Create to-do lists and timelines
Writing down your tasks can help you plan your schedule. The list is continually adjusted, but it’s important to have a working document. Start with the things you need to do right away, like asking the movers for a quote, and work on the last things to do, like cleaning the house after you move out. Set realistic deadlines and allow room for the unexpected.
When you talk to the movers, ask detailed questions about the schedule. Will your items be moved by the same person from start to finish? Will other customers’ belongings be loaded in the same truck? Will they guarantee delivery on the specified date? Please try to But also know that you will need to check and recheck several times as the move gets closer.
Moving presents an opportunity to assess your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, throw away or recycle. By minimizing the amount of travel, you can save a considerable amount of money.
Remove all distractions before you start packing. Also, if you’re selling your home, ask if the buyer would like to buy something large that is specific to your space, such as outdoor furniture.
Be realistic about the amount of storage space in your new home. If you don’t have space for an artificial Christmas tree, consider not carrying one. If you don’t have a garage or basement, don’t bring the box over your tool box.
And start cleaning early. It takes time to go through the whole house. Due to the often long lead times, we schedule pick-ups for furniture donations as soon as possible. Discard and donate your child’s clothes and toys, or send hand-me-downs to a friend. You can also have junk dealers take your old electronics, paint, building materials, and tons of other junk.
One way to save money and do something good for the environment is to crowdsource your boxes and packaging materials. Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they have any material, and monitor local mailing lists for free box notifications. You will need crates of all sizes and collect more than you think you need.
Pack fragile items securely with bubble wrap and wrapping paper. Get some packing tape and mark each room. Label the box with the room to be unpacked to identify the contents. Mark the box containing the essentials as “unpacked”.
If your budget allows, consider having your movers pack some of your belongings, especially fragile items. Some movers only insure the fragile items they pack.
Carry important documents such as passports, birth certificates, vaccine cards, laptops, phones, cords, jewelry, keys, etc., instead of packing them in boxes.
Unlike local moves, which typically take less than 24 hours to load and unload, and are short distances, long-distance moves carry a higher risk of something breaking or being damaged.
Find and make copies of your major purchase receipts and make sure they are covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy. If you’ve owned a valuable piece of art for a long time and the value may have changed, get it appraised. The same applies to precious furniture, jewelry or wine. Ask friends and family for referrals and schedule an evaluation early.
Check with your insurance company for coverage if your belongings are in transit and update your policy to include your new address. Also, familiarize yourself with the moving company’s policy on lost, damaged, or damaged items. Moving companies may even request a list of the general contents of the home that can be turned into an inventory checklist on the day of the move.
- Create a travel time cushion in case your flight is delayed, your car breaks down, or someone gets sick. That way, you can reach the moving truck in time.
- Make a plan for transporting your pet and arrange for your pet to be off-site on both move-out and move-in dates to reduce stress on your pet and you.
- Schedule an Internet service installation the day after you unpack your truck. Moving day can be so chaotic that it’s a good idea to keep your computer and TV accessible during installation to make sure everything is working properly.
- Know where you want to put rugs and large pieces of furniture. If you are completely new to the area and don’t know anyone, once the movers have left you may not have anyone to turn to for help if you need to move something heavy. Sketching may help.
- Submit your change of address to the US Postal Service at least two weeks before you move and notify your family and friends of your new information.
- If traveling to the city, check parking and permitting policies for truck travel. If you are moving into an apartment, please check with management that you will be allowed to move in on the dates specified, and book a loading dock and freight elevator if applicable.
Nicole Anzia is a freelance writer and owner of Neatnik.she can be reached at nicole@neatnikdc.com and on instagram @neatnikdc.
