How to Prepare for Moving Day: A Step-by-Step Guide
Moving into a new home is often an exciting chapter in anyone’s life, but that doesn’t mean the process isn’t daunting. Moving itself can be stressful and overwhelming, but with proper planning and organization, you can make your moving day as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re moving across the country or simply moving across town, the process can be greatly helped by hiring experienced Castle Rock movers. By taking a number of careful steps, you’ll be fully prepared to make moving day more efficient and less of a pain in the neck.
Start Early & Create a Plan
If you know when you’ll be moving, one of the most important steps in preparing is to start those preparations right away. It’s common advice to start planning at least two months in advance so that you aren’t met with any unexpected surprises – which usually happen to pop up. The earlier you begin planning for your move, the better. Starting early will make sure you have ample time to organize your belongings, hire the right movers, and take care of all kinds of little details that go along with moving.
One way to get organized in these early stages is to create a moving checklist. This simple tool can be essential in helping you stay on track throughout the moving process. Break down all of your tasks by week – or even by day – depending how much time you have before the move. Your moving checklist should include everything from how things need to be packed up in each room to notifying the utility companies of your changing address. Moving can also be expensive, and this checklist can also help you set your budget early in the process. Include every cost – from the cost of professional movers, rental trucks, packing supplies, and any other expenses. This will help you avoid unexpected costs down the line.
Declutter & Get Organized
There is no better time to declutter your home and get rid of things you no longer need any more. Go through each room and sort through your belongings, deciding what you want to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. This isn’t a time to be sentimental, so don’t afraid to get a little ruthless. If you haven’t used something in the past year, consider whether it’s worth taking to your new home. As you sort through these belongings, start organizing them into categories. Clearly label boxes with contents and which room they belong to. This will make unpacking much easier and quicker when moving to your new home.
Once you’ve sorted through all of your belongings and know what you are going to keep and what you’re going to get rid of, organize them accordingly. If you have ample time, consider holding a garage sale to get rid of items you no longer need. Alternatively, you can donate gently used items to local charities, and there are other places that will give you some money for gently used items like toys or children’s clothing. This won’t only lighten your load, but will also give you a sense of satisfaction knowing that your items will be going to someone that needs them.
Research & Book Your Movers
One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make – that will impact your time and overall budget – is whether to hire professional movers or to do it yourself. If you have a lot of heavy or valuable items, it might be worth hiring professionals. However, if you’re moving a short distance and are able to wrangle help from friends and family, a do-it-yourself move might make more sense from a budgetary standpoint. There is a lot to be said for saving money on movers, but professionals can also provide a lot of peace of mind knowing that your items will be well taken care of.
Before hiring any moving company, be sure to take the time to read their credentials and check out their reviews online. More often than ever, you’ll be able to get a good glimpse into the daily dealings with these companies, thanks to online reviews. When investigating professional moving companies, be sure to check for those that are licensed and insured, and have a good reputation for customer service. You can also check in with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints that have been filed against the company. This will narrow down your search and get you in touch with the right professionals.
Get the Proper Packing Supplies
If you’re moving your belongings, that means they’re going to have to be packed up. This can entail more than just getting a bunch of cardboard boxes. Be sure to look for sturdy boxes or other containers in various sizes, but also look for things that can protect your belongings. This includes things like bubble wrap, packing paper, and even blankets or pads for furniture. Don’t forget about markers to label your boxes, packing tape to make sure your boxes are secure, and scissors or utility knives to cut them open.
If you have fragile or other valuable items – such as artwork or electronics – consider purchasing packing supplies. Some of these items have protective packaging made just for moving them, so find those if you need to. For example, there are specialty boxes designed for moving mirrors, and using the original boxes are great for moving items like TVs. In addition to the packing supplies, don’t forget that you’ll need a few essentials for moving day itself. These might include a dolly or hand cart, moving straps, or furniture sliders. If you’re renting a moving truck, find out if it comes with any of these tools. If not, you’ll have to plan to rent or purchase them separately.
Time to Start Packing
When you first start packing, it can seem like an endlessly daunting task. Begin by packing items that you won’t need in the weeks leading up to your moving day. This can be things like seasonal clothing and decorations, as well as rarely used kitchenware. This will allow you to gradually work through your belongings without getting overwhelmed. Packing one room at a time is the most efficient way to stay organized. It was mentioned earlier to clearly mark each box, and you can even number your boxes if you need to keep a detailed inventory list.
Be sure to use proper packing techniques to help all of your belongings arrive at the new home safely. Place heavy items in small boxes. Nothing becomes more unexpectedly heavy than a large box filled with books, so using small boxes will make them easier to carry. Conversely, save all of your large boxes for bedding and pillows. This will make these lightweight items easier to transport. Wrap all fragile items individually with bubble wrap or packing paper to protect them. If possible, disassemble large pieces of furniture, and keep all screws and small parts in labeled bags.
Take Care of Utilities & Other Address Changes
About two weeks before your move, contact the utility companies to schedule the disconnection of the services at your current home and the connection of services at your new residence. This includes everything like electricity, gas, water, internet, cable television, etc. If necessary, don’t forget about any other regular services like trash collection, extermination services, or lawn care.
Changing your address is also a critical step that step that should not be overlooked. Fill out a change of address form at the post office to ensure your mail gets sent to the right place. Update your address with banks and credit card companies, as well as your insurance providers. Take note of any subscription services – whether it’s magazines or regular shipments from places like Amazon – so you don’t miss any installments. Don’t forget to send out a quick note to friends and family to let them know of your new address.
Moving Day Arrives
Get an early start on moving day by preparing the new home for the event. Thoroughly clean the home, if possible, and use protective coverings on the floors to prevent damage. Remove any obstacles that can cause accidents, and have it planned where you want the movers to place your furniture. This will make things much easier when you start hauling things into your home. If you hired professional movers, be sure to communicate clearly with them. Let them know what needs special handling and be available to answer questions.
Unpack the essentials first, and go from there. Unpacking can be just as overwhelming as packing, so take your time. Don’t rush the process, and focus on one room at a time. There are a lot of things that can make the moving process much easier, and moving day will go much smoother if you have an organized plan for the event. For more information on steps you can take to make your moving day more efficient, reach out to the experts at Checkmate Moving & Storage today.