Moving to a new home can take you anywhere between 8 and 22 weeks in the United States. That’s because of the many factors a move involves, from start to finish.
The truth is most of us dread the prospect of moving. There are a million little details you need to take care of, and the stress can add up. However, it’s still possible to make this process much easier.
The key lies in proper preparation. In this post, we guide you on how to prepare for a move, so you don’t get overwhelmed along the way.
Get Organized
The first and most important step when preparing for a move is to get organized as early as possible. There’s going to be a lot of scheduling, filing, and coordinating, and it’s easy to get confused. Here are a few tips to get organized.
Create a Moving Checklist
A checklist helps guide you on what you need to do. You can tick items on your checklist as you accomplish them. The idea is to stay on track.
Ensure that your checklist has a timeline. Break down your move into smaller projects that are easy to tackle. Plan the move in weekly increments, such as two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks.
Take Inventory
Taking a comprehensive inventory of your belongings helps you approximate the cost of your move. Account for all of your belongings, and use this inventory list when you hire a moving company or shop for insurance.
Set a Moving Budget
Find out all moving costs, as well as post-move expenses. Post move expenses include any repairs you may need to do in case some of your belongings got damaged during the move.
Pack Like a Pro
Knowing how to pack can help make things easier when planning a move. You need to know what you’re going to do with your jewelry, how to organize electronic cables, and so on. Here are some tips on packing for a move.
Get the Appropriate Packing Supplies
You’ll need the right type of boxes to fit most of your personal items, including clothes and books. Purchase as many boxes as you think you’ll need, and make sure they’re the right sizes and shapes.
Pack Tricky Items the Right Way
As you probably already know, some of your items are more difficult compared to others. Wrapping and packing fragile items, for instance, is more challenging than packing clothes.
Know how each item needs to be packed to avoid damages. For instance, pack jewelry in plastic wraps. Pack all food items like a grocer would.
Pare Down
If there’s stuff you own that you don’t really need, it’s best not to pack it. Find ways to get rid of it prior to your move. You can hold a yard sale or donate it.
Find a Moving Company
One of the most important moving tips is using the help of moving professionals. Here are some tips on how to find the right moving company for you.
Interview Several Companies
Chances are there are several local movers you are aware of but probably haven’t worked with in the past. Choosing the right mover can help make your move a stress-free one.
Interview at least three of them to have a good idea of what to expect from them. Generally, you want to know about their history and licensing information. It also helps to know how much they’re going to charge you.
You may also want to read online reviews to see what previous clients have to say about a moving company. You want to work with a reputable mover.
Know What Professional Moving Requires
If this is your first time using a moving company, you may not know some important rules of moving companies. For instance, flammable items are not allowed in the truck. Also, you’ll need to keep your important documents and certificates instead of throwing them in the truck with other items.
Rent Self Storage
Renting a self storage unit located close to your new home will help you expedite the moving process. Take your belongings to the unit as you pack them, starting with those that you don’t use daily. This will make moving day a lot less complicated, and you can keep most of your stuff in storage until the new home is ready. A 10’x20’ storage unit is a good size for people moving, as it fits plenty of furniture, appliances, and moving boxes.
Prep Your New Home
Part of planning a move is knowing what you need to do to make your new house feel like home. Here are some suggestions on how to do that.
Clean and Paint the Home
Cleaning is an essential part of preparing your new home before moving into it. You may also want to paint it unless you already like the colors on the walls. You can opt to do these tasks on your own or have professionals take care of them.
Insure Your Belongings
This sounds like a no-brainer, but many people delay insuring their belongings when they move to a new house. If you’re renting the house, consider taking renters insurance. It’ll protect your property when need be.
Organize Trash Removal
Contact local trash removal companies in the area you’re about to move to. Once you’ve finished packing, you’ll need someone to cart away the boxes and other trash.
Shop for New items
You’re probably going to need new furniture and other items once you move into the new home. Shop for everything you’ll need to move comfortably in your new home. This is the ideal time to upgrade appliances and furniture.
If you love the new house but don’t like the floors, consider changing them before the move-in day. This is also the best time to shop for other essentials such as shower curtains.
Understand How to Prepare for a Move
Moving can be a hectic affair, whether this is your first move or the tenth. The best way to make sure that nothing goes wrong is by knowing how to prepare for a move and executing your plan perfectly. The tips we’ve shared above can help you get everything right, whether you’re moving with kids or alone.
Are you interested in reading more great content on moving? Please, keep visiting our blog for our featured articles.
