing.
Two Weeks Before
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Finalize downsizing by donating or discarding unsold items.
- Use up food items to reduce what needs packing and prevent spoilage.
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Switch utility services to your new address by informing electric, water, and cable companies.
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Arrange child care or a pet sitter for moving day.
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Schedule time off work to prepare for and be present on moving day.
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Check with your insurance agent to confirm coverage during the move.
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Gather valuables from your safe-deposit box and make copies of important documents before sending or taking them to your new address.
- Confirm travel reservations.
One Week Before
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Service appliances before moving.
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Clean and wrap rugs and clothing for moving.
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Remove all affixed items you want to take, like drapes, lighting fixtures, and ceiling fans.
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Update your address with all subscribed newspapers, magazines, and periodicals.
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Notify friends and family of your new address.
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Close bank accounts and wire funds to your new bank. Ensure there are no outstanding checks or pending automatic payments before closing.
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Defrost, drain, and dry the freezer and refrigerator, and add a deodorizer to control odors.
Checklist For Moving Day:
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Double-check closets, drawers, shelves, the attic, and garage to ensure they're empty.
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Identify fragile or previously damaged furniture and inform your movers on moving day.
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Separate and label items that won’t be moved by your movers.
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Isolate your checkbook, keys, passports, plane tickets, cash, credit cards, and prescription medications. These should stay with you in your personal vehicle on moving day.
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Disconnect the propane tank from the gas grill, as we cannot transport it on moving day.
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Clear steps, walkways, and the driveway during bad weather.
Checklist After Arriving:
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Renew your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and tags.
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Shop for new insurance policies, particularly auto coverage.
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Revise your will and legal documents to reduce probate time and legal fees.
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Find the nearest hospitals, police stations, veterinarians, and fire stations to your home.
Have questions about your move?
The Next Step? We've Got You Covered
Whether you're moving down the block or across the country, we're here to help make your move as easy, organized, and worry-free as possible.
Online Estimate
Provide us with some basic information about your move, and we'll start working on your cost estimate right away. For local moves we charge by the hour. For long distance moves, we charge by weight, so we'll schedule a home survey to create the most accurate move inventory.
Planning For Moving Day
You know how the saying goes: An ounce of planning is worth a pound of packing tape. Moving your entire household isn't quite as complex as a moon landing, but it can sometimes feel like it. It's best to follow a careful plan that will keep you on track for a gentle touch down at your new home.
Our Locations
We're Iowa City born and raised and might always be a little partial to the Hawks, but we've matured and learned to branch out: First to Cedar Rapids with it's New Bohemian charms, and now to Des Moines, where Spine veterans Cliff and Emily Wallace are introducing us to their hometown.
