Preparation for a move from an apartment , or anywhere else, should be started a couple of months earlier. Begin sorting through your possessions. Anything not needed or wanted and in relatively good condition should be donated to a charity, so someone less fortunate will have something that was not owned before. It is the right thing to do. Have some moving boxes for this purpose.
At about the same time call in movers, if they are needed. Get a written estimate and check for their DOT (Department of Transportation) number, so you know you are dealing with a legitimate outfit. Get a notebook and make sections. This will be your official moving checklist of the move. In this folder or binder will be an inventory of all items that are moving with you. Have sections like kitchen items, bedroom items, bathroom items, broken up by the rooms they will call home.
Now it is time for supplies. Moving boxes and more moving boxes along with wardrobe boxes, packing supplies and moving supplies will be needed. The wardrobe boxes will hold your better clothing, in order that they can be worn again upon arrival at your new residence. Suits, if you own any, will not go in moving boxes. Packing supplies, as can be surmised, consists of tape, scissors, knives, packing paper and newspapers. If other types of packing supplies and moving supplies are needed, they should be marked in the folder. Colored markers and bubble wrap should also be part of the necessary moving supplies along with dish barrel moving boxes for yes, the dishes. Color code the moving boxes.
You don't need a checklist to tell you that the perishable food in the refrigerator should have been consumed. The notebook, if possible should have information pertaining to the dimensions of your new apartment, or the part that will be yours. The color-coded moving boxes will facilitate unpacking.
Packing should begin about a month before the move, not the night before. Pack the infrequently used items first and get them out of the way. While packing the other things, if something needs to be insured, make certain that it is declared to the moving company. Make certain the moving boxes are strong. Moving boxes should be filled to prevent them from crushing. Also, the moving boxes should have newspaper and packaging paper to keep the items in place.
If moving to another city make sure the banking is done along with emptying any safe deposit boxes. Reconfirm the appointment with the moving company about a week prior to the move. Otherwise, you will have a lot of moving boxes to move on your own.
There are many other details to take care of depending upon the individual and the move. One thing all moves have in common, the moving boxes.