Buzz
Moving can be both an exhilarating and challenging experience in life. The key to a smooth move is to plan meticulously well in advance and execute your plan when the time arrives. Being organized, efficient, and forward-thinking can alleviate any moving stress that may arise. If you want to learn how to move while keeping your sanity intact and perhaps even enjoying the process, follow these simple steps.
Steps
Preparation & Packing
Declutter your belongings. Firstly, assess your belongings to determine what you'll be taking with you and what you'll leave behind. There are various reasons for parting with belongings—your new space might be smaller, you might be upgrading your possessions, or you might simply want to rid yourself of unnecessary items. Here's how to go about it:
- Evaluate the space in your new home by obtaining room dimensions and measuring your furniture to gauge what will fit.
- Sell items on Craigslist well in advance to ensure buyers have time for pickup. High-quality photos and useful items can lead to swift sales.
- Be aware of the challenges of selling mattresses and be prepared to set attractive prices or seek out buyers among friends and family.
- Host a yard sale to efficiently offload multiple items. Effective advertising can attract more foot traffic.
- Donate unwanted items—your castoffs might be useful to others.
- Consider hosting a moving party and offering unwanted items to guests. You may be surprised by what gets taken.
- Sell or donate old books to clear space. Consume perishable food items in the weeks leading up to your move to avoid excess baggage.
Prepare for Packing. Packing may seem like a daunting task, but with proper organization and planning, it doesn't have to consume all your time. Start packing several weeks in advance to ensure you have enough time, but not too early that you're surrounded by chaos. Here's what to do:
- Ensure you have an ample supply of cardboard boxes, more than you anticipate needing. Obtain them from local stores, online listings, friends, or purchase them for convenience.
- Label all boxes meticulously, indicating their destination on both the top and sides for easy identification, even when stacked.
- Prepare a box of essentials for the day of the move, containing toiletries, bedding, and other overnight necessities.
- Group items belonging to the same room into individual boxes to streamline unpacking.
- Designate a centralized 'packing station' in your home to keep all packed items together, preventing clutter in each room.
- Keep essential tools accessible for furniture assembly by storing them in your essentials box or within easy reach in your vehicle.
- Maintain important paperwork separate from other belongings to avoid misplacement during the move.
Enlist Support from Trusted Friends. Whether your friends assist with heavy lifting or simply offer moral support, inform them well in advance of your moving date. Reach out via email or phone to request their assistance on the day of the move.
- Express gratitude to your friends for their help by treating them to a meal or providing refreshments post-move.
Arrange Utilities and Services. Prioritize setting up utilities such as heat and electricity in your new home to ensure a comfortable transition. Coordinate essential services and familiarize yourself with local amenities before moving in.
- Utilities typically include water, gas, electric, as well as telephone, TV, and internet services.
- Coordinate address changes with relevant institutions such as the USPS, insurance providers, and banks.
- Familiarize yourself with nearby amenities including hospitals, fire stations, post offices, and schools.
Tips for Moving Day
Secure a Moving Van. If you're handling the move independently, arrange to rent a moving van ahead of time. Make reservations well in advance, especially during peak moving seasons, to secure availability at a reasonable price.
- Compare prices from multiple companies before making your final decision.
Collect Your Vehicle on Moving Day. Arrive early to avoid queues and delays on the busy day of your move.
Prepare Your Moving Truck. Packing your moving truck can be manageable with proper planning and assistance from trusted friends. Consider these tips while loading your truck:
- Enlist at least two people to assist with organization and loading tasks.
- Disassemble furniture and protect items with packing materials as you load them.
- Prioritize loading heavy items first, followed by boxes and longer items.
- Create stable walls of boxes using T-stacks and maximize space efficiency.
- Ensure the ramp is securely in place for safe and efficient use of a dolly.
Drive Your Moving Truck to Your New Destination. Exercise caution and drive carefully, as maneuvering a moving truck requires adjustment and patience.
- Drive at a slower pace and maintain composure to navigate the move smoothly.
Unload Your Belongings. Back the truck up to the new house and utilize spotters to ensure a safe approach. Unload your items with a strategic plan:
- Coordinate with movers to place large items in designated rooms.
- Prioritize positioning boxes to avoid hindrance during furniture placement.
Return Your Moving Truck. Follow your pre-arranged schedule to return the truck either on the same day or the following morning.
Opting for a Moving Company
Research to Find the Right Company. Utilizing a moving company may incur additional costs, but it alleviates the stress of handling the entire moving process yourself. Ensure the chosen company is insured and offers workers' compensation. Thorough research is crucial before making a commitment:
- Avoid relying solely on the internet to avoid potential scams. Seek recommendations from local sources or acquaintances.
- Select a company willing to provide an in-home estimate, ensuring transparency.
- Verify that the company performs the move itself rather than subcontracting.
- Request a copy of the 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet.
- Obtain comprehensive information about the company, preferring those with at least a decade of experience and positive references.
Verify Legitimacy Online. Once you've shortlisted potential companies, validate their legitimacy online using their DOT and MC license numbers. Confirm their authorization and insurance status:
- Check SafeSys.org using the DOT and MC numbers.
- Validate the company on the 'FMCSA Licensing & Insurance site' linked in the report.
- Review the Better Business Bureau for additional insights.
Schedule an On-Site Assessment. Arrange for a representative from the moving company to evaluate your belongings and provide a detailed estimate. Ensure the estimate is based on an in-person evaluation rather than cubic feet:
- Avoid companies that provide estimates solely based on cubic feet measurements.
- If feasible, solicit assessments from multiple companies to compare services and pricing, albeit time-consuming.
Negotiate Terms with the Moving Company. Reach a mutually beneficial agreement on rates and specifics, ensuring the contract is comprehensive and tailored to your requirements. Never sign a blank contract, and finalize the moving date through the arrangement.
Supervise the Moving Process. With your chosen moving company and date in place, it's time to oversee the relocation. Although you won't be lifting heavy items, it's advisable to be present during loading and unloading, unless you've arranged otherwise:
- During unloading, avoid obstructing the movers and refrain from offering assistance unless requested.
- Show appreciation to your movers by providing lunch and a generous tip for their hard work.
Settling Into Your New Home
Commence Unpacking. Upon arrival at your new residence, you might feel overwhelmed. Exercise patience and tackle unpacking gradually. Prioritize unpacking essential items and kitchenware, gradually assembling furniture:
- Begin with essential items from your designated box, ensuring immediate access to necessities like toiletries and bedding.
- Prioritize setting up the kitchen to facilitate daily routines.
- Assemble significant furniture pieces in their respective rooms and pace yourself to avoid exhaustion.
Initiate Shopping. As unpacking progresses, embark on shopping trips for necessary supplies, groceries, and furniture replacements. Pace yourself based on your requirements:
- Take a gradual approach to shopping, especially if you have a lengthy list of items to purchase.
Explore Your New Neighborhood. Once unpacking is underway or during breaks, familiarize yourself with the neighborhood to ease the transition and discover local amenities:
- Take leisurely walks to explore and acquaint yourself with nearby attractions and amenities.
- Research cultural sites, dining options, and community events through online resources or local publications.
- Engage with your social network to gather recommendations and tips from acquaintances.
- Initiate interactions with neighbors to foster a sense of community and gain insights into the local area.
Useful Tips
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Transfer perishables from your fridge to a cooler. Consider using dry ice to preserve frozen items during transit.
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If you own a cat, it's advisable to leave them in the familiar environment until the last moment. Moving them amidst chaos can cause undue stress, leading to hiding for days.
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Take a moment to breathe. Moving is inherently stressful, despite your preparations. Expect emotional moments and be patient with yourself. Remind yourself that the temporary stress will give way to the excitement of settling into your new home.
Important Warnings
- Thoroughly research your chosen moving company to avoid potential scams.
- Exercise caution with waterbed mattresses as they are prone to damage. Consider using a suction pump to ensure they are emptied properly.
