Moving is overwhelmingly exciting but is also one of the most stressful periods in our lives. Whether you’re moving down the road or across the country, there are countless things to consider, from packing to transport to settling into your new space.
To help make the process smoother and more manageable, here are 11 tips to consider for an easy move.
1. Early Planning
As soon as you know you are moving, you are likely behind in the planning. A last-minute rush can lead to forgotten items, damaged belongings, or unnecessary stress. Creating a well-thought-out timeline allows you to break down the tasks and ensure everything is completed on time. This is especially important if you are taking out a new loan as you will need time to save, so you might as well put together your moving timeline simultaneously.
Steps to take
- Set a Moving Date: Once you know when you’ll be moving, start planning your tasks backward from that date. This gives you a clear roadmap.
- Create a Checklist: List every task you’ll need to complete, including hiring movers, packing, and notifying utility companies.
- Book Services in Advance: If you’re hiring professional movers or renting a truck, book as early as possible to secure your preferred dates; this might cut costs.
2. Purge Before Packing
Moving is an ample opportunity to declutter your home. Instead of packing everything, go through your belongings and purge things you want to get rid of. Decide what to keep, donate, or toss. The fewer items you move, the easier the process will be, and it can help reduce moving costs.
Tips
- Room-by-Room Approach: Pack up one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stay organized.
- Set Criteria for Keeping: Ask yourself whether you’ve used the item in the past year. If not, it may be time to let it go.
- Donate or Sell: Consider donating items to charity or selling them online if they’re in good condition.
3. Labels are your Best Friend
Labeling is key to making the unpacking process much easier. Make sure your labels are clear and descriptive. Setting up your new home will be a breeze if you know exactly what’s in each box and where it should go.
Tips
- Room-Specific Labels: Label boxes based on the room they’ll go in (e.g., “Kitchen,” “Bedroom”).
- List Contents: Include a brief description of the box’s contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots and Pans”). This helps when you’re looking for specific items right after the move.
- Fragile Items: Clearly mark boxes containing fragile items to ensure they’re handled with care.
4. Pack an Essentials Box
Moving day can be hectic, and it may take some time to unpack and settle into your new home. Just like if you are prepping for an emergency, you will want to have a “bug out” bag, which includes all of your essentials.
What to add:
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, etc.
- Basic Kitchen Items: Snacks, a few plates, utensils, and a coffee maker.
- Clothing: A couple of outfits and pajamas.
- Important Documents: Keep your IDs, passports, financial documents, and additional essential papers in one easy-to-access place.
5. Pack Smart
Methodical packing helps ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home safe and sound. Invest in quality packing materials, and don’t rush the packing process.
Packing tips:
- Use the Right Boxes: Heavier items, such as books or photo albums, should go in smaller boxes so they don’t get too heavy and break, while lighter, bulkier items can go in larger boxes.
- Wrap Fragile Items: Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or towels to protect fragile items like glassware and electronics.
- Don’t Overpack Boxes: Overpacking can cause boxes to break and make them harder to move. Ensure each box is secure but not too heavy.
6. Utility Setup and Change of Address
It’s important to update your address and inform utility companies of your move. This ensures that your services are transferred to your new home without any disruption and that important mail follows you.
Key changes to make:
- Utility Providers: Electricity, water, gas, and internet services should be set up in your new home by the time you arrive.
- Post Office: Submit a change of address form to the postal service so they can forward your mail.
- Financial Institutions: Update your address with your credit card companies, banks or other financial institutions.
- Subscription Services: Update your address for magazine subscriptions, meal delivery services, and other recurring deliveries.
7. Consider Hiring Professional Movers
While DIY moves can save money, hiring professional movers can save you time and stress, especially for long-distance moves or if you have many heavy items.
Despite the higher cost, there are several benefits of having professional movers help you out. Experienced movers do it for a living, which means they know the best way to pack belongings to make sure they don’t break in the move. This is especially helpful when you are moving across the country.
They handle all the lifting and loading, which is especially helpful for furniture and large boxes. Professional movers also offer insurance to cover any damage that may occur during the move.
8. Take Photos of Electronics Setups
Before unplugging any of your appliances, take pictures of the setup, including how the wires are connected. This makes it much easier to reconnect everything in your new home, especially when your brain power will be invented into actually moving everything into your new space.
Tips for managing electronics:
- Label Wires: Use tape or tags to label wires and cables so you know which goes where.
- Keep Cords in Plastic Bags: Place all the cords and remotes in labeled plastic bags to avoid confusion later.
9. Prep Your New Home in Advance
Before moving into your new home, take some time to prepare it. This can involve cleaning, painting, or making small repairs, which are easier to handle when the space is still empty. We painted our home before moving in, giving us a fresh, clean slate to work with, which we enjoyed moving into.
Consider doing this:
- Deep Clean: Clean carpets, floors, and surfaces before moving furniture in.
- Check Utilities: Make sure water, electricity, and internet are set up and working.
- Measure Spaces: Measure doorways and rooms to ensure your furniture will fit.
10. Ask for Help
If you’re handling the move yourself, don’t hesitate to ask friends or family for help. Moving can be a big job, and having extra hands makes everything more efficient and less stressful.
Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Give your friends and family plenty of notice if you need their help.
- Offer Food and Drinks: As a thank you for their assistance, provide snacks, drinks, or even a meal.
- Assign Tasks: Make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are on moving day to avoid confusion.
11. Stay Organized
Staying organized is key to a stress-free move. From labeling boxes to keeping track of important documents, maintaining order will help the move go smoothly.
Organization tips:
- Keep a Moving Folder: This is where you store important paperwork like contracts, receipts, and your moving checklist.
- Use a Calendar: Set deadlines for each task and mark them on a calendar to stay on track.
- Pack Room by Room: Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Happy Moving!
Moving can be extremely stressful, but with proper planning, organization, and the right tools, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these eleven tips, you can ensure a smoother, easier move, allowing you to settle into your new home with minimal stress. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, taking the time to prepare will make all the difference.
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