Top 13 Moving Tips

Packing up everything you own and moving to another home is never a fun time, but you can definitely make the process all the easier if you follow a few steps that will keep you organized, efficient and most importantly, sane. Moving isn’t just taking a few knickknacks and throwing them in a box, moving is a risky venture where you can risk losing or damaging your favorite possessions, or risk moving injuries yourself. This is why most people opt for a moving company, because saving time and putting all that stress to rest is invaluable.

Even if you’ve decided to hire a team of professional movers to give you a helping hand during the move, or you’re planning to move everything you own by yourself, there are quite a few tips that can make the endeavor much less painful.

  1. Hire your movers

Hiring your movers as soon as you possibly can is always the best choice. Once you’ve found out the date you wish to move on, and you’ve evaluated the number of items you are planning to bring with you to your new home, giving your movers a call is essential. The sooner you make the reservation, the bigger the chances are that the moving company of your choosing has the availability for your preferred move date. However, the process of finding the right movers for your moving needs can sometimes be quite tricky. Make sure to hire both a licensed and insured company, and a reliable one at the same time. This way, if anything were to happen to your items on the day of your move, the moving company you’ve hired will be held accountable. Moving with a team of professional movers grants you peace of mind, combined with the luxury of not doing anything really, while the moving experts carefully pack, wrap and transport your items to their new home.

  1. Declutter

When you find yourself in the middle of a move with boxes full of items you don’t need, or don’t simply care for, it can slow down the process and stress you out. This is the perfect time to go through absolutely everything you own and get rid of everything you don’t want to own anymore. Donate everything that is in good shape and might be useful, move some items into a storage unit, or throw away some items that you no longer plan on using or can’t be used. This is a unique chance to grab a glimpse of even the smallest items you might have around the house, and decluttering everything can oftentimes speed up your move immensely, therefore saving you a few bucks once your move is completed.

  1. Prep for packing

Before you even think about taking those boxes and start throwing your belongings inside furiously, you’re going to need a detailed packing plan. Sit down and map out the whole process of packing, which room will you be packing first, the quantity of packing supplies you’re going to need, if there are any fragile items that you might own that are going to need extra protection etc. It might seem unnecessary, but having a complete plan before you throw yourself into the process of packing can save you vast amounts of time. You’ll thank yourself after finishing up and seeing how much easier it can be with a single piece of paper. Keep in mind that some moving companies also offer the option to pack all of your belongings, and also have their own packing supplies, so if you don’t wish to stress yourself out with the task of packing and everything that comes with it, you can always ask your movers to help you out on the day of your move.

  1. Gather packing supplies

Packing supplies are an essential part of the whole packing process. Not only are you going to need quality packing supplies to ensure your items safety during the transport, but you also have to evaluate the correct quantity of packing supplies so you don’t have to make multiple trips to the hardware store in the middle of the process. Your moving company might sell packing supplies, so you can ask them for some assistance, or you can simply handle the process by yourself and make sure everything is packed properly. Keep in mind that you don’t always need expensive packing supplies, and that you will only be using them once, so you can always save up some money by carefully evaluating how many you’re exactly going to need.

  1. Checklist

After constructing the detailed packing plan, gathered your supplies and started the process packing, you’re going to want to make a checklist. Making a detailed inventory when packing your items will grant you with a complete list of everything you own, ensuring that everything is neatly loaded onto the truck, off the truck and into your new home. This way you are ensuring that nothing gets lost on your moving day, and that every item you own safely makes it to its destination. If you’ve asked your movers to handle the packing portion of your move as well, they will handle the inventory aspect as well, so you wont even have to worry about that.

  1. Pack smart

Once you’ve gathered everything you need, and you’re officially starting the process of packing, it is best to think logically, and pack your least used rooms first, and leave the most used rooms last. Start with the attic, basement or guest bedroom, and work your way through every room based on how much you actually use the rooms and the items inside as well. Also keep in mind that the toughest room to pack by a longshot, is definitely the kitchen. Don’t underestimate this room and save it for the day before your move, but rather pack it up in sections, or pack it up first but leave the essentials out until the day before your move.

  1. Label boxes

Labeling your boxes might even seem unnecessary, and that only marking the room it goes in is probably enough. However, marking your boxes with as much information as possible is going to speed up your unpacking process immensely. You can even write down the contents of the box, or use colored labels if you don’t want to bother with writing an essay on your boxes. You can even use the inventory you have made and mark each box with a different number, while keeping its contents and the room it belongs to in your moving checklist.

  1. Empty your items

It might seem logical to leave your clothes inside your dresser, or keep your drawers full for the movers to just transfer as it is and settle it into your new home. However, moving companies that do not want to jeopardize your items in any way will never advise you to leave your heavy items full of stuff. Not only does that add to the risk of something getting damaged during the move, but it also adds a lot of weight to your furniture, and therefore will slow down the process of your move, making you lose more money than you really need to.

  1. Photos

If you have any electronic set ups that might need to be set up in your new home, it might save you some time and peace of mind if you have photos of everything beforehand. Also, if you have some special displays, shelves, décor placements or basically anything you would like to recreate exactly as it is in your new home as well, taking a couple of photos beforehand can make it all the easier at your new place.

  1. Emergency moving kit

Packing an emergency moving kit with your essential items and medication that you might use every day and night is vital, and you should keep this kit with you at all times. This way, you won’t have to rummage through your boxes to find your toothbrush or phone charger once you’ve settled into your new home. In addition, keeping important documentation by your side during the move, and some food and drinks for the day are also an essential step in order to keep everything in check, ensuring nothing gets lost during your relocation.

  1. Utilities

You are advised to cancel your cable, internet, electricity, and gas provider at least a week before your move. It is also best to make sure that everything is up and running at your new home, so you can settle in worry-free and start enjoying the new chapter of your life in peace. If you leave it for the last day, chances are that this will add on more unnecessary stress to your move and it might even hurt your budget. Make sure to finish everything up before your movers show up at your house.

  1. Prepare your new home

If your new home needs some finishing touches, it is best to do this before you actually move in. You will never get another chance to work in an empty house, and it will never be as easy to do anything you possibly need around the house than before your moving day.

  1. Get to know your neighborhood

Once you’ve settled into your new home, you’ll easily get to know every corner of your new living space, but it’s also a good idea to get to know your neighbors and your neighborhood beforehand, so you can easily adapt to your day to day once your relocation has finished.