Let’s face it, moving is stressful. From planning and packing to moving and unpacking, the entire process can feel very overwhelming. You may not be sure where to start.
While moving is an unavoidable task we all experience, that doesn’t mean it has to be disastrous. With proper planning, efficient organization, and a little guidance, the moving process can go faster and easier.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, read our blog for the best moving tips for a stress-free move.
1. Plan Out Your Move
Proper planning is key to a smooth moving process. The more you plan ahead, the more painless this move is going to be.
Making a plan with checklists and timelines is a great way to stay organized and prepared for moving.
Moving Checklist
Create and follow a moving checklist, mapping out what needs to be done before and throughout the moving process. (For those first-time movers, you can search “moving checklists examples” online for extra guidance). Checklists are great for organizing your thoughts and remembering important information.
Create a list of to-do's either on paper or computer to ensure you remember. After a task, you can reward yourself by crossing it off.
Moving Timeline
Along with a checklist, create a timeline for your move in your calendar and planner. Instead of waiting the week off to do everything, find ways to knock out tasks in advance. While packing is unfortunately one of the last things to do, you can start preparing for your move months in advance.
Three Months Before Move
Declutter
Donate, sell, or throw away unnecessary items. Decluttering your home will give you less things to pack and move come move in day. Take note of any furniture/appliances you won’t be taking to your new home and try selling.
Make a Moving Budget
Moving all your furniture and belongings is an expense homeowners sometimes forget to consider. Give yourself time to review your finances, and create a moving budget. Whether you choose to hire professional movers or rent a moving truck, you want to be aware of both costs and plan accordingly.
Research Movers/Moving Truck Companies
Once you figure out your moving budget, begin searching for reputable moving companies or rental trucks in your area. Request quotes from each company and an in-person estimate.
Organize Important Documents
Along with decluttering miscellaneous paperwork, make sure all important personal and family documents are organized. If your children are moving schools, you’ll need to transfer their records to their new school district. For all moving paperwork, we suggest putting together a Moving Binder with all important documents and receipts.
Six Weeks Before Move
Take Inventory of Items.
Make a list of all the expensive and important items you’re bringing along to your new home. While this seems extremely taxing, you’ll want to have records of these items in case something goes missing during your move. When it comes time to label and number boxes, return to this list and take note of what items are in which box.
Take Furniture & Room Measurements.
Whether you’re downsizing or moving into a larger house, you’ll want to make sure your furniture will fit in your new space. Study your new home’s floor plan, and take measurements of the furniture and larger appliances you’ll be taking with you.
Get Moving Supplies
Order moving supplies like moving boxes, heavy duty tape, bubble wrap, sofa and mattress covers, pad locks, and other essentials. It’s always better to have too much than too little, so be sure to get more than you think you’ll need.
Use Up Items & Non Perishables
As the time is winding down for your move, start using up things you’re not going to bring along with you. This can include perishables and frozen food, cosmetics and toiletries, and cleaning supplies.
1 Month Before Move
Contact Utility Services
When planning to move into a new home, it’s easy to overlook the things you need to get squared away with your old home. A month or earlier, contact and end all utility services and make them aware of your move. Most will let you within a month before your moving date.
Finalize Travel Arrangements with Movers/Moving Truck Companies.
It’s time to choose a mover or moving truck rental and confirm your arrangements. If you’re choosing a truck rental, be certain that you are choosing the right moving truck size.
This is also the time to purchase moving insurance and sign all paperwork and agreements with the moving company.
Start Packing Items
To give yourself ample time, begin packing items one month before your move. Start by packing those items that you won’t need to use in this last month. Now is the time to pack a bag with all the things you need for the move. We’ll get into this more in our section on packing tips for moving.
Clean & Make Necessary Home Improvements to Old Home
Once the packing is underway, it’s important to take the time to deep clean your old home. Take note of anything that needs repairs, and fix them before moving out.
Change Your Address
It’s time to make it official! Before you move, update your address with important companies like the US Postal Service, banks, insurance companies, magazines, lenders, etc.
2. Packing Tips for Moving
There is no denying that packing is the most demanding task of moving. However, the more organized and detailed you are when packing, the easier unpacking will be! While it can be quite overwhelming, there are a variety of packing tips for moving to help speed up the process.
Label & Number Boxes Clearly
When packing your items in moving boxes, neatly label and number them. For more distinction, consider color coding them. Once you get to your new home, you will easily be able to identify the box and know where it goes.
If you’ve created an inventory list of belongings, include each item’s box number and label.
Keep Your Essentials With You
There are some clothes and important items you will need with you throughout the move. Before you begin packing, pack a bag or suitcase of essentials that you can easily access. Important items to have include documents, ID, meds, chargers, and other essentials for the move.
Packing Tips for Clothes
Before taking your clothes out of dressers and off hangers, learn about these time-saving tips for packing clothes.
Sort Clothes by Season. Instead of just throwing clothes into any box, it's better to organize them by occasion, material, color, or season. Sorting by season is the best way to pack efficiently, separating clothes you'll wear from those you'll store.
Move Clothes in Dresser Drawers. Save yourself the time and money on packing clothes into boxes and simply move them along with the dresser! Use shrink wrap to wrap around the dresser drawers until it’s secure. Once the dresser is at your new home, all that’s left to do is unwrap!
Keep Clothes on Hangers. For clothes hanging in your closet, group them by five or six and wrap them in large trash bags. This acts as a DIY garment bag that is perfect for grouping clothes together. Fold them neatly and store in a wardrobe box or large moving boxes.
Utilize Suitcases. For those clothes that won’t make it on a hanger or in a dresser, the next best thing is using your suitcases. For maximum space, the way you fold clothes is critical. The most effective folding method is to tightly fold then roll the item up.
Put Aside Clothes for Moving Week. Rather than living out of boxes, pack a suitcase or bag full of essential clothes and toiletries you’ll need the week of moving. That way, you can have everything ready to go.
3. Moving Day Tips
The day has finally come! For a smooth and painless moving day, here are some things to check off your list.
Check the Weather and Traffic
On moving day, wake up early and be ready for traffic or bad weather that could slow down your move.
Prepare for Moving Transportation
Whether you're renting a moving company or self-moving truck, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with the company the week before to confirm your arrangements and move-in day logistics.
Moving companies must show clients the contract (Bill of Lading) before loading. Remember to ask for it before the move. After carefully reviewing and ensuring it matches the agreed upon terms of service, they’re ready to start packing. Although they’re the packing experts, it’s still important to oversee the packing process.
When renting a truck, know when you can pick it up and sign the required paperwork at the facility. Packing a truck yourself will take a lot more time than a professional mover, so give yourself enough time to pack.
Do One More Walk Through the Home
After all your items are in the moving vehicle, do one last look around your house for anything you may have forgotten. Once you're ready to hit the road, always tip your movers for their services.
Need help moving? Airport Storage & Trucks has everything you need, from moving supplies to Penske truck rentals and storage units.
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