With 13% of Americans moving each year, you might find yourself dealing with this tiring process sometime soon. While the moving process always takes longer than you think it will, there are some ways to speed it up.
Wondering how to plan a move? Stick around to learn about 9 basic steps!
Make a Checklist
One of the best moving tips is to create a checklist. Even better, create one online that all members of your household involved in the move can access. You can map out a calendar with tasks and deadlines.
And, yes, you can and should assign responsibilities to certain people. For instance, your spouse can be the one to lock in a truck rental and furniture wrap. Your teenage son can grab empty boxes from the local grocery store to use for packing.
With a checklist, you’ll stay on schedule. And when you stay on schedule, you’re less likely to be overwhelmed by the process!
Take Care of Logistical Matters
Before you leave town, head to the post office or go online to forward your mail to its new address. In the same vein, determine whether you’ll close or keep existing bank accounts in the area. Remember to check safety deposit boxes or other secure spaces where you have valuables or accounts.
Also, contact your utility company and internet provider. You’ll want to set dates to turn off things like water, electricity, and cable.
Gather Boxes and Supplies
One of the best ways to save money when planning a move is by collecting secondhand materials. Hang on to any shipping boxes, bubble wrap, and newspapers.
While you’ll need to buy or rent wraps for large pieces of furniture, you can cut corners elsewhere. Use tablecloths and towels to wrap smaller items and avoid extra expenses!
Recruit Family and Friends
Unless your company is footing the bill for your move, you can trim costs with the help of friends and family. Offer free pizza and drinks if they’re willing to donate a Saturday afternoon or evening to your cause. Just make sure you have specific tasks ready before inviting people over, like packing the kitchen or wrapping furniture.
Be mindful of people’s time — as well as their physical limits. If older friends or relatives offer to help, assign them packing duties that don’t require heavy lifting.
Purge Items from Your Home
There’s no sense in putting the time and money into moving items you don’t want. You’re better off purging clothes, furniture, and other things that you don’t use anymore. If you haven’t worn your oversized wool sweater in 5 years, there’s no sense dealing with another bulky item to pack!
Consider selling these items online or through a garage sale to offset moving expenses. Or donate them to a local non-profit with the hope that someone else can put them to use.
Hire Professional Movers to Help
You’ll be happier if you hire movers to help with at least some portions of the process. This could take the form of loading and unloading belongings.
For journeys out of state, State 2 State movers can ensure that your belongings reach their destinations safely.
Professional movers will be licensed, insured, and trained. They’ll be able to maximize the square footage of the moving truck and wrap your furniture securely. You’ll be able to relax or corral the kids while movers tackle the heavy lifting.
Create a Clear Labelling System
Moving can be like putting together a complex puzzle. That’s why you need to make sure you’ve labeled all the pieces. Rather than mindlessly placing items in boxes, develop a system to keep items together that belong together — and label the boxes.
You could use KT as a shorthand way of indicating a box containing kitchen items, for example. Similarly, use MBR to identify items that will go to the master bedroom. This makes it much easier for people unloading to know where to place items.
Secure Transportation
This is a step in the moving process that you want to do as soon as you’ve scoped out how much you’ll be moving. For a move across town, you might be able to borrow a pick-up from a friend. You could also rent one from a home improvement store or transportation service by the hour or day.
But for bigger moves, you’ll need to secure a truck and then confirm the reservation shortly before the big day. Make sure you get a reservation quickly if you’re driving it yourself. Ask about mileage, insurance, and other fees before signing a contract.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Before you wave goodbye to your home, be sure to clean it. You’ll lower the risk that the new owner complains about anything. You’ll also be offering a nice gesture to the new owner that suggests the property has been cared for.
Next, take the time to clean your new place before unloading. Get the carpets cleaned and sanitize the kitchen counters and fridge. You can even wash the windows for a brighter interior as you unpack!
Learn How to Plan a Move
When you know how to plan a move, you can keep your stress levels in check and work efficiently. Get organized with a checklist and recruit friends and family to help with packing and loading. Enlist professional movers to do the heavy lifting, and make sure you clean before leaving your old home and entering the new one.