Planning ahead can make the moving experience much less daunting, making the whole process simpler and reducing anxiety about what lies ahead. By organizing major tasks in advance and prioritizing tasks more efficiently, moving can become less demanding than before.
Keep your move organized by creating a binder or folder to store estimates, receipts and an inventory list. Make sure that on moving day, cash will be available so you can give tips to your movers!
Packing
Moving is a complex and time-consuming endeavor, and requires much preparation. From DIY moves using storage units or hiring professionals to make the move smoother and on schedule, there are countless tasks and details to take into consideration when moving home. Utilizing this comprehensive moving checklist will keep you organized throughout the entire process; from creating a moving binder to double-checking your paperwork.
Start packing several weeks ahead of your move date. Start by boxing non-essentials like off-season clothes, books and electronics before slowly going through each room to pack up items you don’t use daily – don’t rush yourself though; packing can be overwhelming when all rooms need to be packed at once; taking one room per week as your deadline approaches will reduce stress significantly! Remember to include moving supplies when budgeting.
As you pack, be sure to label each box clearly with its contents and color coordinate them by room. This will enable you to find your belongings quickly once at your new place and will save time when unpacking. Additionally, numbering each box provides added security; during transport they can shift and stack on top of one another, so knowing exactly what’s inside each one helps prevent damages to items inside it.
As well as physical belongings, make sure to transfer medical and pet medical records to your new doctors and service providers as well as turn off utilities at your former home.
On moving day, start early to give yourself enough time to finish all your tasks. Avoid hitting snooze and clear a pathway for those helping you so they don’t trip over your boxes. If you hired professional movers, give them a tip as a thank-you gesture; additionally, ensure there is food waiting when they arrive at their destination.
Cleaning
As soon as it comes time to pack, make sure all items you are taking with you are clean. Curtains and shower mats should all be given a thorough wipe down, packed into boxes taped closed with tape and marked accordingly.
Before the movers arrive, be sure to empty, defrost, and wipe down your fridge, ice maker, and freezer at least 24 hours beforehand. Doing this will keep the movers safe as well as safeguard food against spoilage – saving on replacement costs in the process! This essential task must not be neglected during any move!
Moving Day
Moving Day has finally come! After months of preparation, this day has arrived: moving day. Whether using professional movers or turning to friends and family for assistance, there are numerous things to keep in mind to ensure a seamless move experience. Follow these smart moving tips for maximum effectiveness on move day!
Make sure that everyone involved with your move knows your schedule. Inform family and close friends that you will be moving and ask them to add the date to their calendars; this will avoid last-minute scheduling conflicts and ensure a smooth move.
If you are moving with children, make sure they have their own special bag filled with their comfort items such as their blanket and stuffed animal. Otherwise they might end up packed away into boxes and forgotten.
Now is also an opportune time to arrange for any home services you will require in your new place, including electricians, plumbers and painters. Take meters readings in both properties so you’ll receive accurate utility bills once moving day arrives.
In the final week before your move, it is crucial to complete all remaining preparation work and complete any moving-related tasks. Mayflower recommends making sure all paperwork is organized and that your mover’s liability insurance policy is up-to-date.
As soon as your packing and moving plans have been finalized, now is also the ideal time to complete any details with your movers or helpers and confirm all relevant information with your moving company. Filling out a Change-of-Address Form
On moving day, start off right by starting with coffee and a hearty breakfast to ensure maximum focus and alertness for the moving process. Keep a to-do list handy as well and cross off completed items as soon as they’re accomplished; having an action plan in place makes your day much simpler to manage and helps stay on track!
Moving Out
Tenants need to ensure they get their security deposit back when moving out, and in order to do this successfully landlords typically provide move-out checklists which outline exactly the condition the property must be in before returning all deposits in full. These forms help tenants understand which procedures and tasks need to be completed such as removing furniture, cleaning windows and replacing any broken items; and specific checklists may include instructions such as repainting walls and carpet removal as well as appliance or ductwork cleaning instructions.
While packing, take a good hard look around the room you are leaving and note all items remaining with you, such as curtains, shower mats or even kitchen appliances. Pack these up into boxes, labelling each with its specific contents – this will allow you to keep track of what has been packed away and ensure all of your possessions arrive intact at their final destination.
Before moving out, make sure your vehicle/s are serviced and the gas tank topped up as necessary. Return any books borrowed from libraries as well as clean windows before cleaning your windows. Arrange to have your pet records shipped or mailed directly to their new veterinarian and transfer any medical records from previous doctors (including vaccination records) directly into your new primary care provider’s care.
Relocating is no simple task, but with proper planning and preparation you can reduce last-minute headaches and anxiety. Start your moving planner eight weeks prior to the move date to ensure a seamless relocation! And don’t forget to hire professional movers who can assist in organizing it all for you.