Fulshear-Katy Community Guide 2025-26

MOVING TIPS

• Visit your local post office or USPS.com/move for instructions on how to change your home address online. If you don’t have an address yet, the post office can hold your mail until you have one. • Log on to your user accounts to change your address with governmental entities such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, etc. Organizational tip: Find a space for items that stay with you, like suitcases, clothes, toiletries, valuables (including cash, coins, jewelry, photographs, and important papers), plates, and utensils, so the moving company won’t mistakenly transport them. On moving day, add all cell phones, laptops, tablets, and chargers. 6 WEEKS BEFORE • Book your reservation with the moving company for a specific move date. • Or, reserve a truck if you are moving yourself. 5 WEEKS BEFORE • Begin packing nonessentials if you are going the DIY packing route. • Start these tasks that require a month’s notice for cancellation: • Contact current utilities and other service providers to close out service and the new providers in Fulshear or Katy to set up service at your new residence in time for your move-in date. • You will likely need a month or more to cancel memberships to health and fitness clubs, civic organizations, daycare, and delivery services. If the same entity exists in the Fulshear-Katy area, it might be possible to transfer your membership. 4 WEEKS BEFORE • If you are a DIY mover and need professional movers to load and unload your rental truck, begin looking for teams in your area and in Fulshear and Katy to secure their services. • Give your lawn care team, cleaning services and other vendors notice of the last day you need their services. • If you are driving, have your vehicle serviced. If you are flying, contact an auto transporter to have your car shipped here. • If you have children, inform their schools about the family’s relocation. Ask for copies of school records and keep them with you in your moving documents organizer. The specifics of enrolling new students in Katy ISD and Lamar CISD are available at katyisd.org and lcisd.org. 3 WEEKS BEFORE • Can your health, home, and auto insurance be transferred, or will you need to find new policies? If you have questions, contact relevant agents. • Also, begin taking stock of the food you have on hand. Plan what you will eat, what you might take as you travel (e.g., snacks and fruit), and what you will give away to friends or a food pantry. 2 WEEKS BEFORE • Confirm dates and times with your moving or trucking company. Confirm that the professionals

TIMING YOUR MOVE When you are certain that you will be relocating, be sure to look at the terms and conditions of leases and contracts to see when you must give notice about your move. If you are renting, notify your landlord according to your lease agreement. Begin to make your travel plans, especially if you are flying, to get the best deal. A general timeline can vastly increase your ability to stay on top of packing, transporting, and relocating your family, pets, and possessions as you count down to moving day. 8 WEEKS BEFORE • Note that interstate movers ask for 6 to 8 weeks from the time they pack your current home to when they make the delivery to your new home. Start getting moving estimates at the 8-week point so you can make an informed choice by week 6. Local moves can usually take place in 24 to 48 hours, depending on whether the items are going directly to the new location or being held for a time. • Hazardous chemicals such as propane and paint are forbidden to transport; begin to dispose of them properly.

bring efficiency, reliability, accountability, and peace of mind as you relocate. “I recommend having a moving company salesperson come to your house. In-person meetings are the most beneficial way to decide who to hire and a good way to acquaint yourself with people you will ultimately trust to handle your possessions,” Khan says. Estimates are usually free and are based on the distance to the new location and the weight of household goods being shipped. The estimate should describe the amount, type, and condition of items. You’ll be asked where and how far your home is from Fulshear or Katy, and you’ll be shown additional insurance options, dates of pick-up and delivery, and other specifics. In addition to checking reviews and testimonials, another important way to protect yourself as a consumer is to ask for the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) numbers. Every reputable carrier that delivers to Texas will have these numbers, and you can use them to help screen the companies. You can also verify your moving company with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). According to the Better Business Bureau, movers are among the top categories searched on its website.

44 FULSHEAR-KATY COMMUNITY GUIDE & DIRECTORY 2025-26 ISSUE