Getting ready for the big move can be nerve-wracking and chaotic. Making the right preparations will help prevent some major headaches, but how do you know what to do and when to do it? These moving day tips will put you ahead of the hang-ups that can throw your moving mission for a loop.
Though you may have worked out some nuggets of wisdom for yourself, this compilation of tips for an easy move will make anyone a pro when it comes to relocating. Just follow the complete moving guide checklist and rest assured that all the pieces will fall into place.
Give Yourself A Head Start
It’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself in a situation where you have to pack your bags and leave overnight — usually, there’s a grace period of a couple of months or so that you’re aware of the deadline for preparing your moving guide.
Putting together a list of the tasks you have to accomplish beforehand will allow you to mentally organize what needs to be done and establish a timeline of events. Break it up into a weekly itinerary, so there’s no anxiety about what needs your attention. When you’re caught up in the blunderbuss of a last minute scramble, it’s easy to neglect important details that can bite you later.
Depending on your situation, it’s a good idea to know when you’ll have to switch over utilities, have important mail forwarded to your new address, and stock up on packing supplies. Make a checklist of bank statements, bills, subscriptions, and other important items that you don’t want to be lost in circulation and knock them out one by one. Know when to swap the power and water so that you aren’t high and dry at your new place — don’t pay upkeep for two places! Lastly, take stock of your belongings so you can prepare a moving kit that fits your needs.
Map Out Your Game Day
Whether you’re enlisting the help of some friends for your move or hiring a moving company, the earlier you know how you’ll be mobilizing the better. Plan your move for sometime between September and April when the demand for moving companies is lowest and save yourself a couple of bucks. You may also want to avoid the intensity of the summer months while you’re doing all the loading and unloading too!
When you select a moving company, you’ll want to make sure you communicate all of the details of your move with them — the date and time of your move, any oversized items and appliances, and any obstacles to getting out of your old place or into the new one. Take measurements as you walk through the move beforehand to map out any potential difficulties you might face like tight corners or narrow door frames.
Pick out a moving vehicle that matches your needs. If you’re moving into a studio apartment, you probably won’t need a massive truck, or all your possessions can slide around in the back and increase the potential for breaking things. On the other hand, you don’t want to have to waste money on taking an extra trip for leftover stuff that was left behind.
Reduce, Reuse, Or Recycle
The more time you spend in your home, things tend to accumulate even if you aren’t a hoarder. As you buy replacements for items that are obsolete or don’t function correctly anymore, sometimes you forget to get rid of the old when you get the new. Moving is the perfect excuse to purge through your things and get real about what you’re not going to ever use again.
If you have hundreds of kitchen utensils that you don’t need, instead of hauling that around why not donate some of them? You can feel good about yourself and have a lighter load on the road — plus you can save receipts and get a deduction during tax season. Look in the back of your closet for clothes you haven’t worn in months or years and drop them off at a local donation bin. Furniture that’s worn down, won’t fit, or doesn’t match the aesthetic of your new place, can be sold or put out for the next big trash pickup. Maybe you can help out family or friends by giving them something you no longer need to score a win-win scenario.
You can also host a yard sale if you give yourself enough time and cut down on some moving costs. Then you don’t even need to drive to get rid of stuff, people pick it up for you and give you cash for it — what could be more convenient than that? Advertise on street corners and pick a weekend date that is likely to attract customers, not when people are out of town on vacation!
Stock Up On Packaging
Once you’ve trimmed down some of the things that need to be transported, you’ll need to get everything moving-ready. Cut down on waste from cardboard boxes and bubble wrap by investing in plastic bins and reappropriating your towels and linens for break-proofing delicates. Decide what you’re going to need first when you unload at your new place by placing priority items into see-through plastic tubs for easy access.
Label your storage bins by contents or by location in your home so you can simplify the unpacking process. When you unload the box that says “kitchen,” you only have to set it down once instead of putting it in a pile and cracking it open to see where it goes. Place labels on the sides of your boxes and containers so you can see what goes where while things are stacked together. Using all the packing space conservatively will allow you to carry fewer things and keep them from rattling around during transportation. Recyclable packing material like newspaper or rags can simplify putting things away as well as taking them out.
Prepare Your New Home Beforehand
Before you fill your new pad with clutter, make everything spotless and clean for maximum satisfaction. Arm yourself with glass cleaner, surface cleaner, rags, a vacuum, and Swiffer, so dust and dirt don’t cling to your possessions. It would be a major pain to put stuff away and immediately have to pick it all up again to clean the surface beneath it!
Likewise, get a fresh start by packing only clean items. Dishes should be washed; clothes ought to be clean and folded, and furniture dusted. That way, no cross contamination occurs between your old and new places — nobody wants to bring dirty things into a squeaky clean home. Make it easy on yourself during your first day after moving by assembling an essentials kit filled with toiletries, garbage bags, and a fresh change of clothes and a towel. Moving is hard work, so you’ll probably need a night to recuperate before tackling the unpacking.
Protect Your Valuables
If you have jewelry, tech, or pets, make a plan for giving special care to these items. Hire a pet sitter for the day to avoid dealing with a stressed-out animal. Ensure your valuables that are being handled by a moving company, or take your most precious cargo in your own vehicle to keep an eye on it yourself. Before transporting computers or other electronics, create a complete backup of your devices in case the unthinkable happens.
Resist the urge to toss belongings into garbage bags for transport. Even if they aren’t breakables, you wouldn’t want to mistakenly throw out something you own because it gets piled with the trash. Plus, it isn’t easy to organize or label items in a shapeless bag that’s vulnerable to being ripped and spilled.
Settling In
When you arrive at your new home, being organized and prepared will cast a good impression on your neighbors. It will create a quick move and less of an inconvenience to those who live near you. After settling in, you can do a meet and greet as a gesture of goodwill to neighbors and make friends early on. You may need to ask for favors early on while you’re getting situated, so it doesn’t hurt to have a few names to call upon if you find yourself in a pinch.
Your first day can be exhausting, so stocking up on water, drinks, and snacks can come in handy. Offer your movers a beverage, and they’ll be grateful for your consideration — everyone needs to stay hydrated when doing the heavy lifting. Plan on eating out or ordering in for your first night to regain some energy without worrying about cooking. It’s a good idea to have a grocery list prepared in advance so you can make purchases early on and return to making regular meals. After you unpack and restock your home, all that’s left is to kick back and enjoy!
Finding A Quality Apartment Home
Taking the first step of finding somewhere to move can be a tough place to begin. When you’re searching for an excellent location in Phoenix, Heers Management Company can help you find the perfect match with any of their eight elegant properties across town. Simplify your move and enjoy a variety of provided amenities such as large appliances like a washer and dryer, your own private patio, a pool, and much more.
All Heers Management communities are gated and have on-site security so you can feel safe and secure in your new home. Friendly staff and maintenance crews will make living easier and take care of your needs. Contact Heers Management Company today to take a look at beautiful properties that have the potential to be your new happy home.
ok. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.