Moving In & Out: Important Thing To Know What Before Your Moving Day

Moving involves much more than packing boxes and loading a truck. Here are some  important things to know before your moving day to prepare for a successful move.  Between shutting down services at your old home and getting everything ready at your new one, there are dozens of small details that can easily get overlooked.

A little preparation can make moving day much smoother. Before you leave your old home—and before the moving truck arrives at your new one—use this guide from Magic Movers LLC to help make sure you’re ready.

Before Moving Out of Your Old Home

1. Schedule Your Utilities

Don’t wait until moving day to deal with utilities. Contact your providers ahead of time and schedule service to end after you’ve completely moved out.

Depending on your home, this may include:

• • Electricity

• • Water and sewer

• • Natural gas or propane

• • Internet and cable

• • Trash and recycling

• • Home security services

Avoid turning electricity or water off too early. You’ll likely need lights, air conditioning or heat, and running water while you’re cleaning and finishing the move. 

If you’re staying with the same utility provider at your new address, ask whether your service can simply be transferred.  Below are links to Grand Strand/ Myrtle Beach area utilities for your convince. 

• Santee Cooper
• Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority
• Spectrum
• Horry Electric Coop
• HTC
• Georgetown Water & Sewer
• Duke Power  

2. Change Your Mailing Address

Submit your change of address with the U.S. Postal Service and update your address directly with important businesses and organizations.  CLICK HERE for the online USPS form  Click HERE for SCDMV form

Remember to update:

• • Banks and credit cards

• • Insurance companies

• • Employer and payroll

• • Driver’s license and vehicle registration

• • Medical providers

• • Schools

• • Subscription services

• • Online shopping accounts

• • Loan and financial accounts

Mail forwarding is helpful, but you should still update your address directly with important accounts.

3. Check HOA or Property Management Moving Rules

If you’re moving out of a condo, apartment, gated community, or HOA-managed property, find out whether there are special moving requirements.

Some communities may require:

• • Advance notice of your move

• • Approved moving hours or days

• • Elevator reservations

• • Loading-area reservations

• • Temporary gate codes

• • Moving truck permits

• • Certificates of insurance from the moving company

• • Protective coverings in elevators or common areas

Don’t assume that because you’re leaving, the HOA rules no longer matter. Violating moving or parking policies could result in delays, fines, or problems for the property owner.

4. Find Out Where the Moving Truck Can Park

Parking is one of the most overlooked parts of planning a move.

Before your movers arrive, determine where the moving truck can legally and safely park. Condos, apartment complexes, downtown properties, gated communities, and beachfront buildings may have designated loading areas or restrictions on larger trucks.

If street parking is required, check whether your city or municipality requires a temporary parking or loading permit.

The closer the moving truck can safely park to your home, the more efficiently your move can usually be completed.

5. Separate Items That Shouldn’t Go on the Moving Truck

Before packing everything, set aside anything you’ll personally need during the move.

Consider keeping these with you:

• • Medications

• • Identification and important documents

• • Keys and garage remotes

• • Jewelry and valuables

• • Phones and chargers

• • Wallets and purses

• • A change of clothes

• • Toiletries

• • Children’s necessities

• • Pet supplies

• • Important paperwork related to your new home

Clearly label anything that should not be loaded onto the moving truck.

6. Take Photos and Do a Final Walk-through

Before leaving, photograph the condition of your old home, particularly if you’re a renter.

Then check:

• • Closets

• • Cabinets and drawers

• • Attic

• • Garage

• • Outdoor storage

• • Refrigerator and freezer

• • Dishwasher

• • Washer and dryer

• • Patio or balcony

• • Under sinks

• • Behind doors

It’s surprisingly easy to leave something behind.

Before Moving Into Your New Home

Preparing your new home is just as important as preparing the one you’re leaving.

1. Have Your Utilities Turned On Before You Arrive

Whenever possible, schedule utilities to begin before moving day.

Imagine arriving with a truck full of furniture only to discover there’s no electricity, water, or air conditioning.

Confirm your:

• • Electricity

• • Water and sewer

• • Gas or propane

• • Internet

• • Trash and recycling services

If you’re moving during the summer along the Grand Strand or Pee Dee, having the electricity and air conditioning running before moving day can make a significant difference.

2. Confirm HOA, Condo, Apartment, or Community Rules

Your new community may have its own moving requirements.

Contact the HOA, property manager, landlord, or building management before your move and ask about:

• • Permitted moving hours

• • Moving truck parking

• • Gate access

• • Elevator reservations

• • Loading areas

• • Required moving company documentation

• • Weekend or holiday restrictions

• • Street parking

• • Temporary parking passes

For gated communities, make sure your moving company will be able to enter the neighborhood. Provide gate codes or arrange access ahead of time rather than trying to solve the problem when the truck arrives.

3. Check Parking Before the Moving Truck Arrives

Take a look at the new property before moving day and determine the best location for the truck.

Look for:

• • Low-hanging trees

• • Narrow streets

• • Tight turns

• • Low-clearance structures

• • Fire lanes

• • No-parking areas

• • Reserved spaces

• • HOA parking restrictions

• • Apartment or condo loading zones

If you’re unsure whether a moving truck can access your property, let your moving company know ahead of time.

4. Measure Doorways and Large Furniture

That over-sized sectional may have looked perfect in your old living room—but will it fit through the front door of your new home?

Measure:

• • Exterior doors

• • Interior doors

• • Hallways

• • Stairways

• • Elevators

• • Large furniture

• • Appliance spaces

Knowing about tight spaces ahead of time allows your movers to plan accordingly.

5. Decide Where Furniture Will Go

You don’t need a professional floor plan, but having a basic idea of where your major furniture belongs can save time.

Decide where you want your:

• • Beds

• • Sofas

• • Dining table

• • Dressers

• • Desks

• • Large appliances

• • TVs and entertainment centers

Labeling boxes by room rather than just contents can also make unloading and unpacking much easier.

Instead of simply writing “Dishes,” try:

KITCHEN – DISHES

Your movers will immediately know where the box belongs.

6. Take Photos of Your New Home Before Moving In

If you’re renting, photograph the property before your belongings are moved inside.

Even homeowners may find this useful. Photos can document the home’s condition before furniture and boxes are brought in.

7. Pack a First-Night Box

After a full day of moving, you probably won’t want to search through 25 boxes to find your toothbrush.

Pack a clearly marked first-night box with essentials such as:

• • Toilet paper

• • Paper towels

• • Soap

• • Towels

• • Bedding

• • Phone chargers

• • Basic toiletries

• • Cleaning supplies

• • Snacks and bottled water

• • Basic tools

• • Pet supplies

• • Children’s necessities

Keep this box somewhere easy to access.

8. Update Your Address With Your New HOA and Local Services

Once you’re settled, make sure your new address is updated everywhere it needs to be.

If you’re moving into an HOA community, you may also need to register:

• • Vehicles

• • Residents

• • Pets

• • Golf carts

• • Gate access

• • Parking decals

• • Amenity passes

Requirements vary by community, so check your HOA documents or contact management directly.

A Little Planning Can Make Moving Day Much Easier

Moving day shouldn’t begin with discovering that the moving truck can’t enter your community, the elevator wasn’t reserved, or the electricity hasn’t been turned on.

A week or two before your move, confirm the four things that cause many last-minute problems:

Utilities. Mail. Access. Parking.

Taking care of these details ahead of time helps your movers work efficiently and allows you to focus on getting settled into your new home.

Moving in the Grand Strand or Pee Dee?

Magic Movers LLC provides professional moving services throughout the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach area, Pee Dee, and surrounding South Carolina communities, as well as long-distance moving services for customers relocating farther away.  Click here to see our service areas. 

Whether you’re moving from a beachfront condo, apartment, family home, retirement community, or business—or moving into one—our experienced team can help make the transition easier.

From local and long-distance moving to heavy-item moving, furniture assembly, TV mounting, and storage options, Magic Movers LLC can help you handle more of your move in one place. Click here for all of our moving services.

Planning a move? Contact Magic Movers LLC today to request a moving quote here and let us help make your next move a little easier.