Things Needed to Move Into a House

Important Things

• Indispensable items, such as your wallet, checkbook, mobile phone, prescriptions or medicines, as well as important papers and documents, are things you should carry with you in a travel bag or knapsack. Pack another case with your jewelry and toiletries, toilet paper, washcloths and a few towels. If you rent a truck or use a professional mover, keep the paperwork in an easily accessible location.

Practical Things

• You will need keys to the house, garage and outbuildings as well as appropriate electronic door openers. A flashlight with extra batteries is helpful for locating electrical switches in dark rooms. You will also need your household tools for setting up beds and pieces of furniture. Bring along at least six spare light bulbs and a box fan for keeping the air circulating. A radio is another useful thing to have for listening to the news, weather reports or for providing some "moving" music.

Helpful Things

• Move stereo equipment, kitchen items, household tools and pet supplies in plastic containers with lids. Use strapping tape to prevent cardboard boxes from popping open. This super-strong tape is used by manufacturers to secure boxes that contain household appliances. Other helpful things are furniture "sliders." Sliders are circular polymer discs that are placed under heavy or bulky items. They allow you to slide appliances and large pieces of furniture into position without damaging floors or carpets.

Mechanical Things

• A flat platform-type of dolly on four wheels is a useful tool for moving bulky appliances, such as a television set, washer or dryer. A mover's two-wheel dolly is ideal for transporting tall pieces of furniture or appliances from the truck to the house. When renting a moving truck, reserve one that has an automatic tailgate lift; a lift makes loading and unloading heavy pieces of furniture or stacks of boxes easier.

Appreciated Things

• Food and beverages are things that are gladly received when made available during the moving process. Beverages such as ice water and chilled cans of soda and fruit drinks are thirst quenchers in warm weather. During colder times of the year, hot drinks are preferred. Sandwiches, when cut into quarters, can be picked up and eaten by the movers on the run. Provide an energy boost with an assortment of cookies.