Moving can be a stressful experience. In addition to packing and hiring movers there is the additional stress of worrying if your items will be damaged during transit. Moving to a new house isn’t easy, but there are some ways to make it easier.
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Moving Day: Preparing Yourself
Prepare for your move to ensure success. Spend an afternoon creating a plan. A plan will help to keep your move on track, reduce your stress levels and ensure that you are able to complete the moving procedure with minimal frustration. Prepare yourself by following these steps.
Make a Checklist
It may be tedious to use a moving checklist, but it is effective. You can save time by writing or typing down your list of things to do. This is particularly helpful if you are moving abroad.
Checklist items to include are:
- Calling the utility company to schedule shut off service
- Setting mail forwarding serves
- Ordering packing material
- You can add any task or item that you don’t want to forget.
Keep track of your progress by marking off each item as you finish it.
Set Your Budget
Setting a budget will help you to save money when moving. Budget will determine whether you can afford to hire a professional mover or do a DIY move. If you have a realistic budget for moving, you will be able to avoid costs that are beyond your means.
Hire a Mover, or plan a DIY move
After you have set a budget, you will know if you want to hire movers or do a DIY move. It’s time for you to do some research on the best moving companies. Begin by asking friends and family for referrals. Compare prices from different companies before making a choice. If you are moving out of the state or 150 miles, you should research the top cross-country movers.
Get pricing for trunk rentals and moving equipment if you are planning a DIY move. can also recruit family and friends for help with packing and loading. Don’t forget to provide lunch or dinner!
Declutter
Decluttering is a great time to do when you are moving. Sort your items and donate or dispose of anything you don’t need. This will reduce the amount of packing and allow you to move more items on your moving truck.
Buy Packing Supplies
You can now buy moving boxes, and packing materials. You may need more boxes than you thought. You don’t want to be rushing to buy or find more boxes on the day of packing. This will only cause you more stress and time.
Numerous packing calculators are available to estimate the amount of supplies you will require. Donate or sell unused packing supplies to others who are preparing for a move.
Packing
Packing is the most time-consuming part of moving. Following these packing hacks can make the process more stress-free and efficient.
Pack an Essentials Bag
The packing day will be chaotic. Start by assembling your essentials bag. Pack only the things you will need during your move or when you arrive at your new home. Your essential bag should contain:
- Important documents
- Medicines
- Chargers
- Basic toiletries
- Change of clothing
- You may also need anything else for your first few days at your new home
Keep clothing in your dresser drawers
Do not empty your drawers. This packing tip will make it easy to move your clothes and other non-breakable items from inside the dresser. Wrap the dresser in shrink wrap. The plastic prevents the drawers from falling while in transit. Unwrap your packing when you arrive at your new house.
Keep Clothes Hanging
Keep your clothes on hangers to make them easier to move into your new home. Wrap them in garbage bags and group them into groups of five or six (depending on the bulkiness of your clothing).
Use a wardrobe box with a metal bar to hang several hangers. When you arrive at your new house, simply move all your clothes into the new closet.
Pack your Bags
Use luggage to its full advantage. Use suitcases for bulky or valuable items, or items that cannot be easily transported in boxes.
Use towels and linens as packing material
Use your towels and linens as packing material to save money. Bubble wrap can be expensive and you’ll need to use a lot. Use towels and linens instead to wrap breakables like dishes, frames and lamps.
Take Pictures
Take photos of the wiring behind your entertainment system so that you can remember how to reassemble it once it has been moved. It’s the same for anything that you need to disassemble in order to move. Take photos of fragile items or anything valuable in case they go missing or get damaged in transit. These images are invaluable for making an insurance claim.
Color Code Boxes
Plan ahead to save time when setting up your home. Use different colored stickers or makers to color code boxes. Assign a different color to each room. Label the boxes while you are packing. You’ll quickly be able identify each box when you arrive at your new house.
Moving Day
The day of the move will be fast, and it may bring with it its own stressors and difficulties. These tips will help you make the move go smoothly.
Eat well and stay hydrated
Pack a cooler full of easy-to-grab food and drinks that will keep you energized throughout the day. Place it somewhere that it will not be in your way and don’t let it accidentally fall on the moving van.
Prepare a plan for young children and pets
You can arrange for pet and baby sitting on the day of your move. The kids and animals will be stressed out by all the activity. Make alternative arrangements to avoid the stress.