Buyer Resources
 Sonoma County / Napa Valley Moving Guide. Moving Made Easy!
Relocating to a new home can be difficult for anyone. If you are relocating to Sonoma County or to the Napa Valley, you might find that you’re unprepared for the expense, the stress, and the actual moving process. Certainly, moving can be tough, but you can make it easier on yourself and your family by reading our helpful tips for a successful move. If you have any questions about moving to Sonoma County or the Napa Valley, or would like to receive a FREE RELOCATION PACKAGE mailed to your home, never hesitate to call us @ (707) 934-2301 as we’ll always be there to help you!
Tips for Hiring a Moving Company and a Do-It-Yourself MoveOne of the most important things to figure out before you begin your move is how much it’s going to cost you to move into to your new Napa Valley or Sonoma County home. The following are things you should determine if you hire a moving company, or if you plan on doing the moving yourself…
If you hire a moving company, you should ask the following questions:
- Does your moving company charge by weight and miles, or by volume? Volume-based estimates are notoriously inaccurate, so make sure they charge by both weight and miles.
- Will your moving company do an in-home estimate? Any reputable moving company should be willing to provide an in-home estimate as they are the most accurate. If so, will you guarantee that the estimate won’t be exceeded?
- Does your moving company offer temporary storage? If so, how much do you charge for storage?
- Is your moving company fully insured?
- What is your moving company’s refund policy? Many have very flexible refund policies (e.g. fully refundable if you cancel within a week or two.)
If you plan on doing the moving yourself, you should determine the following:
- Size of rental truck you will need
- Cost of rental trucks
- Number of trips from old home to the new home
- Cost of fuel
- Mileage
- Cost for boxes and moving equipment
- Cost to insure the rental truck and equipment
Tips for Packing Your Belongings Getting ready to pack starts with planning and organizing. Like any big plan project, you need to plan the work and then work the plan. You may not be sure what you want to take and what you want to leave behind. Moving can be made easier if you follow some easy to follow tips.
- Have a garage sale to clear out unwanted items and plan accordingly. Consider donating unwanted items.
- Purchase moving supplies: tape, markers, scissors, pocketknife, newspaper, blankets, moving pads, plastic storage bins, rope and a hand truck. Free boxes can usually be obtained at a local supermarket, but consider purchasing wardrobe boxes for moving clothes.
- Keep boxes to 50 lbs or less. Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in big boxes.
- Pack non-breakables tightly in smaller boxes, so they're not too heavy.
- Buy clean newsprint to wrap items, and bubble wrap for padding.
- Pack breakables loosely in plastic storage bins with lots of bubble wrap.
- Rent furniture pads to make moving furniture easier.
- Mark your boxes by room, so you know exactly where everything goes. Color coding or using a number system works great (i.e., red stickers for bedroom or 1 for bathroom.)
- Write "FRAGILE" on all boxes with breakables and stack these boxes on top.
- Make back-ups of computer files and determine how you will move this delicate equipment.
- Carry fragile items in your vehicle.
- Keep a detailed record of all moving expenses. Your costs may be tax deductible depending on the reasons for your move.
Tips for Getting Established in Your New Sonoma County or Napa Valley Community
- Two weeks before moving day, contact your telephone, electric, gas, cable/satellite, refuse and water companies to set a specific date when service will be discontinued.
- Contact the utility providers in your new community about service start dates.
- Advise the post office, publications and correspondents of change of address and date of move.
- Register children for school and ask for school records to be transferred.
- Notify healthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, veterinarians) of your move and ask for referrals and record transfers.
- Purchase home-owners insurance coverage for your new home.
- Purchase auto insurance.
Contact the Stornetta Team Today for All Your Sonoma County and Napa Valley Home Buying Needs!If you follow these relocating tips, your move to a new home should be less painful than the stories you’ve heard from friends who have already relocated. Take the time to be organized and do things right, and you’ll be in your new Napa Valley or Sonoma County home before you know it! If you have any other questions about relocating, or would like to view any of the homes found on our website, make sure to call us @ 707-934-2301. We thank you for stopping by and look forward to speaking with you! “Please be assured that your email will never be sold, shared or used for any purpose other than with your permission.” *Denotes a required field.
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