To make your move run smoothly, start planning at least two months in advance. Start by creating a moving binder or backing up files on your computer to keep track of quotes and invoices.
Label boxes clearly with their destination room and include any instructions you want your movers to abide by.
Start Packing
No matter if you hire professional movers or attempt it yourself, packing should begin now! Start with non-essentials such as off-season clothing and books before progressing down to kitchen utensils and fine china. Label boxes accordingly to protect fragile items.
If you haven’t already, stock up on all of your moving supplies: boxes, bubble wrap, newspaper and plastic wrap. Additionally, stockpile cleaning products, such as glass cleaner, multisurface cleaner, dish soap rags and trash bags – and don’t forget a good-quality vacuum cleaner for final sweeps before your move!
Before your move, the last two weeks should be dedicated to prepping your home for packing. This includes giving all rooms a quick clean-up before sorting through belongings and purging what can be donated or sold – purging will reduce how much needs to be packed and moved! Also plan for your first week at your new place: leave enough clothes and utensils out to cover you for at least several days and put aside food supplies for move day itself.
Hire a Mover
Start interviewing moving companies approximately two months prior to your move, reading customer reviews and gathering quotes until you find one that meets all of the above criteria and fits within your budget.
At this stage, it’s also wise to make plans for childcare, pet sitting and transportation if required. Furthermore, you could arrange to have your car shipped.
Create or back up a moving binder or folder on your computer to keep all documents related to the move in one convenient location. Add any quotes, final bills and other relevant data such as quotes in this folder so that you can stay organized and double-check everything.
On the day of your move, plan to be up early and ready your home for the movers. Be present to direct them and ensure nothing is missed out of its place. Additionally, conduct a final walk-through to verify all boxes have been distributed appropriately as well as to sign the inventory list of the moving company. Stock up with food and drinks for your first few days in your new home; file for time off from work if necessary and host a housewarming party to welcome new neighbors and celebrate its completion!
Make a Floor Plan
When moving into a new home, creating a floor plan is crucial. Doing this will allow you to visualize how everything fits together in the space and will prevent any surprises during your move. A floor plan can be drawn manually or using professional software; either method takes time but using software may allow faster completion times with greater accuracy.
Floor plans are scale drawings that illustrate the relationships among rooms and physical features on one level of a structure, such as furniture layout and wiring systems. A floor plan may also include exterior features like landscaping or parking lot design.
A thorough floor plan should include an accurate depiction of all room layouts on every level of a building, including their relationships via hallways and stairs. It should also detail where doors and windows are situated as well as their height, width, orientation and directions of openings; additionally it should list permanent fixtures like cabinets and vanities along with built-in fixtures like built-in cabinets; when creating this floor plan using software programs you should find user-friendly templates available to you for creating the plan.
Pack Your Essentials
One of the most frustrating parts of moving can be realizing you left something essential at home, so to prevent this happening it is wise to conduct an inventory before packing them. Doing this will enable you to know exactly what each box contains as well as which room it belongs in – for instance fine china or winter clothing boxes should have their number written down alongside their contents to aid with unpacking much easier.
Instead of just taking inventory, it is also wise to pack suitcases for each member of your household with essential items to live off of during their first week in your new home, such as pajamas, toothbrushes, toothpaste and cleaning supplies. Furthermore, create a box containing moving day essentials like trash bags, scissors and tools.
Be sure to compile all necessary documents and forms, such as copies of your driver’s license, passport, lease agreement and change of address form. Also send out notices with your new address early so creditors, magazine subscription offices and catalog vendors can update your records accordingly.
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
Inventorying household items prior to moving can be one of the best ways to organize them and prevent damage during transport. Furthermore, taking inventory will allow you to keep an eye on all those with financial value while making sure everything travels without issue and may help determine if additional insurance needs to be purchased for valuables.
To create an inventory, begin by going room by room and making a list of everything in each. Include furniture, electronics and any other items found within. Be sure to describe and value each one and take notes regarding its condition – this process can either be done manually or using an online inventory app on your smartphone or tablet device for ease.
If you are using an experienced moving company such as Yarnall Moving & Storage Solutions to move, be sure to get their official inventory list before departing home and cross-check it with your own inventory to make sure nothing was misplaced during transit. Should anything go amiss during transport, having this documentation on file can serve as evidence against potential claims being filed by either party.
Do a Final Sweep
Clean-up on move-out day should never be underestimated or neglected – whether hiring professional movers or doing it yourself. Although it won’t ensure full return of your security deposit, a thorough clean will make the entire process simpler for both yourself and your landlord.
If there are items remaining that won’t make the move to your new place, consider giving them away, holding a garage sale or donating to Goodwill as a great way to declutter before making the big move. Not only will doing this help out your community; but it can be an efficient way to clear away clutter before packing for moving day!
On moving day, wake up early and clear a path through your house for the movers to access boxes and furniture easily without tripping over anything. Also be sure to sign the inventory list prior to them leaving, in case anything goes missing during transport.
Unpacking
Unpacking is often one of the most tedious parts of moving, yet taking some time to make your new place feel like home can help ease this transitional period. Small steps will do just fine to do this.
Prior to beginning packing, take an inventory of your belongings. This will enable you to keep an accurate record of what you own while also making sure everything made it safely into the new house. Plus, this inventory will help determine where everything should go once packing is complete; additionally, room by room packing means less sorting when unpacking occurs!
Before the movers arrive, it is a smart move to give them a tour of your new home. This will enable them to know where best to place furniture and boxes while providing you with an opportunity to point out any items which require disassembling, such as bed frames or bookshelves. Furthermore, don’t forget to stock up on supplies like trash bags, tape rolls and first aid kits in case there are any accidents during the move.