Do you remember the last time you moved? It doesn’t really matter if it was across the country or in the same neighborhood; it most likely ended with the words “Never Again!”. Unfortunately, you don’t always have the luxury of staying in the same house your entire life, and here you are again, planning a relocation. Now you cannot stop but think about the moment when you’ll find yourself again surrounded by packing tape and cardboard boxes. Don’t you get a headache just thinking about it? You’re not alone! Everyone hates moving out.
However, it doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal if you know what to expect, prepare, stay organised, and learn how to deal with stress. To make things even smoother for you, we put together a moving checklist you can follow to make the process as painless as possible.
The following pieces of advice might be lifesavers if you need help figuring out where to start.
8 weeks before you move
You’ll be less stressed if you start planning your move two months ahead. From creating a list of things you want to take with you to finding a moving company, the goal is to get the ball rolling.
Here’s what to do 8 weeks before you leave your current house.
Sort your belongings
There’s no better time than this to go through every room and decide what things you want to keep and what you want to throw away. Think about this as an opportunity to clean the house and remove clutter. Make a list of the items that require extra insurance coverage or special packing, and decide if they’re worth the effort.
Research moving companies
Look online for moving company options. Get in touch with several well-known movers in your area and request on-site estimates so you can compare their prices. Don’t forget to check out customer reviews for each company to find out what former clients have to say about them. This article from Sirelo provides you with information on what factors to consider when searching for a moving company.
Measure your furniture
The last thing you need when arriving at your new house is to figure out that your furniture items don’t fit through the door. Measure all bulky items to avoid dealing with such an issue on the moving day.
Create a moving binder
The binder can help you keep track of everything, from the receipts to the estimates and an inventory of the belongings you want to take with you.
6 weeks before you move
You have tried to organise your move for the last two weeks, and by now, you know what things you want to take with you and are ready to dive a little deeper. 6 weeks before leaving the house, you need to identify the supplies and services you need to make the process easier. Take pictures of your valuables and collect moving boxes because soon you’ll have to pack things.
Narrow down the list of moving companies
Now that each company offered a quote and you compared their services and prices, narrow down the list to three or two options because you need to hire them in the near future.
Collect moving boxes
Get in touch with friends and neighbours, and even call your local stores and ask them if they can hand over some free boxes. When you start collecting moving boxes ahead of time, you can get them free. Buying moving boxes is the last thing you should spend money on.
Once you start putting things in boxes, label them to know which goes where. It’s easier when arriving at your new house to organise everything.
Get a storage unit
If you decide you don’t want to bring some things into your new house, but you also don’t want to donate them or throw them away, reserve a storage unit. You can also reserve one close to your new house if you want to ship them ahead and store them until your new house is available.
4 weeks before you move
Next month you’ll be sleeping in a new house, so you have to establish all the details of the move.
Hire the moving company
Establish your budget and the things you want to take with you. Pick the best quote and get in touch with the moving company to establish what steps you have to take from now on.
Order supplies
If you didn’t acquire free boxes for packing your items, now you have to order them, together with other supplies like permanent markers, bubble wrap, and tape. Depending on what things you want to relocate, you might even have to purchase some speciality containers.
Take measurements
Head to your new house and check each room’s dimensions to determine if you can keep your furniture or need to order new pieces.
Begin packing
Once your packing supplies arrive, start putting items in boxes. First, you should pack the items you use most infrequently, like the off-season clothes, waffle iron, Christmas tree, and other similar items.
Label everything
Write down what contents should go in each box before starting to collect the items from the house because you need to keep everything organised.
2 weeks before you move
Use this time to finalise the moving day logistics and ensure you won’t be stressed out when the time comes.
Change you address
Let everyone know where you’re moving because your service providers, family, and friends might need to contact you. Arrange to have your mail forwarded to your new location.
Update or cancel subscriptions and memberships
Now is the moment to get in touch with your service providers and see if you can move the subscriptions to your new location or have to cancel them and purchase new ones from local providers. You’ll most likely have to get a new gym membership and find a new hairdresser if you move across town or the country.
Plan a moving party
The moving party is the ideal time to get your family and friends to help you move and donate some items you no longer need.
