It’s no secret that moving is a stressful experience. From finding a new home to hiring a moving team, you have a lot to get done before you can settle in. Fortunately, you can make the process much easier with some planning.
Are you trying to stage and sell a home, secure a new one and move all at the same time? Work in bits and pieces to ease your mind. Here are five ways to make everything go a little smoother on moving day.
1. Organize Important Documents
During a move, you never know what documents you’ll need handy. Between receipts, contracts, leases and other papers, you have a lot to keep organized throughout the process. It’s crucial to keep your records in one place so you know exactly where to access them.
Binders work perfectly. Buy one for a few bucks so you have somewhere safe and secure to store your printed copies. Feel free to include a physical checklist, as well. Then, you won’t have to scramble to find your passport or whatever else you need when moving day arrives.
2. Know Where You Want Furniture to Go
When moving day finally arrives, you want everything to be as streamlined as possible. Therefore, you should do your best to map out where you want your furniture to go in your space. This way, your movers’ job will be much easier, and you can unpack your boxes faster.
Check to see whether you have access to a floorplan for your new home. If you’re not sure where you can find one, ask your landlord or real estate agent. Then, you can use the layout to figure out where you want everything to go. Be sure to mark your belongings according to your decision so your movers aren’t confused or lost.
There’s no need to stress over the exact placement now. If you know the rooms where you want to place the furniture, you can save time while moving. Later, you can dedicate as many hours as you need to rearrange everything perfectly.
3. Use a System to Pack Items
There’s nothing worse than ending up with a pile of unmarked boxes after moving. It’s essential to come up with a labeling system to avoid confusion once you arrive at your new home. Be sure to include three indicators on each box: what’s inside (baby toys), what number the box is in total (three out of 20) and where the box needs to go (nursery).
This way, you can help movers know exactly where to put the boxes. If you can find every box except for number seven, you’ll quickly realize that something got lost along the way. It’s helpful to use colored markers or labels that match up with rooms in the house, such as blue for the kitchen, as well.
4. Transfer Utilities in Advance
This tip will be a huge help, especially in the initial days of getting settled into your home. After all, you don’t want to step into your new space, ready to unpack, only to find that your lights don’t work. Instead, you should take the time to transfer your utilities as soon as you can.
Depending on the company, you may not be able to get your utilities switched over until a few days before you move. This timeline will differ for each service, so be prepared to write down exactly when they’ll turn on everything. Try to do so in order of priority. Get your water, electricity and gas transferred before your internet so you know the basics are operational.
5. Move Belongings to a Storage Locker
Before you bid your current home goodbye, you may need to stage the space to sell. There’s also a chance that you’re moving across the state or country. That’s when you may find storage lockers are a smart idea, as you can keep valuable items secure throughout the process.
If you decide that a storage space makes sense for your circumstances, you’ll want to cover a few important bases to ensure you pick the right facility and completely protect your belongings. You can then feel confident that your furniture is in good hands while you prepare for your transition.
Plan Ahead for a Move With These Tips
Moving can be a tiring experience from start to finish. However, you can make a few simple preparations in advance to make things more manageable. This way, you can avoid potential hiccups — and soon, you’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy your new space.
Author:
Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She published maintenance and decor advice for homeowners looking to buy and sell properties.