The moving process encompasses more than it’s usually assumed, with tasks like hiring a quality moving company, purchasing boxes and packing supplies, and strategically loading a truck. Without proper planning, a move can turn into a very overwhelming situation. If you are looking for some easy tips to make this process quicker, use this checklist to turn your next move into a breeze.
How To Prepare for a Move
The first thing you need to do is create a moving checklist to help you stay organized and on-schedule. Create a list of all the tasks you need to complete before moving day. Every moving checklist is going to differ depending on the time frame and the budget. If you can come up with some tasks and set some goals for completion, it will make things much easier. Here is an example that you can also use as a checklist:
- Pick a place to start
Choose a room in your home that is not frequently used and designate it as the packing room. This will be the place where you can keep moving supplies, storage boxes, and packing supplies like tape, markers, and bubble wrap.
- Declutter your home
A great packing tip is to make sure you don’t overpack. Do a clean sweep of your home and decide what you plan on keeping and what you don’t. Go through one room at a time and create a list of items you plan on donating, selling, or throwing away.
- Purchase moving boxes and packing supplies
It will be tough to estimate the number of storage boxes you need. Make sure you purchase plenty and in a wide variety of sizes including small, medium, and large boxes. Don’t forget packing materials like packing tape, packing paper, and bubble wrap.
- Pack one room at a time
It is important that you don’t rush the moving process. If you try to pack everything all at once, chances are you will be overwhelmed and you’ll stress out very quickly. We recommend packing one room at a time to keep things simple.
Pro Tip: Plan your moving checklist for an 8-week period. This timeframe will have you packing only one room a week for a traditional home.
- Protect your fragile items
If you plan on boxing up antiques and fine china, make sure to use packing paper or bubble wrap to fill empty space in the cardboard box. This will keep items from rolling around in the moving truck and you avoid the risk of items being damaged.
- Pack your clothing efficiently
Packing your clothing can be one of the most time-consuming processes. Use garbage bags for hanging clothes and cut a hole for the hanger. To save additional space, roll your clothes rather than folding them.
- Label your boxes by room
To speed up the unloading process and save you hours of time spent on sorting through boxes, color code and label your boxes by room.
- Pack important items last
If you have items that you will need the day you move into your new home, pack them last. This will ensure your most important items are unloaded first from the moving truck.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes
If you know you are going to pack heavier items, try placing them in smaller boxes. It is much easier if you divide the weight of heavy items in a number of smaller boxes versus a single larger one.
- Consider placing additional items in a self-storage
Create extra space in your new home by placing season items in self-storage. Items like patio furniture and lawn equipment are only used in certain periods of the year and you should think about placing them in storage to create additional space in your new home.
Finalizing the Process
- Create a moving budget
After you’ve created a checklist, it is time to set a moving budget. If you are looking to save some extra money, take the time to research and shop around. Plan your move well in advance to give yourself time to find the best deals for moving companies and packing supplies.
- Hire a moving company
After creating a checklist and considering your budget, it is time to hire a moving company. Don’t rush through it and evaluate your options before making a final decision. Some places to check when looking for a quality moving service are Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook Review; you can also ask your family, friends, or neighbors for recommendations.