10 Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life Easier
You finally have your new home! It’s all exciting until you begin to think about how much you have to pack. Relocating households takes time and effort, with this can come stress. Luckily, our packing and moving tips can help set a stress-free tone for your big move!
Moving Tip #1: Create a moving checklist and budget.
By visually organizing your move, you can keep track of things as they occur. Break down your lists into subcategories and knock out a few checkmarks each day. This will help keep you from getting overwhelmed, all while keeping you on schedule.
Moving Tip #2: Weigh the pros and cons of hiring professional movers.
If you don’t have access to willing family and friends, or you’re moving out of state, it might make sense to hire professional movers. The amount of work they take off your plate during this stressful time might be well worth the cost.
TIP: Remember to book the moving company weeks in advance; lots of people in general move at the end of the month.
Moving Tip #3: Send out notices before you’re too stressed.
Make a list of who you need to notify when you move. This might seem like a no-brainer for the important things like utilities and cable, but don’t forget the small stuff too! You have Amazon, PayPal, credit cards, your bank, insurance companies, any mailing subscriptions you may have, etc.
Moving Tip #4: Declutter so you can pack less.
A crucial packing tip is making sure you don’t move anything that you no longer need. Lighten your stress and workload by decluttering before you enter the packing state; this means figuring out what to toss, keep, sell, or donate. Take measurements of your new home and get rid of any furniture that will not fit or you know you won’t use.
Moving Tip #5: Invest in quality moving boxes and labeling.
It’s tempting to go to your local grocery store and try to score some boxes for free. However, moving boxes are relatively inexpensive, and the added durability can be worth the cost in the end. When you arrive at your new home, unpack by room. The unpacking process will be more manageable. Remember to label the sides of the boxes and not the tops. This way, you’ll be able to identify them even if they’re stacked.
Moving Tip #6: Give each room a different color packing label.
To stay organized, pick a color code for each room and label the room’s boxes accordingly. Label the door of each room with the corresponding sticker/tape so that movers know where to place the boxes. This moving tip will save movers tons of time. Instead of needing to read the label explicitly or play the room guessing game, they can just match color to color!
Moving Tip #7: Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear, plastic bin.
To stay organized on your first night, be sure to pack your essentials in a clear plastic bin. This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside, as well as separates itself from the piles of cardboard boxes.
Moving Tip #8: Use plastic wrap to avoid leaks!
Take care of anything that has the potential to spill. For instance, a shampoo bottle that seems tightly sealed outside of a box can somehow magically figure out a way to ooze over all of your other belongings. In this case, keep all toiletries and liquids separate from dry items. Consider using plastic wrap as an additional seal between the bottle and the lid.
Moving Tip #9: Repurpose household items for packing!
Think about how you can repurpose things you have such as hampers, suitcases, bags, and laundry bins for storing/packing some of your belongings. Utilize clothing when packing fragile items; such as socks for glasses and stemware or shirts for in-between dinnerware.
Moving Tip #10: Create a game plan.
To avoid chaos, be sure you have a designated person who can direct the movers on moving day. This person needs to determine which items need to be moved first, and which items can be loaded into your new home last. Having a general direction and someone who can take charge can ultimately save you time and money on moving day if you are using professional movers.