Moving Checklist - Organize Your Move

Moving is a stressful task, we all know that. You have to do so many things; getting your child into a new school, packing everything in boxes, and scheduling the movers; it all can cause a hard time for you and your family. In the end, you will realize that it's not impossible to get everything done on time and in a timely manner.

Moving is incredibly stressful for all kinds of reasons. Properly organizing a move can make all the difference on moving day. We've compiled a list of our favorite moving hacks and suggestions to help reduce some of that stress.

Create Your Checklist of Essentials

Try to organize your activities. Create a checklist of different tasks that should be accomplished at the end. You should create a checklist at least one month before moving, and it should be well-advanced, it's that simple. Write down a few important things that should not be forgotten and put it on your fridge, it is a perfect place where everyone can see them. If you remember something that has not been written on that checklist, write it there immediately, if not you might forget about it. Once the moving time is getting closer, you might want to upgrade your checklist to the calendar format, where each day will be focused on a certain task.

There should be useful information, such as notifying your phone company that you are leaving. Once the task is accomplished and dealt with it, cross it out. You will be able to control all your activities. You can also modify your list. Add the certain person's name that needs to do the next task in the checklist and by what time he has to finish it. Controlling everything is the key to perfect moving. When a certain task is completed, cross out of the checklist those people who were responsible for it. Using this method, you will easily avoid any unneeded problems.

Call a Specialist to Inspect Your New House

Hire a general contractor or home inspector to thoroughly examine all key house systems, such as the foundation, sewage, plumbing, electrical, and heating systems.

Depending on the area and size of your house, it will probably take three to five hours and cost you around $300. Join the inspector throughout the inspection, so you may learn more about the upkeep and preservation of the home, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of which issues are major and which are more minor.

Start Decluttering

One unmentioned advantage of moving is decluttering. Without a doubt, you have an attic or basement that has to be cleaned out. Reduce your moving expenses and give yourself the opportunity to start over in your new location by decluttering before you move. One of our favorite things to cross off our moving planner checklist is decluttering.

You can limit the number of things you need to pack into moving boxes by going through your belongings and determining what to keep or donate. This can help you save money on moving supplies such as boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. Furthermore, decluttering can make it easier to unpack and settle into your new home because there will be less stuff to organize and find a place for.

Get Organized

As you finish checking off items on your moving checklist, you are ready to start looking for bids, updating documents, and managing the moving process. This entails a significant amount of paperwork, so it's crucial to begin by keeping track of moving-related expenses and documentation in an organized manner.

It's just natural, that once the moving time comes closer, there will be plenty of tasks left on your checklist that are unfinished and needs to be done. Just make sure that the first thing that you need to do is to pack your things.

Should You Hire Movers or Take DIY Route

When it comes to moving your belongings, you have a number of options. Take into account the following inquiries as you choose your best course of action. How far is your new home away? Are you capable of moving large pieces? Do you have friends and family that can give you a hand?

If you decide to do everything yourself, you will need to set aside money for packing and potentially for the cost of a rental moving car. If you'd prefer not to do that, you may either pack your house yourself and have a moving company handle the actual relocation, or you can hire a firm that will handle both the packing and the actual moving for you.

Get Moving Quotes

One of the primary decisions you'll have to make is selecting the best moving company to transport your belongings. To do this, you'll want to research different companies and read reviews from past customers.

Once you've made the decision to hire movers, it's critical to understand the likely costs associated with doing so. It's wise to start looking into moving companies at least two months before your move. It's also critical to familiarize yourself with moving frauds. The cheapest mover is frequently either unreliable or too good to be true.

You should request quotes from moving companies when you start the process of budgeting your move. During this procedure, you will be questioned about such fundamentals as where you will be moving, the kinds of things that must be moved, and whether you need help packing. The more information you can provide, the more precise your initial moving estimates will be.

Organizing for a long distance move is different from organizing for a local move in a few key ways. Long distance moves typically require more planning and preparation due to the increased distance and logistics involved. When comparing long distance moving companies, it is important to check their licensing and insurance. Look for a company with a strong reputation and positive reviews from previous customers. Other factors to consider may include the company's pricing structure, any additional services they offer, and their availability for your desired move date.

DIY Option

It is possible to move out without hiring movers if you don't have a lot of items to pack and move. And yes, you should be able to pull off a DIY relocation if you are confident in your friends' ability to support you during that trying time.

Remember that renting a moving truck is the most important step when relocating on your own. This is difficult work that you should not undervalue in any way.

Get Boxes and Packing Supplies

The most common tasks that your list might include are: Buying boxes and getting some packing materials. You'll need top-notch packing supplies and boxes for your move. If you choose a full-service relocation, the movers should offer you packing materials. To preserve your possessions in route, you'll need a few things if you decide to do it yourself.

Boxes for packing in a range of sizes
Bubble wrap and packing tape
Packing tape and paper

Finding free boxes can be a great way to save money on moving expenses. One of the best places to find free moving boxes is at local grocery and retail stores. These stores often have extra boxes from shipments that they are happy to give away. When selecting boxes for moving, choose sturdy ones that can hold the weight of your belongings. Avoid using boxes that are damaged or have weak spots, as they can break open during the move and damage your items. Use boxes of different sizes to accommodate items of different weights and sizes.

Start Packing

Packing is the most challenging part of moving. A systematic approach to packing will help you avoid forgetting anything or damaging anything during the move, as well as avoid the frustration of not being able to locate something when you unpack in your new home.

Make sure that you pack all the necessary items, like a coffee machine and everything else that you would need in your new house.

It's a good idea to start packing in the rooms that are used the least, such as guest rooms. This can help you stay organized and avoid the last-minute rush of packing everything at once. The kitchen can often be the most time-consuming room to pack, so start there. You can start by packing non-essential items, such as specialty appliances or serving dishes, that won't be used before the move. Then you can work your way through each cabinet, wrapping breakables and labeling boxes.

Prepare Your Children

It's difficult to adequately prepare your children but try your best. Getting your children ready for a move can help reduce stress. According to specialists, how you manage the time leading up to the relocation will have a big impact on how well your kids adapt. Discuss the move with younger kids, such as toddlers and preschoolers, approximately a month before it happens. This allows your kids to assimilate the information without dwelling on the impending changes.

What To Move

A major move is an ideal opportunity to go through all of your belongings. To avoid moving a ton of extra boxes containing goods that will be thrown out anyhow, make sure you go through everything before you move. It's one of those activities that we typically put off until it really must be done.

Make a decision regarding what you want to keep, what you want to give away to friends and family, what can be donated, and what needs to be thrown out because it is broken. Give yourself plenty of time and use this checklist to help you decide what to pack and what to get rid of because this process can take a while.

Update Your Address

Even if you don't believe you receive a lot of mail, you should still legally change your address with USPS. It's an easy process that shouldn't take too long to finish. US Postal Service does not carry out these services automatically. You may also need to arrange with other service providers, such as utility companies or cleaning services.

Before moving, update your bank and credit card billing addresses to avoid identity theft and to ensure that you don't miss any important financial information.

Protect Your Personal Information

Your need to protect your important documents such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, legal papers, medical records when preparing for a move. Keep them separate from your other possessions, do not pack them along with your other items in a same box. You should make digital copies of your important documents in case physical compies get lost. You may also want to move all important documents with you in your personal car, rather than leaving them with the moving company.

Pick the Right Day To Move

The best time to move can vary based on the specifics of your move. Moving is sometimes less expensive during the off-season, which normally runs from September through May. This is due to less demand for moving services during certain months, which might result in lower pricing and increased availability.

The first and last of each month are usually busy times for moving companies, and weekends are the busiest moving days. You'll probably find that movers are more flexible and offer their services at a lower price if you can relocate on a different day of the week and during a different period of the month.

Moving Day

You've reached moving day! When you get to your new house, you'll feel happy and excited, but you still have work to do before you can celebrate the end of the day.

Moving entails new encounters, adventures, and a new house to furnish. It entails making new acquaintances and memories. Don't let the unease of disarray prevent you from appreciating the moment.

Plan ahead and try to have huge dreams for your future house. Invite others to assist you. Speak to your new neighbors. Discover your new neighborhood and city. Take pauses, rest, and most importantly, start building your new home into a home.

The checklist will play a big role in your moving process. Of course, it won't make everything happen right, but with the checklist, you can do your unnecessary work smoothly, without any glitches or troubles.

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