It's almost springtime! Spring means flowers and trees blooming, birds singing, baseball, and moving season! Statistics show that over half of all moves take place from May through September* which means that now is likely the time to get started planning and organizing your move.
Moving can be time consuming, costly, and overwhelming. Having a step by step plan can help make the process go smoother. The first step is to create a master "to do" list. List each project and assign tasks so you know what each project entails. Keep your master list on a digital system such as Google Docs or Evernote so you can share with family and friends that are involved in your move. Next, consider your timeline and budget.
When are you de- cluttering, Staging, taking pictures, and listing your home?
Are you buying a home? When is the closing? Are you selling items prior to your move?
Are you going to move the same day?
Does your budget allow for hiring packers to pack your home prior to your move?
Do you need to hire a junk hauling company?
All of these answers will help create a timeline and budget to work from moving forward.
After establishing a master list, timeline, and budget, start sorting and purging items from your home. Moving is costly and you don't want to move items that you won't use in your new home. In fact, the average cost of an interstate move is $4,300 and in state is $2,300.
Keep in mind the number and size of rooms of the new home. Space planning is essential. How much "stuff" can you realistically bring to your new home? This task can be tedious, but if time allows, try working in small chunks of time – one room or closet at a time. Buy different colored painter's tape or post-it notes to mark items that will be sold, given away, or donated. You many also consider creating an inventory of what items will go to family, be sold, moved to storage, donated, or taken by a junk hauler.
Wow! At this point, you have accomplished so many tasks and there are just a few remaining steps to ensure a smooth move.
When hiring a moving company, it's important to consider several factors.
You will want to make a list of specialty items that will be moved such as a hot tub, piano, train table, lighting, and/or a grandfather clock. Your mover may contract a third party vendor to handle these items.
You will also need to make decisions about whether your movers will handle the whole move or a part of the move and what rooms they will pack. Your moving company should provide a detailed moving inventory list.
It's important to obtain a few quotes to compare vendors and you may want to select a company that also offers on site storage if that is something you will need.
Finally, consider who will handle food, plants, garbage, and other hazardous items movers are not allowed to put on a moving truck.
It's finally here…moving day! Today is the day you have been planning for months! In order to make this day as easy as possible, you will want to create a detailed list of items you will need to keep on hand through the move (hygiene products, cleaning products, bedding/towels, medication, snacks) as well as what items you will pack last (jewelry, clothes, computer).
Packing a "parts box" of electrical/extension cords, chargers, and tools as well as taking pictures of items that will require reassembly will come in handy when you are unpacking in your new home. Remember to schedule a junk hauler and cleaning company to leave your previous residence clean as well as to clean your new home. And finally, keep a binder to contain checklists, contracts, vendors paid, donation slips, receipts, etc. as you go about your busy day.
While there will be many days ahead of unpacking and organizing, the biggest part of your move is now behind you. By following these tips and suggestions, your move should be as stress-free as possible so you can move seamlessly through this transition.
In no time, you will finally be able to relax and enjoy your new home!