Preparing for a Move

Moving out of a house, condominium, or apartment can be challenging, but with the right preparation and tools, you can streamline the process and avoid unnecessary stress. Following these must-haves and must-dos will keep you organized and make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible.
Plan ahead, stay organized, and remember that with every move comes a fresh start. Happy moving!
Packing Supplies
- Sturdy Boxes: Get strong, high-quality boxes to avoid damage.
- Packing Tape: Durable packing tape is essential for securing boxes.
- Labels and Markers: Clearly labeling your boxes helps keep your unpacking organized.
- Bubble Wrap and Packing Paper: Keep your fragile items safe with cushioning materials.
- Furniture Covers: Cover larger (or all) pieces of furniture to prevent scratches and damage.
- Dollies and Hand Carts: Make moving heavy or bulky items easier and safer.
Moving Tools and Equipment
- Ratchet Straps and Bungee Cords: Secure items in your moving vehicle to prevent shifting.
- Wheeled Equipment: Dollies, hand carts, and furniture sliders can help move items efficiently.
- Disc Lock: If you’re using a storage unit, use a high-quality disc lock for better security.


Must-Have Paperwork
- Condo Rules and Regulations: Check with your condo association for any moving policies. Some condos have specific moving times, elevator usage rules, and other requirements.
- Parking Permits: Secure any necessary permits for moving trucks to park in designated areas.
- Change of Address Forms: Update your address with the postal service, utilities, and other important entities.
Cleaning Supplies
- All-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant Wipes: Clean as you pack and before leaving.
- Vacuum and Mop: Ensure floors are spotless before your final inspection.
- Garbage Bags: For any last-minute trash or items to dispose of.
Must-Do’s for a Successful Move
Plan and Schedule Early
- Book Your Movers: Hire a moving company well in advance, especially if you’re moving during peak times.
- Coordinate with Your Condo Management: Reserve an elevator and notify building management of your move date to avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Create a Moving Timeline: Break down tasks like packing, cleaning, and sorting items into manageable steps over a few weeks.
Declutter Before Packing
- Donate or Sell Items: Moving is a perfect time to part ways with things you no longer need.
- Organize Your Belongings: Group similar items together to make unpacking easier.
Secure Your Valuables
- Set Aside Important Items: Keep passports, financial documents, jewelry, and sentimental items in a separate, easily accessible box.
- Back Up Digital Files: Ensure any important documents stored digitally are backed up in case of any unforeseen issues.
Prepare for Moving Day
- Pack an Essentials Box: Include items like toiletries, snacks, a change of clothes, and any necessary chargers so you’re set for the first 24 hours.
- Protect Your Floors and Walls: Use floor runners and furniture pads to prevent damage to common areas.
- Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks: Moving to a new home is physically demanding, so drink water and take short breaks to avoid fatigue.
Double-Check Your Unit Before Leaving
- Inspect Each Room: Make sure no items are left behind, and all fixtures and utilities are in working order.
- Photograph Your Unit: Document the condition of your unit with photos as proof for any potential disputes with the condo association.
Notify Essential Parties of Your Move
- Utility Companies: Schedule your utility disconnections and reconnections for your move-out and move-in dates.
- Subscription Services: Update your address for magazines, meal kits, and other services.
- Friends and Family: Share your new address so they know how to reach you.
Go With The Pros!
The Estate Pros are consistently ranked among the top estate-related services in Michigan. We specialize in assisting individuals and businesses who are in need of residential, retail and commercial estate services.
The Estate Pros are an industry authority with hundreds of years of combined experience amongst our ownership and staff. Our owners, sales teams, and support staff are held to the highest standards of professionalism and experiential service.
The Estate Pros pay meticulous attention to detail as we handle every aspect of your estate from start to finish. Our experts will work with you from the initial free consultation to the complete execution of your move and everything in between.
Thinking about moving? Contact the Estate Pros!!!
Southeast Michigan Estate Sale Service Area
The Estate Pros have been proudly serving Oakland, Macomb and parts of Livingston, Genesee, Lapeer & Wayne counties for the past 15 years. No matter what your situation calls for, the Estate Pros are here to help!
The Estate Pros Difference

Experience
Over 15 years of service with more than 5,000 successfully completed estate sales, liquidations, donations & clean outs.

Professional
Our team has the qualified appraisers and industry leading liquidation experts needed to get the job done right.

Safe
We are licensed, bonded & insured. You can feel confident knowing our services are private, safe and secure.

Results
Ranked in the top 50 estate sale companies in America, delivering millions of dollars in estate proceeds to our valued clients every year.
What Our Clients are Saying
Schedule Your House Clean Out & Donation Today!
The Estate Pros are here to help! No matter what your situation is – big or small estates, estates with older or outdated items, estates with location restrictions, etc.
We can handle any situation, location type, or size – GUARANTEED!
House Clean Out & Donations FAQS
The Estate Pros are a professional estate services company that offers full-service donation & residential junk removal services. While we work with many local charities to donate your unwanted items and junk, the Estate Pros are NOT a charity or 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
As much as we love our customers, unfortunately, are services are not free. The Estate Pros donation and clean out program is a paid service that offers full-service residential donation & junk removal. Please contact us for details and pricing.
As soon as you know you need service! You can book an appointment with us through our website via our “book online” option or by calling us at (248) 266-9817. We are generally pretty booked up so the sooner you can get on our schedule the better. It’s best to plan ahead!
Our team is typically asked to haul away mattresses, furniture, electronics, etc. We try and take as many of your unwanted items as possible and can take away most residential items as long as it’s not toxic or hazardous. Here’s a list of items we commonly take for donation:
- Furniture & mattresses.
- Household & kitchen items.
- Clothing, shoes, bedding, linens, etc.
- Appliances & electronics.
- Artwork, accessories & decor.
- Office furniture & equipment& more!
Items that can’t be donated will be either be recycled or discarded. Such items may include oversized pieces (pool tables, ping pong tables, large china cabinets, large armoires, etc), holiday decor, toys, etc.
Yes, as long as it can be lifted and loaded into the truck by two people. Additional labor for large item removal such as deconstructing furniture, exercise equipment, carpet removal, etc. may be billed at an hourly rate (please contact us for details).
Our mission is to re-purpose, re-home and donate as much of your unwanted items & junk as possible, assisting others in need while minimizing what needs to be discarded. We donate your furniture and other household items to charities such as Habitat For Humanity, Furniture Bank of SE Michigan and others, providing you with all the required tax documentation for your donations. Items that can’t be donated or recycled will be discarded.
Yes, the Estate Pros are fully bonded and insured. We have liability insurance, general performance bonding, workmen’s compensation, and insurance coverage for all of our trucks and teams. Your home is fully protected in the rare event that damage should occur.
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