Planning a move is never easy. From the time you close on a new place to the moment when the movers leave it, moving is a whirlwind adventure. Many feel like they don’t know where to begin. How do you pick a movers? What does a good moving checklist look like? What should I bring with me? All of those questions, along with hundreds of others, are sure to pop up during the process, leaving many feeling overwhelmed. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process from beginning to end. Whether its a military move, a new job, or a simple change of scenery that’s got you moving across states, we’ve got you covered.
- Get rid of some things. The best way to ease a move is to minimize the amount of stuff you’re bringing along. People assign wide ranges of meaning to the term, but decluttering should at the very least involve the removal of unnecessary items. Some opt to even get rid of old furniture with the aim of buying new furniture when they reach the new location.
- Hire movers. You’ll need to get a thorough estimate from a number of moving companies before choosing one. Make sure they come and view the furniture and goods that you’ll be moving in order to give you an accurate estimate. Many will offer moving out checklists and move in checklists to help ease the process. Collect a few and compare to construct one that works for you.
- Take inventory. The easiest way to do this is to walk through your house with a video camera. You want to record the presence and condition of every item for insurance purposes. You could also write it all down, but that’s a little more time consuming and honestly not as helpful.
- Pack up your stuff. When the movers arrive, make sure you’ve already packed and labeled all your boxes and loaded them up the way you want them. The last box you pack should be a “survival box” containing all your essentials for day one at the new place, like a coffeemaker, cellphone charger, pillow, change of clothes, toothbrush, and contact case.
- Load up. Once the movers have picked up your stuff, grab your plane, hop in your car, or do whatever it is you’re doing to move yourself to the new location. Make sure your utilities are scheduled to be shut off on the day after you leave and that the utilities in your new place are scheduled to be turned on the day before you arrive. Bring with you any valuables like jewelry, cash, collectibles, photographs, and important documents.
- Unpack your stuff. Be purposeful, unloading things into the rooms where they belong. When possible, arrange furniture before unpacking boxes. The movers have plenty of experience, so they probably won’t need much direction. Focus your energy on making sure things are in the proper rooms.
Almost 7 million U.S. households moved in 2010, meaning you’re certainly not the first or the only ones. Look online for tips from other movers about the process and for insights about your new city. As stressful as it can be, a long distance move is a great adventure! Enjoy the process, take deep breaths, and relax. Read more articles like this: mymovingchecklist.net