Moving is easy, right? No, no it’s not. It’s actually a pain in the butt. As exciting as it is to move into a new home not many people look forward to the actual moving process. Luckily, I have some tips that will help make your move just a little bit easier!
1. Label your boxes. I like to put a number on each box and then keep a spreadsheet or jot down in a notebook what is in each box. This makes sorting and unpacking so much easier when you can grab the box you’re ready for next and not have to search around opening multiple wrong boxes. Another way is to label the boxes by which room they will be going to in the new house. This way movers or helpers can drop off the boxes in the appropriate rooms instead of accumulating a pile of boxes in your garage or living room.
2. Schedule services. Don’t forget to have services transferred or started at your new home. These may include:
- Power
- Water
- Trash service
- Internet
- Gas
- Lawn service
- Pool service
- Security system monitoring
3. Have your new home professionally cleaned. If your seller is not arranging for cleaning to be done prior to closing, arrange to have it done before you and/or your movers arrive so that you won’t be moving into a dirty house.
4. Pack a moving supply box. Your moving supply box should contain items you may need while you are unpacking and getting settled in your new home, such as:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Sponge
- All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner
- Shelf liner paper
- Scissors
- Furniture moving pads
- Tape measure
- Cordless screwdriver
- Hammer
- Picture hanging kit
- Bottled water, snacks, pet food
- Paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils
- Dish Soap and Hand Soap
5. Make Your Bed. As soon as your bed frames and mattresses come off the truck, put them together or have the movers put them together, and make them up. Pack your sheets, blankets, and pillows together in well-marked boxes so you can find them easily. When you are ready to collapse at the end of moving day, you’ll be thankful the beds are made and ready to fall into.
6. Ditto for your towels and bath stuff. Pack bath towels and soap with your bed sheets so you can jump in the shower before retiring without having to search for towels. Otherwise, pack an overnight bag that includes, a towel, your toiletries, pjs, and clean clothes in case you don’t get around to unpacking your bathroom on the first day.
7. Make plans for young kids & pets. If you have little ones, they will be very excited about their new home, new rooms, and yard. They will want to be with you, but they will not be interested in unpacking boxes! Consider hiring a sitter or sending them off with a family member or friend for a few hours. Same goes with the fur-babies. The last thing you need on moving day is a stressed-out pup or kitty, or worse, one that escapes in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Make plans for your pets to spend the day with family or friends, a pet sitter, or boarding facility until you are ready to introduce them to their new home.
8. Say Yes to Helpers. Sometimes it’s hard to accept extra help from family or friends if you aren’t sure what they can help with. Here are some tasks you can delegate:
- Lay shelf liner in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers
- Unpack and put away your kitchen items (you can rearrange later!)
- Babysit or keep your children and pets occupied
- Make up your beds
- Wipe down cabinets and counters
- Hang clothes in closets (again, you can rearrange later!)
- Sort your [labeled] moving boxes from the truck or pile in the garage to their appropriate rooms for easier unpacking later.
(Don’t forget to thank your helpers! Pizza and beer usually do the trick.)
9. Check out of the old house. Prior to closing, be sure to submit a change of address form with the post office. You’ll also need to remember to leave all keys and garage door or gate openers, and make sure the movers don’t pack up things like ceiling fan remote controls or other loose items that stay with the home. Don’t forget to clean out spaces like the attic, backyard sheds, crawl spaces, or any other hideaway spaces you might have stored items. It’s always nice to have the home professionally cleaned for the new owners, and, if you feel inclined, leave a list of recommended local vendors for household services.
Last but not least, if you are hiring movers:
10. Schedule your move well ahead of time. Moving companies get booked up weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. You may also consider letting the moving company pack your items. If it’s within your budget to hire packers, it may be money well spent. Packers are usually very efficient and take time to wrap fragile items securely. Packers will usually pack you the day before your move, so you don’t have to pack items away that you may need up until the day of your move.
Hopefully these tips help make your next move a little easier. Let me know if you have any other go-to moving tips!
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